retired_nicolemdalton

Monday 25th July (The City Ground, Nottm Forest V Leeds United, Friendly)


4 days have past and I'm sitting in the opposition changing room at The City Ground, I'm slightly fractious as I've not heard anything back from any of the enquiries I've recently made. The enquiries for my players can wait however.

Confidence is high as I predicted it would be, I give the lads a little speech about fallen giants which seems apt as we're playing Nottingham Forest. The lads are up for it and just want to get on with the game, I write the team on the white board, there's only minor changes with Rothery coming in for Blake and Ian Moore replacing a rested Healy. I'm going to stick with the formation that served us so well in the previous match and see if it does the trick.

Starting Line Up:
Bennet, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Marques, Lewis, Rothery, Douglas, Einarsson, Moore and Cresswell

Kick Off:

We look sharp from the start and threaten their goal in the first 5 minutes, the 1930 fans look worried already, they attempt a few through balls but the defense cuts them out and we restrict play to their area, suddenly they manage to get hold of the ball in space and Padula sets a lofted through ball into motion its a lucky break and the defenders are caught short going forward and nowhere near their two breakaway players, their striker dallies on the ball and is punished for it, the wonderful Kilgallon takes it off him and clears. The ball comes back down our right flank and some more solid defending gains us posession and Douglas latches onto the ball and sends it forward to Cresswell who's got it all to do, he brings the play forward from the halfway line and runs at the defender,he brings it into the area and shoots,the keeper manages to finger tip save it onto the bar and the defense clear the resultant deflection. Some more decent play and Cresswells put through in the area but the keepers quick to close it down. The half draws to a goaless close.

I let the lads know they're doing very well but that I feel if they push a bit more then they'll crumble and we'll take the win. I wait to see what affect this has on us.

The effect is plain to see as we immediately attack, Douglas has some brilliant vision drawing 3 players onto him and then unleashes a ball to Cresswell unmarked on the right wing outside of their area, he chips in a lovely cross which is dealt with ineffectualy by the keep and bobbles to Gavin Rothery who's on hand and grabs his goal with aplomb. 10 minutes later Forest seem to spring alive and Bennets forced into a brilliant save which falls to their striker whos quickly dispatched by Kilgallon and co, we look set for a second consecutive clean sheet I think. I decide its time to ring the changes and bring off the impressive duo of Cresswell and Rothery, and also the slightly dissapointing Moore. Healy, Blake and Pugh replace them and I look for a 2nd goal, it almost comes a few minutes later when after a corner from Forest is punted upfield theres a race on as Blake beats Padula for pace and races through on goal, he squares it for Healy who can't fail to miss, however he thunders it into the side netting leaving both me and him with our heads in our hands. We fire shot after shot but their keepers not to be beaten again, Healy incurs my wrath when he inexplicably passes a ball back to our defenders who arent there and their striker gladly accepts and chips our keeper, luckily for David it goes wide. With 5 mins left I make 4 more subs and its Richardson who makes an impact, the catalyst for the final goal, in the 91st minute he plays a quick one two and then threads a ball through to Pugh to set up Blake who takes a touch before firing it past the keeper. I tell all the lads they were brilliant as they come off the park. Another clean sheet is very welcome.

Final Score (Nottm Forest 0-2 Leeds United)

My man of the match: Its a tough choice, Bennet, Marques and Kelly were all outstanding, but I feel Kelly pips them to it as he was consistent last game too.

retired_nicolemdalton

Tuesday 26th July (Transfer News..I Hope)

I enter the office to find that Rose has left me a message, Giorgio Berkleef has agreed terms and apparently can't wait to begin playing for me.He'll be coming across by ferry this afternoon to sign on the dotted line, Brilliant news, I look forward to seeing him on the pitch.

After I finally had my enquiries replied to I've decided to make private bids for Patrick Ax, Jos Hooiveld and Van Rooijen, hopefully they'll be agreed upon. I've also been in touch with Heinz Muller's agent and managed on my little German I've picked up to hopefully get across an acceptable offer for his client, I just hope I've offered thousands and not millions.

Simon Walton has agreed to go to Bristol City on loan after me and him had a little chat. We decided it would be good for him to get some first team experience and get to match fitness. He told me he hoped he would return a better player. A few minutes later I get an one e-mail alert and then another, my my, it seems I'm in demand. The first is Zwolle rejecting my bid, apparently I didn't offer enough to even make them consider releasing him. I'll spend a bit more time thinking whether he's worth a renewed bid. The next is Sam Allardyce asking if I can give him a call urgently. I pick up the receiver and dial.

