Mach II

Finally, I signed Joel Kiki, and he takes his spot on the bench.

My next opponent is Stade Plabennecois Football, who I have at home. I am $1.50 favourites, (they’re paying $5.50).

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After scouting them, I’m informed they play a 4-4-2 with some width, but we hold a touch, height and fitness advantage over them. Their danger man is the tecnhincally gifted Laurent David. He’s an attacking midfielder of age 38, and I think I’ll leave Nabil Bounab (defensive central midfielder) to close him down often, but not dive in. The weather will be a blissful 25 degrees (C) and it will be dry. This is why I moved here, the weather. Otherwise I’ve decided my coaches hate each other, as there is often “strong disagreement” between them. So I told them they could win, and sent them out.

Worst possible start. 15 minutes in and Mombris hit a 25 yard stunner. However, 4 minutes later Diafutua was crudely felled in the box, Johan Gallon calmly stepped up and the on-loan midfielder slotted home bottom right. Both teams had scored with their first shot on target, and it loomed as a cracker. I was sitting with 9 men behind the ball most of the time, so I switched to a “Counter-Attack” setting. N’Diaye then broke away but shot straight at the keeper from a narrow angle.

Bad news on 41 Minutes – Ameth Biaye was stretchered off. So Joel Kiki ran on for his debut at Centre Half, with Zemzemi slotting in uncomfortably on the left, with a full back, defensive setting. Half time lurched forward, and I told the lads that “we can win this”.

Coming out from half time, we started brightly, with a stinging Diafutua drive hitting the post. Johan Gallon then picked up a knock, and was replaced by Nadir Oudjedi who was given a basic centre midfield support instruction. I started to improve my hold on possession (after giving a “retain possession” instruction) and was able to pop a couple more shots at goal. There was a goalmouth scramble after they had a corner. With 10 minutes to go, I brought Tony Patrao to make an impact and set an attacking mentality, which was almost felt at the other end when a 40 yard drive rattled against my crossbar. With time running out, Patrao hit the crossbar with a powerful drive from 15 yards, before time just ran out. I’m a little disappointed with myself, as I think, with hindsight, I should have opened the game up a little earlier.

I told the players I sympathised with them, but I was really unhappy for the 553 people who rocked up to watch us, in order to see us attack and win. Not whimper and draw.

To compound issues- Ameth Biaye is out for 4-5 weeks, good thing I signed Dazzan on loan from parent-club Monaco who can cover at left back. Next Question – Culianez – do I sign him? He’s availabe for free, and will provide good cover at LB and LM. He wants 300 Euros a week. Here’s a comparison with my current left winger Christophe Maraninchi.

Sign Culianez?(opinion)

Category: FM09