retired_nicolemdalton

14th July (Coach outside Elland Road)

I get to the ground nice and early, we've got a long trip up north and I also want to make sure I give a good impression to the players and possibly have a word with some before we go. They don't know who I've picked or what formation we'll be playing and I'm sure they'll be eager to find out. I fumble around putting the immobiliser on and finally get it done at the 3rd attempt, bloody contraption, I take my case and travel bag out of the boot and slam the rusty lid shut.

I decide to go over to some of the lads who are talking and laughing amongst themselves. David Healy is teasing young Matt Kilgallon about his hair and the rest of the lads are having a giggle. "Good morning lads, hope you've got everything you need for the stay in Motherwell." A few of the players turn from what they're doing, look at each other and laugh out loud, a chorus of "Yessss bosssss" follows by more laughter. I make a mental note, its me thats not done this before not the lads.

It's a fairly uneventful trip up North to Fir Park the home of Motherwell, the lads seem in good spirits and quite talkative so I decide to have a little Q&A session with them. "Lads as you're no doubt aware, I am the new manager, my name's Chris Marsh and I'm pleased to meet you all." A collection of whoops and cheers goes up from around the coach and I wonder if they're taking the mick."I, like you all, am a Leeds fan and I want the very best for this club. Last year was tough, we showed signs of being able to play good football and this season we're pushing for promotion to the Premiership, we belong in the top flight and I don't believe there's a player here today who doesn't want to stick it to Mourinho and Fergusons boys, however any players not working for the team will be replaced with those who want to succeed, do I make myself clear?"

Theres a deathly silence on the coach when suddenly I hear a chant of "Leeds, Leeds, Leeds" go up from Derry, suddenly there isn't a single player or staff member not chanting or cheering and clapping, it almost brings a tear to my eye, they wholeheartedly agree with what I just said and I feel like something wonderfuls begun. "Any questions lads?". I shouldn't have asked as I suddenly get the whole coach shouting questions at me.

"Whats the formation?"
"Where are we going again?", followed by fits of laughter from sections of the coach.
"Is training gonna change?"
"Whos the captain?" and other relevant questions soon follow and an hour later I feel that I and the team are satisfied with what we found out about each other. I feel cautiously optimistic as we approach lovely Lanarkshire and Motherwell former home of Leeds legend Gary McAllister, lets hope the match is an indication of where the club are going.
"

retired_nicolemdalton

Sat 16th July (Fir Park, Motherwell V Leeds, Friendly)

After getting here on the 14th I decided to let the lads go and do what they wanted for a couple of days. I organised for a team meal to be arranged as a get to know you event. I shouldn't have let them eat too much or relax as their performance in the match the next day left a bitter taste in my mouth and what I hoped would not be an indication of things to come.

I looked out of the coach window at the the lovely Lanarkshire scenery passing by and remembered it was only a 10 minute trip to their ground, I got up ready to tell the team my plans and hope the players not in the 11 won't be too dissapointed, they'll get their chance soon. "Right lads, the news you've all been waiting for..." Everyone looks up expectant."....We will be playing a diamond attacking 4-4-2 and I'm expecting a comfortable win guys. I've have also been reliably informed their team is distinctly average and lacks pace in attack so strikers whoever you may be, I want you looking sharp and you lads at the back, well, I'm expecting our defense will be able to cope well tonight.

I let the lads know who's in the starting eleven, theres a few dissapointed faces but you can't please everybody.

Starting Line Up:
Bennet, Harding, Kilgallon, Butler, Marques, Lewis, Blake, Douglas, Healy and Cresswell

Kick off,

The lads look sharp today and they haven't even kicked a ball. The attendance seems pretty small, I guess not many of our fans wanted to make the long journey here, and as I was about to find out they didn't miss anything. In the first 5 mins Eddie Lewis fires in a beautiful free kick but unfortunately the keepers looking sharp and keeps it out, is this a sign. A lovely ball gets played through 5 minutes later, Cresswell leaves the ball for Healy who takes a touch forward and chips the keeper, what a beautiful goal, the team goes mad but oh no, the linesmans flagging. What a blow! We keep up the pressure and look dangerous some good balls are coming through to Healy and Cresswell. Suddenly disaster strikes, a seemingly innocuous challenge from Dan Harding sends the ball through to Henderson who threads a ball through between Butler and Kilgallon, Butlers marking their 30 year old striker Scott Clark but his pace lets him down as the striker gets a step ahead and slides the ball neatly past Ian Bennets left hand side from just outside the area. I can't bloody believe we're behind to their only shot of the half so far after we'd had so many chances that were missed. Can it get any worse? I soon find out and Paul Butler gets into my bad books yet again, a poor deflected pass from douglas finds its way to their scorer and sprints into the penalty area only to be brought down by Butler. I put my head in my hands, I don't want to look, I look up to see Ian Bennet make a brilliant save to keep us in it till the end of the half.

