Welcome to the latest issue of the T100 mag, In this issue we have the usual reports from one game per division, an interview with the Schalke manager Mike T and a juicy gossip column to feast you’re eyes over. So straight into it we go.

Division 1

TOTTENHAM V CHELSEA

These two London rivals met for the 2nd time in less than a week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Chelsea’s 3-1 World club cup win on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge. Gregg Robinson was hoping for swift revenge in the league match as he settles in to the hot-seat at the lane. The game started with James Mckenzie’s blues straight on the front foot, Aubameyang almost give them a dream start on 6 minutes as he collected Thiago Alcantara’s delightful lofted ball and struck a sublime volley which whistled past the despairing dive of Lloris but thankfully for the home fans it also beat the outside of the post as it flew inches wide. The let off lasted just a further 6 minutes as Dele Alli, returning to his former club, split the home defence with a deft flick through to the feet of Robert Lewandowski who drew Lloris off his line before applying the deftest of chips beyond the keeper. 0-1. Tottenham responded well to going behind and with Jordan Amavi twice causing problems down Chelsea’s right hand side he played in Walker and Ozil who both tested Courtois with decent efforts. The last chance of the half also went the home sides way, Luka Modric jigged between Can and Alli before playing in Perisic who tried to catch out Courtois at the near post, but the big keeper read it well and made another decent stop. HT and it’s a 1-0 lead for the away side. The 2nd half had barely begun and the home side were rocked further as Aubameyang cut in from the left hand side and left Walker for dead before drilling a ball across the box which Lewandowski beat Vertonghen to flick the ball past the helpless Lloris, 0-2 and Tottenham were in trouble. Lewandowski had the sniff of a hat trick and within 10 minutes of his 2nd goal twice Lloris had to deny the polish striker his 3rd, the 2nd chance a miraculous save following good work again by Alli. Spurs were struggling to hold on in the game. Aubameyang again flashed one wide before Walker tested Courtois again from distance. The game had one final chance for Lewandowski to get the match ball, Ronaldo created the chance, stealing the ball from Vidal before setting off on a lung bursting sprint down the right flank before supplying a terrific ball which Lewandowski rose to bullet a header down but Lloris again somehow denied him. A great win for Chelsea and James McKenzie who have responded wel to their opening day defeat to move up to 4th, Tottenham continue to be inconsistent and currently sit a point above the relegation zone in 13th position.

DIVISION 2

EVERTON V WOLFSBURG

Two sides looking to move up the table met at a rainy Goodsion Park on Sunday night as Everton looking for their 1st win of the season welcomed German side Wolfsburg who had picked up 4 points from their previous 2 games after suffering back to back defeats at the start of the season. The game was just 6 minutes old when the home side made the breakthrough, a long ball from San Jose was controlled by Moreno who then laid the ball back to Darder who fired low and hard past Karius from 20 yards out, 1-0 just the start RJ Alston was looking for. What he wasn’t so keen on was that lead lasting just 5 minutes as Wolfsburg fired immediately back. Danny Welbeck worked his way into the box before pulling the ball back into the path of Lars Stindl who drilled the ball across the wet surface into the bottom corner of the goal. 1-1 with just 11 minutes gone. The home side were almost ahead again on 20 minutes when Oscar found Moreno who flashed an instinctive shot towards goal and Karius pulled off an incredible save. Moreno tested Karius again on 28 minutes before the home sides dominance was rewarded on 40 minutes, Moreno again the provider as he crossed well for Oscar to volley emphatically beyond Karius. 2-1 and no more than Everton deserved at HT. Evan Hart clearly had words at HT as his Wolfsburg side came out fighting 2nd half, Piszczek lucky to see just yellow on 50 minutes after a wild late challenge on Oscar but that was probably what Hart was looking for in his side who stood off Everton in the 1st half. Trapp denied Stindl again on 62 before Piszczek let fly from distance on 65 minutes forcing Trapp into a flying save. The balance had shifted and the equalising goal followed as Ashley Barnes on for the ineffective Eder delivered a great dinked ball for Kucka to half volley right in to the top corner, 2-2. Everton rallied well in the last 10 minutes but Moreno was denied twice by Karius as they failed to grab that winning goal. FT 2-2 and it will feel like 2 points dropped for Everton after their dominance in the first half.

