Travelling across Europe - proving I'm better than Dan!

Following a great start to the season as we remained unbeaten in all competitions throughout the first month, we went into the second month of the season high on confidence and we managed to remain unbeaten this season after picking up three wins and a draw from our four September fixtures.


We started September with an away game against Aalst and we picked up an excellent 3-1 success as central defender Aguirre got us off to a great start as he headed home after eight minutes but we squandered the lead just before half time due to Popovic scoring after he got on the end of a long clearance from their keeper but two goals within ten minutes inside the final twenty minutes from Falcao sealed the win.

Our second game of the month was a tough one as we faced recently relegated Antwerp at home and we managed to secure an excellent draw and we were the ones who took the lead from the penalty spot after thirty four minutes with Koep converting from twelve yards but one of the favourites for promotion levelled shortly after the hour mark through Brulmans.

An away trip to Tienen was up next and everyone was expecting us to pick up an easy victory as we offered just that as we won three nil on the road with Fernando scoring a wonderful goal to give us the lead before the hosts were reduced to ten men with Francois was shown a second yellow card and then Falcao doubled the lead with the game entering first half stoppage time and the in-form striker wrapped up the points on seventy four minutes.

The month ended with us coming out on top of a five goal thriller against OH Leuven, the away fans celebrated first with Azevedo side footing Leuven into the lead on five minutes but Armendariz equalised for us on twenty two before Fernando turned the game around before half time. Leuven equalised on seventy two minutes through Ogbu but we won the game sixty seconds later through Falcao.


As September ended we have found ourselves top of the table but only on goal difference ahead of FC Brussels, we have conceded a goal more than Brussels but we've also scored two goals more than the second placed side. Still unbeaten and it's been a promising start but still a LONG way to go but I'm confident we can exceed expectations once again.

Great start of the season. Go for the win this year !

Great start. Falcao seems to be a super signing!

Looks like Falcao has been rebourn, with the same name! Its looking promising this year mate!

It's been a remarkable start to the season as we've somehow remained undefeated so far. As much as I would love to win the league this season I am refusing to get carried away as their is still too much league football to be played but I'll certainly try my best.


Falcao has been amazing, as has Koep and Armendariz too.


I've to admit, Falcao > Your entire Litex team!

But in all seriousness mate, I'm surprised at how well he's started for me as I don't think he'd ever/very rarely scored a league goal before joining, granted I don't think he'd been given much of a chance.

Our unbeaten start to the season came to an end in October following a two one home reversal against Mons while we also crashed out of the Belgian Cup and deservedly so to Pro League side Gent away from home. Bar that one league blip it's still been a good enough month as we won three of our other four league games, drawing the other at then bottom of the table Olympic Charleroi but we should've beat them.


The first game of the month saw us make the trip to bottom of the table Olympic Charleroi and we headed home with a disappointing draw in a game that we could/should have won. Bottom of the table Charleroi shocked our travelling support by taking the lead on thirty four minutes through Dussart before missing a penalty, the missed penalty did prove the turning point as Koep smashed home an equaliser.

Normal service resumed in our next game as we had to come from behind to beat Tubize three one as the hosts took the lead on six minutes through Verhaegen but debutant Bricchetti, in for the injured Falcao scored our equaliser on thirty three minutes and that was the turning point as we scored twice more in a five minute period from Fernando and Koep. No goals followed in the second half.

We then hosted Mons and our unbeaten start to the season came to an end as we fell behind for the fourth game running as Etcheto gave the visiting side the lead on ten minutes and that lead was doubled twenty minutes later courtesy of Serwy but we did pull a goal back through Koep but it was left too late as it was scored in second half stoppage time.

It was important we bounced back and not go on a losing streak and thankfully we did bounce back as we made the trip to Woluwe and managed to pick up a 2-1 away win with Armendariz breaking the deadlock after just six minutes before Koep doubled the lead early in the second half. A mistake from defender Mercuri let in Kok who found himself tapping into an empty net on fifty seven minutes but thankfully we held on.

Our Belgian Cup hopes came to a well deserved end in our penultimate game of October as the Pro League side struck twice in a minute before we managed to half the deficit with our only shot on target as Falcao scored for the first time in four games but Van der Bruggen sealed the passage for the Pro League side.

And the month concluded with a comfortable home victory over Eupen who apparently sacked their manager after the game. We picked up a valuable three nil win with left winger Koep breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half time when a ball into the box was met by the winger who out jumped the keeper. Our second goal of the game came on sixty nine minutes through central defender Mercuri before Armendariz added a third.


OH Leuven pinched the first playoff spot on goal difference from Brussels, we finished a point behind them both.

