retired_teresa assis

Season 2 – Time to enter the next level

After a successful 1st season, the media and everyone involved in football were surprised that manager Richard Liggins was only given a transfer budget of £1million for the forthcoming season. This despite having been given £6million the previous season in his rookie year, and producing a UEFA Cup winning side (have I told anyone about that yet?) and a team getting that got to the final of the FA Cup, as well as performing adequately in the league. This was surely a bit harsh on the manager, who had a few words to say to anyone who’d listen.

Working on this budget, players had to be shipped out before any quality could be brought in:

OUT

9 free transfers
Andrew Davies to Bolton - £30k + sell on clause
Mark Schwarzer to [/I]Wolves[/I] - £1.7mil
Franck Queudrue to Lens - £2.1mil
Scott Clarke to Southport - £50k
Chris Riggott to Birmingham - £2mil + P/Exchange
Richard Wallace to Forest Green - £10k
Terry Smith to Tamworth - £24k
Kevin Phillips to Sunderland - £275k
Radoslaw Kaluzny to Murcia - £30k
Doriva to Fluminese – £10k
Stefano Maino to Everton – season loan + £100k, Everton pay 100% of wages.

As you can see, some absolute bargains were had as the wage bill was trimmed and money desperately tried to be raised.

IN

Mariano Herron from Llieda – Free Transfer
Dede from Borussia Dortmund – Free transfer
Darren Ambrose from Birmingham – P/Exchange
(Dr) Quincy Owusu Abeyie – Free Transfer
Lado Burduli from Dinamo Tbilisi - £475k
Mikel Arteta from Real Sociedad - £6mil

The Dede deal was a real confidence booster for everyone involved in Middlesbrough, a genuine world star at the club.
With a formation that plays 3 AMC’s, Boro only had 3 players capable of playing that position, so that area needed strengthening. Cue Arteta, quality and still only 23, plus Ambrose and Burduli, adding further depth to the squad.
Massimo Maccarone also returned from his loan and was immediately placed in the 1st team squad.

As you can see, £6.475mil had been spent, with £6.25 being recouped, a net spend of only £20k. And we were supposed to push forward and challenge for more honours on that budget? Disgraceful.

Enter Steve Gibson. All of a sudden he’d said that his previous budget had been harsh, and that he’d deliver more money shortly. He left, only to return 5 minutes later with a suitcase full of £50 notes, to the value of £15.25million. Well I couldn’t believe my luck, some proper money to spend at last. After playing with it for a while, fanning myself with it and throwing it all in the air and letting it rain on me, I carefully considered who to buy. I came to the following conclusions:

IN

Miroslav Matusovic from WBA - £11mil
Umit Davala from Schalke - £500k
Igor Tudor – Free Transfer
Michele Paziena from Udinese - £450k

After spotting Matusovic had a minimum fee release clause, I though he’d be perfect to steal from Chris Morris and fill an AMC slot, filling in up front whenever Lord Hasselbaink wasn’t fit.
Umit Davala, at 30, still has plenty to offer bombing down the right flank from RB.
Tudor, at 27, is an excellent player at either CB or DMC
Pazienza was a bit of a steal: after scouring the transfer-listed players, I spotted Michele, who was no longer on my shortlist. After discovering he was discussing terms with Genoa and Pompey, a quick deal was brokered to bring him to the Riverside, where he’ll provide fine back up.

OUT

2 big earners were gotten rid of:

Mark Viduka to Charlton - £50k – what a bargain, but good to have his £160k p/m off the wage bill
Szilard Nemeth to Sunderland - £300k – another big earner gone


With 5 days of the window left, trading at Boro seems to have drawn to a close, despite money still being left in the kitty. With £18.375mil being spent and £6.6mil recouped, a net spend of around £11.5mil sees Middlesbrough as one of the summer’s big spenders. The pressure will be on to get results.

How will they handle the pressure? Will they be able to progress from a perennial mid-table side to genuine top 6 challengers? Only time will tell….

retired_hollieo

Everton off to an flyer.....

With the new season approaching, I was sitting in my office at Goodison Park mulling over the good work that had been completed in pre-season and feeling quite content with the squad. Just as I was about to go into the land of nod and dream of potential FA Cup glory, I was suddenly awoken by the shrill sound of my normally busy telephone.

