15 games. 8 wins. 5 draws. 2 losses. A very good return from my team, and as 3 draws and 1 loss came from the FA Cup and UEFA Cup, our return in the Premier League is even better. Particularly good results came against Tottenham, Shakhtar, Rangers, Aston Villa and Arsenal (even though it was a draw). We are out of the FA Cup unfortunately, but we are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup against Sampdoria! I firmly believe that our team can beat them, so hopefully the semi-finals beckon for us for the first time since God knows when! We only have the UEFA Cup and Premier League to worry about now, so the players can not complain from tiredness if I play them consistently these last few games. I played the reserve team in the FA Cup, and the second legs of Shakhtar and Rangers. I plan to rotate a little in our last games, against lower placed teams, but I will definately not turn into Rafa Benitez! Now onto the league table, here you are:
As you can see, we are still flying high in 5th position, and 2 games in hand on 4th means we should be able to get into that Champions League spot. Whether we shall stay there until the end of the season remains to be seen, but I am very hopeful. We at least will get into the UEFA Cup via the league for the first time in my career, which is always good. We are also in touching distance of Manchester City in 3rd place; if we win our game in hand we will be just 2 points behind them, with 8 games remaining. It certainly is a very exciting period for our team.
Now onto player ratings. Top scorer is still Marius Niculae, with 20 goals in 30 starts. Second place is Ashley Young with 13, and Jack Wilshere completes the top 3 with 11 goals. Top assister goes to Ashley Young with an impressive 18. Second place is Chris Burke with 13 and Georginio Wijnaldum comes 3rd with 10. Best ratings go to Ashley Young with 7.30, Antonio Barragan with 7.26 and Franco Zuculini with 7.22. Impressive scores all round, with Ashley Young again being our best player. We just can't do without the guy!
Anyway, that is it for this week, so I wish you all the best and thank you for reading. Comments appreciated!
Wow, congrats!
ReplyDeleteAshley Young is a beast for you!
I signed Zuculini also, but's he's injured, which is a shame...
I'd like to ask - have any international managers retired? In mine, just before season 3, it was said that Capello, Beenhaker, HIDDINK and the German one all said they're gonna retire - I hope I'll get approached!
Do you want to be an international manager again?
I believe you can get into the CL, by the way. 2 games in hand with 9 games left for you - it's doable!
Who are your last matches in teh Prem against?
Oh, and i'd love to see a screenshot of the Swan Team... If you'd be so nice ;)
LiamTheWelshman, thanks yeah Ash Young is turning out to be one of my best ever signings! Zuculini isn't actually that good at the beginning but he drastically improves around season 3/4. As for International managers, not many have, but Capello has just retired. And yes I would like to be an international manager again (although one with a goalkeeper!)
ReplyDeleteI also believed that I could get into the CL, but we had a very tough run-in, which you will find out in my next post.
As for Swansea, I will post it up when I can :)
Regards, Mike