FM: There may Come a Time When Norwich Goes Down

[Desnudo]

Sat - 1/21/06
FA Cup Round 4
Norwich City (H) 3 v. Man United (A) 1
TV

- Goals -
MU: Smith (16)
NC: Mokoena (3), Karaca (5), Ortega (68)

-MOM-
Ortega (NC)

-Cards-
Guarin and Andersson will miss the next match after each picked up their fifth yellow. Guarin also picked up a one week injury that would have kept him out of the next match anyway.

Norwich got off to a flying start with goals in the 3rd and 5th minutes. Mokoena got things started with a powerful header off a corner kick. United clawed one back on a nice shot from Alan Smith, but Ariel Ortega put the match away in the 68th minute.


Next up: EPL match away against Everton, Sat - 1/28/06

Freddy Adu's initial work permit request was declined. Norwich appealed, decision expected on 1/27/06.

Norwich will play Portsmouth in the FA Cup 5th Round at home. Match scheduled for 3/1/06.

Lebohang Mokeona picked up a calf strain in practice and will be out for 3 weeks attending physiotherapy.

Yasin Karaca picked up a groin strain in practice and will be in rehab for 4 weeks.

Transfer News

Milan has signed Jose Antonio Reyes from Arsenal for $55 million.

Carlton Cole makes a $4 million move to Everton.

Freddy Adu's work permit has been granted to Norwich City.

Weder Bremen have signed River's young DM C Javier Mascherano for $9 million.

[Desnudo]

Sat - 1/28/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 24
Everton (A) 0 v. Norwich City (A) 8

- Goals -
NC: Fuglestad (penalty 2,46), Anthony Gerrard (own goal 10), Ariel Ortega (13,45,62), Freddy Adu (76,90)

-MOM-
Ariel Ortega, FL (NC)

-Injured-
Benedict Vilakazi (NC) - two weeks, twisted ankle


Record Setting Performance at Goodison Park

When you are in 19th place things are obviously not going your way and Everton will have a lot of questions to ask themselves after a 0-8 demolishing at the hands of Norwich. The loss set an EPL record for biggest victory in recorded history. Norwich started things off with a Fuglestad penalty kick just 45 seconds into the game and cruised from there on out. Other highlights include a hattrick from Ortega and two goals from Freddy Adu in his debut in a Canaries uniform.

Next up: EPL Match away at Fulham, Wed - 2/1/06

Transfer News

West Brom sign Stilian Petrov from Birmingham for $3.2 million

Aston Villa sign fullback Niels Kamphuis from Schalke for $5.8 million

Lyon sign DC Boumsong from Rangers for $10.5 million

Roma signs Daniel Bonera from Parma/Inter for $24 million combined

Liverpool sign Lucio from FC Bayern for $25.5 million

Chelski sign Tomas Rosicky from Dortumnd for $32.5 million

-The winter transfer window is closed-

Suprisingly, Arsenal stand pat with $55 million in the bank from the Reyes sale.

Awards

Erik Fuglestad won the EPL Player of the Month Award for January.

[Desnudo]

Wed - 2/1/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 25
Norwich City (H) 3 v. Fulham (A) 1

- Goals -
F: Collins John (29)
NC: Andersson (21), Estoyanoff (32), Smertin (56)

-MOM-
Freddy Adu, AMC (NC)


A class performance from the Canaries saw off Fulham. Freddy Adu got the start at AMC and showed he can already handle the rigors of the premiership, helping to create one of the goals. Most of the scoring occurred in a 15 minute spurt mid-first half. Alexei Smertin closed out the match in the 56th minute. Smertin also set up the first goal with a beautiful lob pass to Andersson from the Norwich end down the right wing. Andersson blasted the ball into the left corner of the net to finish the move.


-Transfer News-
Scottish goalkeeper Paul Gallacher moves to EC side Millwall in a $1.45 million transfer.


Sun - 2/5/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 26
Arsenal (H) 3 v. Norwich City (A) 1
TV

- Goals -
A: van Persie (1), Henry (8), Ljungberg (74)
NC: Roncatto (52)

-MOM-
Robert Pires, MR (A)

In what is fast becoming a tradition, Arsenal drubbed Norwich City 3-1, with Robin van Persie leading the way, after scoring two goals in the first ten minutes. Norwich drew within one, but Freddy Ljungberg made sure Arsenal got the victory.


Sat- 2/11/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 27
Norwich City (H) 3 v. Leeds (A) 0

- Goals -
NC: Adu (56), Estoyanoff (79), Guarin (83)

-MOM-
Freddy Guarin, DMC (NC)

A spectular second half saw Norwich see off the challenge of relegation battlers Leeds United. Freddy Guarin capped the scoring with a brilliant 25-yard free kick.


Wed - 3/1/06
FA Cup Round 5
Norwich City (H) 0 v. Portsmouth (A) 2

- Goals -
P: Valery Mezague (3), Ivica Mornar (penalty 42)

-MOM-
Freddy Guarin, DMC (NC)

-Red Card-

Tieme Klompe (NC) (8): two footed tackle with an additional two game suspension.

The referee handed the match to Portsmouth, sending Klompe off after only 8 minutes and then awarding Portsmouth a penalty in the 42nd. Despite being down a man most of the match, Norwich created more chances than Portsmouth and should have won.


