Pred

June 6th, 2007

More Euro 2008 qualifications today, and England strike another four-goal glut, defeating Cyprus by that scoreline. With four matches left to play, England have 18 points out of 18, and are the overwhelming favorites to win their group. Short of a collapse of monumental proportions, they should cruise.

June 20th, 2007

$24.5M. That’s how much we’re given in Premiership TV rights for the new season. With the $15M htat Mr. Royle is investing in the club, it means I have a healthy $25M transfer kitty to work with in my first season. I have a feeling I won’t be spending that much.

As far as the new season goes, we’ll open it on the road visiting Manchester City, and the Premiership will come to The Racecouse Ground on August 18th when we play Sunderland.

June 25th, 2007

Success today, as we finally negotiate terms that will bring the American sensation, Freddy Adu to Wrexham. It’ll be $8M out of our pockets to grab him from DC United, but Adu, who has spent three successful years growing up in the MLS is ready to make the jump to Europe, and I couldn’t be happier about it. With now D.J. Countess, Ned Grabavoy and Adu joining the club, and rumors swirling about my possible interest in Mike Magee, Eddie Gaven or Landon Donovan, the Wrexham Daily Mail is calling it “the 2nd American Revolution.�

Meanwhile, we release our list of friendlies this year, with a few tantalizing ones for the fans.

Rangers (Home)
Exeter (Away)
Colchester (Away)
Q.P.R. (Away)
Clyde (Away)
Real Madrid (Home)
Arsenal (Home)

July 1st, 2007

The doors at Wrexham are spinning today. Here’s a list of all the player’s we’re welcoming to the club.

Lee Speight (17 y/o, Scottish, S C) – From Dunfermline
Freddy Adu (18 y/o, American, F LC) – From DC United
Lee Young-Pyo (30 y/o, South Korean, D/DM L) – From Mainz
Davide Chini (18 y/o, Italian, S C) – From Fidelis Andria
Aranda (26 y/o, Spanish, S C) – From Sevilla
Santiago Fernandez (22 y/o, Mexican, S C) – From Barcelona
D.J. Countess (24 y/o, American, GK) From Atletico Madrid
Salomon Kalou (21 y/o, Ivorian, AM R) – From Feyenoord
Remco van der Schaaf (28 y/o, Dutch, D/DM C) – From PSV

We’ve imported just about a whole new first team, but most of the young players, short of Freddy Adu will be taking positions of squad-rotation, so we can have some depth to the team and hopefully be able to cut it. They’re costing the club a combined $15M and put our wage bill $1M under the limit, so, performance is expected from both them and me. Still, with another $10M to spend, I have to admit that another center-back (Remco being one) surely wouldn’t hurt.

In the midst of all of this, Marcus Tudgay comes to see me after a light training session, as I’m just looking to get everyone acquainted first. Apparently, the arrival of three new strikers to the first team has him afraid for his first-team place. I’m really not in the mood to hear any whining, so I let him know if he’s afraid for his spot, he’d better work for it and win it. We’re here to win.

Meanwhile, the Confederations Cup finishes today with England defeating Argentina for the 3rd-place medal, while Brazil defeats the United States in the Final, giving the South Americans their second victory in the competition. The competition isn’t given much credence by anyone in the footballing world, but what two managers do is. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the England manager announces his retirement from the game immediately after the tournament, stating that he’s done all he really wanted to and looking forward to spending some time away from the limelight. His replacement will be West Ham’s David Jones, a surprising move, as the good money was on other names, like Gary Megson, Steve Bruce and Steve McClaren were higher on the list.

More on my radar is the news that Bruce Arena is quitting the American National team in order to pursue a career in club football. Arena had been linked with vacancies at Leicester and even Villareal, so he should have his choice of places. The news that my home nation needs a new coach is one of the things I’ve been waiting to hear for months now though, and I immediately have my secretary fax the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) to let them Apparently, I’ll be in the running with Cobi Jones, who is itching to spend even more time with the National team.

And lastly today, we wave goodbye to Francesco Lodi, who leaves to play alongside his idol Francesco Totti at Internazionale today. He had a great season here, and we can’t do anything else but thank him for it.

Players Out – Wrexham Stats:
Francesco Lodi (23 y/o, Italian, AM C): 37 (3) Apps, 35 Gls, 9 Asts, 12 MoM, Av. Rate 8.15

July 3rd, 2007

I gather the squad today before our friendly against Rangers. Everyone’s getting introduced and settling, and I’m trying to help the best I can, I’ve helped Freddy Adu and Salomon Kalou find a place to live. And while the club have some big names, I make clear to everybody, that noone is bigger than the club. Anyone who isn’t willing to play as part of a team is replaceable, and will be. I don’t need a horde of prima-donnas, and if we’re going to stay up, we’re going to need to keep focused on that goal.

Friendly – Wrexham v. Rangers

The Scottish giants won their second title in a row last year, and are re-tooling for another run at the title and hopefully a better result in the Champions League. But it’s our first game as a team together, and we do very nicely for any future prospects, Aranda and Sam Lancaster finding the net to let us get the off-season off to a good start.

Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Rangers
MoM – Stefan Klos

July 6th, 2007

I’m absolutely thrilled we negotiated our new contract with Richard Brittain when we did, including a $25M Minimum Release Fee clause. It allows us to do something I didn’t see myself ever doing, and that being telling Manchester United “No�.

The Red Devils come calling for Brittain today, offering $18.5M for our Scottish dynamo. And it’s a firm “no� they get, as I won’t be losing him for less than the $25M. Of course, both are still reputedly interested, so I’ll expect another bid sometime soon.

July 8th, 2007

It’s an honor to be approached by any nation to lead their National side. I have two.

Faxes today arrive from the Australian FA and the USSF, offering me the job as manager. And, while Australia’s history in the game is one of some interest, the chance to be the man for the United States is one that I just can’t turn down. I accept immediately, booking a redeye flight for the States to hammer out my contract details and get introduced.

July 9th, 2007

It’s really hard to believe that, in less than three years I’m standing infront of a small assemblage of media in Chicago at a press conference hastily organized by the USSF. It’s all platitudes and introductions today as I take the reins of the United States Men’s Soccer (I know) team. Overshadowed in achievement by the women’s team, I don’t honestly think we’re going to trump them anytime soon, winning the World Cup, for instance. But Bruce Arena guided this team to Runners-Up slots in the North American Gold Cup and the Confederations Cup, which means the bar has been set for me, and the late-90s malaise that surrounded the team simply will not do. I’m asked how I feel about the team’s potential.

“Well, the talent’s there. Eddie Gaven’s turning out great in Germany, Jonathan Spector is maturing very, very well, there’s Justin Mapp, DaMarcus Beasley, Taylor Twellman and Mastroeni. I think, with some luck, we can surprise a lot of people again. We’re not Brazil, but we’re not the worst team in the world.�

I get a let off to start things, as my first game in charge will be against the tiny nation of Dominica in November as my first test.

Friendly – Exeter City v. Wrexham

I’m not on hand to witness this one, as I am away in the U.S., obviously. With Ian Rush in control, the team give a reasonably good account of themselves, and should have won by a great deal more, if not for some good goalkeeping from Exeter and some bad finishing. Still, a win’s a win, and Stewart Downing’s header is something rather than nothing.

Final Score – Exeter City 0:1 Wrexham
MoM – James Bittner

July 10th, 2007

All the Premiership news is about the transfer market, with half the clubs in the league all atwitter over Yakubu of Portsmouth and Johan Vonlathen of Leicester. The two scored 44 goals combined in the Premiership last season (21 and 23 respectively) and neither figure to be at their clubs much longer. Liverpool, Newcastle and Juventus are all interested in Yakubu, while Vonlathen has suitors in Arsenal, Tottenham and Middlesbrough.

Lee Young-Pyo gets called up to the South Korean national squad today for the Asian Nations Cup, which means, based on how well South Korea do, we could be missing him for the beginning of the season.

July 12th, 2007

Friendly – Colchester United v. Wrexham

Another simple pre-season tune-up. Marcus Tudgay and Curtis Allen both tally as we cobble together a win. Brahim Ferradj is promisingly strong at the back, and I’m glad to say the team seems to be gelling already.

Final Score – Colchester United 0:2 Wrexham
MoM – Stewart Downing

July 13th, 2007

Yakubu leaves just-relegated Portsmouth for Liverpool today, in a $11M move that most on Merseyside are hoping will flourish into a happy partnership with Djibril Cissé. The pair scored 32 Premiership goals last year, so the prospects are very, very good.

