Press Conference

Following on from Rich's post last season, thought it might be interesting to ask his questions again and a few more. Always interesting to hear other managers thoughts.



Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?
Finishing in the top 6, although in the game thats only mid table. it would me a more soild season for me and not hanging on by a thread!

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?
Hmmmm, City? Will? It's always down to luck when i play will. But City are always tough.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?
Used to be be Tevez... but now its Captain Vantastic RVP!

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?
Yes i do, im playing a basic MIX formation at the moment but plan on swapping just figuring out what Tactic will get the best from my players.

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?
Hmmm, Theo Walcott?

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?
RVP, took me 3 seasons in the game to finally capture him. and he was worth every single penny and more!

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?
Hmmm, Hasnt happened yet but Aguero... wouldnt that be a nice player to have in the Armoury lol.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.
Fabinanski, i want to play Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?
thomas vermaelen, one of the few players in the league that would finish the jigsaw im putting together!

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?
Current formation?.. I Play a BW atm and its either Cabaye or Givet at AM.

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?
TM, i have RVP or Tevez or Arshavin so i can rotate and one can always play ST, not a bad problem to have!

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?
RVP, Tevez, Drogba, Rooney, Aguero?

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?
Already have, Champions League, might aswel test vs the best!

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?
Frimpong, Miguel Ignasi, Ramsey?

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?
Well im not a bookie and im shit with odds. so... il let someone PM with that .

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.
I think if will keeps on with his current form, he could be right up there with the best of us but i think the championship is gonna be a great league to watch!

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?
Myself? i seem to always struggle for some unknown reason, but this Squad Effectiveness system should be a very useful tool to keep me on the straight and narrow lol.


Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?
Schalke, Barcelona, Real Marid, Inter? Only three...

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?
Im not sure who's entered if im honest.

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?
Brum, Newcastle, City?

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

Well i finished 3rd last season so a Title push would be good but just staying in the League is a hard job with the amount of quality in there.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

Fulham. Will defo has the upper hand in our encounters.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

Scott Parker. Not the most glamorous of players but so important no matter what tactics are deployed.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

Same as Phil really, playing MIX at the mo but want to find my own style. A few idea's just need to see some results!

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

Either Nani or Aguero (fingers crossed) i would say!

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

Cleverley. There is no limit to what this boy can do, 1st yard is in his head, always 1 or 2 touch, good range of passing, great vision. Love him!

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

Am pretty happy to be honest, at a push probably Nasri.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

Eboue. Need a decent right back quickly.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Got to be Wazza really.

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

RB definitely. Need to give Begovic a review as well.

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

Attacking positions, Hopefully this week should see Nani, Young, Chicharito and Aguero be my front 4!

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

Van Persie or Rooney

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

Nope, not this season and i'm sure my fans will kick off!

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

Danny Welbeck, had a super start IRL so hopefully he can do well when called on in game.

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

God only knows, my record at betting is shockingly bad!

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

My Gremio team could spring a few upsets in Brazil, unbeaten for about 8 games now, Possibly Betis in Spain, Think Will and Fulham will have a good season.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

My overpaid bunch of prima donna's!

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

Schalke i hope, Jamie deserves it!

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

Dunno who's in there so will wait n see

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

Well i hope its 3rd time lucky for me!

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

A top 6 finish.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

Not sure on this one as playing in lower league. Would have to say just playing a prem team in the prem would be an achievement in itself.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

Hmm, not sure yet as squad still needs a lot of deent players. Probably my DY.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

No Sticking with FAS. Have always played it and seem to know the tactic very well.

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

Not really signed anyone of significance yet.

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

Not really in the market to compete and havent really focussed on other peoples signings.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

Liam Lawrence, Gilberto Silva, Steed Malbranque, the list could go on.....

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Good question, probably one of the Liverpool players (it pains me to say it)

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

CF or LK

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

BW or AM

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

Probably Michael Owen or Dirk Kuyt

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

No

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

George Green or Connor McAleny

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

Would say Liverpool are ods on favourites, however i think i am turning a few heads.

