[FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)

Just what I needed with a big game ahead plus the Champions Playoff not far off.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 28



Had to reverse the bus out of the garage and park it in front of our goal in a stern defensive display at Zalgiris. Ştefan Chiorescu has been the midfield metronome of late, but skipped a beat on this occasion with a red card at the beginning of the second half. For all of the green whites' pressure, they couldn't crowbar their way in and had to stew with a point. Not that we'll complain.



An unsung hero at the back.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Two pleasing results, shame we couldn't have it our way in the Zalgiris game but beggars can't be choosers. Hopefully the striking importance of Pavlyukovich can continue shining in the playoffs.

REGULAR SEASON LEAGUE TABLE



It meant we went in still ahead of Suduva and now level on points with Zalgiris, Atlantas not far off only three points away and Trakai top the pile in a bit of a haze with only five games left. FBK Kaunas suffered relegation, Utenis fight in the relegation playoff and Zalgiris Kaunas just managed to keep their asses out of trouble. Zalgiris incidently won the LFF taurė, meaning that four place is available for a Europa League spot. The tension can be cut with a knife.

CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE



Starting at home to Atlantas who we've a fairly good record against, perhaps the most telling game away at Suduva where a win alone could book us into the Europa League on its own. Followed by another away day at Trakai, returning home to Zalgiris and the most favourable last fixture at Zalgiris Kaunas. Let the games commence.

Adding another injury to the list.

A LYGA CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF

MATCHDAY 29



Ideal start to the pursuit, a slender win against ten man Atlantas. A rare feature for Andrius Matulevicius at centre back and made a case to cement himself in the team, heading in the only goal of the game midway through the first half. A retaliation from the visitors was futile when Ilja Akhilgov saw a straight red for a belligerent tackle on Lukas Zutautas. Seven games unbeaten now, we're looking sharp.



Typical, the goalscorer misses the next game.

Only back from injury too, smh.

A LYGA CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF

MATCHDAY 30



Groans galore. Should've at least picked up a share of the spoils but let ourselves down massively to blow the league chase wide open. Suduva were more confident and perhaps deservedly nudged in front, though Lukosius' shot should have been kept out by Zukauskas. Pavlyukovich hit the post with our best shot of the game while Suduva piled on the pressure, Cicman missing a sitter to breathe a sigh of relief. It was a welcome return to the scoresheet for Olivier Kabura with his first goal post-injury to level it up. It lasted shorter than England's world cup hopes, McParland in the wrong place at the wrong time to divert a cross into his own net. Costly defeat.



At least McParland can rethink his strategy with a game off.



Jesus Christ, we'll be lucky to field a bloody team next! Huge injury blow.

A LYGA CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF

MATCHDAY 31



Everything starting to derail now. We just can't seem to beat Trakai, but all credit to them they've surging for a first ever title. It was an unstoppable effort to win the game too, despite a strong defensive header away Dominykas Urbys found the 'sweet spot' to fire a ferocious shot expected to leave a hole in the back of the net. Didn't create anything major, just watching the world burn before our eyes.

A LYGA CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF

MATCHDAY 32



THERE IS ONLY ONE CONOR MCPARLAND!! His suspension in the last game must have truly charged him up to deliver the winner, coming from behind twice against Zalgiris. The green whites led into the break with a Brazinskas ball that Zukauskas let in too easily at his near post. Rethinking our strategy, we just went for it and it took a belter from Pavlyukovich to give us something to shout about...until Klimavicius headed in from a corner to restore their lead only six minutes later. The visitors should have been out of sight, but back we came with a helpful deflection on Kabura's shot, credited to Roman Birskys to draw level again. Step forth the Dungannon born stallion to power home a header with nine minutes to go and secure a massive win. One game to go, can we edge into Europe?

A LYGA CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF

MATCHDAY 33



Finishing the season off in good spirits, but needed some elbow grease to overthrow Zalgiris Kaunas. Pavel Pavlyukovich capped off an impressive season with his 19th goal of the season to seal the all important winner, almost securing a score if not for the crossbar. I'll say it, ZK didn't deserve to lose, they showed brave determination minus the end product but did thwack the woodwork twice. Curtain closes on an intense season, but did we do enough?

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Those two defeats to Suduva and Trakai almost capsized our whole campaign but the comeback at home to Zalgiris truly lifted our spirits and went on to finish up well at Zalgiris Kaunas.