But, at the end of the month we find ourselves top of the table and a point clear of the second placed side OH Leuven and third place FC Brussels. I feel it's not important that we try and open up a lead at the top and attempt to get that second playoff spot guaranteed.


With just two games played in the second period we are top of it currently on goal difference ahead of second place Antwerp.

Gutted you didn't make the playoff spot from the first period! However I'm more than confident you will take the top spot overall this year!

You had to go out the cup though, you can now focus on the important promotion! And you were never going to beat my AA Gent side

Sure mate, I have two more periods to try and gain a playoff spot or just win the league outright.

The cup wasn't a priority this season although I'm still annoyed at our performance, I'm sure one day I will beat your Gent side.

We approached the penultimate month of twenty twenty-one and it was a short one as we faced just the four league games as we lost just the once to a Mouscron-Peruwelz side who I'm now considering a bogey side as I've lost three out of three against them in competitive football.


A trip to Dender started the month as we secured a three goal away success with two of the goals coming in a seven minute first half period as first Falcao broke the deadlock and the lead was doubled through an Armendariz goal. We sealed the points in the final minute as Mercuri found the target.

Kapellen was our next fixture and our first at home in the month and we wrapped up a 4-2 win the hard way as midfielder Fernando broke the deadlock after just four minutes before Koep doubled the lead on twenty but two goals within five minutes of each other at the end of the first half from Nzuzi and Moerman meant the sides went in level, we scored two goals in the second half without reply as central defenders Dildick and Mercuri found the net.

We then made the trip to Mouscron-Peruwelz who I am now considering my bogey side as they beat us for the third competitive game out of three despite us taking the lead after only three minutes when Dildick headed home but Hoxhaj equalised inside the first ten minutes and then Fori won the game for the home side.

Our final game of the month was against Zulte Waregem in a game that I had no control in as I had to face a touchline ban, with my assistant manager in charge we still picked up a much needed three points with Brazilian striker Falcao scoring twice in the first half.


We are top of the table after sixteen games and two points clear of OH Leuven.


So with six games currently played in the second period we are sitting top but it's only goal difference that's separating ourselves with Antwerp.

Another three for Falcoe and another good month! Antwerp are also a good side so you need to try and make some headway at the top there matey!

Unfortunately I can't make Antwerp lose games, they've lost four so far but so have we. Then again, there is more teams to worry about than just Antwerp mate.

The final month of the year was one to forget as we suffered back to back defeats in a short month that saw just three games played, we did win our final game of the month though to give the fans some cheer.


We faced a trip to FC Brussels to start the final month and went down three goals to two that left me angered with our lack of defending because the hosts took the lead after only two minutes through Song but Armendariz equalised after fifteen minutes but Song scored his, and Brussels' second just after the twenty minute mark and his hat trick was completed with eleven minutes left on the clock - Fernando grabbed a second consolation goal but we suffered a massive setback.

Our second game of the month was another away trip but this time to Oostende and again we crashed to defeat with the home side taking the lead on nineteen minutes through De Jaeghere but again we had to equalise on thirty two minutes as Pucher scored but it didn't mean anything because the home side scored twice through De Jaeghere and Stevens to win the game.

And the month and year ended with a home clash against Dessel and we managed to pick up a much needed three points with Koep opening the scoring for ourselves on the quarter hour before his second put us two goals up but Dessel pulled a goal back through Brown. We regained our two goal advantage on seventy one minutes thanks to Armendariz but again the away side struck before Mercuri sealed the points in stoppage time.


We will be entering the New Year top of the table and with a two point gap over a quartet of clubs who are OH Leuven, Mons, Roeselare and promotion favourites Antwerp. It's sure going to be a tough ride going into the second part of the season with no one guaranteed the title. So far only Leuven and two other teams will be guaranteed a playoff spot.


It looks like we've managed to bottle another playoff spot due to hitting bad form as the incorrect time after two defeats from our three games this month and that's seriously annoyed me because I really believed we could have secured a playoff spot in the second period. I'll make sure we'll still try and secure a spot in this period but it doesn't look good.

Dire December matey! But still top of the table which is the main. Thing.

Don't necessarily need to worry about period two if you can stay top!

December was an absolutely atrocious month minus that one victory and January is going to be tough too. Us finishing top of the table come the end of the season seems to be the only way I can get the club promoted as they usually bottle it when they're looking good to secure a playoff spot and it's actually quite annoying.

As the New Year embarked on us the club looked to recover following a brutal December month that only saw us win one game out of three and the opening month of twenty twenty-two saw us play four games as our inconsistent form continued to hurt my promotion hopes.


