retired_kdanclair

Still Too Inconsistant City

January transfers:

Joao Pinto from Boavista for £1.3M
Giovanni from Olympiakos for £1.9M


Match Reports


Man City 0-2 Chelsea

An expected defeat for City, totally deserved to lose the one-sided game dominated by Chelsea.

Charlton 2-1 Man City

Charlton got the better of this mid-table clash. Pinto scoring the early goal, but Murphy and Euell scored the winning goals in the second-half.

Man City 1-0 Everton

I wasnt present for this game....

Shaun Wright-Phillips with the winner

Man City 1-0 Portsmouth (FA Cup 5th Round)

Man City sneaked this one, where a draw seemed to be the fairest result. Portsmouth can certainly count themselves unlucky

Aston Villa 3-0 Man City

A very tough game at Villa Park for City against the UEFA Cup placed team, Villa.

Their quality shone all through the match and thouroughly deserved the three points. All credit to their manager who was tactically spot-on in this match.

WBA 4-2 Man City (FA Cup 6th Round)

A very good game in my opinion. Both managers went for it and it was a tense finish when Anelka brought the scores back to 3-2, but another late goal conceeded ensured victory for the impressive Baggies.

After the match, Hardy was full of praise for Morris' quality management of his relatively poor side.

Norwich 1-1 Man City

1-1 against Norwich??? was going on?

A digraceful result in a match City completely dominated.

Man City 2-0 Middlesbrough

Another game where the draw would have been the fair result really, but for two Giovanni crackers early on.

It was just one of those games for Liggins where the ball just wasnt going to go in the back of the net.

Bolton 0-2 Man City

Yet again, the draw was on the cards in this mid-table Man City 1-0 SouthamptonMan City 2-0 Southamptonclash, but City got the two goals right at the end from subs Shearer and Macken.

Pagi no-doubt will feel hard done by.

Man City 1-0 Southampton

A very uneventful match hear.

Giovanni with the winner bang on half-time.

Arsenal 3-0 Man City

Well what do you expect when you go to highbury?!

The Wenger Boys completely took control of the full game getting all three of their goals in the second-half. Second-half sub, Robbie Keane was the diference on the day, he was outstanding.

Man City 2-2 Fulham

I was more dissapointed with this result than the one earlier this season (8-1). We completely took control of this one just as Arsenal did in the previous game. Only difference in this game was that Fulham were able to claw their way back into the game with two undeserved goals. Volz was the man who scored the last kick of the game to put me in a complete downer.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Man City

One of the worst performances by my team I've seen. We totally didnt deserve the win at all.

Things were made harder when Giovanni got sent off after just 33 mins. The man who saved us a massive embarrasment was Alan Shearer who came on for Anelka and scored in the 90th, good finish and all.

Man City 1-0 Liverpool

A class result for City here, defended well and counter-attacks worked well.

Transfer listed Antoine Sibierski made a rare start to score the winning header rising above the keeper.



Well just one more game to play. Playing for ninth spot with Chris and Ligs, should be a good last game of the season.

retired_hollieo

Everton survive!!

Well it was too bloody tight for my liking but in the end Everton secured their Premiership status with a game to play and avoided a massive relegation playoff against Andy Nilsen's Portsmouth. Despite a huge injury crisis the lads clung in there and fought tooth and nail, with Sam Bouchard's Spurs sinking the Geordies on the penultimate day.

Here's how it was done:

Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Everton

After 58 minutes we had been losing 1-0 for the majority of the match and I knew if we lost this one to already relegated Palace, we were going down. No doubt about it, I was in agony watching this game as Naysmith missed a sitter and Palace were playing like bloody Champions, not relegation fodder. So with half an hour remaining I put on an extra striker (Chadwick - so it was a pure gamble) and luckily for us, we managed to assert ourselves, Watson and Sivok notching what would prove to be vital goals. After going 2-1 up, Palace again looked like bloody Brazil but fortunately for us, we held out to win this six pointer.