FINAL LEAGUE TABLE





Finally we drink in the sweet nectar of European football after five years dry. Not only did we topple Suduva to fourth, we also shoved Zalgiris to finish in a fully deserved third. Top two was just too much to ask for. On the positives: Europa League football is back baby!



How about this for a story though? Trakai were destined to lift their first ever league title - going into their final two games with a six point lead. They choked massively, losing their last two games and surrendering the league to Atlantas out of nowhere on head-to-head records. Heartbreaking.



Last but finally not least, was narrowly denied the award of Manager of the Year. A close second, but better man won.

Great to see European football return! Gotta feel for Trakai tho!

Well done on securing european football dude, late couple of wins!

And an FM18 career like this?

I'm sure @DNZY may end up doing an FM18 career similar but it seems he's still enjoying this save too much.

'grats on securing Europa League football pal.

@r96Skinner - Trakai were so difficult to play against, they deserved to win the league and it's a shame they let themselves down!

@Dan - Cheers fella! Yeah that Zalgiris win was so important otherwise we'd have been leapfrogged outside the European places.

@ade04 - There will be something similar for FM18....but I'll keep you waiting for now.



@Shedender - Yeah this save has been so much fun, think someone wanted me to release the save file which I may do down the line. Thanks by the way!

___________________________________________





There was one name on everyone's lips over the last season, apart from Pavy of course - Ştefan Chiorescu. Superb acquisition, the fans absolutely admired him to make him both player of the season and signing of the season, and to top it all off his screamer against Atlantas earned goal of the season. Perhaps surprising is seeing his midfield counterpart Lukas Zutautas was nominated as the young player of the season...at 24.

https://streamable.com/f0b4u



He may have taken bronze medal as player of the season, but nobody came close to him with his goal tally - Pavel Pavlyukovich just shy of a twenty goal season but delivered like DHL over the Christmas period. Hats off though to the now 34 year old box to box midfielder Chiorescu, aged like a fine wine with scintillating performances and performed most frequently and earning five man of the match awards to back it up. Arnas Zukauskas on the right wing certainly went under the radar for a while but his overall contribution was fantastic, albeit sparse at times - seven assists this campaign. Lukas Zutautas may not have scored this season but filled in the advanced playmaker role gracefully with second to none passing accuracy - 90% accuracy and best in the overall league. Discipline is an area we perhaps have a loose screw, five reds this season, but surprisingly enough Konstantin Sobtsenko didn't once get sent off...just gained 11 yellows over the season.



First time outlining the commercial summary, making one or two profits and/or losses - especially in competition money however that was due to the absence of European football from this time last year. A third increase on the retail and match day side of things with a few broken record attendances occurring. Slight decrease in sponsorship, which is somewhat understandable but made up with some extra boost in the TV broadcasting department.



Speaking of losses...yikes. We could be in the dung pile if we don't offload our books sooner or later.



Which is ironic because the last course of business was to hand Pavlyukovich a new deal until the end of next season. But there is good logic behind it.

TRANSFERS

OUT



With finances in the dung pile, we resorted to a proper uproot of the squad. Some of whom didn't even feature, however players like Sarkisyan, Saarlas, Matulevicius and Poskus were the biggest chops. It may have saved us some cash, but being in the red is still going to hurt us. Or will it? (you'll see shortly).

IN



Had to busk for two new signings, both from our parent club Vojvodina to make up the headcount after losing 11 players. Can't say they're anything exciting.



Mirko Radenkovic - D(C) - season long loan from Vojvodina

Okay maybe there is something exciting about this chap, certainly a third choice on rotation with the lack of central defenders we already have. Packs a lot of beef with his 6'1" Balkan build, not afraid of getting involved but his tackling and heading might hold him back. Can also play striker if I'm feeling demented.



Nikola Golubovic - GK - season long loan from Vojvodina

Backup option to Zukauskas but should feature the odd occasion regardless. Still a teen, but looks like he may have a lot to offer over the next couple of years. A good bit taller than Zukauskas, the technicals are all there just doesn't have the capacity and physicality to fit in as our number one. At least we can provide him some game time.

FRIENDLIES



Strong set of results over preseason. Babite and Riga were fairly easy pushovers but to take down Djurgårdens will be a massive confidence boost. Kabura getting a few, let's hope he'll recapture his form from the preinjury days.



