Next Up – A tough assignment.

Next up is the 997km trip to Amiens, a team predicted to come 3rd this season.

The only selection change was to bring in on loan (from parent club AS Monaco) Left/Centre Back Jérémy Dazzan as a more solid (and less attacking) option at left back.

They set up with a 5-3-2 with a sweeper and I was 8.00 outsiders. I set up with a counter-attacking strategy and told them the pressure was off.

We made and enterprising start and despite conceeding a lot of possession, we were able to prevent them from having a shot until the half hour mark. However, on the half time whistle, disaster struck. I was undone by a fine footballing move down the left. It was quite the passing move, and probably deserved a goal.

So, a goal down, I decided to start to blast them with long shots, and I actually came into the game a bit in the second half. Johan Gallon, however, was having next to no impact. So I subbed him and N’Diaye for Culainez (as a makeshift attack minded central midfielder) and Patrao as a target man.

I doubt it could have worked any better. With the minutes ticking away, and myself only really posing a threat from long shots, Vanni my keeper’s goal kick met Patrao, who nodded it down to his fellow sub. The play was then swiftly switched to Marancini down the left, who crossed and found the run of Patrao who smashed his header past the helpless keeper. 1-1, valuable point.

In the last 5 mins I subbed off the disappointing Diafutua for Oudjedi to shore up a 5 man midfield. Time wasted, job done.

This was an excellent result, and I’m proud of the lads, and I let them know this. Lesson learnt – Playing on the counter works against good teams, I really stifled their play – and that Culianez is an option as an attack minded centre mid.

And finally, I found a photo of the great man himself. Mr Tony Patrao:

Category: FM09