Gary Neville: A Young Manager's Journey (Page 4)

sTedDarzZ

THE NEVILLE OVERHAUL

Gary did as promised, reshape Fulham from top to bottom. Out with the old and in with the new. Mr Neville spent a record amount for one window but also reeled in a record amount and with a fresher, stronger squad; things look to be on the up for Neville and Fulham.

The most notable transfers were the departure of Dimitar Berbatov, former Manc and Bulgaria captain; to be replaced by club record signing, Christian Benteke.

Mr Neville still has business to do with young midfielder Nicuşor Stanciu’s move to Fulham pending a work permit application. Neville courted him during his time at Fenerbahçe but was limited by funding and lost out to Feyenoord now with more financial backing he looks to have finally got his man.

After a solid pre season and many hours put in on the training ground, Neville’s ideas, philosophies and beliefs begin to be evident in the way his new team plays. With the season looming ever larger on the horizon, Neville and many others attached to Fulham FC, is quietly confident about the season ahead.

A new team, a new challenge, a new life. Same Neville.

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

BREAKING NEWS: NICUŞOR STANCIU SIGNS FOR FULHAM

The young midfielder has finally joined up with long standing admirer, Gary Neville. The fresh, creative player is said to have cost The Lilywhites £17.5m, the second highest fee they’ve ever paid for a player.

”I’m delighted to have joined Fulham, every player dreams of one day plying their trade in the Premier League and Fulham are a club with a lot of history. I’m also pleased to join up with a young exciting manager, Gary Neville, and obviously it’s nice to hear that he’s admired my game for so long.”

Stanciu will join up with his new teammates for training tomorrow and it is thought he will be available to play in their upcoming game against West Bromwich Albion. Cottagers’ fans are sure to be itching to see their new man in action.

”Yes, it’s been no secret that I have wanted to bring in Stanciu both to Fenerbahçe and now Fulham, he really fits the way I have my teams play well. He’s a fantastic talent and I’m sure he will continue to improve as he grows older. I have no doubt he’ll live up to his big fee. As for the team we’ve been par for the course thus far in the season and hopefully this signing can provide a catalyst for the club to kick on to make this season special.”

Login to Quote

wellsy1498

11 years

Nice to see you went to Fulham. Some good signings also

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

yeah really pleased with the squad i have now

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

After 10 competitive games in charge of Fulham, Gary Neville has begun life at the Cottagers well, winning half of theses games and only facing defeat in 2. In all of the games so far, Neville’s team has been set up as such, with varying starting XI’s…

Neville has faced some good results, some bad, but nothing catastrophic. He can be pleased with his start to life at Fulham…

The above results leave Fulham still in the Capital One cup and lying in a respectable position in the top half of the league table…

Thus far throughout the season’s campaign, lead men Christian Benteke and Andy Carroll share the goalscoring accolades, having netted 3 each. Neither of which prolific, but having joined the club recently both have a respectable tally.

Latest signing Nicuşor Stanciu also has an impressive 2 goals in 5 games, providing 1 assist.

So, with the season underway and the mood on the terraces buoyant; Neville looks forward to his first season managing in England, with cautious optimism.

Login to Quote

AlexTHFC

11 years

A good first season, looking forward to seeing what you can do with Fulham

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

yeah me too, should be more of a challenge

Login to Quote

LFC

11 years

Some great signings especially Bentekers and Podolski

keep going with Fulham its been better since you've been there.

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

Podolski has 2 goals in 2, he's my impact man

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

”Of course I’m pleased with the way things are going and I like the balance I have in the squad right now. Things are going well, our home form is good and that’s always important, we are going along steadily and are laying the foundations for a successful season.”

Having played 16 matches in this seasons EPL season and a fistful of CoC ties, Fulham have every right to be optimistic.

Good home form has been the key to Fulham’s season thus far, if they can just improve their fortunes on their travels, this could become a very exciting season indeed.

Neville’s boys lie just inside the top half of the Premier league table, a healthy place to be, they are most certainly looking up the table, not down.

Fulham’s topsy tervy form has hampered their progress in the league, thankfully for them, in the Capital One Cup, form has been more topsy than tervy, seeing them safely through to a Semi Final match up with Burnley.

