How to make your way in the Primera Liga (or not as the case may be)

[Dixie Flatline]

9th of September 2009

César Cabrera is linked this morning to a move to Real Vallodolid. I deny it strongly.

World Cup Qualifier - Group 6, Game 9: Wales v Spain

The magnificent Millennium Stadium is sparsely populated for this evening’s game with less than 30,000 fans attending in the 72,500-seater stadium. The game pits several Cartagonova players against each other, with Andy Owen lining up for the hosts, while Sabino and Jaime Garrido start the game for Spain, with César Cabrera and Iván Vidal on the bench.

By and large, we dominate this game, with Vicente setting the tone for the game when on seven minutes, he misses a good chance by heading Sabino’s floated cross over the bar. A moment later, Craig Bellamy wastes a chance for Wales when he screws his right-footed drive under pressure from Marchena. Sabino forces Griffiths into a good save for Wales on 14 minutes, but on 19 minutes, Andy Owen tests César Laínez’s reflexes. Fortunately for Spain, the Barcelona keeper is equal to the task. On 22 minutes, Zubizarreta fires a shot in anger towards Griffiths, and the Welsh keeper pulls off a good save for the cost of a corner, which we fail to capitalise on. Eight minutes later, Iván Amaya misses a rare opportunity to add to his solitary international goal when Griffiths makes a tremendous save. I’m beginning to chew my nails, as the shots count continues to rack up, but without reward. A moment later, Sabino’s drive is held onto by Griffiths, as the keeper picks up his confidence. On 43 minutes, a reckless tackle by Oliva is punished with a yellow card for the full-back, and a testing free kick from Simon Davies. But the last word in the first half is left to Spanish captain Raúl, but even the veteran striker can’t find a way past Griffiths, who walks tall off the pitch for the break.

Things begin slowly in the second half, with Simon Davies exploiting an opening on 59 minutes, but fails to put a shot on target. Two minutes later, Raúl sends a drive spiralling over the bar. Eight minutes later, Andy Owen is fed the ball by a long clearance from the Welsh keeper but his fierce shot is well-saved by Laínez. A moment later, the Cartagonova player’s volley smashes off Laínez’s cross-bar and is clutched gratefully by the Barcelona keeper. On 77 minutes, just seconds after Vicente missed another chance, I take him off, replacing him with Reyes and moving Garrido into the hole behind the strikers. Three minutes later, Zubizarreta’s header is brilliantly saved by Griffiths. Garrido and Raúl miss two more opportunities, but just when it seems the match is going to end in a 0-0 draw, Zubizarreta crashes home a free kick from 30 yards to make it 1-0! Sabino almost doubles the score when he drives against the post from 20 yards, but the single goal will do us.

Wales (4-4-2): Griffiths; Price, O’Leary, Jones ©, James; Lewis, Fowler (Williams 69), Davies, Gibson; Bellamy (Cable 77), Owen.

Spain (4-1-2-1-2): Laínez; Borja, Amaya, Marchena, Oliva; Gavião; Garrido, Zubizarreta; Vicente (Reyes 77); Raúl ©, Sabino.

Final score: Wales 0:1 Spain

MoM - Francisco Javier Zubizarreta

[Dixie Flatline]

In other games involving Cartagonova players, Zlatan Muslimovic scores his 26th goal in his 56th cap for Bosnia in their 2-2 draw with Lithuania in Vilnius. All four goals were scored inside the first 19 minutes of the game. Sweden will be kicking themselves when they dropped two points with a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria, with Bojan Djordjic playing a full 90 minutes on the left wing. Arsenal’s Mikael Dorsin missed a 57th minute penalty, before Georgiev managed to equalise for Bulgaria three minutes later. Scotland did the business against the Faeroe Islands 2-0, with Alex Notman scoring the second goal on 60 minutes. That makes 18 goals from 31 international appearances for Scotland. Martin Smith played a full 90 minutes at left back for Denmark in their 2-1 win over Albania in Tirane. Israel upset the Netherlands 3-0 in Tel Aviv with Shimon Gershon playing a role in defence for the hosts. Israel was assisted by the red card dismissal of goalkeeper Stefan Postma after just 14 minutes. Former Cartagonova striker Niels Kokmeijer, now with 1860 München, had a game he would rather forget, but he was not alone for the Dutch. Per Vener Rønning helped himself to his fourth international goal in 20 appearances for Norway as they put Azerbaijan to the sword 5-2 in Oslo.

Running through the groups, we start with Group 1, where 2-2 draws were the order of the day. Lithuania and Bosnia shared the points in Vilnius, while Sweden was held to a 2-2 draw by Bulgaria. Turkey is now in prime position to automatically qualify for the World Cup, being a point behind Sweden with a game in hand (a visit to Bosnia), while Sweden’s group campaign is at an end (but second place is at least guaranteed). In Group 2, Estonia joined the list of qualifiers when it defeated FYROM 5-2 on the road. The Ukraine dented the Czech Republic’s hopes of qualifying second with a big 3-1 victory in Kyiv. Segij Levchenko and Andriy Shevchenko scored the three goals for the Ukraine. England ended its Group 3 campaign badly when it lost 2-1 to Portugal at New Wembley. Portugal’s goals came in the first half, while Chris O’Connor’s 81st minute penalty was not enough. Finland beat Luxembourg 2-0 in a result that matters little. Portugal hosts Luxembourg while its closest rival for top spot, Greece, travels to Finland.

As mentioned above, Scotland defeated Faeroe Islands 2-0 on the road, while Italy’s shock 4-2 loss away to Northern Ireland gives second-placed Yugoslavia renewed hope of qualifying automatically as it beat Moldova 3-0 on the road. Yugoslavia is one point behind Italy with the last round seeing Italy hosting Scotland, and Yugoslavia hosting Northern Ireland. In Group 5, Belgium had already qualified for the World Cup, but they ended Croatia’s campaign disastrously as they thrashed the Croatians 4-1 in Split. Latvia and Belarus drew 0-0 in Riga. In Group 6, Spain dealt Wales’ hopes of finishing second a blow by beating the Welsh 1-0. Poland moved into second place by beating Armenia 4-0 on the road, while Malta and Georgia drew 1-1 in Valletta. In Group 7, Cyprus drew level with Russia on points after beating Slovenia 3-1 and Romania drew with Russia 1-1. The last round of games sees Russia play Cyprus in a head-to-head match for the automatic qualifying place.

In Group 8, Ireland made sure of qualification for the World Cup by beating Andorra 3-0. Denmark defeated Albania 2-1, while Israel upset a poor Netherlands 3-0 in Tel Aviv. The race is on for second place behind Ireland. Israel sits there currently on 18 points, with Denmark third on 16 points, and the Netherlands trailing behind on 15 points. Holland hosts the group winner Ireland in Amsterdam, while Denmark and Israel play in Copenhagen. In Group 9, France defeated Iceland 4-0 in Paris, while Norway clings onto second place by beating Azerbaijan 5-2 in Oslo, while Austria defeated San Marino 4-1 in Vienna.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Guest]

Haven't checked this out for a while and was happy to see it's still going strong.

KUTGW

[Gino]

This is fantastic Dixie.

[Guest]

This writing style seems similar to Andrew Downing, which is always a good thing!

[jayjayjenas123]

great dixie this is the best story ever, kutgw

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by adam7:

Haven't checked this out for a while and was happy to see it's still going strong.

KUTGW <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks adam7! I'm happy that you're happy! It will keep going for a little while longer, too.

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gino:

This is fantastic Dixie. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Gino! I try my best!

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by josemi_le_god:

This writing style seems similar to Andrew Downing, which is always a good thing!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, mate! I have to admit that I haven't read much of Mr Downing - too busy trying to work (which is what I should be doing right now, actually!).

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jayjayjenas123:

great dixie this is the best story ever, kutgw<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm glad you like it so much!

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

Let's get back under way with more from Cartagonova!

12th of September 2009

“… Barcelona this evening shows the rest of the league that it means business by hammering Atlético Madrid 6-0 in the Estadio Vicente Calderón in Madrid. Surprisingly, all six goals were scored in the first half. Juan Sebastián Verón opened proceedings on 8 minutes, and Matteo Brighi doubled the visitors’ lead two minutes later. Daniel Osorno scored his first Barcelona goal on 16 minutes, before Flávio put the ball in his own net on 29 minutes. Cristian Bardaro scored Barcelona’s fifth goal on 34 minutes, and despite Gerard needing to go off injured on 40 minutes, Verón had the final say in injury time with Barcelona’s sixth goal…â€

13th of September 2009

Primera Liga - Game 1: Cartagonova v Real Vallodolid

Three weeks after the league season officially commenced, our campaign finally begins with a home match against Real Vallodolid, one of the newly promoted clubs. While we win the game 2-0, I feel that we really struggled to put together really fluent football that is our trade mark when we’re at the top of our form. We’re assisted by influential playmaker Ariel di Lorenzo being forced from the field on 9 minutes with an injury, but that was only seconds after Dani Ruiz had waltzed his way through our defence - fortunately, his wild drive was closer to the corner flag than the back of Vidal’s net. A moment later, we have a chance from a set piece, and former Real Vallodolid midfielder Gary Mason tests Arias’ reflexes with a swerving, dipping shot, but the visitors’ keeper does well to turn it away for a corner. Djordjic towers above Federico Lussenhoff to head towards goal, but Arias is there again to deny us taking the lead. Then the match goes quiet, and it is not until 24 minutes have ticked by before Real Vallodolid venture forward. This time, it is Francisco Guerrero testing his luck, but Vidal comfortably gathers in the shot. On 33 minutes, after good work by former Cartagonova midfielder Pablo Box, Guerrero misses a chance by scant inches, and I’m on the touchline hoping that one of my players can take his mind off looking for goals before half-time. A few moments later, Notman heads towards goal, but Arias is there to deny the Scottish striker.

However, he cannot prevent Jaime Garrido giving us the lead on 38 minutes after a forceful run from Martin Smith opened up space for the Spanish international winger! Injury time at the end of the half is eventful. Notman plays in fellow Scot Mason, but the midfielder’s header flies wide of the mark. Arias quickly takes a long goal kick, and Guerrero swerves a drive towards the corner of Vidal’s net, but the keeper is across in time to tip it away for a corner. Eleven minutes into the second half, Notman earns a free kick, and Mason whips into into the post - I think it is still resonating! Vidal saves a good shot from Burgos on 62 minutes, and a moment later the anonymous Sabino makes his afternoon look worse by missing an easy chance created by his strike partner. Accordingly, I take him and the ineffective George Clegg off, replacing them with Redondo and Claudio López respectively. Diego Quintana misses a good chance to bring Real Vallodolid level on 72 minutes, but Tapia almost scores a moment later, but for a great save from Vidal. Finally, on 87 minutes, we have our sealing goal, courtesy of Gary Mason, who played a one-two with Redondo to open up the space for the shot and I can finally breathe a little easier. We even have time for Claudio López to force Arias into making another good save, but we’ll settle for the 2-0 win in our first league game for the season.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning, Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Djordjic, Mason, Garrido; Clegg (López 67); Sabino (Redondo 67), Notman.

Real Vallodolid (4-4-2): Arias; Rodrigo Ãvila ©, Otero, Pérez Vargas, Dani Ruiz; Burgos, Pablo Box, Di Lorenzo (Lussenhoff 9 (Godvalt 53)), Quintana; Tapia, Guerrero.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:0 Real Vallodolid

MoM - Iván Vidal

The win puts us in tenth place in the league, while Martin Smith is named in the team of the week’s first eleven and Iván Vidal sits on the bench.

[Dixie Flatline]

16th of September 2009

This evening finds us in Liverpool at Anfield to play Liverpool in the first game of the first group phase in the European Champions' League. Before we take a look at the game itself, it’s time to examine the four participants in Group E. We kick off with the club you all know and love, in Cartagonova. A patchy start to the season sees Cartagonova slipping in the bookies’ estimation to go all the way this season, but for quality through the squad, it’s difficult to go past the Spanish champion. While departures of key players have perhaps weakened the squad, those that remain know what it’s like to win big games. Many defences struggle to contain the powerhouse forward Alex Notman, and with impact players like Sabino and José Manuel Redondo supporting the Scotsman, expect plenty of goals to be scored. Midfield has always been a particular strength for Cartagonova, and in Jaime Garrido, George Clegg and Bojan Djordjic, Cartagonova boasts three particularly creative players, while Gary Mason doubles as the holding midfielder and dead-ball specialist. Defensively, Cartagonova seems at its weakest, with Spanish international César leaving for Juventus in summer, and with precious little support for the current full-backs, Rønning and Cabrera. Iván Vidal has been in indifferent form at the start of the season, but he showed signs of the form that has made him a Spanish international in denying Real Vallodolid on the weekend.

Turkish champion Galatasaray squeezed past Rosenborg in the third qualifying stage 3-2 on aggregate, but after losing 2-1 away from home, they managed to win 2-0 at home, in an intimidating atmosphere for all visiting teams. In Maltese international keeper, Justin Faber, Galatasaray has one of the form keepers in Europe, with Faber oft-times standing between Malta and a thumping in international football. But Galatasaray has an aging squad, and some feel that the quality that has marked Turkish football of late no longer marks the squad of Galatasaray.

