Pro Vercelli - restoring former glories (mkII)

[Redhawk]

Pro Vercelli first choice eleven November 2010 (Varkevisser in goal)

August and September (C1B=Serie C1/B)

C1B 22nd - 2-0h vs Gubbio (Simkovic, Tokple)
C1B 29th - 0-0a vs Rimini
C1B 05th - 1-1h vs Virtus Lanciano (Boye)
C1B 12th - 1-0a vs Melfi (Anderson)
C1B 19th - 0-0h vs Valle del Giovenco
C1B 26th - 0-0a vs Spal

An excellent start to our Serie C1 campaign defensively, with just one goal conceded. Unfortunately we only scored four haha. I was fairly satisfied however, as we were creating plenty of chances. The draw away at strong Rimini (who have Federico Laurito on loan) was a good result, helped by a sending off, but the lack ogf goals was fustrating. Somehow we still sat 4th.


October (C1B=Serie C1/B LPC= Serie C Cup)

C1B 03rd - 3-2h vs Sorrento (Anderson 2, Lescure)
LPC 06th - 2-0h vs Foggia (Marinelli, Anderson)
C1B 10th - 2-3a vs Real Marcianise (Anderson, Boye)
C1B 17th - 3-0h vs Lecco (Anderson, Tokple, Simkovic)
C1B 24th - 1-1a vs Ternana (Pluim)
LPC 27th - 0-1a vs Valle del Giovenco
C1B 30th - 2-1a vs Viareggio (Anderson, Barrada)

A busy month, and Anderson got firing with 6 goals in 7 matches. Another error from Verkevisser almost cost us against Sorrento, but Anderson rescued us in injury-time. A gutsy performance agaist Real Marcianse (who have won their first 11 matches), followed by a good win against Lecco and a good result away at Ternana. Knocked out of the Serie C Cup in the Second Round after knocking out Foggia in the First, but not too bothered as it is not a priority and I fulfilled my board's minimum expectations. We sit 3rd in the league.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLu9DnldBWA"]YouTube- Varkevisser mistakes[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsNr4hAzNfU"]YouTube- Pro Vercelli 2-3 Real Marcianse[/ame]

 

[Deleted member 79730]

this is the best story ive ever followed formatwise nice job

 

[Redhawk]

Pro Vercelli first choice eleven January 2011 (Varkevisser in goal)

November (C1B=Serie C1/B)

C1B 07th - 4-0h vs Potenza (Marinelli 2, Anderson, Boye)
C1B 14th - 0-2a vs Cavese
C1B 21st - 1-0h vs Alto Adige (Tokple
C1B 28th - 2-2a vs Crotone (Tokple, Anderson)

A decent month, at least the goal-scoring problems seemed to be behind us. Marinelli was outstanding against Potenza, scoring a rare header, a beautiful volley and making another. It was Canavese last season and the simlar name struck again with a loss to Cavese. Our fellow promotees Alto Adige were up next and we played solidly for a win before coming abck from two goals down to draw away at Crotone. We were postioned in 3rd place, with Real Marcianise slowing down after storming away early on.


December (C1B=Serie C1/B)

C1B 05th - 2-0h vs Paganese (Anderson, Bettini)
C1B 12th - 1-0h vs Rimini (Barrada)
C1B 19th - 1-1a vs Pro Patria (Anderson)

A good month to set us up into the new year. Easy win against bottom Paganese, excellent win against strong Rimini and another good result away to a dangerous Pro Patria. We sit second now.

Earlier, back on the last day in August, I had sold Grancitelli for £40k and brought Vettori back in loan as cover for right-back. A new left back was joining us once January started,. Federico Rizzi was bought from Serie B side Mantova for £40k to replace the ageing Graff. Even though he had been putting in some good performances I felt Graff was right next to the cliff of drop-off in ability. Normally I would have allowed him to see his contract out to the end of the season as he had played well for us, but needs must and I sold him for £5k to Banfield to ease the wage bill too. Ferrato, a reserve player, was also on his way for £5k. I was almost splashing out as I signed Miguel Garcia too for £35k. An experienced midfielder, he adds depth and quality.