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

Overall im still not really up to scratch with what everyone is doing. Will seems very settled at Fulham so expect him to do well. I have to say im impressed with Birmingham, rich certainly has hid head screwed on and could be a surprise package.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

Unfortunatley, Plymouth. Sorry Ben, you have big shoes to fill.

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

Dont care

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

Dont Care

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

Dont care


Overall, most of these questions aimed at higher league managers which is to be expected. Cant wait to be involved at that level again but still have a lot of wor to do with my squad so if it takes a while it takes a while.

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?
I think that anything like last season's efforts would be a good season for us. It would be great if we were able to go one step further this season but having made some substantial changes to the squad, and my tendency to tinker with things along the way, I think it will be a step too far, at least for this season.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?
I think with such a small division there isn't one game that I could put my finger on to say right if we don't win here then we are in trouble but it would be nice to take some points off Man City this year.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?
Not so much the most important player but players. Ideally we need the new boys Tom V and Nasri to settle in quickly at the club and will need Rooney and Essien to produce some of the form that they put together last season.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?
I am constantly tinkering with things so I wouldn't be surprised it there are some changes along the way. Do I anticipate any weeks where I don't change things around should be the question!

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?
Tom V who I hope will support an ageing Rio at CB.

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?
Nasri who I have been after since I was at Utd. Took some serious negotiations but I think he could become a real legend here at Plymouth.

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?
I would have liked to have bought in RVP, although he was signed at the back end of last season so probably Sebastien Coates. Was a disappointment to lose Vidic but someone had to make way in the Nasri deal.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

I don't think there is anyone I wouldn't mind playing week in week out but if I had to go with one it would be Owen Hargreaves.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Tough question as there as so many quality players in the Premiership. If I had to pick though it would probably be Theo Walcott or Arjen Robben.

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

Possibly LH depending on how Rosicky gets on there.

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

TM and AM Rooney and Essien.

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

Could be a number of guys this season although I would expect the usual suspects to be making an appearance -Rooney, Tevez, Aguero, RVP etc...

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?
Yes and am not best pleased with being in the group of death.

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?
Probably Kieron Gibbs.

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?
Hard one to answer - if I had to pick a favourite though then I would go with City.

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.
Fulham seem to be shaping up to be a force this season but I don't think there are many surprises there with the players Will has managed to bought in so I am going to go for Betis in Spain.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?
Tough one but I would probably agree with Ross that it might end up being Plymouth.

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?
So many teams that could take this one - Inter, Real Madrid, Schalke, Barcelona etc. Wouldn't be surprised though if someone outside of the regular favourites takes the crown though this year.

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?
No idea although I do know that Lyon have no chance!

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?
Birmingham

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

Promotion and nothing less.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

Erm....prob the human managed teams

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

Luis Suarez

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

No playin Mix and gonna stick with it...unless disater strikes

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

Ramires

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

Ramires and Mikel

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

None because i got the two i was after

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

Eduardo or Zhirkov

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Vincent Kompany

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

CF

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

TM

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

Suarez or Pavlyuchenko

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

Maybe a late addition if Paul allows it.

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

Josh McEachran, Wont get much game time for me so could well be on his way to Italy for a loan spell

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

Favourites......No pressure then

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

Rich.........SMUG GIT!!!!!

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

Charles Dickens

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

Schalke, Real Madrid, Newcastle

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

Dunno who's in it

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

Newcastle,Birmingham, Chelsea

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?
Stay up and get another premiership pay day.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?
Mark, home and away, i scabbed a point at his place last year and then he comfortably beat me at mine. Despite a few recent changes i think hes a shrewed cookie and when that teams settled he'll be even harder to get a result from.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?
Robben, if i can get him firing then who knows whats achievable.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?
always, cant help but tinker, although it wont be anything that deviates away from FLY or WIN, just slight subtle things.

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?
Without a doubt Zabaleta, otherwise i have to play John Paintsil.

