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Lunchtime Legends Presents: The Return of Cartagena


Dixie Flatline

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Lunchtime Legends Presents: The Return of Cartagena

A Señor Flatline Production

Starring and directed by Señor Flatline

Late July 2004 – a hot summer’s day

I was sitting in my high-backed leather chair looking out over the Cartagena bay and towards the old naval port that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. It was an early morning in July 2004, the sun was shining and it promised to be a lovely day to spend relaxing away from the office, away from the phones and with family and friends. My wife and I had already organised something for that afternoon, and I decided that I would get into work early to finish up a few player contracts for the local club, Cartagena.

The history of club football in this decidedly un-pretty town was rather sparse, really. There had been a club for quite a while, but it never was really successful, so when a local businessman tried to set up his own club, naming it Cartagonova, he at first won the backing of the town. The original club shut down, knowing that there could be no way the town could support two clubs, particularly when both were in the lowest league in Spain – the semi-professional Segunda Liga B.

However, the businessman had more mouth than money, and when his promises to attract high-profile players and coaches vanished into hot air, the attraction of his new club quickly tarnished amongst the traditionalist football supporters in this town. And in the end, the businessman had more pressing things on his mind when it turned out that his businesses weren’t quite in the black. So he pulled the plug on his plaything and Cartagena suddenly lost its only club.

Yet, football is a way of life in Spain, and before long there was moves afoot to put together a new club to represent Cartagena in the Segunda Liga B. Fortunately enough, there were sufficient people in the town willing enough to take on the administration, while I used my legal skills and the skills in my firm to draft the player contracts, comply with the league’s rules and attract and retain sponsors. On behalf of the club, I negotiated with the league the broadcast rights, so the club was sitting quite prettily when it came time to putting together a squad.

But we couldn’t find a manager. Everybody we asked wasn’t prepared to up stumps and move down to Cartagena to take over a new club; albeit it one with an inherited tradition. We knocked on doors until our fingers bled, but at every turn we found the doors bolted shut. In the end, with legal bills mounting, I was told that my services wouldn’t be required on a daily basis – just when the contracts needed negotiating. So I returned to my practice and my family, satisfied to be only a fan.

That is, until the phone rang…

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Lunchtime Legends Presents: The Return of Cartagena

A Señor Flatline Production

Starring and directed by Señor Flatline

Late July 2004 – a hot summer’s day

I was sitting in my high-backed leather chair looking out over the Cartagena bay and towards the old naval port that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. It was an early morning in July 2004, the sun was shining and it promised to be a lovely day to spend relaxing away from the office, away from the phones and with family and friends. My wife and I had already organised something for that afternoon, and I decided that I would get into work early to finish up a few player contracts for the local club, Cartagena.

The history of club football in this decidedly un-pretty town was rather sparse, really. There had been a club for quite a while, but it never was really successful, so when a local businessman tried to set up his own club, naming it Cartagonova, he at first won the backing of the town. The original club shut down, knowing that there could be no way the town could support two clubs, particularly when both were in the lowest league in Spain – the semi-professional Segunda Liga B.

However, the businessman had more mouth than money, and when his promises to attract high-profile players and coaches vanished into hot air, the attraction of his new club quickly tarnished amongst the traditionalist football supporters in this town. And in the end, the businessman had more pressing things on his mind when it turned out that his businesses weren’t quite in the black. So he pulled the plug on his plaything and Cartagena suddenly lost its only club.

Yet, football is a way of life in Spain, and before long there was moves afoot to put together a new club to represent Cartagena in the Segunda Liga B. Fortunately enough, there were sufficient people in the town willing enough to take on the administration, while I used my legal skills and the skills in my firm to draft the player contracts, comply with the league’s rules and attract and retain sponsors. On behalf of the club, I negotiated with the league the broadcast rights, so the club was sitting quite prettily when it came time to putting together a squad.

But we couldn’t find a manager. Everybody we asked wasn’t prepared to up stumps and move down to Cartagena to take over a new club; albeit it one with an inherited tradition. We knocked on doors until our fingers bled, but at every turn we found the doors bolted shut. In the end, with legal bills mounting, I was told that my services wouldn’t be required on a daily basis – just when the contracts needed negotiating. So I returned to my practice and my family, satisfied to be only a fan.

That is, until the phone rang…

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Thank you, Señor Flatline. We have looked everywhere for a manager. We can’t find one. Would you mind stepping in on a temporary basis to take over the team? Thank you for coming. We’re glad you could make it. It’s good to know that you made it today; otherwise, we would have been short a manager for tonight’s friendly against Valencia.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hang on a minute, I’ve only been here a moment and you’re already telling me that I have to organise this rabble, I mean, squad into some sort of shape to put up a fight against Valencia? This wasn’t what I bargained for! How am I supposed to assess who would be worth putting into the first eleven, and who to put on the bench, and who to leave out entirely? I don’t even know if any of these players can actually kick a ball, or run in a straight line.

Who should I sell? Who should I buy?

This is going to be a complete disaster tonight, I can just feel it. I gave up a cushy law-talking job for this? My wife told me I was crazy to dip my toe into football management, but I had a dream that I was good enough to succeed at this.

My humour isn’t improved when I learn that the club doesn’t have a right back. We also have a plethora of players who aren’t particularly skilful and, like me, are trying to use football as a means of escaping their hitherto normal existence. However, unlike me, they aren’t sitting in the manager’s chair, and one of the perks of this job is that I can cull the dead wood from the squad. It really is only one of the perks, as I’m not being paid very much to do this job. What’s more, there’s plenty of dead wood.

I make a few enquiries about some players then prepare as best I can for the friendly against Valencia.

Friendly – Cartagena v Valencia

As might be expected, we’re completely outclassed by Valencia and are soundly beaten 3-0. I’m not quite sure what the point of this match was, really, as I can’t really work out who might be worth keeping and who should be discarded when we don’t even fashion a chance on goal. Some players worked hard, that’s true, but really, we never had a chance.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Yepes (Iñaki 82); Alain (Juanmi 82), Merino (Manu 82), Rambier ©, Conget; Silva (Chito 24), Raúl (Piombo 82), Levato (Puig 49), Isach (Jordi 49); Gottardi (Nogueira 24); Sívori (Loreto 49).

Valencia (4-3-1-2): Cañizares (Palop 81); Carboni, Marchena (Sissoko 71), Caneira (Navarro 62), Curro Torres (Córcoles 62); Angulo (Xisco 46), Albelda ©, Fiore (Rufete 71); Aimar (Moretti 71); Di Vaio (Guerra 62), Corradi (Vicente 46).

Final score: Cartagonova 0:3 Valencia

MoM – David Albelda

In late July, I make my first signing when I sign up unproven but promising English scout, David Jarrett. He’ll be immediately set to work, trying to find diamonds in the rough that I can use to push for promotion.

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1st of August 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Two new players join Cartagena

South African midfielder Sipho Nunens rejected a host of offers to join Cartagena as new manager Señor Flatline’s first player signing, while former Dutch international Regi Blinker has also agreed to join the Spanish club.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Friendly – Cartagena v Espanyol

I rush Nunens into the eleven to take on Espanyol for another money-raising exercise as we host a Primera Liga club again. Having worked out some of the weaknesses in my tactics, I issue a new set of instructions to my players and it seems to do the trick, as Espanyol are not burying us as they probably thought they would. They do score a goal – on 34 minutes, Dani breaks free from his marker with Merino caught ball-watching and prods home from Serrano’s low pass, but we do well to hold our own through the 90 minutes, and actually fashion a chance or two. Nunens plays quite well in the middle of the park, and I’m looking forward to seeing Regi Blinker in action.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Yepes; Alain (Juanmi 63), Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Óscar Silva (Piombo 63), Nunens (Uvi 63), Levato, Isach (Jordi 63); Gottardi (Puig 45); Sívori (Nacho García 45).

Espanyol (4-2-3-1): Lemmens (Miguel Ãngel 79); Domi (García 61), Lopo (Cristian 72), Soldevilla (Jarque 72), Ibarra (Miñambres 61); Ãlex Fernández (Borja 61), Morales (Frédson 45); Óscar Serrano (Pedraza 61), Velamazán (Ito 45), Maxi Rodriguez © (Amavisca 72); Dani (Martín Posse 45).

Final score: Cartagena 0:1 Espanyol

MoM - Óscar Serrano

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4th of August 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Cartagena land Trobbiani

Ambitious Cartagena has landed midfielder Pablo Marcelo Trobbiani on a free transfer, beating off a host of interested clubs in the 27 year old Spanish midfielder. Señor Dixie Flatline, Cartagena’s new manager, said in a club statement that he was happy to have Trobbiani at the club, and hopes that the Spaniard will add some much needed class and creativity to the centre of midfield.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

5th of August 2004

Friendly – Logroñes v Cartagena

Having played against two superior opponents already, I hope that we’ll get a better gauge of where we are at when we play fellow Segunda Liga B club Logroñes away from home. Trobbiani and Regi Blinker come straight into the eleven, and I make another changes that started against Espanyol.

We look like we are the better side throughout the first half, and our good work is rewarded on 36 minutes when Silva’s corner is prodded home too easily by Carlos Isach. Three minutes into the second half, Trobbiani converts a free-kick from 20 yards out and we canter home to a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Things are looking up for this club, I have to say.

Logroñes (3-5-2): Morán (López Fernández 84); Pablo © (Miguel 65), Burgos (García Fernández 84), Valdés (Serrano 84); Santi (Soler 46), Reyes (Rubio 77), López (Francis 77), Cruz (Díaz 65), Jiménez (Manu 49); Expósito (Óscar 77), Manu (Ramírez 49).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Puig, Conget; Silva (Chito 59), Nunens (Raúl 59), Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker; Loreto (Nogueira 59).

