End of the road for some, a new beginning for others.
We begin our third season having undergone some drastic changes over the summer in terms of player movement. I firmly believe we had to do it so harshly, and if we are to entertain any hopes of fighting for promotion this year and remaining competitive in the future, a much higher class of players was sorely needed, even as backups.
Transfer dealings can be found at the bottom of this post as usual along with other screenshots, stats etc.
August 2011
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Walsall 5-0 DIEYE 10' 42' 85' MURPHY 51' MAZZOTTA 58' (pen.) – Abdou Dieye follows up his terrific loan spell last year with hat-trick on his "second" debut as a Poppy. Rhys Murphy overcame jitters to beautifully slot home a perfect lobbed pass from Mérida in the beginning of the first half, which was pretty much the end of the game right there, as we were absolutely coasting from then on. That didn't stop us scoring an extra two goals. Mindblowing statistic of the game: Iacopo La Rocca dealt with 20 headers today. So you would think we topped the league already? Nope, 'fraid not. Preston were just a bit more lethal, as they swept aside Rochdale 8-1. Man, that is brutal.
LEAGUE CUP 1ST RND v.
QPR 1-3 MURPHY 34' – The gulf in quality was apparent as we go out of the League Cup after getting the worst draw imaginable (well, it was at home, but nearly). I'm not that bothered to be honest, as I really just want to focus on the league and play as few games as possible.
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Colchester 0-0 – We played a sloppy game apart from the 'keeper and the back 4, who were very effective today. Fatigue due to ridiculous fixture congestion and a massive injury list played a huge part in this and Faure got sent off as well after I'd used up all 3 subs (of course), which made a nil-nil draw a decent result. Interestingly, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy draw threw up the same matchup, so that'll be... great.
v.
Exeter 2-1 BANNAN 76' MAZZOTTA 89' – After 70 minutes of pure suckage from our part, I switch the formation around to accomodate 5 midfielders, as we had no strikers left. Magic unfolds, Bannan hits them beautifully on the counter and Mazzotta hits a sweet half volley close to full time after Mérida's shot bounced off the crossbar. An unlikely win and we'll need to shock 'em all again in just 4 days (ugh...) when we play mighty Leeds at home.
v.
Leeds 5-0 BANNAN 8' 17' (pen.) ANTONIOL 35' DIEYE 68' 73' – Wow! A very polished performance in all aspects sees us stay in our position at the top of the table, equal on points with two other teams. Putting 5 past Leeds with only one striker on the pitch is a great testiment to our other strengths on the pitch, and Bannan and Mérida still function as well together in central midfield as they did in League 2, which is very relieving, as I wondered for the longest time during the offseason whether to go with the same pairing or go for higher-reputation signings. Still, it is very early in the season, but I don't think there's any chance of us being 24th when it's all said and done.
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Preston North End 3-0 DIEYE 7' 63' SPINA 89' – We demolish another one of the better sides – I suppose – and this time we at their ground, which is a bit of a plus, although we don't seem to be all that bothered whether we're playing home or away. An impressive goal on a powerful half volley for defensive midfielder Danilo Spina added to Preston's woes late after Dieye had brought us in front early, and knicked a scrappy goal early in the second half to ensure us a buffer. Still level on points with Norwich, our amazing goal difference (+14, just one goal conceded versus 15 goals in 5 games) the tie breaker, we've started our League 1 campaign where we left off in League 2.
JPT S 1ST RND @
Colchester 4-1 ANTONIOL 3' 33' DIEYE 57' 70' – We absolutely destroyed Colchester and were quite lethal up front, challenging their keeper often. A methodical and careful picking apart of them today. Avanti! Drew Shrewsbury away in the 2nd round.
ROUND-UP
A good start to our League 1 campaign, and on the strength of this, it sure looks like our drastic rebuilding project isn't having too many startup problems. Free-scoring and quite sound defensively – this is a potent mix that will serve any team well.
L1 1st, 13 points
Awards MotM: Yours truly
2nd.
PotM: Abdou Dieye
2nd.
YPotM: Barry Bannan
2nd.
