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Right, so that last one? Wasn't happening. However now, we're updated with Data, got the new 5.0.5 patch, and are ready and rarin' to go. One difference now however, is that, rather than just grab any team at the beginning of the 04/05 season, i've simulated the 04/05 season and am beginning in the 2005/06 campaign. Who with? Where? Why? How? Read on.
Leagues Being Run:
Argentina (Premier League Only)
Belgium (First Division Only)
Brazil (First Division Only)
England (League Two and Above)
France (Second League and Above)
Germany (Second Division and Above)
Holland (First Division and Above)
Italy (Serie C1 and Above)
Mexico (First Division Only)
Portugal (Superleauge Only)
Russia (Premier League Only)
Scotland (Premier League Only)
South Korea (K-League Only)
Spain (Second Division and Above)
Turkey (Premier League Only)
U.S.A. (MLS)
Ukraine (High League Only)
“So what’re you doing this evening?”
I yawn and stretch, getting up off my couch and walking for the kitchen. It’s 7:00 PM on a Friday night, and I’ve got absolutely no plans for the evening. Not that I’m going to let him know that.
“I figure maybe we could go somewhere cheap. Reasonably cheap. Is anyone good playing at the Knitting Factory tonight?”
Robert shakes his head, chuckling. “Nothing you’d like, at least. Come on man, you’ve had your head buried in magazines, periodicals, papers. I mean, do you think putting your name in for the Real Betis job is actually going to pan out?”
“Well, of course not, but I want to get my name out there.” I say, opening the fridge and removing a soda. “How hard can it be to understand? I want to manage a team, any team, anywhere. And frankly, I don’t want to spend another decade as a coach here stateside. Perhaps you weren’t watching this year, but I was getting kind of bored with the Flames. I mean, really, a team in Westchester County?”
Robert laughs, shaking his head. “Yes, I remember, I was getting bored too. But honestly, if you’re not going to try and sign up for a job with the MLS, who do you think in Europe is going to take a chance on a guy who hasn’t ever managed before?”
“Jurgen Klinsmann never managed before.”
“Yes, but you didn’t appear over 100 times in international games. And you didn’t score. Matter of fact, you didn’t play professionally.”
“Details, details.” I say with a laugh. “At this point, I’ll try anything.”
“So how many applications do you have out now anyway?”
I shrug. “I’ve lost track personally. I started putting in applications in April, and haven’t stopped since. Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, France, England…” I say, counting on my fingers. “…Germany, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Russia, Spain, and Turkey.”
“No applications in the MLS?”
“You think they’ll hire me?”
“You applied for the Galatasaray job!”
“I like to think there’s a possibility of a positive outcome there.”
November 6th, 2005
“Newcastle’s horror season at took a small upturn today, as a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth moved them into 14th place, although that certainly will not satisfy the board, players or fans, who have been left stunned by the turn of events upon Tyneside. This still will not be seen as anything but a disaster at Newcastle however, after a 4th-place finish last year, and finally, some silverware for the Toon in the form of a UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup win.
Meanwhile, in Italy, the race for the Scudetto is seeing some real change as Roma extended their lead at the top to three points…”
I turn my attention away from the TV, moving back to removing the various foodstuffs from the plastic bags. Today’s grocery day, which means I’ll spend about $15 on things that will actually be nutritious and filling, and another $40 on things that I saw in the aisles that looked cool or were some sort of sugar-sweet concoction that I hadn’t tried yet.
Tossing a pack of frozen pizza into the fridge, the Messages Received blinker on the answering machine catches my eye. Three in total, I punch the button and listen.
*BEEP*
“Hi Jake, it’s Tom. We’re running a two-a-day session starting Monday, so I thought I’d just let you kno…”
Deleted. Last thing I want to think of is my job.
*BEEP*
“Hello, this is Tonya from Blockbuster Video calling. You’ve had Troy past its due date for…”
Deleted. God that movie sucked. Now I’m going to get charged more for it.
*BEEP*
“Hello Mr. Flanagan.”
A British accent. My heart skips a beat. The message continues.
“My name is Graham and I’m calling on behalf of Alex Hamilton and Wrexham Association Football Club.”
“Yes. Uh… I… uh… well, I’m thrilled to make your acquaintance.”
“As am I. Obviously, you’ve been following English football pretty religiously this season?”
“For the most part, yes.” In my head, I’m making all kinds of assumptions, hoping against hope. Maybe?
“So you have probably heard that back on November 1st, Wolverhampton hired our previous manager Denis Smith. Since then we’ve left the club in the hands of Kevin Russell as caretaker. Now, you sent us an application, correct?”
“Yes.” My heart won’t stop pounding.
“Well, I’m glad to say that your application has been accepted. We’d love for you to join the Wrexham A.F.C. family for the rest of the season as manager….”
Elation. I’m jumping around my kitchen in joy, pumping my first and giving all sorts of other utterly ridiculous signs of my overwhelming happiness. Graham, on the other end of the phone, blissfully unaware of my antics, continues.
“…you’ll take over the club immediately. We’ll help you get yourself set up with a place to stay, and the press conference introducing you as the new manager will be as soon as you arrive in Wrexham. Get all that?”
“I’m clearing my calendar as I speak.” Translation: I’m going to call Robert tonight and we’re going to go out and have celebratory drinks until I can’t walk.
“Great, wonderful. We’re thrilled to have you on board. Admittedly, we’re throwing you into the deep end here. The club’s in 18th place, and we need you to be here in time for your first game in charge vs. Oldham on the 19th. You won’t have a lot of time to get yourself acquainted with the team, the town, the players and your backroom staff, but this is a challenge we hope you can meet.”
We exchange goodbyes and I hang up the phone, grinning like an idiot. A League Two team, in England loses its reasonably-tenured manager, figures “what the hell” and hires a unknown American? My lucky freaking day.
November 16th, 2005
“We’d like to think we’re ushering in a new age here at Macclesfield Town FC, so, I’ll turn things over to Mr. Flanagan.”
I smile at Mr. Hamilton and the rest of the assembled Wrexham board, shaking each of their hands as I approach the podium. The assemblage is rather small, a few members of the local media and some assorted supporters, but otherwise unknown. Not that I’m surprised. I clear my throat, and begin.