July 16th, 2007

Exceptionally good news today, as our friendly against Real Madrid will be broadcast on TV Live. The club’s been in a desperate hurry to try and get us to Premiership-standard. Parts of the ground have been renovated, we’ve unveiled a completely new club website and are basically desperate to gout ourselves 21st-century certified. Obviously, we’re not there yet, The Racecourse Ground will be, despite our efforts, the smallest and least advanced ground in the Premiership. Still, it’s our own Fort Knox.

Friendly – Queens Park Rangers v. Wrexham

Not much here. Fernandez and Aranda put this one away within the first 10 minutes of play as we cruise over last-season’s competitors.

Final Score - Queens Park Rangers 1:2 Wrexham
MoM – Aranda

July 17th, 2007

The papers are all harping about Manchester United coming in with a big, $20M+ bid for Richard Brittain. Officially, the club have no comment on the matter, and frankly, we’re not going to overexert ourselves in trying to keep Richard here. He’s already one of the highest-paid players at the club (rightfully so) but if Manchester meet his $25M Minimum Release Fee clause we just don’t have the money to play financial hardball with a team like that. Everyone’s hoping he’ll stay (well, everyone but Salomon Kalou) but it all falls to whether ManU are going to step up their bid.

July 19th, 2007

Friendly – Clyde v. Wrexham

I’m trying to figure out who’s going to make up our first team now, a task that the players, I’m happy to say, are hotly contesting. Everyone seems to understand that my policy of working for your place in the squad means noone is safe from the axe, should they underperform, and are playing like they want to be part of this season. Even Marcus Tudgay seems to get it for all his moaning, and after three goals in the opening 20 minutes, we can sit back and relax.

Final Score – Clyde 0:3 Wrexham
MoM – Floribert N’Galula

July 21st, 2007

I know the wisdom of having too many Chefs, but some offers I just can’t pass up.

Today I add to my backroom staff in style today, a perfect lead-up to our Friendly against Real Madrid. And just as José Mourinho has two Assistants, as will I, as Ian Rush is joined by the legendary Zinedine Zidane. The legendary French midfielder retired from the game last year after his last go-round with Real Madrid, and, like Luis Figo before him, is looking to get into the Coaching/Managing business. I’m all too happy to give him his first shot here helping me out, although I’m sure Zidane has bigger things in his mind in the future. If Figo can go on to Manage Greece, and Paolo Maldini can end up the man pulling the strings at Palermo, surely he can do the same? Still, having Zizou here to coach, I and the players are all to ready to pull from his years of experience.

July 22nd, 2007

Friendly – Wrexham v. Real Madrid

Yes, it makes me very happy to know that we can actually nearly fill up The Racecourse Ground and get TV coverage when we play, of all teams, Real Madrid here. Even I’m bitten by the bug, and have to restrain myself from asking Clarence Seedorf or Steven Gerrard for their autograph. Still, getting to chat for a little while before kickoff with Roberto Carlos and David Beckham is the kind of thing I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to do again.

The game is, obviously, a friendly, so it’s not played at seriously competitive pace. But when N’Diaye prods home a van de Besselar freekick to give us the win, I have to applaud my players. Even in a friendly, this is very, very promising stuff for the future.

Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Real Madrid
MoM – Alain van de Besselar

July 25th, 2007

Some bad news from the European Under-19s Championship today, as Italy goes out of the compeititon. This is only really news to me because Davide Chini missed his spot-kick, as the game between Italy and Spain had gone to penalties, and is understandably gutted about it. His kick didn’t cost Italy the match, but I’m sure he would’ve liked to push on the team rather than hamper them.

Friendly – Wrexham v. Arsenal

The Gunners are the talk of the Premiership, reportedly chasing Real Betis winger JoaquÃ*n with a massive $80M bid for the Spanish star. Having made all the moves we honestly want to make, I can sit back and watch the team play the tactics that I’ve set out for them. Those who come to the game (all 12,000 of them) are left a little disappointed, as the stars of the Arsenal side, Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera are left out of their friendly side, but Robinho, Patrice Evra, Cesc Fabregas and Jose Reyes still feature, to their delight. And to my delight, rather than being completely outclassed, we actually hold our own, the team doing a fantastic job of gelling this early on. I know it doesn’t mean a lot, but for us, holding Arsenal to a scoreless draw means a lot.

Final Score – Wrexham 0:0 Arsenal
MoM – D.J. Countess

We’ve got a 17-day break after this to rest and prepare for the new season ahead

July 26th, 2007

I get word from the USSF today that we’ve scheduled another friendly this year, a September 5th engagement with Benin stateside. World Cup 2008 qualifiers start in just a few short months now, so all of this is in preparation for that.

July 27th, 2007

A sitdown this afternoon with Mr. Royle at his offices in Cardiff. A journey the fans wouldn’t approve of I’m sure. After a cigar and some fine liquor, we sit to begin talking about the season facing the club. I know what the supporters would like, but Mr. Royle is the new boss around here and I’m contractually obligated to listen. Thankfully, his demands are rather simple. He lets me know the board is looking to seriously revamp the station in the coming years, and has some serious ambition for the club. For that to happen however, the club must stay profitable, which means we can’t afford another spending spree like the one I went on this summer, understandably. The wage budget is under the limit, which is pleasing for him, but part of establishing this club in the Premiership is financial solvency.

As for the season ahead, we both want to avoid relegation. As to my position with the club, Mr. Royle makes it quite clear that he understands relegation is a real possibility for teams spending their first year in the Premiership, and if that should come to pass, I am in no danger of losing my job at the club. That said, he hopes we can pull off the trick, and begin to set up Wrexham Athletic Football Club as one of the new names in the top-flight in England. If Birmingham can do it, he notes, then surely we can too.

July 28th, 2007

From CNNSI.com

“With the MLS season coming to a close, the last thing that Los Angeles Galaxy manager Steve Sampson must want is dissention in the ranks. But he’s got it, as 23-year old forward Eddie Johnson made public in an interview this week that he wishes to leave the club for European competition, where he feels he can fulfill his potential. Johnson, long one of the hot prospects in American Soccer, signed with Los Angeles in 2005, and has spent the better part of two rocky seasons there, marked by a broken thigh that kept him off the field for eight months. Johnson feels the time is now to seek a move.

‘I’d really like to go to England and play for Jake Flanagan and Wrexham. I think I’d be most comfortable there.’ Johnson said in the interview. ‘With the American contingent there, the transfer would be a lot smoother, and I want to bring my game to the next level.’ “

Some news indeed to start the morning off with, as I only read the blurb and associated interview after I’ve been contacted by three different papers to comment on the news. I’ve had a long-standing interest in Johnson, but my official word is “no comment�, especially since I don’t think we can afford the $3.6M priced striker. Considering I’ll be opening up a new relationship with him when I meet with the U.S. team for the first time, the future may bring changes to that.

The Copa America comes to a finish today, with Uruguay winning the competition for the 15th time, after beating Colombia 1-1 on penalties. The game was a largely unentertaining affair until a flurry of action in the last 15 minutes of extra-time saw Colombia score, only for Uruguay to come sweeping back up the field and stick home the equalizer to send it to penalties. And when Jaime Alberto Castrillon missed, José Martin Alzugaray struck home from the spot to send the Uruguayans into raptures.

The fallout afterwards is rather harsh on two coaches, as Carlos Alberto Parreia and Ricardo Antonio LaVolpe are both sacked by the Brazilian and Mexican FAs, respectively.

July 31st, 2007

TotalBet.com comes out with the odds on the Premiership Title for the 07/08 season, and unsurprisingly, Arsenal are favorites at 6-4. Next are Chelsea and Manchester United at 2-1, Liverpool at 20-1, and Aston Villa and Manchester City at 33-1. Us? We’re 200-1 underdogs.

The Daily Mirror comes calling today, asking about what I think our chances for the season are. I’m no predictor of things, but I think I know my team, and defiantly state that I don’t believe we’ll be facing the drop at the end of the season. I expect us to get safety, anything else is a failure.

Meanwhile, Chelsea decide to make the first really interesting transfer of the summer, spending $44M on Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal. Apparently, the Spaniard was something less than universally loved at Emirates Stadium, but even still, selling one of the biggest prospects in the game at any price seems like a bit of bad business. The rumours are however, that the sale of Fabregas will allow Arsenal to field enough money to purchase JoaquÃ*n.