Hajduk Split achieved the first group phase after beating Omonia Nicosia 4-2 on aggregate in the second qualifying phase, and Venezia 2-1 in the third phase. While many Croatian footballers look to move westwards for a lucrative career in one of Europe’s elite leagues, Hajduk Split still has some quality in its side. Thirty year old striker Ivan Bosnjak will have an important role to play in the European Champions' League for his club, being required to carry the bulk of the goalscoring duties. He will be supported by Branko Batinic, who is a striker who looks to use his explosive turn of pace and strength to find a path to goal. In midfield, many think that Marijan Jukic will use Hajduk’s appearance in the European Champions' League to put himself forward to one of the bigger European clubs. He is a silky smooth midfielder, capable of delivering the ball to his teammates from almost anywhere on the field. But he needs to work on his goalscoring ability if he is to find that lucrative move. It seems that Hajduk Split and Galatasaray will fight over the qualification spot in the UEFA Cup.

Liverpool is one of the most famous clubs in the world, and has a European pedigree second to none, particularly amongst English clubs. But the golden age of the late 1970s and early 1980s where Liverpool won four European Cups between 1977 and 1984, and was runners-up in 1985 to Juventus are now nothing but a distant memory. Second in the English Premier League last season was good enough to allow Liverpool to qualify directly for the European Champions' League, and many think that Liverpool has enough quality to go through to the second group phase, at least. The club is struggling in the league at the moment, lying 17th after four games, but a midfield combination of Vincenzo Grella, Alvaro Olguin, and Vegard Voll gives Liverpool both steel and creativity in the middle of the park. Up forward, Spanish football followers will be familiar with former Sporting Gijón striker Da Silva, who will be partnered by Andy Johnson or Owen Morrison, the Northern Irish international. In defence, Matthias Meier is expected to achieve a call-up to the full German squad shortly, and he is required by Liverpool to hold together the defence that features former Manchester United player Michael Clegg and Spurs’ Gary Doherty.

[Dixie Flatline]

European Champions' League - Phase 1, Group E, Game 1: Liverpool v Cartagonova

I identify this is a tough game, so I’m gratified to see that we play well and get a good result. But it comes with a price, because I lose first-choice left-back, Per Vener Rønning, to a three week injury when he is forced from the field on 12 minutes after he damages his foot. On 13 minutes, we earn a penalty the referee was initially not inclined to give, but he did in the end listen to his assistant referee, and Shimon Gershon successfully converts the spot-kick. On 20 minutes, despite intense pressure from Sol Campbell, Alex Notman gets a shot away but it flies wide of the mark. Three minutes later, he smashes a drive against a post. On 28 minutes, George Clegg forces Alvbåge into making a save, but the Swedish keeper does it well. Just a moment before the end of normal time, Sabino’s dipping volley cannons into the cross-bar, but at the other end Gary Doherty flicks the cross-bar with Liverpool’s first real shot in anger.

That ends the first half action, and seven minutes into the second half, Notman manages to hit the cross-bar and it rebounds back into play where Gary Mason is alert enough to take control. The Scotsman sends it wide for Garrido to sling in the cross where Bressán, on for the injured Rønning, nods it down for Mason to sweetly strike a volley. Alvbåge manages to smother shot, but it has enough power to trickle away and Mason follows up to stick it in the net! Liverpool swing the changes, but it isn’t enough to stop us scoring a third goal on 65 minutes, when George Clegg reaches the by-line down the right and pulls it back for Djordjic to power past the Liverpool keeper! On 67 minutes, Prica forces Vidal into making a save, and from the resulting corner, the dangerous midfielder Olguin out-jumps Smith, but Vidal is able of stopping the header. On 73 minutes, Olguin launches a rocket from 25 yards, but his aim is way off. Then on 86 minutes, we have a goal ruled out for off-side, much to the disappointment of Sabino, who both scored and infringed. Still, I’ll take a 3-0 win away from home, especially at such an intimidating place as Anfield, but I could have done without the injury to Rønning.

Liverpool (4-4-2): AlvbÃ¥ge; Clegg, Campbell, Meier, Wenlock; Voll (Prica 52 (Duff 90)), Grella, Olguin, Bubb; Morrison (Da Silva 60), Doherty ©.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning (Bressán 12), Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Mason; Djordjic, Garrido; Clegg; Sabino, Notman.

Final score: Liverpool 0:3 Cartagonova

MoM - George Clegg

We top the table in Group E on goal difference from Hajduk Split, who defeated Galatasaray 2-0 in Split.

[Dixie Flatline]

19th of September 2009

I reject a bid from Sporting Gijón of £2.9 million over 18 months for César Cabrera.

Primera Liga - Game 2: Valencia v Cartagonova

“… Cartagonova escaped La Mestalla with an undeserved victory over Valencia this afternoon to notch up its second win this season. Valencia took an early lead when Óscar del Pino lobbed Vidal from 30 yards much to the delight of the home crowd. Redondo, in for the rested Notman, tested Jonathan on 15 minutes, but the keeper saved spectacularly. Angulo made Vidal work on 25 minutes, but Cartagonova’s keeper was equal to the task. From the corner, del Pino headed over the bar, and four minutes later, Cartagonova was level. Gary Mason chipped the ball forward to Bojan Djordjic, who played the one-two with George Clegg before curling a shot into the top corner of Jonathan’s net. Cartagonova finished the first half stronger, with Mason missing a shot on 35 minutes and Jonathan saving from Sabino on half-time.â€

“Valencia came out fighting at the start of the second half, with Hugo Leal forcing Vidal into making a save, but on 51 minutes, Sabino’s half-volley again made Jonathan scramble across his goal before Borja cleared. On 52 minutes, David Karanka had the ball in the back of Cartagonova’s net, but the visitors were saved by the assistant referee’s flag for off-side. On 56 minutes, Vidal made a brilliant save to deny del Pino who seemed to have done everything right. Then on 59 minutes, Vidal again pulls off a good save to deny Karanka. Four minutes, later Zenden was the latest Valencia player to be foiled by Vidal. But on 77 minutes, Vidal had no answer to Dutch midfielder Richard Knopper, who picked up the rebound from Hugo Leal’s shot to tap home. Cartagonova, who had done nothing in the second half, stared defeat in the face. Notman came on to replace Redondo, and it was the move that changed the match. Vidal again denied Karanka with a fingertip save that would have settled the match in favour of the hosts, and they were made to pay when Notman turned Donnet inside out before hitting a low shot beyond the reach of Jonathan. Then, with literally seconds before the end of the game remaining, Garrido and Mason combined to set up Bojan Djordjic, and the Swedish international winger scored the winning goal for the visitors. Valencia’s players were gutted, especially after huffing and puffing for all but two minutes of the second half, for no reward…â€

Well, that was a game I thought at 89 minutes and 59 seconds was all but up. I seriously didn’t think that Alex Notman, who has only been in patchy form at best, could really make a difference in this game, but he was a better option than Redondo, and in the end the substitution proved to be inspired. A point would have been very nice, especially after the pressure Valencia had put on us for most of the second half, but to sneak the win just seconds before the referee blew his final whistle was simply fantastic. Clearly, everybody thought we didn’t deserve the victory, and on one hand, I suppose they have a point. Nevertheless, we took our chances when they were presented, and Valencia didn’t.

Valencia (4-4-2): Jonathan; Borja (van Driel 79), Iriekpen, Donnet, Langeveld; Zenden, Onichtenchenko (Quique 50), Hugo Leal ©, Angulo (Knopper 50); del Pino, Karanka.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Bressán, Gershon, Smith (Lasa 59), Cabrera (Lacruz 59); Mason; Djordjic, Garrido; Clegg; Redondo (Notman 82), Sabino.

Final score: Valencia 2:3 Cartagonova

MoM - Gary Mason

20th of September 2009

We end the weekend in seventh position after two games. Gary Mason is named in the team of the week’s first eleven.

[Dixie Flatline]

22nd of September 2009

Villarreal offers me £7.7 million over 18 months plus £425,000 after 20 league games for Jaime Garrido. I reject the offer as completely unacceptable.

I learn in the morning’s papers that Elias Krantz, currently on loan to Recreativo in the Segunda Liga, wants to move to Real Vallodolid in a deal worth £1.7 million. I wouldn’t be too fussed if the Swedish attacking midfielder leaves the club, so I say nothing.

European Champions' League - Phase 1, Group E, Game 2: Cartagonova v Hajduk Split

We are expected to and actually do dominate the game, but the scoresheet does not reflect the dominance. Only a 40th minute solo goal from the unlikeliest of sources in Martin Smith (his first ever for Cartagonova) gave us all three points as Hajduk keeper Tomislav Butina stands tall to keep the scoresheet respectable. A reckless tackle perpetrated on Gary Mason slashes his leg quite severely and forces him from the field on 10 minutes, to be replaced by Ricardo Verón in his first appearance for the club. Juan Hernández in particular does a lot of good attacking work for no reward, and he was supported quite well by José Manuel Redondo and Alex Notman, but only one goal to show for it is a little disappointing.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Bressán, Lasa, Smith, Cabrera; Djordjic, Mason (Verón 10), Muslimovic; Hernández; Redondo, Notman.

Hajduk Split (5-3-2): Butina; Grlic, Mamic, Andric, Filipovic (Jurkovic 65), Martinovic; Jukic, Suto ©, Jerkovic; Batinic (Saric 60), Bosnjak.

Final score: Cartagonova 1:0 Hajduk Split

MoM - Juan Hernández

You will notice that quite a few of my first-choice players are missing from the first team. The game against Valencia, played in hot weather, had taken quite a lot out of my players, especially Shimon Gershon, Jaime Garrido and George Clegg. It was good to see Juan Hernández come back into some form after a disappointing 2008/09 season, and I hope that it continues this season.

23rd of September 2009

I’m forced to reject a bid from Sporting Gijón of £3.4 million over 18 months for César Cabrera this morning.

[Dixie Flatline]

26th of September 2009

I reject a bid from Sevilla of £375,000 for José María Lacruz this morning.

Primera Liga - Game 3: Cartagonova v Villarreal

We hand out a football lesson to Villarreal, and I finally think that our form has finally made a change for the better. Bojan Djordjic doesn’t give the spectators arriving late this afternoon to find their seats before smashing home a brilliant effort from 25 yards. George Clegg almost doubles our lead on four minutes, but López Vallejo comes to Villarreal’s rescue with a good save. On 13 minutes, we earn a free kick through Lasa but Notman is foiled by another good save from López Vallejo. Then for the umpteenth time this season Notman hits the post with a great drive. On 24 minutes, the big Scottish striker is denied again by López Vallejo, and from the corner, Lasa’s header clears the bar, leaving the defender kicking himself. Then I grit my teeth because on 34 minutes, Villarreal have their equaliser. Moha finds Adolfo, and the little forward crosses into the box for the veteran Víctor volleys home with a great strike that Vidal could do nothing about. But six minutes later, we have the lead back. Djordjic simultaneously breaks up a Villarreal attack and finds Verón with his clearance. The midfielder strokes the ball towards Redondo, who out-jumps Puertas and scores with a great overhead kick! Three minutes later, he forces López Vallejo into another good save. As half-time approached, the veteran striker does it again, but López Vallejo again saves.

Two minutes into the second half, Notman again hits the woodwork (the luck he has had this season has been unbelievable!). After a tussle over possession in midfield, we emerge the stronger and Verón tees up Redondo for his second and our third of the game! I begin to relax a little bit, thinking that Villarreal don’t have the capacity to come back from a two-goal deficit. We look to make it a three goal lead when Notman powers a header from Verón’s cross towards goal on 52 minutes, but López Vallejo is there again to deny the Scotsman scoring a deserved goal. But on 56 minutes, the Villarreal keeper can do nothing to prevent Jaime Garrido converting Clegg’s excellent cross to make it 4-1. To their credit, Villarreal continue to fight, with Mexican Victorino bending a shot just over the bar on 58 minutes, while Víctor is frustrated by a good save from Vidal three minutes later. But we wrap up the scoring on 69 minutes when Notman finally scores the goal he deserves from Verón’s pass, thereby completing a hat-trick of assists for the Argentine midfielder. A couple of substitutions by me allows Villarreal into the game, and Víctor misses a few opportunities as the minutes tick by, but in reality, the game is already over as a contest and we coast to a deservedly emphatic victory in front of our home fans.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Bressán, Gershon, Lasa, Cabrera; Djordjic, Verón, Garrido; Clegg (Otfors-Palmqvist 72); Redondo, Notman (Sabino 72).

Villarreal (4-2-4): López Vallejo ©; Sonkaya (Heinze 55), Puertas, Jonay, Cruchaga (Bravo 77); Lampard (Wallerstedt 64), Artur; Moha, Adolfo, Víctor, Victorino.

Final score: Cartagonova 5:1 Villarreal

MoM - Ricardo Verón

[Dixie Flatline]

In the evening, the call-ups for the final European round of qualifying for the World Cup in a fortnight are announced. Zlatan Muslimovic will no doubt represent Bosnia in their game against Turkey. Bosnia needs a big win against Turkey to sneak into second place, but a win for Turkey would see them leapfrog Sweden into first place and automatic qualification from Group 1. Scotland calls up Alex Notman for its game against Italy, which is essentially meaningless for Scotland, because Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland, the other two teams ahead of Scotland play each other, and a draw for Yugoslavia would put them on 20 points, and a win for Northern Ireland would also see them finish on 20 points. Yugoslavia needs Scotland, however, to beat Italy while they defeat Northern Ireland to sneak ahead of the Azzurri into first place from Group 4.

