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Jon Harrod
I'm not sure how much of it was bad luck and how much was poor play. Their keeper only had a 6.9 rating, it's not like he was amazing. While my front 3 didn't get over 6.5 between them...
I think it's going to be more of a challenge than I originally thought, as there were no real youth prospects already at the club. And apart from Pickford and Ndong, everyone's old!
Jon Harrod
Season ticket sales are in and it's no surprise to see a drop. From 32,500 to 29,322.
Looking at my finances, and making my wage budget realistic, means I still have a transfer kitty of around £10m. But finding anyone to improve my team for that price is going to be difficult. So I'm just scouting for future talent and hoping my current team have enough for the promotion push. I think I need to bring in prospects as early as possible and help them develop the way I want.
The newest arrival is Owen Wijndal. A 17 year old left back from AZ. £1.9m up front with a total fee of £3m.
His determination isn't great, so he's straight into being tutored by Billy Jones.
In other news, the draw for round two of the EFL cup was made, we travel to League 1 Luton. And Aston Villa sack Steve Bruce after they lost in the first round to Gillingham.
Onto the Friday night match...
I stick with the same formation, as it does seem to work against 4-2-3-1. I change my attacking trio though.
On the bench, we have; Mannone, McNair, Watmore, Borini, Jones, Gooch and Anichebe.
The first 20 mins was fairly even, but then a harsh challenge by Howson on Cattermole saw him sent off. We totally dominated the rest of the half. Right at the end, we had the ball in the back of the net, after a corner was half cleared and Cattermole rifled one in. Unfortunately, Djilibodji got a touch on the way through, and he was offside. So goal disallowed.
After 50 mins, we have another goal disallowed. This time Defoe judged to be offside after a through ball from Ndong. A couple of minutes later though and he's onside to turn in a cross from Alexander-Arnold. 1-0
Its almost 70 mins before I make the first change. Anichebe replacing Asoro who's been poor. Then 5 mins later, I pull off Ndong, who's on a yellow card and bring on Gooch.
Just as that happens, Norwich get a corner. We clear it, and Kluivert runs the length of the pitch with the ball before squaring it to Anichebe, who blasts home from just inside the box. 2-0.
A late change sees McNair come on for Gibson and that's followed by a final goal. Defoe and Anichebe linking up well before the former tucks it away.
Just as I think it's all over, we get a fourth. A Kluivert free kick isn't cleared very well and McNair scores from just outside the box!
A much better performance.
Kone picked up man of the match, and afterwards I discover that Sam Allardyce was there watching him. I wonder if there'll be a bid.
Grimnir
Good luck keeping hold of Kone! Southampton normally have some good prospects if you raid their academy
Jon Harrod
Jon Harrod
We almost build up to another game with another signing, as Pepelu agreed terms. Unfortunately, by the time he did, he'd turned 19 (by 4 days). I want to be strict on myself and stick to original challenge, so I cancel the transfer.
With Ipswich playing a 4-3-3 variation (with a DM), I stick with the same formation. It's the same team too, except for Asoro who was poor last time out. Anichebe comes in.
On the bench are; Mannone, McNair, Jones, Bruun Larsen, Buffonge, Khazri and Watmore.
We have the best of the early chances, testing their keeper a couple of times in the first 15 mins. Before Gibson puts a free kick just over the bar. The end of the first half is quiet and we go in at 0-0.
Early in the second half, Ndong picks up an injury. It should be something he can play through, but rather than risk it, I replace him with McNair.
Almost every good chance we create comes through Kluivert, but the 2 strikers just can't put anything away.
With 20 mins to go, I pull off Anichebe, push Kluivert up front and bring on Khazri.
With 2 mins to go, we give away a free kick right on the edge of our box. We half clear it, but McGoldrick volleys it back in with power, beating Pickford. 0-1.
I make a late change replacing a tired Gibson with Buffonge, but apart from winning a corner, we don't create another chance and lose by that goal.