I make 4 changes at half time in an attempt to liven things up, the rest of the half pushes on without any major incidents besides Ian Bennet almost getting lobbed from outside the area which I was extremely displeased about, we look sharp but never threaten to equalise and I make another 5 subs with 10 minutes to go and the final whistle goes.

I am not a happy chappy!

retired_blondie_524

very good so far

KUTGW :thup:

retired_nicolemdalton

Cheers bud, didnt do much last nite as I went to watch Leeds at the pub. Was a brilliant game pity bout the result. But good to know people are reading this

retired_nicolemdalton

"What the hell happened there lads?, we should have won that by half time. I know this is the first game you've had in a few weeks but for gods sake we have to be winning against teams like that. I have to say I will be making changes for the next game." I calm down slightly, I don't want to get too annoyed with the lads, after all it was only a friendly.

"Right get yourselves showered and ready to go, we'll go through what went wrong on the way home"

I know what went wrong, the strikers couldn't score, the midfield didn't get into it and hardly made a telling pass or move. Don't even get me started on defense, they couldnt even cope with Motherwells rare forays into our half as their second rate strikers who couldn't run to save their lives had about 6 shots. Paul Butlers lack of pace was highlighted again and again so something needs to be done. The only plus was that none of our fans were there to see it and that the scoreline wasn't any worse.

The lads file out to the coach, some are laughing and joking but a few are quite reserved. They shove their bags into the storage bays and go find their seats to slump in, they're right to look dissapointed. A few of the players apologise for their performances and that of their team mates, I accept and let them know that I'm prepared to let this one go, but I want a much tighter performance against West Brom.

"Lads, I want a much more polished game from you lot next time, we have West Brom at home and I want you to give the fans something to smile about. I want you to think about what went wrong today, right thats all I have to say."

I notice Paul Butler looks rather sheepish as it was his individual mistakes that almost cost us more than once. He'll have to do better if he wants to retain the captains armband.

Its a long drizzly journey back to Leeds.

retired_nicolemdalton

I gather the lads together quickly as we disembark the bus, I want to make it quick, the lads are probably tired and the weather looks set to turn. Its looks fairly black on the horizon and the odd spot of rain makes me blink like I have an odd twitch, ah lovely English summers.
"Right you guys, we have a game on the 21st, for those of you who don't know your calendar, that is a Thursday, ok?", the lads faces crack a brief smile and it's the first time I've really seen them look happy since before the match. "I want you all to get some rest, and you young lads keep your boots clean as you'll all be called back. You senior players know what I expect of you, we're going to go all guns blazing next week and I want to see some fire and passion, ok you can all get home".

I walk back to the knackered Astra and stick my head in the boot, Now where is that damn folder?", suddenly I sense that theres someone behind me, I turn to see the grinning exicted looking trio of Howson, Parker and Rothery, youth team players who I decided to give a chance to. Howson seems like a quick little striker, good out of the blocks but lacks a little bit of pace but he did ok when he came on. Ben Parker a player in the Danny Pugh mould is one I'm currently considering for the transfer list, he's lightning fast but I feel I'm looking to bring in another attacking left winger as a replacement for Eddie when he retires. We have an abundance of defensive wing back cum midfielders already so unfortunately I don't believe he'd get a game unless he improved dramatically. Gavin Rothery on the other hand is a different prospect altogether. Not sure he has as much raw talent as Lennon and Milner had at his age but I think he's got the potential to be a pretty good footballer. Some loan football would do him good I reckon and he's keen as he showed the other night.

"Cheers for giving us the chance boss, we didn't think we'd get a look in the other night. Shame we lost though, thought we deserved a win."

"Yeah, Gavs right, I reckon we should have got a goal or two, Healy and Cresswell better do better than that or I'll be in." Howsons grinning like a madman, I think the sub appearance has gone to his head.