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?
Jagielka although there is a Signinficant New recruit this week who could be very interesting if i can be the manager to get him to fulfill his hemsoft potential

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?
Without a doubt RVP, i think i may have been close with getting something with mark, but i wasnt prepared to go that bit bigger, regret that a lot.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.
probably Carasso , dont really want a french keeper in the sticks, especially if its debatable if hes lingual or not.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?
Rooney.......................come on Ben lets make it happen

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?
N/A ..........................lol. joking.............keeper and may need to start looking for a long term replacement for the irrepressable Tiago, (love that guy)

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?
without a shadow LW.
Robben, Milner & Richardson and iv still got Gervinho to move across when the time is right.

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?
Rooney, maybe tevez

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?
yes

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?
not really in my accademy, although qualifies for it but Jerome Boatang is only just 21 and plays week in week out for Bayurn Munich and is a regular for Germany, can play Rb or CB - hes 99 95 pure gold.

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?
obviously City are the favourites, then if im being honest i think the other spots are up for grabs including the relelgation births. every single one of us have match winners its just who can get the most ot of what theyve got, those that dont will struggle.

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.
in the championship Ja, having taken 3 years to do it hes finally realised every successful team needs something at the sharp end thats isnt peter obdanwingie, hes got a blinding deal this turn that for me will make him a real force (im taking 55% credit for that by the way Ja)
premiership - Phil, hes got himself a pretty mean frontline and the rest of his side seems pretty settled from the outside looking in, he'll do well

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?
Championship - Rich, signed too much chaff thats due to be chopped, understand his reasoning for it , but think it might bite him later down the line.
Prem - posibbly Ben, plymouth since i joined were like city, untouchable and id challenge any one of us to go in, make changes to put our own mark on the team and not struggle initially as you try to find the right blend of personell and tactics.

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?
Rob, hes always strong

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?
Robs other team

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?
Rob.....oh in england....i dont know, any of us, Phils due one i think after some good cup runs.

Quote :

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

Charles Dickens

Gaz, brilliant answer, although I can't tell if you are amazingly witty or an idiot lol!

Amazingly witty...............Obviously

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

anywhere above 12th.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

lazio, napoli and cremonese. the first two are the derby games and cremonese cos that too makes the game even more of a local derby than dundee v dundee united since gaz is 35 yards from my door.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

milos krasic at playmaker. its important that he steps up to the plate in his new pm role. i was going to say de rossi but its more important that other players start sharing the work load, de rossi has been burdened the past two seasons its fair to say.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

no. 3-6-1 is where we finished last season and its where we continue this one. its looking solid, just needs polishing. with a few more friendlies under our belt it'd be nice to see some victories.

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

rafinha was a signing in week 20 but we've not made any summer signings that will impact the team. we're pleased with our new right wing back, he's the perfect player. maybe we'll finally replace cafu now...its only taken 4 years. there's no pressure on him to become that good overnight though!

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

thiago alcantara.

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

well, we would all i'm sure like sergio aguero in our teams but our club decided not to make a bid so you could hardly say we missed out. if you don't buy a ticket, you don't win the lottery.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

probably Alessandro Gamberini and Josue.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Diego Maradona or Ruud Gullit. You didn't ask whether it was past or present.

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

I don't think anything is particularly stand out weak. I don't think any opponent could target a specific area of weakness, but we could do with an extra forward in the squad for better cover as we only have two available.

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

midfield.

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

I'd really like to see Alex Pato to start shining, but the trouble is the Inter front line is that strong he will still probably be confined to champions league and italian cup matches. im not sure who will be top scorer, maybe someone will surprise us.

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

is the intertoto cup still running then? unless we were top of the fair play league last season then i dont think we were invited.

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

thiago alcantara. granit xhaka. xherdani shaqiri. edin visca.

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

inter 2-1
juve 7-2
milan 5-1
napoli 10-1
roma 12-1
ancona 14-1
cremonese 15-1
lazio 20-1
fiorentina 30-1
parma 50-1
udinese 100-1
ataltanta 250-1


Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

ancona. i like jamie and i like how he sets his teams out. very hard to beat and i can see him cementing a solid top half finish. top four would surprise a lot of people, but not me.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

napoli. they'll struggle to finish fourth this time around i think. ourselves, anonca and cremonese are far better prepared this season i think. the top three will probably be quite a bit ahead i think (inter, milan, juve) but the rest will be pretty tight i think down to the bottom three.

