retired_jessicabraden

Thursday 14th July 2005

We meet on the Hawthorns car park at 0900 not having to leave for 4 hours to the trip to Scarborough, but as I was a boy scout I was always told to be prepared.

Jason Koumas and Neumary arrive at the club, Keiron Richardson had some housing problem so I felt he's mind wouldn't be fully on the game. Anyway we had enough cover so it wasn't that imprortant.

The coach arrives and we get on. About 1/2 hour from the ground I tell them what the starting line up is. "Right lads I told you everybody would be given a chance hence why I have altered the starting 11, I need to see you all perform and there is not favourites, if you are given a chance go and prove yourself, this lot will be tougher than Morecambe and they have more experience in their side, however they are still a non league club and I don't want to have to travel all the way back as part of a losing team, right.. I reel off the following team with a few surprised looks in between. Kuszczak, Watson (Captain), Robinson, Davies, Clement, Koumas, Dyer, Neumayr, Wallwork, Kamara, Kanu. Subs from Hoult, Moore, Carter, Cambell, Albrechsten, Johnson, Earnshaw, Scimeca, Greening, Ellington, Gaardsoe, Inamoto.

Nigel leans across to me "Do you know what your doing, putting them lads straight in?" "Well its a good start rather them play in a game like this rather than a Premier game, these games give me the chance to watch them all, who knows they may be quality players and hold down a starting 11 place"

Neumayr and Koumas both struggle in the first half and I decide to bring them off, obviously they aren't fit enough to play 90 minutes but it gave them a taste of what it's going to be like playing for me. Kamara nets a 34 minute goal to make the score 1-0 at half time.

I decide again to make 6 changes to the team ready for the second half, inluding giving Inamoto the chance to impress me.

A poor 2nd half performance in which we failed to convert 13 shots into a goal, although we did limit the opposition to only 4 shots all game.

We travel home a winning side but I'm not impressed with the score line and thats what the fans are interested in, playing teams like this we should be winning 3, 4 or even 5 nil, not struggling to win 1-0. I let my feelings known on the way home.

retired_jessicabraden

REDKNAPP SHOWS INTEREST IN KANU
19th July 2005

Joy rushes in "Lee, Lee have you seen this article?"

I take the paper from her. Its a little gossip coloumn and it states Southampton boss Harry Redknapp is interested in securing the services of Albion Player Kanu. However Redknapp would have to convice Kanu to take a drop in salary.

I call Nigel in "Have you seen this?, What you reckon the local press will want a response to this"

"I think you should listen to see what they come up with, we aint short up front and he is a big earner, you may be able to get somebody better for cheaper, play it by ear, and don't rush in"

I ask Joy make sure that Kanu sees the article, "Lee says he not responding to this, its only a rumour" she tells him. We await further developments.

retired_jessicabraden

19th July 2005

We are on our way to the friendly with Ross County when my mobile rings its Joy.

"Can you talk?" she asked
"Yeah why whats up?
"You know that article this morning its sparked some interest in Kanu, this foreign bloke from Sochaux is interested in him, they've already told me they are willing to bid over 3 million for him, what shall I say"
"Don't say nothing and make sure nobody else finds out, I'm not going to tell him till after the match and then we will consider it"

I keep the news to myself and prepare for the game, its another one where I leave the team selection to the last minute.

retired_elizabethlacey

KUTGW and I ove your detailed way

retired_iva terry

love the indepth storyline... :thup:

would continue to keep eye out for updates

retired_jessicabraden

Thanks for the feedback its really appreciated. Fingers crossed for a good season

retired_jessicabraden

Ross County Away 19th July 2005

The team selection is announced on the coach as we pull up outside Victoria Park.

The starting 11 is: Kirkland, Watson (capt), Robinson, Albrechsten, Moore, Koumas, Richardson, Neumayr, Wallwork, Horsfield, Kanu

Subs from: Hoult, Clement, Carter, Campbell, Davies, Johnson, Earnshaw, Scimeca, Greening, Ellington, Gaardsoe, Inamoto

A Kanu goal on 63 minutes is the only difference that seperates these two teams, a dismal performance from the Baggies resulted in me blowing a short fuse.

"Well not impressive to say the least you all have a couple of games under your belt and I'm still not sure the balance is right, you look lively going forward and then short up front yet we have 11 players to deliver. There needs to be improvement we haven't really played anybody to test us yet, and it was a long journey to watch a game like that just hope that there wasn't too many Albion fans in the crowd, coz there wasn't much to shout about."

