On a quest to be the best. [FM15]

Lying in second place in the Premier League, it has been a fantastic start to the season and long may that continue as we're currently exceeding expectations, something I usually achieve at any club I've managed previously. Five games were played this month, four of them being in the league while our League Cup run continued vs. Championship side Stoke.


It turned out to be a mixed month for the club but the month began with a 4-1 home victory over West Ham United courtesy of goals from winger Oscar Contreras, striker Patryk Bak, Eric Hewitt and Fernando Godoy.

We then made the trip to Cohen Arena to face Nottingham Forest and suffered a disappointing four two defeat, our two goals came within a minute of each other in the first half as Patryk Bak and Fernando Godoy scored our goals on the road.

It was then back-to-back defeats as Liverpool beat us three one - Martin Sondergaard bagging our goal from the spot.

The side then advanced to the next round of the League Cup after beating Stoke four two at St. James' Park in a game that'll be remembered by Oscar Contreras as the winger bagged a first half hat trick while Partryk Bak was also on target.

A home fixture against Manchester United completed the month of October and we sealed a 3-1 win against the struggling 'Red Devils'. Left winger Oscar Contreras scored on seventeen minutes, Patryk Bak also scored in the first half before his second of the game ended up sealing the points and a return to winning ways.


We have slipped down to fourth place in the league standings but it doesn't concern me as we've only played ten league games to date in which we've scored twenty six times and conceded eighteen. We are only four points clear of tenth placed Middlesbrough so it's tight.

Buzzing you're at Newcastle mate, would be great to see you wrap up the Prem with them!

Very good start to the season mate barring the middlebrough result.I can imagine man city still being pretty dominant with the money behind them.Do they still have the sheiks as owners?

We'll give it our best shot KEZ for sure but it's going to be very difficult unfortunately.

Cheers SBR, as for the question on Manchester City well they have an English chairman but are still spending quite a bit of cash and have a quality squad, we'll never better them over the course of a season.


Once again I am currently exceeding expectations at whatever club I head too and it's something I enjoy as, much like most managers, I hate struggling at teams as it's horrible. The penultimate month of the year will see us play three games, all in the Premier League.


The penultimate month of twenty thirty seven began with a convincing and straight forward 3-0 win over struggling Burnley - Patryk Bak broke the deadlock a minute from half time before second half goals from Brian Villerman and Eric Hewitt sealed the points against the Clarets.

We then made the trip to Tottenham Hotspur and picked up an excellent two one win as Patryk Bak and Lewis Addison scored.

A trip to Brighton & Hove Albion concluded the short month as we could only play out a two all draw. Star striker Patryk Bak scored twice and his third and fourth goal this month as he struck after ten minutes and seventy eight minutes.


The tremendous campaign continues as we are now five points behind reigning champions Manchester City who have won the league the past two seasons and I wouldn't be surprised if they make it three in a row come the end of the season, we won't win it, guaranteed.

Finding it nice and easy to date, well done

We have had a fantastic season to date Dan, long may it continue.


Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we'd be lying in the Champions League places heading into the final month of the calendar year but that's exactly what we're doing as the club are in second place and our toughness will be tested as we enter a tough and busy December period that'll see us travel to the champions Manchester City.


The busy month began with a home clash against high flying Fulham as both teams played out a one all draw at St. James' Park, Dave Ross bagging our goal on the stroke of half time.

Four days later though we welcomed and beat struggling Hull City 2--0 as winger/striker Adam Skinner opened the goalscoring after thirty one minute before substitute Marcin Dudek sealed the points with a second goal on eighty four minutes.

A third consecutive home fixture saw us welcome Huddersfield Town to the north East and we beat them three goals to one as star winger Spencer Hardman scored twice while Dave Ross converted a penalty on seventy two minutes in between the Hardman double.

We then travelled for the first time this month as we headed to Brighton for a League Cup quarter final and beat them on a penalty shoot-out, Lewis Addison scored our goal eight minutes into the second half but unfortunately (for us) we couldn't get the job done in ninety minutes. we'll face Everton in the semi final over two legs, winnable tie? I believe so.

