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I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70)
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70)
As the Finnair aeroplane started descending towards Helsinki’s main airport the Powderfinger song I Don’t Remember came onto my i-pod.(TM). In the circumstances it’s lyrics seemed quite apt.
Tonight my heart well it broke like glass
I made a mistake that I'll never surpass
I'm floating in space unattached to the world
I cast off the memory of the spell of that girl
Whatever I get I guess its what I deserve
I don't remember
Just what made it so hard before
I know you needed someone to take the fall
I know you needed someone to blame it on
I smashed the mirror just to look what’s behind
Picked through the pieces just to see what I'd find
I found my heart and it broke like glass
I made that mistake that I'll never surpass
I let go of my grip on the past
I don't remember
Just what made it so hard before
I know you needed someone to take the fall
I know you needed someone to blame it on
Hey, hey don't you look away
Hey, hey I've got something to say
The plane made it’s final turn and headed down towards the runway, I was stepping back into management of a, no the, Finnish First Division club and for neither the first time nor the last I wondered if I was doing the right thing.
12-06-2007, 02:10 AM
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70) Post #2
“It’s Pentti, Pentti Kainulainen…, you know, chairman of PP-70”
“Yes, Pentti, I know what you do. But why do you want to talk to me ?”
“Tristan, things are not going so well, we’re ten games into the season and we’re in twelfth spot in Division 1. I’ve sacked the manager and I’m looking for a replacement. I know what you can do and I’d like you start as soon as possible. I want you to be our manager again.”
“What, even after the last time ?”
“Yes, Tristan, Even after the last time.”
12-06-2007, 02:14 AM
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70) Post #3
I should explain. I had, until the season before last, been manager of the Finnish First Division side PP-70. You may recall that I wrote about those experiences in this Weblog. I’d left the club after a successful managerial spell, culminating in the lower reaches of the Premier Division, the most successful period in the club’s history.
The trouble was I had walked out in mid-season. My personal life was in a mess and when Northampton Town offered me away back into English football, I’m afraid I took it with both hands, and didn’t even stop to say good bye to anyone, other than a call to the chairman to tell him I was off.
Things didn’t improve for me at Northampton. I only got two thirds of the way through the next season before I got sacked, with the club in the relegation spots in League 1. Inevitable really.
And now here we were, right at the start of the 2007/8 season in England and I’m still without a club. Until the PP-70 chairman phones me, that is. The Finnish season is already ten games old, and he needs me to start right away. I’m to meet the team in Helsinki, where they’ll be playing their next match. Tomorrow night.
12-06-2007, 02:20 AM
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70) Post #4
As I walked through the terminal after collecting my bags I saw the large figure of Pentti Kainulainen waiting in the airport’s meeting area. He greeted me warmly, and handed me a dossier of the club’s current playing staff. If I was lucky I’d have time to speed read it on the way to the game.
12-06-2007, 02:21 AM
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70) Post #5
Pasi has been first choice keeper here for five seasons. He’s a good communicator, and breeds confidence in his defence. An asset to the side in many ways, I have no hesitation in keeping him as our ‘Number One’
12.Mika Hilander - GK
Mika is a young keeper on-loan with us from our Parent Club, Tampere United. he has a lot of promise, and his distribution is of a very high standard for one so young. A good backup.
Defenders
2.Markku Hokkanen – D R
Another player on loan from Tampere, Markku is a right back who hasn’t set the world on fire during his spell here. He certainly has the talent, but he seems to lack confidence. I hesitate about using him at all really.
20.Jaakko Pasanen - D RLC
Club Captain, Jaakko, 28, is one of the club’s stalwarts. One of the few actually comfortable at left back too, so that’s where he’ll play.
5.Matti Kuusi - D C
A hard tackling, centre back, Matti is a certain starter. He’s had three good seasons here already and is one of the most consistent performers this time around.
4.Jani Tanska – D C
Jani, 19, is on-loan from MyPa and has been impressive during his time here. Even at this age he’s the best man-marker at the club, and will start more often than not.
3.Petri Lindberg –D C
Another 19 year old, and a product of our youth system. Petri is, at this stage, no more than a bit part player, unfortunately. He is a determined lad, though, or so I’m told.
16.Arto Lindberg D C / DM
No relation of Petri, Arto, 18, is a youth team player who has impressed when asked to fill in in the first team. In all honesty what he lacks in positional snse he makes up for with pace and natural fitness.
23.Abu Sankoh – WB R / DM
Abu is 20 and from Sierra Leone. He’s currently the starting right back, though his versatility means he can fill in in a number of positions. Can pass and tackle and is one of our most naturally gifted players.
Midfielders
18.Joni Ikalainen - DM
20 years old, and pretty much a bit part player in this squad.
21.Ilkka Santahuhta - DM
Ilkka,23, is a technically gifted footballer who can play, at least temporarily in a number of positions from left back to right wing and even centre forward. To be honest his versatility has been his downfall as my predecessor obviously couldn’t decide where to play him.
8.Joni Lehtonen – M C
Joni is 33 and a highly influential midfielder. Creates his fair share of goals, and scores the odd one too.
11.Jussi Kotilahti – AM RC / F C
Jussi, 26, is one of the players in this side who wouldn’t look out of place in a Premier Division side. Right Midfield isn’t is best position, by any means, but he’s still the best one we have in that slot, and that’s where he’ll start most games for me.
17.Antti Suoniemi - AM RLC / FC
A highly competitive 23 year old who has failed to impress in any of his starts and is now relegated to the bench.
19.Jaakko Juuti – AM RL / ST
Really fast, either on the wing or up front, this 19 year old lacks a little bit in the air, but will be an asset to this team in the future, no doubt about it.
15Ymer Xhaferi – AM L
This 21 year old Serbian is our starting left midfielder and has proven to be by far the best player for that position in the team this year.
6.Riku Huhtala – AM C
A bit part player, largely surplus to requirements.
Strikers
9.Mika Lahtinen – S C
One of only two out and out strikers at the club and one of the best players we have as well. A determined player who will work all day for you, his is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
10.Samu Ruisniemi – S C
An aggressive, talented, 22 year old who will score a fair few goals this season.
As I finished the last page, we turned into the car park at the ground, and seconds later I was back in the PP-70 dressing room as manager of the team
12-06-2007, 03:33 AM
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70) Post #6
I don’t Remember, just what made it so hard before (A Return to PP-70) 
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