August 1st, 2007

From Four Four Two Magazine

Wrexham
[i]Last Season - Championship: Champions
FA Cup: Eliminated in Fifth Round
League Cup: Eliminated in Second Round
Top Scorer: Francesco Lodi (35)

So much so quickly for the club from the north of Wales, but can they keep it up? Wrexham’s meteoric rise to the Premiership has been one of single-minded focus, but many feel that it is too much, too fast. The team have spent over $20M to ensure that it isn’t, but will that be enough? Can Jacob Flanagan work another miracle at the Racecourse Ground?
Strengths: The most harrowing sight for opposing defenses last year in the Championship was the sight of the Wrexham midfield steaming towards them at full tilt. On their day, Wrexham were unstoppable, even after the loss of frontman Simon Cox. Moreover, there are signs that Flanagan’s youth program is starting to come to fruition, with the emergence of Brahim Ferradj and continuing good word about the futures of Curtis Allen and Enis Turkovic. There has been a lot of potential in the Wrexham dressing room in recent years, and a lot of that potential is coming to bloom.
Weaknesses: Wrexham is a team that struggled at times against Premiership-caliber opposition. They barely managed their 1-0 win over Blackburn last year, and of course, there was the 5-0 thrasing at Emirates Stadium. There are legions of questions being asked about whether this team can make a transition in three short years from League One also-rans to a solid Premiership side. They did step up their game last year, but can the likes of Stephen Hughes and Floribert N’Galula step up their game to the next level? Inexperience and being entirely outclassed is their biggest fear.
A Lesson From Last Season: Adjust. When Wrexham defeated Blackburn 1-0 and all but ensured the Championship title, they did it when the team changed tactics and played more to their opponents. They did not when they took on Arsenal, and that ended badly. Tactical flexibility is a must.
One To Watch: The local press say Freddy Adu, but Richard Brittain is really the man to keep an eye on this year. The burden of repaying the club’s record contract to keep him, along with continued interest from Manchester United mean that Brittain has to prove that he can cut it at this level, as his talent has lead many to believe.
Any Other Buisness: Jacob Flanagan was recently appointed Manager of the United States National Team, placing a double burden upon the head of a manager who will be trying to keep his side alive in the Premiership. It may be too much.

Fan File – Terrence Smyth – www.wrexham-mad.co.uk
What Has Your Team Got To Look Forward To? What don’t we have to look forward to? We’re profitable and in the Premiership, the sky’s the limit.
What Will Be Your Excuse For Failure? Two promotions in two years is stretching things a bit.
Young Player To Watch? Mark Jones. He seems set to have a breakout year.
Most Important Player? Richard Brittain.
Player You Would Most Like To Get Rid Of? Marcus Tudgay. He was crap for much of his time last year, and once we start upgrading, he starts whinging.
Have You Got The Right Manager? You’re kidding, right?
What Advice Would You Give Him? None. He hasn’t done anything flagrantly dumb yet.
Will He Be There In In May 2007? Unless he chooses to leave, yes.
Are You Happy With The Chairman? Time will tell.
Which Team Do You Most Want To Beat? One of the top three, just to stick it to everyone who says we’re way in over our heads.
Which Opposition Player Will Get The Most Stick? Tie between Simon Cox and Robbie Savage.
Where Will You Finish? I’m going to go out on a limb and say safely mid-table. 12th or so.

August 2nd, 2007

Teams are starting to pick up the biggest crumbs form Norwich’s relegation, as Jonathan Stead leaves the Canaries today for Leicester in a $13M move.

Pred

August 5th, 2007

From ESPN Soccernet.com

2007/08 English Premiership Season Preview

“After last year’s photo finish, this season is sizing up to be another entertaining Premiership season. While last year, the gap between the top three and the rest of the league was 15 points, there is always room for change at the top. Here’s our team-by-team preview…

Arsène Wenger should have had the treble last season, possibly even a quadruple. But slip-ups at the last hurdle proved fatal for Arsenal last season. Losing in the FA Cup final was harsh, even if it was attributable to having played the Champions Cup final a few nights prior. Wenger and Co. will certainly be looking for revenge next year, and it is entirely in their grasp. Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry are still some of the best at their position, and Jose Reyes has bloomed into the kind of player any manager would like to have. The addition of Jonathan Vonlathen from Leicester may be a bit of bad thinking however, clogging a attack that already has Javier Saviola and Robinho in addition to Henry. By all means they will be challenging for the trophy in all competitions they play in this year, and anything less than another drive at Premiership success and other assorted silverware will surely be a failure at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have lost five times in the past two years, so we can’t see them finishing anywhere outside of the top two. Probable champions.

It seems that David O’Leary has finally nourished Aston Villa to the level of strength that most involved with the club wanted. The Villains are in the Champions League for the second straight year, and while their precarious financial situation has kept the club from splashing the cash like some others in the Premiership, O’Leary has bought smart. Josip Simunic was a welcome addition from Werder Bremen last season, and O’Leary has added again this season, with Danny Mills, Paul Gallagher and Nils-Eric Johansson all moving to join the club. Now that O’Leary has done to well to build a team that can finish 3rd and 4th in the Premiership, can he build one that can succeed in Europe and challenge for the Premier League title? Only time will well. We put them at 5th.

Not much has gone right at Birmingham, other than the fact that the club has managed to stay up, despite flirting with relegation the past two seasons. But there’s been a pervading sense of doom following the club around, and it seems to be well-known that just one slip-up will see them crash back into the Championship. Whether Trevor Francis is the man for the job is questionable, and the fact that Emile Heskey is aging quickly and that Clinton Morrisson isn’t getting any better, and you have a team that isn’t looking very good. On the upside, Darren Carter is returning, as is their highly underrated defense (Matthew Upson, Mario Melchiot, Steve Finnan, et al). But there’s a lot of work to be done still, and a long season awaits them. Like it or not, they’ll be in the relegation fight, and if their attack doesn’t cut it, they’ll be heading back from whence they came come May. We put them 18th.

Of all the teams, staying up may be hardest for Blackburn. The team has been proven to not quite be Premiership-caliber previously, and now has to prove they can cut it again. Considering the losses of Nils-Eric Johansson and Paul Gallagher to Aston Villa, Mark Hughes absolutely must make a move for a striker to give his side any chance at survival. Putting the attacking onus on the shoulders of 18-year old Lee Morrison probably will not benefit the club, and Matt Jansen simply isn’t up to the task. While Robbie Savage will once again be the motor in midfield, he will find himself very alone in attack at times. Defensively, the team still becoming increasingly suspect, as Dominic Matteo’s best years have passed him by. It will take a Herculean effort to keep them up, one that we just don’t see them managing to put together. We put them 20th.

It was hard on Charlton to be relegated when they had worked so hard to become a established Premiership team. But to their credit, they minimized the damage, only spending one season out of the top flight, only losing Dennis Rommedahl on the way. This pre-season has proven a bit harsher, as Matt Holland, Talal El Karkouri, Craig Bellamy and last year’s Fans Player of the Year, Jason Euell have all bid adieu to The Valley. Replacing them are Joey Barton and Aliou Cissé, as Charlton look to steel themselves to survive. To do some, big seasons are needed once more from Danny Murphy and Paul Konchesky. Manager Bryan Robson is leaving a lot in the hands of youth, and may be proven in error if he decides to leave Francis Jeffers as the centerpiece of his attack. That said, Charlton have as much fight in them as any of their relegation-tipped brethren, and we tip them to avoid the drop, albeit barely. 17th.

Chelsea was, for two years, a failed experiment in excess. Despite spending over $250M on the biggest names the game had to offer, it took until last season and the last day of the year for Chelsea to lift their first piece of important silverware of the Abramovic era. Still, José Mourinho has a glut of riches to work with, the club is in the position to declare that Jermaine Defoe is surplus to requirements and is on the transfer list. Adding Cesc Fabregas only strengthens a obscenely skilled midfield with the likes of Frank Lampard, Pablo Aimar and MartÃ*n Ligüera. John Terry is still the rock at the heart of the Chelsea defense and Alberto Gilardino looks set for a breakout season. It seems that the only thing that stood in Chelsea’s way last year was simply having too much talent, and tripping over its own toes. Surely to make another move before the window closes in September, another season will mean more clashes with Arsenal, and another chance to win the Premiership and soothe the ache of 2006’s Champions League Final loss to Barcelona. But something seems to have been dogging this team, and we can’t see their spend-happy ways beating out the intelligence of Arsenal. We put them 2nd.

