[retired_jolenz]

Smurthwaite's Notts County Fail In Promotion Bid

Notts County WILL be playing League 2 football again next season after failing to achieve promotion this year. That said however, Dale Smurthwaite is very confident about next season and has already started rebuilding his team.

In a statement to the press he said :

We were disappointed not to have made promotion this season, but the lads did well and er..you know..we just have to look to the next season and the first game..you know..er..if we can get a win there..er..you know..it could be the building block we need.

Mmm, "building blocks", obviously a prase from the Ian Dowie book of football phrases..."Bouncebackability And How To Use It"

Anyway, here the the results from Notts County's last six games of the 2004/05 season.

Cambridge 1 V Notts Co 2
A good result here for the Magpies and it brought morale back up. It was a close game though. Gildea and Law scoring for Notts Co.
Star Man - Luke Guttridge (Cambridge)

Notts Co 0 V Macclesfield 0
Nothing interesting here, but Notts Co should have won the game with more shots on goal, just not on target.
Star Man - Tony Scully (Notts Co)

Oxford 4 V Notts Co 0
A deserved result for the League 2 champions in waiting here as they destroyed Smurthwaite's team 4-0. After central defender Whitlow was sent off in the 27th minute, the floodgates opened for human manager James Woodward's Oxford.
Star Man - Robert Wolleaston (Oxford)

Notts Co 2 V Rochdale 5
Another heavy defeat here for the Magpies and perhaps unlucky after Notts Co got back into the game after going 2-0 down and bringing the scoreline back to 2-2. Rochdale then stepped up a gear and won comfortably.
Star Man - Grant Holt (Rochdale)

Leyton Orient 4 V Notts Co 0
Another demolition of Notts County here as Orient striker Gary Alexander scored ALL four goals in the game.
Star Man - Gary Alexander (Leyton Orient)

Notts Co 2 V Boston Utd 1
Oxford manager need a result here from Smurthwaite's team and Notts Co duely answered the call. Weatherson finally gets on the scoresheet again after a long tme without scoring. Gareth Law scored Notts County's other goal. That result makes Oxford the League 2 champions, but Boston still go up automatically, finishing 2nd.
Star Man - Alex Gildea (Notts Co)

Well, that was the first season over and done with and what remains now is to give you a round-up of the seasons achievements and player stats. If you are lucky, I might bring you an exclusive manager interview.

Until my Season Report...

DS.

[retired_phil39100]

So the season is now over and its time to think ahead to next season.

Cambridge finished 10th in the league. Its been an up and down year, with Cambridge being in the playoff zone for most of the first half of the season. However 11 games with no wins took its toll with team morale at an all time low.

Final Results:

H 1-2 Notts Co
A 1-3 Scunthorpe
H 1-1 Yeovil
A 3-2 Bristol Rovers
H 2-1 Wycombe
A 2-1 Cheltenham

The star player for the year was without a doubt Daniel Chillingworth. Scoring 19 goals with 6 assists definatly helping the team throughout the season.

With a Goals for of 69 and Against of 61, it appears that defensive work is going to be the main focus this summer.

Players In At End Of Season:

Mark Burke
Nathan Peel
Simon Coleman
Chris Kiwomya

Next season should hopefully be a better season for the fans.

The boards aim is for another midtable finish but the boss has promised to aim higher than that.

[retired_beverly]

Wycombes Poor form Continues

After inheriting a side low on confidence and morale from the previous manager, it was clear that I would have to lift the side by bringing some new faces before the end of the season.

But due to the lack of funds and wages available the only signings were 3 youngsters who would add depth to the side and a left-back and striker on loan. Whilst veteren Steve Guppy left for Coventry to ease the wage bill.

Even after the new signings and a good talking to by the manager the results were still worryingly inconsistant.

