Diary of a Football Manager

by **Cromarty** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:35 pm

Atkins Takes Charge At Canterbury
Canterbury United Dragons Chief Executive Nick Cross today announced that little-known Englishman Sam Atkins as the Christchurch club's manager. Atkins has little experience as a manager, but a lack of readily available candidates has forced the Dragons to look further afield, and Atkins was all too willing to take the role.

"Canterbury are a club that can achieve a lot, I think," the 25 year old stated at an impromptu press conference at Christchurch International Airport after a 31 hour flight. "The potential is there for the Dragons to become New Zealand's biggest club, but my immediate task is getting this club to where it belongs, up towards the top of the table."

When asked about whether he'd be keeping the out of contract Andy Pitman at the club, Atkins answered "Of course keeping Andy at the club is a priority, but that shouldn't come at the expense of the club's financial stability. Pitman has a role in my plans, but he has to sign a contract."

Atkins would later go on to say that "getting new players in is a key priority" but when asked about whether that included 19 year old free agent James Musa, Atkins merely no commented, and called the press conference to a close, and was whisked away by private car to his hotel.

Canterbury United occupy 6th place in the ASB Premiership, and face fellow strugglers Team Wellington in their next game.

OOC: I'll be telling the story of my tenure mostly like this, through news reports and after match reports. Currently Canterbury are currently 6th in the ASB Premiership, two places, and 5 points, off the play-offs, and a whopping 14 points off Waitakere United who are top. The good news? The midfield will need little to no strengthening, but a glance at the team report showcases just a little bit of the task facing me.

Next up? Can Sam Atkins get in the players he wants before the visit of 7th place Team Wellington, in a bottom of the table 6 pointer.

by **Cromarty** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:35 pm

James Musa signs for Canterbury
19 year old central defender James Musa has signed a 1 year deal with 6th placed club Canterbury United Dragons.

The Plymouth, England born defender made 3 appearances for Hyundai A-League side Wellington Phoenix last season, but was deemed surplus to requirements and released from his contract. Musa is said to be pleased to get straight back into football, and is likely to be selected for the upcoming Canterbury United-Team Wellington match.

Canterbury United vs Team Wellington
Sam Atkins lines up his team in a 4-5-1 formation, unable to field another striker due to Russell Kamo being the only one at the club. Team Wellington are without a win in 3 matches, and field a 4-4-2 formation.
1 Minute: Team Wellington kick us off here at English Park, as Shelbourne boss Alan Mathews is present in the stands.

9 Minutes: Glenn Collins brings the ball forward, switching play to Daniel Terris. Terris's cross comes in but is taken in the air by Team Wellington goalkeeper James McPeake. McPeake launches the ball forward to Jamie Duncan, who evades two tackles before finding Bryan Little, who's cross is stopped by Gareth Rowe's clearing header.

14 Minutes: Glenn Collins again bursts out of midfield, but his low shot is well saved by McPeake, who's been the busier of the two keepers so far.

28 Minutes: CORNER TO TEAM WELLINGTON: Duncan and Little again combine well, the latter being put through by a great ball down the left wing. Little switches play to Michael Fifii, who's cross is headed out of play. Captain Andrew Barron takes the corner, with center back Trent Watson meeting his cross with a powerful header just over after Canterbury keeper Chris Sinclair is stranded in no man's land.

39 Minutes: GOAL FOR CANTERBURY DRAGONS: It's Russel Kamo's first goal all season, and it comes after he intercepts Barron's poor pass and drives forward, firing in from just inside the box to make it 1-0, and mark the first goal of Atkins' reign.

45 Minutes: The half ends with end-to-end action, as first Kamo's shot is saved by McPeake and then Little tests Sinclair.

48 Minutes: Referee Chris Kerr reaches into his pocket for the first time, and issues a Yellow to Wellington's Andrew Barron after a foul Darren Overton.

53 Minutes: GOAL FOR TEAM WELLINGTON It's the substitute Andrew Abba who's made the difference, as he collects Watson's pass and beats both Rowe and new signing for Canterbury James Musa before teeing up Darren Cheriton to fire past the helpless Chris Sinclair. 1-1

55 Minutes: Almost an instand reply by Canterbury, as Kamo again goes close, latching onto Aaron Clapham's long ball forward, before beating Karl Whalen for pace, but his shot is parried by McPeake and Kamo fires the rebound over. The game is getting stretched now, and both teams look like they're tiring.

