retired_brianrt

ah, good to see ur still going strong on this irish, still excellent as ever

retired_teju

Thanks a lot Sherm, I'm enjoying your story too, looking forward to your next set of updates.

I'm really into this game, I have another month to update, which I can hopefully do today, then some more play over the weekend if the kids behave themselves.

retired_teju

2nd October I spend the weekend pondering our Neighbours style cliffhanger, and then on Sunday afternoon, the call comes. Riggy has been passed over for the Southampton job, which as I say, leaves me both delighted and disappointed. The man himself is feeling much the same in training on Monday morning.
"It would have been nice skipper, but I'm very happy here, and there'll be plenty of offers down the track" he tells me.

Due to a fixture quirk, largely involving international duty, we don't play for the first couple of weeks this month. I don't exactly shut things down at the club, but we take it nice and easy, and I spend more time at home, and at the pub, than anywhere else. Everybody seems suitably recharged, without being sluggish, by the time our next fixture comes around.

13th October Notts County vs Peterborough
Mid-table Posh offer a reasonably dangerous challenge. Filipe Morais comes in for Johansson, who is out 2-4 weeks with an injury he picked up in training. Ebanks returns for Cooper, and Biruk for Tandy. Saritama and Rezek are on the bench.
We are dominant in this one, but have to wait 64 minutes for the breakthrough, The Big E heading in a deep cross which fooled the packed Posh defence. Almost from the restart, the same player tucks in a neat finish after a nice move, but with 20 minutes left, the visitors strike back. We hold on without too much bother though, most deservedly so.

Notts County 2-1 Peterborough ATT:12810

16th October Notts County vs Stockport LDV
All reserves in, with Kopecky making his debut. It looks like a good move, when after a lively start, Rezek tucks in from a Hjalmar rebound (18). The Icelandic striker provides again for the same player, a great run and cross which the Czech forward heads in without any bother at all(37). A 73rd minute penalty from Nathan D'Laryea completes a workmanlike and easy win. Kopecky played ok.

Notts County 3-0 Stockport ATT: 2023

20th October Northampton vs Notts County
The home side are struggling near the foot of the table, and we are in no mood to be generous, after the thrashings they gave us last season. The regulars are back in, and look a bit sloppy in a dull 1st half. Ebanks is the victim of a professional foul, for which their guy is sent off and we get a penalty. Evans makes no mistake. They push forward and we regularly catch them out, but don't find the killer blow. We don't need to though. The penalty stands up, rightly so, in a game where we outshot our tormentors of last season 13-7.

Northampton 0-1 Notts County ATT: 4324

Nuno Morais has picked up a knock which will see him out for 1-2 weeks. A real blow. He has been the vital piece of the jigsaw at the back this season, we look far more solid than last term, and he seems to make the other players look better, a sure sign of class. I never really had any doubts when I paid 250k for him that he was class, I just wanted Chelsea to give me a bargain. I reckon I still got one anyway for that price.

24th October Blackpool vs Notts County
Biruk starts at MR, Rezek ML, and Pettigrew for the injured Morais.
The lads take Blackpool by storm. Filipe Morais
scores inside the first minute, Saritama blasts one in after 7, and Ramon Calliste chips in with a trademark clinical finish (23). The home side claw one back (30), but I shut up shop, and my feeling that we have shellshocked them proves to be correct, as we run out easy winners, though it could have been far more.

Blackpool 1-3 Notts County ATT: 8915

That game was a real statement. We were decidedly menacing in all departments. The perfect notice of intent for when we entertain runaway leaders Reading at home on Saturday. They haven't lost a game yet, I'd love to be the one that changes that.

I keep my mouth shut in the build-up, and so do they, a sign perhaps that we're both wary of eachother. The lads are really up for this in training, and I don't need to motivate them at all. The atmosphere on Saturday morning, and as the ground fills up, is electric...