-Awards-

Freddy Adu won the Young Player of the Month award for February. He also came second in the Player of the Month voting.

-Notes-

Ronaldo, Real Madrid, is out for 3 months (the season) after suffering a broken jaw.


Sun - 3/5/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 28
Norwich City (H) 2 v. WBA (A) 0
TV

- Goals -
NC: Fuglestad (29), Estoyanoff (79)

-MOM-
Freddy Guarin, DMC (NC)


Norwich City dominated the match and deservedly ran out winners. Estoyanoff is beginning to show some scoring prowess as he adjusts to life in England.


Sat - 3/18/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 29
Blackburn (H) 1 v. Norwich City (A) 0

- Goals -
A: Morten Gamst Peterson (90)


-MOM-
Brett Emerton, MR (B)

Blackburn dominated the match and fully deserved the win. Norwich looked like it might sneak out with a tie, but Pederson made sure Fulham got all three points. The Canaries, missing Ortega and Andersson due to injury, only managed one shot on target.


Sat - 3/25/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 30
Norwich City (H) 2 v. Man United (A) 1
TV

- Goals -
M: Colin Heath (72)
NC: Mokoena (8), Benedict Vilakazi (40)

-MOM-
Vilakazi, AMC (NC)


An enormous win for the Canaries as they continue to fight for 4th place and the CL spot that goes with it. Mokoena headed in a corner kick and Vilakazi slotted home a shot to power the victory.


-Top Table Review-

With 8 matches to go, Norwich sit fifth with 55 points, 3 points behind Arsenal and 6 behind Birmingham. Liverpool is hot on their heels with 53 points. Totenham and Blackburn sit in 7th and 8th respectively, both with 44. Norwich appears likely for at least a EURO Cup spot, depending on results from the FA Cup. Man U. sits in second with 64 points. Chelsea has a commanding lead with 70.

-Injury News-

Arsenal will be missing fullback Lauren for up to 8 months after he tore his ACL in training. Freddy Ljungberg is also out for 4 weeks with a fractured wrist.

Ruud van Nistlerooy wil return to Man U. from his broken leg in a week.

-Awards Tip-

Norwich City's sweeper, Nicola Legrottaglie, is tipped to win both the Footballer of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards.

Freddy Guarin has won the Young Player of the Month Award for March.

[Desnudo]

Sat - 4/1/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 31
Charlton (H) 0 v. Norwich City (A) 1
TV

- Goals -
CA: Kevin Lisbie (Saja saved penalty 38)
NC: Estoyanoff (77)

-MOM-
Dean Kiely, GK (CA)

-Red Card-
Ariel Ortega (2nd yellow, 85)

-Injury-
Christoffer Andersson, 2 weeks, groin strain

The referee did his best to deny Norwich victory, but Saja saved the penalty awarded on a dubious decision and Norwich held off Charlton for the final minutes after Ortega was sent off in the 85th. Estoyanoff scored the only goal by putting away the rebound from his breakaway shot.

Liverpool ties, leaving Norwich 4 points in the clear in 5th place.

Next up: EPL match home against Sheffield United, Sun - 4/9/06 (TV)

[daedalus]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Milan has signed Jose Antonio Reyes from Arsenal for $55 million.

Wow. Simply wow. Much as I hate selling young talent, I'd be on the selling side here, too. Even if JAR is listed as a "wonderkid" in the game.

JAR and Kaka would be an interesting tandem.

[daedalus]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Arsenal will be missing fullback Lauren for up to 8 months after he tore his ACL in training. Freddy Ljungberg is also out for 4 weeks with a fractured wrist.

Guess that's the price I pay for my amusement at Van Nistelrooij's injury! The FM Gods don't play!

[Desnudo]

Sun - 4/9/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 32
Norwich City (H) 2 v. Sheffield United (A) 0

- Goals -
NC: Tieme Klompe (39), Benedict Vilakazi (45)

-MOM-
Vilakazi, AMC (NC)

A confident performance saw Norwich outclass Sheffield, putting the game away before halftime. United did not manage a shot on target and only had one shot for the game.


Sat - 4/15/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 33
Aston Villa (H) 4 v. Norwich City (A) 0

- Goals -
NC: Juan Pablo Angel (13,39), Clement Mazibuko (33,49)

-MOM-
Mazibuko, AMC (AV)

Norwich was swept off the pitch by Aston Villa in a suprise blow-out loss. Not one Norwich player received higher than a 6 for the day. "Losses like these, you forget them and move on, that's the only way forward," Coach Adios Pantalones noted to the media afterward. "Sometimes you just have a forgetable day."


Wed - 4/19/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 34
Norwich City (H) 2 v. Liverpool(A) 0

- Goals -
NC: Harry Kewell (15), Benedict Vilakazi (78)

-MOM-
Kewell, AMC (L)

Kewell got what might have been an unfair own goal as he accidently deflected a blast from Vilakazi past Petr Cech to open the scoring. Vilakazi added what should have been his second in the 78th after a nice turn and run off a free kick from Freddy Guarin.