Our first of three consecutive away games saw us make the journey to Watford and secured a 4-1 success as both striker Patryk Bak and midfielder Dave Ross hit doubles on the road.

It was then a twelve goal thriller as a trip to Southampton saw us lose seven five - Spencer Hardman and Oscar Contreras both scored twice on the south coast while Patrik Bak also got on the score sheet but I was 'less than impressed' with conceding seven times.against the side lying in the bottom half.

We then made the trip to champions Manchester City and suffered back-to-back defeats at the Citizens won four two. Our goals at the Etihad Stadium came from a Ray Hussey own goal after thirty one minutes and a Patryk Bak strike with three minutes remaining.

The final game of twenty thirty seven saw us welcome Blackburn Rovers to St. James' Park and beat them 3-1 as we returned to winning ways - Lewis Addison, Virgil Sietsma and Spencer Hardman were on the scoreboard as we picked up maximum points after back-to-back defeats.


We will be heading into the New Year with the club lying in fourth place but it's still been a fantastic first half of the season despite those back-to-back defeats in December (and now five defeats in the league overall), we have bagged fifty three goals in the opening twenty games and conceded thirty six while champions Manchester City have only conceded twelve so far.

Going strong mate.Those 2 either side of Christmas must of been fun to watch for the neutrals.Good luck for rest of the season.

They probably were SBR but they were also bloody frustrating to witness as the 'manager', shouldn't be shipping needless goals.


Happy New Year folks! It's now the year twenty thirty eight and it's the first New Year I've spent in England since departing Trafford at the end of the season a few seasons ago. Just like the final month of last year, the opening month of this one is quite busy as we enter the FA Cup, play two legs of a semi final in the League Cup and also four league games.


Twenty thirty eight began with FA Cup third round action as we played host to Dagenham & Redbridge as we recorded a straight forward two nil victory against the "Daggers" thanks to a goal in either half. Virgil Sietsma broke the deadlock on thirty nine minutes, Eric Hewitt doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half.

Our first Premier League game of the New Year took us to Goodison Park as we beat Everton 3-2 as our three goals arrived in the opening thirty four minutes as Spencer Hardman scored twice while Eric Hewitt bagged the other goal in between Hardman's double.

We then made the long journey down to face Arsenal and shocked them 5-2 in an excellent away performance from the club in a game that'll be remembered by Spencer Hardman as he bagged a second half hat trick while the other goals came in the first half through Bill Elliott and Patryk Bak.

Three days later we welcomed Chelsea to St. James' Park and defeated them two one to maintain our excellent start to the calendar year - Oscar Contreras and Spencer Hardman the scorers.

It was then the League Cup semi final first leg up next as we played host to Everton and eased to a 3-0 win to seemingly put us in control of the tie. Oscar Contreras broke the deadlock on fourteen minutes, Patryk Bak doubled proceedings six minutes later and then a Martin Sondergaard penalty six minutes into the second half sealed the win.

Four days later we welcomed League One(?) side Derby to St. James' Park for a fourth round FA Cup tie and we eased to a five nil victory as Patryk Bak scored a hat trick against the "Rams", Oscar Contreras and Fernando Godoy also scored.

However the next game was one to forget, it was the semi final second leg at Goodison Park and despite having a three nil aggregate lead, we completely collapsed in the return leg, losing seven three. Patryk Bak and Martin Sondergaard (pen) scored in normal time while Alexander Jakobsen's goal in the final minute of extra time wasn't enough.

The month ended with a rearguard performance against West Ham at the Olympic Stadium, winning two nil thanks to an early goal from Oscar Contreras and a late Bill Elliott strike.


An excellent month in the league has seen us climb into third place and only three points behind Manchester City as this was a month to remember as we recorded huge wins over Arsenal and Chelsea but the League Cup semi final collapse was the massive downside of the month, really thought we would've been in the final but c'est le vie.

