Week 1

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Week 1

Safehands · Cult Status

Arsenal Plea for Finance in light of Club Targets

Arsenal Manager Simon Newcombe met with the associated press this afternoon in the wake of club target releases from the Chairman of the majority of football boards today

"Nice to see you all ready for the new season ahead. As you may know we have been set a club target of 2nd today in the league and I couldnt agree more with the chairman. We are a huge club and should be challenging for the title and not heading the chasing pack next year. Im not pretending it will be easy - but after frank discussions with the board last year - its where we want to be and we are getting close to challenging Chelsea. I think they will stand apart this year once again - but the Man U and Liverpool fix on 2nd and 3rd I full intend to gatecrash"

"What I would like to publically say to the chairman is that I have taken great strides to improve the team and set them up long term in the past 2 seasons and there will another fantastic arrival this week. But i have reached the limit of what I can achieve with next to no finances in place. Having never asked for money before - I would find it great if a cash injection of £20m can be out into the club to at least try and ensure a small bit of parity on the likes of Chelsea, and Spurs war chest funds. We did exactly what was asked of us last season with a great and commited run of results - and I think now is the time to kick on and push ourselves into contention"

"I have however privately expanded the staduim this season from my own pocket and would love the chairman to match this ambition with some investment. He may of course disagree!"

"This aside we are fully focused on a tricky home game with Chelsea in the first weekend of the season and look forward to seeing what Pat Rice can do in the youth academy in terms of player promotions to the first team squad. Lets hope for a good year!"

The manager was then seen departing the ground to tie up a deal for a very exciting transfer due to take place this weekend. The press were highly speculative, but the only gossip gotten hold of was that it was an English player and his car was last seen travelling up the M1.................

Football Academy · Cult Status

Summer Chairmen Investments Update

Recreativo Huelva chairman has lived up to his promise last season. A cash investment of £15 million has been made to buy what the chairman has requested as a star attacking player, be it a midfielder or striker. The chairman has also backed up his promise to reward such a signing with a stadium expansion, if the manager can buy one before the stadium deadline.

The Manchester City chairman has invested £10 million into the clubs transfer funds for the new season, to add some backing towards a top half finish target for the new season.

Spurs have recieved a £2 million bonus from their chairman after he promised the new manager a minimum of £20 million for the new season in the bank, whatever the wage situation pre-season.

The Arsenal manager will reciee a bonus investment from his chairman to ensure a £10 million bank balance for the new season.

Liverpool have recieved an additional £5 million towards achieving their new target this season.

Portsmouth's chairman has invested £5 million into the club in the hope of convincing the manager to stay loyal to the club. The manager has been linked to a very high profile move to a big club in Europe numerous times recently.

The Reading chairman has given £2 million to the club to help rebuild after the team missed out on promotion via the play-offs last season.

Coventry's rich chairman has bailed the club out of trouble after they slipped into debt. However the investment has come with a hint at a quick rise up through the Championship.

Deportivo board have invested £2 million back into the club after they struggled to earn promotion last season from the Spanish Segunda Division.

Levante's active millionaire owner has invested a further £5 million into the club after the manager gained a remarkable 2nd place last season to earn an automatic promotion.

Racing Santander chairman has bailed the team out of debt by investing £2 million.

The Real Valladolid chairman has rewarded last seasons stunning turn around in fortunes under new management with a £3 million investment.

However no doubt with investment will come the need to achieve for all these clubs or chairman-manager stances could become heated.

Safehands · Cult Status

Arsenal (very brief!) Manager Interview

Following a plea for cash investment at the Emirates, one Sky Sports reporter was lucky enough to get an interview with Simon Newcombe as he drove up north to complete the signing of a very important player for the club

"A public plea for cash and within 10 minutes the chairman has invested £10m out of his own pocket. Now that is a chairman who puts his money where his mouth is!. I just wanted to publically thank Peter and assure the fans the money will either be spent on further increasing the goalkeeper situation at the club - or expanding the staduim further to achieve a better base for European football. The entire club are delighted with the news!"

evertonian · Cult Status

Recreativo manager thanks Kellner for investment

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague managed to grab Recreativo Huelva boss for a quick interview after hearing of a massive £15m investment into the club's transfer kitty for the new season.

