http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/150pxleytonorientfc.png/
For my Football Manager Story I have decided to start with Leyton Orient. The O’s just missed out on the playoffs last season but are predicted to finish 11th this time around. The board’s expectations are that I finish mid table but I’m hoping to make the playoffs at least (although I kept this secret from the board!)
The squad is decent but somewhat small so glancing over pre-season these are the signings I decided to make:
James Beattie, ST – Free
Stephen Jordon, D/WB(L) – Free
Lee Lucas CM – Loan (Swansea)
Johnny Gorman RM – Loan (Wolves)
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/135/17800064.jpg/
James Beattie is the big marquee signing for me. The veteran striker capped 5 times for England is a good finisher and good in the air BUT slow off the mark and is well out of shape. Laps, laps and more laps for this lad. A bit of a gamble, will he be motivated to play at this level? We will see.
August 2011
League 1 - 6/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Sheffield Wednesday
Starting out against one of the top teams in the division isn’t always helpful. My midfielder Matt Spring settled my nerves though, lashing in a 30 yard strike that went in off the underside of the bar after just three minutes. Cox and Tehoue made it 3-0 to us at HT. James Beattie came on as a sub to score a trademark header before Wednesday grabbed a late consolation. Terrific performance, have to say I’m pleasantly surprised.
Final Score: 4-1
League Cup Round 1 – 9/8/2011 – The Recreation Ground
Aldershot V Leyton Orient
A low key affair saw us dominate the game but not really take our chances. Having been 1-0 for the majority of the game, I brought on James Beattie from the bench again who crashed in another header in the 87th minute to seal the game for us, although Aldershot did bag a last minute goal.
Final Score : 1-2
League 1 – 13/8/2011 – Huish Park
Yeovil V Leyton Orient
Yeovil never threatened us in this fixture. Midfielder Jimmy Smith scored a nice first time drive to give us a 1-0 lead, and it remained so until stoppage time at the end of the game when a Yeovil defender decided to help us out by slotting in from a Dean Cox cross to score an embarrassing own goal.
Final Score : 0-2
League 1 – 16/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Colchester United
Colchester’s manager had some fighting talk before the game commenting on how The Orient’s playing style of pass and move did not suit their inadequate ability. I really wanted to show him. However Colchester outplayed us big time and took the lead early in the game. However from nowhere James Beattie grabbed an equaliser with a close range finish just before half time. The rest of the game we were under massive pressure but weathered the storm to clinch a draw.
Final Score: 1-1
League 1 – 20/8/2011 – MK Stadium
MK Dons V Leyton Orient
A rather drab game against promotion rivals, with neither side coming up with any ideas. Until in the last 15 minutes my star striker James Beattie decided to pull his thumb out and pop up with a nice hat-trick, to make this a comfortable win. 7 yellow cards in this one saw me land a £25,000 fine from the FA. Oops.
Final Score: 0-3
League Cup Round 2 – 24/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Aston Villa
This match was my first to be on Live TV so I wanted to do the fans proud, although never expecting to win this one. It was really Leyton Orient V Gabby Agbonlahor who, with Capello watching in the stands, tore us to shreds scoring all four of Villa’s goals. We managed to get one back late on, but had no answer to Villa.
Final Score: 1-4
League 1 – 27/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Preston North End
League leaders Preston came to visit with a 100% win record so far and favourites to win the league, naturally the bookies gave us no hope despite our impressive league form. However we showed true class over Preston and two goals from Tehoue set us on our way, Beattie put in a penalty and substitute Mooney scored a fourth to cap a really classy performance. See you later Preston.
Final Score: 4-1
Johnstone’s Paint trophy South Round 1 – 31/8/2011 – Griffin Park
Brentford V Leyton Orient
My first rivals match which I was determined to win, also fancied us to go far in this competiton. James Beattie scored early to cap an impressive first month on his part. He then got a dubious red card for a firm tackle on a Brentford player. Paying with 10 men made no difference though as we went on to score 3 more goals in empathetic fashion.
Final Score: 0-4
Review
A very good month leaves us 2nd and undefeated in the league. The highlight has to be the demolition of Preston, but the lads have looked good in all the games we’ve played with the exception of the Villa game. I came 2nd in the manager of the month.
Player of the Month
James Beattie
The big man has had to endure chants of “who ate all the pies” from opposition fans but has been a terrific goal scorer. 6 goals in 5 games say it all, and as the clubs highest earner I’m relieved he is playing well and surprised he has come good so strongly. He is suspended for the next game and will be missed.