September 2011
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Rochdale 2-1 DIEYE 33' MURPHY 57' – A hard fought match where chances were hard to come by for either team. Thankfully, we were just a tiny bit more clinical than they were today, which meeeeans... 3 points!
v.
Charlton 2-0 DIEYE 21' PASQUATO 54' – It was extremely pleasing to win this one for two reasons, being: 1) With this being our game in hand, we move back into 1st place. 2) We were on the back foot for most of the game, proving that we can win games when not dominating possession, which bodes well for our further endeavours throughout the season.
v.
Hartlepool 4-3 DIEYE 22' PASQUATO 45' TAFER 60' – The scoreline SERIOUSLY flatters Hartlepool, as they had 4 chances all game and they scored on 3 of 'em. They weren't even chances created by their brilliance but rather confounding lapses of concentration on our part. All three goals down to glaring individual errors like Osei running 10 yards out of his goal for no apparent reason and leaving the goal completely exposed. Still, we kept bombarding their goal, and although we should have had at least 2 more goals had everything gone to plan, I am happy with the 3 points and the win.
ROUND-UP
We drop down a spot, but maintain our hot streak, and with two games in hand and just 1 point up to the 1st spot, we are very much in the thick of things still.
L1 2nd, 22 points
Awards MotM: Yours truly 1st.
October 2011
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Leyton Orient 1-2 MURPHY 1' – 18 seconds it took Dieye to play a perfect chip to Murphy who slotted it home perfectly. Then
GK Osei decided to be an **** and stare vacantly at their next two bog-standard chances, which they converted. Some-*******-how they were able to ride that scoreline out for the rest of the game, resulting in our first loss of the season. We had several huge chances, but not as many as we should have created and the ones we had we just did not convert and apart from that first great interplay, we played with little cohesion and feeling of a team game. We slump into 4th, although we have two games in hand. Two wins would put us a point clear at the top, but of course we won't take anything for granted, as well we shouldn't when we're prone to performances like these.
v.
Southend 3-0 MURPHY 22' PASQUATO 39' RODELIN 85' – A goal from debutant Rodelin sealed the deal.
JPT S 2ND RND @
Shrewsbury 1-1 (4-2 pens) TAFER 49' – A game that should never have been as tight as it was, but even though it took penalties it was a deserved win today.
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Tranmere 2-1 DIEYE 44' MAZZOTTA 50' – We shut 'em down from the get go and when they were gifted a goal due to an Osei own goal, they promptly got one of their players sent off. Not that they'd had a chance anyway, it really was an easy day at the office. We even had a perfectly good goal disallowed at the death.
v.
Rotherham 2-1 MURPHY 20' DIEYE 31' – A routine performance from the lads today and it was more than enough to see off the threat of Rotherham, who didn't look to threaten us throughout, even though the scoreline may lead you to believe otherwise.
v.
Norwich 1-2 DIEYE 40' – We record our second loss of the season and it was not a pretty sight at the back as we looked extremely shaky at the right back and center back positions, letting wingers outpace us and strikers tower above us. I'll look to shift some things around due to this.
ROUND-UP
A mixed bag for us this month with some tight games either going our way or the opposition's. We still hang on in the top of the table, though, and we still look strong. Our defeats have been slim and not embarassing in any way, as we have lost to good sides, who will surely contend for promotion as well.
L1 3rd, 31 points.
November 2011
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Gillingham 2-1 BARCHAM OG 23' PASQUATO 53' – An even match where a draw was probably most on the cards, and all three goals were scrappy and not necesarrily due to the brilliance of either side. I gladly take all 3 points though, which means we hang on in the very upper echelons of the table.
FA CUP 1ST RND v.
Leyton Orient 2-0 DE LAAT 40' TAFER 45' (pen.) – After drawing the hardest opposition imaginable again, we show Leyton Orient that last time we met was most definitely a fluke. Due to massive fixture congestion, I played quite a weakened side and we still won by a comfortable 2-0.
JPT S QT FINAL v.