So here comes the juicy topic of the season, Stumbras subject of a takeover to eradicate our financial difficulties.



The mouth salivates. How much could this investor possibly invest in our coffers?





Let's hope we don't spend it all at once!



As far as the bookies are concerned, we're in a strong running for a top four finish. Atlantas remain favourites, Suduva to my surprise second favourites, Trakai on the other hand may struggle after their fall from grace towards the end of last season.

Massive takeover! Best of luck for the new season!

@r96Skinner - The next Manchester City, watch out world!

___________________________________________







So the takeover completed as expected. Though our new owner didn't open his wallet, he did take a bank loan of £53k. Better than nothing I guess, however it does feel like there's this big weight on our heads to clear it ASAP.



Then this happens, saying there'll be no investments but do put money towards clearing debt? Board do you even know what you're doing?

NEW SIGNING

Andrius Matulevicius - D(C) - unattached free agent



Perhaps a tad stupid, but I pawned back Matulevicius because apparently our foreign quota is excessive. Average defender but still capable to do a job. There's only one problem with that...this came after the transfer window and registration and although you can't see it, he's unregistered for the first half of the season. Footballing genius I am.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 1



That said, we started life back in the league with an opening victory against local rivals Zalgiris Kaunas. Slightly uncomfortable at times, but always had a firm grip on the game. Olivier Kabura started the new season off with another opening day goal with Edgaras Marcinkevicius sweeping home a second in the following half. A poorly defending corner handed ZK a lifeline, but that hope was dashed with a red card for Matas Rukas with ten minutes to go. Positive start, but far from our best.



Smashing one glass ceiling already on the opening day, breaking the 5,000 attendance mark for the first time. The hype is real.

Already hit with a first injury, Birskys out for a few weeks.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 2



STILL can't beat Trakai, in fact not won in our last eight against them. Unbiased opinion, I feel we were the better team on the day and only conceded early from an unfortunate deflection off the wall from a Trakai free kick. The response was good, sealing an equaliser with Pavlyukovich opening his account. Olivier Kabura had to be the unluckiest player on the field, first hitting the bar then hitting the inside of the post to prevent us overturning the scoreline altogether. A red card for Trakai's Zavadil helped us slightly, but not by much and failed to break through a second time. I'll take this though.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 3



Chuffing hell were we made to sweat in this encounter. A bloody awful performance somehow merited an excruciating late twist to deny Utenis all three points. Utenis were playing keepaway for a lot of the match, controlling and negating any plan we threw at them and deservedly took the lead through Paukste's strike, rooting Zukauskas to the spot. We thought prayers had been answered with an 88th minute penalty but Giorgi Abesadze put it too far to the right and rebounded off the post. Seconds ticking, we throw the kitchen sink and somehow the ball fell to Pavlyukovich to tuck away a 93rd minute equaliser to have me jumping out of the dugout in ecstasy. It's a temporary thrill, we were playing with fire here and won't get lucky next time.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 4



Finishing the opening month unbeaten, earning a worthy point at Zalgiris. Fell behind with a well composed finish by Zvonimir Visnjic but got level before half time, awarded a penalty and Abesadze slayed last week's penalty demons to place this one perfectly down the middle. The game could have gone either way after the break; Alic for Zalgiris struck the postage stamp, Kabura also hit the upright (again!) and Pavlyukovich almost cashed in late, but his close range effort comfortably fell into the arms of the goalkeeper. Even game with a justified result.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Draw specialists right now, three 1-1s in a row after an opening win. Pavlyukovich key with the goals this month, but defensively looking fragile. Might even resorting to a new strategy if it doesn't work out, but unbeaten at the moment I can hardly complain.

LEAGUE TABLE



Steady out of the blocks, can only manage fifth with so many draws. Suduva making the best start with the usual suspects.

APRIL 2043 SCHEDULE



Suduva away next, aiming to pile revenge on them for the playoff defeat. Newly promoted Lietava follow with Atlantas being the last side we face before the reverse fixtures at Zalgiris Kaunas and ending with another gruelling test with Trakai.

