retired_jessicabraden

Friendly V Milton Keynes 22nd July 2005

Starting line up:

Kirlkand, Watson, Robinson, Davies, Gaardsoe, Gera, Greening, Chaplow, Inamoto, Shiels, Kamara

I decide to name the team before we set off, and give Shiels his first taste of Baggies football. He needs to get used to the way we play if he is even to be considered for the first team. Kanu is left out the team altogether as he's mind on other things at the moment, we are not seeing eye to eye.

When arriving at the Hockey Stadium I look in amazement, how different this set up is to the Hawthorns, The Dons are struggling in League 1 and have all kinds of difficulties off the pitch to contend with which I use in my pre match speech. "Look lads, we aint come here to watch the hockey, we have come to play football, decent football as well, lets rub it in, they were once where we are, now look at them, lets give them worries on the pitch as well as off it"

They seem up to it or so I thought. The game goes by and Wilbraham strike first blood for the dons right on the stroke of half time. I am not amused.

We walk into the dressing room. "What the bl**dy hell do you think you are playing out, you've given me something to think about never mind them lot. Pull your finger out, you all got hangovers all something"

I stare at the clock as the time goes by slowly its hurting to watch, you can't tell whos in the premiership or whos in league 1. What is going wrong.

The final whistle goes. MKD 1 WBA 0

My first taste of defeat and I don't like it.

retired_jessicabraden

"Hi Honey, I'm home"
"Your back late love, everything ok, how was the game"
"Don't wanna talk about it Jess, its been a bad day in the office"
"Come on love, it can't be that bad"
"ERMMMMM...... We lost, we were crap, they outplayed us, what else can go wrong"
"Bryan's coming round tomorrow"
"Oh my God, thats all I need he'll want to talk about how I'm finding it and now I have to talk about tonights performance."
"Come on dear, it's not that bad, you'd better get used to this losing lark, you can't win every game, even though you want to"
"Thats true, but we shouldn't lose games like this, I know it is only a friendly but I really studied this selection and pondered over a few players, I should have picked the names out of hat we might have been better"

retired_jessicabraden

23rd July

EMAIL from Club Physio

Bad news Lee, I'm afraid that horrible tackle last night has left Paul Robinson with fractured ribs, looks like he could be out for upto 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

________________________________________________

Great thats all I need looks like Clement is my first choice on the left.

retired_jessicabraden

26th July - Friendly Away V Bentford

Starting Line up:
Hoult, Watson, Clement, Albrechsten, Moore, Koumas, Richardson, Carter, Shiels, Kanu, Ellington.

After a dismal display against the MKD I thought that I woul dhave to make whole sale changes to the starting line up, theres 2 friendlies left and we hadn't made the progress that I was anticipating.

At the interval the score was 0-0, to be honest Brentford were the better side and were unlucky to go in at half time 1-0 up. I could not face defeat again to another lower league team, that would ruin the confidence and the premier league started soon with a home match against Sunderland.

I decided to make a few changes at half time Earnshaw, Gera, Sciemeca and Davies coming on, we looked better and responded quickly with goals from Gera and Earnshaw my two subs had scored. What tactics. As soon as that first goal went in I knew it was ok. The clock was ticking away nicely until 83 minutes when Brentford produced 2 goals out of the blue, the last 5 minutes felt like 5 hours, hold on for a draw at least...... The final whistle sounds a disappointing performance yet some players played better than others. We need to improve and I still have not decided who is in the starting 11. Next the trip to Hull who I thought would be our toughest friendly, not MKD or Brentford. This is the joy of football management.

retired_jessicabraden

30th July 2005
Friendly Away V Hull

Our toughest match todate. Hull a strong all round team with Peter Taylor at the healm was never going to be an easy match. A disappointing attendance of 1303 people turned up as I selected the following team based on who would start our first premier match.

Kirkland, Albrechsten, Clement, Davies, Scimeca, Greening, Carter, Gera, Richardson, Kanu, Ellington.

Hull completed the first half the more stronger and we were lucky Ellington had got his scoring boots on as he slotted home a low strike on 39 minutes. A relief to be going in 1-0 up the team needed no motivation for the second half those players given the chance to play today knew they had to play well to be in with a chance to play against Sunderland.

