Hello. This is my first attempt at this...hopefully, it will be up to your standards.
I intend to use this as a tool to keep my motivation up to continue playing a long career irrespective of results, and also to keep my writing skills sharp.

Format:I will be posting mostly News Articles and Journal Entries. The former will contain updates, and the latter will contain the manager's personal thoughts. It should (hopefully) be interesting to read from two different perspectives. Ok, here we go:

---------------------------------------------------

News Articles:

Who is Felix Kroos?

(01-July-2010): The Sunderland AFC Board have turned quite a few heads with the surprise appointment of relatively unknown Felix Kroos as manager. Kroos replaces Steve Bruce, who guided the Black Cats to a respectable mid-table 13th position the previous year.

The decision was explained by the Chairman Niall Quinn, saying, “Steve Bruce has done a fantastic job in keeping the club steady at the middle of the table in the Premier League. We are now looking to take the club to the next level, and a fresh influx of blood and talent is exactly what the club needs.”
Quinn, it must be remembered, is known to not be shy of taking tough decisions. Back in 2006, it was Quinn himself who relinquished the post of Manager to appoint upstart Roy Keane, who repaid his chairman’s faith by keeping the club up in the Premier League.

For Kroos, aged 42, this would be an acid test, the Englishman taking charge of his post club in a managerial position. When asked on his thoughts, Kroos outlined that he was here for the long haul.
“My intention is to make Sunderland one of the big Premier League clubs. I know it’s a long term project, but I hope I can achieve the fans’ aspirations,” the manager said.

Kroos joins Sunderland on a 2 year contract earning £43,500 per week.

* * *

Black Cats Add to Litter

(20-July-2010): Sunderland AFC manager Felix Kroos held a press conference today to announce the signing of Bernard Mendy (Right Winger/Midfielder) and Michael Ball (Left Back) on free transfers. Both players have signed 3 year contracts.
“Mendy and Ball will give depth to the squad and provide cover, especially since Andy Reid and George McCartney are on long-term injury. I’m sure they’ll fit right in,” Kroos said.

The club have also announced the signing of former Barcelona “B” team winger Gai Assulin on a free transfer. The Israeli starlet, 19, came through Barcelona’s famed youth academy and was looking forward to breaking into the first team.

It is also rumoured that Andy Reid and Boudewijn Zenden have been offered new contracts, but although talks are close to being finalised with Reid, talks appear not to have progressed in Zenden’s case, and it remains to be seen whether the player will remain with the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

* * *

Journal Entry:

August 13, 2010

As I write this, I stand on the brink of my new life. Tomorrow the season begins, and we face off against Liverpool. I feel confident against the backdrop of a successful off-season, not having lost a single match in the break. But even as I write this, I know of Liverpool’s tactical consistency, and I am aware that my own squad haven’t had the time to gel in their tactics. The defense is sketchy, and it might take a lot to get a draw out of this game. I remain undecided—should I “park the bus”, as they say, and try to play for a draw, or should I play up front with 2 strikers?

Great writing style mate, love the second headline! I will be following your story with great interest.

Thank for the encouragement! I normally write short stories, but this is the first time I'm dabbling in something like this. I hope the next posts live up to your assessment!

News:

(H) Liverpool 4 – 3 Sunderland (A)

An entertaining match between Liverpool and Sunderland saw both sides throwing caution to the winds and attacking strongly. The Reds raced to a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes with goals by Agger and Cole, only for the Black Cats to claw 2 goals back within the next 8 minutes through goals by Bent and Campbell. The Reds then scored again through Lucas and Kuyt, but Campbell turned provider once again with a superb cross for Bent to tap it in. This set up a frenetic final 20 minutes with Sunderland throwing everything into attack. The positive tactics from the gaffer almost paid off as Bent hit the crossbar with only minutes left to go, but it was not to be.

Manager Felix Kroos ought to have been satisfied with his side’s spirited performance. However, an even bigger test lies ahead, with the Black Cats travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, who drubbed Wolverhampton 5-1 at home.

