Two men in the Championship... We're back!!!

[Highlander999]

Great start guys, keep it up

 

[treva]

Weekly Review

First week in charge, but unfortunately it didn't pan out the way I had hoped. A draw to non-league side Ebbsfleet United was what caused me concern, and although I knew it was 1st game of pre-season, it was still a hard result to take. Things in the transfer market hand been ok. I wanted to strengthen our attack, but with no funds to do so I had to look for loans or selling some players. I offered Richard Keogh and Kevin Betsy to clubs, and I knew that Keogh would get some response as sides were interested in him. Derby were the only team to make an offer, but at £80k it was a 'no brainer' decision. They sorted out contracts and that gave me £71,163 after I lost a few scouts to Birmingham and Derby.

First offer was a loan for Matty Fryatt, who was 'available for loan', which was turned down. Even after I offered to pay £1k, Leicester stated that they didn't want to loan him to a Championship rival. I searched around for some free agents, but I wanted someone with international experience. I was lucky to find Chris James, a 20 year-old midfielder who had been capped 7 times for New Zealand. The trouble was that other sides were interested also, but I felt confident with other offers coming from Gillingham and fierce rivals Bristol Rovers. The prospect of playing for us was a much more exciting one than playing for Rovers or Gillingham, so the deal looked to be one that we would get. My assistant, Keith Millen, felt we were a bit stuck for a keeper if Basso was injured. I took up his advice to find a back-up, and I found a very capable Chad Harpur. I placed in an offer of £20k, but with his value at £50k I knew it may not be enough. My final offer was for Jerel Ifil, a centre back from Swindon. I knew that it was to be a tough season, and if we got injuries then it would make it very difficult. Team depth was what was to be needed, and after selling Keogh to Derby, I wanted a back-up defender. I placed in a £45k offer for Ifil, hoping it would be enough so that we could start talks with him about a contract.

Hopefully we could tie up Chris James next week, as he looks like a quality prospect at only 20.

Chris James - Hopefully will be wearing
a City shirt come next week​

 

[Highlander999]

Good work.

Hopefully you can make some good signings and improve the results

 

[covlad-99]

Interesting new possible signing there trev! Lets hope you can turn your recent form around

 

[treva]

Interesting new possible signing there trev! Lets hope you can turn your recent form around

Ebbsfleet are a quality side !

Thanks for the comments guys, more updates tomorrow...

 

[freddiw]

Barazite on loan is awesome (Arsenal)

good luck bos i like it

 

[treva]

Wednesday 18th July, 2007

vs Dunfermline [H][Friendly]
Time to start pre-season again as far as i'm concerned. Looking for the lads to show me that last Sunday's game was just a blip with a fine performance here. I was certainly going to shuffle around the side a bit after last game. In came big centre half Tam?s Vask?, moving the skipper out to right back. Marvin Elliot replaced David Noble at the heart of the midfield and Brian Wilson took Michael McIndoe's place. 6ft 7in Enoch Showunmi to give us a bit of presence up-front alongside Darren Byfield, with Lee Trundle demoted the the bench.

------------------------A.Basso-----------------------
L.Carey ?---T.Vask?---J.McCombe---J.McAllister
S.Murray-----L.Johnson-----M.Elliot-----B.Wilson
--------------D.Byfield-----E.Showunmi----------

Subs: C.Weale, D.Noble, L.Fontaine, B.Orr, I.Sproule, L.Trundle, K.Betsy & M.McIndoe

A 2-2 draw was enough to convince me that last week was a blip, as we put Dunfermline under a lot of pressure and deserved the victory. We had more impetus and looked more threatening, even if they had more possession. We scored first after just 16 minutes. Marvin Elliot made a run into the box, and had acres of space as Byfield fed him a lovely through ball. With Gallagher, the keeper, rushing towards him he placed it coolly over his right shoulder and into the net. They were level 5 minutes later, nothing more than a good free kick from the edge of the box. We continued to have the better chances, and it was Byfield who converted on 24 minutes. A quality strike from outside the box in the 'D'. On came Noble, Sproule and Trundle at half-time. Elliot thought he had a 2nd goal, only for it to be ruled as a foul, unfairly gaining advantage for a header. Elliot should've had a hat-trick, Byfield and Sproule made the keeper work, but to no avail. With 13 mins left they scored a soft goal. Somehow their striker, smaller than big Tam?s Vask?, managed to bit him to a header a few yards out. Basso managed to get a touch but it rolled along the line and went in off the post.

Overall I was happy with the performance, especially that of Darren Byfield, Marvin Elliot and Adriano Basso. Still room for improvement, but never-the-less a good result. Next it was just down the road to The Memorial Ground to face fierce rivals Rovers for our annual pre-season friendly. We just had to win if I was to get respect from our fans, and it would be my first real test as manager to get things right!

Bristol City 2-2 Dunfermline
Marvin Elliot '16, Darren Byfield '25 - Jamie Morrison '21, Ian O'Reilly '77
Attendance: 4978​

 

[covlad-99]

I wouldn't say that was a poor result to be fair, but still not a great result. Ah well trev, kutgw both of you!

