It’s March 2002 and as you can gather from the immature title of this post, things have improved a little for Darlo. We’re still in deep trouble though with just a few months to go. Elsewhere, England have a battle on their hands to qualify for World Cup 2002 and there’s the usual array of managerial stupidity. Let’s start with that.
We ended the last post with Darlo & Coventry fighting over 20th in the Premier League. How do you get over that? See you later Gordon…
Coventry decide to go for the main man
This is bad news for me. It’s also bad news for Jack Charlton…
Arsenal opt to poach Ray Harford from Middlesbrough. Well, why not.
Boro bring everything back into a neat package by giving Charlton a route back into the game.
Charlton’s former club Newcastle are not to be outdone, sacking Roy Hodgson
The obvious choice is to bring a real enforcer in
Newcastle are still in no mans land in Division 1, so a change was needed. West Ham decide to fire Harry a few months later.
I didn’t even apply for the job but I’m offered the position
It’s a compliment to be offered the job without even applying but I’ve got a job to finish at Darlo, so thanks but no thanks.
So…I’m a better proposition than big Nev. Great.
Why am I sought after? Well, we’ve only gone on a little cup run! Though we have had to negotiate 3 derbies in 4 rounds
So having gone through all of that (admittedly, it’s been a fairly kind draw) it’s a Semi Final with Man City.
Blimey. In other news, having taken Darren Young from Man Utd in the early months of the season, I’ve had him poached off me too
Urrgghh. I thought these days were behind us but clearly not. Attracting players of any sort of quality is tricky but we’ve found a Spanish right back who is keen to join
A 1-0 win at league leaders Chelsea keeps us out of the relegation zone, but we’ll take a closer look at the tables later.
The League Cup final is nearly upon us
Chelsea are having a great season and Man Utd are always involved. They’re still in the Champions League too
Barcelona and Ajax clashing for about the 5th conescutive season. The Semi Final line up will please Man Utd purely because nobody wants to face Barca.
Barca’s squad is truly ridiculous
Just to keep you up to date, the transfer market has been quiet but three very big moves:
Meanwhile, qualifying for the World Cup has been going on – England came 2nd in their group but negotiated a playoff against Switzerland
It’s a decent turnout for the home nations as Wales join England and Northern Ireland in Japan. England’s group could be worse
The happenings of the World Cup will be in the next update. For now though, here’s the table
Could be looking at the closest title race in years, with just 8 points between 1st and 6th. You wouldn’t rule Man Utd out in this position, especially with a game in hand. Chelsea under Bryan Robson have been consistent, whilst Gerry Francis and his fantastic mullet have Leeds right in the mix. Everton’s game in hand could make it interesting for them too!
We’re just about hanging in there with 33 points. Ridiculous to think winning the game in hand could take us above Liverpool, but winning is such a difficult task for us I wouldn’t bet on it. 17th is the target, the prize money alone will do us wonders. Not that anybody is all that keen to join us…
So, join us next time for Darlington’s FA Cup Semi Final and the scrap continues to stay in the league. There’s the big race for the title and a World Cup – you don’t want to miss that, do you?