Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Has he ever thought of trying his hand in the Middle East? His Fierce style of football and heart of a Lion would be like a tika taka oasis in a nichtgegenpressing desert.
Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
The bloke couldn't organise a root in a brothel with a fistful of 50's so i have my doubts he's cut out for the pressure cooker atmosphere of a Doha derby.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
If anyone is ready for a cauldron of pressure it is one touch Hendo.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Real Mallorca vs Real Zaragoza
8th February 2037
With Carlos Romero and Juan both injured it was interesting to see Ferguson rolling the dice with Hector Ormad and Israel Silva partner in midfield. Ormad hadn't featured all season and Ferguson was hopeful the gamble would pay off. Blas kept his place up top with Zubillaga on the bench. Zaragoza kept their shape well and made the first half difficult for Mallorca who couldn't get clear on goal. Igor Martinez was playing well making some good saves. Ormad done well in the middle finding Alonso who slipped it through to Cobos inside the box but the keeper kept out his shot. Jose Zubillaga came on for Clemens Rittmuller for the second half. Both keepers were playing well and both sides were limited in their creativity. Only seconds remained when Ormad set up Jorge and his long range shot was tipped behind. Cobos knew this corner would be the last chance of the game, Ruiz beat Zubillaga and headed over for another corner, Zubillaga swung it in but Perrot cleared, Jorge picked it up but couldn't get round his man, the referee decided that was enough and brought a dull affair to a close.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Zaragoza vs Sevilla
14th February 2037
St. Valentines day but there's not much love for Zaragoza manager Duncan Ferguson right now and the Sevilla fans feel the same about new manager Raul Albentosa. Sevilla had climbed away from danger in the Second Division and were in 11th place. Promotion seemed unlikely with their season aim of returning to the top flight hanging in the balance. Ferguson went with Ormad and Jorge in midfield with Abadias on the left and Zubillaga back up top. It seemed Ferguson was tinkering with his squad to try and get back to winning ways with the draw against Mallorca being a spring board. Alonso took the ball inside his own half on 5 minutes and done what he does best and bombed down the line, he tried the cross towards Zubillaga but it hit Sevilla defender Koffi, Rittmuller took the loose ball, he couldn't miss and made it 1-0! Sevilla played the ball into the box on 10 minutes and Samu's terrible touch saw the ball run away from him, Caercelen blasted it first time into the top corner to make it 1-1. Rittmuller passed it wide to Abadias and he played an intelligent ball into the box for Zubillaga to finish and get his 13th goal of the season! Zaragoza get back on top! Zaragoza gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position, right on the edge of the box, Dorado got the ball over the poorly constructed wall and into the net to make it 2-2 on 44 minutes. Ferguson tried to change the game in the second half as Sevilla pushed everyone forward, Alonso had the best chance as he made space but the shot was right at the keeper. The final result was a draw and it keeps Zaragoza in the top half of the division.
DF: It was a tough goal to take on the brink of half-time. Sevilla came at us but we get a point against a top side and showed some improvement from recent weeks. Next week is a tough trip to Pamplona who are always up for it and they're doing well this season. We know what to expect and have a feeling on how they're going to play.
PLAYER RATINGS
Atletico Pamplona vs Real Zaragoza
22nd February 2037
The two Spanish rivals meet again as Pamplona push their bid for promotion and also have a chance of sealing Duncan Ferguson's fate. Carlos Romero was back from injury and the midfielder was adamant the club will return to winning ways stating they are too good to struggle like this. The blow this week was the injury to Igor Martinez and second choice keeper Marc Bollrath got his first league start of the season. Pamplona started the match at a high tempo and Zaragoza tried to adjust, they done well with the aerial balls but on 8 minutes it was Munoz crossing in for Bauza to head in his 5th goal of the season. Zaragoza's poor defensive marking was punished when on 20 minutes Garmendia sent the free-kick in low for Munoz to make it 2-0. Ferguson's future as manager hung in the balance as Zaragoza tried to fight back from a two goal deficit. The players just looked uninterested and seemed lost of ideas on the pitch. It's defeat in Pamplona and it could be the way out for Ferguson after suffering a defeat to the club's rivals.
DF: If I'm asked to leave I can say I came here and tried my best. It doesn't always work out the way you want it to. I will meet with the owner tonight and we will have a discussion.
