Dixie Flatline

20th of February 2004<P>We escape Barcelona in the semi-final draw of the Copa del Rey. Instead, we start our campaign for reaching the final with a visit to El Molinón to play Sporting Gijón in the first leg on the 14th of April. The unfortunate Celta Vigo is the unlucky club to have to make the trip to the Nou Camp. We’ve done the league double over Sporting this season so I feel fairly confident that we can reach the Copa del Rey final, but I’m keeping that confidence to myself at this point in time.<P>22nd of February 2004<P>Primera Liga - Game 25: Cartagonova v Atlético Madrid<P>After our gallant but losing effort against Barcelona we need to raise our tempo for the match against today’s opponent which is looking for more points to escape relegation. As usual we control the early portion of the match and eventually we are rewarded when Rufete ghosts down the right with the ball at his feet before he crosses into the box where Redondo is waiting to latch onto it. The big striker, kept quiet last weekend, unloads a powerful header the shoots into the top corner and we have the lead on 26 minutes! Redondo and Collymore test Toni shortly after but that wraps it up for the first half. The Englishman also sends a shot whizzing into the fingertips of Toni early in the second half but after that we decide to sit back and defend the lead, in complete ignorance of my instructions. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] Filipescu is the chief offender and after he gives away a freekick once too often I drag him. Atlético Madrid keeps the ball in our half for the rest of the game and just when I think we’re going to escape, Serban’s exquisite pass is converted well by Fagiani to earn Atlético a well-earned point. I’m furious with this result as only Vidal, Rufete, Redondo and Collymore turned up to play. The rest were on holidays. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu (Moya 64), Ã�lvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto (c), Rufete; Morán (Esnáider 64); Redondo, Collymore.<P>Atlético Madrid (4-4-2): Toni; Santis, Gaspar (Samuel 63), Santi (c), Manuel Pablo (Gerard 86); LardÃ*n (Fagiani 74), Drasim, Serban, Córcoles; Artigas, Borja.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 1:1 Atlético Madrid
MoM - José Manuel Redondo

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28th of February 2004<P>Primera Liga - Game 26: Celta Vigo v Cartagonova<P>Our high-flying exploits in our first season in the Primera Liga means we have the opportunity to further our supporter base with a live on TV affair against the holders of the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup, Celta Vigo. Today’s opponent is just three points and two places behind us, so a good performance is imperative in order to hold onto the top three spot. So when Diego Ribera reacts quickest to Ballesteros’ tackle on Mullor to fire truly past Vidal after just four minutes, I’m quickly on the touchline barking instructions to my players. We regroup quickly enough to have Morán rattle the post with a powerful blast two minutes later while on 13 minutes, Redondo’s pass allows Michel to thunder a drive at goal but LaÃ*nez manages to push it aside for a corner that Rufete can’t make good use of. Celta seems to be content to sit back and defend, and that’s just an invitation for José Redondo and our most valuable player makes good use of the havoc wrought by Filipescu’s run at the heart of Celta’s defence to drive a shot past LaÃ*nez on 34 minutes. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] <P>Just before half-time, Collymore unleashes a rocket at the top corner, but LaÃ*nez does well to knock it away from goal. Then Morán hobbles off with an injury and the referee waits just long enough for Esnáider to take his place on the pitch before blowing his whistle for half-time. We continue to dominate the second half, but inaccuracy costs us the opportunity of taking all three points and in the end, Celta could count themselves unfortunate not to snatch the winner too with some of their shots going close. To make matters worse, Filipescu plays poorly and is substituted while Ã�lvarez picks up two yellow cards for his second red card of the season. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>Celta Vigo (1-2-5-2): LaÃ*nez; Quique Ã�lvarez, Sergio (c); Roger, Mullor (Astrada 83), Sergio (Jesuli 66), Vágner, Coira; McCarthy, Diego Ribera.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu (Moya 61), Óscar Ã�lvarez, Ballesteros; Couto (c); Michel, Rufete; Morán (Esnáider 46); Redondo, Collymore (Cristian Ã�lvarez 75).<P>Final score: Celta Vigo 1:1 Cartagonova
MoM - José Manuel Redondo

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Official warnings are dished out to Filipescu and Óscar �lvarez while I consider what I’m going to do in the next few weeks. Filipescu’s sudden loss of form is baffling after he had been the Rock of Gibraltar at the heart of our defence, while �lvarez’s undesirable tendency to lose his head is starting to become a liability. Further, Morán’s name is ruled out for a month with a calf strain. To make things worse, Valencia has the opportunity to take third place from us with a comfortable home match against Alavés at the Mestalla tomorrow.<P>5th of March 2004<P>Ajax completes today the transfer of Brazilian international Zé Roberto from Juventus for a staggering £22 million. The 29 year old only joined the ‘Old Lady’ of Turin at the start of the season and appeared 12(1) times after spending a season with Liverpool. He began his career with local club Portuguesa and spent an unhappy time with Real Madrid before making his name at Bayer Leverkusen. The Brazilian joined Liverpool for £15.5 million in time for the 2002/03 season, but Liverpool’s decline meant that he was soon on his way. Juventus gain a profit of £9.5 million on the winger.<P>6th of March 2004<P>We tumble to fifth as Barcelona defeats Villarreal 2-1 to continue its acceleration up the ladder. The Catalans club is making good use of its games in hand after its participation in the World Club Championship. We need to defeat Athletic Bilbao at home tomorrow to move back up the ladder.