“Members of the Press, Supporters, I’m absolutely thrilled to be standing here in front of you as the new Manager of Wrexham AFC. I’m not really even sure where to begin, but at the very least I must say that I am thankful to the Chairman, Mr. Alex Hamilton for taking a chance on an unknown and giving me this huge opportunity. It’s been my dream to manage in England, so this is a dream come true.
I know the past season was a tough one for Wrexham fans, and I know I’m replacing a man who saved the team from relegation last year. But I’m looking forward to the rest of this season. I think, with some guts and some hard work, we can and will improve and avoid the drop, and we can improve on our position last year. I’ll do my best not to squander this opportunity, and promise the fans that I am committed to the Wrexham cause.”
Later in the day, Denmark and Romania qualify for the 2006 World Cup in the second leg of the Playoffs today, but everyone’s eyes are fixated on the Ireland – Poland game, where Matt Holland becomes a national hero, scoring a 91st minute goal to sink the Poles and send Ireland to Germany for the World Cup.
November 19th, 2005
English League One – Game 16: Wrexham v. Oldham Athletic
And into the deep end. The good news is, the club isn’t in the precarious financial state they were in last year. The bad news is, the first-team squad, as I’ve taken a look at them, isn’t of the quality we’ll need to stay up by a longshot. The fact that our top scorer is 35-year old (and not getting any younger) Shaun Goater is what I like to call a very bad thing. The team’s been absolutely pathetic infront of net this year, with 17 goals in 15 games, things that will have to change if we want to stay up. It seems like the board and the fans are all looking at the prospect of relegation with a little more resigned feeling than I’d hope for.
Oldham have taken Wales international Robert Earnshaw on Loan from West Brom until December, and it becomes completely apparent that he’s way too good for this level, at least for us, right off the bat. He’s cutting a swath through our outmatches defense, especially with Andy Roberts playing completely out of position at the center of defense when he’s a center-midfielder.
Our best chance comes by the most boring of means on 52 minutes, when a longball upfield manages to allow Shaun Goater to squirt past his marker and go one-on-one with Pogliacomi. But his shot fires well wide of the net, and we’re left empty handed. Oldham take the advantage, outplaying us all day, Earnshaw breaks free for the umpteenth time, racing past his markers and firing into the top-right corner of the net. We can’t find any attacking verve, and have to watch as Oldham walk away with the points.
Final Score – Wrexham 0:1 Oldham Athletic MoM – Gary Cahill
This isn’t the first game in charge I had in mind, especially given that Oldham are dead last in League One. Worse, the loss leaves us in 20th place, one point ahead of Hull City and the relegation places. We have to turn around our League form post-haste if we want to stay out of the relegation battle.
November 20th, 2005
These first few days in charge have seen me feverishly working the phones, looking for new blood to bring into the club. The problem is, with the transfer window closed, and only $100K at my disposal, noone new is joining the club until January when the window reopens, so for now, it’s Loans, Loans, Loans. I’m putting out inquiries for anyone who might even seem interesting in coming to Wrexham.
The risk, however, is that, in my eyes, for this team to make the jump to mid-table mediocrity (and that’d be a jump for us now) I’m going to end up making a lot of people angry. A portion of the first-team squad may lose their jobs if play doesn’t pick up, and considering how the season’s gone already, I don’t see that happening.
November 21st, 2005
Success! Three new Loans join the club today, as having spent nearly 24 hours straight working the phones pays off. The trio, defender Piqué and Floribert N’Galula from Manchester United and Steven Watt from Chelsea will hopefully provide a fresh influx of talent and skill into the squad. Hopefully.
Players In: Piqué (18 y/o, SPA, D C)
Floribert N’Galula (18 y/o, BEL, D/DM C)
Steven Watt (20 y/o, SCO, D RC)
The bad news is that Michael Walsh, our starting Right-Back and one of our best players managed to twist his knee, meaning he’ll be out for both of our relegation matches against 23rd-placed Bradford tomorrow, and 17th-placed Yeovil on Saturday. Great.
English League One – Game 17: Bradford City v. Wrexham
I haven’t been at the club for more than a week and already, two games to manage. I’ve made it perfectly clear to the team that our goal this year is survival, preferably, survival by a reasonable margin. I hope they’ll take the message to heart. Another loss today could drop us right into the relegation places, but a win could send us right into mid-table.
Frankly, if I referred to Goater and Youngs as having been completely ineffectual in the first half, I’d be being unbelievably kind to the pair. Even with Jamie McMaster (on Loan from Leeds) trying his hardest to get them both into the game, neither seem to quite get the concept that they need to be making inroads into the opposition defense at all times to try and open up the game. Bradford have by far the best chances of the first half, and I’m thanking the stars on 43 minutes when a cross into the box is missed entirely by our defense, allowing Forest to take the ball on the bounce and send a blast that Esson gratefully clutches to his chest.
I introduce N’Galula and a player from our youth side, one Simon Cox in the second half, hoping we can put something together post-haste. Thankfully, Simon’s got a bit of pace that Goater decidedly doesn’t have, and the move works wonders immediately, N’Galula winning a ball in midfield, passing upfield to McMaster who gladly slides a through ball to the penalty spot for Cox to slip past Henderson and into the net for 1-0.
With that, Bradford kick it into an extra gear, introducing an extra striker and switching to a 4-3-3. But our midfield starts putting on a glorious show, fighting for every ball and intercepting pass after pass, allowing us to weather the storm and force Bradford onto their back foot long enough for us to go home with three vital points.
Final Score – Bradford City 0:1 Wrexham MoM – Jamie McMaster
After the game, I’m thrilled with the result. The three points is vital, and places us into 14th, not safe from relegation yet, and only four points away from the playoff spots. It does say something about the division that the different between the last playoff spot and the first relegation place is seven points. With 14 teams inbetween, battling to get into the upper, and stay away from the lower.
November 24th, 2005
More good news today, as Manchester United is willing, once more to depart with a member of its youth squad for a few months. The man is 21-year old David Jones, who has apparently fallen out of Fergie’s favor at Old Trafford. We’ve got him on Loan until the end of the year, so that’ll be all four of my year-long transfers done and dusted with.
Meanwhile, American Franklin Simek has been declared surplus to needs at Arsenal, and they’re offering him to any interested parties at a cut-rate $100K. I’ve tabbed a bid that’ll have us paying the amount over the next 24 months, making it a paltry $4,000 a month to pay to Arsenal. Hopefully, they’ll accept.
