Gennaro08

Steady on Andre, :eek: Loving the optimism but there is Serie C1 to plough through first.

AndreTheShadow

I really should try and pay more attention to Italian league structure... :o

AnalogBoy

\o/

After all that, I get picked up by a Prem side...

Great going Gennaro, and good story. KUTGW! :thup:

Gennaro08

:thdn: You say Prem side but er...

Gennaro08

After the season finished Stefano and his coaching staff sat down to assess the squad. Tiziano opened by declaring that defender Francesco Cosenza had been showing remarkable improvements during training sessions and should be the central figure of the San Potito defence.

Goalkeepers
With the retirement of Jörg Stiel, one of the players and signings of the season, much is expected from all at San Potito, management, coaching staff, players and fans alike of 22-year-old, 6'3" Australian goalkeeper Nathan Coe signed on a bosman from PSV. Ermanno Fumagalli will unfortunately start the season as back-up, which he has expressed quietly at not being happy with. Salvatore Del Sole will be the youth team goalkeeper.

Left-Backs
Gaetano Avolio had a good season and will again start as first-choice with Vincenzo Marciano looking to push him hard. Carlo Addo will continue his development in the youth team.

Right-Backs
One position of slight concern, with Lorenzo De Silvestri, on-loan from Lazio playing all season and playing well and Stefano will be looking to Faisel Achlioui, the 19-year-old Dutchman signed on a bosman to command that right as Danilo Massaro is the only other option.

Centre-Backs
Francesco Cosenza will be looking to forge a commanding partnership with Frenchman Morgan Suric the 17-year-old signed from Nantes although the ex-Inter Milan trainee Luigi Galimberti will be looking to stake his claim. Suric is a possible right-back but lacks much forward going enterprise and is definitely looks more of a centre-half than a full-back, much the same with Cosenza who can play left-back. Last season Luigi Cuomo partnered Cosenza but due to giving away needless penalties and free-kicks was replaced by Marcello Fennino and then Luca Patarini but due to the latter being dismissed for violent conduct opened the door for Valentino Picozzi, however his impressive form dipped towards the end with some very poor marking and decision making. Alan Fusconi will again compete with the aforementioned youngsters in the youth team, whilst Michele Franco has been transfer-listed.

Centre Midfielders
Currently looking aa potential weak-spot of the team, 18-year-old Argentine Juan Carlos Carrizo's move to San Potito was cancelled as they could only sign one non-EU player from abroad a season and goalkeeper Nathan Coe took that honour and with Carrizo going in to compete for a squad place rather than being a solid first-teamer like the Australian, the right move was made to complete the goalkeepers deal ahead of the midfielders. One new signing of whom much is expected is 19-year-old Dutchman Frank de Haan signed on a bosman from Feyenoord. With Shala and Caldarola ending their loan spells, Andrea Cammarota and Gianmarco Rodio will be expected to continue their fine form. Attacking midfielder Martino Gravante was often disappointing when playing centrally and will compete for a place with 21-year-old Steeve Gustan signed on a bosman from Bordeaux. Youngsters Vincenzo Esposito and Ludovico Lamberti will continue in the youth team, joined by 18-year-old Italian Giordano Togneri signed from Castelnouvo.

Wingers
John Goossens signed from Ajax on a bosman will be first-choice left-winger at the age of 17 and Antonio La Porta will compete with the often disappointing Carmine Gaeta for the right-wing spot, the former being a free-kick specialist and scoring a few goals last season will start as the first-choice. Gravante and Gustan can play as left-wingers, whilst the youth team captain Agostino Roma will continue his development with them and Giovanni Lorusso has been transfer listed for some time now but with no takers so will see out his contract for the season.

Strikers
Oh boy how do San Potito need one, Stefano Pandolfi produced the goods constantly last season on loan and fellow loanee Piero Balistreri spent five months of the season injured. That said the likes of Luigi Rana and Francesco Roberto performed well but the step up might be a bit much. 21-year-old Vinicio Paris is concerned at the lack of first team football and could well find himself leaving, whilst 18-year-old Cristian Toma will join Antonio Rubino in the youth team having signed on a bosman from Santarcangelo.

Further signings are being looked at as well as loan signings to make San Potito competitive in Serie C1 next season.

Gennaro08

On the eve of the World Cup, the annual Serie C2/C Awards Ceremony was held at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton Hotel. Twenty invitations were handed out to each club and a special footnote was added that if possible, Jörg Stiel, Nicola Caldarola and Stefano Pandolfi attend the event.