The opening league fixture of twenty twenty-two was away to Roeselare and we slipped to a disappointing single goal defeat as Depoitre scored what turned out to be the winner after sixty six minutes. It was a game were a draw would have been a fair result.

We then faced Aalst in our second game of the month and our first home tie of the New Year and it brought a comprehensive three goal victory thanks to first half goals from Koep, Fernando and a second half strike from Falcao to send the fans home happy.

Our next game was turned out to be a tough contest as we hosted promotion favourites Antwerp away from home and slipped to a single goal defeat as Demirel scored the winning goal on thirty two minutes.

The month concluded with a five star performance against strugglers Tienen and we took the lead on the eleventh minute courtesy of central defender Mercuri before the other central defender Aguirre doubled the lead on thirty nine minutes. Attacking midfielder Christiaens scored his first goal for the club on fifty two minutes to make it three nil before Falcao scored a fourth and the rout was complete with five minutes to go from the penalty spot, which was scored by Koep.


Following their single goal victory over ourselves, Antwerp have pinched the second playoff spot after the second period.

However, we still find ourselves top of the table and two points clear of Antwerp despite that defeat. The positive thing this season to date is that we've managed to score more goals than last season and concede less too and long may that continue.


Just the one game has been played in the third period and we're currently top because of our five goal victory over Tienen.

In one season you've lost to my AA Gent side and my Antwerp side! Just Kappellen to do you over now Not the best of months but Antwerp have the playoff now youve got to put in a strong third period! Very close at the top!

Hey Shedender great story i was wondering how much have you spent on transfers since you started the career and how many players have you brought in? I'm curious to see which of you and Dan spends more in your quests to complete it the fastest.

Cracking question sir! And one I never thought of asking"! But here is my transfer round up from the last 12/13 years:



Most of the £2m I spent came this season with Litex in Bulgaria as I spent £1.4million, so I expect Shedenders is slightly lower but it will be good to have a look!

Nice one Dan i've actually asked this question in your career thread as well, is there any chance that you could possibly post updates of your spend like you have above every time you finish a country?

Kapellen are pretty crap so hopefully I will manage to beat them. Once we manage to hit some consistency then I feel we won't need to worry about a playoff spot as we could win the league outright.


Thanks mate.



I feel I've made a miss-calculation here but I bought around twelve players when I was at Altach, made eleven signings during my short stint at Zhlobin, made nearly thirty signings at Torpedo Zhodino and so far I've brought in sixteen players at Namur but I've only managed to spend a million pounds, which I believe would have been during my Altach/Torpedo reigns.

I've nearly received a million pound in sales so it's almost evened itself out. I've only sold nineteen players during my managerial reigns but have released forty two and I believe most of the players released have been during my reign at Namur. Biggest transfer in was Tolkanitsa who has only cost me two hundred thousand an was a flop while I received two hundred and fifty thousand for Kostyukevich from BATE who I didn't want to see leave.

Signed Kostyukevich for Namur but he hasn't received much game time and may be released in the summer.

With an inconsistent January behind us we entered the second month of the year looking to hit some form as we look to gain promotion to the Pro League. We played four games in February as we managed to complete an undefeated month with two wins and two draws from the four played.


We started the month with an away clash against OH Leuven and we departed with a valuable and much needed victory with a three one success, Falcao gave us the lead on thirty seven minutes but the home side equalised just a couple of minutes later. The lead was regained courtesy of Armendariz before Falcao's second goal of the game with nine minutes remaining sealed three points.

Our next game was our first of the month at home as Olympic Charleroi visited and were defeated two nil with a goal coming in each half, Armendariz fired us into the lead after half an hour before central midfielder Fernando doubled the score after fifty eight minutes.

In our next game we hosted Tubize and despite being the better side throughout we could only manage a scoreless draw. I suppose we should be happy with a draw as we lost both Falcao (58) and Fernando (81) to red cards as both players received two yellow cards each and will miss the final match of the month, away to Mons.

So without the influential Falcao and Fernando we made the trip to Mons and despite edging the game we could only manage a second consecutive scoreless draw.


Despite those back to back draws we have managed to keep hold of top spot as we're three points clear of second place Antwerp and Roeselare in third.


Somehow we are still top of the third period and level on points with Tubize and Woluwe. We are top on goal difference.

On the back of a successful month we entered March with three league matches as we secured another unbeaten month following two wins and a draw in between the two victories. This month we had home games against Woluwe and Dender with an away game against Eupen in between the home clashes.


The first league game of the month was at home against Woluwe and we picked up a single goal victory to extend our unbeaten run, the one nil success was sealed whenever Austrian left winger Koep scored the only goal after twenty seven minutes.

