[Poolie Exile]

Hey all,

Just letting you all that on either next Sunday (17th) or Monday (18th) that I will be placing this story "on hold" so to speak whilst I embark on a small career adventure in FM08 and think of possible new ways to improve this story for the fourth season. I have been doing the "story" for over a year constantly and it needs a small break.

It hasn't finished, just having a rest. Although I would like to thank everyone who has commented on it so far, your appreciation is noted warmly. I plan to resume this again at the beginning of August.

Cheers again,

Mark (aka Poolie)

PS: The thread will be locked when the break kicks in to prevent it being spammed to death

[Poolie Exile]

Manager's Journal

Thursday 23 July 2009

What is it with me and my Celtic connection I ask you all? Sure I grew up as a supporter of the greatest team in Glasgow, although me mates Charlie and Keith would disagree, but surely folks this shouldn't be used against me in transfer dealings. Correct me if I am wrong but I'm right there aren't I?

Why am I saying this? Well Monsieur Le Guen (the former Bluenose) of Anfield Road has thrown out my £3.1 million bid for young Szetela. Says that Liverpool are keeping their options open. Makes you wonder though if there is a hidden agenda here. I sent him an email back stating that I just want to know how much he wants so I can see if it is viable then. Likewise Hibs got a similar one too about that young Scottish striker I looked after the Boyd deal fell apart.

Friday 24 July 2009

I am in Switzerland today with Niall to see whom we will face in the Champions League, and am praying to God we get someone favourable which gives us a chance to progress to the final qualifiers that kick in before the big guns enter proceedings.

Diane and Mam have both asked me to bring a cuckoo clock for the pair of them from my latest jaunt abroad. Why? I really don't have much time to do shopping for pointless souvenirs when I am here on football business, can't they understand that? Still if it keeps me in their good books I suppose I best oblige....

Before Niall and I walked into the conference centre where they are making the draw for the qualifiers, I got a text from Tony on my mobile to say that Liam "Internet geek" Lawrence has signed that new contract we offered him a few days ago. It will keep the former Mansfield Town winger at the Stadium of Light until 2014. Just gotta tie a few of the other key men down too now.

Just a thought though, be funny if we draw Rangers wouldn't it? I really would relish that tie.....wonder why though?

Lawrence: Staying, now for the others...

Saturday 25 July 2009

Been given a real tough one in the CL qualifiers, one of the best teams in Italy. Niall thinks though if we apply the same thinking that has carried us into Europe for these two matches then there is no reason at all why we can't overcome them. Anything is possible he assures me.

Wish I had the same gut feeling Niall....

I also submitted our new squad numbers for the forthcoming Premiership season down to Soho Square this morning. Not many changes really as most of the new players have filled the gaps where certain players who are no longer here. Resisted the temptation to give Wesley (Sonck) 9 though, as apparently 14 is his lucky number. Strange Belgian bloke he is. Got advised that we have got five appearances on TV by the turn of the year, quite why they want to screen us against Ipswich Town and Watford is beyond me.

Oh, and that Norwegian kid playing in Germany has signed a new five year contract there. Bummer!

Sunday 26 July 2009

Andrè today made a decision on which SPL side he will join on loan for the season. He's decided to head off to Tayside and ply his trade for Dundee United. I am sure though that under Craig Brewster's tactical nous that young Andrè will come back tougher mentally and all the better for his SPL experiences. Just as long he gets me Artur Boruc's keeper's jersey when he plays against Celtic. That's the bottom line of it all.

Gave Diane and Mam their bloody cuckoo clocks today. It was bloody embarassing walking through Newcastle Airport on Saturday morning with those under my arms. I know it was, because even the customs officers were laughing at me. Wonder what they will want from Italy, authentic pasta sauce?

Hibs got back to me with a valuation for Steven Fletcher, the kid I have targeted as an alternative to Kris Boyd. They want a staggering £6.5 million for the 22 year old. I refuse to pay it, as I don't think he is worth that. £3 million yes but not £6.5 million. I think they are being very very cheeky. So I have switched targets again, going to check out a young man called John Fleck - apparently he is real good. He's on loan to Airdrie from the Bluenoses and is only 19. See what Phil Curran has to say eh? Oh and yes, he is related to the former Norwich striker Robert - apparently Rab is his uncle.

Fleck: Being checked out as a potential signing

[Poolie Exile]

Last Updated: Friday 24 July 2009, 12:00 GMT
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BRITS GET IT HARD

TODAY in Nyon, the home of UEFA, the draw for the Third Qualifying Round of this season's Championship League was made. Premiership duo Everton and Sunderland, Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers and Welsh Premier League Champions Llanelli AFC were in residence to see whom they would be facing, in Rangers' and Llanelli's circumstances if they could get past their current opponents.

