31 December 2030
Vercelli, Italy

Pro Vercelli continue to out perform under the leadership of Mr BadDragon. The preseason relegation favourites end 2030 in third place and look like they have the ability to mount a serious challenge for promotion. There is still a lot of football to be played however so it is important that they keep performing at this level.

~Layer Cakes, Saudi FM News Network

New Signing

My second summer signing is a 21 year old defensive midfielder known to all his mates as “Stefotto”. This lad addresses the thinness we have in the midfield and will quickly become a first team regular.

Serie B Match 20/42 v Giulianova

Next match sees us face off against Giulianova who are struggling in the bottom third. This is the sort of match we have to win.

I field an unchanged side from the last match. We don’t have a lot of options on the bench so the first team picks itself.

“Tito” is forced off with an injury 15 minutes in, replaced by “Baz”. That is more than slightly concerning! “Macho” sets the game alight with a fantastic free-kick. What a strike!!!

“Zo” doubles our advantage on the half hour mark with a cool finish for a delightful “Curlz” pass. 2-0 and the game is ours to lose. We survive a scare with an offside goal and manage to hold the 2-0 lead at the break.

 

From the kick-off we score a peach of a goal. While “Roto” was there to apply the finish, there was some delightful passing in the move, and I think this is the best team goal of the season.

Despite the score it hasn’t been all one way traffic. This statement is borne out in the nice goal scored by Torri to make it 3-1.

When Grande get on the end of a good cross I start getting just a little concerned. We are being cut open and need to shore things up. I switch to a 4-1-3-2 an manage to get over the finish line to win 3-2.

Not our best performance, but we got the win which is the main thing. Better to be lucky than good sometimes.

In the end we were the more dominant side, although the scoreline didn’t quite reflect this.

Serie B Match 21/42 v Renate

The final on 2030 sees us take on relegation threatened A.C. Renate. This could so easily have been us this season had results not gone our way.

I am forced to ring the changes in this match. “Mazza” gets a chance to impress in goal, while “Sadie”, “Pizzo”, “Cosmo”, and “Tomaz” all get a start.

It doesn’t take long for “Zo” to make an impact, as he beats the keeper at his near post to give us the lead after just five minutes.

With time almost up in the first half, Pavani fouls “”Roto” and the ref points to the spot. “Tito” steps up and buries the chance to double our lead at the half. Both sides have chances in the second half but neither can manage to convert them.

In the end the game finishes 2-0 and we end the year on a positive note. This also means we have

Mid-season Review

Club Depth

This is the current status of the side across the positions which I choose to employ. The game time numbers also shows players who are onloan playing first team games.

Goal Keeper

Loan player “Micci” has been the automatic first choice. Moving forward into the second half of the season, “Mazza” is going to start half the games as I look to see whether he can step up for next season or if I need to find a new keeper.

Defenders

I have “Bong” coming to strengthen the side in January, and he will slot into the number three slot in the pecking order. “Ali Rom” and “Baz” will be leaving at the end of the season.

Left Backs

“Pizzo” and “Borto are not considered as they play on the other side. “Lapo” looks likley to surpass “Sadie” for the second half of the campaign.

Right Backs

“Pizzo” is number one, while “Borto” is more of a utility back.

Midfield

“Lapo” and “Pizzo” are not in the frame moving forward. I have “Stefotto” arriving in January to provide another midfield body. “Macho” may well be playing deeper moving forward due to the strength we have in the AM space.

Attacking Midfield

“Zo” and “Vargs” will fight over this position. “Campo” is out on loan.

Strikers

This is the position which needs strengthening. “Roto” has potential and “Curlz” has been playing ok, however we need a new striker to take us to the next level.

Results

Only two matches played, but two wins recorded. Maximum points, maximum value.

Table

We are only a point off second, and just six of the lead at the half way point. plenty of room to take this to the house.

Next Episode

The match which stands out is the visit to Inter Milan. This will be a real battle for the ages!