Bridge’s match day reports!

[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 Week 1
Monaco 3 - 1 Sevilla

Start off the season of the caretaker side with an expected win at home. Sevilla are a decent side, but these are the games we need to be taking 3 points from to, firstly, gain safety and secondly move up the league as much as possible. New signings Goncalves and Jimenez with the first two goals and the third added by super sub Quasin. Goncalves getting the man of the match award too was the icing on the cake. Long story short, a great start. The next two games would be against much sterner opponents, so we will see if this is the start of something.

Championship Game week 1
Stockport County 1 - 1 Luton Town

Luton were a solid team last season, but with our plans and ideas shifting focus games like this have become much more challenging. The fight for the superior Hatters team up for grabs. Over the last few seasons Stockport County have firmly held that crown, but it will be much closer for both teams in the next few seasons. As expected, it was a close affair and it ended honours even at Edgeley Park. On loan striker Pazzini with his first for the club from Manchester United. We’re hoping for big things from him though! Also, Gudmansson with the man of the match, his job done to a T. Helping those younger guys develop. I’m really hoping these kind of results and positive performances are frequent across the season, or the only positive results we will see are from Monaco and that would be a shame.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 2

Fiorentina 2 - 2 Monaco

A tough second game away at Fio, Neil has worked wonders improving the quality of the home side. It showed with the stats and the quality for the home side as high as it was. We conceded very early, with the first action of the game. We had to be very clinical to get anything from the game and that’s what we were, mid way through the first half we equalised and with the few shots we had we scored again early in the the second. We couldn’t keep the home side out further though and were lucky and happy to take a point. I’ll be very happy come EOS if we’ve won the games expected to win and draw and draw the games expected to lose. Next up Real Madrid!

Championship Week 2

Millwall 2 - 0 Stockport County

Away at Millwall in our second game, seasons gone by we will have gone there happily and taken a positive result from the game. With the steps back we’ve taken we have to take it on the chin these results and performances. I don’t think we can take any positives from this game. We will however congratulate Gary W the home sides manager who is on the same path as us, but has managed to be a little further ahead on the curve. The only thing I will say and admit to is we tried a slightly new formation and as usual P is not a good tactic for me or the team. I’ve tried it many times and I’m not sure I can get a tune out of the players with it. I thought this may be different with the higher seconds these youth players have but alas no.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 3
Monaco 0 - 0 Real Madrid

A tough game against the reigning champions, but another positive result. Yeah you could say the away side had more possession and shots, but that was to be expected. If you delve more closely into the stats 7/12 of Madrids shots were off target. Meaning that they had the same amount as us. Their best player was a defender, albeit our best was our keeper. This maybe explained by both teams playing C but I don’t want to take away from the fact we held firm against a massive team. I’m hoping to take yet another great performance into the next game and keep the run going. Good luck to Freddie at Madrid!

Championship week 3
Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Stockport County

Our expectations in games have dropped, but not against Jason H. We were hoping for all three points, the only thing holding me back if the fact that Ipswich are out bogey team. We’ve lost all instances of games against them in FFO 2. Blowing hot and cold Gudmansson put us ahead, showing his quality but this needs to be every week to earn the wages he’s on. Although, the home side hit back and started to put us under pressure, unfortunately we held out until the 80th minute and they got the equaliser. We will take a draw and will continue to look for our first win in the cup against 3rd tier Blackpool.

FA cup Round 2

Stockport County 1 - 2 Blackpool

Embarrassing to lose to a third tier team. Although, randomly they setup to counter us, disappointing but we didn’t do enough to go through. The only positive is Gonzaga’s first goal for the club. Some transfer maybe needed soon!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 Week 4
Napoli 1 - 2 Monaco

Goncalves and Ahamada with the goals that give us the points. Yes we were expected to win, but we put in a great away performance and deserved to win. We now have 8/12 points in the league and I’m over the moon with the start. I’d say 47 more points to hit par in this league. But they are ready for a new manager to come in and hit the ground running right now and the new manager will inherit a good close to great team!

Championship Week 4
Stockport County 0 - 4 West Brom

P again and nothing again. To be fair 15/20 of West Brom’s shots were on target. Putting the young Amelia in goal under immense pressure. Pressure that got him 48 abs, but without him it could have been much worse. Losing 4 nil is tough but West Brom are a tough cookie under Frank and the contrast in stats mean that we have to work harder and be more aggressive. Unfortunately we didn’t do that and the waist side ran riot. Amelia will continue to play in goal, Johnstone is too fragile. Kolasinic is not the future of the club and he has moved on. Benrahma has moved to championship rivals Wrexham, with Correa coming in to replace him and Sadio Mane will take over the veteran striker role instead of Gudmansson. This is the turning point, these guys will support the youth players I’ll guarantee it!


