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25th of December 2003<P>My Christmas Day is almost spoiled by the news that Fabián O’Neill decides to join Málaga rather than my club. Then I remember what Christmas is all about and I forget about the Uruguayan international.<P>28th of December 2003<P>The last Sunday of the year finds us at the Mendizorroza in Vitoria to play another Basque side, Alavés. Vidal does well to save our skins on 7 minutes when he saves Astudillo’s low drive and then we get a lucky break as Romanian international defender Cosmin Contra knocks Redondo to the floor in what the referee thinks is a professional foul. So we have an extra man and a free kick, which Dudek, the big Polish keeper manages to save. Couto flicks it out to Michel but before the winger can strike, Dudek leaps at his feet and clutches the football to his chest. Miranda, in for Cañizares, finds the galloping Lacruz with a pinpoint pass, but the Basque full-back can’t beat Dudek who is on fire. Miranda tries to do it himself, turning past Téllez, before lashing a powerful drive towards Alavés’ goal, only to find Dudek still in his way. Sosa is the next to suffer when his well-won header is turned away sharpish by the giant Pole. Alavés, restricted to long-range shooting after putting Javi Moreno in defence, almost sneaks a goal on 39 minutes when Sequeiros wriggles his way through our defence but blasts his shot high over the bar.<P>I caution the players at the break about the potential pitfall a successful counter-attack might bring, but there’s nothing like experience to teach a lesson and I hope the defenders learn when Astudillo plays in Epitié who is somehow left unmarked, but the Alavés player can’t beat Vidal with his vicious strike.<P>We resume attacking Dudek with everything including the kitchen sink and we finally break through on 63 minutes when Lacruz’s good cross is powerfully headed home by Sosa. Miranda almost makes it 2-0 when he dances his way down the right but his shot is somehow pushed away by Dudek. Then disaster strikes when Sequeiros’ dribbling run attracts my defenders to him, leaving plenty of space for Patri and when the ball reaches him he has no problem smashing his drive past Vidal for the equaliser. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG] We continue hammering away at Dudek’s goal, but he won’t let anything get past him again and we leave Basque country deeply frustrated and disappointed with the draw.<P>Alavés (4-2-4): Dudek; Téllez, Eggen, Karmona (c), Contra; Azkoitia (Ibon Begoña 57), Astudillo; Madeiros (Patri 64), Javi Moreno, Sequeiros, Epitié (Sergio Lara 71).<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, �lvarez, Ballesteros; Couto (c); Michel, Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Sosa.<P>Final score: Alavés 1:1 Cartagonova
MoM - Jerzy Dudek

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After the match, the television expert praises José Redondo, saying that he is an absolute goal machine. Asked about the striker at the press conference, I agree that his performances have been of the highest standard, mainly to give the player some confidence that he seems to have lost recently - we need his goals! On the fan web site, the chief of the Supporters’ Association writes that the Association is pleased that I have found the time to acknowledge Redondo’s contribution to the team. Well, I really couldn’t do anything else, because his thirteen league goals so far this season have been extremely important. More importantly, Redondo tells me of his gratitude for my public support, so I hope that my words of praise have their intended effect.<P>29th of December 2003<P>�lex Fernández’s contract enters its last six months today. He won’t negotiate a new one and I fear that despite transfer listing him as per my policy that he will leave for free at the end of the season.<P>30th of December 2003<P>As I suspected, the Bosman offers start rolling in for the defensive midfielder. Salamanca is the first club off the rank, closely followed by Córdoba and Burgos. I offer him a new contract, too, but I fear that he is already a man looking to the future with a different club.