I’ve always been a fan of Iain Dowie and Crystal Palace, and watching them go from their relegation-tipped 04/05 campaign to last year’s 8th-place finish must have been a joy for their fans. Dowie has crafted a team that survived for two years, and showed some serious promise last season, as the additions of Franck Quedrue and Ilja Golikov proved inspired, and the continued play of Andrew Johnson has allowed the club to punch well above their weight. Dowie has already added again this season, bringing in Liverpool youngster John Paul Kelly to provide a passing touch in midfield. Still, there are holes, Fitz Hall and the rest of the center of their defense is a question mark, and Liam Miller’s play was uninspired at best last season. Still, short of a disaster, this club should be one step closer to solidifying themselves in the Premiership this season, although we can’t see them replicating last year’s play. We put them 12th.

It’s happy times in the blue part of Merseyside, last year’s 6th-place finish means Everton will qualify for European competition this season in the form of the UEFA Cup, not to mention finishing ahead of Liverpool. Manager Gary Megson has managed to do a lot of good things at Goodison Park, but to improve or even hold last year’s position will take work. Everton are capable of it however, Tim Cahill is still as good as ever, and Anthony Gerrard bloomed into a reliable center-back last season. The addition of Joe Hamill from Fulham in the offseason will shore up their midfield, and James Beattie seems to have finally found his goalscoring touch. However, the competition outside of the top 3 is tough, and Everton must have continued good performances from Gary Naysmith and Gianpaolo Pazzini to be successful, and losing Joseph Yobo will certainly have ramifications. Still, this team may not play the most attractive football in the Premiership, but they win, which of course, is all that’s important. We have them finishing 8th.

Leeds easily escaped relegation last season, finishing 14th, and the Whites have one of the most promising “Players In� listings of all the Premiership teams thus far. Tim Howard, Edixon Perea and Bortus Semler (From Manchester United, AC Milan and FC Bayern, respectively) all provide a real boost to a Leeds team that is returning to this season basically intact. Factor this in with the emergence of Aaron Lennon as a creative force in midfield, and Mick McCarthy may not be able to replicate the heady days of 2000 and 2001, but there is improvement afoot. The club has only one direction to look, and that is up. We put them at 10th.

How does one lose a 20-goal scorer and bounce back? You go out and try and buy a new one, or at least, that’s the way Leicester answers such a problem, in taking in Jonathan Stead from Norwich. Factor in the arrival of Milovan Mirosevic and things suddenly don’t look so bad. Craig Levein can lay claim to guiding this team to a surprising 7th last season, missing out on European competition by goal difference. And with the cash flowing at Walkers Stadium, nothing should stop this side from another drive for European success. Andre Hanssen is looking like a steal after he joined the club on a free last year, and Patrick Kinsorbo has given the team a versatile foot in defense. We just can’t see a Leicester team that has re-tooled so smartly doing anything other than get better. We put them 6th.

Things could, theoretically, be worse at Liverpool. But most are hard pressed to figure out a way that doesn’t involve relegation. The club is on their 3rd manager since Gerrard Houllier, but thankfully did begin to show promise late in the season last year. With new boss Felix Magath at the helm improvement is demanded from the board and from the fans, and Magath will surely find himself on the chopping block if Liverpool don’t return to the top half of the table. In that respect, he has added, bringing Peer Kluge and Yakubu to New Anfield, in an attempt to overturn the club’s worst finish since the inception of the Premier League. How this year’s purchases will turn out is yet to be seen, but most of last year’s don’t seem to have panned out. Barry Ferguson was ineffectual and unused, and Obina was the same. Only Timo Hildebrand brought anything new to the table, acting as best he could behind a defense that certainly could’ve been a lot better. That defense, lead by Jamie Carragher, Jorge Andrade and John Arne Riise absolutely must improve for the team to get more results, and if Harry Kewell could finally turn into the player Liverpool thought they were buying, they might be a force this year. If anything, Djibril Cissé will lead the attack with the same ability he did last year, which should mean at least another 20 goals. Magath is a hard taskmaster, and he should be able to finally get the job done. We put them 7th.

Manchester City achieved something really special in 2005/06, finishing a point ahead of Manchester United and knocking their city rivals out of the Champions League. They could not pull the trick twice last season, and limped into 5th place. So Kevin Keegan has brought even more names to the club, grabbing Joseph Yobo, Matteo Brighi and Adam Drury all on free transfers, but the club may find that they just aren’t up to the task of top-three finishes yet. Their attack needs serious work, as last year’s golden purchase, Simon Cox was immensely disappointing, with only two goals in twelve starts. Add in Kieron Dyer’s continuing career flameout, and Jon Macken’s almost comedic inability to find the net and a very, very disappointing season may lay ahead. The team must hang onto Tote to have a chance at another strong finish, and needs another great performance from their defense and fan-favorite Shaun Wright-Phillips to stand a chance, but we don’t see that happening. We have them falling, all the way to 9th.

Life has been a little rocky at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, at least by Manchester United standards. But last year saw them overcome a highly disappointing 05/06, finishing 3rd and flirting with the Premiership title for a few weeks. Steve Bruce is taking an increasingly skilled and competent team into the 07/08 season with him, that features just as many big name players as Chelsea and Arsenal. Cristian Chivu, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gennaro Gattuso all make up a Manchester team that will be looking to grab some silverware again. The team has all the tools to do it, and while the fans may mope having watched Roy Keane bid adieu to the club, Gattuso proved himself a willing replacement. Labinot Harbuzi seems prepared for Premiership play, and may step into the role that Paul Scholes is finally vacating, and Darren Fletcher has matured into a fine midfielder. Their clashes with Arsenal and Chelsea should prove spectacular. While the team should pull some silverware this season, we can’t see them topping both Chelsea and Arsenal for the top spot. We have them in 3rd.

The new millennium has been absolutely wonderful to Middlesbrough, Steve McClaren and the club celebrated their first FA Cup victory in May, and are returning to European play with a UEFA Cup bid. While last year’s 12th-place finish was a downer, it wasn’t entirely unexpected from the club, who had finished 5th and 7th, the previous two years. Hiccups will happen. Middlesbrough will probably be spending this season just getting better, as Robin van Persie blooms into a star, and fellow countryman Andy van der Meyde continues to supply the attack with crosses from either wing. Most important will be whether Malcom Christie can keep up his ridiculous goalscoring pace. He’s exploded for 78 goals in all competitions in the past three years, and his taking that tally to 100 this season would make for a very happy year. We can’t see this being anything other than a great year for Middlesbrough, and expect them to surprise everyone. We put them 4th.

Newcastle haven’t won the Premiership title since 1927, and that will not change this season. The club have been slipping, all the way to 11th last year, and things aren’t getting any better at St. James’s. Jermaine Jenas has proven mediocre at best, Alan Shearer has retired, Patrick Kluivert left for Southampton, and James Milner seemed lost for much of last year. Manager Gianpiero Ventrone has tried to add to the team, bringing in two new strikers, Bernardo Corradi from Valencia, and Andrea Caracciolo from Palermo, but if noone can supply those two the ball, they cannot score, and Ashley Cole is arguably the best midfielder at Newcastle right now, underlining their problems. On the upside, however, Jean-Alain Boumsong has been spectacular in defense, and Shay Given has been in good form. However, midfielders Gilberto and Christian Poulsen will have to throw themselves 150% behind the team for them to improve, and we don’t see that occurring. We put them 14th.

You can’t blame fans at Southampton for wanting a change. The Saints have finished 13th for three years running now, thankfully not getting worse, but not improving either. So this season, boss Neal Warnock has brought in Patrick Kluivert from Newcastle and Bruno Cheryou from Liverpool in an attempt to get some upwards movement started. Kluivert has proven he can score at this level, if he can be bothered, and a great partnership may emerge with Peter Crouch. A lot will rest on the play of Derek Riordan however, the versatile Scottish international drove their offense last year, and must produce the same scintillating game he did last year. There’s too much talent here for the team to go down, and but we can’t honestly see them doing any movement. We put them again, at 13th.

Sunderland finished 17th last year, and owe someone a debt of gratitude for it. By all means, the team should’ve been relegated, but they weren’t, and now can begin to look at life as a Premiership team for another season. While they will be fighting the relegation battle, Colin Todd has added intelligently to the team, bringing in Jay-Jay Okocha, Lomana LuaLua and Joleon Lescott to try and ensure that they stay up this year. Can they do so? Does the 33-year old Okocha still have some gas in the tank? We wouldn’t hold our breath, but they may surprise. Don’t expect them in the top-half of the table however. We put them 16th.

