On a quest to be the best. [FM15]

Superb season mate, well done on completing (pretty much) Ireland!

Just one more trophy to win in Republic of Ireland and that's the Munster Cup but I'll return to try and win that Dan because as soon as this season is concluded, I will heading to pastures new but I just dunno what country yet, been thinking England to try and mark some trophies off their.


The final month of the season was a 'pointless' one as far as the league was as the title was secured a month or two back despite the side losing 1-0 at home to Limerick, three league games were remaining this season along with one (possibly two) Challenge Cup contest(s). Could we reign in Ireland end with an unprecedented treble or just the double?


A tough trip to potential runners-up Dundalk started the month as we won a seven goal thriller as our star right winger Dylan Connolly scored twice while Matthew Taylor and Sean Russell was also on target at Oriel Park.

We then faced the same opposition just three days later at Tolka Park in the Senior Challenge Cup semi final as the side eased to a 4-0 win, Conor Murphy scored in either half with Sean Russell and Alan O'Sullivan too finding the net.

Our penultimate Premier Division game was away to Shamrock Rovers as we hammered them 6-1 in a game that would be remembered by Rovers target Conor Murphy who scored a hat trick - Dylan Connolly, Alan O'Sullivan and Matthew Taylor scored to complete the rout.

And the final league game was a three all draw at home to Derry City - Dylan Connolly scored twice in the first half while Jack Watson scored our third of the evening with ten minutes remaining.


With the 2020 campaign completed, I'm pleased to announce that my Shelbourne side were crowned champions and will compete in next seasons Champions League and that's sure to help their revenue while both Sligo Rovers and Dundalk will be in the Europa League. Drogheda United were relegated to the First Division with Limerick finishing in the relegation/promotion play-off spot.

A foregone conclusion in the league but congrats all the same on the dominant season. Frustrating to need to return for the Munster Cup but one for the future it seems. Looking forward to the next venture Shedender whether it be England or elsewhere in the end!

Yeah the league ended up being easy in the end DP91 but at least it's been secured and the majority of Ireland has been wrapped up in just two years so I'm delighted. It is a shame especially in say the Limerick/Cork/Cobh/Waterford job doesn't become available then I'm snookered, ha. I already have a new job, just delayed it twice(?) so I could conclude the season at Shelbourne.


Last year we had won this competition, beating Cork City 6-1 in the final and twelve months later I didn't expect us to be back at the Aviva Stadium as we would face Derry City in the 'show-piece'. Could we end the season with a treble or would Derry get revenge for the League Cup final defeat? Time to find out.


Just like last year we lined up with the same 4231 formation as both Philip Hand and Dylan Connolly played in the final - both had missed last years final through suspension and injury. Alan O'Sullivan will be looking to end the season on a high while Gareth Coughlan starts in midfield.

Challengers Derry, who have been given the 'home' dressing room start with the same formation with McNamee seemingly being their 'advanced playmaker', McGurgan will play just behind the striker Connor and he hopes to be assisted for goals by wingers Storey and Tracey. I'm going to say we're underdogs.


Embarrassing and I don't just mean the turnout of 4,259 spectators but Derry City have lifted the Challenge Cup after beating us 8-3 in the final at the Aviva Stadium. Our goals came from a Brendan McNulty own goal, Dylan Connolly and a penalty from Gareth Coughlin.

Derry had gotten off to a dream start when Stuart Gray found the net on three minutes, John McGurgan also scored, Gerard Connor bagged a hat trick, Gareth Storey got on the score sheet and then to make matters worse, substitute Michael Duffy scored twice late on just to 'humiliate' us.

Regardless of the outcome, it now means my stint at Tolka Park has come to an end as theirs nothing more to win at Shelbourne.

Horrible turn on the final but as you said you've already won it, great season man and good luck in England your new job that I honestly don't know where it is and its definitely not Leeds

Cheers as always for the comment Dan, think the new job is going to be in England as their is only good jobs available, ha, how did you guess the team correctly because I'm sure I didn't tell you? Though I probably did my mistake, haha.