With Spain already booking qualification to World Cup 2010, Wales must beat Poland away from home to go into second place. To help the Welsh, Andy Owen is called up to the squad. In Group 8, second place is at stake for both Israel and Denmark, with Shimon Gershon and Martin Smith required by their respective countries. Denmark trails Israel by two points, so nothing less than a win will do. With Ireland four points clear with a game to go, Israel knows that automatic qualification is out of the question, but a point would suffice to put them into the play-offs.

With England’s World Cup qualifying campaign already at an end in a disappointing third place (and they could go as low as fourth if Finland beats or draws with Greece), George Clegg is again named in the squad to play the Czech Republic in a friendly. Surely now it is time to play one of the best attacking midfielders on the continent, isn’t it, Mr Tony Adams? Like England, Sweden’s campaign is already over, but a friendly match against Romania in Bucharest is the perfect tonic to take their internationals’ minds off the worry of monitoring the games from Group 1, where a win for Turkey would put them back in second place in the group. Bojan Djordjic is one of those players.

Spain’s qualifying campaign has one last game to go, so I have to pick a squad to take on Georgia. This time, I’m allowed to pick 26 players. David Oliva is omitted from the squad through suspension, which gives Roma’s youngster full-back Ãngel the chance to train with the full international squad. I also recall Barcelona’s Gerard to the fold, while I name Racing Santander’s 22 year old striker José Pérez, Osasuna’s 22 year old defensive midfielder Fernando Herrero and Newcastle United’s 19 year old defensive utility Pablo Jallas Amigó as the new faces in the squad, which is as follows:

Goalkeepers

Iker Casillas (28 y/o, ESP 7 caps, GK): Real Madrid

Iván Vidal (30 y/o, ESP 5 caps, GK): Cartagonova

César Laínez (32 y/o, ESP 26 caps, GK): Barcelona

Defenders

Ãngel (20 y/o, ESP, D RL): AS Roma

César Cabrera (24 y/o, ESP 7 caps, D RL): Cartagonova

César (29 y/o, ESP 25 caps, 1 goal, D RL): Juventus

Borja (31 y/o, ESP 35 caps, D LC): Valencia

Iván Amaya (31 y/o, ESP 63 caps, 1 goal, D C): Deportivo la Coruña

César (31 y/o, ESP 53 caps, 1 goal, D C): Barcelona

Pablo Jallas Amigó (19 y/o, ESP, D/DM C): Newcastle United

Carlos Marchena (30 y/o, ESP 28 caps, D C): Celta Vigo

Midfielders

José de la Rosa (22 y/o, ESP 6 caps, D/DM C): Barcelona

Fernando Herrero (22 y/o, ESP, DM RC): Osasuna

Gavião (29 y/o, ESP 24 caps, 5 goals, DM C): Real Betis

Diego (31 y/o, ESP 23 caps, 4 goals, M/S C): Racing Santander

Jaime Garrido (25 caps, ESP 22 caps, 11 goals, AM/F RLC): Cartagonova

Francisco Javier Zubizarreta (24 y/o, ESP 21 caps, 7 goals, AM/F RC): Espanyol

José Antonio Reyes (25 y/o, ESP 6 caps, AM L): Real Betis

Vicente (28 y/o, ESP 80 caps, 31 goals, AM/F LC): AS Roma

Gerard (30 y/o, ESP 48 caps, 9 goals, AM C): Barcelona

Forwards

Raúl (32 y/o, ESP 121 caps, 59 goals, AM/F LC): AC Milan

Ignacio Morán (22 y/o, ESP 3 caps, F LC): Deportivo la Coruña

Diego Ribera (32 y/o, ESP 18 caps, 8 goals, S C): Celta Vigo

Joseba Llorente (29 y/o, ESP 18 caps, 6 goals, S C): Real Sociedad

José Pérez (22 y/o, ESP, S C): Racing Santander

Sabino (31 y/o, ESP 13 caps, 4 goals, S C): Cartagonova

Four players each are called up from Barcelona and Cartagonova, while Real Betis, Celta Vigo, Deportivo la Coruña, Racing Santander and AS Roma supply two players. Espanyol, Juventus, AC Milan, Newcastle, Osasuna, Real Madrid and Valencia will have to make do with just one Spanish representative in their ranks.

[Dixie Flatline]

27th of September 2009

An official from Real Betis rings me this evening to tell me that Gavião is crocked and will miss two months of football with shin splints exacerbated in Real Betis’ game against Hércules. That means I need to replace the midfielder, and I turn to Villarreal’s Artur to fill the breach: Artur (28 y/o, ESP 5 caps, DM RC): Villarreal

28th of September 2009

After reading in the papers this morning that Ajax has offered £16.5 million to Barcelona for José de la Rosa, I formally bid £17 million for the disaffected Spanish international.

29th of September 2009

European Champions' League - Phase 1, Group E, Game 3: Cartagonova v Galatasaray

The games come thick and fast in September, but we look to string together three wins in the European Champions' League. Against Galatasaray, we should be able to do that. We begin the match strongly, with Garrido forcing Haber into making a save on 10 minutes, and three minutes later, Notman heads over the bar. But Galatasaray put up the storm shutters and it isn’t until 37 minutes that something actually happens, when Notman escapes the attentions of his marker long enough to swerve a shot towards goal, but Haber is capable of dealing with it. As half-time approaches, however, we take the lead when Djordjic puts the ball ahead of Notman, who superbly volleys it past Haber and into the back of the net! Seven minutes into the second half, we double our lead when Haber doesn’t deal with Garrido’s long-range effort, and Clegg tucks the rebound home. The match is effectively over as a contest, but Clegg is forced from the field with an injury, and I take the opportunity to play Andy Owen and Ola Otfors-Palmvqist. Vidal makes a save on 85 minutes from Bülent, and from the corner, Erol tries a drive that Vidal saves. Andy Owen forces Haber into making a save, but Galatasaray has the final say in this game with Fatih scoring a consolation goal for the Turkish champion.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Bressán, Smith, Lasa, Cabrera; Djordjic, Verón, Garrido; Clegg (Otfors-Palmqvist 77); Redondo (Owen 77), Notman.

Galatasaray (5-3-1-1): Haber ©; Ibrahim (Isa 53), Ersan, Kadir, Fatih, Mustafa (Erol 59); Bülent, Mehmet Ali, Ersin; Süleyman (Ömer 53); Özcan.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:1 Galatasaray

MoM - Alex Notman

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Dixie Flatline]

The story must continue!

1st of October 2009

Although José de la Rosa is unhappy at Barcelona, he doesn’t think a move to Cartagonova would benefit him in the long term, so a potential £17 million move will fall over and he is likely to end up in Amsterdam with Ajax.

4th of October 2009

Real Betis makes a bid of £4.1 million for César Cabrera over six months. I reject the offer.

4th of October 2009

Primera Liga - Game 4: Hércules v Cartagonova

Another disappointing game that sets us back on our heels today. We begin the game well, with Juan Hernández putting us ahead on 7 minutes after good work from Bojan Djordjic. Redondo almost extends our lead four minutes later but Albert Jorquera makes a good save to deny the veteran striker. Hércules then put some moves on the board. First, Notman gives away a free kick on 14 minutes, but Cáceres Cañete hits Martin Smith with the shot. Seven minutes later, Zhang’s header goes horribly wide after Jesús did some good work to set up the Chinese international. On 29 minutes, we wrest momentum back when Juan Hernández hits the bar with a header, but two minutes later, we take the game to 2-0 in our favour when Redondo tees up Notman, who spins past Rossi and slams home a great drive! But the lead is cut in half a moment later because Ico manages to find a way past Martin Smith and then Gershon to score his 100th league goal of his career. On 42 minutes, he scores his 101st goal when Michel, like he did so often for us in previous seasons, burns his way down the left flank before slinging in a cross that eludes Bressán, but not Ico and three minutes before half-time, our lead has evaporated. Zhang almost gives Hércules an unlikely lead but for a great save from Vidal and we go in at half-time tied at 2-2 apiece.

I give my defenders a roast at half-time, hoping that they learn they cannot undo the great work of my midfielders and strikers with some sloppy defending. We recapture the lead five minutes into the second half when Redondo drives straight through the Hércules defence and plants an unstoppable shot past Jorquera. However, the lead lasts all of fifty seconds as Michel floats in a cross tailor-made for Jesús to punish me with his first goal for his new club. Three minutes later, Vidal saves another shot from the midfielder and on 59 minutes, he tees up Ico, but nothing doing for the striker. Not until the 70th minute mark do we actually break the strangehold Hércules has on the game, with Juan Hernández volleying a shot towards goal, but it is saved for a corner by Jorquera. Cabrera misses a volley on 72 minutes, but Ico is brilliantly foiled by Vidal seven minutes later. On 86 minutes, our captain denies Luis Gil, and we sweep the ball down the field until it is at the feet of Redondo. However, the veteran striker can’t hit the target, and from the goal kick, Juan Hernández unluckily hits the post to go with the earlier rebound off the cross-bar. At the end of the game, Garrido goes close, but Jorquera has the measure of the winger’s shot.

Hércules (4-4-2): Jorquera ©; Sun, Germán, Rossi (Aguilera 78), José Antonio; Michel, Jesús, Cáceres Cañete, Tarradellas (Tomic 83); Ico, Zhang (Gil 59).

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Bressán, Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Verón (Owen 59); Djordjic, Garrido; Hernández; Redondo, Notman.

Final score: Hércules 3:3 Cartagonova

MoM - Michel

[Dixie Flatline]

After the game, I dish out official warnings to Ricardo Verón, who could not cope with the heat of playing anchor midfielder in front of the back four, and Iván Vidal, who was badly positioned for at least one of the three goals we conceded. But they weren’t the only offenders. As a side, we completed only 31% of our attempted tackles, which is an astonishingly bad statistic to digest on the trip back to Cartagena.

10th of October 2009

World Cup Qualifier - Group 6, Game 10: Spain v Georgia

The final World Cup qualifier, and since we have already qualified, I decide to shake things up a bit by leaving out some of the established regulars and give others the chance to shine against a country that won’t climb up the ladder. It takes up some time to get going, but on 29 minutes we take the lead when Llorente chips the Georgian keeper from 25 yards. Sabino almost makes it 2-0 three minutes later, but his header is saved by Obuca. Vidal is in goal today for Spain, and he is kept busy by the Georgians who are desperate to equalise before half-time. However, he does a great job in denying our visitors scoring a goal and we make it to the break with our lead intact, though no thanks to our defenders, who rely too heavily on the Cartagonova keeper. I decide that Barcelona’s César should no longer feature for Spain, and on 48 minutes he is taken off and replaced by Iván Amaya, but that does not do much to reduce the onslaught from the Georgians.

What we need is another goal, and on 53 minutes, Llorente has a rare chance for the hosts, but Obuca has his wits about him to push aside his low shot for a corner. Cabrera almost scores his first goal for his country a moment later. However, Obuca is there to prevent us doubling our lead. Georgia again looks to attack, but they allow Reyes to slip down the left flank and when Zubizarreta floats a cross over the Georgian area, Reyes is there to head home powerfully to make the points safe. Then three minutes later, captain for the day, Gerard, scores his tenth goal for his country from 25 yards to make it 3-0, and we’re cruising. Zubizarreta almost has the goal he deserves on 79 minutes, but his diving header is parried by Obuca. I bring on some kids on 80 minutes, with Jallas Amigó and Ãngel replacing de la Rosa and Borja respectively to make their debuts. The match essentially winds down from that moment, although Georgia does try to excite its few fans in the crowd with another shot at Vidal’s goal, but Iaschwili misses the target woefully.

Spain (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Borja (Ãngel 80), César (Iván Amaya 48), Marchena, Cabrera; de la Rosa (Jallas Amigó 80); Reyes, Zubizarreta; Gerard ©; Sabino, Llorente.

Georgia (5-3-2): Obuca; Matsura (Kobiaschwili 57), Guldagar, Camará, Kamentsev (Zanc 57), Partsikyan; Kaladze ©, Udychak (Stonkus 46), Melvang; Iaschwili, Djanashia.

Final score: Spain 3:0 Georgia

MoM - Francisco Javier Zubizarreta

[Dixie Flatline]

In other games, Zlatan Muslimovic scores twice for Bosnia in their 2-0 win over Turkey, but the win is not sufficient for Bosnia to overhaul Turkey and find a play-off place, with the Turks prevailing on goal difference, but a point behind Sweden. The dismissal of James Evans on 11 minutes assisted Italy defeat Alex Notman’s Scotland 3-0 in Rome. Andy Owen’s Wales and Poland drew 0-0 in Group 6, a result that allowed Poland to cement second place in Group 6, eight points behind group winner Spain. Martin Smith and Shimon Gershon were involved in Denmark and Israel’s 1-1 draw in Group 8. That was enough for Israel to earn a play-off place, three points in second place behind Ireland.

Quickly running through the results, Bosnia defeated Turkey 2-0 at home, while Bulgaria won 1-0 in Sofia over Lithuania. In Group 1, Sweden won the group by a point from Turkey and Bosnia, but goal difference allowed Turkey to finish second and earn a play-off place. In Group 2, Estonia and the Ukraine drew 2-2 in Tallinn, while FYROM won 1-0 on the road over Slovakia. Estonia finished five points clear of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, but Slovakia managed a play-off place by dint of goal difference. In Group 3, Greece defeated Finland 4-2 on the road, while Portugal also defeated Luxembourg by the same margin in Lisbon. Portugal won the group by two points from Greece, with England and Finland five points behind Greece. In Group 4, the Faeroe Islands and Moldova shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Italy thrashed Scotland 3-0 in Rome, while Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland shot blanks in a 0-0 draw. Italy finished three points clear of Yugoslavia.

