DNZY - Comments

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 26



So help me God I will liquidate this Cannons side. Hit the crossbar twice in a game we needed all three points from.



So much for that sliver of hope...



Leclerc feeling the wear and tear of being in your thirties.

MATCHDAY 27





Oh, behave. Dead rubber game against an already relegated Lincoln, fielded a weakened side with a cup final on the horizon and it backfired...so what? Not a great look on us though, we were terrible apart from Fitzy's equaliser before going down a few minutes later.



Lovely news to hear leading up to the Rock Cup final. I really, really don't want to start Dick Bull (spoiler: he's been rubbish since the loan move).


GIBRALTAR ROCK CUP

FINAL



Lynx treble or finally a first trophy in my time at Gibraltar?



FINAL LEAGUE TABLE





Eleven points. That's the margin of quality between ourselves and Lynx. Couldn't beat them once all season while they only tripped up once to Europa. I'll take second place and Europa League but truthfully I want out of this Godforsaken country. Also good riddance to Lincoln (GIB), back to the second tier with you.

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 22



Bounced back from the Lynx defeat with an easy win over a harmless St Joseph's side. Relied on our midfield to bring home the bacon as our strikers must have taken a day off; Tomeu Alonso drilled home from Austin's cross and Tremouroux tidied things up late in the second half. Timely confidence booster.

MATCHDAY 23



Yeesh, this was a poor showing. Under the cosh for most of the first half, Europa Point breezed past our flimsy markers to take a deserved lead only until a late first half pen guided in by Liam Fitzgerald helped us finally turn up. Vitali combined well with Fitzy again to turn it around and ensconcing ourselves to an underwhelming victory.

MATCHDAY 24



Why? WHY CAN'T WE TURN UP LIKE THIS EVERY GAME? Without doubt our most complete performance; the fluidity, the creativity, the entertainment, quality finishing, all wrapped up in a neat 5-0 away win. A Vitali double, Luke Brennan back amongst the goals, Adrien David put touches to a wonderful corner move and Tomeu Alonso's deflected effort killed whatever was left of Gibraltar Phoenix's European hopes. Dead on for second place.

MATCHDAY 25



..aaaaaaaand we return to being fresh out of ideas in the derby game.





Aaaaaand our best holding midfielder is off home to Brum.

GIBRALTAR ROCK CUP

SEMI FINAL



This was on the cusp of pure FM banter and shithousery; Boca teased, bullied and hogtied Olympique all game, finally hitting the front with a Vitali free kick. What a surprise that the visitors' first effort on target flew in from a centre back and ultimately lead to extra time. Thankfully the script for a cupset was ripped up, with the Olympique goalkeeper being the villain of the piece no less. Somehow making a meal of Vitali's shot and landed to Fitzgerald's feet to tap in. The last hope of silverware is still alive!

FINAL DRAW



No caption required.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



The Lynx defeat kickstarted better form but it's a little too late to make any impact. Nice bit of togetherness in the camp too without relying on a serial goalscorer, everyone is chipping in.

LEAGUE TABLE



Hold up, we still mathematically have a chance to win the title! Only...Lynx must lose two games (one more than they've lost the entire league season) plus a 13 goal swing to be in our favour. It ain't happening chief.



Alonso went under the radar at the start of his loan spell but he's becoming an unsung hero lately with his top notch performances, resulting in the player of the month award.



Yours truly also basking in minor managerial glory.

Man, I'd have buried the board in the press and walked away there and then. Disgraceful stuff.

Love a Northern Irish save, though the amount of cup games is ridiculous! Hopefully you'll face my beloved Killyleagh at some stage and lose.

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 19





#1400NotOut. Not sure what game GibFootballTalk were watching? Europa were poor, while we finished more clinically. Vitali is an ice cold finisher at the age of 33 to break into double figures, rounding the keeper first and held off two defenders to hammer in the second. Sadly our clean sheet run ended with a near post header by Di Marchi from a corner to cut our lead, but had enough experience to see it out.

MATCHDAY 20



This was a game we simply could not drop points in, Murphy's Law reared its ugly head. Olympique looked reinvigorated under their new interim manager and started strongly, failing to close down Brian Ward who curled into the top corner. Luke Brennan equalised with a sumptuous finish on a break, but smeared himself soon after with a penalty miss (good save tbf) to go in level at half time. Ran dry on ideas in the second half, almost losing it in injury time if not for a Godfrey save. Next up, Lynx...