Final score: Logroñes 0:2 Cartagena

MoM – Romain Rambier

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8th of August 2004

Preparing for a friendly tonight, I have half an eye on the television to see Manchester United lose 2-0 to Arsenal in the Charity Shield.

Friendly – Yeclano v Cartagena

An attendance of just 115 people watch us beat up on Yeclano to the tune of a 3-0 victory away from home. Our first goal comes on 20 minutes when Nunens finds acres of space inside the Yeclano penalty box to volley home Óscar Silva’s excellent cross from the left wing. The South African midfielder adds a second goal on 50 minutes when he strikes a free kick wonderfully from 30 yards into the top right corner of the Yeclano goalkeeper’s net. Substitute Uvi rounds off the scoring on 84 minutes when he is afford too much time and space just inside the box and rams the ball home decisively. I’m feeling more confident by the day that I actually have quite a good squad of players to work with.

Yeclano (4-4-2): Miguel Ãngel (Marcos 78); Carlos © (Rodríguez Sánchez 56), Díaz, Sánchez (Carlos 56), Herrero (Jordi 56); Carlos (Pablo 50 (Dani 56)), Estévez (Jorge 50), Ãvila (Marcos 45), Óscar; Francisco (Christian 68), Alonso.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain (Juanmi 81), Puig, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva, Nunens (Raúl 57), Trobbiani (Piombo 810, Isach (Jordi 81); Blinker (Sívori 81); Loreto (Nacho García 57).

Final score: Yeclano 0:3 Cartagena

MoM – Sipho Nunens

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10th of August 2004

I am asked to submit the squad numbers for the forthcoming season. It is now that I discover that Nunens, not being a citizen of the EU, cannot play for the club while we are in the Segunda Liga B, because the competition’s rules prohibit non-EU citizens from participating. icon_mad.gif I break the news to Sipho, and he is also very disappointed at the club and at myself for not informing him of this before he signed for the club. I hold up my hands and say that I didn’t know either, but Sipho points out that it’s my job to be aware of these things because I’m the manager. For that, I don’t have an immediate answer. To make matters worse, my signings this season has put the club over its wage budget, and Sipho is one of the more extravagantly paid players at the club. So he’ll be collecting a nice fat pay-cheque each week (comparatively) for doing nothing except train.

Fortunately, the Copa del Rey does allow non-EU citizens, so if he’s not injured, I think Sipho will get a run in our Copa del Rey campaign (however long it lasts).

Even more fortunately for myself (and this might actually save my bacon when I front the club’s chairman), the previous administration signed up the central midfielder Mauricio Levato, who is Argentine, to a £1,000/week contract. He also isn’t a citizen of an EU country, so he’s ineligible to play for the bulk of the season. Funnily enough, we’re currently £450/week over the wage budget. Hmm, there is a possibility beginning to dawn on me.

11th of August 2004

Friendly – Huesca v Cartagena

As we continue to travel Spain, we come up against Huesca, and again I make a few changes to my eleven. Today’s trip is not quite as successful as the previous games, as Huesca holds us to a 1-1 draw in front of 119 people. In the first half, we were dominant, creating chances with ease, but failing to take them when it mattered. However, Sívori opens our account on the hour mark and I’m a little more satisfied, only for Huesca to almost immediately equalize through Jaime on 62 minutes. Huesca probably play the more attractive football thereafter, but they can’t find the back of the net, and we both settle for a well-played 1-1 draw.

Huesca (4-4-2): Bernardo; Ãlvaro (s/o 90), Aguilar (Sánchez 63), Soría (Bravo 63), Moya (Bona 63); Rodri (Curto 60), Monforte (Gerardo 60), Dani (Adri 74), Valdés (Espinosa 60); Jaíme © (Roberto 74), Lobera (Pascual 60).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Yepes; Alain, Merino (Manu 51), Raimbier © (Puig 51), Conget; Silva (Chito 86), Raúl (Piombo 86), Trobbiani, Isach (Jordi 61); Sívori; Loreto (García 61).

Final score: Huesca 1:1 Cartagena

MoM – Carlos Isach

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15th of August 2004

Friendly – Elgoibar v Cartagena

I name an unchanged eleven to take on non-league Elgoibar, and we waste a hatful of chances in the first half to bury this game beyond any doubt. I toy with the idea of substituting the profligate Sívori at half-time, but choose not to, and he repays my faith with the first goal of the second half on 49 minutes. We continue to waste more chances, but finally get the reward our endeavour deserves when on 86 minutes, Fran Nogueira knocks in a relatively easy chance. The final score is 2-0, and we put in a workmanlike performance today.

Elgoibar (4-4-2): Fields an eleven of local amateur players

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Yepes; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva (Chito 76), Raúl (Puig 61), Trobbiani (Piombo 76), Isach; Sívori (Nogueira 61); Loreto (Blinker 61).

Final score: Elgoibar 0:2 Cartagena

MoM – Romain Rambier

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16th of August 2004

I’m surprised to see that rival Jaén persuaded Alexandr Mostovoi to join their club. Surprised and disappointed as he is a good signing for them. I resolve to sit down with my club and go through the list of players who we have earmarked for potential transfers and determine whether they might be interested in coming to Cartagena. There are a few names we come up with and we immediately start making phone calls.

22nd of August 2004

I miss out on a solution for my right-back issues, with Javier Horcajada, an experienced right back, signing for rival Extremadura.

I also miss out on signing veteran former Russian international forward, Igor Korneev, who goes instead to the Netherlands and Groningen. However, Groningen was prepared to pay him £5,250/week, which is far more than what I can afford presently.

Friendly – Cartagena v Cartagena U-18s

We draw disappointingly 0-0 with the Under-18s. Worse, I lose Piombo for a week as he damages an elbow. Fortunately, the season proper doesn’t start for three weeks. Definitely not the result I was intending to obtain.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Juanmi, Herviás, Rambier ©, Conget; Chito, Piombo (Merino 81), Puig; Sívori; Loreto (Blinker 63).

Cartagena U-18s (4-4-2-2): A bunch of U-18s, obviously.

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Cartagena U-18s

Sívori

Veteran winger Fernando joins Figueres, ahead of Cartegena.

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29th of August 2004

I sign Nando Sanz from Alcoyano for an initial £130,000, which is almost all my transfer budget for this season, actually. The 28 year old attacking midfielder is a free kick specialist, so I’ll be looking to him to be banging home goals from set-pieces this season. Beyond that, he looks to be a half-decent player, and I hope he’ll guide us towards promotion at the end of the season.

He joins just in time to be considered for selection in our last friendly before the season begins.

Friendly – Cartagena v BOYS Caivanese

An obscure Italian team journeys across to the south of Spain to play Cartagena. Sanz is straight into the eleven and immediately looks like he is capable of pulling the strings. However, we seem to have lost our cutting edge and go through this entire game without scoring a goal; in fact, of 15 shots we have at goal, only 2 are on-target. That’s not good enough. BOYS don’t even test out our keeper, as we spend almost half the game camped in BOYS’ defensive third of the pitch. But we don’t reward our efforts with a winning goal. There will be a few things to think about between now and the start of the season proper.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva (Gottardi 59), Trobbiani (Nunens 74), Raúl (Puig 74), Isach (Jordi 74); Nando Sanz (Blinker 59); Loreto (Nacho García 59).

BOYS Caivenese (4-4-2): Villani (Guadagno 86); Egizzo (Fonzino 62), Sposito (Nattore 74), Nasti (Dentice 62), Scarica (Labaro 80); Ciaremella © (Ezeh 80), Ausoni (Schiavone 74), Serio (Monda 62), Izzo (Pazzi 74); Alfonsi (Gifuni 80), Carotenuto (Casaburi 8 (Gallo 86)).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 BOYS Caivenese

MoM – Alessandro Egizzo

1st of September 2004

I made another crucial error. The registration papers for Sanz stayed on my desk one day too many and now the player registration window has closed, along with the transfer window.

I have also lost a potential starting midfielder for a week due to injury, and a transfer in of a player who would fill the problematic right back area has been cancelled because we couldn’t complete it due to a lack of funds.

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Let’s briefly check the squad:

Goalkeepers

I have two experienced goalkeepers at my disposal, in Iñaki and Yepes. Both look fairly solid between the sticks, though Iñaki has impressed me more than Yepes, so he is likely to be my number one keeper to begin the season with.

Defenders

Rambier and Merino have combined well in the centre of my defence throughout the pre-season campaign. Rambier is the club captain, a nice honour for the 23 year old Frenchman. As you will have noted, I don’t actually have a proper right back at the club. Eduardo Conget has filled the position in the pre-season campaign, and he will do so for the first half of the season (barring injury or suspension) until I can actually draft in a right-back. Conget is good, though, and could be useful in other positions. Alain fills the left back position quite well and has done quite well in the pre-season campaign. He has my vote of confidence at this stage.

Back-up comes in the form of Juanmi, a left-back, and Puig, who is a defensive utility, capable of playing in defence or midfield. Both are solid, but I need Puig in midfield due to my own lapses of judgment.

Midfielders

Most of my pre-season transfers have concentrated upon midfielders. Regi Blinker adds experience and some class as an attacking midfielder. Sipho Nunens would have been good in the centre, but because he isn’t an EU citizen, he isn’t eligible to play. Nando Sanz was my most expensive acquisition, but he can’t play because we mislaid the paperwork. icon_mad.gif Silva will battle Gottardi to fill the left wing position. Silva has been very impressive in the pre-season, which belies his unimpressive training performances. Gottardi’s preparation was unfortunately curtailed by injury, so he’ll have to work his way into form. On the right, Carlos Isach has comfortably made right wing his own, ahead of Jordi. Both are capable of doing a job there. Uvi is a good back-up to have in case of emergency.

Forwards

My formation dictates the use of only one out-and-out striker. Loreto, Sívori, Fran Nogueira and Nacho García have all had a go at making this position their own during the pre-season, but none have really stood out from the pack. At this stage, the experience of Loreto probably sees him get the gig.