27th October Notts County vs Reading
Our unchanged side gets off to a great start, Calliste with yet another surgically precise strike. The leaders fire back (25), then the crowd go mad when Saritama is on the end of a dangerous cross, volleying in a stunner from an awkward angle (33). Right on the stroke of half-time, I am fuming when we go to sleep, and they equalise, but stress the positives during the interval team talk. It pays dividends just before the hour, Saritama again enrapturing the fans, this time with a brilliant diving header. It looks like the winner, till the 86th minute, and a bizzare defensive error by Adrian Pettigrew. Intercepting a ball near the right corner flag with little danger, he for some unknown reason crosses the ball into his own box, for their striker to head in. What?! We should have won, but I'm still proud of the lads. It's annoying, but on the positive side, we bossed the undefeated league leaders, and they went away feeling lucky to have got a draw.

Notts County 3-3 Reading ATT: 13994

October sees a profit of 124K, not bad considering there were no games the first half of the month. Ebanks wins the player of the month award, and we continue to look a very useful side indeed when we're on form, now threatening the automatic spots. League table to follow.

retired_teju

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Reading | | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 36 | 13 | +23 | 42 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Ipswich | | 16 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 15 | +15 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Burnley | | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 21 | +12 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Notts Co | | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 29 | 20 | +9 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Preston | | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 17 | +16 | 30 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Luton | | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 24 | 19 | +5 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Blackpool | | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 23 | +5 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Q.P.R. | | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 17 | +4 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Swansea | | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 20 | 18 | +2 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Brentford | | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 25 | 20 | +5 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Yeovil | | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Rotherham | | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 23 | 26 | -3 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Colchester | | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 19 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Port Vale | | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 19 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Bristol Rovers | | 16 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Bristol City | | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 25 | -7 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Cheltenham | | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Peterborough | | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Swindon | | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 21 | -6 | 17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | MK Dons | | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 24 | -7 | 17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Scunthorpe | | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 13 | 28 | -15 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Hartlepool | | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 23 | -5 | 15 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Grimsby | | 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 12 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Northampton | | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 30 | -17 | 10 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_teju

3rd November Notts County vs Bristol Rovers FA CUP RD 1
Nuno Morais, our most critical defender, returns to the team. Calliste gives us a 12th minute opener, then Evans misses a penalty 10 minutes later. They look to have stolen a draw with a goal 2 minutes from time, but we get a 90th minute spot-kick, coolly despatched, this time by Nathan D'Laryea. The visitors have other ideas, equalising with the last kick on 93. A highly undesirable replay beckons.

Notts County 2-2 Bristol Rovers ATT: 7308

Another 14 day break, courtesy of international call-ups. I take off for some winter sun in La Manga, which raises a few eyebrows at boardroom level. But I have them completely under my thumb now. I can neither confirm nor deny that Fernando Luis Saritama's young translator bint went with me, though she was in the country at the same time by pure coincidence. Do the News of The World have reporters in Spain?

17th November Bristol Rovers vs Notts County FA Replay
Johansson comes in for Saritama who's on international duty. In a dull 1st half we outshoot them 8-4 without a breakthrough. Ebanks is denied by a point-blank double save, and I'm beginning to think it's not our day. Just before the end of normal time, Nuno Morais gets his marching orders for a second yellow. Perfect. Extra time is very uneventful, but just before that ends, Evans gets his second and we've only got nine men to take our penalties in the shootout. Not a problem. Martin Fulop is the star, saving three penalties to see us through, deservedly so actually, despite the nine men mularkey.

Bristol Rovers 3-2 Notts County (PENS) ATT: 12736

Morais and Evans cop one game bans of course, and Biruk is out for 2 weeks with a virus.

21st November Darlington vs Notts County LDV
Every reserve in as usual for the LDV, with Parikka making his debut (uninspiringly so) up front. Not wasting time here. We lost on a shootout this time, and didn't deserve to win all that much. Glad to be out of it...well, you know what I mean.