In Group 5, Belarus and Switzerland drew 1-1 in Minsk, while Belgium won 3-2 in Brussels against Latvia. That was Belgium’s eighth straight victory in the group, seeing them finish ten points clear of Croatia. Group 6 saw Armenia upset Malta 2-1 on the road, while Poland and Wales drew 0-0. Spain ended its qualifying campaign on a high with a 3-0 win over Georgia in Madrid’s Vicente Calderón. Spain won the group by eight points from Poland. Group 7 saw some big results. Russia thrashed Cyprus 6-1 in Moskva, while Slovenia hammered Hungary 5-0 in Ljubljana. Russia won the group by three points from Cyprus. In Group 8, Albania defeated Andorra 1-0 on the road, while Denmark and Israel shared the points in a 1-1 draw. The Netherlands defeated Ireland 2-1 in Amsterdam, but their win was not enough to overtake Israel to finish second behind the Irish. Finally, in Group 9, France defeated Austria 3-1 in Vienna, while Azerbaijan also triumphed over San Marino by the same scoreline in Gyanja. Norway defeated Iceland 1-0 in Reykjavik. France won Group 9 by seven points from Norway.

So the four play-offs are as follows: Croatia v Greece; Poland v Israel; Turkey v Yugoslavia; and Slovakia v Norway.

[Dixie Flatline]

Pablo Jallas Amigó’s appearance at the age of 19 sets a new record for Spain’s youngest player in the last ten seasons.

10th of October 2009

Several associations wield the axe this evening, with England’s Tony Adams and Scotland’s David Moyes biting the dust.

11th of October 2009

I’m forced to repel an offer from Sevilla worth £1.3 million for Gary Mason.

In the evening, the Netherlands announces that Ruud Gillit no longer manages the national squad, while Ajax Amsterdam announces they have signed José de la Rosa from Barcelona for £16.5 million.

12th of October 2009

Sporting Gijón offers £1.7 million for Gary Mason, but that is not successful, either, especially since it is over 18 months.

16th of October 2009

Sporting Gijón’s manager thinks an offer of £2 million over 18 months for Gary Mason will tickle my fancy. He is mistaken, of course.

17th of October 2009

Primera Liga - Game 5: Cartagonova v Barcelona

At the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena, we host the league leader Barcelona, who remain unbeaten after five games. After a disappointing draw against Hércules last time out, I’m not too confident of our chances in this game, despite regaining the likes of Per Vener Rønning, Gary Mason and George Clegg. All three players return to the starting eleven, at the expense of Andrés Bressán, Ricardo Verón and Juan Hernández respectively. Bressán and Hernández sit on the bench, while Verón watches from the stands.

Barcelona spend most of the game on top, and it begins on 13 minutes when Brighi sidesteps past Gershon before smashing a shot towards the top right corner. However, Vidal’s finger-tips push the ball away for a corner. Ricardo Jorge heads Lorenzo Ruiz’s corner towards goal, but Vidal is there to push it away again. From the next corner, Alex tries his luck, but the Brazilian can’t find a way past Vidal. Finally, from the third corner in three minutes, Gerard heads weakly over the bar, and we have some respite. On 29 minutes, Redondo, Mason and Cabrera share possession amongst themselves before Notman presents an option for the right-back. Cabrera slides a ball through the Barcelona defence for the Scottish international striker to swoop upon and blast past César Laínez! But Barcelona regains control of possession and on 34 minutes, Gershon is penalised for a trip on Brighi. Alex sends the free kick over the bar. Four minutes later, he feeds Cristian Bardaro but his shot is beaten away by Vidal, and Verón smashes the rebound against the bar! Towards the end of the half, we finally put some attacking moves together, but Notman’s header flies wide, and Djordjic’s overhead kick clears the cross-bar.

We begin the second half confidently, with Redondo volleying from 20 yards, but failing to make Laínez commit a save. But on 53 minutes, Bardaro skips past Smith, yet his shot slams off the cross-bar, to our relief. Five minutes later, however, they have their equaliser when Brighi’s throw-in is fantastically volleyed from 25 yards by the Brazilian Alex. Three minutes later, however, we make their work count for nought when Notman curls in a great shot from 25 yards past Laínez! Bardaro misses an opportunity on 77 minutes to equalise, while eight minutes later, Gerard puts his shot wide. We have the final say, with Notman missing a chance for his hat-trick, but we’ll settle for the three points when we didn’t dominate the game.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning, Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Djordjic, Mason, Garrido; Clegg (Hernández 77); Redondo, Notman.

Barcelona (4-3-2-1): Laínez; L. Ruiz (Guerrero 71), Rojas, Maldonado, Varela; Verón, Brighi ©, Gerard; Alex, Ricardo Jorge (Asprilla 78); Bardaro.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:1 Barcelona

MoM - José Manuel Redondo

[Dixie Flatline]

The win puts us level on points with Barcelona, with a game in hand, but second on goal difference. Numancia and Atlético Madrid also have 13 points. Numancia defeated Valencia 5-3 in a ripping game also played this afternoon. Gorka and Christian put Numancia 2-0 ahead on 33 minutes, but del Pino pulled a goal back on 39 minutes. Christian scored on 51 minutes to make it 3-1 for Numancia. However, del Pino scored his and Valencia’s second goal on 69 minutes, and then made it 3-3 with the hat-trick goal two minutes later. However, Gorka added his second, and Santa scored in injury time to give Numancia the victory.

18th of October 2009

Real Betis takes over top spot in the Primera Liga this afternoon after it won 2-1 over Atlético Madrid in Seville this afternoon. It leads Barcelona, Cartagonova, Deportivo La Coruña and Atlético Madrid by a point. We drop back to third, on goal difference behind Barcelona. Iván Vidal and José Manuel Redondo are named on the bench for the team of the week. Alex Notman featured in midfield for the previous completed round.

21st of October 2009

European Champions' League - Phase 1, Group E, Game 4: Galatasaray v Cartagonova

We’re in the hot cauldron that is the Ali Sami Yen stadium in Istanbul to play Galatasaray, looking to confirm our qualification for the next group phase. We dominate this game, apart from an early scare on 5 minutes when Süleyman out-bustles Clegg to the ball at a corner, only to waste his opportunity of finding a teammate with a good chance of scoring a goal. On 14 minutes, Notman is fouled by Kadir, and Mason strikes a firm free kick that Justin Haber saves comfortably, although he gives away a corner in the process. On 22 minutes, Mason tries his luck from open play, but again Haber prevents the Scot from adding to his tally of three goals in all competitions this season so far. Four minutes later, we work a great move to unlock the Galatasaray defence, but Notman wastes the opportunity by heading wide from Garrido’s cross. With 33 minutes on the clock, Garrido goes the direct route after being played through by Djordjic, but even the Spanish international winger can’t hit the target, and I’m becoming frustrated on the sidelines. Six minutes later, Garrido sets up Notman, but he can’t do any better, smashing his drive against the post (how many times is that this season?) and out of play. As the half-time break draws closer, Djordjic has a shot, and forces Haber into making a save, but Ersan clears the ball to safety before my forwards can pounce. Garrido has the last chance of the half, volleying strongly from Djordjic’s pass, but Haber saves the shot well.

Like the first half, Galatasaray has the first chance of the second half, but it comes to nought and we’re back on the attack. This time with some success as Notman turns provider, feeding Sabino who easily sidesteps his marker before tapping in for an easy goal. Notman wastes his third opportunity on 78 minutes, but finally makes one count when on 80 minutes, he converts Clegg’s knock-down into our second goal! It’s lucky we have the two goal cushion as Galatasaray claw one back on 84 minutes when Özcan breaks through my defence and plants a shot past the outstretched hand of Vidal. But it is too little too late and we leave Istanbul with all three points in our pocket and qualification for the next phase confirmed.

Galatasaray (5-1-2-2): Haber ©; Ibrahim, Kadir, Ersan, Ersin, Fatih; Mehmet Ali; Dogan (Feridun 68), Bülent (Hüseyin 68); Süleyman, Özcan.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning, Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Mason; Djordjic, Garrido; Clegg; Sabino, Notman.

Final score: Galatasaray 1:2 Cartagonova

MoM - Sabino

[Dixie Flatline]

24th of October 2009

Sheffield Wednesday surprises me with an offer of £6.5 million, split into £4.7 million payable immediately and a further £1.7 million after ten internationals, for Cherno Samba, my under-utilised reserve striker. But I have big plans for the 24 year old, and while the offer is tempting, something more is needed before I will agree to part with him. Something, perhaps, like £6 million now and £2 million after ten internationals.

In the meantime, Argentine international defender Gabriel Milito agrees terms with Barcelona and will shift to the Catalan club in December 2009 for £13 million.

24th of October 2009

Primera Liga - Game 6: Cartagonova v Alavés

A match against a club struggling to escape the relegation zone should be pencilled in for a victory. But we conspire to make heavy weather of it. We’re lucky not to give away a penalty on 15 minutes when Djordjic arguably barges over Carlos Jacques inside the area, but the referee ignores Alavés’ penalty claims. Then Figueroa and Cristian Ãlvarez put together a good move, but the former wastes the opportunity by blazing away in an undignified manner over the bar. Mason tries to convert a set piece effort, but fails to hit the target on 17 minutes, while four minutes later, Redondo puts a shot just over the bar. But then the match closes down until practically half-time, where Redondo breaks free of the last defender, but inexplicably for a man of his experience, manages to hit the post with his shot.

Three minutes into the second half, the first goal arrives, when Bressán plays the ball out of defence to find Djordjic on the move down the left, and the Swedish international crosses into the box for Notman to head past the static Dudek. Two minutes later, Notman is taken out by Pérez, and Djordjic tries his luck but isn’t successful. Mason picks up the pieces and flicks it in for Redondo’s advantage, but Dudek manages to get a glove on the ball and diverts it away.

Then Iván Vidal commits an act of pure lunacy on 54 minutes when he blatantly drags down Iván Pérez inside the area, gives away the penalty and is rightly sent off for his troubles. I dump the anonymous Zlatan Muslimovic for Davide Bagnacani, but the substitute keeper’s first action is to pick the ball out of the net, nestled there by Cristian Ãlvarez. Ribeiro almost puts the visitors in the lead three minutes later, but Bagnacani pulls off a great save. With 22 minutes to play, I take off Redondo for Cherno Samba, but it is Notman who wins us the game with ten minutes to go when he combines with his fellow Scot before blasting a drive past Dudek! Samba almost adds a third two minutes later but for the intervention of the big Polish keeper, and that is actually that.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal © (s/o 54); Bressán, Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Djordjic, Mason, Muslimovic (Bagnacani 55); Clegg; Redondo (Samba 68), Notman.

Alavés (4-4-2): Dudek ©; Pérez (Franco 55), Descarga, Santos, Lara; Figueroa, Ribeiro, Ãlvarez, Jacques; Rubio (Epitié 50), Iván Pérez.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:1 Alavés

MoM - Alex Notman

The win is good enough to put us top of the pile with two games in hand on Atlético Madrid, Espanyol and Mallorca, who are immediately behind us. But we will probably fall down the ladder after tomorrow’s fixtures are played.

Not waiting for the Spanish FA to assess the magnitude of Vidal’s penalty, I give him an official warning for his dismissal. He accepts it.

[Dixie Flatline]

25th of October 2009

As predicted, we drop down the ladder to finish the weekend in fourth position. Mallorca’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Gijón is enough to put them ahead on goal difference from clubs including Deportivo La Coruña, Numancia, my own Cartagonova and Atlético Madrid.

Barcelona announces that it has signed Swedish international attacking midfielder Kim Källström from Deportivo La Coruña for £10.25 million.

Iván Vidal is banned for two further matches.

Shimon Gershon and Gary Mason feature in the team of the week’s first eleven. Alex Notman sits on the bench.

26th of October 2009

Sheffield Wednesday gives up Samba for the time being.

27th of October 2009

European Champions' League - Phase 1, Group E, Game 5: Cartagonova v Liverpool

A brilliant ten minute spell in the first half is enough to secure us victory, but apart from that period in the game, Liverpool are arguably the better side, to my concern. We start well with George Clegg forcing two good saves from Alvbåge on 3 and 7 minutes to kick off the game. But then Prica bypasses my defenders, particularly Bressán and Cabrera, but fails to hit the target on 9 minutes. Three minutes later, Notman volleys Smith’s pass towards goal, but the Liverpool keeper is in good form at the start of the game and denies the Scotsman a goal. As the ball is fed back in again, Smith crosses for Sabino’s advantage, and the big, burly striker rises above Olguin to head towards goal, but unfortunately, it flicks the bar and goes over.

Byron Bubb almost causes me great concern against his old club when his free kick on 15 minutes goes perilously close to scoring, but Martin Smith is there to hack the ball off the line. Then, three minutes later, we take the lead. Mason picks up Michael Clegg’s hurried clearance and spreads the ball to Djordjic on the left wing. Djordjic takes the ball down the wing before crossing into the box where Sabino nods it down for Garrido to tap home! Four minutes later, Smith’s long ball forward is cleverly touched down by Notman, and Mason slams it home! Prica should have done better than volley over the bar on 36 minutes, and just before half-time, Notman’s volley is well saved by Alvbåge.