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12th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 1: Cartagena v Alcalá de Guadiara

On paper, this should be a relatively comfortable game for us to start our league campaign, as today’s opponent is tipped for relegation. However, we carry through our penchant for profligate finishing and are held to a disappointing 0-0 draw. The game’s statistics reveal a telling story – 13 shots for us, but only 3 on target, so our opponent’s goalkeeper really wasn’t all that busy this evening. We looked good in midfield, but continued to lack a cutting edge up forward, and no matter my substitutions, we didn’t look like scoring today.

All in all, a disappointing draw, when I was looking for a good set of three points to start with.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Isach; Blinker (Gottardi 73); Loreto (Nacho García 73).

Alcalá de Guardiara (4-4-2): Leiva; Aurelio ©, Silva, José Luis, Ricardo; Cárdenas (Orife 63), Andrés, Pavón, Vergara (Chato 74); Sanlúcar (Del Camp0 74), Sergio Borro.

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Alcalá de Guardiara

MoM – José Luis

18th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 2: Ceuta v Cartagena

Our first game of the season broadcast on television, and I’m not pleased. We are completely outplayed by Ceuta, who run riot over us through the entire game. It’s a surprise we only lose 2-0, as Ceuta are by far the better side and deservedly fashioned 26 chances for themselves. We barely broke over the half-way line, and when we did, Ceuta’s defence efficiently shepherded us into non-threatening positions. I try a tactical change after an hour to see if that could make a difference – it slightly makes us more threatening, but really, we are outclassed today. The first goal, by Pedro García, comes courtesy of a mix-up in our defence after just 8 minutes when we fail to properly clear our lines. Luis Cembranos is allowed to run unhindered into our penalty box, before pulling it back for García, who notices that Cembranos is basically unmarked and fires the quick return ball back to him. Cembranos doesn’t miss on 34 minutes. It could have been worse.

Ceuta (4-5-1): Jaime; Alfonso, Vivian, David (Alberdi 61), Juanma; Kuhl, Berruezo, Sorribas ©, Pedro García (Kryos 72), Luis Cembranos; Basti (Maldonaldo 72).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig (Gottardi 62), Isach; Loreto (Nacho García 62).

Final score: Ceuta 2:0 Cartagena

MoM – Pedro García

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The loss drops us to 16th place on the league ladder after two games. We need a win to bounce back.

26th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 3: Cartagena v Díter Zafra

I’ve had eight days to stew over the loss to Ceuta, and as a result I drop the disappointing Loreto for Nacho García, who looked more willing to work within my gameplan. We come out positively, and we score our first goal of the season on 15 minutes, when Trobbiani crosses from the right for the advantage of Óscar Silva, who volleys nicely into the back of Zafra’s net. icon_smile.gif Finally, something to smile about. Our second goal comes on 29 minutes when Zafra’s keeper Moisés punches the ball back into our possession, the ball is played around until it reaches Alain, who puts it in the path of Silva, who doesn’t miss. Nacho García’s excellent work throughout the game is rewarded on 80 minutes when he is played on-side by Díter Zafra’s Juanra (who had played a good game until that point), and one on one with the keeper, García prevailed. The game ended 3-0 to us, and it was a timely morale boost after shooting a blank on the opening day of the season and then being swept aside by Ceuta.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Isach; Blinker; García.

Díter Zafra (4-4-2): Moisés; Regino, Macías, Maxi, Juanra; Juanjo, Zurdo (Mañas 55), Lozano, Chumi (Curro 36); Valentín, Fran Moreno © (Berto 67).

Final score: Cartagena 3:0 Díter Zafra

MoM – Óscar Silva

The win pushes us into 14th place on the ladder, after three games, being the last of five clubs to have four points for the season.

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Unfortunately, our win comes at a cost, with Eduardo Conget straining a neck (misses 5 days) and Puig suffering a chest injury (misses a week). That rules both of them out of our mid-week visit to Badajoz, which will be a tough game, given that our opponent is third, presently.

29th of September 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 4: Badajoz v Cartagena

Badajoz has been one of the early front-runners in our group, so this is going to be a tough game, particularly when I have a left back playing as a right back. It becomes worse when on 25 minutes, Alain picks up an injury and needs to be substituted, which means that Manu is playing in an unfamiliar left back role. Quickly realizing the error, I tell Juanmi and Manu to swap positions.

As might be expected, Badajoz dominate the game, peppering Iñaki’s goal with plenty of shots and ensuring he is very much in the game. But with Rambier and Merino combining well ahead of him, Iñaki is able to deal quite comfortably with what Badajoz throw at him. Up the other end, Nacho García is working hard and causing some problems, but unfortunately on 58 minutes, I need to substitute him for Fran Nogueira when he picks up a knock. But Badajoz’s Guzmán makes a terrible mistake, conceding possession softly to Nogueira on 60 minutes, and he accepts the one-on-one challenge with the keeper and scores! icon_smile.gif I hope we can hold on to this slender and unexpected lead, but alas it’s not to be, as Badajoz when Josemi leaves his marker for dead, latches on to Hakkar’s pass and fires it past Iñaki. Both sides could have won this encounter but for some good keeping, but with low expectations coming into this match, I’ll take the 1-1 draw.

Badajoz (3-4-1-2): Casto; Tomillo, Carmona, Jano; Dani, Dani, Manel (Jorge 72), Armindo (Alejo 45); Nando; Guzmán (Hakker 72), Josemi.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain (Manu 25), Rambier ©, Merino, Juanmi; Silva, Piombo, Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker; Nacho García (Fran Nogueira 58).

Final score: Badajoz 1:1 Cartagena

MoM – Iñaki

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The draw lifts us to eleventh place, five points off pace-setters Algeciras, and four points off the play-off places.

It’s bad news for Nacho García, who will miss about a month with a sprained ankle. Alain has bruised ribs, but should be right to play our next game on the weekend.

1st of October 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Injury blow for Extremadura’s Lolo

Extremadura midfielder Lolo has suffered a freak spinal injury in a training mishap this morning. Lolo has been influential in Extremadura’s good start to the season, having scored three goals and made two more in four games at the start of the season. But he will miss at least six months of football as doctors advise the club that he needs immediate surgery and recuperation.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

3rd of October 2004

I am asked by the local newspaper whether, in my opinion, we’ll defeat today’s opponent Arenas C.D. Arenas have not made a good start to the season, and consequently their morale is quite low across the board. Nevertheless, only four games into this caper, I’m not yet bold enough to predict a whitewash, so I give the stock-standard answer of we’ll have a tough match on our hands, but in the end we should win.

Let’s hope the players can keep up their end of the bargain.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 5: Cartagena v Arenas C.D.

Our first goal of the game comes in the 16th minute when Carlos Isach feeds Fran Nogueira down the right flank, and the veteran striker calmly strides into the box and shoots past the Arenas keeper. Some 13 minutes later, Alain prods the ball into the path of Óscar Silva, who sends a cross sizzling across the Arenas penalty box where Fran Nogueira is waiting. Our striker pounces and hits a drive towards goal. Arenas won’t be too pleased with their keeper, who fumbles the shot into the net for a 2-0 lead. Then, right on the stroke of half-time, clever play by Trobbiani releases Silva down the left flank, and he whips in a cross which the unmarked Regi Blinker controls coolly then slots past the keeper for his first goal of the season, and his first for Cartagena. Cue wild celebrations and a satisfied manager at half-time. We add a fourth on 70 minutes when Silva climbs highest to bullet a header past the Arenas keeper from Conget’s deep cross. A very good evening’s work, today’s game, and we look to be finding some form, particularly at home.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker (Uvi 66); Fran Nogueira.

Arenas C.D. (4-4-2): Manolo; Héctor, Moi Olivera, Jesús León, Garrido; Manuel, Kuni, Dani (s/o 32), Rufo (Vicente 79); David Hernández © (Cuqui 71), Luismi (Rafa Payán 71).

Final score: Cartagena 4:0 Arenas C.D.

MoM – Pablo Marcelo Trobbiani

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17th of October 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 6: Sevilla B v Cartagena

After a break of two weeks, we travel to Seville to play a rival club. Unfortunately, this match is decided by a single goal, and it goes to our host, when on 13 minutes Antonio Moreno is afforded too much room by my defenders and punishes us with a nicely taken goal. We actually make more chances than our host during the course of our game, but Sevilla B’s keeper does a good job when they’re on target, and we have too many shots that go wide to really trouble him. That’s been the story of our season so far, and we really need to find a striker who can hit the target often and well.

Sevilla B (4-4-2): Thorices; Fernando Vega, Palacios, David Prieto ©, Ortiz; Puerta (Pinto 46), Serrano (Lolo 46), Redondo, José Manuel; Guille, Moreno.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo (Loreto 73), Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker; Fran Nogueira.

Final score: Sevilla B 1:0 Cartagena

MoM – Thorices

We drop a spot to eleventh, and are now 8 points off the pace, and four off the play-off places.

Regi Blinker strained neck muscles and will need six days on the sidelines.

20th of October 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 7: Cartagena v Éjica Balompié

Very disappointing match at home to Écija, who had two players sent off during the game. However, despite all our possession and dominance, we have only two shots on target, and both were comfortably dealt with by the Éjica keeper. We seem to run very hot and cold at the moment, and it’s intensely frustrating when my strikers seemingly forget how to hit the ball correctly.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Trobbiani, Isach; Uvi (Sívori 76); Fran Nogueira (Loreto 76).

