FM18 - The Rise of Sepsi: Romania Strong - FINISHED!!!

[Abe Sargent]

Hello folks!

I’m not sure where my love of playing teams in lesser European divisions and bringing them to the top came from.

When I began playing FM back when it was still CM, I had two stints with lesser lower profile clubs in the EPL – Ipswich first, and then Bolton. I spent a few years at each, and really tried to learn the game. Then after I had learned the systems, I dove down into lower level English football and invested a lot of time trying to bring teams like Yeovil Town, Wrexham and Carlisle up top.

It was deep into one of my final campaigns as Carlisle when I had just finished a season where they were a few spots short of the promotion playoffs for the EPL, and I got an unusual job offer for Kaiserslautern in Germany. They were offering a large kitty, and wanted to move up. I took the job, and secured one Bundesliga win during my time there, as well as really enjoyed myself.

Next dynasty, I remember this, and I decided to head somewhere hard and far away from England. I chose Ukraine. I took over FC Metalurh Zaporizhya in the Ukrainian top league and took them high.

And I was bitten.

Over the next few years I would play in Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece and such and have a lot of fun doing so. I finally decided to come home and rebuild Crewe Alexandria in England to a EPL club, and then I did Nacional da Madeira at a top flight club in Portugal, built up UD Melillia in Spain, and then took La Liga club Athletic Bilbao to the Champions cup win in its 6th year.

Now it’s time to return to basics and head back east. I want to build a club in a new Eastern European nation that isn’t exactly at the top of the football scrapheap, and turn it into a regional powerhouse.

Welcome to Romania!

[Abe Sargent]

Now, why Romania?

Great question!

The one constant in Romanian club football is change. For example, since 1960, no nation has sent more teams to play in European football than Romania, with more than 40 teams making it. There is a constant roil of teams as old teams fade and new teams are made.

For example, take the Top League: Liga One Betano. 23 teams have won the Liga One Betano. (I am going to be nicknaming it the Betano to distinguish it from other leagues with the name “Liga One”).

The winningest club is FC SB, with more than 20 titles, and they are known locally as Steaua. It and Dinamo București have really been the best two teams and have never been relegated. The rest? 99 teams have played in the Betano.

Many teams had early success in pre-WW2 and then were folded during the Iron Curtain days. Many teams were refounded in their image or changed their name.

For example, take Venus București. It was founded in 1914. It won the Liga 8 times before it folded in the last 40s. Then it was refounded in 2014. Now it’s a current team down in Liga V.

FC Petrolul Ploiesti is a bizarre case. Founded in ’24, it had 4 wins and 3 Romanian Cup victories during it’s pre WW2 era. Then it was forcibly relocated during early communism in 52 to Ploesti. In 2014 it fell to massive debt and financial issues, and was refounded by local stars and former players and currently plays in Liga II after winning very quickly. It fact, this was almost a dynasty about Ploiesti!


FC Rapid București is even weirder. It was found in 23. Won 3 times and notched 13 cups. They made it to the quarter finals of the Euro Cup in 2006. In 2016 they went bankrupt, and a lesser team, Academia Rapid purchased the rights and history of the club, and I 2018, rebranded themselves FC Rapid București. That’s bizarre.

That’s Romania.

99 teams have made it to Liga I Betano.

Modern Liga I is basically CFR Cluj and various teams from Bucharest. Cluj was lifted from obscurity with a ton of money from a new owner in the early 2000s, and has since won the Liga I four times (including the year we are about to play in FM2018.) Meanwhile, teams like Steaua, Dinamo, and others are all from Bucharest.

8 teams from Bucharest have won 61 titles. Only 38 titles have been won by the rest of the nation.

This year we have two new teams that were promoted to the Betano that have never been there. Juventus from Bucharest and ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe. (Sepsi). In real life, Juve falls but Sepsi remains, and hit 12th (out of 14).

[Abe Sargent]

The Meteoric Rise of Sepsi


After a popular local team folded in the city of Sfântu Gheorghe (St. George), called Oltul Sfântu Gheorghe, due to financial difficulties, this team was founded, with the name of the old one as OSK in it’s name as the continuation of the previous team in spirit. Like a legacy team.

The best that Oltul had ever gotten was 2nd in Liga II and it missed the playoff to make it to the top.


Sepsi was founded in 2011.

Sepsi played in 2011-12 in Liga V and they won and made it out in 2012

In 2012-3, Sepsi played in Liga IV. They notched 2nd place, but lost in the playoffs.

