Shedender - Comments

We'll see. I've played the game mate so expect an update any minute now.

Another season is upon us and this post will deal with the seasonal expectations, the pre season friendly games that have been arranged and the draw for the twenty twenty-five Bulgarian Super Cup draw as I look to end my reign with Levski before the league season begins, can I? Only time will tell I suppose.


Following last seasons league success the board are expecting the same thing to happen and have backed me with slightly over a two million pound transfer fee that I probably not use unless needed as I feel the squad is good enough to challenge for the title once again.

The reason why I don't think anyone else will be signing is because I've already got three players arriving at the club as they agreed to sign pre-contracts during the second part of last season. One is a seventeen-year-old Greek right back, one is a nineteen-year-old Turk and the other one is a young central defender who is only fifteen-years-old. The future is definitely looking bright at Levski.


Just the four games have been arranged in pre season and they're two home games vs. 1860 Munich and Dinamo Moscow along with two trips to Septemvri (Simitli) and Hunedoara.

Two games were arranged in the final week or so in June by my assistant manager against Dutch side Ajax and Russian's Anji. We suffered a two one defeat against Ajax and drew three all with the Russian side Anji.


This could be my final game at Levski. We embark on Vasil Levski to face Bulgarian Cup runners-up Lokomotiv 1926 (Plovdiv) in the Bulgarian Super Cup. Win this game and my time at Levski has come to an end and then I need to start looking for a "B" Group game, lose and I'm stuck at the club for another season and I'd need to win the Bulgarian Cup...again.

It's a great achievement, isn't it? All I need to do now is win the Super Cup so I can resign and then take a "B" Group job.

The final month was upon us as we had six more league games to get through and a Bulgarian Cup final against Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) as I still looked to seal the league and cup double but it was going to be very difficult as we had two tough games back to back away from home but I'd try my best.


We started the final month of the season with a home clash against Ludogorets (Razgrad) and we edged a five goal thriller as we won three two and opened the scoring on four minutes when Moran converted a penalty and then the same man doubled the lead after seventeen minutes. Ludogorets pulled one back with twenty minutes remaining but then Moran completed his hat trick and surely the points with seven minutes left but they scored a second consolation goal in stoppage time.

The second game of the month had us host CSKA (Sofia) and Hristov's goal after ten minutes saw us slip to a disappointing home defeat.

Our first away game of the month had us make the journey to Lovech to entertain Litex and it was a day to celebrate despite only picking up a point on our travels but we had to do it the hard way as Moran was shown a straight red card on seventeen minutes but then Rigas gave us a shock lead but they levelled four minutes later through Ivanov and the same man gave Litex the lead but Uzunov scored on sixty two minutes to seal the point. When the final whistle was blown it was announced after the game that we had won the "A" Group title, which is a tremendous achievement.

The newly crowned "A" Group champions made the trip to Cherno more and we were defeated two one despite Morrow putting us into the lead on eight minutes but they equalised on thirty eight but then Uzunov was sent off for a professional four on forty four minutes and became our second player in consecutive games to be shown a straight red - he (along with Moran) will miss the Bulgarian Cup final and then Koleno won the game for the home side in second half stoppage time.

And the time was upon us, the Bulgarian Cup final with several players missing due to internationals (I'm sure injuries) and suspensions and Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) stood in our way of a league and cup double but we sealed that was Kunchev scored what turned out to be the winning goal on thirty eight minutes. The league and cup double was sealed and now only the "B" Group and Super Cup awaits me before I exit Bulgaria.

We couldn't "head on our holidays" just yet as we still had two league games left to conclude the season and the penultimate game was against Slavia (Sofia) and the double winners won one nil as Kunchev scored with five first half minutes remaining on the clock.

And the excellent league season ended with a trip to Ludogorets (Razgrad) and we ended with three more points as Dobrevski and Guilherme struck in the first half to give us the lead before the home side scored a consolation goal on sixty two minutes.


Champions!!

We finished the league as the best club in Bulgaria this season due to our league success as we ended up seven points clear of second place Litex. We scored eighty league goals on way to securing the title (Moran scored I think 39 in the league) and conceded forty four, so the defence needs to be addressed in pre season.

