The next game was a classic.. It was the stuff you dream of seeing when you tune in to watch Super Sunday or something.. Manchester United versus Arsenal.

I very quickly took the lead, and held onto it until after half time, when I managed to double my tally and scored a wonderful goal from Valencia (I love playing him in Fifa10). So I’m two nil up and getting plenty of chances, the other guy is getting chances too, but my defence is performing admirably. Half way through the 2nd half I get brought down in the area – Penalty! Michael Carrick steps up but then it’s saved.. Damn!! Then things went bad.. Right from the save, the ball was worked up field and Arsenal pulled a goal back.  OK, only 1 up now, I think it was about the 78th minute or something – just have to hold on for 12+ minutes.. I almost managed it. In the 92nd minute Walcott put a cross in to find the head of Van Persie who equalised.. DAMN DAMN DAMN!!

Extra Time!

In the first period of extra time, I managed to play really good, and get a third goal.. Luckily extra time comes and goes pretty fast, so I didn’t have to hold onto the lead too long. But somehow, by grace of god or something, I kept my nerve, and kept the lead.. Final Whistle !! YEAH!!!! I jumped for joy, and punched the air.. My First EVER online Win in Fifa10!! Finally!!!!

Here’s the match report (these are automatically sent to my gmail account after each game).

The second season, in the Coca Cola Championship was much tougher, but I had two good cup runs. Beating Chelsea in the League cup was a high point, but went out later to Swansea of all teams I was to later face Chelsea again in the FA cup. I don’t know what it is, but I seemed to really raise my game against these ‘big guns’ of the premiership. In the FA Cup Quarter final against Chelsea, I managed to get to 90 minute at 0-0, then a further 30 minutes of extra time, still scoreless. Unfortunately they beat me on penalties, 6-5. It was hard, especially since I must have saved about 4 of Chelsea’s Penalties, Yes, it was well into sudden death.

Regardless, I continued to fight on in the league and managed to get myself up to 3rd place, but there was absolutely no way I was going to get 2nd, the gap was a massive 12 points by the end of the season. Next up, the play off’s. I really hate play off’s, after a long drawn out hard season, I just wanted to get promoted without an addition (potential) 3 games. Bristol in the Semi’s I overcome, 1-1 away, then 3-0 at home. Then Swansea in the final – my chance of revenge. Damn, It was a hard fought game, but I came out the eventual 1 – 0 winner

Yay, I got my trophy. But now, what to do? Do I carry on with Southampton in the premiership and try to raise them up. Nah.. I left having accomplished what I set out to do. The offers from other clubs were limited, and no ‘big’ clubs home or abroad were interested. In the end the best offer came from Newcastle United, now a premiership team once again. It had a nice budget for me to spend at the club or in the transfer market. I had a few good players at Southampton, and I brought them all to Newcastle. I also noticed Fabio from Man Utd was on the transfer list for 5M, and I do rate those brothers. In the end I managed to sign all the players I desired. I then decided to get rid of the ‘dead wood’ at the club, anyone below a rating of 60 was sold, and also old age outfield players – bye bye Nicky Butt.

My ‘Chairman’ expects me to ‘avoid the relegation zone’ and get to Round 4 of the FA Cup. Pfff, such lowly ambitions. My own ambitions with the players I brought are to challenge for the Premiership itself, and maybe win a domestic cup. I would be gutted if I didn’t get into Europe after 1 season. But hey, that’s football, or rather, that’s Fifa10

Damn, I love this game!

Edit: First game of the new Premiership didn’t go well, Away at West Ham – lost 1 – 0.. Next up Fulham at home..
Edit2: My next 2 games, Fulham 4-0 win, and Burnley 6-0 Win, my old club Southampton next, then Chelsea!

What also is shocking is that once again, I could not field 11 players in my Fantasy Football side, after another 3 transfers this week (see my last FF post), Lennon and Fletcher still get zero minutes, but I have 1 sub (Rodwell) who can step into one of those positions. My other 2 subs didn’t play – again!!
On the positive side I’ve got 44pts so far (before bonus’s applied) and Aston Villa still have to play mid-week

Further positive news.. If Manchester City wish to become a top 4 club (or Aston Villa for that matter), then it’s looking increasingly likely that the team to give way to any new entry’s will be Liverpool – Oh how funny their result today is, Losing 3-1 to Fulham, their 5th Loss this season already lol.. Let’s all laugh at Liverpool. Yes, they may have beat Man Utd (my team) last week, woopie doo. They win a game, it’s hardly a trophy.. It’s like the United Liverpool game is their cup final now, the only game they actually decide to play football. Dear oh dear Liverpool.

Final thought – Jamie Carragher tries to once again take out the attacker when he is last man, last week he escaped with only a yellow card – it should have been Red. Today, He decides to try his luck again, same situation.. Well, on today’s Halloween horror show, there was no escape – Bye Bye Dipper!

Anyway, here’s my side for this weekends fixtures..

I’ve still kept in Fletcher, I doubt he’ll play but if he doesn’t Rodwell will slide into his place. Ben Foster and Jermain Defoe are relegated to the subs bench – I need to get rid of Foster though at some point, while Van Der Sar is fit, Foster won’t get a game (possibly).

Apart from Fantasy Football, there is one VERY BIG game on this weekend – Manchester United travel to Anfield for the Battle of the titans once again. Liverpool, having done the double on us last season and like my Fantasy Football team they are lying in mid-table obscurity right now, will once again have a point to prove against us, especially as we pipped them to the title last year – to equal their ancient history of 18 league titles – they have never won a title in the modern game.. What’s the only ship that hasn’t docked in Merseyside? The Premiership