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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 Week 5
AC Milan 2 - 2 Monaco

The tough games come thick and fast in this league and we had to put up a great fight away at the mighty AC Milan. We couldn’t take all three points, we certainly didn’t deserve the maximum, but we put it in and managed to take a tough point.

We went behind early on in the game and fought back to be winning. The home sides clad shone through and we couldn’t keep them out again for them to equalise. Special mentions to the scorers Arthur, Umtiti and the best player for us Ndidi. He’s been class since coming in from Aston Villa, he will do much more once he settles in too.

Championship Week 5

Nottingham Forest 1 - 1 Stockport County

Stockport need every point they can get at the moment. The home side dominated proceedings and were unlucky to go behind with a great finish from P Max. They stuck to their guns and managed to equalise with an equally good strike from man of the match Edouard. Players that are above what County have currently, but what they give up in stats they’ll push harder with fight. There is no shaking the fact County have the lowest wages in the league, but it means games like these where we can get something from them are going to be precious and we need to use them as a building block to get more! With the board restructuring and pushing us to play youth it means every game will be much tougher than last season. We have a bright future though and we will get there!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 6
Monaco 1 - 4 Inter Milan

With a great start to the season, a false sense of security hits in. Were untouchable aren’t we? The FFO gods are on our side!

Stay humble they say, if you don’t results like this happen. We shift to P and try and give the away side less respect, give them problems and take the game to them. Once again playing P doesn’t agree with any side I’ve had in the recent past. The away side Inter who are a great side with a great manager took Monaco apart via the scoreline and the stats. I bow to learn from this result though and go back to our strengths!

Championship week 6
Stockport County 3 - 1 Middlesbrough

What doesn’t work for Monaco seems to work for County, at least this time around. The P at home meant we hammered the away side, well in the scoreline anyway. Stats wise it was an end to end game. Correa with a goal and a man of the match performance, further goals from Grieml and the on loan Capdevilla meant we take our first win of the season. I’m not falling for the result though, P will still be used sparingly, but our squad with a couple of others should be fighting not to be bottom by the end of the season that’s the gulf in class we’ve created playing these youngsters. We will do our best to mimic this result as many times as possible this season.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 7
Sporting Lisbon 1 - 2 Monaco

Away at sporting meant we did actually go P again to push to get a positive result. Having been put on the back foot from the previous result we needed to come out fighting. This way of playing may have become a double negative. On the day the players did the badge proud and goals from Jimenez and Ahamada, who also got man of the match put us in control. The only blemish on the result was conceding in the 88th minute, but taking the points was the main thing. It keeps us in the top half and means that the first loss of the season was a blip and we need to keep this wins coming to get to 55 points!

Championship week 7
Norwich City 3 - 0 Stockport County

Battle of two of the youth setups. We tried to play positive and push, knowing more than likely we’d face a counter setup. This meant the 3-0 loss wasn’t too much of a surprise. Either the P was going to be too much for the home side or exactly what happened we weren’t strong enough to utilise the extra opportunities we were able to create. The home side were clinical, more importantly Laidlaw seems to be outperforming Gonzaga, both players picked up by both teams in the youth auction. Food for thought for the next game!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 8
Monaco 2 - 2 Roma

Usually this would be a tough game against a strong Roma side. They seem to be a shadow of their former self under new management. Under the new management they have become easy to play against and we’ve been unbeaten against them since starting my caretaker stint. Despite the above a draw is a good result at home, we were clinical and adding to the away win in the previous game means our confidence stays high. Goals from Goncalves and Leko cancelled out by goals from Tonali and Raspadori. We move on and try and get more points in the next game.

Championship week 8
Stockport County 0 - 1 Coventry City

We play bottom of the league and tweak our stance and in a whirlwind 90 minutes were the ones left at the bottom. The stats were even and a draw would have probably been fair, however the game and results are sometimes not fair.