MATCHDAY 21





Didn't deserve this. Lynx keeper turned into David De Gea overnight, performing a treble save of clear cut chances to deny us a deserved lead. Instead, a second half capitulation ended any hope of a title race. A superb Vargas free kick, a Castro penalty and Taylor ghosting past a nonexistent defence ensconced Lynx with what is now a ten point lead. Cruel on us really.

GIBRALTAR ROCK CUP

QUARTER FINAL



Quality over quantity books us a semi final spot. Our counter attacking was lethal, reeling Gib Phoenix in and Vitali choreographing the plays, synchronising beautifully with Brennan for a fine goal from range, then laid the foundations for midfield magnificence with Camilleri setting Tremouroux through. Phoenix nabbed one back from a corner, but Vitali and Brennan linked in again to cast them aside.



Bad news for Leclerc as he'll miss the semi.

SEMI FINAL DRAW





Ooooh mates! Probably the daftest name for a derby.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



A month that slowly degraded in league results. Vitali was brilliant to be honest, the midfield are flowing like a stream, defensively sturdy but it still doesn't seem good enough to take down Lynx.

LEAGUE TABLE



Game over, give them the title already. It's all about reserving second place now.

@r96Skinner - We certainly need a miracle to turn it around...Lynx are bloody fast on the wings and are tearing things up.

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GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 15



Horrendous game to witness despite the win. A derby game which produced nothing of quality for the first 80 minutes, except the ref being inundated with cynical fouls and yellow cards. A late penalty gave us the opportunity to smash and grab, Liam Fitzgerald didn’t screw it up and went for power. Vitali mopped up in injury time with Mons Calpe committing too many bodies forward. On a roll now.

MATCHDAY 16



Revenge was sweet, inversing the scoreline to our previous encounter. Liam Fitzgerald looked so switched on all game; dangerous, creative, slightly selfish but headed home with unstoppable force. Gibraltar Phoenix looked nothing like threat from last time, our wing back galvanised the defence and aerially had no troubles.

MATCHDAY 17





Another win, another clean sheet, another two fingers up at my former employers. Tomeu Alonso really settling into this team now, striking from distance put out Lincoln’s flame before it even ignited. A niggling injury forced Liam Fitzy off at half time, his replacement Luke Brennan wrapped the game up and bask in the limelight. Glad our strikers are no longer being handheld by Vitali.

MATCHDAY 18



Oh look, it’s anti-football Cannons again. No highlights, only boredom. Excuse me while I stick my face in a red hot iron.

GIBRALTAR ROCK CUP

QUARTER FINAL DRAW



Tricky draw away from home to Gibraltar Phoenix in the Rock Cup, perhaps our last stab at silverware.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



The Lynx defeat has certainly kick started our confidence, near perfect month for us. Six unbeaten, six clean sheets, a sense of unity has returned.

LEAGUE TABLE



Lynx were finally outscored by Europa to lose their first game of the league, however it makes little difference to the deficit at the top. Away to them next month, it’s make or break for sure. At least top three looks almost certain.



At last I get long overdue praise for my work in this godforsaken country.

TRANSFERS

OUT





Didn't bring anyone new in, instead saw two offloaded for some much needed first team experience. Adam Gough's finishing has been shocking in the time he's grabbed first team minutes, bit of 'fight or flight 'out at struggling Olympique should do the trick. Silvio Shehi heads back to Germany with 2.Bundesliga side Sandhausen.

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 12



Welp, there's our season over. We only have ourselves to blame, our defending from set pieces was an embarrassment. For Christ's sake we allowed their centre back Yeboah score twice. Credit where credit is due, we fought back to equalise twice with Alonso bagging his first and half time sub Luke Brennan finished wonderfully to peg Lynx back immediately after retaking the lead. We knew what was coming...flicked header from near post to back post with Korean winger Jeon-Sung Min with the freedom of Asia to plant his header in. Just hand them the title while we're at it.

MATCHDAY 13



Responded proactively, finishing Joseph's off pretty easily. Early own goal and a routine Vitali execution the only true highlights in an otherwise scrappy game. Winning ugly is the method from here on in.

MATCHDAY 14



Definitely on the right trajectory anyways, Europa Point never really troubled bar a shot against the upright. A goalkeeping howler had us queuing up to tap into an empty net, Tomeu Alonso the goal recipient. Twas a tale of two penalties in the second half; first one was a pathetic attempt by Liam Fitzgerald who literally aimed for the keeper's chest, moments later left back Alex Gamble took responsibility for the second and put Fitzy to shame with an emphatic finish.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Consistent getting two per game, however the game that actually counted was misery of our own making. Tomeu Alonso making a strong case for more first team football, linking nicely with Tremouroux and are adding so much more flair to the midfield, two goals also helping matters.