59 Minutes: CORNER TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: Kamo again goes close as he gets on the end of a Glenn Collins cross, forcing a good save out of McPeake. 19 year old James Musa outjumps Little at the corner, but his header is high and wide.

60 Minutes: Sam Atkins is obviously not happy at Canterbury's inability to convert their dominance into goals, making 3 subs. Overton, Ryan Faichnie and Chris Peck come off, and Jeremy Wild, Ben Harris and Dominic McGarr come on.

62 Minutes: GOAL FOR TEAM WELLINGTON: It's Captain Andrew Barron who plays in Luis Corrales following Peter Howe's run, and the striker fires his team ahead. 2-1 Wellington against the run of play.

69 Minutes: FREE KICK TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: Chris Kerr produces a yellow card for Team Wellington's Whalen, after he upends the impressive looking Kamo. Kamo's freekick is easily saved by McPeake.

75 Minutes: The games gone quiet, and the physios make a first appearance so far, helping Fifii off the field for treatment following a robust challenge from Jeremy Wild.

90 Minutes: Team Wellington are looking to make the game safe, with George Barbarouses coming on for Darren Cheriton.

90 Minutes +4: GOAL FOR CANTERBURY DRAGONS: And it's had the opposite effect! One of the star players of the game, Glenn Collins, breaks out of midfield, and fires a long shot into the top corner, out of reach of McPeake. It's 2-2, with less than a minute left!

90 Minutes +6 Chris Kerr brings the game to a close, with the score 2-2. Canterbury dominated for long periods, but in the end it took a late, late goal to save Sam Atkins from a defeat in his first game.

Match card says it all really. More shots, more possession, just couldn't convert that into goals, annoyingly. Work to do and more players to sign.

by **Cromarty** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:38 pm

Dragons Submit Offers To 4 Players

A source at English Park says that ASB Premiership side Canterbury United Dragons have offered contracts to four free agents, two New Zealand internationals among them.

The internationals are former Team Wellington and Hawkes Bay right midfielder Sam Jenkins and ex-NCAA All-American at the University of Louisville, Kentucky Phil Edginton (pictured), who stared in New Zealand's Under 20 World Cup Squad in 2007. The Dragons also submitted offers for Goalkeepers Michael Quirke, formerly of the English Championship's Coventry City, and Canadian Keenan Gracey, who was on Wigan Athletic's books for 3 seasons.

Talks with all four players are said to be 'at an advanced stage'.

Dragons Sign De Bono
Canterbury United have added to their forward options by signing 21-year old striker Michael De Bono.

The Australian joins from free agency on a 1 year contract, and adds desperately needed bite to a team that has scored just four goals all season. Manager Sam Atkins said De Bono had 'bags of potential'.

Dragons Add Another Striker

Just 24 hours after signing Michael De Bono, Canterbury United added a third striker to their growing squad as they announced that former Auckland youth player Mikhail Bredeveldt had joined the Christchurch based outfit.

Bredeveldt is half South African but the 21 year old has stated he'd only accept a call up from the All Whites at this time. Sam Atkins is said to delighted to have secured the young striker, and Canterbury fans could 'expect more signings in the coming days'. Canterbury have signed 5 players so far this season, all on free transfers.

by **Cromarty** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:31 am

Canterbury Unveil New Signings
Sam Atkins announced more signings for his Canterbury United Dragons team today - as he unveiled the capture of players.

Asanda Sishuba, Kaz Patafta, Michael Wilson, Ian Sandbrook, David Dugdale and Brook Tozer will all be plying their trade at English Park this season. 31-year old South African Sishuba is vastly experienced, and played for almost ten years in the Belgian Pro League with Royal Antwerp and K Sint-Truidense VV and solves the Dragons left midfield problems. 23 year old center midfielder Kaz Patafta holds triple nationality with Laos, Croatia and Australia, appearing twice as a youth for Oz. Formerly on the SL Benfica books, Kaz joined Melbourne Victory for £35,000 in 2007, but only found his feet the following year at Newcastle Jets.

Defensive minded Michael Wilson was last seen in the ASB Premiership in 2007, playing for Team Wellington, and the 7 times capped New Zealander was snapped up by Atkins after a short trial at English Park. 28 year old Sandbrook adds depth on the left and center of midfield, and the former YoungHeart player was signed from non-league Wairararapa after impressing in cup performances this season.