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself Howie, you only came on for a bit and you didn't score either. Anyway, thanks Mr Marsh for giving us a chance." I thank the lads for coming to see me and leave the ground feeling I have at least some of the team who like me, even if they are under 18s.

retired_nicolemdalton

Monday 18th July (Decisions Decisions)

I roll over in bed and smack my hand on the bedside cabinet, I knew I should have moved it further away. The pain immediately brings my drowsiness to a close so think I may as well get up. I look at the notepad next to my bed and look down the scrawlings to see if I wrote anything of any sense. Several things are underlined and I remember what it was I wanted to do.

__________________________________________________ ____________________
Chris's Notepad, Touch at your peril 17/07/05


Request meeting with chairman and assistant manager - Eirik Bakke

Call Danny Fleming for an update on scouting

Check for more scandalous bids

Beat West Brom convincingly

__________________________________________________ ____________________

Ah yes I remember now, it took me a while to get to sleep last night. I spent hours deliberating what to do with the Bakke situation, a few hours too many. He's a good player no doubt but we're paying him £24,000 plus a week and he's not even playing for us. He's worth a couple of million at least so should I keep him and try and get him to take a pay cut or do I try and sell him on to the highest bidder? Thats why I wanted to have the meeting with Sam and Ken, see what kind of package I could offer him and to discuss whether keeping him or letting him go is in the best interests of the club.

As soon as I got to my office Rose pops her head around the corner and greets me. I smile, she always seems so cheerful, I get her to go arrange for a brief conference with the chairman and assistant manager, I hoped I might be able to keep a good player and also save the club some money. If not then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I snatched up the receiver and dialed for Fleming, I do hope he's got some good prospects for me, ideally I'd like to bring in some of my own players as I feel that some tweaks need to be made here and there, mainly in the pace department. I want my team to be mobile and getting end to end quickly without being caught out.

"Hi Chris, hows things? I take it you want an update yeah?"

"Certainly do mate, things are doing ok, didn't win our first friendly as I would have liked but anyway."

"Right, I thought you might, well I've found about 4 players so far. All left footers, most have some good pace and good first touch and seem to be pretty good prospects. Look I can't talk long so I'll fax over the details of the decent ones I found ok? Talk soon Chris, bye."

I get a fax through seconds later with the details of 3 hopefully promising Dutch players on.


__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Dear Chris,

Please find below the details of the players I've found so far and also my report on them,
I hope it makes for good reading mate.

Regards,

Danny

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name: Patrick Ax
Club: De Graafschap
D.O.B: 1/12/1979
Pos: AM LC

Report:-

Now this guy is a real find mate, I think he would make a brilliant replacement for Eddie as
and when he retires or even if hes on international duty. Hes pretty bloody quick up and down
the flanks,one of the fastest guys I've seen in a long while, in fact he reminds me a little of
a young Harry Kewell. With a bit of work I reckon he could be a good player, I recommend
making an enquiry as even if he's a flop we can probably sell him on for a profit. If I was
hazarding a guess I reckon you could get him for about £200,000.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name: Jos Hooiveld
Club: Zwolle
D.O.B: 22.4.1983
Pos: DC, DM

Report:-

Another decent defensive prospect for your perusal mate, reckon he'd make a good replacement
for Butts, he's got an abundance of pace and hes already got decent enough skills to build upon,
I reckon you should put in a bid for this guy as hes definately a Stam in the making. He's
an excellent team player and works none stop for the team, got a good tackle on him too. Reckon he's
valued at around £45,000. Enjoy!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name: Giorgio Berkleef
Club: Willem II
D.O.B: 6/04/1986
Pos: AML

Report:-

Now I'm not too sure about this guy, could be a gamble but I think hes got shed loads of potential. He's
only 19 and already has some decent skills to build on. I reckon you could get him pretty cheap and like I
said before, if he turns out to be crap then we can always sell him on for a profit. However I don't think
that would be neccessary and I feel you should make an enquiry for the lad.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________


His fax definately makes for interesting reading and I feel particularly positive about the first two players he mentioned, especially as he compares them to Stam and Kewell. I make the neccessary arrangments and submit enquiries for both players, it is a gamble if one turns out to be a money grabbing lazy git and the other one makes comments about his manager but it's one I think will pay off.

I await the response from their respective clubs, I've set them a deadline for tomorrow. I notice that I've had a new e-mail since before I sent these so it can't with regards to my enquiries.

Burnley Want Young Jonny Howson

I can't believe it, another bid and I've only been here a few days. Well he's a young lad and I need to bring it up with Sam Ellis before I make a decision as I wouldn't want to let a future Alan Smith go for a pittance, especially as it's another Lancashire club.

retired_nicolemdalton

12.00 (Transfer Activity)

Transfer Action At Leeds United.

