retired_blondie_524

Friday 25th January 2008

The phone's been red-hot all week as I put out feelers for several players I was interested in during my time at Zhejiang but could never afford, plus of course a few old favourites at Zhejiang. One of those, keeper Cui Kai, becomes the first to sign for just 40,000 RMB. Mind you that's all profit for Zhejiang as I originally picked him up on a free.

Saturday 26th January 2008

The main conference room is full of journalists, cameramen and TV crews for my first press conference since taking over. On the top table is Mr Liefeng, myself and Cui Kai plus five empty chairs.
"Good Morning gentleman" the chairman starts off "You know my new manager, Roberto Loughnane, already - I'll let him take it from here"
I clear my throat and turn towards Kai

"This is my first signing, Cui Kai, as most of you will have heard yesterday. I have every confidence that he can make the step up to Super League level, in his 18 games last season for champions Zhejiang he kept 6 clean sheets. And now"

Turning towards the screened off door I watch and introduce as the players emerge one by one.

"I'd like to introduce my other signings"

"This is Zou You, I've signed him from amateur club Sichuan Jinying for 1 million RMB. He's made 35 Super League appearances for Dalian despite only being 22 years old."

"This is Bai Long, he needs no introduction. His 31 first division appearances for Zhejiang yielded 15 goals from midfield, at 260,000 RMB I think he's a steal."

"This is Gao Ming, Shandong brought him to Super League in 2005 for 3M RMB. He lost his way a bit and wasn't given a chance before being shipped off to Xiamen. There he showed enough for me to pay 1,400,000 RMB for him, I think he'll be frightning defenses this coming season."

"This is Huang Xiyang, I picked him up from Jiucheng for 280,000 RMB. His deadly long shots and with Bai Long's skill in that area will have Super League keepers running for cover."

"Finally this is Luo Tongliang, another first division player who deserves a shot at Super League. I signed him for 850,000 RMB from Jiangsu."

That's it gentleman, the players bios will be available on the way out. I am confident that Wuhan will be challenging for the title once more thanks to these players and Mr Liefeng's foresight.

retired_blondie_524

Monday 28th January 2008

To balance the books I have sold Li Zhixing to Liaoning for and initial fee of 1.6M RMB rising to 1.9 over time plus right winger Meng Yao.
All of these dealings still leaves me with over 13,000,000 RMB in the transfer kitty and 33,000 a week in salary to play with. With just one week to the closing of the transfer window I might save it for summer.

Thursday 31st January 2008

Famous last words, 1,500,000 of my transfer money go on defensive midfielder Zhao Xuri from first division Qingdao Zhongneng.

Wednesday 6th February - Pre Season Friendly
Jinying v Wuhan

As part of the Zou You deal we traveled to Jinying for a friendly. Most of the new signing played some part in a comfortable 2-0 win. Gao Ming and Huang Xiyang scored and Zou You got an assist at his old club.

Thursday 7th February 2008

In transfer deadline day dealings I signed goalkeeper Zhu Huiqian from Liaoning for 1.9M RMB and ship defender Dai Xianrong in the opposite direction for 1.5M RMB and striker Xu Quing to Shenyang for an initial 300,000 RMB.

Thursday 14th February - Pre Season friendly
Anhui v Wuhan

Using the 4-1-3-2 formation that served me so well with Zhejiang, we comfortably took out the home side. Zou You got his first goal for the club and Meng Yao added the winner in a 2-1 win.

Monday 18th February - Pre Season friendly
Xiamen v Wuhan

The result was a bit unjust, in simple flowing moves we glided around the pitch looking every bit the Super League side against the first division boys. Bai Long had given us the lead tucking in a low shot from the edge of the area but with three reserve defenders out there at the end, Xiamen caught us napping at the back and equalised with two minutes to go. Vicente, our Brazillian forward didn't really impress me, both he and Zou You were dominated in the air. Only Doug Fangzhuo showed some arial prowess when he came on, winning 3 out of 4 headers and unlucky to have a headed goal ruled out.

