Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....

[Yarrgh]

Mixed bag. El Dunco needs to get to grips with the lads who are either siesta-ing during the game or fiesta-ing at night.

Come on, enforce some discipline. They need to get to bed before 3am on a match day - that's professionalism. Make it easy by banning sale of alcohol to players after 2am in the Zaragoza city limits.

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

Mixed bag. El Dunco needs to get to grips with the lads who are either siesta-ing during the game or fiesta-ing at night.

Come on, enforce some discipline. They need to get to bed before 3am on a match day - that's professionalism. Make it easy by banning sale of alcohol to players after 2am in the Zaragoza city limits.

The forthcoming January transfer window will be interesting. Juan Carlos Perez leaving the club and talk of Ferguson cashing in on Xavier Alvarado with four years left on his current contract. Unless he can turn his form around and start playing like the player he thinks he is.

 

[Jimishorts]

End of season push.

It’s what we do.

UTFZ

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

2037 is soon upon us and with Juan Carlos Perez agreeing a deal with Valladolid, Ferguson will be looking at a replacement. Sevilla's Jose Manuel Alonso has been closely linked with the club with his agent Rosa Gordillo pushing for a move on social media. She states a deal is happening between Sevilla and Zaragoza and is likely to be confirmed when the window opens in two weeks time. At 22 years old he could be a massive acquisition for Los Blanquillos. Xavier Alvarado is also of interest from a number of clubs and the 20 year old is a target for Serie A side Udinese. ​

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

Reus vs Real Zaragoza
20th December 2036

Spoiler

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Struggling Reus were up against it against Zaragoza who were looking to make it three wins from three. Jose Zubillaga was suffering with cold and was not part of the travelling squad. Xavier Alvarado was given a chance in the team but 0 goals in 9 appearances this season left a lot to be desired. Zaragoza looked to put Reus under pressure early on and Cobos done well finding Alonso with a splitting pass, he played it low into the area and Xavier Alvarado got his first goal of the season with an easy side footed finish! Reus were threatening with the long ball but Martinez was well aware when coming to claim, the Zaragoza back line need to be on their toes. Romero took the corner on 31 minutes and Chapman's movement was restricted by Sarriugarte, the referee had no choice but to award the penalty! Richard Alonso took the kick in the absence of Zubillaga and buried it low into the left corner! Zaragoza were far from over the line, the balls into the box for Roberto Santos were good and he was winning headers too easily, Igror Martinez was having a fine game in goal keeping them out. Reus were having chances, Duque came forward unopposed and shot from outside the box but it swerved wide. Duque's determination paid off on 83 minutes when Zaragoza failed to clear from the corner and he slotted to put the home side back in the game. Zaragoza were being put to the sword and Reus could feel the nervousness. Another corner was won after Chapman put the ball behind, Santos played it into the box and Diaz headed towards goal, Martinez was back peddling but couldn't reach it, it went in! 2-2 in stoppage time! Diaz with his first ever goal for Reus salvaging a point from 2-0 down. It was poor from Zaragoza as they end the match dumbfounded by what had just happened.

DF: We didn't play well enough all game and at half-time I warned them of what was to come. They exploited us with the long ball and beat us for pace every time. To concede like that at the end was poor and we completely switched off. There's no words, I'm very disappointed. We've got the winter break now for two weeks, it's sad not to go into it on a three match winning streak.

PLAYER RATINGS

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JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW UPDATE



DF: I couldn't offer Eugenio the football he wanted here and it's for the good of his career he takes the opportunity in South America. Regular first team football will be beneficial for him, he has done the right thing to gain experience.

Real Zaragoza vs Numantia
3rd January 2037

Spoiler

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Eugenio Alvarez left the club to join Union De Santa FE in the Argentinian Second Division. Juan Carlos Perez was also due to join new club Valladolid in the coming days. It was an interesting selection to see Luis Granda selected ahead of Jose Zubillaga but maybe a fresh approach up top is what Zaragoza need. Carlos Romero played the ball forward to Granda who moved into the left, he crossed into the box but Alonso was pulled down by Gonzalo and the referee gave the penalty on 2 minutes. Alonso stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to get his 6th goal of the season! Numantia kept their players behind the ball to limit Zaragoza's chances, Luis Granda was isolated on his own up top. Numantia were happy for Zaragoza to bring the ball forward but were limiting them to shots outside the box. Javi was on for Chapman who was limping about the pitch, his first involvement came from Romero's corner when he flicked it on for Alonso who tried to squeeze it in at the far post but the keeper got across to save. There was only a few minutes left but Zaragoza looked a bit shaky, they can't allow Numantia to grab a goal back. Numantia pushed Zaragoza back who were forced to play defensively. Gonzalo took the ball on the left, got it into the box but Martinez claimed and went to ground. The ball was played upfield but Macana took it in goal and hoofed it forward, Julian took it down on the outside of the box and Jorge fouled to concede a late free-kick. Castro had the chance to grab a point with the last chance of the match, he got it up and over the wall but it hit the side netting, the Numantia fans thought it was in and Zaragoza were relieved to see it had gone wide. A win and three points for Zaragoza with the goal coming from the spot kick early on.