Big Sam Wants Richardson For Reebok Stadium

"Hi, Sam, it's Chris Marsh from Leeds here, I heard you wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes mate, good to hear from you so soon, hope you're settling in well. It was a good win against West Brom that, congratulations. Right, down to business, I want to look into the possibility of buying Frazer Richardson from you, I'm willing to offer £50,000 plus %25 next sale clause and Scott Jamieson, hes a promising D,ML but unfortunately I don't believe he has a future here."

"Well I thank you for your time Sam but I'm gonna have to decline mate. I believe Frazers got a good future here, and unfortunately we have an abundance of D,ML's at the moment. Like I said to Perrin, if you want to enquire in the future then feel free. Good luck this season mate, I wish you well."

"Alright mate, no hard feelings, but don't expect any favours when we play you next season. I'll speak to you soon no doubt, see ya kiddo." He laughs as he says it and I hope that we do get to play him next season. As I'm recovering from that the e-mail alert goes again, two e-mails from Milwall and Burnley politely informing me that they don't want to pursue their interest in Jonny as my demands were deemed unrealistic.

I look forward to the final friendly against Shrewsbury, it should be an easy end to the friendly games and a good way for the lads to show me one last time who should be in the team. I'm thinking of starting off the new lad but I'll wait to see how he recovers from the press conference.

retired_nicolemdalton

Thursday 28th July (Transfer update)

I read a headline from the Sun newspaper, apparently I've had my contract offer accepted by Heinz Muller and another recently out of contract Dutch striker has reportedly been approached by Leeds.

German goalie signs for new manager Marsh

In an interview with German keeper Heinz he expressed his delight at having clinched a deal with promotion contenders Leeds.

"I'm very very happy to be able to say I've accepted an offer from Chris Marsh and will hopefully be joining Leeds very shortly, I'm sad to be leaving the Lillestrom faithful and hope they understand, but I feel I needed to move to further my career."

The article goes on to detail the particulars of Heinz's career and I'm glad to see he refused to tell them how much he's going to be on.

I look at the other article linking Dutch striker Frank Demouge to Leeds, he has an impressive history for one so young and I make a note to get Danny to find out more about him.

Friday 29th July (Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury V Leeds United, Friendly)

Before we even get to the stadium I receive a message from Rose saying Norwich have just tabled a bid for Simon Walton currently on loan at Bristol City. I tell her it can wait, but she also informs me that I've had bids accepted for Ax and Hooiveld, this is good news and I tell her to hang fire and I'll deal with it ASAP.

I decide before the game that I'm going to give debuts to Berkleef and Rooijen. I also make major changes to the starting 11, a few of the players seem suprised but understand that everyone needs a chance to shine. The formation of previous games seems to be working so we'll stick with it.

Starting Line Up:
Sullivan, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Marques, Pugh, Berkleef, Miller, Wright, Rooijen and Cresswell

Kick Off:

A disasterous start, Shrewsbury get a free kick on the very edge of the area and Sullivan is powerless to save a pin point shot into his near post. We respond well however and Miller is playing with real passion making tackles and starting moves all over the pitch. New signing Rooijen has a shot sting the hands of the keeper who parrys it and a waiting defender collects. Shrewsbury are proving more resilient than I gave them credit for, the rest of the half we threaten but never finish, roll on the second half.

I give the lads a rousing speech and question whether they have the will to win the game. The lads seem fired up and I reckon we'll equalise at least. I reckoned correctly and it takes until the 75th minute for us to equalise, Healy puts Cresswell through and bang, we're back in business but we dont threaten to score until the end when Blake tests the keeper from distance, producing a good safe from their man. The final whistle is blown and at least we didn't lose, I tell the team it was a good effort and I let the debutants I think they did well.

Final Score [I](Shrewsbury 1-1 Leeds United)[I/]

My Man Of The Match: I don't think I could single out any particular player as we were fairly average again. Dan Harding would probably get it for being consistent in the manner of his performance.

retired_nicolemdalton

Tuesday 2nd August (Cruel To Be Kind)

I call Sam and get him to bring me Crainey, Butler, Gregan, Wright and Moore. Unfortunately I have some bad news for them, I've felt that I've witnessed enough over pre-season to warrant me putting them on the transfer list as I feel we have some promising youth coming in and their wages are a major drain on the club.

The meeting is only a very short one, I thank each lad personally for helping Leeds through their darkest days and tell them I'll make sure they get a good club to go to and that it's nothing personal. Its a testament to their utter professionalism that they take it like men and express their delight at having helped preserve a historic club. I get Rose to make the necessary arrangements to allow clubs the opportunity to buy my players. Ive already heard that Luton are interested in Crainey

There is a hidden agenda to this meeting also as I have already done deals with several Dutch clubs and have captured the signings of several talented dutch players.