Everton 1 - 1 Liverpool

Missed this game but we were 1-0 up for a long spell through a Koren long ranger before the legend that isn't Biscan notched from a corner. Don't usually concede from there so I'm blaming the assistant. Was pleased with the point though.

Birmingham 1 - 1 Everton

It really was a tough run in and a trip to Brum has ended in defeat for many of my fellow managers. It looked grim when Forrsell scored with Wright again looking suspect after 13 minutes. Surprisingly though, we began to play good football and got our reward on 43 minutes when Lewandowski scored a rare Everton goal from a corner. After this the game largely went our way, but with 4 mins added time added on, I was delighted to take another vital point here when the whistle blew.

Everton 0 - 0 Manchester United

Pure backs to the wall performance with United dictating play and Ronaldo giving me a heart attack every time he took on Hibbert down our right flank. We held on for dear life as long shots peppered our goal, but we managed to keep Van Nistelrooy and Saha relatively quiet.

In the second half, United brought on Rooney and immediately looked more dangerous. A goal for the scum looked imminent until sub Zurawski came on and hit the bar for Everton. Late in the game the dirty scummer known as Keane took out Sivok, and the Irishman must have been well wound up as 5 minutes later he hit the bar. At this stage though, as news of other results filtered in (and I've never been as happy to hear a delighted Bouchard ) I knew a point was enough and we saw the game out to move into 16th place.

All I can say is phew.

retired_hollieo

All the other details have now been added to the website.

retired_sankanyo

The Gods against Pompey?
Well at last the transfer window opened so I could bring in some much need quality to the squad so I worked my magic and bought in

Dracena5m(Class young centre back who will tighten up the defence no doubt)
Tsiartis1.5m (perfect playmaker)
Oakley900k(very impressive while on loan so I decided to buy him)
Romario250k(LEGEND!!)
Terlizzi240k(an unbelievable bargain for a classy Italian centre back)
Maestrifree(decent striker to ad depth)

After those player came in the amazing run began with a game against the champions at Fratton

Portsmouth 2-2 Arsenal
The good run starts but the bad luck continues. We totally outplayed the champions but again we missed atleast 5 one on ones, had 1 cleared off the line and also hit the woodwork twice. Tsiartis played a 10 which saw him also receive motm award with another new signing Maestri scoring both the goals. Unlucky boys but well played :thup:


Fulham 1-1 Portsmouth
Fulham are an awesome team aren’t they Leo ? They missed a few chances and were unlucky not to get the winner but AGAIN we were unlucky when for no reason at all Fulham were awarded a penalty which Malbranque slotted home


Portsmouth 5-0 Palace
REVENGE IS SWEET! After my embarrassing loss to Palace earlier on in the season I was looking for some payback and the boys dished it up in abundance with the demolishing of a below average (putting it nicely) palace team.

Liverpool 1-2 Portsmouth
Anfield was silenced as we went there and again dominated another top team. Just when it looked like a 1-1 draw and another unlucky result but up pops Romario in the 90th minute to score a wonder goal and give us the 3 points.


Portsmouth 0-0 Birmingham
UNBELIVEABLE. 19 shots for me to there 1 on target and I still don’t win, don’t think you need to guess who was MOTM of course it was the opposition keeper (like it seems to be every game against me lately) .


Man United 0-1 Portsmouth
Can you say Portsmouth for the title next season? You bet your arse we can. We joined Chelsea in being the only teams to take 3 points from united at Old Trafford after Kamara scored in the first mins. The defence kept United at bay for the rest of the game as United had all the possessing but didn’t have the creative spark needed to brek us down.


Portsmouth 0-0 Norwich
Green for England! Were the cries from all around Fratton as they witnessed on of the greatest goal keeping performances of all time from the Norwich number 1. 16 shots to there 0 on target tells the story of how unlucky we were again.


Portsmouth 0-1 Blackburn
Can you believe it? ANOTHER opposition keeper gets motm and Blackburn even have the nerve to knick the points at the death thanks to our favourite butter hands Mr Hislop. Our first loss in 8 and what a way to end it. WHY OH WHY AM I SO UNLUCKY????