PLAYER RATINGS
Girona vs Real Zaragoza
28th February 2037
Pressure was growing on manager Duncan Ferguson with rumours that he met with chairman Brett Alexander earlier in the week and was told he has to get the season back on track or he will be out the door. Ferguson played it down in the pre-match press conference when asked about pressure from the board and supporters stating he is still the man for the job and that play-offs are still within reach. Clemens Rittmuller and Richard Donkor were still injured so Ioseba Flano got the nod. Samu was dropped to the bench and Toni Galindo was favoured in the right back position. Carlos Romero was making a notable difference in midfield and got the ball forward towards Alonso but it was headed away, Zubillaga battled to take it down and away from his marker but his shot was just wide. Zaragoza were playing well at the back denying Girona from set-pieces. They lacked in attack and seemed unable to trouble the Girona keeper. A point away from home may have usually be seen positively but with their season under threat, it wasn't good enough and supporters were concerned.
PLAYER RATINGS
8th February 2037
=
With Carlos Romero and Juan both injured it was interesting to see Ferguson rolling the dice with Hector Ormad and Israel Silva partner in midfield. Ormad hadn't featured all season and Ferguson was hopeful the gamble would pay off. Blas kept his place up top with Zubillaga on the bench. Zaragoza kept their shape well and made the first half difficult for Mallorca who couldn't get clear on goal. Igor Martinez was playing well making some good saves. Ormad done well in the middle finding Alonso who slipped it through to Cobos inside the box but the keeper kept out his shot. Jose Zubillaga came on for Clemens Rittmuller for the second half. Both keepers were playing well and both sides were limited in their creativity. Only seconds remained when Ormad set up Jorge and his long range shot was tipped behind. Cobos knew this corner would be the last chance of the game, Ruiz beat Zubillaga and headed over for another corner, Zubillaga swung it in but Perrot cleared, Jorge picked it up but couldn't get round his man, the referee decided that was enough and brought a dull affair to a close.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Zaragoza vs Sevilla
14th February 2037
=
St. Valentines day but there's not much love for Zaragoza manager Duncan Ferguson right now and the Sevilla fans feel the same about new manager Raul Albentosa. Sevilla had climbed away from danger in the Second Division and were in 11th place. Promotion seemed unlikely with their season aim of returning to the top flight hanging in the balance. Ferguson went with Ormad and Jorge in midfield with Abadias on the left and Zubillaga back up top. It seemed Ferguson was tinkering with his squad to try and get back to winning ways with the draw against Mallorca being a spring board. Alonso took the ball inside his own half on 5 minutes and done what he does best and bombed down the line, he tried the cross towards Zubillaga but it hit Sevilla defender Koffi, Rittmuller took the loose ball, he couldn't miss and made it 1-0! Sevilla played the ball into the box on 10 minutes and Samu's terrible touch saw the ball run away from him, Caercelen blasted it first time into the top corner to make it 1-1. Rittmuller passed it wide to Abadias and he played an intelligent ball into the box for Zubillaga to finish and get his 13th goal of the season! Zaragoza get back on top! Zaragoza gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position, right on the edge of the box, Dorado got the ball over the poorly constructed wall and into the net to make it 2-2 on 44 minutes. Ferguson tried to change the game in the second half as Sevilla pushed everyone forward, Alonso had the best chance as he made space but the shot was right at the keeper. The final result was a draw and it keeps Zaragoza in the top half of the division.
DF: It was a tough goal to take on the brink of half-time. Sevilla came at us but we get a point against a top side and showed some improvement from recent weeks. Next week is a tough trip to Pamplona who are always up for it and they're doing well this season. We know what to expect and have a feeling on how they're going to play.
PLAYER RATINGS
Atletico Pamplona vs Real Zaragoza
22nd February 2037
=
The two Spanish rivals meet again as Pamplona push their bid for promotion and also have a chance of sealing Duncan Ferguson's fate. Carlos Romero was back from injury and the midfielder was adamant the club will return to winning ways stating they are too good to struggle like this. The blow this week was the injury to Igor Martinez and second choice keeper Marc Bollrath got his first league start of the season. Pamplona started the match at a high tempo and Zaragoza tried to adjust, they done well with the aerial balls but on 8 minutes it was Munoz crossing in for Bauza to head in his 5th goal of the season. Zaragoza's poor defensive marking was punished when on 20 minutes Garmendia sent the free-kick in low for Munoz to make it 2-0. Ferguson's future as manager hung in the balance as Zaragoza tried to fight back from a two goal deficit. The players just looked uninterested and seemed lost of ideas on the pitch. It's defeat in Pamplona and it could be the way out for Ferguson after suffering a defeat to the club's rivals.
DF: If I'm asked to leave I can say I came here and tried my best. It doesn't always work out the way you want it to. I will meet with the owner tonight and we will have a discussion.
