Pred

After the game, I receive a call from Richard Brittain’s agent stating that they’ve agreed to our terms. Brittain will be making $100K a year until 2009, and joins the club for a tiny, tiny $60K over the next 24 months. With that, I’ve just about used up my transfer expenditure, save for one, as I can now turn my attention towards hammering out a deal with Höllviken for Swedish striker Enis Turkovic before the transfer window closes.

Players In:
Richard Brittain (22 y/o, SCO, DM RC)

January 29th, 2006

That actually took a lot less time than I thought.

Höllviken agree to a $10K fee for Turkovic, and, by the evening, we’ve gotten him to agree to join the club, on a $10K a year paycheck that’ll see him take a year (or less, based on his performance) to grow in our reserves and hopefully bloom into a striker the club can be proud of.

Players In:
Enis Turkovic (20 y/o, SWE, S C)

January 30th, 2006

A bunch of big moves in the past few days. None that involve us or anyone in our division, but I figured I’d share. Try to keep up.

Ashley Cole returns to England after a season in Spain with Barcelona, although where Newcastle came up with $45M to blow on the ex-Arsenal defender is up to anybody’s guess. Gennaro Gattuso finally gets his wish, as Manchester United plucks him from Milan for a hefty $30M fee, ostensibly to replace the quickly aging Roy Keane. David Pizzaro leaves Manchester United for Roma, a move that will bring $25M to the Manchester team, and someone in Selhurst Park must be insane, because they’re under the belief that Carlton Cole is worth $10M. Once again, where Crystal Palace got that much, don’t ask me. It’s been a weird few years.

Here locally, I’m preparing to wave goodbye to Anthony Gerrard. Brother of the Liverpool captain, Anthony’s Loan ends on the 3rd of February, and due to his strong performances at the back here, apparently Everton would like him back when the Loan ends with a sight at being slapped right into the 1st team. We’ve put in an offer to renew his Loan, but noone’s really expecting anything of it.

January 31st, 2006

As the deadline approaches, and I’m forced to face the harsh fact that there’s not a soul outside of the English Conference who’s willing to join us now for a reasonable fee ($50K or less), on the other end of the spectrum, Barcelona have apparently lost their minds. They’ve blown $201M in January alone. Their purchases? Michael Owen from Real Madrid ($62M), and Joan Capedevila from Deportivo ($65M). This brings their total spending to a stunning $318M so far this season. Whoever said that football was in a financially precarious state apparently wasn’t looking at the right clubs.

February 1st, 2006

“Bad news boss.” My physio Gareth Morgan walks into my office during training today, as I’m still working the phones, trying to work out possible transfers. “Mark Roberts has twisted his knee again.”

“Again?!?” I say, flabbergasted. “How long?”

“Two weeks.”

It’ll mean starting Floribert N’Galula again, which I’m not really against, but Roberts’ injury-proneness this season is starting to tax my nerves. This is the 3rd time he’s gone down since I’ve been in charge, but, I really can’t blame him. Apparently, back in 2004, Roberts did some serious damage to his ACL, so the slate of Twisted Knees he’s picked up since then shouldn’t be a surprise.

David Jones makes it back-to-back Player of the Month awards today, as I’m left to wish I’d bought him and didn’t just have him on Loan. Jones has been undeniably superb since arriving in Wrexham, and I’m happy to hear from him that he’s enjoying his time as well, although I bear him no grudge for still wishing to return to Old Trafford and prove his mettle there.

English League One – Game 29: Wrexham v. Hartlepool United

Another relegation threatened team today, Hartlepool are 22nd and will need to make a serious turnaround to scrabble clear of the relegation zone. Our job, cruel as it is, is to make sure they stay right there.

Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Goater, Cox

Hartlepool (4-4-2): Provett; Brackstone, Westwood, Clark, Craddock; Robertson, Sweeney, Tinkler, Ross; Daly, Foley

My beginning fears of a repeat of our experience in Grimsby are unfounded as we’re peppering Hartlepool’s net within minutes of the start. It’s only Brackstone’s fine intervention just before the edge of the area that keeps Goater from squeezing through the defense and placing an early goal into the back of the net. A breakthrough takes a mere 13 minutes though, Huges, as always a major presence upon the left flank, snatching up a loose ball and firing a cross into the box that Cox is up in the air for a moment before his marker is, allowing him to send it bouncing off the left post and into the net.

Brittain, our new signing, is making himself quite at home on the right side of play, looking dangerous every time his foot touches the ball. His crosses are causing havoc in the Hartlepool defense, and it’s only due to jostling that Jones’ 24th-minute header flies clear of the net. On 28 minutes, Cox wins another aerial battle, sending the ball across the mouth of net for a sprawling Provett to knock just clear, only to watch the predatory Brittain pounce, slamming home the rebound from close range. Brittain puts himself firmly in my good graces on 44 minutes, tacking on a second as his close-range shot ricochets off Brackstone and into the net for our third.

Our defense is the unsung heroes of this game. Hartlepool never even threaten our net, and Esson never has to see a threatening ball approach his net. A dominating performance, Hughes adds our fourth in the second half, but it’s a given by then.

Final Score – Wrexham 4:0 Hartlepool
MoM – Richard Brittain

I can’t think of a better way for a new signing to introduce himself to the team than with the two-goal Man-of-the-Match performance Brittain put on. I do hope that will be a harbinger for things to come. The win leaves us a point behind Preston and Swindon, and, with the game after next against the latter team, the team’s official message boards are filled with rampant speculation about what we might be able to do this year.

February 4th, 2006

Anthony Gerrard’s loan finishes today, and he returns to Everton. Sigh.

Players Out:
Anthony Gerrard (19 y/o, ENG, SW/D C): 22 apps, 1 gl, Av. Rate 7.09

English League One – Game 30: Wrexham v. Peterborough United

The turnaround in the lockeroom for this team really is something to behold. Where they were fearing the drop when I arrived, now they’re gnashing their teeth, looking to pay Peterborough back for the 2-0 defeat they inflicted upon them back in September. The boys have got something that I really wanted to instill in them, a sense of pride about their home ground, that noone’s going to come to The Racecourse Ground and take away three points without digging and scratching for them. Am I impressed? I’m thrilled.

David Jones has done just about enough for the team, so I give him a rest in favor of Mark Jones. Frankly, the two are confusing the hell out of me whenever I look at the teamsheet.

Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Lawrence, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Goater, Ugarte

Peterborough (4-4-2): Tyler; Kennedy, Mancienne, St. Ledger, Mears; Buckley, Legg, Woodhouse, Lennon; Thorpe, Junior

Discipline hasn’t been a real issue this year, but suddenly, Mark Jones, who I’m rewarding with a first-team start today, makes it an issue. The game’s barely been on for two minutes before he earns his first yellow, and, inexplicably, he trails his leg in a challenge on Buckley, leaving the referee no choice but to hand him his 2nd Yellow and an early bath on 14 minutes. The decision leaves me aghast, the first card was arguably harsh, but the second was completely reasonable, and Jones should never have been in that position to start with. As he makes his way to the dressing rooms, he tries to explain that it was on the ref, and I instruct him to shut up post-haste and get back into the dressing rooms.

With us down a man, Peterborough shift into full-on attack mode and come charging upfield, and are given their just reward after only 20 minutes, Buckley swinging in a deep cross from the left flank that is perfectly placed for a charging Junior to flash past Simek and send a diving header past a stunned Esson and into the net. Simek’s looking uncharacteristically static again on 27 minutes, a freekick into the box controlled at the penalty spot without challenge by Thorpe, with Simek looking on. As the American begins to think about making a challenge (late, mind you) Thorpe has already fired home from point-blank range to set things at 2-0 Peterborough.

Thankfully, our offense still seems to understand where the net is, but they can’t get their shots on it, and Shaun Goater gifts us with the lowlight of the season thus far on 38 minutes, as Tyler completely makes a hash of a pass to his defense, allowing Goater to intercept the ball. Without anyone for a good 15 yards and only the goalie to beat, Goater’s attempt to round Tyler actually leads to him dribbling the ball out of bounds for a goal kick. Never a shot, not even looking threatening, just dribbling it and losing control, and watching as the ball rolls over the end line for a goal kick.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I yank Goater at the half and introduce Cox, hoping Peterborough’s attacking form will give the speedy youngster a few chances at the other end on the counter-attack. And it does, on 55 minutes, but Cox’s shot isn’t placed well-enough, and Tyler gets a hold of it. On 66 minutes, Cox gets free of his man again, going on another marauding run into the Peterborough penalty area, faking the shot and dribbling wide of net, looking as if he might be trying to round the keeper before dragging a beauty back for Ugarte who slams the ball on the half-volley into the net. 2-1, and there’s a glimmer, but I don’t think anyone in the stadium expected the glimmer to glow as quickly as it did, as two minutes later Cox slides a pass to Britain who, 25 yards out from goal, unleashes a speculative shot that catches Tyler just out of position, leaving him to do nothing but flail at the ball as it caroms off the crossbar and bounces into the net. 2-2!

Peterborough look completely aghast, pegged back level in three minutes of play. Their hearts don’t seem as much in it as they were when they were 2-0 up and up a man. Happily, the boys continue pressing, and have their tails up, looking for a winner, Hughes and Cox smartly interchanging before the latter slips the ball underneath Tyler from 15 yards to cap an incredible fightback and give us the lead.

Peterborough are completely out of it by then. Cox tacks on a second to make it a brace on 89 minutes, and the fans are signing in the terraces. Another great, great win.

Final Score – Wrexham 4:2 Peterborough United
MoM – Floribert N’Galula

Credit to N’Galula is well deserved after the game. After Jones got himself stupidly sent off, he did the job of two midfielders, covering acres of field and crushing Peterborough’s attacks in midfield as we made our surging comeback.

Meanwhile, Mark Jones has earned himself a one-game suspension, and a official warning from me for his idiocy. Had both calls been dicey, had he gotten sent off later, in different circumstances, that’s one thing. But to get sent off that quickly, after barely 15 minutes of the game is a mistake I will not forgive even our youngest for. It was stupid, he knows it, and he’ll learn from it, but he’d better not pull something that boneheaded again anytime soon. Mark’s not happy with the warning, but he’ll live, and he’ll learn. I do not suffer fools lightly.