Newcastle 1-2 Portsmouth
A 6 pointer which if I won would of virtually guaranteed my safety but if I were to lose I would be right back in the relegation battle. Well on a run like this there was only going to be one winner and yes it was the mighty pompey.

Earlier on in the season the Everton Manager Mr Murphy said “Portsmouth will go down and they will never finish above Everton” Well how do you like us now Niall with us sitting in 15th while you are below us in 16th. :p

Also I have been asked about the recent sacking of Pagi and all I have to say is HAHAHAHAH :p . Ive heard that there is a manger taking his place who looks very similar but lets hope he doesn’t manage the team similar and that includes buying 50 players.

retired_hollieo

Murphy responds to Nilsen's barbs

After learning of Andy Nilsen's comments on Everton at his recent press conference, Murphy responded with the following comment:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Yes, I have heard that Nilsen has been getting uppity lately and as per usual we take his bluster about Everton with a huge dose of salt.

Everybody knows that Pompey are improving slowly, but the reality of the situation is that Portsmouth are only above us by one point after we had been deducted nine points. That must be a cause of some embarrasment to Nilsen and we understand this entirely.

The facts are that we've played Portsmouth off the park twice already this season, including knocking his side out of the Carling Cup. I'm surprised Nilsen neglected to mention that!!

The reality is that Nilsen fears us and the chances are that he will be below us in the table when the whistle blows for the last time this season on Saturday. I'm eagerly anticipating handing out another beating to his side at Fratton Park. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

retired_teresa assis

FA Cup Semi Final: Boro 2-0 Birmingscum

After having had the humiliation of having the enemy do the league double over me, I was determined to make sure we won this one. Despite an early disallowed goal for them, Boro were always in control; a Stewart Downing free kick (18) and a solo goal from Christie (88) put Middlesbrough through to yet another cup final

Southampton 0-0 Boro

Quite a lively game, despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise. Steel's Saints were the better side for the first hour, but Boro did enough in the final 30 minutes to have earned all 3 points. But in the last minute, Saints broke from a Boro corner and Beattie hit the inside of the post, only for Schwarzer to gather the rebound. Butt then had a free header from a corner only to put it wide.

Boro 0-2 Arsenal

After the hammering at Highbury, Arsenal must've been confident of all 3 points, and they certainly showed the confidence as they bossed an understrength Boro side, who had one eye on Thursday's UEFA semi final, from start to finish. Henry (22 pen) and Keane (90) got the goals

UEFA Cup Semi Final 1st leg: Boro 3-0 Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund, former winners of the European Cup, one of the big German clubs, world class talent like Rosicky and Dede in their team, were humbled against a small outfit from north England. No Boro fan could've dreamt of this scoreline, a result that gave Boro the unlikely opportunity to gain a final appearance at their first attempt in European competition.
The first half was all Boro: Yakin (21) opened the scoring, latching on to fit again Hasselbaink's through ball. Next a lightning counter attack saw Yakin return the favour for Hasselbaink (36), before a rasping shot from 20 yards by Boateng (40) put Boro in dream land.
This result sent shocks around Europe and disappointed many people, including Everton's ever outspoken "manager" Niall Murphy, who even went as far as posing in a newspaper wearing a "Rosicky" Dortmund shirt. I've always found the Irish to be a jealous bunch

Fulham 2-1 Boro

This was a game that Boro needed to win if they hoped of finishing above the Londoners, but with cup commitments still playing on everyone's mind, a weakened team couldn't do the good on the field. The visitors took the lead when Downing (23) rounded Van Der Sar and finished from a narrow angle, and should have been leading at the break but for a laspe in concentration, allowing Malbranque (44) in to equalise. Fulham grabbed an undeserved winner when Collins John (75) headed home at the far post.