We approached the penultimate month of the season on the back of a successful pervious month that saw us win all our games bar a draw with Cherno more. April pitted us with nine games - both legs of the Bulgarian Cup semi final against Litex along with seven tough league games as we still challenged for the league and cup double this season.


Our month began on the road as we visited Lokomotiv (Sofia) and we suffered a disappointing setback as they shocked us four two and despite defender Duran giving us the lead on three minutes the home side equalised just before half time through Paulo and then Georgiev struck on fifty two minutes to turn the game around. They finished the game off as Bozhilov scored twice on fifty seven and seventy seven minutes before we scored a second consolation goal with ten minutes remaining through Moran.

We then stayed on the road and faced a daunting trip to second placed Litex but we produced an excellent away performance to beat them two nil with goals from Venalainen on five minutes and Moran in the final minute of the first half.

Our Bulgarian Cup semi final first leg tie saw us remain on the road for the third game running and our second in succession against Litex and we pulled out a much better performance than the league tie as we raced into a four goal inside the opening half hour through goals from Rigas (2), Morrow and Guilherme before Slavchev scored a consolation goal for the shocked home side.

We returned to league action for our first home game of the month as we faced Chernomorets (Burgos) and a single goal from star striker Moran on sixty two minutes sealed three more points.

The second leg Bulgarian Cup semi final tie was home to Litex with us having a 4-1 aggregate lead following our impressive result in Lovech and this game was a belter as we played out a three all draw. Litex broke the deadlock after only three minutes through Bruninho but we turned the game around through goals from Uzunov and Moran but the visiting side levelled from the spot two minutes later but we had a three two half time lead on the night as Uzunov scored his second - Elaninho equalised on sixty one minutes to seal a draw but we advanced to the final.

Litex got revenge for us dumping out of the cup when we faced them in the league, the away side picked up an important three one win. Elaninho opened the scoring but Moran levelled on sixty four minutes but Litex won the game with two goals in the final eleven minutes with goals through Ivanov and Popov.

Our next game saw us make the trip to CSKA (Sofia) and both teams played out an absolute "A" Group classic as the points were shared in a ten goal thriller but I didn't think we'd get anything from the game as an Auger hat trick and a goal from Evtimou had the home side four nil up inside the half hour and then Moran scored what looked like just a consolation goal on thirty nine minutes. We pulled a second goal back on fifty nine minutes whenever winger Morrow nipped in and then a third consolation goal was scored through Duran on sixty five minutes but they made it five two on seventy eight minutes. The scoring wasn't completed yet as two more goals on seventy nine and eighty six minutes from Moran that completed his hat trick sealed an impressive draw.

Our penultimate game of the penultimate month saw us host Cherno more and they were defeated five two with two goals inside three minutes from Duran and Moran having us two up before Morrow added a third just before half time. Cherno more pulled one back early in the second half but Moran's second had us four two up but then Kisel's second saw Cherno add a second consolation goal before Guilherme added a fifth with three minutes left.

A trip to Slavia (Sofia) finished the month and we edged them two one, we broke the deadlock on thirty one minutes through defender Uzunov but they levelled proceedings six minutes later through Lukic but we won the game with eight minutes remaining through Dobrevski's goal.


We're ten points clear at the top of the table with six minutes remaining and I suppose it would take a major balls up for us not to win the league but I won't be getting too confident until the league title has (possibly) been confirmed.

You're still in with a shout of the league title.

It's been a remarkable season in the top flight of the Czech league and I'm pretty sure you'll secure a European spot this season and possibly the Czech cup too.

Cheers. The results so far have been pleasing and with only a single league defeat (to date), I can’t complain.


Thanks pal. It was a good month but I refuse to get carried away as there is still too many games that need played – fourteen I think are remaining in the league alone and the possibility of three Bulgarian Cup ties.

We made the return to competitive action in March following a long winter break and seven matches awaited us upon our return to domestic action. Five of the games were in the league while the other two was the Bulgarian Cup quarter final first and second leg ties against Slavia (Sofia).