The evening was a spectacle of an event, hardly glitz, glammour and celebs but an enjoyable evening nonetheless rewarding the season hard work.

Stefano Pandolfi claimed 3rd in the Goal of the Season category for his mazy run and curling strike against Modica on the 8th January (which I did complete justice to by describing it as, "Stefano Pandolfi had again been the star of the show, scoring twice and claiming MOM"). Jörg Stiel and Nicola Caldarola were present in the Team of the Year for Serie C2/C, unfortunately neither would be at San Potito next season. One of the last awards was for Manager of the Year and as people kept reminding him, Stefano must surely be in the running for this one. When third placed was awarded and it wasn't his name read out, he smiled a little and when second came was read out and it wasn't him either, it was now all or nothing for Stefano.

"And the Winner of the Manger of the Year 2005/06 award goes to a man in his debut season, taking newly-promoted San Potito to the title is Stefano Melisi."

The audience clapped and the San Potito table rose to their feet cheering and clapping, the closest people patting him on the back and he attempted to head for the stage from his seat, mobbed he was I tells ya. Stefano wasn't big on huge public displays and being the centre of attention so the speech was short, thanking his staff, the players and dedicated it to his father.


Chairman Giuseppe Maglione had been true to his word and opened the club's doors to the staff and players for the World Cup. Most of the players came to watch Italy's group opener against South Korea in Il Tutto Stanza at Sant'Abruzzese and they watched Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo combine for a deja-vu moment, firstly on 20 minutes Pirlo's corner was met by Nesta climbing highest and heading home and then again on 31 minutes. It was comfortable and exactly the sort of opening Marcello Lippi would have been looking for but then Nesta was ajudged to have committed a foul in the area, although the striker was surely backing in, justice was done though as Buffon flung himself to keep out Jung-Ho's (Gun-Ho, really?) penalty.

Giuseppe Maglione approached Stefano at half-time over by the snack table and reminded him of the Board Meeting tomorrow to lay out plans for the new season.

After half-time Kyoung-Jun scored his first ever South Korea goal, when he capitalised on a defensive mistake. Cassano sprang the offside trap from Cannavaro's through ball and rounded the keeper to score.


The Board Meeting had an inevitable outcome to it, with the club nearing half a million in debt, there would be no money available for transfers and it was recommended that Stefano use some of the youth squad to supplement the first team and give them experience. Any money raise from player sales would go into paying off the debts rather than back into the club for transfers. As if to cover up what had gone before they announced that the planned expansion to the club's training facilities would be completed in time for the new season.


Again Giuseppe Maglione laid on food and drink for Italy's second group match against Ukraine and it was well attended. Italy had the better of the first half, Pirlo clipping the outside of the post from a free-kick before Nesmachnyi was sent off for two yellow cards. Italy piled on the pressure second half but it took a touch of fortune to break the deadline with twenty minutes left when Camoranesi's cross sailed into the far corner, the first may have taken a while in coming but the second took six minutes, Del Piero cross finding Camoranesi who cut inside the defender and scored. Ukraine lost it in injury-time when Serebrennikov landed a right-hook on Totti, quite a punch as well, needless to say but I'll say it anyway, he was dismissed from the field of play.

Italy rounded off the group with another two to nothing victory, all were by a two goal margin. Vieri's shot was saved by Lopez and Gattuso following up returned the ball with interest, like a savings account the interest grew and it looped home, somewhat fortunate goal again. The Acuna pair both came close to equalising before substitutes combined with Pinzi crossing for Ambrosini to head home the second. Totti went close late-on but the San Potito crowd that had gathered were all impressed with how well Italy had performed thus far.

Stefano took the opportunity of these gatherings to discuss a new contract with Francesco Cosenza, he didn't tell the player but was eager to get rid of the £500k minimum release fee from his contract as sooner or later a bigger club would pay that.

Before the Poland match Francesco returned, presumably after speaking to his greedy agent and demanded to be the first £1,000 a week player at the club, Stefano knew the board would never sanction such a move and would probably be grateful if someone did pay the asking price. An offer was laid down to the defender just below the £1,000 mark, at the highest available rate but a shake of the head from the youngster indicated his disapproval.