Gillingham 3-3 (5-4 pens) TAFER 35' (pen.) DIEYE 63' 69'– FM is such bullshit sometimes, but at least I prevailed over the endless spew of BS emanating from Gillingham today. 3 "chances", and those air quotes are there because they just shot at random from 30 yards out. Two went in directly and one landed in front of an offside striker who was allowed to score in the last five minutes to send it to penalties. But like I said, at least it ended well for me, which naturally is the most important thing in the world. (!)
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Barnsley 6-1 MÉRIDA 4' DIEYE 10' 67' DE LAAT 34' MURPHY 81' 88' – Ahhh. Just what I needed to pick up my spirits. A cracking game from all involved. Their goal was again an own goal by Osei, and again it wasn't so much his limitations as a player that caused it but rather some FM bug. We're back in a sweet position as we currently occupy the top spot level on points with two other sides, but with a significantly greater goal difference, and, more importantly, two games in hand.
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Millwall 3-0 MÉRIDA 56' RODELIN 89' MURPHY 90+2' – Easy peasy. Tafer and Dieye sucked though, big time. Tafer really is quite worthless. Rhys Murphy and Ronny Rodelin came through in the end, however.
FA CUP 2ND RND @
Shrewsbury 1-1 MÉRIDA 90+3' – I have serious issues with Osei deciding sometimes to just stop playing goalkeeper and apparently think he's a spectator. **** is ridiculous, man. I also take issue with us not scoring until deep into stoppage time. Their goalkeeper may have been man of the match, but that's such a poor excuse, we need to turn more chances into goals asap.
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Oldham 4-1 MAZZOTTA 22' DIEYE 29' KANTÉ 55' FAURE 64' – We get to pay Oldham back the misery they caused us last year when they booted us out of the FA Cup (or some other cup competition). Clinical finishing today for both sides, as we both scored on half our shots on target, and for once we actually dominated possession. A superb effort.
ROUND-UP
A clean sweep in the league and some strong cup performances, even though we didn't go through at first against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup 2nd Round. We'll get 'em next time. Not much to say other than that we're keeping up the formula of very strong attacking play and relative defensive stability.
L1 1st, 43 points.
Awards MotM: Yours truly 2nd.
PotM: Björn De Laat
1st, Sébastien Faure
2nd, Fran Mérida,
3rd.
YPotM: Fran Mérida
2nd.
December 2011
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Chesterfield 2-1 DIEYE 48' MÉRIDA 67' – Our defending of corners is absolutely atrocious, we look to concede from almost every single one. Luckily we didn't concede many corners. Well actually just the one. That meant we were able to walk all over them and with 22 shots, we should have won by a much greater margin. Hopefully, we're saving up some goals, though. That would be very nice. We should also have Héctor Verdés back soon, who was by far the best we had to head away those dangerous crosses, which should put a damper on our opponents chances to score so easily from set pieces.
FA CUP 2ND RND REPLAY v.
Shrewsbury 5-2 ANTONIOL 30' 67' FAURE 34' TAFER 54' 87' – Going 1-0 down as Shrewsbury scored on their first chance of the game (naturally), we rallied with a quickfire double late in the first half, which laid the foundation for a dominant display in the second half, which saw us create (and waste) heaps of chances. Tafer finally scored more than one in a game although he used 8 or 10 clear cut chances to get them. They eventually got a second goal late on a penalty. We're through to the 3rd round where we will face... Leicester, ugh. Away.
v.
Oxford 3-2 TAFER 14' 38' DIEYE 23' – Tafer didn't need 10 chances today, in fact he scored on his first. And second, actually. A 3-goal lead was enough to see us walk away as winners today although our performance in the second half compared to the first was really quite poor. Our opponents' chance-to-goal ratio is absolutely ridiculous, must be at least in the higher 80's or 90's and today they scored twice on as many chances. Seriously messed up.
JPT S SEMI FINAL v.
Leyton Orient 3-0 TAFER 4' DIEYE 30' 52'– Not much to say about the match other than we were in total control throughout, so I'll just say this: we're in a final! Well, this final is actually kind of a semi final, as the tournament is split up in North and South. We'll face Norwich in the southern "final". Up north, Leeds and Bradford will duke it out. Exciting times, younglings!
