retired_puly1364

15th of November 2009

So after doing secret negotiations in transfer market, I finally had a game. Againist very strong Heerenveen, who were in the first half of the table. I had no players injuried, though couple of strikers had just got back from NT games.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 11
Heerenveen 3:4 Willem II (25. Patrick de Groot, 28. Mitchell Schet, 40. Cengizhan Topal, 86. pen. Jerold Promes)

What a game for a start! We showed great finishing and it was a tight affair till the late minutes, despite them being down with 9 man for 30 last minutes. Anyway, I'm pleased. Patrick de Groot is just 18-years old. Showed great potential. Other strikers Schet (21) and Topal (23) showed very good game too. They all have some potential!

21st of November 2009

We had another away game. This time againist Roda JC, who had Estonian Andres Oper playing very succesfully few years ago. Was their top-scorer with more than 20 goals, then went off to Fenerbache, scored same amount of goals, but somehow did not get no new contract from any club and his career was suprisingly done. I hoped for another win againist Roda. They were just above us in the table. We were 16th, they were 15th.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 12
Roda JC 2:1 Willem II (10. Cengizhan Topal)

Despite grabbing an early lead. We sucked through-out the match so loss is no suprise. Though, we should have scored more from those 10 shots we got. So we remain in the relegation play-off zone, but after January, I hope to be out of there.

TRAILER:

"Is it true?"
- "Yes it is!"
"That's so great. I can't believe it!"
- "Me too."

retired_puly1364

25th of November 2009

"We have a serious task ahead of us, we have to play at our best to get the result. Can you do it, lads!?" - I shouted before the away game againist Groningen. It's our 3rd consecutive away game and I hoped for a good result from that game. They were suprisingly struggling this season and found themselves in 2nd half of the table.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 13
FC Groningen 1:1 Willem II (26.Cengizhan Topal)

I'm glad with the result. We managed to shut down the game completely in the second half as we saw playing attractive footie, we will conceed a goal soon. Topal scored another goal and we're still on the verge of the relegation zone.

29th of November 2009

We finished off November with my first ever Willem II homematch againist RBC, who were on 10th position. I couldn't choose young de Groot for the game because he was banned with yellow cards. Around 13 000 people came to watch the Casino Eredivisie game.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 14
Willem II 4:0 RBC (4., 72., 82. Cengizhan Topal, 50. Steef Niuwendaal

That was a great home debut! Great! That will certainly help us to gain form. Topal had a great match again. Scored couple of good goals. Niuwendaal was also unbeattable in the right wing, scoring a goal and causing lot of trouble.

30th of November 2009

Steef Niuwendaal was selected into ToW.

2nd of December 2009

So, I was relaxing at home as Maria came to my place in Netherlands. He is here sometimes, but not very often, I missed her.

"Hello honey! That comes as a surpise!"
- "Yeah, I've got some great news."
"And those would be...?"
- "Do you really think, I'd tell you that easily."
"So what, I have to do, queen Maria?"
- "You got to strip for me!"
"That's a funny request."
- "Strip!"

So I had to strip. Till my bone, but sure you don't want to hear about it. Maria started talking again.

"I'm pregnat!"
- "Is it true?"
"Yes it is!"
- "That's so great. I can't believe it!"
"Same here!"
- "How did you find out?"
"I was feeling a bit bad and my friend told me to do a test. Probably got pregnat the last time I was here. 2 weeks ago."
- "So you'll now quit tennis?"
"Yes, I was getting tired of it anyway. I didn't want to travel around the world."
- "Ask me about travelling... Am I the first one to know?"
"Probably, unless my friend has figured it out by now."
So the night went on and we talked and talked. We will start looking for a house in Holland soon, won't be selling a villa in Valenciennes though. Something decent and big enough.

