Gone Travelling

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So all the time we were playing in the league, and as I alluded to earlier we also had the Copa Libertadores ongoing. We had made it to the semi-finals and had been draw against what was now becoming a familiar foe in COR. I of course had lost to them in the World Club Cup with Shandong and we had also lost and draw with them in the group stage, so to say I wasn't confident was an understatement though I really wanted to beat them. With the 1st leg being at home it was imperative that we got a positive result and a clean sheet would be amazing.

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A thoroughly deserved win. We went after them right from the kick off and went 2 up before half time. I fully expected them to come back into the game in the second half and they duly did, however we defended well and restricted them to manly long shots most of which never troubled the keeper. The clean sheet was the most pleasing thing and the 2 goal advantage gave us hope going into the 2nd leg in Brazil, especially if we could nick an away goal.

As we were lining up for the second leg I still couldn't decide how to approach the game, did we go and attack as we had been doing all season and what had been successful in the 1st leg, and try and get the away goal or should we sit back try and protect our lead and hit them on the break?

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I had decided to sit back and try and hit them on the break and was happy enough when we got to half time and were still leading on aggregate, however a goal from the kick off in the second half made me rethink things and we went on the attack and managed to grab the goal just after the hour from a corner that looked like it was going to send us to the final and so it proved as we managed to withstand an onslaught from COR, who did manage a 93rd minute goal but we still went through on away goals. We were in the Final! In the final we would face another Brazilian team in GRE over 2 legs with the first being away from home.
 
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SO here it was the Copa Libertadores Final. I never expected to be here, well at least not so soon. It was just over a year ago that I had taken over and at that point Newells were 1 from bottom of the league and struggling, it had been such a turn around and all credit had to go to the team who had backed me and bought into my ideas from day 1. Now we stood on the brink of winning the clubs first ever (according to the game) Copa Libertadores. We were away in the first leg and the fixture computer had been kind as we did not face difficult opposition before or after so allowing us to rest palyers for the final itself. I had already decided that we were going to shut up shop away from home in the hope of outplaying and out scoring them at our place. I just hoped we could keep ourselves in the tie that long.

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Our tactic seemed to be working and at 1-0 down with 20 minutes to go I was feeling confident that we could overturn a one goal deficit, however when the got the 2nd I started to worry that giving up possession and just trying to hit them on the break had been a bad idea. They had looked good going forward and we had offered little in attack I just hoped we could turn in one final big display at home. It was going to have to be all out attack in the 2nd leg but that is how we had been playing in the league most of the season so at least they would be used to playing that way.
 
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With a two goal deficit to make up we had to attack we made 2 changes from the first leg with Gonzalez in as the left inside forward for Ayala and Raposo coming into the centre of the park for Dematin. Both I believe are more attacking and in the case of Gonzalez more experienced as well.

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The early goal gave us hope and when we got the second just after half time I really thought the momentum was with us and that was why I didn't change things up. All hope was almost gone when 2 quick goals by GRE made it 4-2 on aggregate. We did quickly pull one back and having still not read the rules I still thought we had lost when Leandrinho scored a belter of a volley from the edge of the box with the last kick of the 90 minutes. But extra time it was, and we looked fitter than them and had wrestled the momentum back. I was convinced we would win and told the lads that they deserved it. Right from the kick off we went after them and Ayala on in the 743rd minute showed why he should have started with a goal in the 92nd minute, was it too early?, would they come back at us? The answer to both were no. Ayala picked up his second of the game just before half time in extra time to put the result beyond doubt.

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The board were pleased but the fans were over the moon!

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This also meant that we had qualified for the Club World Cup and was the reason we have a few games in hand and only 3 games in December in the league. The other good thing is that we are one of the big boys in the Club World Cup so unlike when we were with Shandong it would be straight into the semi-finals for us.
 
Nice one mate...well done! That's the Asian and South American Champions Leagues won isn't it?
 
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BallyC7 said:
Nice one mate...well done! That's the Asian and South American Champions Leagues won isn't it?
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Cheers mate. Yeah Asia and South America. It wasn't meant to be a Pentagon Challenge but kinda thinking about it now!
 