It's been a tremendous start to the league season in the New Year as we are still lying in the Champions League places and I'd love to be there come the end of the campaign as it would help the club financially, we have five league game this month in the league and an daunting FA Cup trip to Manchester United.


A trip to Hillsborough began the month as we edged a seven goal thriller, winning 4-3 in a game that saw centre back Martin Sondergaard score a hat trick, including two spot kicks while the other goal of the game came from Oscar Contreras five minutes into the second half.

We then hosted Middlesbrough in the Tyne Tees derby and defeated them three one at St. James' Park. Patryk Bak scored after fourteen minutes, Spencer Hardman added our second goal on fifty two minutes and then Oscar Contreras sealed the points with four minutes remaining.

Three days later and back-to-back home games saw us face Nottingham Forest and we recorded back-to-back 3-1 victories as Patryk Bak, Martin Sondergaard (pen) and Spencer Hardman were on target as we extended our unbeaten run.

That would be the last time we'd taste a victory this month as our FA Cup run ended with a dismal three nil defeat away to Manchester United, we played poorly and didn't even deserve to score a consolation. Not good enough.

Despite Martin Sondergaard slotting home a second minute penalty and playing well throughout, we couldn't beat Liverpool as they recorded a two one victory.

For the second time in two weeks, we made the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United and once again we failed to find the net against them as they deservedly beat us two goals to nil as we ended the month with back-to-back league defeats.


Somehow we're battling on for a Champions League spot as we remain in third place despite those back-to-back defeats, we are three points ahead of fourth place Arsenal and only four points behind the reigning champions Manchester United who have secured a European place for next season due to winning the League Cup, beating Everton in the final.

Well done in finishing fourth and securing that CL football matey

Shush Dan.


It has been an absolutely tremendous season for Newcastle United as we are looking to secure unlikely qualification for next seasons Champions League but it's going to be tough, I have decided to throw in all games from March, April and May as the season has officially hit the 'business end' of the campaign.


March kicked off with a trip to Burnley as we recorded a four goals to one victory at Burnley Stadium as own goal from Deniz Basaran got us off to a flyer before second half goals from Spencer Hardman, Patyrk Bak and Martin Sondergaard sealed the points.

I then survived an emergency board meeting before thumping Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at St. James' Park as once again an own goal got us off to a flyer as Kieber Lima put through his own net - Luis Estevao, Lewis Addison, Fernando Godoy and Spencer Hardman added further goals.

I've no idea what happened as we made the trip to Fulham, we lost five nil and we were woeful. Moving on...

It was then back-to-back defeats in back-to-back away games and we also failed to score in back-to-back games as Hull City won one nil.

We did manage to bounce back on the tenth of April as we recorded a 5-3 win at home to Brighton. Dave Ross scored twice, Lewis Estevao, Eric Hewitt and Patryk Bak were all on the scoreboard against the Seagulls.

We then welcomed Watford in back-to-back home games and the side recorded a six goals to three success in a game that'll be remembered by Patryk Bak who bagged a treble, Martin Sondergaard slotted home a penalty, Lewis Addison and an own goal from Josef Prochazka all scored.

After an eight goal thriller and a nine goal thriller, it was now time for a seven goal thriller as we beat Southampton 5-2 in what was our third consecutive game at St. James' Park. Our five goals arrived in the first half as Luis Estevao scored twice while Patryk Bak, Lewis Addison and Spencer Hardman all scored once.

That was the last time we'd win this season as May began with a two one defeat away to Huddersfield as Patryk Bak scored our only goal of the game after thirteen minutes.

We then concluded the league season with a two nil defeat against champions Manchester City, we (annoyingly) played well but just couldn't even find the net as the visitors iirc scored twice in the first half.


Despite those back-to-back defeats to end the season, we have secured our place in next seasons Champions League much to my delight as it was completely unexpected as we were predicted to finish down in twelfth position - Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City will also participate in next seasons Champions League while Middlesbrough, Fulham and Southampton will be in the Europa League.


Oh bloody hell, so because I consistently decided against playing a rubbish player I have been chopped? Ah, some chairman annoy me because I should have been given a third chance to get things sorted, especially considering I qualified for next seasons Champions League against the odds. Some chairman appreciate nothing.