Next up: EPL match away against Chelsea, Sun - 4/23/06 (TV)

After 34 matches, Norwich currently sit in 3rd place with 64 points over Birmingham who has 63 and a game in hand. Arsenal sits fifth after 34 matches with 60. Man U. sits second with 67 points after 33 matches. Chelsea looks very likely to win the title now, having 75 points from 33.


Sun - 4/23/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 35
Chelsea (H) 1 v. Norwich City (A) 1
TV

- Goals -
C: Didier Drogba (43)
NC: Yasin Karaca (37)

-MOM-
Juan Sebastian Veron, AMC (C)

Chelsea controlled the ball for long periods, but Norwich held out for the draw in a vintage performance from Sebastien Saja.


Next up: Home against Spurs, Sat - 4/29/06

[Desnudo]

Wed - 4/29/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 36
Norwich City (H) 0 v. Totenham (A) 0

- Goals -

-MOM-
Paul Robinson, GK (T)

Anytime the goalkeeper receives a MoM award, the team should be frustrated. Norwich dominated from start to finish and will be agrieved at not getting more from the match.


Next up: Away against Reading, Sunday - 5/7/06 (TV)


OT: Scoring seems to be a recurring problem that only grows worse as time goes by. Right now, with 2 games remaining, Thierry Henry has 21 goals. Second place is occupied by several players with only 13! Ridiculous. I know they aren't updating the match engine for 5.03, but hope the super keeper problem gets looked at for future releases. The team goal scoring averages are well below what they are in real life. I had this problem in my last game.

[Desnudo]

Sun- 5/7/06
The Barclay Card English Premier League Round 37
Reading (H) 0 v. Norwich City (A) 3

- Goals -
NC: Mokoena (26), Freddy Adu (77,81)

-MOM-
Andersson, MR (NC)

-Red Card-

Imbrahima Soka (R) (60)

Norwich City had too much class for Reading as Mokoena got things started on a nice through ball from Ariel Ortega in the 26th minute. Super sub Freddy Adu scored twice in 4 minutes to seal the match after Reading's Soka was sent off for his second yellow card.

With the win and an Arsenal draw, Norwich clinch 4th place and the last Champions Cup spot. They could finish as high as 3rd with a win and Birmingham loss in the final weekend of the season.

Next up: Home against Portsmouth, Sat - 5/13/06

League Updates

Milan has clinched it's third straight Serie A title

Ajax has clinched it's third straight Dutch title

HSV (Hamburg) have won the German Bundesliga title

Chelsea have clinched the English Premier League title for the second straight year

Middlesbrough have clinched the EC title and promotion

Crystal Palace have clinched promotion to the EPL

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by daedalus

Guess that's the price I pay for my amusement at Van Nistelrooij's injury! The FM Gods don't play!

And now Arsenal get to play in the EURO Cup instead of the CL.

[Desnudo]

Sat- 5/13/06
The BarclayCard English Premier League Round 38
Norwich City (H) 1 v. Portsmouth (A) 0

- Goals -
Freddy Adu (4)

-MOM-
Espen Johnsen, GK (P)

Norwich City peppered Portsmouth goalkeeper Espen Johnsen with shots all day long. An early goal from Freddy Adu was enough to secure the win. Unfortunately, Birmingham won and so Norwich's final position is 4th. They have nothing to cry about though as no one expected more than a mid-table finish. Except their coach that is.

Norwich City received $18 million for its final position in the premier league.

Leeds, Everton and Reading are relegated to the EC.

[Desnudo]

-Final Table and Statistics-

[Desnudo]

-Awards-

English Players' Player of the Year

1. Robert Pires, Arsenal
2. Ronaldinho, Chelsea
3. Thierry Henry, Arsenal

English Players' Young Player of the Year

1. C. Ronaldo, Man U
2. Anthony Le Tallec, Liverpool
3. Freddy Guarin, Norwich

English Players' Premier Select

Nicola Legrotagglie and Ariel Ortega were selected from Norwich

English Premier Division Manager of the Year

1. Jose Mourinho, Chelsea
2. Rafa Benitez, Liverpool? (didn't realize 7th was such a great finish for The Reds)
3. Mark Hughes, Blackburn

English Footballer of the Year

1. Robert Pires
2. Ronaldinho
3. Thierry Henry

[Desnudo]

Chelsea beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 on two goals from Adrian Mutu to win the EURO Cup. That makes it a treble for Chelsea who also won the league and league cup.

Porto beat Deportivo 1-0 on a goal from Jorginho to win the Champions Cup. Deportivo was forced to play with 8 outfielders after they suffered two injuries late in the game.

Benfica won the Superleague (POR)

Galatasaray won the Turkish Premier League

Monaco won French League One

Aston Villa won the FA Cup over Fulham 3-0.

The following England teams have qualified for Europe:

Champions Cup: Norwich, Birmingham, Chelsea, Manchester United
EURO Cup: Arsenal, Blackburn, Aston Villa (cup winners)
EURO Vase: Liverpool, Tottenham

-World Cup-

Five Norwich players have been called up for the World Cup

Sweden - Christoffer Andersson, Mattias Jonson
Argentina - Ariel Ortega
USA - Freddy Adu
Norway - Erik Fuglestad

Barcelona won the Spanish First Division

[Desnudo]

Injury News
6/21/06

Chelsea winger Damien Duff will be out 5 months with a broken back.