As for the squad, the form guide is a mismatch. Whilst Christian Benteke struggles for form, Andy Carroll is certainly amongst the goals, firing home 9. Nicuşor Stanciu’s form has been excellent, but frustratingly his progress has been hampered by frequent injury, if Fulham can keep him fit, he could become a real asset.

So, as the winter nights grow shorter and with the festive season on the horizon, Fulham won’t be looking to give any presents to their Premier league rivals; as their quest to reach the top continues.

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

With 15 games of the Barclays Premier League Fulham occupied 9th position in the table, still. Gary was pleased with the way he had got the boys playing and with his squad, even if it did lack a bit of depth. However, inconsistency and poor away form hampers Fulham’s march on the top half of the table, which has left Mr Neville feeling he has unfinished business.

Despite all of Fulham’s consistency woes, they seemingly never failed to find their form in Capital One Cup ties, marching on to the final where they will face Tottenham Hotspurs. The Cottagers’ fans are itching for their trip to the famous Wembley Stadium, hoping it will be their day in the sun.

Fulham lie safely in 9th position, 3 points ahead of nearest rivals West Brom, yet 4 points adrift of Aston Villa who lie 8th.

The squad, albeit small, is coping well with the pressures of the hectic Premier League season. Andy Carroll leads the line with fantastic, hunger and desire, putting himself about like a proper old fashioned Centre Forward and netting 13 gaols, to average a goal every 2 games, an impressive record. Lukas Podolski and Christian Benteke provide great support as his right and left hand, scoring 7 each to relieve the pressure in his broad shoulders. Carroll is a real fan favourite, and you can see why.

The business end of the season approaches. Will Neville’s business remain unfinished?

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

The day has come,
The time is nigh,
To show our doubters this is why,
We’ve come so far,
Now don’t forget,
To leave this place with no regret,
The day has come,
That you step up,
To Wembley,
To glory,
To win the Cup.

In the build up to the Capital One Cup Final, Neville’s Fulham have been their usual selves: the embodiment of inconsistency. A win, a draw and a loss. Fulham are strong at home and weak away, so how will they fair in the neutrality that is Wembley Stadium, the dream venue of every mother’s son in England.

Their opponents, Tottenham Hotspurs have been somewhat disappointing this season and lie a below par 12th in the Premier League table. They are in poor form, coming into the final off the back of…

2 away losses at the hands of Everton and Newcastle Utd, however Tottenham is still Tottenham and any side that boasts the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Keisuke Honda are a force to be reckoned with. After all, their club motto is: To Dare is to Do.

On the day of the final Gary felt a knot in his stomach. He felt something different as he watched his side warm up. Felt a numbness as he barked out instructions to individual players, it was like he wasn’t there, not really. It was like he was watching someone else do all theses things, like a dream, but he knew, this was reality. Soon enough, the referee blew for the start of the game…

”And this is how the 2 teams will line up, Neville opting for the Carroll-Benteke partnership, Lukas Podolski sits on the bench. Fulham led out today by Captain Brede Hangeland.”

“Whilst Spurs hand opportunities to youngsters, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Adam Smith. Tottenham have got to be favourites but with their season you’ve gotta think this is as good a chance as Fulham’ll get to win the Capital One Cup.”

1’: And the referee blows his whistle, we’re underway here at Wembley, Fulham playing from right to left and Tottenham Hotspurs visa versa. I think we’re in for a cracker here today.

6’: And Benteke leaps above Kaboul! And headers, over the reach of Lloris…GOAL! 1-0 to the Cottagers…but the linesman has his flag up, it’s been disallowed, the Fulham players clearly feel they have reason to be bereaved, what a start to the game!

15’: After the action packed start to the game, the 2 teams have continued to go at eachother hammer and tongs, with Andy Carroll squirting a half chance with his head wide. Fulham just about the better side in a, thus far, end to end match.

16’: GOAL! Harry Kane passes the ball into the side of the net from 20 yards, an absolute worldie! Tottenham hit Fulham on the break! Somewhat against the run of play.