Further tweaks are needed and I’m confident we will get the setup right to be more competitive with what players we have at our disposal. The team has the ability to get wins in this league, I just need to find the right combination and we’re not far away in my opinion. The on loan player from Manchester United Pazzini was our best player and he showed glimpses of what we got him in for and we will see more of that I’m sure!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 9
Celtic 0 - 1 Monaco

Another great away performance against an EFL1 rival. We took control of the game and the stats, by stating the game with tactical advantage but were only able to take the lead in the 88th minute via super sub Quaison. We should have been ahead before this, but were unable to break the deadlock. We did however, keep a clean sheet and Umtiti got the man of the match too. So a great performance overall and another 3 points getting us closer to survival and we may even be able to dream and keep in the top half for champions league football. This is a big dream but if we keep fighting who knows what will be possible.

Championship week 9
Fulham 1 - 0 Stockport County

Craven cottage, a tough place to go even when near the bottom of the league. Fairly even stats meant once again we probably deserved a draw. But we weren’t able to keep that clean sheet. I do feel we’re close though, we played well and with a stronger defender in I really feel it won’t take much more to turn these losses into draws and draws into wins. We’re also close to the mid season captain change which will mean Johnstone will be removed of those duties and Amelia will step up to take the armband. We will look to release Johnstone and bring in another sqauddie for numbers. I would like to thank Johnstone for his service to the club though.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 10
Monaco 2 - 0 Rangers

A great game and result against what has become our bogey team. With home advantage and tactical advantage there were no surprises, we took control from the off. Goals from Goncalves and Arthur meant we raced to a 2 nil lead and we never looked back. The icing on the cake was a man of the match performance from Ndidi and a clean sheet. It seems we’ve turned a massive corner from last season and we’ve taken a jump in quality to push us into that small group of the best of the rest. Marshy has said recently in the stats were up there with the luckier teams, I’ll take that if it keeps getting us points.

Championship week 10
Stockport County 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town

A second win of the season in a hard fought game against a fellow struggling team. If were to avoid the bottom we need to win these games and this is a great start using this mentality. It’s a giant shift from pushing for promotion in the previous seasons but for the greater good we need to take this hit. A recent article from Windy said our main academy graduates have got great potential and that gave me a great deal of confidence that we’re doing the right thing. Another goal by P Max and a clean sheet gets us briefly off the bottom but the fight continues to stay away from the wooden spoon.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 11
Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 2 Monaco

A great performance away at Leverkusen, highly disappointing to have conceded the equaliser to make it 2 - 2 so late in the game. Early goals from Jimenez and Targett put us in the driving seat, but the home side kept knocking at the door and didn’t give in. Last season we’d have taken a draw and that shows how much I think we’ve improved to now be disappointed with this result.

The team does need a little work to prep for a new manager but Pisano at Shaktar and De La Pena at Dortmund will be ready to come back and go straight into the 1st team. Telles and Jimenez are only short term so will need to move on but I’ll work out a plan for them before the transfer window closes.

Championship week 11
Brighton 1 - 0 Stockport County

A good performance from us away at what I think is a prem team down in the champ. We kept the scoreline to 1 - 0 but we rarely troubled the strong outfit so a draw is only what we could aim for. That 5th stronger defender needs to come in soon to help turn these results over. With a few players close to rating up too that will help solidify this youthful team and help us push on.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 week 12
Monaco 1 - 2 Marseille
Complacent? Cocky? Yeah, we fell into that trap of expecting 3 points no matter what team and formation we put out. It did look like we would take all 3 points until, what can only be described as a capitulation happened. Conceding in the 93rd and the 94th minute. Going from 1 up to 1-2 down was a kick in the teeth. We will learn from this result and will hopefully get revenge on Marseille in the return fixture. Extra training for the lads until then though! I’ll work hard with them, letting them know my expectations, so that this never happens again.

Championship week 12
Stockport County 3 - 2 Wrexham

What I call the “Work” Derby. Over past seasons against Tyler we’ve had more of an even fight, maybe even tipped in his favour slightly. But nothing close to the gulf in class between our two teams. Rivals at work, rivals in FFO and the teams somewhat rivals in real life meant this game was more than just bragging rights. Wrexham’s wages ? 15.3 million, Stockport’s wages? 7.6 million. This was going to be the biggest of results if we could pull it off! 0-0 at half time and we’d given a great account of ourselves. Unfortunately our hard work slipped early in the second half and the away side took the lead through County old boy Benrahma. We couldn’t let this knock us though and we hit back through P Max to equalise. In the 65th minute O Watkins managed to put the Welsh side back in front and it looked like the wind was taken from our sails. But what happened to Marseille happened to Stockport. In the 84th minute Pazzini out of no where equalises to make it 2 - 2 and then the Edgeley Park talisman Guler in the 88th minute with a stunner makes it 3-2 to the home side, complete the turn around and stun the Welsh side into cancelling their documentary on Disney! So happy with the result and performance, but I know Tyler and Wrexham will get it right and push up the table to where they rightfully should be.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL 1 game week 13