There’s been a slow slide going on at Tottenham, as the team has continually dropped down the ranks, falling all the way to 9th last year, after finishing 6th in 2004/05. And while Martin Jol has done some very good things at the club, they have lost both Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe now, players who gave their side much of its attack, and have done much to replace either. There is, of course, good news. Simon Davies is back, as is Ledley King and Timothée Atouba. The real question at hand is whether Frédéric Kanouté and LuÃ*s Fabiano can combine to make a dangerous attack. The Brazilian had an impressive debut last year, joining the club in January and tallying nine goals in 15 appearances, but he will have to keep it up for Tottenham to be successful. There’s a lot riding on this season for Tottenham, but we just don’t see it getting any better anytime soon. We put them 11th.

West Ham managed to avoid the drop last year, despite having the most anemic offense in the Premiership last year, averaging exactly one goal a game. Their answer thus far this offseason, purchasing Raúl Bravo from Celta de Vigo has left the fans a little nonplussed. Boss Dave Jones must understand that Bobby Zamora alone cannot carry this team in the Premiership, and Chris Brunt, despite a great amount of talent, still seems a little too raw for the Premiership. The team just does not have the money to make the upgrades they need, and will suffer for it. We put them at 19th.

And finally, there is the miracle story of Wrexham. Everything that could go right in the past two years for Wrexham seemingly has. From relegation battlers in 2005/06 to League One champions at the end of the year, and wholly running away with the Championship last year, Wrexham are deservedly in the Premiership. Manager Jacob Flanagan has performed something special for the Red Dragons, raising them to the highest-profile team in Wales, ahead of Cardiff City. Now is their greatest test however, as they surely will attest to. They will need strong play from everyone in their squad, and Flanagan is gambling on talent that hasn’t proven itself yet in many cases. However, the acquisitions of Stewart Downing and Lee Young-Pyo should reap dividends, while keeping Richard Brittain in the squad will probably help decide where this team finishes this year. Flanagan and Wrexham have surprised everyone twice, so we don’t doubt them doing it again. We put them 15th.�

All the while when this is being published, Chelsea and Middlesbrough play a very entertaining Community Shield game, as Chelsea grab the silverware thanks to two goals from Dmitar Berbatov, and grab a 4-2 win.

August 7th, 2007

Lukas Podolski is one of the brightest talents in Germany right now, and his goals helped carry 1.FC Köln to the Bundesliga title last year, so the fans are understandably miffed at the news today that he has been sold to Real Betis today, even with its $31M price tag.

simonh1979

Come back Pred! This is my favourite story! Where has the American Abroad gone!!??

Pred

August 8th, 2007

With the Champions League’s most interesting stages kicking off today (Third Qualifying Round) and the season just three days away, I can sit down with my closest coaches and my assistants and figure out who’s going to be where on this team. It takes about two hours of haggling, performance reviews and other things before we’ve finally hammered out who we want to be our starting eleven. Before that, here’s a look at everyone new

D.J. Countess (25 y/o, American, GK): The starting goalkeeper’s job is DJ’s to win, and considering we’ve handed him the #1 shirt for this new year, I have a lot of hope for this man. Countess is looking to restart his career after being signed by Atlético Madrid in 2005, and never featuring for the Spanish team. It’s a risk to take a player who hasn’t been in use for a year and a half, but I have faith that Countess can be what we need him to be to marshall and handle our defense. Time will tell.

Remco van der Schaaf (28 y/o, Dutch, D/DM RC): I wanted a little extra insurance in the center of defense, and Remco will be taking that position. As Franklin Simek has been moved to the reserve side and placed on Loan to Blackpool, Remco will be working with Andrea and Alain as the rock in the center of our defense. While not the best leader I’d like, Remco did spend two years featuring for PSV in Holland, and his versatility in defense may come in handy if we need it. Highly technically adept, Remco is part midfielder, part defender, but we’ll be using more of the latter as he’s with us this season.

Lee Young-Pyo (30 y/o, South Korean, D/DM L): Although he was second-choice for his nation in the Asian Nations Cup, Pyo is first-choice here. Utterly tireless along the left, and still able to put in quite a challenge, of my signings this season, Lee is pretty high on my list. The drop to the German Second Division and Mainz last year was away from the limelight of the Eredivise he had been in previously, with PSV, but now he’ll have a chance to play against some of the best in the world. I hope he’ll be up to the task.

Salomon Kalou (22 y/o, Ivorian, AM R): Greatness seems to be in the future for Salomon, but he’s still a year or two away from it. Still, he’s a great deputy for Brittain, in the case that the Scot gets injured or alternatively, that he does get purchased, with is still a possibility. Kalou has all the tools however, crossing, speed, a great first touch and a real head for the game. I know his ambition to play however, and while I don’t want to say that we’ve bought him in the interest of replacing Brittain, when Kalou is 24 or so, he will, understandably, want to play. I’ll deal with that hurdle when I come to it however.

Stewart Downing (23 y/o, English, AM L): Another good pickup, Stewart has basically pushed Stephen Hughes out of his first-team place and taken the left flank for his own. A mixture of crossing, speed, smarts and some gorgeous technique on the ball, and I’m thrilled we picked him up. I’m sure Stewart would like to prove to Middlesbrough how in error they were to let him go, and I’ll happily give him the opportunity.

Ned Grabavoy (24 y/o, American, AM LC): Ned understands his position on the team quite well, and that is that he will be providing a backup plan to the antics of Hugo Viana in attack. Should Viana prove less than helpful in attack, the mantle of attacking midfielder will be falling on Ned’s shoulders next. With good first touch and technique, I hope Ned will fit in nicely on this team as a utility man, able to work his way around the field the same way that Mark Jones can.

Hugo Viana (24 y/o, Portugese, AM LC): Gifted with spectacular technical ability, Hugo is the polar opposite of Francesco Lodi. Where Lodi would run at and generally past defenders, such a thing will be a lot more difficult for the slower-footed Viana. He spent two very difficult years at Newcastle before leaving for London and Chelsea, where he was completely left out of José Mourinho’s plans. So now he tries once more to make it in England, with the trapdoor still open to him. Viana has rarely been used and had a very hard time of it in England thus far; the pace of the game is difficult for him, but the hope here is that we can get him into it in a way that he will be able to be the help, and passing threat we need him to be to hold our attack.

Freddy Adu (18 y/o, American, AM/F RLC): I’m really not sure quite yet where to play Freddy. He can play midfield, attacking midfield, he can attack, he can slot in on either side of midfield, he can go just about anywhere. Adu did nothing but grow while he was at DC United, maturing into the 18-year old that I’m hoping to unleash upon the Premiership this year. In the years since his debut, Adu has notched 18 goals and a few plaudits in the MLS, but we’ll need everything he’s got this season if he wants to live up to his price tag. Probably, of everyone on the team, only Hugo Viana has more to prove than Freddy does. This is his move to the big time, and this is his chance.

Aranda (27 y/o, Spanish, S C): Part of our all-new attack, Aranda will be acting as the elder statesman to our attack. Having spent the last two seasons on loan from Sevilla at Salamanca and Córdoba, he was impressive at both stops, netting 25 goals. Aranda ended up being my choice for his finishing, his dribbling and pace, along with already being fluent in English. If he can reproduce something like the season he had last year at Córdoba, I’ll be happy.

Davide Chini (19 y/o, Italian, S C): I’m going to work Davide into the team slowly, but I have a lot of hope for this particular striker. Tall, powerful, Davide is built like a fortress, in the mold Jan Koller. He’s already been capped by the Italian Under-19s squad, and in his last season in Serie C1/A he banged home 15 goals on the way to the Supporters Player of the Year award with Fidelis Andria. One of the brightest talents in Italy, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, we’ve stolen him away for the immediate future, and I hope he will be an explosive and useful presence off the bench.

Santiago Fernández (22 y/o, Mexican, S C): I never thought I’d be buying a player from Barcelona, but lo and behold, here he is. Barcelona’s had the youngster for a few years now, and the last two seasons he’s been quite skilled for the Barcelona B team, scoring 21 goals in two campaigns. He was declared surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp however, and I’m hoping to reap the rewards. He’s got an ice-cold strikers personality, a lethal touch and an absolutely deft first touch, that he should be able to turn into a successful spell here. I’m not sure how much time he’ll get, but he will get to play.

August 9th, 2007

Manchester United come in with another bid for Brittain, this one clocking in at $21.5M. I tell them that it’s $25M or nothing.

August 11th, 2007

Unable to grab JoaquÃ*n from Real Betis, Arsenal instead settle for Bastian Schweinsteiger, buying the German talent from Monaco for $29M today. It’s a move to solidify the team, with Chelsea apparently having tabled a bid for Patrice Evra that runs up to and over $40M dollars.

