Football Manager 2010 - Follow my game here

Football manager 2011 - Preview

2010-08-20T13:20:00.001-07:00

I just thought I'd give you all the address to my latest blog - It's a new blog ready for the latest version of the football management simultation game by Sports Interactive. I will be adding screenshots and features ready for the launch in autumn.

http://football-manager-2011-guide.blogspot.com/

Who will finish fourth in the premier league?

2010-03-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

Read my views and leave your views at the new website

http://view-from-the-north-stand.blogspot.com/2010/03/race-for-fourth-place-in-premier-league.html

Follow my game on the latest Football manager game here

2010-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Due to a lack of time, I'm merging this football manager 2010 blog with another of my sites called View from the North Stand. This means that you can follow my game here.

http://view-from-the-north-stand.blogspot.com/

Fulham (home), Arsenal (home)

2009-12-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

Stats - Top Scorers

15 Peter Crouch
9 Robbie Keane
8 Rafael Van Der Vaart
7 Defoe
5 Pavlyuchenko
4 Carroll

Tottenham v Fulham
I'm hoping to continue my winning streak with victory here against FUlham. Van Nistelrooy plays up front with Crouch as I revert back to the 3-4-1-2 formation. Van der Vaart plays as playmaker, whilst Krancjar is given a game, ahead of Bale and Modric.

0 Tottenham
2 Fulham - Zamora, Dempsey
position 6th

Top of table
Chelsea P32 78
Man Utd P32 77
Liverpool P32 63
Man City P31 61
Arsenal P32 53
Tottenham P32 52
Everton P31 48

We're now only four points clear of 7th place and Everton have a game in hand. We need to hold on to 6th so that we can qualify for European competition. It's Tottenham v Arsenal next.

1 Tottenham - Lennon
0 Arsenal

We've now done the double over Arsenal. Aaron Lennon scoring the only goal in the derby game. The win moves us back up to 5th place.

Dream Teams in fm2010 - hot prospects, most valuable players, etc..

2009-12-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

Just a little fun from the serious business of football management. Here are a selection of dream teams and statistics from the game.

Most Valuable Team
GK Iker Casillas (30m)
DL Yuri Zhirkov (18m)
DC Joleon Lescott (24m)
DC John Terry (15.75m)
DR Dani Alves (16m)
ML Lionel Messi (35.5m)
DMC Michael Essien (27m)
AMC Kaka (32.5m)
MR CHristiano Ronaldo (34.5m)
ST Fernando Torres (33.5m)
ST Wayne Rooney (28.5m)

Hot Prospects - These players are tipped to be world class!
GK Sergio Asenjo
DL Davide Santon
DC Jack Rodwell
DC Marc Muniesa
DR Rafael
ML Stevan Jovetic
DMC Moussa Sissoko
AMC Miralem Pjanic
MR Henri Saivet
ST Eden Hazard
ST Romelu Lukaku

more coming soon

Birmingham (a), Burnley (a)

2009-12-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

Birmingham v Tottenham

Ruud Van Nistelrooy comes back into the starting lineup, although he still hasn't scored for us yet. Crouch will partner him up front. Bentley gets a game in place of Lennon, but it's largely unchanged from the win at Fulham.

0 Birmingham
2 Tottenham - van Nistelrooy, Crouch
position 6th

After 64 minutes, I was about to make a change. Bobbie Keane on for Ruud van Nistelrooy. I 'confirmed' the changes and it went back to live tv. Gareth Bale swung in a cross from deep into the box where Ruud van Nistelrooy swooped with a diving header to put us 1-0 up. It's his first goal for Spurs! Peter Crouch added a second later in the second half meaning we win again! 3 in a row!

Burnley v Tottenham
Andy Carroll comes in to partner Robbie Keane up front. No other changes are to be made to the team who beat Birmingham.

0 Burnley
1 Tottenham - van Nistelrooy
position 5th

Ruud van Nistelrooy came on for Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch came on for Andy Carroll after 60 minutes. Crouch put van Nistelrooy in the clear shortly after, but he wasted the chance. Later in the half, Aaron Lennon knocked a long ball into space. Van Nistelrooy got there first, again in the clear, surely this time... GOAL! It's 2 in 2 for Ruud. 3 points again for Spurs, we move up to 5th.