6th of December 2009

So before moving onto a lenghty break due to the team being out of the cup, we had to meet Feyenoord away. This game wasn't the only thing in my head though. I put on a regular starting line-up except, that our right-back was injuried. He's name is Fanni or something. Anyway, he was out with cards.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 15
Feyenoord 2:0 Willem II

We lost, but showed some great spirit and only went down thanks to bad finishing. Some really positive signs in the defeat. We're yet to fall into the relegation zone. Team's performances have been great.

retired_puly1364

24th of December 2009

We had a one week with our families after for christmas. So I was back in Valenciennes to give our my present to Maria. The keys of our new house in Tilburg. In a very nice street, with not much traffic. Quiet and friendly neighbourhood, the family that lived there before was moving abroad. It had a special big big room for our new baby. Just in case, I remain in Netherlands for the whole lenght of my contract, which is unlikely though.

27th of December 2009

So the match action returned for 2 games before a long break. I had all my players avaible except de Groot, who was down with a small injury. I met Utrecht, who were really high in the table.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 16
Willem II 1:2 Utrecht (33. Cengizhan Topal)

Nice match I think. Considering the fact, that they're one of the strongest teams at the moment. We had our chances to draw, but it was deserved loss. They were better. Topal still continueing amazing form.

1st of January 2010

A new decade and a bunch of new players arrived, just in time for a game againist RBC.

I'm making it short. They are all promising or possible first-teamers. Vartan Mazalov (26-year old Russian striker) - 45k from Cork (possible First XI)
Krisjan Paapsi (22-year old Estonian striker/left winger) - 50k from Flora (prospect)
Willem Janssen (23-year old Dutch support striker) - 50k from Ado Den Haag (possible First XI, prospect)
Petr Molinek (22-year old Czech centreback) - 675k from Newcastle (possible First XI)
Artur Kotenko (28-year old Estonian goalkeeper) - 625k from Levadia (possible First XI) <--- Awesome GK!
Michael Charvet (21-year old French right-back) - 450k from Valenciennes (possible First XI)
Mathieu Adeniyi (22-year old defensive midfielder) - 300k from Valenciennes (possible First XI)

So in our last game before having a one month break in the league was againist NAC Breda, who were in the middle of the table, not far away from us. Many of the new guys were selected.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 17
NAC Breda 1:2 Willem II (35. Mitchell Schet, 93. Willem Janssen)

That's surely a sweet sweet away win. Janssen on his debut! Last touch. I was almost getting angry, as they draw in 80th minute, but the luck was on our side. Great match also.

Here's the table before big break (I'm surely happy with my position, 3 places up after I came):

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | PSV | | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 20 | +13 | 34 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Ajax | | 17 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 17 | +14 | 33 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | FC Utrecht | | 17 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 11 | +13 | 33 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Feyenoord | | 17 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 16 | +11 | 32 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | MVV | | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 21 | +8 | 29 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Heerenveen | | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 25 | +3 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Vitesse | | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 19 | +6 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | AZ | | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | NAC Breda | | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 33 | 25 | +8 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Sparta | | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 22 | +1 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | RBC | | 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 32 | -12 | 21 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Roda JC | | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 20 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Willem II | | 17 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 24 | 29 | -5 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Excelsior | | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 17 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | FC Groningen | | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 35 | -17 | 17 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Heracles | | 17 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 28 | -7 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | FC Twente | | 17 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 17 | 25 | -8 | 13 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | De Graafschap | | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 30 | -15 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_puly1364

17th of January 2010

I did not fall for Irish FA who wanted to convince me to become the NT head. I am still popular out there and I know a lot of the higher football figures very well, but I'd like to give 100% to my club so that is not an option for me. I'll see after WC, whether there will be any good places avaible.

31st of January 2010

So we returned for one month of rest. And it certainly wasn't easy return. Away againist PSV in Eindhoven. Even suprise was much to hope. I didn't have my first choice CD Promes avaible to keep PSV's strikers on bay and I was worried about his game ban.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 18
PSV 5:1 Willem II (64. Vartan Mazalov)

Only positive thing in this was Mazalov scoring his first goal. Nothing worked. This break came on wrong time for us and we managed to lose some form. Now I need to get the team back running again.

