3 August, 2003 : Friction As Cruz Return To Losing Ways
Coach Grahamio receives 'vote of confidence' as players and fans revolt. Cruz were sunk 1-4 by mid table rivals as Coach Grahamio comes under increasing fire. Grahamio's unusual tacticos were demonstrated at half time when only trailing 0-1 he moved leading goalscorer Yuri (8) to right-back and substituted his next highest scorers; The Ancient Briton (5) and club captain Gaspar (4). "How else could I keep the score down?!" He shouted when reporters questioned his sanity. Angry season-ticket holders mobbed the team's 'Roach Coach' demanding that Grahamio be forced to 'eat goat pie' (a rare use of cockney rhyming slang in these parts), but oligarch club owner Mucho said he had "every confidence" in Grahamio and that he wasn't even thinking about "taking him out, er, that is replacing him."

The Azul Banana's only consolation came when returning star Filipe misaimed a shot from a free kick and Miguel, the 'Red-Skunk' headed home his first for the season.

The result leaves Cruz Azul in 9th place, perfectly placed to be 'top of the bottom 8 teams (the league is split, half and half, this week), which arguably would vindicate coach Grahamio. However, league Presidente Fox (with Grahamio's assent), bizarrely assigned Cruz to the first 8 slot anyway, thus ensuring they would lose every game in the run-in. "It gives us a better chance of squeezing out a couple of 0-0 results." Explained a glassy-eyed Grahamio, staring vaguely into the middle distance.
Catch Up On Cruz Azul's Shocking Season : All Football Reports