West Ham (away), Fulham (away) (F.A.Cup Quarter finals)

2009-12-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

Tottenham v West Ham

I've gone back to the 3-4-1-2 formation for the game against West Ham. Shawcross, King and Woodgate hold the defense together with Palacios, Huddlestone and Van Der Vaart in the middle. Modric plays left and Lennon plays right with Van Nistelrooy and Crouch as strikers.

2 Tottenham - Huddlestone, Van Der Vaart
0 West Ham

Tom Huddlestone scored the opener with a well placed shot from outside the area and Rafael Van Der Vaart made sure of the victory with a similar goal to Huddlestone's. The victory leaves us in 6th place. We are in the Euro Cup places, but qualification for the Champions Cup looks out of our reach.

Top of table
Chelsea P29, 82
Man Utd P29, 71
Man City P28, 55
Liverpool P29, 54
Arsenal P29, 47
Tottenham P29, 46
Aston Villa P28, 42

I've signed a couple of 'hot prospects from Spanish clubs. They will join Spurs in July 2010.
Koke from At. Madrid for £1.2m.
Marc Muniesa from Barcelona for 95k.

Fulham v Tottenham (F.A.Cup 6th round)
2 Fulham - Zamora, Kamara
4 Tottenham - Crouch, Van Der Vaart, Keane, Palacios
0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 2-4

Peter Crouch started the scoring with a well taken goal, assisted by Robbie Keane. Van Der Vaart doubled the lead. Early in the second half Bobby Zamora gave Fulham a glimmer of hope, but Robbie Keane scored the third for Spurs. Diomansy Kamara pulled another goal back, but the win was secure by a header from Wilson Palacios in inury time.

We're through to the semi final of the F.A.Cup, beating Fulham by 4-2. We'll now play West Ham in the semi final at white hart lane.

Next three games - Wigan (h), Sheff Wed (h) (FACup5), Wolves (a)

2009-12-26T05:22:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping the follow up the excellent away win at Everton with another three points here. I've made lots of changes, but the team should be good enough to win. Keane partners Pavlyuchenko, whilst Krancjar and Bentley play the wings. Bassong plays at left wingback - to give Bale a rest.

2 Tottenham - King, Crouch
2 Wigan - Scotland, Scharner
0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2

As you can see, resting players almost cost me dear. Jason Scotland and Paul Scharner gave Wigan a 2-0 lead. I took immediate action, bringing on Van Nistelrooy and Crouch still in the first half! Ledley King pulled one back just before half-time and Crouch scored the equaliser.Constant pressure by us followed, but we couldn't get the winner. It's the fifth round of the F.A.Cup next, at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Romelu Lukaku comes in for his first full game, partnering Andy Carroll up-front. Apart from attack, the rest of the team are largely first team players.

5 Tottenham - Lukaku (2), Carroll (2), Lennon
2 Sheff Wed - Hinds, Skacel
1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 5-2

An explosive cup game with Lukaku and Carroll both scoring two goals. We're through to the quarter finals, where we will play Fulham away.

2 Wolves - Kightly, Ebanks-Blake
0 Tottenham
position 6th

The less said about this one, the better - so I'm not going to say anything

Next two matches - Chelsea (a) & Everton (a)

2009-12-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Ruud Van Nistelrooy starts his first full game partnering Peter Crouch up front against Chelsea. Kyle Naughton continues his run in the side at right back. Chelsea have new signings Iaquinta & Cassano leading the front line.

2 Chelsea - Bale (og), Anelka
2 Tottenham - Modric, Crouch
1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2

We were so close to causing an upset at leaders Chelsea. Nicolas Anelka scoring the equaliser in the 80th minute. I'm delighted with the point though, as we stay in 5th place. Almost an unchanged side for the trip with Everton, the only replacement being Van Der Vaart coming in for Jenas.

0 Everton
2 Tottenham - Van Der Vaart, Crouch

An excellent performance against the team one place below us. Rafael Van Der Vaart scored the first, a drilled freekick (pictured below) and Peter Crouch made the 3 points safe with a header similar to the one he scored in real life the other day! - where it hit the bar and then post.