Barcelona 2 - 2 Monaco
A big result away at Barca! Did we deserve a point? On looking at the stats, which were about 2:1 probably not. I do think our grit and determination were enough to earn us a positive result though. Our luck will run out at some point and these games will turn from a draw to a loss. So, we will take this result and take some of the rough later on in the season. A point keeps us on track for 50+ points for the season but I have a sneaky suspicion that our points per game analysis is too optimistic. The main idea could be to let the cards fall as they may and if that means doing a Dortmund and rebuilding in EFL 2 then that’s what we will do!

Championship game week 13

Stockport County 2 - 1 Bournemouth

We’ve found a setup that works at County now. Sure it’s repetitive, but it’s getting us points and more importantly wins! There’s no way I want that wooden spoon for coming last. However, our wages seem to project us holding up the league. Youth team recruit Blasi has been next level since being promoted and he stepped up with two goals and the man of the match award. We need to replicate this kind of performance and result as many times as we can across the season as it will propel us up the league to the dreamland of mid table.

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EFL 1 game week 14

Monaco 1 - 7 Atletico Madrid

One of those games that can happen, where everything that can go wrong will. Starting with TA we concede and these games goals from there kept flying in. Atletico are a great side so no shame in losing this one, but we needed some of the luck we had in previous games and unfortunately it turned its back on us this time.
I’ll maintain my stance that games against the big sides are a free hit. We just need to win or take points off of the teams around us. It adds more pressure to those games, but we’re up for that fight.

Championship game week 14

Sunderland 0 - 2 Stockport County

Similar stats for both sides in this one, so, the home side will be disappointed to lose. But a goal in each half by Guler and Pazzini respectively meant the points headed to Edgeley Park. We’re hoping to keep the wins flowing and keep the points total ticking over, but there are great teams in this second tier and we will get found out with losses similar to what Monaco suffered above.

I’m looking to the future and I’m currently deciding which way to go EOS. I’ll advertise taking some more youth loans, but I’m not sure if there will be many takers. So, my plan maybe to cover our squad with more of our youth team being promoted. I’ll post it up and see what’s out there and see if we can get some concrete plans in place.

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EFL 1 game week 15

Monaco 2 - 1 Juventus

After the terrible result in the previous round we had another tough game against the new Juv side. Despite having a couple of first teamers missing and having Goncalves sent off in the 81st minute, we rode our luck and took the points.

The away side opting from the off to give away tactical advantage and possibly thought they would over power us. Despite this they only shaded the stats in what could be described as an end to end affair. From this I’m hoping the lads gain more confidence and we can replicate this performance against the teams around us and not just turn up against the bid boys.

Championship game week 15

Stockport County 0 - 1 Brentford

A great performance against the side in top spot. We gave it everything and honestly didn’t deserve to lose. Unfortunately, the game isn’t fair sometimes, but we can take solice in the fact we worried them. Our run of wins comes to an end but we’re really gelling and looking like a side worthy of being in the top half of the table. No further thoughts on EOS currently as further correspondence with other teams regarding loans have come back bearing no fruit.

EFL 1 game week 16

Lens 1 - 1 Monaco

Games like this are ones we should be winning. But with hindsight a point away isn’t such a bad thing. The home side scored mid way through the first half and we had to fight and scrap to get back into the game and equalise. We didn’t muster much more than that so can’t grumble sharing the points. I do have a feeling our great start to the season may be needed for an impending dry spell of points that maybe on the horizon. I’ll try and motivate the lads as much as I can to get the team the points they need to stay in this division though, we shall see if it’s enough though!

Championship game week 16

Everton 5 - 0 Stockport County

Back down to earth after a few morale boosting wins and a great performance against the top sides. Everton are a prem side that somehow find themselves in the second tier. County struggled to lay a glove on the away side and could only muster 3 attempts. To be honest these games as stated above are a free hit against the top sides. If you take anything from them then great if not it’s no issue. We just move on to the next game and hope that keeping playing to our strengths keeps picking us up some points.

I do hope Everton get back to the Prem after caretaking them briefly last season. I do believe the players they have they should/could have survived. But they have a great shot of going back up.