The draw was not easy for the four of them. Everton will travel initially to Swiss side Grasshoppers Zurich, Sunderland face a very daunting task in Italy to face Fiorentina first, Rangers (6-0 ahead after the home leg against FH of Iceland) will play either Hajduk Split or FC København and Llanelli (3-2 down so far against FC Basel) will encounter Debrecen or Galatasaray.

As usual BBC Sport was there to grab a response from the prominent figures at each of the teams involved about what they had just seen unfold in front of their eyes.

Everton boss David Moyes on his side's draw:

David Moyes said:

"It's not the perfect script but we know that Grasshoppers will present a good test of our capabilities. We have to be mentually attuned to what is presented in front of us. However, our squad is good enough to show that we have the quality enough to play our way through to the next stage."

Sunderland manager Mark Duell on the tough task in front of his side:

Mark Duell said:

"Well, that's not what we really wanted is it? Fiorentina are one the biggest names in Italian football and a team that we respect. I was hoping we would get a reasonable shot at making the next stage but looking at this, we face an enormous task. However, we will show the same mental attitude that has brought us here and give it our best shot. We won't shy away from it."

Rangers Managing Director Martin Bain:

Martin Bain said:

"The fact we are 6-0 up already before the next leg is immaterial. We have to come here and see what is placed in front of us. Whoever we draw is hard, this is the Champions League for sure and you never get an easy ride at whatever stage you are at. We have to be professional simply."

Llanelli AFC boss Peter Nicholas:

Peter Nicholas said:

"Ah well, another tough one. Suppose we will have to give the old boom boom to Basel first before we can progress but it's not great is it?"

Third Qualifying Round ties will be played on 5 August 2009, with the second legs scheduled for 19 August 2009.

[K3V0]

Fiorentina will be a tough task but it is certainly a do-able job considering you snatched fourth!!!

[Poolie Exile]

SUNDERLAND SQUAD NUMBERS 2009-10 SEASON

1. Ben ALNWICK
2. Nadir BENCHENAA
3. Ross WALLACE
4. Jaap DAVIDS
5. Damien DELANEY
6. Carl HOEFKENS (Captain)
7. Liam LAWRENCE
8. Andy DORMAN
9. John SUTTON
10. Stephen ELLIOTT
11. Tobias HYSÈN
12. Nyron NOSWORTHY
13. Trevor CARSON
14. Wesley SONCK
15. Fouad MAKHOUT
16. Thomas GAARDSØE
17. Paul STALTERI
18. Dean WHITEHEAD
19. Timon VAN LEEUWEN
20. ALEX (Teixeria Santos)
21. Grant LEADBITTER
22. Clive CLARKE
23. Patrice LUZI
24. Ferne SNOYL
25. Patrick MTILIGA
26. ANDRÈ (Oliveira) on loan to Dundee United
27. Daniel FREDHEIM HOLM
28. Graham KAVANAGH (Vice Captain)
29. Sherman CÀRDENAS on loan to Slask
30. Tommy HØILAND
31. Chris BROWN
32. Martyn WAGHORN on loan to York City
33. Chris EAGLES
34. Mirko VUĊINIĆ
35. Ruud BOFFIN

[Poolie Exile]

Manager's Journal

Monday 27 July 2009

I just get the feeling these days that I am totally jinxed. I mean as soon as I register our interest with a club about one of their players, it's like buses.

Namely, one comes and then another and another....all at the same time! Totally and utterly frustrating for me and for Sunderland. My managerial counterparts must have the same shortlists as me I reckon, or they've got a copy of mine. Why am I saying this then? Well, today I have made a bid to bring Valencia's 20 year old striking starlet Aaròn Ňiguez on a season's long loan from the Mestalla to the Stadium of Light. Great I thought but then it came through on Reuters that Chelsea and four other sides have made similar bids. Not good - I stand no bloody hope!

Be nice if young Mr Ňiguez chooses us though, proper feather in the cap as they say eh?

Ňiguez - wanted by us and a few more...sadly

Tuesday 28 July 2009

It gets worse, another club wants Ňiguez. Next to try and foil my plans to bring him to the North East are none or other than Liverpool. Yes, thanks Mr Le Guen - you go and try and upset my bid. I mean I can offer him Champions League, so can bloody Mourinho worse luck, you can't. Poor kid will be sat at home eating plates of paella with Mam and Dad wondering what to do. Choose Sunderland kidda, you know it makes sense....

Talking about Le Guen, he got back to me with the price tag for Danny Szetela. You know, the young versatile American player. Well, the tag is £2.3 million! Considering that I offered first £2.5 million and then upped it to £3.1 million and you rejected both; what's that supposed to mean? Must think I was born yesterday the stupid French pillock. I'll think about it with Tony and Niall before deciding to go back with them for a new offer.

