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16th of May 2004<P>Primera Liga – Game 37: Elche v Cartagonova<P>With just two games left, a victory in this one would go a long way towards securing fourth place in our first season in the Primera Liga. So, of course, we go and concede the first goal on 21 minutes as Nano picks up the pieces from Filipescu’s desperate tackle on Guede and slams the shot past Vidal before the keeper can react. Morán almost hits back immediately only to see Mora push aside his shot. After a roasting at half-time, switching to 4-3-3 produces some results as Gabrich’s flick-on is picked up by Collymore and the Englishman rescues a point in a disappointing result.<P>Elche (4-2-4): Mora; Manusovich, Hélder, Sarasúa, José Manuel (Almqvist 51); Solaun (Isach 73), Martens; Grønkjær, Nano, Guede (c), Toñito.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, �lvarez, Ballesteros; Couto (c); O’Neill (Michel 57), Rufete; Morán (Gabrich 57); Redondo, Collymore.<P>Final score: Elche 1:1 Cartagonova
MoM – Nano<P>19th of May 2004<P>Despite defeating Barcelona 2-1 in Vigo, Celta Vigo cannot do enough to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg in the other semi-final of the Copa del Rey. So our opponent in the final to be played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in ten days will be Barcelona. We lose the coin-flip and therefore will be considered the nominal away side for the fixture.<P>21st of May 2004<P>Espanyol’s manager believes that since in recent fixtures I have preferred Keith O’Neill to Michel, I must be losing faith in the winger’s ability to turn it on for the club. Therefore, he decides to offer me £3.1 million for the former Rayo player. I have to admit that the money is tempting, but I’m not really interested in selling the player. So I inform my counterpart Ramón DÃ*az that he can’t do a deal for this type of money. The player, of course, is unhappy that I have decided to turn down the offer.<P>In the Friday evening match, Barcelona defeats Celta Vigo 2-1 to make the situation for us in capturing fourth spot more simple. As you can see, we are two points clear of Sporting Gijón and the final opponent of the season, Valencia, while we enjoy a three point break back to Celta. So, a point should be sufficient to secure fourth place and a berth in the lucrative Champions’ League.<P>

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22nd of May 2004<P>Fernando Couto is called up to the Portugueuse squad for the European Championships to start in a fortnight.<P>23rd of May 2004<P>Primera Liga – Game 38: Cartagonova v Valencia<P>The last game of the season sees us chasing at least a point to secure fourth spot and a tilt at the Champions’ League next season – not bad going for a club only founded about ten years ago! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] It’s also the final opportunity the local fans will have to cheer on Stan Collymore who will bow out of league competition for Cartagonova after today. He probably has the Copa del Rey to come, but it is his swansong in front of his fans. Also participating in his final game of the season is Fernando Couto, who is suspended for the Copa del Rey final next Saturday. Valencia also has plenty to play for, because a victory here and results going right in the other fixtures involving Celta Vigo and Sporting Gijón could mean the club, under Guus Hiddink, scraping into the competition it was runners-up in twice a few seasons ago. So it should be a cracking encounter.<P>Valencia makes the early running with Angulo looking particularly dangerous making runs from midfield. I instruct Couto to pick up the Spanish international and now that he receives the loving attention from the big Portuguese international, things start swinging in our way. Particularly when Redondo and Morán force a fine double save out of Cañizares who has something to prove after being left out of Spain’s squad for Euro 2004. Ã�lvarez picks out the keeper’s clearance and sends it back in for Collymore, but our joyous celebrations are cut short by the linesman’s flag. It is doubly cruel when five minutes later, Ã�lvarez gives away a free kick for a foul on Hugo Leal and Argentine master blaster, MartÃ*n Palermo steps up to fire home the goal. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] But Couto fights back for us on the 30 minute mark when he picks up Redondo’s pass to blast it past Cañizares! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] Almost ten minutes later, Collymore marks his farewell with a goal to give us the 2-1 lead, capitalising on Michel’s low cross.<P>But almost immediately after the break, Valencia draws level when Hugo Leal dances his way through our defence, picks up Carew’s pass and thunders it beneath the advancing Iván Vidal. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] The defence is busy for the next fifteen or twenty minutes as Valencia’s forwards try to go berserk. Still, Vidal holds firm against the barrage and we gradually assert territorial domination on our opponent. It pays off when substitute Iván Gabrich fires the pass out to Rufete and the winger rams home his tenth goal of the season! But we fail to competently marshal Hugo Leal and the little Portuguese finds enough time and space to equalise from Marcelo Gallardo’s cross. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] Still, a point should be enough and after quickly shaking the hand of Guus Hiddink and completing my press obligations, I dash into my office to find out the final standings for the season…<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Heinze, Filipescu, Ã�lvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto (c), Rufete; Morán (Gabrich 62); Redondo, Collymore.<P>Valencia (3-5-2): Cañizares; Björklund (Onopko 59), Mendieta (c), Mellberg; Stankovic, Juric, Hugo Leal, Gallardo, Angulo (Arellano 59); Palermo, Carew.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 3:3 Valencia
MoM – Hugo Leal

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I sigh with relief – the point was enough, as we finish fourth on goal difference ahead of Celta Vigo and Sporting Gijón! The Champions’ League is coming to Cartagena next season! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="roll eyes[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink[/IMG]<P>So, the final standings see Real Madrid confirmed as the champion of the Primera Liga for the twenty-eighth time in its distinguished history (the first time since 1997, incidentally). Real Madrid finished two points clear of Barcelona, who overtook Deportivo in the final stages. Hence, Real Madrid gained the ultimate revenge for the demolition job Barcelona perpetrated during the season. At the other end of the table, Extremadura, Vallodolid and Tenerife finished 18th, 19th and 20th respectively and are therefore relegated.<P><P>Around the leagues<P>In England, Chelsea finished four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the ladder, while Ipswich finished two points further back. Manchester United finished ninth as the unravelling of the empire Sir Alex Ferguson continues unabated – Ryan Giggs will join Arsenal in the summer and the exciting young Mads Timm will go to Fiorentina. Crystal Palace, Leeds and Portsmouth will play in the Nationwide League next season, but joining the top flight are Liverpool and Watford, and the winner of the final between Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday.<P>The Italian Scudetto was won a long time ago by Fiorentina, who ended the season an impressive twelve points clear of Roma. AC Milan under Oscar Ruggeri ended the season four points behind Roma and Parma was three points further back. Lazio finished ninth – a result that cost Sven-Göran Eriksson, who was replaced by Frank Rijkaard for the last few weeks of the season. Juventus finished sixth and Inter Milan seventh. Relegated are Atalanta, Napoli, Piacenza and Sampdoria. Coming into Serie A are Udinese (as champion), Lecce, Empoli and Vicenza.<P>An exciting finish marked the conclusion of the Portuguese Premier League, with Porto grabbing the championship by a point from MarÃ*timo. Relegated are Beira-Mar, Braga and Gil Vicente. Sporting finished a worrying 14th, while Benfica fared somewhat better, ending the campaign in fourth.

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26th of May 2004<P>In a result that sends shivers down my spine as I saw the final score on the TV I was watching this evening, Barcelona obliterated Ajax 4-1 in the Champions’ League final played in Copenhagen’s Parken stadium. Almost before the crowd could blink, Alfonso had the Spaniards on the board (well, it was after 4 minutes!), and then in a cracking phase lasting three minutes, Barcelona went 3-0 to the good with goals to Patrick Kluivert and Josep Guardiola. Michael Mols gave the Dutch a faint hope, pulling a goal back on 31 minutes, but Rivaldo wrapped up proceedings on 86 minutes.<P>And I have to find a way to beat these guys on Saturday! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]<P>29th of May 2004<P>Copa del Rey – Final: Barcelona v Cartagonova<P>“…Welcome to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium this fine, warm Saturday afternoon, as Barcelona and Cartagonova gear up for the final of the Spanish Cup of Kings, the Copa del Rey. We can tell you right now that both sides will be far from full strength. Barcelona will miss Patrick Kluivert, Michael Reiziger (both with Holland preparing for Euro 2004), Gerard, Xavi and Abelardo, all with varying injuries. Iván de la Peña is doubtful and will be likely to start the match on the bench. Cartagonova will miss its captain, Fernando Couto, who is with the Portuguese squad but would have missed through suspension anyway, and Keith O’Neill, who is with the Irish squad. Iván Vidal is set to be given the captain’s arm-band in the absence of Couto. It is also the final match of his Cartagonova career for Stan Collymore and I’m sure that the Englishman would love to mark his exit with a virtuoso performance. After the break, we take a look at how both teams reached the final…�<P>“…Welcome back to our live coverage of the Copa del Rey final, here on Sky Sports 3. Kick-off is in about an hour and before we cross to the commentators, Ian Helm and Andy Gray, we briefly reprise how both clubs reached today’s final, starting with Barcelona. Barcelona’s campaign in the Copa del Rey began with a tight, hard-fought 2-1 victory over perennial rival, Real Madrid. Rivaldo set the Catalans on their way on 28 minutes, but Raúl equalised just moments later. Massimo Donati scored the winner just a couple of minutes before half-time. Barcelona drew Rayo Vallecano in the third round and needed to fight back in the second leg after Rayo defeated them 2-1 in Madrid. Aldrich opened the scoring for the home side on 17 minutes, but Alfonso’s equaliser seemed enough, until Bolo put Rayo back in front on 45 minutes. Alfonso’s goal proved decisive when in the return leg at the Nou Camp, Barcelona needed de la Peña’s first half penalty to move through on away goals. It drew Compostela in the quarter-finals and the Segunda Liga club proved no match for Barcelona, as they defeated Compostela 1-0 and 2-0 over two legs. The semi-final pitted Barcelona against Celta Vigo and a 3-0 victory at home in the first leg – goals to Thuram and Kluivert (two) – was enough to assure passage to the final today, despite Celta’s fight-back in the second leg to win that 2-1.�<P>“Cartagonova’s campaign began in the first round with a visit to Toledo. Most pundits thought that the Primera Liga debutant would be too good for Toledo, but a dramatic second half eventually saw Cartagonova prevail 4-2 over their opponents. If that was nervewrecking for their supporters, Cartagonova was drawn against Valencia at Cartagena on New Year’s Eve. In an epic battle, Rufete’s extra-time goal proved decisive as Cartagonova ran out 3-2. Juan Sánchez put Valencia ahead on 32 minutes and Cartagonova needed Gabrich’s equaliser on 69 minutes to put some spice into the contest. John Carew scored to give Valencia the lead on 78 minutes, but Redondo’s equaliser forced the game into extra-time where Rufete made a name for himself with the Cartagonova fans. A week later, Cartagonova faced Extremadura in the third round. Roberto Sosa scored a quick brace to put Cartagonova up 2-0, but David Karanka gave Extramadura hope with a goal on 20 minutes. Marcelo Moya extended Cartagonova’s lead to 3-1, but Karanka pulled that back to 3-2 with a last-minute goal to set up an interesting return leg. In that game, Koldo Arce scored early to put Extramadura 1-0 up and give them the opportunity to advance, but Fernando Morán’s second half equaliser was enough for Cartagonova. In the quarter-finals, Cartagonova faced Real Oviedo and a goalless stalemate in the first leg opened up the contest in the second. But a great performance from Cartagonova in the second leg saw them through into the semi-finals 3-0 on the night and on aggregate. In the semi-finals, Sporting Gijón took a 1-0 lead on the first leg thanks to Francisco Farinós’ second half goal, but a spectacular performance in the second leg allowed Cartagonova to advance 4-2 on aggregate. Two goals in each half to Morán, Collymore, �lvarez and Filipescu put Cartagonova into today’s final… We now take you to your match commentators, Andy Gray and first Ian Helm…�

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As I introduce my players to His Royal Highness, King Phillip II, I glance around the stadium and notice the several thousands of supporters who had managed, by hook and by crook, to snaffle up some tickets for today’s game, the most important in our club’s short history. I walk off the field of play slowly, determined to soak up every moment of atmosphere – the drums pound in the upper decks, rockets shoot up into the sky and the crowd is roaring. Señor Lorenzo Serra Ferrer taps me on the shoulder and offers me his hand. We shake and then I take my place in the dug-out. The band strikes up the Spanish national anthem and the Spaniards in both sides place their hands on their hearts and sing lustily. It is quickly over and the teams exchange handshakes. The referee calls over the two captains and we take the coin flip. We’re almost underway.