Thursday 21st February - Pre Season friendly
Chengdu v Wuhan

At half time it all looked plain sailing, Fangzhuo had given us the lead and we were the only team in it. That all changed in the second half, two minutes in a poor clearance left everyone out of position and it was 1-1. With 20 minutes left we trailed 2-1 after giving away a penalty and the first division side sealed it on 83 minutes when Younshun and keeper Huiqian stood looking at each other as the Chengdu forward nipped in to lop it 30 yards into the empty net. A few players were playing in different positions and a few were tired, not a result I'd worry about.

retired_blondie_524

Sunday 24th February - Pre Season friendly
Xi'an v Wuhan

Before these last few games I thought my defense was up to the mark, now I'm not so sure after several mediocre performances at the back. Two goals by on-loan Li Ruokun ultimately gave us a 2-1 win but it was a sloppy goal we conceded

Thursday 28th February - Pre Season friendly
Jiucheng v Wuhan

We finished off our pre season programme with a 2-2 tie. After conceding a fifth minute penalty goals from Fangzhuo and a stuning 18 yard volley from Xuri gave us a lead. We had the last word though when Tougliang headed past Bai with 10 minutes left.

retired_blondie_524

Wuhan Huanghelou 2008 Squad

GOALKEEPERS

First choice is 21-year-old Cui Kai, signed in the off-season from Zhejiang where I gave him his first break. He will be backed up by 29-year-old Zhu Huiqian who kept nine clean sheets in 35 appearances for Liaoning last season.

DEFENDERS

First choice left back is the Korean 31 year old Kim Jung-Kyum signed at the end of last season from K-League side Pohang. Centre backs will start off as 24-year-old Wei Zhonghu; he has played in the CSL for Tianjin but was signed from first division Chengdu. With he will be 23-year-old Wang Hongliang who made 29 appearances last season. The right back will be 22-year-old Liu Zhiyong who scored 2 and set up 3 in 28 appearances last season. Backups include 22-year-old Yuan Weiwei, he can play left or central and was purchased at the end of the last season from Shenyang for 3.5M RMB and 22-year-old Ren Yongshun who has 4 U21 caps and is in his second season here.

MIDFIELDERS

The holding defensive midfielder role goes to 22 year old Zhao Xuri signed in the off-season from Qingdao where he made 50 appearances. The midfield trio will start with 26 year old Wu Wei'an on the left, he cost 7.75M RMB from Qingdao last season, the middle man will be 21 year old Bai Long signed by me from Zhejiang where he hit 15 goals in this central role. The right man will be 26-year-old Meng Yao who arrived in a part exchange deal from Liaoning this off-season. Also in the mix are 30 year old Zheng Bin signed three seasons ago for 3.5M RMB and has scored nine in 74 appearances, 22 year old Huang Xiyang an off season acquisition from Jiucheng, 26 year old Gao Ming signed from Xiamen and hoping to resurrect his career after only 33 appearances in four years at CSL clubs. 28-year-old Luo Tongliang signed from Jiangsu and 26-year-old Lu Jiang, signed last season for 4.5M from Qingdao and scored twice in 26 appearances, will also be fighting hard for a place.

ATTACKERS

Leading the line will be 23 year old Dong Fangzhuo who cost 16M RMB to buy from Manchester United although he had spent the last four seasons farmed out to Antwerp, he scored six in fifteen appearances last season. Partnering him will be new signing 22-year-old Zou You who registered six in 19 appearances for Jinying. Looking for a start will be 21 year old Li Ruokun on loan from Guoli where he hit five in eight appearances and the Brazilian 28 year old Vicente who has 24 goals in 72 appearances over four years.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 5th March 2008

The title ons for the Chinese Super League (CSL) have been published. Dalian have been made the 6/4 favourites with Shandong and Shenzhen at 7/4. We're out at 100/1, a mid-table season predicted for us.

Saturday 8th March 2008

As our next fixture is not until March 22nd I slip in a fixture to keep everyone match ready. Giurare Yokohama, Asian Champions League winners in 2007 have agreed to play us in Japan next Wednesday.

Wednesday 12th March - Pre season Challenge
Yokohama v Wuhan

We started with the side I intend fielding in the FA Cup next week. Fangzhuo gives us the lead after 15 minutes when he is put clear by Zou You and calmly slots it under the keeper. It's two on the half hour as Long hits a 30-yard curler that leaves the Japanese keeper just standing and gawping and Fangzhuo gets his second with five minutes of the half left as he outruns the defense to collect a long through ball and buries it on the half volley. Cui Kai was also instrumental in making several brilliant saves to keep the clean sheet at the break.
As both sides spent the second half substituting player after player the rhythm was lost and two goals by the home side in the last nine minutes gave them a rather flattering look. A morale boosting win as we enter the season.