PLAYER RATINGS

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JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW UPDATE





DF: Agustin was one of our players having a good loan spell with Zamora in the Spanish Third Division but there was some confusion over his contract. The logistics were wrong within the club and we've lost a very good footballer to Real Betis on a free transfer.

Real Zaragoza vs Guijuelo
11th January 2037

Spoiler

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Director of Football Lalo Arantegui claimed the club dropped the ball when failing to negotiate 17 year old prospect Agustin Noya's contract and Real Betis swooped in and signed the winger on a free transfer. It is claimed there is a problematic relationship between Ferguson and Arantegui and it is the responsibility of the DoF to handle the contract negotiations for youth team players. Ferguson is disappointed at losing a potential first teamer this way and stated the contract should have been sorted months ago. It was another home game for Zaragoza and a win could move them into the play-off places against Guijuelo who are inside the relegation zone. Jose Zubillaga started the match for Los Blanquillos. Rittmuller got the ball out wide to Alvarez on the overlap and he crossed low into the box, it was cleared but picked up by Juan who struck it low and hard from the edge of the box and made it 1-0 inside the first minute! Alonso came forward on 18 minutes and passed it into the box for Zubillaga, he struck first time to bag his 12th goal of the season and make it 2-0! Ramos was allowed to run from right back all the forward, play it into the box for Burgos who placed it low into the bottom corner and pull a goal back for Guijuelo. Zaragoza were pushing for the third with chances coming from the midfield duo Juan and Romero. The keeper was doing well denying them. Abadias was on for Cobos and his first involvement was taking a shot from outside the box but it was a poor decision and this is why he doesn't get a start, his decision making can be poor. Zaragoza got a but of luck when Zubillaga crossed into the box from the corner and Alex Burgos headed past his own keeper! A very bizarre own goal. It's enough to put Zaragoza out of sight but Guijuelo had their chances in the second half to get it back on level terms.

DF: That header was one I'm proud of! I've been asking my players to do that all season! We needed that win today, we move five points of second place and it's definitely all to play for in this league. The second half of this season is where we need to work harder than ever and not leave it to chance.

PLAYER RATINGS

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LEAGUE TABLE

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW UPDATE

SAMU MARTINEZ

​

The deal to bring Jose Alonso to the club did not happen despite his agent claiming a deal was already done. Ferguson went out and signed another Right Back at a fraction of the price for £375k. Samu Martinez joins the club from Getafe and is eager to continue his footballing development under the coaching team at Zaragoza. Getafe's relegation last season was a reason Martinez wanted to leave the club and progress his career at a more competitive level with the aim of playing in La Liga in the not too distant future. The 24 year old has represented Spain U19's and is an exciting attacking fullback who will bring a new dynamic to Real Zaragoza's attacking style of play.

DF: Samu is an exciting player who can attack and defend, he has pace and never stops working. He will fit in well down the right side at the club and adds competition for places. I believe the supporters will take to him instantly, he has a likeable nature and is very modest. He will fit in well here at the club and will be part of our plans in the second half of the season.

 

[Jimishorts]

Look at that goal difference, we should comfortably be in the playoff places.

Let’s hope we’re not heading for our traditional mid season slump.

Need to knuckle down for the 2nd half of the season

UTFZ

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

Look at that goal difference, we should comfortably be in the playoff places.

Let’s hope we’re not heading for our traditional mid season slump.

Need to knuckle down for the 2nd half of the season

UTFZ

The ranking rule when teams are tied on points in Spain is based on an accumulation of points gained in the retrospective matches between the sides and if that is tied then GD comes into play. What worries me is we are beating teams near the bottom of the table but not beating the teams in and around us. Of the teams above us we have only beaten Alcorcon and drew with Pamplona and Valladolid. We play Valladolid next and we have to take all three points.