The results were as follows:

Rusden 2 - 0 Wycombe

A disappointing start to my career, with no real plus points.
Man Of The Match: David Bell (Rushden)

Wycombe 1 - 1 Notts County

A decent result against fellow human manager Dale Smurthwaite, the goal coming from 38 year-old Steve Claridge.
Man Of The Match: Alex Gildea (Notts County)

Scunthorpe 2 - 1 Wycombe

Another disappointing loss, especialally since they had been reduced to 10 men within 30 mins. Joe burnell with our only goal this time.
Man Of The Match: Clint Easton (Wycombe)

Wycombe 1 - 0 Yeovil

A tremendous win over a strong Yeovil side. The whole side played to their potential, so I know what they can do when they want to. Steve Claridge was again on target for Wycombe.
Man Of The Match: Mark Philo (Wycombe)

Bristol Rovers 3 - 0 Wycombe

After last weeks win this did nothing to hide our appalingly inconsistant form. Bristol were the better side from the start and deserved to win confortably.
Man Of The Match: Richard Walker (Bristol Rovers)

Wycombe 3 - 2 Shrewsbury

A great match that started brilliantly with Wycombe going 2 up, but with The Shrews making 2-2 on 80 mins. With 10 mins to go it was anyones game and it was Wycombe that got the winning goal through new loan signing Mark De Bolla from Chesterfield.
Man Of The Match: Steve Claridge (Wycombe)

Wycombe 0 - 0 Cheltenham

A nil - nil bore draw with hardly any goalmouth action. An instantly forgetable match.
Man Of The Match: Mark Philo (Wycombe)

Bury 5 - 3 Wycombe

From a 0-0 bore draw to an 8 goal thriller! A amzing game that swung from one way to the next in just a few minutes. De Bolla, Claridge and Burnell were the goalscorers for Wycombe.
Man Of The Match: Steve Claridge (Wycombe)

Wycombe 0 - 0 Darlington

Another 0-0 draw at home with not a lot of action, the fans are not happy with the way the side is performing at the moment.
Man Of The Match: Mark Philo (Wycombe)

Chester 2 - 0 Wycombe

Injuries to 3 of our main performers for this game upset the balance of the side and there was no suprise to see us lose to a confrotable Chester side.
Man Of The Match: Stewart Drummond (Chester)

Wycombe 3 - 0 Swansea

A much needed result for Wycombe at a time when they needed it most. A big reponse from the team after the bad result against Chester. They couldn't have played better, with the goals from Perpetuini, Lawrence and Claridge again.
Man Of The Match: Joe Burnell (Wycombe)

Southend 0 - 1 Wycombe

With injuries again ruining this Wycombe side I didn't expect much from this game, so to get another victory was great. Mark De Bolla got the only goal of the game.
Man Of The Match: Matty Fox (Wycombe)

Wycombe 0 - 0 Northampton

Bore draw with nothing to shout about for either fans.
Man Of The Match: David Rowson (Northampton)

As you can see from the results we are worryingly inconsistant at the moment with 0-0 draws following on from 8 goal thrillers. I will be needing to address this inconsistancy in the last 6 games. If we can do that then hopefully it will help to attract some new signing in the summer.

Andy Silk

Wycombe Finish 14th for the Season

With 3 draws, 1 loss and 2 wins in their last 6 games, the Wycombe team have responded to my plea for more consistancy from them. Hopefully this has given the fans something to hope for ready for next season.

The results from the final 6 games were as follows:

Mansfield 0 - 0 Wycombe

Another game that we should probably have won, but Mansfield were a solid team who battled for everything.
Man Of The Match: Mark Philo (Wycombe)

Wycombe 1 - 1 Grimsby

A touch lucky in this game as Grimsby were ahead for nearly 80 minutes of this match before loan signing Mark De Bolla equalised.
Man Of The Match: Stacy Coldicott (Grimsby)

Lincoln 0 - 1 Wycombe

Good confident win over a poor Lincoln side who were easily beaten. the goal coming from Steve Claridge.
Man Of The Match: Frank Talia (Wycombe)

Wycombe 0 - 0 Kidderminster

A boring game where both sides cancelled each other out from the start.
Man Of The Match: Cyril Sharrock (Kidderminster)

Cambridge 2 - 1 Wycombe

A good game with both sides going for it. But Steve Vidoy's team came out on top.
Man Of The Match: Roger Johnson (Wycombe)

Wycombe 2 - 0 Macclesfield

A good last day of the season win over decent side Macclesfield. A few more days like this next season and who knows what might happen.
Man Of The Match: Nathan Tyson (Wycombe)


With several new signings already lined up for the next term, I feel that the Wycombe fans should have something more to shout about next season.

