February 2016: Falling Into The Trap

Complacency reared its ugly head

With the new year brought new found life and confidence in my Hermandad Gallega side and we went on a superb unbeaten run throughout both December and January. But towards the conclusion of the latter I could smell a little complacency in my squad's heads as we only narrowly scraped past teams we should've been belting. Could we overcome it?

February Results

Unfortunately, after a 1-1 stalemate at Metropolitanos FC, where we went ahead through Marcelo Borges' second minute strike, things began to slowly descend and confidence hit an all time low.

We didn't score for two consecutive games in defeats to firstly mid-table Margarita FC who we were dispatched 2-0 by. Following on from that we were put to the sword by Diamantes who exercised their greater strength over our newly-promoted squad.

The final game of the month was the real kick in the teeth for me. SC Guaraní were newly promoted alongside us and, in my short time as manager, I have assessed that the key to staying up is by being able to beat the teams you went up with. That way you know you're better than two other teams in the league and if you can beat them you can get morale boosted.

Unfortunately in this game our opponents, who share a stadium with us, displayed some quality football, and that complimented with us being in a rough patch and a low spot mentally. Reyes and Barrios added goals in the first half but we fell away and were consigned to defeat.

February Table

Twenty-nine games in and we now sit in 13th position with a comfortable and respectable 9-8-12 record thus far. Anzoategui B, who occupy the highest relegation spot, are nineteen points behind with eight games and twenty-four points on offer. Mathematically we're not safe but if we can put more points on the board we could ensure we survive.

February Player of the Month

A dreadful month and I can't think of a player worthy of this title in February. Complacency has obviously kicked in on the squad and I think this month can do more good than harm. It's a drop to reality and our heads are no longer in the clouds. If we can get a win then we know we can get back on track.

On The Training Ground

• Set pieces continue to be a fruitful source of goals
• Defensive Positioning for our upcoming game at Atletico Venezuela
• A team meeting to get our heads clear and recharge our batteries

Ugh, horrid month. Hopefully March you can kick on and start playing well towards the business end of the season.

A tough month but survival is a certainty at this stage. Time to focus on upgrading the squad while keeping a close eye on finances!

Feliks A strong finish is exactly what we need.
Justice Yeah, the finances aren't pretty but I'm still able to get what I need.

Well that was embarrassing. Bond, get it together...

The Chairman Game

12th May, 2015 - Valencia, Carabobo

Johan James sat in his plush leather chair that sat behind the simplistic white desk. On the desktop sat a black, slim laptop coupled by a grey lamp and an equally simple box of stationary. There were no pictures of family or pets, the Singaporean was strictly business and that was what had made him so successful at what he did.

All over his homeland, and in other money hotspots such as Monaco, Las Vegas and Macau James, 51, had made billions and billions of dollars, pounds, euros and much, much more. Recently he'd gone into the oil industry and in his time in Venezuela he'd discovered a tiny little club called Hermandad Gallega FC. He'd only just bought the club and was mulling over important decisions, such as whether James Bond would be allowed to continue in his role as manager.

To help with this he'd brought in someone from within the club to discuss it. The meeting had meant to start a couple of minutes ago and Johan James was not the most patient of men. He stared out the office window before hearing the sound of knocking on the door.

"Come in," he uttered in his monotone voice. The man who walked in was Venezuelan. Average height with a fairly dark complexion and short black hair. He was not the fittest of men and came in a rough shirt and pants, nothing fancy.

He sat down opposite the new chairman and waited for the Singaporean businessman to begin the conversation. He was not one for manners or sincere greetings: "Richard, I'm here to discuss James Bond," James announced.

"Originally I was not going to keep him around, I had my own ideas for a manager - but after promotion I'm thinking I've made a mistake. Care to share your thoughts with me?"

Richard Padilla swallowed. He was Bond's assistant manager and he thought he'd done a good job helping his English counterpart into the world of football management. However he couldn't hide the feelings of resentment he was now feeling towards the head honcho, after all - he'd taught him everything he knew, right?!

"I think you should keep him... for now. I mean, I've taught him most of what he knows. How about this..." Padilla continued. However Johan James interjected.

"I'm not sure I want to hear any plans, Mr. Padilla."

"Trust me on this one... er - Mr. James. How about... you keep Bond on. But if things turn sour I'll happily replace him... same wages and everything! It'd be the cheapest option and anything he could do I could most likely do better - what do you say?"