Écija Balompié (4-4-2): Arrue; Zabala, Cardoso (s/o 18), Romerito ©, Miguel Ãngel; Bautista (Espejo 82), Raúl Pichardo, Juan Ignacio (Jorge 74), Ãvalo; Raúl (Ruiz 18), Montero (s/o 54).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Éjica

MoM – Miguel Ãngel

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24th of October 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 8: Conquense v Cartagena

I make some slight tactical changes to the way my team plays, concentrating on keeping possession rather than playing a direct brand of football. I’m pleased to see us more than match our opponent on the field today, but again a lack of cutting edge up forward costs us a valuable three points today. To make matters worse, we won ourselves our first penalty of the season, but Fran Nogueira bottled it, blasting it straight at Conquense’s keeper. In a low standard game, in combination both sides made 20 chances, but only five were on target – two from Cartagena, including Nogueria’s missed penalty. We sorely need somebody in our set of forwards to step up and start scoring goals, else the playoffs will be out of reach by Christmas, at this rate.

Conquense (3-4-2-1-2): Iglesias; Galiano (Loperena 71), Jornet, Urraka (Rial 71); Zafra, Aritz, Barber ©, Luis; Lalo; José (Carlos 64), Alberto Alejandro.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo (Puig 90), Trobbiani, Isach; Uvi (Sívori 59); Fran Nogueira (Loreto 73).

Final score: Conquense 0:0 Cartagena

MoM – Iñaki

27th of October 2004

The Copa del Rey produces a big upset when Segunda Liga B club Badalona defeats Real Madrid 1-0, while Benidorm defeats Athletic Bilbao 2-1.

30th of October 2004

Ahead of this evening’s televised game between Extremadura and Cartagena, I decide to spice things up a little by saying publicly that I hope for a victory against the home team. To my satisfaction, my public comments seems to lift the spirits of the players, which have sagged a little after less than satisfying results.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 9: Extremadura v Cartagena

Well, what a game we had today. I continued the tactics of playing the ball short and maintaining possession, but again our lack of cutting edge seemed to cost us considerably in front of goal. When Extremadura took the lead thanks to Rambier losing Pavone for a crucial split-second and Pavone sneaking through to score a good goal on 27 minutes, I thought that we would struggle to match our hosts, and began to regret my public pronouncement. Although Blinker was doing well in the hole behind my lone striker, his continued fascination with striking balls over the bar finally exceed my frustrations, and I substituted him for Sívori. It was the substitution that turned the match. Moments after coming on, Sívori bamboozled the Extremadura defence, turning his marker inside out before rounding the keeper and slotting home the equalizer on 59 minutes. Then on 78 minutes, with Cartagena a man down due to the dismissal of Alberto Merino for two yellow cards, Sívori struck a sweet shot from the edge of the box to fire us into the lead. Five minutes later, he accepted a pass from Silva some 40 yards from goal, dribbled his way past his marker and slotted a nice goal to complete his hat-trick and seal a great victory for Cartagena, particularly since two of Sívori’s goals came after we were reduced to ten men. Indeed, it looked like we had the numerical advantage! icon_biggrin.gif This time, the manager was pleased! icon_smile.gif

Extremadura (3-4-1-2): Pata; Nandi (Zamora 72), Luis Manuel, Alcázar; Gaizka, Roberto, Marco, Soler ©; Olivar (Cobos 74); Manuel, Pavone (Peri 72).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino (s/o 75), Conget; Silva, Puig, Trobbiani, Isach; Blinker (Sívori 57); Fran Nogueira (Manu 76).

Final score: Extremadura 1:3 Cartagena

MoM – Sívori

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I get a message of congratulations from the Chairman of the Board, Señor Hernández for the big victory.

The win lifts us to ninth place, though we played our game a day earlier than the rest of the league, so if results go against us tomorrow, we could find ourselves back down in twelfth place again.

I discipline Merino for his sending off, too.

31st of October 2004

As things turn out, we go down to tenth place after the round of fixtures is completed.

Merino accepts that as a member of the club’s leadership group, he should show better judgment. He doesn’t quarrel with the warning I give him.

7th of November 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 10: Marbella v Cartagena

I’m fairly confident heading into this game that we have a good chance of notching up a valuable away victory, as Marbella are looking shaky this early in the season. My confidence is justified when we score the decisive opening goal in the 16th minute – a clever through-ball from Silva finds Fran Nogueira unmarked in the box and he has enough time to pick his spot and ram it home. We make the points safe on 43 minutes when Sívori and Silva play a nice-one two that allows Sívori to drop off his marker just long enough to blast the ball home from about ten yards. Marbella look to fight back in the second half to restore some pride, but their forwards lack confidence in front of goal and we chalk up a good 2-0 victory on the road.

Marbella (4-4-2): Ãvila; Navarro, Ríos, Escudero, Salido ©; Cipri (Francis 54), C. Rivera, Dani Campos, Andrés (F. Rivera 21); Christian, Edu Espada (Herrera 69).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Manu, Conget; Silva, Puig, Trobbiani, Isach; Sívori; Fran Nogueira.

Final score: Marbella 0:2 Cartagena

MoM – Iñaki

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10th of November 2004

Stuart Baxter calls up Sipho Nunens to the South African squad for the friendly against Egypt.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 11: Cartagena v Melilla

Unfortunately, we undo most of our good work against Extremadura in this mid-week game against Melilla. Although we have the better of the play over all, we again seem to lack a sharp presence up forward, with Sívori looking tired and Nogueira ineffective. In all, a 0-0 draw is probably a fair reflection of the standard of play from both sides, as really neither deserved to win.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Puig, Trobbiani, Isach; Sívori (Blinker 72); Fran Nogueira (Loreto 88).

Melilla (4-4-1-1): Balbuena; José Antonio, Jurado, Orta, Redondo; Irazoki (Mohamed 70), Abela (Luis 70), Fiores, Yamal; Guede; Mauri © (Chota 24).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Melilla

MoM – Jurado

Second round matches in the Copa del Rey are also played, and Atlético Madrid is stunned, away from home, by Alicante of the Segunda Liga B 2-1.

Romain Rambier gashed his head in our scoreless draw against Melilla and will miss three days.

12th of November 2004

I lose Trobbiani for a month as he tore a groin muscle in training today. The fans are not pleased, and neither am I, because he has been a very influential player for us, and the options to cover him are not up to the same standard.

13th of November 2004

Better news though as I can announce that right back Rafael Requena has agreed to join the club from Guijeolo. The scouts were impressed with him over a long period of time, and he certainly is one of the better right backs in this division that I’ve seen to date. He might be a bit pricey, and I’m concerned that he puts us almost £1,000 a week over the wage budget, which means I need to start trimming it before the board starts bleating to me about it. However, it allows Conget to move out of the right back position, where he has done well but isn’t entirely comfortable, and into a more natural midfield position.

We have a bona fide international in our midst as Sipho Nunens is a second half substitute for South Africa in their 3-3 draw with Egypt. He didn’t really touch the ball all too often, and he’ll need to pick up the pace if he is to force his way into the side if/when we’re promoted and/or play in the Copa del Rey.

14th of November 2004

Nunens keeps his place in South Africa’s squad for its forthcoming friendly against Norway.

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17th of November 2004

Nunens comes on as a 32nd minute substitute for South Africa against Norway and does quite well, but his team lose 3-1.

20th of November 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 12: Cartagena v Talavera

Against a club struggling against relegation this early in the season, I expect to bring home all three points. Therefore, I’m disappointed when we battle to an unconvincing 1-1 draw in front of the television cameras, who are training on Cartagena for the first time this season at home. To make things worse, Talavera take the lead on 55 minutes when the lively Thierry gets the better of Conget to sling in a dangerous cross for Estecha to nod home past Iñaki. Puig draws us level three minutes later when Blinker’s cross is nodded down to his advantage by Isach, but despite our best efforts, my forwards aren’t up to the task of giving us the lead and we leave the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena disappointed at dropping two points.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Merino, Rambier ©, Conget; Silva, Blinker, Puig, Isach; Sívori; Fran Nogueira (Loreto 55).

Talavera (3-5-2): Santi Calvo; Gómez ©, Jiménez, Jordan; Río, Galán (Pedro 55), Uriel, Mata, Carmona (Ferrer 45); Thierry, Estecha (Lafuerza 55).

Final score: Cartagena 1:1 Talavera

MoM – Estecha

The draw drops us to eighth place on the ladder. We are nine points from the top of the league, and four points from fourth place.

27th of November 2004

My scouts have recommended that I go for Congolese forward Kali Ongala. He does look quite impressive with the ball at his feet, and I beat off interest from Elfsborg to snap up his signature on a player contract. At £1,000, his transfer fee isn’t excessive, and I hope that he can score some goals for us post-winter. Fortunately, he has a Swedish passport so will be able to play for the club from the get-go.

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28th of November 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 13: Tomelloso v Cartagena

I cannot wait until Ongala arrives at this club, as I seriously need some new strikers, because the players at my disposal at the moment cannot buy a goal, even from a crooked referee and without a goalkeeper in goal for the opponent. We did everything we could today to secure three points, including eleven shots on goal and 14 off-target. However, a combination of poor finishing, bad luck and great goalkeeping kept us out for a frustrating 90 minutes as the Tomelloso keeper played a blinder. It didn’t help matters that creative influence Carlos Isach was forced from the field on 38 minutes with a damaged shoulder, which necessitated a more defensive approach down the flank as I brought on Jordi. However, none of my strikers had any luck today.

Tomelloso (3-4-1-2): Rojas; Fernández Rodriguez, Cabezas, Novillo; Muñoz, Pelu, Andrés, Juanjo (Juli 61); Óscar (Luis 61); Pablo Lozano (Moreno 72), Javi Sanz.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Blinker, Puig, Isach (Jordi 38); Sívori (Loreto 63); Fran Nogueira.

Final score: Tomelloso 0:0 Cartagena

MoM – José Vicente Rojas

1st of December 2004

The Board is pleased with my progress so far. To be truthful, so am I. It’s just frustrating I can’t find some strikers who can consistently score goals. My top scorers are Fran Nogueira and Sívori, both on four goals (three of which came in the one match for the latter).