November 26th, 2005
Arsenal agrees to our terms for Franklin Simek. Now it’s just a matter of negotiating terms with the defender.
English League One – Game 18: Wrexham v. Yeovil City
It’s 14 v. 20 today in the rankings, as both teams look to grab another vital few points. With another 30-odd games to be played, there’s still a lot of season to be played for everyone involved, but I know I’d like to be in Gillingham’s situation, sitting atop the table with 37 points.
There’s only one star in the first half, and that’s the ref, Rob Martin, who hands out a stunning eight total Yellow Cards in the first 45 minutes, including second yellows for Simon Ramsden and Stephen Hughes, who are both sent for early baths and leave both teams with 10 men. Thankfully, despite the fact that Rob Martin is apparently out to turn this into a 3 on 3 match, Jamie McMaster skill keeps his head and shows a lot of class on 40 minutes, taking down a pass from Youngs in space, setting himself up and rifling a shot that dips viciously under the bar and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
As the 2nd half begins, Mr. Martin’s still handing out Yellow after Yellow Card, and both teams are being penalized, it seems, for any, and anything. By the time Martin hands out the 15th (yes, 15th) Yellow Card, it’s almost a laugh for everyone involved. Thankfully, Yeovil can’t find any offensive prowess to get the ball on net, and our defense is making some very, very timely clearances out of the danger area. As Yeovil continue to press forwards, we finally catch them out in stoppage time, McMaster dragging a ball back from the touchline for substitute Cox to neatly side-foot home to put things beyond reach.
Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Yeovil City MoM – Alex Smith
After the game, all the talk is rightfully mostly players and coaches railing against Rob Martin and his completely daft refereeing. That said, I’m absolutely thrilled with the win vaults us all the way into 8th place, but still, frustratingly, only five points clear of the relegation zone.
Stephen Huges is suspended for the next game, which, while ridiculous, still did happen. I don’t want to have any flex when it comes to getting sent off, so I give him an official, albeit fairly quiet warning for his sending off.
November 27th, 2005
Franklin Simek agrees terms to a three-year deal today that’ll pay him $44K a year. I know my own biases, and I don’t want to end up becoming what Rafa Benitez was to Spaniards to Americans, but I think Simek can do it, so I’m grabbing him now.
Players In: Franklin Simek (21 y/o, USA, D C)
November 28th, 2005
Jamie McMaster, unsurprisingly for his play this week, gets himself elected to the English League One Team of the Week. Our Loan from Leeds has been great for us in my first few games in charge, and if he can keep this up, I’m going to try to snag him for another three months when his Loan finishes in January.
November 29th, 2005
English LDV Vans Trophy – North Quarter Final: Bradford City v. Wrexham
A return engagement after only a week against the team we edged 1-0 last time we played. Bradford’s looking for anything to make their season seem a little better, I’m sure, so I’m giving the players the appropriate warning beforehand.
The game’s first real chance doesn’t come until 20 minutes, when Ugarte tamely heads the ball into Henderson’s arms, but on 25 minutes, we make an incision into the Bradford defense, Jones and Smith working a one-two to allow Jones to slip a ball right to the left corner of the penalty area for Shaun Goater. The aged striker neatly advances into the box before firing a well-placed shot right over Henderson into the roof of the net for the opener. Bradford should equalize on 38 minutes, Cooke slipping right through the heart of our defense so fire a shot right into Esson’s chest. They try again before the interval, Gould heading wide from an Emmanuel corner.
At the break, I bring on Manchester United loan David Williams for some freshness in the midfield, and he makes an immediate impact, forcing a sprawling save from Henderson on 55 minutes from a 25-yard shot that should’ve found the back of the net. Bringing Cox on for Goater, the youthful player continues to try and make his name as a real super-sub, first to a David Jones freekick inside of the box, controlling the ball effortlessly before spinning and firing the ball right into the right side of the net, despite Henderson’s attempt to save.
Bradford have a chance to get back on the match, as a stupid push from Esson on a corner grants them a late penalty opportunity. But Cooke cannot hold his nerve from the spot, and blazes the ball over the bar, ensuring that we head on for the Semi-Finals.
Final Score – Bradford City 0:2 Wrexam MoM – Paul Henderson
The LDV Trophy surely isn’t pretigious, but it’s the closest one within our grasp (I think the FA Cup may be just a bit out of our reach )and a trip to the Semi-Finals means we’re only two steps away from the final. It’s a possibility.
The draw in the evening gives us Scarborough in the Northern Section Semi-Final. Scunthorpe United will stand between us and the North Final.
December 3rd, 2005
Mark Jones is one of the team’s hottest prospects, and he’s about to break into the first team. Being a local product and having a great deal of skill, I’m looking to give the fans a real lynchpin in the team, so today we ink him to a new $80K a year deal that will keep him with the team until 2010. It’s the longest contract issued on the team, but I think Mark’s more than worth it.
December 4th, 2005
English FA Cup – Second Round: Stoke City v. Wrexham
Stoke are 14th in League One, and ostensibly, looking to make a lot of improvement, after having been relegated from the Championship last year. To that end, they’ve hired the services of ex-Liverpool man Neil Mellor, who made the trip to Stoke-on-Trent for a cool $1.45M. With this game at the most-impressive Britannia Stadium, and it being our first televised match of the year, there’s a certain impetus to put out a stirring performance.
Stoke (4-4-2): McGregor; Clark, Hill, Dublin, Thomas; Hutchinson, Miller, Gudjohnssen, Beale; Akinbiyi, Mellor
I know Mellor and Akinbiyi make for a reasonable strike force, but I’m appalled at our lax defending after barely seven minutes of game have passed, as truly awful defending allows Lawrence to completely lose track of Mellor, and the striker makes no mistake, receiving an easy pass at least a yard clear of anyone, striding in on goal and neatly sliding the ball past Esson for the opener. Akinbiyi adds a second seven minutes later, a longball into the box incorrectly cleared by Roberts right into the striker’s path. His shot rebounds off Lancaster, and past a despairing Esson for a 2-0 lead.
Mark Jones manages to bring us one back on 26 minutes, a header from Goater allowing the midfielder to sneak past Dublin and slip the ball underneath McGregor to cut the defeceit in half, but Stoke strike right back, Akinbiyi utterly beating Simek in the air to head home a cross to make it 3-1.