Bookies also released their odds this season for the Premiership today. Arsenal and Chelsea are 2-1 joint favourites, 16-1 Everton, 20-1 Tottenham Hotspur AND Manchester United; and 25-1 West Ham United. We're quoted at 40-1, which is a massive improvement on last season when we were 300-1. Might be worth a dabble, each way of course...

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Got Fenerbahçe here tonight, should be another great test and will set us up right for the trip to Florence and Fiorentina next Wednesday. On the subject of that Niall has come up with the great idea of making a trip of it all and we will fly out on Monday afternoon. He's also come up with scheme of getting the Sunderland WAGS involved as well as since he believes it will be a great experience for us all. Mind you, I have got the best of all the WAGS - my darling Diane. Fully expect her face to smile when she knows she is going to Florence for a few days. Who wouldn't on a freebie?

Anyway the match was a bit of damp squib. We lost 2-1 with Mirko scoring our goal, a real cool and composed finish by him. Gives us hope for the trip and a sign that he could prove to be an impressive signing for us. Who needs Kris Boyd when we got Mirko? Me for one, but I am sure that the chances of signing the Rangers man are getting slimmer as each every day passes.

Fenerbahçe's winner came from Ghanaian midfield powerhouse Stephan Appiah, once of Juve. He's a beast of a player and in size too when you meet him close up.

Appiah: Not the kind of guy you would argue in a dark alley with....

[Poolie Exile]

RONALDO: ROME INTERESTS ME

by Dharmesh Sheth, 29 July 2009

Manchester United and their fans are sure to be stunned today when star winger Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he would be interested in a move to Italy and join giants AS Roma.

The Giallrossi are definitely keen on the Portuguese superstar but the question is can they agree terms to sign him.

It is clear that United's failure to qualify for Europe has been a major factor in the decision made by the player. Ronaldo admitted:

Cristiano Ronaldo said:

"There are plenty of chances in a player's career where you have to think where you are going now and also in the future. This for Cristiano Ronaldo is one of those times and I know where I am going.

I know that there has been interest from AS Roma and I appreciate that. This shows that they like special players and for me that pleases me.

United are not playing in European football this season and for me that is hard. I live for the Champions League nights, they are so special. My motivation at United has now gone, I need to really start thinking of new experiences and perhaps Roma can supply that me.

Unless I suppose things can be resolved then I will remain a United player but my heart isn't in it at the moment. If I move, I suppose I smile again. It is the best for everyone."

Quite what United Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti thinks remains to be said. But you the fans can voice your opinions on u2us@skysports.com and we will read the best of them throughout Sky Sports News today.

[Poolie Exile]

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SQUAD ANNOUNCED

Posted on 30 July 2009 at 13:00

In a short press conference today at the Stadium of Light, manager Mark Duell revealed the 25 names that would form the squad for the Champions League campaign.

UEFA Rules state that 4 players in the squad must have come through the youth team ranks at Sunderland and a further 8 must comprise of home grown talent.

The squad is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS - Ben Alnwick, Patrice Luzi, Ruud Boffin

DEFENDERS - Paul Stalteri, Gavin Donoghue, Patrick Mtiliga, Nadir Benchenaa, Ross Wallace, Jaap Davids, Carl Hoefkens, Thomas Gaardsøe

MIDFIELDERS - Andy Dorman, Graham Kavanagh, Chris Eagles, Liam Lawrence, Tobias Hysèn, Ferne Snoyl, Daniel Fredheim Holm, Dean Whitehead, Gavin Leadbitter

STRIKERS - Stephen Elliott, Wesley Sonck, Alex, Mirko Vuċinić, Chris Brown

Mark admitted that the choices were hard:

Mark Duell said:

"It wasn't of the easiest choices I have had to make whilst I have been here at Sunderland. In fact it's probably been the hardest. I had so many permutations it was unreal. Anyway the squad named has loads of versatility with players covering other positions as well as their natural ones.

I am sure they will not let anyone down one little bit."

© SAFC.com 2009

[Poolie Exile]

Manager's Journal

Thursday 30 July 2009

Announced the Champions League squad to the media this afternoon. It's been hard to decide whom to have in and whom is going to miss out on the thrill of a lifetime. Even Diane knows how hard it's been, and I must admit I have been a bit of a bore these last few days to her. What with burning the proverbial midnight oil at night, coming up with permutations and more permutations. I just found it hard to sleep, and I reckon I must have done Diane's head in with tossing and turning in bed.

Credit where credit is due, she understands the situation. Mind you, when I told her she was going to Florence with all the other WAGS her ears kinda pricked up as if to say: "Really hunni buns?" One thing is for sure, I reckon the old credit card might take a bit of a hammering if I know what she is like.

Oh, and Valencia accepted our loan bid for young Mr Ňiguez. Problem is though, they also accepted everyone else's at the same time.