Gennaro08

Italy strode on into the Knockout Stages full of confidence and stone me if they didn't win by 2 goals to 0 again, this time Poland the victims. Del Piero and Cassano had shots saved by Jerzy Dudek before a trip by Blaszczykowski on Del Piero resulted in a penalty, which was saved by Dudek as Stefano Fiore opted for power straight down the middle. Three minutes later and the penalty miss was forgotten, Del Piero heading passed Dudek after Zewlakow had inadvertedly hooked the ball into his own area when tackling Cassano, who later had a shot tipped over. Substitute Luca Toni had a shot saved before late on he outpaced the defence to score from Del Piero's pass.


The supporters spoke and voted Jörg Stiel San Potito's Player of the Year, which further irritated Stefano as the keeper wasn't to be staying on at the club in a playing capacity but would as a coach with one year left on his contract. As June was ending and July starting the new signings arrived at Sant'Abruzzese. Whether it was the flood of players, Italy's fine performances in the World Cup thus far, too much to drink or heat-stroke, the board had decided that following on from last season's fantastic performances that they wanted back-to-back promotions, even going as far as to suggest that Stefano should guide San Potito to the C1/B title. A crazed Chairman and Board, I give it six months before I'm out of a job at this rate, Stefano thought to himself.


He put that to one side for the moment whilst he poured over the emails and faxes he received from Serie A and B clubs detailing the players that they had just released. One or two players managed to raise an eyebrow in appreciation from Stefano, Inter Milan releasing a number of promising players, centre-backs and strikers the best of the bunch.


The World Cup Quarter-Finals rolled round and Sant'Abruzzese was well filled with San Potito staff and players sitting down to watch Italy face Mexico and naturally jokes revolved around whether Italy could produce another two goal winning margin. Will it? Won't it? Duenas was sent off for Mexico inside ten minutes for a professional foul on Del Piero and then two minutes later the bad situation turned into a nightmare for Mexico as Moreno fouled Cassano and Pirlo picked up the ball, placed it on the penalty spot and duly fired it into the bottom left corner. Gennaro Gattuso came close again ten minutes later striking the post, well he didn't strike the post, that would hurt, his header struck the post and Cassano stood, rubbed his hands in glee and tapped the ball into the post before wheeling away in delight, two goal cushion secured. Three minutes later and Italy were in unknown territory, Del Piero crossed and Cassano heads home for their third. At least Guille Franco had read the script and straight after half-time scored for Mexico as Oddo stood and watched the striker pull off his shoulder. Any hopes that ten men Mexico could produce an extraordinary comeback faded in the 63rd minute when the already booked Hector Moreno launched himself into a horrid two-footed challenge and as he stood up was faced by a yellow card and then a red card and walked, nine-men. Italy had chances to increase the lead but that would be silly wouldn't it.

The semi-finals now and it was Argentina and it was another 2-0 scoreline but it took extra-time to produce it. Carlos Tevez scoring both goals, one in each half of extra-time and Italy fell at their own game.


The fixture list for Serie C1/B was drawn up and Stefano and San Potito would be faces the likes of Foggia, Pisa, Pistoiese, fellow promotees Real Marcianise and relegated Catanzaro. The squad was strengthened with the signing of ex-Inter centre-back 19-year-old Luigi Galimberti, the eagle-eyed observes amongst you would have noticed the fact that he was already mentioned in the squad analysis earlier. The youngster had spent last season on loan at Pisa, who fittingly played in Serie C1/B, so this season would be nothing knew for him.

Gennaro08

End of Season "Created" Players Review - complete with Screenshots

Scottinho - Club Contracted to Porto (in Portugal) - Aged 18
The following stats for all players are based on the following structure:
Overall Starts (Sub Appearances) 26 (2), Goals 8, Assists 1, MOM 1, Yellow Cards 1, Red Cards 0, Tackles per game 0.67, Pass Completion 67%, Shots on Target 64%, Fouls 17, Fouls Against 4, Average Rating 7.14
International - Porgutal U21's 5 Caps, 2 Goals
Won the Portugese Title
26th Best Player in the League
Value - £2.3m

Conrad Rowden - Marseille (France) - 18
14 (9) 5 0 1 1 0 1.08 67% 80% 17 4 6.74
Norway 1 Cap 0
3rd in French League
£3.6m

Smithaldo - Portsmouth (England) - 18
0 (0)
England Capped at U19 level
17th in EPL
£1.6m

Børge Eian - Bochum (Germany) - 19
33 (0) 6 2 0 6 2 0.12 68% 26% 25 0 7.03
USA 5 caps 1 Goal
Promoted to Top Flight
£1.7m