Liverpool dominate the second half, with Vidal needing to save from Damien Duff’s long distance drive on 50 minutes, at the cost of a corner. Ten minutes later, the Irishman tries his luck again, but fails to hit the target. After 63 minutes have ticked by, Johnson finds enough room in our penalty area to shoot towards goal, but it goes just wide. With 67 minutes on the clock, Duff makes Vidal save his shot, and the pressure seems to pass. But as the match enters the last ten minutes, Jagielka picks up the loose ball and feeds Michael Clegg on the left. Clegg immediately forces the ball forward to Johnson, and the Liverpool player volleys home excellently. But Liverpool can’t find another avenue towards goal, and we take the three points home tonight.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Bressán, Gershon, Smith, Cabrera; Djordjic (Rønning 80), Mason, Garrido; Clegg; Sabino, Notman.

Liverpool (4-4-2): AlvbÃ¥ge; Clegg, Campbell, Doherty ©, Wenlock; Duff, Jagielka, Olguin, Bubb (Voll 49); Johnson, Prica.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:1 Liverpool

MoM - Jaime Garrido

[Dixie Flatline]

29th of October 2009

Barcelona’s managerial hierarchy has noticed that Gary Mason is doing a fine job in midfield for my team, so this morning they offer £2.4 million for him. I’m not about to sell him, though.

Numancia offers me £2.9 million over 18 months for Gary Mason. No deal there.

In the evening, Alex Notman is praised by various journalists on the television football talk-fest. I was invited onto the show, and when Notman is praised, I carefully agree with their assessment that Notman is playing excellently this season, so far.

After the show ends, I’m contacted by the president of the fans’ association to tell me that he is glad I found time to acknowledge Notman’s contribution to the club, while Señor Manzano, the club’s chairman, also contacts me to say that he thinks praising Notman publicly will build up the striker’s confidence.

30th of October 2009

Villarreal makes offers of £2.9 million and £7 million for Cabrera and Notman. Both are rejected equally quickly.

31st of October 2009

Numancia is not dissuaded easily from pursuing Mason, returning this morning with an offer worth £3.8 million for the midfielder. But it doesn’t persuade me to allow the deal to proceed.

1st of November 2009

With the World Cup European play-offs a fortnight away, international call-ups are announced today. Shimon Gershon will no doubt feature in defence for Israel against Poland. Norway calls up Per Vener Rønning for its games against Slovakia.

Primera Liga - Game 7: Compostela v Cartagonova

It’s been over six years since we last met today’s opponent. Back then, in the Segunda Liga, we triumphed 4-2 at the San Lázaro. Stan Collymore, with two goals, Gustavo Cañizares and José Manuel Redondo scored the goals, with Iván Vidal being sent off after 80 minutes. None of the 18 players that represented Cartagonova that day are in today’s squad, with Vidal (ironically) suspended for today’s game, and Redondo no longer guaranteed of a place in the team. Similarly, none of today’s Compostela players were there the last time the two teams ran out.

With Iván Vidal suspended, the captaincy is assumed temporarily by Jaime Garrido. He begins well with a deflected shot that almost catches out Leo Franco on three minutes, but the keeper manages to divert it away for a corner. However, we are on the back foot after the quarter-hour mark when Santamaría seeks out and finds Ismael, the striker dribbles his way into a shooting position and scores. Notman forces Leo Franco into a good save three minutes later, and again on 23 minutes. Leo Franco completes a hat-trick of saves from Notman in quick succession on 26 minutes and Navarro completes the clearance. Finally, however, on 27 minutes, we have our equaliser. Martin Smith plays a crucial part, flicking the ball out to Sabino, and the Spanish international drives it home! Seven minutes later, Sabino and Mason exchange passes before Sabino seeks out his strike partner. Fourth time lucky, Notman puts the ball in the back of the net, and we have our lead! Garrido and Clegg miss opportunities late in the first half to extend our lead, and Santamaría almost makes them pay but for a good save from Bagnacani to end the first half.

Bagnacani gets away with a foul on Santamaría inside the area eight minutes into the second half, while four minutes after that, Garrido again misses a golden opportunity to make it 3-1, with Leo Franco throwing himself towards the sizzling shot and pushing it away for a corner. Just after the hour mark, Ismael misses a double chance that he should have done better with. On 67 minutes, we have a great chance to make the points safe when Mason is pushed over by Babangida inside the penalty area. Garrido delegates the duties to Gershon… who misses! Leo Franco pulls off a great save to keep his club in the hunt. The inability to score the crucial goal affects both Sabino and Notman, who miss chances in quick succession with less than 20 minutes to play. Similarly, George Clegg has no luck in finding the back of the net on 73 minutes. With five minutes to play, substitute Anthony Loughran (on debut) tees up Sabino, but the Spanish international is foiled by another good save from Franco, and then with a minute to play, Loughran is lucky not to give away a penalty for a foul on Santamaría ruled perfectly proper by the referee. It is a close shave, but we continue our winning streak.

Compostela (1-2-5-2): Leo Franco; Guarrotxena; Babangida, Iván Campo; Navarro, Cobas © (inj 77), Rubén, Sierra (Rodri 58 (Piñones-Arce 69)), Evanílson (Ortega 75); Santamaría, Ismael.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Bagnacani; Rønning, Gershon (Loughran 70), Smith, Bressán; Mason; Djordjic, Garrido ©; Clegg; Sabino, Notman.

Final score: Compostela 1:2 Cartagonova

MoM - Leo Franco

[Dixie Flatline]

The victory is enough for us to go top on goal difference from Mallorca and Atlético Madrid.

Davide Bagnacani and Sabino sit on the bench for the team of the week.

After the game, I am contacted by the agent of Real Betis’ Francisco José Mantilla, who has agreed terms with Cartagonova. I issue a press release saying the former Spanish international left back will join the club at the start of the winter transfer period for £1.6 million. I have signed the 26 year old defender on a four year deal.

4th of November 2009

Primera Liga - Game 8: Sporting Gijón v Cartagonova

We play a catch-up game during the middle of the week. Despite our best efforts, we win the game. Gary Mason has an early opportunity on four minutes when he orchestrates a free kick, but Aguilar is in the way. On 8 minutes, George Clegg hits the post with a drive, and he feeds the rebound out to Notman, but again the Scotsman hits the same post! Cedric van der Gun tests Bagnacani on 37 minutes, but it wouldn’t have counted anyway, because Gerbaudo was off-side. Six minutes later, we have the lead when Gary Mason is fed by Bressán and runs at the Sporting Gijón defence before planting a powerful drive in the top right corner. Garrido almost doubles our lead before half-time, but Sergio is able of getting a hand to the ball and palming it away.

Straight after half-time, we gain a numerical player advantage when Damiani idiotically pushes away Clegg in full view of the referee, who immediately flourishes the red card and sends the Sporting Gijón player for the long walk. We take the resulting free kick quickly, but it culminates in Notman swerving a shot over the bar. Sabino also misses the mark a couple of moments later, and then on 50 minutes, Notman still can’t hit the mark. With 53 minutes on the clock, Notman finally puts a shot on target, but Sergio easily saves it. Ten minutes later, he this time hits the cross-bar! Sporting Gijón then look to hit us on the break, with Pavlovich finding strike partner Francisco Javier Hernández, but Bagnacani has his wits about him to save the shot.

As time ticks over 70 minutes, we have the corner, orchestrated as usual by Garrido. The Spanish international winger slings it in and Mason climbs above Edgar to head it home past Sergio! Samper misses two good opportunities with 77 minutes on the clock, while Jaime Garrido can’t find a way past Sergio inside the last ten minutes of the game. Bagnacani does brilliantly to save from Hernández on 83 minutes, but George Clegg has the last say in this game, forcing Sergio into making a good save on 86 minutes.

Sporting Gijón (5-3-2): Sergio; Gerbaudo (Rivarola 51), Sergio, Damiani (s/o 46), Nakazawa, Aguilar; van der Gun (Pavlovich 59), Edgar (Silva 71), Samper; Rubén, Hernandez.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Bagnacani; Rønning, Gershon, Smith, Bressán; Mason; Djordjic, Garrido ©; Clegg; Sabino (Samba 63), Notman.

Final score: Sporting Gijón 0:2 Cartagonova

MoM - Gary Mason

[Dixie Flatline]

Newly installed England manager Alan Shearer picks George Clegg as part of the squad to take on Romania in a friendly in a fortnight. Similarly, newly installed Scotland manager David Hopkin (also player/manager with Crewe Alexandra) can’t ignore the excellent performances of Gary Mason and calls up the midfielder, along with automatic pick Alex Notman to take on Slovenia in a friendly. Welsh manager Mark Hughes picks Andy Owen for his squad for the friendly against Latvia.

6th of November 2009

Paris-Saint-Germain makes an offer of £8.5 million for Alex Notman. Since that is about half the value I attribute to the player, the offer is refused.

Numancia’s manager, Señor Antonio Gómez, puts public pressure on me to pick his 19 year old attacking midfielder Fernando Morán for the Spanish squad. The boy is good, no question, but if he is to be a future international, he needs to first establish himself in the Numancia line-up, which he hasn’t done, and then do some service in the U-21s. I don’t think he’ll be on the plane to Argentina at the end of the season, put it that way.

Speaking of the World Cup, the list of qualifying countries keeps expanding. Joining Germany (as winner) and Argentina (as host) are: Tanzania, Belgium, Ghana, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Spain, France, Estonia, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Japan, Mexico, the USA and Iran.

[Dixie Flatline]

8th of November 2009

Primera Liga - Game 9: Cartagonova v Real Betis

Gavião misses out on a ‘homecoming’ with the Real Betis hierarchy believing it best he rests his shin splints for another weekend. So the special welcome the fans have reserved for the midfielder will have to wait until another day. Again, in this match I feel we play quite poorly but we still manage to do enough to win the game. Another old boy, Edú gets things started on 8 minutes when he tests Bagnacani’s reflexes from the edge of the penalty area, but the Italian keeper is up to the task magnificently. On 17 minutes, Bressán gives away a free kick in a dangerous area, and de la Peña steps up to take it. His curving shot hits the post and rebounds out of danger, but it is a life, no question. We take the ball down the other end of the field, and Rønning’s pinpoint cross is headed towards goal by Notman with great accuracy, but Sala tips it away for a corner. Garrido takes it magnificently and Mason, recalling Gavião at his peak, thunders over the top of Mangold to head it home like a bullet past the hapless Sala for the opening goal!

With the half-hour showing on the clock, we win another corner when Clegg’s thumping drive is turned aside by Sala. Garrido puts the ball in the Notman territory, and the big Scottish international doesn’t let us down, rocketing a header past Sala for our second goal of the game! After that, it is basically all Real Betis. Bagnacani saves well from Pablo Islas on 39 minutes and he has to punch Altena’s flick-on from La Paglia’s in-swining corner away from danger. Notman takes the ball and runs with it, but Sabino can’t finish off his good work, thundering a low drive against the post. Bressán tries desperately to have himself sent off when he barges Edú over, but the referee is content to issue the free kick in the visitors’ favour. De la Peña fails to make Bagnacani work, but two minutes later, La Paglia can, forcing Bagnacani into pulling off yet another magnificent save. With seconds to the half-time break, Maradona and de la Peña tee up Edú but the Brazilian striker is comfortably marshalled by Gershon and his header presents no problems.

On 54 minutes, Maradona dribbles his way through my defence and passes to the advantage of Islas, but the Real Betis striker can’t take the opportunity, hitting his shot high and wide. So Maradona decides to try his own luck. On 56 minutes, the Brazilian winger shows great close control skills in finding enough room to strike at goal from just inside the penalty area, but Bagnacani has his angles superbly calculated and comfortably saves. When Martin Smith gives away a free kick and receives a yellow card, I immediately take him off for Anthony Loughran, hoping the English defender can stiffen the resolve down back, because I just feel as though we’re about to crack under this pressure. Maradona is the key for Real Betis, as he exchanges passes with yet another Cartagonova old boy in Kenneth Gustavsson, but his long range effort drifts just wide of the mark, much to my relief. With three minutes of normal time to go, Gustavsson plays in Islas, but Bagnacani is playing a blinder and won’t let that one get past him. We don’t deal particularly well with the corner, and George Clegg breathes a sigh of relief after Bagnacani saves his blushes with another good stop from Maradona. Real Betis have two further opportunities in injury time to make the game interesting, but neither Islas nor Maradona can score, and we come away with a clean sheet and all three points.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Bagnacani; Rønning, Gershon, Smith (Loughran 66), Bressán; Djordjic, Mason, Garrido ©; Clegg; Sabino, Notman.

Real Betis (4-4-2): Sala; Mangold © (Placente 91), Mora, Altena, Carlos; Maradona, La Paglia, de la Peña (Gustavsson 66), Aranburu; Islas, Edú (Foggarty 74).

Final score: Cartagonova 2:0 Real Betis

MoM - Per Vener Rønning

Rønning sits on the team of the week’s bench.

That was our fifth victory on the trot this season so far, and we now enjoy a six point gap with a game in hand over second and third (Deportivo La Coruña and Numancia, respectively), but second through to seventh are all locked together on 19 points. It’s an amazing season so far!