The registration period opens again. I put through the paperwork registering Nando Sanz as a player for Cartagena. It’s bad luck for Diego Gottardi, who is dropped out of the playing squad to make way for Sanz.

Sanz is on the bench for this evening’s crunch game against Lorca, who are two places above us on the ladder. We need the points to stay in touch with the top four.

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Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 14: Cartagena v Lorca

Both sides aren’t happy just to sit back and absorb pressure, as Lorca look to take an early lead in the match with a free kick on a minute that goes wide, and an unmarked Sánchez heading over the bar on 5 minutes. Silva sizzles a shot just wide on 13 minutes as we look to regain control of the game, while Sívori grazes the cross-bar with a long-range effort a moment later. We continue to pile on the pressure, but as per usual, my forwards can’t hit the target and we enter half-time still deadlocked at 0-0 apiece. The second half, however, is much more fruitful for the good guys, as a superb ball down the line from Jordi is perfect for Loreto to run on to. The veteran striker pulls the ball back to the unmarked Sívori, who cannot miss, and we take the lead on 53 minutes. Then we’re eternally grateful to Iñaki who pulls off a superb triple save to deny Lorca an equalizer four minutes later. The match remains on a knife-edge until the last minute of normal time, when substitute Piombo rises highest at the far post to force home Jordi’s superb deep cross to make the game safe. Piombo was brought on as a late substitute for the injured Regi Blinker as I looked to tighten up the midfield – little did I know that he was going to score the game-sealing goal.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Blinker (Piombo 83), Puig, Jordi; Sívori; Loreto.

Lorca (4-4-2): Rafa; Gurrutxaga, Eloy Pomar, Iñaki Bea, Robles (Rafa Moreno 61); Bomba, Ramos © (Perona 72), Xavi Moro, Leo (Xabi Sánchez 72); Mueguin, Jorge Sánchez.

Final score: Cartagena 2:0 Lorca

MoM – Iñaki

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5th of December 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 15: Don Benito v Cartagena

Against another club struggling against relegation, it was important that we took home three points today. Fortunately, Puig was there to give us a great early start when on 2 minutes he took his shot from about 30 yards and saw the Don Benito keeper fumble it into the back of the net. icon_smile.gif Poor play in the Don Benito defensive third allowed Sívori to take control of the ball, and he fed Loreto. The veteran striker took a step to steady himself then calmly slotted the ball in the far corner to double our advantage on 22 minutes. We added a third goal on 73 minutes when Nando Sanz’s corner was poorly punched by the Don Benito keeper. The ball ended up with Jordi, who twisted this way and that before putting a shot into the back of the Don Benito net. A satisfying 3-0 win to Cartagena.

Don Benito (4-4-2): Febles; Guirado, Jorge ©, Negredo, Santana; Bernal (Cobos 45), Soler (Navarro 42), Coscollà, Serrano; Pedro Carrión (Vázquez 73), Teo.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Jordi; Sívori (Nando Sanz 71); Loreto.

Final score: Don Benito 0:3 Cartagena

MoM – Loreto

The victory pushes us into fifth place, just two points below fourth-placed Sevilla B, and a position in the play-off places.

6th of December 2004

I persuade Benidorm to take López, a central defender, off our books for the princely sum of £4,000. He is only paid £75 per week, so it won’t relieve the wage pressures very much, but it’s a start.

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9th of December 2004

Héctor, a fairly useless centre forward, will leave this club in six days time as he joins Orihuela for £1,000. That’s another £75 per week off the club’s books.

10th of December 2004

We gain an opportunity to consolidate fifth place after top-placed Ceuta defeats Badajoz 3-1 on television. Badajoz are equal with us on 25 points, but we now have a game in hand, although we face a difficult trip to third-placed Jaén tomorrow. However, it’s these types of games that we need to win if we are to get into a play-off position by the end of the season. Hopefully, that will be enough motivation for the boys to come out tomorrow with victory in their sights.

11th of December 2004

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 16: Jaén v Cartagena

Well, it wasn’t going to be. In the end, Jaén proved to be the better side and while our boys battled hard, they controlled our forwards and pretty much ran the game at their tempo. Still, I was proud of the sterling effort my defenders put in today. They really stuck to their tasks and made it very difficult in unpleasant conditions for the home players to fashion clear cut opportunities. However, our resistance finally broke on 83 minutes when Iñaki’s poor kick was coolly headed back into the danger area, where Sergio Cruz, taking advantage of our defenders being out of position, took a shot from the edge of the penalty box and beat Iñaki. We still have a way to go before we can properly consider ourselves a chance for promotion this season, I think.

Jaén (4-5-1): Jacobo; Galera, Carlos García, Cidoncha ©, Dani (Pana 48); Dani Marcos, Navarro, Mostovoy (Gallo 75), Márquez, Turner (Óscar 45); Sergio Cruz.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Isach; Sívori; Loreto.

Final score: Jaén 1:0 Cartagena

MoM – Pana

12th of December 2004

As a result of our loss, which ends a run of ten games unbeaten, we drop to seventh, three points off fourth place.

15th of December 2004

The transfer window opens. Héctor and López leave the club, and we bank £5,000. Héctor (23 y/o, ESP, S C): 0 apps; López (21 y/o, ESP, D C)

Kali Ongala joins the club for £1,000, but the deal to bring Rafa Moreno to the club falls through after it turns out that despite my best negotiating, we still cannot afford his transfer fee.

Signing off for now! icon_smile.gif

Dixie Flatline

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nerf:

Dixie icon_cool.gif

I was a huge fan of your previous Cartagena tale(s) so I'm very happy to see this again. Long may it continue. Best of luck icon14.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're welcome, on all counts! icon_biggrin.gif

Hopefully the old Cartagonova story isn't just buried yet, too, if I can give you a hint. icon_wink.gif

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Brian of Nazareth:

Hooray! Just another 50 odd pages to go eh Dixie? icon_wink.gif

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's right. icon_wink.gif We'll see how far we get before I get sacked! icon_biggrin.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Nice start, looks like the goals are beginning to arrive now after a plethora of draws. Hope this Ongala fella proves to be that striker you need icon14.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you. Hopefully the last loss won't set us back too far. This story is up to date where I am in the game, so I honestly don't know how Ongala will turn out yet. Bit bummed on missing out on a right back, though. icon_frown.gif

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Spav:

Good start, Dixie. I'll join in early on this one so that I can keep up with the goings-on in Cartagena. It will beat trying to read all those pages in a month or two's time. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, spav! icon_smile.gif I hope you continue to enjoy what happens at Cartagena! icon14.gif

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Let's have a bit more from Cartagena, shall we?

17th of December 2004

Paulo Trobbiani is back in full training after recovering from his groin injury, but is a long way off full match fitness.

19th of December 2004[/b}

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 17: Cartagena v Linares

It is seventh (us) versus sixth (Linares) and it’s a good opportunity to climb a spot or two on the ladder. But again, our poor finishing in front of goal, combined with another goalkeeper who plays a blinder, denies us taking three points home today. To be fair, Iñaki also played exceptionally well, and Linares could feel a little aggrieved they didn’t triumph this afternoon. Both sides fashioned good chances with good midfield performances, but unfortunately neither side was capable of finishing. Ongala came on as a substitute in the 64th minute for the ineffective Loreto, but while he looks lively, he couldn’t find the back of the net on his debut.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Isach; Sívori; Loreto (Ongala 64).

Linares (4-4-2): Basauri; Corveró, Chico ©, Marcos Suárez, Cociancich; Ortiz, Puché, Ãlex (Sergio 66), Martin Tártare; Dani Bouzas (Nacho Aznar 77), Moncho (Bordi 77).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Linares

MoM – Garikoitz Basauri

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Let's have a bit more from Cartagena, shall we?

17th of December 2004

Paulo Trobbiani is back in full training after recovering from his groin injury, but is a long way off full match fitness.

19th of December 2004[/b}

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 17: Cartagena v Linares

It is seventh (us) versus sixth (Linares) and it’s a good opportunity to climb a spot or two on the ladder. But again, our poor finishing in front of goal, combined with another goalkeeper who plays a blinder, denies us taking three points home today. To be fair, Iñaki also played exceptionally well, and Linares could feel a little aggrieved they didn’t triumph this afternoon. Both sides fashioned good chances with good midfield performances, but unfortunately neither side was capable of finishing. Ongala came on as a substitute in the 64th minute for the ineffective Loreto, but while he looks lively, he couldn’t find the back of the net on his debut.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Isach; Sívori; Loreto (Ongala 64).

Linares (4-4-2): Basauri; Corveró, Chico ©, Marcos Suárez, Cociancich; Ortiz, Puché, Ãlex (Sergio 66), Martin Tártare; Dani Bouzas (Nacho Aznar 77), Moncho (Bordi 77).

Final score: Cartagena 0:0 Linares

MoM – Garikoitz Basauri

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Unfortunately, the draw at home drops us down to ninth, with 26 points so far for the season, as compared to Ceuta’s 38 points, which tops the group at this point. We are now five points from the last promotion playoff spot, and that is where I’m continuing to set my sights.

However, we’re looking forward now to a tough home match against Algeciras, who for a while topped the group a few rounds ago, but now sit third, four points from the peak. They have scored the second-most goals in the group, with 30 goals in their ‘for’ column, while I can boast that we are the most frugal to date, conceding just 7 goals for the season. Unfortunately, bar everyone in the relegation zone, we are the least productive in front of goal, with just 19 goals scored for the season.

20th of December 2004

Blinker will miss two weeks after injuring his foot in training – the poor facilities at Cartagena probably don’t help matters, but we’re running at a loss at the moment, so I don’t think I’d have much joy approaching the Board for the money to upgrade our training base. In any event, Blinker hasn’t featured much in our recent games.

21st of December 2004

Much worse news from training as my physios report that strong central defender Alberto Merino will miss a fortnight thanks to straining a groin muscle in training. Merino has been superb in defence next to Rambier, and I can ill-afford to lose him ahead of a crunch game with Algeciras.

