well dinners done so here I am
the first thing I noticed when I got back was an email from an old friend. He told me to try a French keeper called Laurent Pichon. Unfortunately, neither Harry or either of the scouts had heard of him, and we didn't follow up on him.
Especially since we have Jacco Ros, who played brilliantly in our final friendly, at home to Ajax. A sell-out crowd awaited us and after some good saves by Jacco, Marc Mboua gave us the lead with a great finish from a narrow angle after being sent through on the right flank. Unfortunately, even though we got to the half in front that was as good as it got, as Huntelaar scored twice and we were firmly on the back foot. Two more goals, one an own goal by Barengrub, and the other a tap-in by Sarpong, we finish the game on the bad side of a 4-1 scoreline.
I decided to vent my frustrations on the board as they refused to let me sign a fitness coach. I dont know how they can see we're fit enough. Half the squad isnt even up to 70% of their standard, and the other half is either injured or is too crap to play. Thankfully, they let me adjust my budgets so that I wasnt losing money in the salary department. They also let me have a scout, Fred van Barneveld. He immediately set out on a scouting trip for all of Central Europe.
There were more failures on the transfer front. THREE young players refused to join our ranks. First, Birkir Bjarnason of Viking was priced too high at 140k. Then, Nikita Andrejev, a young Russian striker who we couldve signed for nothing decided that Dutch Football is a step down. Well I'm trying to make it a step up arent I? Two French Keepers from Montpellier, Geoffrey Jourden and Anthony Scribe also felt the same way, even though my scouts thought they were already just as good as Peter and Jacco and had the potential to easily outclass both of them, they didnt want to come here. Just like everyone else.
Well, todays the big day. In a few hours I will be managing the first competitive game in my life. We will be playing recently relegated Den Bosch. A tough proposition, but I know we can do it. We have a good squad with some great players. Just to let you know (dont tell Den Bosch
), heres my starting lineup.
GK: Jacco Ros
RB: Rudy Jansen
LB: Senol Kok
CB: Alo Barengrub
CB: Rick Hooyboer (in for the injured Koen Brack)(Captain)
DMC: Nengomashe
RM: Marc Mboua
LM: Adnan Barakat
AMC: Celso Borges
ST: Marinus Dijkuizen
ST: Alex Fernandez
Damn I'm Nervous.