Darlington 4-3 Notts County (PENS) ATT: 5007

24th November Swansea vs Notts County
This is a biggish game, with them challenging for the playoffs. It's also our first league game for a month, believe it or not. Ebanks chases on to a long ball, squaring for Calliste to give us a 18th minute lead, but the hosts deservedly equalise after 66. An unmemorable, even game, with a fair result.

Swansea 1-1 Notts County ATT: 15109

28th November Notts County vs Port Vale
As a favour to regular reader and contributor to this story Gadam, I'm going to keep this brief. We beat them 2-0 mate I'm afraid, with 1st half goals from Calliste and Ebanks and they could be in relegation strife soon.

Notts County 2-0 Port Vale ATT: 8979

November ends with out usual tidy profit, this time 86K. League table to follow.

retired_teju

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Reading | | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 45 | 18 | +27 | 46 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Ipswich | | 19 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 38 | 23 | +15 | 38 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Burnley | | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 25 | +11 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Notts Co | | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 32 | 21 | +11 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Luton | | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 31 | 25 | +6 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Blackpool | | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 23 | +10 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Brentford | | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 23 | +9 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Preston | | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 34 | 19 | +15 | 30 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Swansea | | 18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 27 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Rotherham | | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 31 | 30 | +1 | 27 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Q.P.R. | | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 26 | -1 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Yeovil | | 19 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 30 | -2 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Bristol Rovers | | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Cheltenham | | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 25 | -7 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Bristol City | | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 23 | 27 | -4 | 22 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | MK Dons | | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Peterborough | | 19 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 28 | 29 | -1 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Swindon | | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 27 | -8 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Colchester | | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 35 | -9 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Port Vale | | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 35 | -11 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Scunthorpe | | 18 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 36 | -17 | 17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Hartlepool | | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 25 | -6 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Grimsby | | 19 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 21 | 32 | -11 | 15 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Northampton | | 19 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 38 | -19 | 13 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_teju

1st December Torquay vs Notts County FACUP
A potential banana skin, though as always, cup competitions are not my focus, outside of the financial perks. Tandy comes in for an exhausted Rezek.
Eight minutes in, Saritama chips in a delightful free-kick, and Calliste volleys home ferociously. The hosts strike back within two minutes, but on the half hour, their centre half receives a harsh red card. It was a bad tackle but not a goalscoring opportunity, though I don't care. In true FA Cup style, they take the lead (64), but Calliste heads in a leveller from Tandy's cross with 19 minutes to spare. Cooper scores a remarkably similar goal from Johansson's centre (79), then the Swede himself is left all alone to convert Lloyd's cross 3 minutes from time. A deserved result in a game where we outshot them 13-6, and earned ourselves a trip to Wigan in the 3rd round.

Torquay 2-4 Notts County ATT: 5423

4th December Ipswich vs Notts County
It's difficult to say this is a pivotal game this early in the season, but I have said that, so it is. Rezek is back for Tandy.
The tractor boys swarm us from the start, scoring in the 1st minute and outshooting us 11-3 in a 1st half where we looked perilously close to being outclassed. Things stabilise 2nd half, and Calliste heads in a corner (68). I go defensive, then just 7 minutes from time the home side clinch it with a nice goal which should have been prevented. I can't really argue or go ballistic. We weren't good enough, amply reflected in the 16-4 shot total. Our first defeat in 9.

Ipswich 2-1 Notts County ATT: 26453

The attendance reflects the stacked deck we're playing against when it comes to promotion contenders. We can't match their income at the moment, so I'm proud that good husbandry has allowed us to compete with these guys.

