After some thought i have decided to go with my first go at Managing England. My first descion to make was what my new backroom staff would be, these are my choices...
Ian Dowie (U21 Manager)
Noel Blake (U19 Manager)
Sammy Lee (Ass. Manager)
Steve Wigley (Coach)
Ray Parlour (Coach)
Gareth Southgate (Coach)
All of these i expect to take with me into the European Championships in Poland&Ukraine. I decided to cancel friendleys with Holland&Spain, thinking that i need to concontrate 100% on getting England to the Championships. Updates to come...
This'll be fun. I enjoy seeing how international managers cope. How much previous experience did you give yourself?
With the U20's being Knocked- Out of the World Cup at the 2nd Round Stage to a 2 - 0 (L) to Spain. I had a look at the big performers from the competion, Players such as Nathan Delfouneso from Aston Villa scoring two goals in the tournament, and Goalkeeper Jak Alnwick from Newcastle keeping 2 Clean-Sheets in the first two Group-Stage games. Definately players i will look at in the future! Soon to come update on Squad for European Qualifing match against Bulgaria&Wales...
#43821 Geneharper :
This'll be fun. I enjoy seeing how international managers cope. How much previous experience did you give yourself?
This being the first time i have decided to have a go at an International Job. Hopefully i can make it work but not having much experience in International Managment on FM could be un-helpful for me!
My squad for the Following games against Bulgaria&Wales :
Goalkeepers - Joe Hart, Scott Carson, Fraser Forster
Defenders - L.Baines, G.Cahill, J.Terry, M.Richards, A.Cole, M.Kelly, P.Jagielka, J.Lescott
Midfielders - G.Barry, T.Clevererley, F.Lampard, S.Downing, J.Milnar, S.Parker, A.Young
Forwards - D.Bent, D.Welbeck, D.Sturidge, W.Rooney, T.Walcott
Injury News - S.Gerrard was rated 50/50 for the games so i decided to give him a rest and let him come back to form with Liverpool before being rushed back into action with England. R.Ferdinand i have decided to drop thinking that he is probably past it now and should most probably retire after the European Championships! Comments Welcome...
A 0-0 (D) With Bulgaria my first International Match as a manager on FM. Iam dissipointed not to get the win at the end of the day but looking back on the game didn't really seem to deserve it with the first-half performance. Before the game Joe Hart suffered illness putting him completley out of the game and a doubt for Wales (H). Scott Carson played in goals and was rarely tested. Also Wayne Rooney suffered concussion in training on the Sunday before the game and was ruled 64& Fit and i decided not to risk him for the game in Bulgaria but to keep him fit for Wales. Next game to come Wales (H). Squad to come soon...
Team to Play Wales (H) :
J.Hart
M.Richards J.Terry G.Cahill A.Cole
T.Walcott F.Lampard G.Barry J.Milnar A.Young
W.Rooney
Decided to make the 3 Central Midfielders into the team more or less stronger than my last Midfield 3 (S.Parker, T.Cleverley, G.Barry) Hopefully can compete well with Wales's creative Midfield. Also W.Rooney& J.Hart are fit after being Doubts. J.Terry condition was low so decided to let him have a rest and play Cahill and Jagileka instead. Will post report after game...
3 - 1 (W) - A very good performance very profesional performance, My experienced midfield worked as planned and the back 4 was strong after all A.Cole went off injured during the 2nd half. Two goals in the first from Wayne Rooney gave me a two goal lead then late in the first half Gareth Bale scored a header from inside the box to make it 2 - 1 going into half - time. In the second half Wales pressed for the equaliser however i catched them on the Counter-Attack and D.Strurridge made it 3-1 with a close-range header from inside the 6 yard box. A good performance, Montenegro (A) next - 1point to qualify for the Championships in Polland/Ukraine...
Youy should consider hiring me as your U 21 manager because I won the U 21 EURO in my first attempt.