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Bristol Rovers 1-1 RODELIN 85' – "All square in an even game!" Boy, you said it, FM. Not much else to say today, other than that the service to the forwards was somewhat off today and when it finally got there, they didn't seem to know what to do with it. All except Rodelin, who seemed to know to just blast it in the top corner, bless the lad.
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Blackpool 1-1 TAFER 50' – A decent result as we were down to 10 men after Faure's second big mistake of the evening warranted a straight red card, as he was also majorly culpable for the opening goal. Annoyingly, we might have won it even with 10 men and we overpowered Blackpool throughout the second half, having several huge chances. A bit more clinical up front today and we would have nabbed the 3 points, but all things considered, a draw is alright.
v.
Brentford 5-2 MÉRIDA 21' TAFER 24' 48' 87' DIEYE 62' – Wow, what a game from Yannis Tafer. A hat-trick and an assist to boot, a top class effort, I really hope we can hang on to him for a prolonged time, but with him being a highly-rated prospect, the chances do look rather slim. Going 2-0 down with Brentford scoring on their only two chances of the match (it's getting absolutely ridiculous), we responded magnificently and never stopped pushing for the next goal, even as we were up by two or even three. A top drawer effort from everyone involved today.
v.
Colchester 3-0 PASQUATO 46' TAFER 53' 63' – After a tepid first half where we really didn't do much, apart from stretchering two players off, we exploded shortly after the start of the second half and looked dangerous every time we were on the ball.
FA CUP 3RD RND @
Leicester 0-1 – An extremly unfortunate result as we dominated Leicester throughout the match, tackling superbly, passing sweetly but unfortunately not being able to finish it off properly. We had several huge chances, they had one. Props to them for taking it, but in a perfect world, we should really have knocked 3 or 4 past them. Still, a spirited effort against Championship opposition and we don't have to worry about the FA Cup anymore, which is good.
ROUND-UP
The last fixture of the year is a defeat, but having gone about 10 games unbeaten in the league, December has been kind to us. Here's to 2012 being even kinder! Happy new year.
L1 1st, 57 points.
Awards MotM: Yours truly
1st.
PotM: Yannis Tafer
3rd.
YPotM: Fran Mérida
2nd, Yannis Tafer
3rd.
GotM: Fran Mérida
2nd (v. Brentford)
January 2012
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Exeter 3-2 DIEYE 23' LA ROCCA 55' PASQUATO 66' – Down 2-0 early we needed a response and by golly, we got one. Exeter are not a bad side and we needed a few chances to put more than one goal past them, but once we got the equaliser I thought we had a very good chance of walking away with a win, and so we did.
v.
Walsall 3-1 DIEYE 17' BAHERLÉ 45+1' POLDERVAART 89' (pen.)– Walk in the park as we dominate a weak Walsall side. Their goal came when a goal kick went over our defense and into the hands of Osei, or so I thought, as he just let it bounce off him, allowing their striker the easiest goal he'll ever score.
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Leeds 1-1 PASQUATO 31' – Again Osei is to blame. Might look for a new 'keeper right about now, this is getting ridiculous. We thoroughly outplayed Leeds in the first half, but deflated completely in the second. Poor refereeing decisions played a big part, too, but we should just overcome that with a few more goals, but we just didn't have a response second half. Very out of character. Hopefully not a sign of things to come. Drawing away to Leeds isn't a poor result, though.
v.
Preston North End 5-1 DIEYE 2' 38' TAFER 25' 73' KANTÉ 88' – When Preston clawed one back just on the stroke of half time, I was worried for a bit that we might suffer another awful second half performance, but we came back even stronger and kept playing for a bigger lead, which is hugely pleasing. Another thing that was just that was our second goal, which was a symphony of one-touch football, which would have made Arsène Wenger stand up and applaud and do his patented double fist bump.
JPT S FINAL 1ST LEG v.
Norwich 5-0 DIEYE 47' 56' TAFER 61' 73' MÉRIDA 90+2' – Following an uninspired outing in the first half, we came back onto the pitch and immediately looked dynamic, vibrant and eager to get cracking at Norwich's top-ranked defense. Suffice it to say, I got more than I bargained for, as we not just beat Norwich, we gave them an old-fashioned beating of the worst kind. Or best, I'm not sure. A hugely impressive outing from the team and we're as good as through following this victory.
v.
