Getting Around Europe Quicker Than Shedender

Can't believe you have managed to land another big job. Good luck at Hajduk mate.

Thanks for catching up Rick! It seems you don't read it enough! We should do wonders here at Hajduk, its good to have a big side interested before starting lower!

Well they just know who to trust Shedender! Thanks mate!

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The winter break is done and dusted and we can now focus on competitive football once again. We will head back to competitive football with our attention full focused on the cup next month. As we are out of Europe and a long way off the title, it seems the logical thing to do now.


The return to competitive football began with us traveling to league leaders Dinamo. Not an easy place to go to but one we relished. Despite starting slow and going into the break behind we turned the tie around when Katalinic bringing us level before Hannich seemed to have won the game eight minutes from time. However we went on to concede in the final two minutes but would settle for a point.

Our final league game of the month saw us welcome Istra 1961 and came away with a narrow win. The only goal of the game came from Brazilian striker Guilherme who struck in the final two minutes to secure all three points. We remain unbeaten in the league.


Another two games done and dusted in the league and we are continuing to sit sixth in the league. We battled out a brave point against Dinamo and winning our other game meaning I'm still unbeaten in league football in Croatia. Dinamo now slip to second place whilst we continue to try and close the gap on the rest of the pack infront of us. Hopefully next year we will be more prepared.

nice work Dan good to see you land a big job and hopefully you'll be able to get the league won next time round KIP!

Jesus! Have you ever got off this game! I swear you have been playing and writing FM stories non stop for about a year now!

Not a bad thing though for us readers, but surely you need a break! How often do you play?

It was nice to be linked with a 'big club' immediately after touching down here Zeonflux! My main aim is the cup this season as the league is well gone, if we start strongly next year then maybe we can compete for the league title!

Cheik I don't get that much time anymore due to my apprenticeship but when I can get on I usually get through a few months, I've managed to play a fair bit today as I can't go out anywhere. Hope your still enjoying this one anyway buddy! FMC and my computer are quick so allows me to power through!

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So we returned to competitive life pretty well last month but that was just two matches. As we return this month we have a colossal amount of games. We faced no less than nine games over the two remaining competitions in March which saw us play more than twice a week at times! This was a month that saw us play both legs of the Hrvatski Kup Semi Final as well as seven league games.


We began March in the Hrvatski Kup where we lost advantage in the first leg of the semi final as we lost to RNK Split. Despite us taking the lead after just twelve minutes when Hannich put us infront. However come the break we found ourselves back level and by full time we managed to throw away the lead we had to end two one. Not the ideal first leg.

We went into league action traveling away and once again despite taking an early lead we through it away. Rijeka welcomed us and after just four minutes we were ahead as Knezovic netted with his head. However another second half goal from the home side saw us slip to a one all draw.

As we returned home we welcomed Osijek and we played out a nine goal thriller. Blazevich put us infront after just two minutes but come the tenth minute things were level and at half time we trailed two one. However the second half was more our way and Carrlllo brought us level before Blazevich had his second and put us infront. Two minutes later we made it four two as Bash netted but thats not the end of that. Osiljek pulled another back to make it four three however when Basha netted our fifth it seemed to be all over. An own goal went our way late on to secure a dominant six three victory.

As we welcomed Sibenik we made it eleven goals netted in just two games for us. Another huge win went our way. Once again we raced into the lead, Carrillo netted after three minutes before he doubled his and our tally after seven minutes. Nine minutes later we added a third with Jerkovic netting before Sibenik provided a comeback by netting one. After the break Guilherme made it four one before Katalinic secured a five one victory.

As we traveled to second place Zagreb we were on the wrong side of a six goal game. This time we were the side to fall to a five two defeat. Our two goals came from Hannich after twenty four minutes and Carrillo in the second half. But we were nowhere near as good as Zagreb on the day.

We then traveled to RNK Split in the Hrvatski Kup semi final second leg. Despite trailing two one from the first leg we played better this time and ended up going through. A goal in injury time of the first half from inform Carrillo put us infront. Second half we secured the win and the spot in the final as Guilherme netted from close range.

Back to league action we welcomed Slaven Belupo, the side sitting in third was not going to be an easy contest. We played well and were ahead when Simic gave us the lead after nine minutes. However we conceded before the break before we were two one behind after the restart. However that wasn't it as we went o secure a single point in the final moments of the game as Knezovic.