It's now the second time in this career I've been sacked for that "broken promises" rubbish.

I was less than impressed after being sacked as manager of Newcastle United, especially over "broken promises" but I did avoid an emergency meeting like a month previous before my unfortunate dismissal, despite qualifying for the Champions League. I have been out of 'work' now for almost six weeks but it dragged but I'm at a club now that'll win trophies, or so I hope.


This is a great opportunity to try and finally conclude England as only four trophies are remaining to be collected and this team will participate in them all. Yes, I have been appointed manager of reigning and defending league champions Manchester City after their previous manager retired in the summer and I'm delighted with the opportunity.

I've been given a transfer budget of forty six and a half million but I feel I don't need to sign many players, maybe just a younger goalkeeper is anyone is available but that's it, they've an amazing player called Chris Lyle who'll be the 'vocal point' of the team and won't even be considered about being sold as he's irreplaceable.

We have been made evens favourite for a fourth straight league title, 'mon.

I had to wait around six weeks before getting my next managerial job following my sacking at Newcastle United but truth be told, it felt like ages but the minute I found out the previous manager of Manchester City had retired in the summer I had no other choice but to apply for the post. I had time to take a look over the squad before determining what work needed done.


Just one player joined the club this summer, splashing to cash to bring in goalkeeper Brahim Yilmaz from Dutch club Feyenoord for thirty five and a half million and he'll be first choice for the club for hopefully several years - well, I did spend over thirty five million on him not to sit on the bench. I wanted a little more activity but couldn't find players who'd 'improve' the squad.

There was no real departures this month as three players joined feeder club Brentford on-loan, seven players were released, one joined Sheffield Wednesday on-loan while the main departure was left back Johann Lecomte who headed to Blackburn Rovers for seven hundred and seventy five thousand.


It was a perfect pre season for the club as we managed to win all of our six friendly games, including two testimonial's against Lille and Deportivo. We kept three clean sheets in the six games against Shenhua, Liaoning and Lille while we beat Brentford and Crotone in the other games. Things are looking good ahead of the competitive season but now the pressure is on.

Not surprised to see you at another big team, hopefully you'll wrap it all u p this year

Please don't judge me Dan, I just want to try and 'conclude' England as soon as possible so I nee-dent not return in this career and then it will be time for a potential long career at one club (would have loved Newcastle but they sacked me) but whether that'll be outside Europe or not still remains to be seen.


On the back of an unbeaten pre season campaign it was time for the season to begin and the 'competitive' action would begin with a chance to win my first trophy at the Etihad as we'll face Southampton in the Community Shield Final while due to being the holders of the Champions League (back-to-back I must post), they'll also be in the European Super Cup and oh, we've also got three Premier League games as we've got a tough start.


In my first ever competitive game as Manchester City manager, I won my first trophy at the club as the side came from behind to beat fellow Premier League side Southampton 3-1 at Wembley Stadium as striker Raffaele Ciriaco bagged a 'sensational' treble against the FA Cup holders.


Game two was the European Super Cup against Europa League holders Sevilla and I won my second trophy after beating the Spaniards three two after extra time. Young winger Dragisa Kalcic scored twice in the first half while Richard Wansi's goal on one hundred and fourteen minutes proved to be the winner.


The league season begin with a trip to Burnley Stadium to face, well, Burnley funnily enough but come full time nothing was funny as the Clarets shocked us and won two one despite us playing well, Juan Antonio Pealez struck our goal on twenty nine minutes.

Our second Premier League game saw us play host to Arsenal and we had to come from two goals down to record a 5-3 victory in a game that will be remembered by world-class striker Chris Lyne as the Englishman scored four times, including two inside the final ten minutes - central midfielder Phil Loftus scored the other goal.

We then travelled to Liverpool as the month came to a close and the tough start continued as both teams played out a one one draw. Almar van Dijk bagged our goal on the half hour and when Liverpool levelled the scored we just couldn't find the winning goal at Anfield.