Stoke sit back for the remainder of the game, and our tame efforts on net leave us to wonder what could have been.
Final Score – Stoke City 3:1 Wrexham MoM – Ade Akinbiyi
After the match, I blast the players not insomuch for losing, but for looking so pathetic doing it. Stoke had ages on the ball at times, and our net was under threat for much of the game. Staying ahead of Stoke in the League will take much, much better play.
Also, I put our backup keeper, Steve Brook on the transfer list, and tell my scouts to start looking for a replacement.
With the Group Stage of the Champions Cup wrapping up today, it’s very, very bad news for Manchester United, as their trip to Milan ends in heartbreak, as Inter’s 3-0 thrashing leaves Manchester on the outside looking in as Porto and Inter Milan qualify through for the next round of the competition.
December 7th, 2005
Arsenal rue their draws this year, as even a commanding 3-0 victory over Nantes just isn’t enough for last year’s champions, and they’re sent out at the first real hurdle, only accrueing nine points and watching Juventus and Celtic move on in their stead.
December 8th, 2005
I’ve sent one of my three scouts to, of all far-away locales, South America, to find new talent for the club, pereferably in the form of a new striker, since I and my Assistant both understand Goater and Llewellyn, short of a spectacular show this year, are living on borrowed time. And, finally, after weeks of sending me the names of players I was in no way interested in, Alan Morrisson gives me a glowing review of Hugo Rodallega of CD Quind*o in Colombia. It’s enough to get me to start the wheels turning, and get in contact with Quind*o over the 20-year old.
December 10th, 2005
English League One – Game 19: Doncaster Rovers v. Wrexham
A third away game for the Red Dragons today, versus a Doncaster team ranked one place ahead of us, in 9th. As always, points would be good. I’ve done my best to impart to the team that we need to rebound after the disaster in Stoke, but I’ve made some changes to the squad anyway.
I mentioned earlier that Shaun Goater and Chris Llewellyn were living on borrowed time at the club, and today highlights that fact even further, as Simon Cox takes it upon himself personally to drive Doncaster’s defense insane. With McMaster back on the field, our team looks a different proposition on offense than we did against Stoke, and N’Galula is consistently forcing Russell and Green into bad passes, so when the opener comes, it seems entirely fitting, Jones winning a corner which Hughes delivers into the box. What makes it surprising simply, is that Cox runs across the goalbox, and emerges from a horde of players to pop up first at the near post and nod the ball home for the opener. And this after only seven minutes.
On 13 minutes, he’s at it again, McMaster picking him out nicely with a cross-field pass as he quickly rounds his marker before side-footing home past Harrison to grant us a 2-0 lead. Ten minutes later, he makes it an unlikely hat-trick, as our midfield once against stifles a Doncaster attack, N’Galula picking out a pass and sending a ball far upfield for McMaster on the counter-attack. McMaster’s surging run is stopped just outside the box by Moore, but the ball falls right to Cox who, with Harrison having charged out of net to try and stop McMaster, coolly sends the ball home form 20 yards to give himself a spectacular hat-trick.
Not to be stopped, Cox adds one more before the half, quick interplay between Hughes and McMaster allowing the Leeds Loan man to tee up a ball in the area for Cox to send thumping home into the top-right corner of the net.
With the game all but decided, Doncaster get one for respect on 57 minutes, Esson making a complete hash of a pass to Watt and sending the ball right to Blundell, who simply chips the ball right over the embarrassed Goalkeeper. We’ll have to work on that.
Final Score – Doncaster Rovers 1:4 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox
The win bumps us up into 9th place, but more importantly, it leaves us fully six points clear of the relegation zone. I do feel, if we can reach the mid-50’s in points this year, that we’ll find safety from the drop.
In the evening, we agree to terms with CD Quind*o for Rodallega, brokering a deal that will cost us a mere $32K for the talented forward. By the evening, we’ve agreed a contract with the striker that’ll see him join the club when the transfer window opens, making $70K a year. All-around, I’m happy.
Quote:
Sorry, missed two games. We succumb to Luton 1-0, but rebound to beat Oxford 4-0.
December 21st, 2005
Andy Roberts goes down with a sprained wrist, meaning he and Mark Jones will miss our match on the 26th with Huddersfield Town
Meanwhile, the Spanish transfer window opens today, and it’s a bit of a shock to hear that Chelsea are going to let Peter Cech go to Barcelona for $19.5M. The Czech keeper, who was sterling in Chelsea’s net after joining in 2004, surrendered only 64 goals in 76 appearances with the club, tossing in 29 clean sheets as well.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid continue their increasingly desperate chase of Primera Liga leaders Valencia today in the form of signing Brazilian Dedé from Dortmund for a cool $9.25M.
December 26th, 2005
Chris Llewellyn has apparently lost his mind.
He stops by my office before today’s game to outline to me, in no uncertain terms that he believes that he is too good for the club, and that his professional footballing future lies somewhere else away from the club, and that, if he must stay, he wants an improved contract.
This, mind you, is coming from a striker who has been anonymous most of the time I’ve seen him this year, and has managed all of four goals in 23 all-around appearances this season. Simon Cox has outscored him in two starts and six substitute appearances. Frankly, the 26-year old isn’t worth half the trouble he’s trying to give me. Vastly overpaid with his $140K a year salary, I let him know, if he believes he should be playing somewhere bigger and better, he’d better prove it to those teams with his play, but, for the time being, I’ll acquiesce, and place him on the transfer list.
English League One – Game 22: Wrexham v. Huddersfield
As the season approaches the halfway mark, we’re right about midtable, sitting in 10th with 30 points, eight points away from the relegation places. Our fans are happy with the turnaround, and some are pontificating about the fact that we’re only four points behind the MK Dons for the final playoff spot, but that’s not my real focus right now. Huddersfield is 18th with 24 points, and another three here would put us closer to safety.
Huddersfield probably need the win more than we do, so their consternation is quite obvious when, barely four minutes into the game, a Jones freekick from the edge of the area forces Rachubka into a fine save to stop the ball form curling in past his left post. He’s called to duty again on 11 minutes, as Juan Ugarte whips a low cross through the box, but this time Jones has the better of it, leaning to catch the ball with his head and send it across the face of net and past Rachubka for the opener.