The return to domestic competitive action started with a home clash against Ludogorets (Razgrad) who we defeated two one in Sofia, we took the lead on twenty six minutes whenever Uzunov found the target but the central defender was dismissed for two yellow cards on sixty eight minutes before the visitors equalised through an unfortunate Bejaoui own goal before substitute Fernando headed home a stoppage time winner.

Our next game was the quarter final first leg Bulgarian Cup tie at home to Slavia (Sofia) and we produced an excellent performance to defeat them two nil for the advantage going into the return leg. Both of the goals arrived in the first half through Venalainen and Guilherme.

We then faced Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) at home and defeated them two nil with both of the goals arriving in the second half. We had to wait sixty five minutes to break the deadlock with Moran firing in before a goal in the second minute of stoppage time through Guilherme sealed another important three points as we look to wrap up the league.

The return leg in the Bulgarian Cup was next and we defeated them one nil to progress three nil on aggregate with Moran scoring the only goal on forty nine minutes.

For the third time in four games we faced Slavia (Sofia) and yet again defeated them, this time it was two nil at our home venue with Guilherme and Moran on target in the space of twenty second half minutes.

Our penultimate game saw us make the trip to Cherno more but we could only manage to pick up a point on the road. Following the scoreless first half the home side broke the deadlock on fifty minutes with Spremo finding the net but the lead lasted seven minutes as Moran's goal saw us equalise. On sixty one minutes Cherno more regained the lead through Kisel but Moran scored his second and our second to equalise yet again with twenty minutes left.

And March concluded with a straight forward victory over Vidima-Rakovski as we beat them three nil as Moran struck a hat trick to sink them. The in-form striker struck his first and only goal in the first half after five minutes before two more in the second half after seventy six and eighty two sealed the win.


The gap has been opened up and now it's up to me to ensure we maintain the TEN point lead over second place Litex with still something of around thirteen league games still to play. I'd love to be confident that I can wrap up the league with a ten point gap but if we had played twenty nine matches (instead of nineteen) to date then I would have been more confident.

Our reward for knocking out Slavia (Sofia) in the Bulgarian Cup quarter finals is a two legged semi final tie with Litex.

It's nice to see the top flight hasn't been dominated by one team, unlike Croatia before you took over.

You're still doing tremendously well for a newly promoted side, only five points behind Plzen and still in the Czech cup too. KIU.

We have had a busy pre season programme as I brought in eight new players as I looked to close the gap on champions Celtic who had finished thirty points ahead of us last season and that was unacceptable. Six friendly games were also played and it wasn't the greatest pre season around.


Our first signings of the summer was Gardner and Dijks for seven hundred and twenty five and eight hundred and fifty thousand respectively as they had agreed to join in the close season.

We then completed the signing of Skjelbred on a free and he'll be back-up for Bustos and Aird but may see game time. Another midfielder joined as Holscher arrived from Sturm Graz and could be a replacement for the ageing Black while Bartley has joined from Cardiff for almost two and a half million and will be first choice, especially while Faure is out injured.

Two players then arrived both on free transfers - Oliveira is a twenty-one-year-old goalkeeper who was previously on the books of Porto while nineteen-year-old central defender Coelho was also on the books of Porto before his release. Both players will be back-up this coming season but I'm a little confident they'll see game time.

Our final signing was eighteen-year-old Cioffi who has came to the club for two and a half million from Argentine club Boca Juniors. It's a risky move as he's yet to make his professional debut but I may give him it vs. Kilmarnock as he didn't join on time for the Dundee game.


Our pre season programme wasn't the greatest around.

Six games were played, two at home vs. Marseille and Teplice and then four away from home against Scunthorpe, a two game tour in Republic of Ireland against Bohemians and Derry City before the programme ended with a trip to Cambuslang Rangers.