 

[Jimishorts]

The ranking rule when teams are tied on points in Spain is based on an accumulation of points gained in the retrospective matches between the sides and if that is tied then GD comes into play. What worries me is we are beating teams near the bottom of the table but not beating the teams in and around us. Of the teams above us we have only beaten Alcorcon and drew with Pamplona and Valladolid. We play Valladolid next and we have to take all three points.

It’s a must win TPBD.

Nobody wants another repeat of El @maccavennie and the kidnappos of Los blanquillos.

UTFZ

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

Real Zaragoza vs Valladolid
18th January 2037

Spoiler

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8th against 6th and a chance for Zaragoza to leapfrog their opponents in the table. Samu Martinez got his debut at right back and all eyes were on him from the supporters here today at La Romareda. Juan Carlos Perez also started for Valladolid lining up against his former team where he spent six years. His name was not popular with the home supporters when it was read out before kick-off. Zaragoza continued their recent fine form when on 17 seconds Alonso came forward and shot on the edge of the box to make it 1-0 scoring the quickest goal of the season! Fernandez took the free-kick for Valladolid and Perez beat Chapman in the air to head down to Leroux at the post to knock it to equalise. Cobos crossed in from the left to find Alonso at the far post who had time to kill the ball and strike on his left beating an outstretched keeper! Carlos Romero whipped the free-kick to the far post, Chapman headed towards goal and Pablo knocked it over the line but the flag was raised, no goal. Galan took the ball in midfield and played it wide for Pericles who beat Samu and got it into the box for Stuart Josey to head in and pull a goal back for Valladolid. It was a double change for Zaragoza with 20 minutes to go, Cobos and Alonso both came off for Granda and Abadias with Ferguson ditching the wide players for a three man attack. The ball came forward from Valladolid but it fell to Samu who passed it across his box and Stuart Josey got in to tap in the third. Samu was having a terrible debut and looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. Edgar Martinez crossed in from the right and Pericles tapped in to make it 4-2, what a collapse from Zaragoza and the decision to change tactics was the wrong call. Faye passed it to Pericles on the edge of the box and under no challenge made it 5-2, the ground was emptying and there was nowhere to hide for these players. Rittmuller hit a weak shot with 8 minutes to go and that was enough for the remaining fans, the away supporters were giving it their all and it was embarrassment for the home side. Zaragoza's chance of moving into 4th is blown with Valladolid producing a fantastic second half display. Juan Carlos Perez on the winning side and new boy Samu Martinez with one of the worst debuts in recent times. What was Ferguson thinking, taking off Richard Alonso who was the driving force for Zaragoza? The board won't take kindly to this heavy defeat.

PLAYER RATINGS



Elche vs Real Zaragoza
25th January 2037

Spoiler

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Samu Martinez kept his place in the team and was given another chance after a calamitous debut in front of the Zaragoza faithful. Rittmuller was ruled out with a virus, Carlos Romero was suspended after receiving 5 yellow cards and Israel Silva was still unfit. Richard Donkor was ruled out with an ankle injury so Ioseba Flano got his first start of the season behind Jose Zubillaga. Javi was back from injury and lined up with Chapman in defence. Toni Belmonte crossed in on 2 minutes and Martinez got a hand to it but Arteaga capitalised and slotted to make it 1-0. Alvarez and Samu exchanged passes before giving it to Flano, he passed to Juan on the edge of the box and he got inside to find the top left corner beating the keeper on 10 minutes to level! Alonso came down the right and passed forward to Zubillaga, Juan arrived on the overlap and he played him in, it looked dangerous and Juan's shot was just wide of the post. Encouraging football from Zaragoza. Belmonte got the ball forward to Arteaga but his cross was blocked by Alvarez, the bal ran free into the box, Saul got there first and slotted to give Elche the lead once again. Juan played it wide to Samu just before half-time and he got into the final third, he played a great ball to Cobos who got it all wrong and skied it, what a chance. Belmonte crossed in from the corner just after half-time, Martinez came out and punched clear, Lopez took it down and volleyed it into the top right corner, what a hit! It's 3-1 to Elche! Zaragioza kicked into gear and Alonso was put through on goal so many times and Vicente was saving everything thrown at him. Cobos came forward on 62 minutes and Saul dragged his shirt back, the referee had already booked Saul and showed him his second yellow! Zaragoza were all over Elche and the sending off made it worse, Cobos took the bal from Alvarez's throw and whipped it into the box for Alonso to slot home and grab a goal back! Alvarez crossed into the box on 79 minutes and Zubillaga went up with the keeper but the ball bounced in, it's 3-3! Zaragoza pulled it back! But no, the referee stated it won't count as Zubillaga pushed the keeper, what an absurd decision! Juan came forward with the ball and passed to Flano, he took a shot and it hit the bar, Alonso came in and the keeper got down well to push it wide! Martinez finds Samu on the right and he bombs forward, a great pass to Zubillaga on 92 minutes to finish and he put it over the bar. What a second half from Zaragoza, how did they not score? All credit to Vicente in goal, he was incredible.