<P>Rivaldo looks very likely, prompting and pulling the strings from midfield, so I arrange for Ballesteros to give him very special attention. But we escape by the skin of our teeth when Vidal brings down Luis Enrique inside the area. On another day, he would have been off and we would already be 1-0 down on 8 minutes, but the referee ignores the loud claims from the Barcelona players and we continue. Redondo sends a header just wide on 16 minutes after good work from Rufete down the right and almost goes one better when Ballesteros feeds him. Unfortunately, Antonio Prats can get across in time to push aside his shot. <P>A minute before half-time, Rivaldo manages to slip Ballesteros and he takes Nano’s cross and puts it beneath Vidal. He begins to celebrate, but the referee pulls him up and points to the linesman’s flag. The Barcelona section of the stadium is booing, but I’m happy to take that charity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last – just moments before the half-time whistle is blown, Donati motors his way through our defence before hitting a powerful shot low beneath Vidal. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] Yet, a poor corner from Guardiola in injury time is the launching pad for a sweeping counter-attack that puts the ball ahead of Michel. The winger skips past Pablo Paz before placing the ball in the path of Collymore. The Englishman thunders a header into the top corner, well away from the finger-tips of Prats! What a way to end the first half!<P>A team talk designed to motivate the players to come out firing on all cylinders in the second half culminates in me telling Ballesteros that he has no further part to play – he was mistiming his tackles all the way through the first half and since he was already on a card, I don’t want him dismissed in the second. Pablo Box is given the nod to man-mark Rivaldo. Three minutes into the second half, Paz knocks Redondo over inside the box. I hold my breath. So does the entire stadium. Up steps Collymore… and slams it home! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] I pinch myself – 2-1 to the good against Barcelona, the champion of Europe! But it gets better. Box’s raking pass is nodded down by Redondo to the advantage of Collymore and the Englishman doesn’t hesitate. Bang. It’s 3-1 to our advantage! And it’s a four minute hat-trick to Collymore (although separated by half-time). <P>On 56 minutes, Filipescu’s free kick lifts over the bar and it’s like a switch is thrown in the head of each Barcelona player. They begin the rampage and nine minutes later, Luis Enrique pulls the score back to 3-2 with a great goal that has the Barcelona fans whistling in appreciation. Four minutes later, we gift Verón too much time and space on the ball and he punishes us with a thirty yard goal. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] Just like that, our lead has evaporated. Guardiola blows his top on 80 minutes and gets himself sent off, but my players can’t take advantage of the extra man and the match enters extra-time. It’s all Barcelona but as the time ticks by we seemingly inch towards a penalty shoot-out. That is until we concede a corner in the 111th minute of play. My tired defenders once again try to pick up their opponents, but Verón manages to break free from Esnáider just long enough to meet Sergi’s cross with an exquisite header. It proves to be the winner and the referee blows three long blasts on his whistle to bring the curtain down on a tremendous match and a great season of football.<P>The Barcelona players are understandably delighted with the result – perhaps the domestic trophy doesn’t hold that much delight for them normally but such was the match that they can’t help but celebrate. I, my assistants and the substitutes join the gutted players on the pitch and I personally congratulate each player on their contribution. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] Still, it doesn’t make up for seeing Lilian Thuram lifting the Copa del Rey trophy above his head. I vow that we will be back, sooner or later, to claim the trophy for ourselves. At least Stan Collymore gets to keep the match ball in his final game for the club.<P>Barcelona (3-5-2): Prats; De Boer, Pablo Paz (Verón 50), Thuram; Sergi, Rivaldo, Guardiola (c), Donati, Varela; Nano (de la Peña 80), Luis Enrique (Alfonso 118).<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal (c); Heinze, Filipescu, �lvarez, Lacruz; Ballesteros (Box 46); Michel, Rufete; Morán (Esnáider 106); Redondo, Collymore.<P>Final score (aet): Barcelona 4:3 Cartagonova
MoM – Stan Collymore