Following that cup humiliation at the hands of Derry City in the final, my reign at Shelbourne Football Club had come to an end but instead of resigning from the post, I decided to look in the England 'section' for jobs and immediately one caught my eye, a 'big' team who were struggling (in their books) in League 2 so of course I had to apply.


Much to my surprise though, Leeds United had offered me an interview which of course I decided to attend as I looked to make my 'big break' in management, now I just hope I'm able to 'impress' Massimo Cellino and get offered the job.


Brilliant! I have been approached to become the next manager of League 2 'strugglers' Leeds United and I'm delighted to get this break in management. I had to agree to several things and they were the following: play possession football, make the most of set pieces, sign players from chairman's own nation, develop players using the clubs youth system while I have been offered a transfer budget of £1.5m which I find remarkable for a League 2 side and the minimum expectations for me is to reach the play-off but I feel we can go better.

Leeds United paid Shelbourne £37k for my services iirc.


Despite it being my "first day on the job" I wasted zero time in approaching the board about me possibly taking a course that will see me get my Continental B Licence and surprisingly they agreed and decided to cover the £1.2k fee and it'll take around six months to study if I'm successful come the end of it.

Following my arrival at Elland Road, I had seven days to prepare the side for my first competitive game which will be against fellow League 2 side Luton Town while I'd also have three league games this month since arriving at the club.


So my managerial reign at Leeds began with a home FA Cup first round tie against Luton Town who we hammered 6-2 as Nahki Wells bagged a treble while Mesca, Bradley Dack and Josimar Quintero also found the net.

My first league game in charge of the club aaw us host Lincoln as we eased to a 4-0 win as all our goals arrived in the first half - Tom Rosenthal, Wilson Kneeshaw, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Ben Mee scored.

One week later I headed to Rodney Parade for my first away game in charge and we made it three wins from as many games in all competitions, winning five two. Nahki Wells scored a first half hat trick while Ryan Shotton and Mesca both scored in the second half.

And my first month concluded with a four two win over struggling Northampton as once again Nahki Wells was on the score sheet twice, Tom Rosenthal and Josimar Quintero scored as well.


If I remember correctly the club were ninth when I took over so I'm pleased that the club have rose up to second place following my first part-month in charge but my word the top half of the league table is very tight as only nine points separate Plymouth who are top and Oldham who are twelfth.

I wonder how long you gonna last before Massimo Cellino fired you

Good luck with Leeds, susprised they're in League 2

Good luck at leeds mate.Just had a look at your opening post for a little catch up instead of going through all the pages.Well done in Ireland.Hope you get a couple of trophies with leeds.Going be following from now.

Ha, good question Johno and one I can't answer at the moment I'm afraid but we'll see. I'm their seventh manager since 2014 with one only lasting 87 days before being sacked so I hope to last longer than him, in fact I think all six previous managers have been sacked, I hope I'm not the seventh.

Cheers for the comment SBR. myself and Dan decided to keep our OP with the progress we're having as it would get 'lost' otherwise. Yeah if I'm to win the league then I'd need to secure the JPT next season or I'd need to return just to win that.


The final month of 2020 would be my first full month in charge of Leeds as I hope to charge a promotion bid, four league games were played in December while we also had an FA Cup second round tie at home to Huddersfield.


And it was the FA Cup second round home clash with rivals Huddersfield started the month as we beat the League 1 side 3-2 as Josimar Quintero, Tom Rosenthal and Mesca scored as we advanced to round three. Our reward for beating Huddersfield is a trip to Championship side Bristol City, such an 'anti climax'.

We returned to league action with a home game against struggling Gillingham who shocked us two one at Elland Road - Josimar Quintero scored our goal in first half stoppage time.

A third consecutive home game in all competitions was next as we welcomed Coventry and beat them five two. Mesca scored twice in the first half while Tom Rosenthal, Josimar Quintero and the on loan Tommy Howard scored.

We then squandered a 2-0 lead away to Southend as we lost four two despite two goals from Mesca inside the opening twenty two minutes seemingly had us in control but we suffered our second defeat this month, frustrating because we'll never secure the title if we don't stop messing leads and losing 'pointless' games.

The month concluded with a compresenhive and easy 4-0 win away to Gateshead as Josimar Quintero broke the deadlock on thirty one minutes, Quincy Pollard made it two before late goals from Bradley Dack and Ben Mee made it three and then four nil.