The month didn't start off too fresh. Zukauskas missing a sizeable portion of the season.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 5





Seriously? A fourth straight 1-1 draw? Another game we salvaged from behind too, foolishly allowing Vladimir Skocibusic (arguably the best right winger in the league) to poke Suduva in front with a tight angled finish. Olivier Kabura extinguished that advantage before the break, a strong right boot from the edge of the area had the keeper scrambling. Second half we were pinned against a hard surface, the Slovakian bottlejob Tomas Cicman missing two sitters to let us off the hook.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 6



Finally we were off a leash and mauling newly promoted Lietava in one way traffic. Ştefan Chiorescu curled in a free kick for the only goal in a rugged first half but the floodgates opened as the second half began. A proud moment for 19 year old Martynas Malinauskas, the backup option for Arnas Zukauskas and now penalty taker as he made no mistake in converting from 12 yards. Pavel Pavlyukovich fed off crosses the entire game, wonderful off the ball movement in finishing number 3 and 4 to put the game to bed.

Some interesting news broke before the Atlantas game, our Belorussian CB Tarasevich now a Lithuanian citizen. Why is this important? We've been killed by the foreign players rule and now have one less in the team!

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 7



Breathless game, how it only ended 1-0 I do not know... Atlantas will feel very hard done by, but Raimondas Zukauskas brought off two important saves to keep them out. It was a goalkeeping error at the other end that led to the only goal, an in-swinging cross gave Kabura the leverage over the outcoming keeper to apply the single touch necessary to take it away from him and roll into the back of the net. Defensively structured in the second half, we ousted the seahorses pressure to continue our unbeaten start to the season.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 8



Pressure does pay off if you have the right man up front. Pavlyukovich saving our skins yet again with a late flurry to turn it around against rivals Zalgiris Kaunas. In typical 'us' fashion we fell behind, left Nikolai Popov too exposed from a cross and easily tapped it home. Kabura came close to restoring parity but for a good stop from ZK keeper Gvildys. Their resistance eventually gave way with Pavlyukovich using sheer power to drive two goals home in 11 minutes and deservedly take what's ours.



One setback saw Zutautas getting tangled in a challenge to be ruled out for a number of days.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 9



Talk about a sterling way to end the month, mopping the floor with Trakai after previously no win in eight against them. Pavlyukovich punished simple mistakes at the rearguard to tuck away back to back braces. Pavvy also helped a first goal of the season for Adrian Burcă who composed himself brilliantly. It went from bad to worse when Czech lummox Pert Zavadil received another red card in this fixture, shortly before an own goal from Vidas Poskus truly destroyed their self belief. Such a tame Trakai side compared to what we've faced in the past.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Perpetual momentum leaves us unstoppable at present. From four draws in a row to four wins. Pavlyukovich just can't stop scoring.

LEAGUE TABLE



We may be unbeaten, but one side stands in our way - Suduva. Zalgiris definitely amongst the front runners too. Already building a mini gap to fourth.

MAY 2043 FIXTURES



Evenly spread out month with two key fixtures in the middle, facing Zalgiris and Suduva at home. Next up though is a banana peel in Utenis.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 10



And that's us into double figures for unbeaten games this season, yet again making it hard for ourselves as we battled for victory. A bit of goalkeeping absurdity from Zukauskas had us behind at the break, possibly too much spin because he ended up pushing it into the corner of the net. Pavel Pavlyukovich scored last time against Utenis and continued in that fashion, hitting the crossbar in the first half but made no mistake in connecting with Adrian Burcă's cross. Speaking of Burcă, he's definitely on the rise with the winning goal of the game, seamlessly taking two defenders out of the game and with all the time and space placed his shot well away from the keeper.



Twelve undefeated carrying from last season, who'll be the first to take us down?

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 11



Curse of the commenter. Zalgiris ruin our supreme start in a game they showed their superiority of old. Ruthless pressure had us crack like an egg, exposed for a cross and Klimavicius said thank you very much. The same man nearly made it two at the break but for a wonderful reflex save onto the post. Positive vibes circulated and Burcă made it three in three, latching onto a heavy Pavlyukovich pass. Zukauskas saved again from Klimavicius to keep the parity but it came for nothing when McParland was ballwatching in the buildup, the move finished off by an Amar Alic dagger low and hard into the bottom right corner. Commiserations, we go again against Suduva next.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 12





Always, always, ALWAYS play to the final whistle. Suduva were no great shakes and yet they fought back after some dazzling partnering work up top by Pavlyukovich who opened it up and set up Burcă with a delicious second, some proper chemistry there. With three minutes of added time, it looked like we just downed tools; first Djurdjek heading in from a corner (a cheap goal that we let slide) followed by Lukosius stabbing home almost simultaneously (combo of wasteful possession and feeble defending). We will absolutely rue this game if it comes back to bite us in the ass.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 13