Dixie Flatline

7th of March 2004<P>Primera Liga - Game 27: Cartagonova v Athletic Bilbao<P>Three points is imperative today if we are to continue our push for Champions’ League football. Valencia visits bottom-placed Elche while Barcelona has turned up the pressure on both of us. However, in front of a passionately partisan home crowd, we are in complete control in the early stages and we deserve the 23rd minute lead when Couto pounces on the rebound from Redondo’s shot to tuck away his second goal of the season. But we’re not content to sit back on a 1-0 lead so when Couto tees up Esnáider for an easy goal to finish off a great team move on 32 minutes, we’re dancing on the sidelines. Only one minute before half-time does Athletic Bilbao have its first opportunity when Kaiku breaks free of our defence. Thankfully his drive lifts over the bar as Moya puts the pressure on him. After a jovial break full of laughs and good spirits, we come out to continue the onslaught and when I bring off the tiring Esnáider for Miranda, the latter Argentine makes his push for a starting spot absolutely clear because he plays a brilliant one-two with Rufete to make it 3-0 on 75 minutes. That almost kills off Bilbao, but not quite as Vidal needs to be on his toes to break up a Basque attack. But we’re too good on the night and it’s three points well-deserved. Since Elche holds Valencia to a 0-0 draw, we go back to third on the ladder.<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, Ballesteros, Moya; Michel, Couto (c), Rufete; Esnáider (Miranda 75); Redondo, Collymore.<P>Athletic Bilbao (5-1-2-1-2): Valencia; Larrazábal, Karanka, Carlos GarcÃ*a, LarraÃ*nzar, Óskar Vales (Chema 66); Roberto RÃ*os, Jorge Pérez; Alkiza (Felipe 73); Etxeberria (c), Kaiku.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 3:0 Athletic Bilbao
MoM - Iván Vidal

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Our night is capped when news filters through from Nicagarua that Cristian �lvarez helped El Salvador to a 2-1 victory over their CONCACAF rivals. �lvarez put the Salvadorans on their way with his first international goal after 16 minutes.<P>8th of March 2004<P>I lose Roberto Sosa for a month as he strains a groin in a five-on-five practice match in training this evening. I get the physios to take immediate care of him, because he can be useful in sticking the ball in the net.<P>I also notice some strange faces at the fences intently looking at Michel. I despatch a couple of the security guards to show them the exit from the training facilities. They return to inform me that the strangers were scouts from Real Betis checking out the winger. Hmm.

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9th of March 2004<P>Some big victories are recorded in the Champions League with Barcelona thrashing Galatasaray 4-1 at the Nou Camp. Three goals were scored in the opening eleven minutes and not even the dismissal of Abelardo after 15 minutes could stop Barcelona recording a big victory. Kluivert added the fourth in the second half while Erhan’s goal was nothing more than a consolation. PSV Eindhoven dished out the same punishment to Borussia Dortmund in Eindhoven. Broerse, Guzman and van Nistelrooy had PSV cruising after 17 minutes, while Theo Lucius put the game beyond doubt with the Dutch’s fourth goal on 40 minutes. Edmundo’s second-half strike wasn’t enough. <P>Goals to Joe Cole and Cristian Bardaro were enough to put Fiorentina over Roma 3-1 in Florence. Real Madrid were barely threatened by a weak Spurs side in Madrid as the Spaniards cruised to a 3-0 victory.<P>11th of March 2004<P>I’m informed in the morning that Ivory Coast international midfielder Bonaventure Kalou has decided to move to France to join Laval rather than try his luck in Spain with us. Too bad.<P>12th of March 2004<P>More bad news this week as Fernando Couto goes down with a badly bruised shin that will keep him out of the side that travels to Zaragoza on Sunday. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]<P>13th of March 2004<P>On the eve of our match with Zaragoza there is good news for Iulian Filipescu and Keith O’Neill as both are called up to represent their countries – Romania and Ireland respectively.