January (C1B=Serie C1/B)

C1B 09th - 1-0a vs Gubbio (Anderson)
C1B 16th - 3-0a vs Virtus Lanciano (Barrada, Tokple, Anderson)
C1B 23rd - 3-0h vs Melfi (Pluim, Lescure, Tokple)
C1B 30th - 0-0a vs Valle del Giovenco

A perfect month defensively, my keeper seems to have shaken off those early season mistakes thankfully. A month only slightly spoiled by the stalemate against Valle del Giovenco, although they are tricky to play away from home. My side feels like it's gaining momentum. We sit second but getting ever closer to the faltering Real Marcianise.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka04bNWViwk"]YouTube- Good goals. Nov-Jan 2011[/ame]

 

[Redhawk]

First choice eleven May 2011 (Varkevisser in goal)

February (C1B=Serie C1/B)

C1B 06th - 2-1h vs Spal (Pluim, Barrada)
C1B 13th - 1-1a vs Sorrento (Anderson)
C1B 20th - 3-0h vs Real Marcianise (Anderson 2, Lescure)
C1B 27th - 2-0h vs Ternana (Boye, Anderson)

A really good month, which saw us go top over early run-away leaders Real Marcianise, helped by a fantastic home win against them, and another against third placed Ternana. We did well to overcome Spal after an early amazing free-kick from Beto put us behind. Then we eventually rescued a point away at Sorrento before those two excellent wins. We sit top of the table now.


March (C1B=Serie C1/B)

C1B 06th - 3-0a vs Lecco (Simkovic 2, Tokple)
C1B 13th - 2-0h vs Viareggio (Tokple, Barrada)
C1B 20th - 1-2a vs Potenza (Bettini)

Just three matches and with the wins against Lecco and Viareggio it was four wins in a row with 10 goals for and none against extending out unbeaten run to 14 games. We came unstuck against Potenza however, after missing a few key players. We still sit top with five to play with closest rivals Real Marcianise still struggling.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qouT_HpYIgY"]YouTube- Simkovic Fluke[/ame]


April and May (C1B=Serie C1/B, 1SC= Serie C1 Super Cup)

C1B 10th - 2-1h vs Cavese (Simkovic 2, Tokple)
C1B 17th - 2-1h vs Crotone (Tokple, Barrada)
C1B 23rd - 1-1a vs Paganese (Bettini)
C1B 01st - 0-1a vs Alto Adige (Tokple, Barrada)
C1B 08th - 0-0h vs Pro Patria
1SC 15th - 2-3a vs Padova (Anderson, Barrada)
1SC 19th - 1-1h vs Padova (Anderson)

After a difficult last few fixtures we did it! We won Serie C1/B at our fist attempt and are into Serie B! We showed true champions ability against Cavese and Crotone before showing true inexperienced nervousness in the last three games. We managed to hang on and win the title however and I am mega chuffed. We didn't manage to win the Serie C1 Super Cup (C1/A winners play the C1/B winners) but it was a close fixture and could have gone either way and I didn't care that much to be honest. Another promotion!

 

[Jack Fulham]

Well done mate, two consecutive promotions on shoe string budget good luck in Serie's B, never done the Italian experience so can't recommend any players, I'm sure you have some targets though

 

[Redhawk]

Season: 20010/11
League: Italian Serie C1/B
Transfer Budget: approx £100k
Wage Budget: approx £23k
Board Expectations: Top half
Bookies Expectation: 5th favourites for promotion
Media Expectation: 7th
Your Expectations: Playoffs

League Record: Pos 1st, W 19, D 11, L 4, F 52, A 21, Pts 68 (promoted automatically)
Serie C Cup: 2nd Round
First XI: (4-3-2-1 wingers) Varkevisser, Gomes, Rizzi, Boye, Lescure, Marrone, Pluim, Barrada, Tokple, Simkovic, Anderson
Top Scorer: Anderson 20
Top Assister: Tomas Simkovic 13
Average Attendance: 3937
Fans Player Of The Year: Anderson
My Player Of The Year: Anderson
Notable Results: 2-3 Real Marcianise, 4-0 Potenza, 3-0 Lanciano, 3-0 Real Marcianise, 2-0 Ternana, 3-4agg Padova
Transfers In: 11 again in total, 6 fee transfers, 2 loans and £105k spent on three others. Gomes, Varkevisser and Marrone the significant signings.
Best Buy: Varkevisser - after two early season mistakes he was immense
Worst Buy: Arquinn - bought on a free but never delivered whenever he got his, admittedly few, chances.
Transfers Out: 13 left the club, bringing in £250k in total. Vitagliano and Cristini were the biggest departures.
Best Sale: £40k for Claudio Granciteeli, a useless full-back.


