The Cherries on top: Episode 34
Last month’s performances have led to Skalidis being awarded player of the month. His contract is nearing the 3 year mark and so he is offered a new deal which he quickly signs.
With the league sewn up, my attention is focussed on recruitment. We will need more depth and quality for next seasons campaign in the Premier League so the shortlist is being assessed.
As we prepare for our final few games, we play on the Wednesday after most of the league have played on the Saturday.
In the race for the last playoff spot Derby have opened the door. With the chasing pack all winning, their loss to Blackpool means that there are 5 teams on 64 points and any one of them can take the spot.
We face Gillingham at home on the Sunday and the result means little for both teams. The Gills are currently safe in 15th, with 3 wins in their last 4. It was a 2–2 draw last time out.
Having scored in the reverse fixture, Berkovic scores from a flick on — his 15th goal of the season as we continue to have a lacklustre start to the game. We go attacking. Angus trips Hadzi but for some reason the referee doesn’t give a penalty and instead awards us a corner!
It looks to be turning into one of those days, one time target Clint Hill makes a goal line clearance from a Skalidis header and then Chris Beardsley’s effort smacks off the crossbar with Warner beat.
We have a goal ruled out for offside minutes after restarting the second half as Kerr limps off with a dead leg to finish his season. We go at them again and again with no luck whatsoever.
As we look to be staring at a first home defeat in the league in over 2 years, super Skalidis scores with 4 minutes left to stun the visitors. He then gets the winner on the stroke on 90 minutes to send the ground (and me) wild with his 31st goal of the season (28 in the league)
With scouting in full swing, the shortlist pings me with some good news, less so for Brescia. Following their relegation, Luca Toni’s release clause is activated and a bid is submitted immediately.
Our final game in the first division is against Grimsby. They are currently just above the drop zone. Rotherham play Preston and if they can better the result today then it will be Grimsby who will be relegated. They aren’t on the best run with no win in 3 and a comfortable victory is the reverse fixture.
Huckerby for Kerr is the only change from our last game as we start the game positively, Hadzi has the ball in the net on 17 minutes only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. Grimsby then get a penalty and go in front, they then double that lead ten minutes later.
Skalidis almost pulls one back before half-time as his freekick deflects off the wall and almost beats Coyne. We are wasteful with our chances second half as Grimsby were clincal, all 6 shots on target and the goal threat diminished as Skalidis goes off with a knock in the last 20 minutes with the rest of the forwards seemingly on the beach already.
On the last day of the season it’s Coventry who take the final spot over Derby. They are level on points but have a better goal difference but just the one goal. What a finish to the season from Kammy’s Sky Blues. Grimsby’s win over us didn’t matter as Rotherham conceded 5 against Preston to seal their relegation fate.
The top spots nets me £1.7 million which will come in handy as Brescia have no choice but to accept my offer. I get word that he has also rejected a new contract and is looking for another club, hopefully that bodes well for me.
FA Cup Final
Newcastle win the FA Cup with an extra-time winner from ex-Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke after coming from behind to an early goal.
First Division Playoff Final
It’s 5th place against 6th in the Playoff Final and despite going into half-time a goal down, Sheffield United score two goals in 7 minutes in the second half to take them up into the Premier League. The Blades finished 12 points behind 3rd placed Bolton.
Premier League
Manchester United win the league by 4 points over Leeds. The title was wrapped up a week before the final day.
Liverpool have seemingly felt the loss of Babbel and Hyppia this season as they don’t even finish in the Champions League places after winning the title last season.
Everton Portsmouth and Plymouth are the teams relegated. Everton had seen enough and sack David Moyes before the end of the season and appoint Dutch legend Marco Van Basten as manager!
UEFA Cup Final
After our run in the UEFA Cup, Inter Milan beat Olympiakos on their way to retaining their UEFA Cup title at the expense of Arsenal, who lose both their cup finals this season.
Rafa Benitez’s Valencia would win the 2004 UEFA Cup, beating a Marsielle side boasting a young Didier Drogba and Fabian Barthez 2–0. This would be Rafa’s final game for the Spanish side.
Before the window opens Coventry and Carlisle both bid for Pollock, he did have the opportunity to go weeks ago but couldn’t agree terms. He finally decides to agree terms with Coventry and will leave when the window opens.
As one kind of leaves one kind of comes in as we agree a contract with Jonas Lunden. He will come in on Bosman on the 1st November.
European Cup final
(Unfortunately) Manchester United secure a double a few days after the Premier League finishes with a convincing victory over Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho would win a second European title in as many years with a 3–0 win over Monaco. This would be his last game managing Porto. He would join Chelsea that summer and dub himself “a special one”.
End of season awards
As is customary, the winner of the league is more than likely to pick up manager of the year award, but yes, I deserve it!
The team of the year once again continues to divide opinion. Neil Scally tops the average rating table and we have 5 players in the top 10 but only 3 in the squad, with 2 of them on the bench.
Despite going out early in the cups this season, the promotion to the Premier League has elevated my reputation in England to World Class, nice! I have also halved my world reputation, moving up 316 places but still considered average on the world stage.
Skalidis once again claims the supporters player of the season. He was top of the goal scoring charts again with 28 goals last season. A notable mention for Mark Kerr with 18 goals from midfield in his first season in English football.
Following that impressive performance there are lots of clubs interested in Mark. Aston Villa are the first team to submit a bid (£2.7 million).
With the Kerr bid rejected, Blackburn come in for Galakteros and bid 800k. That is also rejected, he may be needed as backup next season depending on how recruitment goes. We do make a signing as Niclas Jenson comes in to help cover at left back and other positions no doubt.
That’s it for the third season, thanks very much for reading, clapping and commenting.
Next week it’s time for summer transfers!
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