retired_brianrt

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Holders - Man Utd| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Blackburn | | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 | 20 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Chelsea | | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 3 | +14 | 19 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Man City | | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 7 | +11 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Bolton | | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 8 | +5 | 14 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Man Utd | | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 8 | +5 | 14 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Arsenal | | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 13 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Everton | | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 12 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Portsmouth | | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 11 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | West Ham | | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 11 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Aston Villa | | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 9 | +1 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Sunderland | | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Newcastle | | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Reading | | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Fulham | | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 9 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Wigan | | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Tottenham | | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Liverpool | | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Derby | | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Birmingham | | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Middlesbrough | | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 17 | -12 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_rn321

i like this. i did NOT tho like the idea of your selling MR, hes gonna beworth much more than 18 mill in the long run, but your choice.
KUTGW :thup:

retired_brianrt

October 2007 - Blue Dreams

Sven saw his men engage in a relatively quiet month on the football front in October, with just three matches due to international commitments. The first of these saw Tottenham make the trip to Eastlands. A good side, who had invested heavily over the summer, Sven expected a tough test, but it was far from that, as his side strolled to a 3-0 victory. Bianchi opened the scoring inside two minutes, and he could have had a first half hat-trick. The game was sealed eleven minutes from time, Elano tucking away his first goal for the club, before he provided the pass for his fellow Brazilian Geovanni to fire home and secure the points

Another tough game was next for Sven and his side, as they travelled the short trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn. The first half was dour, with neither side forcing a real breakthrough, or creating any real chances. It still saw the home side going in front at half time though, as Jason Roberts slid them in front in first half stoppage time. They talk about a game of two halves, and Sven certainly made sure his side gave a performance like that. Darius Vassell equalised on 53 minutes, but Sven saw his side fall behind again thanks to Steven Reid, but less than 60 seconds later the side rescued a point, the little Brazilian Elano scoring for the second successive game and keeping Sven's unbeaten League record going

There was 10 days of rest before the final game of the month, and that saw Portsmouth make the long trip North. It was another dull first half that Sven witnessed, but his side were always in control. The second period however, saw the team pick it up. Rolando Bianchi headed his side in front early in the half, and the game was finally secure two minutes from time when Bulgarian Martin Petrov cut in from the left and fired into the far corner to secure three points and a 2-0 win

retired_brianrt

November 2007 - Remember, Remember...

Another quiet month came in November for Sven and his side, but what there wasn't in games was certainly made up for in quality of opposition. The opening game of the month saw a trip to Tyneside, and Sam Allardyce's improving Newcastle. They were on a 7 match unbeaten run, and their defensive frailties of previous seasons had seemingly been secured up. The home side took the lead after 36 minutes, the pacey Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins using his pace and sliding the ball home. He doubled the lead within six minutes, as he headed home from 5 yards and put them two ahead. This didn't last too long though, as Emile Mpenza scored within 120 seconds of the restart, but just as it looked as if Sven might see his side get level, Newcastle's little Nigerian completed his hat-trick to all but seal the game. There was time for Mpenza to score his second, but it wasn't enough and Sven saw his side succumb to their first defeat of the season

The next game wasn't any easier, as that saw last season runners-up Chelsea make the trip to Eastlands. It turned out to be the undoubted game of the season, as Sven's side came out on top. The base of the win was a three minute brace from Mauro Zarate, who scored twice within the opening 8 minutes of the match. Chelsea were back in it after ten minutes, Macedonian striker Goran Pandev firing home, but when further goals from Bianchi and Brazilian midfielder Elano sent City to a 4-1 half time lead, it looked like being the shock of the season. Still, the visitors managed to give the blue half of Manchester a scare, as Pandev completed his hat-trick in the second half, but Sven's side held on for a terrific win over the two time Premier League Champions

The final game of the month of Guy Fawkes saw a trip to the Midlands and the game against Birmingham, managed by former Man Utd defender Steve Bruce. Compared with the previous game against Chelsea, it was quite dull, although Sven would amit that when Elano continued his sparkling form with a tenth minute goal, they should have gone on to win the game, but that wasn't to be, as an early second half equaliser from Borja Oubina earnt the home side a point and kept City in the top three