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22nd of December 2004

I decide to put on a positive face for tonight’s game against Algeciras and hope that some fighting words to the local press will lift the team’s spirits and propel us to a much-needed victory. It has mixed results. Some of the players don’t seem to care (or don’t read newspapers). A couple of players are very pleased and are determined to back me up. Eduardo Conget, on the other hand, thinks this type of psychological mind-games should be beneath managers and isn’t very impressed.

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 18: Cartagena v Algeciras

We begin this game as well as I could hope for when Loreto, one of those players fired up by my comments to the press, takes Sívori’s pass and strides purposefully towards goal, using his strength to hold off up to three defenders and slotting it magnificently home on 7 minutes. icon_smile.gif Six minutes later, Conget flights a beautiful ball over the top of the defenders to land in Loreto’s path, and he has no hesitation in hitting a shot across the keeper’s body and in for a goal. icon_biggrin.gif Then on 32 minutes I look on in horror as Iñaki, given a simple backpass by Puig, manages to put it directly in the path of Donoso. Iñaki, as shocked as I am, races back to guard his goal while my defenders also struggle to get into position. Fortunately, Donoso holds onto the ball too long and Manu is there to clear it away. But it’s a sign of things to come…

Just eight minutes later, Algeciras have a vital way back into the game when Donoso and Quique Romero exchange passes inside our penalty box and Donoso is able to prod home from about 5 yards. icon_frown.gif We spend the whole of the second half under the cosh as my players decide now would be a good time, against a club in the promotion playoff zone, to ignore my instructions and pump the ball long at every opportunity. It doesn’t help when Loreto is forced to limp off with a severe injury, which necessitates the small Kali Ongala to act as our front-man, though Algeciras is reduced to ten men when Vinny Samways is sent off for two yellow cards mid-way through the second half. Nevertheless, I’m furious with my players as they continually give away possession cheaply with aimless long balls up the field. To underline my point, with the last kick of the game Ortega squares things up when he controls a lovely long ball from the Algeciras keeper catching my players off-guard.

This evening, I’m not a happy camper, as I see promotion hopes beginning to slip away.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Manu, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Isach; Sívori; Loreto (Ongala 72).

Algeciras (4-4-2): Calleja; Espínola ©, Sanjulián (Arturo 59), Benjamin, Ortega; Esparza (Agustín 43), Carlos Alvarez, Samways (s/o 59), Quique Romero; Sequeiros, Donoso (Rebollo 59).

Final score: Cartagena 2:2 Algeciras

MoM – Sívori

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The draw lifts us into eighth place, but we now lag 7 points off fourth place, so it’s becoming harder to see us make up the ground and sneak into a promotion playoff.

Loreto will miss a month of football after the veteran striker strains knee ligaments. The news is met poorly by fans, who see Loreto as somewhat of a talisman, and I’m asked in the post-match press conference whether we can cover for his loss. Being honest with myself, it’s going to be difficult. Ongala has only just joined the club and he is a different type of player. The other strikers I have at my disposal aren’t quite in Loreto’s class. However, to the press, I put on a brave face and say that we’ll cover his loss.

Conget damages a shoulder and will miss five days. Fortunately, our next game isn’t until the 9th of January 2005, so he should have plenty of time to recover.

Although we haven’t quite yet reached half-way in the season, I think now, with the Christmas/New Year’s break upon us, to quickly sum up how I think my squad has gone so far.

Goalkeepers

Iñaki has played every game so far this season and has been quite reliable. However, I’ve learned to dread when he has to kick the ball, as he is a terrible kick, and more often than not (particularly goal kicks) the opposition ends up with the ball. However, in 18 games he has kept 11 clean sheets, so he isn’t doing too badly.

Yepes hasn’t yet had a look-in but isn’t complaining, yet.

Defenders

A back four of Alain, Rambier, Merino and Conget is well-settled and they work well together. As I’ve discussed previously, I’m looking to release Conget from an unfamiliar right-back role back into midfield, where he can use his deadly crossing ability to better effect. However, I am very pleased with the efforts of all four players. Perhaps one slight quibble, though, is that they aren’t very dangerous at set pieces. Although they do sometimes out-jump an opponent at a set piece (like a corner) their headers are usually way off the mark.

From limited opportunities, Manu and Juanmi have both done serviceable jobs. They aren’t long-term prospects by any stretch of the imagination, but they do enough to keep a squad number. Herviás, a defensive utility, is patiently waiting for an opportunity. He has been on the bench a lot, but I haven’t yet thrown him into the fire.

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Midfielders

I’m very pleased with the efforts of Puig in particular. I did not think he would dominate the centre of midfield like he has to date this season, but he has proven me wrong. He is a tenacious and quite skilful midfielder (for this level of Spanish football) and has become a regular in my first team. Trobbiani has been the player I expected him to be since I snapped him up on a free transfer. I look forward to seeing him back in action when he can spray the passes around the field with aplomb.

Isach and Silva on the flanks have also been very good so far this season. Silva has scored three goals and generally has looked dangerous. Isach has also done quite well for himself so far this season and should be pleased with his efforts to date. Jordi was a good backup for Isach when the latter was out through injury and he is a little unfortunate that Isach has right wing sown up at this stage, because otherwise he would be a certain starter.

Regi Blinker hasn’t been the player I thought he would be. Sure, he’s done a good job, but I expected him to be the playmaker for the side. Unfortunately, he hasn’t quite lived up to that standard, and worse, he must have left his shooting boots in the Netherlands, because he has sprayed far too many shots on goal for my liking. I hope he can gain some goal-scoring form, because his £600 per week is not a luxury I can afford for too long.

Nando Sanz, Diego Gottardi and Uvi have had limited game time so far this season, and haven’t made a big impression just yet. But at least they have played competitively; players like Nunens, Levato, Guill and Raúl are yet to see any action this season.

Forwards

This is where we’ve been let down – a lack of firepower up forward. Our top scorer is Sívori, who has a measly 5 goals from 9(3) appearances. Next best is Fran Nogueira, with 4 goals from 9(1) appearances, while Loreto comes in next with 3 goals from 7(6) goals. I’ve been frustrated that we can’t score goals, and I hope that Kali Ongala, who has only just joined the club, will finds things a little easier. It’s this inability to score goals that is holding us back at this stage. We need goals in the second half of the season if we are to push up the ladder.

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29th of December 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Capa injury blow for Écija

Capa, 25 year old midfielder in the Écija squad will not play again this season after rupturing his cruciate ligaments in a training drill today. The midfielder, who has made just 1 substitute appearance for the club, was devastated when the news was revealed to him by doctors who completed their scans on the midfielder. Éjica currently sit 13th in Segunda Liga B, Group 4.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

7th of January 2005

I’m going to be without Isach for a fortnight as he twists a knee in training.

9th of January 2005

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 19: Jerez v Cartagena

This marks the half-way point of the season and it would be nice to start the second half with a win. Fran Nogueira replaces the injured Loreto, while Jordi steps into the right wing position. Manu keeps his place ahead of a recovered Merino. Our first goal comes on 39 minutes when Silva sprays a magnificent 55 yard pass into the path of Nogueira who is left on his own by his defenders. Nogueira coolly slots it past the Jerez keeper to make it 1-0. It takes us until the 73rd minute to make the points safe, but when Piombo cuts out a Jerez free-kick and the ball makes its way to Silva, Sívori is off like a shot. Silva plays another excellent ball to the forward, who rounds the keeper (almost goes too far in fact) before side-footing it home from the edge of the penalty box. icon_smile.gif So from two shots on-target, we score two goals for the game. It’s a nice fillip for the second half of the season.

Jerez (4-4-2): Dorronsoro; Green, Juan, Morales, Nicolás; Manolo (Muñoz 67), David (Chema 54), Pepe Puntas ©, De la Cruz (Alfonso 67); Mario, José Enrique.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Manu, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Jordi; Sívori; Fran Nogueira (Ongala 87).

Final score: Jerez 0:2 Cartagena

MoM – Iñaki

Happy news as Jordi signs a two-year contract. Not so happy is that we’re way over our wages budget.

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12th of January 2005

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 20: Alcalá de Guardaira v Cartagena

Our first goal of the game comes on 22 minutes when Sívori makes a late run into the box, is picked out nicely by Jordi, and blasts home from about the penalty spot. icon_smile.gif However, a terrible defensive mix-up between Iñaki and Merino allows Orife to sneak in, steal the ball off Merino’s toe and prod home past our stricken keeper. Simply a matter of no communication between defender and keeper, and we’re back level just three minutes after taking the lead. icon_frown.gif But I feel much happier at half-time when our opponent’s keeper’s clearance is headed to the advantage of Sívori by Merino, and the forward caps a fine first half with a neatly taken goal after dribbling his marker. But good play by our opponents just past the hour mark drags Merino away from the centre and leaves at least two players unmarked in our box. Orife drills a low pass across goal and Andrés gleefully levels the match. Sívori should have given us all three points when he has a golden opportunity right on full-time to complete his hat-trick after good work from Silva, but he fluffs the opportunity and we leave Alcalá de Guardaira ruing the draw.

Alcalá de Guardaira (4-4-2): Leiva; Aurelio ©, Silva, Jacobo, Ricardo; Cárdenas, Pavón, Andrés (Migueli 73), Vergara (Chato 43); Orife, Sanlúcar (Del Campo 73).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Piombo, Puig, Jordi; Sívori; Nogueira.

Final score: Alcalá de Guardaira 2:2 Cartagena

MoM – Sívori

Next Saturday, a televised home game against top of the table Ceuta. Should be a beauty.

