retired_nicolemdalton

Monday 29th August Morning 9:00 (Lettinga Transfer Angers Telstar Fans)

I'm having a gander at the latest transfer news and rumours in the morning papers and I notice that I've seemingly caused an uproar over in Holland. It seems that most Telstar fans are in unison over their frustration and anger that one of their brightest stars has been sold, apparently they think I've got him at a bargain. Well £275,000 isn't that much I suppose but thats football, they accepted the bid and he's a Leeds lad now.

On another page I spot the Championship picks of the week and see to my delight that my new signing Demouge and the Icelander Einarsson are both in the team of the week. I'll show them this in training and hopefully it'll give them a little more confidence. "Right thats enough reading" I mutter and decide to do something useful.

I go over to the wall and scan the fixture list, I immediately feel stupid. I can't believe I forgot we had Luton Town away today, I thought It was on Tuesday. What a simple mistake to make. I hope the lads are well rested, 2 games in 3 days is a bit much I reckon, hope we don't get any bad injuries or we could well be scuppered.

Howsons in demand

I receive an e-mail from a couple of clubs, Mansfield and Chester respectively. Enquiring about a possibly 5 month loan deal for young striker Jonny Howson. I'd spoken to Jonny about the possibility of loan football recently and he seemed up for it, he seems a keen young lad just like Rothery. I decide to e-mail back and tell them we've accepted the offer but it's now up to the player on whether he wants to join or not.

Next stop the training ground, I need to give the lads a brief on tonights game and make sure they know its on. First I'd better get all my notes in order, I'm usually pretty neat but I've been unusually busy lately. Ah the joys of football management.

Monday 29th August Afternoon 12:00 (Thorpe Arch Training Facility)

"Right lads, we've got a game tonight as you all should know if you've cared to look at the fixture list", god I can't talk I think to myself, I almost missed it myself. A couple of the lads notice that I've gone slightly red and snigger, I carry on as if I haven't seen them. "Todays a big game, Kenilworth Roads a tough place to play, the supporters are almost on the pitch and it's a claustrophobic atmosphere. I want you all mentally and physically prepared for this. Speaking of physically prepared, I want you to train for one more hour and then its time to get on the coach, the match is at 3 and it will take a while to get there".


Monday 29th August Afternoon 3:00 (Kenilworth Road, Luton Town V Leeds United, Championship)

I pause outside the ground and take a look, it's a pretty knackered old place. Apparently they've got a stadium move in the pipeline which must explain the neglect and lack of investment. I look up and laugh, theres nets suspended between the floodlights to stop balls escaping the stadium, my concentrations broken for a moment as I hear the roaring and cheering of the Luton fans, it's only a small place but they make a big noise.

I announce the team for today in the changing room as I usually do now. I've made pretty big changes from the team that beat Wolves on Saturday, a few of the lads were looking tired so I decided to keep them to the bench for now. I wanted to see more of Sullivan so I called him up between the sticks, Harding and Demouge are recalled and I decide to replace loanee Douglas with new boy Lettinga. We stick to the same 4-3-1-2 Attacking formation.

Starting Line Up:
Sullivan, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Hooiveld, Lewis, Derry, Lettinga, Einarsson, Demouge and Cresswell

Kick Off:

We start at high tempo and attack from the off. Lettinga almost starts the scoring when he swings a beautiful ball through to Cresswell, I jump up and think he's got to stick this one away, but no the keeper dives at full stretch and palms it away, the balls promptly cleared out of play by ex Leeds lad Crainey. We're rewarded when the resultant corner by Lettinga is swung in and I can't believe how brilliantly Demouge headers it as he was running away from the goal to head it in. The crowd is immediately silenced and I feel like an idiot for going mad when we scored, I quickly sit down and wait for the restart. Things go from bad to worse, Luton start to come back into it and are denying us the ball at every oppportunity, I start to feel it's just a matter of time before something's going to happen. It takes till the 31st minute for them to make the breakthrough, by sheer persistance and a little bad marking Luton get the ball into the area, a cross by Underwood is met on the goal line by Rowan Vine to power in the equaliser. I'm incensed by the manner of their goal and let out a verbal tirade at the players who start arguing about who's to blame. It was the whole bloody team, not one of them went for a bloody tackle and let them come at us. That was the bad and now here's the worse, on 41 minutes we deal well with a foray into our area and it looks as though Lewis can comfortably move forward with the ball, however he does one of THE worst passes I have ever seen straight to the opposition, our players are caught out and Edwards fires the ball through to the running form of Dean Morgan who slots the ball home. I slam my fist against the dugout wall, Sam looks suprised, I look like I'm about to bloody explode. I run over to the touchline and shout for them to bloody tighten it up. I'm starting to get the feeling of Deja-Vous and images of the Cardiff and Preston match run through my mind.