So, Rob, how do you feel about the chairman's investment?
Well of course I am delighted! Mr Kellner promised these funds would be available for me to spend and he has stuck to his word.

Will you be spending the money as the chairman wishes?
Yes, without doubt. The chairman has been very clear in how he wants the side to progress, and I am looking to improve our attacking force and bring in the superstar that the fans want.

Have you got any specific players in mind?
A shortlist of possible targets has been drawn up for a long time now if I am honest. I would like to confirm that we have made a significant bid for an attacking player already, and are awaiting a response from the club involved.

Do you see it necessary to improve any other areas of the side?
We are always looking to improve throughout the team. I believe that although we have signed Marchena, we still need to improve our defensive line-up and if the right players become available then we will be interested.

Will you be investing in the new scouting network?
Myself and the club scouting staff will be meeting very soon to discuss possible options. It is a possibility that the staff will want to expand their scouting circle into further parts of Europe or South America. We'll look at the funds later and see if it is possible.

tommysafe · Semi-Pro Player

Empoli Boss In Cash Plea

by Henry Winter for FourFourTwo Magazine.

A small golf course 10 miles from Florence was the location for my meeting with striking Empoli boss, Thomas Barry. Hailing from a densely populated Cardiff suburb, the Tuscan scenery does not blend easily with either the image or the personality of Barry but his enjoyment of Italian life is beyond the doubt of even the most cynical Welshman.

Having gained promotion from Serie B via the playoffs last season, Empoli are firm favourites to be relegated this season, and rumours of financial uncertainty at Stadio Carlo Castellani have done nothing to dispel these predictions. Barry however, as you would expect, has faith - "With two or three new players, I see no reason why we can't survive in this league. History has shown that recently promoted teams can carry their confidence into the new season, and it's my job as manager to ensure that this happens".

Barry's enthusiasm echoed his golf for the first three holes but as the round went on, his swing deteriorated and unfortunately, his mood followed. At the 19th hole, with a bottle of Perroni in one hand and a cigar in t'other, Barry's frustration with the lack of funds at Empoli became clear - "Firstly, the previous manager did us no favours - I was left with no money to spend and a squad that needed serious refurbishment to compete with the top 4 in Serie B. Luckily, I was able to generate some cash through the sale of players and brought in a few lads to see us into Serie A and now we may have no money to spend. The fat cats at boardroom level really need to pull their fingers out, and you can quote me here, because if we had not gone up and the TV revenue had not increased a hundredfold, this club would be bankrupt by now...and if there are no funds forthcoming, it will be hard work for us to win games this season".

"I plead for businessmen, businesswomen, wealthy Empoli fans everywhere to invest in this great club to ensure we have a chance of survival this season. The fans here deserve to be constantly greeted with new faces and, without investment, this is not going to be possible".

The passion with which these words were spoken is testiment to Barry's desire for this club to achieve and personally I hope the investors do come with their cheque books at the ready, because this club and this manager can really go places.

-- Edited by tommysafe at 21:28, 2008-06-16

Ben Carini · Sunday League Player

Carini's Frustration

Getafe's newest manager had, like many other managers, been hoping for enough money to strengthen his squad. Unfortunately, the chairman has not responded.

"I had a few players in mind, all of which would have been very important additions to the squad."

Getafe found themselves in the play-offs when Carini took over. After a 2-1 victory, they were even closer to promotion. However, a strong Mallorca side undone all Getafe's good work and left them frustrated after losing penalties.

"I am not looking to get into La Liga with a weak squad. I'm looking long-term and I want to have a squad that can win the Spanish Segunda, as well as stay in La Liga."

"It's so frustrating for both me and the managers I had been discussing transfers with."

"I feel like the chairman isn't confident that I can deliver the goods. I believe that my previous performance with Getafe in the play-offs proves otherwise. We won the play-off semi-finals comfortably, and against a vastly superior Real Mallorca, we only just lost out on penalties."

Fletch · Cult Status

Gimnastic Academy Player Juan Antonio is set to make his debut this weekend.

Antonio who is just 18 is manager Andrew Fletchers youngest player to break his way into the small but close nit squad.