LEAGUE TABLE



Gap was eight after the defeat but ended the month six behind Lynx. Over halfway through and haven't lost a single game, unless they collapse like the Golden Gate Bridge I see no way to reel it back other than our final meeting with them in March. Europa are in red hot form too and have competition for second spot.

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 9



Cannons have conceded fewer goals than anyone in the division, I wonder why? Such anti-football, playing ultra defensive but to our disappointment it worked. What's even more disappointing is that Cannons had the best chance of the game, luckily Flavinho's header was scooped off the line by Alex Gamble. Poor, poor game.

MATCHDAY 10



Time to rethink tactics, we're so feeble defending on the wings. Fell behind so early on and Europa could've easily been out of sight by the break. Undeservedly, we equalised late in the game thanks to a beautiful through ball from Tremouroux to Vitali and escape with a draw. In fact, we nearly robbed Europa of all the points but Les Hardy was unable to pull the trigger just 2 yards out. Fading rapidly.

MATCHDAY 11



Slight improvement, very slight. Comfortably complacent at times and Olympique had themselves to blame for missing two sitters. Trinidad & Tobago international Adrien David was unmarked from a corner to smash in as the first half wound down. Penalty takers may also need a rethink after Adam Gough hit a pathetic spot kick straight at the keeper, failing to give us some breathing space. At least it's a positive scoreline to end the calendar year. Lots to reflect going into 2062.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Boca have the squad to dispatch teams like these, not carelessly drop points to them. Olympique win also looked unspectacular.

LEAGUE TABLE



We return to the league at home to Lynx needing all three points otherwise it may already be curtains, Lynx seeming impenetrable right now. Need to look over our shoulders to the overachieving Cannons who continue to grind out results.

Starting with lighter news, French attacking midfielder Stéphane Leclerc declared for Gibraltar and grabbed his first cap. At age 30.

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 6



Another game we should have killed off easily, instead winning by the bare minimum. Brazilian Tremouroux opened his account with a strong header in the opening five minutes. Mons Calpe didn't threaten Godfrey too much, apart from a shot from range which he could do nothing about to make the game 1-1. Changed to a two striker format lately and it seems Vitali and Brennan have built up good chemistry as the Italian squared to the Englishman to restore our advantage. Leclerc squandered a big chance in the first half, had a goal disallowed in the second.

MATCHDAY 7





Now I can see why Gibraltar Phoenix are wildcards for the title race. They debunked our entire gameplan and gave us no passage to their final third. Somehow managed to allow a bang average striker Carlos Tur head a ball like Ibrahimovic. And 1-0 was being kind, Phoenix could have had four or five if not for Robert Godfrey saving our skin. Car crash performance.

MATCHDAY 8



This is what I'd love to see week in, week out. All round complete destruction of Lincoln who came out of the traps fierce then folded like a deck chair. Vitali, Johnston, Fitzgerald and Tremouroux piled misery (to my enjoyment) on my former employers' faces. Has beens of the league.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Given that we played away thrice in a row, six points is acceptable. Still slamming them about the Gib Phoenix game, was just so spineless at times. Anyways, game recognises game.

LEAGUE TABLE



Despite our defeat, we've cut the gap to 3 points and leap into second. Cannons now lie third whom we face next.



https://streamable.com/7sis4

More tekkers as Liam Fitzgerald scooped Goal of the Month for November with his strike at Lincoln Red Imps.

Damn, what a budget and what a coup in signing Håland second season in! ez pz.

@Dan @KEZ_7 @Shedender @bcsaulJ - Appreciate the love in the comments lads, support like this is what keeps me inspired with this career.

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SEASON EXPECTATIONS





Objectively simple, win win win. Preseason favourites count for nothing based on experience, in fact only weighs more pressure on us to skin the felines who didn't need to buy a whole new team in the transfer window. The cup road might win me over with fans if all else fails and can help me unlock a new nation in the challenge. Pepe Reyes cup? Mickey mouse.

PEPE REYES CUP

DRAW



Speaking of aforementioned Mickey mouse cup, our first experience of Lynx at their best. First in the bag?

FINAL



Swear I'm cursed when it comes to cup finals. Most of the pressure was built in Lynx territory, created more chances than them but in truth neither side deserved to win it over a painful two hours, even when Lynx were reduced to ten. Penalty shootouts never end well in Football Manager, doubly so if your keeper saves the first two spot kicks. Tremouroux, Gough and Peña all failed to close the deal against John Akuffu to let the pendulum swing in Lynx's favour.



First sell out of the season to witness my first failure.