DIVISION 3

SOUTHAMPTON V FENERBACHE

Top of the table Southampton welcomed Fenerbache to St Mary’s hoping to continue their fine start to the season. Rob Ryan, who took over towards the end of last season at Southampton was looking for an instant return to Division 2 after their relegation last season whereas Ash Lupton will be hoping it doesn’t take Fenerbache until the last game of the season to ensure survival again. The game itself started in dramatic fashion as just 17 seconds were on the clock when Van Aanholt lashed home from all of 30 yards, his shot swerving and dipping leaving Jarstein well beaten in goal. Fenerbache however were back on level terms on 6 minutes when Marega held the ball up well and passed to Funes Mori who seeking inspiration from Van Aanholt no doubt, let fly from 25 yards out and the ball flew into the top corner with Cragno nowhere near it. 6 minutes gone and already 2 goal of the month contenders. That didn’t stop Fenerbache either, buoyed by their immediate response they again tested Cragno with Marega forcing the home keeper into a fantastic save on 9 minutes before Krunic tested him from range again on 14. Falcao then should of had the home side back in front before he made amends on 28 minutes. Caprari found the Columbian in acres of space before he smashed the ball beyond Jarstein, 2-1. Falcao again had further chances to extend the lead before HT but couldn’t make the most of his chances. HT 2-1. Unfortunately the 2nd half was somewhat of an anti-climax after what we witnessed in the 1st, the only chance of note came the visitors way on 82 minutes, Cheryshev playing a lovely one-two with Poli before drilling low and hard however Cragno was equal to it and his save preserved the 3 points for the league leaders. Fenerbache will be hoping to pick up their first win of the season asap.

DIVISION 4

SUNDERLAND V CELTIC

Sunderland welcomed Glasgow Celtic to Wearside for their division 4 game. Warren Livesey’s black cats had won 2 and lost 2 of their opening league games whilst Garry Crawford’s side had recovered somewhat from their opening defeat to draw 3 consecutive league games. The game was barely a minute old when the visitors took the lead, a silly foul given away by Zanka was punished by an absolute stupendous free kick from the Brazilian Paulinho who let fly with an unstoppable free kick from 30 yards which left Costil in the home goal standing in awe. Alario almost made it 2-0 on 13 minutes but Costil stood big and spread himself well to deny Celtic. The south american connection almost paid dividends for Celtic again as Alario slipped through Paulinho who really should of done better with his chance but he slotted wide. That miss seemed to galvanise Sunderland and Rondon almost had them level before Kranevitter made it 1-1 on the scoreboard and on great free kicks. Ayala had tugged Rondon’s shirt right on the edge of the box and Kranevitter showed great ability to stroke the ball up and over the Celtic wall and into the back of the net, 1-1. Rondon was proving a handful and he had the final chance of the first half, bullying his way through a couple of poor attempted challenges before firing wide. 1-1 HT. Sunderland again threatened from a set piece on 53 minutes as a well worked free kick out wide led to Kranevitter delivering a great ball which Kalou got on the end of, his header forcing Ochoa into a smart stop. The game didn’t really get going after that save with both sides cancelling each other out a touch. Celtic were probably the more determined to find a winner, Ayala forcing a save from costil froma corner before Lavezzi created a great chance on 89 minutes for Alario who strode on to Lavezzi’s pass before side stepping Holbaes then trying to curl the ball into the top corner, however the strike lacked any accuracy and drifted well wide of Costil’s post. 1-1 FT and its a 4th successive draw for Celtic.

DIVISION 5

FLAMENGO V TORINO

Both sides came into this game looking for their first win of the campaign, Flamengo had the solitary point and 3 defeats under Mark Phelps whilst Torino had 2 draws under the wily new management of David Senior who had the task of trying to rebuild the club after the efforts of it’s previous incumbent. Just like the previous games this one got off to a flying start and the fans in the Maracana were celebrating just 3 minutes in, Otavio firing an unstoppable free kick from 20 yards which whistled past the stranded keeper. Gelin had the away sides first real chance of the game on 15 minutes as he tried his luck from range however it was a comfortable save for Alves. Just before the half hour mark and Torino’s golden oldies had themselves level, Loic Remy fed the ball through to Giovinco, who dropped his shoulder and breezed past Thiago Silva before curling a shot in off the far post with Alves beaten. 1-1. The home side were shocked and Torino had further chances before HT to get themselves in front, Alves saving from Hnrique befor Giovinco fired wide. 1-1 HT. Mark Phelps clearly wasn’t happy and had his side out 5 minutes before the second half kick off, that had no effect though and he was forced into a triple change on the hour mark to drum some life into his side. Richarlison tested Zieler on 68 minutes as the Brazilians finally took the game to their visitors, Mendes should of done better on 71 minutes after great work by Everton Soares before the 2nd goal arrived on 72 minutes. Scorer of the first Otavio turned provider as he played a square ball to Richarlison who found space before firing home off the post to give the home side the lead. 2-1. Otavio wasn’t done for the day yet and just 6 minutes late he again was the provider as he whipped a ball into the box from a wide free kick, the ball was flicked home by Augusto to give the home side some breathing space. 3-1. Maffeo had a chance to pull one back for Torino on 82 minutes but he fired way over the bar when presented with a good chance. FT and 3-1 to Flamengo who move up to 17th whilst Torino hover just above the bottom position.