A mixed month has seen us finish 2020 in second place and six points behind leaders Plymouth as we look to secure automatic promotion within the second half of the season so we're going to need to find some consistent form as we're only seven points head of Coventry who are twelfth. It's still too tight for my liking.

Only six point behind Plymouth, sure you'll end up winning the leagu man

A good start so far Shedender, hopefully you can gain a few points back over Plymouth in the next month or so after they've recently pulled away from the chasing pack somewhat. With as many points separating you with 11th as you with Plymouth, it's going to be exciting to see what can happen in the next month.

I'd love to win the league and chalk off trophy #1 in England Dan but we'd need to go on a winning streak.

Cheers for the comment DP91, it's been a nice start to life at Elland Road so much that I've decided to change the way the team play [not the formation, that stays] following an inconsistent December that saw us lose twice to teams we should be beating, so far [bar the Bristol City mauling at the start of the month] it seems to be working but still a long way to go.


Sitting second in League 2, it's been a promising start to my reign at Leeds and I haven't been sacked yet by the crazy chairman so it's all good so far. The opening month of 2021 will see us play five league games and an FA Cup game away to Bristol City, we need to go on a winning streak in the league if we're to win the league.


We travelled to Bristol City in the third round of the FA Cup and we're on the wrong end of a 6-2 scoreline as debutent Dean Grbac scored twice in the second half but we were humiliated.

Just three days later and it was back to league action as we travelled to Oldham and defeated them two nil as left winger Mesca opened the scoring on sixteen minutes, a late penalty from Dean Grbac sealed the points at Boundary Park.

We then welcomed Cambridge United to Elland Road and defeated them four two as Mesca scored twice, Dean Grbac continued his promising start to his Leeds career with his fourth goal in three games in all competitions while Tom Rosenthal also scored.

Arguably our best performance and result came away to Notts County as we won 6-1 on the road thanks to goals from Tom Rosenthal (2), Josimar Quintero, Dean Grbac, Mesca and Ante Loncar.

Our penultimate game of the month was at home to Cheltenham who we beat two nil - an early goal from Tom Rosenthal got us off to a dream start, Manu Garcia Alonso doubled the lead in second half stoppage time.

It was then an eight goal thriller away to Tranmere Rovers that concluded the month as we won 5-3 to secure an unbeaten league month but we could've easily blew it because goals from Mesca (2) and substitute Nahki Wells had us three goals up but they came back to equalise iirc, we needed two late goals inside the final ten minutes from Josimar Quintero to seal the points.


Yes!! An absolutely fantastic month in the league for the Whites has seen us climb to the summit of the League 2 table and now sitting two points ahead of Plymouth who have actually lost two times less than us but have drew ten games so far.

We're scoring goals freely which I'm delighted with as we've netted sixty four goals in twenty eight games so far but the annoying thing is we've conceded thirty nine times in those games but at least we're top. Notice a surprising team in the top half? Yes, Braintree have been the surprise package this season as Joe Cole's men are predicted to finish bottom.

The New Year began with some impressive league form as we won our first five games in 2021 and long may that continue as February saw us play five games, all in League 2 as we looked to maintain top spot.


The first of five games this month was at home to Dagenham & Redbridge as we deservedly beat the Daggers 2-1 at Elland Road but it should have been more convincing as we dominated the game, Dean Grbac struck twice including the winner with only two minutes remaining.

We then travelled to Doncaster and picked up a disappointing three all draw as attacking midfielder Tom Rosenthal scored with ten minutes remaining to salvage a point - Josimar Quintero and Dean Grbac were also on target at the Keepmoat.

Four days later and we hosted Bristol Rovers and it turned out to be a ten goal thriller with Leeds winning 6-4 in a game that would be remembered by Josimar Quintero following his hat trick, Dean Grbac hit a double while Mesca was also on the score sheet at Elland Road.

A trip to Plymouth was next for a 'big game' as the side returned to Yorkshire with maximum points following a three two win. Josimar Quintero scored twice, left back Ben Mee also scored.