Cursed image. Hull won't even recall him and have to continue paying his wages, selfish pricks.

GIBRALTAR PREMIER DIVISION

MATCHDAY 1



Game one and already getting screwed over. Kept Europa in the pocket for 99% of the game with six half chances and the visitors going down to ten men. What do we do? Give away a cheap pen and fall behind. Responded quickly, countered a Europa free kick to the God himself Federico Vitali - commanding run from the half way line, cuts inside, deliciously curls into the top corner, thank you very much. Papers over the cracks though.

MATCHDAY 2



How this only ended 2-0, I do not know. Laid base camp in Olympique's half in their own backyard, Vitali singlehandedly demolishing the forgotten champs of three seasons ago. The Italian hobbled off at half time, not one of my other strikers were on the same level of finishing, fluffed a good four or five sitters. Vast improvement from the first match.













I mean one positive to take away from this month was Vitali's beaut against Europa winning goal of the month.

https://streamable.com/d1boz



NEW SIGNING



Robert Godfrey - GK - unattached free agent

Best wishes to Ryan Webb on his recovery to the bench, think I've struck oil here. Contributed a lot to Fulham last season on loan from Arsenal before his release and we've somehow snapped him up on a free. Looks absolutely flawless for this league, nearly everything in green and literally has God in his surname. Absolute coup.

MATCHDAY 3



Boys, boys, boys, what have you done? This was almost a banker at home to winless St Josephs, Lua-Lua obviously didn't receive the memo. Great link up play between Fitzgerald and Luke Brennan to deservedly lead. Finishing really let us down, Fitzy in particular snatching at opportunities. Les Hardy had a goal chalked off for a foul in the box. Everything was set in place to throw our dominance away, cue Lua-lua escaping his marker and powerdrilling home at Godfrey's near post. Shambles.

MATCHDAY 4



Chuffed with a point here, given we played with a man down for the guts of an hour. Brennan nearly gave us an early lead before Lynx gradually showed why they're the dominant force again in Gibraltar. Sergi Castro waltzed in and tucked one under Godfrey followed up by two quick yellows for right back Vershawn Austin to end a miserable half. Second half gameplan was to galvanise and hope RNG could bring us salvation; both prayers were answered when Lynx got shirty in the box and conceded a soft penalty. Given our penalty woes in the Pepe Reyes cup, seeing Luke Brennan convert was a huge relief. Totally got away with one here.

MATCHDAY 5



Closed out October with a win, an unconvincing win at that. Vitali's finishing was anything but nervy, mugged EP's centre backs off on both occasions - also worth noting the first was assisted by a floater from goalkeeper Godfrey. Being absent all game, one hopeful Europa Point ball was missed aerially and left punished by José Luis Rey. Shots galore, poor returns. Vitali carrying us for the most part.

RESULTS OVERVIEW



Looks fine for what it is, three draws though? Not good enough. Vitali already adapting to life in Gibraltar, Brennan looking decent too whereas a lot of my other strikers seem to be co-dependent, can barely finish a bowl of cereal.

LEAGUE TABLE



Already four points off Lynx only five games in, Gibraltar Phoenix occupying second and looking dangerous. Injuries to blame? Get excuses in early and all that?

Great idea for a save, should have waited to include the other additional leagues (Kazakhstan, Estonia, Latvia etc.)

Solid start in the league bud, that CL group looked nasty!

@bigmattb28 - Cheers bud, no doubt I'll need it...

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TRANSFERS

OUT





Losing Rojas, Oliveira and Fernández were bad enough, our defensive rock Mark Ross has added himself onto that list. Wonder what rocket scientist negotiated a contract with a minimum release clause of only £140k. Championship Sheffield United didn’t hesitate to match the valuation and off he went. Thankfully staved off several offers from Lynx to keep Ryan Webb for another window. Silver linings and all that.

IN



Easily my busiest transfer window in years, with twelve newcomers unveiled at Gomez Stadium. Also invested in a director of football to lay counters on other exciting, high profile players and loaning in youngsters yearning for first team football away from Championship clubs. A lot to get up to speed with.




Ramuel Forte – ST(C) – unattached free agent

Offloaded by Oxford, this Barbados striker has an impressive goal return ratio, not to mention 10 in 10 internationally too. Just breached into his thirties now, perhaps not a main starter but an influential super sub to tear up scripts. In hindsight I definitely overspent on the wages, almost £3k to warm the bench.



Liam Fitzgerald – ST(C) – unattached free agent

Fuelling the frontline, Fitzgerald comes into what will be a front three. Banged in a few at his previous employers Shamrock Rovers and can no doubt get into the key areas either to be selfish or pick out a cunning pass. Concerned that he looks to be peaking at such a young age, perhaps will only be a temporary fit depending how influential he can be on the field. Strong off the ball antics.