8th December Notts County vs Bristol Rovers
Bringing Radim Kopecky in for Evans, I figure that somebody has to pay the price for the last game, and he wasn't crash-hot that's for sure.
I'm looking for a bounce back and I get it. We batter their goal, only to be denied by goalkeeping brilliance. We just keep on going, and I am delighted when the pressure finally tells, Ebanks driving in a fierce shot with 15 minutes left. It's enough, and was always going to be, against a game but limited Bristol Rovers side.

Notts County 1-0 Bristol Rovers ATT: 12736

Reading finally meet their Waterloo at QPR. I ruefully reflect of course on that game a few weeks back, where we did everything but beat them.

15th QPR vs Notts County
And by coincidence...Ebanks and Calliste are injured, Parikka and Cooper step in. It only takes the R's 5 minutes to go in front, and I bollock the lads at half time, to discernable effect. A battling display sees us equalise through Johansson's headed goal with 20 minutes left, and we steal a point, after being outshot 19-9. I'm not embarrassed at all. We've had very little rub of the green this season. We stole one point after having two stolen in the Reading game, so I'll take it all right.

QPR 1-1 Notts County ATT: 18127

Parikka will miss 1-2 weeks. He has been a bit of a bust so far, so I'm far from devastated. As Christmas and New Year approaches, I start to contemplate a January clear out of role players. I can feel it in my water that things need just a little shake-up. Nothing drastic, just a little reminder that no-one can rest on their laurels. We'll see what happens.

22nd December Notts County vs Preston
This isn't going to be easy. Rezek starts up front with a half-fit Ebanks, Tandy at ML. We start terrifically, pressuring the visitors all over. Rezek puts us in front with a classy finish (27), but despite domination, we never look comfortable. Then the Czech striker works the oracle again. The visitors offered little the whole game, but did come forward at the end, and were ruthlessly exploited by him on the break to seal the points. He was absolutely superb, in what was a fine performance against a playoff seeking team.

Notts County 2-0 Preston ATT: 12206

An excellent win is tempered by the news that Richard Jones will be sidelined for 3-5 months with a torn thigh muscle. He's been solid as a rock for us in midfield this season, but thankfully we've got tonnes of cover in that area. I've learned my lesson about squad depth from the 1st season's debacle.
Riggy is on my back about Jan Rezek, saying I should play him exclusively as a striker, and that I only play him there when we're in sh*t street with injuries. I kind of agree, but he's so annoyingly inconsistent. On his day, magical. On an off day, he plays more like Paul Daniels. It doesn't help that I have concerns about the left midfield position. Still it'll all come out in the wash. One day this guy will be an out and out star, if he can only get his head on straight.

24th December After due consideration, I make Kenny Cooper available for transfer at 1.5 million pounds. It's not a decision taken lightly. He is absolutely furious, and his agent says he feels "betrayed" by me. Steady on. Several factors are at work. He's out of contract at the end of next season and will want big money. Quite simply, I'm not prepared to pay that for a guy who is gradually slipping down the pecking order, and no way will he walk for nothing. So it's thanks and cheerio. Ruthless I know, but I make the decisions, and I feel this is the right one for the club. And that's who I'm employed to act in the best interests of. Merry Christmas Kenny.

26th December I can only apologise again for the paucity of my notes, because I don't know who we were playing here. A dull 1st half ends with them scoring, despite us outshooting them. We can't pull it back against the mystery side, and I tell the lads that it was embarrassing. We lose 1-0 and the attendance was 16060.
Kenny Cooper will be joining Luton on the 1st January. They were the only people prepared to pony up the dough, and he was able to agree his personal terms without any fuss. The big fee secures our finances nicely, with a balance of over 4 million in the bank and 1 million on hand for the transfer window. I'm delighted with the deal.

29th December Notts County vs MK Dons
We expect a win against this relegation threatened side. Rezek is at ML with Calliste returning up front. Pettigrew gets another chance at the DC revolving door, Kopecky having failed to set the world alight in the few games he had.
Plenty of possession for us doesn't stop the visitors leading on 16 minutes, and the lads earn themselves another half-time mauling from me. Calliste marks his return with a regulation finish (54), then Ebanks latches on to a long hoof from Pettigrew to slide home what looks like an 87th minute winner. A horrendous defensive error lets Calliste in again in the 90th minute, putting a nice gloss on a well deserved win.