My end of season report will follow shortly.

Andy Silk

[retired_kala9702]

Rover's at a standstill!!


The report's for the final eight game's:


Grimsby 1 v 1 Bristol Rover's

A very poor game lucky we got a point goal came from Ali Gibb.

Man Of The Match:Kevin Miller (Bristol R)

Bristol Rover's 2 v 0 Lincoln

Back to winning way's should of had more but were happy we got the 3 point's. Goal's came from Richard Walker and Christian Edwards.

Man Of The Match:Jamie McCombe (Lincoln)

Kidderminster 1 v 1 Bristol Rover's

Back to drawing then for rover's very lucky we got the point goal came from Christian Edwards.

Man Of The Match:Christian Edwards (Bristol R)

Bristol Rover's 2 v 3 Cambridge

Well it had to happen and it did our first defeat under my management it came against fellow human manager Steve Vidoy very entertaining game goal's came from Jamie Forrester and David Savage.

Man Of The Match:John Ruddy (Cambridge)

Macclesfield 0 v 3 Bristol Rover's

The response i got was what i wanted smashed Macclesfield to piece's gaol's came from Jamie Forrester And two from Ali Gibb. This win also sealed our playoff place.

Man Of The Match:Stuart Campbell (Bristol R)

Bristol Rover's 1 v 3 Oxford

The champion's came to town the city was buzzing for the visit of James Woodward's Oxford and i lost only my second game as Bristol Rover's manager against a fellow human manager again this was a very good game end to end stuff really goal came from James Hunt.

Man Of The Match:Carlos Alberto Menjivar
(Oxford)

Playoff Time:

1st Leg

Shrewsbury 1 v 2 Bristol Rover's

Good result which should see us go to the playoff final at the Millennium Stadium goal's came from Ben Thornley and Lewis Haldane.

Man Of The Match:Scott Howie (Shrewsbury)

2nd Leg

Bristol Rover's 0 v 1 Shrewsbury

Iam disappointed the player's let themselves down at home yet again there goal meant it went to penalty's and what a penalty shootout it was:

Each side took ten penalty's with Shewsbury holding there nerve to win it:

5-6 in Shrewsbury favor


Manager’s Thought's

This season was a big disappointment to me the player's and the fan's.


So how about next season

This forthcoming season there is only one aim and that is to be champion's of league two any thing less and I'll eat my hat.

[retired_jolenz]

Notts County Season Report 2004/05 - Managed By Dale Smurthwaite

Well here it is folks, the BIG season report from Notts County. Joining us later will be the Notts County manager Dale Smurthwaite to answer a few questions for us on the season just past.

It was a season of ups and downs for Notts County in the season and its fair to say that there were more downs than ups. The season started brightly with the arrival of striker Peter Weatherson and midfielder Alex Gildea. Weatherson was banging the goals in and was very quickly at the top of the goalscrores table.

Unfortunately for Smurthwaite though, the very busy Christmas schedule really took it out of his players and as the fitness dropped, the losses increased and soon to follow was the severe loss of morale.

It was a situation that Smurthwaite was not going to be able to recover and the second half of the season was to be much of a disappointing venture for The Magpies.

Joining us now is the Notts County manager, Dale Smurthwaite.

Dale, just quickly, how would you sum up your first season in charge at Notts County?

Well, to be honest I'm a bit disappointed afer such a promising start, but these things happen in football, you need time to build up a rapport with your players and with that brings a good understanding.