The half time dressing room is a cauldron of rage, I slam the manner in which we conceded twice. "What the ******* hell was that?, eh? This is professional football, not Sunday league, our bloody pride is at stake here so pull your bloody fingers out will you. Can you hear the jeering out there? I want you to silence them, now go out there and play with some bloody passion will you."

We start off a little brighter than we ended the first half, we're going in for tackles and passing with a bit more urgency. I breathe a little easier but we're still loosing. It gets to the 63rd minute and I decide it's time for a change, I bring on Healy and Douglas for Demouge and Lettinga who both look knackered. Lewis is looking out of sorts and I hope he sorts himself out, meanwhile the new additions are immediately making an impact, Harding launches a long ball to Healy just inside the area, Healy's tripped by Chris Coyne and it's a penalty, I rise to my feet and run to the touchline, BANG, he puts it neatly into the bottom left corner and sends the keeper to wrong way. The crowd are going mad and are throwing stuff onto the pitch and screaming obscenities at the ref, I can't help but chuckle as it was a lucky penalty really. A pass from Underwood back to Crainey unexpectedly sets us up for our 3rd goal of the afternoon, Underwood sends a simple ball back to Crainey who takes one touch too many and allows Cresswell to tackle him and take the ball round the dumbfounded keeper. Poor Crainey and against his old team too, our away fans are chanting "Are you a Leeds lad in disguise" much to mine and Sams amusement. Luton look rattled and we're looking dangerous, Douglas is finding Healy again and again as Healy narrowly nods a cross wide of goal. Einarsson heads a lovely ball back to Derry who feeds it forward to Healy who then holds it and then sticks it forward into the path of Einarsson who takes a couple of touches before driving it past the keeper. 4-2 in the 89th minute and the Luton fans are silenced for the rest of the game, we've come back from 2-1 down and tonked them 4-2. The whistle goes and the lads are hugging each other, I run over to the far touchline where the entrance to the tunnel is, I congratulate the lads and tell them that they did fantastically well to come back from the defecit. The lads are in good spirits and all want to shake my hand.

Final Score (Luton Town 2-4 Leeds United)

My Man Of The Match: Gylfi Einarsson, he never gave up and inspired the lads to a hard fought victory when the odds seemed stacked against us. He looked confident in possession and got himself involved in all the action.

The long journey from Lutons going to be a good time to tell the lads that I've decided to let Richardson go to Newcastle, a few of the team had been asking why he wasn't a sub today. Hopefully telling them we're two points clear at the top will ease their worries.

retired_nicolemdalton

Tuesday 30th (Team Talk Inspiration)

Today I read the Yorkshire Post and am delighted to read that Jos Hooiveld has told the press how brilliantly I inspired the comeback after half time.

"Yeh, the boss was fantastic, he was angry with us but it shows that he cares so much about the club, he inspired us to give our all and emerge triumphant. The whole teams performance changed after his talk and I think he got it spot on."

Excellent, it seems my talk did do the trick after all, right better see if theres any last minute bids for my players. I check the phones and theres a message from Frazer Richardson. "Hi Chris, Its Frazer, I wanted to let you know that I've accepted Graemes offer and I'll be joining them tomorrow. Thanks for letting me go, I really need this, tell all the lads that I'll miss them."

retired_nicolemdalton

Wednesday 31st August (Reaction To Richardson Release)

I'm in the office getting through some of the mounting paperwork when Rose comes in and slaps The Sun down in front of me. "Read this." she points to an article on the 2nd to last page.

I look at the article and chuckle, it seems Milwall are showing their ambitions for the season by buying old warhorse Brian Deane from Perth Glory. Hope he does well for them, he's getting on a bit though. Rose tuts and points further down the page, I see it and my face drops.

Fans Anger At Sale Of Young Star

Yesterday saw the £1,000,000 transfer of Leeds youngster Frazer Richardson to Newcastle United. Frazer is said to be delighted at the opportunity to play at a higher level, the Leeds fans however have a much different view point. They believe that Marsh undervalued the player and let him go for much less than he was worth. Marsh has currently been unavailable for comment on the matter.