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31st of December 2003<P>I’ve been interested in the young Millwall player David Livermore for half the season and I offered him a contract to join at the end of the season. Today, he decides that he wants to make his career in Spain and therefore he signs on the dotted line.<P>Copa del Rey, Second Round - Cartagonova v Valencia<P>On the last evening of the year, I think most Spaniards have better things to do than watch a game of football in a cup competition I don’t treat very seriously, although the chairman does remind me that I do have to turn up for this one. However, I give several important players the night off to enjoy themselves (within moderation), while players like Mariano and �lex Fernández (not related), Rufete in his first game since he punched an opponent in the face, and Iván Gabrich all have the opportunity to impress me. <P>Gabrich has me punching the air in delight and then frustration as he puts the ball in the net after just three minutes, only to see it ruled off-side. After Vidal saves well from Zahovic’s free kick on 14 minutes, a quick sweeping move sees �lex Fernández test Cañizares with a powerful shot, but Rufete’s corner is cleared by Zahovic. On 32 minutes, however, Vicente’s lobbed pass puts the ball ahead of Jovan Stankovic, and the Yugoslav wing-back runs with the ball for a while before crossing for Juan Sánchez who promptly sticks it in our net. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif" alt="eek[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="roll eyes[/IMG]<P>That about wraps it up for the first half and after addressing the players about the virtues of trying hard and scoring that important goal, I let them speak amongst themselves. Two minutes later, Vidal hobbles off to be replaced by Moso. A minute later, Lacruz hobbles off and is replaced by Filipescu with Moya moving to the left. Wonderful - two substitutions used and no real strategic benefit gained. If Gabrich had played a few more matches this season he would have been able to do better than rifle a shot straight at Cañizares on 52 minutes and then hit a header into the Spaniard’s arms on 62 minutes. Moso does well to keep out Fernando Niño’s header a few minutes later and finally on 69 minutes, we break through. A good move sweeps the ball into the path of Redondo and the striker looks up to see Gabrich screaming for it. Redondo puts it into the atmosphere and Gabrich shoots with the bicycle kick. It goes in! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] But Valencia’s Hugo Leal skips through the heart of our defence before laying it off for John Carew and the big Norwegian makes a point to his manager by thundering the right foot shot through the legs of Moso.<P>But when Mariano Fernández picks up Hugo Leal’s errant clearance and fires the ball into the area for Redondo, the prolific striker equalises again with ten minutes to play. It ends the ninety minutes at 2-2 and we move into extra time. Nine minutes in, �lex Fernández and Ballesteros play the ball into Redondo, and the striker does well to get his cross in. Rufete runs onto the end of it and heads the ball past Cañizares! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] Palermo wastes the two opportunities Valencia have to push the game to penalties and we run out an unexpected 3-2 winners. I’m not looking forward to the return match in the league in 10 days, though.<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal (c) (Moso 47); Lacruz (Filipescu 48), Mariano Fernández, Moya, Ballesteros; Michel, �lex Fernández, Rufete; Morán; Redondo, Gabrich.<P>Valencia (3-5-2): Cañizares; Stankovic (Jaime 42), Reynoso, Mendieta (c), Fernando, Arellano; Zahovic, Vicente (Carew 48), Hugo Leal; Palermo, Juan Sánchez.<P>Final score (aet): Cartagonova 3:2 Valencia
MoM - Hugo Leal<P>Keep smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]
Dixie Flatline

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More from the south of Spain!<P>1st of January 2004<P>Barcelona announces to a world still trying to cope with a big hangover after New Year’s Eve celebrations that they have signed Lazio midfielder Juan Verón for £28 million with an extra £1.5 million after 50 league matches. On the same day, Valencia unveils its new defender, Olof Mellberg, for whom Valencia paid Racing Santander £1.3 million.<P>�lex Fernández tells the club that he has decided to reject signing on the dotted line with us for another three years and decides that his future actually lies with Córdoba. He reveals to the chairman that he is unhappy with me. Well, he must have hid it pretty well because nobody in my backroom could detect his unhappiness. Not that it really bothers me anyway.<P>I’m quietly at home enjoying a refreshing pot of tea when the board’s representative contacts me to deliver my monthly evaluation. As usual, the board is absolutely delighted with my performance but they continue to try to influence my decisions on who should play by telling me that they think Couto and Collymore shouldn’t wear the club’s colours. Well, both players have been marvellous servants for the club in the last three years and frankly, I’m getting tired of seeing the board trying to pick my team for me. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="roll eyes[/IMG] If it keeps going, I’m going to have to reconsider my future here…<P>2nd of January 2003<P>The Spanish FA informs me via phone that we host Extremadura in the first leg of the Copa del Rey’s third round next week. Peachy! Should be a good contest between old rivals. To accommodate that, our league fixture with Elche is shifted to later in the month.<P>The whole club holds its breath as José Redondo suddenly leaves the training track this afternoon to find his way to the physios’ room. I leave Luis Sosa in charge of training and get down after him to find out the verdict. It’s a relief - only a strained wrist that should keep him out for only a week, if that.