Transfer News

Norwich has agreed to terms with clinical striker Claudio Lopez. The 31 year old has 71 CAPs for Argentina. He agreed to a two year deal worth $4.4 million with a sign-on of $2 million. He'll arrive on 7/1/06 from America (Mex) where he had been on loan from from Lazio. Lopez also carries Mexican and Spanish passports.

His primary reason for joining the Canaries is to help out in the European campaign.

7/1/06

Transfer News

Claudio Lopez, SC and Michele Pazienza, DMC join Norwich on frees. Lopez' signing provided a sharp increase in shirt sales.

Gary Holt, DMC has retired from football.

Mattias Jonson, Jim Brennan, Darren Huckerby, Darren Ward, Samuel Slovak and Rossi Jarvis have left Norwich after their contracts expired.

[Desnudo]

-Team Review and Needs Assessment-
Review

Overall, the team performed very well last season. Saja and the rest of the defense were excellent. Saja had 19 clean sheets and only conceded 40 in 44 games.

Defensive midfielder is the pivotal position in the 3-2-2-1-2 and was outstanding in 05/06. Freddy Guarin and Alexei Smertin were both top notch. The signings of Michele Pazienza and Columbian international Fabian Andres Vargas (joining 9/1/04) will only serve to further strengthen the position. Guy Demel is more than capable of starting, but lacks the two way skills that would make him truly invaluable. He likely will be moved in the offseason.

Erik Fuglestad and Christoffer Andersson both were world class on the wings last season. Evandro Roncatto played well on the left wing as well when given the chance. Xia Fan has been slow to develop and this may be his last chance before the team deems it time to move on.

Norwich are stacked at the AMC position with Ariel Ortega, Yasin Karaca, Freddy Adu and Benedict Vilakazi all capable performers. Fortunately all but Vilakazi see time at the forward position as well, so playing time isn't too much of a concern. This will likely be Ortega's last season in a Norwich uniform as he turns 33 towards the end of the season and has already lost a bit of skill.

Forward was a concern last season as no one player stepped up as the finisher that every team desperately needs. Karaca and Adu both played well in the FL position. Roncatto continues to develop into a decent player, although he is more of a winger than a true striker. Estoyanoff needs more playing time to truly assess his capabilities. Mokoena continues to develop, but isn't quite ready yet to assume the lead role. It is hoped that Claudio Lopez will provide the much needed consistency that Norwich lacks at the FC position.

Needs

Norwich will be looking to add one more central defender to the mix as they were lucky to avoid injury to the starting three all last season. It is a large drop-off in talent from those three.

In the midfielder, a two way winger will be targeted, hopefully capable of handling both the MR and ML roles.

At forward and AMC there is currently a surplus of players. However, if a substantial upgrade can be achieved, the team will make a move.

Ex-Roma forward Antonio Cassano, out of contract, is just such a player, but unfortunately Norwich's current wage budget will not allow for the team to meet his wage demands. If he is still available (highly unlikely) when the team expands the budget later in the summer, every attempt will be made to sign the superstar.

With Europe on the horizon, Norwich can afford to run a larger squad and still ensure everyone gets playing time.


The team training facilities are now top notch and include a youth academy.

Budget

Norwich currently has $52 million in the bank after the tv revenue distribution and a $12 million transfer budget. It is expected that this budget will increase later in the summer. Likely final amount will probably be in the $20-25 million range.

Unfortunately none of that helps the team sign Cassano whom Adios Pantalones is rumored to desperately want. He is rumored to desire a contract in the $4.5 million range. With his signing, Norwich could compete for the league title and would have a decent shot in Europe. Additionally, Arsenal and Birmingham are interested and it is very important that he not sign with another premier league squad.

[Desnudo]

-World Cup 2006 Germany Round-up-

Italy won the World Cup 1-0 over Holland on a 3rd minute goal from Riccardo Montolivo.

Brazil won third place with a 2-0 win over Uruguay.

Other highlights include the USA making it to the quarterfinals only to lose a heartbreaker to Holland on penalties 2-2. They got to the quarters by beating England 2-2 on penalties. Freddy Adu made his first appearance on the international scene and played in all 5 matches.

Brazil and Germany (ko'd 2nd round by Holland) will now be looking for new managers.

[daedalus]

Cassano seems to be as much of a headcase in the game as he is in real life. I don't know if that'll be worth it with your squad. Of course, he could be like Anelka was with my 01/02 career . . . a salvage you sign for nothing then sell for millions after he's had some games. THAT might be worthwhile.

Awesome signing lining up Lopez as an eventual replacement for when Ortega is ready to be gone. Nice job taking the Canaries into European play as well. That should make signings easier next season.

Originally Posted by Desnudo

2. Rafa Benitez, Liverpool? (didn't realize 7th was such a great finish for The Reds)

Nice to see that problems with awards hasn't been fixed too terribly much.

[Desnudo]

-News-
8/1/06

The transfer budget has been increased to $27 million, which includes the transfer fee of $1.8 million received from the sale of Guy Demel to Nantes.

Norwich now has the wage allowance to sign Antonio Cassano, but Arsenal signed him 3 weeks ago. Apparently the bean counters at Norwich took that long to figure out that $50 million in the bank is a lot of money.

