Shock devekopment in the Basque country.

[Daz the Super "J"]

---------- Post added at 12:16 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 09:28 PM ----------

Earlier today a press conference was held at the San Mames, home of Athletic Bilbao, new manager Darryl Lindsay answered various questions from numerous members of the media.

How does it feel to be the first non Basque manager of Athletic Bilbao?

In a nutshell its an absolute hounor. Ive always had a great respect for the way this club operates and have been a fan for years so to be named as manager is just out of this world. Of course there is alot of presure on me to be a success from the off and i will have a few fans to win round, but im confident and have a lot of faith in my abilities.

Will you be adobting a new signings policy now that you're in charge?

No, as i said before i have great respect for the way this club has gone about its business in the transfer market and i will continue in this vain and uphold the clubs traditions.

So far you have signed one player. Jose Javier Barkero fom Numancia for 4.9 million, what are your views on this signing and are we likely to see much more activity?

Jose is a top top player. An attacking midfielder who will slot into the the style I intend for the team. He's got a lot of expierence at this level and as we have a very young squad, his expierence will be vital in bringing them on. As far as further activity goes, there won't be any further signings coming into the club. I am more interested in securing the future stars of the club such as Iker Muniain who has just signed a new 3 year contract.

You have made alot of changes to the backroom team since you arrived. Has this had any effect on the squad?

Not at all, the players are very happy with the new faces at the club and everyone is working well together. The atmosphere here couldn't be any better just now.

Your first competitive game in charge will be away to Motherwell in the EURO CUP. Are you ready for the challange and are you confident?

Motherwell are a good side therefore we are not taking them lightly. The team is ready and can't wait to get out of the starting blocks. The EURO CUP is an important competiton for us this year and we will be looking for good results along with good performances throught the competion.

What are your goals for this season in the league? Will you be content with a safe mid table finish?

Well the team mannaged to achieve european football last season and i think realisitly we can look at attaning the same again. We have a squad full of young talanted footballers and the sky really is the limit. The club along with Real Madrid and Barcelona have never been relegated from La Liga which is fantastic but relegation and safe mid table finishes are not terms we want to use around the place.


That concluded the press conference. Alot of positive words coming from Mr Lindsay, now its up to the team to do the business on the park.

 

[Mike]

Good luck, gonna be a toughie.

Shame about the title mistake! XD

 

[Daz the Super "J"]

Ooops acidentally deleted the newspaper article, sorry if anyone missed it.

---------- Post added at 01:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------

July Results:

01/07/2009
​

Friendly
Home
Vs Bilboa Athletic
3-0
Gaizka Toquero
Xabier Etxeita
Ion Velez Carlos Gurpegi
MoM:Andoni Iraola

29/07/09
Friendly
Away
Vs Cultural Durango
8-0
Fernando Llorente 6
Fransico Javier Yeste
Carlos Gurpegi
MoM: Fernando Llorente

30/07/09
EURO Cup 3rd Round
Away
Vs Motherwell
2-0
Fernando Llorente
Inigo Diaz de Cerio
MoM:Andoni Iraola

Really good pre season and good result in the EURO cup. Im happy with the whole team but now feel i could do with a back up RB. Llorente is scoring goals for fun at the moment and im hopeing that continues into the opening of the season. Iraola is putting in some great performances.

 

[Zidave]

Good luck with this mate. I actually loaded a Athletic save last night was gonna give it a go as not seen a story on her.
I even set my 2nd nationality as Basque.
Keep Muniain whatever you do he is a legend!!

 

[Daz the Super "J"]

Cheers buddy. Yeah i went for Spanish as my second nationality. Basque wouldn't be in keeping with the storyline. Im gonna type up my profile and post it on here tomorrow night along with Augusts results.

Giving Muniain a new contract was the first thing i did.

---------- Post added at 12:39 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 02:27 AM ----------

---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 AM ----------

---------- Post added at 01:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 AM ----------

---------- Post added at 02:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:33 AM ----------

August round up.

This Month i wrapped up all my friendly games by scoring a further 22 goals in 3 games without reply. Concluding a very impressive pre season.

The return leg against Motherwell ended with a 3-1 victory and progression into the next round where we were drawn against Legia Warsaw of Poland. The first leg was played in Poland. At one point we were 3-0 down but mannaged to score a late goal with 3 mins to go to set up and interesting return leg at home.

In the return leg we got off to an excellent start by scoring in the first 3 minutes with a headed goal from Fernando Llorente. Diaz de Cerio then put us in the driving seat with the second of the game within 20 minutes. There was no more goals untill 5 mins from time when we grabbed a third goal. The third goal was a landmark goal for the scorer, substitute Iker Muniain. Landmark being he has become the youngest scorer in the euro cup at 16 years 251 days. This is a huge moment in the youngsters career as it was also his first senior goal for the club and is set to have a massive future at the Club he loves.

The group stage was also drawn. We are second seeds in the group which has Zenit from Russia, Partizan from Serbia and Lech of Poland. A couple of tough trips there but hopefully progression to the next round will be straight forward.

Losing the super cup to Barcalona was the only downside to August, but a narrow 2-1 loss and a 1-1 draw against Barcalona is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

Our La Liga campaign kicked off aswell. Our first game away to Teneriffe finished 3-1. The highlight of the game was Barkero grabing his first goal for the club since joining from Numancia in the summer. Barkero has been struggling to blend in to the team and i am hopeing this goal will go aways to helping him settle.

No league table update as only round 1 played.

A couple of transfers to tell you about. I signed Oier from Ossasuna as cover for the right back area for 2.7 million. A bold move as They are one of our fierce rivals but there was not much to choose from and i feel he can do a job for us.

Leaving the club was 38 year old goal keeper for 220k. He was picked up by Villareal. I did not see a place in the team for him so this was the best for both parties concerned.

---------- Post added at 04:07 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 02:54 AM ----------

Thought id update you with my first team and tactics.

I play a 442 diamond formation. The 2 midfielders play wide and are set as wingers. They get alot of early cross's looking for Llorente to either get a head at goal or knock down for his striking partner which is usually Diaz de Cerio. They however also run at defenders through out the game. Its a very attacking style, creating losts of chances but can leave short at the back, but as Orbaiz does not venture forward it does tend to slow any counter attacks down alowing players to get back.

Captain:Fransisco Javier Yeste
VCablo Orbaiz

So heres the team.

GK. Gorka Irazoz
RB. Iban Zubiaurra
LB. Xabier Castillo
CB. Fernando Amorebieta
CB. Carlos Gurpegi
DMC. Pablo Orbaiz
RM. Andoni Iraola
LM. Fransico Javier Yeste
AMC. Jose Javier Barkero
CF. Fernado Llorente
CF. Inigo Diaz de Cerio