Fletcher said

"Antonio will be looked after and no doubt become an immense footballer. He already has amazing attributes as a striker for his age. We will give him his head but he will develop alongside Laquinta and Makukala"

" I plan to ensure he watches quality strikers working and has the chance to use his skills in this seasons games"

"I have already turned down significant offers this week for him, a serious manager will have to break the bank to secure his services."

PUREADE1 · International Player

DANDO BUZZING ABOUT STEEL CITY DERBY

Football Focus has gained an exclusive interview with the man hoping to lead Bernie Ecclestone's dream of making Wednesday great again - Hayden Dando

So Ade how are you settling in at Hillsbrough?
I'm really enjoying being back in England, obviously the team needs reshaping and that will not happen over night, however i have been busy with enquiries both incoming and outgoing for different players and am close to signing one or two players this week.With regards to the playing staff already here, i have told them and told the press all players are available untill they prove they deserve to wear the shirt.

And how do you feel about Bernie Ecclestone's involvment with the club?
Well, Bernie Ecclestone is a man with plenty of money and passion for football so im over the moon to have him here.He will help push this club forward and having already spoken to him i'm well aware of what he expects this club to do both this season and in the future.

The rumor was that Ousmane Dabo was going to be leaving, any news on this?
We received a bid for Ousmane last week, it was rejected.Dabo is one of the better players at the club and i've said all along that better players will not go for anything less than a top quality deal, we do not need to sell, it is through MY choice that i have made players available to see if they really want to be part of this club.

Saturday is your first game in charge, first game of the season, and first derby game for you against Sheffield United.How nervous are you about that?
I'm not nervous at all, the steel City derby is one of the most passionate derby games there is.Sheffield United are a big club, as are we and both clubs had a terrible time last season and will be looking to put that right.All i will say is it couldn't be a much bigger game for me to start at this club than visiting our nearest rivals, i just hope we can put in the performance we need to and get the result.

Finally, we hear that you have a target list of players, is this true and how many of them are you making enquiries about?
Of course i have several lists, the first one is a wishlist but i doubt i'm going to get Cristiano Ronaldo to come and play in league one for us, ha ha.But seriously we do have ceretain targets as well as constantly monitoring the transfer and loan lists and as soon as a player we think will improve the squad becomes available we will approach his club.However i will not go around begging clubs to sign certain players, we are not in the position where we need to do that.

Thank you ade, and good luck on saturday

Simon · Cult Status

Ominous for Valladolid?

A string of good luck has come to Spanish team Real Valladolid, with extra money and another quality youth player arriving just before the dawn of the new season. Manager Simon Jenkins thanked the board for it's generous grant and his assistant's skills at finding new youth players; "Jose Mendilibar must have one of, if not the best eyes for new talent. Last season it was Jesus and Sergio, this year Cortez has come through and looks already set to secure a first team spot".

But with all this good fortune for the club, whats to come in the future. Is all this good luck a sign of things to come, or is it fate balencing itself in preparation for a poor season which could see the team relegated back to the Segunda Division, only time will tell...

messiah · Cult Status

Walker blasts Coventry manager

Jamie Walker expressed his disgust towards the actions of the controversial Coventry manager today. "We were approached by Gareth Gardner saying that the scouting pool were looking for top managers to join and he had been asked to contact people he thought were that sort of manager. I appreciate Gareth thinks highly of me but Mark disputing my invitation throws the whole idea into disarray. Did Gareth act on his own without the support of his leader the Coventry manager? If he did then the group is a mess and it will never work without organisation. If Gareth had permission to ask me then Mark is telling clear lies to everyone now and that is sad just because I said no to the idea."

Last season the Umbrella group were set up and despite the comments from Coventry the evidence is not there. "That Umbrella group was as useless as a sieve. Derby were part of the group and the manager has left the game. I think Iain at Man U was part of it and I do not think he had any players out on loan. The only link that worked was A.Madrid and Coventry so why was this group so special against any normal feeder club deal? I think we all know Mark likes to blow his own trumpet but I hope he does not suck people in and cost them money in this group."

The new fixture list was announced this week and Walker is looking forward to the games ahead. "We play Norwich in week two and we have to get something there to get our season started. Any result in week one against West Bromwich Albion will be a big shock. Week eight we have Coventry and I would like nothing more than to relegate them. I told Gareth when I explained why I was turning down his kind offer that part of the reason was because Mark was at the head of the group and I would not trust him. It has only taken a few days for him to prove me right in my decision."