February 10th, 2006

There’s been a lot of ruffling of feathers in the media recently, as, with three teams separated by no more than two points fighting for the second promotion place, things have become a bit tight at the top of the table. Gillingham still lead everyone with a stunning 20-5-5 record, but with Swindon 2nd, Preston 3rd, and us 4th, it’s a logjam to see who can hold their nerve and take the final promotion place, so say the papers. I say, with another 15 games to play, that we’re way, way far away from determining who will finish where quite yet, save for Gillingham, who may be on their way to a 100-point season.

February 11th, 2006

English League One – Game 31: Swindon Town v. Wrexham

Today pretty well beats out the match against Preston for our biggest of the year thus far. Three points today could extend our dream run to being enough to put us into a promotion place, about 20 places higher than the mass media had us placed this year. The problem is, to do so, we’re going to have to go on the road and beat a team that has only lost twice at home this year, and features one of the best strikers in the division in Sam Parkin. A tall order for our defense.

David Jones retakes his rightful place in defense, as I place Cox and Ugarte in attack, and cross my fingers.

Swindon (4-3-3-): Evans; Nicholas, Heywood, Cranie, Duke; Lapham, Miglioranzi, Samways; Roberts, Parkin, Moore

Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Cox, Ugarte

It’s a dreary, rainy day in Swindon, and the conditions seem to favor the slow-tempo game Swindon would like to inflict upon us. They’re trying as best they can to keep the game narrow, and in the center of the pitch where they can fight for every loose ball, and nearly steal one early on, a longball upfield towards Moore catching Lawrence on a bit of mud. As the defender slips, Moore is left to a one-on-one opportunity with Esson and, as the goalie comes charging out, he dawdles a bit too long, and by the time he pulls the trigger, the best he can manage is to send the ball flying wide of the right post. Parkin takes his own chance on 15 minutes, rising to meet a cross from Samways and send a bullet of a header from 15 yards out screaming towards net but happily, Esson is there to grab it in the muck.

As time begins to pass and we adjust to the surroundings, we begin to open up the play and start going around and past Swindon, as their defense can’t keep up with the attacking triumvirate of Jones, Ugarte and Cox. It’s Ugarte himself that starts a move on 28 minutes, blazing down the left, drawing a marker with him before cutting back inside and slipping a pass to Brittain in space. As the midfielder looks around, he notices a hole in the Swindon defense that has left the predatory Cox open on the left edge of the penalty arc, standing alone. His pass is pinpoint, and Cox quickly steadies himself in the muck before firing a shot that Evans nearly manages to parry, but flies just past his hand and into the top-right corner of the net.

Buyoyed, we push forward harder, while Swindon try to regroup in midfield, only to be consistently stopped by the fine play of our wingbacks and N’Galula, who provide the platform for our move on 36 minutes. Well, it’s not so much of a move as it is an exhibition of skill, as N’Galula plays the ball to Cox, who takes it from just behind the midfield line and goes on a streaking run, beating Cranie off the dribble and streaking towards net, nearly making it before a desperate last challenge from Heywood manages to knock the ball away. I know things are going our way when the ball falls to Hughes, who unselfishly tees it up for Cox, who finishes off his glorious run in style, banging home from 10 yards to put us 2-0 up.

Swindon aren’t out of it yet, throwing more men into attack. And, on 40 minutes, the move provides dividends, as Samways advances far up enough to draw a marker and feeds a through ball for Moore. Smith’s last-ditch tackle attempt is poor, and the striker races through on net, and slots home past a despairing Esson to make things interesting at 2-1 going into the half.

The second half begins completely in our favor, when Sam Parkin doesn’t emerge with the Swindon team, having apparently taken a knock during the 1st half. Without him on the pitch, Swindon look a great deal more timied, and we’re chaged to go for the kill, Ugarte heading wide from 10 yards out on 52 minutes. On 58 minutes, Ugarte’s at it again, slipping a ball into midfield for Brittain and then flashing down the right, receiving the return pass in acres of space on the right edge of the penalty area. Swindon makes a fatal error, as Evans and three defenders all read the shot and try to close down Ugarte, leaving the Spaniard the easy task of slipping the ball across the area to the penalty spot where a completely unmarked David Jones steers the ball home to make things sure.

Final Score – Swindon Town 1:3 Wrexham
MoM – Simon Cox

It’s congratulations all around after the match. The win puts us into 2nd place, still well behind Gillingham, who are still blowing everyone they play out of the water, but only a point ahead of Preston and Swindon. Things are going to be very interesting from here on out.

nerf

Excellent stuff Pred, KUTGW :thup:

If you can keep banging in all these goals then I think promotion is on the cards...

Pred

February 12th, 2006

Doncaster have been watching film of us apparently, and are gearing up for our Vans Trophy Final match by taking Nottingham Forest’s Jamaican midfielder Darryl Powell, ostensibly in order to shore up their midfield against our currently high-flying attack.

In Internatinal news, two goals from Didier Drogba and a missed penalty by Delron Buckley is enough to give the Ivory Coast it’s second African Cup of Nations title today, as they defeat South Africa 2-0.

February 13th, 2006

David Jones and Simon Cox make the Team of the Week again today, and meanwhile, I’m being quizzed by the media about our turnaround this year. Whether or not I think it’s miraculous, whether or not I think we can make an honest challenge for promotion, and whether I think we can keep it up. The questions eventually turn to our match with Doncaster, and whether I think we can end this season with some silverware to our name. I admit that I think, given our current form (and the fact that Gillingham isn’t in the competition) that we’ve got a fair shot of going to Cardiff and returning home with a new trophy for the Wrexham case, but that I was brought here this year to focus on the league first and foremost, and that’s my goal.

February 14th, 2006

English LDV Vans Trophy – Northern Final: Wrexham v. Doncaster Rovers

The performance against Swindon easily convinced me not to change a thing about the side as the team goes looking for silverware today.

Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Cox, Ugarte

Doncaster (4-4-2): Warrington; Ryan, Foster, Moore, Marples; McIndoe, Powell, Russell, Coppinger; Blundell, Roberts

With 12,000 in attendance nearly filling The Racecourse Ground, there’s a roar that goes up when, after 7 minutes of play, Jones is first to a cross from Ugarte to let it glance off his head and bobble into the back of the net to open the proceedings. Then, afterwards, there’s absolute silence on 11 minutes, as David Jones collides with Foster going for a loose ball, and crumples to the pitch, holding his jaw. He comes off for Lancaster, with all of Wrexham looking on in concern. Doncaster aren’t stupid, and know now is their best chance to hurt us with our midfield talisman out of the game for another 79 minutes. They come pouring forwards, looking for an equalizer and a vital away goal.

I must give credit herein to our defense, who don’t look the slightest bit rattled by the removal of Jones, and begin to play the kind of physical game at the back that has Doncaster’s strikers looking timid every time they get the ball. We weather the storm for the rest of the half, as Doncaster is unable to put a shot on target. As the teams emerge for the 2nd half, Doncaster are looking incredibly frustrated by their inability to take it to us, while I’ve outlined to the boys that they’re not any worse without Jones unless they let themselves be during the teamtalk.

This strikes a real chord, with them apparently. We blow Doncaster off the pitch.

Final Score – Wrexham 7:1 Doncaster Rovers
MoM – Juan Ugarte

Technically, the single goal from Doncaster is “vital”, in that it might prove useful can they beat us 6-0 in the return leg. I doubt it however. I commend the boys after the match on a team effort like none I’ve seen this season. We plunked home four 2nd-half goals from four different players, and Doncaster gave us a hand, knocking in two own goals to sink their own ship.

Meanwhile, in the first leg of the South Final, there may be an upset brewing, as Swindon, who were without Sam Parkin, go down 3-0 to League Two Torquay in the first leg, and will need to pull a magic act to get through to the Final.

The news on David Jones though, isn’t good. A fractured jaw means he’ll be out for three weeks at best, and we’ll be missing our best creative midfielder for that timeframe.

February 18th, 2006

English League One – Game 32: Swansea City v. Wrexham

A trip to the south of Wales today for a derby against the 7th-placed team in the division. We’re playing well enough now, that yes, I have to admit, seeking promotion is within our grasp now. The team’s on a high I haven’t seen before, and with only 15 games (including today) to play, the possibility of a playoff or promotion push is, admittedly, real and possible. One can certainly hope.

Swansea (4-4-2): Guéret; Gurney, Tate, Cunningham, Ricketts; Alvarez, Martinez, Britton, Maylett; Lupoli, Trundle

Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Morgan, Walsh; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; Lancaster; Goater, Gallacio

With a number of shifts on offense and defense, the team looks a little wobbly from the start, and Shaun Goater is, as always, annoying me with his sheer lack of get-forward ability. Gallacio’s doing a wonderful job in his stead however, taking the ball at the edge of the attacking third and drawing markers only to play it back to Roberts, who serves up a beautiful through ball right to the feet of a charging Lancaster at the edge of the area. The youngster’s first shot is well blocked by Guéret, but the rebound bobbles loose, and he is smart enough to pounce, sweeping the ball home to put us up 1-0 after 12 minutes. Three minutes later, Lancaster’s name pops up again, as Brittain goes on a surging run down the right, steering a cross to the edge of the goal area for a completely unmarked Lancaster to nod past Guéret for 2-0.

Unlike many of our previous opponents, Swansea have absolutely no desire to let us slide however, slowly plotting in midfield, looking for their chance to pounce, trying to remove our high-flying offense from the game. On 33 minutes, that chance comes, a interception in midfield allowing Gurney to swing a pass upfield to on Loan left-winger Arturo Alvarez, who drills in a deep, deep cross that catches our defense by surprise, allowing Lupoli to push ahead of his man and prod the ball home to make it 2-1.

With the beginning of the 2nd half, I’m forced to remove Smith and Hughes, who have both taken knocks, and replace them with Steven Watt and Luke Hickey, respectively, with both unfortunately playing out of position. Immediately, the game begins to turn Swansea’s way, as we now have basically surrendered the left flank to our opponents (our left, their right, you get it). Trundle should equalize on 61 minutes, but Lawrence does a fine job of dispossessing him at the edge of the area, preventing any further developments. On 75 minutes, Swansea sub Stuart Fleetwood uses his fresh legs to Swansea’s advantage, turning and beating Morgan for pace for a deep pass into our end. Without Smith’s pace along the left to normally help defuse such a situation, Fleetwood races into the area and smacks the ball past Esson to cap a superb Swansea fightback.