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And so there it is. The first season in the top flight, culminating in an appearance in the Copa del Rey, is finally concluded. It’s been a tough time, but I think we’ve done quite well. And it’s now time to take a look at the club’s squad to assess how each individual performed and make predictions on who might be here this time next season…<P>Goalkeepers<P>Iván Vidal (ESP, 25 y/o): 35 apps, 44 conceded, 3 MoMs, av. rate: 7.20: An injury interrupted season meant that my first choice keeper didn’t participate in all the games, but I think he adjusted very well to the pressures of top flight football. I even made him the club’s vice-captain and he will be line to take on the arm-band when Couto retires. His career has certainly taken off since he came three seasons ago for just £70,000. Probably unlikely to make the Spanish squad in his career, but he certainly has a long way to travel with us and he will only improve. Interestingly, Verón’s second goal of the Copa del Rey final was the one-hundredth conceded goal of his career. Not a landmark he’d like to remember, I’m sure.<P>Francesc Arnau (ESP, 29 y/o): 12 apps, 11 conceded, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.25: A perfect deputy for Vidal and whenever the young keeper was injured, he stepped into the breach and did a good job. Unlikely to displace Vidal next season, but he will remain first in line to take his place.<P>JoaquÃ*n Moso (25 y/o, ESP): 0(2) apps, 1 conceded, av. rate: 7.00: Twice filled in for Vidal in the second halves when the first choice keeper injured himself. Did a good job when called upon but he is definitely the third choice at the club. Seems not unhappy about that yet, though, and he has time to improve his chances with some hard training.<P>Defenders<P>Iulian Filipescu (30 y/o, ROM 36 caps, 1 goal, SW/D/DM C): 37(1) apps, 3 goals, 4 assists, av. rate: 6.92: Started very well at the beginning of the season as he pretty much held the defence together while the rest of the back four grew into their roles. But at the season progressed, he grew inconsistent. Still, he was one of the better defenders at the club and formed quite a good partnership with Óscar Ã�lvarez. I don’t think I’ll be getting rid of him any time soon, although he does enjoy one of the larger wage packets at the club currently.<P>Ballesteros (28 y/o, ESP, D/DM RC): 44 apps, 1 goal, 2 assists, av. rate: 6.95: Another useful and dependable defender, although a poor match in the Copa del Rey dragged down his performance slightly. Definitely made the right-back role his own during the season, despite some competition from Moya and Tetteh. I again think that the Rayo manager made a mistake in letting him go, but I’m not complaining! He professes to enjoy playing for Cartagonova, and I’m happy to have him here, so I guess we’re all happy!<P>Marcelo Moya (25 y/o, ARG, D RLC): 17(5) apps, 1 goal, av. rate: 6.91: Began his career with Cartagonova well, but a series of poor performances culminated in me dishing out an official warning and dropping him for just about the remainder of the season. He has taken umbrage over this treatment and wants to leave the club, but I think that given time, he will get over it and mature into a good defender for the club. As I feared, his lack of pace was exposed on many occasions and if he wants to become a good defender he will have to learn to cope with that deficiency. But I would have to say that so far he has been worth the investment of £400,000.<P>Pablo Casar (25 y/o, ESP, D RC): 0 apps: Likely to be sold next season and never appeared for the club in this.

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Stephen Tetteh (24 y/o, GHA 11 caps, D R): 4 apps, av. rate: 7.00: Did a competent job with his limited opportunities and managed to add a couple of caps to his collection. But two things stand in his way to commanding a regular spot in the line-up – his non-EU nationality and Ballesteros. If he can get through those obstacles, he will be a good squad member.<P>José Ramón Dacosta (29 y/o, ESP, D/DM L): 0(2) apps, av. rate: 6.00: Didn’t impress and unlikely to stay very long.<P>Gabriel Iván Heinze (26 y/o, ARG, D LC): 5(1) apps, av. rate: 6.83: Nothing more than an average squad player, but at least he has an Italian passport so he doesn’t take up a non-EU slot. Will probably play the same role next season.<P>Ismael (28 y/o, ESP, D LC): 5(2) apps, av. rate: 6.14: I’m really surprised by how Ismael played this season. He had done really well last season and I thought he would be capable of adding a lot to our defence in this one, but he played so poorly and was responsible for too many goals to be really considered for many more games than he actually played. Likely to move on next season, because I don’t want to risk the same thing happening again.<P>Mariano Fernández (25 y/o, ARG, D C): 2 apps, av. rate: 7.00: Not much to say about him but I think I will hang onto the competent Argentine defender for a while yet.<P>Luis Prieto (25 y/o, ESP, D C): 1 app, av. rate: 8.00: Spent half the season on loan to a second division B club and he will be unlikely to stay much longer at my club. He just doesn’t quite have the attributes necessary to remain at the club with better defenders ahead of him.<P>Javier Margas (35 y/o, CHI 98 caps, 6 goals, D C): 1 app, av. rate: 7.00: Leaving at the end of the season and I don’t really care.

