A Toffee Dream - Everton vs Newcastle United (Game week 5) [A CM2006 Story]

[Bala]

Lecce vs Everton
28th July 2005
Villa del Mare

It was a pretty warm day at Lecce, as the temparature was 34 degrees. A crowd of 15000 had turned up for this one. I handed debuts to both Vampeta and Nuno Mendes.

Lecce had opted for a 4 - 4 - 2 diamond and I still insisted with the traditional 4 - 4 - 2. I was determined to give James Vaughan a good run before the season.

We have started the winning habit and I would prefer it to continue. I had instructed the guys to leave all pretences of defence and attack from the beginning. A dangerous ploy, I know - but I wanted to try that as well.
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[m_vaughan]

Dangerous ploy indeed with newbie Nuno Mendes playing central defender. Having won the previous two games, your pre-tour expectations of 50% success is already complete.

 

[Bala]

Swamped...

We were swamped. Thats what I can say. Our attacking game did not work out against the painfully defensive Lece team. The match was at a deadlock till half time. Nuno Mendes was not impressive in his first run out but Vampeta showed some brilliance in the right wing.

I made a mistake by taking him off at half time and bringing on the unimpressive Phil Neville. Most of the players had a torrid time out coping with the high temperatures and Lecce hit us when we got tired. Cozzolino opened the scoring with a neat little 1 - 2 with the brilliant Babu and scored in the 51st minute.

Babu then took things into his own hands as he scored 2 in 6 minutes to seal the fate of the game.

One hugely worrying factor was we did not manage to complete even a single cross. I need to really get into this. Alan has already started to work on few possibilities to improve this.

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Oh well, its back to the drawing board now. But the team have achieved their objective 2 wins in 4 games, thats good. But the last defeat was slightly disheartening. But on the plus, our new signings will be joining the squad soon.

We have one more game, this time at Goodison against Preston North End and then we travel Parkhead for the Champion League Qualifier against Celtic.
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[m_vaughan]

Strange to see that Del Vecchio wasnt used at all. But then it dint matter in the end. Like you said, the most worrying stat for Everton was their cross completion.

Good performance by the Italian side, and by Babu especially.

 

[Bala]

Strange to see that Del Vecchio wasnt used at all. But then it dint matter in the end. Like you said, the most worrying stat for Everton was their cross completion.

Good performance by the Italian side, and by Babu especially.

Yeah, it was really strange that he was not used. All 3 goals were scored by subs. Our team suffered as both Arteta and Beattie had a below par game. Oh well, strategies strategies!

 

[evertonfan]

Disapointing display from Everton against Lecce; Arteta just wasn't up for it. Hopefully the lads can improve their form ahead of that crucial Celtic match. Great story, keep it up.

 

[surendar]

3-0 is one of the heaviest defeat....Better luck next time

EDIT : Great Story Bala!!!

 

[Bala]

Unveiling Onyewu as an Everton Player

31st July 2005

Its been almost a month that I have been incharge of the club I love and today I unveiled my first ever transfer signing - Oguchi Onyewu.

Onyewu - A blue from today!

After unveiling Oguchi, I spoke to the press

"Oguchi is an exceptional talent. I am very happy to have him play for Everton. He is tall, pacy and has good potential in the air. He is one of the best in the business today. I am sure that Oguchi will wear his Everton Jersey with pride and make us proud of him with his game."

Onyewu, on addressing the media,

"I have always wanted to play in England. I did receive a few other offers, but when I spoke to the gaffer - I could understand his ambitions and his single minded determination to prove himself and also to do something good for the team. That really made me sign in for this great team. I understand that the gaffer has high hopes on me and I would like to prove myself to him, the club and all the great fans."

The Goodison fans will get a first look at Oguchi Onyewu in the friendly against PNE on the 2nd of August! And I have been handed a big boost as Sebastian Frey and Umit Davalla will be travelling to GOodison to sign their side of the agreement.

Busy days ahead!​

 

[evertonfan]

I'm loving the photoshop work Bala! Very nice!

Keep this cracking story up mate!

 

[Bala]

Thanks a lot for the support guys! Do keep 'em coming!

Cheers!

BALA

 

[MWaugh]

bala this is an awesome thread mate. really awesome stuff

 

[Bala]

Frey and Davala join the squad...

1st August 2005

The Everton faithful had come in packs to welcome the latest additions to the squad - Sebastian Frey and Umit Davala. I certainly can see that there has been a change in the mood of the fans and they now believe that the club is in the hands of someone who certainly knows what he is doing.

I can see more friendly faces as I go out on a stroll around Goodison these days. As Sir Phil Carter handed over the jerseys to Sebastian and Umit, we addressed the press meet that had been called over.

Sir Phil Carter took over

"I am very happy to welcome Sebastian and Umit Davala to the family of Everton Football Club. We have with us two great players who are passionate of the game. I am very happy by the way our new Manager Balaji has gone about his job so far. Just take a look at the signings, he has brought in. It is a careful mix of youth and experience. We have got good players who want to play for Everton. I can safely say that we can pose a serious challenge to be the top 4 this season."

On Introducing the players, I said

"Once I saw that Sebastian and Umit were available, I had no one else in my mind. Seb here is one of the best keepers in Europe and it is not long that he is handed the France jersey. I hope he achieves that with us.

Umit has been a master of his games for a long time now. He is an absolute champion and I am very happy to have him here where there are people who can look up to him and learn from him."

Crowd Favorite Sebastian Frey said,

Frey - All geared up!
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"I am positively delighted to come over here and sign for Everton. I initially had a few doubts of moving away from Italy. But once I discussed with Balaji and the directors, I made up my mind to go to a place where there is ambition to win. I certainly will try to be at my absolute best for Everton."

Davala - A master of his game

Umit Davala addressed the press

"I was pondering the possibilities of retirement after Werder released me due to an injury. But when Balaji came to me looking for someone who could share his passion to get Everton to the place they belong, I simply could not refuse. I would do everything in my capacity to help the team perform."

We have the last our practice games, against PNE tomorow. Then it is off to Parkhead for the CHampions League Qualifiers!
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[m_vaughan]

Frey was fantastic for most of last season, and if he can be half as good this season, then Everton are definately gonna concede very few goals.

Looking forward to the Preston North End game. Its your last chance to get some form back before the battle of Briton!

 

[Bala]

Everton vs Preston North End
Friendly Match
Goodison Park, Liverpool.
2nd August 2005.

We tread the grass in Goodison for the first time this season as we host Preston in our last friendly. I handed out debuts to Sebastian Frey and Oguchi Onyewu. Davala was named among the subs. I gave James Vaughan yet another chance to get a good run in.

PNE was playing 4 - 3 - 3 and their strategy was to attack in the flanks. My clear instruction to the team is to have a decent game. No rough tactics and especially no injuries before the start of the season.

20,000 fans were in attendance to watch this match.

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[m_vaughan]

I see you have started Vaughan and Beattie for almost all of the games. It will be interesting to see how the likes of Onyewu and Frey perform in their first game for theclub. Watch out for Ormerod though, I remember him during his time at Southampton, and he can score goals.