Bloodied, the boys hit back on 80 minutes, Lancaster testing Guéret’s ability with a 20-yard stinger that the keeper parries well. But Ricketts makes a fatal error, knocking the ball back to his keeper for the clearance, completely disregarding sub Tom Youngs, who is breathing down his neck. As Guéret goes to make the save and Youngs goes to shoot, the ball ricochets off the pair and up into the air, coming down inside of the Swansea net.

The Route One method has been inexplicably killing us today, and I’m left aghast when Swansea tie it again with minutes left on the clock, Guéret literally hoofing the ball some 70 yards upfield to an unmarked Kevin McLeod, who would’ve been offside, if not for Walsh not moving with the defense as they pushed up, leaving the striker an easy chance to slide the ball past Esson.

With two minutes of stoppage time indicated any my mood reasonably dour from our defensive foibles today, our final move comes completely as a surprise to me, Lancaster playing the ball from midfield up towards Gallacio, who moves forward before sliding a through ball past a tiring Swansea defense for Youngs to take from the edge of the area and rush in on net. His attempt to round Guéret is brilliantly anticipated by the keeper, and the Frenchman makes a fine save, pushing the ball away, but once again, it’s bad luck for Guéret, as Youngs recovers the ball, and fires past his prone form, rolling the ball into the net just before Gurney can clear it from off the line. From the ensuing kickoff, the referee blows his whistle, and we’ve stolen three more points.

Final Score – Swansea City 3:4 Wrexham
MoM – Sam Lancaster

February 20th, 2006

Shaun Goater joined this club from Reading on a free in September of 2004. He was promised an absolutely integral role in the team, along with a $150K per annum contract. Now, I’m trying to convince him into a deal that will reduce his place on the team (the man is 35) and give him an option to leave whenever he feels fit, with a Manager Release Clause. With luck, he won’t be petulant, and will take it.

February 22nd, 2006

English League One – Game 33: Hull City v. Wrexham

Despite our 2-1 victory over Preston, we’re still two points behind them in the standings, with neither of us looking very likely to drop points anytime soon. Hull, on the other hand, are 10th, on the upside of a season that has seen them as high as 5th and as low as 23rd this year. Schizoprhenic, at best, less palatable when you consider the team has spent $2.4M this season, bringing players like Daniel Nardiello, Richie Partridge and Mark Goodlad into the club. They’ve apparently been missing the play of Damien Delaney, who left the club for Fulham in January.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio

I’ve seen nothing but serious promise from Gallacio in training, so I’m hoping to see him show some of that on the pitch, and the Italian import doesn’t disappoint, as Brittain drags a ball back from way out on the right wing for Jones, just outside of the area. The midfielder dawdles on the ball just long enough to draw the defense, attracting the attention of two men and Gallacio’s marker, before slipping a pretty pass right to the striker that he clinically thumps into the top of Goodlad’s net.

Hull are desperate for some consistency this year, and start throwing themselves into our end. Lawrence has been looking increasingly overwhelmed in recent games, and this one’s no different, Elliott lashing a cross into the box that Burgess just muscles past Lawrence to stab right into Esson’s grateful hands. Esson is called into action three more times before the half ends, saving a deflection off Smith, beating away a Nardiello header, and snatching a loose ball right from the feet of Partridge to prevent a goal. By halftime, we’re entirely in his debt that things aren’t equal.

I bring on N’Galula at the half, to hopefully provide a bit more safety for our defense. As he’s done many other times this year, the Belgian’s impact is immediate, scuffling for the ball on 55 minutes to finally clear it away to Jones. Jones plays a one-two with Ugarte in midfield, as Hull are stretched far too thin in attack, allowing a through ball to Gallacio to find its way through, the on Loan striker impressing again, killing the ball first time and sidestepping Goodlad before calmly sliding the ball into the net.

Hull don’t surrender in their search for a goal, but as they switch to a 4-2-4, we begin to continually catch them out at the back, culminating in a flying counterattack that almost seems to fast for its own good, substitute Lancaster knocking a ball deep into the left for Hughes to chase, control, and send a whipping speculative cross into the box that seems like it’ll go untouched until Brittain materializes at the far post, a diving header sending the ball past a stranded Goodlad.

Hull manage to threaten once more before the final whistle, a 24-yard freekick from Partridge smacking the woodwork before bouncing clear, but we hold, and the points are ours.

Final Score – Hull City 0:3 Wrexham
MoM – Ryan Esson

After the game, we’ve moved back into 2nd place, As Preston drop an awful one to Relegation Battlers Bradford City, at home no less. Most stunning however, is the sudden frailty of once-rampaging Gillingham, who lose 1-0 at home today to Grimsby, pruning their lead over the 2nd-place team from the once high 11 point margin they’d managed to, now, three. Being winless in your past five matches can do that. Much worse, Gillingham will be traveling to Swindon on the 25th, and, with the 3rd and 4th place teams only four points behind the leaders, another loss could see Gillingham out of the top spot for the first time since October.

February 23rd, 2006

Shaun Goater makes my life a great deal easier, agreeing terms today on a deal that’ll keep him with the club until 2007, and he’ll make an extra $10K a year, increasing his salary to $160K. I don’t want to part with him on terms that aren’t amicable, the fans have a lot of feeling for him, and reasonably so, it was his 15 league goals that helped keep the team from relegation last year (by a scant two points, no less).

February 24th, 2006

Andy King and Stan Ternet are engaging in a battle of words now, in the leadup to their match on the 25th between Swindon and Gillingham. King has come out in the local papers, stating that whoever loses that match will drop out of the Championship race entirely, while Ternet has replied saying that the game is of tantamount importance to both sides’ promotion chances.

This is well and good and all, but I’m a little insulted to hear that neither really consider us a promotion threat yet, that, like many of our critics, both are expecting us to have a dip in form sometime soon that will leave us scrabbling for a playoff place. I’m trying to keep mum on this for the time being, so I say nothing, but when we take on Gillingham, I may have some choice words.

February 25th, 2006

English League One – Game 34: Wrexham v. MK Dons

No changes to the squad that defeated Hull City, as from here on out, every game is a must-win if we want to keep pressure on Gillingham and actually have a chance a promotion. Preston, and Swindon won’t be doing us any favors, and with the 5th-place team, Blackpool, six points back of Swindon, it’s up to us four now.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio

The first half is an uninspired start from both teams, Milton Keynes nearly getting lucky early, as Hornuss’ speculative shot from some 40 yards catches Esson out of position, and flashes just wide of the post. Jones has our only real chance of the opening exchanges, first to a Brittain cross, but his header is tame, and Doyle easily collects it to keep things locked at 0-0.

With the restart, Milton Keynes fall further back into their own half, looking to escape today with a point. Their defense is stifling today, as, without Cox’s speed or David Jones’ creativity in midfield, our attack simply isn’t as potent as it could be. Still, Jones should have a goal on 53 minutes, when a sliced clearance from a Hughes corner finds him just outside of the box. His shot deflects off no less than three players before being hacked off the line

By this point, the fans are clamoring for Cox, who is currently on the bench. I can’t deny them their desires, and, on 58 minutes, on comes the youngster. Immediately, he is a factor, nearly scoring on 60 minutes when he charges down a ball on the left flank, cuts into the box and flashes a shot just wide of the post from a nearly impossible angle. Milton Keynes look a little rattled by his appearance, and are defending desperately as our offense finds its confidence again. I bring on N’Galula (again) for Roberts, and, on 81 minutes, a real opportunity falls our way, N’Galula first to an ill-placed goalkick and blasting a ball upfield for Cox to chase, which he is easily first to. The ball nearly rolls to the goal line, out on the right edge of the area, but Cox controls it, brings it in, and, unmarked and from an extreme angle, he flashes a shot past an unsuspecting Doyle for the winner. Milton Keynes nearly equalize on 88 minutes, a loose ball in the box falling temptingly for their striker, Kirk, to strike, but Smith charges it down and blocks the ball, allowing us to escape happy again.

Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 MK Dons
MoM – Colin Doyle

The news after the game is unfortunate for Swindon, and own goal and a sending off in the first half sinking them, as Gillingham cruise to a 2-0 victory and retain their place on top of the division, three points ahead of us.

Pred

February 26th, 2006

The League Cup final is today, and Liverpool and Chelsea do the entertainment. And when Liverpool look back on this game in years, they’ll wonder how they could outshoot a Peter Cech-less Chelsea team 12-5 and still walk out 2-0 losers. Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Glen Johnson deal the mortal blows to Liverpool’s hopes, not to mention a 59th-minute Red Card for Damien Duff and a injury to Gregory Vignal that forced them to play with nine men for 20 minutes. It’s step one in a Quadruple bid for Chelsea, who are still active in the FA and Champions Cup, and only behind Premiership leaders Arsenal by a point.

March 1st, 2006

Simon Cox gets his picture snapped today, as winner of the Young Player of the Month award in League One, an honor he justly deserves. It’s an accolade he richly deserves for his performances this season, and one that’s been coming to him. It actually leaves me a little jealous, as I miss out on the Manager of the Month award again, this time finishing Runner-Up to Stoke’s John Ward. Apparently, the media at large still don’t believe in what we’re doing here in Wrexham, which is fine by me. Being overlooked is always better than having all eyes focused on you.

English League One – Game 35: Wrexham v. Sheffield Wednesday

The last time these teams tangled, Sheffield won 2-1. But now, fortunes have changed, we’re in 2nd, they’re in 8th, and Paul Sturrock, the Sheffield manager is rumored to have his head on the chopping block for not having Sheffield in the top six spots. They haven’t won since February 11th, so doing them some damage would be good.

Andy Roberts gets his ultimate reward for slowly driving me insane today, replaced by Floribert N’Galula in the starting 11. He’s not happy about it, but I’m not happy about him pulling a disappearing act in midfield the past few games.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Morgan, Simek, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Cox, Ugarte

Julian Speroni, the Sheffield keeper is called into action early on 9 minutes, and in spectacular fashion denies first Jones and then Brittain in quick succession on a corner from Hughes, but he’s let down three minutes later by his own defense, as Brittain’s cross into the box is a completely clearable ball, but rather than clear it, Lee Bullen scuffs it completely, sending the ball right into the back of his own net.

We spend the remainder of the first half going up in the air to try and put he ball in the back of the net, but we just don’t have the normal punch infront of net, only two of our eight first-half shots find their way on net at all. Thankfully, Sheffield are looking completely useless on offense, and Simek and Morgan are almost having an easy time of it, clearing every ill-advised attack Sheffield are throwing at them.