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

schalke. i dont want anyone else to win it. its about time jamie got his hands on the thing.

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

does anybody care?

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

inter, juve, milan

Following on from Rich's post last season, thought it might be interesting to ask his questions again and a few more. Always interesting to hear other managers thoughts.



Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?
Must hit play offs minimum. The side is ageing and I can't afford a rebuilding process without being in the prem. Must go up this year or next
Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?
It's always the trip to the valley. But Chelsea away is now a problem

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?
Michael Carrick
Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?
I still need a plan B. But not essentially no

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?
Jamie Carragher. desperately needed some quality at CB that will couldn't rip the shit out of for being unheard of

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?
Tim Krul finally getting his ass over to Leicester. The one I'm really happy with is at Betis. newed Isaac Cuenca 2weeks before Matt tried....finally a top Spanish youngster... Watch this space.. You heard this boys name here first. Really happy with Bojan too

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.
Leicester - Nico Kalinic & the evergreen Harry Kewell
Betis - massimo oddo

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?
easy - Luis Suarez

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?
ST - owing to the fact that all my forwards are big strong bastards... When Paul said you can only play a CF and a St...I cried. Need a more mobile ST. Need a LH too

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?
Tough one, I'm not over blessed with quality like the perm boys.. But probably AM. have Park, Poulsen and Kleberson that can all do a job there
Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?
Suarez

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?
Have entered Betis. Not Leicester

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?
Kyle Walker although he's now first team squad. Islam Feruz is apparently going to Chelsea which cheers me up.
At Betis there's some youth quality in waiting - Zanka Jorgensen, Raphael Varane, Andrei Yarmolenko to name 3

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?
My title odds?, 7/1. Chelsea 6/5, Watford 3/1, Charlton 6/1
Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.
Jamie @Watford. Finally bought a forward..
Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?
Tinker man at Plymouth. buying players first, then trying to find a formation. Suicide if you ask me... Sorry Ben mate, think you may struggle unless you settle them down quickly
Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?
don't care.

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?
Whoever has bothered to enter it

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?
Not bothered. Whoever takes it most seriously...someone with a huge squad. rich at birmingham maybe

Quote :

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?
Tinker man at Plymouth. buying players first, then trying to find a formation. Suicide if you ask me... Sorry Ben mate, think you may struggle unless you settle them down quickly

Am finally getting settled with my team and formation so I can only hope I can settle things down enough to have an impact but like you Rich I am also concerned at the way things might go this season!

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

Newcastle - Challenging for the title and in the mix right til the bitter end although it's been a few seasons since this last happened.

Sevilla - Avoiding bottom spot in a tough La Liga.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

Always Man City..... depressingly however I don't think I've managed much more than a point in the last few seasons. Plymouth is another fixture I look forward to with trepidation...next two games up are? Yup...you guessed it!

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

Mario Balotelli - if he gets his shooting boots on it could be indicative of a good season. A sorry record last season, we'll see.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

Yes, although I'm constantly changing my mind as to what it will be!

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

Nemanja Vidic - has to hit the ground running and keep things tight back there.

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

The package that took Nasri to Plymouth... got to be happy with reinforcements down the spine of my team in Vidic, Anderson and Lukaku.

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

Gervinho - class act.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

Jeffrey Bruma, talented and has potential but not ready yet for a hard campaign.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

OMG...the list is endless!

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

The right half/winger slot.... Ruiz, my "review" didn't go well!

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

CF - quite blessed up front at the moment with Balotelli, Forlan, Lukaku and Hamdaoui to fall back on.

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

RVP - his sale WILL return to haunt me.

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

Absolutely! Defending Champions don't you know...

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

There are a few but I've heard good things about Ross Barkley.

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

I'd make myself a 3/1 shot based purely on the Champions League win last season....... City must be odds on at 4/5, Plymouth 7/4, Brum 11/4, Arsenal a 9/2 shot and Fulham 11/2....

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

I'll nominate Fulham to have another great season.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

Mumble, mumble..... Roma....mumble.......

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

Inter, Schalke or Madrid (are they all in it?).

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

Don't know who's in it!

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

Arsenal, City or Brum.

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?

