Week 2

PUREADE1 · International Player

Week 2

Fletch · Cult Status

Gimnastic Cash Boost

Despite manager Fletcher saying that Striker Juan Antonio was staying put, the 18 year old striker has now been transfer listed.

Juan came to me in the week and said he wanted the chance to play in the top leagues, he's very young but I wont stand in his way if he doesnt want to play.

The money we will get for him will mean we can push for promotion this season whereas keeping him woudl have meant making do with what we have got.

I expect Juan to have gone this week and we can then start our transition of players.

I have 3 loan signings coming over the next few weeks and various deals for new blood into the team.

Our average age is 29 and I am looking to get that down to the 26 mark by the end of the season.

Our key plan is to make the transitions smooth, changing the squad so that when the season ends, if we have gained promotion then we are ready for the next league with the players we want and at the right age.

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

"This season is all about the fans" - Davies-Evans

Speaking to Italian journalists ahead of his sides first home game against Genoa this week, He expressed the view that this season is all about getting the fans behind the team.

"We had a good season last year and from all accounts, the fans played a massive part in that. The club only just missed out on promotion but we wanted to say thank you to each and every fan that turned up. We have just started building onto the ground that when finished, will allow an extra 2000 fans to watch us play week in, week out. On top of this, We have also reduced ticket prices by 10% which means supporters can hopefully be part of our success at each game for under £10.

Our fans are some of the best around and make a huge difference and if we are to get out of this division this season, we need them in top voice at every game as we know they will. I am really looking forward to hearing the noise they make on Saturday against Genoa. Jonny has told me alot about that passion that is running through this club and I cannot wait to taste that."

Cagliari clearly being clever with thier marketing policies this season ad will surely go down well with the paying faithful.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 at 13:19, 2008-06-25

n3aldud3 · Newbie

My 3 Year plan

New Leeds manager Neal Steer, today told press that he could understand the current anxiety of supporters, over having such an in-experienced manager at the helm.
Steer, formally of Shedboys of Locks Lane, however was quick to allay their fears by insisting 'I am a man with a 3 year plan'. Steer not only sees himself as steadying an unstable ship at United, but feels the Premiership is where Leeds belong, and wants them back there as soon as possible.
Steer was in the stands at Elland Road to see Leeds 1-1 draw with Leicester last Saturday, and faces his first test against Bristol City this week.
It remains to be seen whether Steer can improve the fortunes of Leeds, but if his enthusiasm is anything to go by, then watch League One.

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Jonny Sinclair was delighted to win his first match against his former club Cagliari and also paid tribute to the Cagliari fans

'I'm very pleased we have got off to winning ways it was a good game and it was nice where i thought we dominated play but Steve made sure his team was difficult as i knew they would be also i was extremely pleased for Fransesco to score on his senior debut and i feel he has a very important role to play for us this season'

'It was also nice to see all the cagliari fans again they were so good to me when i was in charge and and i still can't thank them enough for supporting me during my time there'

i expect there team to be challenging for play-offs with us the board have told to ai for top 8 but i truly believe we should be aiming for the top 6 and tha's what i hope to achieve

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Sky Blues in Royal welcome

Coventry City open up their Home Championship campaign tonight with the visit of Reading, and manager Courtney Medlicott. The game has added spice with many pundits suggesting both teams could face a struggle to hold onto the Championship status this season. Sky Blues boss Mark Rollings was keen to play down talk of an early six pointer however.

I dont think you can say things like that in only the second game of the season. There is plenty to happen on and off the field this season and we arent going to start thinking about relegation battles before they begin. We got ourselves a very encouraging point away at Charlton last week and I am confident we can get a positive result with the backing of our own fans here.

Coventry welcome new recruits Alessandro Nesta and Alberto Rivera into the match day squad this week and both are expected to start after impressing in training. Nesta was instantaneously handed the captaincy on his arrival and hopes his experience can help the Sky Blues have a successful season in Englands second tier.