Brighton 6-1 ANTONIOL 9' 33' TAFER 24' 39' MÉRIDA 45+2' MURPHY 66' – Scoreline says it all, really. Effortless thrashing of bottomfeeders Brighton, we could have played our entire second string and won comfortably, I'm sure.
v.
Rochdale 5-0 TAFER 49' BANNAN 72' MURPHY 85' 88' 90+2' – Wow Rhys Murphy, what an incredible cameo. On at 81 minutes, 3 goals and a 9.1 rating in a bit over 10 minutes. That's just insane.
ROUND-UP
What's also somewhat insane is that we've scored 21 goals in our last 4 games and only let in 2. We're also on a 16-match unbeaten run in the league. Good times! Last news from January is that we have managed to sign exciting young
D RL Jérémy Hélan on a permanent deal. He joins for a fee of
£200k from French Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Étienne.
L1 1st, 73 points.
Awards MotM: Yours truly
1st.
PotM: Barry Bannan
2nd, Enrico Antoniol
3rd.
YPotM: Rhys Murphy
1st, Ivo Pendervaart
2nd.
February 2012
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Charlton 2-1 BANNAN 11' RANDALL 80' – Through the pouring rain we earn ourselves 3 points through Charlton. Both goals were absolutely stunning, Bannan's being a rocket from 30 yards and Randall's being... a rocket from 25 yards. Highly efficient, ah yes.
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Rotherham 3-2 TAFER 49' DE LAAT 52' VERDÉS 68' – Again, the opposition had a knack for scoring on their limited chances, 2 out of 3 in this instance. A terrible first half ended with us clawing back a bit and laying the ground work for what would be a very good second half indeed. The service from midfield was good and even though the finishing touches weren't always top class, we would have been hard done by had we not gotten at least a point today. It's getting a bit nervewracking to come from behind so often but it also just goes to show that we won't be counted out of any match, no matter how bleak it may look.
v.
Leyton Orient 4-2 TAFER 19' 53' MÉRIDA 50' 67' – No opening jitters today as they didn't claw one back until the 80th minute when GK Cousin misjudged a lob and allowed a striker to tower over him. The goalkeeper position is one to strengthen during the offseason, as at least half our goals could have been prevented had we had a proper 'keeper. 4-2 against a strong Orient side is very pleasing, though.
JPT S FINAL 2ND @
Norwich 1-3 ASHDOWN OG 30' – Don't get excited. I played with pretty much a reserve side and still put quite a bit of pressure on Norwich. Their goals were kind of freaky as well as a definite cross somehow managed to confound Cousin and swoop over him and in. In the "actual" final we will face Leeds, who we have beat 5-0 and drawn 1-1 with this year, so it's hard to predict how it's going to go.
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Hartlepool 3-1 MURPHY 43' TAFER 50' VERDÉS 75' – A surprisingly even game, that could have gone right down to the wire and indeed we didn't have too much time to relax near the end, but we were able to triumph in the end and get yet another 3 points, which gives us a 10 point lead with 13 games to go.
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Brighton 3-1 PASQUATO 6' VERDÉS 82' RODELIN 85' – We got the early goal and looked dangerous throughout the first, but in the beginning of the second half, Brighton really took the game to us and a combination of a good corner and an icy field made it hard to complain about their excellent equaliser at 74 minutes. Tafer was beyond complacent today and wasted chance after chance, so I brought on Ronny Rodelin, who duly killed off any of Brighton's hopes for a point today after Verdés finally brought us back in front from a corner. Rodelin's goal had the further distinction of being our one hundredth goal this league campaign. Taking into account we've conceded a goal a game (quite literally, 34 Games Played, 34 Goals Against), that brings our goal difference to +66, which is quite astonishing.
v.
Gillingham 3-0 DIEYE 63' BANNAN 83' MÉRIDA 87' – In the pouring rain we toiled for what seemed like an eternity before Dieye took the ball on a counter attacking move around the center circle and ran directly down into their box and finished it ever so sweetly. Bannan hit a powerful free kick from 30 yards out that in the end was just outside the keeper's reach. Mérida capped it all off with a free kick from roughly the same position, however it seemed more like an overhit cross. No one went to challenge for it and the 'keeper just watched it slowly sail over his head. Funky.