19 year old David Dugdale was Otago United's young player of the season in 2009 and the young forward, who can also play wide right, is tipped as a player with a bright future with Canterbury. Brook Tozer, formerly of YoungHeart, and the 19 year old is a similar prospect for the left midfield position.

These signings bring the total to 15 since Atkins was made manager a month ago, and showcase the club's ambition, according to a spokesman. Canterbury have also announced that Goalkeeper Tom Batty and left back Jeremy Wild have been placed on the transfer list.

Former Premier League Players Joins Canterbury Dragons

Canterbury United manager Sam Atkins celebrated his 17th and 18th signings with the biggest, bringing in center midfielder James Derbyshire from Miramar and former Manchester City and Cardiff City left midfielder Kelvin Ethuhu.

Derbyshire was released from his development deal at Manchester United in 2009 without making a single appearance, and joined Miramar in 2011 on a free transfer where he made 5 appearances. He is said to be looking forward to meeting up with his new teammates.

Kelvin never made an appearance for Man City, but he impressed on loan spells to Cardiff, Leicester and Rochdale. The 23 year old was released at the end of last season.

Waikato FC vs Canterbury United Dragons
Waikato line up in a classic 4-4-2, and are missing Sam Wilkinson through suspension, whilst Sean Dowling and Daniel Peat miss out through injury. Canterbury have a full squad and Dragons manager Sam Atkins has been linked to Blue Square Premier side Darlington. Michael Hester officiates.
1 Minute: Canterbury kick us off and go straight for the jugular, James Derbyshire going close from the edge of the box.

5 Minutes: GOAL TO WAIKATO: It's Steven Halloway's 6th goal in 8 games and it comes as Tom Lancaster splits open the Canterbury defence and Halloway pounces and puts it past Michael Quirke.

7 Minutes: CORNER TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: Derbyshire provides a pass and Kelvin Etuhu goes round Nick Corliss but Waikato goalkeeper Scott Robinson saves. Asanda Sishuba plays it in and James Musa heads it just over.

15 Minutes: James Derbyshire brings down Daniel Terris's header and plays it onto Aaron Clapham, who looks up and smashes it toward goal... and it hits the bar! Waikato get lucky and the ball's cleared.

18 Minutes: Michael Heston reaches into his pocket for the first time today and books Terris for a foul on Paul Stewart.

24 Minutes: Etuhu tests the keeper again, latching onto Patafta's through ball, but his shot is blocked easily by the keeper.

27 Minutes: GOAL RULED OUT FOR OFFSIDE: Waikato's Andrew Cocker gives away the ball on the edge of his own box with a terrible sideways pass, Patafta could strike it but instead passes to Ryan Faichnie who slots it home... only for the linesman to raise his flag and rule it out for offside! Replays later show it was the wrong decision, and the score remains 1-0.

28 Minutes: Steven Halloway is booked for a shove on central defender James Musa, and the home fans are looking nervous...

37 Minutes: GOAL TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: And they should be! Derbyshire passes square to Patafta who plays a first time pass to Etuhu, who beats Corliss with a great first touch and fires past Robinson from just inside the box... GOAL!

42 Minutes: FREE KICK TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: Lancaster brings down Patafta on the edge of the box and Canterbury wants a penalty! Referee Michael Heston disagrees and signals a free kick. Patafta steps up to take it... and it's no problem for Robinson who holds the ball.

45 Minutes: Heston calls the half to an end, and Canterbury have probably been the better side. Manager Sam Atkins makes his feelings on the disallowed goal clear to the officials as the teams head to the tunnel for halt time. Alex Barlow replaces Cocker during the interval and Sam Atkins brings on Sam Jenkins for Faichnie, who's played well but still recovering from a knock picked up against Team Wellington.

46 Minutes: Mikhail Munday intercepts a Phil Edginton throw-in heading for Etuhu... who trips the Waikato player and the referee books Canterbury's goal scorer.

47 Minutes: The half has started dirty, with James Musa booked for a foul on Halloway.

67 Minutes: Neither team has made much play in the last 20 minutes and Waikato bring on Joe Simpkins for Corliss in an attempt to change the games.

70 Minutes: Stewart pulls back Canterbury's Terris and the referee books him.

74 Minutes: Waikato use their last sub to bring off the below par Munday. Glen Fraser replaces him.

78 Minutes: Waikato's first chance of the half, and Halloway's header from David Samson's long free kick is easily held by Quirke.