We should hold the lead for longer, but our defense is suddenly exposed by Pawel Abbott’s speed, a long freekick from Clarke giving Abbot enough time to just get a step on Lawrence. He still should be shut down, but Esson comes out at a atrocious angle, more to play the ball than the possibility of a shot, and is caught completely out as Abbott stretches and gets his head to the ball just before it reaches Esson, nodding it past the stranded keeper and into the net to equalize on 17 minutes.
I should commend Jamie McMaster here, who has adjusted wonderfully to his new position on the right flank and happily surrendered the attacking midfield place to David Jones, who has been on fire since the positional change. McMaster is the mastermind behind our move on 36 minutes, playing a one-two with Goater that leaves Clarke completely out of positing and surging into the box from the right side, sending a laser beam of a centering pass right to the penalty spot for a completely unmarked Juan Ugarte to slide home for a 2-1 lead.
The second half, for the most part, is one-way traffic in our favor, as Huddersfield begin to fatigue and our superior pace and stamina begins to take its toll. The only problem is, they’re defending desperately, stopping two shots on the goal line, and forcing the rest wide of the target through a mix of tough tackling and closing down space. Finally, on 80 minutes, super-sub Simon Cox does the job though, as Town’s three-man backline doesn’t range wide enough to stop substitute Danny Williams from getting free along the left flank to send in a cross that Cox controls between the legs of Clarke, steps around the defender, and fires home to make it 3-1.
Huddersfield get a lifeline on 89 minutes, as McMaster pushes Fowler in the area, giving Carss the chance to step up and convert from the penalty spot, which he duly does. But Efe Sodje earns his 2nd Yellow and an early bath in stoppage time, and Jones, who had been dangerous from set-pieces all day, gets his just reward, slamming home a 23-yard freekick to seal matters.
Final Score – Wrexham 4:2 Huddersfield Town MoM – David Jones
December 28th, 2005
With the end of the year coming around, I’m quite jealous of places like Holland, Italy and Spain which all have winter breaks. Meanwhile, my players are going to cram in three games in a week. Frankly, I think that’s completely excessive strain to put on players, but there’s no way I’m personally going to convince the FA to institute a winter break, so game on then.
English League One – Game 23: Wrexham v. Stoke City
This is our chance for revenge against Stoke, and really, I’m surprised the media aren’t making a little more of this game. It’s 9th vs. 10th in the standings, and the winner could find themselves as high as the playoff race with three points. But then again, the loser drops to, at worst, 11th place, but to say that a win here wouldn’t be great for team morale would be silly.
Stoke (4-4-2): McGregor; Hall, Hill, Wilkinson, Halls; Clarke, Miller, Thirlwell, Henry; Greenacre, Mellor
If Stoke managed to impose their will on the game last time, it’s us doing the job today, as Neil Mellor and Chris Greenacre are completely taken out of the game by Anthony Gerrard and Franklin Simek, who turn in virtuoso performances at the back, interceptings passes and heading away anything that comes near the net. Stoke can’t get a thing going offensively, and we are putting on all the pressure in the first half. Thankfully for Stoke, McGregor is up to the challenge, making a wonderful save from a Hughes volley on 22 minutes that keeps things level. He’s only capable of so much however, and cannot stop us on 31 minutes, when Hughes takes a pass first time, and from some 40 yards away from net, curls a beautiful pass into the box right into the timed run of Simon Cox for the youngster who astounds me with every game to neatly trap and side-foot home past McGregor for the lead.
The rest of the game is mostly continued pressure from us, but Stoke have their best chance on 82 minutes, two substitutes linking up as Carl Asaba chips the ball across the penalty area for it to be headed by a wide-open Thordur Gudjohnssen, but he can’t direct it, and the ball bounces wide of the net.
Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Stoke City MoM – Allan McGregor
After the game, the win puts us into 8th place, a pretty good improvement from where we were when I took on this job. The team is now 7-0-3 in all competitions under my command, I’m happy to report, and now we’re actually within spitting distance of the playoff places. If this were a 38-game season, we could start seriously thinking about a push for one of those spots, but this season takes 46 games to complete, which means we still have a long, long way to go before season’s end. On the upside, however, with the team 12 points clear of the relegation zone, I think it’d take a real slump to drag us back into the relegation battle, and we should be able to avoid that. We’re not safe yet, not in a division where teams can go from 18th to 8th this quickly, but it’s better than where we were.
December 30th, 2005
Apparently, Chris Llewellyn has admirers somewhere in this world, and they reside in Plymouth. The English Championship side apparently believes that Llewellyn is worth the $180K I’ve valued him at, and put a bid today on him that I happily accept. Frankly, I know I’m getting the better end of this one.
Meanwhile, today, I’m working the lines with my secretary and various agents, as contracts all across Europe reach that pivotal six-month mark before they run out. Tops on my list is Empoli’s Francesco Lodi. Currently in the club’s reserves, he wants out, and I’d like to get him for a lot cheaper than the $400K Empoli are asking. I can begin talking contract turkey with him now, but he wants to be considered a key player on the team. I’m looking for him to take on a squad rotation role, so we begin to haggle. Also catching my eye are Wolfsburg’s Bartosz Romanczuk and Aston Villa’s Steven Cooke.
January 1st, 2005
Awards day today for the World’s best. Here’s how they turn out…
World Footballer of the Year: Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
World Player of the Year: Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
European Footballer of the Year: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
European Goalkeeper of the Year: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
European Defender of the Year: William Gallas (Barcelona)
European Midfielder of the Year: Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
European Striker of the Year: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
Also, David Jones, our on Loan midfielder from Manchester United grabs the League One Player of the Month award for his form for the team recently, an accolade he justly deserves.
English League One – Game 24: Wrexham v. Port Vale
At this point, I’m just remind the players that every point still counts. Another win brings us closer to assured safety, and if we can reach that sooner rather than later, then we can begin thinking about other things.
Jones is at his imperious best in midfield again today, opening up play with his deft touches and springing Simon Cox for what seems like the umpteenth time this season to race clear on net on five minutes. Cox’s first touch just isn’t quite good enough however, and James does a wonderful job of racing back and making a challenge that separates the striker from the ball. His only problem is that it falls right to a charging Jamie McMaster, who makes no mistake and fires the ball home on the volley to give us the lead. Later, on 32 minutes, Jones is at it again, this time hitting a rocket of a freekick from 25 yards out that angles across the area and into the back of the net.