FA Cup Fourth Round (vs QPR)

2009-12-24T07:54:00.000-08:00

FA Cup Fourth Round (vs QPR)

Ruud Van Nistelrooy could make his debut today, he starts on the bench, but he's still lacking in match practise. Sebastian Bassong is now with Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations, so he may miss a few games. Andy Carroll will start up front with Robbie Keane.

3 Tottenham - Carroll, Keane, van Der Vaart
0 QPR

A pretty convincing performance has put is through to the 5th round of the cup - where we'll meet Sheffield Wednesday, at home. It's Man City next, at home, who are two places above us, in third.

3 Tottenham - Bentley, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko
1 Man City - Tevez
position 5th

A convincing home win against Man City meaning we've now won 6 out of last 8. We stay in 5th place, but we're keeping the pressure on the teams above.

Atletico Madrid have made a bid of 7.5m for Woodgate
Barcelone have bid 8.5m for Lennon
-- both bid were rejected

Tottenham v Blackburn

2009-12-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

Tottenham v Blackburn

I've now won 4 out of my last 5 in all competitions! For the Blackburn game, Woodgate and Van Der Vaart are available for selection, but new signing Ruud Van Nistelrooy is still coming back from a hip injury.
1 Tottenham - Pavlyuchenko
1 Blackburn - Mccarthy
0-1, 1-1
Position 5th

We could only manage a draw, but the point still lifts us to 5th place in the league table. Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring the qualiser with a well placed shot. It's the 4th round of the F.A.Cup next and we'll play QPR at home.

F.A.Cup 3rd Round

2009-12-22T13:58:00.003-08:00

F.A.Cup 3rd Round

I'm playing Blackpool away and I'm making many changes. I've gone back to the 4-4-2, as King and Woodgate are both injured. Pavlyuchenko and Defoe lead the line. Andy Carroll and Ritchie De Laet are cup-tied, but there is a place for Kyle Naughton at right back. Hopefully, I will bring Romelu Lukaku on in the second half.

1 Blackpool - Euell
2 Tottenham - Pavlyuchenko, Krancjar
1-0, 1-1, 1-2

The game didn't start too well, with Blackpool taking the lead, but we managed to equalise just before half time. I left the team how it was, but a few minutes into the second half, Niko Krancjar gave us the lead. Time to bring on my 16 year old sensation, Romelu Lukaku in place of Jermain Defoe. He was unable to make much impact though, but we still progressed into round 4.

Andy Carroll has signed officially for 5.5m from Newcastle. Also, Ruud Van Nistelrooy has completed a move to Tottenham. In the end, it cost me £650,000, but I was able to sign him now instead of in June on a free. Jamie O'Hara has gone in the other direction, moving to Besiktas in a £2.1m move.

The next game is a tough visit to Stoke City, especially as I have injuries to King, Woodgate and Van Der Vaart, as well as a 2-game suspension for Palacios.

1 Stoke - Tuncay
3 Tottenham - Crouch, Dickinson (og), Carroll
0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 1-3

2-0 at half time, meant I could bring on Andy Carroll for his debut for Spurs. Crouch was sent off shortly after, so Carroll continued up front, but on his own. Sanli Tuncay pulled one back for Stoke, before Andy Carroll got his Tottenham career off to a flyer by securing the win with his shot from 12 yards.

Hull (h), Aston Villa (a)

2009-12-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Woodgate has picked up an injury and will be out for up to 3 weeks, but we got back to winning ways with the victory against Sunderland. An Andy Reid own goal secured the win in the second half. Bottom of the table Hull City are next, at home. Seeing as this game is only two days away, I'll be making a lot of changes. Krancjar, Shawcross, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Van Der Vaart, Bentley and Jenas all come back into the team.

2 Tottenham - Van Der Vaart, Defoe
1 Hull - Venegoor of Hesselink
1-0, 1-1, 2-1
Position 7th

Corluka has been sold to Sevilla for 5m, which will go ahead in January, when the transfer window opens. Altogether, I now have 7m available to spend on players! I'm trying to sign Ruud Van Nistelrooy on a free, but I don't think he'll accept such a decrease in wages to come to Spurs. I'm also looking to sign Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, despite him not playing a first team game for me whilst he's been on loan.