Season Reflection
At the beginning of the year, until around November time, I didn't feel the team was good enough to go up, I thought we were inconsistent and lacking in firepower, they eventually proved me wrong. I felt we needed another season to acclimatise but we want on a great run, dropping just 11 points between November and April, overhauling Real Marcianise, who had led by 11 points at one point, before slightly stumbling across the line.

The front three really gelled and with Marinelli playing indifferently, Simkovic turned out to be an excellent bit of business. Marrone supported the midfield duo of Pluim and Barrada well and Barrada in particular really drove the team on in some games.

At the back Lescure and Boye were fantastic from the word go, as was Gomes. Rizzi came in halfway through to replace the excellent but ageing Graff and fitted in quickly, and defence became the basis for our title in the end. Varkevisser brushed off his early season horrors and put in some fine performances.


Future Plans
Frankly, I think we were a little lucky to go up and very few members of my squad are suitable first-choice for Serie B, so a complete overhaul is necessary. The centre-backs, although having performed well, will probably be out of their depth, the midfield needs strengthening and although having been pretty good for us, I don't think Anderson can lead us forward and the wings need some work. Of course, I can't replace everyone, I just have to make do with what I can get.

 

[Redhawk]

1.7.2011
Mariano Stendardo and Olberdam join on Bosmans
Centre-back Stendardo has plenty of Serie B experience and goes straight in as first choice centre-back. Olberdam has plyed his trade for Maritimo at the top level of Protguese football for the last few years. He also goes in as a first-choice midfielder. Fresi, Corallo and Esposito were all released at the end of their contracts, as they are not up to scratch at this level.




4.7.2011
Eric Lichaj joins on a free
Right-back Lichaj was signed strictly as a cheap back-up to Mike Gomes.


5.7.2011
Nicolo Cherubin joins for £600k from Salernitana
Over-priced but the best centre-back I could get to partner Stendardo. He can also play left- and right-back, adding plenty of flexibilty. The fee is spread over 48 months so financial impact is minimal. It also weakens a fellow Serie B team.




7.7.2011
Suso joines for £100k from Hearts
The best right-winger I could find for us. He comes with a little bit of a reputation so care is needed with
him. He's certainly an improvement over Tokple.




9.7.2011
Marek Strestik and Fikru join on Bosmans
I had to pay compensation for these two (£60k and £55k respectively), but it was fairly minimal and Fikru in particular is a big step up I feel. Strestik has awesome pace and will compete with Simkovic for the left-wing spot.Fikru is possibly the best Ethiopian footballer to walk this earth haha. That was my one and only non-EU signing gone though.




13.7.2011
Yoann Arquinn leaves to join Cisco for £60k
He never really settled in despite his potential, and he certainly isn;t good enough for Serie B so I looked to sell.


15.7.2011
Anderson joins Ancona for £475k
A surprising transfer, even for me, especially as he has scored 47 goals over the last two seasons. I just feel he isn't quite of the necessary quality to lead the line in Serie B. And as I got Fikru and Sforzini, both theoretical improvements, for less than I sold Anderson for, it represented good business.


25.7.2011
Ferdinando Sforzini joins from Cremonese for £350k
Quite a bit of money spent again, but value for money this time. Experienced and Italian, importantly, he is a great option up front against Fikru. One is bound to perform surely? Once again, the fee was paid in monthly instalments, 12 this time, to ease the finances. And that concluded my incoming transfer dealings. I got them over with early this season.




1.8.2011
Bettini leaves for free to Giacomense
A surprising lack of suitors for Bettini meant I let him got for free with a sell-on clause. Not good enough for Serie B, barely good enough for C1.

