Something in the Making: Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

Update:

It will come down to the wire for 2nd place for RSC Anderlecht and AEK Athens. Currently Anderlecht hold the spot with 67 pts, but Athens are only 1 pt away with 66 pts. RSC Anderlecht's last game of the season is playing host to NEC Nijmegen.

Latest results:

vs PSV (A) - W 3-0

vs FC Groningen (H) - L 0-1

vs De Graafschap (H) - W 2-0

vs NAC Breda (A) - W 6-3

Team leaders:

Goals: Kanu, Boussoufa (16)

Assist: Boussoufa (7)

League Champions: Ajax have won the Eredivisie for the 2010-2011 season. With one game remaining, the team is 7 points clear of closest competitor, RSC Anderlecht. Ajax were led by the brilliant goal scoring ability of none other than, Huntelaar. Huntelaar has scored 26 goals, while center midfielder, Gabri - leads the team in assists with 8.

Bottom of the table: If there was still a regulation system, the team that would surely be leaving the Eredivisie would be NAC Breda, with 31 points. The 2nd team on that list would be a toss up between Willem II and De Graafschap, who are currently deadlocked at 36 points. The big difference between the two is the amount of goals conceded though, Willem II has given up 78 - but De Graafschap has given up an astonishing 91.

Top Scorers: Feyenoord forward, Makaay, continue his streak - notching 3 more goals in 5 games, putting the total to 33.

Top Assist: Affelay remains in first with 10 assists, but is now tied with three others, Levchenko (Groningen) and Pranjic (SC Heerenveen).

League Cup: Even though they have won the Eredivise outright - Ajax were unable to grab an equaliser in Breda as SC Heerenveen stole the Eredivise Cup away from the giants, 3-2.

[Matt10]

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OWN GOAL BLOGGING
The Blog in Which I Couldn't Figure Out a Catchy Name For
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Blog #12 -- Progress - 12
NOTICE: Status

[Matt10]

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OWN GOAL BLOGGING
The Blog in Which I Couldn't Figure Out a Catchy Name For
**********************************
Blog #13 -- Progress - 13
NOTICE: Status

TRANSFER NEWS HOURLY - Lam Matteo

One of the most surprising news of the year showcased Lam Matteo not being offered a contract renewal from club RSC Anderlecht. The American striker scored 4 goals in 10 games and was baffled by the club's actions: "I've been blindsided." Out of a job, the 25-year old begins listening to negotiations for what will be a long and grueling summer.

• Negotiations - week 1 - Three clubs are on the list, all from the Dutch Eredivisie: De Graafschap 760P, AEK Athens 760P and NEC Nijmegen 790P. Matteo, while interested, says it is too early to decide and will keep all offers fresh in his mind.

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• Negotiations - week 2 - The same teams with slightly different offers in week 2 - not enough of a difference for Matteo consider either.

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• Negotiations - week 3 - Things do not seem to be changing as the same 3 teams are offering, this time De Graafschap lowering their amount to 720P and NEC Nijmegen to 720P as well - AEK Athens have upped their offer to 780P. Matteo is starting to consider AEK Athens - who were 3rd place finishers behind his now former team, RSC Anderlecht.

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• Negotiations - week 4 - The halfway mark (8 total weeks) sparked one more offer, totalling the teams to 4 - Sparta Rotterdam offering 760P.

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• Negotiations - week 5 - Things get interesting as NEC Nijmegen have bumped the offer to 820P, 220P more than Matteo is currently making. In addition to the salary benefits, Matteo would be reunited with Willem II teammate, Boutahar - not to mention Harry Kewell is starting to make a name for himself as a forward there.

• Negotiations - week 6 - Negotiations took a bump for a low as each team lowered their offer - Matteo has been advised to act quick.

• Negotiations - week 7 - Matteo has not hesitated. He has taken the offer from Hull City of the English Premiership. The EPL side came into late on the negotiations as De Graafschap removed their offer. Hull City have offered 790P for Matteo, and he hasa accepted.

[Matt10]

[/URL"]http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g133/MLarnitt/?action=view&current=balpompy.flv"][/URL] GOALS VIDEO (Click Icon)

[Matt10]

[Matt10]

Sniff....our boy has grown up
-Johnson Peoples, August 21, 2011

There comes a point in which we must let someone go - but no, I said never because this kid would be big. Well look at him now, America (and World!), he played a full 45-minutes and scored two goals - granted, the other team had 9 players on the field, but that don't mean squat, he still had to run around the defenders and he still had to jump in the air to get his head on the damn ball.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it - this is the new look, it's simple - and I make plenty of money for it because of my affiliation with Lam Matteo's agent, Art Van Der Lay. So look out, 'cause I ain't holding back - 'cause we are going to the top.

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

Striker Lam Matteo will start in this afternoon's clash versus 13th place, Sunderland. The American striker has been declared the starter as a result of his fine two-goal display in last weekend's Premiership Cup victory against Stoke City. Matteo, who has yet to be called up to the USA national team, was a summer signing from RSC Anderlecht.

Keeper Danu Coman remains the starter in front of Boaz Myhill, while midfielder, Boateng, gets the nod in place of Brazilian, Geovanni.