It has been a tough start to the Premier League season but thankfully only three league games were played in the month of August so no damage has been really done but we are five points behind leaders and fierce rivals Manchester United.

I reckon the clean sweep is on here, come on matey impressive two trophy haul start!

I'd love a 'clean sweep' this season but that's maybe a little too ambitious Dan although the board want us to win everything except for the League Cup and Community Shield as they're 'not important'.


It's been a mixed start to the league campaign as we've had a tough start (both Arsenal and Liverpool in the first month) but we've come through it with one win, one draw and one defeat but we did win two trophies as I put the Community Shield and European Super Cup in the trophy cabinet and I hope more can follow this season. We have three league games, two Champions League games and a League Cup tie away to Birmingham.


We began the second month of the campaign, after the international break, with a home fixture against last seasons 'surprise package' Fulham and we eased to a 4-1 victory against the Cottagers. Chris Lyne scored our only goal in the first half after seven minutes but three second half strikes from Raffaele Ciriaco, Anibal Magallan and Richard Wansi sealed the points.

The side then made the journey to Athens and thumped Olympiakos five one in our first Champions League group game - Raffaele Ciriaco scored in either half while Ray Hussey, Mick Greenwood and Anibal Magallan also scored.

A trip to Huddersfield Town awaited us on our return to league action and we secured back-to-back 4-1 league wins in a game that will be remembered by Pedro Rubio who bagged a second half treble, Cristiano Castellani struck the other goal of the game.

We then progressed to the fourth round of the League Cup, beating Birmingham three one away from home thanks to goals from Tim Custers, Raffaele Ciriaco and Anibal Magallan.

However our next league game was one to forget as we suffered a shock two one reversal against a Norwich side who are predicted to finish bottom of the table, we dominated but just couldn't take our chances, bar one and that came from Raffaele Ciriaco on the hour mark.

The final game of the month saw us beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 at the Etihad thanks to a treble of second half goals. Winger Anibal Magallan struck on fifty two minutes, striker Raffaele Ciriaco fired our second goal with fifteen minutes remaining and then another winger, Dragisa Kalcic sealed the points as the game headed into stoppage time.


I'm still not overly impressed with the start to the season even though only six games have been played in the Premier League so far. We are currently lying in fifth place with three wins, one draw and two defeats (against rubbish sides like Burnley and Norwich) and we have scored sixteen goals in the six games but conceded ten.


We are sitting top of our Champions League group after picking up two wins from both group games and we have also scored eight times in the two games - five in Greece against Olympaikos and three at home to Leverkusen but now we've a tough double header coming up against French side Lille who iirc have just changed their manager.

Dominant start, whats boro doing that high!

Unsuprisingly another stupid decision from the Newcastle board .

You've landed on your feet with Man City though, good luck on cross England off your list

Middlesbrough have been finishing in the top half for the past few seasons, I'm quite surprised Dan. Dominant start? I disagree, I expected it to be much better.

And that's without the current regime on board Pippadoc, ha. I actually wanted to stay at Newcastle for a few seasons but unfortunately the chairman had different ideas and chopped me. They replaced me with Panagiotis Tsoukanis.


The third month of the current campaign is upon us and it's been a quite disappointing start to the season as we're currently lying down in fifth place after six league games and I expected so much more early doors but I'm still hoping when all the dust has settled and the smoke cleared that we'll be champions come the end of the season.


Our first of four Premier League games this month saw us travel to Watford as we picked up a two one victory thanks to two goals from striker Raffaele Ciriaco.

Fourteen days later we welcomed Southampton to the Etihad Stadium and recorded a 2-0 victory as both centre backs were on target. We broke the deadlock on seventy two minutes when Cyril Fousse found the net and then Spencer Kelly sealed the points with a second in second half stoppage time.

We then suffered a shock home Champions League defeat to Lille as the French side won four one. Raffaele Ciriaco scored a penalty for us five minutes into the second half.

A sixteenth minute penalty from Raffaele Ciriaco saw us beat Brighton 1-0 at the AMEX Stadium.