For my Football Manager Story I have decided to start with Leyton Orient. The O’s just missed out on the playoffs last season but are predicted to finish 11th this time around. The board’s expectations are that I finish mid table but I’m hoping to make the playoffs at least (although I kept this secret from the board!)
The squad is decent but somewhat small so glancing over pre-season these are the signings I decided to make:
James Beattie, ST – Free
Stephen Jordon, D/WB(L) – Free
Lee Lucas CM – Loan (Swansea)
Johnny Gorman RM – Loan (Wolves)
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/135/17800064.jpg/
James Beattie is the big marquee signing for me. The veteran striker capped 5 times for England is a good finisher and good in the air BUT slow off the mark and is well out of shape. Laps, laps and more laps for this lad. A bit of a gamble, will he be motivated to play at this level? We will see.
August 2011
League 1 - 6/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Sheffield Wednesday
Starting out against one of the top teams in the division isn’t always helpful. My midfielder Matt Spring settled my nerves though, lashing in a 30 yard strike that went in off the underside of the bar after just three minutes. Cox and Tehoue made it 3-0 to us at HT. James Beattie came on as a sub to score a trademark header before Wednesday grabbed a late consolation. Terrific performance, have to say I’m pleasantly surprised.
Final Score: 4-1
League Cup Round 1 – 9/8/2011 – The Recreation Ground
Aldershot V Leyton Orient
A low key affair saw us dominate the game but not really take our chances. Having been 1-0 for the majority of the game, I brought on James Beattie from the bench again who crashed in another header in the 87th minute to seal the game for us, although Aldershot did bag a last minute goal.
Final Score : 1-2
League 1 – 13/8/2011 – Huish Park
Yeovil V Leyton Orient
Yeovil never threatened us in this fixture. Midfielder Jimmy Smith scored a nice first time drive to give us a 1-0 lead, and it remained so until stoppage time at the end of the game when a Yeovil defender decided to help us out by slotting in from a Dean Cox cross to score an embarrassing own goal.
Final Score : 0-2
League 1 – 16/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Colchester United
Colchester’s manager had some fighting talk before the game commenting on how The Orient’s playing style of pass and move did not suit their inadequate ability. I really wanted to show him. However Colchester outplayed us big time and took the lead early in the game. However from nowhere James Beattie grabbed an equaliser with a close range finish just before half time. The rest of the game we were under massive pressure but weathered the storm to clinch a draw.
Final Score: 1-1
League 1 – 20/8/2011 – MK Stadium
MK Dons V Leyton Orient
A rather drab game against promotion rivals, with neither side coming up with any ideas. Until in the last 15 minutes my star striker James Beattie decided to pull his thumb out and pop up with a nice hat-trick, to make this a comfortable win. 7 yellow cards in this one saw me land a £25,000 fine from the FA. Oops.
Final Score: 0-3
League Cup Round 2 – 24/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Aston Villa
This match was my first to be on Live TV so I wanted to do the fans proud, although never expecting to win this one. It was really Leyton Orient V Gabby Agbonlahor who, with Capello watching in the stands, tore us to shreds scoring all four of Villa’s goals. We managed to get one back late on, but had no answer to Villa.
Final Score: 1-4
League 1 – 27/8/2011 – Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient V Preston North End
League leaders Preston came to visit with a 100% win record so far and favourites to win the league, naturally the bookies gave us no hope despite our impressive league form. However we showed true class over Preston and two goals from Tehoue set us on our way, Beattie put in a penalty and substitute Mooney scored a fourth to cap a really classy performance. See you later Preston.
Final Score: 4-1
Johnstone’s Paint trophy South Round 1 – 31/8/2011 – Griffin Park
Brentford V Leyton Orient
My first rivals match which I was determined to win, also fancied us to go far in this competiton. James Beattie scored early to cap an impressive first month on his part. He then got a dubious red card for a firm tackle on a Brentford player. Paying with 10 men made no difference though as we went on to score 3 more goals in empathetic fashion.
Final Score: 0-4
Review
A very good month leaves us 2nd and undefeated in the league. The highlight has to be the demolition of Preston, but the lads have looked good in all the games we’ve played with the exception of the Villa game. I came 2nd in the manager of the month.
Player of the Month
James Beattie
The big man has had to endure chants of “who ate all the pies” from opposition fans but has been a terrific goal scorer. 6 goals in 5 games say it all, and as the clubs highest earner I’m relieved he is playing well and surprised he has come good so strongly. He is suspended for the next game and will be missed.