We then made the trip to Eupen and we departed with a point that the home side didn't deserve as we dominated throughout but we just couldn't find a breakthrough, I believe we had seven chances on target to the home sides single but the keeper was in splendid form and no doubt won the Man of the Match award.

Our final game of the month was saw Dender arrive and be turned over two nil as striker Falcao scored twice in the first half. The Brazilian striker opened the scoring after twenty minutes before the same man doubled the scores in first half stoppage time and I really hope I can keep hold of the Brazilian striker and he's been outstanding this season, I don't want to lose him, especially on a free.


We have opened up a six point gap at the top of the table and things are looking good as we're heading into the penultimate month of the season but I'm not going to be confident winning the league until it's confirmed as we have a tough April coming up with games against Mouscron-Peruwelz and Zulte Waregem.


I feel those dropped points against Eupen has cost us top spot in the third period but we'll still in with a shout of securing a playoff spot with four games remaining. Our final four games will be away to Kapellen, home to Mouscron-Peruwelz, away to Zulte Waregem in what will be a tough game and our season concludes with another tough game against FC Brussels.

You've signed almost double the amount of players as me yet spent almost half the money, good wheeling and dealing!

Couple of great months buddy, really beginning to bring this season to life!

When you manage in a low division you can't rely on splashing the cash, especially when you don't have any so I have learnt to be a wheeler and dealer, like when I managed Portadown on FM12 I don't recall spending too much on a single player and I've continued that although that could change if I ever manage a big club.

I'm going to shootout the final two months now. Four games to go. Can I get promotion or will it be bottled? Time will tell.

On the back of an eight match unbeaten run we entered the penultimate month of the season looking to secure a league title and promotion to the Pro League and stretch our unbeaten run in the process. Unfortunately the title picture will be heading to the final day of the season after we slipped up once from our three games.


Our first of three league fixtures was away from home as we made the trip to Kapellen and struggled to a one goal victory - with the game looking set to finish scoreless Falcao nipped in to pinch the points with a controversial goal with just two minutes remaining, the Kapellen players were convinced he was offside.

We then faced our "bogey side" Mouscron-Peruwelz but they were banished three nil at home for our first competitive win against them since I took charge. Falcao struck after just two minutes to get us off to a dream start and that's how it remained until Fernando doubled the lead in the sixty third minute and then Armendariz made it three with eleven minutes left.

A trip to Zulte Waregem concluded the month and defeat meant the league title challenge would be going down to the final day of the season and us facing a tough home tie with FC Brussels, things couldn't have gotten off to a worse start when Droessaert struck for Zulte inside the opening sixty seconds but Armendariz equalised on fifty six minutes, unfortunately for us, Ghesquiere won the game for the hosts eight minutes later.


Zulte Waregem have secured the final playoff position, winning the third period with one game remaining.

As I have stated previously, the race for the league title has gone down to the final day following our defeat away to Zulte Waregem who have secured the final playoff spot in the process so now it's VERY important that we win the league and get promotion to the Pro League, otherwise, big players will need to leave as they won't want to remain in the Second Division for another season.


Proof that Zulte can't be caught with one game in the third period remaining. They're four points ahead of me.

You've got the title anyway! You need a massive defeat for it to go any other way

Just read through this amazing work mate I will now defiantly continue to follow

Since I have secured the league title regardless according to yourself, lets hope I can end the season on a high!


Cheers for the comment fella, appreciate it.

So the only way I could throw away the league title was if we lost and Zulte Waregem picked up a massive victory away from home as we headed into the final month of competitive football and with the league title not one hundred per cent guaranteed we hosted Brussels while I believe Zulte were away to Tubize.


With just the one game remaining in the 2021/22 season we hosted FC Brussels needing at least a point to secure the league title outright as I didn't want to win it on goal difference and against the odds we picked up a wonderful two one win to wrap up the title. I say wonderful because Brussels took the lead on nineteen minutes with Degeling scoring and things got worse as De Coninck was sent off for two yellows just before half time. Second half goals from Falcao and Christiaens wrapped up the title.


Conformation that almost a four and a half thousand crowd saw us wrap up the league title following the two one home success over FC Brussels who had taken the lead and had an extra man for the entire second half so it makes the result and league success more sweeter because I did it the hard way.


CHAMPIONS!

So with the season officially ended ourselves and our fans can celebrate success as we've won the league and promotion to the Pro League. We wonderfully picked up twenty one wins, six draws and seven defeats as we won the league title. We scored sixty eight goals and conceded just the twenty nine times.

Well done mate! Second trophy here down! Only three more to go!

Whats your views now, a move to a 'bigger' club if it comes available or take this side all the way!?