 

[Redhawk]

First choice eleven January 2012 (Varkevisser in goal)

August & September(SB=Serie B, CI=Coppa Italia)

CI 10th - 1-0h vs Portosummaga (Tokple)
CI 13th - 1-3a vs Mantova (Fikru)
SB 20th - 3-1h vs Albinoleffe (Olberdam, Fikru 2)
SB 29th - 0-2a vs Empoli
SB10th - 0-0a vs Piacenza
SB 14th - 1-0h vs Ascoli (Fikru)
SB 17th - 1-1h vs Taranto (Suso)
SB 20th - 1-2a vs Ancona (Boye)
SB 24th - 2-1h vs Cesena (Sforzini, Barrada)

Not the greatest beginning to the season in the cup, needing extra time to beat C1 side Portosummaga and then playing Serie A team Mantova away from home just three days later. But the league start has been generally good. I expected to struggle a lot more than we have but we sit 8th at the moment, having been predicted to finish second bottom.

The Albinoleffe fixture to kick off out league campaign was a godsend. A home game against a decent but eminently beatable side? Yes please I would have told the fixture computer, and the win sets our confidence up well for the campaign, instead of playing catch up from the very beginning. The defeat away to Empoli was to be expected, but a little disappointed by the draw at home to Taranto and the defeat to Ancona who I had sold Anderson to. And of course, Anderson had to score his first goal in seven appearances for them against us, should have seen that one coming. Our away form is a little concern and I may have to adjust the tactics slightly.


October (SB=Serie B)

SB 01st - 1-1a vs Lecce (Barrada)
SB 08th - 1-1h vs Parma (Sforzini)
SB 15th - 1-2a vs Cagliari (Fikru)
SB 22nd - 4-1h vs Salernitana (De Gregorio og, Fikru, Suso, Marinelli)
SB 29th -2-1a vs Sassuolo (Marinelli, Suso)

A tough month but one that we came out of very well, with two wins, two draws and a defeat. Lecce, Parma and Cagliari are all recent Serie A sides, Salernitana not too long since were and Sassuolo have the best keeper in the league, so I was delighted with our performances. We got our first away win of the season, but not had a clean sheet since the middle of September. Sat 7th in the table.


November & December (SB=Serie B)

SB 05th - 0-4a vs Frosinone
SB 12th -1-2h vs Modena (Barrada)
SB 21st - 2-1a vs Bari (Barrada, Olberdam)
SB 25th - 3-1h vs Padova (Fikru 2, Olberdam)
SB 03rd - 1-1h vs Triestina (Sforzini)
SB 10th - 4-2a vs Chievo (Suso, Vallati og, Sforzini, Olberdam)
SB 17th - 2-4a vs Grosseto (Sforzini, Barrada)
SB 21st - 2-2h vs Vicenza (Sforzini, Olberdam)

Well it wasn't a boring couple of months, that's for sure! We lurched between sublime and ridiculous but eventually came out with decent results. I thought our opening few months were too good to be true and we got a rude awakening away to Frosinone with an appalling display despite our keeper performing really well. This clearly shook our confidence and we promptly lost our unbeaten home record to Modena with a poor display.

Then we bounced back in brilliant style away to Bari - one of the strongest teams in the league on paper. We followed it up with a home win Padova who beat us in the season-ending Serie C1 Super Cup last year. Then a slightly disappointing but fair result against Triestina and a manic end-to-end game against Chievo. They have some big names but we tore them apart at the back and stayed relatively strong ourselves against their barrage. Highlights below. Of course, as is the nature with over-achieving teams like ourselves, we capitulated against Grosseto, with Varkevisser, our keeper, having an absolute nightmare with two mistakes. Again individual mistakes cost us, with throwing away a two goal lead at home to Vicenza. Fikru gained a serious injury at the end of November and I was worried Sforzini wouldn't be able to compensate after some lacklustre displays but he has scored four in the last four, including a screamer against Grosseto, shown below also.

We sit 8th in the league but I feel more consistent performers needed to be brought in and I've managed to find a few, to add some all-round class and experience. We also haven't kept a clean sheet for 16 games and that is a worry. Hopefully these reinforcements will rectify that a little. Some players have had to leave as a result.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKcc2kZ4YM"]YouTube- Sforzini strike[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTz2r2qtd98"]YouTube- Chievo 2-4 Pro Vercelli[/ame]

 

[Redhawk]

Winter Transfers

I signed Angel and Claudio Lustenberger on free transfers to bolster my midfield and defence just before January. Fedrico Carraro was brought in on loan from Fiornetina to add depth to my attack after the injuries that seem to have beset Fikru almost constantly. I spent some money (shock) on a 20 year old midfielder from Barcelona - Thiago. He could prove a real prospect. Or he could flop. Either way, at a £450k, a little bit of a risk, even if that money was spread over four years. In the wake of Angel and Thiago's arrivals, Pluim and Miguel were sold for £100k and £50k respectively, while Francesco Franco my homegrown left-back prospect left to gain experience on loan at Monza.