I make my feelings very clear in the dressing room.
I can't explain so may shots off target. We work the ball into the box and my strikers really aren't that bad. But we didn't even create a half chance, let alone a clear cut one. Maybe it's time to shake things up...
Allardyce was in the crowd again, but there's still no sign of a Kone bid.
Jon Harrod
My scouts have found some great young players in Portugal, but their clubs all want silly prices for them. Guess they must be good!
As far as outs goes, Dasilva has gone on loan to Dagenham, where he should get first team football.
For the game against Forest, I decided to switch things up. Especially as we were expecting to go up against a 4-4-2. I considered playing 5-3-2, but that would of meant dropping Kluivert, who's been our best player so far this season.
On the bench; Mannone, McNair, Bruun Larsen, Alexander-Arnold (Too tired to start), Watmore, Anichebe and Dozzell.
We started strongly and eventually took the lead after 28 mins. Kluivert stealing the ball from the full back and crossing for Borini to head in.
Forest fought back, and Pickford needed to make a couple of saves. He couldn't stop the equaliser though as Assombalonga scored from close range after a drilled cross.
Right on half time, Ndong and Borini exchanged passes before finding Kluivert just inside the box. He was tackled but the ball fell for Ndong to knock into an empty net. 2-1 at half time.
The second half took a long time to get going,with both defences doing their jobs well. The first real effort didn't come until 55 mins, when Forest put a shot over the bar from the edge of the box. Our first effort came on the hour mark, Borini forcing their keeper to tip one over the bar. Khazri had been anonymous up until then, so I swapped him for Bruun Larsen.
Just after coming on Bruun Larsen had a great chance, shooting straight at the keeper after a cross from Cattermole. A few more chances for either team followed, with Pickford doing well to maintain our lead. After 72 mins, I replace Cattermole with Dozzell. Partly to give the youngster a run out, and partly because the number of fouls he'd given away, I'm not sure how he hadn't been booked.
Bruun Larsen was at it again after 76 mins. He forced a good save from the keeper and the rebound fell kindly for Kluivert to knock in and make it 3-1.
It looked like we'd calmly see the game out from there, so replaced Kluivert with Watmore after 88 mins. Forest had other ideas though. A quick counter saw Assombalonga score again, making it 3-2 with just 30 seconds of normal time left.
Straight from Kick off, Watmore was released down the right, he put in a delightful cross and Borini restored our 2 goal lead. And thats how we end. 4-2.
I'm really happy with the way Kluivert has started, hopefully he can carry this form on.
Jon Harrod
Before the match, we complete the signing of Corey Jordan from Bournemouth for a fee of £2m (possibly rising to £2.2m).
He's far from ready for first team football. My coaches feel he could be retrained as a DM, and he's current stats would seem to agree with that.
We've also accepted a loan offer from newly promoted Lincoln for DJ Buffonge. He's currently well suited to League 2 (according to my coaches), so it should help his development.
As for the Luton match, I am more than happy to rotate the team in the EFL cup. I stuck with the same formation, as it worked last timeout!
On the bench are; Pickford, Oviedo, Kirchoff, Gibson, Gooch, Asoro and Borini.
We take the lead after just 1 minute. A cross from Bruun Larsen finding Watmore arriving at the back post.
It took 20 mins for us to score another. A Dozzell free kick from just inside their half, found Kone in the box for a simple finish.
Shortly after kick off, Alexander-Arnold gave away a free kick, wide on their left.It's swung in and Mackail-Smith heads home. 2-1.
Luton have the better of the rest of the half, but we hang on to go in 2-1 up. The second half starts as the first ended, and Luton equalise after less than 2 minutes. I think our defence was asleep...
It only took 5 mins for us to retake our lead. In a reverse of the first goal, Watmore finds Bruun Larsen who scores from close range. Straight from kick off tho, my defence is once again asleep and Luton just walk through allowing Mackail-Smith to score again.