Notts County 3-1 MK Dons ATT: 8995

31st December A nice end to the month, with a good win and a profit of 209K. In other news, I decide to release Darryl Smilie (my first signing I believe), and Dean Smith. Neither are bad players, but their contracts are up at the end of the season, and they haven't a hope in hell of making the team. Nobody was interested in signing them for free, and with a board of directors constantly whining about the club's wage bill, despite enormous monthly profits, they had to go.

*NOTE* Unfortunately, due to another balls up, I don't have this month's league table. I thought it had saved correctly, apparently not. I am still hovering around in 3rd, a few points behing Ipswich, a mile behind Reading, and solidifying my playoff spot by the day.

retired_teju

I've always been a New Year's Eve curmudgeon, but the wife, amongst others, is saying I am looking moody this time around. It's not that at all, I'm just somewhat deep in thought.
Ever a man for thinking about the bigger picture, and future strategy, something dawned on me after a bit of contemplation. Namely, that next season, the last year of my contract, could be my last season at Meadow Lane.
At the minute they're paying me 650 quid a week. I've got them one promotion, and in with a great chance of getting another. Under those circumstances I reckon I should be handsomely rewarded next time around, to the tune of say 5 grand a week. And let's face it, they're simply not going to pay me that.
If we do get promoted this time, and stay up next season, I won't be short of offers, and probably big money ones at that.
We'll see what happens but for now I will enjoy this phase of my time here. Next season is going to be hard work whichever way you slice it. It'll be my fourth season in charge, and though I'm not struggling for motivation, I am beginning to think about my next move. My next move could be to sign on here again, but I'm not sure the stars are aligned for that. If I do it'll probably only be a one year deal. I really snookered myself by signing on for three years at crap money for this deal, though I thought it was a good idea at the time.

retired_teju

1st January Cooper makes his move to Luton without a hitch. I tell the media the God's honest truth. It was a money move, and that's the plain and simple fact of it. I thank Kenny for his great work for us, and I really mean that, even though we didn't exactly part on great terms. In the meantime, there's a VERY important match to win.

Notts County vs Burnley
Not only are they competing with us for 3rd, they humiliated us in the first game of the season, unfairly so, and I want revenge (I'm a vengeful sort aren't I, but only in sport).
Our unchanged side get the message. Rezek plays a wonderful pass to Calliste, who volleys in from a tight angle to give us a flyer. The visitors equalise on 15, then Calliste, the little nugget, makes a fine run and finishes with a cross shot just 3 minutes later. From the restart, Ramon turns provider, setting up The Big E for 2 in 2 minutes, demonstrating what this team is built on: lethal strike power. I go defensive, determined not to let things slip, and we easily handle them. Not the humiliation they heaped on us, but they were easily brushed aside.

Notts County 3-1 Burnley ATT: 11561

4th January After perusing the free transfer list, I decide to sign up Robert Pires on a short term deal. Riggy is excited about it, saying his mere presence will boost the team. His playing contract is until the end of the season, when he intends to retire. I've signed him up for 18 months though, he will serve as a coach as well, something that his ratings seem to indicate he has a bright future at.

5th January Wigan vs Notts County FA CUP
Pires, Nisja, and O'Hara come into the team, for this "we'd like to win but the league's more important" game.
There's no interruption to our fluency, and we run the show, Rezek firing home after 14. In the 2nd half, O'Hara plays in sub Calliste to deservedly double our lead. I go defensive as usual, and though the hosts fire back (67), I am surprised by the comfort with which we nail down this very impressive win, albeit against a struggling Championship side. Calliste spoils it a little bit, getting sent off 4 minutes from time.