7th of February 2010

It was must win as we met with last of the the table De Graafschap at home. They were far away from the safe place. Promes was back from serving his 1 match ban.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 19
Willem II 1:1 De Graafschap (45. Vartan Mazalov)

We played down loads of chances. I'm certainly not happy with the draw and we need to have more of NAC Breda like matches. They will up team's morale.

16th of February 2010

So now I certainly had to win as we played Excelsior. With a loss, I'd have fall down to 16th place, which is right there in the danger zone. The home team was sitting just behind us.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 20
Excelsior 0:1 Willem II (43. Vartan Mazalov)

For the 3rd game in a row, we scored just one goal, but this time, we finally didn't concede any and a boring win came from a match which had only 11 shots made, rarely on goal. Mazalov has showed that he is a great buy and is our new targetman, taking over the place from Topal.

zipman

Good Luck in the Netherlands

retired_puly1364

21st of February 2010

Our next game saw us being hosts to MVV, who were surpsingly very high in the table. Though, their displays weren't best. They had some dangerous strikers like veteran Paul Jans, who has been very good in front of goal this season.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 21
Willem II 4:1 MVV (6., 53. Mitchell Schet, 45. pen. Willem Janssen, 59. Vartan Mazalov)

The game started off quickly and when the clock was showing that 8 minutes have been played, the score was already 1:1. Schet and Jans scoring. Though, we ended the match in 59th minute. I'm very happy with the start Janssen and Mazalov have made in the club. Mazalov has already 4 goals, Janssen 2 + some assists.

24th of February 2009

We did not have an easy trip as on our way towards higher places, we had to meet Vitesse who are few points ahead of us. No injury problems came to interrupt us though, so I was hoping for a point or three.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 22
Vitesse 4:0 Willem II

Again we got totally hammered away from home. Defence was joke, strikers couldn't too anything, but the biggest joke was I. I was so wrong with the tactics today. I decided to pick long & high ball tactics with Mazalov being a target man since he has good heading, but it didn't work out as defence didn't do their job properly.

28th of February 2009

It was important to get back on winning ways and continue our fine home form againist Sparta, who have been one of the top clubs in last years, but never been anything special though. We didn't pick up no injuries during those 4 days between two matches.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 23
Willem II 1:0 Sparta (42. Willem Janssen)

Those goals before half-time are really coming pretty often for us. And I'm certainly not saying it's bad! Nice win, it was well-balanced game, but we deserved our win. The relegation zone is slowly moving further despite our bad away form.

retired_puly1364

5th of March 2010

"All are on. Johan, you can go now," I said to the busdriver day before we went to match againist AZ Alkmaar. They were many points ahead of us and are team who usually plays European football.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 24
AZ Alkmaar 5:2 Willem II (50. Cengizhan Topal, 54. Willem Janssen)

Getting beatten up outside of home vol. 3 I think. It is just too funny how we collapse after conceeding one goal. We were on our way to score that draw when we were 3:0 down, but as we had hit 2 back, we gave them another stupid goal and the match wasa done.

14th of March 2010

Our home form have usually balanced the away form so we were hoping for another victory in Tilburg as we played hosts to Groningen, who we had a draw with earlier this season. No serious injuries like usual.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 25
Willem II 1:0 Groningen (85. Petr Molinek)

Our Czech defender was rock in the defence and grabbed us a vital victory that should keep us in a race for EUROPEAN place. We're 11th at the moment, just few points behind 6th place. (1-7 placed team have guaranteed European place) Anyway, it was balanced match, but we again managed to come away with a 1:0 win.