To try and sure up my defence, I replace McNair with Kirchoff after 58 mins. And nothing really happens for a while, so I make a second change after 75 mins. Defoe hasn't looked like scoring, so I get Borini on.
Bruun Larsen had a chance late on, but blasted over the bar, so we go to extra time. Ndong is tired, and I need him for the league campaign, so I use my final sub to replace him with Gibson.
The first half passes with nothing interesting happening. The second half though starts with Watmore setting Borini through for a one on one. He doesn't mess up and it's 4-3.
As Luton push forward, we start to find space, and Watmore again sets Borini free, and again he scores.
There's still time for Luton to score again though and the last 5 minutes become edge of the seat stuff. Borini almost competes a hat-rick but as it is, we hang on for a 5-4 win.
Watmore picked up a very deserved man of the match
Jon Harrod
The draw for the EFL Cup 3rd round was made.
An all Championship affair. But it gives us a good chance of progress.
I'm given the option of requesting a postponement of our match against Blackburn as we have 4 first team players on international duty; Ndong, Kone, Khazri and Djilibodji. I take the chance as Ndong and Kone are really important. It gets pushed back by a week.
I've received a number of loan with option to buy offers for Darron Gibson. Mainly from Italy and Spain, but also from Huddersfield who got promoted last season. Lets see if he decides he likes one of them.
Coming the other way, I manage to agree a deal for Carlos Badal.
He had a £725k buyout clause at Valencia, which I had to meet in order to get him.
Onto the match...
I had to think carefully about which formation to play. Part of me wants to stick to the 4-3-3, while part of me is determined to make the 4-3-1-2 work.
I opted for the later, lining up like this.
On the bench are; Mannone, McNair, Jones, Gibson, Khazri, Watmore and Anichebe.
We get a couple of early efforts in before Borini hits the post after 6 mins. After 13 mins, we get a goal from an unlikely source, Alexander-Arnold. He makes the overlap and gets on the end of an Ndong through ball, cutting into the box and beating the keeper.
A few minutes later, Alexander-Arnold turns provider. Putting in a cross that Defoe nods in, making it 2-0.
Its 3-0 after 25 mins. Cattermole scores a screamer from 25 yards. I wasn't expecting it to be this easy...
Just before halftime, we make it 4. It's another cross from Alexander-Arnold, this time its headed home by Borini.
The second half is much quieter. We get to 70 mins without anything happening. I take the time to pull off a couple of tired players. Alexander-Arnold, for Jones and Ndong, for Gibson.
Still no action and I make the final change late on, Kluivert for Khazri. The game just drifts along and ends at 4-0.
Alexander-Arnold obviously picked up the man of the match. We still didn't create a single clear cut chance tho...
Allardyce was in the crowd yet again, doesn't he have a team to manage?
Jon Harrod
We've still got around £6m to spend, but I'm in no great rush to make signings. However, my Brazil scout has found a couple of promising youngsters on the transfer list at Mineiro. They won't get work permits, but are worth bringing in.
Darron Gibson opted to stay, so although I don't need him, he'll carry on bulking the squad out at least until January.
As the day goes on, I agree terms with both Brazilians. As expected their work permits are both rejected. They are only 17 currently tho, so neither will arrive until January. This is how they currently look.
I wait for bids to come in for my star players, but it looks like they aren't coming. Just loans for the youngsters.
And the window closes...
No bids for Kone or Borini. Both targeted by Crystal Palace during the window.
Here's all our business.
Plus the 2 future transfers mentioned above.
I would have liked to have sold at least one player, but the only players that were likely to leave, are the ones I wanted to keep. So really, I'm glad they stayed.
Jon Harrod
After the window closed, Kone came to see me. He still wants to leave, but is happy with my efforts to sell him and will give us more time to allow that to happen.
Blackburn are expected to play a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation, so I have no reason not to stick with 2 up front.
I've had to rest Alexander-Arnold, as he's just not fit enough to play. Jones picked up a sprained ankle just before the match, so it's a rare outing for Adam Matthews at right back.