The month concluded with a thumping victory over Mansfield Town as Leeds won 5-1 - Tom Rosenthal scored twice while Bradley Dack, Joe Rodon and Nahki Wells found the back of the net.


We have now opened up a eight point gap at the top of League 2 and it could have been a bit bigger if we had beaten Doncaster away from home but c'est le vie, it's almost our league to lose with thirteen league games remaining. We are looking to break the one hundred goal scored column and that's looking good.

Goal scoring feast month

It was a great month Johno, long may that continue.


It has been a great opening two months to the new year as we've opened up an eight point gap at the top of League 2 as we entered the penultimate month (kind of, just one game was played in May so that'll be with April's update), six league games were played in the month as the goals continued to fly in.


We travelled to surprise package Braintree to begin March as the side won 5-2 on the road with Tom Rosenthal netting twice while Dean Grbac, Bradley Dack and Giuseppe Bellusci were on the score sheet.

Four days later we welcomed York to Elland Road and beat them 7-3 as both Bradley Dack and Josimar Quintero hit doubles - Dean Grback, Giuseppe Bellusci and Mesca also scored.

A trip to Shrewsbury was up next as we stole a 2-1 victory, Mesca scoring the winner after fifty eight minutes while Josimar Quintero had netted our opening goal of the game on twenty six minutes.

Three days later and we demolished Luton Town 6-1 at Elland Road - Bradley Dack (2), Mesca (2), Callum Chambers-Shaw own goal and Joe Rodon on target in the emphatic victory which does wonders for our goal difference, not that it should matter.

We then headed to Wales to face Wrexham and eased to a 3-0 victory, Wilson Kneeshaw opened the scoring on ten minutes, Bradley Dack made it two in first half stoppage time and then Dean Grbac sealed the points with nineteen minutes remaining.

March then concluded with a 4-1 victory over struggling Kidderminster - Dean Grbac scoring twice while Bradley Dack and Wilson Kneeshaw also netted.


Another sensational month has saw the club secure a minimum of a play-off spot but I still feel the league should be won within the next few games as we are currently 19 points clear of second placed Plymouth as we've also broke the one hundred goal tally with ease.


I felt this was important, after much persuading, chairman Massimo Cellino has decided that it's 'ideal' that we purchase the stadium so the football club owns Elland Road and not someone else, should it all go to plan then we should own the ground by 21 June of this year.

Wow what a season it's been with Leeds, fantastic stuff Shedender, goals flying in left right and centre and win after win the reward. Can't believe it's taken until now for Cellino to commit to buying the stadium but thats obviously not down to you but a very good move for the club's long term future. Wonder how much any potential funds may be reduced due to the stadium outlay though.

Must also ask, does anyone else get the bloody theme tune to Pokemon in their heads when reading the title to this career? I always read it as 'I want to be the very best' and that's it, the theme tune in my head

Its nice and easy for you at Leeds mate, keep it up

It's been a great start to my reign at the club DP91 and long may it continue as I'm hoping the league can be wrapped up within the next few games. To be fair, I always thought Leeds owned the stadium so I was surprised to see they didn't, no idea how much potential funds may be reduced but not much work needs to be done to the starting XI.

They're arguably the biggest club in League 2 Dan, I won't accept a runners-up spot.


Since arriving at Elland Road to take the reigns at Leeds United Football Club, I had one goal in mind and that was to secure the League 2 title by the end of the current campaign or I'd compliment resigning from the post. Six league games awaited us in April with the one game in May that I'll throw into this update as well.


April kick started with a well deserved 2-0 victory away to Lincoln City as the club secured the League 2 title, Dino Grbac opened the scoring just after the half hour before fellow striker Wilson Kneeshaw sealed the points in second half stoppage time.


We then welcomed Welsh side Newport County to Elland Road and beat them four two as our four goals arrived in the first half - Bradley Dack, Mesca, Joe Rodon and Nahki Wells on target.

The side then suffered a disappointing two one defeat away to Northampton Town, Bradley Dack scoring our only goal on three minutes but despite being champions, I was less than impressed with the side in this defeat as we should be beating teams like Northampton with ease, with all due respect to them.

Just three days later and despite scoring twice in the opening seven minutes through Bradley Dack and a Dean Grbac penalty, we ended up squeezing past Gateshead at Elland Road, winning 2-1 in the end and for the second game running I was not amused with the result despite winning.