On the other line was none other than the agent of Borussia Dortmund central defender, Ahmed Madouni, a young player of Algerian descent that I had been following for some time. Quickly filling me in that Dortmund had made Madouni available for transfer, I lodged a £1.5m bid which was enough to satisfy the German club. After that the transfer was a formality, with the player flattered to be linked with a manager of the reputation of Murphy.

With this deal, the squad building was completed and we looked forward to the new season.

However, it is a true saying that you never know what is around the corner and as I was busy preparing the boys for the approaching home game against Arsenal, I was staggered to lift the Liverpool Echo the day prior to the game to the following headline: "Murphy underachieving at Goodison Park".....that cheeky French tart I thought to myself, until I began to read the article closely and discovered that the originator of these claims was not Wenger (a manager I have a lot of respect for) at all, but Liggins at Middlesbrough.

Reading further though, it became clear that the papers had twisted Liggins' words as the Boro manager went on to praise our summer signings, proof that the Boro boss might just be a little afraid of the Toffee's this season.

Suddenly it was upon us: Goodison Park, 14th August on a bright summers day..Football was back and the mighty Arsenal were visiting.

FA Barclaycard Premiership 2005-06

Everton 3 - 1 Arsenal

Once again the Gunners have been installed as one of the championship favourites, despite their failure to win anything last season. Surprisingly, Arsenal had made no summer signings but had retained all their players, so it was the usual awesome looking outfit that lined up against us.

Everton went into the game in their favoured 4-5-1 formation, that had gone 6 Premiership games undefeated at the end of the previous season. The only selection issues were which goalkeeper to choose between Cavallero and Green - in the end I plumped for the Argie - and the RB slot, with Holneak suspended for the opening game of the season. Aaron Hughes getting the nod. Jean Alain Boumsong slotted in beside Yobo, with Bernard taking the left back slot.

In midfield Tobias Hysen and Stefan Selakovic took up the wide positions, with the strength, steel and flair of Lewandowski, Sivok and Flamini taking on Vieira and Edu. Up front we stuck with the brilliant Zurawski who we know can cause any side trouble if he's in the mood.

I barely had time to sit in my seat and it was 1-0....to Arsenal, which I know caused much delight at Ewood and the Riverside. A long ball was lumped into our box and as Cavallero and Vieira challenged for the ball, the Frenchman jumped highest and angled the header into the empty goal. Not the best of starts for my new keeper.

We kept the faith though and on 18 minutes, Everton grabbed an excellent equaliser, Hysen feeding the ball into Zurawski just outside the 18 yard box. The Pole, seeing Lehmann struggling for position, took aim and found the net to set the game up once again. Then on 54 minutes came the turning point of a close game as Kolo Toure picked up his second yellow of the afternoon. Everton took control and soon took the lead. The Toffees were awarded a free kick just outside the box, and as newly appointed set piece expert Hysen stepped up, the crowd and Murphy held their breath. Would this be a moment of inspired managerial genius? Of course!! Hysen stepped up and curled a fantastic left footed curler into the roof of the net. Cure delirium on the Everton bench....

And better was to come. In the final 10 minutes Everton broke, substitute Koren picking out a fantastic pass to Hysen once again. The Swede, in his best game in an Everton shirt, neatly sidestepped Lehmann and the despairing dive of Ashley Cole, to slot the ball home. 3-1 game over...The Premiership shocked into a deathly silence. I loved it....

Charlton 1 - 3 Everton

Naturally the club was on a high approaching this fixture and unsurprisingly, Murphy stuck with the same 11 who had defeated Arsenal the week before. On 3 minutes, we were in front with a tremendous individual goal from Tobias Hysen. As the ball bounced on the left flank, 40 yards from goal, Hysen looked up and spotted Kiely off his line. Bang...there went the shot and the net rippled..Fantastic!! It lasted 5 minutes, then the Addicks were level, scoring from a corner routine.

Not to be denied, Everton kept plugging away, and in two minutes in the second half, killed the game. Zurawski slotting home two neat finishes, the second in particular memorable for an excellent through ball by Czech U21 international Tomas Sivok.

Two games gone and Everton were sitting proudly at the top of the Premiership.