Ok, so would it be fair to say that you are still getting to know your players?

Mmm, I think that is perhaps a bit of an overstatement. I know how my players strengths and they will only get better. We have some exciting prospects at Notts County.

Is it true that there is a contrct dispute between yourself and Peter Weatherson?

It is true that I am in charge of renewing the first team contracts, but as to whether Peter is looking for another contract, I couldn't comment on that.

Who would you say your best player was this season?

[quote]I would have to agree with the fans and go with Alex Gildea. He is an asset to this club and I intend to keep a hold of him, but let's not take anything away from the rest of the team.

14th in League 2 last season, disappointed?

Who wouldn't be? We were aiming for promotion, but unfortunately, results didn't go our way. I am confident for next season though.

How do you plan to challenge for the title next season?

I am already in the process of securing new talent and there will be some players leaving the club also. Its a pity that David Fox is out of our price range, but I'm sure any first team experience he gets while on loan to other clubs is benefitial to him. A new keeper is on the way from Hull.

Curtis Aspden, a bit young?

Yes he is young, but he has a mature head on his shoulders and I hope for big things for this young man. Hopefully its with Notts County

Finally Dale, a quick prediction for next season?

You should know me by now Nosmo..I've never predicted anything in my life and I never will

Well there you have it, the very nice Dale Smurthwaite. He always has time for the media and is always willing to give an answer, even though it may not be the one you wanted.

All there is to do now is say cheerio, and I'll report back to all you football fans out there throughout the coming season. Before I go though, Here are some Notts County player stats for the League 2 season 2004/05.

Nosmo King signing off...

PLAYER STATS

Top Goalscorer : Gareth Law with 24
Most Assists : Alex Gildea with 18
Highest Average Rating : [i]Alex Gildea with 8.00 (44 Appearances)
Most MoM Awards : Alex Gildea with 13
Worst Discipline : Saliou Lassissi with 7 Yellow Cards & 1 Red Card
Fans Player Of The Year : Alex Gildea

CLUB STATS

Highest Attendance : [I]4547 V Mansfield on 10.11.2004
Lowest Attendance : [I]3219 V Northampton in Vans Trophy 1st Round
Average Attendance : [I]3719
Best Unbeaten Streak : [I]6 from 2.10.2004-10.11.2004
Worst Losing Streak : [I]8 from 15.2.2005-2.4.2005
Highest Transfer Fee Paid : [I]£7,000 for Alex Gildea from Whitby
Highest Transfer Fee Received : [I]£20,000 for Glynn Hurst to York

HOPES FOR NEXT SEASON

Promotion at all costs as long as its legal

Until my next report...

DS.

[retired_karthik_psgimsr]

Oxford United Season Report 2004/05

At the beginning of the season Oxford fans were rebelling at the clubs shock announcement that an unknown manager had been appointed to head their title challenge, but come May they are calling for him to be knighted after he led them to their 1st league title for 21 years.

We went onto the streets of Oxford to find out what the fan’s think of their manager.

Well what can I say, he’s a top bloke, he’s proved all of his critics wrong and I believe that he is the man to take the club forward.

[quote]It’s going top be an interesting season this year and if Woodward stays I reckon that we’ll have a very good chance of another promotion.[/QOUTE]

I support Swindon mate.

Well there you have the fan’s view, but what about the man himself. We had a quick chat with the Oxford gaffer on his hopes for the future.

Well first of all congratulations on winning League Two

Thanks, but the players are the ones that need congratulating, they have been fantastic all the way throughout the season.

Are you looking forward to the upcoming season?

Yes very much, It’s going to be very interesting to see how we do. But I am very confident that we will be able to cope in League Two

What is your prediction for next season?

[quote]It is going to be very tough but I believe that we are more than capable to achieve promotion whether that be automatically or through the play-offs I believe that that is a realistic target for us.

So have you got your eyes on any players for the new season?