DF: Second half was much better but we still lost and on paper that's what we look at. Another defeat and another opportunity thrown away to try and gain on the teams above us. There was nothing wrong with the goal from Alvarez, again we are punished. Samu played well today, in defence and attack, he got forward supporting Alonso which is exactly what we want. The first goal came down his side and he could have got tighter but he'll learn from that.

PLAYER RATINGS

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JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW





DF: Xavier Alvarado has been the interest of many clubs since I've been here and he never really took his chance in the first team, we got a good fee for him and we took it whilst his stock was high. Bringing Blas here on loan to the end of the season will help us get some goals but we have to take our time with him as he hasn't played competitive football for quite a while, he will need time to get up to full match sharpness.

Real Zaragoza vs Alcorcon
1st February 2037

Spoiler

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New signing Blas got the nod ahead of Jose Zubillaga in attempt to put a stop to the recent run of defeats. Clemens Rittmuller was back in the side after recovering from his viral infection. There was a blow for Zaragoza on 32 minutes when Juan went down injured and had to be stretchered off, Jorge came on as his replacement. A minute into the second half and Alvarez finds Samu arriving to the edge of the box, he plays it to him and he crosses for Cobos who strikes into the side netting. Martinez starts again and gives it to Alvarez, he passed forward to Cobos and there was space on the left side, a nice ball played forward for Blas who held off the defender and kept it low to beat the keeper and score on his debut! Instant impact from Blas and Ferguson was delighted with that one! Alonso tried to find Romero with the pass but he gave it away, Silva then saw Antonio Romero in space in the box and he beat Martinez to make it 1-1 on 48 minutes, the lead was short-lived. Alcorcon had a free-kick on 55 minutes which was sent into the six yard box, Garcia got up above Martinez and headed into the gaping net to make it 2-1 to the visitors. It was a double change with 20 minutes to go, Granda came on for Alonso and Zubillaga replaced the goalscorer Blas who went off to a rousing applause. It was all Zaragoza in the final stage of the game, all players working hard to regain possession and get the ball forward, Romero had a great chance to level but he put the shot wide. Seck came forward and Javi went in with a slide tackle but Seck went past him, he crossed into the box towards Sendra who took it down and placed it past Martinez to make it 3-1 and seal the victory for Alcorcon. Zaragoza are struggling to defend lately and are also unable to score goals. A worrying time for Zaragoza as the play-off places seem to get more distant.

DF: We are getting caught on the counter, the players are not performing as well as they should be. I've got to explain a third consecutive defeat to the owner and hope I still have a job in the morning.

PLAYER RATINGS

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LEAGUE TABLE

 

[Yarrgh]

iBoooooo!

 

[Jimishorts]

Oh ffs, time to get the cable ties and gaffer tape.

Paging El @maccavennie , time to dust off the balaclava.

 

[maccavennie]

Oh ffs, time to get the cable ties and gaffer tape.

Paging El @maccavennie , time to dust off the balaclava.

Onto it Jimi, no more Mr Nice Macca

 

[maccavennie]

Strong rumours that El Dunc has bought himself a dingy and is paddling down the motorway away from all this crap.

My Capri has been clamped so I cant get down the Z6 Motorway so I'm just waiting on Alfonso the local Baker whose wife I'm rattling vigorously to get his bread van and give me a lift.

I'll see if I can catch up with Dunc, sounds like he's finally cracked under the pressure or maybe just a bit of sunstroke

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Strong rumours that El Dunc has bought himself a dingy and is paddling down the motorway away from all this crap.

My Capri has been clamped so I cant get down the Z6 Motorway so I'm just waiting on Alfonso the local Baker whose wife I'm rattling vigorously to get his bread van and give me a lift.

I'll see if I can catch up with Dunc, sounds like he's finally cracked under the pressure or maybe just a bit of sunstroke

I heard Alfonso’s wife rattles like that as she eats scrap metal. Not sure if true.