3 Aston Villa - Petrov, Agbonlahor (2)
0 Tottenham
Position 7th

Palacios was sent off at 1-0 down, which gave us little hope of clawing anything from this game. I decided to keep two up front after the sending off, which only made it easier for Villa to score more goals and take the 3 points. We stay in seventh position in the league though.

December 09 updates

2009-12-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

Jermain Defoe comes back into the starting lineup. I also have places for Pavlyuchenko, Krancjar and Bentley, who have all not been playing much in our recent good form. It is also a game I'm expecting to win, so it's a good chance to rest a couple of 1st teamers.

1 Tottenham - Defoe
1 Bolton - Elmander

Well, it's another draw - a disappointing result, which brings us down to 9th in the league. Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been sold to Lyon for 3.7m, so I may have some sort of transfer buget come January. Portsmouth away is the next game. Crouch and Defoe will lead the forward line against their old club. Van Der Vaart plays as playmaker and Shawcross comes in for Bassong. Portsmouth are currently in 19th position, so a win is a must!

2 Portsmouth - Piquionne (2)
1 Tottenham - King
1-0, 2-0, 2-1

This was a poor performance from the boys today, 2-0 down early in the second half. The weather was heavy rain, so after being 2-0 down I decided to play a direct, long ball game. Defoe comes off for Roman Pavlyuchenko to partner Crouch. Roman and Peter up front gave me two target man to aim long balls at. I managed to get one ball from a Ledley King shot, but it was not enough. I hold on to 9th place ion the league though.

Sunderland are flying high in the premier league, currently in 5th position. All but one player is playing at their natural position, and I'm pretty much playing my first team, including Modric as playmaker and Crouch and Keane up front.

2 Tottenham - Modric, Reid (og)
0 Sunderland
Position: 7th

A much needed win for us - the first since that sensational victory against Manchester United. The win moves us up to 7th place.

Two tough fixtures. Man Utd (h), Liverpool (a)

2009-12-19T16:05:00.003-08:00

The next week include fixtures against two of the top 4. We now face leaders Manchester United at White Hart Lane. Jermain Defoe comes back in the starting lineup, in place of Robbie Keane. Van Der Vaart plays at the playmaker, whilst Luca Modric plays wide left. Shawcross comes in for the injured Bassong.
4 Tottenham - Defoe, Van Der Vaart, Crouch, Keane
3 Man Utd - Rooney, Giggs, Rossi
1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 4-3
Position 5th

In an incredible match, we took all 3 points with two late goals and with substitute Robbie Keane netting the winner in the 5th minute of injury time - also known as 'fergie time.'

4 Liverpool - Torres (3), Gerrard
2 Tottenham - Woodgate, Keane
1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2
Position 6th

At Liverpool, we were 4-1 down at half time! A hat-trick from Fernando Torres left us with a mountain to climb. Keane managed to score in the second half - against his old club, but we were well beaten and slip down to sixth in the table.

League Cup Quarter Finals

2009-12-19T15:47:00.000-08:00

2 Tottenham - Defoe (2)
1 Hull - Blake
0-1, 1-1, 2-1
Position 7th

For the second game in a row, we came from behind to take the points. Jermain Defoe scored two goals to make it 3 in 2 for him. The win keeps us in 7th place. We're now unbeaten in 10 games!

1 Fulham - Nevland
1 Tottenham - Defoe
1-0, 1-1
Position 5th

Another away draw. If we continue to have results like this, I could end up like Mark Hughes at Man City (in real life) - too many draws for them recently have sealed his fate, as he was sacked this afternoon.

League Cup Quarter finals
2 Chelsea - Drogba, Iaquinta
0 Tottenham

A dissapointing performance in the quarter finals losing 2-0 to Chelsea. The draw for the 3rd round of the F.A.Cup has been made. We will face Blackpool away. We've already met them in the league cup this year, beating them 2-1.