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15th of January 2005

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 21: Cartagena v Ceuta

We haven’t done particularly well on televised games, usually because the standard of the opponent has been too much for us to cope with. Ceuta are undefeated since September when they lost to Marbella, so this will be a difficult game for us, even though I decide to name Trobbiani in midfield ahead of the unlucky Piombo, who has performed better than expected for me.

Things are eased, however, when on 6 minutes, dangerous Ceuta playmaker Luis Cembranos is forced from the field with an injury. We take the lead on 43 minutes when Trobbiani plays a visionary ball for Nogueira, who turns his man and fires a bullet into the far corner of the net! icon_smile.gif Then we have a numerical advantage on the stroke of half-time as Ceuta left-back Daniel Platero sees red for two bookings inside the first half! icon_biggrin.gif I hammer at the boys we have an opportunity to knock off the top side in the division and take a leap towards a promotion playoff berth if we can keep this up in the second half. The boys repay my faith on 68 minutes when Silva goes coast to coast before picking out Sívori, who nutmegged a Ceuta defender then rounded the keeper to score our second, game-sealing goal of the game! icon_smile.gif He doesn’t know it, but I was close to substituting him after he had wasted some good opportunities before he finished off that chance.

A very satisfying win for us.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Jordi; Sívori; Fran Nogueira.

Ceuta (4-5-1): Lara; Platero (s/o 45), Alberdi, Sandro, Juanma (Ignacio Alfonso 69); Diego, Sorribas ©, Basti, Pedro García, Luis Cembranos (Berruezo 6); Maldonado (Alfonso 45).

Final score: Cartagena 2:0 Ceuta

MoM – Óscar Silva

Unfortunately, our man of the match picked up his fifth booking of the season and is automatically suspended for our next game, away to near-relegation certainty Díter Zafra.

Ceuta’s loss was their first in 18 games. A big win for the good guys, then! icon_smile.gif

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16th of January 2005

Our upset victory (Ceuta was favourite) does nothing to improve our league position as Sevilla B record a narrow 1-0 win over Badajoz to retain seventh place on the ladder. We are eighth, 11 points from the top and four points from fourth, which is where I’m aiming.

21st of January 2005

Three of my players attract interest from Primera Liga club Levante. Levante bids £40,000 for Trobbiani, £150,000 for Rambier and £80,000 for Sipho Nunens. The first two bids don’t interest me very much, but £80,000 for Nunens is a good bid, I think, for a player whom I can’t use and is costing us £1,100/week in wages. I ask £80,000 now, 15% sell-on clause, and a friendly for Nunens.

In terms of Trobbiani, let’s see whether Levante are prepared to put their money where their mouth is (so to speak). I up the asking price to £750,000, which meets Trobbiani’s minimum release fee.

I do the same for the Rambier offer, but Romain’s minimum release fee is just £500,000.

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23rd of January 2005

Levante informs me that it will withdraw its bids for Rambier, Trobbiani and Nunens.’

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 22: Díter Zafra v Cartagena

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Six goal blast from Cartagena stuns Díter Zafra

Cartagena hit bottom-placed Díter Zafra for six in their Segunda Liga B match today in Zafra, despite the home side opening the scoring on 4 minutes thanks to a lovely chip from Abel. The early goal seemed to wake the visitors up, and by 8 minutes, they were level when Jordi played Sívori through on goal and the forward did the rest. Fran Nogueira put Cartagena in the lead on 21 minutes when Puig put him in the clear, the striker beating Zafra’s keeper at the near post. Sívori made it 3-1 in favour of Cartagena on 34 minutes when his strike was deflected by centre-back Rives past his own goalkeeper, but that did not stop Sívori claiming the goal. Sívori completed his hat-trick on 40 minutes when Trobbiani picked off Juanra’s pass, intended for Abel, and quickly gave it to Regi Blinker. The Dutch veteran fed the ball forward to Sívori, who had no trouble in holding off his marker and sliding the ball home to make it 4-1 to Cartagena at the break.

Sívori turned provider on 70 minutes when he flighted a nicely weighted pass into the path of Nogueira, who again beat the keeper at the near post with a superbly struck drive. Sívori was then substituted by his manager, Señor Flatline, who replaced him with Nando Sanz, and the substitute scored his first goal for Cartagena, and the sixth goal for the side on the day when with arrogant ease, he controlled Jordi’s sweet pass and buried it past the Zafra keeper.

A tremendous day for Cartagena and its rookie manager, Señor Flatline as the club celebrated its biggest win of the season and took a giant step closer towards a promotion playoff that a few months ago looked distinctly unlikely.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, that was a fantastic game to watch! I thought Iñaki was poor in not making an attempt to save Abel’s shot, but it really seemed to fire us up, particularly Sívori, who could do no wrong today. He was absolutely everywhere, controlling the play and finishing things off when necessary. It was a tremendous victory for the boys and has helped confidence in the squad to an all-time high. This time, I was gratified to see that the shots on target outnumbered the shots off-target, so perhaps we’re beginning to turn a corner in that regard. I am a very happy manager after this game.

Díter Zafra (4-4-2): Miguel Adolfo; Chemi, Maxi © (s/o 77), Rives, Juanra; Zurdo, Abel, Lozano (Curro 61), Luija (Manuel Mañas 77); Juanjo, Fran Moreno (Berto 70).

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Blinker, Trobbiani, Puig, Jordi; Sívori (Nando Sanz 70); Fran Nogueira (Ongala 86).

Final score: Díter Zafra 1:6 Cartagena

MoM – Sívori

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The victory pushes up to seventh place, just four points off fourth-placed Linares, but still 11 points off top spot, still held by Ceuta.

A huge, huge game awaits us next weekend when we host Badajoz. They sit three points and two places above us, so it’s vital if we are to maintain our late push for a promotion spot that we defeat our next opponent.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Sívori singled out for praise

Cartagena manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, singled out forward Sívori for special praise after the forward scored a hat-trick in Cartagena’s 6-1 demolition of last-placed Díter Zafra. Sívori, who has scored 12 goals in 13(3) appearances, has often been the difference for Cartagena and it was he who orchestrated Cartagena’s big win over Díter Zafra. Sívori’s excellent run of form has seen him score six goals in three matches, and Cartagena fans hope that he can continue to play as well as Cartagena prepare for next weekend’s match against Badajoz, a match which will prove vital to their respective promotion hopes.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Sívori wins fans’ acclaim

Supporter Association President, Señor Javier Garrido was quick to add his voice to the chorus of praise for forward Sívori, saying that he hoped that the forward would continue his rich vein of form and help propel the club into promotion calculations by the end of the season.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

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28th of January 2005

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 23: Cartagena v Badajoz

Nothing quite like Friday night football on the television to stir the senses! icon_wink.gif Still on a high from our comprehensive thrashing of poor Díter Zafra, I make one change to the eleven, with Regi Blinker dropped in place of Óscar Silva, who served his one match ban last weekend. As could be expected from two teams relatively close to each other on the table, the opening stanzas of the game are evenly poised, and you get the feeling that a single goal could decide the game. Fortunately, it is scored by Cartagena’s Fran Nogueira who magnificently heads home Silva’s corner for our first goal from a corner this season, on 43 minutes.

It’s a tremendous way to enter half-time, and I ask the boys to dig deep to find that second goal to kill the game off. Eduardo Conget obliges, banging home the rebound from Sívori’s partially saved shot on 78 minutes. Sívori should have done better with Silva’s excellent cross as he was completely unmarked, but it doesn’t matter. The card-happy referee also managed to send off Badajoz’s Manel on 83 minutes; he dished out 8 yellow cards to both sides, and the red card, as I mentioned.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Jordi; Sívori; Fran Nogueira.

Badajoz (4-4-2): Casto; Traversa, Jano (Tomillo 75), Carmona, Sergio Ramos; Juanma (Alejo 66), Dani, Jordi López, Manel (s/o 83); Jorge (Guzmán 62), Josemi.

Final score: Cartagena 2:0 Badajoz

MoM – Paulo Marcelo Trobbiani

Tonight’s game was attended by our largest crowd of the season, too – 952 people came down to the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena to witness us defeat Badajoz. I think our recent upturn in form is attracting more people to the club.

Alerted by interest from non-league Italian club Igea Virtus, I lodge a £5,000 bid with Linares for their Argentine striker Gabriel Bordi, who holds an Italian passport. The 29 year old striker looks reasonably good but has not had a look-in at Linares. I hope that he can add some more firepower to our squad, but the deal needs to be concluded quickly with the transfer and registration windows closing on 31st of January.

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30th of January 2005

My bid for Bordi is accepted and I prepare a contract for him. Mindful that there are a stack of Italian clubs after him, I am prepared to be more generous than the Board will like me to be, but I believe this player would be worth the money.

In any event, it looks like that I’ll be short a right winger come next season. Carlos Isach’s contract expires at the end of the current season and despite more than a month of negotiation, we are no closer to finding a resolution. Unfortunately, a host of clubs have caught wind of this via his agent and are offering him contracts to leave the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena. Although he is now fit after his injury, Jordi has signed a contract and is prepared to stay with us, so Jordi is in ahead of Isach.

We move into sixth position on the ladder after the round is completed. Jaén, in fourth spot, are three points ahead of us.

I can announce our first Bosman signing of the season, with 32 year old left winger José Manuel Ortiz agreeing to a move to the Estádio Municipal de Cartagena in the summer. The Linares winger is a free kick and corner specialist and is still quite an accomplished player for his age. Silva will have his work cut out for him when Ortiz joins in the summer.

31st of January 2005

Bordi signs for Cartagena, and I give him a place in the squad ahead of the unlucky Nacho García. Bordi will be competing with Ongala and Loreto at the moment, as both Sívori and Fran Nogueira have established themselves quite well, I think.

