FM 2008: The Rise of the MK Dons! *PRE-SEASON OVER! Macclesfield 1st up in League 2*

[OrderDX]

it was norwich mate the championship team!

 

[OrderDX]

Friday 20th July 2007

Today I had my second home game in charge and it certainly didn't get any easier as today i had to face St. Mirren a well respected and vry good Scottish team. I had decided after the Norwich game to go with a changed team and see homuch depth there was in my squad. It would be interesting to see how these players performed and weather i needed to make some more signings.

The match was a disaster and we got hammered but i did learn about a lot of my players. The second half performance was good though and to be honest the score flattered them a bit but they definitely deserved the win. I used everyone on my bench and was pleased with their contributions. I now had an idea of my strongest team definitely and for at least two of the goals the marking was awful at the back which i had to address and fast. Overall a bad day at the office and for the 5,000 fans that had turned up to watch us.

The fans spokesman said that the inability to turn our chances into goals was a little disappointing and i agreed. Jemal hadn't had a good game and i rested Kevin Gallen to give Knight a chace but he didn't really deliver. I had my eye on a few players though so i am sure things will get better.

Monday 23rd July 2007

I had signed a great player and i was sure it was a briliant move in signing Jacques Maghoma from Spurs. He cost me 35k and he wouldn't start for me at the minute but was a great prospect for the future to eventually replace Colin Cameron in the middle of the park as he was in his thirties now. I was excied meet the lad as he had been a model professional in the contract talks and up to now. I think he will bond well with the other lads in the squad.

acques was very excite himself and in a statement to the local newspaper he told them that he couldn't wait for his debut and is chance to shine in the first team however he didn't expect to be put in the team traight away. He realised he had to prove himself to and i was glad he was well grounded and ready to put the effort in for me which is what i wanted from every player.

Tomorrow was a big day as i had my fourth pre-season game and expected a win as we travel to Woking. It wasn't going to be easy but i was going with a strong team and wanted a result. It was getting closer and closer to the beginning of the season.​

 

[tonka998]

Good result against Northwich, at least you didn't lose.

Lol! Northwich! Anyway disappointing performance there and certainly an interesting signing! Keep the good work up!

GEORDIES 1 - 5 MAN UTD

 

[OrderDX]

Wednesday 25th July 2007

It was the day of my fourth game in charge and it was an away visit to minnows Woking but i wasn't taking the game lightly and wanted a good performance from my team. After the disastrous game against St. Mirren i had decided to go with possibly my strongest team which included giving newly signed midfleder, Maghoma his debut.

The game was good for my team as we comfortably won by 3 goals to 1 however again we conceded and i was a bit anxious. Jemal Johnson netted twice more to continue his superb form in pre-season so far and Leon Knight came on and scored as wll so i was hoping he would gain confidence from this. All of my players showed their professionalism in dispatching of Woking very well. This was definitely a performance to build on.

The fans feedback was good and they were pleased with the result however i knew their were much tougher challenges ahead including Cardiff and Scunthorpet stadium:mk in the final two friendly matches before the season started proper. I was itching for it to start now after getting a great taste of the team i had around me and what they could ultimately achieve.

Friday 27th July 2007

The League 2 title odds were released by SkyBet and i was made joint favourites to win the title along with Bradford and Brentford at 6-4. I was pleased about this although it definitely added some more pressure to my job.

Saturday 28th July 2007

Yes, the MK Dons had signed another player this time a really hot prospect in the shape of striker Jordy Brouwer. I signed him for a good fee and was now sure that i wouldn't need to add to the squad before the season started. Jordy was a great player and his technique issuperb. He also has a very good attitude which means a lot because it means my job becomes marginally easier and i can concentrate on footballing matters.

Jordy much like my other signings couldn't wait for his debut but realised he would have to impress me before being given a hance. I was sure he would become a Dons legend in the future though and was read to see him in action as soon as possible.

Up next it was Cardiff City at home and this would provide another stern test much like the Norwch game but could my MK Dons come out with a similarly good result or was it a one off? Find out in the next update!​

 

[tonka998]

Good result against Woking there! Only to be expected. I have to say that Brouwer looks good! Lets hope that he and Johnson can perform well together up-front, Gd luck against Cardiff - I think you'll need it... LOL

 

[DPRA]

Looking very good here mate.