Arsenal v Tottenham - London Derby

2009-12-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

It's West Ham next and I'm hoping the decent run will continue. I've changed my tactics to a 3-4-1-2 for this match with a short passing game. Niko Krancjar will play as the attacking midfielder for this game as both Modric and Van Der Vaart have slight injuries. Keane and Crouch will start up-front, whilst Gareth Bale plays at left midfield, instead of his defensive role.

1 West Ham - Diamanté
1 Tottenham - Huddlestone

West Ham took the lead in the first half through Diamanté, but Tom Huddlestone managed to equalise to extend my unbeaten run. Krancjar was sent off in the second half, but I was pleased to hold on to the draw. The point moves us up to 10th again. It's Arsenal away for us next! Van Der Vaart is still injured, but Modric will step in instead of the suspended Krancjar. Pavlyuchenko will start as my target man, in place of Peter Crouch - who got injured against West Ham. This means there is a place for on-loan Andy Carroll on the bench. Arsenal are using 4-5-1 (or 4-3-3 depending on which way you look at it!), whilst I'm sticking with the 3-4-1-2.

1 Arsenal - Arshavin
2 Tottenham - Keane, Defoe
1-0, 1-1, 1-2
Position 7th

Arsenal took the lead through Arshavin, but goals from Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe gave me a sensational derby win at the Emirates stadium. The win moves Spurs up to 7th in the table. The unbeaten run continues and it finally looks like we're going well. In other news, Ebi Smolarek has been sold for £1m to Bordeaux. The deal will go ahead in January.

Continual of recent good form

2009-12-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

1 Tottenham - Keane
0 Wolves
1-0
league position: 10th

After two draws in a row, we badly needed a win to continue our good form of late. Robbie Keane's goal, against one of his former clubs, gave us an unconvincing victory. The League Cup 4th round is next against Sheff Wednesday.

1 Sheff Wed - Skacel
2 Tottenham - Van Der Vaart (pen), Crouch
AET
1-0, 1-1, 1-2

Rudi Skacel gave Wednesday the lead in the first half. Late in the second half, we were awarded a penalty. Van Der Vaart stepped up to take it and.... MISSED! Even later in the second half, we were awarded another penalty. Van Der Vaart steps up and.... GOAL! 1-1. By this time, I had every forward on the pitch, so after I equalised I reverted back to my normal formation - Pavyluchenko was playing right back! Peter Crouch got the winner in extra time to put us through to the quarter finals, where we will now play Chelsea, away.

Wigan (a) & Birmingham (H) - Two wins from 2?

2009-12-06T03:29:00.000-08:00

Wigan v Tottenham

Corluka returns to right back after his injury, Shawcross comes in for the injured Woodgate and Assou-Ekotto replaces Bale. In midfield, I'm giving Tom Huddlestone a game in for Palacios. My forward line remains unchanged, with Crouch and Keane
2 Wigan - Rodallega, Krivets
2 Tottenham - Crouch, Keane
1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2

The next two games are both at home to teams that I should beat - Birmingham and Wolves. It's Birmingham first, but it's a massive 15 days away, due to international call-ups. I've scheduled a game against Tottenham Reserves to keep up the match fitness of my players. A lot of my first team players were on international duty, so I wasn't too bothered about the match or result, but Tottenham won 2-1.

3 Tottenham - Crouch (2), Woodgate (injury time)
3 Birmingham - McFadden, Bowyer, Benitez
1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-3

A sensational game between Tottenham and Birmingham saw 6 goals, ending 3-3. I was 2-1 down at half time when I changed my tactics to 3-4-3. It looked like backfiring as Christian Benitez made it 3-1 to Birmingham. Peter Crouch scored his second to give me some hope and deep into injury time Jonathon Woodgate on his re-return to the side scored from 2 yards.

League Cup 4th round - Draw

2009-12-06T03:19:00.000-08:00

The draw for the 4th round of the League Cup has been made and once again, we face a team from the championshuip. This time, it's Sheff Wednesday away. In other news, Robbie Keane comes back in to the starting lineup in replace or Jermain Defoe. Jonathon Woodgate starts his first league game of the season and Gareth Bale continues his run in the side.