Charlton - Top two is impossible, playoffs would be great, relegation a disappointment.
Nantes - Title challenge a necessity.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?

Leicester, Chelsea, Watford, Spurs, Middlesboro. Would be easier to ask when I havn't got an acid test fixture.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?

Wilshere and Becks need to keep the ball away from the opposition as long as possible and hopefully I might get a few 0-0s!

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?

None whatsoever. SLO all the way.

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?

All of them, any of them.

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?

Actually, this might make you laugh but Nigel Reo-Coker!!
Seems to fit the formation really well, and has started like a house on fire.
I can't believe I just typed that....

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?

Would say Coates, but.......

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.

None, hope they all are playing in week 22 as I desperately need to keep a settled squad. So much so, I am tempted to ask Paul to put all my players on protected 22 week contracts so I can't sell any of them.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?

Obviously Suarez, as a Liverpool fan, he means to me what Tevez meant to Paul last season.
Although in terms of my team and the game, the player I would most like is Charlie Adam.

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?

None really, they are all pretty average across the board.

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?

See above.

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?

Probably Luis Suarez. Hopefully not Roman Pavlyuchenko!

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?

Not with Charlton, only with Nantes.

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?

Take your pick - Sturridge, Oxlade, Lucas Rodrigues, Oscar, Shelvey, Kelly, Spearing, Flanagan, Robinson, Sterling, Damiao. I do get excited about the youngsters

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?

Chelsea 1/3, Watford 2/1, Leicester 3/1, Spurs 5/1, Middlesboro 6/1,
Charlton 20/1

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.

Gonna go with Ben. With all the negative expectations, I still think he has enough quality and common sense to turn it round in time to have a real go at the title. If there is a time to make massive changes, it is at the start of the season. So in that respect, he will surprise a lot of managers.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?

Due to the massive pressure being built up by fellow managers, I do feel that Fulham will fail to live up to expectations this year. Everyone has Will down as a serious challenger to the title, but I think a few will be disappointed. I hope anyway.

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?

Inter, Inter and Inter.

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?

Nantes.

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?

Got to be honest, I think Birmingham too, the strength of squad is phenomenal.
Maybe Arsenal. But if Ben is still it in past christmas, I don't think anyone will fancy playing him at his place.

'Fulham title challenge ' - give over!?!

im still playing catch up with those who started with more 99 99's than i have Dickson Etuhu's & geogios samaras's.

in terms of personel im still miles behind a lot in this league, not to mention City and united who i think will be nigh on unstobable this year and who will run away into the sunset and have their own duel for the title.

it sounds daft but my front 3 consisting of a 97 97, 97 97 and a 97 95 still isnt sweet bo didderly in the premiership compared to some

..............&

Charlton 20/1 - who are u? "play it down' Rob lol!!!

Thought you had 9999 Robben???

He should carry you to at least third, minimum.

Everyone is tipping you for a real challenge this year, so you can't play it down.

Pressure is on, don't let everyone down.

He plays everything down....until he starts jumping around using phrases like back-to-back buckley... pressure is on Will.

I expect at this point for him to shrug his shoulders and claim that the title is between City, Newcastle, Birmingham, Arsenal and Plymouth..

I never said anything about the front 4

Fortunately the fans of fulham have a better sense of perspective and realise we've been over achieving over the last few seasons.

Same again this year will be another excellent achievement

Can't see the fans being happy with that at all.

Europa cup winners, as your avatar so proudly boasts, means that expectations are massive.

You don't seem to know your fans as well as you should!!

1: league / champ league double
2: bayern
3: mario gomez
4: yes gone BAR
5: mario gomez
6: mario gotze
7: none
8: westermann need a lk
9: lahm
10: lk
11: rw
12: ronaldinho
13: yes
14: mario gotze
15: 11/4
16: _
17: me
18: whoever faces me in final
19: _
20: schalke
sorry for short answers but its chard work on phone.

Tom@Charlton wrote:

Can't see the fans being happy with that at all.

Europa cup winners, as your avatar so proudly boasts, means that expectations are massive.