UEFA Cup Semi Final 2nd leg: Dortmund 2-0 Boro. Boro win 3-2 on aggregate

A 3 goal lead looked very convincing, but a trip to the Westfalenstadion was an ominous prospect. Just one goal for Boro would've left the Germans needing to score 5, but the last thing Boro wanted to do was concede an early goal.
Dortmund came out with an expansive 4-3-3 formation, but in essence it was more like a 4-0-6 as midfield was routinely bypassed, target man Koller being used efficiently. At it was the Czeck giant who struck after only 10 minutes, not the start Boro had wanted. 2 minutes later Rosicky headed against the post, much to the disappointment of chief flag-waver Murphy no doubt, watching at home on tv (the only way he'll ever experience a European game .)On 15 minutes should've come the end of the tie, Downing through one-on-one could only find the keeper's legs. The half then calmed down, both teams having the odd chance, before a controversial penalty, scored by Ricken (45) put the tie right back in the balance.
The 2nd half seemed to last forever, although on reflection Dortmund didn't really have any clear-cut chances, but every attack made Liggins' heart skip many beats. Indeed it was Downing who missed the 2 best chances of the half, 2 more one-on-ones wasted. But it was irrelevant in the end, Boro were through to the UEFA Cup final to face Sevilla. Dede, joining Boro in the summer on a free transfer, must've been duly impressed with his soon-to-be employers.

Boro 2-0 Palace

After the joys of Thursday night, back down to earth with Palace, the worst team in the history of the Premiership, with only 2 wins to their name. Despite losing Schwarzer to injury (7) and Dorsin to two yellow cards (35) Boro dominated the game, but it took them 45 minutes to brake the deadlock, Kevin Phillips firing hom just before the break. Viduka (67) got the other goal, and also hit the bar late on.

Boro 1-0 Bolton

Bolton were under a new regime after the HUMILIATING SACKING of manager David Pagi after throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to Fulham the weekend before. Their new, streamline manager David Pagi II was looking to make a good impression in his first game in charge, but his side were well beaten, Hasselbaink (18) getting the only goal. The scoreline really did flatter Bolton

Liverpool 1-2 Boro

Boro needed a win to have a chance of finishing 9th, but needed both Man City and WBA to pick up no more than a point. They also had the predicament of having to rest their 1st choice team, because of the UEFA Cup final 4 days later, meaning the 2nd string had another outing, including young Avitabile in goal. After the UEFA Cup first leg at Anfield, in which Boro were played off the park for 75 minutes, the visitors took a more cautious approach this time around, and it worked a treat. Smicer (19) did give the hmoe side the lead, but the lead lasted only 7 minutes, Phillips (26) bagging the equaliser.
Boro were on top in the second half and deservedly scored a winning goal, substitute Yakin (72) getting it.

9th place was looking on the cards, with WBA losing at home to Spurs, but an 88th minute Jaoa Pinto goal gave Man City an excellent win away at Birmingscum, to keep them in 9th. Boro therefore only leapfrogged Chris Morris' Baggies, to finish in 10th place.
Considering most of the league games since March had been played by my 2nd string team, I was happy with 10th place. The first team may have been able to reach 7th, but realistically no higher position would've been possible.

But would the tactic of resting the 1st team so much for the cup competitions have been worth it? How did the 2 finals go? Stay tuned for the next installment...

retired_hollieo

Portsmouth 1 - 1 Everton

To Fratton Park, where Nilsen's Portsmouth "entertained" us on the final day of the season despite their negative home line up. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with both the goals coming in the second half. Everton took the lead through Zurawski and Murphy was stretched out on the bench catching a few rays in the May sunshine, such was the comfort of our lead. That was until the referee took it upon himself to send off our right back Miroslav Holneak .

After re-organising, Portsmouth won a free kick which lead to an 82nd minute equaliser the Pompey maybe just an incey wincy bit deserved. A fair result in a disappointing game, with Nilsen and Murphy sharing a class of cheap Tesco wine - you don't expect much when you travel to Nilsen's - after the game, they agreed that next year would hopefully tell a different tale for their respective clubs.