[Matt10]

Forgot his shooting boots
-Johnson Peoples, August 29, 2011

I'd say Matteo choked today, he didn't play terrible - but he didn't play good enough to start next week against Wigan. This was his problem at Anderlecht when he started one game - received a poor rating and was dropped.

I feel for the guy, but his 'choke-ability' comes down to the fact that he hasn't bee passing the ball well and he hasn't been shooting on target. I know he thinks he has the power - but if he would work on some placement, he could really start getting up in the scoring charts.

Oh well, Wigan next week then the second leg of the prem cup should give him plenty of time to recover. I doubt he will be starting against Wigan, but Phill Brown hasn't released any notice that he isn't.

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

Not enough time
-Johnson Peoples, September 8, 2011

He didn't have enough time to show what he's got today. He had one shot on target - granted it was a soft floater - but it was better than his teammates were doing at the time.

Still given a 5.5 rating - that's just not right.

I hope Lam doesn't get affected by the way he is being treated by the manager - he needs to reconsider something. If he played Matteo last weekend to start - then why not give the man more time to play as a sub. Feather-twirp didn't seem to do any good - my man here deserves the recognition.

Maybe we should head elsewhere if these kind of shenanigans keep up.

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

Plenty of Love, but no Cigar
-Johnson Peoples, September 15, 2011

Couple shots on goal here and there, 3 to be exact, and Lam Matteo showed why he is here in England to play real ball. The question was whether or not he would find the back of the net after a couple of games of not really threatening - and moving off the starting lineup - the answer...no.

However, all is not in darkness, the head coach of Hull City has placed Matteo in the starting lineup for next week's premiership match up against Middlesbrough.

Maybe we can see him light it up now.

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

Matteo and Tigers get walloped 4-0
-Johnson Peoples, September 21, 2011

Absolutely killed today, not dominated, but killed. Did anyone else realize that David Beckham plays for Middlesbrough in 2011? Wonder how that slipped through.

Beckham was the orchestrator of the first goal by Stewart Downing - a beautiful header in the top corner. After that it was O'Neil in the 36th minute - then the second half comprised of subsitute Alves notching two goals of his own.

Notching...Scoring. See that, Matteo? That's what you need to be doing.

Our boy had an impressive game though, don't get me wrong, however it didn't matter because the thing he couldn't do was get the ball into the back of the net. He had 8 shots - 6 of them on target, but the keeper for Boro...Turnbull, was saving everything.

"It was just not going to happen today," stated Matteo, "You think you score as the ball travels from a great angle - then this beast just grabs it out of the air, saying 'Uhhhh-uh.WTF."

Matteo is slowly getting back into form, time will tell this week on whether or not his coach believes he is of form enough to start against Liverpool next week.

By the way, Matteo was selected as Most Impressive Player versus Middlesbrough...yipee...

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

They kicked our ass
-Johnson Peoples, September 28, 2011

This was an easy bout wasn't it? Fernando (oh Fernando) Torres piled on a hatty, while Kuyt, Leto and a beautiful own goal by Dudka - resulted in a smashing 6-1 win for the reds.

I didn't think we had a chance - so the game itself did not interest me. I, as expected, was just interested in seeing how Matteo did. He did fine - had a really nice shot on Reina's goal from outside the box, but the ball just lifted over the crossbar into the booing Anfield crowd.

This was a match that we just had to suck up and take it up the you know what. Poor Matteo didn't come on as a sub until the 70th minute or so, Featherstone was a waste of space as always.

Something tells me though...I don't think he will be starting next week against West Ham either.

Shucks - is there another move in the near future? Certainly he can't continue playing with a team that exhibits no drive or passion.

*Btw for those wondering when I will post standings, it will be just before the transfer window opens in Week 19. Currently we are in week 8.

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

The battle (really?) continues
-Johnson Peoples, October 5, 2011

The constant losing battle with this team is starting to get on my nerves. I interviewed Matteo after the game:

JP: Tough break, man.

LM: No kidding, this team is struggling.

JP: So are you it seems.

LM: PT, man - PT.

JP: Have you talked to coach to ask for more PT - these 5.5 ratings aren't helping any.

LM: Not yet, will definitely have to soon though.

JP: Any words of encouragement from fellow USA players playing in the EPL?

LM: Yeah, Clint Dempsey myspaced me, said 'If you don't grind, you don't shine.'

JP: Sounds like he was high.

*click

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

FINALLY!!! Matteo scores not once, but twice!
-Johnson Peoples, October 5, 2011

"If you don't grind, you don't shine". Those are the motivational words that Clint Dempsey said to Lam Matteo this past week. Well, Matteo not only grinded, he shined...scoring two goals and an assist in the 4-4 draw against none other than Arsenal.

"Damn took forever, but I'll take it," said Matteo over the phone, "You just have to have a little faith I suppose. Those were the hardest goals I think I have ever had to work for - thank God it's done with and now I can continue my scoring streak."

So with this, will we start to see Matteo in the starting lineup more regularly? Can he continue the trend? Find out later because I have to go beat up some punks! (Chaos FC reference).

Now take a gander at his player card:

[Matt10]

MATTEO'S FIRST PREMIERSHIP GOAL(S)

[media]http://vimeo.com/3637771[/media]