Saturday 22nd March - Chinese FA Cup 1st Rd
Liaoning v Wuhan

For the visit to fellow CSL side Liaoning I select the following side:
(4-1-3-2) Kai - Jung-Kyum, Hongliang, Zhonghu, Zhiyong - Xuri - Wei'an, Long, Yao - You, Fangzhuo. Subs: Huiqian, Weiwei, Yongshun, Ming, Bin, Vicente, Tongliang.
The first twenty minutes the keepers were well on top with some fine saves but Liaoning made the breakthrough after 24 minutes when Lü Zheng stole across his markers and headed in a free kick. Zou You was left kicking the ground in frustration with three minutes left in the half when the Linesman ruled out his goal
Wuhan started the second half the brigher side and got their reward after Yao's cross evaded everyone in the box. Wei'an knocked it back and Fangzhuo drove it in past three defenders on the line but Liaoning got right back in the lead when a long ball over the top caught them napping and although Kai parried the initial shot he could do nothing to stop Li Jinyu sliding in the rebound. With us struggling to get back into it our hopes were dashed when Bai Long was dismissed on 86 minutes after a scuffle at a free kick. Liaoning got too confident though and two minutes from time Fangzhuo's pass exposed the defense and left substitute Vicente all alone to slot in the equaliser.
Extra time stretched our 10 men and it was largely a rearguard action. Liaonging had a goal chalked off after 114 minutes and Fangzhuo hit the outside of the post in the final minute before it went to penalties.
Both keepers managed to save a couple but Liaoning ran out the eventual winners 3-2.
Liaoning 2-2 Wuhan A.E.T.
(Liaoning win 3-2 on penalties)
Liaoning scorers: Zheng 24, Jinyu 56
Wuhan scorers: Fangzhuo 51, Vicente 88
Att: 3,948

retired_blondie_524

Saturday 29th March 2008

The disciplinary committee has slapped a three Cupmatches ban on Long for his right hook on the Liaoning player.
Cui Kai has been given his first call-up to the Chinese U21 squad to face China Taipei on April 1st.
The first two CSL matches of the new season end in away wins, Liaoning 2-1 at Changchun and Shandong 2-0 at Shenzhen.

Sunday 30th March 2008

Bejing thump Zhongbang 4-1 while bookies favourites Dalian win 2-0 at Guangzhou. Zhejiang get a 1-0 win at Shenhua and International lose 2-1 at home to Shenyang.

Saturday 5th April 2008

In the two TV games Shenyang beat Bejing 3-1 and Guangzhuo win 2-0 at Henan.

Sunday 6th April - Super League
Wuhan v Changchun

My debut CSL match is against a side that finished one place above Wuhan last season. I have to make one enforced change as Yao has picked up a thigh strain so Lu Jiang replaces him and Ruokun takes Xiyang's place on the bench. Six of the starting 11 are making their Wuhan debuts.
Changchun over-ran Wuchan in the opening 20 minutes and it was no surprise when Cao Ming finally managed to breach Kai's oneman defense. What was the surprise was that we were level within minutes; Fangzhuo went on a fantastic dribble down the wing eluding all before landing his cross right on You's head who powered in his debut goal. Cui Kai then held firm and we went into the break level.
Kai was called on early on to keep us in the game before we struck again. Fangzhuo played a one two with Long when fizzed the ball across the goal and up popped You to flick in his second goal at the far post. It was three on the hour when Yang Haibo unbelievably failed to see Zou You lurking when he passed across the area and You nipped in to complete a hat trick on his debut. Changchun just about folded then and Wuhan swarmed forward. The crowd rose as one to applaud Zou You as Vicente replaced him on 67 minutes, Bin also coming on for the tiring Wei'an. Two minutes later Zheng Bin's ball over the top enabled Fangzhuo to fire home the goal he so richly deserved. A win that was as much due to Kai's saves as it was to Zou You's hat trick's.
Wuhan 4-1 Changchun
Wuhan scorers: You 21, 57, 59, Fangzhuo 70
Changchun scorers: Ming 20
Att: 9,872

A wonderful start for us with Kai justifying my faith in him. That leaves us in seventh, Dalian regaining top spot with a 3-0 win over International. Zhejiang drew 1-1 against Shenzhen and Liaoning also drew 1-1 against Shenhua.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 9th April - Super League
Tianjin Teda v Wuhan Huanghelou

In a tight match neither side really took control and the keepers kept all at bay. Until the 37th minute that was, Zhiyong tripped the Tianjin player just inside the box and Peng scored the resultant penalty.
In the first minute of the second half it was all square when Zou You intercepted a loose pass and outpaced the defense before driving it low across the keeper into the bottom corner of the net. The home side retook the lead on the hour when Hongliang threw himself at a shot and only managed to knock it over Kai into his own net.
Tianjin 2-1 Wuhan
Tianjin scorers: Peng 37 pen, Hongliang OG 58
Wuhan scorers: You 46
Att: 14,909

An unfortunate loss that sees us slip to 11th.