[Dixie Flatline]

10th of November 2009

Sometimes, I truly wonder about my colleagues, I really do. Like this morning, for example. Atlético Madrid’s manager, Señor Luis Fernández, must really have hit the sauce something shocking over the weekend to table a firm, concrete bid of £14.4 million for Bojan Djordjic, of all people! I mean, don’t get me wrong, Bojan is a good player, but his form has dropped off somewhat in the past month or so, and even at his peak, I would not have rated him so highly. The deal is structured so that Atlético Madrid pay £10.5 million over six months and another £3.9 million over 20 league matches. It would represent a profit of £11.9 million if he manages to reach 20 matches for his new club in just 2½ seasons with us, and that is remarkable. I can’t turn something like that down, surely.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Guest]

Dixie! My man! Ell_G here - remember me? Castellon? Nastic? etc? Just Like Watching Brazil? How goes it? Just turned up after God knows how long away and I'm delighted to see you're still writing away at this masterpiece. Amazing stamina to keep it going.

Keep it up! I'll be buggering off again before long but wow, i'm mighty impressed.

Any bets that if I come back in another 7 months this'll still be going?

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Elliot G:

Dixie! My man! Ell_G here - remember me? Castellon? Nastic? etc? Just Like Watching Brazil? How goes it? Just turned up after God knows how long away and I'm delighted to see you're still writing away at this masterpiece. Amazing stamina to keep it going.

Keep it up! I'll be buggering off again before long but wow, i'm mighty impressed.

Any bets that if I come back in another 7 months this'll still be going?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey! Ell_G! It's been too long! Good to see you back, at least for a little while.

I think you may be right - the story may be continuing when you get back. I have just about figured out I need to buy a new computer to play CM4, and the money I have needs to be applied elsewhere before I get a new computer. So, that means more of Cartagonova!

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

The story of Cartagonova's adventures continues!

11th of November 2009

European Champions' League - Phase 1, Group E, Game 6: Hajduk Split v Cartagonova

The final first phase group game was always going to be a slaughter. By the time the referee blew his half-time whistle, we were 3-0 to the good and cruising towards a comfortable victory. Alex Notman’s goal in the 74th minute made it 4-0 and we were enjoying ourselves.

It all began on 7 minutes when Smith is able to meet Garrido’s well-executed corner before Filipovic can get there in time, and the big Dane scores his second goal of the season and his Cartagonova career. Then ten minutes later, we double our lead when Notman nods the ball down to Clegg to volley into the back of the net. A minute before half-time, the lead is extended to 3-0 when Sabino and Notman combine well together for the Spanish international to drive a long-range volley home. Finally, with 16 minutes to play, our fourth goal arrives courtesy of Alex Notman after George Clegg does some wonderful work to create the opportunity for him.

That’s not to say that Hajduk didn’t have their chances to embarrass us, because they did, but Vidal, back after missing a few weeks through suspension, does well on his return and keeps a clean sheet.

All in all, the most satisfactory result of the season to date.

Hajduk Split (5-3-2): Butina; Novoselac, Mamic (Saric 65), Filipovic, Susak, Martinovic; Jukic, Jerkovic, Suto ©; Bilic (Batinic 52), Bosnjak (Jurkovic 65).

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning, Gershon, Smith, Bressán; Mason; Djordjic, Garrido; Clegg; Redondo, Notman.

Final score: Hajduk Split 0:4 Cartagonova

MoM - Alex Notman

[Dixie Flatline]

So, after all six first phase group games have been played, our group finished as follows:

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

Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1st Q Cartagonova ESP 6 3 0 0 5 2 3 0 0 9 1 18

2nd Q Liverpool ENG 6 1 1 1 2 4 0 2 1 5 6 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Hajduk HRV 6 1 1 1 5 7 0 1 2 2 4 5

4th Galatasaray TUR 6 1 1 1 4 4 0 0 3 1 5 4

</pre>

We are awarded £1.2 million for qualifying for the second group phase, and we are drawn with Anderlecht, Bayern München and Sheffield United in Group C. Seems to be a fairly easy group, I must admit. Group games begin in a fortnight.

[Dixie Flatline]

12th of November 2009

Real Madrid wants to beat its cross-town rival to Bojan Djordjic, and offers £15.25 million for Bojan Djordjic payable all at once. I, of course, immediately accept the offer.

Then I’m forced to issue a stern press release denying that Gary Mason will move anywhere. There are rumours, no doubt encouraged by the player’s agent on his instructions, that he may move to Barcelona or Sporting Gijón for just £1.2 million.

After playing 11 league games this season so far and collecting only 4 points to date, many pundits are tipping the obvious - Real Vallodolid is headed for a quick return to the Segunda Liga after being promoted at the end of last season. Already they are 4 points off safety, and with just one win on the board, it’s looking desperate.

13th of November 2009

Sevilla offers £4.6 million for Gary Mason over 24 months. I reject the offer. Sevilla also offers £2.3 million payable over 24 months for Ola Otfors-Palmqvist. Given that Djordjic is likely to leave the club in mid-December, I think I might like to hang on to the Swede for a little while longer. So that offer is rejected, too. Toledo’s offer, on the same terms, is also rejected.

14th of November 2009

The first leg of the European World Cup qualifying play-offs are played today. Greece is in the box seat against Croatia after triumphing 2-1 in Split. Mamic gave Croatia the lead on 36 minutes, but that was cancelled out on 44 minutes thanks to a goal from Logaras. Prekates scored the winner on 50 minutes. Shimon Gershon played a good game for Israel, but they lost 1-0 on the road to Poland at Chorzow. Norway may as well buy tickets to Argentina already after thrashing Slovakia 3-0 in Bratislava. Riise put them on their way on 12 minutes, while Jon Carew added two goals on 48 and 68 minutes. In Istanbul, Yugoslavia outscored their Turkish hosts 2-1 with Jelic scoring on 9 and 44 minutes. Aydin pulled a goal back on 61 minutes, but it will be tough for the Turks.

Shimon Gershon and Per Vener Rønning played for their respective countries.

15th of November 2009

Villarreal’s offer of £3.4 million over 24 months for César Cabrera is rejected.

16th of November 2009

Unfortunately for our bank account, Bojan Djordjic agrees terms with Atlético Madrid, not Real Madrid, meaning that when 15th of December 2009 rolls around, we’ll only bank £10.5 million immediately, with about another £4 million after 20 league matches. Nevertheless, if the transfer goes through, it will be a new club record, breaking the record set by the sale of David Oliva to Deportivo La Coruña a few seasons ago.

17th of November 2009

Sevilla offers me £1.9 million for Palomino. Again, it is over 24 months, and therefore unacceptable.

18th of November 2009

The second legs of the World Cup qualifiers are played this evening. Greece and Croatia draw 1-1 in Athens, meaning that Greece goes through 3-2 on aggregate. Israel defeats Poland 1-0 in Tel Aviv, and then wins the penalty shoot-out for historic qualification for the World Cup. Norway and Slovakia draw 1-1 in Oslo, allowing the Norwegians to progress to the World Cup 4-1 on aggregate. Turkey overturns a 2-1 deficit against Yugoslavia to win 3-1 in Belgrade and go through 4-3 on aggregate.

Shimon Gershon was man of the match in Israel’s historic victory over Poland. Per Vener Rønning played for Norway in their 1-1 draw with Slovakia.

International friendlies were also played this evening. George Clegg earned just his second cap under new manager Alan Shearer as England wins 3-2 against Romania at Wembley. Wales, with Andy Owen in the starting eleven, wins 2-0 on the road over Latvia. Alex Notman and Gary Mason play for Scotland in their 2-2 draw with Slovenia in Glasgow, but neither are on the scoreboard.

So, the list of qualifiers for the World Cup expands again. It now includes the following lucky countries: Germany (previous winner), Argentina (host), Tanzania, Belgium, Ghana, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Spain, France, Estonia, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Japan, Mexico, USA, Iran, Lebanon, South Korea, Peru, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Israel, Norway, Turkey and Colombia.

[Dixie Flatline]

19th of November 2009

In a desperate move to strengthen their defence, Real Vallodolid offers me £4.1 million for César Cabrera, over 18 months. The offer is rejected.

21st of November 2009

Primera Liga - Game 10: Real Sociedad v Cartagonova

We travel to Basque country looking for another victory to continue our good run so far this season and ensure we have a head start on those that play tomorrow. But we leave San Sebastián disappointed. It begins well, with Juan Hernández scoring on 11 minutes when Iker Ãlvarez’s misdirected goal kick lands nicely for the attacking midfielder to thump home past the goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Juan Hernández misses a good opportunity to extend the lead, while on 33 minutes, Jaime Garrido’s free kick is saved by Ãlvarez after Moya fouls José Manuel Redondo. Redondo and Mason waste chances on 39 and 41 minutes respectively, but we enter half-time ahead thanks to Hernández’s early goal.

Two minutes into the second half, Redondo forces Ãlvarez into making an excellent save, but on 56 minutes, Aaron Cable tests Vidal for the first time since early in the game. Vidal pulls off an excellent save, but we should have taken note of the attacking potential latent in the home side’s eleven. A minute later, Xabi Alonso’s pass forward to the advantage of Llorente is cut out by Vidal, but his punch falls nicely for Cable to cross low and hard into the box, and Rodrigo arrives right on time to turn the ball in for the equaliser. Two minutes later, we go down to ten men when Bojan Djordjic is sent off for his second yellow card of the game. We survive only another 13 minutes before we concede the winner. Rodrigo turns Loughran inside out and finds Llorente in space who smashes the ball past Vidal. We can’t string together a move to threaten Iker Ãlvarez and lose the match disappointingly.

Real Sociedad (4-1-3-2): Iker Ãlvarez; Ji, Moya, Benito, César Prates; Xabi Alonso ©; Rodrigo, Bastía (Nicklasson 19), Da Silva (Fekete 66); Cable, Llorente.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning (Cabrera 80), Loughran (Lauret 80), Smith, Bressán; Mason; Djordjic (s/o 59), Garrido; Hernández; Redondo (Otfors-Palmqvist 59), Sabino.

Final score: Real Sociedad 2:1 Cartagonova

MoM - Rodrigo

Bojan Djordjic is automatically banned for our next league game, and I immediately give him an official warning for his dismissal. Per Vener Rønning also cops a warning for a poor performance. Both accept their warnings without comment.

[Dixie Flatline]

22nd of November 2009

We remain top by three points after the weekend’s games are played. Since we have played ten games in the league, it’s time to put up the ladder for you to look at:

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

Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1st Cartagonova 10 5 0 0 13 3 3 1 1 11 8 25

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2nd Numancia 11 4 2 0 14 9 2 2 1 12 12 22

3rd Atlético Madrid 11 4 0 1 9 9 3 1 2 8 6 22

4th Deportivo 11 6 0 0 14 4 1 1 3 7 10 22

5th Real Madrid 12 4 0 2 17 13 3 1 2 10 7 22

6th Espanyol 12 4 0 2 11 6 3 0 3 6 5 21

7th Valencia 11 3 0 2 11 7 3 1 2 10 12 19

8th Barcelona 10 3 1 1 12 5 3 0 2 16 6 19

9th Mallorca 12 3 2 1 10 7 2 2 2 6 5 19

10th Betis 11 4 2 0 11 5 1 1 3 4 7 18

11th Sporting Gijón 12 3 1 2 6 7 1 2 3 6 10 15

12th Osasuna 11 2 1 3 9 10 2 0 3 4 7 13

13th Real Sociedad 9 3 0 1 5 2 1 1 3 6 9 13

14th Villarreal 11 3 1 1 8 4 0 1 5 5 15 11

15th Celta 11 0 3 3 4 7 2 1 2 4 4 10

16th Hércules 11 2 2 1 8 7 0 2 4 12 17 10

17th Compostela 11 2 1 3 8 8 0 2 3 3 7 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18th Alavés 11 2 1 2 7 9 0 1 5 4 13 8

19th Valladolid 12 2 1 3 5 7 0 0 6 0 17 7

20th Elche 10 1 2 2 6 8 0 0 5 3 11 5

</pre>

Iván Vidal sits on the bench of the team of the week.

In the evening, I’m informed that the website planetfootball.com has lavished praise on Jaime Garrido, saying that he is playing the best football of his career to date. I can’t help but agree with that appraisal, something that attracts both the applause of the fans’ association as expressed by their president in an email to me, and a telephone call from the chairman, Señor Florentino Manzano, who thinks that building Garrido up publicly will improve his confidence.

But it also attracts the attention of Real Madrid, which might be bad in the long run.

[Dixie Flatline]

25th of November 2009

I reject an offer of £5.5 million for Jaime Garrido made by Real Madrid without any compunctions.

In the evening, we are at Brammall Lane to play Sheffield United in the first game of the second group phase in the European Champions' League. But before we launch into the game’s action, let’s briefly look at the group. We begin with Anderlecht, who finished second, a point behind AC Milan, in Group B with three wins and a draw from their six games. Greek striker Giorgos Papadopoulos holds the key to the Belgium club’s success in the European Champions' League, and his ability on the ball will hopefully cause plenty of opponents’ defences problems. In six games, he has four goals and looks a dangerous striker. Yasin Karaca, his strike partner, provides plenty of useful support and scores goals in his own right. In midfield, Walter Baseggio is an important player, as Anderlecht looks to him to provide leadership through his experience and steel in midfield. Anderlecht is the dark horse for qualification in this group.