Well I have already moved into the transfer market this season, I have signed some very good prospects for the future along with some veterans who have experience at the top level of football. I also have my eyes on a few other players but I will expand on that at a later date

Out of your new signings who do you expect to shine?

Well Ali Daei is a proven goalscorer who holds the world record for most international goals, Giorgi Kinkladze is has played in the Premiership for a number of seasons and could become a very influential player for us. But I have to say that any of our signings could become regular fixtures in the team

You have also had to let a lot of players go to, do you think that will effect the club this season?

Well the wage bill was restricting us so, we had to let people go but they all understood what had to be done and most took it well. But I do believe that we have brought players in that are more than capable of filling in.

Finally, can we have a quick prediction from you for the guys in League Two

League Two will be very interesting this season, I expect Dale and Ray to be challenging up at the top, but in all honesty I believe that any of the guys could gain promotion. As I said it will be very interesting.

Well there you have it, words of wisdom from the Oxford manager. Now we will take a look at the club and player statistics from last season.

Club Stats

Highest Attendance: 12247 v Sutton Coldfield, FA Cup 1st Rnd
Lowest Attendance: 4527 v Kidderminster, LDV Vans Trophy S 1st Rnd
Biggest Win: [i]6-1 v Rochdale (H) League Two
Biggest Defeat: [I]3-1 Rochdale (A) League Two

Player Stats

Top Goalscorer: Tommy Moooney - 23
Most Assists: Juan Pablo Raponi - 14
Highest Average Rating: Carlos Alberto Menjivar - 7.77
Most Man Of Match: Robert Wolleaston - 8
Worst Discipline: Mateo Corbo - 4 Yellow Cards / 2 Red Cards
Fans Player Of The Year: Tommy Mooney

Well there you have it a successful season from Oxford and hopes for more of the same next season.

Until Next Time
James Woodward

[retired_ashleyfaries]

After a relatively good start to the season leaving me in the playoffs, i had a bit od a disappointing finish. A mixture of myself and my assistant managing left the side 14th in the league with 10 games to go. I had been knocked out all the cups. 3-2 to Lincoln in the 1st round of the fa cup and 3-1 to Southend in the quarters of the LDV vans trophy.My last 10 games went as follows

Northampton 1v1 Scunthorpe
They scored an early penalty after ten minutes, but substitute Matthew Howard equalised after 60 minutes. They had a man sent off near the end but managed to hold on for a draw.

Yeovil 2v0 Northampton
Yeovil were one of the favourites for promotion at the start of the season but they were languishing just above the relegation zone. So I was hopeful of a good result. Andrejs Stolcer the Latvian put them ahead just before half time, and Kevin Gall got them another after 75 minutes. A terrible performance by myself here and I disnt deserve anything.

Northampton 0v0 Bristol Rovers
Fellow human manager Ray was sitting nicely in the playoffs and a non eventful draw here wasnt a bad result.

Wycombe 0v0 Northampton
Another human manager in Andy and another dire 0-0, what else can I say.

Northampton 0v1 Cheltenham
They scored an early goal after 7 minutes and I just couldnt get back in the game.That was 4 games without a goal and I really needed to sort something out upfront.

Bury 0v0 Northampton
I tried to change something upfront but to no avail yet another 0-0, at least my defence is ok.

Northampton 2v2 Darlington
I twice went behind in this game but goals from Eric Sabin and Mark Yeates got me back in it. They had a player sent off after 75 minutes, but i couldnt grab a winner. Cant complain really as i did score two goals.

Chester 2v3 Northampton
I went 2 nil down early on but goals from Hearn Sabin and Yeates got me my first win in 7.

Northampton 1v0 Swansea
A second half goal by Charley Hearn was enough to beat fellow manager Williams, even though he is on holiday.

Southend 1v2 Northampton
Charley Hearn scored after 65 mins and I added another after a Graham Barrett own goal on 70 minutes. Fredy Eastwood got a consolation at the end, but I held on for a third win in a row. A good end to the season.