Saturday 12th April 2008

Todays TV games sees Tianjin hammer Bejing 4-1 and International get their first win, 2-1 over Henan.

Sunday 13th April - Super League
Shanghai Shenhua v Wuhan Huanghelou

Ten minutes into the game the Fangzhuo/You partnership works its magic again, Fangzhuo's deep cross is perfect to Zou You to power home his fifth of the season. Shenhua catch a break in the 24th minute when Yun's shot ricochets around and finally hits Hongliang and drops for Yong to drill home.
The second half exploded into life in the last 15 minutes, Xuri intercepted a throw-in and fed a long ball up to Fangzhuo who flicked it over the keeper. Three minutes later a long ball out of Wuhan's area found the home defense pushed too far up and Fangzhuo drew the keeper before slipping it across to substitute Ruokun to sidefoot into the empty net. Shenhua never gave up and with six minutes left Yong just beat Kai at the post to poke it home. Worse was to come as Yong completed his hat trick in the 91st minute when Dong Lei got ahead of Zhonghu to nod it to Yong who volleyed it past the wrong footed Kai.
Shenhua 3-3 Wuhan
Shenhua scorers: Yong 24, 84, 91
Wuhan scorers: You 11, Fangzhuo 74, Ruokun 77
Att: 11,848

Dalian remain top with a 3-1 win over Shenyang and Chongqing grab second after a 2-1 win over Zhejiang with Tianjin in third.

Monday 14th April 2008

Lu Jiang was selected in the CSL team of the week.

retired_blondie_524

Saturday 19th April - Super League
Wuhan Huanghelou v Shenzhen Jianlibao

For our first TV game of the season we host the side that finished sixth in CSL last season. I field the same side again as Meng Yao is still out with a thigh strain. The TV pundits have this down as a draw but I'd like to upset the applecart.
The stadium erupted after only 37 seconds, Zhiyong's long ball was gathered by Bai Long and the keeper was only able to parry his vicious shot. Zou You reacted first and beat three defenders to slide home the opener. The visitors were rocking but showed their class by working their way back and were level after 22 minutes, Yin Lei netting a 20-yard free kick on his debut. Shenzhen took the lead late in the first half when Zhonghu was robbed of the ball and Xiaosheng run on with the defense trailing in his wake to coolly slot it wide of Kai into the net.
The visitors bossed the second half and we could find no way back into the match until the last five minutes when a route one ball from Hongliang found Zou You and he somehow managed to beat the Shenzhen keeper at the near post to snatch the tie.
Wuhan 2-2 Shenzhen
Wuhan scorers: You 1, 86
Shenzhen scorers: Lei 22, Xiaosheng 42
Att: 10,021

The other game finished Shenyang 0-3 Tianjin, moving Tianjin up to second while we move to 6th.

Zou You is a real hero already here in Wuhan, seven goals in five appearances with three M.o.M. Trophies. One million Chinese yann well spent.

Sunday 20th April 2008

Dalian hold on to top spot despite only drawing 1-1 at Henan, Shandong thumped International 3-0 and Zhongbang beat Shenhua by the same score. Zhejiang enjoyed a 1-0 home win against Guangzhou, sliding us down to 10th.

Wednesday 23rd April - Super League
Chongqing Lifan v Wuhan Huanghelou

This was a tough assignment away at second placed Chongqing. Zhao Weiwei replaces Wang Hongliang in the centre of defense.
We were probably the better side in the first half, certainly You should have added to his tally but our persistence paid off when Fangzhuo's little flick with five minutes left split the central defenders for Bai Long. He hit one of his trademark rockets past the despairing dive of the keeper into the top corner for his first Wuhan goal.
Chongqing were level eight minutes into the second half when Weiwei conceded a dubious penalty. Kai saved the first effort but could do nothing as Qinhua netted the rebound. We went back in front on 65 minutes when Wei'an slipped a perfect ball to Zou You to outpace the defender, dummy the keeper and slot home, his sixth consecutive game with a goal. A minute later Fangzhuo's split the defense and his shot was parried away falling just right for Zou You to slam it into the empty net. A performance we'd been threatening for a few games now.
Chongqing 1-3 Wuhan
Chongqing scorers: Qinhua 54
Wuhan scorers: Long 41, You 66, 67
Att:11,507

Shandong leapfrogged Dalian into top spot by beating them 2-1 and Tianjin's 0-0 draw at Changchun gave them third spot. Zhejiang lost the battle of the promoted sides 3-1 at International. We're in sixth, four points behind the leaders.

retired_blondie_524

Saturday 26th April 2008

Today's TV games saw International win 3-2 at Liaoning and third place Tianjin lose 1-2 at home to Shenhua.

