Derrick Henderson: Aussie Doing It In The Big Time

This is my first fm story i've done so hopefully it won't be too bad, my style of upload may be a bit eccentric but hopefully it isn’t too bad, okay here we go.

The Manager:

(Not a real person)

Derrick Henderson

The 23 year old Australian manager first made a name for himself playing for the now defunct A-League team the North Queensland Fury. Making his debut at 18 years of age, Derrick was reknown for being a unforgiving holding midfielder with an incredible engine, he finished his first season being picked in the provisionary Australian squad for the 2010 world cup, he did not make the final cut. Derrick missed the second part of the 2010-2011 season due to a knee injury, in the following pre-season it was found out he had Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis thus ending his playing career. Derrick spent the next 4 years with coaching jobs at Adelaide United, Swindon Town and Wolverhampton.

Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has been sacked effective immediately from Crystal Palace after a training ground bust it. It is unsure who the player involved is, but reports state that the two had a very heated argument which led to Pulis hitting the player in the jaw. Pulis has refused to comment on the matter.

Chairman Steve Parish wasted no time in hiring a replacement with Australian Derrick Henderson being given the position just 3 days after the incident. Mr. Parish said that he was impressed by Derricks vision for the club and that club captain Mile Jedinak and Ex-Assistant Manager Tony Popovic gave very endearing comments on the now manager.

At the press conference for his hiring, Henderson stated ‘ I am very excitied to be trusted in this position and will give my best to not let Steves faith in me be misguided’. Upon questioning of his management philosophies, Henderson explained ‘ Football is a results business, and that is goal, to create a hard working young side that can earn results, attacking football comes later’. This is Derrick Henderson’s first management job.

Key-Players

Julian Speroni

A club legend and very experienced Goal Keeper with over 400 professional games, will be pivotal to my defence but will face fierce competition from Wayne Hennessey.

Brede Hangeland

The experienced ex-fulham centre back is an intimidating centre back renowned for his aerial prowess, him and Scott Dann should form a fearsome centre back pairing if they can get over them both being left sided players.

Martin Kelly

The Ex-Liverpool Right Back is a fantastic well-rounded full back and his big club experience could prove pivotal. Hopefully he can leave his prior injuries behind him and blossom into the quality full back he was once going to be.

Mile Jedinak

Captain for Club and Country, unforgiving tackler, incredible athlete, natural leader and surprisingly good on a dead ball. Much of this season will depend on Mile being fit and firing throughout.

Wilfred Zaha

On loan from Manchester United, an incredibly talented winger who can bamboozle any defender on his day, a key attacker.

Marouane Chamakh

The Ex-Arsenal man is strong target man that could be pivotal on the counter, he will face fierce competition from Frazier Campbell and Dwight Gayle.

Crystal Palace Transfer Update

Crystal Palace have bolstered their squad signing two players. The first signing made by Derrick Henderson was the 5 million pound signing of Swansea left back Neil Taylor. Neil has had his game time restricted over the last two season due to injury and the emergence of fellow welsh left back Ben Davies. Derrick is expecting Neil to be a vital part of his Crystal Palace side saying ‘Neil is a fantastic footballer and athlete, and I am very happy to bring a player of his quality into the side’.

This was quickly followed up by the 8 million pound signing of Norwich winger Josh Murphy. At a tender 19 years of age, Josh has already notched up 11 England U21 appearances and is one of the country’s best up and coming talents. Henderson has commented saying ‘ Josh is one of the most exciting prospects I’ve seen and I am very excited to see him develop into a top class footballer’

Joel Ward off to Greener Pastures

Crystal Palace have announced the 7.5 million dollar sale of right back Joel Ward to fellow Premier League side Newcastle. Reports state the reason for the move was that Joel Ward wanted to play for a bigger club and had ambitions of playing in the Europa league in the future. We were able to get a statement from Mr. Henderson;

Derrick Henderson ‘ Joel wanted to go to a bigger club and I was willing to let him, I only want players who want to play for the club, I hope he enjoys his time at Tyneside, we already have readymade replacement in Martin Kelly anyway’

Derrick announced the loan signing of Zenit ful back Alexandr Antukov from Zenit. Derrick stated ‘ Alex(andr) is fantastic footballer and has a very impressive cv and I am very much looking forward to working with him’.

Anyukov is a good signing, what sort of wages is he on with you?

Best of luck mate.

@jt1994 - I have him on 50% wages so 18,000 a week, but have a 40k a month
@mitchcope - cheers, hopefully it goes well

Players Who Impressed

Mile Jedinak – 2 goals, 1 assist, 9 tackles per game and the highest average rating, was an absolute star

Scott Dann – As the preseason wore on his performances improved significantly
Yannick Bolaise – Was the star attacker, was a constant threat in every game he played

Honorable Mention – James McArthur, Neil Taylor, Josh Murphy and Adrian Marriapa all looked very promising.

Did Not Impress

Marouane Chamack – Put in some lacklustre performances, the team played better with him off the pitch

Wayne Hennessey/Julian Speroni – both were average, I expected better performances

Joe Ledley/Brede Hangeland – both looked awkward, I expect these players to be key, better perfromances are expected.