On the bench are; Mannone, Kirchoff, Oviedo, Gibson, Khazri, Asoro and Anichebe.
It wasn't a great start, as Cattermole gets himself sent off after just 11 mins. Even after this though, we have the better of the first half and take the lead after 37 mins. Sessegnon plays a great through ball from the left and Defoe tucks it away. We go in at half time 1-0 up.
Defoe hit the post after 53 mins, and as we are still leading with 10 men, I decide to sure things up. I pull Kluivert for Kirchoff and carry on without an AMC.
As soon as we do, we score a second. It's Defoe again, turning in from close range after Borini squared it to him.
On 63 mins, Djilibodji clears the ball off the line following a corner. The rest of the match sees us keeping most of the ball but restricted to efforts from long range.
A solid 2-0 victory considering we played most of the game with 10 men.
The win lifts us to second in the league. Things are looking good.
Grimnir
Jon Harrod
We don't seem to have a problem keeping the ball. Just need to make sure we do something with it!
Jon Harrod
Only 3 days between matches. Nothing interesting to report.
Sheffield United have lost all 6 of their matches so far. I don't plan on letting their run end here. It looks like they prefer a flat 4-4-2, So I'm going 3 at the back to crowd them out.
Fitness could prove an issue in the Championship, and this time, it's Kone that's not really fit enough to play. Sessegnon isn't ideal at LWB but he's been having a good season so far, so I'm sure he'll fill in there well.
On the bench are; Mannone, Matthews, Wijndal, Bruun Larsen, Watmore, Kluivert and Asoro.
It's a quite start to the game. The first real chance not coming until the 36th minute. Ndong set Defoe clean through, and one on one with the keeper, he puts it high and wide. We go in at half time 0-0.
The second half gets going after 53 mins when Ndong gives away a penalty. Fleck steps up, but Pickford saves it!
With things not really working, I switch back to 4-3-1-2 after 65 mins. Replacing Djilibodji with Kluivert.
75 Mins and there's still no sign of a breakthrough. Defoe has fluffed a few chances now, so I pull him off and hope Asoro will do better. Things change alright, shortly after he comes on, we go a goal behind. Freeman arrives unmarked on the far post to turn in a cross.
I make a late change, replacing a tired Ndong with Bruun Larsen but it comes to nothing. We hand Sheffield United their first points of the season...
I really don't know where all those fouls came from. Guess the players were as frustrated as I was.
Jon Harrod
In the run up to this match, the FA inform me Cattermole has been handed a further 2 matches to his been following his red card against Blackburn. Disappointing, but not unexpected.
We play on the Wednesday, while most games were on Tuesday, so we start the day 8th, but a win could see us go top.
After the failed 3 at the back experiment, I switch back to the trusty 4-3-1-2.
Alexander-Arnold needs a rest again, while Dozzell gets a run out. I was tempted to switch up my front two, but I'll give them another chance.
On the bench are; Mannone, Lescott, Paterson, Bruun Larsen, Watmore, Kluivert and Anichebe.
It's our turn to get a penalty in this game, as Khazri is pushed in the box following a free kick on 15 mins. Borini scores, beating the keeper who went the right way.
A few minutes later and its 2. Ndong powering his way into the box before burying the ball in the far corner.
We come close to adding a third before half time, but go in at 2-0.
The second half starts well. We earn a few corners, but can't quite break through. Defoe seems to be having another one of those games, so after an hour, I replace him with Anichebe.
Just after, we concede a goal following a corner. There was some poor defending going on there...
Next sub comes after 75 mins. A tired Rodwell replaced by Paterson for his debut. That's followed by a third goal for us. Paterson not involved, it's Ndong again. Curling one into the top corner from just outside the box.
A late sub sees Bruun Larsen fill in at left back as Sessegnon gets a rest. We see the game out 3-1.
A dominating performance and a great game from Ndong, sees us go top of table.