Players In:

Berkleef, Giorgio - AML -£16k
van Rooijen, Joris - ST - £75k
Hooiveld, Jos - D,DM - £170k
Bevaart, Mark - DC - £110k
Demouge, Frank - ST - Free

We only have 4 days till our first match, a tough opener at home to Crystal Palace so I'm keen to get the players training. I'm hopeful that we'll see much more transfer activity over the next few days and I'm sure Kens likely to have something to say as we're 22k over the wage. budget

retired_nicolemdalton

Saturday 6th August - (Elland Road, Leeds United V Crystal Palace, Championship opener)

Before we get out onto the pitch I tell the lads that who ever's playing will do me proud no matter the result, the lads are champing at the bit to get out there and show the screaming Elland Road faithful what they're made of. I feel a tingle of apprehension as I wonder how many fans will turn up for the season opener, apparently early reports put the standing at 20,000 plus, I hope I send them home happy.

I've made the decision before the game that I'm going to give debuts to Bevaart and Demouge. I don't make too many major changes to the starting 11, I think it'll be mainly the same team that impressed against West Brom. The formation of previous games seems to be working so we'll stick with it.

Starting Line Up:
Bennet, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Bevaart, Lewis, Derry, Douglas, Blake, Demouge and Cresswell

Kick Off:

After a wonderful start to the match, Kilgallon sends a header from deep into the path of Blake who threads it through to new lad Demouge who sublimely puts Cresswell through to hammer it home past the onrushing keeper and to the rapturous delight of thousands of Leeds fans. A few minutes later the fans are going mental again, Kelly sends a brilliant long ball up the right flank to Cresswell who crosses for "the General" Derry to poke home much to his delight. He kisses his badge and aims a salute in the direction of the dug out. I can hardly contain my excitement at the start we've made and the players response to me. Bloody hell it keeps on getting more exciting, new boy Bevaart gives away the ball in a bad position and Andy Johnson punishes us. 2-1 to us, just as I think Palace are going to get back into it Demouge gets set free on the left and launches a fantastic ball into the area, whipping past their back line and who pokes it home? Its "the general" Derry again and he can scarcely believe his good fortune. He drops to his knees and blows a kiss to the fans. They're loving this. Palace dominate for the last 5 minutes and get a few corners forcing some brilliant saves out of Bennet keeping us in it. Poor Bevaart looks out of sorts but I think I'll give him an extra 10 minutes. I give Bevaart some encouragement and tell him he can do it, I make sure the rest of the lads know I'm delighted with them.

It looks as though my faith in Bevaart is paying off when he misses a header and Morrison hits a stunner from outside the area to bring Palace to within one of us. A few minutes after kick-off Kelly plays a beautiful ball into the path of Blake who slots the ball past the keeper. 4-2 and the fans have at least got their moneys worth today, I hear over the PA that there's almost 28,000 here, not bad for my first game in charge. Just as we're looking comfortable again Marco Reich hits a spectacular 30 yarder past the wrong footed Bennet to bring them within touching distance again. Luckily we hang on to win a cracking match 4-3

Final Score (Leeds United 4-3 Crystal Palace)

My Man Of The Match: Definately "The General" Shaun Derry, grabbing two goals and really leading by example.

retired_calli240

Fabulous stuff. As a Leeds fan sacked by Ken in the middle of season 2 (and now manging Newcastle, for my sins), I'm loving every minute of this. Hope you have the stamina to keep it up.

And after last night...play Kells up front!

retired_nicolemdalton

Sunday 7th August (Post Celebration)

I greedily scan the Sunday papers for a write up on my first competitive win at Elland Road. A few have mentions of our 7 goal spectacular but mainly concern themselves with the build-up to the Premiership, the ones that do are mainly criticising each teams defensive lapses, but if they'd been there then they would know each and every goal was brilliant. Apparently a few of the home supporters were intereviewed and said they'd never seen such an exciting match in a long time and said they hoped I would conjure more of the same.

I have to admit I am now fully looking forward to the Preston match and hope as much as the fans do for more of the same. After perusing the papers, I take a glance at my desk and see that there's a pile of faxes all relating to bids for my players. Newcastle, Sunderland and Wigan make enquiries for Richardson, while Wolves make a bit for Wright, Sheff Utd come in for Gregan , Swansea for Paul Butler and Crainey is wanted by Luton Town.