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5th of January 2003<P>The week starts well with ex Italian U-21 international, Udinese’s Mauro Esposito, deciding to follow his former teammate Roberto Sosa and agree to join Cartagonova on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2004. Just after putting the blower back on hook, I receive a phone call from Croatian international midfielder Jurica Vucko, who is fed up with life at Alavés and wants to join my club on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season. Everything is coming up roses! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>7th of January 2004<P>Copa del Rey - 3rd Round, 1st Leg: Cartagonova v Extremadura<P>With Redondo’s name pencilled out by his injury, I pair up the two Argentine strikers, Juan Esnáider with Roberto Sosa, and the latter striker starts the ball rolling when he beats Fernando Sanz to Miranda’s cross after just three minutes. Then a series of corners culminates in the big Argentine striker jumping highest on 14 minutes to slam home Filipescu’s corner! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] Just the way I like it. In fact, Sosa takes on Redondo’s mantle as the point man, striking shot after shot at Kerényl’s goal, but the Hungarian finally cottons onto the point of being a goalkeeper and starts stopping them from going in. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="roll eyes[/IMG] And then my defenders ignore my instructions to carefully patrol Extremadura’s most dangerous man, David Karanka, and the Basque striker turns Filipescu inside out before curving a shot inside Arnau’s far post. I think we should have a penalty on 33 minutes when Kerényl to everybody’s eyes but the referee pulls down Esnáider. But no, the referee gives him the benefit of the doubt and the Hungarian continues to thwart my forwards’ attempts to break him for a third time. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>A slower second half is the result of my instructing the players to be a little more patient, calculating and ruthless about how we go about things. It pays dividends as Miranda’s good run and cross is effortlessly converted by compatriot Moya racing in from the left on 75 minutes. But that split-second loss of concentration kills us once more when �lvarez fails to completely clear the ball out of defence, it falls to Karanka and he gives his side hope for the return leg in a week with his second goal of the game. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu, �lvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto (c), Miranda; Morán; Esnáider (Collymore 74), Sosa.<P>Extremadura (3-5-2): Kerényl; Fernando Sanz Mata (c), Koldo Arce; Berges, Etcheverry, Iván, Francisco, Ismael; Lobo, Karanka.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 3:2 Extremadura
MoM - Roberto Sosa

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After the match, I’m in the office reading a couple of national newspapers, starting of course with the coverage of the Primera Liga and more particularly my club. I’m drawn to an article in the Madrid Tribune that suggests that Redondo’s prolific form for his club (that’s us!) should be rewarded with a call-up to international duty, and that there are indeed rumours that he will be called upon to represent Spain soon. I’m in total agreement with that assessment of the player’s ability and form and in fact, I’ve been notified by the Spanish FA that a match against Málaga in March will be rearranged thanks to a friendly between Spain and the Czech Republic. As far as I know, nobody from Málaga is considered for the Spanish friendly and Redondo is the only player who would come close from our squad. Interesting…<P>Anyway, I contact the pundit who wrote those words in the paper and told him that I’m fully behind any push to make Redondo an international player for Spain. The fans again are pleased by the fact I’ve acknowledged the striker’s contribution to our form this season, while the player thanks me in a telephone call in the evening.<P>Around the Leagues<P>In England, Chelsea is your pace-setter, sitting four points clear of Arsenal after 22 matches. Aston Villa, Charlton and Coventry sit close behind Arsenal, some six points behind Chelsea. Manchester United’s inconsistent season continues as Simon Hunt’s men lie in tenth position, although they have been as high as third. Newcastle, last season’s champion, is in sixth place, while Birmingham, Leeds and Portsmouth fill the relegation places. Bristol City and Liverpool lead the way towards promotion in the Nationwide League.<P>Fiorentina looks like running away with the Italian Scudetto, leading Lazio by the lazy eleven points after fourteen games of the season. With twelve wins and two draws from its fourteen matches, Signor Fatih Terim can be well pleased with his club’s progress this season. Roma and Parma trail Lazio by one and two points respectively, but even at this early stage of the campaign, they look like they will have to be content with European Champions’ League spots next season. Down the bottom, Sampdoria, Cagliari, Piacenza and Bari are the leading contenders for relegation, while Udinese is the bookies’ favourite to return to Serie A, ahead of Empoli, Bologna and Perugia.<P>To Portugal now and a real surprise could be on the cards as supreme underdog Espinho leads the giant of Oporto, Porto, Salgueiros and MarÃ*timo by a point in the Portuguese premier division. Under Artur Jorge, Espinho has risen through the ranks in the Portuguese premier division and so far it has not been overawed by its position amongst the ‘big boys’. Benfica lies sixth while Sporting Lisbon is in a disappointing ninth position. Imortal, Aves and Gil Vicente currently sit in the drop zone, while Canelas Gaia, Farense and Naval lead the charge towards promotion.<P>Finally to Spain and it appears the title is two-horse race between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña. Both sides are on 40 points from 17 games and they lead Celta Vigo by eight points, although Celta does have one game in hand. Early season surprise packet, Cartagonova, has fallen off the pace somewhat, slipping to fourth and nine points behind the leaders. Barcelona sits seventh, but with two games in hand over the leaders. Tenerife, Atlético Madrid and Elche are the frontrunners for relegation at this stage of the campaign, while Real Betis, Sevilla and Sabadell are leading the way towards promotion.