Ronaldo is availabe on an unprotected contract from Real Madrid for a fee of $13 million. He is currently listed as a backup there. Unfortunately, and unsuprisingly, Ronaldo has no interest at all in coming to Carrow Road. The club has offered him a contract anyway.

Rumors circulate that Ajax defender Nigel de Jong was seen touring the facilities in Norwich. Whether he can be convinced to leave his favorite club is up for speculation. Newcastle winger Jermaine Jenas is also reportedly in initial talks with the club. Sources in Brazil have sighted Norwich scouts watching Cruzeiro matches where left side winger Sorin seems to have been the object of attention. The same source identifies striker Fred of Sao Paulo as someone in whom Norwich have a keen interest.

[condors]

congrats on the 4th place finish, good luck in Champions League!

[Desnudo]

Team Updates
8/3/06

Bids have been tabled for AM/F Edu of Betis and Nigel de Jong of Ajax. The club has decided against offering Jenas a contract as the compensation due to Newcastle ($14 million) would exceed his value to the team.

Norwich has been drawn against Club Brugge in the third qualifying round of the Champions Cup. First leg is away in Belgium, 8/9/06.

[Desnudo]

Ronaldo deigned to reply to Norwich's contract offer, demanding a much better base salary and a minimum release clause, "just in case the opportunity to sign for a big club comes up."

Norwich coach Adios Pantalones replied that, "If that bum Ronaldo would prefer to be the fifth choice striker at Real Madrid rather than the one to take a team to glory domestically and on the continent, fine. Sod the lazy git! Sod Real Madrid! We'll knock their arses out of the Cup if they are fortunate to get far enough to play us! I need a fag and a pint, back in five."

Pantalones handed over the press conference to his Italian assistant manager Giorgio Morini who offered the brief statement, "Chi sono voi la gente? Vada via!" before walking off the stage.

In other news, Nigel de Jong is rumored to be asking for approximately $7.2 million a year to move to Norwich. Since he is currently making $1.9 million at Ajax, many take this as a not so subtle sign that de Jong may not be overly enthusiastic at moving to Carrow Road.

"Sod him too," said Pantalones after returning from a "five minute toilet break." "Norwich City is a fine city, a fine city."

[Desnudo]

8/7/06

Edu chooses to sign with Atletico Madrid. Nigel de Jong signs a new contract with Ajax.

Mokoena is out 4 weeks with a sprained ankle.

Norwich has accepted Parma's $13.8 million offer for Evandro Roncatto.

[Desnudo]

Sun- 5/7/06
Champions Cup Qualifying Round 3
Club Brugge (H) 0 v. Norwich City (A) 5

- Goals -
NC: Ortega (18,29), Claudio Lopez (73), Fuglestad (penalty 79), Estoyanoff (84)

-MOM-
Andersson, MR (NC)

A goal glut for Norwich put Brugge's aspirations for a berth in the Champions Cup in serious doubt before 25,000 at Jan Breydelstadion. Brugge had the brighter start and came close early with a shot off the post. Norwich seized control of the match on nice ball movement combo from Ortega to Karaca to Guarin to Fuglestad to Ortega in the 18th. They added another from the right on a great ball from Andersson to Ortega, who slotted it home. Lopez scored his first official goal in a Canary uniform in the 73rd. Two late goals came after Norwich wore down Brugge's defense.

Next up: Away against Middlesbrough, Sat - 8/12/06 (TV)

Alexei Smertin will be out 4 weeks rehabbing after tearing knee ligaments in training.

Norwich have signed 25 year old Norwegian D/DM LC Thomas Holm from Osnabruck (GER) for $100 K.

[Desnudo]

Sat - 8/12/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 1
Middlesbrough (H) 3 v. Norwich City (A) 2
TV

- Goals -
M: Massimo Maccarone (8), Stewart Downing (54), Danny Graham (59)
NC: Claudio Lopez (27,56)

-MOM-
Andersson, MR (NC)

Norwich will be left scratching their heads after losing this match. They outshot Middlesbrough and dominated the match for long stretches, yet ended up on the wrong side of the scoresheet. An early goal by Maccarone off a free kick and a 25 yard free kick by Downing made the difference in the match. Saja did not have one of his better games in net. Lopez did all he could to keep Norwich in the match. As the saying goes, "that's football."

Next up: EPL home against West Brom - Wed 8/16/06

[Desnudo]

Striker Fred of Sao Paulo has agreed to terms with Norwich and awaits a permit to move. Decision expected on 8/27/06.

Evandro Roncatto has agreed to terms with Parma. The move, valued at $13.8 million, takes place immediately. Fans were dismayed that the club sold him for such a miserly sum. Roncatto looked to be a budding star, but he did not have a real position in the Norwich system.

Samdoria have signed Tomas Hubschman from Shaktar for $8 million

Norwich have tabled a $17 million offer for Cruzeiro D/M L Sorin

Fulham have signed John O'Brien from Ajax for $2.6 million

Inter have signed Xabi Alonso from Liverpool for $33 million

[Desnudo]

Wed - 8/16/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 2
Norwich City (H) 1 v. WBA (A) 0


- Goals -
NC: Claudio Lopez (penalty 85)

-MOM-
Russell Hoult, GK (WBA)

Norwich City dominated the match and deservedly ran out winners. It took a late penalty to do it, but the shots on target show that Norwich deserved more from the match than a penalty shot.


