retired_acivin

Extra time:

Assuming that this match would go to penalties, I put Dillon up instead of Davenport, hoping that Dillon’s better reflexes would come in handy.

By the 102nd minute, Man United get some very good chances, but Dillon saves them to keep the score line as it was.

Smirnoff tries time and again, but his efforts are blocked by the Red Devils’ keeper. Fouls on fouls means that the match got physical. A couple of yellows are shown to calm the things down. It’s the 115th minute, and a result on goals seems highly unlikely.

Waves of blue t-shirts sees no final effect, as crosses are again intercepted.

The match goes to Penalties.

2-2


Penalties:
I talk to players and decide the penalty taking order. They can still do it, I tell them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd|AFC Wimbledon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laigneau: Dillon moves the wrong way and | Baudry: A tame shot is blocked by Michal,
Laig puts the ball in the bottom left.| the Man Utd keeper
1| 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woods: He blazes the ball over. | Arthur: Right footed, he drills the penalty| in the lower right corner. Keeper dives the
| right way, but can’t stop it.
1| 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taylor: He drills the ball in the lower right | Vieira: Shoots hard, but is stopped by
corner, Dillon did not even have the time to | Michal. Good stop.
move.|
2| 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tunnicliffe: The Man Utd striker puts the | Fabbrini: The expierenced midfielder
ball in the lower left corner and sends Dillon| misses, hitting his shot to the left, and this
the other way. Dillon’s having a torrid time | means curtains for Dons!!!
there|
3| 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A good League cup final comes to an end, although Dons are dejected by their loss. The MoM award goes to Smirnoff. But its not enough to compensate for the loss. I will try and forget this day.

Final Score:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> --------------------------------------------------------- Man Utd. 2-2 AFC Wimbledon --------------------------------------------------------- Flynn (22)|Smirnoff (4, 86) Samaras (47)| --------------------------------------------------------- </pre>

After the match, Steve McClaren heaped praise on Smirnoff. He said Smirnoff had played out of his skin for his team. It would have meant a lot more if we would have won, I thought!

retired_acivin

Ouch! That table for penalties did not come out fine. So, again:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Man Utd|AFC Wimbledon------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Laigneau: Dillon moves the wrong way and | Baudry: A tame shot is blocked by Michal, Laig puts the ball in the bottom left.| the Man Utd keeper1| 0------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Woods: He blazes the ball over. | Arthur: Right footed, he drills the penalty | in the lower right corner. Keeper dives the | right way, but can’t stop it.1| 1------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Taylor: He drills the ball in the lower right | Vieira: Shoots hard, but is stopped by corner, Dillon did not even have the time to | Michal. Good stop.move.| 2| 1------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tunnicliffe: The Man Utd striker puts the | Fabbrini: The experienced midfielder ball in the lower left corner and sends Dillon| misses, hitting his shot to the left, and this the other way. Dillon’s having a torrid time | means curtains for Dons!!!there| 3| 2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</pre>

retired_acivin

*Apologies for the weird tables above. I am still learning.

28th Feb, 2024

We boarded the bus to the Riverside stadium. It was a long journey, and I had to work on my game plan. Recent results had been quite despicable, and I was more than hoping to get a good result today.

Boro’s form had been a mixed bag for the last few games. Of the last 5 games, they had won only 1, drawing and losing 2. And their record at home was even worse, winning only 1 out of their past 5 games, drawing all the rest. They were languishing in the relegation zone at the moment, and I was hoping that my team would see that and realize that we could easily win this match.

“Playing away for Dons has not been easy this season”, Carlos tells me. Of the 12 games we had played, we had only recovered 23 points, and our recent away form was nothing to write home about. Still, I believed we could turn this around.

Team selection was not easy. Lots of strikers were vying for a start, few were performing well. Amauri was also given another game to showcase his talents. In the end, I decide to go with Gonzalez, the £9M striker, who I had bought a season ago.


The match begins:
‘Boro came out with a defensive 4-4-2. It was worrying because they were playing at home, and I expected them to come out all guns blazing. But then I guess, their current relegation position kind of gave away their story.

Gonzales scored within 45 seconds. Stevens was the architect. Once again, I see Dons go ahead within the first 5 minutes. 1-0 to us. ‘Boro try their luck on the other end; but on this rain-infested day, their goal is ruled out due to a genuine offside. I will have to be careful, I think.

22nd minute and the score was still the same. A few chances had seen Dons’ players hit high and wide. Even the free-kicks on the edge of the penalty area were not being converted. More missed chances saw the end of the first half, with the score at 1-0.