-- Edited by messiah at 16:40, 2008-06-18

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings puts matter to bed

In an instantaneous and brief interview with the press following Watford manager Jamie Walkers words this afternoon Coventry boss Mark Rollings was sharp with his words.

'I will not be dragged into press ranglings with Mr Walker this season. He is of no concern to me at all. Coventry City released a statement suggesting that Jamie Walker was never officially approached to become a member of the Scouting Pool system. That is a fact! Yes i believe Gareth at Celta Vigo made preliminary approaches to Mr Walker but the idea was never discussed further. This is not because we were not interested in Jamie's input into the scheme but because the places filled up almost immediately after Gareths's informal dialogue with Watford. Mr Walker should clarfiy the comments of Coventry before presuming to take them out of context.'

And when probed for further questions on the matter and his combustable relationship with his Watford peer Rollings was blunt in his approach.

'No more questions. I am very, very bored of this battle and have nothing to add permanantly. This is the last time Coventry will be discussing Watford in the press other than to defend it's own name'

messiah · Cult Status

Press endure more Coventry silent treatment

"I feel sorry for the press. Last season everyone was excited because managers were pitting themselves against each other in the media. Coventry and Leicester lost all those battles and could not even cut themselves away well. They were always saying they would not retaliate but came back for another beating. I want to wish Steve well in his new job. I really enjoyed our battles last season and maybe that was because I came out on top in the end but he always made an effort for most of the season to keep in contact privately and kept our battles fun. I do not think Mark brings that good grace to the media battles. I am sure he will refuse to comment a few more times this season but the press should keep their reports to hand because I am sure he will keep coming back for more.

We have agreed deals to loan Savi Obinna and Mariappa out in the first three weeks of the season and I would like to thank everyone who lost out for their interest and thank the three managers for their ease in the deals. I have worked hard to give our team a look of youth with a feel of quality and I think we have it. Our target is to survive but I will always look higher than that. I think we can do better. It might only start to show in the second half of the season when good squad management starts to tell."

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans speaks of respect for Walker

New Cagliari boss Steve Davies-Evans today spoke to reporters at his teams plush training ground in the beautiful Italian sun.
Davies-Evans was quick to respond to Jamie Walkers comments in the media regarding thier media battle last season.

"I did read in the news about Jamie comments and they made me chuckle really, What can I say? He's got me bang to rights. The simple facts are, his side outclassed not just my Leicester side but also most other teams in that division. Maybe I don't agree totally with his comments that he out did me in all the battles in the media but that's the sort of confidence that you have to admire about Mr Walker.

I think he did a great job and managed to guide his team to a superb promotion in his first season in charge. There is no question in my mind that Watford will retain thier Championship status as Jamie is a whiley old fox and will adapt very quickly.

As for Jamies comments on Mark at Coventry, Mark is obviosuly a good friend of mine and I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't back him up abit. I think Mark is one of the up and coming managers in this world of football. He's the Heston Blumenthal of football management if you will. He's always looking for new and improved ways of getting results and you have to admire him for that even if they don't always come off. I think it's a huge shame that they couldn't pursuade Jamie Walker to be part of it as he's a great force to have on your side."

When speaking about his first game as Cagliari manager, Davies-Evans was quick to talk up Jonny Sinclairs work as Cagliari manager.

"There's no doubt that Jonny did a great job as Cagliari manager and was unlucky not to take them up in the end. I think that he's left for what he feels will be a bigger challenge and Ascoli will no doubt be a better side for him in charge but I think that there will be a few teams really batteling it out this season for promotion.