English Premier League: Game One – Manchester City v. Wrexham

Well, here we are indeed. The greatest adventure of our lives begins today, a team from a small city in the North of Wales traveling to Manchester to play the club’s first ever Premiership game. I’m not too sure on our history, but I do believe we are the first Welsh team in the FA to make it to the top-flight in England, and I understand there’s a bit of national pride for our fans.

When I announce who is going to be on the teamsheet for our opener, there are a few disappointed faces but no howls of discontent. I’m happy everyone knows they’ll play this year, but that in the meantime, I need 110% from them all.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Countess; Lee, Masiello, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Downing, Viana, Brittain; Adu, Aranda

With the voices of 30,000 Manchester City fans chanting “You’re going back down!� ringing in our ears, we kick off our very first Premiership campaign. And things go to straight to hell immediately. Willo Flood is all too happy to skate past van der Schaaf and inch into the area, firing a perfectly angled shot past Countess and into the net to give City the lead after just two minutes of play. With that weighing on our shoulders, the team begins to come apart at the seams infront of me, and it’s only by the will of god that City aren’t up again after 5 minutes, as Jon Macken’s blast flying a whisker past Countess’ left post. We finally manage a chance on 18 minutes, catching City out on the counterattack, but Cudicini is able to bat away Aranda’s shot to keep things tenable for our opponents.

City continue to flood forwards, and when Macken wins a freekick out on the left of the area, it seems ominous. Olivier Bernard whips it right to the penalty arc for Flood, who easily sidesteps Masiello and fires home the exact same shot to beat Countess and place City ahead 2-0 going into the half.

I know City’s a good team, but I lambaste the squad at half-time for putting in such a lame-duck performance. Things don’t get any better from the restart, Wright-Phillips thankfully firing at Countess’ chest, and Macken heading over the bar within the first few minutes. When Viana signals to the bench to be taken off, it’s almost a gift, given how ineffective the Portuguese international had been up to that point. I take him off for the more combative (albeit less creative) Ned Grabavoy With that, and a few tactical tweaks, we start to look positive in attack, finally. On 56 minutes, our first real chance falls to Freddy Adu, the recipient of a perfectly chipped cross from Brittain, only to thump his shot against the post and out of play. But we continue to push, using our four-man midfield to our advantage, outworking City for the ball. Of special note is the play of Stewart Downing, who is running to Jerusalem and back for the team, completely exhausting himself in the process. But all that hard work is not for naught, and having absorbed another City attack on 68 minutes, Downing blasts a ball down the left that Aranda chases down before crossing to the penalty spot where Grabavoy perfectly redirects it past Cudicini and into the net to put us back in.

I bring on Fernández for Adu as the game progresses, and he puts an instant bit of fear into City’s defense. It only takes a few minutes for him to get into the match, and when he does, it’s a wonder. Downing’s cross into the box is perfectly weighted for the striker to meet it at the back post, where Cudicini makes a brilliant save from Fernández’s diving header to keep their lead. But we’re pressuring now, finally, Fernández the culprit once more, perfectly flicking the ball onto the unmarked run of Aranda, who scoots past Adam Drury and thumps a equalizer past Cudicini on 83 minutes to snatch us a point.

Final Score – Manchester City 2:2 Wrexham
MoM – Willo Flood

After the game I laud the team for a superb fightback on the road. We really dug ourselves out of a hole and snatched a point from one of the top-10 teams in the nation on this one, which I certainly hope will be a harbinger of things to come in future games.

August 13th, 2007

I’m not sure what’s going through Kevin Keegan’s mind right now, and neither do Manchester City fans. Nevertheless, the team waves goodbye to two of its best today, as striker Tote leaves for Middlesbrough in a $17.5M move, and Everton sign Olivier Bernard for $3M. Apparently, the move is all about financial solvency, but Manchester City will certainly need to start looking for a new striker before the window closes, as their current attack looks rather thin.

August 15th, 2007

I’m going to have to cut my losses with Marcus Tudgay, as his Mr. 10% is in the papers once more, talking about how his client deserves first team football. Considering he didn’t make the cut at Derby when they were struggling against relegation last season, he’s not showing the determination or drive to make the cut here, and I’ve just about had it with his “pity me� antics. I march him into my office after practice, letting him now that his wish has been granted, and that he’s been put on the transfer list, but that we fully expect to get a good price for him, and if we don’t, he’s stuck until his contract ends. Marcus accepts it all with his now-customary sulk, and exits. His loss.

August 18th, 2007

English Premier League – Game Two: Wrexham v. Sunderland

Looking at the standings and seeing the team in 12th place, even if only for a game isn’t something I’m against. I’m hoping we’ll go from strength to strength and exert some control over fellow relegation-candidates Sunderland. When you’re fighting to stay up, every point counts. I’d like to see if we can get to four.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-2-3-1): Countess; Lee, Masiello, van der Schaaf, Overvik; Viana, N’Galula; Hughes, Adu, Brittain; Aranda

The early exchanges go the way of Sunderland, as Countess is called into action three times in the opening five minutes, clawing Julio Arca’s header off the line, beating away Jay-Jay Okocha’s shot, and firmly denying Lomana LuaLua to keep us in the early running. As with the Manchester City game, it’s taking us a bit to find our feet and begin playing the kind of football I want the team to play. But for now we’re playing relegation ball, trying to fashion a opportunity while trying to deny superior opposition a killer early goal.

We finally begin pushing on 26 minutes, Hughes lining up a freekick on the edge of the area and forcing Peter Enckelman into a diving save to keep the ball from bulging the net. When Aranda heads over just moments later, the team begins to gain real confidence, even if Hugo Viana looks a little unsure of what he should be doing in midfield. We’re forcing Sunderland to look increasingly defense however, and begin to push hard as the game ticks past 30 minutes. When Hugo Viana blasts the ball on net from 25 meters on 34 minutes, it should be goalbound but for Enckelman, who makes a fantastic save to keep the ball out. The rebound ends up at the feet of Hughes however, and his neatly flicked chip over the defense allows Aranda to come charging in at the back post and blast a diving header into the net for the lead.

By the time the final whistle blows, we should have tallied three goals at least, but for the actions of Enckelman. The Finn personally denies us an innumerate amount of times before we trudge off the field, frustrated, but three points richer.

Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Sunderland
MoM – Peter Enckelman

After the game, I congratulate the team for a fine defensive performance, and for continually showing that extra bit of punch that’s putting us over the top so far. We’re exceptionally lucky to be starting the season against other relegation-threatened teams, so with some luck, we might have a healthy cushion when our first major test, against Tottenham to end September, comes along.

Crystal Palace grab a great one today, signing Ioannis Amanatidis from Anderlecht for a cheap $5.8M for a man who had scored thrice in the first three games of the year in Belgium.

August 19th, 2007

I’m probably not enamoring myself very well to Freddy Adu with how I’m riding him in practice today, but he’s got to step up to first team play for the contract he’s squeezed out of us. This is his break, and he can either take it or leave it. I have faith in the kid though, the flashes are there.

Meanwhile, Chelsea continue their bid to own all of the best players in the world for at least one year, purchasing Patrice Evra from Arsenal today for $63M. The price tag simply had to be too good for Arsène Wenger to ignore, because Evra was very effective for the team last season, and while Gael Clichy is good, he’s no Patrice Evra.

August 20th, 2007

Looks like Wenger did have a plan for all that money, turning right around and spending it on Gabriel Milito, the Argentinean Sweeper who spent the last few years at Zaragoza in Spain. With Sol Campbell on the downside of 30 and Cygan looking like a bad investment, bringing Milito to Emirates Stadium is probably a really smart move in truth. They say Argentineans make some of the best defenders, and it’ll be interesting to see if Milito can follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Heinza.

August 21st, 2007

Manchester United won’t stop snooping around Richard Brittain, and fax me another bid for the winger today, worth $21.5M. They’re trying their best to convince me that he isn’t worth the $25M Minimum Release Fee clause on his contract, and I’m not buying it. I’m sure one of the most profitable clubs in the world, according to the last survey can scrape an extra $5M together to afford one Scot.

August 22nd, 2007

The Champions League is set for the group stages again today, with a new crop of teams and a new slate of chances for teams to win.