Back in the dressing-room, Davenport, Dons’ goal-keeper walked up to me:
“Hey Chief, seems I have been awfully neglected today!” he said, smilingly.
“How come?”, I ask.
“Well, to start with, Boro haven’t actually tried shooting at the goal yet, so I am just enjoying a lazy day in the office.”
“Well, lets not get too lazy then. They are 1-0 down and are bound to come back attacking vigorously.” I remarked.

Second half:
Vieira had been performing really well today. Even in 64th minute, the score was the same. Maybe Vieira was the reason Boro had not been able to shoot at the target yet.

Amauri at the other end had been running riot. Although his crosses were being intercepted, his runs had the opposition full-backs on their toes.

73rd minute, and still 1-0. Fabbrini was limping and had to come off. Nothing changed from their on.

The final whistle was blown in the 93rd minute and saw Dons grabbing their first win away win in a while. Everyone in the dressing room was in a jovial mood, and Vieira was given the MoM for his contribution.

All in all, a good day at office.

Final Score:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> --------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough 0-1AFC Wimbledon --------------------------------------------------------- |Gonzalez (1) --------------------------------------------------------- </pre>

retired_lovecody

One of the best stories on here, really enjoying it!

retired_acivin

Thanks for the kind words Terry. I am really enjoying writing the story as well! And appreciate the fact that people are enjoying reading it too..keeps me going Will be updating it soon.

retired_acivin

1st March, 2024
Friday, the last working day of the week. But football sees its fair share of working Sundays! So I sat down to read the latest letters from the FA giving a list of all the awards including player of the month, manager of the month etc.

Vieira in particular had been in an outstanding form, winning the February Player of the month. I also won the manager of the month award. Although it was a great achievement, losing in the League cup was still a pain I was carrying with me. I heard a knock on my door, it was Carlos.

“Hey Raj, I see you have already seen the reports on the best player awards?”
“Yes, yes…I have.” I replied.
“Well, Vieira seems to have done exceptionally well recently. It seems that the central defender has been on good form this season and his performances have showed a strong desire to play well for the team. I think that at 27, he is at his peak, and should definitely be considered a first team candidate.”

“Yea”, I said, “He is in my bigger plan. Always has been. Before you came here Carlos”, I continued, “he was instrumental in helping Dons win their first Champions League. And he has been part of the campaign still, and has played most number of games for the club.”

“I know”, replied Carlos. “Well, anyways, congratulations on your Manager of the month award as well”.
“Thanks Carlos.”

retired_acivin

2nd March, 2024
We travel to Manchester today. Not to see the Red devils, but the over-performing brothers in blue. Enemy of an enemy is a friend.

Man City were lying in 5th place in the table, and had just come off a recent good run, and beating them at home could be an uphill task. But I was prepared for it. As difficult as it was, Dons were the only team who could face Man City in their current form.

The team selection was easy. Vieira had collected 5 yellows and was excluded from this game. Instead, Lea covered for him. Moreover, I decided to open the game with Smirnoff as the only striker, and Dominguez on the left wing. I was not expecting a win today, but a gutsy performance was all I had hoped for!


The match begins:
The clocks ticks past 17th minute as both teams try to out-run each other on the wet day. However, not much changes as neither team manages to penetrate the opposition half.

Dominguez was at his flying best and the 29th minute sees a corner held by the keeper. Later on, Stevens fails to latch onto a missed back-pass by the opposition defenders. The clock shows 45 minutes as the match is halted. At 0-0.


Second half:
I decide to stick with the current formation, only asking my players to up the tempo. Clearly, we were making a few chances, but not enough!

As the possession increases, the end of the day draws closer. It seems that looking at the current situation, even a single goal could seal up the match. At the other end, in the 66th minute, Man City try and try, but fail to hit the goal. Even a free-kick on the edge of the area does not change the outcome.

Limping Dominguez is replaced by King, and Baudry, the bench scorer comes onto play for Smirnoff, who has been no near his spectacular form today. Dons try from far and wide, but none of the shots go even near to the goal. Clock at 79 sees scoreline stagnant at 0-0. A possible bore draw, I think.

Things change. Rather dramatically.

A long through ball from Reynolds, from the left full-back position sees Baudry make a run and score an absolute screamer to put the Dons on top. 85th minute. And the AFC Wimbledon’s fans start dancing in jubilation. I steady my nerves. As precious as this goal was, the game was far from over. 1-0 to us.

Man City were still trying, and half the ground gets up to see the result of an absolute screamer from the Man City forwards. However, the shot is stopped by Dillon, and Reynolds is forgiven the ignominy of giving away a goal due to a silly back-pass.

93rd minute, and I just don’t know where they came from. But Man City equalize from a simple passing move, which sees Lea get beaten before the striker scores.
1-1.

This score definitely disheartened me, and the dressing room feels the same. Another day, another 2 points dropped. Our team performs so well, only for our hopes to be shattered in the 93rd minute.

Such is life!