Having carefully reviewed my squad, I believe that I’m happy with the following:

Goalkeepers

Iñaki (35 y/o, ESP, GK): 23 apps, 12 conceded, 14 clean sheets, 5 MoMs, av. rating: 7.22

José Esteban Yepes (32 y/o, ESP, GK): 0 apps

Defenders

Juanmi (22 y/o, ESP, D L): 1 app, av. rating: 7.00

Manu (32 y/o, ESP, D C): 3(2) apps, av. rating: 7.40

Alberto Merino (29 y/o, ESP, D C): 20 apps, av. rating: 7.30

Romain Rambier (23 y/o, FRA, D C): 23 apps, 2 assists, av. rating: 7.26

Alain (27 y/o, ESP, D/DM L): 23 apps, 1 assist, av. rating: 7.26

Juan José Herviás (21 y/o, ESP, D/DM C): 0 apps

Eduardo Conget (27 y/o, ESP, DM RC): 22 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists, av. rating: 7.27

Midfielders

Julio Puig (27 y/o, ESP, D/M C): 18(1) apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, av. rating: 7.26

Juan Ignacio Piombo (22 y/o, ARG, DM C): 11(1) apps, 1 goal, av. rating: 7.33

Jordi (28 y/o, ESP, M R): 7(1) apps, 1 goal, 4 assists, av. rating: 7.38

Pablo Marcelo Trobbiani (28 y/o, ESP, M C): 14 apps, 3 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 7.71

Carlos Isach (26 y/o, ESP, AM RC): 16 apps, 3 assists, av. rating: 7.38

Óscar Silva (27 y/o, ESP, AM L): 22 apps, 3 goals, 9 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 7.77

Regi Blinker (35 y/o, NED 3 caps, AM LC): 11(1) apps, 1 goal, 2 assists, av. rating: 7.25

Nando Sanz (29 y/o, ESP, AM C): 0(2) apps, 1 goal, av. rating: 7.00

Forwards

Kali Ongala (25 y/o, CGO, F C): 0(4) apps, av. rating: 7.00

Sívori (28 y/o, ESP, F C): 14(3) apps, 12 goals, 4 assists, 4 MoMs, av. rating: 7.71

Gabriel Bordi (29 y/o, ARG, S C): 0 apps

Fran Nogueira (32 y/o, ESP, S C): 14(1) apps, 9 goals, av. rating: 7.00

Loreto (33 y/o, ESP, S C): 7(6) apps, 3 goals, 1 assist, 1 MoM, av. rating: 6.85

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1st of February 2005

Fran Nogueira commits to a new contract with Cartagena.

2nd of February 2005

Unfortunately, I cannot reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with Isach and I’m almost resigned to losing him at the end of the season. He simply wants too much money and the club, already well over its weekly wage budget, will not cut me sufficient slack to accommodate him.

In any event, should we achieve promotion to the Segunda Liga, I believe that Isach would be found out, as he is a good Segunda Liga B player but does not have the talent to succeed at a higher level.

3rd of February 2005

Blinker extends his contract by another season.

4th of February 2005

We have a good opportunity pull away from Badajoz after they were defeated this evening by Melilla. We’re currently level on points and have a televised home game against Sevilla B tomorrow night.

5th of February 2005

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 24: Cartagena v Sevilla B

Second home match and second televised game in a row. Hopefully the growing confidence amongst the players will help us over the line against the dangerous Sevilla B. I make but one change to the squad – Kali Ongala is omitted from the bench and new signing Gabriel Bordi takes his place. I prefer the same starting eleven, though.

A bright start is what I ordered and it is precisely what I get when on 3 minutes, Ortiz fails to judge properly Alain’s clearance and it falls nicely for Silva to run with the ball down the left wing. Silva looks up and spots Sívori haring towards the penalty box. The winger plays in a superb ball and Sívori, having too much space and time, simply puts it in the net. icon_smile.gif Just on 14 minutes, Jordi cleverly plays a through-ball to Nogueira’s advantage, and the veteran striker hits it well to beat the Sevilla B keeper at the far post to extend our lead to 2-0. A quick counter-attack on 54 minutes leaves Silva without a man and he takes Trobbiani’s pass before sliding it in towards the unmarked Sívori. He cannot believe his luck to find himself unmarked and completely alone inside the Sevilla B penalty box and he makes them pay by smashing the ball into the back of the net. icon_biggrin.gif

In the end, we could have won by more goals, but substitutes Nando Sanz and Gabriel Bordi do not make their chances count. We ease by Sevilla B comfortably with a fully deserved 3-0 win.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Jordi; Sívori (Nando Sanz 75); Nogueira (Bordi 75).

Sevilla B (4-4-2): Thorices; Fernando Vega, Juli, David Prieto, Ortiz (Lolo 69); Pinto (José Manuel 55), Roberto, Redondo, Juan Jesús (Guille 55); Moreno, Kepa.

Final score: Cartagena 3:0 Sevilla B

MoM – Óscar Silva

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The win puts us level on points with third-placed Jaén and fourth-placed Algeciras. However, both clubs play tomorrow, with the former facing a tough assignment away to second-placed Linares, but the latter visiting relegation-threatened Don Benito.

Extremadura is only two points behind us and host last-placed Díter Zafra. Unless a monumental boilover occurs, we’ll probably drop back a place after tomorrow.

The media is hailing our success over Sevilla B as the form of potential title challengers. Before the season began, we were expected only to finish top-ten in the Group, but our rich vein of form has pushed us into title contention. Of course, the media still have reservations about our credentials, and I certainly am not yet thinking about claiming the top spot – fourth will do me just nicely at this stage.

6th of February 2005

As I predicted, we drop to sixth after the round is completed. Extremadura rout Díter Zafra 4-0 at home; Algeciras thrash Don Benito 3-0 while Linares defeats Jaén 2-0.

Currently, the top ten looks like this:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag GD Pts

1 Ceuta 24 15 7 2 44 14 +30 52

2 Linares 24 14 5 5 40 17 +23 47

3 Algeciras 24 13 7 4 42 21 +21 46

4 Extremadura 24 13 5 6 45 28 +17 44

5 Jaén 24 12 7 5 35 20 +15 43

6 Cartagena 24 11 10 3 38 12 +26 43

7 Badajoz 24 12 4 8 32 26 +6 40

8 Conquense 24 11 4 9 30 25 +5 37

9 Melilla 24 9 9 6 35 24 +11 36

10 Sevilla B 24 10 5 9 26 29 -3 35

</pre>

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13th of February 2005

Segunda Liga B – Group 4, Game 25: Arenas C.D. v Cartagena

We continue our winning streak with a comfortable 4-0 win over our hosts. Fran Nogueira is instrumental in the win, scoring the first two goals of the game on 12 minutes and in injury time at the end of the first half. The first goal is created by Trobbiani, who plays a brilliantly timed ball for Nogueira to run on to and the burly striker did the rest. icon_smile.gif For the second goal, Silva timed the cross to perfection, allowing Nogueira to climb above two Arenas defenders and to nod into the back of the Arenas net. icon_biggrin.gif Sívori converted a penalty earned by Nogueira on 54 minutes to make it 3-0, and Trobbiani capped a great day for himself by scoring his first competitive goal for the club on 84 minutes when he powered the ball home from about 25 yards – hint of a slight deflection off Sívori’s body, but the latter hardly knew anything about it, so Trobbiani was ecstatic to claim the goal.

Arenas C.D. (4-4-2): Manolo; Cristóbal ©, Moi Olivera, Garrido, Óscar (Héctor 77); Higinio, Dani, Kuni, Vicente (Rafa Payán 45); Luismi (Rufo 67), David Hernández.

Cartagena (4-4-1-1): Iñaki; Alain, Rambier ©, Merino, Conget; Silva, Trobbiani, Puig, Jordi; Sívori; Nogueira.

Final score: Arenas C.D. 0:4 Cartagena

MoM – Fran Nogueira

Extremadura lost 3-0 to Ceuta on Friday night, so we move to fifth on the table, level on points with Jaén as we extend our winning streak to five games and our unbeaten streak to nine games.

Having a quick look at the other groups, our 46 points would entrench us quite comfortably in the top four, but the top four in Group 4 are quite good and have racked up a fair few points during the season.

The Chairman of the Board talks to the press, declaring his delight with our string of victories and the ease with which we brushed aside Arenas. The media continues to talk up our chances of snatching the title, but I suspect they’re only doing so because they expect us to crash and burn, allowing them to turn on us.

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14th of February 2005

I persuade Huracán to take Argentine central midfielder Mauricio Levato off our hands. Without an EU passport, Levato cannot play in the Segunda Liga B, and if I understand the rules correctly, only one non-EU player can be in the squad in the Segunda Liga, and I believe Nunens will take that place. Therefore, paying Levato £1,100 per week is not good for business and I parted with him as soon as I could: Mauricio Levato (25 y/o, ARG, M C): 0 apps

Selling Levato reduces our wage budget to approximately £1,000 per week over the Board’s limit.

18th of February 2005

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Panadero injury blow for relegation-threatened Marbella

Marbella, sixteenth in Group 4 of the Segunda Liga B, suffered a big blow today when striker Jesús Panadero was ruled out of football for up to nine months after breaking a leg badly in training today. Panadero, having scored 9 goals in 22(1) appearances this season to be the club’s leading scorer, was hoping that he could guide Marbella to safety, but the club will now have to look to the likes of Andrés and Edu Espada to score the goals.

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">

Jostling for promotion continues in Group 4 of the Segunda Liga B

Jostling for the fourth place in the promotion playoff zone continued tonight with Extremadura easing Jaén out of the zone, at least temporarily, with a comfortable 2-0 win over Badajoz in Badajoz, despite having Marco sent off on 72 minutes. Marco opened the scoring for Extremadura on 15 minutes, and Gonzalo Pavone made the points safe on 81 minutes. Jaén and Cartagena trail Extremadura by a point, both clubs playing later this weekend, while Linares will also be looking over its shoulder as it sits third, also on 47 points, but with a game to come this weekend.

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Senor Flatline, signing off for the moment. icon_wink.gif

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