I was delighted when I heard of Coventrys interest in me and as soon as I met the manager here I was hoping that Betis could come to an agreement. We have a talented squad here and I know there are more big names to come. I hope I can pass on my expertise as captain and I am confident we will show people this season that we are to be taken very seriously in this league.

Coventrys recruitment drive seems to have only just begun with reports suggesting that Diego Forlan is in talks with the Midlands club. A Press conference has been called by the club after the game but reports suggest that this is not to unveil Forlan but another unnamed striker.

Ben Carini · Sunday League Player

Carini: "We could win the league"

In a short interview this morning, Carini admitted that he was unsure of his team's capability. However, since the strong win against Deportivo, he has felt uplifted and excited about the coming season.

"Towards the end of close season, I wasn't feeling very confident about how we would perform"

"Since our win over Deportivo, I have felt like we could do very well in this league."

"I expect them [Deportivo] to be up there, competing for promotion this season. If we keep beating the better teams in the league, we could win the league."

messiah · Cult Status

Watford must beat Norwich

Walker has told his players they will face harsh repercussions if they fail to beat Norwich away today. "We pushed WBA very close last week and I think they could get an automatic promotion place this season so we can be proud of our effort but we get nothing for coming close. If we try hard and come close all season we will be relegated with the teams that followed us up. Norwich have a new manager and are in the middle of changes like us. They must be seen as a bottom half team like Charlton and we must beat these teams. A top half finish is possible for us this season.

I was surprised by the Southampton result. They are a good team and they will be difficult to beat but I think this week was a fluke. I can see Southampton getting relegated with out the guidance of their old manager. The Coventry result confirms my suspicions that Charlton and Coventry will be in the relegation fight. They are both teams we can not afford to lose to this season and I can not see that happening.

Walker joined us this week but he is going out on loan next week to gain some experience. Our left side is our weakest side so he has a chance to improve and excel here when he returns. Obinna is going back to Wolves this week on loan and we are close to agreeing terms with another player but we may miss the deadline for completion this week. Some people have asked me if I will trade in my long term plan to secure survival this season. The answer is no because my long term plan includes survival. It would be a very rubbish plan if it only lasted a season."

PUREADE1 · International Player

DANDO - WE MUST START WELL

Sheffield Wednesday manager Hayden Dando has spoken of his desire to make a good start to the season ahead of his first home game in charge.Following last weeks dissapointing derby defeat to Sheffield United Dando has revealed he wants his side to pick up points over the first 6 games of the season.
The former Palermo boss said "If we are to achieve a position in the play offs we must pick up some early points, I have to admit the fixture list was not too kind to us, starting in a derby game which as we all know can go either way and then our first home game is against in my opinion one of the best sides in the division" Dando also admitted he made key mistakes in his lineup last time out that he will not be making this time, "I tried something different against Sheffield United and in fairness it didn't work, i'll happily take the blame for that but at the end of the day i have not been working with this squad for long so i think i can be forgiven the odd mistake here and there"

Dando also revealed he expects to have one players move sorted this week with 2 more due to join next week, he also revealed he is in talks regarding the sale of one of his players, "I am 99% certain that a deal i have arranged for a centre back will go through this week, followed next week by a midfielder and a forward, i am also deep in discussion with the manager of a european side regardding one of the current Sheffield Wednesday players, all i will say to the fans is we do not need to sell, but if the right deal comes in for one of our players i will allow them to leave"

The rumor mill is working over time as to who else Dando will bring in, he himself has admitted nobody in his squad in unavailable and for the right deal any player could potentially leave, but Dando has reportedly stated he is looking for a feeder club to link up with in the near future to bring some exciting talent to the club, "I have been having a look for a feeder club for a while, thus far i haven't found a suitable one but i am sure there wil be one out there as we are a sleeping giant and will be reawakening this season, so any young player coming here on loan would gain some valuable expirience"

Will Dando manage to turn the Hillsborough clubs fortunes around, only time will tell but he certainly seems positive.