The fourth round of the League Cup saw us play host to Norwich City and we got revenge for the league defeat as a Pedro Rubio goal on fifty five minutes saw us record a single goal victory against the Canaries.

It was then the first Manchester Derby of the season that would conclude the month of October and we'd record a fantastic 5-2 win at the Etihad. Goals from Andre Ohlander and Raffaele Ciriaco saw us go two goals up after thirty two minutes before a second half double from Dragisa Kalcic and a late Sofiane Belaroui header saw us complete the victory.


We have now moved to the summit of the Premier League table, moving a point clear of fierce rivals Manchester United after that five goals to two victory at the Etihad. I have guided the side to seven league victory from the opening ten games, including that derby success.


That defeat at home to Lille has seen us lose top spot due to goal difference as the French side moved top.

Good to see you on top mate!

After a slow start to the campaign Dan, we are top and I hope we don't surrender it.


November is the penultimate month of the calendar year and I'm delighted that the side are sitting top of the Premier League (as expected) despite having a slow start to the league campaign in my opinion, we have four league games in November and two Champions League group F ties against Lille and Olympiakos.


It was the trip to France that began the month as we got revenge for that home defeat, beating Lille 3-2 thanks to a hat trick from young winger Dragisa Kalcic including a late late winner him to complete his deserved treble.

We then made the trip to Blackburn just three days later and a dismal performance saw us suffer a two goals to nil defeat.

However the side bounced back in their next game, thumping Tottenham 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium as Phil Loftus broke the deadlock on thirty two minutes, Raffaele Ciriaco doubled the lead eight minutes into the second half and then full back Andre Ohlander sealed the points with a third goal on sixty eight minutes.

Dragisa Kalcic continued his fine Champions League form this month as the young winger scored twice to help us to a four one win over Olympiakos - Anibal Magallan and Spencer Kelly bagged the other goals.

Four days later and a trip to Everton awaited us and we returned home with a 3-1 victory - Richard Wansi (pen), Mick Greenwood and Anibal Magallan scored the goals in this success but it was an even game that saw us take our chances.

The month then was completed as Chelsea were beaten 2-0 but it could and perhaps should have been more than the two. World-class striker Chris Lyne opened the scoring from the penalty spot on eighteen minutes, Almar van Dijk added a second goal in second half stoppage time.


We have opened up a five point gap over Middlesbrough who once again are being the 'surprise package' this season, oh and Norwich as well and they aren't doing bad for a team who were predicted to finish bottom. We have bagged thirty four goals in our fourteen games to date but conceded just the sixteen and that's impressive, at the moment.


Just one group game is remaining but for us it's going to be a 'pointless' trip to Leverkusen as both ourselves and Lille have secured qualification for the first knockout round but I'm still hoping we can at least win the group because that should be 'helpful' for when the first knockout round draw is made.

Should be straight forward from here

I hope so Dan, I hope so. I'd love to chalk England off permanently come the end of the season.


We have reached the final month of twenty thirty seven and it's been a good season to date bar the slow(ish) start but we are lying top of the Premier League table and five points clear of Middlesbrough, through to the knockout stages of the Champions League with one game to spare and still going strong in the League Cup while we haven't entered the FA Cup yet and will also compete in the Club World Championships in an attempt to become the best team in the world.


I returned to St. James' Park for the first time since the club 'disgracefully' sacked me at the end of last season and a smash-and-grab performance saw us secure a 3-1 success despite only having three attempts on target the entire game. Chris Lyne scored twice within the space of three minutes while Dragisa Kalcic also scored.

It was then a six goal thriller in Germany against Bayer Leverkusen as the points were shared in a three all draw as our three goals arrived in the second period through Lee Harris, Tim Custers and Raffaele Ciriaco.

Our Club World Championship semi final saw us face local side Antlers in Tokyo and we secured an emphatic 9-1 victory much to my shock as Raffaele Ciriaco scored a hat trick, both Chris Lyne and Mick Greenwood both hit doubles while Phil Loftus and Lee Harris was also on target in the success.

