Raptor

Holy god [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif" alt="eek[/IMG]<P>Where did Celtic get that kind of money from? [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused[/IMG]

enjikari

Great Story Dixie [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] <P>keep put the good work [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink[/IMG]

Raptor

Why Stan? [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Raptor

I'll tell you what Dixiie: that Collymore bloke needs a proper agent...

retired_lydiadiebolt

G'day guys! Thank you all for your high words of praise. It means much and I hope you keep reading! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]<P>Raptor, I don't know where Celtic got their money from. They sold Henrik Larsson a few seasons ago, but it certainly didn't generate 90 million pounds! I don't recall how well they've done the Champions' League, either. It's a real mystery.<P>Cheers,<P>Dixie

retired_lydiadiebolt

A quick update to keep you all in the loop!<P>Primera Liga - Game 15: Cartagonova v Real Madrid<P>This is not the game I want to put our chase for points in the division back on track. But we have to make do with the draw that has been handed to us. Despite having a squad full of malcontents, Señor del Bosque has managed to coax enough good performances out of them to put his club into third position just behind us, and obviously a win today would launch them into second. Surprisingly, it isn’t quite a full house today for the visit of the men from the capital - 17,969 file into their seats for this encounter.<P>Real Madrid doesn’t make the same mistake Barcelona did, preferring to keep with Raúl and Morientes together, despite the latter’s ginger recovery from a groin strain. The partnership has been prolific for both club and country this season, and being supported by del Piero and Ronaldinho, you can expect that I spent hours drilling the defenders and Couto upon the importance of keeping a tight reign in midfield and defence. We actually have the better of the opening exchanges with Oliver and Collymore stretching the Real Madrid defence only to see their shots either miss or be superbly saved by Casillas. Real Madrid eventually forced itself awake and del Piero creates a great opportunity for Raúl only to see the Spaniard miss from six yards. Ten minutes before half-time, Roberto Carlos’ cross is headed fiercely by compatriot Ronaldinho, but Vidal is perfectly placed to put two hands on the ball. Five minutes later, a dancing exchange of passes between Raúl and Ronaldinho unhinge my defence, but Lacruz’s desperate pressure on Morientes does just enough to put the striker off his game.<P>I again emphasise the importance of getting the job done. Only 45 minutes separates us from a well-earned point, but it is important not to get carried away. We could have been 2-0 down if our opponents had been more accurate and apart from the two chances early on, our strikers had been relatively starved of opportunity. So when Morientes picks up the rebound from his own shot and taps it in on 51 minutes, you can understand why I’m angry and frustrated on the sidelines. But to my relieved surprise, Real Madrid’s players decide to go back in their shells and defend. We’re really good at attacking, but we can’t quite put in that brilliant pass to set free Redondo or Collymore. Hence, on 69 minutes I introduce Roberto Sosa for the Englishman and hope that his strength and power can win the day for us. Five minutes later, Couto’s wretched day was over - I substitute him for Cristian �lvarez and hope the Salvadoran’s creativity can do something for us in the middle of the park. Then Ballesteros loses his temper and gets in the face of the grinning Raúl. Yes, I know none of us really like the little kid (he’s 26 now and captain of club and country, but he still looks like a kid), but it doesn’t help to have the right-back sent off. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] I hope a three-man defence can hold it together and I’m pleasantly surprised to see Sosa slam home the free kick given away by Morientes on Cristian �lvarez with just a minute to play. But when we fail to deal with Celades’ long ball through the heart of our defence, Raúl has the last laugh, planting an unstoppable shot past the poorly placed Vidal. It costs us all three points and I’m absolutely furious.<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz (Moya 69), Filipescu, Óscar �lvarez, Ballesteros; Oliver, Couto (c) (Cristian �lvarez 74), Morán; Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore (Sosa 69).<P>Real Madrid (5-2-1-2): Iker Casillas; Roberto Carlos, César (Kalla 55), Bornes, Iván Helguera, Grillito; Celades, Ronaldinho; Del Piero; Raúl, Morientes.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 1:2 Real Madrid
MoM - Óscar �lvarez

retired_lydiadiebolt

I’m sitting in my office after the match with a glass of scotch whiskey and one finger on the fast-forward button reviewing the tapes of the game when Luis Sosa walks in with a magazine in his hand. It’s that estimable publication, Four-Four-Two, from England. He tells me that I had better look at page 25. Stopping the tape, I take the magazine from him and read in increasing horror. <P>“COLLYMORE’S COLLY-WOBBLES<P>“In an exclusive interview with Four-Four-Two’s Gavin Willards, Cartagonova’s English ex-pat striker Stan Collymore revealed that he is becoming increasingly disillusioned with life in the southern industrial town of Cartagena. Now in his third season with the club and final year of his contract, Stan said that while the club had done well to reach the Primera Liga in such a short period of time, he believes that its position in the top flight is being undermined by poor performances by his some of his teammates. When pressed, the 32 year old veteran wouldn’t elaborate on names, but he said that the man in charge, Mr Dixie Flatline, should take immediate measures to ensure that Cartagonova remains a force in Spanish football.<P>“However, when we asked about his own future at the club, Stan made a statement that is tantamount to issuing a ‘come get me’ plea to British clubs. Citing a clash in culture and a basic homesickness, Stan said that while he had enjoyed his time playing for Cartagonova he wanted to end his career back in England and that he had instructed his agent to find him a club at the end of the season. Stan began his career with Crystal Palace before coming to the notice of English Premier League clubs thanks to two outstanding seasons with Nottingham Forest. However, moves to Liverpool and then Aston Villa proved to be less than successful as his high profile often put the striker in trouble. He escaped to the relative obscurity of the Spanish second division with Cartagonova and helped guide them to the top flight.<P>“We have yet to discuss the Collymore issue with his club manager, Mr Flatline.�<P>Yes, I’m sure you have, because this is the first I’ve heard about it. On advice of my coaching staff, I decide to make no comment. It pains me to say this, but I think I’m going to have to start looking for a club to sell the striker to. It is his final year of his contract and he is in no hurry to sign a new one. <P>I also need to discipline Ballesteros and Couto for their poor performances in our loss against Real Madrid. The punishment meted out is short and swift. They know the score and they know I won’t tolerate such shabby performances out there on the pitch. Given that we’re on the road to Bilbao in three days, away to Alavés in a week, and play Valencia at home in the Copa del Rey on the last day of the year, I seriously cannot see us winning another game this year. I hope I’m wrong…<P>Almost unnoticed, Misrad Hibic takes the offer from Radnicki and therefore packs up his gear and prepares to catch the first flight out of Spain. His fact-file: Misrad Hibic (SW/D C, 30 y/o, BOS 22 caps): 30(1) apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, av. rate: 6.95