It didn't start great as we suffered a defeat against the French side despite Gasparotto scoring on fifty two minutes but then we suffered a humiliating five goal defeat at the hands of Teplice before Scunthorpe won two nil. Our two game tour in Republic of Ireland was OK but nothing spectacular as we beat Bohemians three nil as Nimely and a double from Aird sealed the win before we edged Derry in a five goal thriller - Black pen, Bennett and Aird scored.

Our friendly programme ended with a three goal win over Cambuslang Rangers and Bustos scored our only goal in the first half before a second half double from Nimely saw our pre season programme end with three wins.

They have just dominated this season and I don't like it. Can't believe we finished like thirty points behind them and I need to try and rectify that this coming season as the gap needs to be closed. I've received a good transfer budget and I need to use it wisely.

That's the plan mate, the league, Bulgarian Cup and Super Cup are priorities. Europe is not.

You've made a strong start to the league season mate and long may it continue.

The final month of the year was a short one as we only played three games (well, four but due to some balls up we only played three) and it saw us play our final Europa League group game, one league game that saw us mess up a commanding lead and the Bulgarian Cup tie.


December kicked off with my final Europa League game as the side made the trip to France to entertain Bordeaux and an entertaining game ended level despite our prolific striker Moran breaking the deadlock on twenty eight minutes but they equalised after forty four through Muller. We could have perhaps won the game in the second half but it wasn't to be.

We returned to domestic action with our only league game of the month as we made the short trip to CSKA (Sofia) and could only manage to pick up an unacceptable draw as we surrendered a three nil lead as goals from Uzunov and two from Moran had us three up after only half an hour but CSKA pulled one back through Ginev before we gave away a penalty early in the second half that Golubovic converted and then Auger's goal on fifty one minutes completed the comeback.

Our final game before the winter break was the Bulgarian Cup third round first leg tie against Beroe and we won one nil as Morrow struck the only goal on eighteen minutes. Due to some balls up that game kicked off at half two and then our second leg tie was at around about half seven that night, I don't know why but we won the second leg three one to advance [four one on aggregate] with Uzunov, Dobrevski and Slavchev pen sent us through.


With the winter break upon us, we are top of the table and have a two point gap over Litex but it could and should have been greater if we didn't balls up a three nil lead in our only league game in December against rivals CSKA (Sofia) and indeed that did absolutely annoy me. But, we're still top and that's the important thing heading into the second part of the season that will see eight more league games before the league splits.


Out of Europe we go but at least we didn't suffer the heartache of finishing rock bottom, that unwanted award goes to French side Bordeaux.

With a short month behind us we entered what turned out to be a busy November with no less than nine matches in three different competitions. We had five "A" Group matches, two Europa League Group H fixtures and the Bulgarian Cup second round affair with Botev (Vratsa)


We started the busy penultimate month of the year with a trip to Vidima-Rakovski and we produced a superb three one away victory that saw us take the lead inside the opening minute through Moran before he fired our second and his second on only eleven minutes but the home side pulled a goal back on twenty five minutes but four minutes later Moran compleGote his hat trick and the score.

Our Europa League dreams came to a crashing holt against PSV Eindhoven. A three nil home defeat saw us exit the competition with Santegoets bagging a hat trick for the Netherlands outfit.

When we returned to domestic action we faced a top of the table clash against Litex and unfortunately we slumped to our first "A" Group defeat of the season as the Lovech side won two one in Sofia. They took the lead on sixteen minutes with Bruninho scoring but then we were reduced to ten men on fifty four minutes Duran being sent off for an alleged deliberate handball and the referee awarded a penalty that Slavchev scored for two nil but Iliev pulled a goal back with twenty minutes left but we couldn't get an unlikely equaliser.

In the Bulgarian Cup second round we faced Botev (Vratsa) and with quite a few first team playing missing the first leg due to international duty we picked up a three goal advantage going into the return leg as an own goal through Trifonov, Dobrevski and Mihaylov sealed victory.

Back to league action with a trip to Chernomorets (Burgas) and my Levski side departed with a five two win. Goals from Moran, Dobrevski and Dimitrov had us three up inside the opening twenty six minutes before the home side pulled a goal back on the half hour, Venalainen made it four one but again the hosts scored through Kozhuharov but Moran's second goal of the game ended the scoring.

