Sorry Gr81 
Thanks to everyone who followed along on the story. This will be the final post to it. I kept the save game from the point Colley left, so if I ever do get the inclination to return to AFC Wimbledon- it will be with a new story. In the interest of finishing this one though, here is the ending of Dave Colley's season...
Cheers- MD
*********
Canaries Crown Colley
Norwich announced that they had appointed Dave Colley as their new manager. Colley arrives at Norwich from AFC Wimbledon, where he led them to consecutive promotions from the Conference after having helped them avoid relegation. This season Colley's club had suprised the pundits as they clinched the Division 3 title last weekend after a season long battle with Burton Albion. Chairman Munby expressed confidence that Colley was the right person to head the Canaries at this crucial juncture of their season as they hosted Walsall in their final match of the season to determine if they will make the playoffs.
***
DC- I thought that it might be a bit intimidating to join a club in Norwich's particular situation- with so much on the line. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard at all. They were willing to accept me and it was easy to sense they wanted an anchor to grab on to as they faced their final match. With so much on the line, you could quickly sense the pressure and tension in the air around Carrow Road. The club was on the young side- having sold off some veteran players during the season and their was some discontent among the veterans left on the club that Donachie had abandoned the chance for a return to Division 1 to please the Board by padding the bottom line. Considering this also seemed to be have a part in why the Board fired him, I didn't place a lot of stock in that talk. They were ready to get down to work, especially after I laid out what I expected of them and the style of attack we would play. I think the staff, the players and I were all a bit excited to get training for the match against Walsall. The club had a transfer budget of 6.5 Million, but that would be a consideration for after the season- since only free transfer signings would matter at present. The club I inherited was... Tom Reed- 24 yr old GK- Number 1 keeper and looked like a solid citizen to me.
Ben Rhodes- 21 yr old GK- Young, but had been Number 1 keeper for part of last season and had loads of talent, but a bit eccentric.
Carl McDonald- 20 yr old D/MLC- Had been playing mostly centre back, but I asked him to play at leftback because I wanted to take greater advantage of some of his offensive skills.
Jon Forrester- 22 yr old D/AML- Explosive player, but pace doesn't mean you are a good defender and I got the impression he was much more comfortable in a midfield role.
Jamie Salmon- 18 yr old D/AML- Had been the starting leftback, but his modest pace and acceleration worried me.
Maximilian Aust- 26 yr old DR- One of the few veterans on the club, had capped on Germany's Under-21 side and undoubtably a team leader.
Scott Young- 22 yr old DRC- Despite his youth, one of the steadiest defenders on the club and I expected him to help fill the centre.
Peter Castle- 25 yr old DC- Part of the reason I wanted McDonald to move to fullback was to allow Castle to continue getting time in the middle- steady, not flashy player.
Jason Shackell- 28 yr old DC- Strictly cover as far as I was concerned- had seen some senior time but hadn't distinguished himself much during the season.
Stephen Wright- 28 yr old SW/DC- One of the most unhappy veterans- hadn't played well enough to justify his lofty view of his abilities.
Dave Anderson- 20 yr old DC- In his few apperances had clearly shown he wasn't ready for senior level play- kept on the senior side because of lack of other defenders.
Kenny Milne- 32 yr old DML- Another unhappy veteran- I wasn't sure that he would really have a place in our future and his wages are a bit much to be paying a backup.
Andrew Wright- 27 yr old DMC- Workmanlike midfielder who had played steady, but not outstanding, all season.
Damien Francis- 33 yr old AMC- Club captain and the key player in my mind for our success against Walsall.
Ladislav Volesak- 28 yr old MC- Czech veteran midfielder who was a solid midfielder and likely starter.
Luke Chadwick- 31 yr old AMRL- Had been hurt much of the season and was already out for the rest of the season when I arrived.
Sam Bailey- 24 yr old AMRLC- Steady younger player- didn't look like much more than a good cover player when I arrived.
David Griffiths- 21 yr old AMR- Had shown little in his limited senior play- Lack of pace meant that he probably wouldn't get a chance at winger under my approach.
Andrew Hancock- 17 yr old AMR- Only spotty senior time, but had played well on the reserves during the season- Lacked stamina, but I thought he might be a solid contributor by next season.
Brian Morgan- 22 yr old MC- Had some talent, but hadn't played well in senior play- Already had the reputation for not being a 'team' player when I arrived.
Dominik Bersnjak- 30 yr old AMC- The Slovenian National had been the top corner man for the club this season, but was also one of the unhappy veterans and was still nursing a leg injury when I arrived.
Ian Henderson- 27 yr old FRLC- Had been a steady, if not outstanding forward for the club- with how thin the frontline was I knew he would have to continue his starting role for us.
Dave Black- 20 yr old SC- I liked his talent and his determination- had been the top scorer for the club this season, but was a bit unhappy with his contract (told him we would discuss it further in the summer.)