Of course I've not been available, they didn't bloody ask me. So the fans are p****d off then, well maybe they should run the financial side and see how easy it is to turn a £1,000,000 offer for a £250,000 player down.

Rose sees the look of annoyance on my face and interjects. "Oh yes, we've had a call from Jonny Howson, he's decided to join Mansfield on loan for a 5 month period. He said to tell you he looks forward to showing you what he's learnt when he returns."

"Thanks Rose, I hope he has an enjoyable time there, he's a talented lad. Was there anything else I need to know?"

"Well I've heard rumour that Rob Hulse is back to full training now, but don't hold me to that, It's just what I've heard."

"Ok Rose thanks, bring me a glass of water and then you can go."

Rose leaves to get the water while I turn back to the paper and read the article again. Hmm I'm going to have to give them something pretty special if they're to forgive me anytime soon.

retired_nicolemdalton

Thursday 1st September (Manager Of The Month)

Rose walks into the office looking excited and holding a bottle of Champagne and another object I don't recognise. She sticks them on the desk in front of me, she looks like she's got some exciting news to tell me, suddenly she blurts out "Haven't you heard Chris?, you're manager of the month!".

A quick look of shock appears on my face before giving way to sheer delight, I can't believe it, my first month in charge and I'm already getting recognition for it. Lets hope it's the first of many. Rose also informs me that young Kilgallon came second in the young player of the month award, I'm proud of the lad, he's shown real progress so far.

Can things get any better, we're financially sound, we're two points clear at the top and I'm manager of the month. I feel like I can take on anything now, the phone goes and it's about
Rob Hulse. I a few seconds later I slam the phone down and feel like bashing my head against the wall.

Robs suffered fractured ribs in training and will be out for between 4 and 8 weeks. Bloody marvellous.

retired_nicolemdalton

Friday 9th September (Worthy Wants A Win)

Its been a quiet week as the World Cup qualifiers have been on and a few of the first teamers are away on international duty. I've made an enquiry into a possible replacement for Frazer by the name of Rick Bochem, hes got twice the talent and we should get him for cheap.

I'm reading through the papers looking to find any news on us and I'm shocked to see that Norwich boss Nigel Worthington has told the press that his side will beat us at Elland Road on Saturday."Yes we are confident of beating Leeds on Saturday, no problem." I'm shocked that the quiet man could be quite so unprofessional, I dial up the number for the sports desk at the paper and ask for the reporter, "Yes I have got a response thank you, I just have this to say, I do believe that Norwich have enough quality to justify their self belief, but they'd also have to play pretty well to beat our lads at home." Thats a slightly more professional response than he's expecting I bet, but I wasn't about to let that one go by.

I'm looking forward to the match tomorrow now, it's just got slightly more competitive.

retired_gillg

great start! keep it coming!

retired_blondie_524

very good, keep them coming

retired_nicolemdalton

Cheers for the encouragement guys, not been able to get any story done so far this weekend, but shall get back to it.

retired_nicolemdalton

Saturday 10th September (Elland Road, Leeds United V Norwich City, Championship)

Before the match the media are keen to interview Nigel Worthington and I following our supposed "War of words." I hear from one reporter that Nigels refused to comment on our chances of winning today, but another reports that Leeds are going into the match favourites and that their "Rookie" boss has something to prove. Hmm I wonder who's got it right. I respond by letting all the media present know that confidence is extremely high in the Elland Road camp and that we fear no-one. I notice that a few of the players are hovering around in the background and are looking very pleased at what I just said. Lets hope it translates to a big win for us.

I get to the changing room and it goes quiet, suddenly Derry speaks up and thanks me for having faith in the team, he says that all the lads are impressed with the start we've made and they owe it to me. I can't help but smile but I try to remain professional. "Right lads, heres todays line up, I want your full concentration today, they're a sharp team and will punish any mistake." I announce the team for today. I've made a few changes, a couple of players failed to impress against Luton and I can't afford to give them time to get used to things, I need results now. Sullivan retains his position in goal but I bring Blake in on the right for Lettinga and Healy up front for Demouge who looks a little tired. We stick to the same 4-3-1-2 Attacking formation that's been serving us so well.