KEZ_7
Jon Harrod
Part of me is tempted to just stick with the 4-3-1-2 all the time. But I have decent wide players that I would like to take advantage of. So I may need to see if I can tweak the 4-3-3 and get some results out of it.
Jon Harrod
Just after the Reading game, Oviedo came to see me to complain about his play time. I explain that Sessegnon is playing too well to drop him and he seems to understand.
We head to Villa Park expecting them to line up with my usual 4-3-1-2 formation. So I try and counter it with some width.
On the bench are; Mannone, Matthews, McNair, Gibson, Bruun Larsen, Asora and Defoe.
The game starts quite evenly with both teams having a couple of chances without scoring. But we go behind after 11 mins, Joao surges into the box and squares it for Kodjia. It's really poor defending.
Things get worse after 25 mins. Djilibodji gets sent off for a second yellow, picked up for an off the ball foul.
Villa are proving really hard to break down as the are sitting really deep. Then they hit me on the counter and its 2-0. McCormack scoring, 36 mins gone.
Before I know it, it's 3-0 and we just keep sinking. Joao scoring on 41 mins. The defence is just a mess.
I try and hang on til half time to make some changes, but it's 4-0 by then. Joao scoring again. There's just a pattern forming. We attack, they counter, they score.
At half time, apart from telling my team how bad they were, we switch to 4-3-1-2, but without the AMC. Subbing Watmore for McNair to sure up the back line, while Kluivert moves up front.
The changes don't stop Villa adding a 5th after 54 mins. It's McCormack again. I pull off an underwhelming Borini and replace him with Defoe.
It proves a useful change, as he pulls a goal back for us after 77 mins, following an Alexander-Arnold cross.
He scores again on 83 mins, after a McNair through ball. But we can't pull any more back and it ends 5-2.
I don't think I'll be changing my formation again...
Jon Harrod
I've learnt my lesson. I'll be sticking to 4-3-1-2 for the foreseeable future as that's all that seems to work! I'm still happy to rotate a little in the cup and we line up like this.
On the bench are; Pickford, Jordan, Krusnell, Kirchoff, Paterson, Gibson and Defoe.
We have the better of the early exchange, forcing a few saves and wasting a couple of chances. but it's a quiet half with not much action to speak of and we go in at 0-0.
Early in the second half, Anichebe hits the post and Dozzell fires wide following a corner. But chances are still hard to come by, so after an hour I make a couple of changes. Kluivert for Paterson and Defoe for Asoro. Paterson isn't really an AMC, so I swap him with Dozzell in the middle of the park.
On 70 mins, Defoe gets a 1 on 1 chance after a good ball from Dozzell. But he puts it high and wide. A few minutes later, we string a lot of passes together before the ball again falls to Defoe. This time Fielding makes a good save. More of the same followed. Defoe getting opportunities, but Fielding making saves.
Then, on 85 mins, we're hit on the break. A long ball takes out the entire defence and Engvall scores his 1 on 1.
We've been the better team, but haven't taken our chances. Too make matters worse, we concede again. A free kick just outside the box is rifled home by Brownhill.
The board only expected us to reach the 3rd round, which we did. But it would have been nice to take some of those chances!
Johno
Jon Harrod
Everyone says that the Championship is a difficult division... I'm only 2 points off top after 9 games so it's all quite close. I'll post a league table with the next update.
Jon Harrod
Nothing to speak of pre-game, so lets get going.
On the bench we have; Mannone, Matthews, McNair, Bruun Larsen, Kluivert, Watmore and Anichebe.
We take the lead after 15 mins. A ball in from Alexander-Arnold on the right is turned home by Borini.
A few minutes later and he's at it again. Defoe finds him after making some space inside the box. 2-0 and looking much better this time out.
Unbelievably, it's 3-0 by 22 mins. This time it's Kone following a Khazri corner. It quietens down after that and there's only one my chance before halftime. It falls to Defoe and he puts it wide. We go in 3 up, and Preston haven't had a single shot, let alone one on target. Pickford might be getting bored.