Diane's most valued possession - well apart from me

Friday 31 July 2009

Got all our travel information given us this morning after training. Seems like Niall is really pushing the old boat so to speak as he's booked us all the in the best hotel in Florence. Nice of Fiorentina to let us training in the stadium though, well it will give us who haven't been before of what the old Artemio Francini is like. Certainly gonna be a cauldron of noise come Wednesday night. I just hope we don't freeze and bottle it.

Caught a listen to the Carling Cup First Round draw on the way back from training. My hometown team Hartlepool United will play at Blackburn Rovers, newly relegated from the Premiership. Also, Sheffield Wednesday will play Darlington at Hillsborough. Might go to one of them if I am not busy, not sure yet.

Saturday 1 August 2009

With the deadline just a month left, I got a very nice surprise from Niall when he beckoned me to his house this afternoon with Diane. I didn't know where to put my face when he said that he had boosted my spending by a cool £8 million. That now takes the amount I have to spend to a staggering £15.75 million - and I really don't know what to say.

Thing is though, if I spend it on an expensive signing who proves to be a flop...well, it's gonna look pretty embarassing to say the least for me and Niall won't be happy either for sure. I just have to find the right player, but our squad looks good anyway. Might go back for Boyd and Szetela....

Tony had earlier given me a progress report on training last month. Only one player showed a decrease and that was Ben (Alnwick), well he had been injured the most of the time so I ain't bothered really. He'll soon pick up I am convinced.

Finally a bit of bad news, Daniel (Fredheim Holm) strained his thigh whilst stretching to get out of bed this morning. Damon said that he could give an injection to get him through the Fiorentina game but the time out after that could be longer. If we adopt normal procedures then he should be back in three weeks, so I opted for that. Gutted for the lad really, he was so looking forward to the match.

Fredheim Holm - injured in a freak accident

[KD.]

Good Update. KUTGW.

[Poolie Exile]

Manager's Journal

Sunday 2 August 2009

Spent most of today, sorting what clothes to take for the jaunt to Florence tomorrow. Well we are going to be there for 3 nights, coming back on the day after the match. Just think I need a few essentials and that should see me fine, after all I am a bloke aren't I? Which is more than we can say for Diane...

Yes, you have guessed folks. She's treating this like a major holiday and packing all manner of items. I get the impression that she is planning to have a clothing change at any possible moment just like the entertainers do at concerts - especially those divas like Mariah Carey and Beyonce to name just a couple. Tried to advise otherwise, just simply going in one ear and out of the other.

Other than this, it's been very boring apart from there has been a report on Sky Sports News that if the consortium at Wigan get their way then they will change the manager. The name linked is old Steve Gordon Eriksson, sorry I meant Sven-Göran Eriksson. Hell, that would be interesting in the old rugby town. Wait and see I suppose though....

Eriksson: Heading for the land of pies maybe?

Monday 3 August 2009

Arrived in Florence today ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash, and what a nice city this is. Really beautiful. The hotel is quality too, nothing seems to be too much trouble for the staff - so attentive. Seems like Niall knows his hotels then, eh?

Started our first training session in the stadium this afternoon. Must say that some of the players who have never played abroad before were speechless when they captured their eyes on the stadium. Mind you, I said that's nothing compared what the San Siro looks like. Then they were lost of words for definite. However, halfway through the session Mr Internet Geek (aka Liam Lawrence) picked up a knee injury. Prognosis is that its a strained knee ligament and means two months out. Just like Daniel (Fredheim Holm), I am so gutted for the guy. Doesn't deserve this.

Meanwhile back home, got a text from Kevin Ball. Young Nick Smith, 18 year old attacking midfielder, has sustained a groin strain - he's going to be out for three weeks.

Must take Diane out for a slap up Italian meal tonight methinks....

Tuesday 4 August 2009

Diane enjoyed that meal I took her on last night. Must admit that the carbonara was just that little special, and washed down with a decent bottle of wine. Well, you have to treat them to show you that you love them don't you? A little shower of affection does not do anyone any harm in my eyes....

Even though I can't speak the lingo, I got me a copy of the old Gazzetta Dello Sport and tried to look impressive by sitting outside a cafe with a cappucino just like James Richardson bloke used to on Channel 4 back in the day. We even got featured on the front page too. Apparently my Fiorentina counterpart Gabriele Pin is scared about Wesley (Sonck) - well he will have more than just Wes to deal with. I think he forgot that Mirko used to play in Italy the numpty...

Not gonna name my side until an hour before kick-off, all down to psychology so Sir Alex Ferguson keeps advising me. Why should I declare it now, it would gave the game away. Wish we had the two injured players available though.

Essential Italian Sports Journalism - if you can understand the lingo..

[Poolie Exile]

Hoping to get this restarted soon.

[RFC]

Yes Poolie you legend