Port Vale don’t get their first chance until the second half, and it’s a glorious one when it comes, Paynter inexplicably left alone on the edge of the area to receive a pass and hammer a perfect shot right into the top-left corner of Esson’s net. The only problem is, the linesman’s flag is up, and he’s ruled to be offsides. That scare aside, it’s Juan Ugarte who seemingly puts things out of reach for Port Vale on 58 minutes, first to a Hughes chip into the box and slamming the ball off Armstrong’s leg and past a befuddled Brain, who can’t quite paw the ball away from the net well enough to stop it from rolling home.
Port Vale surprise everyone however, by not folding up after going down 3-0. They adjust, and get one back on 67 minutes, Armstrong flighting a 40-yard through ball to Paynter, who had been completely forgotten by Gerrard. Keeping his cool, Paynter easily controls the ball and slots it past Esson to put the score at 3-1. Five minutes later, they make things very interesting, as Paynter’s pass to the edge of the penalty area is met and volleyed first-time by Cummins. The ball arrows past a completely stunned Esson and into the net to make things most interesting at 3-2.
It’s only at this point that we seem to understand how fragile our lead has become, and the defense absolutely shuts down, literally blowing Paynter and the Port Vale midfield off the ball, never surrendering possession for more than a few seconds at a time. To Port Vale’s credit, we never go ahead by any more, despite a glut of chances, as Brain makes a string of fantastic saves to keep the scoreline exactly where it is. However, without any more offensive chances, they’re left to sit and wonder about their league position.
Final Score – Wrexham 3:2 Port Vale MoM – David Jones
There’s a due bit of jubilation in the locker room after the game, as it’s reported that the win vaults us all the way into 5th place this year. The fans, and the board are all happy, which makes me even happier in reply. It’s been a good two months since I signed up here.
Meanwhile, in news from places that actually command the world’s interest, Clarence Seedort leaves AC Milan for his old haunt at the Santiago Bernabeu today, as Real Madrid buy the Dutch midfielder for a hefty $25.5M fee.
January 2nd, 2005
Chris Llewellyn and Plymouth agree terms, and he leaves the club today for the west of England. Frankly, I’m saying good riddance.
Players Out: Chris Llewellyn (26 y/o, WAL, F C): 23 apps, 4 gls, 5 asts, 5 MoM
January 3rd, 2005
We agree terms today on a $60K a year contract with Francesco Lodi from Empoli today. He’ll leave Empoli via the Bosman Ruling in June and join the club at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, I may have just found a cheap solution to our lack of depth on the left flank of defense, in the form of Norwegian Martin Overvik. His club, Alta IF are only asking $24K for him, which is right in my price range.
January 5th, 2005
Stephen Cooke agrees terms today, a $52K a year contract that will have him join the club in June. Cooke hopefully will solve any problems we might have with a lack of ability on the right-flank of offense without Jamie McMaster around.
Meanwhile, Martin Overvik barely takes 48 hours to agree to a $60K a season contract that brings him to Wrexham with immediate effect. We’re only being charged $24K for his services, and, taking a look at him, I think I’m making out like a bandit here.
Players In: Martin Overvik (21 y/o, NOR, D RLC)
All of these new people coming in goes with the bad news that Leeds United apparently wants Jamie McMaster back post haste. With McMaster’s loan ending on the 9th, and given that he’s been one of the most skilled, dynamic players on the team this year, I want to keep him until the end of the season, but it looks like Leeds may want him back instead.
January 8th, 2005
All of our best attempts to convince Leeds that they should allow Jamie McMaster to stay for another three months in Wrexham to hone his skills are falling on deaf ears, as apparently, Leeds have a spot in the first-team waiting for him.
January 9th, 2005
Despite my best protests (and I assure you, there were a lot of them), Jamie McMaster returns to Leeds today.
Newcastle cash in on the talents of forward Mauro Esposito, whom they grabbed from Caligari for a mere $12M back in 2004 today, managing to get a reported $32M from Inter Milan for the Italian’s services, as Inter Milan look to make their push towards the Scudetto title.
Meanwhile, however, Barcelona opens its checkbook to ridiculous extremes today, as they shell out an astounding $76M for Brazilian starlet Kaká today. The 23-year old midfielder, was laboring through a sub-par 05/06 campaign in Milan that saw him ousted from the first team and not playing his best could make a huge difference for 3rd-placed Barcelona this year, but a better question is what manager Frank Riijaard will do with Ronaldinho and Kaká, who play virtually the same position, stuck on the same team.
January 11th, 2005
Andy Roberts manages to get himself injured again today, twisting his knee in the warm-up for today’s match, forcing me to shuffle my lineup even more.
English League One – Game 25: AFC Bournemouth v. Wrexham
16th v. 6th today, as the team looks to do the double over Bournemouth. The last time we played, it was before I was managed, and the team still managed to eke out a 2-1 victory at the Racecourse Ground. Frankly, I’m a little afraid of how we might fare now, without Jamie McMaster in the squad. In his absence, I’ve deputized Mark Jones to fill in in his stead.
Things don’t get off to the best start as Floribert N’Galula gets himself a Yellow Card with only 30 seconds gone in the game. Thankfully, Bournemouth aren’t looking to take advantage of anything today, as barely two minutes into the game, Smith hoofs a longball upfield that really should be stopped by the Bournemouth defense, and instead falls to a happy Juan Ugarte, two yards clear of anyone in a Bournemouth kit. He streaks in on net, one on one with Murphy, and the goalie does well to throw himself infront of the ball, but he doesn’t really get it away from Ugarte, who controls the loose ball and slots it into the back of the net. Defensive frailties fail Bournemouth again on 8 minutes, as Goater and Jones walk right through the Bournemouth defense to allow Goater to knock a cross to the near post that David Jones literally nods home for the 2-0 advantage.
With the boos of their fans ringing in their ears, Bournemouth seem to get the message, and their defense finally starts to shore up. It is at this point, that their striker, Alan Connell becomes an annoyance, as he is on his game today while Dennis Lawrence is completely off his, evidenced best on 30 minutes as Bournemouth imitate our first goal, Purches booting a ball 60-yards upfield to a completely unmarked Connell that Lawrence actually watches fall to the unmarked striker before finally giving chase from some 10 yards behind. The ending, from there, isn’t hard to predict, and it’s 2-1.