Wigan 1-2 Notts County ATT: 14277

6th January In a shock move, I re-sign D/AMR David Pipe from Reading for 55K. A steal. He'd been having a fine season with them, but they started accepting bids, so I sniped in, believing that he wouldn't sign for us. Instead he was delighted to join. The acrimony with which he left Meadow Lane (see first season) is all forgotten. I tell the media that it's all in the past, David left for financial reasons, and I understood that he lashed out at me at the time. But I have always liked him as a player, and am delighted to start afresh. He won't go straight in the side, but he will be a regular before too long, of that I am sure.

9th January Notts County vs Hartlepool
Hjalmar replaces the injured and suspended Ebanks and Calliste. The Icelandic striker has been in the reserves for some time, now Cooper's departure gives him his golden opportunity. Just 6 minutes in, he seizes it, driving home from a rebound. Then after a great team move on 19 minutes, guess who is on hand to finish with a bullet header?...Hjalmar! As the 2nd half gets underway, Rezek delivers one of his specials, a long mazy run, and an unstoppable finish from his sweet left foot. Just before the hour, the Czech plays the Icelander in to complete a stunning hat-trick. I can't resist immediately substituting him to let him get a standing ovation and (less appealing) a big hug from me and the coaching staff. A ruthless win, and a staggering performance from one man in particular.

Notts County 4-0 Hartlepool ATT: 12135

The board are something approaching orgasmic, though I expected a good win against a non-descript side. I'd have been worried if we didn't get that.

12th January Notts County vs Luton
This is going to be more difficult, they're in 9th, and there's the chance of a Kenny Cooper haunting. Calliste is back, forcing Rezek to ML. It's cagey at first, then we start to overpower them. Flavour of the month Hjalmar heads in at the near post 10 minutes before the break. It's still cagey though, and at 65 minutes, nerves force me to go defensive. We still threaten, and hang on easily enough, though it was nervous stuff to watch. Cooper was not a factor for them.

Notts County 1-0 Luton ATT: 13170

14th January Hjalmar is suddenly a hot property, with Reading and Leeds interested. I move smartly to sign him to a new 5 year deal at 1100 per week. The Icelander is a classic example of what we are trying to do. I left him in the reserves to work at his game, get his confidence and goals, then flogged off a more established player to give him his chance. It has worked an absolute charm so far. Nothing new about this approach, it's just the old theory of trying to set up a conveyor belt of talent.

16th January It's my birthday...hurrah! It 'aint going to be Leeds or Bristol City's birthday though, as I rebuff their comical bids for Hjalmar. I wouldn't sell that guy for a million pounds right now, even though he will eventually get bumped to the bench when everyone is fit.

Rotherham vs Notts County
Morrison comes in for the suspended Lloyd at DL. Not much of a birthday present for me here. We get ambushed, with goals for the home side in the 2nd and 11th minutes. It's all very open from then on, but no further scoring. We are outshot 16-11, and it was a bad performance all round. No excuses. This wasn't great.

Rotherham 2-0 Notts County ATT: 6357

I reject wholly unsatisfactory bids from various clubs for Hjalmar, Fulop, and Tandy.

19th January Cheltenham vs Notts County
The home side are 21st, which puts this in the category of must-win for a promotion hopeful. Pipe makes his debut, in place of Richardson, who has fallen away a bit lately. Biruk is tried at MC. We open confidently, and on the half hour, Calliste is played in, and delivers with a classy finish. A half-time lead is exactly what we deserve, then on 58 mins Calliste is in there again, volleying home a beauty from a penetrating cross. They are never really in it, and Hjalmar finishes them off with an clinical goal 4 minutes from time. A very professional performance, a million miles better than the last one.

Cheltenham 0-3 Notts County ATT: 4123

The board are very pleased again, for some reason. I'm deeply moved.

