It was another day at the office, Sam was trying to get some players in. There was little activity in the days leading up to the Deportivo match. Big Sam offered some players to clubs and made a few offers, but all were rejected. Things did look up though, when Southampton offered the money he wanted for Babayaro, something like £600,000. Only for Babayaro rejecting there contact offer, becasue he wanted more. So that was that for Sam, he had to concentrate on the game and put the annoyance of the past couple of days behind him. He new things would be on the up soon, and he was hoping it was tonight. He spent a while on the team, he wanted everything to be right, they had all tried to impress him in training, but he new the players he
wanted to start.
He wanted a lot of width, he thought you could get Spanish teams there, and opted for Duff and Solano to make best use of the wings. The strike-force was obvious, Martins and Owen, though Sam felt they lacked physically upfront, though he didn't envisage and problems with this against Depor. So that was that, he told the boys what he wanted and how he wanted them to play nice positive football at a good tempo. No encouragement, the lads were up for it.
Tactics
The game started poorly, they were 1-0 down after 4 minutes, a penalty, which Diego Tristan calmly put away. Newcastle always looked the better team though, as you would expect, they were at home, but they had already conceded the away goal which could be crucial. It didn't take too long though, for Newcastle to get back on level terms, a well worked goal which Martins in the end, slotted away. So 1-1 it was, and it stayed this way right to the end of the first half. Big Sam encouraged the lads, and told him that they were playing well, and just needed to find another goal. He decided on no substitutions. The game dragged on from here, both teams getting chances, and it looked like it would end up in a draw. However, late on in the game, the 87th minute in fact, a screamer from Emre saw Newcastle give this tie something else going into the second leg. It was again, well worked, and the ball came to the edge of the area, and Emre curled the ball straight into the top-hand corner, and gave Molina no chance. Sam was ecstatic, nothing like getting a win in your first game!
Overview
Player Overview
So that was that, Sam had got off to a good start, but there is no rest for the wicked, he knew the next day, he would be back back in the office and on the phone. Oh well, he thought to himself, if this is what gets the club glory, then I am happy to do it. Sam walked out of a happy changing room and got ready to face the press...
This is your chance to see Sam reply to your questions!! Make sure to post them!