Mass rotation helped us forget last week's woes and coast to victory at Lietava. Doesn't seem to matter who partners Pavlyukovich these days because he's the vertex of the side for scoring goals, Kabura the architect for his 11th of the season. The favour was returned to Kabura less than a minute into the second half, glaring defensive error certainly made life easier for Pavvy to cross into Kabura to put it beyond doubt. Special mention to MotM Abesadze too, mopped up everything that Lietava threw at us.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 14



Oh God, here we go again. Failed to convert anything which later gave us our comeuppance in the game. Atlantas were definitely woodwork happy, denied three times by it but bided their time to catch us in a snare. A wonderful 25 yard free kick did the damage, Ernestas Dambrauskas the perpetrator of that filth. The summer is coming, hope it will blow away these grey clouds in our form.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Looking agitated from recent form, undefeated in twelve to pick up two defeats in the same month. If it weren't for Pavvy and Burcă rallying in goals lately, it would have been a lot worse. We've not looked solid defensively so far this season with a lack of clean sheets (apart from Lietava of course, but they're bottom of the table for a good reason).

LEAGUE TABLE



Suduva stamping their authority right now, stretching further ahead with a five point gap. The good news is that Zalgiris are wobbling a bit too and don't overtake us, but other sides are slowly getting to grips and hunting us down.

JUNE 2043 SCHEDULE



A more fixture friendly month coming up, starting with a 'must-win' against Zalgiris Kaunas and a tricky away day to Trakai who'll no doubt will cause problems; the LFF taurė resumes for another season inbetween that as we enter into the hat for the third round.

LFF TAURĖ

THIRD ROUND DRAW



First up, FK Panevezys from the 1.Lyga.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 15



It's almost a guarantee that we win against ZK and continued that trend here. Conor McParland amongst the goals again as he took penalty duties from the suspended Abesadze, keeper guessed right but the shot was too accurate. None other than Pavlyukovich doubled our joy, despite a hint of offside managed to touch it home. Kabura perhaps could've made it three but he's a post magnet at present. ZK didn't test Zukauskas once.

LFF TAURĖ

THIRD ROUND



A fun game for the neutrals, not for those in the dugouts. Seven changes to the team, drafting in two of last year's youth intake - one of them made it onto the scoresheet. A welcome return to Matulevicius heading in his first goal in a Stumbras kit again, but pegged back with an equaliser on the half hour. Didn't take long to restore the advantage, Rolandas Cesnauskis made a wave with a debut goal and Pavlyukovich looked to have buried them. Golubovic in goal let Panevezys back into the game with a flimsy 'save' and before you know it the minnows drew level in the last ten minutes from a corner. Breaking a bit of sweat we avoided extra time, Arnas Zukauskas at the second bite of the cherry won it for us heading into injury time. Unconvincing; questions to be asked about squad depth.

FOURTH ROUND DRAW



Looking forward to dropping a Banga in Gargzdai.

A LYGA

MATCHDAY 16



Fought hard and earned a valuable win at Trakai to somehow make it to the league summit. Two quickfire goals from Tarasevich and immediately countered their kickoff to get Adrian Burcă back on the scoresheet. Arnas Zukauskas couldn't believe he'd been denied from four yards out to perhaps tighten our grip further; instead an old friend, Mantas Zutautas headed Trakai back into the game. Didn't take too long into the second half to rinse our bogey side, Chiorescu returned to the goals for 3-1. Another unfortunate o.g. for McParland had us get a case of déjà vu from the Suduva draw but saw this one out to our relief.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



100% win ratio is a nice change. Pavvy still has the lethal touch when required, though a number of others chimed in.

LEAGUE TABLE



Polar opposite months for us and Suduva, two wins came our way while Suduva lost twice in succession to usurp them in the standings. Four clear of Zalgiris and five ahead on Atlantas. Things getting tasty midway through the season.

JULY 2043 SCHEDULE



Only two games in the league coming up, Utenis and Zalgiris definitely won't be easy. And yes I know, I'm disregarding the obvious all before that.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND



Not far to travel, just across to our noisy neighbours Estonia to do battle with Flora Tallinn (a former CJL team in FM16 if you recall).