retired_lydiadiebolt

22nd of December 2003<P>Osijek weighs in with a bid of £750,000 for Lawal. I respond by demanding £900,000 immediately and £250,000 after ten internationals. Least I try to, then the player points me to his contract - min. release clause of £750,000. <P>23rd of December 2003<P>When I should be out buying presents for my burgeoning family, I’m actually stuck in the office negotiating patiently the transfer of Lawal. I tell Levski’s manager that bigger numbers have been phoned in for the midfielder, so his bid of £525,000 is no longer acceptable. On the other hand, CSKA’s package bid of £900,000 is, so its manager has the opportunity to tempt the player to Moscow.<P>Also good news is the broad English accent of one Alan Stubbs on the other end of the line. He tells me that he has signed the contract I faxed to him and he can’t wait to get to the club in the summer. A distinguished career at Celtic (and three games at Rangers this season) behind him, he will be a fine addition to the squad, I’m sure.<P>More good news as Lawal’s agent tells me that his client has accepted the offer from CSKA. That means the club receives £900,000 altogether, including £750,000 now and £150,000 after ten internationals. I’m happy because today is the day clubs could have started talking to him directly. His fact-file: Lawal (AM RC, 23 y/o, NIG 8 caps): 20 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists, av. rate: 6.85<P>Keep smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]
Dixie Flatline

retired_lydiadiebolt

Yes, I know Raptor, but Stan is always his own man. Always has been. It's been a privilege to have him at the club, but his days are numbered here. And there's not a lot I can do about it, unfortunately. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]<P>Dixie

retired_lydiadiebolt

We resume the adventure!<P>24th of December 2003<P>Primera Liga - Game 16: Athletic Bilbao v Cartagonova<P>Although the defending champion is struggling to keep up the standard set last season, since it’s down in eleventh place, taking three points from Basque country is always going to be a difficult affair, particularly with an unhappy squad. After Collymore’s outburst, I have no choice but to drop him and Roberto Sosa’s goal against Real Madrid gives me the perfect opportunity to put him in from the start. Further, Óscar Ã�lvarez picked up his fifth yellow card along with his MoM bottle of champagne in the last game, so Marcelo Moya moves into the middle. Stephen Tetteh covers for the suspended Ballesteros. Michel returns at the expense of Oliver and Gustavo Cañizares plays instead of the tired Esnáider.<P>Redondo’s goals have dried up of late and I’m unhappy but not surprised to see him shoot wide on 9 minutes. Then Athletic Bilbao exerts pressure like never before, keeping the ball not only in our half, but in our box for a good six or seven minutes, earning corner after corner as my defence is stretched, eventually beyond breaking point as on 18 minutes, Jorge Pérez reacts quickest to Vidal’s spilled attempt to hold Arteaga’s shot and he tucks it away. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] But Bilbao isn’t satisfied with that and they continue to pour forward in search of another goal. But somehow we hang on and we score a desperate equaliser against the run of play on 42 minutes when Sosa’s high cross is smashed home by Redondo jumping over LarraÃ*nzer. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] But while I’m writing notes for the half-time address, a roar from the crowd alerts me to bad news - Bittor Alkiza puts the ball ahead of Ignacio Arteaga and the player whom I thought was no good at the start of the season has his own goal. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif" alt="eek[/IMG] I tear out the notes and crumple them up.<P>But somehow, against the odds, we have the equaliser on 54 minutes when Michel’s accurate cross is coolly converted by Sosa. Then Couto decides to get busy, dribbling his way through the Bilbao defence, but the big Portuguese can’t finish off his good work with a goal. Inevitably we go again behind when Puñal’s deep cross is headed home by Jon Kortina. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] Why is this happening to me? Eight minutes from time, Arteaga wheels away after scoring again, but salvation is on hand when the referee points to the linesman’s flag. Cue Stan Collymore. The substitute, on for Cañizares, plays a one-two with Sosa, skips through LarraÃ*nzer’s tackle before laying it off for Michel to curl it in from the edge of the box! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>Athletic Bilbao (4-3-1-2): Valencia; Del Horno (Jon Kortina 61), Óskar Vales, LarraÃ*nzer, Edu Alonso (Larrazábal 61); Alkiza (c), Felipe, Puñal; Jorge Pérez; Arteaga, Kaiku (SÃ*vori 54).<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, Moya, Tetteh; Couto (c); Michel, Cañizares (Collymore 76); Morán; Redondo, Sosa.<P>Final score: Athletic Bilbao 3:3 Cartagonova
MoM - Stan Collymore