Final Score:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> --------------------------------------------------------- Man City 1-1AFC Wimbledon --------------------------------------------------------- Molina (90)|Baudry (85) --------------------------------------------------------- </pre>

retired_acivin

4th March, 2024
Manchaster United finally taken over

After a takeover process lasting 4 months, Man United was finally taken over, replacing previous chairman David Gill. “To be honest”, the Chairman indicated, “Our first job would be to wipe of the £265M loan debt, and then we will move onto bigger and better things.” Fans have been fairly excited by this take-over and have decided to mark this as a new era for The Red Devils.


5th March, 2024

With the table looking like this, I know that we are well settled for an EPL win. But if things go really downhill, it could mess up are chances.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | AFC Wimbledon | | 26 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 46 | 19 | +27 | 61 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Newcastle | | 29 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 32 | 9 | +23 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Man Utd | | 27 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 43 | 21 | +22 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Leicester | | 28 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 25 | 13 | +12 | 46 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Man City | | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 32 | 22 | +10 | 46 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Liverpool | | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 38 | 29 | +9 | 44 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Aston Villa | | 27 | 10 | 13 | 4 | 25 | 11 | +14 | 43 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Arsenal | | 28 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 42 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Chelsea | | 29 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 26 | 23 | +3 | 41 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Stoke | | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 41 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Plymouth | | 29 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 33 | -11 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Tottenham | | 29 | 7 | 15 | 7 | 17 | 21 | -4 | 36 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Watford | | 28 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 27 | 28 | -1 | 34 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | West Ham | | 29 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 26 | 37 | -11 | 31 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Charlton | | 28 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 30 | 41 | -11 | 30 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Coventry | | 29 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 31 | -11 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Bolton | | 29 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 20 | 40 | -20 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Blackburn | | 29 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 26 | 36 | -10 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Middlesbrough | | 28 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 22 | 30 | -8 | 22 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Swindon | | 29 | 1 | 7 | 21 | 18 | 60 | -42 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>


Forgetting about the Premier League for today, I chart up my plan for the return visit of FC Kobenhaven. I know that a win would be quite likely, but Dons recent defensive record had been unarguably, below par. This game should be a positive result , I hope.


The match begins:
I let Carvajal open as I know that he hasn’t been given enough matches this season. Rest of the team is similar to last weeks’ and a win is expected; hopefully our defensive record would be better today, I think.

Dons go into the game with a 3-2 advantage, esp with the 3 goals scored in the away game. This is an added bonus, but still not enough for the players as they enjoy their usual brand of attacking football against the European minnows.

Domination is turned into possession and possession into a goal as Carvajal latches onto a cross from Vincze, and puts it past the keeper. 4-2 to the Dons.

A fabulous strike from De La Cruz sees the lead extended to 5-2. The 30 yard shot was simply amazing and marks a return in form for De La Cruz, who was heavily criticized for his last competitive performance, earning a media rating of 4.
24th minute and the score is 5-2 (2-0 for this leg). The game by my books is as good as over.

Dons still dominates as another curling shot by De La Cruz is blocked by the keeper in the 34th minute. The score stays at 2-0 as the teams go into half-time. More importantly, we hadn’t conceded a goal yet, and looking at the past few performances, it was a very delightful thing.


Second half:
As the second half begins, Dons still maintain possession and Dominguez scores from an Indirect free kick to push up the score to 6-2 in the 52nd minute (or 3-0 for the game). I could not ask for more. This game was turning out to be just perfect.

In the 74th minute, Dons try their luck again, but some wayward shooting from Vieira meant that none of the chances were converted. Kobenhaven score a goal in 84th minute, but that is unfortunately ruled out due to offside. 3-0 still.

As the referee blows the whistle for full time, the Dons fan dance and celebrate reaching the next round. A convincing win means that Dons have a good chance of winning back-to-back Champions League trophy.


Final Score:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> --------------------------------------------------------- AFC Wimbledon 3-0FC Kobenhaven --------------------------------------------------------- Carvajal (18)| De La Cruz (24)| Dominguez (52) | --------------------------------------------------------- </pre>

retired_acivin

8th March, 2024
On the request of Carlos, my assistant manager, I decide to sign a young Spanish midfielder, Monteagudo for next season. “It will be a good signing” Carlos tells me as I finish the official signing ceremony.

Still, the aim was to win the EPL this season. And for that, we were host to Stoke tomorrow. Stoke were relegation contenders but had been playing out of their skin, lying in the 10th spot. It would definitely be an interesting match, I tell myself.


9th March, 2024

I stick with the formation from the previous match, and give Amauri another start. Cesar also lines up in the first team, hoping his stay in reserves would have helped regain some fitness. Arthur and Vieira form the defense partnership.