We faced RNK Split away from home for the third time this month and grabbed another win. Hannich netted after twenty five minutes to put us ahead before Knezovic doubled our lead just five mintues later. It was all going our way and Carrillo put the icing on the cake with his second half goal.

We ended the month at home welcoming Dugopolje and grabbed a four nil win to end on a high. Carrillo netted his seventh goal in nine games after just eight minutes to put us ahead. After nineteen minutes Brazilian striker Guilherme doubled our lead before he made it three nil moments before the break with his second. And the last two minutes of the game he grabbed his hatrick goal and our fourth in a very pleasing win!


We briefly moved from sixth up to fifth but then slipped back down so we have it all to do still. We are now hot on the tails of fifth place Rijeka and fourth place RNK Split who we will look to over take over the next few weeks. Dinamo restore their lead at the top and open up a huge gap as it looks like they will win the title yet again. However we are now into the cup final where hopefully we can now course an upset and go on to win it!

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The goals were flying in, at both ends but it wasn't all bad, our loan signing Carrillo is proving to be a big hit here in Croatia and I'm already looking to tie him down next season. We went into April on the back of a four nil victory hoping to take something away from that. With the spot in the cup final confirmed this month we were able to fully focus on league football facing five games.


April began at home as we welcomed Dinamo, the biggest game in the Croatian first division and we played out a six goal thriller ending all square. Despite being two down inside seventeen minutes Guilhereme rallied the troops to bring us back level with a fine double before the break. We then fell behind again but once again it was our main man Guilherme who scored his third and our third to save a point.

As we traveled to Istra our defence was stronger as we won and secured another clean sheet. Carrillo once again on the scoresheet as he put us infront inside twenty two minutes with a tidy finish. Guilherme added our second which came in the last minute of normal time.

But welcomed Rijeka saw us stumble upon a defeat. We played very poorly and went behind very early on as we looked awful. And second half it didn't get much better, we were reduced to ten men before conceding a second. The worst we've played in the league in some time.

We ended the month with two away games, the first saw us travel to Osijek and they sprung no surprises upon us. We had a very pleasing performance where Gulherme put us infront just three minutes before the break to boost motivation. Second half our other inform striker Carrillo added our second with half an hour to play to secure the win.

And it was back to back wins as we traveled to Sibenik and smashed in four whilst conceding just the one. Hannich put us infront inside the opening two minutes as a rout looked on. Carrillo made it two after eleven minutes and come the break we had a third when Knezovich netted. After the break Carrillo had his second and our fourth, despite conceding a late consolation we triumphed.


We are still down in sixth place and can't find a way to move up. We are doing all we can but every team above us are pulling away. We sit fourteen points clear of seventh place. We only have four games left in the league and the Cup final which is our main aim however if we could finish in the top four and secure a spot in Europe next season it would be a great way to end my first season here!

This is sure going to be a tough task to win the league as no doubt Dinamo are the better team but I'm sure you will win the league, possibly next season depending on who you bring in/Dinamo lose in the summer.

When I turned up at the club i new it was going to be hard but when you see the post and picture I've put up under the league table I think you will figure out just how hard its going to be to catch Dinamo Shedender! However the cup final is our main aim now!

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The final month was upon us and at last we could focus on the end of the season and begin to build for the new year. However before we could focus on that we had to play out the remainder of the season. Our final four league games were upon us as well as a double header against Zagreb in the Hrvatski Kup Final as we looked to add some silverware come the end of the year.


The month began with our first of three clashes against Zagreb this month, this one in the league as we welcomed them and grabbed a two nil win. Our first goal coming early on with Rafael netting after just eleven minutes and ten minutes later we doubled our lead as Blazevich netted confidently. A good win and a booster for the cup final thats for sure.

A second home game on the bounce saw us welcome RNK Split. Another dominant win and clean sheet saw us take advantage and move up the table. Carrillo netted his final league goal of the season as he continued his fine loan move before Basha doubled our lead two minutes later as we were two up after seven minutes. We claimed the win moments after the restart as Blazevich found the back of the net.

We then traveled away for the first time this month, we faced Slaven Belupo and we were poor and deserved to lose. Come full time we did lose as we failed to find the net and failed to take any chances. Slaven Belupo netted both goals in the second half to sink us.