Prestons first shot comes on 50 mins, but it's straight at Pickford. We don't seem to be creating anything, so on the hour mark, I switch to 4-3-3, replacing Defoe with Bruun Larsen. He almost scores with his first touch!
Further subs see Kluivert replace Khazri on 75 mins and McNair replace a tired Gibson late on. But there are no more goals.
After the match, I'm forced to pay Liverpool £100k after Borini's 10th league goal.
This is how the top half of the table looks.
Grimnir
Jon Harrod
In the run up to our first local derby of the season, Lescott complains about lack of first team football. Looks like I'm going to have a few problems keeping everyone happy this season. I tell him Kone is playing to well to drop him and he seems to accept it for now.
I accept a loan offer from Chester for Tom Robson. He's 22 now and not likely to improve, so I include a mandatory fee if Chester reach the play-offs.
We also have some good news on the injury front as Jeremain Lens is cleared to play. He was out on loan last season and has been injured for all of this so far. He's a winger really, but can also play AMC.
For the match against Boro, I didn't want to change too much. But Defoe was poor last time out and Gibson is tired, so we go with this.
On the bench are; Mannone, McNair, Matthews, Dozzell, Bruun Larsen, Watmore, Anichebe
It's cagey early on, with few chances. Then after 20 mins, Ndong gets the ball on the edge of their box and hits one. It takes a massive deflection off Ayala and goes in off the post. I'm fairly sure the original shot was on target, but the game says Ayala o.g.
We get a couple of free kicks in decent positions which Khazri can't make the most of, while Pickford is called upon to make a great save late in the half. We go in at 1-0.
The second half is one of the quietest I've seen. So after an hour, I switch things up. I seem to be finding a lot of space out wide, despite Boro playing 4-4-2, as the wingers aren't tracking back, so I switch to 4-3-3, replacing Khazri with Bruun Larsen and moving Kluivert wide.
Shorty after, we concede from a corner. Guedioura heading in... 1-1.
We have a few good chances following this, the best falling to Kluivert, but he hits one straight at the keeper, at puts another wide when it looked easier to score.
I pull him off with 10 mins to go. Moving Sessegnon to left wing and bringing Matthews on. Sessegnon makes an immediate impact forcing a corner from Valdes.
A late change sees Anichebe replace a tired Ndong as we push for a winner, but despite numerous chances, we just can't score!
5 shots on target from 22 really isn't good enough...
Jon Harrod
This time, it's Pickford's turn to come and see me. Not about lack of play time, but because he wants an improved contract. He's only on £12k a week, so I think that's a fair request.
We're also back to full strength as Jones has now fully recovered from his ankle injury.
Onto the Leeds match...
A few changes here to keep everyone fresh.
On the bench; Mannone, McNair, Wijndal, Dozzell, Kluivert, Bruun Larsen and Anichebe.
We dominate the first 20 mins, with 12 shots and winning 6 corners. There's no goals tho... 37 year old Rob Green, is saving everything!
With 5 mins to go until half time, and more of the same happening action wise, Cattermole gets stretchered off. I replace him with Dozzell. As the half time whistle goes, I can see that we've had 22 shots, 9 on target and won 9 corners.
Early in the second half, my oldie finally gets the better of theres. Gibson with a little through ball, which Defoe tucks into the bottom corner.
On 50 minutes, Matthews plays a long ball over the top. Defoe brings it down well just inside the box and then gets taken down himself. Penalty! Borini steps up... But Green saves it!
Frustrated, I haul Borini off. He's not really contributed much in this game, so let's see if Anichebe can do better.
Typically, as soon as I'd made the change, Defoe goes down injured. So I'm forced to make my final change before the hour mark. Kluivert coming on.
Green continues to make save after save, while Leeds offer nothing going forward. We just can't find another breakthrough though and it ends 1-0.
