FM STORY: Leonard takes charge of Championship Newcastle

[pleno1]

You may find it tough/infuriating initially as Ben Arfa and Ba who play the number 10 and 9 roles respectively are injured. Some really good players/prospects though.

[ChipRich]

ha yeah, could do with Ben Arfa. Only like 2 friendlies in so far but just took Danny Sturridge on loan for the season tho, oioiii.

[the sicilian]

ha yeah, could do with Ben Arfa. Only like 2 friendlies in so far but just took Danny Sturridge on loan for the season tho, oioiii.

sturridge is a brilliant signing...try to get wellbeck on loan as well and u will have a true premiership front 2

[ChipRich]

ha yeah, could do with Ben Arfa. Only like 2 friendlies in so far but just took Danny Sturridge on loan for the season tho, oioiii.

sturridge is a brilliant signing...try to get wellbeck on loan as well and u will have a true premiership front 2

Man U say they dont wna loan him out currently, sigh.

[pleno1]

ha yeah, could do with Ben Arfa. Only like 2 friendlies in so far but just took Danny Sturridge on loan for the season tho, oioiii.

James Tompins is good squad defender, young but good attributes in tackling, marking and heading.

[ChipRich]

ha yeah, could do with Ben Arfa. Only like 2 friendlies in so far but just took Danny Sturridge on loan for the season tho, oioiii.

James Tompins is good squad defender, young but good attributes in tackling, marking and heading.

yeah, hes deece. Just signed Jelavic from Rangers to fight for a place with Demba Ba to play up top with Sturridge so cant afford him tho, sigh.

[ChipRich]

oh no, played like 12 games and hadnt saved it. Then it crashed or sum shit, fml. Was doing well, like 6th. Not a fan of doing all what iv just done again so that game can abso whistle. gl in your quest with the Toooooooon Army tho.

[pleno1]

The guys are stilljumping up and down from Thursday night. Back to the grind though, we have Coventry at home this afternoon and will have to make sure the players are in the right physical condition against a team who are fighting for survival. The Liverpool home leg is on the back of everybodies mind, but the objection at the start of the season was promotion not to win a cup. I'm going to make sure the guys give a great performance today and please the fans who have been brilliant all season when they could easily have turned on myself and the board.

[pleno1]

What a magnificant afternoon. Coventry came at us and we were really not ready for the physical enslaught that we would receive. I put out a changed line up to try and get all the guys to fight for a place in both this team and next seasons (hopefully) premiership team.

Shola Ameobi scored a hat trick in a great 3-2 win. The big man is one of the most loyal servers at the club. He has struggled when pressure has been put on his shoulders and I prefer Demba for long consistent runs iun the team, however Shola has my full confidence and I am absolutely delighted he repaid me today. For the first time in 5 years I heard the fans singing his name.

[pleno1]

I'vebeen a keen admirer of Jake Livermore for a long time now. I firt saw him playing in the Europa Cup against Hibs. Luka Modric was threatening to leave back then and because of being possibly cup tied to potential transfer options, Harry had no choice than to play Jake in the middle of the park. Jake absolutely bossed the match and I was impressed with both this physical presence and his technical ability. I will be getitng Cheik Tiote to take him under his wing and turn him into an England international. I was able to get him for 400k, absolute bargain!

[pleno1]

Approaching the end of the January window now. Almsot every single one of my players is "Wanted" by clubs all around Europe. I'm trying my best to hold onto each and every one of them. So far nobody has come tome with concerns and all I'm worrying about is consecutive victorys so that we can achieve the pre season goal that was promotion.

Just played the Smoggies away. Armed with gas masks, I decided to name a really experienced side and the average age ended up being 28. Class prevailed and we managed to come out victorious with three really good goals from Hatem Ben Arfa (2) and Demba Ba. Some sloppy defending cost us a much wanted clean sheet, but its nice that we got some confidence against our local rivals 3 days before the big game.

I have some huge selection issues for Wednesday, shall we go for it? Shall I keep the experienced heads? I think I'll sleep on it.

Doesn't look like Boro will be joining us in the Premiership next year.

[pleno1]

Have just been told that 52,000 fans will be there tomorrow night for when we meet Liverpool

Team:

GK: Tim Krul

RB: Santon
LB: Ferguson
CB: Tompkins
CB: Kadar

RW: Nathan Dyer
LW: Marveux
CM: Cabaye
CM: Tiote

AM: Ben Arfa
ST: Demba Ba

Alot of the guys are shattered from a hard recent run of games. Hopefully the fans will be the 12th man tonihgt,the bookies make us 7/2, so get on when you can!

[Josedinho]

Vids and pics making this thread even better.
GL in the cup.

[pleno1]

Great effort from the gents this evening. We went down to an early Luis Saurez goal, Liverpool played a full strength team and it looked like this could be a one sided game.

I was praying for half time to come and I got the lads in the changing room and demanded that they roll up their sleeves and get stuck into these prima donnas, how do we expect to compete next year if we give people too much space. YES we have done well this year because our flair players have performed, but we have given teams very little respect and no time on the ball. Any team I manage plays the same style as Barca, attractive possesion football, but when thye havn't got the ball each and every one of them works their arse off to get it back.

I introduced Shola after half time and he madean instant impact, scoring after 40 seconds of being on the pitch. Liverpool soon took the lead again through a Charlie Adam freekick that Tim Krul had no chance with as it cruely deflected off the brave Danny Simpson wh was making his 3rd appearence of the season after replacing theinjured Davide Santon.

Anyway, semi final is a great result.

Onwards and upwards to the premier league.

[Marky147]

I don't even play the game and I was enjoying it, keep it going imo!!

uv had a shocker there, get involved

Haha I spend far too much time at my PC as it is, I'm not sure that getting into this would be any good for me whatsoever......

(I'll probably cave within weeks)