We are given a glorious chance to go further ahead in the 2nd half, Ugarte set free by a pass from Jones, and, bearing down on net, his shot is smart and well-placed, but Speroni does a fantastic job, diving to his right and beating the ball away to keep Wednesday in it. Ugarte is happily undeterred though, and when, on 70 minutes, Brittain delivers another cross into the box, Ugarte does very nicely to sweep the ball home from the edge of the goal box to give us some comfort in our lead.

I introduce Gallacio for Cox on 75 minutes, and the Italian immediately explodes into the game, taking a pass from Jones with his back to goal, rounding his marker and firing one on net that Speroni palms right into the path of our goalpoaching Spaniard, Ugarte, who taps home for three. Gallacio adds our fourth and his fifth on the season on 84 minutes, a chipped ball into the box bouncing right over Speroni, who mistimed his charge, allowing the Italian to hop over the keeper and simply knock the ball home.

Final Score – Wrexham 4:0 Sheffield Wednesday
MoM – Richard Brittain

Probably the thing I enjoyed most about this game was the 13,000 fans who showed up to cheer us on, as people are throwing themselves behind us fullforce now, hoping for the best of results. The win puts us even with Gillingham on points, but behind on Goal differential but, most importantly, it leaves us four points ahead of Preston for the second promotion place.

I hate to end up another manager’s demise, but the word after our thrashing of Sheffield is that Paul Sturrock has all but lost his job, and that, unless they can get some serious improvement done by their next match, that he’ll be leaving Hillsborough.

March 3rd, 2006

Awful news for Gillingham today, as their midfield talisman, and winner of the League One Player of the Month award for November, Danny Spiller leaves the club for the Championship today, as Wigan Athletic snap him up for a healthy $2.6M. While Gillingham’s fans are, understandably, incensed at the timing of the move, everyone else around the division is thrilled. Without Spiller’s influence, Gillingham are completely bereft of a holding influence in midfield, and will have to dip into their reserves for a player who simply will not be as good as Spiller is.

March 4th, 2006

English League One – Game 36: Wrexham v. Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere, currently 5th in League One are a side chasing after promotion with some serious zeal. They may be eleven points behind us (saying that out load just illustrates how ridiculous this season has been) but they’re the team I’d tip to do some serious damage in the Playoffs, if they should make it. Unbeaten in their last nine games, today’s match ought to be a cracker.

Did I mention this was a derby game?

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Lawrence, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; Jones, Cox, Gallacio

Tranmere are the first team we’ve played in ages that are pressuring us in midfield, and it’s almost stunning to watch Mark Jones in midfield, running some 20 yards with the ball, followed all the way by men in the white kit of Tranmere. We don’t fashion a real chance until 16 minutes, when a slate of lateral passes at the edge of the area gives Cox just enough space to shoot, but Achterberg pushes it to safety.

Tranmere are playing a hellacious game in midfield, so it’s a surprise when Brittain finds enough space in midfield to flight a ball down the right for Cox to pick up. The striker, out wide on the right, puts it in the middle for Gallacio, but the ball is cleared. Brittain is first to it however, and passes it right back to the Italian, who clinically strikes it past Achterberg.

Both teams settle into a kind of stalemate for the rest of the half, and, as the second half begins, Tranmere are up to their old ways, still challenging for everything in midfield, still denying space, still trying to make life an absolute hell for anyone wearing a Wrexham jersey. This, however, does not leave Esson with an excuse on 48 minutes, as Watt plays the ball back to him, the keeper plays a colossally ill-advised pass towards Simek, not seeing Simon Haworth standing right between the defender and the ball. The striker easily intercepts it, and, with Esson completely out of position, equalizes.

Tranmere throw nine men in their own half, set to defend their point religiously, as Esson looks, rightfully so, rather despondent at his own mistake. Tranmere have been stifling defensively, and he may have cost us a point. I introduce Lancaster as Jones goes down injured, and Youngs replaces Gallacio as things slowly plod along, with us unable to make any incisions and Tranmere not looking to do anything whatsoever. The game ticks past the 80 minute mark without anything of merit, and then, out of nothing, something, Youngs of all people sending a ball upfield that Cox can easily chase down before any of the three Tranmere players behind him can catch up. Achterberg doesn’t come out nearly quickly enough to stop the striker, and Cox happily slots the ball home.

Tranmere, suddenly noticing that things have just slipped out of their hands, switch to a 4-2-4 and throw everything they have at us, but we sit back in our half, defending our lead desperately as every Tranmere pass seems to find an inch of space for their attack. Thankfully, it never materializes into anything more threatening than a 30-yard shot that Esson can catch on the jog.

Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Tranmere Rovers
MoM – Franklin Simek

Gillingham squeak away from Swansea with a 1-0 victory, so we’re still in 2nd, but Preston’s 4-1 defeat to Stoke has now granted us a comfortable six-point lead over the 3rd-placed team, Swindon.

March 7th, 2006

English LDV Vans Trophy – Northern Final Second Leg: Doncaster Rovers v. Wrexham

How does one exactly protect a six-goal aggregate lead? Barring absolute self-destruction on our part, we should be fine, but, stranger things have happened.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Burpo; Overvik, Lawrence, Morgan, Watt; Smith, N’Galula, Roberts, Hickey; Ugarte, Goater

Credit to Doncaster, who are in a 4-2-4 to begin, hoping to at least effect some change on the scoreboard, but, when Paul Tierney turns a Floribert N’Galula shot into his own net on 18 minutes, you can literally see the air go out of the Doncaster squad. Shaun Goater adds a complete fluke of a second on 58 minutes, a cross across the box dipping right over Andy Warrington and into the net.

Doncaster make a valiant comeback though, and nod in three in the final 30 minutes, to give them a certain moral victory, but I’m not seriously concerned. We’re through to the final easily.

Final Score – Doncaster Rovers 3:2 Wrexham (4-9 On Aggregate)
MoM – Gregg Blundell

We’ll be taking on Torquay in the Final at The Millennium Stadium at Cardiff on April 9th, as Swindon managed a heroic fightback, only to be sunk by a 78th-minute penalty that saw Torquay advance 4-3 on aggregate.

It should, at least prove an interesting match. Torquay are looking for honors just as we are, 2nd in League Two, hoping for promotion and an extra bit of silverware to make the season a fine one indeed.

March 8th, 2006

The Second Leg of the First Knockout Round of the Champions League is played today, and there’s only one surprise, as Porto sends Real Madrid out on the away goals rule, with a 1-1 win on aggregate. Dortmund, Valencia, Chelsea, Inter, Milan, Lyon and Barcelona are all also winners.

March 11th, 2006

The season has officially reached that stage where, even for teams in a title race, you’re just far away enough from the end for it not to be in sight, and just close enough that you still have to be trying to muster that last bit of energy for the final stretch. “Plodding” would be a good term, I think. 46 games, plus cup games seems like absolute murder for the players and coaches, as exhaustion begins to set in. Where half of Europe would be preparing to call things quits, we’ve got 10 more to play, 30 points to be won.

But we’re still in a title race. And even as I can see weariness setting in on tired legs during this week’s practices, the possibilities that lie ahead dangle, like a carrot infront of everyone on the team. We’re past pushing for safety now, now, it’s about proving we’re the best in the division, despite what our detractors may say.

English League One – Game 37: Wrexham v. Colchester United

David Jones makes his return, finally today, after spending three weeks injured with his fractured jaw. Colchester are desperate to put more distance between themselves and the relegation fight, of which they’re only two points clear, and we’re trying to finally get up on Gillingham. Either way around it, it’s setting up for our match on the 15th to be a pretty titanic clash.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Morgan, Simek, Walsh; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Gallacio, Cox

Is David Jones back at his best? No, as a missed shot on 14 minutes easily proves. Thankfully, Colchester aren’t anywhere near their best, or at least Joe Keith is, as he gets himself his second yellow card after only 30 minutes of play. However, it turns out this is not so much because the referee, Bob Lockhart was calling a fair game, as it is he thinks we have all forgotten exactly what color the Yellow Card is, and intends to show us all. Over, and over again. The two teams have accrued seven Yellows by half-time, all for fouls that are, at best, niggling.

Thankfully, just before the half, Cox skies highest in the box to send a thumping header past Pidgeley to give us a 1-0 lead.

Both teams start the second half playing timidly, and Mr. Lockhart is still handing out Yellows like candy. He personally takes the oomph out of the game, even reducing things to a farcical 10-on-10 match on 61 minutes as Roberts earns his second yellow for a shirt tug that wasn’t worth the card. We snatch another from Cox just before the end, but the 11 yellows will tell the tale here.

Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Colchester United
MoM – Simon Cox

Roberts is, expectably, suspended for a game for his red card, but I’m not going to warn him, since he didn’t do a damn thing to begin with.

Gillingham manage to stay top however, winning again with a 3-0 destruction of Oldham. Now all eyes turn to Priestfield and our match on the 15th.

March 14th, 2006

Well, Andy Roberts knows something about timing at least.

The midfielder hobbles out of practice today, another twisted knee, the culprit. He’ll miss our match against Gillingham, which he was already going to do, due to his suspension. Were I not managing the club, I’d think something was rotten in Denmark, but I’m not, so, good for him. Sort of.

March 15th, 2006

English League One – Game 38: Gillingham v. Wrexham

No. 1 v. No. 2 today, as the two best offenses in League One tangle to see who will have the best shot of not just claiming promotion, but the League One Championship as well. On paper, this one should be grand, it’s the two highest-scoring offenses in the Division (them 1st, us 2nd), and three of the top 10 scorers in the division. The problem is, two of those scorers play for Gillingham, in the form of Marino Keith and Darren Byfield, both more than healthy enough to play in today’s game.

Priestfield is filled to capacity, all 11,582 seats filled. Our traveling contingent of 1500 is trying their best to make noise, but this is a hostile environment we’re entering into to try and wrestle the top spot away from the team that have been, at their worst, only as low as 12th in the Division this year. It’s incredibly tacky and cliché, but it’s places and times like this were teams are forged into real winners.

We’ve been on a tear, but Gillingham have won their last three against Swindon, Swansea and Oldham, not pushovers by a longshot. We’re raring for a fight, and I don’t think they’ll disappoint.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Cox, Gallacio

There is one bit of bad news from the kickoff. Bob Lockhart, of all godforsaken people, will be refereeing this one, and, true to form, he’s handed out two yellows (thankfully both to Gillingham) in three minutes. Three freaking minutes. Thankfully, while Lockhart is poncing around handing out cards to anything that moves, there’s still a game going on.