Three days later and we faced Brazilian side Sao Paulo in the final and another emphatic victory saw us become 'the best team in the world' following a seven goals to two victory in a game that saw the Brazilians open and complete the scoring. Raffaele Ciriaco, Pedro Rubio and Chris Lyne all scored twice with Anibal Magallan scoring the other goal.


We then returned to domestic action with our League Cup quarter final trip to Middlesbrough and a four one win was sealed courtesy of goals from Anibal Magallan, Chris Lyne who scored twice and a Raffaele Ciriaco goal and we'll face Burnley over two legs next month, a great chance to reach the final - the other semi will see rivals Manchester United face Southampton.

After a twenty two day wait due to other commitments, Manchester City returned to league action with a home fixture against Queens Park Rangers, we sealed a 2-1 win thanks to a double from Dragisa Kalcic including a very late winner from the youngster.

The year concluded with a scoreless draw away to Nottingham Forest, we played well but just couldn't break through.


We will be heading into the New Year one point ahead of fierce rivals Manchester United but with two games in hand due to our commitments in the Club World Championships but I'm pleased to be heading into twenty thirty nine in top spot and hope we are there come the end of the campaign.


This is how the Champions League group ended, we won the group and will face Italian side AC Milan in the first knockout round with the first leg being at the San Siro, it's a tough enough tie but I'm confident we can maybe progress to the next round, pressure is on though because the board expect the side to win the Champions League for the third season running...

You've had some weird sackings in this career. Now you seem to be on course to collect quite a few trophies with City. Great going!

Indeed I have itchycoo but I suppose that's all part and parcel of football management, sometimes you get weird sacking and you just have to take it on the chin and move on. I've dominated the trophies here at Manchester City, three and maybe counting.


Happy New Year folks! It's the year twenty thirty nine and we have had an amazing first half of the campaign as not only are we sitting top of the Premier League albeit only a point clear but the club have also won three trophies in the first five months of the season - Community Shield, European Super Cup and World Club Championships. The opening month of twenty thirty nine is a busy one as we've nine games to get through, including a two legged League Cup semi final.


The New Year action kicked off on New Years Day with a home fixture against Burnley and it was a great start to the calendar year, securing a 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium - the three goals came in the second half courtesy of Raffaele Ciriaco, Phil Loftus and Tim Custers and the latter ended up departing the club this month to join Spaniards Atletico.

Four days later and it was back-to-back home games as we beat Middlesbrough five two, it was a night to remember for central midfielder Phil Loftus who bagged a hat trick while Raffaele Ciriaco and Cristiano Castellani also found the net.

We then eased to the fourth round of the FA Cup beating Exeter four nil as both Chris Lyne and Raffaele Ciriaco hit doubles.

Our return to league action took us to Sheffield United as the side sealed a 3-1 win as a double from Cristiano Castellani inside the opening seven minutes got us off to a flyer, Raffaele Ciriaco added our third goal of the game after fourteen minutes.

Chris Lyne's eighty eighth minute equaliser salvaged a point away to Arsenal.

Next up was the League Cup semi final first leg away to Burnley and after being down to ten men for quite a while, the Clarets won the game four one to put them in the driving seat, Sofiane Belaroui bagged our goal on twenty one minutes.

The side bounced back in style with a 6-1 victory at home to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fourth round as both Anibal Magallan and Chris Lyne hit doubles, Raffaele Ciriaco and Spencer Kelly also scored in the cup rout against Forest.

We then welcomed Burnley to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg and the side bounced back in style, advancing to the final after winning the second leg 6-0 much to my delight as we dominated - Chris Lyne bagged a treble while Phil Loftus, Milos Mirkovic and Anibal Magallan also scored as we roared back to advance.

A five one victory away to Fulham concluded the month as our free scoring run continued, winning five goals to one at Craven Cottage. Winger Cristiano Castellani and Chris Lyne both found the net twice with another striker, Raffaele Ciriaco getting on the scoresheet.


