My first training session with the team went well with no hiccups to speak of, a lot of the team are unfit after the World Cup and are being trained back to their normal fitness ready for the new season.
With no new news other than Alan Curbishley’s appointment at Leeds United I was able to spend the next three days watching the players train. Shortly after one training session I was approached by Pat Rice.
“Mr Hill Wood wants to see you boss, he’s in his office”
“Thank you Pat, I’ll see you later”
I headed of to Hill Wood’s office, I had never been inside but it was extremely comfortable, as I entered I was greeted by him and Daniel Fiszman, a director on the board.
“I wanted to ask you if you’d had any ideas on transfers yet” said Hill Wood as I sat down.
“I haven’t identified any targets yet, but I’m about to send a scout out to take a closer look at a few players” I replied
“Right, if you come up with anyone then we want to hear first remember” said
Fiszman, “We are glad to see you taking a thoughtful approach to transfer business, although the club is in a healthy financial situation we aren’t as well equipped as ………. lets just say ,others in this country.”
“Well I’ll let you know when I’ve targeted any players, but like I say I’m still looking around.”
“Have you decided what kind of players you want?” asked Fiszman
“I’m looking for a goalkeeper, a striker and a winger or two, but I may make other signings if that’s acceptable.” I said, hoping that I hadn’t been summoned to hear that I was about to get a budget cut. Thankfully I hadn’t.
We went on to discuss my plans for the club and who I was going to sell, then how I was settling in. After the meeting I arranged appointments in my office with Mart Poom, Manuel Almunia, and Jeremie Aliadiere.