As both teams try to open up the game, the first serious chance falls our way on 12 minutes, as David Jones, seems to have found his legs again, taking a ball at the edge of the penalty area and completely beating Hoyte to go one-on-one with Burton. Burton comes out, and dives early for the ball, but Jones’ close control is exquisite, and he’s got the ball on a string as he gently makes his way past he scrabbling keeper and pokes it into the net for the opener.

With first blood to us, Gillingham go looking to their strike-force for the equalizer, and Keith nearly gets it, 18 minutes having ticked off the clock when he delivers a header from a corner that seems destined for the net until Esson gets his fingertips to it and places the ball onto the left post for another corner.

Knowing Gillingham’s offense, at no point have I told the boys to take their feet off the gas pedal, and it provides for us a second on 20 minutes, Cox taking a flighted through ball from Jones, muscling his marker, Leon Johnson off the ball, then dribbling past him, flashing in on net before expertly slipping the ball past Burton for 2-0.

With Burton exasperated with his defense, who have been beaten, not by team moves, but individually on two separate occasions, Gillingham’s confident façade begins to crack quickly, and we seize the opportunity to put it away early, Cox simply blowing past Johnson again on 26 minutes before rounding Burton and knocking the ball home to put us up 3-0 and silence the Gillingham fans.

From there, it turns into a rout. David Jones, Mark Jones and Stephen Hughes all tally, Hughes with an 82 minute penalty to add insult to injury, as we complete an absolute demolition of the team that for so long looked indomitable atop League One.

Oh and Bob Lockhart? 11 total Yellows, although, somehow, no Reds.

Final Score – Gillingham 0:6 Wrexham
MoM – David Jones

I’ll be frank at this point. With David Jones apparently back on song, Cox finding the net again, and our midfield and defense as strong as it’s ever been, I think this win is the one that pushes us over the top. I don’t think anyone, anywhere expected that this season could see this happen.

With the victory, we move into sole possession of first place, three points ahead of Gillingham, and seven points clear of Preston in 3rd.

Pred

Once again, thanks to everyone for the kind words. This is probably one of the best-feeling FM games i've had in a long while.

March 18th, 2006

English League One – Game 39: Oldham Athletic v. Wrexham

Only one change to the squad that demolished Gillingham, as Juan Ugarte comes in for the resting Simon Cox. Other than that, it’s the same squad as we go looking to bolster our promotion chances.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio

Nothing much to today’s fixture, as the team seems to be just relaxing for a game, exerting their will when they can but working under the understanding that they’re the team to beat this year, and that they must be overtaken. Ugarte and Gallacio threaten occasionally, but never seriously, as Paul Harrison, the Wrexham keeper is only called to duty three times as we can’t seem to get anything on net. As the game extends, Oldham pull back further into their own half, playing the ever-frustrating Catennacio-style game, and manage to say they held the 2nd-best offense in the league goalless.

Final Score – Oldham Athletic 0:0 Wrexham
MoM – Paul Harrison

The draw opens to door to a much needed resting period, as we’ll get nine days off before our match with Bradford City on the 27th.

March 24th, 2006

The media at large seems to be finally accepting that we have a real shot at promotion this year. The local papers, of course, are absolutely agog over our turn of fortune, The Wrexham Mail taking a particularly AS-like turn in their coverage, tabbing us “the wizards of Wrexham” in their most recent issue. Frustratingly, questions are already being raised about next year, with seven games left to play. Some writers are wondering about the shape of the squad for the 06/07 season, while one writer in Swansea still believes we’re going to crash and burn at the last hurdle.

March 27th, 2006

English League One – Game 40: Wrexham v. Bradford City

Credit to Bradford, who have pulled themselves from the absolute bottom of the table to a reasonable chance at avoiding relegation. An 11-game unbeaten streak that ended two weeks ago saw them clamber up to 20th, but a few bad games have them stuck back in the relegation zone at 21st, four points behind Hartlepool and desperate for three points.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Morgan, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Lancaster, Goater

Having faced, and lost to us already twice this year, Bradford don’t look anything approaching adventurous as the match begins. They are begging for a point here, although not going about it in the same style that Oldham employed to such good effect, nor are they as skilled as Tranmere was. Their goalkeeper looks set to have a very busy day, called into action on 12 minutes to tip a Jones freekick from 22 yards onto the post to keep things level. He does well again on 31 minutes, diving low to his left to stop a 25-yard blast from Hughes from slipping into the net. However, Bradford’s defense are looking leaky at best, so when Hughes delivers a cross across the box for Brittain, Bradford’s defense reacts in a panic, allowing the Scot to simply put the ball onto Jones’ right boot, which the midfielder happily smacks home for a 1-0 lead.

We’re never really caused any consternation by Bradford as we play a much slower, more defensive game than normal, allowing our attacks a much greater amount of time to build as we slowly move the ball upfield. Bradford just can’t get a sniff of the ball, and, as minutes tick away in the 2nd half, finally begin to start looking more positive and seeking options in attack. So, naturally, we catch them out on a counter attack, Jones darting through midfield with the ball before passing to Lancaster, who boots the ball out left for Hughes. The left winger sweeps into the box, only to be cruelly hacked down by White in the area, gifting us a 66th minute penalty, that Hughes kindly steps up and converts.

The goal’s an absolute backbreaker for Bradford, who shell up and defend to keep things reasonable. We manage another, but it’s stunning, not insomuch because of how it was scored, as who, as Shaun Goater, of all people, comes racing from mdifeld to be first to pounce on a rebound from Lancaster’s shot and turn the ball into the net for 3-0.

Final Score – Wrexham 3:0 Bradford City
MoM – Mark Jones

Gillingham, still reeling after our match, drop their 3rd straight, a 2-0 loss to Luton that pushes our lead to a sudden seven points with six games to play. I’m sure those behind us will be quite disappointed to know that we won’t be playing a team currently ranked higher than 11th in the division for the rest of the year, save for our season-ending fixture with (currently) 5th-placed Stoke City. The ball is completely in our court.

March 30th, 2006

Bad news from Stoke today, as their best defender, Wayne Thomas is apparently aching to leave Britannia stadium sometime in the near future, which would leave the promotion-chasing side completely bereft of defenders. Thankfully for them, it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to force a move before the transfer deadline comes to pass, which means Stoke will be at full strength for the remainder of the year.

April 1st, 2006

I am greeted at practice by representatives from League One today, as I’m presented with the Manager of the Month award for our record in March. I don’t want to sound too petulant, but it’s been coming, I’d think. Now, with a seven point lead atop the division, and the chance today to at least clinch a playoff place, I think this club’s in a position to have its ambitions fulfilled.

English League One – Game 41: Luton Town v. Wrexham

A few changes to the squad again, as I’m trying to rest legs ahead of our LDV Vans Trophy Final with Torquay. We’re in the position to actually have a game to “give” from our lead, although I wouldn’t be disappointed with another three points and a nearly unassailable position atop League One. In that respect, it’s Cox and Ugarte upfront today, in the hopes they can spark enough offense to keep Luton at bay.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Lawrence, Morgan, Walsh; Roberts; Lancaster, Hickey; Jones; Cox, Ugarte

It’s quite a surprise to look into the Luton net and see ex-Portsmouth keeper Shaka Hislop keeping net, but, it’s just another obstacle in our way.

The highlight of this one is definetly one that substitute Michele Gallacio slaps in on 78 minutes, with Mansell doing far, far, far too much dawdling on the ball in his own penalty area, the striker runs up, dispossesses the defender and, in one clan motion, slots past a stunned Hislop. Factor in a cheeky chip from Juan Ugate, a 25-yard laser from Simon Cox, and a own goal, and you can guess how this one ended up finishing.

Final Score – Luton Town 0:4 Wrexham
MoM – Martin Overvik

The win ensures us a place in the playoffs at least, while Gillingham needs an 88th-minute goal to save them from another winless game, striking down Preston to keep our lead at seven points. They’ll have a chance to make up a little more ground next week, as we’ll be leaving for Cardiff soon, to play Torquay in the LDV Vans Trophy Final on the 8th.

April 3rd, 2006

Andrew Lawrence will end up missing the Final after turning up with a calf strain during practice today that’ll see him miss a week of play. I’m honestly sad for him, he’s been at the club since 2000/01 and really deserved the chance to lift some silverware, but, no such luck then.

April 5th, 2006

I collect the team after practice today, for a bit of R&R and morale building, in the form of watching the Champions League Quarter-Finals kick off. Here’s the fixtures…

FC Barcelona v. AC Milan
Chelsea v. Internazionale
Borussia Dortmund v. Valencia C.F.
FC Porto v. Lyon

It takes a lot of haggling, and three votes before we finally decide on spending the next 120 minutes watching Chelsea take on Inter from Stamford Bridge, and, from the sheer quantity and quality of the peanut gallery jokes the boys throw out during the prematch show, I’d like to report that squad morale is very, very high.

The game comes with its fair share of thrills and spills, but it’s Jermaine Defoe’s 24th-minute strike to put Chelsea in the lead that everyone will remember. It’s a glorious blast, a 25-yarder that curls sweetly from the left of the penalty area into the righthand side of the net. It’s 3-1 to Chelsea for the return leg in Milan on the 12th.

April 8th, 2006

Gillingham can’t pick up any ground with a 1-0 loss on the road at Huddersfield today, which means our lead atop the division stays at a healthy seven points, and we’re gifted with a game in hand. During training today, the media would like to know if I think we’ve won the whole thing already, and for me, no. I’ve lived to witnesss too many astounding comebacks at this point, five games remaining or no. It’s not over until we’re hoisting the League One Championship trophy infront of a banner that says “We’re Going Up!”

Barring injury, I collect the team at the end of today’s practice to tell them who will be in the squad that’ll be making the journey, and by far, the hardest thing to do is to tell Michael Walsh that he won’t be starting, with Martin Overvik preferred on the right side of defense. Michael isn’t happy about it, but the fact that he’ll at least be on the bench is some small comfort.

April 9th, 2006

English LDV Vans Trophy – Final: Torquay United v. Wrexham

League Two vs. League one as we battle a Torquay team on the edge of securing promotion from League Two. As a club, they’ve been to the Final before, runners-up in 1989.