 

[OrderDX]

Sunday 29th July 2007

I had two games left until the season started proper but i still had a lot to work out and who my best eleven players were. I was now sure i would not sign anyone else as i had captured the players i wanted. My game today was at stadium:mk against Cardiff City a Championship side and this was going to be another hard game for sure. I went with a strong team and gave Jordy Brouwer his debut up front.

The match was very even throughout and both teams could have won the game. I was really worried when we went 1-0 down because of a trademark Hasselbaink free kick but my team bounced back well and the debutant Brouwer got the equaliser in a fine footballing move. I couldn't fault the players as they all put 110% in and we got the reward. I was now getting more and more optimistic about the season ahead.

The fans were pleased with the result and to be fair they were happy and i was happy with the pre-season so far. We just had one more game to go against Scunthorpe again at home and again it would be a very tough game but i thought we could win and was looking forward to it. After that League Two started and my real job began.

I was asked about bonuses and what the players should be given at the end of the season by the chairman and i decided that the bonuses should be higher for the league as it was realistic that we could win. I thought we would be up there and the title odds proved that i wasn't alone. A cup run would be on the side but the definite focus was going to be on the league.

The next match is Scunthorpe and i couldn't wait for it to get underway. Could the Dons get another good result heading into League Two?​

 

[KingCJ]

Good result against Cardiff, and well done on a decent signing.

 

[tonka998]

yeh nice signing in Brouwer there and a fantastic result against another championship team in Cardiff - bigger and better things to come for MK Dons I think KUTGW

 

[OrderDX]

Wednesday 1st August 2007

It was my last pre-season game against the third championship side two divisions above me and the opponents this time were Scunthorpe who would expect to beat us. I was resting Maghoma and Brouwer as i wanted then available to me for the first League Two Match. In came Keith Andrews and Kevin Gallen the skipper. I was optimistic about the game and thought we had a real chance.

However i was totally wrong and we were outplayed in every department including scoring goals. We lost 4-0 and it was very hard to take as we had chances in the game and we should have had at leats 2 goals. However i got the players up after the game and told them they had played well pre-season but the real business was about to start with our first game a little under two weeks away. The effort of the players couldn't be faulted we were just outplayed on the day.

The supporters echoed my feelings that we didn't take the chances in the match and that was what cost us but looking back at the games i was optimistic going into the start of the league and gave myself a real chance of being a success with the fans and the club.

Friday 3rd August 2007

The League Cup 1st Round draw was today and i wasn't bothered about who we drew to be honest. The players all watched the draw after training and we had drawn Swansea City away which was a very tough tie but the players were straight away looking forward to a potential shock result and they were buzzing. The League was still my main priority though.

Monday 6th August 2007

I decided my captain and vice-captain for the season and Kevin Gallen was given the main job. He is probably the most influential player in the squad and is a very talented footballer. I believe the players will look up to him and take his advice on board. His deputy is Dean Lewington my left back who has a mountain of experience and a good head on him as well. Hopefully i could work closely with both.

Friday 10th August 2007

My scout had handed me the report on my first League Two opponents Macclesfield and i was sure that this could be the first win of many. Our team on paper had a lot more quality and depth. Going into the match the players had played well pre-season and could go on to deliver a good performance i was sure.

Saturday 11th August 2007

The odds were heavily stacked in my favour for the game but i wouldn't let this distract me or the players of the job that was in hand. I wanted a good start to the season and i made that clear to the players. They agreed and they all arrived at stadium:mk bright and early and up for the match.

As well as the league game to worry about i had been drawn against Gillingham in the Johnstone Paint's trophy as well another competition to fit into my diary. I was realising that managers have a lot on their minds and a lot to think about.

So the players were in the tunnel and set for the game but would my first competitive game be a win or a lose? Who would perform the best? Find out in the next update!​

 

[tonka998]

Thats a slightly disappointing result against Scunthorpe there but the main task starts now! A couple of tough cup draws there aswell.. could be interesting Good luck vs Macclesfield - a win is predicted

 

[Kiko_97]

is this gonna continue

 

[tonka998]

I think it is - im good friend's with Luke and he hasnt been well recently so has been unable to update. Im sure Luke will tell you more anyways.

 

[OrderDX]

i don't plan on updating this anymore i have 13 AS exams and just don't have the time soz guys