Edílio Tremouroux – M(C) – unattached free agent

Sometimes filtering through agent offers can pop up with some pearls like this chap. A creative Brazilian midfield maestro on paper not only with the feet but his brain too with his mentals looking solid. Not the quickest and could get overrun but if he picks out a quality pass, this deal might turn out beautifully.



Darren Westwood – M(C) – season long loan from Birmingham City

First of five loan signings, Darren slots in as the midfield buffer to distribute passes and fill open space. Perhaps asking a bit much of the 19 year old who’s played only a handful of times for his parent club, however I believe he’ll rise to the occasion.



Sam McCulloch – D(C) – season long loan from Hull City

Okay, okay let’s ignore his massively disappointing recent form, this guy could be perfect for this standard of football. Physically imposing despite being under six foot, heading may not be his forte but tackling and chasing back as the second line of defence he’ll be ideal. Determination and teamwork alone sold me.



Adam Gough - ST(C) – unattached free agent

Options galore for strikers, Adam Gough earmarked for the future. I’ll admit he doesn’t look more than a routine target man but just like Ramuel Forte can offer support aerially off the bench chasing a game. Seeing zero goals scored at three different clubs is a tad worrying but plenty of time to develop confidence.



Jude Johnston – D(C) – season long loan from Ipswich

A timely arrival with Mark Ross out the door just days before. His HMTs at legal drinking age are already above the league standard and with his determination the same as his age, this d(j)ude has potential to sparkle. Slightly lacks that extra concentration but will no doubt fit into a solid centre back partnership.



Dick Bull – D(R) – season long loan from Hull City

If you wanted to strike the fear of God into wingers with a name like Dick Bull at right back, mission accomplished. Sturdy, tireless, a work-h..bull I guess you could call him? A bare necessity defender really to add some depth.



Silvio Shehi – M(C) – unattached free agent

Young budding German teen who already looks positively ready for the first team. In two minds about loaning him out with the options we have already, be such a waste to leave him stranded on the bench. I almost want to wrap him up in cotton wool, I’m that excited how he could turn out.



Federico Vitali – ST(C) – unattached free agent

Oh yes, oh yes! The Italian stallion returns to the story! A minor legend with my Budućnost squad, Federico just exudes goals. Moved on to Volgar in Russia before being tossed by Como, Boca welcome him in with open arms. Natural finisher based on experience, even at 33 he’ll be one of the first names on the teamsheet.



Alex Gamble – D(L) - £64k from Crystal Palace

The left back market is always a tricky one, but felt we did shrewd business to land this Crystal Palace reject. Slightly bummed he’s not adapted to getting forward on the overlap however there’s ample time to progress. If he can defend, I’ll be happy. Slotted in a buy back price and minimum release clause of £1m if all else fails.



Tomeu Alonso – M(C) – season long loan from Mallorca

Close to the vicinity is one final creative midfielder nabbed on loan to complete a well-stocked window. First touch, passing, technique and vision all superb. Exactly like the forwards, plenty of choice cuts in the midfield too.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND





Maribor must want to stick their heads in a furnace right now. Our makeshift academy side won the first leg with our only shot on target, 17 year old Joshua Rose took the Slovenians by surprise before the break. The return leg was pure luck; caught Maribor on the break with a goalkeeping howler allowing another youth product, 18 year old Gary Bogard to tap into an empty net. The violets took initiative in the second half, bombarding us yet not overly threatening goal...aside from a deflected free kick and a similar howler from Ryan Webb to level the tie on aggregate. Despite the collapse, we shut up shop to squeeze through on away goals.



As if our squad wasn't depleted enough.

THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW



Packing our bags to face Austrian side Sturm Graz next.

THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND





Better side won, emphatically. Liam Fitzgerald announced himself pretty well with a lovely strike to nudge us ahead..but that was as good as it got. We were still in the tie even when Graz took a 2-1 advantage, that was until conceding two sloppy penalties towards to end to chase four away goals in Austria. Obviously there was no snowballs chance in hell that would materialise, Graz were comfortable holding on. Tim Brune's double killed the game with Oberauer mugging us off by the end. Commend our brave fight in the second leg, especially with new signings being bled in in tough affairs.

Oh dear, oh dear...at least you gave Yeovil three valuable points. Silver linings.