I leave the dressing room whilst the lads start to get changed ready for the lenghty journey back to the Hawthorns. Nigel comes up to me "You look a bit worried Lee everything ok?" "Well looks like Kanu might be on his way out the club" "Why?"

"Joy phoned just before kick off Sochaux have tabled a bid for 3 million, this is bound to generate more interest, what you reckon? Take it or try and get more. We could do with a bit of cash and my initial thougths were that he earns too much. But he was man of match by far today, decisions, decisions, and at the back of my mind I think about the fans they love him, hes a big name and can we attract another big named striker to the club at the moment, or even do we need one?"

"Does Kanu know?" "Nope, didn't want him to distract him on the pitch, I'll call him into the office tomorrow, I'm going to sleep on this one"

The lads are enjoing the football at the moment, thats 3 games into my managerial career and it looks like this: P3 W3 L0. 100% things can only get worse.

We get off the coach at the Hawthorns and the players sperate and head for their cars, Kanu is last off the coach. "Can you come in at 12 tomorrow, half hour before everybody else, need to run something past you" "Ok boss, nothing wrong is there?" "Nope nothing to worry bout just be in early"

Bet he doesn't sleep tonight wondering whats in store, little do I realise before I see him in the morning that another bid arrives on the fax overnight.

retired_jessicabraden

I arrive at the ground at 10.30 following a sleepless night, what and how do I talk to Kanu. Bryan had placed him on the transfer list surplus to requirements, and I hadn't taken him off as I wanted to see how committed he was to the club. Joy knocks on the door "Fax arrived last night Lee, happy reading" That woman has already sensed when I am stressed. Southampton Chairman tables a bid of 2.2 million for Kanu, with only £350,000 upfront the rest paid over 19 months. I look, read it and decline the offer, if he was to go I want the money up front and available straight away to improve the squad.

"Joy, send Southampton a response, sorry not interested in your offer, Kanu is part of the team until further notice, good luck in your search but are players are happy here"

Short to the point and a warning to stay away from our players none are going anywhere yet.

retired_jessicabraden

"Come in"
"You wanted to see me boss"
"Yeah, just thought I'd let you know we have received a bid for you."
"What!, who from?"
"Can you speak French? Its from Sochaux, What you think?"
"Have you accepted the offer?"
"I haven't done anything yet, it needs to be in the best interests of everybody. I'm in two minds, if its what you want then so be it, but you played well last night and can I afford to lose a big named striker?"
"Well, I aint bothered boss, I have adapted here and your new in charge so I was going to wait and see what happened, haven't thought about moving clubs much"
"Ok, I'll tell you what I'll do I'll speak to their boss, tell them you are going to wait and see and then maybe reconsider in a couple of weeks, once the season is up and running, is that fair?"
"Yeah ok, don't think a move to France is in the best interest of my kids although it would be a change for me"

I decide to email the Sochaux manager:

RE: Kanu. Further to your bid, I would like to inform you that the player is not looking to move at the moment, due to a change in the managerial structure at West Brom. However he may reconsider his future at this club in a few weeks time. Many thanks for your interest in our players.

retired_jessicabraden

TRANSFER ACTION AT THE ALBION

I had been busy behind the scene looking at young players to add a bit of freshness to the team, one of the players that I had looked at right at the start of my short career (so far) was Dean Shiels a U21 Northern Irish International who was currently playing for HIbs, a couple of premiership clubs had already taken a look at him so I decided to join the queue. I equaled everybody's bid and waited with anticipation.

The phone goes "Just thought we'd like to congratulate Shiels is yours for £325,000. Hope he proves useful to you." Thats it the pieces will fit together we have an indepth squad with a bit of youngsters.

I announce the news to the other players, which doesn't go down to well. Kanu looks a bit puzzled and later pulls me to one side. "Look boss, I want to be in this team, you talk me into staying and then go and buy more competition, I have read that Southampton were interested in bidding for me, but you didn't want to listen, I just want this transfer speculation to end and not give the press anything to gossip about am I going or staying?"

Kanu walks away and has really got me thinking, and also questioning whether he really wants to be here. Time will tell, I leave him on the transfer market and wait. There is bound to be more interest if he continues the way he is playing, but is he the best forward we have?