Jones and Goater strike back on 32 minutes, this time actually beating the Bournemouth defense with good play, a fine bit of passing between the two (and noone else but the two mind you) allows Jones to stroll into the box alone, a huffing a puffing Bournemouth defense behind him, and roll the ball past Murphy for 3-1. But Connell hits back just before the half, beating Lawrence in the air to a cross from Elliott at the near post to make things quite interesting at 3-2.
I remove Mark Jones, who was utterly ineffectual on the right, and replace Dennis Lawrence with Steve Watt, with the explicit instructions for the latter to mark Connell right the hell out of the game. He does so in very nice form, basically removing Connell from the game for the next 45 minutes, and giving us a chance to really focus on our attack, which finally comes to fruition once more on 78 minutes, as Bournemouth’s defense turns static again, a freekick from midfield falling right to Ugarte at the edge of the box. He calmly takes it into the area, and, unchallenged by anyone other than Murphy, slots home to make sure we get three points.
Final Score – AFC Bournemouth 2:4 Wrexham MoM – David Jones
With the win, we’re placed into 4th, and dare I say, just about free from the omnipresent spectre of relegation that had hung over the squad when I joined. If we can stay consistent, we’ll stay up. If we stay really consistent… well, we may just sneak our way into the playoffs.
After the game, our achievement, as good as it is, is being overshadowed by Swansea, who won 1-0 over Stoke City today to take their unbeaten streak to a remarkable 11 games. I’d like to focus on them more, but our next game is against 6th-placed Blackpool, which ought to put us to a good test.
January 12th, 2005
I’ve forgotten to mention the matchups for the First Knockout Round of the Champions Cup, so here they are…
Ajax v. Chelsea
F.C. Barcelona v. Newcastle United
Borussia Dortmund v. RSC Anderlecht
Fenerbahçe SK v. Lyon
AC Milan v. Juventus
Real Madrid v. Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk v. Internazionale
Valencia v. Celtic
January 14th, 2005
No run of good form comes without other teams looking at and completely overvaluing your players, and we’re no different, as Bristol City, currently stuck at 12th in the English Championship, are looking to shore up their midfield by buying Danny Williams away from us for a $320K fee. Well, not $320 per se, but $24K up front, $300K over the next 24 months, a 40% of next sale clause, and the promise to arrange a fixture with us this summer.
I have a few personal rules, and one of them is that bigger teams than us should always pay up front, and moreover, that I’m going to try and eke them dry of every penny. I let Bristol know that Williams will cost them $150K up front, another $150K over the next 12 months, and another $150K after 40 league appearances, not to mention a 50% of next sale clause. I doubt they’ll take it, but if it makes them go the heck away for a while, I’ll take that.
English League One – Game 26: Blackpool v. Wrexham
With a chance for both teams to push themselves further clear of the “rabble” that make up the teams not in the playoff spots, I think it’ll make for an interesting trip to Bloomfield Road today. Factor in that Blackpool are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to a season-best 10 games, and we’ve got a game. I hand Martin Overvik his bow in a Wrexham strip today, as we go looking for three more points.
The majority of this match I spend with my heart in my throat, as both teams throw everything they’ve got at one another, trying to find a way into the back of the net. Simon Cox ends up one on one with Nash on 15 and 32 minutes, and both times, the usually sure-footed striker ends up sending the ball just wide of the net. Blackpool get their own chance on 44 minutes, forcing my heart to stop as Coid’s cross into the area catches the defense unawares and allows Thomson to put a shot on net that Esson tips onto the post and out of play.
However, in the end, noone can make anything of anything, and we’re let down most by the pedestrian play of the usally skilled Simon Cox and Stephen Huges, who both turn in mediocre performances, Cox the most at fault, spurning no less than three gilt-edged opportunities to put us into the lead. That said, that’s probably what I get for relying on a 18-year old for the majority of my offensive punch. Just because it worked for Michael Owen and Liverpool doesn’t make it the rule.
Final Score – Blackpool 0:0 Wrexham MoM – David Jones
After the game, the good news is that Overvik was strong in defense, winning all but one of the headers he went up for and shutting down his side of the field on defense. It’s not going to get any easier from here on out however, our next match is against 3rd-placed Preston North End in seven day’s time.
January 16th, 2006
Martin Overvik and David Jones both make the League One team of the week today. Meanwhile, I’m haggling with Scottish side Clyde for the services of Richard Brittain, who might be able to fill in our lack of players to run the right flank.
January 17th, 2006
To their credit, Bristol City belly up to the table today, and table a deal worth $450K for Danny Williams, brokered in the same way I’d demanded, but without the 50% of next sale clause. Given that they’ve accepted the majority of my terms, I opt to let them talk with Danny Williams about contracts.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who have money, and are willing to throw it at anything that moves, spend $66M today to bring Parma striker Albert Gilardino to the club. This is, mind you, the same club that already has bought Ronaldo, Jermaine Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov in the past season and a half. What Jose Mourinho intends to do with them as far as splitting time goes is up to anyone.
January 19th, 2006
Danny Williams and Bristol City agree terms today, and by the afternoon Bristol’s unveiling their new midfielder to the press. Rumor has it the fans aren’t too happy about he move, and were happier with the squad as it was, but frankly, I don’t care. I just made $300K.
Players Out: Danny Williams (26 y/o, ENG, M LC): 25 (3) apps, 4 gls, 6 asts, 3 MoM, Av. Rate 7.18
January 21st, 2006
English League One – Game 27: Wrexham v. Preston North End
There’s no way we can leapfrog Preston, even with a win here today, since we’re six points behind them. Given how well they, Swindon and Gillingham especially have been playing, I’m not thinking about promotion, either by winning it in the season or via the playoffs. Right now, we’re six points away from 50 points as assured safety, and that’s step number one. My only problem with today’s lineup is that the notoriously profligate Tom Youngs will make a start today, as I rest some legs.
Preston are the better side from the start, and just seem to have that extra bit of skill on the ball that allows them to keep us away from it, McKenna forcing a save from Esson after only three minutes of play, bending one from 25 meters that Esson anticipates well and gets infront of and clutches to his chest. Superior ability does begin to tell quickly, and on seven minutes, Lewis’ pass upfield ricochets off Watt and back towards Jackson, who nods it to a completely unmarked Smith. As our defense tries to adjust, Smith easily sidesteps the challenge of Lawrence, sets himself up, and blasts the opener past Esson. Jackson should double their lead on 12 minutes, but Esson is up to the task and scrabbles the ball away from the striker on a gilt-edged one-on-one chance.