Sat - 8/19/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 3
Bolton (H) 1 v. Norwich City (A) 3


- Goals -
BW: Kevin Nolan (52)
NC: Ariel Ortega (45), Claudio Lopez (70), Diego Crosa (79)

-MOM-
Diego Crosa, DC (NC)

-Injury-
Nicola Legrotagglie went off in the 7th minute and will miss a month with a fractured wrist.

Diego Crosa scored on a 60+ yard through ball that slipped passed the keeper and into the net to seal the win for Norwich. Bolton scored first, but Norwich responded with a sublime flick-on to Ariel Ortega from Claudio Lopez to draw level and then an excellent run straight down the middle from Lopez to gain the lead.

Next up: 2nd leg CL Round 3 Qualifier against Club Brugge, home - Wed 8/23/06

Starting central defender Tieme Klompe is unhappy because he isn't being played at his strongest (and only) position, central defender...


2nd leg CL Round 3 Qualifier against Club Brugge, home - Wed 8/23/06

Loss, 0-1. Norwich played a lineup of subs and it showed. They advance 5-1 on aggregate to the group phase of the CL. Estoyanoff pulled off a Norwich low by gaining a 4 for the entire match.

Norwich has been given $4.8 million for playing in the CL. The gate of $1.25 million from the match against Club Brugge is a record high. The Canary are drawn in Group C with Roma, HSV, Panathinaikos.

Shay Given has made a $12 million move from Newcastle to Bayern Munich.

[RPI-Fan]

How much did Cassano re-negotiate for? Seems it might have been worth it to break the bank for him?

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

How much did Cassano re-negotiate for? Seems it might have been worth it to break the bank for him?

Arsenal got him for $4.8 million/year in the middle of July. I could have had him earlier for $4.2 by signing him to a pre-contract during the 6 month window, or even in the few weeks before Arsenal made an offer, but my board didn't allow that type of wages until August 1st when they expanded my transfer budget. I'm still trying to understand why they wait until that date every season since the tv and prize money all come in by the end of June.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by condors

congrats on the 4th place finish, good luck in Champions League!

Thank you. I'll need the luck in the CL, I had enough trouble beating Arsenal, Chelsea and Man U., nevermind Milan, Barca, etc..

[Desnudo]

Fred's work permit was denied after appeal

Colombian international DMC Fabian Andres Vargas joined the club on 9/1/06.

Sat - 8/26/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 4
Southampton Saints (H) 1 v. Norwich (A) 0

- Goals -
SS: Yoann Folly (5)

-MOM-
Antti Niemi, GK (SS)

Norwich suffered its first lost to the Saints in five meetings. Despite dominating possession and chances, the Canary were consistently denied by Niemi. An early strike by Folly was enough to secure the win.

Adios Pantalones commented after the match that he wouldn't be sad to see the Saints go down so premiership fans wouldn't have to suffer through the negative football they've been playing for the past three seasons. The Saints have the worst goal scoring record of any team not demoted during that period.


Wed - 8/30/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 5
Norwich (H) 3 v. Sheff United (A) 1

- Goals -
SU: Phil Jagielka (4)
NC: Freddy Guarin (20), Chris Morgan (own goal 61), Freddy Adu (81)

-MOM-
Freddy Guarin, DMC (NC)

Sheffield got off to a flyer with a goal in the 4th. Unfortunately for them, the match lasted 86 more minutes. Freddy Guarin blasted home a shot just outside the 18 and Chris Morgan powered a header past his own keeper to make the difference. Freddy Adu scored a late safety goal and the match was Norwich's.


Sat - 9/9/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 6
Norwich (H) 4 v. Newcastle (A) 1

- Goals -
NU: Craig Bellamy (76)
NC: Claudio Lopez (17), Fabian Vargas (49), Ariel Ortega (61), Freddy Adu (87)

-MOM-
Erik Fuglestad, ML (NC)

Norwich blew the doors off Newcastle and Fabian Vargas scored on a shaped shot from 25 yards to pace the Canary to their second win in a row. Lopez continued to light up defenses with his 5th premiership goal in 6 matches.


Next up: CL match with Roma at home, Tue - 9/12/06

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Arsenal got him for $4.8 million/year in the middle of July. I could have had him earlier for $4.2 by signing him to a pre-contract during the 6 month window, or even in the few weeks before Arsenal made an offer, but my board didn't allow that type of wages until August 1st when they expanded my transfer budget. I'm still trying to understand why they wait until that date every season since the tv and prize money all comes in by the end of June.

Doh! I meant Ronaldo.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Doh! I meant Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is under contract with RM until 2008, but it's unprotected. He's currently making $5 million a year there so he would have had to take a pay cut to join. I tried to make up the difference with a signing fee, but realistically it would have taken something in the range of $7-8 million year to sign him away. He's listed as very ambitious, so I don't think he was all that excited about coming to a lesser club. I am amazed that they only use him as a backup.

Edit: behind Michael Owen of all people too.