Bayern München has a pedigree the envy of many clubs around Europe, winning the competition three times in the 1970s, and finishing runners-up in 1982, 1987 and 1999 in the famous game against Manchester United. But the club has a distinctively aged look about it, with the club relying upon the experience of the likes of Diego Tristán, Thierry Henry and Peter Waattovaara up forward, while Jens Jeremies and Santiago Solari provide experience at the back.

Cartagonova remains the favourite in the group to qualify top. Sabino and Alex Notman form a formidable partnership, which is growing with each game they play together. Jaime Garrido is one of Spain’s most exciting and creative wingers, while Gary Mason performs brilliantly in holding together the midfield while orchestrating the free kicks. Perhaps the defence has a question mark over it, but with Spanish international goalkeeper at the back in Iván Vidal, Cartagonova should have sufficient talent in its squad to go through to the knock-out stage.

That leaves Sheffield United. Although struggling in the English Premier League, Sheffield United performed somewhat better in Group A, winning it by two points from Ajax Amsterdam. Swedish striker Andreas Lewitz is a proven matchwinner, and he has support from Norwegian forward Thomas Pedersen. Another Swede, Jonas Lindmark, is the creative playmaker in midfield, while the defence features former Cartagonova player Trent McClenahan, as well as Irish internationals Paul Dillon and Greg O’Halloran.

[Dixie Flatline]

So, let’s get to the action.

European Champions' League - Phase 2, Group C, Game 1: Sheffield United v Cartagonova

Travelling to England, we find ourselves in somewhat unfamiliar country. None of us can remember playing in Sheffield before, and to tell you the truth, the conditions are not particularly inviting. It rains for the entire game, and it’s cold, which means it isn’t conducive to our style of play. But I can’t blame our terrible performance solely on the conditions. Sheffield United’s general play must belie their awful position in their domestic league, because they dominate this game completely from the first whistle to the last. We seem to hold our own in the first half, although Sheffield United kick things off through Brian Kerr on 4 minutes with a sharp shot requiring attention from Vidal. Three minutes later, Bressán, Hernández and Sabino combine to create an opening for Garrido, but the winger spurns the opportunity. Sabino does somewhat better on 10 minutes, forcing keeper Glyn Thompson into making a save, but we can’t make best use of the set piece. On 13 minutes, Vidal needs to do some more work when Ian Armstrong skips clear of Martin Smith rather too easily and creates space for himself to test Vidal’s reflexes. Fortunately, they’re up to the task and we stoutly defend the corner. Ten minutes later, we have a corner of our own, and Gershon should probably have done better then head wide of the goal. We immediately regain possession and Notman forces a good save from Thompson, who punches clear Garrido’s corner. But on 36 minutes, we concede the opening goal when Lewitz sidesteps Rønning before driving towards Vidal’s goal. The keeper manages to put a glove to it, but it rolls free and Armstrong is there to tap it in.

We are almost level two minutes later, but Juan Hernández hits his shot high, wide and not very handsomely. But when he finds Sabino in the area, who then nods it wide to Rønning, the ball finds it way via Kerr’s tackle to Mason, and the Scot has no hesitation in sizzling a shot into the corner from 25 yards to bring us equal. We almost concede a second goal, however, on the stroke of half-time, when Vidal saves Lindmark’s free kick. After considering my options at the break, I decide to stick with Martin Smith, which in hindsight was a bad decision, and substitute the ineffective Djordjic with Ola Otfors-Palmqvist. The move makes little difference, although we start the second half brightly thanks to Juan Hernández forcing Thompson into making an altogether unconvincing save. But four minutes into the second half, Sheffield United take back the lead when Lewitz caps a fantastic team move that rips my team apart on the pitch. On 56 minutes, they effectively put the game beyond our reach when Jonas Lindmark lets fly from 30 yards and bends a shot into the top right corner of Vidal’s net. I reshape the team on 67 minutes, substituting Cherno Samba for Martin Smith and going to a 3-3-1-3 formation, but it makes little difference except to expose my defence even further, and veteran midfielder Eirik Bakke takes advantage, heading home on 76 minutes from Joe Baker’s cross. It could have been worse, too, but for a save from Vidal on 81 minutes from Lewitz. We give a good account of ourselves in injury time with Samba and Sabino both forcing Thompson into making saves, but we’re too far gone to take anything away from this game, and it’s a real shock and disappointment.

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Thompson; Dillon, Barry, Steven Baker, Tate; Tynan, Lindmark ©, Kerr, Pedersen (Bakke 53); Armstrong (Joe Baker 38), Lewitz.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Rønning, Gershon, Smith (Samba 67), Bressán; Mason; Djordjic (Otfors-Palmqvist 46), Garrido; Hernández; Sabino, Notman.

Final score: Sheffield United 4:1 Cartagonova

MoM - Jonas Lindmark

Unsurprisingly, we are bottom after the first match day in the group with Anderlecht losing 2-0 to Bayern München. Tonight’s game is our biggest loss since Real Madrid beat us 3-0 in the third round, first leg of the Copa del Rey on the 10th of January 2007, while Deportivo la Coruña beat us 4-1 in the Primera Liga back on the 16th of January 2005, which Salamanca also managed to do on 9th of September 2001, in the Segunda Liga.

I give Iván Vidal an official warning for his poor performance, which he accepts without comment.

[Dixie Flatline]

5th of December 2009

Primera Liga - Game 12: Cartagonova v Deportivo La Coruña

Going into the game, we lead our opponents by three points, and they could go top at least for 24 hours if they triumph. Although they come out with a defensive formation, they immediately take the high ground when Dmitri Bulykin puts them ahead after just two minutes when Rubén creates the opportunity for him to lash a 25 yarder past Vidal. But with our first attack, albeit 24 minutes later, we level the game when Jaime Garrido slaloms his way through the Deportivo defence before putting a shot out of the reach of Pascual into the top left corner. We give away a free kick on 34 minutes, which Capdevila hits towards goal, but Vidal has it covered. But we fail to keep possession and soon he is called upon to deny Del Campo Santos a moment later, while Smith needs to complete a terrific saving tackle to foil Bosnjak when he is about to pull the trigger. With a minute left to half-time, however, we take the lead when Juan Hernández, keeping out the recovered George Clegg, converts a great team move involving himself, Bojan Djordjic, Gary Mason and Sabino.

It is a good feeling to go into the break a goal to the good, but the worrying signs are there - Deportivo refuse to be intimidated by the home supporters and they’ve come to play, exploiting the counterattack perfectly. So it continues in the second half, with Barcelona-bound Kim Källström firing the first shot in anger three minutes after the break, but Vidal is able to pull off a good save to deny the Swede. On 52 minutes, he sets up Cañas, whose volley fortunately flies over the bar. Six minutes later, Källström hits the post, but then on 61 minutes shows why Barcelona and so many other clubs, including Cartagonova, were after him when he chips the stranded Vidal from 20 yards. Two minutes later, Sabino misses a golden opportunity to take the lead back when Pascual makes a good save, but Deportivo aren’t willing to settle for a point. As Guilherme runs rings around my defenders but misses the crucial opportunity on 64 minutes, he does much better 12 minutes later when he jinks past Djordjic and slams a sizzling drive from 20 yards home. Four minutes later, the game’s up when Godino holds off Bressán long enough to curl a shot in from the edge of the area. Juan Hernández makes the score look somewhat respectable with his second goal of the game on 85 minutes, but after we were denied a legitimate penalty on 63 minutes when Pascual tripped up Sabino, I knew the game was up.

The statistics tell the story. Deportivo had 16 shots at goal, with 12 on target. We had only five shots at goal, with four on target. A third of the game was played in our defensive third of the pitch, compared to just over a fifth. You don’t win games with those sorts of numbers.

The trouble is, I can’t really pinpoint anywhere in our team, apart from a dreadful performance from Cabrera, but he was off when the real damage was done, where we fell down. I guess that means Deportivo was just sensational on the day and deserved their win.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Cabrera (Rønning 65), Gershon, Smith, Bressán; Djordjic, Mason, Garrido; Hernández; Redondo, Sabino.

Deportivo La Coruña (4-3-2-1): Pascual; Capdevila ©, Boris, Benítez, Oliva; Bosnjak, Cañas (Godino 54), Källström; Del Campo Santos (Guilherme 48), Rubén; Bulykin.

Final score: Cartagonova 3:4 Deportivo La Coruña

MoM - Kim Källström

After the game, I make a formal complaint to the Spanish FA about the quality (or lack thereof) of the refereeing, to which I receive the standard and utterly useless response. I also serve Cabrera with another official warning, to which he makes no comment.

[Dixie Flatline]

6th of December 2009

After the weekend’s fixtures are completed, we sit third on the ladder, level on points with Atlético Madrid and Deportivo la Coruña. All three clubs are three points clear of Numancia.

8th of December 2009

Villarreal makes an offer this morning of £4.6 million payable over 24 months for Shimon Gershon. I turn down the offer.

European Champions' League - Phase 2, Group C, Game 2: Cartagonova v Anderlecht

Heading into tonight’s game, the historical head-to-head record favours us quite well. In four games, we have won three, and drew the other, scoring nine goals and conceding five. So history is on our side when we need a good win to make up some lost ground thanks to the hiding handed out by Sheffield United in the last game. So, when it comes time to select the first eleven, I really give it some thought, taking into account the last two poor results. So, I drop Cabrera, Djordjic and Sabino, replacing them with Lacruz for his first game in a long time, Rønning and Notman to renew acquaintances with Redondo. The tired Juan Hernández must make way for the fit-again George Clegg.

In the first half, it seems to work quite well as we dominate the play and deservedly take a 3-0 lead into half-time. Redondo opens our account on 26 minutes when he blazes home from 25 yards after Notman creates the opportunity for him. Notman almost adds to it on 30 minutes, but Cliff Mardulier makes a good save to deny the Scotsman. Two minutes later, Redondo tries a spectacular bicycle kick but fails to hit the target. On 42 minutes, though, we do make it 2-0 when Garrido cleverly controls Mason’s pass on his chest before thumping a superb drive past Mardulier. Almost on the stroke of half-time, Clegg marks his return with a goal, sliding home Redondo’s good pass.

But Anderlecht come back in the second half a determined club and apart from a couple of chances from Notman, both of which are saved by Mardulier, the Belgian club dominates. They find a potential way back into the game when on 66 minutes, Karaca slams home Lovre’s pass. We can’t seem to retain possession long enough to really threaten Anderlecht, and when we do, we can’t force Mardulier into a save. So I’m left with plenty of questions heading into a tough match against Numancia away from home next weekend.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Lacruz, Gershon, Smith (Lasa 68), Bressán; Rønning, Mason, Garrido; Clegg; Redondo, Notman.

Anderlecht (5-3-2): Mardulier; Coelho, Jordens (Thijs 27), Traoré ©, Yago (Reynders 72), Abdullah; Parker (Op De Beek 84), Clijsters, Lovre; Karaca, Papadopoulos.

Final score: Cartagonova 3:1 Anderlecht

MoM - José Manuel Redondo

9th of December 2009

I reject an offer of £1.2 million for Gary Mason from Real Madrid.

10th of December 2009

Another offer from Real Sociedad of £1.5 million over 12 months is balled up and thrown in the bin.

12th of December 2009

A third offer for Mason from Atlético Madrid of £1.7 million over twelve months is thrown out without response.

The 32nd and final spot in World Cup 2010 is decided as Uruguay takes a 3-1 aggregate victory over Australia. The full list of qualifiers are as follows: Germany (previous winner), Argentina (host), Tanzania, Belgium, Ghana, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Spain, France, Estonia, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Japan, Mexico, USA, Iran, Lebanon, South Korea, Peru, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Israel, Norway, Turkey, Colombia, China and Uruguay.

[Dixie Flatline]

13th of December 2009

Primera Liga - Game 13: Numancia v Cartagonova

Our season goes from bad to worse with another shocking performance today.

I could see the warning signs in the second half of our game against Anderlecht, but try as I might, I couldn’t stop the disaster.

Things began so well when Notman scored after five minutes, thanks to a brilliant corner from Garrido after Sergio Segura is forced to save from Redondo’s stinging drive. A moment later, it could have been two, but for another great save from Segura, this time from Gary Mason. Then on 13 minutes, Notman tests Segura’s reflexes once more, but the keeper comes up trumps to deny us. Vidal has his first taste of the action when old-boy Ariel Carreño heads Shang’s cross towards goal, but the keeper wins that battle and the ball is cleared by Bressán. On 32 minutes, the unlikely figure of José María Lacruz makes his way forward and puts a testing shot on goal, but Segura manages to pull off another good save.

But then, a moment later, the match’s complexion changes completely. Iván Vidal clips the feet of Shang as the Chinese international tries to rush past, and the Numancia player makes sure the referee sees it in live technicolor. I already have Bagnacani stripping out of his tracksuit and warming up, and sure enough, Vidal sees red. Unfortunately, Bagnacani’s first task is to pick the ball out of the net as Melgar coolly slots home. I glare daggers at Vidal’s back as he trudges down the steps into the dressing room, accompanied by a police escort and the contemptuous jeers of the home supporters. But we hang on to half-time, with Bagnacani troubled only once by a hard-hit but poorly-directed shot from Shang.