3 Tottenham - Crouch (2), Krancjar
1 Everton - Cahill

Everton took the lead in this game, before a lovely floated cross by Luca Modric was headed home by Peter Crouch to level the scores. Peter Crouch added a second, again a header, before Niko Krancjar sealed the win - scoring his 2nd in two matches. Woodgate got injured in his return from injury - he'll be out for another two weeks. We're now 11th in the league after this victory with Wigan away next.

Continued tweaking of tactics required

2009-12-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

2 Man City - Robinho, Zabaleta
0 Tottenham

Another poor performance means we have now gone 5 games without a win. A change of tactics didn't improve the performance, so more tweaking required.

League Cup 3rd round
4 Tottenham - Krancjar, Pavlyuchenko, Lukaku, King
0 Sheff Utd

A good performance by my players, some of which are fringe players. My 16 year old forward came on in the second half and became Tottenham's youngest ever scorer as he scored his first goal. I'm just pleased to register another win, albeit against a championship team.

Tottenham v Chelsea

2009-12-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

King receives a two match ban for his sending off against Blackburn. As a consequence, Robbie Keane hit out saying there was a lack of managerial discipline at the club - as a consequence, he will be placed on the subs bench for the game against Chelsea.
Tottenham v Chelsea

I have tweaked the formation for this game. The game started well enough. Didier Drogba had a goal disallowed before Peter Crouch gave us the lead. However, on the stroke of half-time, Drogba did equalise. The second half wasn't as good, as Chelsea dominated, with Michael Essien and Nicolas Anelka getting the winning goals.

1 Tottenham - Crouch
3 Chelsea - Drogba, Essien, Anelka

We now haven't won for a few games in the league. We're now 12th in the table. Man City, away, are next.

Archive: Tottenham Teamsheet Aug 2009

2009-12-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

I've decided to update my teamsheet that appears on every page, so this post will be where my old ones appear, so you can see how the team changes throuyghout the game. If you would like to view my teamsheets, click on the link in the top right box.

Gareth Bale, Jonathon Woodgate & David Bentley return from injuries

2009-12-04T12:46:00.001-08:00

Gareth Bale & Jonathon Woodgate are available for selection for the first time, having recovered from the injuries that they already had since I took over as Spurs boss. David Bentley also returns after his month out injured. All 3 players are severely lacking in match fitness, so none will start against Villa, but I'm busy arranging friendlies for my reserve team, so that all three can start playing games.

2 Tottenham - Pavlyuchenko, Keane
2 Aston Villa - John Carew, Craig Gardner

After being 2-0 up at half time, I thought three points were in the bag. I was wrong! It's another disappointing performance, so I'll be looking towards changing my tactics very soon, before the game with Chelsea.

Draw for the third round of the League Cup

2009-12-04T11:11:00.001-08:00

The draw has been made for the third round of the league cup. It's another home tie against a championship side. This time, it's Sheffield United.

2 Blackburn - Brett Emerton, Morten Gamst-Pedersen
0 Tottenham

The next game was a disappointing away defeat to Blackburn. In this game, I also had Ledley King sent off. It's my first loss of the season, so I'm hoping to get back on track with my next games...

Aston Villa (H)
Chelsea (H)
Man City (A)
Sheff Utd (H) - League Cup 3rd round

League Cup 2nd round - vs Blackpool (H)

2009-12-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

My new scout, Peter Hoekstra managed to uncover a hidden gem from Anderlecht of Belgium. He found a 16 year old forward called Romélu Lukaku who has the potential to be as good as any of my strikers. I managed to sign him for 2.3m, which I hope to be a bargain!

League Cup 2nd round
2 Tottenham - Lennon, Keane
1 Blackpool - Evatt

After just six minutes, I was already two up in this game. Aaron Lennon and troubled Robbie Keane getting the goals. At half time, I brought on new signing Romélu Lukaku and he became the youngest ever player to play for Tottenham at 16 years and 105 days. The second half was much the same, but we just couldn't score. Blackpool got a consolation goal from Ian Evatt.

Aug 2009 - First league games

2009-12-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

The first two games have been fairly quiet! With only one goal in total scored!