First choice eleven January 2012 (Varkevisser in goal)

January & February (SB=Serie B)

SB 03rd - 1-0a vs Ternana (Sforzini)
SB 07th - 1-1a vs Albinoleffe (Sforzini)
SB 14th - 1-4h vs Empoli (Simkovic)
SB 21st - 1-2a vs Ascoli (Sforzini)
SB 28th - 0-1h vs Piacenza
SB 04th - 1-3a vs Taranto (Barrada)
SB 11th - 4-1h vs Ancona (Barrada 3, Fikru)
SB 18th - 0-0a vs Cesena
SB 25th - 3-1h vs Lecce (Barrada 2, Olberdam)

After kicking off after the winter break with two good results we get taught an absolute lesson by runaway leaders Empoli and their on-loan Juventus wonderkid Marco Verratti. This seemed to shatter our confidence an despite playing farily well in the next three matches we lost them all due to silly mistakes and profligacy. I just couldn't seem to stop the rot but then Barrada pulled out a mammoth performance against Ancona (Anderson's club), with a hat-trick dragging us out of our poor results. We played well against Cesean but couldn't quite get past their keeper before an excellent home result aginst Lecce, with Barrada starring again.

He's jumped to top scorer in the team and I have been really surprised by the Moroccan. I saw him as weaker than Wiljan Pluim once we got promoted to B, but it was the Dutchman that was sold to make way for Thiago. He just seems to have the knack of appearing in the right place at the right time and all too often drives the team on by himself despite his average attributes.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCEhJr3XE0E"]YouTube- Barrada hat-trick v Ancona[/ame]

March (SB=Serie B)

SB 03rd - 0-2a vs Parma
SB 12th - 3-1h vs Cagliari (Suso, Stendardo, Barrada)
SB 17th - 2-1a vs Salernitana (Olberdam, Carraro)
SB 20th - 1-0h vs Sassuolo (Sforzini)
SB 24th - 0-2h vs Frosinone
SB 31st - 1-1a vs Modena (Marinelli)

An expected loss versus Parma, followed by a great win against Cagliari. Two more good wins followed before an abject display against Frosinone where we just didn;t turn up at all. We earned a deserved draw vs Modena. Still firmly in the lower zone of the top half of the table. Fikru is out for most of the rest of the season with a groin tear, so we may begin to struggle for goals as, aside from his winter spate of strikes, Sforzini has struggled. I don't know how long my midfield can keep contributing.


April & May (SB=Serie B)

SB 07th - 0-1h vs Bari
SB 10th -1-2a vs Padova (Sforzini)
SB 14th - 0-1h vs Chievo
SB 28th - 2-0h vs Grosseto (Thiago, Angel)
SB 05th - 0-3a vs Vicenza
SB 19th - 2-1a vs Triestina (Fikru, Lustenberger)
SB 26th - 3-1h vs Ternana (Thiago, Carraro, Suso)

April started horribly, extending our winless streak to five games, with just 1 point of 15 earned. We hit back with what would have been an expected result against Grosseto, but our wretched form meant that I simply breathed a sigh of relief. Then a compltely undesrved loss to Vicenza, we were possibly the bestter team, how we lost 3-0 still has me scratching my head. We showed great resilience away to Triestina and a good win against Ternana rounded off our first season in Serie B with us finishing a very satisfactory 9th, considering we were predicted 21st! And to think a win here and there during those two bad runs would have seen us in the playoffs......

 

[biancazzurri]

I play with Pro Vercelli now, actually I played with them even in fm 2007. Now it is 2017 and I hold 1st place in Serie A after 5 games, very challenging to play with them.
Promoted from c2 in first season
Promoted from c1 the second season
In B I was for 3 seasons and promoted from 3red place with playoff
battled from relegation for 3 years and after that the money started to flow from TV, 50M from TV in last season

I got new stadium 25K instead that crappy 12K stadium

 

[Mirko-Macedonia]

J'm playing with Spezia!!!