It was a much better performance and result as Leeds beat Gillingham 5-2 away from home and Dino Grbac continued his good form with a double while Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Josimar Quintero and Tom Rosenthal also scored.

Our final game of the month and penultimate of the season saw us ease to a four goals to one win over Southend at home as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Dean Grbac with a double and Giuseppe Bellusci all found the net.

A trip to Coventry concluded the season and it was a trip to forget, Leeds lost 6-0 and played poorly, forgettable.


This is how the top half of the table ended up, Leeds won the league with ease and finishing 22 points ahead of runners-up Bristol Rovers while Plymouth Argyle took the third automatic spot. Cheltenham Town, Mansfield Town, Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham will all compete in the play-off's to see who joins the trio in League 1 next season.

I can't remembered who got relegated to the Conference but I think it was Gateshead and Lincoln although I could, and most likely, am wrong.


This actually happened around the start of June if I remember correctly but I have decided to throw it into this update, but anyway, I have completed my latest set of coaching badges which means now I have the Continental B Licence and now I'm determined to try and get my next set of badges done as soon as possible as I want to complete them within the next two to three years.

Following our promotion from League 2 last season, we entered the third their of English football (League 1 for those who don't know) but it's going to be tough as I expect the pressure to be on us from the get go so I'll need to get into the transfer market and look for some players and not go overboard like I did at Clyde a few years ago.

For some reason the 'seasonal expectations' didn't show up this year but we're predicted to finish the season fourth place which I feel is a little unrealistic but we'll give it our best shot for sure but we do have some good players with poor star ratings, Dean Grbac being one of them as he's been solid since arriving on a free transfer.

So yeah, we're predicted to come fourth and it's possible, but difficult.


Five games were arranged by my new assistant manager Michael Duff with four of them being on the road while we'd welcome Scottish Premiership side Dundee United to Elland Road - we will travel to Scottish duo Airdrie and East Stirlingshire and English pair Scunthorpe United and Hyde so it could be a successful pre season.

I might throw one more game in after Hyde just for a 'confidence boost'.

Well done on winning the league with ease mate, league one will be harder

Well done winning title league 1 will be tough though

It ended up being easy in the end Dan but I'm pleased the title was wrapped up with ease, yeah and I believe a predicted fourth place finish is slightly unrealistic but I'm sure we'll cope.

Cheers Jamie3.


As we embarked with life back in League 1, the media had predicted us to finish in fourth place which I feel is a bit unrealistic as some of the players just aren't good enough and will hopefully be removed as soon as possible if I can find some quality players, we have also played a short pre season with just one game at home.


Six players arrived at Elland Road this summer with only with only goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland costing us money as he signed from Molde for thirty four thousand pound, Dan Cotterill had agreed a pre-contract to join from Newcastle. Fabian Delph returned to the club this summer on a free while Breel Embolo, Gareth Clinton and Craig Laycock also signed this summer.

Just the two players ended up leaving the club as both weren't guaranteed first team football. Winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined Blackpool for £350k while back-up goalkeeper James Severn joined Championship side Bournemouth for just under thirty five thousand.


On the field, pre season turned out to be a success as we won all of our six games but we were only able to keep two clean sheets and those were against Hyde and Albion Sports which I had agreed. We won our three games against the Scottish trio Airdrie, Dundee United and East Stirlingshire while Scunthorpe were also beat.

Congrats on winning the league Good in signings Especially Delph.

Can I see screenshot of Embolo?

What a great run straight after you mentioned needing to go on a winning streak.And in the end you were so far in front.Congratulations on trophy number 1 mate.Hope you do win the johnstones paint as id imagine it would be frustrated getting another title win and then having to go back to win that.Great pre season.Im sure you can carry that form into the new season.

Great Preseason and some good signings there

Cheers Johno, I'm pleased enough with the business I've done this season although ideally I would have wanted a better goalkeeper but none were available and that was frustrating. Sure, here is a screenie of Embolo.