0 Hull
1 Tottenham - Van Der Vaart

I was pleased to beat Hull in the end, the goal came after only 13 minutes - a 30 yard strike by Van Der Vaart. Hull pressed throughout the remainder of the game but we managed to hold on!
0 Tottenham
0 Stoke City

At home to Stoke, I was thinking that three points were in the bag. However, it did not go to plan. Towards the end of the game, I was even using the 'shout-out orders' box, shouting everything related to attacking! After two games though, I'm happy with my 4 points. Next game for me, is Blackpool at home, in the League Cup.

Final Preparations before the start of the season

2009-12-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Evesham are the last pre-season friendly before the league season kicks off. This match should be more like a cricket score, although I have players out on international duty - including all left midfielders! Lennon now plays left and Bentley on the right

6 Tottenham - Pavlyuchenko (3), Van Der Vaart (2), Keane
0 Evesham

I now have injuries to Ledley King, David Bentley and Kyle Naughton! All will miss the start of the season. The first fixtures are against Hull (a) and Stoke City (H). I'm hoping, maybe expecting, 6 points here.

Pre-season update

2009-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

Latest Pre-season scores
Swansea 0 v 4 Tottenham
Dundee Utd 1 v 5 Tottenham

Here is an update on my current progress. I've continued my good form in the pre-season friendlies with wins against Dundee Utd & Swansea. I have signed Brian Eastwick as my assistant manager and I have completed the signing of Stoke's Ryan Shawcross for £5m. After trying to flog Robbie Keane for 12m and then 10m, I've given up and it looks like he'll be staying. Only Sunderland made a bid, but when it came to confirming the deal, they simply cancelled the transfer and said they were looking elsewhere!

Plymouth 1 v 4 Tottenham
Fallon Bassong
Defoe
Crouch (2)

Tottenham Reserves got a run out against the Glenn Hoddle (GH) Academy of Spain, beating them comprehensively by 5-0, with Smolarek scoring 3 goals. I've signed Andy Carroll from Newcastle on loan for 12 months and I've again offered Robbie Keane to all clubs for 7.5m!

Update on my football manager 2010 game progress

2009-11-28T16:01:00.000-08:00

John Bastock has officially signed for Man Utd for an initial 4.9m. The money will help me secure more signings before the transfer window at the end of August. Giovani Dos Santos has gone out on loan at Sunderland. Ebi Smolarek has signed on a free. Finally, Rafael Van der Vaart has put pen to paper and signed for Tottenham, much to the fan's delight and young winger Danny Rose has gone out on loan at Wallsall. Sunderland are the only team interested in Robbie Keane currently and have offered 11.75m.

I've placed an advert for an assistant manager, I wish to find one asap! Kevin Bond is my current assistant, but I'm looking for a better motivating and higher coaching attributes.

Friendly
Lisburn Distillery 0 v 3 Tottenham
Smolarek
Van der Vaart
Bassong

Training Schedules on FM2010

2009-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

Time to sort out the training schedules. It's best to get your training sorted whilst you're still in pre-season. When you start a game, all players use the same 'general' training schedule, so I would advise you to come up with your own set of schedules.

I've imported my 7 training schedules from fm2009.

defenders - (focussing mainly on strength and defensive attributes)
midfielders - (focussing on tactics, attacking and ball control)
strikers (pace) - (focussing on aerobic and shooting attributes)
strikers (power) - (focussing on strength & shooting)
wingbacks - (focussing on aerobic, as well as ball control)
wingers - (focussing on aerobic & attacking attributes)
set-pieces - (some training in each area, but also focussed on set-pieces)

All of my players will be assigned to one of the catergories and they will receive more training on the areas that they require for their playing position. Then I will 'auto-assign' the coaches, to help to maximise the impact of the training. I will also be downscaling the coaching team over the coming weeks.

Pre-Season News - Injuries to key defenders & friendly match

2009-11-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

Three of my key defenders are out for up to 2 months. Gareth Bale, Jonathon Woodgate & Michael Dawson will all miss pre-season and potentially the start of the season. I may need to loan players in to cover these injuries. However, the players on the transfer & loan lists are not good enough to get in my first team. By the way, Man Utd withdrew their interest for Luca Modric!