I'm browsing on the computer when I get a new message alert. It's an e-mail through from Robert Masskant at Dutch side Willem II.
I hope its something promising, as I'd like to bring in some new raw talent. I find I'm not to be dissapointed, it turns out they want to do business with us.

__________________________________________________ _______________________
Dear Chris,

With regards to your enquiry for Giorgio, I am pleased to say that we would like to do
business with your club.

We will require a fee £16,000 to complete the transaction of aforementioned player.
On completion of payment and acceptance of contract they players will be signed with
immediate effect.

I look forward to your response.

Signed, Robert Maaskant, Willlem II

__________________________________________________ _______________________

My first transfer opportunity and its someone I actually want to bring to the club! I e-mail back straight away to submit my bid, I may seem over keen but i don't care a jot. I want new players in as soon as possible to assess them personally, plus it's only £16k and I reckon he'll be worth it. I look back to the sports headlines on google news, apparently Palace fans are going mental at the sale of
Mikele Leigertwood to Villa, they considered him to be good young talent and deem his sale uneccessary. I'm now very glad I decided to keep Frazer as even if it hadn't of bothered the players it would have ruffled the fans feathers.

Sam Ellis knocks at the door and lets me know we're to go meet Ken in the conference suite. On the walk there I tell him of my agenda and he says that he'll back me up on any decision I make, I feel slightly better about meeting Ken now. We sit down in the plush leather seats as we prepare to attend to businsess, when rose walks in to bring us all a drink. "Sorry gentleman, I thought you'd all like a drink." Ken looks incredulous but doesn't reprimand her, she means well really.

"Right gentleman, I've asked for this meeting today to discuss the situation with Eirik Bakke. I'm aware he's still here on an extremely high contract for a club in this division especially as he's not playing and am looking to find a satisfactory solution to this problem."

"What is it you want from me Chris." Kens straight to the point, I should have known he would be.

"Well hes a very good player and I believe he could still do a job at the club, I'd ideally like to offer him a new contract, obviously on a much lower wage, however I believe that I need to find out what sort of deal we can allow for this player given the clubs new financial stability and also would like to get Sams input on the player too.

Ken consults a sheet of paper lying in front of him and studies it a moment or two before letting me know. "Right, according to the figures I believe we can allow you up to £12,500 a week for this player with a max signing on fee of £500,000. I'm sorry we can't allow anything higher than that, we're trying to limit the wage spending after the carelessness of previous boards."

"What about you Sam, do you think I should offer him a new contract, or do you think we should give him a clean break and list him?"

Sam pauses in thought for a second "Well boss, I actually agree with you, I believe we should give the player the opportunity of a new deal and if Eirik doesn't feel its good enough then I guess we'll have to seek alternative ways to resolve the situation."

I thank Ken for his co-operation and I get Sam to walk with me as I go back to the office, "Look Sam, I've just had a bid for a player, Jonny Howson and wondered what you thought about him?"

"Well boss he's a good enough talent, but if a good bid comes in for him then I'd give it some serious consideration. Bear in mind we do already have some good strikers here already, he may never get a game."

I thank Sam for his time and let him go back to his duties elsewhere, I want to go check back at the office to see if there's an update on the Berkleef transfer and also possibly review the Howson bid.

I sit at my machine and see there's another fax from Danny in Holland

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Dear Chris,

Sorry to bother you again but I've found another player I reckon could do it for us

Cheers,

Danny

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name: Joris Van Rooijen
Club: Volendam
D.O.B: 11/03/1985
Pos: ST

Report:-

Just found this striker, looks pretty good for a young'n. Pacey and good skills when on
the ball, I'd recommend this guy as a future star, like I've said before I'd make enquiries
if I were you. Short and sweet I know, but hes GOOD take it from me.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

__________________________________________________ ________________________________

retired_nicolemdalton

Thursday 21st July (Elland Road, Leeds V West Brom, Friendly)

I stand in the changing room with the lads and singing and shouting getting themselves psyched up for the match against perennial Premiership relegation strugglers West Brom. I tell them we'll be playing 4-3-1-2 attacking today and announce that I've made some changes to the squad that lost to the Scots. Jonny Howsons the only notable absense as I find out he was injured in training yesterday, nothing too serious, Liam Millers his replacement now he's back from his injury. I write the starting l1 up on the whiteboard and give the lads encouragement as they file out to march down the tunnel.