West Brom 2 - 2 Everton

Having picked up a few injuries in the previous games, a small reshuffle was required for the trip to Chris Morris' WBA. The Hawthorns is not an easy ground to visit, but I was quite pleased to be going there as Morris struggles to find a replacement for Matu, although unfortunately for us, Brazilian Dagoberto was signed by Albion just in time to make his debut against us.

Albion got off to a flyer, a rocket shot from 30 yards beating Cavallero all ends up less than a minute in. However, Everton are putting a lot more faith in their system and continued to play their game and began to dominate, with odd moments of danger from Zonneveld on the Albion left. On around 21 minutes, Everton drew level, the Pole Zurawski netting his fourth of the season from close range.

At this stage I felt we would go on and win, but we were rocked when a moment of skill from Zonneveld and a pinpoint cross, was met with a bullet header by the Albion holding midfielder. 2-1 down and it was undeserved but the fact of the matter.

Into the second half and Everton continued to have the better highlights, but were not really troubling Labont in the Albion goal too much. With time running out, Murphy withdrew his defensive midfielder, moved Zurawski to the right flank and brought on Calaio and Piovaccari - an all Italian strike duo - whist increasing the tempo and widening our attack.

And did it pay dividends...yes, as Albion held on ever so desperately, the inevitable equaliser arrived with about 5 minutes to go, Piovaccari remaining composed when through on goal with his first chance in an Everton shirt. All in all a good point against a good side.

Everton 1 - 2 Manchester United

Well we were undone by Man Utd at Goodison, a bit unfortunately I have to add as we attacked them well after going two goals down, pulling a goal back through Zurawski from the penalty spot. However, United are a strong side and our aim remains to get into Europe this season, not to actually win the league. We finish the session in fifth spot (I think) with my only concern being - Where is that tight arse defence??? :eek:

I think Green may be called in for his debut pretty soon.

retired_hollieo

Tables online.

2005/06

retired_teresa assis

Steady start for Boro

3 games gone and Boro remain unbeaten: any other EPL managers care to comment on how many games they've lost so far? :p

Game 1: Chelsea 1-1 Boro

Despite having the hardest fixture of the season on the opening day, I was glad for it, getting it out of the way, and facing the possibility that Chelsea might be a little rusty. This seemed to be the case, as the 1st half passed along without either team creating a great deal. But Chelsea did take the lead, Geremi (38) firing home from 12 yards.
2 minutes into the 2nd half and Boro were almost level, when Nicky Butt (who scored the winning penalty in the UEFA Cup final - i'll be mentioning that victory in every report, so get used to it ) headed a Downing corner against the post. This wasn't a sign of things to come though, as the more Boro pushed for an equaliser, the more exposed they left themselves to Chelsea counter attacks, although Chelsea couldn't get that crucial 2nd goal. And just when it all looked over, it was Boro who did a swift counter attack of their own, Matusovic playing a great ball through for Hasselbaink (89) to slot home with just 30 seconds of normal time remaining.
An excellent away point, especially considering we got drubbed 4-1 here last season.

Boro 3-1 Birmingham

Dann King brought his boys to the Riverside, lining up with an aggresive 3-4-3 formation. Boro controlled the game from start to finish, Boteng headed against the bar on 20 minutes, but it took them 40 minutes to have their first shot on target. This did go in however, Mikel Arteta grabbing his first goal for the club.
Both teams lost men either side of the break to injury, Morrison and Butt the unlucky players. 60 minutes in and Birmingham raised their first (and indeed last) attack of the game, and they equalised, Robbie Savage's wayward shot hit skipper Mellberg and the ball trickled into the corner: an unjust equaliser. But just when it looked like being a very lucky day for King, that man again Hasselbaink (88) again got on the end of a Matusovic pass, heading home just in the knick of time.
Then in injury time, Upson brought down Hakan Yakin, and Mendieta (90) calmly slotted home the penalty. A deserved win, although for a long time it looked like it wasn't coming.

Bolton 0-0 Boro

A deeply frustrating game, against a poor and ultra defensive Bolton side being controlled by their assistant in the absence of manager Pagi II. On this evidence we could soon be seeing Pagi III in charge, as his team were awful, relying on Jussi Jaaskelainen to rescue them time and time again. The nearest Boro came was when Boateng hit the bar from a header for the second game running, meaning Boro had struck the woodwork in each of their games so far this season.
Bolton didn't muster a shot on goal all game, and indeed their only 2 "shots at goal" were hopeful 25 yarders from Mansiz. Another away draw, 2 points dropped without a doubt.

European Super Cup: Boro 1-2 Chelsea

Much to Niall Murphy's relief (it's nice that my progress affects him so much ) Boro couldn't add another trophy to their cabinet.
Boro fielded a team made of mainly players who'd expect to find themsleves on the bench at best this season, with the odd exception, and all was going well, they were the better team, until one of those exceptions Matusovic (21) dared to score. This angered Chelsea who replied through Cole (36) and Lampard (39)
Chelsea sat back for the rest of the game, but Boro couldn't quite get that equaliser. Just like last years cup final, Chelsea edged an extremely competetive and tight game to take the silverware.



3 games gone, W1 D2 L0 F4 A2 Pts5, Boro lie 8th in the league with a game in hand. A solid start, far better than last season

retired_utyorc

Season 2..


Well my first season in EPL starts and with the bookies already offering odds 100-1 for the title I guess I can rule that out I would be more than happy keeping Birmingham City in the premiership this season and maybe having a good cup run to keep the fans and board happy. The board expects a safe mid table finish but it may take time for the footballs get used to the way I want them to play.

Top pundit Ligs has gave his predictions on Birmingham City success this season.

League – 10th -I be more than happy with this finish but I can't see me finishing so high this season.
FA Cup – 5th round -Again another good prediction for me but it depends on the draws I get.
League Cup – 3rd round -I hoping to go all the way in the league cup if the other managers don't take it that seriously.


A couple more transfer dealing to tell you about are.


Players In..

Lewis Buxton from Newcastle for 35k
Buxton move from Portsmouth to Newcastle didn't work out in the way he had hoped for, so after Newcastle were relegated to the Championship and a new manager was installed who didn't rate Buxton that highly. He was put on the transfer market for 35k which I was only to happy to pay. Southampton also bid but I think the offer of more money won him over.


In a statment to the press King said


Players Out..

Ian Bennett to Sunderland for free

After picking up Richard Wright, Ian Bennett was no longer in my plans. So after 11 great years service to Birmingham City I gave the lad a free transfer in the hope he could find first team football.



My Team for the start of season 2


GK Richard Wright
Not to sure if I will stick with him or go with Maik Taylor this season. Wright needs to improve his kicking to stay in the team.
DC Riggott
A good strong defender who at the age of 24 can only improve.
DC Upson
Maybe my best defender in the team. I be looking to him for leadership on the pitch.
DC Melchiot
My weakest link in defence but will stick with him until Buxton can show me what he can do.
DML Traora
Couldn't cut in at Liverpool so what makes him think he can cut it here. Will be looking to replace him when I can.
DMR Welsh
Still only young but hoping he will make that spot his within the team.
MC Savage
He is my engine in midfield running all over the pitch and hopfully making a few goals.
MC Dunn
The player with flair and creativity in my team the can score goals.
FC Forssell
Star man***** Hoping his goals will keep us in this league amd still younger.
FC Heskey
Donkey, Donkey, Donkey, Donkey, Donkey and Donkey is all I can say about him.
FC Morrison
Another donkey but not as bad as Heskey will keep him in the team until I can get someone else in.



Premiership Game 1


Birmingham City 0
Aston Villa 1
Angel 76
Man of the Match: Sorensen 8/10 Aston Villa
Attendance-29971
Refereed by Martin Reid

My first Premiership game in charge and it dosen't come much bigger at home to local rivals Aston Villa who only a few days earlier after the retirement of Mark Smallwood had placed former Birmingham City manager big Sam Allardyce as there new manager.
The first half we was all over them and if it wasn't for Sorensen making some good save's we could have been 1 or 2 nil up by half time. Second half was more even with Aston Villa only real effort on goals coming via long shots. Then on the 74 minute Allardyce throws on Angel and within 2 minutes he scores the winning goal from 25 yards. After the game I admitt my team's failings in front of goal were a source of concern after the 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
"We've had 70% of the possession, a lot of opportunities, but the simple fact is if you don't score a goal then you do have a big problem on your hands. 1-0 Defeat