The winning streak was needed SBR as we secured the title with ease at the end of the day so I'm chuffed but I realise League 1 is going to be tougher. Yep, I'm bloody determined to win the JPT as if we end up winning the league this season (won't probably happen) I don't want to return to League 1/League 2 just to win the competition.

I'm pleased with the signings Jamie, cheers.


With a successful pre season program behind us although we didn't play the strongest opposition (bar Dundee United and Scunthorpe) but now it was time for the league season to begin as we would play seven games this month, five in the league while we'd also have a Yorkshire Derby against Huddersfield in the League Cup, the other game would be in the JPT.


The League 1 season began with a home fixture against Hartlepool as we picked up a 4-1 victory as Fabian Delph scored on his return to Elland Road while Dean Grbac, Mesca and Tom Rosenthal also scored in the win. I felt it was important to start the league season with maximum points, glad we didn't disappoint.

Our League Cup run ended in the first round as we surrendered a two nil lead to lose after extra time, Dean Grbac scoring twice.

We would then travel to stadium:mk just four days later and suffer a two one defeat as Tom Rosenthal scored our only goal after forty minute.

Seven days after that League Cup exit to Huddersfield at Elland Road, we would get our revenge as the side recorded a 4-2 league win as Breel Embolo, two from Dean Grbac and Gareth Clinton all scored to ensure we got 'bragging rights' in this fixture.

We'd suffer our second league defeat in the opening month as Portsmouth won two one at Fratton Park as our consolation goal came from left winger Mesca who fired home on seventy six minutes.

The side would bounce back in the league as we'd demolish Yeovil 6-1 at Elland Road as both winger Mesca and Josimar Quintero hit doubles with Breel Embolo and Dean Grbac hitting the net in the emphatic home success against a Yeovil side who were relegated iirc last season.

August concluded with Johnstone's Paint Trophy progression against Doncaster as we won four one at Elland Road - Mesca scored twice, Breel Embolo and Joe Rodon got on the score sheet as I'm hoping to chalk off the JPT this season but it's going to be difficult I'm sure.


It's been an inconsistent start to the season as we're sitting in sixth place as we've scored sixteen goals in the opening five games but we've conceded eight times, we've lost twice in the opening five games. I'm hoping the inconsistent form from the opening month doesn't happen all the time.

Not bad start tbf. Hopefully the team will starting to pick up and win next few games.

Not a bad start hopefully team can picket self up and win few of the next games

It's been a decent start to the season Johno but it could/should have perhaps been a bit better, hope you're right.

Cheers Jamie, I'm just hoping we can find some consistent form.


It has been an inconsistent start to the league season as the Whites have lost two of the opening five games, both on the road while we have so far won every league game at Elland Road, scoring fourteen in the process, but only scored two on the road which needs to be addressed, Five league games awaited us in the second month of the campaign as the inconsistency continued.


We lost the opening fixture of the month as early season pacesetters Swindon Town won 3-1 at Elland Road, Josimar Quintero hitting our consolation goal with sixteen minutes remaining.

However three days later the side picked up their first away win of the campaign and first clean sheet in the process, winning three nil away to Wycombe Wanderers - Dean Grbac, Dan Cotterill and Mesca the scorers.

I gave young striker Kyle Brookes his Leeds début (from the U19 side) and he rewarded me with a double as Carlisle were beaten 5-3, Fabian Delph also scored twice while on loan Tommy Howard netted the other goal.

A two nil lead was then squandered at the New York stadium to draw two all at Rotherham as goals from Kyle Brookes and Tommy Howard seemingly had us in control but our inability to keep clean sheets (bar the Wycombe game) cost us again.

And then the month ended with a 7-5 defeat at Spotland which almost made me want to resign as the inconsistent form is doing my nut in despite using the same 'style' as last season, Kyle Brookes scored for the third game running as he started his Leeds career on fire, Mesca struck a hat trick while veteran goalkeeper Mark Bunn put through his own net. It was four four at half time in an incredible game.


Something needs to change as not only are we slipping down the league but we've also conceded a 'disgusting' amount of goals in our opening ten games and that can't and isn't acceptable, at the moment we have slipped down to ninth place and I'm sure I'm soon to be 'under pressure' as the Leeds owner doesn't need a 'reason' to sack anyone, could I be next to be axed?