Hello friends and welcome back to my new Football Manager story and the start of a new season. Before I get into that a special mention to Johnny for asssiting me (yet again) in connecting to Steam as the other morning I got a message saying FM 2012 was unavailable, please try again. With that panic now over I’m more than delighted to bring you the latest update.
Our opening game of the season was away to Dagenham and a deflected free kick off the back of Simon Walton gave us an early goal after 11 minutes. We needed no such luck with the second that came just before the hour mark when Dagenham cleared the ball from their penalty area which fell handily to Walton who teed up Carl Fletcher for a rocket off a shot into the roof of the net. Left back Robbie Williams put in an excellent performance both in defence and attack to solidify the three points.
Next up was our League Cup 1st round encounter away to Orient who were a division above us and proved to be difficult opponents. We did however snatch the victory as striker Asante was brought down in the box and Walton converted the penalty to upset the odds and send us through to the next round.
A decent crowd of nearly 10,000 was on hand for our first game of the season at Home Park which saw us run riot over Aldershot in a stunning 5-0 victory with an early brace by striker Warren Feeney and a bullet header by left winger Jon Meads that sent us into the dressing room with a three goal lead at the half. To see and the other two goals click the highlight link below.
Plymouth v Aldershot highlights
Away to Burton Albion we struggled to break down the home sides defence though early in the second half Mark Leech’s 10 seconds of pure inspiration broke the deadlock with a compelling run and strike from outside the box that smashed against the underside of the bar and into the net. Substitute Asante added a second nine minutes from time with a shot on the volley from close range to keep our unbeaten start to the season going.
With both my left backs injured I brought in Ben Reeves from Bristol City and he made an immediate impact providing the cross for Asante to flick the ball into the net after just 8 minutes at home to Northampton. Sixteen year old striker Matt Lecointe hit an absolute stunner to double our lead in the 27th minute with Kaby and Asante adding two more before the interval. This was a game of two halves as Northampton gave us a scare with two unanswered goals as our energy quickly depleted but we held on despite the pressure for the home win.
Mark Leech hit the bar in the first minute of our second round League Cup encounter at home to Swansea. Soon afterwards the home fans were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot by Walton after Jon Meades was brought down in the box. Warren Feeney missed from close range and Marques hit the woodwork before Swansea fashioned an equalizer on the stroke of half time. A cruel deflection off the back of Marques gave the visitors the lead in the 72nd minute and Swansea added a third ten minute from time.
Akwasi Asante was on form once again hitting the only goal of the game in a one –nil win at The County Ground, Swindon. The game however was marred by injuries to Mark Leech and Kaby, both of whom will be out for two months which is a massive setback.
We finally scored from a corner courtesy of Rui Marques to take the lead over Bournemouth in our First round JPT at Home Park. Yet another deflection off Marques handed a Bournemouth striker the equalizer early in the second half whilst poor marking from a corner kick gave up the go ahead goal and ended another chance at Wembley for the second time this month.
Results Summary:
Although we are out of two competitions early on we can focus on the league for the remainder of 2011
League Table: (top 10)
Transfers:
Here are the two players which came in on short term loans. I’m still looking for a striker who is willing to come to Plymouth.
Super Sevens:
Only four players made my list which is dominated by the midfielders.
September Fixtures:
Phew, that’s it for this update and thanks for taking the time to read it and viewing the two videos. Have a great Sunday!
TheZiggy
30 октября, 2011 at 00:08
Going out of the cup competitions is a not that bad a thing, even if it feels painful at the time.
Your league form is seriously impressive. The injuries are annoying, and you’re racking up quite a number of yellow cards. I’m hardly ever using Hassle Opponents, and getting a big set of them too though. I’ve got so I’m almost scared to use it right now.
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 10:02
I’m not sure about the yellow cards as I haven’t used «hassle opponents» either. We are just overly keen to win I guess?
CsAtlantis
30 октября, 2011 at 04:42
There is still the FA cup left to play, but getting knocked out of the cups can only help your league form, you’re doing fine in the league, how many goals has Asante scored? Seems to be doing well on loan at your team
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 10:03
Asante has scored 5 goals from 5 appearances so far and as you say is enjoying his football at this level.
