Hello my dear readers! Leeds United story again today!

Premier League

I started my last season in FM 2010 very well winning Community Shield on penalties. Then there was a very confident performance till 3 losses in September…

Though the most interesting and surprising screen shot is regarding Premier League table:

And I'm not trying to emphasize the fact of Leeds leading. It's a success of course. But the most interesting fact is that other PL clubs (Tottenham, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Aston Villa and especially Chelsea) failed the start. They all have been loosing points from time to time meanwhile Leeds United have been steping up to the first title under my management. It's an excellent to chance to finish FM 10 career at the top because after summer transfers of Sakho, Achour and Taylor the team become truly great!

The best match of all played is the one against Mancherster City:

My guys managed to produce marvellous comeback after 2 quick goals! All 3 Leeds forwards scored. Andre-Pierre Gignac made a goal in the very end of the game confirming his status of top-class striker. After this match I felt that title has to be won this year by my guys.

League cup disappointment

Leeds won 2 FA Cups in 2 years. Add one League cup final as well. So you will understand that I like English cups and thought that my club is ready to achieve success in both of them this season. But the first opponent broke all my hopes:

It was a hot rivalry that somewhat resembled me the first match against Villarreal in Europe League last season. We played better, had more shots but managed to concede 3 not obligatory goals. Petr Cech made 4 amazing saves and confirmed himself in role of one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

It's a pity to be eliminated from League Cup so quickly…

Champions League

Here is what Sky Bet forecasted:

Well, 16-1 – it's not bad. Really.

Leeds United qualified into the group stage very easily beating Celtic with total 6:1 score. The group didn't seem me simple because Palermo and Bayern Munich have competitive squad with few footballer whom I would give a world class prefix. For instance, Raul Nava – excellent Mexican forward of German team.

Leeds lost to Palermo in an equal game and won matches against two other opponents. So now I am feeling confidence after 4 fixtures:

Palermo and Bayern managed to make 2 draws in their encounters and those results lightened the competition for me.

Leeds players

As a tradition here is Leeds squad screen shot with my customized view:

Firstly I would like to praise team newcomers:

- both Steven Taylor and Ramzi Achour impressed me with excellent performance. Though I feel French wonderkid is only adapting in the team.

- Mamadou Sakho is not so great in air as Sergiy Kryvtsov. But it's his only minus. Sakho tackles balls, reads a game, makes good first passes…

- Wayne Hennessey helped my team to survive in the first 5 matches when all other Leeds goalies were injured. Since that time he deserved backup goalkeeper status replacing Areola on a bench.

The best player of the first season's quarter is for sure Marco Verratti. Fantastic Italian playmaker ends a match without assist rarely. He is hardly stoppable and predictable in his actions whatever he does: pass, dribbling, shot… It's the most important player in my Football Manager 2010 career. Interesting how good he will be in Football Manager 2011. Maybe I will buy him again especially if some of Italians club will win the poll

The most scoring forward this time is Guilherme. I started putting him to the first squad from the very start instead of Gignac who became 31. Brazilian proved me that he is better now. 10 goals in 14 games is a certain argument. Moreover I happy to have now 2 Brazilians in attack who understand one another very well.

HINT: I have a good hint for you regarding player adaptation in a team. Buy a player in winter transfer window and don't use him often in the main squad till the next season. He has time to adapt. Then this player will be happy and very efficient in the new season if you make him a constant part of first squad. I made this trick with several players including Guilherme and Verratti since the very beginning of Leeds story. It really works!

True Football Manager