Group A:Chelsea, Red Star, Udinese, Rangers
Group B:Internazionale, Aston Villa, Dinamo Kiev, Mönchengladbach
Group C:Valencia C.F, Panathinaikos, Bordeaux, Boavista
Group D:Real Madrid, Benfica, RSC Anderlecht, SC Freiburg
Group E:FC Barcelona, Ajax, Parma, Basel
Group F:Arsenal, Porto, Celtic, CSKA Moscow
Group G:Deportivo, AS Roma, Grazer AK, 1.FC Köln
Group H:Manchester United, AS Monaco, Fenerbaçhe, Sporting Lokeren

August 23rd, 2007

With the transfer deadline looming, Tottenham are surprisingly selling, sending Michael Carrick to Manchester City for $9.2M, and letting go of Andy Reid to Aston Villa for a reported $15.5M. Exactly what Martin Jol has up his sleeve as his next move is anyone’s guess though. Tottenham have seven days to spend the money they’ve reaped, else they’ll be working with this team until 2008.

August 25th, 2007

English Premier League – Game Three: Wrexham v. Leicester

Even without Jonathan Vonlathen, Leicester are not to be ignored. Mostly, I’m just hoping we can get another good 90 minute show from the squad, although Hugo Viana’s dire lack of stamina is becoming an annoyance. Ned Grabavoy may see some 20-30 appearances off the bench the way things have been going.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Countess; Lee, van der Besselar, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Viana; Downing, Brittain; Aranda, Adu

Boring only begins to describe the opening 40 minutes of this game. The ball is stuck pinging around midfield, and only Jon Stead’s hopeless 30-yard attempt marking any real intent on net within the opening fixture. The fans aren’t the only ones yawning as things go on. When Scott Severin heads the ball behind for a corner, it’s a welcome change from the doldrums the game has offered. But lo and behold, Freddy Adu seems to be fitting in better, especially here on the ensuing corner, sneaking past his man at the near post and sending the ball off the inside of the post and into the net to give us the early 1-0 lead.

At the half, my instructions to the team are to push for a winner, and we should have it but Mark Brown makes a fine save to keep the ball out of the net and keep Freddy Adu at bay. Aranda nearly breaks the crossbar with a shot on 55 minutes, and Overvik sends a header for the far post that Brown acrobatically tips over the post. Still, we’re exerting a hell of a lot of pressure on Leicester’s defense, and they’re bending too far not to break, Davide Chini sent clear on net by a pass from Grabavoy, pushing away from his man before hitting an ultimately tame shot at Brown that the keeper spills, allowing Aranda to tap home the rebound into the net for 2-0.

Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Leicester
MoM – Stewart Downing


Another good win today, with the club 2-1-0 in the opening exchanges. If we can be something like 3-5-2 by the 10-game mark, I think we’ll have a good season ahead of us, as far as battling relegation goes. For the meantime however, this will do just fine.

Sampdoria come in with a pathetic bid for Martin Overvik today, $3.25M for the wingback. This is a pittance to be giving up for the man who has dominated the right flank of the field ever since he arrived in Wrexham, stepping up to the challenge of the Premiership like he was born for it. Needless to say, it gets wholly rejected.

Michael Bradley has just recently recovered from his ACL injury, but I don’t want to rush him into play, and I don’t know if he’s ready for the Premiership, so we’ve transfer listed him for Loan. Reading and Huddersfield would apparently like to add him to their squads for three months, and I want Michael to get some experience at a lower level, albeit not as low as the Reserves.

August 26th, 2007

�…and today’s rumors finish with Wrexham. Martin Overvik’s reputation has apparently caught up with him, as the Norwegian defender is becoming a hot property. Rumor has it that Crystal Palace is very interested in sneaking the wingback from Wrexham, as is Galatasaray, Mallorca and Siena. However, separating Overvik from Wrexham will probably be quite a task, as Flanagan is loathe to dispense with one of the most skilled members of his defense.

Also of note, Wrexham have agreed to an undisclosed fee with the MLS to buy American striker Eddie Johnson from the LA Galaxy and bring him to Wrexham in July 2008. Johnson had expressed interest in joining Wrexham and Flanagan previously, and will be making his much-desired move to the top-flight in Europe.�

I think that the addition of Eddie Johnson will be the last big move I make for a while if I am not absolutely pressed into one, short of finding a affordable Center-back to plug into the squad. I’d like to keep the squad the way it is for the next year or two, build up the sizable youth collective we have, and maybe bring in one more experienced player to help settle the squad. I think the talent is here now, and if we can keep it, this will be a good team. Hopefully, I can guide them correctly.

August 28th, 2007

Crystal Palace make good on those rumored, asking how much we’d charge to let them try and take Martin Overvik from us. I set the price firmly at $15M, which they immediately balk at. No skin off my nose.

August 29th, 2007

Brahim Ferradj accepts a three month Loan deal that will see him leave for Sheffield United today. With Lee Young-Pyo looking naught else but skilled at the left, Brahim knows he needs more experience but may not get it in the first team for the immediate future, so some play at a lower-level team is just what the doctor ordered.

English Premier League – Game Four: Crystal Palace v. Wrexham

Crystal Palace just missed European play after losing to Lazio in the Inter-Toto Cup, but Iain Dowie’s side have shown a lot of early-season promise already, managing to pull a draw with Chelsea already this year. Meanwhile, on our end, I’m shuffling the team a bit, giving Ned Grabavoy, Davide Chini and Santiago Fernández their first starts of the year.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Countess; Lee, van der Besselar, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Grabavoy; Hughes, Brittain; Chini, Fernández

Today’s fixture begins with a needless early Yellow Card for Lee Young-Pyo, and continues with two early chances for Crystal Palace, Franck Quedrue heading over the bar and Nicola Ventola firing just wide of Countess’ post. We’re trying to adjust to Palace’s 3-4-3 attack, but are unable to work the game down the wings in the manner we might prefer, meaning that much of the early play is headed towards our goal, sadly. Crystal Palace are desperately unlucky not to take the lead on 37 minutes when Ventola fires a bender on net that Countess barely tips over the bar.

We manage to survive the first half without any blemishes, and begin the second looking to improve further. I make a few switches, bringing on Aranda and Adu and switching to a 3-4-3 midfield to match Palace’s. With that done we begin to really shut down Palace’s attack, and it is only David Wilkinson’s reflexes that prevent a charging Brittain from firing home from six yards out. Wilkinson continues to shine, flinging himself at a Aranda shot on 67 minutes that seems destined for the top corner, somehow managing to divert it away from the net.

Luck finally seems to flick our way on 71 minutes, as Franck Quedrue leaves his leg in too long in a challenge on Grabavoy, inviting the American to trip over it and earning his second Yellow Card and an early bath. With that, I instruct the team to really turn up the heat, but Palace adjust well, holding the ball for longer in midfield, trying to keep us out of the game. Even going as far as to drop Carlton Cole into midfield, he and Ben Watson play a slow one-two game 30 yards from net, trying to outsmart N’Galula. Cole does very nicely, drawing away two men before feeding a pass to Watson that the midfielder drills first time past a stunned Countess and into the back of the net to give Palace the lead with just 14 minutes to play. It’s a real blow to the team, since we’ve had just as many chances to score as them, but haven’t converted any. I’m trying to urge the team on, but there’s a real look of frustration and annoyance about them now, as we try and try again to get the equalizer. As 90 ticks off the clock and stoppage time begins, Martin Overvik just hoofs one upfield hopefully that happens to catch Aranda breaking the Palace trap. Controlling the ball and breaking into a dead sprint, he slips past Fitz hall and advances on Wilkinson, only to see the keeper come up big again, throwing himself at his feet and knocking the ball away. It’s just not quite far enough however, Aranda clambering over Wilkinson and lashing it in with his left to steal a point.

Final Score – Crystal Palace 1:1 Wrexham
MoM – Stephen Hughes

My post-match speech is tempered after the game. We could’ve won, but didn’t convert our chances, as could’ve Palace, but they didn’t either. So we snuck a point, which I’m not all that displeased about. I’ve only got a few more days to enjoy the fact that we’re 4th in the Premiership however. I must leave on Saturday for the U.S. so I can prepare for my first game as manager of the U.S. national team, taking on Benin in a friendly at Crew Stadium.

There is a bit of bad news after the game. Apparently Davide Chini managed to twist his ankle pretty well during the game, and will be ruled out for two weeks.

August 30th, 2007

FIFA come calling today, asking who I’ll be naming in my squad for our fixture against Benin.