End of season round up

Well my first season as Everton manager has drawn to a close and it was a mixed experience containing a few excellent highs on the pitch (though not as many as I would have liked ) and also the challenges presented by the adversity of managing a club in administration. I knew when I first accepted the job that it was going to take a few seasons to restore Everton to the ranks of clubs that challenge for a European Champions League position. I have seen nothing in 2004/05 to change my mind. Considering the manager doesn't have the same in-depth knowledge of the Eastern European market that WBA's Chris Morris appears to have , it may be difficult to bolster the squad sufficiently with the pathetic £1.9m I was given to spend in pre-season to change that for 2005/06. Time will tell.

The season was dominated by the fight against relegation, the docking of points putting us into trouble when our performances, points and indeed final league table position suggest we are comfortably a mid table side, alongside the likes of Southampton, Middlesbrough, WBA and Man City.

After beginning the season mainly with the squad left by David Moyes, I was quite pleased that I was able to go about the process of adding new players in and removing those who didn't fit into my plans without any significant effect on team performance. By the end of the season, the key men in the Everton Squad were:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>GK: Richard Wright
<LI>GK: Nigel Martyn
<LI>RB: Miroslav Holneak
<LI>RB: Tony Hibbert
<LI>LB : Aaron Hughes
<LI>LB: Gary Naysmith
<LI>LB: Alesandro Pistone
<LI>CB: Joseph Yobo
<LI>CB :Teddy Lucic
<LI>CB: Pavel Besta
<LI>CM: Mattieu Flamini
<LI>CM: Tomas Sivok
<LI>CM: Marius Lewandowski
<LI>CM: Thomas Gravesen
<LI>AM: Robert Koren
<LI>LM: Tomas Hysen
<LI>RM: Stefan Selakovic
<LI>RM: Leon Osman
<LI>FW: Emmanuele Calaio
<LI>FW: Maciej Zurawski
</UL>

Overall, I feel the Everton midfield is quite strong, but defensively we still need to improve. Holneak has been an excellent signing for the RB slot. Tomas Sivok and Tomas Hysen also had an excellent season but the outstanding player was undoubtedly Zurawski, whose talents most teams reacted to in disgraceful fashion trying to kick the Pole off the park. And sometimes succeeding. Maciej Zurawski's 12 Premiership goals saw him rewarded with the Everton Fans Player of the Year award and the subject of a cheeky bid from his admirer in chief, Richard Liggins, at the outset of the close season. Out of your league my friend.

We still require a top notch goalkeeper, a top centre half to partner Yobo, a left back, a couple of strikers and to improve the quality and depth of the flanks. Where do I get the money to do this, so overall, there remains a lot of work to be done at the club but I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.

Season highs - definitely the run to the semi finals of the Carling Cup, a competition we seemed to save some of our best football for. The wins at Steel's Southampton and in particular - Nilsen's resurgent Portsmouth being very satisfying indeed. :p Must of course mention the win over Liggins' Middlesbrough at Goodison Park, revenge was sweet for our most unlucky and undeserved defeat of the season at the Riverside. I was also delighted to take four points from Bouchard's high flying (at least they were when we played them ) Tottenham Hotspur. Roll on season two and the hopefully continuing tale of a resurgent Everton.

retired_kimberlysmith

Tough At The Top

As Spring rolled through and the leaves began to re-appear on the tree's, the Premier League table began to shape up. Chelsea stretched their already rather large commanding lead at the top, offering little compensation for the losers. Arsenal picked up some form after a somewhat suspect time over Christmas and New Year with very mixed results whilst Manchester United were going from 5th gear to reverse from week to week with their form probably the most erratic of the legaue. Well, they probably did have that title to their name, however Spurs were determined to take it away from them, and in fine form they did.