Kevin Mitchell- 22 yr old FLC- Had played up front under Donachie, but I took one look at his explosive pace on the wing and resolved to see how he would fare out there.
Leon Cooper- 16 yr old FC- Didn't really belong on the senior side, but no other decent options so he had to be up to provide cover for Henderson and Black.
***
DC- After a few days of training I settled on this starting side for our match against Walsall:
GK- T.Reed
DR- M.Aust
DL- C.McDonald
DC- P.Castle
DC- S.Young
ML- K.Mitchell
MR- D.Griffiths
MC- L.Volesak
MC- D.Francis
FC- I.Henderson
FC- D.Black
***
12.5.12
Norwich (0) Walsall (0)
Norwich- None
Walsall- None
MOM- Jimmy Walker, Walsall
It was a 'wait and see' provision as the Carrow Road fans quickly repaired to the local pubs following the scoreless draw. Crystal Palace was still playing and their outcome would determine whether Norwich made the playoffs after Norwich couldn't solve Walsall keeper Jimmy Walker in the scoreless draw. Scary moments awaited new Norwich manager Dave Colley in the opening moments of the match. Chris Hogg shot just wide of the post in Walsall's first trip down the pitch and moments later Peter Castle was forced to make a fantastic saving tackle on Gary Blackburn to avoid what looked like a certain goal. Norwich steadied after the close call and came very close to grabbing the lead. Ian Henderson missed wide and high on decent chances and Walker made a spectacular fingertip save on Kevin Mitchell's volley. Walsall caused consternation again in the closing moments of the first half when Lee Harding's through ball gave Blackburn another good chance, but Tom Reed was able to gather up his shot. Henderson found himself shaking his head in the early stages of the second half as Walker made two more good saves against him to ruin Norwich hopes. Volesak then came close, but it was another fingertip save by Walker to preserve the scoreless state. Walsall, who needed only a draw to preserve their 5th place standing in the table, went into a defensive shell. Norwich came close to making them pay for that choice, but Henderson again found himself denied by Walker's outstretched hand. The final moments wound down without any more good chances and the scoreless draw was a fair result, but little cheering to the anxious Norwich supporters.
DC- We played well for the first time out playing this new attack, but we couldn't trump Walker's dazzling performance. I retreated to my office to watch the rest of the Crystal Palace match. The match wound down and they couldn't break the 1-1 deadlock with Portsmouth despite their frantic efforts with everyone going forward. When the final whistle blew on their 1-1 draw, I finally released my breath as we had survived and would be in the playoffs- going against 3rd place Reading.
***
DC- In the week before the first leg against Reading, I received another surprise phone call. The agent for both Carl Laurie and Orri Freyr Oskarsson asked me if I would be interested in adding the pair to the Norwich roster. Having not kept up on Orient's ways since Drabek had left the club to concentrate on the National side- I hadn't realized that the pair had been released by new manager Tony Parkes. [NOTE- 'The Bet' does not parallel this story) We quickly agreed on contracts for both of them- they would be valuable additions to Norwich and I was eager for them to arrive. He also mentioned a Portugese winger- Luis Dias- who had been released by Orient, and told me how to get ahold of his agent. I quickly negotiated a contract for him to play here as well. It was a boon to get three players already very familiar with the system, who could step right into our lineup and provide us quality play.
***
DC- The buildup in the press to our match against Reading was more intense than I expected. They were still smarting over the 7-0 thrashing we had handed them at Kingsmeadow while I was at AFC Wimbledon in the Vans Trophy South Final. The fact that we had gone on to win the Vans Trophy still didn't set well with them and they were looking forward to coming to Carrow Road and demonstrating their play as they hoped to move up to Division 1. I put little stock (or attention) really to all the gushings in the press. The additions of Oskarsson and Laurie both added vigor to our offense and a bit of backbone to the defense and Carl quickly proved himself a club leader despite having just arrived. The bad note in our training was losing Damien Francis for the rest of the season when he reinjured his leg (had hurt it earlier in the season as well). His loss meant that Oskarsson would have to be the driving force in our midfield.