A dodgy penalty decision was given to us as Ellington falls in the box, he steps up only to blast it over the bar. Ellington looks like our goalscorer this year.

Hull seem to fade towards the end and I breath a sigh of relief when the final whistle goes our first win in 3 games, against lower opposition. At least we go into the premier league on the back of a win.

We stay overnight as its to late to take the coach back, and I decide to let the lads have a few beers in the bar. We need the team to play together as a team for the next match. So a bit of team building didn't do no harm. We get to bed at 1am, the new season is near and I can't wait.

retired_jessicabraden

WWW.Ladbrooks.Com release the latest betting odds to win the Premiership.

Chelsea 6-4 fav
Man Utd & Arsenal 7-4
Liverpool 3-1
Everton 25-1
Middlesborough 40-1
West Brom 2000-1

No surprise we are tipped for another relegation battle, its up to us to prove the bookies wrong.

retired_jessicabraden

The period between our friendly against Hull and our league opener against Sunderland seemed to be the longest period ever.

Soccer AM were keen to do an interview with me prior to our match against Sunderland and I agreed. Jeromy thought it would be ideal to raise my profile and get my face familar with amongst soccers elite.

Helen Chamberlain was wonderful and Tim Lovejoy was good with the football, he joked that he was capable of getting in our starting 11, I had to think about the quick response on National TV, he could not get away from slating the Baggies. "Well you might be good enough to get 1 starting line up but it certainly aint the first team" How weak a response I should have really laid into him but this was my first real interview on my own.

Helen questioned what I thought was a realistic target. "Well, I hope to improve on last years position that would be the minimum goal, I have brought in a couple of players to hopefully achieve that, who knows a good cup run and we'll be in Europe" You have to be positive I mean I wasn't going to say well we have no chance in staying up was I.

I leave the studio and turn on my mobile.

"Hi Lee, Paul Merson here, hope you don't mind but your secretary gave me your number, just thought you were great not easy being on TV for the first time, is it, they always try to catch you out, you did good mate, we'll have to meet up for a drink some time when we are both playing at home, ok"

Paul was currently managing Walsall who were a mid table in League 1. Such a nice bloke who gave me morale support, I would have to take him up on the offer of a drink, it's important to have friends around you and I had limited supply at the moment in Football, nobody knew me so I kept myself to myself.

The fans had shown no sign of remorse and were still baffled about my appointment. I'm not surprised, who can blame them they love the Baggies (but so do I) and my aim is to do well. If I don't then I expect my P45 in the post.

retired_jessicabraden

Friday 12th August 2005

I lie in my be thinking about tomorrow. I dream of a winning start. Sunderland are a team who have recently been promoted and those kind of teams are always amongst the favourites to go straight back down. Team tactics rush around in my head who in goal, shall I play Kanu, who on the bench,so many decisions that could affect the result. One mistake and we leave with nothing.

I toss and turn all night. Jess ws getting fed up a nudge in the back a kick to the legs "Whats up, just try and get some sleep" "I can't I'm too excited and nervous, this is the biggest day of my live" She holds me "Everything will be ok, remember its only a game" "Yeah with 30,000 people every week watching it I have to please them as well"

I get out of bed at 6am and wonder down the stairs to make a cup of tea, Jess hasn't had much sleep either and she comes down. "You know I hate football Lee but I will come to the game with you later." A tear comes to my eye I'm quite an emotional bloke anyway "I know why I married you, your one in a million" I have some much support from my wife and what have I shown her lately. I wonder late in from work, I toss and turn in bed and talk football all night just what a woman wants to do.

________________________________________________

Jess drives me to the ground at 10.00am as I had a couple of pieces of paperwork to sort out and needed to speak to Jeromy before todays game. I had arranged Joy to come in as well. Jess dops me off before "I'll be back about 1 ish just need to get some odds and ends from up the town, where shall I meet you?" "Phone Joy and she'll come down and let you in, we haven't sorted out your pass yet" "Love you" "Love you too, bring me something nice back for later"

She drives off and I walk up the stairs to the office.