It’s a short trip for us from Wrexham to Cardiff, but it’s like entering a whole new world when we walk into the massive Millenium Stadium. It’s gorgeous, and, while the 25,000 in attendance don’t fill it to the brim, it’s the largest crowd we’ve seen all day, split into swaths of yellow and red, for Torquay and Wrexham, respectively.

As both teams lineup to have their pictures taken, I can take a moment to reflect on just how far we’ve managed to come this year. No matter how you look at it, this season has been a colossal success, but there is nothing I, the board, the fans, or the players would like more, I think, than to add the sheen of a cup trophy to this year’s finish.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Cox, Ugarte

Final Score – Torquay United 1:4 Wrexham
MoM – Stephen Hughes

Watching Andy Roberts lift the LDV Vans Trophy and hearing the roaring approval of our fans is a gleeful experience. I’m standing off to the side, applauding, this moment is for the fans and players to enjoy more than anyone else. They boys up there have put in the hardest work.

On the way home to Wrexham, I let the boys know that they’ve got the next day off for their exertions, although that I had better not see any of them popping up in The Wrexham Mail for committing various acts of silliness and not-thinking. It’s the least they deserve, and it will give me a little time to consider how we’re going to approach the next five games. Yeovil, Doncaster, Oxford, Huddersfield and Stoke, and then…. Well, hopefully by then, we’ll be celebrating something else.

April 12th, 2006

English League One – Game 42: Yeovil Town v. Wrexham

Today we catch up with everyone else, with a chance to extend our lead to 10 points over Gillingham. Yeovil are 23rd, and, four points out of safety from relegation, looking directly at heading back down to League Two. As a bit of a reward to those who played in the Final on Sunday, there are no changes to the squad, as we look to make our lead insurmountable.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Cox, Ugarte

There’s an obvious level of fatigue and complacency in the players as we begin, not a very good idea, given that Yeovil are absolutely desperate for a point. Esson is called to duty after just 15 minutes, as Lawrence loses Kevin Gall in the mix and allows the young striker to fire one on net that Esson does very well to tip around the post. Given the timidity of our past few opponents, Yeovil’s balls-to-the-wall attitude is something out of left field, and finding an incision in their defense, with Jones and Cox looking tired is becoming increasingly difficult. Ugarte has our best chance on 34 minutes, volleying a pass from Cox first-time from the edge of the box and forcing Tamas Byrne into a fine save.

We manage the majority of the possession for the remainder of the first half, but Byrne is in rare form, stopping Jones, Brittain and then Hughes and Cox with an astounding double-save to keep things level going into the half. The restart begins the same, with Yeovil snapping at our heels, looking to grab what might be a damaging goal, but Simek and Morgan make a series of crunching challenges that keep that possibility at arm’s reach. Finally, on 55 minutes, Hughes swings a ball across the box that Brittain takes on the right edge of the area, chipping it towards the penalty spot. There’s a mad scramble as the ball lands, and Jones’s eventual shot rebounds off a defender and then Simon Cox before rolling past Byrne’s last-gasp attempt to save it for the opener.

Darren Way takes it upon himself to drag Yeovil back into it, and for the next 10 minutes, the midfielder is all over the pich, challenging, passing, heading, everywhere at once. When Phil Jevons wins a freekick 25 yards from our net, and Way steps up to take it, there’s only one way it can finish, Way spinning the ball up over the wall and curling a beauty into the corner of Esson’s net.

With things at 1-1, and Yeovil’s fans praying for it to stay that way, we play spoilers once more, Hughes doing some very good work along the left wing before swinging in a cross to the penalty spot that Ugarte, backing up and off balance, nods up and over Byrne and into the net for 2-1. Yeovil can’t seem to find that extra gear again, and when, on 81 minutes, a corner into the box leads to another goalmouth scramble, the American Franklin Simek comes steaming in and smashes the ball home from a yard out, it’s a given.

Final Score – Yeovil Town 1:3 Wrexham
MoM – Stephen Hughes

Leglaen

Yes, a Wrexham story!! I've been a closet Red Dragons fan for some time now. KUTVGW!!!

Pred

Thanks Leg! Glad to hear you're enjoying things.

After the game, we find out that Alex Smith, who came off after 71 minutes, has fractured ribs, and will be out of action for a while, four weeks to be exact. He’ll miss the remainder of the season, which is cruel for him, as he’s been nothing but consistent this season and deserved the chance to be on the field for our final home game.

Meanwhile, the 2nd leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals ends today, with Chelsea, Porto and Valencia all advancing. Milan and Barcelona will play tomorrow, with Inter Milan having played at home to Chelsea today.

April 13th, 2006

Milan and Barcelona play a most entertaining match, but, despite a 3-2 victory, AC Milan just can’t overcome Barcelona’s two-goal aggregate lead, as what should be a highly entertaining semi-final prepares to unfold.

April 14th, 2006

With the season winding down and the transfer window for English clubs closed, it’s a complete surprise to receive a fax from Barnsley today, inquiring about the possibility of purchasing Juan Ugarte away from us. Apparently, the Spaniard has impressed enough to win the affection of the Championship club, and they think that our $60K valuation of the striker is completely within their price range.

For me though, it’s way, way, way too soon to be talking about prices for players. With the window closed, I don’t want to hear the word “transfer” until the season has come to an end, so their reply is a kindly-worded refusal, stating that we do not want to entertain the sale of any players until after the season has ended.

April 15th, 2006

English League One – Game 43: Wrexham v. Doncaster Rovers

Promotion. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that I didn’t have that in mind when the season began, but, here we are. Three points today, and we’re guaranteed the chance to spend next year in the next-closest thing to the lucrative Premiership.

A significantly changed squad takes the field today, with both Jones’ featuring in midfield, along with Shaun Goater’s return to the attack. It’s a much more narrow 4-1-2-1-2 we’re taking onto the field today, as I’m hoping that we’ll exert enough control in the center of the field to keep any exposure on the wings in midfield from being an issue.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Morgan, Lawrence, Walsh; N’Galula; D Jones, M Jones; Lancaster; Goater, Gallacio

Today’s fixture starts out with a real shock, as a long through pass is chased down by the ponderous Shaun Goater, of all people, who is massively unlucky to see his chip anticipated perfectly by Andy Warrington and tipped just over the bar for a corner kick. Doncaster’s first three attempts fly wide, and, as the game settles after the opening exchanges, the boys are out to have a little fun with their game it seems, as Morgan opts to fire in a freekick from some 40 yards away that was headed nowhere other than into the stand.

Another freekick on 35 minutes places N’Galula out wide left of the Doncaster penalty area, and the Belgian shocks everyone in the ground by not firing in a cross, but shooting the ball on net from the extreme angle, catching Warrington unawares and flighting the ball right into the right side of the net for the opener.

Today is probably the fastest Shaun Goater has run since his first international cap for Bermuda, and he nearly gets his just reward on 55 minutes, charging down a loose ball on the left flank and beating his man to the inside, blazing in on net before trying to catch Warrington by surprise, firing a shot that the keeper saves with his legs and sends out for a corner. Doncaster are entirely undeterred, and come charging for an equalizer, nearly scoring one on 61 minutes, a corner headed down to the feet of Paul Green, who should score but skies it from ten yards away. Neil Roberts is unfortunate to see his header tipped over the bar by Esson, and David Poole spurns another gilt-edged opportunity on 74 minutes, firing wide from a one-on-one opportunity with Esson.

With Goater off for Youngs, we continue to just try and exploit the cracks that consistently appear in Doncaster’s defense, and with six minutes left on the clock, Doncaster’s 2-3-5 attacking formation blows up in their face, their defense completely unable to keep up with Youngs’ bursts of pace, allowing Walsh to curl a pass some 40-yards upfield for the striker to control and knock past Warrington to send our supporters into peals of joy.

Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Doncaster Rovers
MoM – Floribert N’Galula

The scene on the bench is one of barely-held back joy as the final seconds tick away. The news from Gillingham is that they have drawn with Port Vale, meaning that we aren’t just going up, we’re going to be champions! Locking arms with my assistant, René Keffel and a few of the players still on the bench, we count down the last few moments before the referee blows the final whistle and points to the center circle! League One is ours!

I stay on the bench while my fellows stream onto the pitch, along with a horde of celebrating fans. Immediately, I find Stephen Hughes and wrap my arms around him in celebration. Hughes, as much as anyone else on this team, is responsible for our promotion and championship, having turned from a mid-level player to an absolute force on the left wing. Also deserving accolades are Juan Ugarte, who provided an splendid force in attack, along with the fans’ new hero, Simon Cox, who has been an absolute demon up front, banging in 28 goals in all competitions this season.

As the trophy is brought out, the roaring noise of our fans singing and cheering is deafening, as I share a happy handshake and a smile with Chairman Alex Hamilton. We’ve achieved everything we could’ve possibly dreamed of here this year, and the feeling is grand. It’s a numb feeling as the trophy is presented, and, as Andy Roberts lifts the trophy, the celebrations can begin anew! For the first time since 1978, Wrexham are headed back to the English Championship!

Between the cheering, photos, and champagne-spraying, the remainder of the evening is a bit of a blur. But noone can take this away from us now. What a season!

April 17th, 2006

I haven’t featured much news from the Premership today, but this is worth mentioning, as Sir Alex Ferguson announces his retirement from the game today, effective at the end of the season. It’s the end of an era in Manchester, while, in other, much less interesting news, Graeme Souness has been canned as manager of Newcastle. Both teams are thought to have Steve Bruce on the top of their possible list of new managers, but I don’t think it’s much of a question as to where he’ll end up.

April 22nd, 2006

English League One – Game 44: Wrexham v. Oxford United

With promotion and the championship all wrapped up, these last three games are a formality of sorts, and a chance for me to do some quick experimentations with new tactics. I’d like to give some youngsters in our reserves a run out, but frankly, there’s noone good enough right now. Among other things, that fact is yet another issue I need to address during the off-season.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Lawrence, Morgan, Watt; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio

Oxford but on a brave performance in this one, actually taking the lead after 32 minutes when Ricchiuti’s header finds the back of the net. But a volley from Floribert N’Galula equalizes things, and from there it’s all downhill for Oxford, as Gallacio and Jones both tally to put us up.

Final Score – Wrexham 3:1 Oxford United
MoM – Martin Overvik

Port Vale are first out the door today, as a their 2-2 draw with Yeovil Town isn’t enough to keep them away from the inevitable, and they’re relegated to League Two today, a sad fate for the club, who haven’t been that low since the 1985/86 season.