21st January Paul Sturrock is fired by Sheffield Wednesday, and not surprisingly, ex-Owls coach Mike Rigg is linked with the position. I tell Riggy straight, if they want you, I won't stand in your way. How could I stop the guy triumphantly returning to the club he loves as manager?

22nd January It's not an issue though, as the news comes through that they have appointed Glenn Hoddle instead. I commiserate with Riggy and honestly tell him that I wished he had got the job. He deserves it.

24th January I sign up Tim Sparv till 2011 at 500 quid per week. He's been training hard and impressing, and I think he could be something special in the future, especially with his versatility.

26th January Doncaster vs Notts County FA CUP 4TH
Pipe (who played well on debut) is cup-tied, so Richardson comes in. Lee Hendrie scores an amazing 35 yarder to give them a 1st minute lead, then they score again 3 minutes before the break. I don't quite give up, but I am not too bothered, especially when they score again straight after the break. Rezek pulls one back (55), but as I tell the lads afterwards, we just weren't good enough.
So what? We made our money and had a decent little run. Now back to the important stuff.

Doncaster 3-1 Notts County ATT: 11431

27th January I have to rebuff another offer for my Icelandic striker, this time from Preston.

29th January Vidar Nisja gives a very ill-advised interview to a local journalist, telling me I had better put him in the team or else. I come down on him like a tonne of bricks, telling him to shut up and play football, and leave team selection to the professionals. He immediately apologises, and pledges his allegiance. As if my mood wasn't bad enough, I receive a ridiculous phone call from Reading offering a million after 40 league goals for Rezek.
"Look just f**k off, will you?!" I tell their manager, Steve Brown, and slam down the phone.

30th January Notts County vs Swindon
The squad know I am ****ed off, and I expect them to take that out onto the pitch with them. Calliste embarasses his marker with a twist and a turn before firing in (24), heads in a near post corner (35), then undresses the entire defence with a mazy run and fabulous finish (54) to complete a hat-trick every bit as fabulous as anything I have ever seen. He even gets a 4th which is disallowed, and I bring him off for his standing ovation. An easy win. I lit a fire under the team in the week leading up to the game with my irritability, and they responded brilliantly. Calliste's fabulous display gives him 25 for the season, 21 of those in the league. I'll have to start calling him The Big C soon.

Notts County 3-0 Swindon ATT: 11331

We've snuck up to 2nd in the league, though Ipswich have a game in hand. I don't do anything at the deadline. This squad is good enough to get promoted. It's over to them now.
The board are delighted with my performance as manager, and the monthly profit of 629K. League table to follow.

retired_teju

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Reading | | 30 | 21 | 7 | 2 | 68 | 31 | +37 | 70 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Notts Co | | 30 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 54 | 29 | +25 | 60 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ipswich | | 29 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 53 | 32 | +21 | 59 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Burnley | | 30 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 54 | 37 | +17 | 55 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Brentford | | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 51 | 31 | +20 | 51 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Blackpool | | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 51 | 33 | +18 | 51 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Rotherham | | 29 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 49 | 41 | +8 | 48 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Preston | | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 53 | 40 | +13 | 46 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Luton | | 30 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 46 | 44 | +2 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Q.P.R. | | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 42 | 41 | +1 | 40 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | MK Dons | | 29 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 37 | 40 | -3 | 40 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Peterborough | | 30 | 12 | 3 | 15 | 49 | 45 | +4 | 39 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Bristol City | | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 37 | 43 | -6 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Colchester | | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 41 | 49 | -8 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Swansea | | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Bristol Rovers | | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 33 | 42 | -9 | 34 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Yeovil | | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Cheltenham | | 30 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Northampton | | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 40 | 56 | -16 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Swindon | | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 27 | 51 | -24 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Scunthorpe | | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 33 | 55 | -22 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Grimsby | | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 43 | 56 | -13 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Port Vale | | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 35 | 55 | -20 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Hartlepool | | 30 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>