Then was the big one, the first leg of the Hrvatski Kup Final as we traveled to Zagreb for the all important first leg. We were behind after twenty three minutes and it looked like our hopes of holding the advantage could cost us. However twelve minutes from the end we grabbed a draw to take into the second leg as Katalnic slotted home inside the six yard box.

We returned to league action for the final game of the season and for that we traveled away to face Dugopolje. Another poor game for us saw us stranded without a win in two in the league and three in all competitions despite having the cup final second leg fast approaching. We conceded twice, one either side of the break.


Thirty six league games down and the season is now done and dusted. We did move up to fourth after the first two league games of the month but the two defeats prove to cost us dearly. However we did manage to finish fifth which is respectable however a size of Hajduk, predicted to finish second was a poor finish. We ended fifteen points off the league leaders and second place side Dinamo and Zagreb respectively.


I then received this message, and my hopes of battling for the title next year have already taken a big hit. With Dinamo winning the title again this year they've managed to secure it for the twenty first time on the bounce. TWENTY ONE TIMES! This is going to be a mission to catch them, but a mission I am more than willing to take on!

So the other leg of the Hrvatski Kup Final:


We had done it! it wasn't at all easy for us but we managed to get one over on Zagreb an claim the title. Despite the first leg ending all square, the second leg was all about us and it was just a one goal game. The game started slowly but controversially as Zagreb were denied a penalty inside ten minutes. However we went on to dominate from then on and when Ivo Caput broke free in the eighty fourth minute and struck low into the back of the net just inside the penalty area it was ours! A two one aggregate win and a first trophy ticked off here in Croatia!

Twenty one times in a row from Dinamo!

You need to stop that next season and I'm sure you will. Well done on winning the cup by the way.

Dinamo seem to be the only team to have won it since 2006 now I believe! Its crazy and certainly will be very hard to compete with them! However the right signings could see us edge the right way. Thanks buddy!

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The season was over and done with and we managed to secure the cup, but it wasn't our season in the league. We ended up as the 'underachievers' in the league this year following our fifth place finish and now after a month off we get into action in the pre season schedules once again. Hoping we can make a bigger impact on the league this year.


We began pre season with an interesting message circulating around the local tabloids. Apparently we have a consortium interested in taking over the club. The finances are fine so we don't need a huge financial takeover however adding a bit of money to the club would be nice. But nothing certain has happened yet so we just need to keep battling away with how things are now.


Here are the season expectations once again. This will be my first full year here in Croatia so if we can see it out I will be happy. The board are expecting me to make a Europa League qualification spot through the league. For this they have given us a very kind budget. Two and a half million pounds for transfers as well as eighty seven thousand to spend on wages leaving us loads free.


Here is the financial situation at the club with the takeover not happened as of yet. We have over five million sitting in the balance with just under half of that available for transfers. Our wages, we are currently spending forty five thousand whilst having thirty two thousand available for improvements should we need it.


The short friendly list for the season has also been confirmed. Over the next three weeks we will face six friendlies to challenge us. With four of the games at home and two away we can really challenge ourselves. However the transfers will challenge us to strengthen this summer.

Decent transfer budget but probably nothing compared to what Dinamo have to spend. I've no doubt you will spend it wisely though mate and the league table will be a lot closer to what it finished last season.

It certainly is a very nice transfer budget for us to work with Shedender and we do need to try and bring in a couple of 'bigger' players to try and help us fire our way towards the title and try top stop Dinamo's crazy run they've got going on with the league titles!

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So I've gone through another pre season, this time in Croatia and it was my first pre seaosn in Croatia in management. But that wasn't going to stop me. I went into it full of confidence looking to add to the squad, it didn't quite happen as much as I wanted but we struggled through. We made a few signings along with playing a full list of friendlies as well as playing the SuperKup Hrvatske against Dinamo.


Here is the transfer round up so far at the club, I am still looking to sign and sale players should we find appropriate deals over the next few weeks. I managed to total up a spending of six million this summer, more than I had spent in the last thirteen/fourteen seasons put together but we have added a couple of gems who can strengthen our title bid. The other way saw four players leave, three on free deals whilst the other left for twenty thousand pounds.


Here is the team report going into the new season. It doesn't look overly strong but at the same time its not too weak either. We do need to try and find either a new number one keeper or a new keeper to sit on the bench as we only have one in the club. We are also lacking quality at left and right back whilst midfield and upfront looks extremely strong. We can rely on Guilherme upfront this year.


