Northernpilgrim Posted January 15, 2020 Author Share Posted January 15, 2020 A perfect start to life in Dortmund. Four games, four wins, and four clean sheets too but that wasn't quite enough to end August top of the table, as Schalke 04 have been banging the goals in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 16, 2020 Author Share Posted January 16, 2020 Our perfect start to the season lasted through September too and we're now four points clear a the top of the Bundesliga, having not even conceded a goal yet and well on track in the Champions League too, although it's back to back games against FC Barcelona up next Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 16, 2020 Author Share Posted January 16, 2020 We had a bit of a wobble in October, losing twice but the fact that the defeats were in the German Cup and Champions League means our 100pc start continues, and we lead the table by 8 points although, with a trip to the Nou Camp next up in the Champions League, it already looks likely that if we go through, it won't be as group winners Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 Excellent promotion with Fulham. Managed to steady the slide with the Arse. Good luck in Dortmund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 Another slight wobble in November but we remain unbeaten in the league, 9 points clear and we know that if we beat Astana at home, we're through the Champions League group stage too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 (edited) We had a perfect December and go into the mid-season break 11 points clear and through as runners-up in our Champions League group Edited January 17, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 On paper, with back-to-back defeats, January looks poor but the Bremen defeat felt like robbery and I thought we deserved something against Monchengladbach too but we still lead the league by 7 points, so as long as we don't have an extended run of bad results, we should be fine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 We made one signing in January, a replacement for the departed Felipe, and saw one other youngster leave on loan Armini looks a decent player Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 We suffered another setback in February, which, like the last one in January, coincided with my first choice goalkeeper being unavailable through injury. He missed four games in January, but hopefully it's just the one this time and our lead has been cut to just four points. There is no more margin for error if we are to win the title Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 March was poor, as we crashed out of the Champions League, and lost again in the Bundesliga although our lead actually increased, and is now 5 points. We cannot keep getting lucky, and it's Bayern away next after the international break Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 We lost to Bayern, but responded with three wins to round off April which means we're two points clear of Schalke, who've forgotten how to lose, at the top of the table, with just three games left Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 We knew that three wins in May would win the title, anything less and we needed help. We needed help as a slow start against Mainz left us chasing the game, and we only partially recovered Schalke didn't stutter, and nicked the title on goal difference Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboing Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Damn! That’s an unfortunate end to a very good first season with Dortmund! I’m sure next season will have a better ending! Keep up the good work, loving the thread as usual Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 12 minutes ago, samboing said: Damn! That’s an unfortunate end to a very good first season with Dortmund! I’m sure next season will have a better ending! Keep up the good work, loving the thread as usual Thanks samboing, but I don't even have sympathy for myself. We had an 11 point lead, and we blew it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 Time to start rounding up the season, beginning with the Golden Boot, won by our own Sugano Three Dortmund players made the Team of the Year The same three made the Players Team of the Year The week to week position chart shows how we were top for so much of the season, but not when it mattered most and the squad stats for the season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 Preseason results were almost perfect (we conceded goals) and the bookies have us as title favourites Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 We made three signings over the summer Hurtado is a left winger Olsen is a right winger and Kabak is a centre back which leaves our squad looking like this, pending any last minute departures. I would like to strengthen further in central defence, but this will have to wait until at least January Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 We lost to Schalke in the Supercup on penalties, but made a perfect start in the Bundesliga and German Cup and after three games, we're the only side with a perfect record, having not even conceded a goal. Schalke and Bayern are lurking ominously though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 There were two more additions to the squad after the season started and before the window closed, with several departures too Carvalho is a young Portuguese centre back Mineiro is also a centre back, from Brazil I tried to sell Dan-Axel Zagadou, as he isn't going to get any game time this season, but he refused every contract he was offered. He is too good for Dortmund II, and too old for the youth team, but refuses to leave. I'll try to sell him in January, but he has three years left on his contract, so I might be stuck with him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 On 19/01/2020 at 09:54, Northernpilgrim said: Thanks samboing, but I don't even have sympathy for myself. We had an 11 point lead, and we blew it. You've done a Keegan's Newcastle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 21 minutes ago, Nobby_McDonald said: You've done a Keegan's Newcastle. Their lead was 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 I know, but you chucked away a big lead like they did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 We were unbeaten in September, but last season's habit of dropping silly points