It's time for the inter-squad friendly. Tottenham vs Tottenham reserves. The reserve team are mainly made up of players on the transfer list and other young players. Here are the details...

Tottenham 4 vs 1 Tottenham reserves
Defoe (2)
King
Pavlyuchenko

I've offered Robbie Keane for sale for 20m. I'm hoping to raise funds to buy some players as my whole transfer budget could be spent on Van der Vaart - if the deal goes ahead. Ebi Smolarek could be a replacement for Keane, he is available on a free and I'm thinking of making an offer.

Follow my game through fm2010 here - Chapter 1

2009-11-28T15:21:00.000-08:00

I've chosen to be the manager of Tottenham in my blog of FM2010. You can follow my progress through the game by reading this blog. Be sure to add us to your favourites, so that you can visit again to see how I'm doing. Here we go then...

SEASON 1: Tottenham
Man Utd have enquired about Luca Modric. I have responded with 25m & a 30% sell-on clause. I don't intend on selling him, obviously, but we'll see what happens! I think I would take the money if the offer came in, especially as I'm looking to sign Rafael Van der Vaart.

I'm also scouting Ryan Shawcross from Stoke, Andy Carroll from Newcastle (to be my reserve target man) and Lazio's Goran Pandev. My bid for Van der Vaart has been accepted, but I need to offer him £68,000 per week to lure him to Spurs. I would also love to sign Darijo Srna, but I think he is out of my reach, currently.

I need to raise money asap, so I've offered a number of my reserve or younger players for sale. Man Utd & Man City have both come in with 4.5m+ bids for John Bostock. Giovani Dos Santos could be another of my players to go.

Football Manager 2010 - First Impressions

2009-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

I went out and bought the new game on the day of release and now, a month later, I'm still as addicted! I've been the manager of Stoke City and I'm already in my third season! I've decided to start a new game now and this blog will follow my progress throughout the game.

Firstly, here are my thoughts about the new game. The 3D match looks a lot better, with the addition of a crowd and better looking stadiums. It's not the only thing given a major overhaul - the whole interface has been changed, looking better, as well as being more responsive. I like the idea of 'shouting' instructions during a match, but the new look tactics system, for me, was a letdown - you're still restricted to default positions.

Follow my game on fm2009

2009-05-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Whilst we await news on football manager 2010, you can check out my blog on fm2009 here. I'm currently managing Carlisle.

I started off with Stoke City in the premier league, but I got releagated in my first season! However, the board kept faith in me and I managed them in the Championship, aiming for automatic promotion. The season started well enough, but gradually I faultered and at January I was just outside the playoffs. This was not good enough and I got sacked.

I then applied for the Notts. County job where I was successful in getting the job. They were facing relegation to the Blue Square Premier, several point adrift and with no transfer budget available. However, I keeped them up, signing several good free transfers in the process.

The second season with County, saw promotion from League 2! The first season in League 1 saw mid-table for County, when Carlisle came knocking for me. At the time, they were below Notts. County in League 1, but I thought I'd taken County all that I could, so I accepted Carlisle's job offer!

Read my story in more detail here.

fm2010 wishlist - what would you like to see this year?

2009-05-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to playing football manager 2010 even more than any other. FM2009 brought us a 3D match view for the first time in the football manager series, so I'm hoping that the 2010 game can take this further - possibly with a highlights package, where you get the see the goals in fifa like views.

I hope we don't have the same hassle with activation this year. After purchasing the game, I couldn't play it for hours - felt like days! I felt even more sorry for the people who had ordered it through Steam months in advance.

The stadium building is poor in football manager. Reading that your chairman has increased the capacity by 4000 is about as exciting as it gets. Look into this Sega! We need fans in the stadiums too, maybe with some chants here and there.

What's happened to the tactics!? In particular, the forward runs are limited to the next block only! We need full control of the tactics.

Welcome to the fm2010 guide

2009-05-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new football manager 2010 guide. The game will be released later this year, but this blog will preview the game, featuring the latest news and updates.