The retirement of Alex Taylor

mgriff Tried not be active as people wanted our players. Hopefully would be embarrassing

For this game it was almost the longest drive they had with a one hour forty five minute drive to the Genk stadium.



Thee deep lying 4-2-3-1 meant that Alex guessed Genk were going to play on the counter and Brugge would have to play on the front foot to get ahead.

The game was very open and Genk pressed forwards until Brugge won the ball back and countered after 14 minutes. It failed and gave the ball back to Genk who launched another attack. Uronen played the ball up to Karelis at the half way line to start the move. He played the ball wide to Tshminga who then lobbed the ball path of Kebano who was in between the two centre backs. He played the ball across to Karelis again and he passed to Bailey who slipped in Kebano. His low first time finish was pushed away by Butelle and went out for a corner.

After 25 minutes Tshimnga took a throw in in the Brugge half. Meuneir intercepted a pass from Buyens to win the ball for Brugge. He passed to Martins who played the ball wide to Gedoz. He gave the ball to Vanaken who played the ball to Izquierdo on the other wing. He cut inside and he passed the ball back outside to Gedoz. He sprinted past his man and whipped in a cross. Just after the bounce Vossen got his foot on the ball and poked the ball inside at the near post and put Brugge ahead. It was an open game and Alex was pleased to see his side get ahead.

After 28 minutes Uronen stood over a free kick out wide and just in the Brugge half. He launched the ball into the box and it was headed out and Izquierdo ran onto the ball. He ran the ball out and played the ball wide to Gedoz. He ran down the wing and then cut back after 30 yards to pass to Vormer. He played the ball up to Vossen on the edge of the box. He played the ball to the side for Izquierdo who was unmarked. His low shot beat the keeper and hit the post. The rebound was cleared away and Alex hoped he wouldn’t regret the missed chance.

After that the game descended into a foul fest and 7 players went into the half on a booking, 3 for Brugge and 4 for KRC Genk. Alex told his team to play smart protect the lead and try to play on the counter.

After 52 minutes Genk attacked down the right side. The ball was played inside to Kumordzi who played the ball up to Kebano, he turned and played in Tshimanga. His shot was pushed away by Butelle and the rebound was blocked Meunier to stop a goal. The loose ball was hit away to end the chance.

13 minutes and another booking for KRC Genk later they were on the attack. Thsminga got the ball in the Brugge defensive third and played it up to Kebano who tripped but was still able to play the ball to up to Karelis. He ran past Denswil and fired a cross just in front of goal. With Thsminga waiting for a tap in only for Butelle to dive out of his goal and palm the ball away. Martins fired the ball away to end the chance.

Genk picked up booking number six as the 70th minute came and Butelle hit a goal kick long. Vossen lost out on the header but, Brugge won the second ball and stroked it around midfield. Martins played the ball wide to Gedoz who played a 1-2 with Vormer to advance up the wing. He then got tackled and Genk launched a counter, the ball was played up to Samatta who played a great pass up to Karelis to play him in. He took the shot on his left foot just inside the box and it headed straight for the corner… flag only just going out for a goal kick.

Genk managed to pick up yellow card number 7 before Butelle hit a goal kick long in the 91st minute. After some head tennis a long ball forward was over hit and the ball got back to Butelle. He launched the ball long and Uronen shoved a hand out and needlessly handled the ball. He got Genk’s eighth yellow card and his second and he saw a late needless red card.



Alex was pleased the snuck a win they probably didn’t deserve but, one good finish and some good defending and great goal keeping saw them claim the win and three points.



Alex also felt that the description of the refereeing was fair as he had shown a lot of bookings to Genk players that weren’t definite one’s and let Brugge players off, not that he would complain.



The result saw Brugge leap frog Lokeren and go into second place only a point behind Club Brugge. At the other end Westerlo had to get their act together if they wanted to avoid the drop.

It was the Monday night after the Brugge game and Alex was shoving some cleats in his bag before heading out to his car.

He had only just come in from helping at Jake’s football training and was heading out to play in his five a side league. A neighbor called him asking to join in an emergency and Alex had been playing with them for the past few weeks and unsurprisingly he was the star player up front, his fitness was a huge advantage and with his skill and ability he was by far the best player although he did try to avoid being to selfish.

The team did some warming up to get ready for the game against their two biggest rivals in the league #YOLO Toure and the team name was enough for Alex to want to smash them in the game. Alex’s side had an average age in the mid thirties while as the name would have you guess their opponents were about a decade younger which could play a part in the forty minute match.

Alex’s team, Number 5 as the rest of the team were accountants and therefore unimaginative, kicked off and within a minute Alex nutmegged his defender and then poked a low finish in past the keeper to put his side ahead.