I think it's fate that the fixtures should pit me and Jonny against eachother in the first game and there will no doubt be some media intrest in this because of it. We have some big name players coming in over the next few weeks so if the fans were happy previously, Then they really should be extatic about what lays ahead for the team.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 at 20:17, 2008-06-18

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Jonny Sinclair was pleased to see that his first game for his new team Ascoli was against his former club Cagliari-

'well its typical isn't it me and Steve have already had a chuckle over it, I'm hoping the Caligari fans will give me a good reception we were so close to the dream last season and it was a shame we just missed out on it i'll be looking forward to see how they get on this season with Steve this season. I felt he did a great job with Leicester the problem being there were so many other good mangers contesting with him and that league is very even u had no idea who would win what game it was so tight, I hope though that i can get one over him at the start of the season' haha

'I'm aiming for Ascoli to be in and around the play-offs this season i'm looking to shake up the whole team at the moment and there are a few people coming and going in te next few weeks to try and get this club to where it should be with the young talent we have as well as experienced players we have we should be doing much better than last season'

paulh_85 · Cult Status

WBA Boss looking forward to Championship Bow

NEw West bromich Albion boss Paul Harrington today expressed his excitment at the start of the season this satuday. "I have inherited a terriffic set of players here at the Hawthorns, they were unlcuky in my view not got get promoted last season. and now all the focus is on achieving premier league football for next season."

When asked about the fixtures, which sees WBA play the 3 newly promoted teams in the first 3 weeks, Harrington said, "obviously people will be expecting us to get off to a flyer, and we have to really aim for no less than 7 points. Watford will be tough as they have a good team and manager, but with all thats been going on this week maybe Jamie has taken his eye off the ball. however, its week 2 im looking forward too and a return to my old club southampton."

When asked about tactics Harrington refused to comment on how his side would line up, saying only; "we know all about watford and how they play, but im not really going to give that a thought, if we stick to our guns and play like we know we can, we wont have to worry about the opposition"

-- Edited by paulh_85 at 18:32, 2008-06-19

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans declears zero tollerence policy at Cagliari

Steve Davies-Evans has wasted no time in laying down the law to his players ready for the new season ahead. Davies-Evans is believed to have adopted a zero tollerence policy towards players being late for training, not giving 100% and boozy nights out before match days.

"I had a meeting with the players this week before we started a week of training and I let them know that they will be put through thier paces this season. Nobody is invincable and if we see ANY player distrupting the teams harmony then they will be out simple as that! The players won' get a joy ride with me but what they will get is success. I intend to take this club into Seria A and we are only going to do that with players that buy into where we want to go.

We all discussed our goals for the season and what we want to achieve and the positive thing for me is that the players are desperate for success. They were hurting after the playoff final but have managed to channel that emotion into a desire not to go through the same thing again. We are 100% focused on what we want and that is promotion.

We start with a difficult game at Ascoli on Saturday but it's a game that we are confident of getting a decent result to start us off with. My players have indicated that they are more than happy with the way things are going to be around the club and that's good to know that we have a grown up set of lads wanting promotion."

Davies-Evans is clearly eager to put his failings as Leicester City boss behind him and start a new chapter in his managerial carreer with Cagliari.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Coventry off and running with Valley point

Coventry City arrived in the Championship this weekend with an encouraging draw away at Charlton Athletic. The Sky Blues will be delighted that they have started the new league campaign with some form of points to get the ball rolling in their quest to secure Championship football for the foreseeable future.

With Elliot Ward, Dennis Rommedahl and Emile Heskey returning to the side, after Coventrys loan stars of last season returned to their parent clubs, and a point will have pleased boss Mark Rollings as he looks to build a team capable of competing at this level. Indeed the transfer speculation surrounding the club took a jump this week with the arrival of accomplished stars Alessandro Nesta and Alberto Rivera from Real Betis, with Gianluca Musacci heading the other way. Rumours circulating the club suggest Rollings has all but secured the signature of another top defender, midfielder and possibly two striker to be unveiled over the coming weeks.

We have moved quickly and precisely in the market and I am delighted with the progress we have made. Queudrue, Nesta and Rivera join us this week and we have deals lined up which will make us even stronger still. I would go as far as saying it could not have gone any better so far in the market and as long as I get the names I want I am confident of staying up this season

Press are struggling to get names out of the Sky Blues management and speculation has as yet failed to deliver any hints on who the Sky Blues may be chasing. Rollings was keen to keep his targets underwraps, in fear of other clubs hi-jacking deals.

When the time is right we will let the fans know. We dont want to lose players because others are made aware of their availability. I have heard some names banded around recently but I can honestly say they have all been way of the mark so far. This squad will be as strong as ever soon, and fans must have patience with us to get our targets in.

-- Edited by Spartikus47 at 12:20, 2008-06-23