Straight after the break, Numancia are on the attack, with Christian forcing a fine save from Bagnacani. But it wouldn’t have counted, as the referee points out correctly that Fernando Morán was off-side when the ball was played. Just over a hour gone, and Bagnacani makes a good save from Carlos Martins’ long-range effort. But just as I was beginning to believe we would escape with a point, everything falls apart. Notman is the unfortunate victim as he deflects Carlos Martins’ free kick past Bagnacani. Despite Martins’ best efforts to claim the goal, it is an own goal to Notman. Just thirty seconds later, we lose possession to Carreño, and he shows why I thought he was a good talent and Numancia was prepared to pay £5 million when he makes Smith look like an elephant and then thunders a drive past the static Bagnacani. This threatens to turn into an avalanche, and the home supporters cheer their fourth goal on 85 minutes with Carlos Martins marking a fine performance as captain with a goal from Johansen’s cross. With a man disadvantage, there’s little I can do except bring on Andy Owen and revert to a two-man forward line with Notman in support, but despite Redondo’s best efforts at salvaging some pride from this terrible game, we take the thumping we deserve.

It hasn’t been a good couple of weeks, let me tell you.

Numancia (4-1-3-2): Segura; Linares (Gustavo 62), Quiroga, Loeschbor (Babangida 70), Melgar; Johansen; Shang, Morán, Carlos Martins ©; Christian, Carreño.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal © (s/o 33); Lacruz, Gershon, Smith, Bressán; Mason; Rønning (Bagnacani 33), Garrido; Clegg (Owen 82); Redondo, Notman.

Final score: Numancia 4:1 Cartagonova

MoM - Sergio Segura

[Dixie Flatline]

After the game, I sit down every member of the squad who participated in this disaster and personally bawl them out for a terrible performance, except Redondo and Notman, who were at least good up front. But I reserve most of my spleen for the two keepers that represented Cartagonova today. As captain and number one keeper at the club, Vidal should know much better what is expected, and I fine him a week’s wages for his second red card of the season. Bagnacani’s inept performance as his replacement earns him an official reprimand. Both profess to accept their punishment, but at this stage, I’m beyond caring and I tell them bluntly that only results on the field matter at this stage, not their empty words. Let’s hope they receive the message, loud and clear. To reiterate it, Bagnacani misses out on a start for our next game, as I plan to give 18 year old Jesús Martínez a chance between the sticks at home against 19th placed Elche.

14th of December 2009

The Spanish FA see fit to slug Vidal with an extra two-match ban for his professional misconduct in our game against Numancia. That gives Martínez a good introduction to professional football.

15th of December 2009

The transfer window opens for a month again, but half the moves organised by the Primera Liga clubs fall over due to lack of money, including of course, Atlético Madrid’s bid for Bojan Djordjic. However, we do complete our purchases of Enrique Kortina from Celta Vigo for £3.5 million and Francisco José Mantilla from Real Betis for £1.6 million.

The ‘big money’ moves involve, of course, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Barcelona’s board of directors really write the cheques today as they shell out £775,000 to Getafe for defender David, £1.4 million to Benfica for Portuguese defender Beto, £3.4 million to Getafe for former Cartagonova player Salomon Olembé, £10.25 million to Deportivo La Coruña for Kim Källström, £13 million to Feyenoord for defender Gabriel Millito and an astonishing £36.5 million to AC Milan for Italian striker Emanuele Calaiò!

Real Madrid, on the other hand, are slightly more restrained. They spend £15.5 million on signing Brazilian striker Souza from Vasco da Gama, while they recoup £2.4 million from the sale of Kevin Franck to Villarreal. While lucking out on Djordjic, Atlético Madrid does manage to complete two purchases - Hugo Leal returns to Madrid from Valencia for £6 million, while South Korean striker Dung Gook Lee is signed from Salamanca for £1.1 million.

I decide that the time is right to prune some of the dead wood from the squad. So on to the list go Rivaldo, Claudio López, Amoroso, Ola Otfors-Palmqvist and Ramón Salas. López and Amoroso attract interest at this stage.

16th of December 2009

Bayern München wastes its time offering me £4.5 million for Notman. The offer is turned down immediately. Real Madrid offers £2.1 million over six months for Gary Mason. Similarly, that offer is thrown away without a second thought.

There is plenty of interest in the transfer-listed Claudio López. Extremadura, Olympiakos and FC Köln all make offers for the Argentine attacking midfielder. However, Extremadura is not in the hunt, offering just £75,000 as opposed to £230,000 each from Olympiakos and FC Köln. I advise my counterpart at Extremadura to match the offers made by his competitors, and then I go on to accept the other bids.

Amoroso is also in the shop window, and Boca Juniors comes in with a bid of £240,000 for the veteran Brazilian. I accept that offer.

I read in the morning’s newspapers that Palomino is linked to a £2.1 million move to Hércules. I ring up the correspondent making up the rumour and tell him in no uncertain terms that the defensive utility is not for sale, merely on loan to gather some experience of first team football.

Then Alex Notman’s agent makes a very rash decision, publicising a ‘desire’ on behalf of his client to move to Lazio for the paltry sum of £6.75 million. I immediately issue a press release saying that Notman is not for sale at any price, then I call in my prized striker for a little ‘heart to heart’. He denies instructing his agent to make public any desire to leave the club and agrees with me that he will look for a new agent as soon as possible, because his current agent is damaging his reputation amongst the club’s supporters and sponsors.

In the evening, the first round of the Copa del Rey is played. We take the night off, which is probably a good thing, given our current form and the upsets that resulted. Real Madrid is knocked out by fellow Primera Liga club Villarreal 2-1 at El Madrigal. Real Vallodolid is defeated by D2B Écija on penalties after they drew 1-1. Gandía, Iván Vidal’s old club, wins 3-0 over Mallorca. D2B Segoviana beats Hércules 3-1.

Other clubs that eventually prevailed, but struggled, include Deportivo La Coruña who won 3-2 over Avilés, Compostela who won 2-1 after extra time over Conquense, Celta Vigo who won on penalties after drawing with Guadix 2-2, and Atlético Madrid, who won 2-1 over D2B Ourense.

[Dixie Flatline]

17th of December 2009

Bayern München makes an offer of £5.5 million for Alex Notman. There is still no deal here.

Amoroso is delighted to agree terms with Boca Juniors. He moves in the afternoon, having not played a game for Cartagonova: Amoroso (35 y/o, BRA 90 caps, 34 goals, F LC): 0 apps.

18th of December 2009

Extremadura can’t find the extra money in the bank account to afford to bring Claudio López to the Segunda Liga club. That means that the fight is between Olympiakos and FC Köln to make the most attractive offer to the Argentine.

The draw for the second round of the Copa del Rey is announced this afternoon. We are drawn to play Segunda Liga B club Novelda at their La Magdalena on the 6th of January 2010. After beating Zamora 2-1 in the Preliminary Round back on the 2nd of September 2009, they upset Segunda Liga Málaga 2-1 at home, so they shouldn’t be regarded as a pushover. At the same time, however, I expect us to at least clear this hurdle comfortably. The player to really keep an eye on in the Novelda squad is veteran Colombian midfielder Freddy Grisales, while Argentine defender Ãngel Roberto Amarilla hopes Novelda is a stepping stone to bigger things in Spain, after failing to make the grade at Valencia earlier in his career.

In the evening, Claudio López informs me via his agent that he has agreed terms with German club FC Köln and will leave as soon as possible: Claudio López (35 y/o, ARG 80 caps, 15 goals, AM/F LC): 0(3) apps, av. rating: 7.00.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Dixie Flatline]

Just to warn all the readers of this story, I'm going to be taking about a month off this to work on other things, so updates will be dramatically reduced for the next couple of months at least.

I'll be around the boards during this time, but I intend to cut down my CM playing to work on other things.

Cheers,

Dixie

[Philip Rolfe]

I know how it feels to have a few frustratingly poor games, but I'm sure you'll get past it

I don't know what I'll do with my life for the time you're away

Great as ever

[Guest]

Hi Dixie,

It's been a while since I've read your story but I'm glad to see you're still at it and maintaining the quality!

B.E.

[Dixie Flatline]

Hi all!

Thanks for your continued patience!

I'm not sure when I'll return to this epic, but as General Macarthur once said, "I will return!"

So thanks Junichi and B.E. for keeping the spirit alive!

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

I'm back from the wilderness with a short update from Cartagonova

I couldn't resist. On the weekend, I reinstalled CM, unzipped my archived copy of the save game and prepared to resume my alternative identity as manager of Cartagonova...

19th of December 2009

Primera Liga - Game 14: Cartagonova v Elche

Against a club mired in a relegation dogfight just before Christmas, I expect us to be back on the winners’ list by the end of the 90 minutes.

But that would be expecting too much.

Francisco José Mantilla is rushed into the starting eleven, ahead of the injured José María Lacruz, while Per Vener Rønning keeps out Bojan Djordjic, who spends another game watching from the pine boards. Enrique Kortina sits on the bench at the expense of Andy Owen. I keep my threat to my senior keepers, and give Jesús Martínez his competitive debut at the tender age of 18. While I can’t expect him to be the finished article at this formative stage of his career, I hope that his youthful enthusiasm plus the wise heads of Gershon and Smith ahead of him should give us a chance.

Elche begin the match brightly, with Duscher testing Martínez with a curling shot after just two minutes, but the youngster copes well, and Bressán completes the clearance. On 13 minutes, Elche win a corner, and old boy Ismael Méndez swings it in towards the danger area, but Martínez has the reflexes to parry Duscher’s powerful header, and then he dives on the loose ball. His long ball forward is excellently controlled by Notman, who proceeds to go all the way and opens the scoring on 14 minutes with a brilliant drive that Dorronsoro can’t get close to! But on 40 minutes, we’re back on level terms when Duscher sees Rúa metres in the clear down the left flank, and the midfielder cuts into the midfield before letting fly from 30 yards. It’s Martínez’s first time to pick the ball out of his net. Notman almost puts us back in front on 43 minutes, but Dorronsoro has the measure of his attempt.

Three minutes into the second half, when George Clegg picks up a yellow card at his frustration to get into the game in a meaningful fashion, I replace him with Juan Hernández. Notman narrowly misses on 53 minutes, but we take the lead on 62 minutes when the substitute times his run superbly to meet Mason’s lobbed pass ahead of Dorronsoro! But this only fires Elche into a higher gear, and after a period of pressure lasting most of the remainder of the game, they have their equaliser when Mark Byrnes taps in the rebound from Ignacio Sánchez’s shot right at the start of injury time. With the referee only adding two minutes, we don’t have time to muster a winner, and in truth, we didn’t deserve the three points today.

It was disappointing to have been thumped 4-1 on the road, but in a way, this result is much more disappointing. We had the lead twice and were pegged back twice. This is not a good time for the club.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Martínez; Mantilla (Cabrera 61), Gershon, Smith, Bressán; Rønning, Mason, Garrido ©; Clegg (Hernández 52); Redondo, Notman.

Elche (4-3-1-1): Dorronsoro ©; O’Mara, Byrnes, Ettien (Sánchez 53), Rodríguez, Ismael Méndez; Rúa (Júnior 91), Duscher, Cappelletti (Cortés 60); Roy González; Mascorro.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:2 Elche

MoM - Andrés Bressán

Jesús Martínez’s debut is a new record for Cartagonova under my administration for the youngest player to wear the club’s colours.

[Dixie Flatline]

21st of December 2009

I tear up an offer from Hertha Berlin for Alex Notman worth just £6.5 million.

22nd of December 2009

At a press conference this morning, I was delighted to unveil my latest acquisition. It’s taken me the best part of the season to date to land my man, but I think his decision to join Cartagonova will revitalise us, particularly in midfield. For Spanish international José Antonio Reyes, it was a difficult decision to leave Real Betis where he had spent three seasons, but ultimately, stalling by the club on offering him a new contract opened a wedge that I was able to exploit perfectly. Having coached and observed Reyes at close quarters with the national team, I was able to determine what he could add to the squad, and his pace and passing abilities should provide plenty of opportunities for Notman and co. to bang home.

23rd of December 2009

Primera Liga - Game 15: Cartagonova v Osasuna

I rush Reyes into the starting eleven, replacing Rønning, who drops back to the bench, as I decide to give Mantilla another go after he failed to impress in his debut. I also put Bagnacani back in goal, after he served his penance for a terrible game against Numancia. Despite being only around 90% fit, Notman stays in the first eleven ahead of Sabino. Unfortunately, the game is a complete disappointment. We dominate the game for most periods, but we leave our shooting boots in the dressing room - only two shots on target for the entire 90 minutes, out of eight attempts at goal. Osasuna fare no better, with one shot on target from three attempts, but they came to defend for a 0-0 draw, and that’s what they have. Reyes was a good player for the full 90 minutes, but he misses a chance late in the game to mark it with a goal, while Kortina comes off the bench to add a little late in the game. But we could have, and should have, done much better. At least the referee had a busy day, flashing five yellow cards in total, all for tiggy-touch-wood offences.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Bagnacani; Mantilla, Gershon, Smith, Bressán; Reyes, Mason, Garrido ©; Clegg (Kortina 79); Redondo, Notman (Sabino 79).

Osasuna (3-5-2): Palop; Navarro, Saavedra, Kuffour; Vítor Lima, Acuña (De Bruno 62), Herrero ©, Morantes (Celades 55), Sabolcki; Oktay, Peralta (Ivanov 79).

Final score: Cartagonova 0:0 Osasuna

MoM - Andrés Palop (they had to give it to somebody)

Following this game, we have five games away from the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena in a row, beginning with a visit to Barcelona to play Espanyol, Novelda for a Copa del Rey game, Mallorca, current leader Atlético Madrid, and Osasuna, before we come back home to play Real Madrid on 20th of January 2010.