reared it's head again as somehow we failed to beat Eintracht Frankfurt, despite near total domination but we end the month top of the table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 October was an inconsistent month results-wise but I felt robbed against Hoffenheim, given their only shot on target was a penalty and that cost us top spot, as we trail Schalke by 1 point Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 November was disappointing and the defeat to Cologne left us trailing Schalke in the Bundesliga but with our Champions League progress secured, and the possibility of topping the group in our own hands Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 Unbeaten in December but we end the year 4 points adrift of Schalke and we've qualified as Champions League group winners Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 January was so nearly a perfect month, as we surrendered a lead in the last 20 minutes against Leverkusen which means we are now 5 behind a rampant Schalke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 There were two arrivals, and two departures, in the transfer window Pajovic is a striker, and was Schalke's top scorer Ford is a young English midfielder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 February results weren't great and we now trail Schalke by 6 points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 March was one match from perfection but that defeat to Schalke sees the gap at the top grow to 9 points, and with 7 games left, I think the league is over Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 April kind of summed up our season. Generally very good, but an utterly inexplicable collapse against Augsburg. There have been too many of those this season and the title is mathematically over, Schalke are Champions, but they don't go the whole season unbeaten Neither will I be at Dortmund next season, as with growing board disappointment, and my contract due to expire, I announced that I'll be leaving at the end of the season following that Augsburg defeat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Dortmund has been very cruel! Any idea where you're heading next? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 2 hours ago, andychar said: Dortmund has been very cruel! Any idea where you're heading next? Not yet, but there are a few tasty clubs that have their manager listed as insecure, so hopefully one of those comes up. I wouldn't be averse to dropping down the leagues to take a project on. This is all about having fun, and being able to see progression. Dortmund doesn't seem to be giving me either right now, which is why I've decided to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 There was not to be a perfect finish to my Dortmund reign as we lost to Stuttgart, despite them only having 1 shot on target but at least I won a trophy in my final match in charge and we end the season, as we did the last, second, well behind Schalke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Time to round off my Dortmund career, beginning with the awards, starting with the best XI The Dortmund awards night winners and the season stats the season review and confirmation of my departure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 The first big job has come up, and I've got an interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 They haven't wasted any time, as the next day, they offered me the job Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 I am officially the new boss of Manchester City Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 and this is the squad I've inherited Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 You've got Pellegri at his peak. This will be fun... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevhamster Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Tough going with Dortmund when you have another team in such amazing form. Good luck with City! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Not a bad set of preseason results Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 And I've been busy in the transfer market too Obada is a defensive midfielder Lozano is a right back from my old club Mineiro is a centre back, again from Dortmund and Straker is an England international keeper Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 A miserable, miserable start to the season. There were mitigating circumstances in the West Ham defeat, going a goal and a man down in the first half, and we dominated Newcastle but somehow lost and we're already up against it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 We started September badly, but came roaring back as another poor start and inaccurate finishing cost us dear against Wolves So, we end the month just outside the minor European places and with work to do in the Champions League too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 A perfect October and we end the month in a Champions League spot that represents the bare minimum required this season and on target to qualify from this season's Champions League group, with back-to-back home games against Kiev and Sporting next up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 (edited) Not perfect, but unbeaten in November, including against the leaders but how did we not beat Blackburn? and we remain in the top 4, 6 points off the top and have qualified from our Champions League group too Edited January 23, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share Posted January 24, 2020 December wasn't great, although there was an early red card in the Champions League mauling and we lost to Spurs despite only taking the lead ourselves in the last 10 minutes leaving us clinging to a Champions League spot. We need to tighten up to challenge for the title next season but having safely made it through our Champions League group Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 (edited) Unbeaten in the league in January, but thrashed in the Carabao Cup semi final although we surrendered a 2 goal lead against Burnley, which left me fuming which leaves us a disappointing third in the league Edited January 25, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 There has been plenty of transfer activity since the summer, but only one arrival as I raided my old club again for a goalkeeper Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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