retired_milla0225

Sunday 10th July 2005. My first game in charge, or as it later became known 'The Little Miracle'

The day of my frst game in charge had come round. It was away against VG-62, who were lying third in the table at the time. As I mentioned to Dag Hammerfest I sent the boys out in their usual 4-4-2 formation, with an emphasis on defence and moving the ball quickly on the counter attack.

It was no suprise when VG-62 started the brighter of the two teams but they were let down by wayward finishing as opposed to anything else. Indeed it was very much against the run of play when we scored on 37 minutes Eranen getting the goal. That was, indeed the half time score. And it got worse for VG-62 within a minute of the restart as Lehtonen curled home a free kick from the edge of the box for 2-0. And try as they might VG-62 could not get back into it. Peltonen in goal was a giant and the defence held firm. We made it 3-0 on 84 minutes, a well taken goal by Pasanen and thogh VG-62 got one back in injury time the final scoreline still made excellent reading. We'd been outplayed for large portions of the game, had only 5 shots on target compared to our opponent's 11, but the final score went our way and that was what mattered.

Final Score: VG-62 1-3 PP-70

League position: 11th

retired_milla0225

If you can't be good be lucky

[i]Dag Hammerfest's PP-70 report in Aamulehti
[i]

Monday 11th July 2005

Despite having the lion's share of possession and the greater number of chances VG-62 managed to throw away the game at home to PP-70 yesterday. The PP-70 boys were quite simply better at taking their chances and ran out a comfortable looking 3-1 win. But the win was nothing but comfortable with Peltonen in the PP-70 goal outstanding, with teh defence working overtime on front of him. It's been said often enough before but it bears repeating here "If you can't be good be lucky". Tristan Langley was certainly fortunate to get the luck of the bounce in this one and commence his career as PP-70 manager with a win. Time will tell and the visit of high flying Honka midweek may well prove just how lucky Mr. Langley is.

retired_milla0225

Players coming in and a match

Hard work on the phones during the week identified some players I could sign to strengthen the squad. Thursday morning saw the arrival of two players 23. Nic Haggbom a 24 year old left back and 27 year old 19. Harri Mikkola, a striker both arrived on free transfers. Nic had been out of football for a couple of years despite having a promising start to his career at premier Division MIFK. Harri had had a season at local non-leaguers TPV but was well known to the staff here having spent the season before that on PP-70's books. Given his good reviews he went straight into the team for that night's game.

The following day was to see the arrival of two more players 26. Hannu Pernu a 26 year old right back and 27. Ari Kuusela a 27 year old midfielder. However that was to come after the game against Honka, one of the stronger teams in the division.

Another away match and another good peformance. We came out flying and debutant Harri Mikkola scored after only 39 seconds following a flowing move. The game played out quite evenly after that with the chances that were there split evenly between the two sides. Honka scored an equaliser on 73 minutes with a header from a corner and tehrfater the game fizzled out as both sides, quite surprisingly in Honka's case seemed to settle for a draw, which is how it finished.

Final Score Honka 1:1 PP-70

League position : Reaminining at 11th

retired_milla0225

Must stop writing these late at night. my spelling is appalling.

retired_blondie_524

there's nothing worse than looking at a spelling mistake and not being able to correct it without going running to the mods all the time, I get really frustrated about it. Still KUTGW

retired_milla0225

So, that was my first match out of the way and I now found the time to go out and have a look at my new surroundings.

I believe I have told you that Tampere is Finland's third largest city, with a population of around 200,000 in within the City Limits. Tampere also happens to be the largest inland centre in all of Scandanvia and is noted as being the most desirable city to move to amongst those Finns who are thinking of moving.

Tampere’s city centre is surrounded by lake and ridge scenery, sited on an isthmus between lakes Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi. The Tammerkoski rapids run through the city. There are numerous nature reserves in Tampere. Pyynikki and Viikinsaari near the city centre are the best known of them whilst Parks and green areas amount to 2,400 hectares, approximately 100 square metres per inhabitant. The city also has four allotment areas. The Hatanpää allotment, established in 1916, was among the first in Finland.

As I walked through the park I came to the realisation that I had ended up in a very nice place indeed. And as I walked through the cities parks and alongside the lakes my thoughts turned to my new team. Four points from two games in charge is a good return but we remain in 11th spot, a relegation play off spot. It looked like just the beginning of a long and hard road to safety, nevertheless one I was beginning to think we should be able to manage.

retired_milla0225

As I am sure you are aware. No city is complete without allotments.

retired_milla0225

Sihvonen signs in at PP-70 ?

Aamulehti - 16 Jul 2005

There are very strong reports that PP-70 manager Tristan Langley is set to add another player to the ever growing band of part-timers at the Tammelan Stadion. Ville Sihvonen at 31 is an experienced player who can operate in defence or midfield in the centre or on the right and is quite possibly happiest as a defensive midfielder. Langley is thought to be impressed by the sheer range of positions where Sihvonen is naturally comfortable and by his combination of both agression and flair. Sivhonen after starting at FC Honka has travelled extensivly in the lower reaches of Finnish football and must be relishing the chance to resurrect his career even at this late stage. He's expected to sign in time for tomorrow's home game with MP but I'd expect Langley to stick with the side that complete the game against Honka midweek.

Dag Hammerefest

retired_milla0225

Another Home win

Sunday 17th July and we turn over nid-table MP at home. 3-0 was the final score but in truth it was an evenly fought game with both sides having a similar number of chances it just that we were much better at taking ours with a goal from Harri Mikkola in each half topped off with a third from Juuso Ollikainen. In fact Ollikainen was later named man of the match, though Peltonen in nets ran him very close.

Final Score PP70 3-0 MP

Despite the win we stay in 11th spot as teams around us also do well

retired_milla0225

Two more free transfers

In the following week another two players joined our happy band. 20th July saw the arrival of 28. Kalle Hamalainen a 27 year old forward. More of a backup player really this lad had had 4 seasons at Helsinki strugglers Gnistan but had never made the team. I like him for his pace and above average finishing for this level. The following day saw 22. Tero Karhu arrive. A young (23) Attacking midfielder with good technique, Tero was bought in from non-league GBK on the say so of scout Julian Carrera we'll see how he does.