I stare at the office door. A note attached to it. "Good luck from the lads" Another tear appears and I sneak into the office. They want to do well and so do I.

Joy comes in at 12. "Right boss what you want me to do?" "Well Joy, Jess is coming to the game today can you keep an eye on her, she aint been to a match before and to be honest its not her cup of tea, also can you sort out her visitors pass as shes going to have to call you to let her in, as the security guys don't know her. Oh, a cup of tea would be nice and I've got a couple of letters to write so you'll need pen and notebook, see you in 10 minutes"

I place the note left by the lads in the bottom drawer of my desk, and proceed to pick the team.
Pondering over selection. I love the 4-4-2 so that decision was easy, it was who are the best players at the club and which ones are performing?

retired_jessicabraden

Saturday 13th August V Sunderland @ Home

Team Selection:

Kirkland, Albrechsten, Clement (Capt), Gaardsoe, Scimeca, Greening, Carter, Gera, Richardson, Kamara, Ellington.

Subs: Hoult, Inamoto, Earnshaw, Davies, Watson

I'd made some bold decisions giving Clement the captains armband. I like his motivational skills but sometimes question whether the other players really listen to him, hes an in your face kind of bloke and can be intimitating to the younger players. Scimeca is my shock inclusion he'd played well and consistent in the friendlies so deserved a chance. And I went for Kamara and Ellington up front no attacking options on the bench either which I know was a brave move. Ellington had been hitting the net and Kamara had been using his pace.

Joy and Jess walk into my office "You excited, not long yet" "I'm nervous, feel sick but excited we look across the East Stand Car Park and down the Birmingham Road a wray of blue and white shirts walk to the ground. This is going to be a big game my introduction to the home fans. What was the reception going to be.

I had spoken to Jeromy 10 minutes before and he was going to be in the crowd today "All the board are behind you Lee, we are all going to be there today, you'll be fine. Make a grand entrance and show the fans what you can do"

Some good advice but how can I make a grand entrance? The fans don't know me, they don't even like me I can't walk out onto the pitch and wave as I may get booed. My stomach is churning like a washing machine. Time is flying fast. Jess holds my hand as we walk along the corridor, she looks at me and gives me a wink. Shes my gem.

retired_jessicabraden

13th August - KICK OFF

Th eplayers stroll onto the pitch and I walk out with Mick Mcarthy we shake each others hand and proceed to our respective dug outs. The fans are noisy and I stand on the tuch line and look around, Jess and Joy are siting behind me, Frank Skinner is in the crowd and gives me a thumbs up. The Board are sitting in the executive box, theres loads of people, I just hope I can please them. I turn around and joy points to a couple of rows behind Its Bryan. I wave, he waves back and mouths good luck a few of the fans wave back and I hear the shout "Oi Allen I hope you know what your doing!!" If the fans dont like you then they dont like you, you have to prove them wrong. Lets bring on the football.....

The crowd are wild as Sunderland kick off.

Gaardsoe gives aay a free kick right on the edge of the area after only 2 minutes. I look away if a goal goes in here it would be the worse possible start for me. I relook at the pitch when Kirkland restarts the game. I breath a sigh of relief.

Kirkland's kick find its way to Kamara whos in space he's only got to chip the goalie I jump in the air, thats in.... To my amazement it hits the bar and goes out of play. I really thought that was in, I sit down embaraased, dissapointed this is a lively start and my heart rate is pounding.

Chances continue to flow for both sets of teams in the first half but both seemed to lack the finishing touch. The whistle goes 0-0 and the fans clap the players as they go off the pitch, obviously they're not that too disappointed.

In the dressing room I try an motivate the players "just think what a win would do to us, it would be the perfect start, we have home advantage lets use it, your playing in front of your fans so give them something to shout about"

I decide aganist making our subs as I was pleased with the first half performance and didn't want to risk changing anythign just for the sake of it.

Richardson could have got off to a perfect start with a free kick 30 yards from goal but a fantastic save fromthe Sunderland goalie pushed it around the post.

The minutes tick by and the deadlock is not broken. Final Score Baggies 0 Sunderland 0