PLAYER RATINGS
Girona vs Real Zaragoza
28th February 2037
=
Pressure was growing on manager Duncan Ferguson with rumours that he met with chairman Brett Alexander earlier in the week and was told he has to get the season back on track or he will be out the door. Ferguson played it down in the pre-match press conference when asked about pressure from the board and supporters stating he is still the man for the job and that play-offs are still within reach. Clemens Rittmuller and Richard Donkor were still injured so Ioseba Flano got the nod. Samu was dropped to the bench and Toni Galindo was favoured in the right back position. Carlos Romero was making a notable difference in midfield and got the ball forward towards Alonso but it was headed away, Zubillaga battled to take it down and away from his marker but his shot was just wide. Zaragoza were playing well at the back denying Girona from set-pieces. They lacked in attack and seemed unable to trouble the Girona keeper. A point away from home may have usually be seen positively but with their season under threat, it wasn't good enough and supporters were concerned.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
JURGEN KLOPP
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Bad fit there. Too many asthma sufferers for his gegenpress to work.
11th ¡Ay caramba!
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Real Zaragoza vs Cadiz
8th March 2037
It was time for Zaragoza to put an end to the slump and aim to win a tough home game against 5th place Cadiz. Chapman was back after injury replacing the injured Pablo. Clemens Rittmuller was back in the team after injury but Striker Blas was still struggling with an ankle injury. Zaragoza were playing with tempo and getting the ball forward but chances were going wayward, they just need that one goal to break the deadlock. Sunday Idowu was booked in the first half for Cadiz and when Alonso played the ball to Zubillaga he was reckless in the challenge and received his marching orders on 30 minutes. The match went on without either side threatening, the best chance coming when Alonso slipped it through to Zubillaga on 65 minutes and his shot was turned away. Ferguson made a double change with Zubillaga and Rittmuller being replaced by Abadias and Donkor. It certainly wasn't a game to remember and the Zaragoza fans made their feelings known to the manager and players as they walked off the pitch. It's all going wrong at Zaragoza and it could be time for change.
DF: We don't get many opportunities like that to take the game to someone and he held back in the final third, we need more aggression and I have to question the mentality of the players. We're now ten points off the play-offs, it's unlikely we are going to be there at the end of the season. I am sympathetic towards the supporters, if I paid to come here and I would have gave the same reaction. It's not good enough and we as a team need to perform better than this.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Zaragoza vs Barcelona B
15th February 2037
Real Zaragoza supporters planned a white handkerchief protest on 24 minutes to signify the number of years in the Spanish La Liga 2. The protest was aimed towards Ferguson who failed on two occasions to beat the play-offs and looks set to miss them altogether in his second full season. Blas was back after his injury and made the bench, Granda was absent with injury, the same starting eleven from the Cadiz match all started. Galindo took the ball down the right but his cross was cleared, Cobos controlled the ball and laid it back to Romero who took a shot that was rising from the edge of the box and it flew past the keeper! What a start on 1 minute! Five minutes later Albert fed the ball forward to Guillermo and he drilled it past Martinez to get his 12th of the season. The protest was strong on 24 minutes as the stadium was filled with white and the noise was so loud in La Romareda. Ferguson took notice but did not let it phase him. The supporter unrest could force the hand of the chairman. Ferguson demanded more aggression from his players urging them to win the ball back at all costs. Zubillaga was taken off on 66 minutes for Blas to make his return. There wasn't much time left for Zaragoza, the passing wasn't clicking and the crowd's frustration could be felt. 90 minutes were on the clock when Romero sent the free-kick to the far post and Chapman headed across goal andnobody took the gamble. It's another disappointing draw and it could spell the end for Ferguson and Zaragoza. The noise inside the stadium at the whistle was deafening with shouts of "Go" heard all around the stadium. Brett Alexander did not look happy in the stands as he was seen shaking his head amongst the club directors.
DF: It's just not going how we want it to, we scored early but we also conceded straight after. The creativity was lacking again but there was improvements in the level of committment from the players.I'm disappointed not to win today, I do know my days here are numbered, I won't make out I don't know. It's a tense situation at the club and the fans are making their voices heard. I think I can turn this around, I have been here before and came back even stronger. I hope that same level of faith can be shown in me.