22’: The game settles down, both teams finding a passing rhythm, the match has beun to ebb and flow.

30’: GOAL! Bryan Ruiz skipped clear of his marker, darted into the box and fired Fulham back on terms; this is shaping up for quite a second half.

33’: Fulham with the corner, it’s whipped in by Stanciu, Hangeland rises, but glances his header wide. Fulham are growing in confidence in the match.

36’: Kacanicklic cuts inside, running towards Tottenham’s goal. He tries a shot from long range, good effort…parried by Lloris, into the path of Benteke who goes down under the challenge of Kaboul…and Mr Webb points to the spot. Penalty! Kaboul is booked and it’s going to be Benteke to take it……..Benteke places the ball down, runs up, and slams it into the bottom corner! 2-1 Fulham!

45’: That’s the end of the first half. Fulham take a well earned lead into the break.

-------------------------- HALF TIME -------------------------

45’: The sides re-emerge for the second half. Fulham unchanged, Tottenham have brought on Dembele in place of Griezmann. And we’re underway once more.

47’: Carroll whips a cross in, Benteke heads, wide of the goal. Another even start to the half of the half.

53’: Tottenham have settled into a passing rhythm and have now begun to dominate the game.

58’: GOAL! Honda volleys home a low cross fizzed across the face of the goal from Sosa, Tottenham have equalised!

60’: Dembele crosses to Sosa at the back post, but his header is a tame one, collected easily by Stockdale.

61’: Fulham sub, Malouda on for Kacaniklic.

62’: GOAL! Huddlestone thunders one in from range and Kane pounces on the rebound, Tottenham ahead again.

65’: Malouda whips in a cross, and Kaboul pushes Carroll to the floor, is that a penalty? Given! Tottenham hand a lifeline to FLuham, it’s been an actionpacked 10 minutes here…Carroll to take…oh and it’s saved!! Can you believe it?

68’: Podolski come son in place of Carroll.

75’: Fulham now full of vigour and zeal search for a way back into this final with patient build up.

84’: Hughes on for Stanciu, that’s the last of Fulham’s subs.

90’: 2 minutes of added time.

92’ Tottenham have done it, 3-2 to the Yid Army. Disappointment for Fulham, they played well but it just wasn’t enough in the end.

”Of course I’m gutted, I thought the lads did enough today but fair play to Tottenham they played very well. No blame attached to Andy, 9 times out of 10 he scores those. But life goes on, we’ll be back in training on Monday, we’re still in the FA Cup so who knows? This may not be the end of our challenge for silverware this season.”

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years

With 5 games of the season remaining, Fulham lay 9th, a comfortable position, no danger of the drop but little chance of moving any higher. However the team were developing into a ‘Cup team’ they were still in the FA Cup and this was providing the motivation they needed.

A few of the Fulham boys have been hitting the headlines over the last few months…

Brede Hangeland has been a rock at the heart of the Fulham defence, drawing the plaudits with consecutive Player of the Month awards for March and April. Will Hughes and Nicuşor Stanciu have also shown promise in their fledgling careers, picking up a Young Player of the Month award each, over the past 2 months.

Fulham still await their fate in the FA Cup, they will face either Chelsea or Man Utd in the Semi-Final, subject to a replay. Fulham’s form has been on and off since the Capital One Cup Final, however their run in looks favourable, Neville will be hoping for a strong finish to the season.

Andy Carroll has strengthened as the season has run on, so to has Christian Benteke whose goal tally now shows signs of a more successful debut season at Craven Cottage.

With the end of the season looming ever larger on the horizon, Fulham and Neville will surely reflect on their season with quiet contempt, however, they will know that there is progress still to be made.

Login to Quote

buzzkill

11 years

only 9th? hardly great is it...

Login to Quote

sTedDarzZ

11 years • Edited

not claiming its setting the world on fire but 9th a cup final and a semi is pretty good...

Just found out, that comment was my brother being stupid, thanks

Login to Quote

Gary Neville: A Young Manager's Journey

THE NEVILLE OVERHAUL

BREAKING NEWS: NICUŞOR STANCIU SIGNS FOR FULHAM

FMS Chat–