Saturday 19th March 2005

Fulham [2]: Boa Morte(23), Legwinski(30)
Tottenham Hotspur [0]:

In one of the most dissapointing fixtures all season, Spurs conceded two goals to a rather poor Fulham side costing yet more valuable points at the top of the table. Injury's hit Spurs harder than a swift pelt to the 'testiclay's', as 4 players hobbled out of Craven Cottage onto the team bus. Any attacking threat which could've been formed through Defoe or Rickett's or McFadden or Davies was taken away, as all men in question were taken down, out and subsiquently off. With only defenders left, the chance of an goal feast was far away in the second half as it ended up quite a boring 45. Tottenham's 8th league loss this season pretty much seals their Championship hopes...who'd have thought that'd even be contemplated 8 months ago!


Wednesday 23rd March 2005

Tottenham Hotspur [1]: Weah(4)
Birmingham City [3]: Aliadiere(33), Ambrose(77), Dunn(85)

The replay to the FA Cup quater final went as expected for Steve Bruce and his Birmingham team. With any attacking force taken outthrough injury's in the prior match, Birmingham seemed destined to attack the Spurs goal with no defenders left at the back. Weah took advantage before being taken off injured just before half time. With officially no attacking threat avaliable Freddy William Thompson stepped up to attack the Brum goal. First attempt at goal.....and yep you guessed it, taken down by David Dunn and injured in the process. B'ham were able to counter the move and the ball ended up between the Spurs goal. A Carrick injury late on brought the tally up to 6 injured for Tottenham, quite a joke for the Spurs boss to comprehend.


Saturday 2nd April 2005

Tottenham Hotspur [5]: Ricketts(17), Davies(51), Kanoute(63,71,90)
Crystal Palace [0]:

A completly unfit Spurs side still managed to score 5 past a bewildered Palace dispite 5 players starting way below 100%. The most out of form team the Premier League could produce was taken apart by players that couldn't run the full length of the pitch in less than 7 minutes. A Kanoute hat-trick, combined with a great strike from Ricketts and a deflected shot from Davies rounded up the scoring for the home side. Finally something to shout about at White Hart Lane after watching their side lose 3 of the last 4 and play very poorly throughout the past 3 weeks. The victory seemed more trouble than it's worth as a whole host of ambulances carted players off to Hospital afterwards for medical attention. 8 Days until a trip to Liverpool and i really can't see Spurs getting anything from it other than another injury.


Sunday 10th Apirl 2005

Liverpool [2]: Cisse(13), Gerrard(84)
Tottenham Hotspur [1]: Ricketts(44)

Liverpool were more Jammy than a 19 foot doughnut from Greggs in this game, by having hardly any possession of the ball and a very very VERY small amount of chances. The chances were there for the away side and Ricketts took one just before the break however it wasn't anything that could rumble the home side. Two sloppy sides on a rather shocking Anfield pitch where the ball never really left the middle of the park. The only winner in today's game was Aston Villa's Mark Smallwood as he gained ground on Spurs.


Wednesday 20th April2005

Man Utd [3]: Ronaldo(45), v.Nistelrooy(50), Ferdinand(87)
Tottenham Hotspur [2]: Carrick(8), Kanoute(71)

The first real bit of action in the game and Carrick pelts the ball home from 25 yards to stun the Old Trafford faithful. Pretty exciting football from both sides followed, with United having a slight edge over the away side. Yet another injury for Tottenham, and yet another injury for Jermaine Defoe as he limps of with a thigh strain on 35 minutes. A Ronaldo break on the left side of the field soon after offered him the space to trick the defence and get a shot in, all be it from a very acute angle, and with the aid of the wind, went into the roof of the net above Robinson. The second half found a fired up United against a delapedated Spurs full of injury's and tiredness. Ruud scored a goal after following on from a Giggs through ball to give United the lead. Kanoute equalised 20 minutes after, but United always looked like winning it, and very late on Rio Ferdinand managed to out jump the 5 foot Carrick and head the ball home from a corner. Overall a dissapointment considering the team's position and team points already allocated this season, but what can ya do when there's 283738723974934 injury's in your side.