Soon after a powerful drive beat the Number5 back up keeper, the main one was in China on business, and the team was level.

Alex was getting annoyed by the physical nature of #YOLOToure so decided to try and embarrass them. He picked up the ball and feinted one way before backheeling the ball through the open legs of the defender and turning to run onto it, the next defender had his legs tight to avoid the same fate and Alex just ran right past him. He then passed the ball through another players legs before getting the ball back again. With the keeper coming out Alex faked a shot that sat the keeper down and then chipped the ball over him to put his team back in front. While he was pleased with the goal he did feel as though he was being a tad selfish and should have passed some more.

He got his team mates involved more and the teams went in at half time level at 4 all. Alex while not technically the captain gave the half time team talk as he had some experience in doing it. He tried to inspire the team and hoped they could win it. He would like to say he was playing for fun, he did enjoy it but he was incredibly competitive and wanted to win anything he did and especially football.

He grabbed a second half hat trick and got two assists as Number 5 recorded a 9-7 win over #YOLOToure. Alex was pleased with the win and the team all went to a nearby bar after to celebrate. Alex decided to just drink and get a taxi back as everyone else seemed to have the same plan.

Some beer and vodka later the team were getting quite drunk and Alex was learning that accountants weren’t all dull. It was an enjoyable night and Alex returned home in a jolly state before heading to bed.

The next morning, he wasn’t as pleased with the night before but, the fresh air of training helped as the team prepared for Red Star in the Europa League. One thing that brightened Alex’s day was that Luciano would be able to take a place on the bench for the game and come on if needed.

It was just over a two hour flight from Brussels to Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade. The team spent the night there and killed a day before heading to the stadium. An intense flare heavy reception awaited them.



Alex went for Dion Cools at right back and Thiago Ribeiro up front. He felt it was an atmosphere Ribeiro would be more used to and Meunier was quite tired so Alex put Cools on in his place. Red Star were a threat but, Alex hoped they could break them down and claim the win.

Just over a minute in and the Red Star keeper hit a ball long. They brought the ball down and Zdjelar passed it to Hugo up front. He played the ball to Sjrnc in space and he burst into the box. Cools tried to make a tackle but, missed the ball. Alex had no complaints as the ref pointed to the spot. Left back Ibanez stepped up. He hit his penalty hard and low into the bottom corner, even though he guessed right Butelle had no chance and Brugge were behind early.

After 5 minutes Ibanez was over a corner and whipped a ball into the Brugge box. Jovanovic rose the highest and his header was going just wide until Hugo got up from close range and flicked the ball. It smacked into the post but, didn’t matter as he was offside.

Gedoz hit a corner into the near post after 36 minutes. Denswil rose highest and powered a header just wide to the relief of the diving goal keeper.

It was a cagey game that went into half time, Red Star had a narrow lead and neither team had posed much of a threat outside of set pieces. He also decided to throw on Luciano, who had fully passed his fitness test and was fit to play.

After 56 minutes Red Star launched a slow passing attack. Ibanez got the ball wide to Srnic the ball was played back inside to Plavsic he played it up to Hugo, he turned and played the ball wide to Ibanez who headed the ball up to Srnic. He passed to Plavsic who was wide open in the ball, he ran to the goal line and cut the ball back to Hugo who had a tap in. He hit the ball on target and somehow Butelle was able to fling himself across goal and block the shot. De Bock smashed the rebound away for a corner that came to nothing.

After 60 minutes with Brugge struggling to create anything Alex decided to go for a 3-4-3 formation they had been working on to try and rescue a point or even nab a win. Denswil and Jelle Vossen came on at the expense of his left and right back as Alex chased a goal.

Gedoz stood over a corner after 72 minutes and whipped it into the box. Jovanovic got up but, he mistimed his jump and the ball sailed over his head. Engels rose behind him and stretched all of his 6’4 to reach the ball and head it goalwards. It went perfectly between the man on the line and the goalkeeper to get the game level. Engels was a frequent scorer for a centre back and Alex was thrilled with his most recent goal.

From kickoff Brugge won the ball back and got it wide to Gedoz. He tried to get past Donald, the ball hit him and Gedoz turned to win the ball back and Donald lunged at the back of his legs with both feet. The referee instantly sent him off and made 40,000 plus enemies but, it was the right call.

After 78 minutes a corner was whipped in, Engels rose highest to head the ball away and Luciano ran onto it. He played a ball up to Ribeiro in the Red Star half, he played the ball up to Vossen 30 yards out and in some room. He tried to play the ball across to Ribeiro but a defender intercepted it. Gedoz slid in to win the ball back in the 18 yard box. The ball fell kindly for Red Star though and they cleared it away. The ball was won back in midfield and played wide to Izquierdo. He slipped in Vossen at a tight angle and he smashed a low shot towards the far post. Kahriman got down quickly and used his feet to block the shot and the rebound was hammered away.