A disappointing season a final position of 12th was not what i wanted and I hope to better next year. A heavy investment is needed and i am looking for a lot of decent players.

[retired_karthik_psgimsr]

Oxford 2005/06 Transfer Round-Up

Nihad Pejkovic (GK) Ptolemaida (£0)
36 year old Bosnian keeper, twice capped by his country. Expected to be Oxford’s number one keeper.

Thomas Alexandre (SW/DC) Lesquin (£1k)
Young French defender who came through the ranks at Lens. Definitely one to watch.

Matthew Armstrong (DC) Dundalk (£1k)
This young man from Stoke is one for the future, don’t expect many appearances from him this season.

Titi (SC) Vasby (£0)
Kutchi Kanga or more widely known as Titi is a very pacey striker. Brought in as back up.

Gregory Scattone (AM/FLC) Vise (£2k)
Very exciting prospect, formerly at Roma this 22 year old is already being compared to Carlos Alberto Menjivar.

Cedric (D/DMRL) Nazarenos (£1k)
Portuguese full back who can play on either side. Should become a regular fixture in the Oxford side this season.

Ali Daei (SC) Saba Battery (£0k)
Veteran striker that holds the world record for most international goals with an amazing 110 goals in 139 caps. Not sure whether he will play a regular part this season, only time will tell.

Juan Ugarte (FC) Wrexham (£0k)
Spanish forward who can play in midfield and attack. Expected to be used as a sub.

Bartosz Tarachulski (SC) Yeovil (£0k)
Polish target man signed from Yeovil. Should be a starter for Woodward’s men.

David Perpetuini (DMLC) Wycombe (£0k)
Defensive midfielder who has been brought in to fill the gap left by Peter Atherton.

Giorgi Kinkladze (AMLC) Anorthosi (£0k)
A blast from the past as 32 year old Kinkladze returns to English football. Expected to play a major part in Oxford’s campaign.

Darren Purse (DC) West Brom (£14k)
Very strong defender with premiership experience. Should walk straight into the team.

Josep Guardiola (DMC) Al Ahli (QAT) (£0k)
How Woodward has pulled this one off, no-one knows and is probably best left unknown. Pep arrives in January and should establish himself immediately.

Luke Steele (GK) Man Utd (Season Long Loan)
Goalkeeper who rejoins Oxford on loan for another season. Expected to battle with Pejkovic for the number one jersey.

Zak Whitbread (DC) Liverpool (Season Long Loan)
American centre back who impressed last season on loan at Northampton. Should make a promising partnership with Purse.

Kieran Richardson (AMLC) Man Utd (Season Long Loan)
England under 21 international, expected to have a sparkling future at the highest level in football. Oxford fans have the privilege of watching his talent this season.

Vincent Pericard (SC) Portsmouth (Season Long Loan)
Young French striker formally of Juventus, comes to Oxford to gain some first team experience.

Manager’s Note

I believe that with the quality of players that I have brought in this season that we will be able to uphold a strong challenge for the League One title. These are very exciting times at Oxford and I am very proud to be a part of this club now and hopefully in the future.

Until Next Time
James Woodward

[retired_jolenz]

Clan Update

Well, The F.A Challenge has almost completed 2 seasons of FM 2005 now,(just 3 games short I believe).

We are currently, however, taking a short break while the hos - yours truly - moves house. An exciting prospect as its our first owned property. As soon as I am back up and running with the internet, we will resume on the next available gameday and hopefully it wont be too long.

We have a good team of players now and I hope everyone is enjoying the game.I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome back Keith Tinker who had to leave us due to work constraints. He has since found alternative employment and will be rejoining us on the restart.

Thats all for now, until I connect again...

SDK (FA Challenge Host).

[retired_manmedina]

great reading lads glad to see your clan is going great guns.

i know you will pull it round with "The Cobblers " Kev, its fun being Northampton online as im having my ups and downs with my team in my clan game