Somehow, Green didn't get man of the match. That went to Kone who intercepted every ball that Leeds played forward.
Post game, I'm pleased to see that neither injury is serious and that Cattermole and Defoe will both only be out for a week at most.
Jon Harrod
One thing that happened in the last match I didn't mention was that Sessegnon picked up his 5th yellow card, meaning he gets a one match ban.
Another player comes to see me about their lack of football. This time it's Kirchoff. I can't use the excuse of a player playing well this time, so I just ask for his patience, which he agrees to. His main issue is that I'm not using a DM. He's accomplished as a DC and MC tho, so I get him training as a defender and he'll hopefully get game time there.
QPR are top going into our match, while we sit 4th just 3 points behind them. Holloway has also just picked up manager of the month. So lets try and bring them back down to earth.
Cattermole isn't fit enough to play, while Defoe is only fit enough for the bench following their recent injuries. I give Wijndal his league debut, while Larsson and Anichebe get rare starts.
On the bench; Mannone, Kirchoff, Gibson, Watmore, Bruun Larsen, Kluivert and Defoe. Dozzell would have made the bench, but he's on England U19 duty.
Both teams have some early chances and then the injury curse strikes again. Alexander-Arnold goes off with only 10 mins gone. With no right back on the bench, the only player that can fill in there is Seb Larsson. So he does, and I let Kirchoff fill in in midfield.
Larsson almost creates a goal on his first run forward, but Borini heads wide. He then goes close himself, putting a free kick into the side netting.
QPR manage to score with their first shot of the game. A free kick isn't cleared very well and is sent back into the box where Sylla scores. Right on half time too...
We get to the hour mark still having all the possession but no goals. Borini is having another poor game, so Hopefully Defoe can rescue us.
Obviously, he does just that. Anichebe playing a ball in from the right, tucked home by Defoe from the edge of the 6 yard box. 1-1
I need Pickford to make a couple of saves to keep us in the game, before making a final change inside the last 10 mins. Khazri for Kluivert.
Just as the change happens,Wijndal gives the ball away on the half way line. QPR break and score. Game over. We lose 2-1...
After the game, there's even worse news. Alexander-Arnold will be out for 4-5 months with a damaged achilles.
F.E.
Bummer to get a goal so late in the game, but I'm sure you'll be fine and qualify at the end of the season.
Jon Harrod
Thanks! I only get a couple of games in a day, but I'm happy that people are reading
Jon Harrod
We get a small break here because of internationals. Although a lot of our players are off playing somewhere or other.
Thomas Tuchel calls me up complaining about Bruun Larsen's lack of football. Unfortunately, I had planned to use wingers occasionally when I brought him in but I'm having more luck without, so he's only getting small time from the bench. I tell him that I haven't seen enough from him, and it keeps him quiet for now.
Pickford agrees to his new contract. He doubles his wage and will get a further rise if we get promoted. He's here until 2021 now though.
It's 5th vs 2nd is the Friday the 13th clash, and before the match, Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips talks to the press about how good Djilibodji is. Hopefully that will give him a bit of a boost.
Billy Jones is only fit enough to play 60 mins. So rather than pull him off, we'll start with Matthews at right back.
On the bench; Mannone, Jordan, Jones, Rodwell, Bruun Larsen, Kluivert and Anichebe.
After a quite start, we take the lead on 27 mins. A poor clearance from Fabianski finds Djilibodji on the half way line. He pumps it back to Defoe on the edge of the box, who turns, shoots and scores off the inside of the post.
The rest of the half is quiet, with the ball mainly bogged down in midfield, so we go in at 1-0.
We almost score within seconds of the restart as Borini forces Fabianski to tip one around the post. Then, on 54 mins, Khazri blasts in a goal from outside the box. Unfortunately, it's disallowed as Ndong is standing in an offside position, which I guess must have distracted the keeper.
I don't make any changes until 70 mins. I tired Khazri replaced by Kluivert and Billy Jones getting some game time, replacing Matthews.