79 Minutes: And from a save at one end to a save at the other! Quirke gives it short to Phil Edginton who sends a long ball up field. Kelvin Etuhu gets onto and, after shrugging off Samson's challenge and leaving the defender off his feet, has his shot saved by Robinson and Barlow clears...

80 Minutes: GOAL TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: But his clearance is brought down by Musa, and collected by Patafta who passes to Derbyshire. The former Manchester United man passes to Etuhu who sends Che Bunce one way and goes the other, firing past Robinson to make it 2-1!

82 Minutes: Canterbury are running rampant as Terris clears the ball to two-goals Etuhu and he puts South African Sishuba clear through... but Robinson saves!

83 Minutes: GOAL FOR CANTERBURY DRAGONS: And he promptly gives the ball away with a poor clearance that's taken by Aaron Clapham and passed onto Etuhu, who exchanges passes with Derbyshire before looking square to Patafta, and the midfielder waits... and plays Etuhu in with a great pass and the Nigerian gets his hatrick as he shoots low under Robinson's body and into the goal!

88 Minutes: CORNER TO CANTERBURY DRAGONS: It's almost 4 as Patafta sends Terris's throw-in square to Clapham who curls it from range and Robinson just keeps it out. Sishuba again takes the corner but Robinson saves Musa's header easily.

88 Minutes: Canterbury make two subs. Michael De Bono replaces hatrick hero Etuhu and Glenn Collins replaces the impressive Patafta.

90 Minutes +2: The referee blows for full time and Canterbury pick up an impressive win over the third places side in league! Neither team changes position, but Waikato lost ground on 2nd placed Auckland City, who's 2-0 win over Team Wellington puts them 3 points clear of Waikato. Canterbury are now 4 points clear of Team Wellington and just 5 off 4th placed YoungHeart, who they play after a trip to top side Waitakere United, who thrashed bottom team Otago 7-0.
Interesting game and great to see my new signings play well. Got a fit squad for the visit of Waitakere and hope to sign a few players to stiffen my defence before then.

by **Utopia FTW** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:29 am

This could be a long thread. I've had saves that last over 2 decades in game time. That's a lot of matches dawg!

ISideWith UK · by **Eastfield Lodge** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:33 am

First minute:
[qoute]Canterbury kick us off and go straight for the juggler, James Derbyshire going close from the edge of the box.[/quote]
What?

by **Utopia FTW** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:49 am

Eastfield Lodge wrote:First minute:
[qoute]Canterbury kick us off and go straight for the juggler, James Derbyshire going close from the edge of the box.

What?[/quote]

Woah! You actually read all that wall of text? Anyhow, a juggler is Someone who throws stuff up in the air and catches it again in a smooth flowing motion.
And in other news; "I'm the Juggernaut, bitch!"

by **Cromarty** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:22 am

Canterbury United Dragons v Waitakere United
Canterbury Dragons have won 1, drawn 1 since manager Sam Atkins arrived a month ago, and looked very impressive last time out against Waikato. Waitakere are top of the league, unbeaten, and goalkeeper Liam Little is unconceded in over 200 minutes of football. They are without Dan Robinson, Martin Bullock, Allan Pearce and Sean Lovemore, and opt to field a 4-4-2 formation. Sam Jenkins replaces Ryan Faichnie at wide right, the Dragons are otherwise unchanged and line up in a 4-3-2-1 formation.
1 Minute: Referee Michael Hester starts the game. He officiated Canterbury's last game, a 3-1 away win against Waikato, and has to reach into his pocket almost immediately, as Waitakere's Marko Carlovic upends Kaz Patafta and earns himself a booking.

8 Minutes: Aaron Clapham bares down on goal, before putting Sam Jenkins through, but Liam Little is equal to his chance.

10 Minutes: Benjamin Totori has 12 goals in 8 games, and he almost adds a ninth here, pouncing onto a loose ball after a Mario Karlovic cross is blocked by James Musa. Good save by Michael Quirke and the resulting corner comes to nothing.

12 Minutes: Totori battles with Phil Edginton and the Canterbury defender brings him down. Yellow card.

19 Minutes: GOAL FOR WAITAKERE UNITED: Tim Sarris sends a corner into the box, avoiding everybody as it loops towards the far post, and Jack Pelter beats Trent Watson to the ball and heads it in! 1-0 Waitakere.