[Desnudo]

Milan have been made clear favorites to win the Champions Cup at 5-2. Barcelona is the nearest at 15-2. Norwich is challenged to prove the bookies wrong if they can at 40-1.

If it was missed before, the three promoted teams from the EC this season are Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland (playoff).

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Milan have been made clear favorites to win the Champions Cup at 5-2. Barcelona is the nearest at 15-2. Norwich is challenged to prove the bookies wrong if they can at 40-1.

If it was missed before, the three promoted teams from the EC this season are blah, Crystal Palace and blah(playoff).

Woot! Are Andy Johnson and Gabor Kiraly still leading the way?

[Desnudo]

Tue - 9/12/06
Champions Cup Group C Round 1
Norwich (H) 0 v. Roma (A) 1

- Goals -
R: Zlatin Ibrahimovic (3)

-MOM-
Daniel de Rossi, ML (R)

-Red Card-
Tieme Klompe (second yellow 82)

Roma dominated possession and gave Norwich the run around. Ref Alain Sars is not loved in Norwich tonight after whistling the Canary for 17 fouls to Roma's 8. Once again, Norwich conceded the early goal. This time they could not dig themselves out of the hole.

Norwich set a club record with $1.5 million in ticket sales.

Next up: EPL match with Aston Villa at home, Sun - 9/17/06 (TV)

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Woot! Are Andy Johnson and Gabor Kiraly still leading the way?

Johnson now plies his trade for West Brom (in the premier). Kiraly is still there though.

Edit: scratch that. Andrew Johnson is still playing for CP. He had 20 goals for them last year and one this year so far.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Johnson now plies his trade for West Brom (in the premier). Kiraly is still there though.

Edit: scratch that. Andrew Johnson is still playing for CP. He had 20 goals for them last year and one this year so far.

Wow, I can't believe no one snatched him when Palace got relegated. If he puts together another 20-goal season he'd be in the $20-30MM range, I imagine.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Wow, I can't believe no one snatched him when Palace got relegated. If he puts together another 20-goal season he'd be in the $20-30MM range, I imagine.

He's valued around $14 million right now, so it's certainly possible.

[Desnudo]

Sun - 9/17/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 7
Aston Villa (H) 0 v. Norwich (A) 0
TV

- Goals -

-MOM-
Sebastien Saja, GK (NC)

The beat reporter fell asleep during the match and missed his deadline for filing a report.


Sat - 9/23/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 8
Norwich (H) 1 v. Chelski (A) 3

- Goals -
Chelski: Kezman (21), Mutu (37), Diego (45)
NC: Ortega (35)

-MOM-
Paul Ferreira, DR (C)

The Norwich front line was reported missing during the game. Scotland Yard has been called in to try and locate the wayward strikers.


Wed - 9/27/06
Champions Cup Group C Round 2
Panathinaikos (H) 0 v. Norwich (A) 5
TV

- Goals -
NC: Mokoena (8), Lopez (49), Guarin (70), Estoyanoff (76), Fuglestad (81)

-MOM-
Ariel Ortega, AMC (NC)

Sir John Stevens reported that Norwich's strike force is alive and well. Apparently Roman Abramovich had lured them outside the stadium during the match by dragging millions of dollars behind him on a long rope. They were located in an abandoned warehouse next to Stamford Bridge, greedy, but unharmed. Luckily they made it to Greece in time for the match.


Sat - 9/30/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 9
Tottenham (H) 0 v. Norwich (A) 2

- Goals -
NC: Freddy Guarin (3), Benedict Vilakazi (88)

-MOM-
Ariel Ortega (NC)

Norwich started with more defensively oriented instructions and two more defensive players at the MR and ML positions. It appeared to pay off as Tottenham rarely had clear chances on goal. Guarin scored off a deflected free kick and Vilakazi put away an excellent pass from Freddy Adu to seal the match.

Next up: EPL home against Crystal Palace, Sat - 10/14/06

[Desnudo]

Sat - 10/14/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 10
Norwich (H) 2 v. Crystal Palace (A) 0
TV

- Goals -
NC: Estoyanoff (28), Mokoena (67)

-MOM-
Nicola Legrotagglie, SW (NC)

Fabian Estoyanoff scored on a rebound from an Ariel Ortega shot and Lebohang Mokoena received a through ball from Freddy Adu, rounding the keeper before slotting it home.


Wed - 10/18/06
Champions Cup Group C Round 3
Norwich (H) 3 v. HSV (A) 0
TV

- Goals -
NC: Mokoena (16,41), Adam Drury (25)

-MOM-
Ariel Ortega, AMC (NC)

Norwich are emerging as clear favorites to win the second spot in Group C and advancement to the knockout stages. After three rounds they sit second behind Roma (9 pts.) with 6 pts. from 3 matches. HSV and Pana both only have 1 point. The first half saw a flurry of goals. The second half was largely uneventful as both teams played defensively.


Sat - 10/21/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 11
Norwich (H0 2 v. Portsmouth (A) 0

- Goals -
NC: Claudio Lopez (46), Freddy Adu (74)

-MOM-
Lebohang Mokoena, FC (NC)

The Canaries recorded just their second win in seven tries against Pompey. Lopez scored just thirty seconds into the second half and Freddy Adu popped in a rebound to end Pompey's hopes of a comeback.