SQUAD



Nope, I haven't cropped this too thin...this is literally our squad - two of whom injured for months, two other key operators jumped ship to bigger ponds and making matters worse our star man Ryan Webb has expressed his desires to join a bigger club. Brushing all the negativity under the carpet, this is a really, really good squad. Quite a number would easily fit into a top division or at least a Championship level club. Highly ambitious, determined group and oozing with potential that may spawn big money moves down the line. Shame the academy isn't in the same glow, meaning we'll have to rely on the market to rebuild a depleted team.

KEY PLAYER: Ryan Webb - GK



Best keeper in the league for certain. An aerial commander, confident shot stopper and has conceded fewer goal than appearances made. Utterly remarkable. Natural talent leads to getting too big for your britches, Ryan already has handed in a transfer request with Lynx silently monitoring. It'll be a real tug of war to hold onto him.

Nation: Bosnia
Media Prediction (Odds): 6th/12 (25-1) (third tier)
Expectations: Mid table
Pros: Good funds for a team in this division.
Cons: Very long term project. No squad member of value. Major downgrade thus could affect managerial reputation.

RESULT





Nation: Bosnia
Media Prediction (Odds): 4th/12 (9-2) (third tier)
Expectations: Challenge for promotion
Pros: Stronger squad (not by much) than Leotar and better odds of promotion.
Cons: Exactly the same attributes as the Leotar job, but on a shoestring budget.

RESULT





Nation: Bosnia
Media Prediction (Odds): 6th/12 (33-1)
Expectations: European football
Pros: Successful club with ten league titles. Decent transfer/wage budgets. Perfect gateway into Bosnian league.
Cons: No trophy in five years. Many players left due to contract expiry. Competitive division with at least five other title challengers.

RESULT





Nation: Georgia
Media Prediction (Odds): 9th/10 (400-1) (second tier)
Current Position: 10th
Expectations: Avoid relegation
Pros: Not far off safety. Expectations are at bare minimum so less pressure.
Cons: One win in ten games. Massive rebuilding job on a dirt poor budget. One of the favourites for relegation. Second tier of Georgia.

RESULT





Nation: Gibraltar
Media Prediction (Odds): 1st/10 (9-4F)
Expectations: Title winners
Pros: Turned into a very successful club with 15 league titles in last two decades. Current domestic cup holders. Championship quality players at my disposal. Can attract very good players. Participating in Europa League.
Cons: Dominance slipping to Lynx and no league success in four seasons. Barely 11 first team players to choose from. Key players left in summer. Experienced rotten luck in Gibraltar as a manager.

RESULT





Nation: Gibraltar
Media Prediction (Odds): 3rd/10 (4-1)
Expectations: Challenge for league/European football
Pros: Secured first league title three seasons ago. Absolutely minted. Good depth in squad.
Cons: Scraped relegation last season. League form taken downward turn since becoming champions.

RESULT





Nation: North Macedonia
Media Prediction (Odds): 2nd/10 (3-1)
Expectations: Title winners
Pros: One of the stronger teams in the division. Five titles in last decade. Strong standard of players.
Cons: Not in Europe this season. No trophy in last three years. Too many foreigners which heavily affects foreign players restrictions.

RESULT

Great to see another story from you @Shedender, hopefully you won't get sacked as quickly as @Dan did....

Oh Danny Boy, what have you done to my precious club?!

I'm not dead just FYI....not yet at least.

@Dan - would you do the honours?

Glad my beloved Yeovil Town will be brought back to glory with @Dan at the wheel!

Cups can be a killer in Northern Ireland, there are so many of them.

@bigmattb28 - On paper they don't have an intimidating squad, think their best player plays for Benevento in Italy.

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UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

SQUAD SELECTION





Rallied an unbiased approach to picking the squad based on form over merit, four changes in all. Former Gulbene midfielder and good friend Pavels Nalivaiko (now at RTU) has been unreal domestically with 16 assists and amazingly is uncapped at international level, replacing Liholetovs. Spartaks centre back Putnins returns from injury to edge out Sitenkovs, Riga FC's Siromolotovs and Skonto super-sub Vladimirs Straume also make the cut.

MATCHDAY 5 (vs. ANDORRA (H))



Ricards Stolcers is a goal magnet at present. With all due respect, there weren't concerns even with Andorra's shock opener from a sweetly struck free kick. All three goals followed the same blueprint - exploiting their right byline. So much real estate for Tarasovs to roam and twice crossed to an unmarked Stolcers to head home, while Purins went with a low cross but met with the same result. Ideal prep for the trip to Slovakia..



Hold the phones, we have an interesting twist on our hands!



It now leaves us top, requiring all but a solitary draw in Trnava to gain promotion to Division C. A nation holds it's breath.