Johnny Karp
30 октября, 2011 at 08:06
Excellent form Kevin, well done! I wouldn’t be too upset about the two cup exits, that will give you the chance to focus on the league and I guess that’s the most important thing at the moment. Keep up the good work!
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 10:07
Hi Johnny
I’m delighted with the league form but really concerned with those injuries to Leech and Kaby. As for the cups at least one exit was pretty much expected.
aishyv1
30 октября, 2011 at 09:22
If you’re looking for a striker, my argyle currently has luke freeman on loan from arsenal, and signed jamil adam and pablo counago on free transfers. All 3 averaging ratings above 7, adam has scored over 20 goals at the turn of the year. If you’re wondering how i managed to sign players for argyle, you can offer the high paid players new contracts with much lower wages to get the wage bill down by about £6,000
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 10:10
Hi aishyv1
Thanks very much for your comment and the tip on how to get the salary budget down. Freeman refused to come to Plymouth
Johnny Karp
30 октября, 2011 at 09:28
I’ve got some feedback for you from our Twitter account, here goes:
FMConnorPAFC said: If you beat my 102 points that I set with Argyle, I’ll buy you a cookie.
OllyHunter said: On my Plymouth save Benik Afobe (arsenal) is scoring for fun in a 4-5-1 poacher formation.
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 10:12
If I do beat the 102 points it’s going to cost him in postage that’s for sure :)
Is everyone out there playing as Plymouth??
:)
Afobe refused to sign.
Darren Smith
30 октября, 2011 at 10:39
Well done Kevin, that was an excellent start and a real battle cry tot he rest of the league. I hope you can beat that 102 points, would be hilarious for FMConnorPAFC to send a cookie to Canada. :)
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 10:48
Cheers Darren. I hope it’s a Mcvities as they are tough to get here :)
Jeffers
30 октября, 2011 at 11:04
well done kev gettin some good results in the league. shame u couldnt get a cup run goin to help boost plymouths finances. although hopefully the fa cup may provide this.
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 18:30
Hi Jeffers
Really please with the legaue form but not disheartened by the cups. More concerned with the injuries and the inability to get players to come to Plymouth
paine
30 октября, 2011 at 11:46
You’re doing well, I think more firepower upfront could help in the long run though.
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 18:30
Definitely need more upfront but no decent players are interested :(
Lye Kuek Hin
30 октября, 2011 at 12:43
HI Kevin,
It’s disappointing to exit from the cup competition but i guess the priority is the league standing. Five wins out of five is a great result. If you can maintain the form, then promotion should pose no problem to your team. Good luck.
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 18:32
Hello Lye
No complaints really though losing Leech and Kaby is pretty critical
Laxeyman
30 октября, 2011 at 13:59
Fantastic start Kevin, going out of the cups might be a blessing in disguise as it enables you to focus on staying unbeaten in the league. If you can keep that sort of form up then you’ll walk the league, good luck!
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 18:33
Cheers Laxeyman
Hoepfully we can keep these win going for a little while longer though I feel Rotherham may be a decent threat
vaibhavc
30 октября, 2011 at 14:39
The cups don’t matter too much I guess, but that is a good way to make some money. Your league form is really good, maintain this position please!
Kevin
30 октября, 2011 at 18:34
Hey vaibhacv
I’ll do my best for you but with those two injuries I haven’t got much depth in my squad.
The Green Army
30 октября, 2011 at 18:43
Thank you Kevin, a Plymouth Argyle story, also with them actually winning. Keep them top of the league please
Calin
31 октября, 2011 at 07:22
I think that you have a great start of the season and even if participating in the cup means some extra and really valuable money, I think you shouldn’t be too worried — you are performing great in the league and that is what should matter!
Sears
31 октября, 2011 at 17:36
Hey Kevin, pleased to see you get off to a magnificent start. I’ve seen others do much much worse :P:P KIU mate!!
Martin Pickard
1 ноября, 2011 at 12:05
Great update Kevin…Like some people above have said dont be too worried about the cup exits, yeah there nice to be in…but you can not concentrate on the league and what a start by the way. It always nice to start with 3 point but 15 out of 15 is fantastic. Keep up the good work and i’m looking forward to the next post :)