Premier League side Tottenham visited Levski for our penultimate Europa League game and with nothing to play for Uzunov opened the scoring on twenty six minutes but goals from Clough, Ondrejka and Gege sealed victory for the English side.

We returned to our league programme with as game against Botev (Vratsa) and left with a four two win as Uzunov headed us into the lead after only two minutes but they equalised just before the quarter hour before Antonov regained our lead after only twenty minutes but yet again Botev equalised on fifty eight minutes but just a minute later Moran put us into the lead for the third time and their was no comeback from the home side - Moran struck again on sixty six minutes to seal victory.

Our penultimate game of the month was the second round second leg Bulgarian Cup trip to Botev who we faced for the second consecutive game and again we departed with victory as we progressed to the third round. Two first half goals from Moran and a Duran header saw the club progress. They scored a consolation cup tie goal in the third minute of second half stoppage time.

And we ended the extremely busy November with a game against bottom of the table Beroe who hadn't won a league game this season and we made sure that continued with a four two win with Duran putting us into the lead inside the opening five minutes but they equalised before Finn Venalainen scored our second on thirteen minutes and then Moran added a third in the second half. They pulled another goal back but a Moran penalty, with the game entering stoppage time, sealed victory.


Despite the club suffering their first league defeat at the hands of Litex we remain top of the table due to them also suffering their first defeat throughout the month, we're four points clear. We have one more month to go before a long winter break kicks in - if we remain top then I will feel a little more confident we can wrap up the league although their will still be too much football to play.


We're out of the Europa League. Tottenham and PSV both advance so it's between us and Bordeaux to see who doesn't have the embarrassment of finishing bottom.

They're now 4-0 down.

Bossed that final month! I wouldn’t be surprised if you actually won the league and cup next season – you’re too good for this.

Shocked we actually managed to win the game against Bordeaux, especially being three down.

I don’t think I can escape the group as I do expect Tottenham and PSV to be too strong for us but that doesn’t bother me as the longer I participate in Europe then the quicker the players will get tired. Only good thing about playing in a European group stage is the money it brings in.

Wrapped the league title up with three games remaining so I suppose you can relax now and start planning for next season? No shame in crashing out of the cup as you faced a top flight team but you did very well against them and that has to be a positive going into next season.

Or will you resign and manage someone else?

October was a short month as we played just the one league game and that was at home against Cherno more. We also particapated in two Europa League group games too.


And it was the Europa League Group H tie against Bordeaux that started the month as they visited Sofia and lost in a seven goal thriller despite the French side striking three times inside the opening thirty four minutes with Celcic, Gomez and an Ogira penalty looked like Bordeaux had sealed the points. We scored what looked like a consolation goal from the spot that Moran converted on sixty four minutes but three minutes later Dimitrov scored a second. We levelled the scores against the odds with ten minutes remaining with Toubal putting through his own net and then sensationally Zelenkvo won us the game with only three minutes remaining.

We came back to league action with surely confidence following that sensational comeback against the French side as we entertained Cherno more in Sofia and we beat them two nil with two second half goals. Midfielder Guilherme fired home a free kick early in the second half before Venalainen sealed the points on sixty one minutes.

Our final game of the month was against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and they beat us two nil with first half goals from Xavi and van Driel separating the sides.


Only one league game was played this month but we've managed to open up a two point gap following our victory over Cherno more and Litex slipping up in their game.


We are up to third in Group H following our sensational victory over French side Bordeaux who are bottom of the group and probably couldn't believe they didn't beat us despite being three nil up. It's just a shame that we couldn't capatalize on that result against PSV as we slipped up in Holland. Tottenham look like they've the group wrapped up already.

They'll go away eventually, or we will. Once of us will and that's a shame but I hope it's Litex.

Following an unbeaten last month we entered September full of confidence and with five games awaiting us - four in the league and our first Europa League group game. We picked up three league wins from the four games but our first group game in the Europa League started disastrously.