MATCHDAY 6 - (vs. SLOVAKIA (A))





A slight rise up the ranks based on results, still expected more.

@bcsaulJ - Expected more from Lithuania, but glad to smash them to pieces! Thank you!

@bigmattb28 - They had a bad day but put up a little bit of fight...after the third goal. The goal was a beaut, I agree.

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UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

SQUAD SELECTION





Pohang winger Maris Eltermanis missed out through injury last time, moving straight back into the first team as our only 5* player in this disappointing deck of cards. Young 18 year old Vitalijs Grigorovs is the only natural centre back and could be in line for a first cap. Aivars Rozkovs also in after injury denied the last international session.



But of course SI never make things straightforward, meaning 17 year old centre back Jurijs Goba from Jelgava makes up the numbers.

MATCHDAY 3 (vs. SLOVAKIA (H))



Slovakia's 4-3-3 formation was a nightmare to tame in a flat performance. Left back Ikaunieks failed to trace the run of Mikel Mikulanin who sourced the cross to the goalscorer Matus Duris who tapped home with ease. Couple of half chances here and there, Eltermanis coming closest, denied by the fingertips of Hyza onto the post in the Slovakian goal. Head to head record now favours Slovakia, leaving us with a big task to reverse the damage in Trnava

MATCHDAY 4 (vs. LITHUANIA (A))



Got out of jail against our reformed neighbours. Lithuania overwhelmed us in the first half, cracking the woodwork twice, forcing key saves from Recickis and deservedly hitting the front via Vituknyas. Me being the tactical galaxy brain, a double sub made the difference with twenty minutes left; Eltermanis on - goal and assist for Stolcers' equaliser, Indrans on - delivers a stunning free kick from the arc of the D. Crucial win to keep us in contention.

GROUP TABLE



The ridiculous head to head rule means it's do or die when we face Slovakia away, even with our far superior goal difference. Taking absolutely no chances against Andorra either to completely rule out a highly unlikely Lithuanian fight back.



Come on, seriously? Argentina number 1?

I'm a sucker for a Northern Irish save, definitely following this. KIU!

@b0nb0n - Weren't many good clubs available.

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Nation: Georgia
Media Prediction (Odds): 7th/10 (55-1)
Current Position 8th
Expectations: Top half finish
Pros: Current league champions. Still alive in the Georgian cup. Eight points off European places. Good quality of depth in squad.
Cons: Heavily struggling in the league with a bad run of form. Finances in the red. Only two points off drop. Could easily be a poisoned chalice like the Batumi job.

RESULT



UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

SQUAD SELECTION





Not exactly beaming with exports outside of Latvia, but welcome returns for Recickis in goals, ex-Skonto hero Pavels Nosiks to add the creative flair to the midfield and Tarasovs who plays in Estonia with Tammeka Tartu. Sizable bias to Spartaks' attacking options because Stolcers is a goal machine and will no doubt link up with Purins quite well. Brils, Otankis, Vlad & Roman Tukris are the call ups from Skonto.



Would have had an extra DM if not for an injury to Rozkovs, bringing in a two star Liholetovs from RFS as a utility attacking mid. Talent is scarce in this nation.

MATCHDAY 1 (vs. ANDORRA (A))



Definitely a work in progress. Andorra had two good moments that could've embarrassed us, otherwise we managed a firm grip on the game. Stolcers rifled in the only goal at the break and eventually KO'd our weary opponents in the final quarter. Nosiks was sublime; assisted the second for Tarasovs, firing in a beautiful third and catalysing the fourth in injury time which Stolcers hit again with power. Rock solid start.



Maiden international goal for Nosiks, undoubtedly will become a national treasure.

MATCHDAY 2 (vs. LITHUANIA (H))



Yikes, our noisy neighbours from the south silenced in the battle of the Baltic sea. Three up in 13 minutes, Stolcers with a deflected effort and two wonderful finishes by Skonto's own Roman Tukris had everything wrapped up nicely. Lithuania pressed us hard for an unlikely comeback, Recickis in goal was equal to everything they threw at him. By then, it was too late; a poor goalkeeping clearance to Cekulajevs...well, this clip can explain the rest.

https://streamable.com/4dmob



Don't think he'll score a better one in his entire career.

GROUP TABLE



Best possible start! Hard to believe Slovakia lost to the Lithuanians, leaving the table well in our favour. Next two games are crucial, welcoming the Slovaks to Riga and then travelling across the border to Vilnius in what will be a crunch game with Lithuania.



Another jump in the rankings to 139th. Perhaps international management is my calling?