Our pre season friendlies were played and following a rocky start in our opening two games we turned it around to win the other four convincingly. The two we lost we were expected to however we did well keeping four clean sheets whilst we also managed to upstage Ruban Kazan when we beat them one nil at home. Its definitely form to go into the season on a high if we can battle away.

Then it was time for the big game, the first competitive one of the season, we went head to head with Dinamo, the league winners twenty one times on the bounce in the SuperKup Hrvatske.


A very quiet SuperKup it was but it went our way in a very narrow victory. We started the brighter side with our new additions working well for the team before we took the lead with just five minutes on the clock. A tidy finish by Austrian striker Guilhereme put us infront. Once again there was controversy as Dinamo's captain Goran Zakaric had a penalty appeal turned down in the second half. But with Dinamo throwing away the possession on the majority of their breaks, we settled for a one nil victory and trophy two of four in Croatia.

well done on winning the cup and super cup mate. looking good to get out of Croatia very shortly if you can beat Dinamos fantastic record

Thanks Zan! It sure is a shock having two trophies under our belt here in Croatia already but we can't complain, our aim now is to smash Dinamo apart and their record!

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After winning the SuperKup Hrvatske against Dinamo and playing through a very pleasing pre season it was already time to go into competitive action. The end of July saw us open the league season with our opening game as well as travel to Czech Republic for the Europa League third qualifying round.


The season began on the road with a trip to Zadar in the only league game of July and we managed to get off to a solid start. We started slowly as everyone got use to the tactics and players and come the break it was all square. However second half we were much better and took the lead through Jerkovich with twenty five minutes left and just three minutes later we were two up as Males netted to secure the win.

Our only other game saw us travel to Czech Republic to face Mlada Bolelav in the Europa League third qualifying round. And the first leg narrowly went our way. Just a one goal game was enough to secure the away win, the goal came after just four minutes with Simic nodding home.


The league table is pretty pointless to look at but I thought I would quickly rundown the league table after just a single league game. Not a single draw in the opening day however we sit second on goal difference after RNK Split won four nil. Dinamo also got off to a winning start which wasn't the best news for us but we knew it was coming.

Congratulations on winning the two trophies

Good luck in your quest to knock Dinamo of their perch!!

Well done on winning those 2 cups keep it going you are doing really well good luck in catching Dinamo but they did only win it on goal difference last season but still 21 times in a row is a huge amount.

Another two trophies in your cabinet, nice one! And good luck in the league..btw. Hajduk is my favourite club in Croatia, much more better than Dinamo, so I am glad you manage them.

Thanks ShortSharpShock! Its great to be halfway through Croatia already but as already stated, knocking Dinamo off the top won't be easy!

Thanks George14brfc! They did only win it on goal difference but we were still a massive fifteen points or so behind them come the end of the season, it was a fair distance!

As always I appreciate you catching up Miimaa. The trophy cabinet is getting very full and we will need to buy a new one soon!

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August was to be one of those hectic game after game months as we faced no less than eight games over two different competitions. We had three Europa League ties as we advanced to the playoffs before the groups as well as making a good go at it with five more league games this month, including the big one against Dinamo.


The month began with 'that' big tie as we welcomed twenty one times on the bounce champions Dinamo. And with us beating them in the super cup we went into very confident. However neither side made the break through as they both kept rock solid defences with the game running out nil nil.

The second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round was then upon us and we welcomed Mlada Boleslav. We held a one nil win from the first leg and came away with a four nil aggregate score by full time. Blazevich gave us the lead after twelve minutes before Cindric doubled our lead five minutes later. Males rounded up the tie with a goal nine minutes from time.

Back to league action and we went back to winning ways. A dominant win came as we traveled to struggling Sibenik. Knezovic gave us the lead after ten minutes before we were two up inside half an hour through Blazevich. Second half we went on to add another couple of goals. Simic firstly found the back of the net before Susnajara netted our fourth for a dominant win.

We then welcomed Rijeka and kept our winning streak and clean sheets. We made it six clean sheets from six this season as we won one nil. Pavlcic was the only man to get on the scoresheet as he nodded home a corner with just six minutes left on the clock.

The Europa League playoff first leg saw us travel to Italy to face Fiorentina, a side I faced last year and won. This year we lost and very heavily. The tie was all but over come the end of the first leg as Fiorentina put fiv past us with ease and could of easily had a couple more!