We remain the better team, but Fabianski is on form and keeps the score to 1. A late change sees Bruun Larsen replace Borini. But we can't find another goal and it ends 1-0.
A solid game and a man of the match performance from Djilibodji. The build up worked!
Apparently, new Leeds manager Steve Clarke was in the stands watching Sessegnon. It appears that they want him on loan, but he's going nowhere.
Jon Harrod
Nothing to speak of happens in the few days between matches, so lets get on with it.
Seeing as we are playing one of the weaker teams in the league, I thought it was a good opportunity to rotate the squad a bit. I know changing formation hasn't gone well so far, but one more try...
On the bench are; Mannone, Jordan, Krusnell, Sessegnon, Paterson, Kluivert, Defoe.
Things don't start well. It's Lens's first start since returning from injury, but he goes down after 6 mins. I decide to try and give him chance to run it off. I last until 20 mins, before his fitness really doesn't improve. So I pull him rather than risk further damage, replacing him with Kluivert.
There hasn't been much action up until then, but just after, Djilibodji picks up a harsh red card. I move Cattermole back into defence, go defensive and try and limp through until half time. That's exactly what happens, we go in at 0-0 with no more goal action.
At half time, I pull Asoro and replace him with debutant, Corey Jordan. I'm just going to have to try and hit them on the counter...
Defensively, we're solid, but not offering much going forward and Bruun Larsen isn't making much of his chance. I don't want to risk making my final change to early, but after 65 mins, I give in and replace him with Sessegnon.
We push forward but it's City who hit us on the break. A lapse in concentration after 66 mins sees Hegeler nip in and score...
I'm out of ideas, so just start shouting at my team. It doesn't help, and it's 2-0 after 76 mins. Poor defending again.
We create plenty of chances after this. But with no real goalscorer on the pitch, we can't even get a shot on target. Disaster!
Djilibodji's second red of the season costs us dear.I think we would have won without having 2 subs really enforced on us
Jon Harrod
After the Bristol City defeat, we find out then Lens will be out for 2 weeks with a calf strain. While, Djilibodji's sending off was more deserved than I first thought. So he'll be missing for 2 games.
We need an improvement after that last game. So it's back to our strongest team.
Ndong is missing as he's tired, while O'Shea replaces Djilibodji.
On the bench are; Mannone, Wijndel, Kirchoff, Dozzell, Watmore, Kluivert, Anichebe.
I'm unsure how we don't take an early lead, as we bombard the bolton goal. 4 shots on target in the first 10 mins. It looks like we take the lead after 16 mins when Kone scores from a corner. But he's offside from Gibson's nod down.
We finally take the lead on 24 mins. No prizes for guessing who, it was that man Defoe. A great cross from Jones to set him up.
Bolton equalise almost straight away though. Pickford comes out to claim the ball after a Gibson tackle, but he's not quick enough and Hesketh gets there first.
We aren't level for long. On 29 mins, Defoe turns provider as he slides a ball into Borini, to score his 9th of the season.
Borini almost scores again right on half time, but its a good save and we go in at 2-1.
Early in the second half, Bolton equalise again. Morais isn't closed down and gets a cross in that Le Fondre heads home.
We retake the lead through an unlikely source. Cattermole picks out Jones on the overlap, who cuts into the box and scores in the far corner.
Cattermole comes close to adding another, before I replace him with Dozzell on the hour mark. We eventually make it 4, when Jones turns provider again and Borini heads in off the underside of the bar.
A tired Jones is then replaced by Kirchoff, with Kone moving to right back. While Defoe tries everything to get himself a second, without any luck. The keeper making save after save.
There's still time for Bolton to make it 4-3. Shodipo heading in after the ball bounces around the area. Can we hang on?
It seems not, on 80 mins, they make it 4-4. Wheater heading in from a corner. Our defence is useless in the air without Djilibodji...
Khazri has a chance to win it at the death, but Alnwick makes another great save. I don't know how we didn't win that.