After 83 minutes a long hopeful ball was hit up and bounced around until Ibanez was able to half clear the ball to Mechele, who was playing more as a left wing back. He played the ball inside to Santamaria who played it back outside to Gedoz. He played the ball back inside to Vanaken who lobbed a defender to pass the ball back to Gedoz. He hit a corss/shot across to the back post it rolled wide of the target to Vossen at a tight angle. He pulled the ball bback across goal and Luciano tapped in a header to put Brugge back in front and provoke delirium in the small away stand. He was mobbed by his teammates celebrating and when he did his pistol celebration a few flares were let off in his direction.

Alex’s side saw the win out and claimed three points to start of the Europa League group stage. The tactical change paid off and Alex was pleased his gamble paid off.



Roma also won their game 4-1 over Legia to go top of the group after 1 match.

Well done to come from behind against Red Star!

Alex still has it then! Oh and he isn't a half bad manager either good job mate

BeanyUnited Thanks, good win just have to build on it

TheLFCFan He sure does, can cut it up against amateurs in five a side. Like to think he is more than half decent Cheers

Alex decided to take his family out to eat in Brugge and then go and see a film. Through someone that Roel knew, which seemed to be everyone who had ever existed, Alex had been able to get a table at the exclusive Park Restaurant it was right on the main canal in Brugge with a stunning view from the table at the balcony. Alex had got it from Roel who said the owners were a huge Club Brugge fan so Alex may have to talk to him but, for the view it was worth it.



It was a stunning view and the food was just as good. The owner’s were two brothers bot of whom were huge fans of Club Brugge. They also offered the restaurant free to Brugge if they ended the season with silverware which was all the motivation Alex needed to try and win something, along with professional pride. Everything about the place was great and Alex wanted to spend the rest of his life there.

With the film there were going to watch starting soon Alex paid the steep bill and they walked to the cinema to the fifth installment of the Ice Age franchise. The kids loved all of them and Alex and Rachael felt that they were alright.

They had found a rare showing in English which made it more enjoyable and they all had a good time before heading back to Beernam.



The next morning Alex was up early to head into his office to do some last minute work before he would head to the stadium for the game against RMP. Ebert knocked on his door and Alex beckoned him in.

Alex almost said the first line for him. “I want to play more football. I think I am good enough.”

Alex decided to be diplomatic. “You are of a similar level to Izquierdo and Gedoz however, currently they are in great form while yours had been a bit patchy. If you were in great form you wouldn’t want me to bench you, I will put you on a bit more if I can but I can’t make any promises as Gedoz and Izquierdo have been on fire and their goals and assists have won us a number of games so far this season.”

To his credit Ebert didn’t deny any of what Alex said. “Fair enough boss. I will work hard and try to perform as well as I can in any game time I could get.”

Well done on dealing with yet another player

BeanyUnited Thanks, Alex does seem to be getting a lot of complaints though

The only big change Alex made was Ebert coming in for Gedoz who was tired after playing in a long run of games. He was worried about Maciel and Olinga on the RMP wings so had put Meunier back into the first team to help deal with it. Luciano also went back into the starting 11.

Brugge launched a counter attack after 28 minutes, Denswil surging forward form the back with the ball. He played it square to Vanaken who was taken down by Maciel for a free kick out wide 30 yards form goal. Alex’s protests for a booking were ignored. Ebert stood over the ball and whipped in a great cross. Mechele got the step on his man and rose up 10 yards out, to head the ball. It was a high looping header that gave the keeper time to react but, it was perfectly placed and dropped into the top corner. A good header and Brugge were a goal up.

After 38 minutes RMP launched a quick passing attack to the Brugge goal. Brugge kept their shape well and RMP hit it long after becoming frustrated, Denswil won the header and passed the ball to Martins who played it back to Simons. He played the ball wide and it ended up with Meunier. He skinned a defender and played the ball inside to Martins. He hit a perfect pass into Meunier’s run and he had the ball in space. He picked out Luciano in the box and he had time to chest the ball down before smashing a shot on target. The keeper got a hand to it but, was unable to save it and Luciano celebrated his third goal in as many games.

At half time Alex told his side to be professional and try to kill the game off.

On the hour sub Gedoz won a free kick and stood over it. He hit a great ball in behind the defence and Martins got it toe on it. The keeper was in the right place to block it and got an arm to it. The rebound fell into the mass of players and in the end was booted away.

In the end it was an easy enough win and the score line was fair. Alex was pleased with a good professional win.



The result saw Brugge claim top spot as AA Gent faltered, they would play each other in two weeks in what would be an important game for both teams.



