Oriental Lisbon ~ One Step Closer

Photobucket FTW!

2013-07-07 07:23#118525 MrJK : Photobucket FTW!

Is photobucket better? I like imgur but if there is a better site then I'll use it

Knocking On The Physio's Door

In the midst of our poor run of form, we have faced a fair number of injuries to key players. Jorge Correia and Antonio Alves are amongst the big losses and it has taken its toll.

What I have learnt is that Antonio Alves integral to our play. His partnership with Rodrigo Antônio is what keeps our side ticking. Ibrahima Balde and Socrates Pedro just don't have the same understanding that Alves does.

Also, wide midfielder Tiago Mota has been out for the long term and it has affected us. His wing play, crosses coupled with his ability to cut in a shoot with incredible venom is something we have missed dearly.

Hugo Grilo is a key centre back and we have been conceding quite a bit from corners, which could be because of his absence. His leadership and defensive qualities have been sorely missed.

The last thing I have learnt is that the players stepping in to the squad haven't performed. Socrates Pedro and Ibrahima Balde have not impressed at all, Pedro even worse. One of our youngsters with great potential looked dismal in his only appearance for the season.

One thing is for sure, physio Joaquim Braz will be busy, and the club can't afford another Physio or fitness coach, so he has to do it all alone.

Injury Table

The Team Talk That Went Wrong: Part Two

So after the catastrophic result of the last team talk, I decided to hold another. Luckily Naughty Nuno didn't disrupt the team this time.

That job fell to Sufrim, vice captain to Jorge Correia, publicly let his feelings towards his captain out in a very harsh manner.

Luckily this was able to be controlled and I managed to scrape out of the team talk with a few good reactions. But why was everybody fighting. It was the worst time in this bad form, and it helped the bad form go along.

How will I solve these dressing room tensions, and how will I keep the morale alright? These were just some of the questions that I needed to answer myself, and fast.

My suggestion would be to take a tough stance and say if you cause problems you are out of this team, whether that means to you you go in the reserves or you leave the club. Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. Keep it up.

2013-07-08 04:48#118597 edu1878 : My suggestion would be to take a tough stance and say if you cause problems you are out of this team, whether that means to you you go in the reserves or you leave the club. Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. Keep it up.

I have taken a relatively tough stance, and I threatened to list them both because of their attitude but all seems fine now. The thing is they are captain and vice and Sufrim has been amazing this season so I can't afford to lose them but I know what you mean. And thanks

(Sorry about the last reply was on my phone did something quickly)

Team meetings can be instrumental and devastating! Keep going! Great story!

2013-07-08 07:09#118620 Inquisition : Team meetings can be instrumental and devastating! Keep going! Great story!

Thanks really appreciate that comment

One More Month

We approached April, the final month of the season, needing only a few points to wrap up the title. For the last couple of months, we had been so poor. This was the month we could not afford to lose.

Three games left and CD Fatima were hot on our tails, so we needed to win. This was the table with three games remaining.

Now, mathematically, the title was only available to SC Torreense (3rd), CD Fatima (2nd) and us, Oriental. We were three points ahead. We needed seven points from the remaining three games to all but seal it.

The teams we faced were early front runners Pinhalvonense, promotion challengers Sertanense and lowly AD Oerias. If we could get two wins from Pinhalvonense and Oeiras, then a draw from Sertanense, we would get the points required.

With those results, we couldn't lose. We have a much superior goal difference to them, so hopefully that helps. And now that our team was returning to full strength and our form slightly improving, hopefully we could get the required points!

Ah, The suspense.

2013-07-08 07:30#118626 edu1878 : Ah, The suspense.

Yup! And I will be using your idea for the run in. Thanks for reading

The Run-In (Part One)

April had started, and we came into the first game of the 'run-in'. Three games, seven points. That was all we needed. The first game was against Pinhalvonense. A tough fixture, we needed to play at our absolute best.

A win was all we could afford. CD Fatima knew they could win the title as easily as us. I sent out a full strength side and told the players of our expectations. I sat with Hugo Relvas in the touch out and we watched the game.

It was a tough affair, both sides gritted it out and it was fairly even, we probably had the better of the chances. Half time approached, with no team ahead. 0-0. The boys walked in to the rooms.

They came back out, motivated and inspired, and relentlessly piled forward looking for that goal that would close us in on the title. Then it came, when a Pinhalvonense defender lunged out at Tiago Mota and brang him down.

We had had many penalty takers this season: Correia, Sebastien and Moisão all have converted from 12 yards this season, but up stepped Hugo Grilo, the centre back to take the penalty.

To be honest, seeing some of Sergio Ramos' penalties of late (vs Brazil and Bayern) I was not very confident, and I really couldn't look. I think I was more nervous than the taker. I gulped and watched Hugo take it.

Seeing the net ripple was one of the best feelings I have ever had. Certaintly the best as manager of Oriental. The players ran down to me to celebrate. I gave a few high fives and hugs, but told them to go back and finish it off.

But that was it! We got what we wanted and went into the game against Sertanense with a lot of confidence under our belt and knowing that 4 more points would seal promotion to the Segunda Divisão.

Just caught up with this story.

I like it a lot, now go get those 4 points you need.

The team talks need a lot more work by SI. The answers are so limited.
Anything in the profile of Nuno Samarra that can explain his behavior?
I would properly try to sell him after the season. You can be sure that this will not be the last you hear from him

And thanks for the mention.

2013-07-08 11:03#118656 Northwood : Just caught up with this story.

I like it a lot, now go get those 4 points you need.

The team talks need a lot more work by SI. The answers are so limited.
Anything in the profile of Nuno Samarra that can explain his behavior?
I would properly try to sell him after the season. You can be sure that this will not be the last you hear from him

And thanks for the mention.

Thanks Northwood hopefully I can get them, stay tuned to find out

And yes I know team talks are rubbish not enough options for the right situations.

I've checked and nothing says that Samarra is outspoken or anything. Everytime in team talks I mentioned title and the Vice Captain said something motivational, his thing would say "Seems Demotivated" so instead of asking the room again, I addressed the team and avoided him. Then they all react well and everything. Hopefully I can get rid of him.

And no problems for the mention, your story is one of my favourites, so I am really glad you like it! Thanks for reading

The Run-In (Part Two)

This was the second game of the run in, with only four points needed to seal the title, I was hoping for a draw in this game. Sertanense were all but out of the title race, so hopefully the fact that they have nothing to play for kicks in.

Last time we played them, we crushed them 3-0. Hopefully we could perform to the same ability today. If I was nervous yesterday, I was even more nervous today. This was the single biggest game of the season.

The whistle went, and we were off. We defended bravely and got a few attacks in but Antonio Alves seemed to be in a patch of bad form. Still, it stayed even and we went into half time knowing that a win would help us on our way.

The second half was the same, no clear cut opportunities. We started to dominate possesion and maybe get the better of them but it was all too late, as it ended 0-0. A result that I would take.