SEASON THREE
Pre Season:
Time for my second crack at Liga Adelante, and its not going to be easy, the 3 teams relegated from Spains top flight have been installed as favourites to go straight back up. Mallorca, Racing and the old enemy, Valladolid. Valladolid are considered the 'big boys' in the region of Castile and Leon, having spent most of their existence in the top flight. They are our fiercest rivals, despite the 2 clubs not meeting a competitive game for a while. I was excited at the prospect of a proper derby. Ponferradina was a good rivalry, but weve left them lagging in the depths of 2B1. La Cultu are hungry for success, and this early hurdle on that long road is a challenge im relishing.
I also expect a strong challenge to come from Osasuna, after their poor campaign last season, they wont want to be labelled underachievers again. Other than that i am quietly confident of a more succesful season.
The board requested once again that i fought bravely against relegation, and offered me no cash. I knew the finances were going down the swanny so i wasnt surprised. From the look of it ive got 2 seasons to get out of this division or the team will go into administration, save for a good cup run. The other offers from the board for various levels of success sat around the 500k mark, so i opted for top half finsih, hoping to cover my back if we dont finish as strongly as i hope.
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The bookies still arent warming to this plucky team from Leon. Once again we were installed as strong contenders for the drop, title odds of 40-1 are worth a flutter surely?
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My planned sqaud overhaul has been put on hold due to the lack of funds. There were far fewer free agents on the market than i expected too, which didnt help. Asking prices for my first choice targets were so high that i didnt even bother enquiring. The lemon was shipped out to Coventry for a tidy profit, despite showing much promise he never adapted to life in Leon. Aside form Pernia, who is just fantastic, im most pleased with Fernando Soriano, who is a good replacement for Matic, former Real Madrid and Zaragoza right back Carlos Diogo and of course the re-signing of Macheda on loan. And it seems the feelings mutual.....
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Once again im proud that ive managed to operate in the transfer market without hurting the clubs finances. The 250k for back up goalie Colombi will hopefully prove a good investment. I expect a fierce battle for the number 1 jeresey between him and Martinez when Dudek hangs his gloves up.
My signings have largely been like for like replacements, so my tactics havent really changed. Heres how my injury hit squad lined up for the first game. This will not be first choice line up for the season and new players slotting into key areas like centre midfield was never going to be good for the fluency of the team. As a result we got spanked by a very good Mallorca side, who on first impression look too much of a class act for this league.
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Next up was a dream draw for every true football fan. La Cultu v Valladolid in the 2nd round of the Spanish cup. Not only an early chance to prove myself agaisnt a title contender other than expected runaway winners Mallorca, but also to show these muppets from Valladolid that they wont be the number one club in Castile and Leon for long. The fans were relishing the chacne to finally face up to their fiercest rivals and the Reino Del Leon was sold out for the first time in a little while. As this is such a momentous moment in the clubs history ive decided to give you a full match report, not something i usually do, but i hope you enjoy.
La Cultu lined up with a pretty strong squad, but missing a few players due to injuries. I would have preffered to have the uber-composed Rapnik at centre back, but with no other recognised right backs fit, big unit Gale Agbossoumonde was given a chance to impress
GK Dudek
LB Pernia
CB Stjepic
CB Agbossoumonde
RB Rapnik
LM Achubi
CM Soley
CM Soriano
RM Weiss
AMC Rocamora (c)
ST Macheda
We started off shakily, Valladolid domianting possesion for the first 10 minutes, however the tried and tested La Cultu tactic of mopping up lots and lots of pressure and then hitting the opposition on the break began to work. Macheda had 3 clear cut chances after being put clean through by Rocamora, he fluffed them all. The Valladolid goalie is pretty good though....
Rodrigo Achubi got the breakthrough after great work from Pernia and Soriano, exchanging passes down the left before Achubi struck a sweet drive from the edge of ther area. 1-0 have some of that Valladolid, you mugs!
For the remaining time in the first half we withstood heavy pressure. At half time i reminded the lads of the importance of this match to the fans and they came out with renewed vigour. We pressed hard and created good chances but Macheda missed a couple more sitters. Myself and Rocamora were beginning to doubt that reloaning the lad was such a good idea. Rocamora began to ignore Macheda and go for glory himself, rattling the bar and forcing the Valladolid keeper into a couple of good saves. Unfortunately Agbossoumonde came out for the 2nd half with a bit too much vigour, his rash challenge resulted in a penalty on 52 minutes, lucky to only be yellow. Diego Costa buried it, 1-1.
More pressure from Valladolid followed by La Cultu counter, and i knew something had to give, my ageing squd members like Pernia were beginning to tire big time. Time for fresh legs, Macheda was hauled off and teenage hotshot and the apple of every La Cultu fans eye; Ruben Jimenez was sent on for only his 6th competitive appearance. What a time to make a name for yourself son.........
Extra time came and our defence continued to hold, then with 10 minutes left, little Ruben Jimenez made some space for himself on the edge of the area before turning and curling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards, 2-1, ******* majestic my son. The fans went wild, that had to be the winning goal with only 10 minutes left. This boy will surely go on to be a genuine La Cultu icon.
I dropped Cala back from midfield to centre back and played a 5-1-3-1 to hold out for the win. Pernia was knackered and my defence was creaking, but holding strong. Then disaster struck. Former Man Utd and Hull reject Manucho slotted home with the last kick of the game after outmuscling the exhausted Agbossoumonde.
Penalties. Time for heroes
I selected the following 5 men as penalty takers: (Jimenez is awful at penalties before you ask)
1. Rocamora
2. Stjepic
3. Achubi
4. Weiss
5. Pernia (selected him last as hes my best penalty taker and also my most experienced player)
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Pernia missed when he had the chance to seal the win!!!! But no matter we came out victorious after a nail biting shootout, winning 7-6.
Valladolid? Who are they?
We're Leonesa and we're here to stay!
Rocamora! Pernia too!
The club from Leon just beat you!
probably wasnt the chant the fans sang, but its 1:30am and i couldnt come up with anything better.....
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i write this just as the transfer window has closed and my sqaud has been finalised. I managed to offload Sylvinio and his 4.6k weekly wages at the last minute which will help club coffers no end. Ive been spanked by title faves Mallorca and also came out victorious over Valladolid in the battle of Castile and Leon. I sit bottom but i dont expect to stay there for long.
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Mid season update to follow soon.
Viva La Cultu!