April 23rd, 2006

25-7-3. That’s Arsenal’s record through 35 Premiership matches, and it’s enough to give them their third title in the past five years. The past two years at Highbury have been spectacular, with a Champions Cup trophy in 2005, and now the Premiership. With the team set to move to Emirates stadium in the summer, Arsene Wenger could find himself chasing the double or, perhaps, even the much-vaunted treble next season.

Meanwhile, Michele Gallacio finishes a very impressive Loan spell today, returning to Chelsea. I don’t know where he’ll fit in in Jose Mourinho’s plans, but he’s more than proved himself to me with a string of fine performances when called upon. If I see him dangling around on the cheap, we’ll snap him up if he’ll have us.

Players Out:
Michele Gallacio (20 y/o, ITA, S C): 9 (6) apps, 8 goals, 4 asts, Av. Rate 7.33

April 26th, 2006

The Champions Cup Semi-Finals get rolling today, with Barcelona taking on Primera Liga leaders Valencia, and Chelsea taking on Porto in the first meeting between the clubs since Jose Mourinho left the 2004 winners for Stamford Bridge and the millions of Roman Abramovic.

Both games are reasonably entertaining, but the home sides come our far the stronger, Barcelona tackling Valencia 2-0 at the Camp Nou, and Chelsea defeating Porto 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

April 29th, 2006

English League One – Game 45: Huddersfield Town v. Wrexham

With Gillingham and Swindon having already qualified for the playoffs, and the former odds on favorites to take the second promotion spot, the rest of the table has all but been set, with Tranmere and Hull fighting for the final playoff spot. Huddersfield, who made the playoffs last year after a 5th-place finish, are facing the end of a highly disappointing 05/06 campaign, currently 15th, safe from relegation, but assured of a season of promise turning into a season of mid-table mediocrity.

Wrexham Lineup: Esson; Overvik, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Youngs, Goater

A performance from Tom Youngs that I believe can be reasonably described as “without merit” contributes today, as we have to scrabble from two down in the last 30 minutes to spoil Huddersfield’s party and walk away from The Galpharm Stadium with a point.

Final Score – Huddersfield Town 2:2 Wrexham
MoM – Richard Brittain

May 1st, 2006

Richard Brittain is honored this month with the Player of the Month award, which he, like many other players we’ve had this year, richly deserves. Since we picked him up, he’s put in a string of fine performances for Wrexham, so the honor is all his.

May 3rd, 2006

The Champions Cup final is set today, with Chelsea and Barcelona both advancing on the merit of 1-1 draws with their opponents to set up what should be a tantalizing final. It’s the Premership’s most prolific offense (Chelsea) vs. the Primera Liga’s most stingy defense (Barca) in a match that arguably features some of the best talent the world has to offer, as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Steven Gerrard, Samuel Eto’o, Pablo Aimar and Andrés D’Alessandro all play for either Chelsea or Barca.

May 4th, 2006

The UEFA Cup final is also set today, with Besiktas defeating Zaragoza, and Manchester United losing out to FC Bayern Munich, who are quickly becoming the story of the season, with the team on the brink of pulling off an ignonimous double. With the team perched and ready with the chance to win the UEFA Cup, FC Bayern has also endured the single worst season in its history, and, after selling off many of its best players over the past two years, face the prospect of being relegated from the German First Division, currently 16th and two points adrift of safety.

May 6th, 2006

English League One – Game 46: Stoke City v. Wrexham

Finally. The last game.

Wrexham Lineup: Esson; Overvik, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Youngs, Goater

In a nutshell, we’re too fatigued to really put together anything more than a token attack, and Stoke completely overwhelm us. We’re lucky things finish as they do.

Final Score – Stoke City 1:0 Wrexham
MoM – Wayne Thomas

After the game, the very first thing I say to the players is that now, once they’ve cleaned their lockers, that they’re free of my nagging influence until June 25th. Nearly two months to rest and relax, and enjoy the spoils of a season well-won.

Gillingham, despite their late-season fluctuations, will be heading up with us today, winning promotion to the English Championship. Meanwhile, Grimsby Town, Peterborough United and Yeovil Town will all be heading back down, as Bradford City pull off their great escape, finishing 19th to avoid relegation.

May 10th, 2006

With Barnsley, Rotherham and Wolveerhampton all heading in the opposite direction of us, next year is shaping up to be an interesting one in the English Championship, what with Fulham, Charlton and Millwall joining the ranks.

Meanwhile, it’s titans vs. minnows in the FA Cup Semi-Final today, as Manchester United take on surprise package Norwich City. And while the game may disappoint for the neutral, it’s a testament to Norwich’s spirit, as they battle with Manchester United for 120 minutes and force the game into penalties, a ending noone had predicted by a longshot. Despite going down and then managing to tie it in the penalties, when Ryan Jarvis’ penalty flies wide of the left post, Manchester United can celebrate avoiding a major upset, and advance on, looking for their 12th FA Cup victory, which they will contest for versus none other than hated Arsenal.

May 13th, 2006

I say my goodbyes to my secretary and to my fellow backroom staff, as I prepare to board a plane back home today. I’m taking a week off to visit family and enjoy some downtime before returning to begin the whole process anew. If things had gone my way, I would’ve booked tickets for the World Cup this summer, but, as I’m sure you can tell, I was otherwise occupied.

Still, even as I board the plane, I can look at my cellphone and know that it’ll be ringing again sometime. The job never really ends.

May 17th, 2006

FC Bayern are that much closer to their ignominious double, after defeating Besiktas in the UEFA Cup final today. Goals from Roy Makaay and Borut Semler prove the difference as Bayern will lift their second UEFA Cup title, but, with the club still in the final relegation place they’re not safe yet. More interestingly, their double may become a treble, with Bayern also in the German Cup final.

May 24th, 2006

The Champions Cup final comes to its eventual end today, as Barcelona and Chelsea face off at the Stade des Trois Tilleuls in Brussels. It’s something less of a happy encounter for Chelsea, who are facing off against two of their ex-players, in Peter Cech and Mateja Kezman. Juan Sebastian Veron opens the after just three minutes, but the rest of the first half is quite tame, with no team coming very close to finding another break. Veron notches a second off a spilled shot in the 2nd half, and that’s all it takes, as Barcelona lift their first Champions Cup trophy since 1992. Chelsea won’t be able to look back on this game with anything but disappointment in their offense, they didn’t manage a shot on target until 66 minutes, and of the 11 shots they took, only two found their way on net.

May 26th, 2006

The legendary Wembley Stadium opens today to see Swindon fall at the final hurdle, unable to overcome Stoke City and gain promotion via the playoffs to the English Championship, whilst Stoke ensure that they bounce right back up after relegation in 2004/05. The 2-1 victory for Stoke is hard on a Swindon squad that vastly improved from a 17th-place finish last year to a 3rd-place finish this year, only to miss out.

May 27th, 2006

Some 89,969 in attendance at Wembley today as the FA Cup final returns to its proper home as Arsenal and Manchester United clash for the final trophy of the 05/06 season in England. And it’s two wonder goals, a darting 40-yard run and finish from Robinho, and a 35-yard bender from Freddie Ljungberg that are the difference, as Arsenal’s dominant season has a happy ending, defeating Manchester United 2-0 to do the double, taking both the FA Cup and the Premier League title.

Pred

May 30th, 2006

The English Players’ League One Select will include Michael Walsh and Stephen Hughes, surprising choices given how well we feel players like Simon Cox, Richard Brittain and Floribert N’Galula played, but it’s still something for players who justly deserve it. Swansea’s Lee Trundle wins the Top Goalscorer award, and our impressive season grants me the chance to be honored as the Manager of the Year.

June 1st, 2006

With the World Cup set to start on June 7th and the season, for the most part, over in Europe, let’s take a look at who did what where and who’s big in Europe this year.

In England Arsenal did the double, winning both the Premiership and the FA Cup. A 26-9-3 record dominated for the Gunners, as they ran away with the title as the year came to its conclusion. Chelsea finished 2nd, having to settle for just the League Cup this season, with Aston Villa surging into 3rd place, their first top three finish since 1993. The top five are rounded out by Manchester City, who trump Manchester United this year for the final Champions Cup place.

Monaco also manages their own double in France, taking the First League and the French Cup, making it back-to-back victories for the team from the principality. With Lyon finishing a massively disappointing 10th, Monaco were never challenged in their run for the title. Rennes, Lille, Marseille and Paris-SG round out the top five, with the increasingly-skilled Patrice Evra putting on a masterclass domestically this season, rating a 7.98 this season, and surely set to leave Monaco for bigger and better things.

The story of the year is no doubt in Germany as FC Bayern pull off one of the most memorable seasons in football history, winning the UEFA Cup, the German Cup, and still managing to get relegated from the First Division. The sheer ridiculousness of Bayern’s achievement has overshadowed the triumphant season of Borussia Mönchengladbach, who dominated domestically and won the title by twelve points over 2nd-placed Hertha BSC. Dortmund, Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen round out the top five.

It was a race to the last day of the season in Italy, but Roma pulled it out, winning by a single point over Internazionale and by two over 3rd-placed Milan. 2005’s winners, Juventus fall all the way to 6th as Parma and Udinese sneak ahead of them in the rankings. It’s a great, great finish for Roma, who win their first Scudetto title since 2001, but there must be a bit of sadness, knowing that talisman Francesco Totti will leave for Inter in July on the Bosman ruling.

An up and down season for Barcelona and Real Madrid end with the two powerhouses having to watch Valencia win their 3rd title in five years in Spain. Barcelona, who was as low as 12th, and Madrid, who were as low as 9th, never really managed to get enough together to challenge the Valencians, who ended up winning the title by 11 clear points. Barcelona will take some solace in their 2nd-place finish and in their Champions Cup victory. Real Madrid finish 3rd, with Sevilla and Real Zaragoza rounding out the top five.

From some of the smaller leagues…

Belgium – Anderlecht suffer a horror season, finishing 13th, while Cercle Brugge win the title. Club Brugge finish 2nd, and AA Gent finish 3rd.

Holland – A little chance in the top three, as, while Ajax retain the title, NEC Nijmegen go 2nd, Feyenoord 3rd and PSV an embarrassing 4th place, their worst finish in over a decade.

Portugal – Boavista win their first title since 2001, going one-up on last year’s runners-up finish. Sporting finish 2nd, and Porto 3rd.

Scotland – Rangers dominate, winning the Premier League title by 14 points over 2nd-placed Celtic, with Motherwell, like most teams that finish in 3rd, a distant 3rd.