This took a big hit to our league form to as we traveled to last years cup finalist and second place league finishers Zagreb. They were much better on the night and we could blame it on the European hangover but thats just a myth! We were awful and lost two nil.

The second leg of the Europa League playoff against Fiorentina saw us welcome them but we were still unable to beat them, it was a big scoreline to turn over but we gave them more of a game. Knezovic gave us the lead after twenty two minutes before Fiorentina leveled on the night. And they were two one ahead come the break. We pulled level again as Adilson managed to find the net. But Fiorentina smashed one back to claim an eight two aggregate win, we were out.

We ended the month on a slightly higher note as we welcomed Slavia Belupo. Guilherme found form and found the back of the net in just five minutes before Katalinic made it two nil before the half hour mark. However we were lucky to hold onto our win. We were very ropey in the second half and conceded one but held the three points.


A decent month for us has seen us pip the other teams to the top of the table now. After just six games we sit a singe point clear of second place Dinamo and third place Istra 1961. RNK Spit slip from first to fourth this month. Its sure is tight this season but with us beating Dinamo in the super cup and grabbing a point against them in the league we are certainly beginning to show a competitive spirit this year.

Nice going Dan only the League left for Croatia is it? Great start to the season time to smash Dinamo's grip on the Croatian title on your way to another completed country!

Thanks zeonflux! We've still got to win both league titles but then we are done. We really could do with keeping up with Dinamo early on!

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With us crashing out the Europa League early on last month we can now head into just domestic football and keep our hunt on for the leagues top spot. We went into the month sitting top ahead of Dinamo however with three league games in September and the first round of the Hrvatski Kup we had to be at our best.


The month started with a tough game against RNK Split and it was a very quiet game on the pitch. Very little to report back. A few chances here and there but none decisive enough as neither side made the break through and it ended as it started at nil nil.

We returned home to welcome Istra 1961, another tough game with the competing in the top three. We took the lead after just nine minutes through Guilherme which was a boost. However second half we conceded one with half an hour left to play and fell short of the three points.

The Hrvatski Kup drew us against struggling top tier side Sibenik away from home where we eased into the second round. After nine minutes we were ahead again as summer signing Adilson found the back of the net before Basha doubled our league four minutes later. Moments before the break Basha netted his second to make it three nil. The threat of a comeback was on as Sibenik started the second half stronger with a goal however Basha netted from the spot kick ten minutes from time to secure his hatrick.

The final game of the month saw us welcome Zadar in a game which ended up being an eight goal thriller. Gulherme gave us the lead after just nine minutes as we led after nine for the third game running. Zadar pulled one back before Knezovicput us back infront. Come the break some poor defending cost us as we were back at two all. However second half was ours and Guilherme grabbed his second moments before Zadar netted their third. Three all! But the final ten minutes aw us push for a winner and two goals came. the first saw Knezovic claim his second of the night before Guilherme netted to bag his hatrick.


We are now a quarter of the way through the season and are now back down to second in the league but no side has broken away just yet. Dinamo return top on nineteen points whilst we sit second now on eighteen points and keeping the pressure on them. Istra 1961 aren't too far away as they trail Dinamo by just three points. The table is certainly remaining tight this far in!

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We were in good form going into October after an unbeaten September and we could only hope to continue that form now. We had five games this month, seeing four played in the league along with the second round of the Krvatski Kup. It certainly wouldn't be an easy month for us but one we will relish upon as always. Three away from home before finishing the month with two back at home.


October began away from home with us traveling to Dugopolje and it was a game to forget for us. We took the lead early on through Guilherme and before half an hour we were two up he netted his and our second of the afternoon. However it was a second half to forget for us as we managed to throw away the two goal lead and it ended two all in a game we really should of won.

Another away game saw us travel to Dinamo again, this was the third time we'd face them already this season and it was to be our best victory over them yet. We were one down after twenty minutes but where we were poor in the second half last game, this time we were superb. We leveled moments after the restart through Guilherme before Hannich doubled our lead within five minutes of kick off. Guilherme netted his eighth goal in five games before Simic rounded up the scoring eight minutes from time.

But with a dominant win against Dinamo we crashed out the cup days later as Istra 1961 continued to be the 'surprise act' this season. We were awful and their home fans were behind them. We were two down at the break and second half finally carved an opening when Blazevic got one. However a third from Istra 1961 saw us slump to a three one defeat. The only pleasing thing is the fact we've won the cup last year and Dinamo also crashed out!