ROUND-UP
What's also funky is that we have secured ourselves at least a playoff spot. Obviously, we shan't settle for anything but 1st place and sweet, sweet automatic promotion. Yannis Tafer will be out for a month, however, but then again that gives me the opportunity to try out some alternatives in the right attacking spot such as Rhys Murphy.
L1 1st, 91 points
Awards MotM: Yours truly
1st.
PotM: Fran Mérida
2nd, Björn de Laat
3rd.
March 2011
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Southend 3-1 MURPHY 50' FAURE 64' DIEYE 88' – I'm not almost not bothered with going down 1-0 in the first half, we just always, always, always seem to pull back at least two goals and we rarely ever concede more than one goal. Ah yes. The home stretch is clearly upon us and we look to lock up the title as soon as possible so we can start looking to bolster our squad for the Championship, which clearly is coming our way. Already, I have locked up a permanent deal for
D L Antonio Mazzotta on a free transfer.
v.
Tranmere 4-2 PASQUATO 9' 35' DIEYE 54' MURPHY 67' – Some really attractive offensive football in this match along with some pretty atrocious set piece defending, which lead to a scoreline that must be said to be quite flattering in Tranmere's favour. I have no complaints though, as this victory sees us go 12 points clear of our nearest rival and, coincidentally, next opponents, Norwich. The free agent signing continues as we lock up a 2-year deal for
D C Sébastien Faure, who has agreed to join us in a backup capacity. We have also extended
ST Abdou Dieye's deal for another 2 years.
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Norwich 5-2 PASQUATO 1' RANDALL 31' DIEYE 37' VERDÉS 45+2' MURPHY 73' – We took our chances extremely well in this game, as chances were actually quite difficult to come by, but whenever one of our players drifted into the vicinity of their area, there was always the feeling that a goal could come at any point in time. The game offered 50th league goal for Dieye in a Kettering shirt, and he was understandably happy after the game, having done so in just 2 seasons with us, the first of which he only played 29 league games that season. With this resounding win, we reach 100 points and 115 goals on the season. Our goal difference is almost nearing the three-digit mark as well, being just 24 from the unfathomable. Surely not, though...
JPT FINAL v.
Leeds 0-2 – Wow... A meek, soulless performance. We appeared right in it, but then the feeble-minded Dutch twit
M C Björn de Laat got himself sent off for a second yellow card early in the second half and they then scored from the ensuing set piece. Midfield played pants, not being able to maintain possession for any stretch of time and the forwards, when they got the ball, seemed not to know what to do with it, as though they weren't in the same offense that so far has scored 115 in the league. This was an ugly defeat, but if there's anything we can take from this, it is that we're a young, fairly inexperienced side that doesn't know the pressure of the big games, playing at a stadium like Wembley in front of 73000 spectators.
v.
Blackpool 2-1 TAVARÈS 45' MÉRIDA 79' – Another rather bland performance. Could be just complacency setting in, as we're guaranteed a playoff spot, but I just won't accept that we're just going to shut down for the last 8 weeks. On a much brighter note, we have now won
automatic promotion to the Coca-Cola
Championship! Let's not also forget that in the league, we have just gone
26 games unbeaten with just 3 of those being draws.
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Millwall 0-2 – Speak of the devil, the streak hath ended. Another early goal conceded from a set piec and a late goal conceded from a set piece. Bog standard, easy to deal with situations. Not that Millwall didn't deserve the win. I don't think we completed a pass that actually helped in a build-up play to a situation, which is just staggering when throughout the season that has been our forté. Goals from the strikers are also sorely needed, and although the service to them isn't great, they have to do better, they just have to.
ROUND-UP
Well, the streak ended, which was a shame but not totally unexpected. A mixture of injuries and just plain complacency slowly sneaked up on us and it all tumbled down in the Leeds and Millwall games. Apart from those two "incidents", we kept on going quite strong, even though our squad is a makeshift one at this point in time.
L1 1st, 103 points
Awards MotM: Yours truly
2nd.