You don't seem to know your fans as well as you should!!

dont they affectionately call me ' back to back Buckley' lol

Q1. What is a 'good season' for your clubs?
I suppose Inter need to defend the League title this season and a decent Champions League run would be nice as I never seem to make it out of the group.

Boca ..... adding the World Club Cup if I get back to back trebles.

Q2. What is your 'acid test' Fixture?
Tough division this year. Juventus are settled and strong, Milan have a lot going forward, Roma have accumulated a big strong squad ........ I'll plump for the 2 games against Juve.

Q3. Most important player for the coming season?
Pirlo keeping the legs going for another season.

Q4. Do you anticipate any tactical changes?
It's all about SLO.

Q5. Which of your summer signings do you need to settle the quickest?
Chiellini.

Q6. Which piece of summer business are you happiest with?
Chiellini and Higuain.

Q7. Which player do you feel you most missed out on, that another manager signed during the season break?
None really.

Q8. Which of your players will be in your starting 11 for week 1, but you hope he doesn't feature in week 22.
Chiellini will come in for Juan and Higuain for Eto'o.

Q9. Given a magic wand, which of your rivals (in your division) players would you like to see in your clubs colours?
Lavezzi or De Rossi.

Q10. Which position in your chosen formation do you see as currently the weakest link?
Juan at CB or after the additions of Chiellini and Higuain ...... Coentrao maybe.

Q11. Which do you see as the strongest?
My midfield is generally strong and I've got good depth in goal. My forward line now reads Cavani and Higuain backed up by Giuseppe Rossi and Eto'o so that's taken over.

Q12. Who will finish as leading scorer in your division?
Lavezzi should but Mattia Graffiedi might just because he always scores against me.

Q13. Are you planning on entering European competition?
Why the hell not.

Q14. Which youngster in your academy do you have highest hopes for?
I don't really know. At Inter Iturbe, Kovacic, El Shaarawy and Casemiro look good but Danilo, Galeano and Santon aren't awful. At Boca Ocampos is coming along and I'm liking Lanzini and have a real soft spot for Abel Hernandez. Last season was a good one for me at youth and schoolboy level and it will be interesting to see what happens now that Boca have a team in the schoolboy league too. 3 great youth signings this week change things a bit Insigne and Gabbiadini are a couple of great young Italian strikers and Andy Polo, in at Boca, is supposed to be a great player.

Q15. If you were a bookie, what odds would you give your own team and your rivals in your division, to win the league?
I reckon Juve are slight favourites as I've made changes but Milan, Roma, Napoli and a few others are always close.

Q16. Surprise package of the season? Manager or team, feeder or parent.
Roma will perform strongly. Stu has actually put a good squad together and has some level of stability.

Q17. Who do you think will not live up to expectations?
Me?

Q18. Champions League winner, three most likely?
Schalke, an English team - City maybe, Barca or Real. I'd like to say me but I've never had a good Champions League run. Won the shit one a couple of seasons ago though.

Q19. Europa League winner, three most likely?
Ummmm ........ this is the shit one I mentioned before.

Boca will win the Libertadores ................. sorry Tom.

Q20. Domestic Cup winner, three most likely?
Same as Europe. I usually get beaten by Gaz in the semis or quarters. So expect to see Milan, Juve and dark horses Roma in the mix.

Will@Fulham wrote:

dont they affectionately call me ' back to back Buckley' lol

You do realise that Leicester fans now chant 'back to back Medley' too.

You can sometimes hear the faint murmurings of 'back to back Hurst' down at the Valley too.

Looking back, this is hilarious!!

On one hand I said this....

Top two impossible.....finished at least second
Most important players....Becks and Wilshere....BOTH SOLD
Best business in summer.....Reo-Coker.....SOLD
No tactical changes SLO all the way......FAS got me promoted
No team changes expected......COMPLETELY different XI now to the one that started
Player most wanted......Charlie Adam.......LOL
Fulham to be nowhere near the title
Charlton 20/1 to get promoted

And then on the other hand I said....

Ben to be the surprise package.......wins the league
Birmingham to win the cup......runners up
Nantes to win the Europa.........CORRECT!!
and I called big years coming up for Oxlade, Sturridge, Damiao, Lucas Moura, Oscar and Sterling

Oh well.......