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9th of January 2004<P>Before our weekend match with Valencia, the last thing I need is more speculation over Collymore’s future, but that’s exactly what I get thanks to the wonderful guys at Football365.com. They report that Stan “the Manâ€� is very unhappy living in Cartagena and has sounded out a couple of English clubs about joining one of them from next season. I deny to the press that he is unhappy about living in Cartagena, but we all know that he is on the way out at the end of the season. I know it. The fans know it, and the chairman knows it. And they tell me about it. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="roll eyes[/IMG]<P>11th of January 2004<P>Primera Liga - Game 18: Valencia v Cartagonova<P>I dread this encounter at the Mestalla stadium. Although Valencia is currently in sixth place going into this match when they should conceivably be higher, because they boast players like Mendieta, Marcelo Gallardo, Zlatko Zahovic, Hugo Leal and MartÃ*n Palermo.<P>However, my players aren’t respectful of their opponents’ big reputation. Collymore sets up Redondo after just five minutes, but former Spanish international keeper Santiago Cañizares tips the ball over the bar. From the corner, Filipescu tests the keeper from long range. A few moments later, Morán sets up Michel but the winger hits the ball at the fingertips of Cañizares and I’m dreading what happens when the ball gets to the other end. I have a good hint when VÃ*tor Lima finds Vicente with a pinpoint cross but the striker thankfully heads it over the bar. Then on 29 minutes, the Portuguese midfielder Hugo Leal finds Arellano unmarked and the wing-back heads the ball home. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] Arnau redeems himself somewhat by laying hands on Angulo’s header a couple of moments later, and then on 37 minutes Arnau denies Angulo once again. Then just before half-time, Filipescu finds Stan Collymore alone and unmarked in the box and the English striker responds to the speculation swirling over his head by driving home the equaliser! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>It’s a good way to end the half but the first attack in the second half brings Valencia its second goal thanks to brilliant work by Marcelo Gallardo to defeat Moya before finding VÃ*tor Lima with a superb cross. The Portuguese winger out-jumps Ballesteros and his head meets the ball sweetly to give Valencia back the lead. But against the run of play and completely out of the blue, Collymore launches a trade mark rocket that flies at high velocity past Valencia’s stricken keeper to rescue a point for us! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] Collymore almost finds his hat-trick a few moments later but Cañizares this time manages to get a hand to it.<P>Valencia (3-5-2): Cañizares; Björklund, Mendieta (c), Mellberg; VÃ*tor Lima, Juric, Gallardo, Hugo Leal, Arellano (Palermo 55); Vicente, Angulo.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu, Ã�lvarez, Ballesteros; Couto (c); Michel (Rufete 55), Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Collymore.<P>Final score: Valencia 2:2 Cartagonova
MoM - Stan Collymore