-Transfer News-

Norwich have agreed to a contract with England international Jermaine Jenas, who was unprotected at Newcastle. The signing will take place 1/1/07. Newcastle will be compensated with $13.5 million.

[Desnudo]

-Cupsets-

Bournemouth shocked Arsenal in the League Cup 3rd Round 1-0 on a goal by Wade Elliott in the 36th minute.

C.D. Castellon beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Spanish Cup first round. Highlights included red cards to David Beckham and Dede.

Sat - 10/14/06
League Cup Round 3
Norwich (H) 2 v. Manchester United (A) 1
TV

- Goals -
MU: Jonathan Spector (27)
NC: Yasin Karaca (6), Freddy Guarin (90)

-MOM-
Thomas Holm, ML (NC)

An evenly fought battle looked ready for extra time until Freddy Guarin put away a 25 yard free kick in the final minute of regulation time. Norwich got off to a flyer on a goal from Karaca in the 6th minute, but Spector equalized twenty minutes later on a header off a corner.


Next up: EPL away against Blackburn, Sat - 10/28/06


Sat - 10/28/06
The Barclaycard English Premier League Round 12
Blackburn (H) 4 v. Norwich (A) 1

- Goals -
BR: Jonathan Stead (6,9), Brett Emerton (44), Matt Jansen (81)
NC: Lebohang Mokoena (24)

-MOM-
Emerton, MR (BR)

Most teams usually have one or two "write-off" games a season. Norwich will move on without looking back from this one. No Canary came out of the game with any credit to speak of.

Tue - 10/31/06
Champions Cup Group C Round 4
HSV (H) 1 v. Norwich (A) 3
TV

- Goals -
HSV: Christian Rahn (16)
NC: Lebohang Mokoena (4), Ariel Ortega (24), Fabian Estoyanoff (89)

-MOM-
Michele Pazienza, DMC (NC)

AOL Arena was silenced in the 89th when Estoyanoff put away a rebound to seal the victory for Norwich. Two early goals sandwiched around an HSV reply made the ultimate difference.

With the victory, Norwich advances to the knock-out round. A Roma tie against Pana clinched advancement for the Italian side. First place is still up for grabs with only 1 point seperating Norwich and Roma with two to play.


Next up: EPL home against Liverpool, Sat - 11/4/06 (TV)

Lebohang Mokoena was named Young Player of the Month for October

[daedalus]

Wow. 13-and-change is a chunk o' change for Jenas. Good player but he didn't wow me in the demo. Hopefully, he'll come up big for the Canaries here.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by daedalus

Wow. 13-and-change is a chunk o' change for Jenas. Good player but he didn't wow me in the demo. Hopefully, he'll come up big for the Canaries here.

I did it for two reasons. One is that I've been searching for a good CM as I'm working on a decent away tactic because right now I'm two teams, good at home and poor away. The second is that he is one of the playmakers for Newcastle and I saw it as a good opportunity to take a talent away from them. Since I have so much sitting in the transfer kitty, I figured why not? I haven't been able to get anyone I really want to sign, one of the challenges of playing with a less respected team, even in the EPL, so what the hey.

And he's much better in 06/07 than he is at the start of the game.

[Desnudo]

Game Over

Apparently I have encountered a game breaking bug where you receive a low memory warning even though your computer is not actually low on memory. The game then automatically exits.

I will rant briefly: it is ridiculous to wait to release the fix to such a serious issue until the next patch release when this is not a gameplay/usability issue, but a game operation issue. What makes a problem like this so serious in a game like FM is the time commitment a player puts into it. I'd liken it more to having a character in a MMPORG erased than having a game stopped in another type of single player game.

I know they test the game past a few seasons, so I won't make the obvious comment about even bothering to test. But you do have to wonder what is going on that serious problems with regens, scouting and things like this issue all slip under the radar. Considering this game is a progression on previous versions and not completely new, I don't understand how this can consistently happen. Sort it out SI!

SI Support Thread

"This issue is not actually a memory issue, the game spits out a generic warning which doesn't really match the problem. There is now a fix for this issue which seems to be working in the tests carried out. The fix should be in a next patch. You can help us in testing this fix further by providing us a post-patch save game (only new past-patch save game will be accepted), so if you have save game with this issue and can upload then email me."

[daedalus]

Ickness.

[FrogMan]

and... is it working? *keeping fingers crossed*

FM

edit: DAMN TIMESTAMP BUG!!!

[Desnudo]

Hopeful patch bump

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by FrogMan

and... is it working? *keeping fingers crossed*

FM

edit: DAMN TIMESTAMP BUG!!!

Thanks Froggy. Yes it appears to be fixed as I progressed past the point of my last save. The regen fix also appears to be working fantastically now. There are some 16 year old Brazilians (where else?) that look amazing now, whereas before they only had good physical stats.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Thanks Froggy. Yes it appears to be fixed as I progressed past the point of my last save. The regen fix also appears to be working fantastically now. There are some 16 year old Brazilians (where else?) that look amazing now, whereas before they only had good physical stats.

If you're reading my dynasty, I've also found some nice regens (at least to my eyes) and this has got me all excited to play, even more, if it's even possible

Glad to hear it's working

FM