Formation: 4-1-3-2 (that ‘1’ is a DMC, the ‘3’ are midfielders)

(H) Man Utd 1 – 0 Sunderland (A)

A determined performance by Sunderland saw them lose to Manchester United by a single goal in a match that the Red Devils otherwise dominated, with 56% possession and 23 shots compared to the visitors’ 6. The visitors found themselves in a compromised position when Lee Cattermole picked up a red card in the 41st minute. However, galvanised by the manager’s half-time talk, the Black Cats had a much better second half, threatening occasionally in attack while depending on a solid defensive showing by debutant Nedum Onuoha, on loan from Manchester City. Of course, it helped that Berbatov and Rooney were wasteful in front of goal, with as many as 13 shots off target between the two of them.

With 15 minutes left on the clock and nothing to lose, the Kroos once again threw everything at the United goal. The Black Cats’ best chance came in the 81st minute, Bent producing a good save from van der Sar to deny the visitors any points.

The match was marred, however, by injuries to Sunderland players Keiran Richardson and Boudewijn Zenden.

Journal:

Two difficult away games against Liverpool and United have resulted in two defeats. We did go into both games as heavy underdogs, fighting against teams that have established themselves as the “Big Four”. To go to Anfield and Old Trafford and lose by just a single goal gives me some confidence in the lads. Darren (Bent) has impressed in both games, and I feel that with a little bit of shoring up, the defence should come good. The next game, League Cup Tie against Crewe, should give the lads a chance to really attack and give them a taste of winning. The real challenge is going to be putting 11 players in their preferred positions, what with injuries to Zenden and Kieran keeping them out for 4 weeks and 2/3 weeks respectively. The Bolton game, just 4 days after Crewe, will be a real test from which we should ideally pick up all 3 points!

News

(H) Crewe Alexandra 0 – 2 Sunderland (A) (League Cup)

Sunderland finally tasted victory in a competitive fixture this season as they completely dominated their League Cup match against Crewe Alexandra, with 61% possession and 22 shots. In comparison, Crewe could not even get a single shot away, highlighting the defensive solidity of the Black Cats, despite manager Felix Kroos changing his entire back four.

Youngster Danny Welbeck, on loan from Manchester United, was given a start, scoring on his debut, after promising midfielder Jordan Henderson had given the visitors an early lead. The solid showing by the side will surely have pleased the manager, who must now turn his attention to the Premier League game against Bolton Wanderers in 4 days’ time.

(H) Sunderland 1 – 2 Bolton (A)

Bolton Wanderers fought back from a goal down to win today’s mid-table encounter against Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light. Young star Nedum Onuoha, given the captain’s armband following Lee Cattermole’s suspension, gave the home team a wonderful start, scoring in the 2nd minute from an excellent header from a corner. However, goals from Martin Petrov and Ivan Klasnic either side of the break ensured that the Trotters took the victory. Onuoha was a rock in defense, even winning a penalty which striker Darren Bent failed to convert. Bent suffered a bad night, having two other shots blocked by Jussi Jaaskelainen. Though the introduction of Fraizer Campbell provided some spark to the Sunderland attack, but the closest they came to scoring was a header from half-back Michael Turner, who put the ball agonizingly close to the post, just on the wrong side.
With this win, Bolton move to the top of the table, pushing Sunderland down to 16th place.

Journal:

What a disappointing match! To have taken the early lead and then given it away is a huge disappointment. My only consolation is that we lost to a team that has gone to the top of the table (albeit temporarily). In Aston Villa, we once again face a tough opponent. As of now, I still have the Board’s confidence and confidence in my own abilities, but this defeat has made me go in for some large scale changes in the backroom staff.
Not less than 8 people have moved in or out of the club, and I’m now satisfied with the quality of coaches and scouts we have employed. Only the Physiotherapy wing leaves a bit to be desired, and I will come to that eventually.
Back to the league, however. We find ourselves close to the relegation zone, hanging on for dear life by Goal Difference. I realise I have to turn things around quickly, or else I will lose confidence of the board and of my players, who have so far rallied well. Speaking of players, I am mightily impressed with Nedum Onuoha. He makes for a great centre back, despite being so young. I will try to bring him in on a permanent deal, but I am not sure how much City will ask of me, and how high wages the player himself will demand. I also have a couple of Reserve team players in mind who might be shown the door soon (possibly in the January window) to make the squad a little leaner and reduce the strain on finances.