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Having won the Copa Libertadores we were now off to Tunisia for the Club World Cup as the South American representatives. As one of the seeded teams we would start in the Semi-Finals meaning we were only 2 wins away from being crowed champions. The Semi Final draw would see us take on the North American champions Monterrey of Mexico. This would be no easy task as they had a number of very talented players and could easily upset the odds and knock us out. The other semi would see PSG take on Tunis.


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A very even game that could have gone either way, and very entertaining for the neutral. We came out all guns blazing and were 3 up before half time. We took our foot off the gas in the second half which allowed Monterrey to get back into the game a bit and they pulled a goal back. That just woke us up a bit and we added a fourth not too long after. They did hit back straight from the kick off but the result was never really in any doubt and we held on for victory and moved into the final where we would face PSG who put 9 past Tunis in the other semi.

Against Paris SG i had decided to play on the counter as I didn't want to suffer a similar fate to that of Tunis. It was going to be a big ask to win and I was going into the game with no expectations at all other than not to get hammered.

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The game played out much as I had expected with PSG having more of the chances, tough we had more of the ball than I expected. The lads played well but in the end the superior quality of PSG told and goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raheem Sterling (another 2 players whos names have changed for some reason) saw them lift the title. We had been disgraced and we had a few decent chances at 1-0 than on another day might have made for a different game, but we will head back to Argentina with our heads held high.
 
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So into a new year with a busy month of games, 7 in the league to be exact. New Years day would see us take on Argentinos Juniors followed 3 days later by entertaining what could be our biggest rivals Racing. Two away trips would follow in quick succession with games against Tigre and Racing again. We'd then have a home game with All Boys before 2 more away days to Sarmiento and Banfield. I was going to be a tricky month not just because we had a number of teams in the top half but because the games would come thick and fast meaning rotation would be the word of the month!

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New Years Day would see us suffer defeat in the league for only the 2nd time. We really should have won as we controlled things whilst they scored with ever shot on target. The draw with Racing was probably about right in what was a very even game. Tigre will be very disappointed as this was another even game that could have gone either way just that we were clinical. The remaining four games of the month all followed the same pattern, in that we were the better team and deserved to win each of them even if we didn't actually manage to. Overall not a bad month. We remain top of the table and have put a dent in Racings title challenge so relatively happy.

There were a few other bits and pieces happening in January off the field. Hector Raposo our promising central midfielder was awarded the Domestic Player of The Year. It came a bit out of left field as he is only just started to become first team in the last month or so due to his progression but prior to this had been rotation.

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Of course January also means transfer window! I hadn't planned to bring anyone in or let anyone until my scout return from Colombia with a handful of good players, all from the same team so maybe he just watched one match and was actually doing something else in Colombia, but given how goo they were and their value I had to make a move for a few of them.

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About £1m spent on a more defensive central midfielder and at last I found a left back that I'd been looking for since taking over.

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Sanchez will be my starting left back replacing the injured and aging Cuello who at 32 isn't bad but is on the decline and hasn't been helped by a few injuries of late including 2.5 months with a torn hamstring. Sanchez is decent defensively and has great physicals, sure going forward he could do with a bit of improvement but at 19 time is on his side.

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Pino will join his compatriot in the starting 11 and for £350k I think he was an absolute steal! Passing, marking, tackling, leadership, position not to mention he would appear to be able to hit a free kick. He looks like a very good midfielder to me and certainly improves us in that area of the field.
 
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February would be a slightly quieter month with 4 league games and the 5th round of the cup. The cup game would see us take on lower league opposition so I was expecting to win. The league would see us play at home to Sarmiento and Huracan whilst we'd face trips to Talleres and River. So along with progress in the cup I'd like to see us pick up a minimum of 7 points in the league.

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An unbeaten month and some really good performances. Sarmiento had held us to a draw in the away game a month ago but there was no holding us in this game, we destroyed them and had 13 shots on target, so could easily have been a few more. A similar performance against saw us put Talleres to the sword without too many problems. The River game away from home was always going to be the most difficult of the month, and it certainly proved to be. 2-0 down we managed to pull one back on the stroke of half time. They then had a man sent off early in the second half so even though we got an equaliser I was a little disappointed not to beat the 10 men. Despite the scoreline we were in complete control if the Huracan game, and they didn't manage a single shot on target. I made 7 changes for the cup game but it made no difference to the result. A convincing 4-1 win see us through to the next round.

Our good performances this month also seen me pick up the manager of the month award.