20th of March 2010

I was afraid to get a unexcepted beating away from home as we met relegation strugglers Heracles away. Our trip to Almelo ended with a broken bus glass as some young boys thought it would be nice to throw a rock in the bus glass. Thankfully no-one was sitting by that window.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 26
Heracles 0:0 Willem II

I'm far from happy with that away draw. Though, we finally had a decent away game, we should have scored atleast one goal from our chances. But Mazalov or Topal couldn't do it.

28th of March 2010

Finally a point from away match and we hoped to make 3 game unbeatten run as we had to meet struggling Twente in front of our own fans. Injuries are yet to be a major problem so I could put up my first choice team once again.

I also made some tactical changes. I finally decided to try out something new, as 4-5-1 I have used since the start of my career had become too predictable and our strikers didn't fit for it very well either. So insted of two support strikers and a DM, I pushed the guy in front of defenders to the center of the field and put another striker to partner Mazalov upfront, leaving other support striker to continue his work.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 27
Willem II 5:0 Twente (17., 18., 42. Cengizhan Topal, 75. Vartan Mazalov, 83. pen. Michael Charvet)

Topal was the best gainer with the formation change, since before he had to be Mazalov's sub since the support striker position didn't fit for him. He proved that I did a right choice with a quick hattrick. Great match from the lads. Only bad news were that Promes got injuried during the match.

retired_puly1364

PAGE 15th for those who have 15 posts per page! Party!

4th of April 2010

Our first match in April saw us meeting Ajax away. I was hoping for nothing else than a whopping vol 4. Promes was out injuried so Kees Kwakman took his place.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 28
Ajax 4:1 Willem II (10. Willem Janssen)

I'm angry, once again. **** result. We got off to amazing start, should have lead with 2 or 3 goals as we managed to burst over/wide million chances. Then we again conceeded a goal and game was done once again. Red card for Topal didn't help the situation either.

11th of April 2010

So we had 2 consecutive home matches to cut the gap between the European places. First it was Heerenveen. Promes was back from injury, but I choosed Kwakman ahead of him. To replace banned Topal, I had easy choose to make in 18-year old talent Patrick de Groot.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 29
Willem II 1:0 Heerenveen (11. Steef Niuwendaal)

It was great match I think. We dominated all game long, though with 2 extra men in the second half. Niuwendaal has fought for his first team spot in the team, but now with last games, he has got it back and proved why with a MOM display.

18th of April 2010

The feelings were mixed as I had to met with Roda JC - first club to beat me in Willem. But they have been struggling in the second half of the season and find themselves in danger of relegation which is not a case for me anymore. Promes and Topal were both back and again I had full squad at my disposal.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 30
Willem II 3:2 Roda Jc (25. og. Mounir Regragui, 47., 73. Cengizhan Topal)

It was very interesting match and I think I deserved the victory. Cengizhan Topal made a great "come-back". I was angry when they scored just before the first half break to make it 1:1, but soon after restart, the game was in our hands again. They repeated injury-time goal trick again, but it didn't help as we were already 3:1 up by the 92nd minute.

retired_puly1364

Sorry, I copied from another forum where I'm posting it. Forgot to change the tags and to delete the 15th page thing up there.

Anyway, comments anyone?

I'm pushing towards Intertoto places. 9th place at the moment, 2-3 points away from 6th.

retired_puly1364

23rd of April 2010

I was hoping for a first away victory in a long time as we prepared to meet with RBC. I was concerned as Willem Janssen was out injuried and he has paid a big part of our good second half of the season. Therefore, I had to choose classic 4-4-2 as a formation againist RBC, since I had no other good supportstrikers. Vartan Mazalov was also out with a injury to even deepen our striker crisis, but for him, we had Patrick de Groot.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 31
RBC 0:2 Willem II (3. Cengizhan Topal, 33. pen. Patrick de Groot)

It came! Finally! We won an away game which should give us a great boost of confidence. RBC was not good enough today and we had the control over the match. Patrick de Groot finally scored a goal. (His last one was againist Heerenveen in my first match)

2th of May 2010

Our 32nd round game was broadcasted on TV.