I reply to the Richardson enquiries with a thanks but no thanks, I accept a £425,000 bid for Wright, £110,000 for Butler, £120,000 for Crainey and £320,000 for Gregan. Hopefully they'll all be able to reach a deal enabling me to bring in some new talent.

retired_nicolemdalton

Heh, yeah his goal was a scorcher. Damn Ken sounds hard to please, hmm I'll do my best, don't wanna be managing Newcastle as punishment . Cheers for the feedback

retired_nicolemdalton

Monday 8th August (First Transfer Departures)

As I'm walking through the car park thinking how lovely is is today, Jermaine Wright and Stephen Crainey shout me over. They inform me that they've made the decision to accept the contract offers from their potential suitors, have made the necessary accomodation arrangements and that they wanted to tell me personally. I thank them again for all their hard work for the club.

"Jermaine, Stephen I really do wish you the best of luck with your new careers, I'm sure the rest of the lads and everyone here feels as I do. I hope you serve your new clubs with the same style and grace as you served us, don't play too well against us though eh?!" I laugh and the guys smile and shake my hand and go off to their respective cars.

I get to the office and find a memo from Ken and a couple of notes from Rose.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Chris,

Bloody good match on saturday, I enjoyed it
immensely, keep it up and oh yes, good bit of
business you did for Crainey and Wright. I'll
make a business man of you yet.

Warmest regards,

Ken
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thats nice, a bit of appreciation from the chairman, at least I know hes watching the matches as there wasn't a doubt he'd be watching over transfers. The notes from Rose are slightly dissapointing, Paul Butler's failed to agree terms with Swansea, apparently over a not high enough salary which is funny as I didn't pick Paul as the greedy type. Sheff Utd had apparently cancelled their bid for Gregan as I stupidly wanted what he's worth in return for him, silly me. They'll be back I think to myself, they'll be back. Neil Warnocks not one to give up that easily.

retired_nicolemdalton

Tuesday 9th August - (Deepdale, Preston North End V Leeds United V, Championship)

On the journey across the Pennines I tell the team that it's going to be a very tough game, Preston can beat anybody on a good day and we don't want it to be today. We'll be going with the legendary away support that Leeds enjoys and I want the lads to pay them back for coming here today.

I've made the decision before the game that after Bevaarts abysmal performance it's only fair to give another lad a chance. I don't make too many major changes to the starting 11, I stick with the same framework we had against Palace, the changes are Richardson out for the new boy Bevaart, Einarsson in for the injured Blake and Healy on for the rested Demouge. The formation worked well against Palace, but I think I'll need to start tweaking it soon if we conceded too many again.

Starting Line Up:
Bennet, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Richardson, Lewis, Derry, Douglas, Einarsson, Healy and Cresswell

Kick Off:

Another a wonderful start to the match, we press early and are rewarded, although somewhat luckily with a goal. Lewis takes a throw in which is headed back by Lucketti, Lewis launches a ball at a tight angle that I'm pretty sure took a slight deflection and beats the keeper at his near post as he's wrong footed and dives too late. We're still looking dangerous when Einarsson is pushed in the box, Penalty Derry steps up and unfortunately blasts it into the keepers arms. I'm yet to see how this almosts costs us. We push on and threaten but Preston are looking more lively and Nugent who I told to the team to shut down gets the ball and fires a stunning ball past Bennet. We get to half time without anymore incidents. I tell the lads that although I'm slightly dissapointed that we're drawing, we can still win it.

It looks like my team talks done the trick and we start brightly, Einarssons all over the park winning tackles and having some decent shots.
We're looking most likely to score when their keeper launches a seemingly harmless ball up the park, Anyinsah headers it to Nugent whos in space and tries his luck from distance, the ball takes a wicked deflection and its going too fast for the keeper to change his direction. However Bennet suprises me and almost gets to it, but it goes just inside the post, no keeper could have saved that. After that I go mad with the players and shout for Derry and Cresswell to come off for Pugh and Demouge. The lads fight with a renewed determination and we wont give up, Demouge gets through in the box in the 87th minute and equalises and I start to breath easier, at the kick off I gesture to the lads "Just one more". The lads nod and win every tackle and every loose ball, they look like they mean business, Demouge gets a fantastic ball from Douglas and floats it in to the box, will there be anyone to meet it?! GOAL I can't believe it Einarssons got above his marker and thundered a header past the keeper, we've stolen the winner in the 90th minute and the away fans are going wild, my staff and I in the dugout are euphoric, Preston kick off and 4 minutes later we're top of the Championship. As the lads come of the fans are giving them a standing ovation and I shake and hug every one of them.

Final Score (Preston North End 2-3 Leeds United)

My Man Of The Match: Definately Einarsson for his never say die attitude and his marvellous winner at the death, I couldn't have asked for more from the lad. I really couldn't.

Its a nice journey on the way back to Leeds, the lads won't stop singing and smiling, some are discussing the best bits of the match. I on the other hand am looking at how to stop us conceding so much, 5 in two matches isn't enough.