 

[treva]

I wouldn't say that was a poor result to be fair, but still not a great result. Ah well trev, kutgw both of you!

I expected a win, but then again I did at Ebbsfleet. Performance was much improved though and that's the main thing...

 

[thesweepmaster]

It's a shame really that Dunfermline scored otherwise it would have been a well deserved victory.
Considering this is my first post in this thread, I want to say good luck and hopefully will get the rewards that you deserve for this story, but you will have to compete with me for a SOTM!

 

[Manly]

Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Reserves @ Portman Road​

This promised to be an interesting game. My first gauger game, if you like. We were against one of the Top 4's 2nd XI, and a team which should, in fairness give us a tremendous test, and in only my 2nd game.

We lined up as follows:
In goal, Scot Neil Alexander, still fresh from his move from Cardiff in the summer, Neil was still getting to know his back 4 in front of him.
At the back we had local-boy Matt Richards at left back, with David Wright on the right. Our centre pairing is Alex Bruce and Canadian and Club Captain Jason De Vos. This would be my preferred back four for the whole season, and I might look to ship Sito/Dan Harding/Richard Naylor out in the near future.
The midfield 3 consisted of Frenchman Sylvain Legwinski, Owen Garvan, and recently re-signed Tommy Miller. I would be looking to keep Owen and Tommy in for the season, however, I can't really see Sylvain having a future at the Club. Ed Upson will be my preferred choice, and during the pre-season I would be looking to blood him in, and hopefully he can establish himself in the side.
The two wide attacking midfielders to start were Jon Walters and Danny Haynes, these two will pick themselves, really, but I have no doubt that Jaime Peters and Billy Clarke will push them all the way for a starting place.
Up front on his own is Fraizer Campbell, and I want him to start banging in the goals as soon as possible.

As it is a friendly I will only give the key info:

Ipswich 2 - 0 Chelsea Reserves
Campbell 16, 67
Legwinski injured 8
:hpraise MOM: Campbell - 8
I was pleased with Campbell's contribution, and he fully deserved his second MoM in as many games. Ed Upson had a tremendous game, coming on after only 8 minutes for Sylvain, and his young legs let him down on 86 minutes, but I have no doubt with a bit of conditioning he can have a blinding season.

Roll on Accrington!

Another 5 days at my new club...​

It has to be said, this wasn't the best week of my career. I missed out on three, yes, three of my targets. Kyle Lafferty was not going to be released on loan from Burnley, Bogdan Stancu decided that signing for Rapid would be better than coming to Portman Road, and Dean Furman decided that he wanted to stay at Rangers. However, a brighter note was the loan signing of Bjorn Runstrom from Fulham. The ?2.3m-rated striker would be with us for the rest of the season, and it is now safe to say I have an embarrassment of riches up front.

Romeo Zondervan was offered a job at Wigan, but with a little bit of persuasion (more money), he stayed with us, which is fantastic news for all concerned.

The game with Chelsea's second string was largely pleasing, and only Sylvain's dead leg was anything to worry about.

Town's game with Colchester at Layer Road on October 6th was also put back to 17:15 so Sky Sports could show our brilliant football across the country.

I took the opportunity to go down to Bristol again, and again to the Memorial Stadium, where I surprised Jack with a visit. We did this time get together, and discuss our experiences at our respective Championship sides.

On Saturday, whilst I was in Bristol, I received an e-mail that Portsmouth had now made an approach for Romeo, and I asked him what it would take for him to stay, and I obliged with his wishes.

I left contract negotiations with Per Weirauch to Brian Klug, and I hoped he would be able to secure the signature of the youngster for us. I also saw on the Club's website that Mr. Sheepshanks had formed a link with Galway Utd. which could only be good for the Club. Morten Nielsen was also in contract talks with Ipswich, and I hoped I could sign yet another bright prospect from Chelsea.

 

[freddiw]

godo work fellas just read up quite far on sortitoutsi wont spoil it

 

[Highlander999]

Wow , great update. You use colour there to great effect without making it look like a circus

A draw against Dunfermiline isn't too bad and the win againsty the reserves is a good start. Keep it up

 

[Manly]

With all due respect to Stanley, this was a comedown from playing at Portman Road, and I did wonder how the players would do in a ground of this size.

Again the same team was chosen, and I was almost certain this would be how the boys would be lining up at the start of the season. Again, because it was a friendly, I won't divulge too much, because they really are as dull as they seem.

A goal from midfielder Andy Proctor after 10 minutes meant for a less-than-happy gaffer, but Tommy Miller and Bjorn Runstrom gave us the advantage. It was all Ipswich from then on in, and it was only a matter of time before we scored again.

What a goal it was, though, Jaime Peters unleashing a ROCKET into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, leaving the poor keeper with no chance. He enjoyed the goal immensely, and I hope it gives him the confidence to push on and play so well I have no choice to play him each week.​

Final Score 3-1 to the Town!

Cheers for the comments guys

 

[thesweepmaster]

Nice little update there Ben! keep up the good work you two!