Starting Line Up:
Bennet, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Marques, Lewis, Blake, Einarsson, Healy and Cresswell


Kick Off:

Disaster after only the 4th minute, we immediately look dodgy at the back as a wild clearance is collected and a cross from Greening clears our entire back line and falls to Watson to easily slot the ball home, fortunately Steve Watsons goal is disallowed for offside and I can breathe easy for now. The rest of the half goes on and I'm proud to say Leeds have had the better of it, our defense has looked solid repelling all attacks and finding the midfield well, who as it happens are playing brilliantly, Lewis and Blake have looked dangerous while Douglas and Einarsson have put in some solid tackles. We're unlucky not to find the net, but I'm pleased for now and I let the team know at half time. I get Eddie by himself and let him know that I'm very pleased with him in particular and I that I want him to get some more quality crosses in, I also get Blake and Healy over to offer some words of encouragment, hopefully it'll make the difference.

A Reckless tackle by Darren Moore gets him the first booking of the day and also signals West Broms intent for this half, they soon follow with a good build up play and ends with a brilliant save from Bennet thats unsuccessfully followed up by Kamara who nods the rebound wide. 76 minutes pass and I see some of the players are beginning to tire, I signal the ref that I want to make some changes. I bring on 5 fresh players, I don't want to make too big a change as it may upset the balance of the squad. 4 minutes later a GOAL a bloody goal and its us. A brilliant tackle from Harding on Kanu is followed up by a fantastic link-up play between Pugh and Moore, Moore fantastically threads the ball through the entire midfield and backline of West Brom and finds the brilliant run of Cresswell who controls the ball brilliantly, brings it forward and fires the ball in the far bottom corner of the net and the keeper didn't stand a chance. Fantastic!

West Brom throw everything they have at us in the last 10 and our defenders are fantastic, again and again the faultless Kilgallon breaks up the attacks as they rain down, suddenly theres a break, Rothery finds some space in the 90th minute,looks up and fires a ball ahead of Danny Pugh who takes the ball on and runs past a stranded defender and slots the ball past the keeeper at his near post, sublime. The final whistle goes and I have to say I'm over the moon, we looked a different team to last week and I don't hesitate to tell the lads.

Confidence is high in the dressing room and I congratulate every player present. If we keep this kind of play up the Premiership won't be too far away.

retired_nicolemdalton

10:00 PM (More Transfer Activity Beckons)


The lads have gone home after a job well done and I retire to the office to check up on paper work. Rose is there waiting for me and informs me that there's been a flurry of activity while we we're playing, "You've had a loan bid from Bristol City for young Simon Walton, they want him for 6 months, an enquiry from Millwall for Jonny Howson come through and also you've also got permission to offer Giorgio Berkleef a contract." I scratch my head and wonder how all this can happen in just one day, people must think we're a 24 hour market place or something, "Oh yes Chris, almost forgot, you've had some faxes through from some scout or other. They're all on your desk.

Lets have a look then..

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Dear Chris,

Glad to hear about the good win over the baggies, just got a message through from Sam.
I have some more players here that you may be interested in, just thought I'd give you
the opportunity before you go home.

Cheers,

Danny

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name: Lasse Schone
Club: Heerenveen
D.O.B: 25/07/1986
Pos: AMC

Report:-

Right then,I'm quite excited about this lad, he's 19 pretty skillful for a lad of his
age, he can play on either side and I've witnessed him do some brilliant passing in the
matches I've been present at, I've also noted his creativity, he's very good at creating
something from nothing. Only thing I'm worried about is his strength and pace, may need
developing a bit. He's currently valued at £150,000 take a look.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name: Heinz Muller
Club: Lillestrom
D.O.B: 30/05/1978
Pos: GK

Report:-

Chris, you absolutely must sign this player, he's absolutely fantastic and he's available
for nothing, his contracts almost expired. He's an ideal replacement for Sully and Benny
get on the blower to his agent and make a deal before someone else snaps him up.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Right I think it's time I went home to bed, I don't want to make any rash decisions as I'm tired and I'm still buzzing from the win. I make sure everythings as it should be in the office, I think to myself, everything seems so quiet at this time of night as I pull the door shut. I stroll, whistling to the car park to greet my beloved Astra and remember that I still haven't looked at a replacement. As I get closer I can see that someones stuck something under the wiper blade, I reach over and lift it out careful not to rip it, it reads.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chris Marsh,

I and the other guys that showed up
tonight would like to say that we
loved the performance and hope its
the first of many. M O T!

The Fans.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The perfect end to a perfect night. I smile all the way home and I probably even sleep with a smile on my face.