Saturday 23rd April 2005

Tottenham Hotspur [0]:
Portsmouth [1]: Tsiartas(24)

It's a sad day when the opposing manager feel's it neccessary to make a publicity stunt to divert the attention of the players. Andy Neilsen took it upon himself to remove a makeshift blow up goat from his pocket before stripping infront of the White Hart Lane crowd before proceding to, and i quote, 'bone it'. He was subsiquently removed from the dugout and taken back into the changing rooms by Police, but not before showing his 'meat 'n' veg' to the world - as written on his chest. Everyone on the field took notice of the procedings, especially Tsiartas who used his initiative and maybe thought it was a tactical change, taking the ball and sent a little bender into the back of the net. Somehow Kanoute was injured in the procedings, a newspaper journalist from the Sun told me that the goat ran on and tried to hump for poor Spurs forward, injuring him in the process....


Wednesday 27th April 2005

Tottenham Hotspur [3]: Carrick(6,34), King(56)
Birmingham City [0]:

The same teams may have lined up three times prior this season, but the results couldn't have been more differnt. After going out of the FA Cup to the 'Brum Spurs couldn't have had much hope for the league challenge, but they managed to win the match quite comfortably. A tired-ish line up really wanted to prove a point today and they did just that, making one more step towards that Champions League place. Man of the Match James McFadden was instrumental as was Michael Carrick in this one of the best team performances of the season.


Saturday 30th April 2005

Blackburn Rovers [1]: Dickov(Pen 42)
Tottenham Hotspur [0]:

On the team coach coming up to Inbread County or Blackburn as it's otherwise known, the Spurs players were on the coach trying to pass the time. McFadden and Davies were playing dominoes, Kanoute and Defoe were piling the bags up against the toilet door to prevent Robinson leaving it, and the rest of the team were playing a game of I Spy lead by the gaffer.

Bouchard instructed the driver to pull over into the layby ahead, to which he did. On closer inspection the person in the field was indeed the Portsmouth manager Andy Neilsen. Bouchard got off the coach and ran with a couple of the team into the field and grabbed the Pompey boss, and amidst kicking and screaming managed to get him back to the coach. Soon after the Police arrived and took the manager away to a nearby Police Station whilst the media followed on. The same reporter from the Sun was there and spoke to Bouchard about what happened.

Police heard banging from the side of the coach almost as if somebody was stuck, but Kanoute and Defoe were dead sure it wasn't anything, especially not Robbo.

After returning to the coach the news was breaking on the telebox, as the country's media began to flock around the story. Leo Hardy was being interviewed about his match with City, but stopped to confirm the channel 992 in the story was correct. When asked how he knew, he informed the Sky camera's that he was an adimant viewer and thought the £97 he had to pay each day perscription was well worth it, especially now he had Sky+ and could pause it at 'vital moments'.

As the game kicked off some 3 hours later it was back to playing poorly for the Away side. The events of the day must've worn them out, and a most perculiar site of Paul Robinson perminantly crouched down on view between the sticks throughout the match.


Saturday 7th May 2005

Tottenham Hotspur [3]: Defoe(10), Davies(77), Ricketts(86)
Newcastle United [0]:

This match sealed the fate of Newcastle United who although some would say poorly managed at the start of the season, hadn't faired any better with fan's favourite Kevin 'i'd love it' Keegan. Very attacking football from the home side enabeled goals to flow through and for the first time in a while, some confidence. Defoe lobbed the keeper from 30 yards whilst Ricketts grabbed an absolute screamer from the edge of the box into the top corner.


Saturday 14th May 2005

West Brom [1]: Koumas(49)
Tottenham Hotspur [0]: Kanoute(7), Carrick(20)

Chris Morris pleaded with Sam Bouchard to play a weaker team and in theory, let his West Brom side win. Now it's not a very well known fact, but Bouchard isn't a very big fan of the midlands, least of all Birmingham, and so wasn't very willing to grant Morris' request. A strong Spurs side defeated West Brom with a fair amount of ease. Other results wouldn't have affected the scoreline anyway so Morris can't help but accept the result!