Johan James had to admit he wasn't ready to fling money about the place just yet - so this cheap 'get-out' option was a good one. First thing was first at Hermandad Gallega, the debts of Kelvin Mea Vitali had to be cleared. So Richard Padilla's offer was a satisfactory one.

"Alright," the casino-guru said in that same deep, husky yet emotionless voice. "If Bond fails you can step in - same wages, same bonuses. I think that's settled - you're free to leave."

Padilla hurriedly shuffled out of the extravagantly plain office which had a nice view of the Valencia skyline. As he exited the office he couldn't help but grin widely as he strolled to the elevator via a corridor. If all went to plan, he could well be the new manager of Hermandad Gallega FC.

A snake in your camp! Sack him to spite the chairman!

Manipulative bastard

Justice He's been gotten rid of, this is just his revenge
Feliks More like contriving, scheming, devious, Machiavellian bastard! Source: Thesaurus.com

March 2016: Suprising Recovery

Tactical changes meant we grabbed more points

Things weren't going to plan with the original 4-4-2/4-2-4 variant I was using so I felt tactical changes were needed ahead of our final month in order to avoid an incredible slump that would see us relegated when it seemed we were safe. Pushing one striker back into the midfield position to form a 4-5-1 that was a more conservative approach. How did it fare?

March Results

Our first match with this revised tactic was against Atlético Venezuela, a team firmly in the hunt for promotion after their relegation the season prior to this one. In third place they were heavy favourites and the odds were stacked against us. Dervis Barrera, who earned a spot in the starting lineup ahead of the departing Reyes, put us in front only six minutes in to the match and we held the lead until the first half ended.

Making a strong start to the second half was key and keeping our lead was the primary objective, not scoring another, which is exactly what Victor Archíla did to put us up two to the good!

A late goal meant the game was in the balance and we sat very deep to prevent conceding an equaliser. Our structure and sturdy defending meant we came through and picked up possibly the biggest three points of our season - all thanks to the tactical change!

Confidence was restored and in our next fixture versus Atlético El Vigia, Dervis Barrera adding his second in two games whereas Freddy Granados continued his prolific penalty record for our team hitting the winner in a close encounter but a good, solid win.

The next match is a clash I don't have much to add to. We were beaten on the day by a quite comprehensive Lotería del Tachira side who showed their greater class on the day and gave us a lesson.

To finish the month we faced up to Anzoátegui B, all but confined to relegation. The match held no significance but I knew we could win and for the fans, three points would be the perfect way to draw the curtains on March.

Fortunately for the fans, the players were on the same wavelength. Eduador Cañas really put the opponents to the sword, with two goals inside six minutes. Juan Malerba opened his Hermandad Gallega account twelve minutes later from a strong header. It was four before the half as Cañas added his hat trick.

The second half began in much the same tempo, winger Freddy Granados poking home a fifth before Ronald Villalba made a dreadful error from Archíla's cross to make it six when he fumbled it into his own net.

March League Table

--

No table, sorry

March Player of the Month

Freddy Granados scooped this month's grand prize of Player of the Month. He was at his industrious best on the left flank and also managed to pick up two goals. I think he's only missed one penalty in his time at the club, and scored about eight or nine, possibly double figures. A true Los Gallegos icon in my opinion.

Tactical Triumph

It seems the media also acknowledged my tactical shit and it's subsequent result. That was one of my best results as manager and it really put the confidence back in the boys ahead of some tough fixtures! Also, it seems I failed at my first attempt to gain a Continental C License, so I've decided to retake them.

Great work turning things around, now where are you on the table?.... oh wait

Your manager has a cigarette in his mouth. I mean, what sort of example is he setting for the youth players? Seriously?

And no, there is no hidden text this time.
3 wins out of 4 is quite good considering how your season has gone so far. See if you can tweak it some more and get your tactics ready for a promotion push next season!

Feliks don't give me shit
Arvind Bond is too cool to 'set examples'. And thank you, Arv.

There is no joke here.
You could say that James is fond of Bondage. You know, tying up things... like contracts.

2015-02-25 20:03#209006 Justice : There is no joke here.
You could say that James is fond of Bondage. You know, tying up things... like contracts.

Well, reading that joke was a waste of my time... even by your standards Justice, that was poor

Back to the story and a really good way to get on track again, Walt. Congratulations on your tactical master class too, although I am pretty disappointed that you failed to gain a Continental C License!