Back at home we welcomed Sibenik and returned to winning ways with a more than comfortable victory. Knezovic gave us the lead after just four minutes. However we had to wait till the second half to make a bigger impact. Glavan came off the bench at the break to find the back of the net with a calm header before we rounded up the win with Sindik netting in the final five minutes.

But as we welcomed last years league runners up Zagreb we fell back to defeat. We were awful yet again and with no constant form we could see the title thrown away early on. Two goals came from Zagreb either side of the break before we grabbed a late consolation through Basha.


Despite smashing four past Dinamo earlier in the month they stay top due to our dodgy form once again. Thirteen games down and the top three sides are only separated by 'results against each team'. Dinamo sit top on twenty five points and have just a plus seven goal difference whilst we have a better goal difference in second and Istra also have a better goal difference in third. But as I said, it is sorted in 'results against each other' however we did beat Dinamo?

The league is a lot tighter between the two heavyweights compared to what it was like last season although their is still a long way to go.

It certainly is tighter Shedender, I've compared this season's position and last years position at the bottom of the table screenshot in this update and it shows how different the season is being!

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Into November and we faced four of the last five games for this calender year. As always it wasn't going to be an easy month but with us out the cup and out of Europe we were only playing for the league title now. It was constantly changing hands with the top three clubs and now all we want to do is make it stick at the top.


We began the month on a sour note as we picked up back to back defeats when we traveled to upcoming Rijeka. It was another poor performance and one to forget for us as we conceded one before the break. We didn't improve second half and went to concede a second.

A second away on the bounce saw us travel to Slaven Belupo and we managed to search out a two nil victory. Knezovic gave us the lead after twenty two minutes as things looked to have improved in camp. Our second and final goal of the game came four minutes after the restart when Glavan smashed home.

A third away on the bounce saw us travel to Istra 1961. They are still in contention for the title sitting third and continue to the semi finals of the Krvatski Kup after beating us in the second round. However this was to be our day as Guilherme netted the only goal of the game coming after just twenty six minutes.

We ended the month with our only home game which saw us Welcome RNK Split, another side not too far off the top. Males gave us the lead after two minutes and eight minutes before the break head his and our second to give us full control. Moments before the break RNK Split had one back. And moments after the restart we restored our two goal lead when Kalinic netted from the spot. However we went on to throw that two goal lead away as a quickfire double from RNK Split saw it end three three.


The league changes hands again as now we go top over Dinamo. We sit top on thirty two points whilst Dinamo also have thirty two points but our head to head result and better goal difference against them sees us now sit top of the table. Istra 1961 are starting to fall away as they sit three points off the top now and Rijeka and RNK Split both sit four points away. At this stage last year Dinamo were top with thirty five points whilst we were sixth with just twenty one! Dinamo aren't as good, we are better.

Doing really well so far Dan, keep the good form going...

I think it would be good to compare how much they've spent more/less than you this summer.

You're doing very well Danny Boy! KIU!

Thanks again ShortSharpShock! Appreciate your comments!

After the winter break I will run down Dinamo's spend this year and my spend this year Shedender! We are keeping up with them so far this year!

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December was a very quiet month for us as we prepared for the winter break we had just one more league game to contend with. With us being out the domestic cup and the Europa League we only have the league to focus on. We just needed to keep up the good form now.


The only game of December saw us welcome Dugopolje where we claimed a very respectable victory. We started well with our in form Austrian striker Guilherme giving us the league after just fourteen minutes and a minute later we were two up as Knezovic doubled our lead. We added a third in the second half as an own goal guided us to another confident victory and clean sheet.


We stay top of the table and stay level on points with chasing Dinamo. Both sides go into the winter break at the halfway stage with thirty five points. We have the better goal difference as well as having the best defensive record so far this season. Its fair to say its going to be a tight season!

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The winter break was a fairly short one and quick one for us as we raced through eager to return to competitive football and continue our league hunt. However we did lose a few players this winter who will leave at the end of the year when their contracts run out, including star striker Guilherme. However here are a handful of friendlies which we played to keep the football ticking over this year.


As requested by Shedender here is the spending from the two clubs sitting first and second in the league so far this season to compare what has been spent. On the left is our spend, with our Summer transfers mounting up to six million and no more spent in January. On the right, Dinamo's spending and they have spent more with them into double figures. Ten and a quarter million spent now this season.