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Óscar �lvarez (26 y/o, ESP, D C): 40 apps, 1 goal, 1 MoM: With Filipescu he formed a good partnership and when the Romanian wasn’t there beside him he looked a little lost trying to guide the other defenders through the match. Also racked up an impressive disciplinary record – 14 yellow cards and 2 red cards – but made enough tackles per game (4.1 tackles/game) to be a good defender for my club. He will be in my plans for next season, no doubt about it. I promised to play Ourense £750,000 if he plays thirty internationals for Spain, but I don’t think I’ll be doing that. He isn’t of that class, but he is a good club defender and I’m quite glad to have him. If we can tone down his poor discipline, I’ll be even happier.<P>Pedro Alberto (34 y/o, ESP, D/DM C): 0 apps: On the list the whole season. If I don’t get any nibbles from other clubs next season, I’ll cut him loose.<P>Keep smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]
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Wrapping up the first season in the Primera Liga<P>Midfielders<P>Fernando Manuel Couto (34 y/o, POR 76 caps, 7 caps, D/DM C): 36 apps, 3 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 6.97: An impressive first season back in the Primera Liga, he captained the club with honour and leadership. Now completely settled at the club, I will continue to defy my board in that he will continue to play on next season. He regained his place in the Portuguese national squad and with some luck he will appear for his country in the upcoming Euro 2004. Not only that, he also scored his first goals for the club this season, including some memorable goals against Barcelona. He may be getting on in years, but he is still good value to the club.<P>�lex Fernández (30 y/o, ESP, DM C): 3 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, av. rate: 7.67: After I discovered the joys of Fernando Couto at centre midfield, I haven’t had much need to play �lex in that position. As a result, he thought he had no future at the club and decided to negotiate a deal with Córdoba. So, he played just three times – all in the Copa del Rey’s early rounds – and once he made his mind up, he never figured in my plans again. Callous, hey! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]<P>Francisco �lvarez (18 y/o, ESP, DM C): 0 apps: A product of Cartagonova’s youth system, I signed him to a professional contract early in the season. Has made encouraging progress under the guidance of the coaches and has won a regular spot in Spain’s U-21 side. Now being tracked by Villarreal, but I like the look of him. Still needs to expand physically if he wants to make it as a player at Cartagonova, though. He is very weak and can’t jump over a puddle yet, but we’re working on those deficiencies.<P>Ismael Ruiz (26 y/o, ESP, DM C): 1(2) apps, 1 goal, av. rate: 6.33: Dropped to third in the pecking order of the anchor midfieldsmen after the re-invention of Couto into a defensive midfielder. Still, he is prepared to stick it out for a while longer yet and will move up a notch next season – though Kevin Gibbons is on his way to have his own say on that matter. A competent squad player, but not really in line for a regular spot in the starting eleven.

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Pablo Box (25 y/o, ESP, M RC): 1(4) apps, 3 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 7.60: Found it difficult during the season to command any type of game time but in his only starting appearance in the league he ran the midfield very well and created several scoring opportunities for the forwards. So I still think it’s worth keeping the player at the club next season, but if the right offer comes along, he may well find himself on his way.<P>Gustavo Cañizares (30 y/o, ESP, AM RLC): 4(2) apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, av. rate: 6.50: Performed poorly in the league from limited opportunities and I think he will be one of the unfortunate players jettisoned next season. No doubt we’ll take a loss on him, but frankly he wasn’t the player I thought he would be when I signed him. To his credit, he is willing to put in the hard yards to recapture a spot in the first eleven, but to be brutally honest, it ain’t going to happen, baby.<P>Paulo Miranda (25 y/o, ARG, AM RLC): 11(7) apps, 2 goals, 3 assists, av. rate: 7.33: A good start to his career with Cartagonova and I’m sure that sooner or later he will crack it for a regular spot in the first eleven. His versatility, creativity and passing technique are his major assets, and he is becoming a fan favourite with the blokes in the terraces. I’m quite proud to have captured him from Argentina and I hope that he continues to develop into a fine attacking midfielder over the coming seasons.<P>Fernando Morán (27 y/o, ESP, AM RLC): 36 apps, 5 goals, 7 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.31: Not as effective as he was the previous season where he swept all before him, but of course the Primera Liga offers a completely different challenge than the Segunda Liga. Still, I always preferred to have him in the starting eleven than not in it, so I guess he is still good value. Refused, however, to re-negotiate his contract and since it is to expire next season, he may be placed on the transfer list so we can get some money for him. Still, the door to my office is always open should he be willing to change his mind.