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I know I'm a bit late to the party but It's nice to see somebody else has managed Churchill Brothers in India XD
 
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March was shaping up to be a difficult month. We would kick off the month with a game that we should be winning against struggling Colon. It was after this that things would get interesting with 3 games against teams in the top 6. San Lorenzo had won the league at a canter last season and were again towards the top and looking for Copa Libertadores qualifaction. Next up would be two of the biggest and most famous teams in Argentina in Boca and Independiente. Of course in amongst these games we would also be back in Copa Libertadores action with the group stages kicking off this month.

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We started the month with a good win in a game we dominated and picked up the expected 3 points. Up next was the San Lorenzo. We were 2 down inside 20 minutes and then level by 25 minutes. A goal apiece in the second half meant a draw which was a fair reflection of the game. What can I say about the Boca game? We were poor they were good and deserved the win though to concede in the 87th and 89th minutes was a bit of a kick in the teeth. After the Boca performance I was worried going into the Independiente game. I had no need to worry. We played them off the park and 4-0 cold have been 6 or 7. So a mixed month but still top of the table so I can't really complain.

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Copa Libertadores action returned this month with group stage action. Our group is below:

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Before a ball was kick I was pretty confident of progressing from the group, in fact I was sure we'd be able to top the group if we played the way I knew we could.

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Both scores would suggest that we had walked both games however both were closer than the score suggests. It took us until just before half time to break Millonaires down, whilst Oriente Petrolero conceded early but then held on until the 71st minute before we scored 3 in the last 20 minutes. Two wins from two means we top the group but only on goal difference from Cerro Porteno who have also won both their games.
 
KentClark said:
I know I'm a bit late to the party but It's nice to see somebody else has managed Churchill Brothers in India XD
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I had fun in India, but we were losing a fortune despite winning everything and having wages at well below the permitted level. I would have liked to stay another season but I decided to jump ship before it sunk! Not that that worked out to well for me initially.

How did you get on?
 
Despite our up and down month in March we did get some good news.

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So that's Continental football secured for next season, just need to make sure we don't bottle the league as although we are still top its now all square on the games played front and our lead is down to 9 points with 7 games to go. Definitely can't afford too many slip ups!
 
Ralph2211 said:
I had fun in India, but we were losing a fortune despite winning everything and having wages at well below the permitted level. I would have liked to stay another season but I decided to jump ship before it sunk! Not that that worked out to well for me initially.

How did you get on?
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Very the same with your save but i got frustrated with the fact i couldn't sign any players that could actually kick a ball
 
KentClark said:
How are you finding it with Newell's so far? That's one country I've never had a go at...
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They were already one of the better teams. I'm actually enjoying Argentina as I can pick players up from Colombia, Peru etc for cheap and they can go into the team straight away. Also really good youth so can sell players on and replace internally. This is my first time in Argentina and might do another save just there after I've finished this one.
 
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April could be a pivotal month. We have four league games including a top of the table clash with Velez which if we were to win could confirm us as Champions, assuming we could pick up points against Argentionos Jrs and Lanus. We would round off the month at home to Estudiantes. Add to this our Copa Libertadores games both home and away with Cerro Porteno, who like ourselves are currently unbeaten in the group. Two wins here and we are pretty much through, but two defeats and we could be in trouble.

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We stared the month with a dominate show against Agentinos Jrs and 2-0 probably flattered them, we probably should have scored a couple more and had the game wrapped up earlier. It was more of the same against Lanus with plenty of chances created and wasted, but this time a 90th minute equaliser robbed us of all 3 points. Next up was the biggest game of the season and what can I say, we didn't show up! They were by far the better team and when their striker completed his hat-trick on 32 minutes it was all about not getting embarrassed. I'm now getting a bad feeling as the gap has now dropped to 6 points with 4 to play. Thankfully we managed to bounce back and get 3 points against Estudiantes meaning we finish the month 6 points clear at the top with 3 games to go. I'm still not confident that we aren't going to bottle it but at least with the final win of the month we are less likely!

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As mentioned we also had 2 Copa Libertadores games and if I was honest going into the first game I was a little bit nervous.