PLAYER RATINGS
8th March 2037
=
It was time for Zaragoza to put an end to the slump and aim to win a tough home game against 5th place Cadiz. Chapman was back after injury replacing the injured Pablo. Clemens Rittmuller was back in the team after injury but Striker Blas was still struggling with an ankle injury. Zaragoza were playing with tempo and getting the ball forward but chances were going wayward, they just need that one goal to break the deadlock. Sunday Idowu was booked in the first half for Cadiz and when Alonso played the ball to Zubillaga he was reckless in the challenge and received his marching orders on 30 minutes. The match went on without either side threatening, the best chance coming when Alonso slipped it through to Zubillaga on 65 minutes and his shot was turned away. Ferguson made a double change with Zubillaga and Rittmuller being replaced by Abadias and Donkor. It certainly wasn't a game to remember and the Zaragoza fans made their feelings known to the manager and players as they walked off the pitch. It's all going wrong at Zaragoza and it could be time for change.
DF: We don't get many opportunities like that to take the game to someone and he held back in the final third, we need more aggression and I have to question the mentality of the players. We're now ten points off the play-offs, it's unlikely we are going to be there at the end of the season. I am sympathetic towards the supporters, if I paid to come here and I would have gave the same reaction. It's not good enough and we as a team need to perform better than this.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Zaragoza vs Barcelona B
15th February 2037
=
Real Zaragoza supporters planned a white handkerchief protest on 24 minutes to signify the number of years in the Spanish La Liga 2. The protest was aimed towards Ferguson who failed on two occasions to beat the play-offs and looks set to miss them altogether in his second full season. Blas was back after his injury and made the bench, Granda was absent with injury, the same starting eleven from the Cadiz match all started. Galindo took the ball down the right but his cross was cleared, Cobos controlled the ball and laid it back to Romero who took a shot that was rising from the edge of the box and it flew past the keeper! What a start on 1 minute! Five minutes later Albert fed the ball forward to Guillermo and he drilled it past Martinez to get his 12th of the season. The protest was strong on 24 minutes as the stadium was filled with white and the noise was so loud in La Romareda. Ferguson took notice but did not let it phase him. The supporter unrest could force the hand of the chairman. Ferguson demanded more aggression from his players urging them to win the ball back at all costs. Zubillaga was taken off on 66 minutes for Blas to make his return. There wasn't much time left for Zaragoza, the passing wasn't clicking and the crowd's frustration could be felt. 90 minutes were on the clock when Romero sent the free-kick to the far post and Chapman headed across goal andnobody took the gamble. It's another disappointing draw and it could spell the end for Ferguson and Zaragoza. The noise inside the stadium at the whistle was deafening with shouts of "Go" heard all around the stadium. Brett Alexander did not look happy in the stands as he was seen shaking his head amongst the club directors.
DF: It's just not going how we want it to, we scored early but we also conceded straight after. The creativity was lacking again but there was improvements in the level of committment from the players.I'm disappointed not to win today, I do know my days here are numbered, I won't make out I don't know. It's a tense situation at the club and the fans are making their voices heard. I think I can turn this around, I have been here before and came back even stronger. I hope that same level of faith can be shown in me.
PLAYER RATINGS
Duncan Ferguson joined Real Zaragoza on 14th May 2035. In his press conference the Scot came across nervous as he sat in front of the Spanish press and was questioned heavily on the club's stature and how they should be back playing towards the top of La Liga and winning trophies. Ferguson took this in his stride and said there was to be a plan in place to allow the club to develop and build for the promotion back to La Liga and Ferguson almost delivered that feat when he managed to get through to the play-off final but a 68th minute Atletico Pamplona winner made sure Zaragoza stayed in La Liga 2 for the 2035/36 season. Ferguson reached the play-offs for a second time but lost in the Semi-Final to Villarreal. The writing was on the wall for Ferguson after his last win came on 11th January 2037, failing to win any of his next nine fixtures. He leaves Zaragoza ten points away from the play-offs requiring an uptick in results to have an outside chance this season. Ferguson's football worked in Spain but with Brett Alexander in charge of the club, there wasn't going to be much time to turn it around as he aims to bring in his own footballing manager. Alexander is known to salivate at the thought of a manager with continental style and flair and a manager who knows Spanish football a lot better than the now former manager. There should be no hard feelings between the board and Ferguson and it is now up to Ferguson to move on with limited remaining time left in football management.
Can’t say I surprised tbh.
Where to next on the Ferguson rollercoaster?
Could be time for Hendo to step up and inherit the thread.
Where to next on the Ferguson rollercoaster?
Could be time for Hendo to step up and inherit the thread.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Could be time for Ferguson to step down. We can see how the remainder of the season plays out.
Any mid table championship clubs looking for an experienced cone layer?
mmmmsnouts
Player Valuation: £40m
Think it's time for Dunc to take his pension and lock this thread up. Never managed a single game in a top flight.
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