In The Hot-Seat with…..

Today we welcome Mike T to answer some questions, the newly appointed Schalke 04 manager.

After spells at Atletico Club and Marseille you landed the job at schalke this summer, how’s the early days gone?

So far so good. Got some points from the early fixtures which takes some of the immediate pressure off, unlucky against Ajax not to claim a point as well. Finding your feet and then facing Division 1 football is as challenging as anything I have done as a manager

What are you’re immediate and long term goals in Germany?

The immediate goal is to have one more point than the third last (and relegated) team in Division 1 at the end of 38 matches! Long term, building up the squad, a little younger and a little deeper. We have already turned over a lot of the youth team. If a couple of these come on over the next season or two, then that will help in some future negotiations.

Klass Jan Huntelaar has been very vocal about his lack of games at schalke recently, do you see any future for the long time servant?

It is a tough one. He is our third choice striker, second choice front man behind Kevin (Gameiro), who has had a great start to the season. I know he wants to be out their each week, but if the first team is fit and healthy, then that is not likely. He will get matches this season, no question about that. Will it be enough for him to want to stay, or will he want to force his way out, you will need to talk to his agent, Leear and Deschonk.

Schalke fans were very disappointed with the club not entering the youth cup and world club cup this season, do you have any plans to enter in future?

Yes, I asked the chairman and he supported skipping a season with a campaign in Division One, and a new manager at the helm. The focus this season is securing Division One status for next season. If we can do that (and if I am still employed next season), we will be participating in both competitions.

Who is your real life club? And what are your aims for this season with them?

The mighty Eagles … Crystal Palace. After another snore inducing first 90% of the summer transfer window, they got a little active and added some depth in the midfield, and a leader at the back, Cahill, who despite his advanced years should provide some of the tight well drilled organization that Woy relies upon in his system.

Another season in the Premier League is always the goal.
Some of my London club supporting buddies asked me after the Manchester United win ‘how great was that’. They got my standard response ‘just three points closer to forty’.

If they manage to survive this season, hopefully having got Benteke to score several and set up another half dozen, they can sell him to China and get some coin back, and look to reinvest a little more into the club.

Best case, some crazy angel investor decides that SE25 is to be the centre of his universe, and plops down a billion pounds, buys the club, brings in four or five top shelf players and agrees to build a new stadium within the next 3-4 seasons.

SM T100 The Gossip Column…

Drama at the Bernabeu on Saturday night as managers Sir Stephen Beddows and Dr Martinez had to be separated after their youth cup match, Dr Martinez was furious after Beddows fielded a full strength side against Athletic Club, speaking to re[porters after the game Beddows was quoted as saying “I needed to find some form and couldn’t risk another defeat” [MARCA]

Beddows is also in trouble with the SMFA after his World Club Cup match with city rivals Atletico still hasn’t been arranged, Cruzeiro v Internacional and Napoli v Juventus also not arranged as yet. Marsden is thought to be frantically trying to get the games organised. [SMFA WEBSITE]

AZ Alkmaar v Olympiacos and Aston Villa v Augsburg in the youth cup at risk as fixtures not yet arranged. [SMFA WEBSITE]

Santos manager Terry Morrison is frantically trying to push through a deal for Schalke Midfielder Wylan Cyprien, however he hasn’t got near to Mike T’s asking price as yet. The player is considering handing in a transfer request to force through a move. [MIRROR]

Kai Havertz is considering leaving Juventus. The germany star is said to be unhappy at being loaned out the last few seasons and is considering his future. His solo start this season in the champions cup hasn’t appeased him so far [BILD]

Cristian Lema is believed to have pre agreed a deal to join FC Twente once registration procedures are followed. Lema barely played under Norman Little despite him being one of the first players brought to the club. [STAR]

Thats all for today’s issue, its a bit longer than previous issues so hopefully you all stay awake reading it all. Thanks for your time again lads and again if anything you want to be in future issues let me know. Looking for my next manager to interview so drop me a PM if interested.