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It was with a shortage of optimism but a real sense of loyalty, that I decided to take on the challenge of managing my favourite football team, West Ham United. And so today, on the 11th July 2004 I have been announced to the waiting press as the new manager by Chairman Terence Brown, who promised the full support of the board, and 95 grand to spend (thanks a bunch!!).
Not to be undaunted I've set about my task with relish. My first task is to decide if the ultra realistic Football Manager has translated to my beloved Hammers. Namely, is Tomas Repka as bad in the game as in real life!!
I've decided he is and put him straight on the transfer list. Joining him (in an attempt to ease the wage bill), are Sergiy
Rebrov and Don Hutchison. I've also made the decision to terminate the contracts of veterans Rufus Brevett and Andy Melville.
The friendlies ahead in which to decide my first XI for the forthcoming campaign:
Bayern Munich? - How did that happen, but never mind by the time we play them, I'm confident we'll be a well oiled machine!!
Now for the squad:
Goalkeepers
Stephen Bywater (23)
Jimmy Walker (31)
Both good keepers but both prone to mistakes, it won't be an easy decision choosing a no.1
Defenders
Andy Melville (35) - SW /D C
Hayden Mullins (25) - SW / D C
Trent McClenehan (19) - SW / D RC
Tomas Repka (30) - D RC
Rufus Brevett (34) - D L
Malky Mackay (32) - D C
Chris Powell (34) - D / DM L
Christian Dailly (30) - D / DM C
Anton Ferdinand (18) - D / M RC
Chris Cohen (17) - D / M LC
No prizes for guessing the weak area of the squad. Ageing players or untried rookies make up the current defensive unit. I'm gonna have to find some magic or some gems on loan or for no money cos this lot aren't good enough. Repka, Brevett and Melville will hopefully soon be gone.
Midfielders
Carl Fletcher (24) - D / DM C
Steve Lomas (30) - M RC
Mark Noble (17) - M C
Nigel Reo-Coker (20) - M C
Luke Chadwick (23) - AM RL
Gavin Williams (26) - AM RLC
Matthew Etherington (22) - AM L
Don Hutchison (33) - AM / F C
Another area lacking in depth and so choice. Lomas is currently out injured for 2 months and Hutchison is on the transfer list.
Forwards
Teddy Sheringham (38) - F C
Marlon Harewood (24) - S C
Greg Pearson (19) - S C
Sergiy Rebrov (30) - S C
Bobby Zamora (23) - S C
This is better. Sheringham still has plenty to offer at Championship level and Harewood and Zamora are both proven goalscorers given a chance. I'm happy with this area of the squad.
Before our first match, two unhappy men come and see me. Brevett and Melville don't want to terminate their contracts. I explain to them the financial situation but they are still not happy. Meanwhile, MK Dons want to take young Craig Saunders on loan for 3 months. Suits me, he's a promising young player and the loan will give him some good experience.
I make my first selection:
(4-4-2)
GK - Bywater
RB - Mullins
LB - Powell
CB - Ferdinand
CB - Dailly (c)
RM - Chadwick
LM - Etherington
CM - Fletcher
CM - Reo-Coker
FC - Sheringham
FC - Harewood
Subs
Walker, McClenahan, Cohen, Noble & Zamora
Notes:
I've decided to just use 5 subs rather than the 12 available, too many substitutions are a bit pointless (note to Sven!). I'm trying Mullins in the problem right back position and its a very young subs bench.
Port Vale 0 West Ham 1 (Reo-Coker)
I'm very pleased with a very good first perfomance. Dominant from start to finish the only surprise was that there was only one goal. Reo-Coker found some room in the penalty area on 38 minutes and drilled the ball home. Before that though, a major disappointment. The man appointed my team captain, having already been booked, was sent off for arguing with the referee about an offside decision. I decided to just keep 3 at the back and not upset the rest of the team, and they repaid my faith with an excellent performance. I have a decision to make about my team captain though.
Brentford have asked to loan Matthew Reed for 3 months, which I have agreed to. I also tried to offer Repka to a few clubs with no takers, not a great surprise really.
I didn't make any changes but did strip Dailly of the captaincy, handing it to Teddy Sheringham.
Livingston 2 (1) West Ham 2 (1)
Harewood 45,53
Reo-Coker sent off (6)
Substitutions - Cohen for Etherington (56), McClenahan for Mullins (56), Noble for Chadwick (56)
Another match, another quick red card. I want determination but not this much!! Once again, the 10 men performed very well and Marlon Harewood was partcularly good, notching 2 goals.
After the match I read Reo-Coker the riot act and warned the rest of the team about their discipline.
Team Selection - Walker for Bywater, Cohen for Powell, Mackay for Dailly, Noble for Reo-Coker, Zamora for Sheringham.
Huddersfield 0 (0) West Ham 1 (1)
Harewood 28
For the first time this season we managed to keep all 11 players on the pitch. Again, Harewood looked good scoring the only goal, although for the 2nd match in a row, Carl Fletcher was man of the match.
Not much to say about this game except Marlon Harewood notched his 4th goal in 3 games. Matthew Etherington went off injured very early in the game.
Physio John Green has told me that Etherington has strained his knee ligaments and will be out for a month. Disaster! I'm not so worried about him missing pre-season friendlies but its a crucial time of the year when players are just getting their fitness for the new season and Etherington will miss an important few weeks training.
Wycombe have offered to loan Darren Behcet for 3 months and I've agreed.
The media have today asked me about promotion. After our pre-season form I'm confident we have what it takes to make it to the Premiership and I said so to the gathered press.
West Ham United!! 
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