Tobes - Antwerp (Belgium) - 19
27 (1) 13 6 1 0 0 1.39 61% 55% 53 40 7.46
Australia 3 Caps 1 Goal
£150k

Rod Davies - Sporting (Portugal) - 20
38 (2) 4 4 1 4 0 2.04 64% 40% 9 6 6.68
France U21's 4 Caps 0
3rd in Portugal League
£1.8m

HD - Mainz (Germany) - 15
0 (0)
Sint Maarten - Uncapped
Relegated from German Bundesliga to 2nd tier
No Value (due to age and on a youth contract) but worth £275k in compensation

Gennaro Melisi - Modena (Italy) - 19
37 (2) 4 2 0 5 0 3.54 79% 23% 36 2 6.69
Italy U21's 1 Cap 0
5th in Serie B
£2.1m

Terkaldinho - Aston Villa (England) - 22
22 (12) 0 2 0 4 1 6.28 59% 16% 30 1 6.94
Scotland 7 Caps 0
6th in EPL
£1.9m

Hick - AC Lugano (Switzerland) - 25
24 (1), Conceded 28, Clean Sheets 9, MOM 0, Yellow Cards 0, Red Cards 0, - Pass Completion 57%, - Fouls 40, Fouls Against 25, Average Rating 6.88
Northern Ireland 3 caps
£2m

Pan Panpardus - Gremio (Brazil) - 21
Season 1 - 11 (0) 0 2 0 0 0 2.00 59% - 0 0 7.27
Season 2 - 15 (0) 0 2 0 0 0 2.53 58% - 2 0 7.07
Midseason in Brazil
South Africa 14 caps 1 Goal
£1.2m

Diego Della Rosa - Lille (France) - 22
45 (0) 14 2 5 3 0 0.72 66% 58% 45 13 6.87
Italy U21's 6 Caps 3 Goals
16th in French League
£3.2m

Mikkel Kristensen - Bari (Italy) - 19
37 (0) 0 3 2 2 0 8.52 85% - 22 3 7.11
Denmark U21's 2 Caps 0
7th in Serie B
77th Best Player in Serie B
£825k

Leo Allen - Aston Villa (England) - 31
14 (11) 7 2 0 3 0 0.28 51% 61% 21 0 7.04
England - Uncapped
6th in EPL
£2.3m

James Bradbury - West Ham United (England) - 20
0 (0)
Wales - Uncapped
Relegated from EPL to Championship
£120k

Luna - Juventude (Brazil) - 19
Season 1 - 8 (0) 0 1 0 0 1 2.00 62% 33% 13 11 6.50
Season 2 - 17 (0) 2 0 0 2 0 5.06 83% 50% 10 0 7.18
Midseason in Brazil
Nigeria 4 Caps 1
£1m

Harleqin - Portsmouth (England) - 21
18 (10) 1 0 0 0 0 3.89 68% 25% 19 2 6.54
Denmark 1 Cap 0
17th in EPL
£2m

Jude Alderson - Portsmouth (England) - 18
9 (1) 0 0 0 0 1 1.47 72% - 12 0 6.70
Ireland U21's 5 Caps 1 Goal
17th in EPL
£2.1m

Sam Cox - AFC Wimbledon (England) - 17
20 (0) 6 0 0 8 0 - 70% 43% 16 0 6.80
England Capped at U19 level
£85k

Dave Solomon - AF Wimbledon (England) - 16
27 (0) 4 1 5 6 0 - 72% 35% 18 0 6.89
England Capped at U19 level
No Value (due to age and on youth contract) but £70k in compensation

Steve al-Jazeera - AFC Wimbledon (England) - 20
6 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 2.67 75% - 0 0 7.00
Kuwait - Uncapped
£85k

Ty - Portsmouth (England) - 19
14 (13) 2 0 0 0 1 6.79 82% 28% 12 2 6.67
England Capped at U19 level
17th in EPL
£1.3m

Willy - West Ham United (England) - 27
0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 - - - 1 0 6.00
England - Uncapped
Relegated from EPL to Championship
£190k

mark wilson27

happy days, im forever blowing bubbles....lol
and worth 190 k,

Brian of Nazareth

good effort Gennaro, this is excellent work and commitment to the created players updates. Hope the San Potito side can mirror such effort and enjoy a good season in their new league :thup: