retired_Frappin'

Ben Knight Issues First Interview!

After a solid start to his career as The Bottle Top's manager we caught up with Ben Knight just before his game against Middlesbrough.

So Ben, after a solid start to your career notching up 10 points from 6 games and confidently seeing off the likes of Newcastle, how far do you beleive you can go this season?
Well it's too early to make any serious predictions at the minute, but these 10 points have been hard work. If we can keep injuries to a low I'd say we have the quality to avoid relegation and maybe follow the likes of Wigan and sneak a top half finish.

We see you seem to have decided on the partnership of Nugent and Earny up top, anything to say about this?
Nothing in footballs ever decided, these two lads are playing on top of their game but will need to with the likes of Freddy, David and Diomansy putting in work on the training pitch. But I think a lot of credit has got to go to our defence, we had a bad game against a far superior United team but except for that I don't believe they can be faulted.

A lot has been said about your youthful defensive four how do you think they're coping with the pressure?
As you said the four lads who have started these last few weeks have an average age of below 19, both Billy and Curtis have been around for a bit but never at this level. Whereas the two young welsh lads have only just left school and both playing for the U21's with Gareth even appearing for the senior international team twice. I do believe that the presence of Kiely behind them has helped no end, don't think any of them would argue with him.

Thanks for your time Ben, and good luck for tomorrows game...
Its alright, and COME ON YOU BOTTLE TOPS! haha.


Ben's fixtures:
19.8 Bolton 0 - Coca-Cola 2
22.8 Coca-Cola 1 - Fulham 2
27.8 Man Utd 4 - Coca-Cola 0
9.9 Coca-Cola 4 - Sheff Utd 0
16.9 Newcastle 0 - Coca-Cola 3
19.9 Coventry 0 - Coca-Cola 2 (LC)
23.9 Coca-Cola 1 - Reading 1

9th - Coca-Cola XI

retired_spowell562

As I'm at the same point as foxmad I thought I'd give a little update.

So far I have made one signing, Kyle Lafferty coming in from Burnley for £2.3m, I wanted to have the option of a big target man, and Kyle certainly is that at 6'4"

The season began with a 5-2 triumph away to Bolton, and just before I started thinking this may be easy I went on to lose 4-0 at home to Fulham. Quite a reality check. Games since then...
Man Utd 2 - 1 Coke
Coke 1 - 0 Sheff Utd
Newcastle 0 - 1 Coke
Coke 2 - 0 Hull (League Cup)
Coke 1 - 0 Reading

So that leaves me in 5th place with 12 points.

Another point to make is that so far the following players have succumbed to medium (2+ week) term injuries:
Earnshaw, Cunningham, Kelly, Barnes, Kamara, Eastwood and Nugent

Not quite sure why so many have been injured, they're not training too hard and the physios and coaches I have are of a good standard.

retired_Frappin'

We Surprise Ben Knight with Birthday Interview!

After carrying off one of the surprises so far this season and seemingly battling for a UEFA Cup place, we catch up with our good friend Ben Knight.

So Ben, It's been a while since we last spoke, and since then you've doubled your point tally and just hit your thirties?
Which one? Well football's great and really enjoying every time we win a point now. And...well big 30, still younger than Kenny Cunningham though, haha don't tell him I said that, he's very funny about him being an old man.

So how about Europe next season, I'm sure the thought must have gone through your head at some stage?
My little lad brought this up the other day, but no apart from that it hasn't crossed my mind. At this stage our main aim is to focus on hitting that magic 40 point mark, then maybe 50 and at a push...you never know haha. It has been a great season so far though and as long as our fantastic supporters remain upbeat and confident, us lot in the changing room'll do our best to keep motivated and hopefully do them proud.

You mentioned the supporters then, we have spoke to a few who have stated their concern at firstly whether this team needs more quality in depth and whether players like Curtis Davies may hear Man Utd coming and leave Vicarage Road
At the minute I am not at all worried about the depth in our squad and me and Paul will discuss if there are any worries when it comes to January, but until then I am perfectly happy. As far as selling players, I have no plans to get rid of any of our young starlets and Curtis as already shown that he is a force to be reckoned with with successive young player of the month awards battling against the likes of Modric, Rooney etc.

Once again Ben you've been fantastic once more and we can only thank you and wish you luck...
I'm just happy to share my views with the public, and make sure you stay tuned in on Christmas Eve because I'm gonna give a special interview just for you look. Keep the Faith everyone....


Ben's fixtures:
19.8 Bolton 0 - Coca-Cola 2
22.8 Coca-Cola 1 - Fulham 2
27.8 Man Utd 4 - Coca-Cola 0
9.9 Coca-Cola 4 - Sheff Utd 0
16.9 Newcastle 0 - Coca-Cola 3
19.9 Coventry 0 - Coca-Cola 2 (LC)
23.9 Coca-Cola 1 - Reading 1
30.9 Middlesbrough 2 - Coca-Cola 1
16.10 Coca-Cola 3 - Charlton 0
22.10 Tottenham 0 - Coca-Cola 0
25.10 Hull 2 - Coca-Cola 1 (LC)
29.10 Coca-Cola 1 - Everton 0
4.11 Wigan 1 - Coca-Cola 2
11.11 Coca-Cola 0 - Chelsea 1

8th - Coca-Cola XI

retired_Frappin'

just wondering how everyones enjoying this, and what sort of things could be adjusted if i decide to make another one next year.

retired_spowell562

Hey, I'm enjoying the challenge so far, I've found that the team is pretty exciting in my games to date, I have the problem of either playing some free flowing football and scoring goals and creating lots of chances, or a total shambles of a defence. I think the thing I might have liked to see would be a custom made coca-cola stadium rather than just using the Watford stadium. Other than that I can't really think of anything, great challenge :thup:

retired_Monica731

Half season Update

Currently 17th in the Premiership only out of the relegaton zone on GD. Im already 30 Pts of Leaders Man utd!!! After just 21 games.

retired_Monica731

Oh yeah, Only one signing in the summer (Bouazza). Think i definately need to be active in the transfer market. Board have given me £12m for the January transfer window.

retired_Monica731

Could i sign a player that is on loan from a premiership club but playing in the championship? Obviously buy while he was still on loan.

retired_Frappin'

No because he is still owned by a premiership club, if a Championship player was on loan at a Premiership club then that would be allowed.

retired_Monica731

No because he is still owned by a premiership club, if a Championship player was on loan at a Premiership club then that would be allowed. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok thanks. Luckily i didnt do it.
Mini Update
I've signed Steven Naismith from Leeds and Kevin Phillips from West Brom