Turkey – A last day win for Fenerbahçe grants them their third straight title, with 2nd-placed Besiktas and 3rd-placed Galatasaray unable to break their clutch on the title.

June 2nd, 2006

With the season done and gone, and the board very happy with our $1.2M profit this year, it’s time for me to sit with my staff to evaluate individual player performances this year.

Goalkeepers

Preston Burpo (33 y/o, American, GK): 1 app, 3 conc, Av. Rate 6.00: Signed in January on a free, Preston is ostensibly going to spend most of next year acting as our emergency backup-plan between the sticks.

Ryan Esson (26 y/o, Scottish, GK): 49 apps, 42 conc, 22 cln, Av. Rate 7.00: Esson’s numbers and average rating this year tell a real tale of his year at the back this year. He hasn’t really impressed between the sticks, and when seriously challenged, he really didn’t impress. A good question is whether next year, if the defense is not as strong as it was this year, whether he’ll put up improved performances.

Defenders

Craig Morgan (20 y/o, Welsh, D C): 18 (2) apps, 1 asts, Av. Rate 6.95: Craig’s come along this year, and, in the process of making several good run-outs for the Welsh Under-21 squad, he’s one of the hot prospects the team has going. Most importantly to me, Craig never turned in a bad performance for the team, something that I’m hoping will be a repeating habit.

Franklin Simek (21 y/o, American, D C): 25 apps, 1 goal, 2 asts, Av. Rate 7.46: Franklin turned out to be a steal from Arsenal, turning in a series of great performances this year, including a Man of the Match worthy game against Gillingham. Considering the market for big-club rejects, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about anyone suddenly thinking he’s the next Eddie Pope and swiping him from us.

Dennis Lawrence (31 y/o, Trinidad & Tobagan, SW/D C): 34 apps, 2 goals, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.06: Still a fixture in his nation’s international side, Dennis may be getting on in years, but he’s still part of the Wrexham family. I was getting increasingly frustrated with some of his concentration lapses this year however, and I really do hope the game isn’t starting to pass him by.

Martin Overvik (21 y/o, Norwegian, D RLC): 21 (2) apps, 2 MoM, Av. Rate 7.70: When you really hit the jackpot with a signing as a manager, it’s a great feeling, and Martin is the jackpot. The most versatile member of our defense, he has been an absolute force along the wings, snuffing out more moves than I frankly can count this year, turning in one spectacular performance after another. Another good year, and he may find himself the young captain of the squad.

Michael Walsh (28 y/o, English, D RC): 36 (3) apps, 5 asts, Av. Rate 7.18: Michael is shifting, as time goes by, from the right side of defense into what will probably end up as a role in the center of defense. Still, when he was called upon, he did his job well.

Steven Watt (21 y/o, Scottish, D RC): 10 (7) apps, Av. Rate 7.24: Steven’s performances this year have been good this year, but not enough to convince Chelsea not to transfer list him anyway. Were his price tag not so large ($550K) I would try and bring him to Wrexham, if only because he showed the kind of promise I like to see in our youngsters. For a Loan, he was great.

Alex Smith (30 y/o, English, D/DM L): 25 (2) apps, 2 asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.18: Improved mentally all season and kept his body in the best form that he could. Alex was never a real mistake-maker at the back, although frankly, now, I do wonder if he’ll be good enough to make the grade in the English Championship. If he continues improving his mental game, he might be able to make up for any other deficiencies.

Midfielders

Floribert N’Galula (19 y/o, Belgian, D/DM C): 18 (11) apps, 2 goals, 4 asts, 2 MoM, Av. Rate 7.31: I am massively jealous about the amount of talent that Manchester United have in N’Galula. Whenever called on to replace Roberts in midfield, N’Galula was absolutely dominant in the middle of the park, winning balls and harassing the opposing attack constantly. Factor in that he seemed to find his scoring touch as the season wore on, and I do wish we could buy him.

Andy Roberts (32 y/o, English, DM C): 28 apps, 1 asts, Av. Rate 6.75: Andy isn’t aging well, and our captain was looking increasingly anonymous as the season wore on whenever he was on the field. With N’Galula shining whenever he took the pitch, Andy’s position in the team became increasingly precarious this year, and the transfer market is probably going to dictate whether he holds his job next year.

Stephen Hughes (29 y/o, English, M LC): 43 apps, 5 goals, 16 asts, 4 MoM, Av. Rate 7.51: Stephen pulled an amazing season out this year, which has lead to the obvious query about a new contract. Considering Stephen already makes some $200K a year, it’s a bit up in the air, as I’m really wondering whether Stephen can bring this level of play to the game for a second year in a row. I hope he can.

David Jones (21 y/o, English, M C): 19 (6) apps, 19 goals, 4 asts, 8 MoM, Av. Rate 7.88: Absolutely stunning when we first grabbed him, but after his injury, David was never quite the same for us. That doesn’t detract from a season that has been absolutely stellar, exhibiting a finishing touch and a skill on the ball that started us on the tear we used to propel ourselves into the Championship. I’ll be sad to see him go when he leaves for Manchester again.

Richard Brittain (22 y/o, Scottish, AM RC): 18 apps, 4 goals, 10 asts, 4 MoM, Av. Rate 8.18: A spectacular year this year, a consistent threat down the right flank all year, Richard has been one of the major fixtures of our offense in the end of the season. Will be good next year, I’m sure, and he’ll probably be good the year after that too.

Mark Jones (21 y/o, Welsh, AM C): 29 (11) apps, 7 goals, 10 asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 6.95: Skilled, great potential, and completely inconsistent this year. Some games he would control the attack from the hole behind the strikers, and some games, he’d disappear for some 45-odd minutes until I finally pulled him. When he was on he was on this year, and when he was on, he was good enough that we can’t think about leaving him.

Sam Lancaster (19 y/o, English, AM/F C): 10 (22) apps, 4 goals, 6 asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.25: Local boy, Sam has good potential, although he’s not quite spurring off the bench the way I’d like. Sam was a good hard worker this year, but he never quite seemed to put his game into that next gear that will take him from a average player to a regular first-teamer.

Strikers

Tom Youngs (26 y/o, English, F RC): 5 (9) apps, 3 goals, 2 asts, Av. Rate 6.71: Not called upon much this year, as I don’t fancy him, and he did nothing really to prove me wrong. His $170K contract may end up getting him transfer listed in hopes of opening up some space for someone new.

Simon Cox (19 y/o, English, F C): 17 (14) apps, 28 goals, 11 asts, 4 MoM, Av. Rate 7.84: There’s no superlative I can use that wouldn’t be a good description of Simon’s season. An absolutely huge prospect, we’re already talking terms with him for a new contract, and hopefully, he’ll stay a Red Dragon for a few years more.

Juan Ugarte (25 y/o, Spanish, F C): 26 (4) apps, 13 goals, 5 asts, Av. Rate 7.10: Juan came along nicely this year, continually improving this season and finding the net when it didn’t seem like Cox or Goater had their shooting boots on. Playing a lot better than I expected, Juan may end up being the eldest regular forward on the team next year because of…

Shaun Goater (36 y/o, Bermudan, S C): 34 (1) apps, 10 goals, 6 asts, Av. Rate 7.00: Usually anonymous, I’m very happy he’s accepted a reduced role in the squad for next year. At this point in his career, which is, make no doubt, winding down, we’re going to need a replacement for him post-haste. He has been a good servant for the club, but the game simply has passed him by at this point.

June 7th, 2006

The World Cup kicks off in Germany today, here’s how things will shape up…

Group A:
Brazil, Jamaica, Mali, Spain

Group B:
England, Morocco, Serbia & Montenegro, United States

Group C:
France, Japan, Russia, Uruguay

Group D:
Croatia, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria

Group E:
Cameroon, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea

Group F:
Colombia, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia

Group G:
Chile, Iran, Italy, Turkey

Group H:
Argentina, Denmark, Ghana, Honduras

Of course, I’ve got some investment in the overall performance of the U.S. national team, but today Group A begins, with all the normal suspects winning, as Brazil defeat Mali thanks to goals from Denilson and Adriano, while Spain defeat Jamaica with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso doing the damage.

June 8th, 2006

Group B gets going today, as strikes from Steven Gerrard and Leon Osman see off Morocco 2-0, while the United States upend Serbia 1-0 with Landon Donovan scoring the only goal.

Meanwhile, we agree to a new deal with Simon Cox today. $200K a year until 2009, Simon will be a part of the first team until I say otherwise, which, I’d like to hope, will be a long, long, long time away.

June 9th, 2006

The search begins in earnest today for a summer transfer, possibly a striker, possibly a defensive midfielder, perhaps even a goalkeeper or an extra center-defender. The list of possibles is massive, and I’m counting on my scouts to help me whittle it down to players who actually have a shot at featuring for Wrexham.

Groups C and D go today, with Japan losing to Uruguay, Nigeria and Ireland playing to a boring 0-0 draw, and Russia pulling the early upset of the tournament, defeating France 1-0 thanks to Andrey Arshavin’s 10th-minute goal and some desperate defending from the Russians.

June 10th, 2006

Only one interesting match today, as Mexico loses out to Croatia in a six goal thriller, that goes 4-2 to the Croats. Meanwhile, Cameroon hold the hosts to a 0-0 bore, as does South Korea keep the Netherlands from getting a goal, sneaking a point in a 0-0 draw.

June 11th, 2006

Romania defeat Saudi Arabia 3-0 today, and Argentina defeat Ghana 1-0 thanks to an early contender for Goal of the Tournament, Fernando Cavenaghi blasting a 35-yard thunderbolt into the back of the net to seal things for Argentina. Lastly, Honduras holds Denmark to a 0-0 draw, which will certainly frustrate the Danes, after Honduras had two men sent off in the first 45 minutes, only to hold Denmark without a goal.

Stuart Johnston

wow, you seemed to have changed Wrexham (if I spelt it wrong, then I'm sorry) around, I don't think they've done so well since the 97/98 season, where, somehow, they made it to the FA Cup final, I think, and made it to Europe, didn't do too well though.........

Leglaen

I don't know about 97/98, but I do know that a fantastic game was when Wrexham beat Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup back in 91/92..And thanks to Wrexham winning the Welsh Cup in the 70's(mostly due to Dixie McNeil), the Red Dragons got to the Cup-Winners Cup quarterfinal. I think they lost to Anderlecht that season, 77/78 maybe.