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Turns out I had no need to be nervous. I played a full strength team at home and we ripped through them and 6 could have been 9, as we had 27 shots and 12 on target, I just wish I had rested a few players for the Velez game, which as we know didn't go well. The return game we rotated a bit but still had a strong side out. I expected to win but for it to be a much tighter affair, however we picked up were we had left off and even better if anything scoring 7 goals from out 11 shots on target. Whilst we are not mathematically through I'd be very surprised if we didn't make the next round.
 
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We moved into May knowing that a win and a draw from our final 3 games would be enough to seal the title. We had bottom of the table All Boys, struggling Tigre and mid-table Belgrano to play so I was hopeful we could pick up the points that were required. We would also round off our Copa Libertadores group were 1 point was all that was required to progress. We would then finish the season with the 6th round of the Copa Argentina.

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The Tigre game went exactly as planned as thoroughly professional performance were they didn't even muster a shot. Things got better as at full time we learnt that Velez had only managed to draw their game meaning we were Champions with 2 games to spare. I then decided to play a few of our talented youngsters in the final 2 games of the season, and yeah we lost but a couple of the kids played well and they have done enough to convince me that they can step up and be back ups next season which will allow me to get rid of a few of the older higher earners who aren't first choice anymore.

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That left the final table looking like this:

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We also managed to set a new goal scoring record:

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So with qualification all but guaranteed I decided to rotate the team for the final two group games and we did ok, and the experience that the younger players are getting will only do them good.

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Two wins which were more comfortable that the scores suggest. If we had taken our chances it could have 3/4 in each game. Those two wins meant we topped the group, unbeaten and without conceding a goal, so I have to be pleased with that.

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So into the knockout rounds which take place during our off season, but we would turn our attention to the domestic cup first then I was heading home before coming back to face FLA in the 2nd round.

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The 6th round of the cup would be 2 weeks after the end of the season and was the last game before we would break for a week then back for Copa Libertadores. We had Argentinos Jrs and I was pretty confident going into the game, but still went full strength just to be sure.

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Two first half goals were enough to see us past an Argentinos team who in all honesty offered very little going forward and we moved comfortably into the next round.

With the season over I packed my bags and headed home. I had a week of catching up with family and friends planned, or roughly translated as a week on the beer. I had agreed to an interview with my local rag, it was going to be the local boy made good type thing, and I had arranged to do it the day before I left. I wasn't expecting the interview to be anything tough and I cetainly didn't expect one question to get under my skin just as much as it did. I was asked if it bothered me that I wasn't even in the conversation when people discussed the best N. Irish managers and that despite my success people didn't mention me in the same breathe as Michael O'Neill, Martin O'Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon. Now during the interview I played it cool and said I was happy with my career and said that they were all good managers etc, etc. But deep down I was thinking that I'm much better than all of them. Sure a couple of them had won trophies with Celtic, but my mum would win trophies if she was Celtic manager. I had League Titles, FA Cups, League Cups and Champions League winners medals. As I picked up the paper as I headed for the departure gate I got even more annoyed when I read the headline of the piece: The Best Northern Irish Manager You've Never Heard Of.

I was determined to change that!
 
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The entire flight back to Argentina I fumed! I don't know why it was getting to me so much but I mean Neil ****** Lennon! I had decided that I was going to get a job in Europe and show these "football fans" what I was made of. Just because Sky Sports and Gary Neville didn't talk about me didn't mean I wasn't any good. I would take over a team in Europe and win the ****** Champions League, see if Neil Lennon or Brendan Rodgers could do that, frauds that they are!

The minute I got back to my house I went straight onto the Sports recruitment site to see what was available. The only half decent job going was Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. They had just finished 10th a massive 40 points behind the winners Feyenoord so weren't going to be a team to set the world alight just yet, I applied anyway. I had played video games all my life and rage quit on many occasions, but I think this was the first time I had rage applied for anything!

Anyway a few days went by and I felt no better. The little journo, just out of college and still wet behind the ears had ****** me off and now I needed to show him and everyone else back home a thing or two. I attended the interview with Heerenveen and things had gone ok, though I got the impression that they didn't rate me that highly either, or maybe I was just being paranoid. Anyway a few days went by and I had began to calm a little when the phone call came. It was my agent and he had said Heerenveen wanted me, there were going to double my wages and give me a bit of cash to play with, but something didn't feel right, I didn't get the impression at the interview that they wanted me and the club didn't seem to fit with me so I turned the job down. I was still on the look out but was happy to continue with Newells for the minute.

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