Preston spend the rest of the half dominating possession and chances. Even as the second half begins, and I replace Youngs with Cox, it’s not until the 61st minute that we get our very first shot on target, a tame shot from Ugarte rolling right into Longergan’s hands.
As time ticks away, it doesn’t seem like we’re going to manage to get anything past this Preston defense, but then, on 84 minutes, Mark Jones kills a ball in midfield and spins, looking upfield and delivering a pinpoint 40-yard pass to a sprinting Ugarte, who has timed his run behind the Preston defense to perfection, leaving him time to advance on Longergan and fire from the penalty spot past the flailing keeper and into the back of the net to equalize!
Preston look deflated on the restart, while it’s scenes of jubilation all around The Racecourse Ground. We’re on the verge of stealing a point from Preston when, two minutes into the three minutes of allocated extra time, Hughes delivers a cross into the box that Lucketti heads away, only for all of Preston to erupt into protest as the referee looks to his assistant and points to the spot. Apparently, Lucketti had climbed over N’Galula quite physically to head it away, and, with seconds of game time remaining, we’ve got ourselves a penalty.
Up steps Hughes, and, cool as a cucumber, he sends the ball into the right side of the net and the Wrexham fans into raptures as we steal one. 2-1 to Wrexham!
Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Preston North End MoM – Stephen Hughes
Everyone on the planet understands that we’ve pulled off larceny to win this game, but we’ll still take it. Another three points and we’re now only three behind Preston and four behind Swindon. We may not overtake either team, but it’s great to be putting pressure on both. I congratulate the team on a job very, very, very well done, on not giving up and all that malarkey. Now I just hope that we haven’t burned ourselves out before our match with Scunthorpe.
January 22nd, 2006
I personally prefer to have four strikers on hand at any given time, rather than the three we’ve been working with. I know Tom Youngs is also a striker, but he’s also crap, so it’s kind of moot. So, given Jamie McMaster’s departure, I’ve been on the lookout for another Loan, preferably one who can play up front for a while now, and have met with a cavalcade of “No”s. But, persistence pays off today, as Chelsea’s Michele Gallacio, a 19-year old striker on the reserve squad and currently on the transfer list agrees to spend the next three months in Wales, as does Crystal Palace’s Luke Hickey, another 19-year old who hopefully will be able to fill in a little bit on the right.
Players In: Michele Gallacio (19 y/o, ITA, S C)
Luke Hickey (19 y/o, ENG, M RC)
January 24th, 2006
English LDV Vans Trophy – Northern Section Semi-Final: Wrexham v. Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe have been stumbling their way through the League Two season this year, and currently sit 14th after 27 games. They’re hoping to pull an upset today, as we are, for the first time this year, rated as the favorites by the bookies.
I’m not sure what’s worse here, Scunthorpe’s impotent offense or our godawful shooting. If not for David Jones, we’d bee looking forward to a replay. Thankfully, he keeps that from happening, goals on 10 and 15 minutes sending us to the final, as I’m left to glare at the rest of the team for not converting on more of the 28 shots we took today (20 of which went off-target).
Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Scunthorpe United MoM – David Jones
We’ll be taking on fellow League One side Doncaster over the Northern Section Final’s two legs (a format I cannot understand for the life of me) and a chance to head to Cardiff to play for some silverware.
I’m a bit stunned to find out that we’ve dropped all the way into 7th place after the game however. We’re within two points of Sheffield Wednesday, Hull and Swansea, who all leapfrogged us today, and only ahead of Tranmere on goal differential. A little reminder that this season isn’t over yet.
January 28th, 2006
English League One – Grimsby Town v. Wrexham
With Simon Cox getting the nod up front for the tiring Ugarte, today’s a great chance to improve our league standings at the expense of Grimsby Town, who’ve had a hard time of it this year after getting promoted from League Two last year. They’re in 23rd and looking at a return to their old stomping grounds next year, and we’re looking to extend their streak of games without a win all the way to 13.
Grimsby look bereft of confidence from the kickoff, so it’s no surprise that we’re taking the game to them from the start. It’s no surprise that we convert within two minutes from the start either, Hughes knocking a cross into the box that Cox heads down right onto Goater’s right foot for the Bermudan international to send right into the back of the net from three yards out. Hughes gets one of his own on 5 minutes, as Forbes manages to stop a scoring opportunity, knocking the ball away from Cox, only to see Hughes control it and bend in a blast from 25 yards that curls sweetly inside the left post and past a diving Willis to give us the lead.
We should be cruising, so it’s a surprise when, on nine minutes, Gritton delivers a high, curving cross into the box that should be easily cleared. It’s so close to the net, but Smith completely misplays it, and Esson flaps at it rather than making what should’ve been an easy catch, and Kitson is there to meet it at the far post and nod it home from point-blank range.
We’re pushing back on Grimsby, but I’m beginning to notice complacency in the ranks, the thought that they’re just going to beat Grimsby because their opponents are going to roll over and let them, which couldn’t be further from the truth. So I’m apoplectic when on 35 minutes, Kitson’s run into the box from the left sees him fall rather acrobatically over Smith’s outstretched leg, and the ref point to the spot. As the players protest, I’m left to wonder who I should be angrier at here, the referee for giving what was at best, a marginal call, or Smith, for screwing up for the 2nd time today at the back. Up steps Miller, and suddenly, we’re tied at 2-2 and things are jubilant in Grimsby.
I’m screaming a mix of instructions and profanity to the squad, especially Simon Cox, who’s spurned three chances this half alone. As Jamie McClen gets himself sent off on 54 minutes with his 2nd yellow, I’ve had enough of our offensive frailties, and sub on Michele Gallacio to make his bow for the club. Thankfully, we get our heads out of our behinds, and David Jones begins to assert his influence once more, slaloming through the Grimsby defense and slotting home past Willis to grant us a 3-2 lead. With their fightback killed off, and a man down, Grimsby slink back into their own half, and Jones and Gallacio add two more as we finish this one cruising.
Final Score – Grimsby Town 2:5 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes
An American Abroad (v 2.0) 
)and a trip to the Semi-Finals means we’re only two steps away from the final. It’s a possibility.
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