Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 Then we made the trip to Jamaica and they were beaten almost as easily Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 Our final friendly was against USA. The teams: and we head off to the World Cup in fine spirits with another win and a clean sheet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 Our first World Cup game was against China and we were far too good for them, even with 10 men leaving us on the verge of qualification already Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 Our second group game was against Ghana and we got the win, but had another player sent off so we've secured top spot and qualification, and we'll be joined by the winner of China v Ghana. Ghana will qualify if the match is drawn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 Our second round opponent was Mali and we were big winners this time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 It would be African opposition again in Round 3 and we made it safely into the quarter finals 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Wait the WC has 3 teams per group? when did that happen? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 In the Quarter Final, we faced Portugal and predictably for England, we are out. On penalties. Again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 1 minute ago, karanhsingh said: Wait the WC has 3 teams per group? when did that happen? The World Cup is expanding to 48 teams, but that has been delayed until after the Qatar World Cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/sports/fifa-2022-world-cup-48-teams.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 I decided to resign rather than wait to be sacked, as the FA were 'disappointed' with the performance at the World Cup. Hopefully a job becomes available once the tournament is over Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 And I've had my first interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 Quickly followed by another Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 I've been offered both, so I'm going to take a break to think it over Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevhamster Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Unlucky with the world cup. At least you have two very decent job offers to consider! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcconnell1 Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 What kind of budgets and expectations are on offer at each? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 1 hour ago, danmcconnell1 said: What kind of budgets and expectations are on offer at each? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 I've decided to take the Atalanta job as I think they represent the best opportunity to build something over a few seasons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevhamster Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 4 hours ago, Northernpilgrim said: I've decided to take the Atalanta job as I think they represent the best opportunity to build something over a few seasons. I'd agree with that as well. Without knowing what sort of squad is already at your disposal, they have more modest expectations yet are handing you more resources to do the job! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 It's not been a bad start to the season. In fact, if you'd offered me six points out of nine at the start of August, I'd have taken it, but, having won on the opening day in the Giuseppe Meazza, 6 points almost feels disappointing and this was enough to end the month in a Champions League spot, along with Sampdoria. So maybe not quite as bad a defeat as it first looked Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 I only arrived in the week of the first league game, so didn't do any preseason, but I did manage to sign one player, for £1.5m from Schalke and this is the squad I've got to work with Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 There's also plenty in both the wage and transfer budgets too, as well as quite a lot of dead wood that'll need shifting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcconnell1 Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I'd have taken the same job. Much more realistic targets with a budget to really overachieve. Best of luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Two wins out of three in September, but it should have been 3 as Milan were reduced to 10 men after 69 minutes, with us leading 2-1 at the time. The equaliser came from a penalty with 6 minutes left and we remain in a Champions League spot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 Before the month started, I'd have taken 10 points out of 12 in October, but once again, we have come up with a supremely impressive win, only to slip up against lesser opposition although we do end the month top of the league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 November was our worst month so far, despite the fixtures on paper being not too bad and we remain in a Champions League spot, despite the recent slump 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 The horrible run carried on in December and a top half finish, rather than European football, seems a more realistic target right now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 We returned to form in January, winning three of our four league games. Inter's goal was their only shot on target in their 1-0 win over us, and Kasper Dolberg missed from the spot AGAIN in the shootout. He's now missed his last 4 penalties. and that has fired us back into European contention, but the title is definitely beyond us Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 Two players arrived, five departed in the January window Zanetti is a centre back from Milan who goes straight into the team and Boulard is also a centre back, and he too has been signed to go straight in 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share Posted July 12, 2019 February was a perfect month, at the perfect time and we're back into the top four for the first time since November 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 That was a typically 'England' way to go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 10 hours ago, deltablue said: That was a typically 'England' way to go You're not wrong Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 Youth intake time, and just two players are getting deals this time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 7 points out of 9 in March, but it really should have been a full house and we end the month second 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 Our good run came to an end in April but remarkably, with 4 games to go, we still have an outside chance of the title, but we need both Milan giants to slip up now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 We took 10 points out of 12 in May, and it should have been 12 as we were 2-0 up with 15 minutes left against Roma, but we would have to wait to find out if it would be enough to take the Serie A title and annoyingly, if we'd held on to win the Roma game, we'd have taken the title on goal difference. As it is, we finish second, two points behind Milan. Atalanta's best season in their history, but not enough to win the title 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 And I've already had my first interview of the summer, although it's not the one I really want Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 And I've been offered another interview. This one would be impossible to say no to Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 Chelsea decided I wasn't for them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevhamster Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 Excellent season with Atalanta! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 Bayern also said no, for the third time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 8 minutes ago, kevhamster said: Excellent season with Atalanta! Thanks kev. Now to try and follow that! Next to no budget for transfers too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 Ahead of the new season, and I've agreed to extend my Atalanta contract Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboing Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 Fair play @Northernpilgrim I wasn’t really sure what was to come with Atalanta but you’ve done amazing work and although proud must be a little gutted! Hope you can push on next season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 Just now, samboing said: Fair play @Northernpilgrim I wasn’t really sure what was to come with Atalanta but you’ve done amazing work and although proud must be a little gutted! Hope you can push on next season Thanks samboing Mixed emotions because a title challenge is way beyond what I was brought in to do this season, and yet if we had won any of the games we drew against the strugglers, that would have been enough to win the title. Lack of money means there aren't any big signings to report in my preseason roundup, which I'm just putting together now, so it should be up in 10 minutes or so. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 Preseason went very well, as we won every game, against some decent opposition too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 In terms of transfers, this is what we were able to do Giannini was a decent capture on a free transfer. Initially he'll be backup to Sheyi Ojo, and will eventually replace him John is going to provide a second option in goal, although I need to quickly find out what's causing the issue with registering him Nico is going to be a first team regular at the base of midfield and Marchand will play regularly there too Here is the squad as it stands now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevhamster Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 Is the John issue work permit related? Just wondering as he's a non-EU nationality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 14, 2019 Author Share Posted July 14, 2019 1 minute ago, kevhamster said: Is the John issue work permit related? Just wondering as he's a non-EU nationality. I don't think so, as that normally shoiws up as Wp. It's to do with registering an additional nEU player, and I don't quite understand it. I'm hoping he'll be allowed to register when the squad is finalised at the transfer deadline. If not, I will have a very unhappy player, and probably an unhappy squad. I'm not optimistic at this stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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