Sunday 27th April - Super League
Wuhan Huanghelou v Guangzhou Rizhiquan

Meng Yao has recovered enough to take Xiayang's spot on the bench.
Against the run of play the visitors took the lead after 22 minutes. Caught on the counter attack Kai saved the initial attempt but in the ensuing melee Zhao Xuri somehow knocked it in his own net. The defense messed up again on 35 minutes when Weiwei allowed Xiang to steal the ball off his toe and run on to plant the second goal in.
I sent the team out early for the second half after explaining to them in no uncertain terms how they were letting everyone down. It didn't do any good though, a dreadful performance in front of our biggest crowd of the season.
Wuhan 0-2 Guangzhou
Wuhan scorers: none
Guangzhou scorers: Xuri OG 22, Xiang 35
Att: 10,405

Dalian regained top spot with a 1-0 win at Zhejiang, second placed Shandong lost 0-1 at home to Henan which was their first win of the season.

retired_blondie_524

Tuesday 29th April 2008

Zhao Xuri and Bai Long were selected in the CSL team of the week.
In a bid to bolster the defense I agree to pay 220,000 RMB for Sichuan's 30 year old central defender Ma Quan who has the experience of 154 appearances, 50 at CSL level. He will join when the domestic transfer window opens on July 26th but I'm still looking for a commanding foreign centre back within my budget who I can sign at anytime.

Saturday 3rd May 2008

Dalian draw 0-0 with Liaoning in the first TV game and that was the score in the second game between Guangzhou and Zhongbang as well.

Sunday 4th May - Super League
Shanghai International v Wuhan Huanghelou

Cai Xi partners Zhonghu at the heart of the defense as I try to find a pair that will play together. Meng Yao makes his first league start since joining us with Li Jiang dropping to the bench.
Nine minutes were on the clock when Zou You's powerful header hit the back of the net for his 10th of the season, the cross supplied by who else than Dong Fangzhuo! Four minutes later Fangzhuo was pushed over in the area and Zou You blasted home the penalty. The roles were reversed in the 17th minute when You's deft flick found Fangzhuo unmarked in the six yard box and he headed it into the bottom corner. The goals were raining in fast and within minutes Cai Xi gave the home side hope when the shot come cross went over the top of Kai and he made a terrible hash of clearing the ball heading it into his own net. With three minutes left in the half International pulled another back when Zhonghu completely missed the ball and allowed Kwame Ayew in to beat Kai on the near post.
Bai long held off two home players six minutes into the second half before delivering a pinpoint ball over the defense to Fangzhuo and he doesn't miss those often. Just after the hour Zhonghu's wayward backpass fell right to Ayew who poked a simple goal past the stranded Kai. The score could have been anything then but we finally sealed it in the 93rd minute when substitute Jiang's touchline cross swerved and evaded everyone in the crowded six yard area to creep into the net
International 3-5 Wuhan
Inter scorers: Xi OG 20, Ayew 42, 63
Wuhan scorers: You 10, 15 pen, Fangzhuo 18, 52, Jiang 93
Att: 10,130

Shangdong's 4-0 win over Shenyang sees them regain top spot and our amazing win lifts us to the lofty heights of third.

With 18 goals from seven games we're comfortably the CSL's highest scorers but our total of 14 conceded is only bettered by International who total of 17 we've just added five to.

Thursday 8th May 2008

Wu Wei'an, Meng Yao and Dong Fangzhuo are all selected in the CSL team of the week.

Shenhua has offered 450,000 RMB up front plus 6M RMB over two years and a further 9.25M after 40 goals for Dong Fangzhuo which is rejected out of hand. With the amount of goals we're shipping we need Dong's goal and assist contributions to keep ahead.

Saturday 10th May 2008

The TV games today throw up two 1-0 away wins, Shezhen's at Changchun moves them to third and leaders Shangdong at Zhejiang.