***
19.5.12
Norwich (6) Reading (0) Second Division Playoff Semifinal Leg 1
Norwich- I.Henderson 22 O.Oskarsson 39 D.Black 41,45,65,78
Reading- None
MOM- Dave Black, Norwich
Led by a dominating performance up front from dazzling youngster Dave Black, Norwich drummed Reading out of Carrow Road with a 6-0 win in the 1st leg of their playoff semifinal. Reading expected to direct the tempo of the play in the match, but instead found themselves pressured from the opening whistle as Norwich swarmed over them with their blanket of tight defensive coverage. Norwich took the lead through the hard work of Ian Henderson. Henderson intercepted a poor free kick by Nick Shorey and then battled past defender Ahmet Rifat before firing a precision shot inside the far right post past Stuart Gray for a dramatic 50th goal in his time at Norwich. Maximilian Aust keyed the next goal with a nice lead pass that Dave Black was able to run onto. As Kevin Bobson tried to close Black down, Black snaked a cross past him and Orri Freyr Oskarsson deflected it past Gray for a goal in his Norwich debut. After that the Black show began. Oskarsson dumped a pass to Black just as he came open inside the edge of the area and he rifled a shot past Gray into the left side of the net. Number 2 for Black came after he and Oskarsson had played a neat 1-2 and Oskarsson let loose a blast. Gray parried Oskarsson's shot, but Black slammed the rebound into the net for his 2nd of the match and a stunning 4-0 halftime edge for Norwich. The highlight reel for Black continued in the second half. Leon Cooper, on for a slightly injured Henderson, hooked a pass toward Black. Black overpowered Sean Davies and slid his shot underneath the diving Gray to complete his hat-trick. Just for good measure Black added a 4th goal with a superb soft chip over Gray after Oskarsson's chip pass had found him a step in front of Rifat. The last goal was both Black's 20th of the season and the final marker in the convincing 6-0 win.
DC- Despite all the Reading comments in the press, the past did repeat itself as Black and Oskarsson proved to be the dynamic duo today. Carl Laurie was the undernoticed linchpin in our defense as I asked him to fill the holder midfielder role (instead of his usual fullback spot) and he played beautifully as he blunted all their efforts to get their offense going.
***
23.5.12
Reading (0) Norwich (2) Second Division Playoff Semifinal Leg 2 (Norwich advances on 8-0 aggregate)
Reading- None
Norwich- D.Black 6-P C.Laurie 63
MOM- Tom Reed, Norwich
Buoyed by a sensational performance by keeper Tom Reed, Norwich moved into the Second Divison Playoff Finals on the strength of their 2-0 win at Reading. Norwich took the early lead when Andy Hall pushed Sam Bailey when he was trying to leap to deflect a corner. Dave Black converted the penalty kick to send Reading fans' spirits plummeting. Reading was determined to make amends for their terrible showing at Norwich and stormed back. They spent the remainder of the first half in the Norwich end, but wound up frustrated as Tom Reed kept the sheet clean with a number of very good saves. Reading started the second half in the same manner, swarming the Norwich net- but again Reed stopped the shots as needed. Carl Laurie broke Reading's spirit when his bizarre 60 yard pass turned into his 1st goal at Norwich. Laurie, playing rightback today, lofted a pass into the middle. The ball sailed over Ahmet Rifat, Black and Hall and Stuart Gray apparently lost sight of the ball- because when it landed he didn't react as it bounced lazily into the net. The rest of the match went quietly as Reading knew their promotion hopes were over and their fans left early. Even a late penalty wasn't enough for Reading as Leon Osman missed over the net after Scott Young had been redcarded for tackling from behind in the area.
DC- They outplayed us by a large measure, but I somewhat expected that since I had sat out several key players in favor of a patchwork lineup. Reed made that move pay off handsomely with his fine work in net and now we face Walsall for the right to be promoted to Division 1.
***
2.6.12
Norwich (3) Walsall (1) Second Division Playoff Final, Wembley
Norwich- O.Oskarsson 34,59 K.Mitchell 71
Walsall- G.Blackburn 18
MOM- Orri Freyr Oskarsson, Norwich
Norwich and Walsall now faced a more important showdown as they faced off in Wembley for the right to advance to Division 1. Both sides seemed tentative in the early moments of play as missed passes were the early first half highlights. Walsall struck for the lead when Robert Wardle made a terrific pass to unmolested William Sunsing on the leftwing. Sunsing barely stopped the ball before lofting a centering pass to the edge of the area. Gary Blackburn showed excellent timing as he outleaped Carl McDonald and deflected the pass by Tom Reed. Momentary hesitation doomed Jimmy Walker as Norwich fought back to even the match. Kevin Mitchell sent a searching pass into the area. Walker hesistated momentarily and then was stranded when Orri Freyr Oskarsson turned on the jets to reach the ball and drive it past Walker to make it 1-1 at halftime. David Black and Oskarsson played a deft give-and-go to gain the lead for Norwich in the early stages of the second half. Black moved it to Oskarsson and he just as quickly moved it back as Black broke free of his marker. Black moved down to the six yard box before being closed down and then he hooked a pass across. Oskarsson slipped his marker for a moment and it was great timing as he deflected Black's cross by Walker for his 2nd goal of the match. Oskarsson then set up the clinching goal when he drew the defender to himself and slid it past him to an unmarked Kevin Mitchell. Mitchell drove the ball into the right side of the net to crush Walsall's spirit and make the final score 3-1 as Norwich will finally return to Division 1 play.
DC- Oskarsson's signing was the catalyst for promotion. He added the explosive element to our offense and helped take the pressure off the other players. The season has been a long one for me, but from bringing AFC up from Conference in June to their promotion to now this promotion to Division 1- it has been a magical season. 
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