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14th of March 2004<P>Primera Liga – Game 28: Real Zaragoza v Cartagonova<P>Today it is fourteenth versus third on the ladder, but our opponent may well be difficult to break down at home. With a couple of important players out of the side, we’re also not at full strength, so I’m happy to see Stan Collymore give us the lead on 16 minutes in his 99th league game for the club! Esnáider is looking dangerous and he threads the ball through the Zaragoza defence to find the Englishman who finishes the job expertly. But Real Zaragoza’s forwards are punching holes through the defence all too easily and they quickly regain control of the match. After some industrious work on the edge of our box they are finally rewarded moments before half-time when Placente and Sixto Peralta combine to tee up Ferrón and the defender doesn’t miss. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] It’s a poor way to end the half and I hammer home to the defenders that we need to keep the opponent at bay in the second interval. They do their job slightly better than in the first half but Real Zaragoza continue to hammer away while keeping our forwards very quiet. Vidal needs to make a great last minute save to deny Acuña and I’m feeling relieved to drive out of Zaragoza with at least a point this afternoon.<P>Real Zaragoza (4-4-2): Mora; Placente, Jusué, Paco, Ferrón; Peralta, Garitano (c), Acuña, Rodriguez (Aragón 91); Peternac, Iván Rosado<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal (c); Lacruz, Filipescu, �lvarez (Ismael Ruiz 69), Moya; Ballesteros; Michel, Rufete (Miranda 69); Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore<P>Final score: Real Zaragoza 1:1 Cartagonova
MoM – Paco<P>Keeping smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]
Dixie Flatline

Dixie Flatline

Thanks, Ell_G! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] Villarreal are precisely mid-table in my game - they are tenth. Walter Gaitan still hasn't picked up a cap for Argentina, though.<P>Cheers,
Dixie

Dixie Flatline

Only a quick update today!<P>Some more good news for the coffers as the Spanish FA informs me that our match at home with Villarreal is shifted to a viewer-friendly time to permit the live telecast of the big game!<P>My former assistant manager Trobiani resigns as manager of GandÃ*a, the second club he has tried to manage after he left Cartagonova.<P>17th of March 2004<P>Bitter news before our weekend clash with Deportivo as the physios force me to rule a line through Iulian Filipescu’s name. He bruises a thigh in the evening training drills and he won’t be right for ten days. Add his name to the fact that Couto is doubtful to come up in time then we’re going to look more than a little short in defence come Sunday. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]<P>But there is better news for Javier Margas and Iván Zamorano as Chile calls up the two veterans for the World Cup qualifier against Peru in a fortnight.

Dixie Flatline

20th of March 2004<P>Primera Liga – Game 29: Cartagonova v Deportivo La Coruña<P>“… Both clubs today have plenty to play for in the Match of the Day from Spain, live on Sky Sports 3. Deportivo is looking to recapture top spot from Real Madrid and I’m sure that Señor Casquero will be drilling his players on the importance of getting that early goal and knocking Cartagonova off balance. But on the flip side, Señor Flatline knows that with games beginning to seriously run out, he can consolidate a position inside the top four at the very least if his players can defeat an all-season frontrunner. But Cartagonova is going to have its work cut out with Filipescu and Morán both definitely missing while Couto, despite passing a late fitness test, expected to only sit on the substitutes’ bench this afternoon. We can see banners unfurled by the Cartagonova faithful congratulating Stan Collymore on being the first player to reach 100 league appearances for the club, and they are entreating him not to return to England at the end of the season.â€�<P>“It has been a fairly even first half here at Cartagena in front of an almost capacity crowd. Deportivo started the strongest and its reward came on the 20th minute with Mista turning Moya and Ballesteros inside out before thumping a dipping, swerving shot away from the diving Vidal into the back of the Cartagonova net. But some of that famous fighting spirit materialised and with Esnáider pulling the strings from midfield, Cartagonova began to rain shots down on José Molina’s goal. The Spanish international kept up the pace against the barrage but right on half time, Esnáider picked out Redondo and the striker notched up his 20th league goal of the season. The second half is right on the other side of the break…â€�<P>“… Well, in an amazing second half of attacking football, Cartagonova marked Stan Collymore’s 100th league match for the club in style, scoring four goals to completely obliterate Deportivo 5-1! The rout started when Esnáider slid the ball through the static Deportivo defence to find the unmarked Rufete and the winger easily converted the opportunity on 48 minutes. Then nine minutes later, Rufete was on hand to pick up the rebound from Redondo’s shot and suddenly Deportivo was looking decidedly shaky. Looking to kill time, Señor Flatline made two changes on 85 minutes, with Michel and Esnáider – both enjoying good games – being replaced by O’Neill and Miranda respectively. But Redondo turned provider a minute later, forcing his way to the by-line before cutting it back for Collymore to mark his 100th league appearance with his 50th goal in all competitions for the club. Then when César fouled Redondo, up stepped Collymore to thunder home a wicked free kick with just two minutes on the clock!â€�<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal (c); Heinze, Moya, Ã�lvarez, Lacruz; Michel (O’Neill 85), Ballesteros, Rufete; Esnáider (Miranda 85); Redondo, Collymore.<P>Deportivo La Coruña (4-1-2-1-2): Molina; André Luiz (Valerón 69), César, Amaya (c), Leo Ramos; Emerson; Mario, VÃ*ctor (Capdevila 69); Mista; Turu Flores, Diego Tristán.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 5:1 Deportivo La Coruña
MoM – Stan Collymore