Note There will be no non match update next as after the next game there will be two in a row due to lots of drama

Alex changed a lot of his team ahead of the cup tie with Royal Union where they had bought home advantage, which still seemed odd to Alex.



Just before kick off Alex realised that he had no idea what happened if the game ended in a draw. He asked Philippe who said it was extra time and then penalties, Alex liked that they wouldn’t face an extra game if they failed to win.

Alex was concerned by the lack of chances as the game headed into the 35th minute. Then Union got a throw in deep in the Brugge half, Aguemon recvied the ball and turned. He was able to sneak in a cross and the ball fell perfectly for Zitte and he blasted the ball past Butelle who had no chance of stopping it.

Alex told his team to shake it up at half time and they had to win. Alex pulled off Simons and Silva as Izquierdo came on along with Ribeiro as Alex went for a 4-4-2 to try and get the goals they needed.

Alex watched on in growing concern as the clock continued to tick. 50, 55, 60, 65 all came and went. He shoved on Vossen for McAuley for a 3-4-3 to try and grab a goal. Just before the 70th minute Engels won the ball back from a long kick. Santamaria hit the ball wide with a backheel to Izquierdo. He played it back inside to Fejsa, he hit the ball long to Meunier, he hit in a low first time finish and Vossen smacked the ball low and hard into the bottom corner past the keeper and in to level the game.

Soon after the ball was played up to Fejsa out of nothing and Alex saw a good pass wide to Meunier. Instead Fejsa pulled the trigger from 30 yards out and his shot looked great, Alex thought it was in and was distraught when the ball smacked off the post.

Alex watched on in growing desperation as the clock continued to run down and extra time was looking more and more likely. Just before the ninety minutes were up Union hit a goal kick long. Izquierdo won the header and the ball went to Santamaria. The ball was played over to Fejsa who returned it to Santamaria. Some head tennis took place just outside the Union box, Ribeiro flicked the ball into the box. Vossen reacted quickly to half volley a shot on target, it was saved but, Vossen buried the rebound to put Brugge in front right at the death of the game.

After the final whistle went Alex was incredibly relieved that they had got the win. He tore into his team for failing to win the game in a more comfortable manner and a more performance where it could easily be argued that they didn’t deserve to get into the next round of the cup.



Alex’s side weren’t the only team to struggle to get into the next round. Anderlecht had to go to extra time and penalties to sneak into the next round while AA Gent were knocked out of the competition by Brugge’s city rivals Cercle Brugge from the second division.

May have been a lot tighter than it really should have been, but you are still through to the next round at the top of the table! So a good few updates all in all

BeanyUnited Cheers, pleased to start the group off with a win always a bonus

Alex was listening to the radio and looking over a scout report when he got a call from Philippe, a couple of players wanted to speak to him about something and Alex told him to send them up and waited to see who was going to be talking to him.



Laurens De Bock and Mustafa Saymack came into the office and Alex waited to see what they wanted. He was confused as to what they both wanted with him given that as far as he saw they didn’t seem to be all that close with each other. Mustafa seemed to be following De Bock and turned to him indicating to him to talk. “We aren’t happy with the team talk that you gave after the Union game, we won the match and you still ripped into the team. We are into the next round so I think you are over complaining.”



Alex was shocked by the comments, “They are a semi-pro side we should have won easily with a rotated squad. Hell, it was mid-week most of the players on their team had worked during the day of the game and we are a professional side, it should have been a comfortable win for us but, we hardly deserved to win the game and we only just did.” Alex felt strongly that his team talk was fair and had no plans to change his approach to the teamtalks based on what two players from the entire squad had said.

“We did win though” De Bock shot back before Alex interrupted him.

“So I should be happy it took a lucky rebound in the last minute for us to get into the next round, on top of that it was a poor performance. If we had played well and got into the next round then I would have been happy enough to get into the next round. But, against probably the worst team that we will face this season. If we played any one else that badly then we would be on the receiving end of a hammering. We play Roma in a week, they would hit double figures against us if we played like that.”

Mustafa seemed to want to be anywhere but in the office at that point and looked to be regretting his decision to back up De Bock. He also knew that there was nothing he could say that would make him leaving not a sign he didn’t back De Bock and was hanging him out to dry.

De Bock though seemed to think that he had the right to control Alex’s team talks and kept going. “We won with a rotated line up and I think that you should be more positive to try and help the team get a better morale and get the team motivated into the tough games we have coming up.”

Alex decided to draw a line under the conversation. “I am the manager and so I do the team talk, I decide on what it is and how I think that the team has done. I will decide what I want to say to the team and that is the final word in this discussion.”

De Bock huffed and slowly left the room while Alex had rarely seen someone move as quickly as Saymack left the room while still looking like he was walking. Alex guessed he hadn’t heard the last of De Bock.