Dutch Premier Division, Week 32

Pre-match
Jeroen: "Welcome to the live commentary of Casino Eredivisie match where we see meeting of Willem II and Feyenoord. I'm here with Kristian."
Kristian: "Hello from me too! It is very important match for both sides. Willem II manager Tursk has stated that he is wishing to get a place in Intertoto cup and only a win from this game would help him to get that. Feyenoord has a Champions League place to fight for."
J: "It's gonna be hard task to home team, who is without Willem Janssen, Vartan Mazalov and most lately, they had to give up the services of their first team goalkeeper Artur Kotenko, who is out with a hip injury for 3 months."

33rd Minute

J: "Feyenoord is comfortably up with 2 goals, though Willem II has put pressure on them over the last minute as they collected up the ball from midfield fight."
K: "Yes, they are looking for a goal for sure. And here goes Schet on the wing. Great cross.."
J: "Patrick de Groot! He nets it in! That's surely a lifeline for Willem."

Half-Time

K: "Referee whistles end to the first half. Feyenoord is up 3:1 and it seems that here go Willem's Euro dreams..."
J: "Yes, after they had that 10 minute of dominating, they have looked really awful and are making lot of mistakes. Like Feyenoords second goal was."

57th Minute

J: "Here comes a double substition from Willem..."
K: "Yes. It's Topal who's coming off to be replaced by Christoph Mattes and the other one is Maachi coming off for Abdel Haouli."
J: "I seriously doubt that those subs will change the match, since both of them haven't been very special figures in Willem II this years campaign."

79th Minute

J: "Here comes Willem once again."
K: "They are yet to give up. Feyenoord is fallen deep into defence. Nieuwendaal tries to break through from center. He shoots! It hits the defender! Corner for Willem."

80th Minute

J: "So, Willem's Molinek hits the corner..."
K: "It's quite a mess in the area. Hard to see who has the ball."
J: "It's in! 10 minutes to go, score is 3:2. Everything is possible."
K: "And I think it's substitue Haouli who scored."

84th Minute

J: "Willem is still pushing hard. Goalscorer Haouli moves down the wing, hits it to the edge of the box, to Nieuwendaal. "
K: "De Groot is totally unmarked in the area. Why doesen't he pass there."
J: "He did! One on one with a goalkeeper."
J & K: "De Groot scores!!!!"
J: "It's all square now! Patrick de Groot scores his second goal to finish the comeback for Willem! Wonderful football from Willem!"

88th Minute

J: "Feyenoord attacking from the center. Nice passing play! Lopez get's a shot, but it doesen't make into the net. Moens catches it."
K: "Moens takes a fast throw. To Leroy Fer on the right wing."
J: "It's 3 vs 3! Can Willem do it!?"
K: "Fer plays it to de Groot."
J: "OH, wonderful pass from Patrick! It put Mattes one on one with defender!"
K: "He plays it to right foot... GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Willem is leading this match, with just 2 minutes to go! Substitue Christoph Mattes with a goal that should be the winning one."
J: "I'm impressed. What a come-back from Willem. I can't believe that 8 minutes ago, they were 1-3 down."
K: "And Tursk seems to enjoy the goal too..."

Full Time

J: "It's over. Willem grab a deserved win after amazing come-back againist 3rd placed Feyenoord."
K: "It will certainly be a boost of confidence in the Intertoto race and before last 2 rounds, Willem has a good chance to get the spot."

Willem 4:3 Feyenoord (33., 84. Patrick de Groot, 80. Abdel Haouli, 8. Christoph Mattes)

Awesome win. I've got nothing to say. Usually we would have lost this game 1:4, but that's quite a turnaround. But in the end, I am a bit worried with injuries we have. Willem Janssen will be back with next round, but Promes fell for another card ban and our right winger Mitchell Schet is out for 3 months.