END OF MONTH: AUGUST
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Results:
Millwall (A) 0-1
Carlisle (H) 1-0 (League Cup)
Boro (H) 3-1
Brighton (H) 0-2
Watford (A) 1-5
Swansea (A) 2-1 (League Cup)
Bolton (H) 1-0
Table
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Board meeting
The last day of every month is my day at the office. It would be easier had the office space at Thorp Arch not been sold, but this is the way things are. My office is at the ground, a good 30-45 minute drive from the training ground. I don't have an inside-stadium view either, instead I spend my office days looking over Lowfields Road and up the M621.
As I daydream looking towards town, my phone rings. It's my secretary, Stuart Hayton.
"Mr Cellino wants to see you in the boardroom"
I oblige, put the phone down, leave my office and head for the boardroom which incidentally, does have an in-stadium view, although you have to stand up and look down as it's in the upper section of the East Stand which sits above the rest of the ground.
I step into the boardroom to find Salem Patel, Salah Nooruddin, Edoardo Cellino and Massimo Cellino waiting for me. Massimo points to a chair and says "Please, take a seat Josh"
"What can I do for you gents?" I ask with a nervous smile.
"We just wanted to sit with you to review your performance over the past month" Massimo begins.
Salah Nooruddin is first to pipe up. "Josh, I'm going to start with the negatives and there aren't a lot, I just want us to finish this meeting on a high. I'd just like to point out the defeats against Millwall, Brighton and Watford. The Millwall game, was a poor start to the season, the team didn't play well and were punished as a result. The Brighton game I'll skip but the Watford defeat was abysmal and I want to hear your explanation"
I had a feeling the 5-1 thumping at Watford would be brought up, and this is where I get really nervous "They outclassed us on the day, but if I'm being honest, the effort from the players was non-existent. I won't make excuses, it was a poor performance, but I made my feelings clear to the team and I'm happy with the way things have gone since then"
"That's all I have to say" says Salah. Massimo is next to address me.
"Here we go with the positives. The cup win against Swansea was excellent and I hope the team will continue this form when we play Wigan in the third round. Rodrigo Alborno seems to be playing well, so well done for finding him and getting him on our side. Mirco Antenucci has been playing well for us as well, so whatever it is you're doing with him keep up the good work.
I think that's everything that needs to be addressed for this month, anyone have anything they'd like to add?"
There follows a silence and the President wraps up the meeting.
"Thank you very much for your time Josh, we'll see you next month in here for our review of September"
"Not a problem, and thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to discuss football"