PotM: Antonio Mazzotta
2nd.
YPotM: Rhys Murphy
2nd.
April 2012
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Oldham 5-2 TAFER 2' 10' (pen.) 22' 36' 52' – You saw that right. 5 goals for a magnficent Yannis Tafer. I must say he took quite a few chances to score those 4 actual goals and a penalty, but still just a terrific performance from him. Also Barry Bannan shone today, providing 3 of the 4 assists. A perfect win to secure the League 1 title, which is exactly what we did today! In the locker room after the game, the champagne was flowing freely, you can be sure of that.
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Barnsley 4-2 DIEYE 4' 78' TAFER 45' MÉRIDA 83' – A back-and-forth struggle, we eventually sped away from Barnsley and were clearly a class above them and Mérida's goal at the end really was a thing of beauty.
v.
Chesterfield 4-0 LA ROCCA 8' DIEYE 19' 34' TAFER 21' – A dominant first half was enough and we just coasted the entire second half against last-place Chesterfield. Furthermore, that makes 25 league goals for Tafer, which is particularly impressive as he's only made 27 starts. I have had no luck in signing him permanently, though, as his wage demands don't correlate to the wage structure of the club. Subtitle: we are too effing poor to get him.
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Oxford 2-1 DIEYE 58' TAFER 89' – A late winner after a late equaliser is so very sweet, and when it's against Oxford (you may recall I have a bit of a grudge against them), it's even sweeter!
v.
Bristol Rovers 4-0 LA ROCCA 4' TAFER 6' 81' PASQUATO 45+1' – Complete domination, it doesn't get much easier than that.
ROUND-UP
We complete a clean sweep of April as our run-in towards the end of the season turned out to be quite easy. Not much to say other than "see you in the Championship!"
L1 1st, 118 points
Awards MotM: Yours truly
1st.
PotM: Abdou Dieye
2nd, Yannis Tafer
3rd.
YPotM: Yannis Tafer
1st.
GotM: Fran Mérida
2nd (@ Barnsley)
May 2012
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Brentford 5-1 TAFER 15' 52' PASQUATO 17' 55' MÉRIDA 22' – A fitting end to a terrific season as we demolish Brentford. The goal we let in, also rather fittingly of our season, was an own goal as their only shot that actually hit the goal (albeit the woodwork) was deflected in off an unsuspecting Cousin in goal.
This season was really special, in no small part due to the tremendous amount of goals we scored, whilst remaining.. well, I won't say responsible at the back, but still managing a clean sheet here and there, which is a nice thing, knowing that you can pull off a good defensive effort if need be.
End of season round up
League 1 1st, 121 points. Automatic promotion to Coca-Cola Championship.
FA Cup Lost
3rd Rnd @ Leicester.
League Cup Lost
1st Rnd v Q.P.R.
Johnstone's Paint Trophy Lost
Final v. Leeds.
Yearly awards Manager of the Year Yours truly
1st. Kettering players in
Players' Team of the Year:
D C Héctor Verdés,
D L Antonio Mazzotta
, M C Fran Mérida &
ST Abdou Dieye
Top goalscorer Abdou Dieye (40)
Assists leader Abdou Dieye (26)
Most man of match Abdou Dieye (9)
Highest avg. rating Abdou Dieye - 7.51 (55 apps)
Player of the season Abdou Dieye (29 Apps, 23 Gls, 12 Asts, 6 MoM, 7.54 Av R)
Young player of the season (U-21) Yannis Tafer (42 Apps, 38 Gls, 10 Asts, 8 MoM, 7.46 Av R)
Fans' Player of the Year Abdou Dieye
Best signing of the season Yannis Tafer, loan
Worst signing of the season Thibaut Bourgeois, loan, only used him once or twice.
Stats, all competitions 58 matches played,
167 goals scored (2.9),
65 goals conceded (1.1),
65 yellow cards (1.1),
4 red cards (0.1),
5678 average attendance (6100 max capacity).
Screenshots
Final league table, league curve, 4. Fran Mérida, 7. Abdou Dieye, 9. Yannis Tafer, 22. Antonio Mazzotta, final transfer history
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