We started the month on the road with a trip to Ludogorets and we came out on top in an eight goal thriller as two goals inside the opening ten minutes from Uzunov and Moran before Venalainen made it three inside the opening quarter hour but five minutes later the hosts pulled a goal back as Morrow unfortunately scored an own goal before Mikov scored a penalty five minutes before half time. Ludogorets equalised on fifty one minutes before goals from Moran and Duran finally sealed the points.

We remained on the road to face last season's league champions Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) and we beat them four one. Goals from Moran and Dobrevski had us two nil up after a half hour before Morrow added a third early in the second half and then Dobrevski's second on sixty eight minutes made the score four nil - Lokomotiv (Plovdiv) scored a consolation goal on seventy three minutes courtesy of Hadzhiyski.

Our first game in the Europa League group stage this season saw us travel to English side Tottenham and it was a game to forget as the Premier League side ran out deserved and comfortable five nil winners with Clough, Davies, Mavrias, Gege and Konate on target.

Back to league action and Lokomotiv (Sofia) came to Levski with our confidence a little dented following events at White Hart Lane and we could only secure a scoreless draw.

And the month concluded with a trip to Slavia (Sofia) and we picked up a much needed three points following a 2-1 win on the road. Winger Iliev, in for Morrow opened the scoring on just three minutes and then Moran converted a thirty sixth minute penalty to double the scores but they scored with seven minutes remaining through Ignatov to make it a nervous finish.


Another unbeaten league month has seen us remain top of the table but only on goal difference from Litex. We are only top of the pile due to us conceding one less goal than the Lovech based side. Cherno more are two points behind both of us in third.


Just the one group game was played this month and we're bottom of the group following our five goal defeat at Tottenham and they obviously top of the group because of that victory. Dutch side PSV are in second following their single goal win over Bordeaux.

Cheers fella, can't believe how well we've done in August and long may it continue.


I've no intention to start dreaming about the league title, especially not this early in the season. Yes it's been a solid start to the campaign but it's important we keep that going for months - their will be slip ups but it's important how we bounce back.


Good draws but still had to beat them both. Isn't a shame that we'll probably get another deadly Europa League group?

It's been a promising start to the league season - three wins from three - nine goals scored and only one conceded... at the moment.


Thanks. I'd love to have the "A" Group and Bulgarian Cup chalked off this season but I know it'll tough.


Cheers. As much as I would love to catch up with Dan as he's in the Czech Republic I can't see it happening so I will need to go at my own pace.

I forgot to take a screenshot of our Europa League group but it's another tough one as we've been drawn out against English side Tottenham Hotspur, French side Bordeaux and Netherlands giants PSV Eindhoven. I can't see us progressing from that group, which is a shame but then again, stranger things have happened in the past.

So far I've had no trouble with adding/removing leagues... so far.

August saw us play seven matches as our league season kicked off in style. We faced Europa League trips to Romania and Republic of Ireland as well to face Vaslui and Sligo Rovers, we made an unbeaten start to the league season with three wins out of three.


We started the month in Europa League action as we faced Vaslui in the third qualifying round with the first leg being at home and we have the edge heading into the second leg following a two nil win. Dobrevski opened the scoring after only ten minutes before winger Mihaylov doubled the lead in the second half.

The return leg in Romania was just as straight forward as a three nil win on the night sealed a five goal aggregate success with a Moran double and Dimitrov also scoring in the second half.

Our league season kicked off in style against Botev (Vratsa) as we beat them five one at home. Goals from Moran, Dobrevski and Danov saw us score three times in the first half and then Moran scored twice more in the second half to complete his hat trick and seal an impressive start to the campaign.

And that promising start continued with a trip to Beroe as we secured a two goal win away from home thanks to second half goals from Mustafov and Moran.

We then travelled to the Republic of Ireland to face Sligo Rovers for what the fans believed would be a straight forward victory and they were right as we won the first leg four nil but didn't take the lead until the thirty fifth win when central defender Duran scored a complete fluke before Dobrevski and Moran finished the game before half time. Finish winger Venalainen added a fourth just before the hour mark at The Showgrounds.