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EFL 1 game week 17

Monaco 0 - 0 Real Sociedad

Another draw this time at home, definitely should be winning this. However, honestly the away side shaded the stats and should feel unlucky they didn’t take the win. I’m thinking of making a few changes in the team. With how good we’ve been I do think we need more goals, so, we may sacrifice Ndidi for a more attacking player. Suso has been transfer listed recently, so we may look to swap. I’m also considering bringing De La Pena back off loan from Dortmund. He’s been smashing it in EFL 2 and will deserve a shot in the first team. Lastly, it seems Jimenez will be removed as captain and moved on, retirement looming likely for him.

Championship game week 17

Stockport County 2 - 0 Stoke City

Back to winning ways, goals from Gonzaga and Blasi proving the difference against a stubborn Stoke side.

There can be no arguments that we didn’t deserve the win today as the County players took the game by the scruff of the neck and didn’t look back.

There’s nothing that feels quite like a win in FFO especially when in each game you’re classed as the underdog. It’s starting to feel like when I was in charge of Parma, but feels much sweeter with the youth players coming through for County!

Further ideas for next season will see Hinkel, Tevez and Zayaleta promoted. Gonzaga will play AM. This will mean Guler will move on in a blockbuster move! Bringing in up to 85M for us to use on further stadium expansion and future scout and training.

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EFL 1 Game week 18

PSG 3 - 0 Monaco

Not much we can do in these games away unfortunately. There is a gulf in class that sometimes can’t be bridged. In these games you’re hoping the home side has an off day and your side plays a blinder. Unfortunately, neither happened today, but if I remember right this fixture last season saw us lose 9-2. So, a silver lining, at least. I will say looking at the stats, it could/should have been a lot worse. We’re stuttering and stalling with our points accumulation at the moment and it’s becoming frustrating and slightly worrying.

Championship game week 18

Watford 2 - 2 Stockport County

Such a great performance, away at a tough Watford side. It’s a massive gut punch when you concede with the last kick of the game, it’s even worse it was a penalty too! To do so well for 91 mins, only to lose concentration in that last minute is only something the young lads can learn from and it will hopefully help them become better players.

Let’s stay grounded to the fact our wages are 6.8 million. The lowest of the top four leagues and we continue to punch above our weight. We’ve lost far fewer games than we’ve taken points from and I’m so happy and proud of the County players I have at my disposal.

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EFL game week 19

Monaco 0 - 1 Bayern Munich

I’m not surprised we lost to a strong Bayern side. But more disappointed when looking at how even the stats were. Despite having to play Ndidi in defence due to a suspension we created enough to get a draw. That little thought in the back of my mind about us not scoring enough is getting bigger, so that push for a more offensive player than Ndidi when the suspensions clear will happen. We’re stuttering can’t afford not to act now with just over half the season to go. Plenty of time to change and rectify if needed.

Championship game week 19

Stockport County 1 - 0 Birmingham City

A win against a side vying for the playoffs. Winning meant pushing closer to Birmingham in the table albeit by a couple of points. We’re heading in the right direction. Gonzaga with another crucial goal. I was unsure of his purchase at the beginning of the season but when we remove the captaincy from Johnstone at the mid season break, Gonzaga will definitely be the next captain. Sure we overpaid at the time, but not having to buy a replacement for him for 12 seasons makes more business sense. We’re also nearly self sustaining, so no lottery gambles in the auction or needing to sell any other players to anything other than SHN is just around the corner. We will look to find a striker and attacking midfielder through the scouts this EOS. Meaning from the start of next season we will have scouted the spine of the team:

GK Isaksson
DF Luisao
DM Souza
AM ??
FW ??

EFL 1 game week 20

Sevilla 1 - 0 Monaco

Disappointing result, away but we want to be at least drawing these. The only thing to consider is Sevilla are slightly above our relegation fight when we look at the teams on paper. Meaning it’s not so much of a necessity to win this one, but it’s definitely a game we want to be taking something from.

Championship game week 20

Luton Town 0 - 2 Stockport County

The Hatters Derby! Once again Stockport take the crown. In the previous seasons it’s been more of an even match looking at both of the teams at a deeper level.

This season though Luton would have been clear favourites to take the bragging rights. Good news for Stockport it will have to be next season at the earliest before they get another shot at it. Luton also being top before this game it maybe even longer if they do the unexpected and get promoted.

But a great performance by County, goals from both loanees Capdevilla and Pazzini meant we went 0-2 up and never looked back despite being away. A clean sheet and a man of the match award for Capdevilla meant it was a perfect match day. It’s a pity Capdevilla and Pazzini aren’t staying after this season as they fit in so well. You know what they say, never fall in love with a loanee

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