The match begins:
Stoke come out with a 4-1-4-1. Alarms bells ring. So far, this is the only formation that I have dreaded in my career. Even the brilliant minds of Carlos and Brad could not come up with a way to find a way around this style of play!

We dominate as the clock ticks past the 10th minute. Stoke, with 10 men behind the ball do enough to see off the Dons threat till the 20th minute.

Direct attacking and counter-attacking sees Dons finish the first half without a goal. Score was still 0-0.

In the dressing room, Fabbrini looks injured and upon further investigation by the physio, is deemed unfit to continue with the game. Hidaka comes on instead of him. I had half a mind to remove Cesar as well, as he was still under performing. But I give him the benefit of doubt and let him continue in the second half.


Second half:
In the opening minutes of the second half, Vieira and Davenport fend of the Stoke players to prevent them from scoring.

However, in the 63rd minute, things take a turn for the better. Amauri leaps up to net a wonderful indirect free kick by Vieira. Score: 1-0.

80th minute sees the Stoke team change to a very aggressive 4-2-4. I look into my tactic book and instruct the players to prevent a goal. The consistently under performing Cesar is replaced by Gonzalez. However, one last push from Stoke is not good enough, and Dons dominate and win the match 1-0.

Final Score:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> --------------------------------------------------------- AFC Wimbledon 1-0Stoke --------------------------------------------------------- Amauri (63)| --------------------------------------------------------- </pre>

This helps us maintain our healthy lead in the EPL. And the team inches towards another league win.

This result also leads to Vieira and Davenport being named in the team of the week, which means that Vieira was living up to all the hype surrounding him.

retired_acivin

12th March, 2024
I decided to sign another youngster for next season. 20 year old French player Cedric Collot. He has been playing at Auxerre and according to my scouts, is a good prospect for the future. He was available for free after Auxerre decided to let him go. A fairly determined winger, I am sure that he would make a very useful addition to the team.


15th March, 2024
Today, we were officially invited to ‘book’ our place in the Euro Vase. But Carlos tells me, “Looking at our current form, we will be definitely going the the Champions League next season”.

I nod. Carlos was right. Our recent form had been excellent, and we were well on our way to win the EPL.


16th March, 2024
Leicester decided to take a trip down to Kingsmead today. Lying at 4th in the Premier division, they had been a formidable side, and were performing well above the expectations. They were currently at 4th, with a good chance of breaking into the Champions League for the next season. Would they be able to survive there, was a different issue.

I decide to go back to my old and trusted 4-2-3-1. Its been a while since I used this formation, and my players look a bit rusty and puzzled by this sudden change. I lay their demons to rest, and tell them I know that with the current squad strength, this match would be a walk-over.

I change the starting line up so as to include as many strikers in the starting 11. I guess I was getting worried about most of them getting unhappy about not playing enough first team games.


The match begins:
Stevens’ free kick in the 2nd minute is blocked by the Leicester keeper to dent us an early advantage. Although the momentum still lies in Dons’ hands as they try a few more shots.

By the 25th minute, even though the Dons are dominating possession, the score stays stagnant at 0-0.

The 30th minute sees the best goal of the season so far. Stevens, who was designated the playmaker for today, decides to get the ball off a defender near the corner flag, takes it into the penalty area and scores a curling shot, which at one points seems like it was going to miss the net! But it went in beautifully to secure the first goal of the game for Dons.

You have to forgive me for using screenshots here, but they sum up this brilliant goal well.
Step 1 ---&gt;Step 2 ---&gt;Step 3 ---&gt;And its in!


This was followed by a goal from Smirnoff in the 39th minute. This goal was a true poacher’s goal. Came off the rebound. And Smirnoff used the opposition keeper’s misfortune position to net a simple goal. 2-0 to Dons. We were cruising here.

The injury time of the first half sees the Leicester midfielder cap a brilliantly executed move to head in a simple goal. 2-1 to us still. However, this goal meant that we were to be extra cautious in the next half.


Second half:
Another aggressive move sees Leicester score a screamer in the 49th minute. Recovery was difficult now. Once again, we were pulled back from being 2-0 up. This was certainly not good, and a turn-around from Dons was definitely required.

Nothing much happened over the next 25 minutes or so, as Leicester seemed to have gone defensive in order to grab a point. But things changed in the 87th minute, as Vieira converts a penalty, given due to a foul on Smirnoff. 3-2 to us.

In the end, a close but positive result. A result that still raises questions about Dons leaky defence. Moreover, with this win, Dons maintained their run of 17 league games without losing.


Final Score:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> --------------------------------------------------------- AFC Wimbledon 3-2Leicester --------------------------------------------------------- Stevens (30)|Yakovlev (45) Smirnoff (39)|Kalleklev (49) Vieira (pen 87)| --------------------------------------------------------- </pre>