retired_brianrt

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Man Utd| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Man Utd | | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 10 | +21 | 32 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Chelsea | | 14 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 9 | +20 | 29 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Man City | | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 32 | 16 | +16 | 29 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Blackburn | | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 15 | +11 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Newcastle | | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 24 | 16 | +8 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Arsenal | | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 13 | +7 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Bolton | | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 23 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Wigan | | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 20 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | West Ham | | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 17 | -2 | 19 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Aston Villa | | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Reading | | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 17 | -3 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Sunderland | | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Everton | | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Liverpool | | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Fulham | | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Portsmouth | | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 15 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Tottenham | | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 19 | -10 | 13 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Birmingham | | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 22 | -12 | 12 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Derby | | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 23 | -19 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Middlesbrough | | 14 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 35 | -24 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

retired_brianrt

December 2007 - Christmas Cheer

With the season having gone brilliantly so far, Sven didn't want his side getting carried away, and told them as much at the start of the month. The first game was at Eastlands, where they were yet to lose, and the visitors were Everton. It took less than two minutes for the visitors to take the lead, Joleon Lescott heading home Cahill's cross. It was the signal for the side to wake up, and they followed the instructions of Sven perfectly. The equaliser came from Brazilian winger Geovanni, who rammed home the equaliser from a scramble in the box, and it sent them in level at the interval. The winner came in the second half, when the ball was played through to Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate who slotted home and secured the points for Sven

The first Manchester derby of Sven's career was up next, and with the red half of Manchester undefeated so far this season, it would be a tough test, plus the fact that the game was at Old Trafford. Man Utd had some unbelievable talent, and when it came to it, losing 2-1 wasn't too bad a result. However, when Bianchi put Sven's side in a 3rd minute lead, it looked like it could have been different. In the end, the quality of the leaders showed through, and a brace from Wayne Rooney gave them the victory

With Wigan the next opponents, Sven watched his side return to winning ways, as they romped to a 4-1 victory. Elano opened the scoring with a free-kick, before Darius Vassell doubled the lead. Zarate scored a third on the half hour, but the visitors did get back into it through Paul Scharner. The points were sealed on half time though, as the second of the game for Vassell sent Sven's men to a victory

The spirits had been raised with the victory over Wigan, and then they were knocked back again with the next game, a trip to Arsenal. They were the better side and Sven had to concede that after the match, but he had been proud of the effort that his side had shown. The home side took a two goal lead quickly, the goals coming from Nicklas Bendtner and an own goal from Richard Dunne enough for them to win, but when Italian striker Rolando Bianchi headed home with 6 minutes left, it gave a glimmer of hope for Sven's side, but it just wasn't enough

The final two games of 2007 would be at home, and the first of these saw Steve Coppell's Reading make the trip to Eastlands. It was a simple game in the end, despite the 1-0 scoreline, but whether the win was 1-0 or 5-0, three points was three point. The goal came from the in-form Elano five minutes before half time, as he recieved the ball and slid the ball home. Sven knew his side could have had more but he didn't mind and settled for the 1-0 win

Middlesbrough provided the final test, and again it was a solid and professional performance. The opener came from Elano, who continued his sensational form, and the Brazilian turned from scorer to provider in the second half as he threaded the pass through to Mauro Zarate and the striker slotted the ball home with aplomb to end the year on a high note

retired_brianrt

Winter Transfer Window

Transfers Out

Sun Jihai : £1,500,000 to Bolton
Sven considered the Chinese international surplus to requirements, and had no problem offloading him for less than his value to a struggling Bolton side

Paul Dickov : £100,000 to Crystal Palace
The little Scotsman completed a loan spell with the Championship side, so Sven had no obligation letting the lad go

Giorgios Samaras : £3,000,000 to Middlesbrough
Recouperating half the fee for the big Greek lad was good business for Sven, and Samaras quickly signed with 'Boro


Transfers In

Benoit Costil : £1,600,000 from Caen
The young French 'keeper would provide a useful back-up between the sticks, and Sven was delighted to capture his signature

Yoann Gouffran : £6,000,000 from Caen
The second man to join from Caen, Gouffran was a player Sven rated highly, and after months of watching him he forked out a fair sum to land the Frenchman

Mika Aaritalo : £500,000 from Turun Palloseura
A talented player, who would earn a roatational role in Sven's squad, and for such a nominal fee it was a perfect transfer

Harry Kewell : £200,000 from Liverpool
A gamble in many peoples eyes, but Sven's need for a left winger was the main reason for adding the Australian to the squad. The knockdown price attracted Sven and he forked out the cash

rastilbear

Liking it, although Aaritalo and Gouffran are pretty boring signings... Everyone buys them! I prefer signings from outside the box, so to speak: I think thats why I always do LLM.

Nonetheless, go with what you know, and KUTGW :thup:

retired_dbs949

very good story mate

keep it coming!

shannon2007

Never heard of them tbh.