@bcsaulJ - Thank you my man, looks that way indeed!

@Dan - Truly honoured to be promoted to the hall of fame, I've enjoyed this save to death and it gives me a warm feeling to know a lot of people have enjoyed this from start to finish. Thanks for the support!

@Shedender - Three years, damn. Seems like only yesterday when I began this. I've absolutely no intention to stop this at the moment, just personal life getting in the way of putting out updates more frequently. Thanks for all the support!

@bigmattb28 - Thank you mate! There's sweet FA in the job market right now. International management is certainly a good distraction.

___________________________________________




WORLD RANKINGS



Latvia sunk to as low as 189th by the end of 2052, but have slowly picked up some steam to rise back into the 120-130 territory six years later. Unfortunately it could solidify and have fallen to below 150th in recent months, only marginally squeezing into 149th which is where they stand presently. Not the prettiest graph trend in the world.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES

SLOVENIA (H) - 96th



Without warning I went straight into our first friendly with a pre-picked experimental selection, and surprisingly worked. Mostly had to thank a crunching two footer by Slovenia's Babic that killed any sort of tempo to their game. Spartaks forward Ricards Stolcers delivered the only goal with help of a fortunate deflection from a Slovenian defender. Impressive victory to say the least.

ALBANIA (H) - 37th



Roles reversed against the Albanians who were flying in the rankings to begin with. Never grabbed a foothold, defended rather desperately while the visitors kept probing. Our domestic-centric side failed to clear a corner properly and left Osmani exposed who buried it. No shame in defeat here.



A boost to the ranking, but come on...six places? Really? We stunned Slovenia for Christ's sake.

Nation: North Macedonia
Media Prediction (Odds): 3rd/10 (9-4)
Expectations: N/A
Pros: Most recent champions of the Macedonian league. Champions League football to look forward to. Abundance of depth in squad.
Cons: At the risk of sounding xenophobic, far too many foreigners especially in a league that restricts the number of foreign players. Not exactly swimming in money right now.

RESULT





Nation: Latvia
World Ranking: 149th
Expectations: "Don't get outclassed in Nations League"
Pros: Strong knowledge of the domestic league and key performers. In lowest division in Nations League, fairly winnable group apart from Slovakia. Keep managerial abilities fresh before stepping into new job.
Cons: Very poor in world rankings. No assistant manager in place. All domestic squad, bar one or two playing in more competitive leagues.

RESULT

@Dan - It was a great success indeed, very enjoyable period in Latvia I must say!

___________________________________________





Comes without surprise that James Frimpong dominated the Skonto awards and taking a fat slab of the percentage, two thirds of it to be precise to win fans’ player of the season. Otankis surprised me by finishing second and doing a bit of a disservice to Pavels Nosiks who finished third, a little harsh considering how much creative influence he had on the field. Frimpong also picked up goal of the season for his wonderful solo strike in the 4-0 mincing of Gulbene. McParland 2.0, I mean Kharaishvili was an inspired buy, flawless in the air (like McParland), impassable at times (like McParland). Lad has a very bright future ahead. I’ve probably ranted about this before, but how can a 24 year old be considered ‘young player’ of the season? Nosiks or Kharaishvili would have definitely been in the running otherwise. Take nothing away from Frimpong though, he had an amazing season.

https://streamable.com/b8408





…and here’s why Frimpong's season was incredible. 31 goals, 7.53 average rating, 13 assists. Absolute beast. Kwaku Boakye had some strops and dips in form at times, but no denying he knew how to cross and square a ball as he helped himself to 13 assists too. Vladimirs Straume deserves a worthy mention, the ace up the sleeve in a time of need. Shame he didn’t start more but his versatility was necessary off the bench. Solid passer too with almost a 90% pass completion. Pavels Nosiks was a breath of fresh air in the camp, always took gambles, strung passes through the eye of a needle and looked dangerous every time he got on the ball. 10 deserved man of the match awards. Holding midfielder Milasevics didn’t exactly stand out for better or worse, he kept things in check between defence and midfield and only accumulated 6 yellows and 1 red.





Jeez, Frimpong’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed that’s for sure as he came third in the CAF African Striker of the Year award. Putting things in perspective, the winner is a Nigerian Barcelona maestro and quite possibly the greatest African footballer since Didier Drogba and the other was a Zamalek icon who owned the Egyptian league. Amazing how Frimpong is among this list.



Alas, my time is done in Latvia. The three Baltic nations conquered and arguably my most enjoyable experiences in this FM journey.



Twitter blew up...sort of. Interesting comments.

@bigmattb28 Spoilers.