Starting Line Up:
Sullivan, Harding, Kilgallon, Kelly, Hooiveld, Lewis, Derry, Blake, Einarsson, Healy and Cresswell

Kick Off:

Norwich start the brighter of the two teams, it looks like Worthington was right, confidence is high. They use their wide men to good effect sending in a few probing balls looking to find a weakness. We manage to get up the other end of the pitch and the crowd really gets going after some brilliant play from the lads which results in the ball dropping to Einarsson with the goal at his mercy, he thunders it into the bottom corner, the crowd start to jump up and I almost spill my water, its saved, what a brilliant stop by Gallagher, he threw himself and stopped it just in the nick of time, Drury knocks it out for a corner and my heart's in my mouth. We start to get into it and force some more brilliant saves from their keeper. Disaster strikes on the half hour mark. A Leon McKenzie shot is deflected and its heading wide, Sullivan inexplicably dives for it in an attempt to save a corner and the ball bounces off him, Dean Ashtons the quickest to react and gets away from his marker and diverts the ball into the empty net. I can barely control my fury at Sullivans schoolboy error, the crowd are going mad and so am I. The big Scot shouts at his defense and reprimands them for not keeping Ashton at bay. What a brilliant start to a must win match. The Norwich fans are on song and are enjoying their teams performance so far, I however am tearing my hair out. Just as I'm resigning myself to the fact that we're probably going to draw at best the crowd jump to their feet and cheer as one, Lewis intercepts a bad pass and feeds it to Cresswell who tries to play it back, the ball bounces off Jarret and finds its way to Einarsson who fires a simply sublime curler into the top corner, Norwich are stunned and I'm feeling hopeful. That lasts exactly 3 minutes when seemingly out of nowhere McKenzie fires the ball into the back of the net, I think everyone in the stadium is stunned with that, it takes a few seconds for the Norwich fans to react, I retreat to the bench and plan the next half.

"Lads, we need to win this match. It's imperative that we get the early goal and shut their fans up. We need all three points today so make me proud will you. Go out there and win it for the fans"

We look a different side this half and are rewarded 10 minutes from the restart when Derry pokes the ball home in a goal mouth scramble that reminds me of a conference league match. The crowd are on their feet and clapping at our sides response after the first half, they're really getting behind us now and we look dangerous. We're finding spaces all over the park but we lack a defining finish to our play, I'm confident that we'll find a winner from somewhere. My confidence is rewarded in the 73rd minute when young substitute Douglas thunders a shot into the roof of the net after connecting with a Lewis free kick, I jump up and punch the air, that was beautiful, we're looking dominant and keep on pounding on Norwich's door. We get to the 90th minute and the crowd are whistling, they want this match over and the 3 points in the bag. 5-4-3-2-1, the crowd go mental and so do I, we've come from 2-1 down to dominate the 2nd half and win 3-2. God I hope Worthingtons learnt a thing or two about me today.

Final Score (Leeds United 3-2 Norwich City)

My Man Of The Match: Eddie Lewis was simply fantastic, feeding in quality ball after quality ball and giving our strikers chance after chance to put the game beyond doubt. His brilliant free kick resulted in the winner from Douglas and I made sure to congratulate him after the match.

We're now 5 points clear and I and the fans are smiling all the way home tonight. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Worthington.

retired_nicolemdalton

Sunday 11th September (Leeds 5 Points Clear at Top)

I pick up the Sunday paper and am delighted to see we have a larger that normal column detailing our match against Norwich yesterday.

Resurgent Leeds bury Crumbling Canaries

Yesterday witnessed Christopher Marsh's Leeds United come back from a dire 2-1 defecit and dire performance to produce a performance worthy of champions.

The first half saw some extremely bad play from the Leeds squad who were punished by two admittedly flukey goals from Ashton and McKenzie. At half time the manager apparently told the team it was a must win game, but what ever he said certainly did the trick. Leeds looked a different team and their confidence showed in their play. Eddie Lewis in particular leading by example and giving the Leeds strikers plenty of ammunition and got the assist for a spectacular goal by Jonathan Douglas.

Currently City boss Nigel Worthington has been unavailable for comment. Yesterdays performance sees Leeds 5 points clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Brilliant, I'll bet he's been unavailable for comment, bet he's sick as a dog after harking on about how his boys will do us over at our place. Obviously I'd of been the same had we lost, but we didn't and his team aren't top of the league.