When we returned back to league action we faced a tough home encounter against CSKA (Sofia) but we picked up an excellent two nil win in front of our own supporters as Moran broke the deadlock on twenty seven minutes and that's how it stayed until the fifty ninth minute as Venalainen added a second.

And the month came to an end with the club progressing to the Europa League following a five nil win on the night (nine nil win on aggregate) over the Republic of Ireland side with Dimitrov and Dobrevski putting us two up on the night inside the opening ten minutes before Moran and Iliev also scored in the first half and then Dimitrov's second, early in the second half made it five.


It's been a promising start to the season as we're sitting top following the opening three league games of the season but I'm not getting carried away as their is still too much football still to be played. Should we remain top (or near enough) going into the second part of the season then I may start believing but until then, I can't get too carried away.

Four to win in Czech Republic.

Doing well in the league Dan, at least you're top and so far looking good for the title and long may it continue.

When I am playing a "lesser" team then I would rather win comfortably but at least we're still in Europe and still have a real chance of progression to the group stages. Cheers, I don't care about how I do in Europe by the way as this season is all about the league and cup double and I'd love to win both so I'd only need to concentrate on the Super Cup and "B" Group.

You'll win the league. No pressure.

You had a good pre season bar that one draw but at least you remained unbeaten. Spent big too I guess for a team in the second league? You'll do well mate. KIU.

We actually played very well mate against Bordeaux and could have easily beat them - they would probably tank us in a competitive game mind.

I didn't do the Europa League progression the easy way sure I didn't mate? I think at one stage we were behind five two in the first game.

It's not been the busiest transfer window for us as I've brought in five new players and have spent half a million pound.


I needed a new central defender for the starting eleven so I agreed a pre-contract with Danubio's Duran and he arrived at the beginning of July while I've brought in left back Allemann from Swiss side Grasshoppers. Guilherme who is a centre midfielder has jetted in from Atletico Paranaense for one hundred and forty thousand while I captured another defender in Fernando for only forty five thousand and our last signing was Pedro and he's a striker who has cost us one hundred and eighty thousand from Leiria.

We only received thirty two thousand in fees from those that departed the club - Asenov joined relegated Minyor (Pernik) for twenty four thousand and Andonov went to Etar for eight thousand.

Duo Nenov and Pashev left the club on loan deals to join Botev (Vratsa) and Vidima-Rakovski respectively while Ormandzhiev and Prsic were both released.


Our assistant manager arranged another friendly game, versus French side Bordeaux while we had games called off due to Europa League action.

And it was the game against Bordeaux that started the five friendly games and despite playing well the French giants' talent prevailed as Zelenkov scored our only goal on fifty three minutes. The first game that I arranged myself saw us travel to Hunedoara and produced a five star performance - Moran scored twice and Mihaylov hit a hat trick in the first half.

We then made the trip to Greece for what turned out to be our only game and we produced an excellent three nil win as Moran, Dimitrov and Mihaylov before we headed home and travelled to Lyulin and eased to another three nil win as Moran scored a first half hat trick away from home.

Pre season concluded with me facing my former club Anderlecht and we turned in a tremendous performance to turn over the Belgian giants two one as Dimitrov and Iliev scored in either half.


July saw us play four Europa League games and to say we had to do it the hard way is an understatement.

Our first competitive game of the season saw us travel to Bosina to face Zrinjski in the Europa League first qualifying round first leg and they shocked us as they came out on top in a nine goal thriller, beating us five four - Moran and Mihaylov both scoring twice but we won the return leg three one to progress to the next stage with a three one win on the night (seven five on aggregate) as Dobrevski's double and Dimitrov goal sent us through.

We were then drawn out against RNK Split with the first leg being away from home and we produced an excellent away performance to win two nil with both goals coming in the first quarter hour courtesy of Mihaylov and Dimitrov. The return leg in Levski saw us confirm our passage with a three two win on the night (and a five two aggregate win) with goals from Duran and Mihaylov putting us two nil up at half time in the home leg before Dobrevski added a third but they scored a consolation from the spot.