A Forth place finish to the season is something that i really couldn't have anticipated. Very pleased with the team's performance and wouldn't really change much next season, which is just as well going on the TINY TINY MINISCULE budget the greedy b******s on the Spurs board have offered me. Robinson, King and McFadden all were picked in the best 11 of the season which is also something that wasn't matched by another fellow online manager. I feel proud to have led my team into Champions League football, long live the Spurs.

retired_sankanyo

A mans got to do what a mans got to do

retired_kdanclair

Man City's Season Ends on a High

The transfer window has been re-openned and the Man City signings have been arriving at the impressive City of Manchester Stadium.

These transfers are:

Karadeniz Gokdeniz - free transfer from Trabzonspor
Dianbobo Balde - free tansfer from Celtic
Joleon Lescott - 852K from Wolves
Didier Agathe - free transfer from Celtic
Sunday Oliseh - free transfer from Dortmund
John Hartson - free tansfer from Celtic
Mbulelo Mabizela - free transfer from Tottenham
Soumaila Coulibaly - free transfer from SC Freiburg
Edwin Van Der Sar - free transfer from Fulham
Stephane Henchoz - free transfer from Liverpool
Simone Padion - free transfer from Vicenza

Future Transfers

Tim De Cler - free transfer from AZ
Tomas Locatelli - free transfer from Bologna
Giuseppe Scarlata - free transfer from Juventus
Alessandro Simonetta - free transfer from Roma


There is still contract negotiations going on with one or two players and there is yet to be a player sold this summer. Plenty of players available for transfer now then at Manchester City.

Well as you can see, plaenty of players coming in and some very good ones, Oliseh being the best one of the bunch probably. All these signings making me optimistic for next season.


Final League fixture of the season report.

Birmingham 0-1 Man City

This was a very important game for City who was pushing for that 9th spot to get in the Inter-toto Cup and the lads delivered the much needed win in the closest, most two-sided game Man City have been involved in all season.

In the end, the team who wanted the win more got it, showing their aggresive attitude with Birmingham only winning 39% of their tackles won to Man City's 64%.

The goal came in the 88th minute from substitute Joao Pinto who brilliantly headed in a Shaun Wrigh-Phillips corner. That was the goal that sent City to the Intertoto Cup in a well fought game at St. Andrews against the EUFA Cup team, Birmingham.

Celebrations all-round for Man City who now have a good chance to get into the EUFA Cup.


Intertoto Cup 2nd Round

The team who Man City have to beat to progress to the 3rd round are Agro Chisinua, a very weak Moldovian team who should surely be brushed aside by a strong Man City team.


End of Season Summary

Well, the end of a very enjoyable season for me, with many ups and downs. More ups I feel though

Here are a few final team stats:

Final Position - 9th with 55 points.

Man City Top Goal Scorer - Nicolas Anelka with 16 goals and 13 league goals.

Man City top Assister - Shaun Wrigh-Phillips with 12 assists overall and 7 in the league.

Man City top performer - Shaun Wright-Phillips with a 7.91 average permance.

Man City end of season form - 4th, LXWWW.

Man City player of the season - Shaun Wright-Phillips.


Man City 1st choice 11 of season 04/05

GK - David James
DL - Ben Thatcher
DR - Danny Mills
DC - Guy Demel
DC - David Weir
DC - Richard Dunne
ML - Fabrice Fernandes
MR - Shaun Wright-Phillips
DMC - Claudio Reyna
AMC - Giovanni
FC - Nicolas Anelka

Subs:

Sub 1 - Ronald Waterreus
Sub 2 - Titus Bramble
Sub 3 - Michael Brown
Sub 4 - Joao Pinto
Sub 5 - Alan Shearer

Hopes for next season

Finish in a EUFA Cup place, semi-finals of League Cup, Semis of FA Cup.


Well until the next match report, cyas around.