Reviewing Lincoln City Career Mode in Championship Manager 01/02 in November and December
A trip to Bootham Crescent and bottom-of-the-table York City was the next outing for my in-form side, a match that had a predictable Championship Manager outcome – it doesn’t matter how well you are playing, the bottom side will not be beaten. Similar to the fact you will concede a goal to someone who hasn’t scored all year and you’re in the final week of the season.
It took less than half an hour for the worst team in the Football League to take the lead and put me face to face with a first defeat in six matches. Thankfully, one of my main men Lee Thorpe came to the rescue to secure a point.
A potentially tough trip to non-league Sutton followed in the FA Cup first round but the lads negotiated the challenge well and went in 3-0 up at the break thanks to a Justin Walker double and one for the previously outcasted Tony Battersby. Despite losing the second half 1-0, our safe passage to round two was secured.
A positive month ended with the taste of defeat, the first sour taste in eight matches, away to Darlington. The hosts beat us comprehensively thanks to goals from Danny Mellanby, Neil Wainwright and Peter Weatherston. This defeat was followed by a further bid for Walker, this time £1.7 million from Premier League outfit Derby County – needless to say, it was rejected.
December
The month of advent began with a win at 10-man Cheltenham who had goalkeeper Carl Muggleton sent off. Goals from young centre-back Craig Stant and two from Ben Sedgemore secured a comprehensive victory. Disappointment was to follow a week later in the form of an exit from the FA Cup to eventual Division 2 winners Queens Park Rangers. Going into the match, we were depleted without the likes of
Alan Marriott between the sticks, no Justin Walker and Jason Barnett filling in at right back for only his fifth appearance of the season.
A second defeat came three days later at the hands of Carlisle United in the Vans Trophy as we went down 4-3 on penalties after former Grimsby Town man Andrew Smith had rescued a draw.This small downturn in form was concerning, certainly for me on Championship Manager one loss can quickly lead to 10 matches without a win and the job centre line. Therefore, I was delighted to secure the signing of legendary game figure Jamie Victory from Cheltenham for an initial £30,000 and a further £50,000 based on appearances. The £80,000 was immediately looking well spent as he slotted in to the centre back role alongside Stant and netted the winner in a 1-0 win at home win against Mansfield Town.
Just look at this guy’s stats! Agility, anticipation, balance, crossing and pace all 20! In Division 3! For £80 000!!
The next three games for our new star signing were tough away challenges at Luton, Hull on Boxing Day and Rochdale three days later. Tom Peeters and Stuart Douglas put us to the sword at Kenilworth Road before too much Christmas dinner caused us to fall to a late loss at Boothferry Park before finally taking a festive season point at Rochdale thanks to Lee Thorpe and Joao Paiva scoring in a 2-2 draw to bring 2001 to a close.