Premiership Game 2


Middlesbrough 3
Arteta 40 Hasselbaink 80 Mendieta pen 90
Birmingham City 1
Melberg og 59
Man of the Match: Dowining 8/10 Middlesbrough
Attendance-35076
Refereed by Neale Barry

Next game was current UEFA cup champions Middlesbrough managed by ligs. Before the game the big news for Birmingham City fans was Forssell was out after picking up an injury playing for Finland
I went there with a game plan to try and nick a goal and keep it tight and 1st half its seemed to be working until the 40 min when Mikel Arteta scores with there first shot on target. After the break I went to a aggresive 3-4-3 formation to try and get my team back into the game. With my first attack of the game Robbie Savage's wayward shot hit Mellberg and the ball trickled into the corner to level the game 1-1. My team was holding on until Matusovic pass hit Hasselbaink on the ass and went in To add insult to injury the ref who had a bad game all day gave Middlesbrough a pen which Mendieta put away 90 min. Now I know why he got the name lucky Ligs 3-1 Defeat


Final 2nd leg


Birmingham City 1
Forssell 10
Atalanta 1
Saudati 39
Man of the Match: Taibi 9/10 Atalanta
Attendance-29997
Refereed by Carlos Davila

Thank god Forssell was back was back for this game but I didn't hold out much hope as he was only 92% fit and we were already 2 goals down. What I needed was a couple of early goals and within 10 minutes Forssell had given Birmingham City a 1-0 lead. After that it was all Birmingham City and again we came up against the team bus that is Taibi who was making save after save but then Atalanta hit us on the break via Saudati and now knowing we would need to score another 3 goal past Taibi I knew the game was up. Second half I withdraw Forssell to try and keep him fit for the next league game and the game ended with little highlighs in the second half. 1-1 Draw


More to follow soon

retired_hollieo

I'm afraid there will no game tonight lads, I'm as sick as a dog.

Hope to be back on Tuesday.

Laters

Niall

retired_hollieo

Just to let you know, I won't be ready to resume the game until Thursday evening.

retired_teresa assis

[hangs up Niall effigy] boooooooo [/hangs up Niall effigy]

retired_kimberlysmith

Aboooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

retired_cycleman8

SEASON 2 for Saints

Decided on sprucing up the squad for this seasons campaign. Too many "ordinary" players so decided to bring in the following :

Cesare Bovo (Palermo) Free - Quality Centre Back
Savio (Zaragoza) Free - Brazilian Winger
Amoruso (Malaga) Free - Flamboyant Brazilian Striker
Pedro Munitis Free - Creative Forward
Vladimir Smicer Free - Flamboyant Forward
Henrik Pederson Free - Hardworking Forward
Cosmin Contra Free - Strong fullback
Cafu (Milan) Free - The Legend :cool:
Stephan Kling (HSV) 750k - Efficient German Left Back
Vadim Vevseev (Lokomotiv Moscow) £775k - Full back who can play on both sides

Players who left the club were :

Sean Rudd - Released
Darren Kenton - £1.3m (Sunderland)
Chris Mcdonald - Released

So the season approached with Saints looking a much more formidable outfit. A tough start to the season awaited them.

WBA 0-0 Southamption Att: 30480

A largely even affair which could of gone either way if both teams strikers had been on form. Moreira had WBA's best chances but foiled by the impressive Niemi who won the MOM award. Pedersen could have got Saints all three points near the end but twice decided to miss from 6 yards out. No wonder Bolton got rid of him

Southampton 1-2 Man Utd Att: 32209

One of the big guns visited St Marys early in the season, Steel felt confident going into the match, and was even more confident after Hitzlsperger crashed one in from 25 yards. It all went Pete Tong after that as Utd dominated the match and scored through Rooney and Giggs, the class between the 2 teams showed.

Chelsea 2-0 Southamption Att: 42420

Another top team to play and this time it was Chelsea, 2 down after 22mins, Ballack with a header (surprise) and Joe Cole with the other. Saints looked to be going down to a heavy defeat but the showed some ***** and defended well for the rest of the game and even had a Beattie effort disallowed for offside.

So 3 games gone and Saints 2nd to bottom, not worried yet as already played 2 big teams, the next game is a crucial one, its a bottom of the table clash between Steel and new boy Danny King.