Our balance sits at just half a million more than Dinamo have spent all season. However this is a steady rise since the start of the season so its good to see our money is on the way up. We also have seven million still int he transfer budget which I didn't touch this winter along with twenty two and a half thousand pounds on wages too.


Here are the friendlies from this winter and as I said, there aren't as many as we maybe usually would of played but here is our seven games anyway. With five wins and just two defeats we kept morale very high this winter. Victories over BOCA and Partizan were huge for us. The defeat against Dinamo was a good showing too. Now we can try and keep this form going into competitive football again.

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Our return to competitive football saw us face four league games to ease us back. Four games in seven days was a little hectic but we were more than ready for our competitive return. We had been very good in the winter break so now need to try and keep the hold of the top spot.


Our first competitive game back in the new year saw us travel to Dinamo, a tough place to go to but we remain unbeaten against them. Hannich, who is leaving in the summer gave us the lead eight minutes before the break. Second half we doubled our lead with twelve minutes on the clock through Kalinic. We conceded late on but Dinamo knew it was too late.

At home we welcomed Istra 1961 and smashed four past them. We conceded in the first half after around twenty minutes but the second half was to be ours. We leveled shortly after the restart through Males before we gave us the lead with his second seventeen minutes from time. We netted two more in the last five minutes as Istra tried to break us. Basha had our third before Blazevich rounded up the scoring.

As we welcomed Zadar we slipped in form a little and allowed Dinamo to catch us up again. A poor performance saw us miss out and slip to a one nil defeat.

We ended the month with our third home game on the bounce as we welcomed Rijeka and ended with a return to winning ways. After just eight minutes we had the lead as Males struck low and hard. We netted a second after the break as Pavlicic netted eight minutes from time to secure the win.


The win over Dinamo has seen us open up a small gap at the top. Despite a defeat against Zadar, Dinamo slip up twice and we get to sit three points clear at the top of the table now. Hopefully we can keep this lead now or even extend it to give us some breathing space against a good Dinamo side. Rijeka in third aren't too far off the pace either.

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Another month was upon us and another month was battled through. March was a fairly quiet league month for us but it would be on of the final quiet ones. Four league games this month including our fifth game against Dinamo this season, two games at home and two away for us to compete with.


March began on the road as we traveled to relegation threatened Sibenik, however despite their league position they still gave us a run for our money. They took the lead after just twenty four minutes as they looked for a surprise victory. However we leveled before the break through Simic. After the break we managed to break through a stubborn defence and finally take the lead through Guilherme to wrap up the win.

We then traveled to Zagreb where an eight goal game went massively in our favor. Knezovic put us infront after three minutes before Pavlicic made it two inside ten minutes. Zagreb pulled one back five minutes later but before the half hour mark we lead three one thanks to Guilherme. Another went in for Zagreb but come the break we were five two ahead as Pavliviv netted his second and Basha had one. We started strong after the break and ten minutes into the second half had our sixth, Guilherme grabbing his second to wrap up the game.

Our first home game of the month saw us welcome Slaven Belupo and this saw us keep our only clean sheet of March. A strong performance saw us grab a two nil victory. Despite a quiet first half we played bettwe for the second forty five where we finally took the lead through Guilherme. And it was Blazevich who wrapped up the win, nodding home a corner in the final minute of normal time.

The final game of March saw us welcome Dinamo, the biggest fixture in Croatian football and it was the fifth time we had met this season and would be the last. But Dinamo finally grabbed a win against us, the first time they've come away with all the points all season. They were ahead after five minutes and ten minutes later they found themselves two up and cruising. Come the break they even added a third as we were nowhere to be seen. We tried to spark a comeback as Susnjara found the net but when Dinamo added a fourth it looked all over. We didn't give up, Males netted eight minutes from time to try and spur us on and a Kalinic penalty in injury time almost brought us into it but we slipped to a four three defeat.


We did open up a six point gap briefly against Dinamo but as we fell to defeat for the first time against them this season they closed it back up to just three points behind with just ten games to go. We are starting to edge away from the rest of the pack now as I sit seven points clear of third place RNK Split and eleven points clear of fourth place Istra 1961 despite them starting the season strongly.

Great results this season. 3 point and 11 goals difference is possible. But you still need a good run in the last 10 games to grab this one.
Good luck with it.