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Well, three points from our last three matches isn’t anything to sneeze at when I expected we would drop all nine points but we’re rapidly losing touch with the top teams and indeed we slide down a spot to fifth after the draw. And we still have to face Sporting Gijón away from home before we finally get a chance to string some wins together with a couple of home games against weak sides like Tenerife and Elche.<P>Struggling in 17th position just outside the relegation zone is not conducive to keeping your job when your name is Francisco Ferraro and your boss is Ignacio Lewin. And so, after a disappointing draw with Celta Vigo providing the spur, Ferraro’s reign at the club is finished.<P>13th of January 2004<P>Luis Prieto joins Cacereño on loan until the end of the season.<P>14th of January 2004<P>Copa del Rey - 3rd Round, 2nd Leg: Extremadura v Cartagonova<P>We’re in Almendralejo to renew our rivalry with Extremadura. We have a slender lead to protect and I’m unhappy that we conceded two goals in the first leg. Things become even hairier when Berges’ corner is struck home by Koldo Arce on 7 minutes. The home side then of course goes into its shell to protect the advantage it gained. But that doesn’t stop Karanka trying his luck on 21 minutes - fortunately it clears the ball. Then again, Redondo doesn’t do any better when he has the opportunity on 25 minutes from Miranda’s cross. Even when he slips through Mata’s tackle, he still can’t force a save out of Extremadura’s keeper.<P>It is imperative we score at least one goal in the second half and I can’t stress it enough to my players at the break. But Redondo’s bizarre inaccuracy continues to frustrate us. But the first time he actually shoots accurately, Robles spills the shot and Morán manages to push it into the net before the Extremadura defenders can react! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] We’re back in front! Inaccuracy continues to plague Redondo and Collymore, but in the end it doesn’t matter as we reach the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey for the first time ever!<P>Extremadura (3-5-2): Robles; Fernando Sanz, Mata (c) (Jesús 63), Koldo Arce; Berges (Gori 58), Etcheverry, Mild, Iván (Francisco 58), Robert; Lobo, Karanka.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu (c), �lvarez, Ballesteros; Fernández; Michel, Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Collymore.<P>Final score: Extremadura 1:1 Cartagonova
Aggregate: Extremadura 3:4 Cartagonova
MoM - Koldo Arce

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16th of January 2004<P>With the transfer window now closed until the end of the season, let’s briefly summarise what the Primera Liga clubs did in the last month:<P>Real Madrid<P>In<P>JoaquÃ*n Bornes (28 y/o, ESP 3 caps, D C): from Real Betis for £7.5 million.
Daniel Montenegro (24 y/o, ARG, AM LC): from Marseille for £625,000.
Grillito (25 y/o, URU 1 cap, D/DM RC): from Defensor Sporting for £450,000<P>Out<P>None<P>Deportivo<P>In<P>Juan Carlos Valerón (28 y/o, ESP 14 caps, AM RC): from Real Betis for £9.25 million<P>Out<P>José Manuel (30 y/o, ESP, DM R): to Elche for £950,000
Fernando (32 y/o, ESP 2 caps, AM LC): to Osasuna for £375,000
Jaime (30 y/o, ESP, D/DM RC): to Valencia for £1.7 million
Manuel Pablo (27 y/o, ESP 1 cap, D R): to Atlético Madrid for £975,000<P>Celta Vigo<P>In<P>Leonardo Astrada (34 y/o, ARG 37 caps/1 goal, DM C): from Grêmio for free<P>Out<P>Tomás (33 y/o, ESP, AM L): to Melilla for £275,000

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Sporting Gijón<P>In
Ico (28 y/o, ESP, S C): from Alzira for £120,000<P>Out
None<P>Cartagonova<P>In
Marcelo Moya (24 y/o, ARG, D RLC): from Los Andes for £400,000
Mariano Fernández (25 y/o, ARG, D C): from Belgrano for £350,000
Stephen Tetteh (23 y/o, GHA 9 caps, D R): for free<P>Out
David Ferrara (18 y/o, ESP, AM LC): released on free transfer
Misrad Hibic (30 y/o, BOS 22 caps, SW/D C): to Radnicki Kragujevac for £600,000
Lawal (23 y/o, NIG 8 caps, AM RC): to CSKA Moskva for £750,000<P>Valencia<P>In
Olof Mellberg (26 y/o, SWE 25 caps, 1 goal, SW/D RC): from Racing Santander for £1.3 million<P>Out
Sergio Castillo (28 y/o, ESP, M/F LC): to Mallorca for £700,000