D.J. Countess (25 y/o, Uncapped, GK): Wrexham
Tim Howard (28 y/o, 30 caps, GK): Leeds United
Nick Rimando (28 y/o, Uncapped, GK): DC United

Pablo Mastroeni (31 y/o, 50 caps, SW/D/DM C): Colorado Rapids
Leonard Griffin (24 y/o, Uncapped, SW/D/DM RLC): FC Porto
Jimmy Conrad (30 y/o, 4 caps, D RLC): Kansas City Wizards
Oguchialu Onyewu (25 y/o, 13 caps, D RC): Standard Liege
Jonathan Spector (21 y/o, 5 caps, D RC): Valencia C.F.
Steven Cherundolo (28 y/o, 40 caps/1 goal, D/DM R): Hannover 96
Richard Mulrooney (30 y/o, 30 caps/1 goal, D/DM RC): San Jose Earthquakes
John O’Brien (30 y/o, 51 caps/2 goals, D/DM L): Borussia Monchengladbach
Michael Torres (21 y/o, Uncapped, D/M C): DC United

Chris Albright (28 y/o, 26 caps/1 goal, D/AM/F RC): Arminia Bielefeld
Ricardo Clark (24 y/o, 13 caps/3 goals, DM RC): Chelsea
DaMarcus Beasley (25 y/o, 65 caps/10 goals, AM RL): Lyon
Clint Dempsey (24 y/o, 10 caps, AM LC): New England Revolution
Ned Grabavoy (24 y/o, Uncapped, AM LC): Wrexham
Memo Gonzalez (21 y/o, Uncapped, AM LC): Manchester United

Freddy Adu (18 y/o, Uncapped, AM/F RLC): Wrexham
Justin Mapp (22 y/o, 22 caps/2 goals, AM/F RLC): Real Zaragoza
Eddie Gaven (20 y/o, 18 caps/4 goals, AM/F RC): FC Schalke 04
Arturo Alvarez (22 y/o, 3 caps, AM/F LC): Chelsea
Landon Donovan (25 y/o, 91 caps/30 goals, F RLC): Bayer Leverkusen
Eddie Johnson (23 y/o, 7 caps/7 goals, F RC): Los Angeles Galaxy
Conor Casey (26 y/o, 6 caps, S C): Arminia Bielefeld
Taylor Twellman (27 y/o, 17 caps, S C): New England Revolution

Looking at the list, it’s absolutely great as a fan of the U.S. game to see so many players spread out to so many clubs around the world, even playing with some of Europe’s elite. My squad represents a bit of a shift from Bruce Arena’s tenure, as I think the new crop of American players is ready to make the step up to international play. Where Brian McBride, Brad Friedel and Claudio Reyna once ruled, now Eddie Gaven, Tim Howard and Ricardo Clark will soon be replacing them. I’ll be handing a lot of international bows in the coming months, the introduction of Freddy Adu topping that list. I’ve already heard some commentators saying I’m rushing the prodigy, but as far as I’m concerned, if Adu’s ready for the Premiership, he’s ready for the international game.

August 31st, 2007

With the transfer deadline looming this evening, Crystal Palace pull two moves from out of nowhere, buying Robert Green from Norwich for $6.8M and Matthew Taylor from Portsmouth for $8M. Both aren’t big-time signings, but Green is reportedly the most important of which, as Palace had been relying on wholly unblooded goalkeepers to keep Premiership strikers at bay previous to that.

September 1st, 2007

England head to Romania today, and only thanks to Paul Robinson do they manage to leave with a draw. Romania were denied a much-deserved win as they utterly dominated England for all 90 minutes, holding the 2006 World Cup Runners-Up to just two shots, while firing 19 towards Paul Robinson’s net. It’s a real blow to a Romania team that could’ve used the win to improve their already slim chances of making Euro 2008. England meanwhile, need only win their next match, away at Slovakia to all but ensure their progress to Austria.

September 5th, 2007

International Friendly – United States v. Benin

I tell Memo Gonzalez and Leonard Griffin that they’ll be starting today, a fact that both are quite pleased with. It’s a long way until the 2010 Olympics, when I hope to still be in charge, but now is when I begin to figure out what is what and who is who with my team.

U.S.A. Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Howard; O’Brien, Griffin, Mastroeni, Cherundolo; Clark; Beasley, Mapp; Gonzalez; Donovan, Gaven

I should probably be very thankful that I don’t have to start my tenure as U.S. team manager against someone like France or Italy, since against Benin, we can experiment a bit and try and figure out what’s going to work against the best the world has to offer. For the time being, it’s thrilling to see 40,000 people show up for an international friendly in the U.S. Enough American names seem to be making some kind of an impact that we’re really getting recognition. So, we put on a show of offensive prowess that would’ve only been made better if Benin’s keeper, Maxime Agueh hadn’t decided to try and keep his team in it for 90 minutes. Not that it was close, we dominate for all 90 minutes and Benin never manage a single shot. Alvarez and Donovan both tally, and my first game in charge isn’t the kind that articles decrying my reign will be written about.

Final Score – United States 2:0 Benin
MoM – Landon Donovan

Meanwhile, England all but ensure their place in Euro 2008 with a 4-0 destruction of Slovakia at Wembley today. Michael Owen tallies twice, as does Leon Osman and Roman Kratochvill grabs a spectacular own-goal, his clearance attempt actually curling perfectly into his own net.

September 8th, 2007

English Premier League – Game Five: West Ham v. Wrexham

The jet lag is nearly killing me, but I’m back in England in time for our game against West Ham. The Hammers are currently dead last in the Premiership, losing each of their first four games, and only managing a single goal. They’ll be desperate for a turnaround, while I’d like us to have another three points to our name at the five-game mark.

Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Countess; Lee, Masiello, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Viana; Downing, Kalou; Adu, Aranda

The first thing I notice today is how incredibly comfortable Salomon Kalou looks on the right flank. His pace and ability are giving West Ham fits from the get-go, and it’s his play that allows Viana to set him up on the edge of the area to fire a shot for the left post that Stephen Bywater stretches to save and then collect on the second attempt. It’s also Kalou who induces Raúl Bravo into tripping him, some 25 meters from goal. Up steps Downing, and he perfectly smacks it past he edge of the wall into the side of the net like a missile, putting us up 1-0.

We dominate for the opening 30 minutes, as West Ham don’t even manage a shot until 35 minutes have been played. Their fans are entirely disappointed by this, as we’re looking ready to run away with this one, if not for Stephen Bywater, who is stopping everything but the kitchen sink today. Still, with all the play one-way, it’s leaving a perfect opportunity for one thing to go against us, should our defense lose its concentration. Lo and behold, two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half, West Ham win a corner, which Richie Partridge delivers in to Chris Cohen. The defender easily holds off Viana before feeding a low cross across the six-yard box for Mark Noble, whose foot reaches the ball before being clattered by Masiello, redirecting it into the net to give them an equalizer.

I’m angry at our strikers for not taking our chances at the half, and tell the team that we can’t afford to spurn chances like this, no matter what kind of day the opposition’s goalkeeper is having. This seems to click, and the team push forward for the winner as the second half begins, forcing West Ham to turtle up in their end once more. Adu finds himself with a glut of chances in the opening 15 minutes, just chipping over the bar first, firing inches wide second, but the third time is the proverbial charm, taking the flick-on from Aranda before waltzing past Cohen and sending Bywater the wrong way with a fake before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Luck isn’t on our side for the remainder of the fixture, as we hold West Ham’s attack at bay, but just can’t seem to find the net. When Aranda cracks the crossbar again, one wonders if we’ll ever manage as many goals as we probably should some days.

Final Score – West Ham 1:2 Wrexham
MoM – Stewart Downing

It’s a mixed teamtalk after the game, as I’m still displeased with our strikers for being so profligate, but I’m exceptionally pleased with the team for getting these eleven points from our first five Premiership games. We’re surprising everyone again, and while we haven’t taken on any of the “Big Three� yet, this team is showing all the promise of being able to mount a drive not just for relegation survival, but to actually angle for mid-table safety.

There is a spot of bad news after the game for my opposite number, as Dave Jones is sacked with immediate effect after the loss. It’s really hard on him, West Ham barely survived last year, and weren’t rated to do it again, given how little improvement the team made.

Stoffl

Finally its back!!! :thup:

Pred

Idiocy, etc.

I'm announcing the end of An American Abroad v 2.0, unfortunately. In a gargantuan misake, I actually saved over my game. Accidentally.

While afterwards there was great howling and crying at such a fate to befall one of my favorite games, fret not, for v 3.0 (or should it be 2.5) shall be making its arrival soon. I'm pushing my PC to the max with this one, running innumerate leagues and really taking this "An American Abroad" thing to heart. I hope to see you all there.

lawsy009

I'll definatly be there

BobBev

Shame Pred, but I'll certainly be following your next one.