And now we are finally starting to pull away as we have opened a seven point gap over Middlesbrough and we've a game in hand as well so it's our league title to mess up - sixteen league games are remaining but we've been on a long unbeaten run - no league defeat since November so far. We have bagged fifty six goals in our twenty two games to date, conceding just twenty four,

Looks like your clear in the league now matey! Scoring for fun too, just keep it going, strong in every competition!

Only a seven point lead though Dan so it's still tight but we are scoring goals for 'fun' and that's great to see.


We have made a strong start to twenty thirty nine as we moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League title. We have four Premier League games this month, an FA Cup tie, the Champions League first knockout round first leg away to AC Milan and we've also got the League Cup final against Southampton to conclude the month.


Wow, what a month! Things began with a 4-0 thumping against struggling Liverpool at home as we eased into a three goal half time lead thanks to two penalties from Chris Lyne and Raffaele Ciriaco and another goal from winger Anibal Magallan, Lyne's second goal three minutes into the second half completed the rout.

Three days later and the side welcomed Huddersfield Town to the Etihad Stadium and produced a hard fought single goal victory as winger Cristiano Castellani scored the only goal of the game on forty two minutes.

We then made the journey to surprise package Norwich and defeated them three one - Anibal Magallan, Raffaele Ciriaco and Chris Lyne the scorers.

It was then the FA Cup fifth round trip to fellow Premier League side Middlesbrough who we thumped 7-3 much to my surprise as both wingers Cristiano Castellani and Anibal Magallan both scored twice while Chris Lyne scored the other goal of the tie.

The side then travelled to Italy to face A.C. Milan and we are in control heading into the second leg after a three goals to one victory at the San Siro as Raffaele Ciriaco scored from the penalty spot a minute before half time before second half goals from Anibal Magallan and Cristiano Castellani has seemingly put us in control.

Our final league game of the month saw us defeat Watford 4-1 at home - Cristiano Castellani, Raffaele Ciriaco 2 and Chris Lyne the goalscorers at the Etihad Stadium as we maintained top spot and our long unbeaten run in the Premier League.

We then head the League Cup final vs. Southampton and we secured yet another trophy this season, beating the Saints two one at Wembley Stadium. Left winger Cristiano Castellani continued his fine goalscoring form this month (seven goals in all competitions) as he bagged a forty fourth minute goal, Gary McKenna's finish on seventy four minutes turned out to be the winner.




We are beginning to pull further afield as we look to retain the league title as I look to chalk England off as soon as possible, we are eleven points clear of Manchester United and we've also a game in hand as well so it's our league title to mess up.

congratulations winning every domestic trophy going this season

We have Dan? Cool.


It's now the 'business end' of the league campaign and it's been a season to remember to date as we are not only looking good to wrap up the Premier League trophy but we've already won the Community Shield, European Super Cup, Club World Championships and the League Cup while we're still going strong in the Champions League and FA Cup.


The month began with a single goal victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at home, Raffaele Ciriaco netting the winner from the spot.

We then advanced to the next round of the FA Cup after beating Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park thanks to two first half goals from Anibal Magallan and Raffaele Ciriaco, Magallan's second of the game on seventy four minutes ensured our progression.

Just three days later and the club advanced in the Champions League after finishing the job against Italian side A.C. Milan, winning three two on the night and six three on aggregate - Experienced midfielder Phil Loftus scored twice inside the opening twenty three minutes before world-class striker Chris Lyne netted the other goal.

It was then a return to league action as we travelled to fierce rivals Manchester United and suffered our first league defeat since November iirc, losing three one as Raffaele Ciriaco bagged a consolation goal for City with fourteen minutes remaining, we were woeful and barely deserved the Ciriaco goal.

The month ended with a 1-0 victory at home to Blackburn, Cristiano Castellani scoring the winner on thirteen minutes.


With only nine games remaining, well for us anyway, but we have a ten point gap at the lead so it's our league title to throw away but I'm confident we can wrap it up by at least the end of April if we're lucky but I am still refuse to get carried away as bigger leagues have been squandered.