27 Minutes: Totori is fed the ball in space, but disappoints with his long range shot that is easily saved.

29 Minutes: Celvin Etuhu picks up on a loose ball and beats Rowley dead. He races away to goal but Jack Pelter forces him out wide... and Etuhu has a go anyway! His shot is just over. First time Canterbury have looked really threatening.

32 Minutes: Totori brings down James Musa and receives a booking.

34 Minutes: GOAL FOR WAITAKERE UNITED: It's that man Totori and Waitakere are cruising! Sarris passes to the big man and Canterbury's defence just backs off him... so he goes on a 30 yard run and hits an unstoppable finish from range! Quirke gets a hand to it but can't keep it out. 2-0 Waitakere.

36 Minutes: GOAL FOR CANTERBURY DRAGONS: An immediate reply! Asanda Sishuba receives the ball after a dozen or so Canterbury passes that Waitakere's midfield gets nowhere near, and runs down the flank, putting in a square ball... that Etuhu fires home! 2-1 Waitakere.

43 Minutes: Etuhu goes round the defence but his shot is disappointing and it's an easy save for Little.

45 Minutes: Michael Heston brings an exciting half to an end, and Canterbury manager Sam Atkins has work to do at half time. Ryan Faichnie replaces Phil Edginton at left back, and is the only change at half time.

49 Minutes: Timothy Pilkington brings down Sishuba and the referee books him.

58 Minutes: It's been a quiet start to the second half, but Pilkington livens it up a little with a long range effort that goes wide.

60 Minutes: GOAL FOR CANTERBURY DRAGONS: It Etuhu again! Jason Rowley gives away the ball with a terrible pass that goes beyond Neil Emblen. Jenkins plays it back to Patafta and he looks up just as Etuhu wins himself some space. Patafta obliges his teammate and Etuhu beats the unlucky Rowley for pace and draws in two other defenders before firing in low past the keeper. 2-2!

62 Minutes: Etuhu chases down a pass and the ball deflects off his shin to Sishuba, who plas the Nigeria through and he wins a corner off the keeper. Canterbury look dangerous.

70 Minutes: FREE KICK TO WAITAKERE UNITED: Faichnie brings down Pilkington and gets a warning from the referee. Sarris steps up to take it and places right on Pelter's head. Save!

81 Minutes: Kaz Patafta comes off, he's replaced by Glenn Collins.

83 Minutes: James Derbyshire plays a lovely forward pass and Etuhu, who's troubled Waitakere's defence all game, heads towards goal, but Rowley deflects his shot and Little saves.

90 Minutes +3: The referee blows the final whistle. Canterbury's comeback keeps them in contention for the play-offs, they're still 5 points off 4th place. Waitakere's failure to win means they've dropped points for just the second time this season.

A surprising - and great - result, especially to come from 2-0 down. Looking forward to the YoungHearts game next week, they moved up to 3rd after beating Waikato 3-0.

by **Cromarty** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:23 am

Eastfield Lodge wrote:First minute:
Canterbury kick us off and go straight for the juggler, James Derbyshire going close from the edge of the box.

What?

Meant jugular >_>

by **Utopia FTW** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:18 am

you should sign Rooney

by **Serrland** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:50 am

Are work permits a bitch for foreign players? I don't know if NZ has a different system for getting permits, but if it won't be a problem, there always seem to be hordes of oldish (early to mid 30s) Australians in need of a good team.

How different is it starting with the season already underway? I've never done that before.

by **Cromarty** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:57 am

Serrland wrote:Are work permits a bitch for foreign players? I don't know if NZ has a different system for getting permits, but if it won't be a problem, there always seem to be hordes of oldish (early to mid 30s) Australians in need of a good team.

The guy who added the NZ leagues didn't really do a very good job (understandable given that the World Pack adds 40+ more nations but still), so I don't know if NZ has work permit stuff in reality... but it doesn't in the game.

How different is it starting with the season already underway? I've never done that before.

It helps you identify areas that need improvement more easily, and makes the story better.

by **Serrland** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:00 pm

edit: spoilered so it doesn't clog up your thread.

by **Utopia FTW** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:29 pm

Is there a FM Genie out for the latest FM? And a real time game editor?

Diary of a Football Manager

Diary of a Football Manager

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