In the 2013-14 season, Sepsi won the Liga IV outright and made it to Liga III (the winner of a lower level league just gets the #1 seed in the promotion playoffs – they made it to the final game and won in extra time penalty kicks.

In 2014-15, they finished Liga III in 3rd place, and were continuing to push themselves to greatness, expanded their stadium and such. They did not win their play-up games.

In 2015-16, they won Liga III and made it to Liga II and this was huge news for the new regional team.

In 2016-17, continuing the drive to succeed, they got 2nd place in their first year in the penultimate league, and then won promotion.

This is the first time any team from St. George will make it to top flight play.


After getting Sepsi from Liga V to I in 6 years, winning their respective division three of those times, manager Valentin Suciu was a hot commodity.

(I am editing the real life history of the club after the 2017 season to make the manager change realistic – this is all made up from here).

He was selected to replace the manager of Lviv in Ukraine’s top league, with a big wallet.


Sepsi’s board made a bold decision.

They didn’t just want to fight bravely against relegation. They didn’t want to just spin their wheels, get some financial stability, and then take their parachute payments and head back down. They had overachieved by any measure. But they made it here because they were lean and hungry. They wanted a manager who was as well.


That was Dr. Maximillian Surubaru, Ph.D....

[Abe Sargent]

Dr. Maximillian Surubaru, Ph.D.


Born in the unofficial capital of Transylvania, Cluj, Maxi was born of a blue-collar mining family here in the mountains of Transylvania. Before his earliest memory, they moved to Covasna County, a very rural part of the Carpathian Mountains. Covasna County is the second least populous county in Romania. Like most mountain peoples, they mostly lived in the valleys, and thus they lived jam-packed closer together along rivers and valleys, rather than spread out.

They lived in a small hollow up a mountain about 25 minutes from the county capital of St. George, where his father secured work at the Căpeni Coal Mine, the largest in Romania, in Baraolt.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Bogdanka2.jpg/300px-Bogdanka2.jpg

Unlike his father, grandfather, and uncles, Maxi didn’t take to coal mining. He displayed a strong and keen sense of sporting, as well as a love of gaming. From video gaming to sports, he was drawn to the intellectual side of games. He would outthink people twice his age at board games, was the local winner of a chess tournament in St. George at 14, and more. All of the people of the hollow where he grew up were suitably proud of him and his accomplishments, and Maxi was the pride of them. Maxi played the game quite well, and was brought in at the U17 level for Romanian National team after doing well at the local club, Oltul.

At the age of 16, Maxi was offered a hot prospect contract by two Liga I clubs, Cluj and Concordia. Maxi chose to remain close to home, and went to Cluj. He played in the Cluj youth system for three years, was loaned out to lower level Romanian clubs, and was never really caught on. His greatest achievement was helping a club in Liga III get to promotion playoffs and barely losing on PKs in extra time as a loaner. He did make the U19 squad for Romania during this run.

When his contract finished, Maxi had offers from five clubs, all Liga III or IV. He didn’t want to be playing at that level as one of those “Where is Maxi now” type stories, of someone who was once on the U19 Youth Team for Romania, but never made it higher. Plus, Maxi had always been more intellectually challenged by the game, specifically tactically.

Maxi decided to leave football behind as a career, and enrolled in Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, one of the highest rated universities in Eastern Europe, and historically a major central house of knowledge for the region, with multiple Nobel winners, and one of the great chess clubs in Europe.

Maxi’s enrollment in the major university was a big day and a holiday of sorts was declared in his small hollow as everyone gathered to see the 19 year old Maxi off.

Maxi arrived, and embraced St. Petersburg as his new home for eight years. He studied chess under former chessmaster David Bronstein who now taught there, as well as has major, Environmental Studies. He enjoyed it so much that he stayed after getting a lower level degree, and defended his dissertation and was a doctor by 25, the sixth youngest doctorate that year of the few hundred or so to get their terminal degrees.

While in the city, Maxi developed a passion for local club, Dynamo St. Petersburg, in the 2nd division of the nation. While there, Maxi’s own history for Romanian came into play, and he was welcomed into the youth development of the city’s football programs as a scout for Dynamo and Zenit, the bigger club in St. Petersburg.

Two years later, Maxi has developed into a youth coach on the side to develop skills of those here in the city, and he was really well known for teaching people the tactics and mental side of the game. Seeing his success, Zenit approached him to be a youth coach for them, teaching tactics.

Maxi’s teaching and research has reached a natural end, as the research dollars were not there for environmental studies in Eastern Europe. He moved to teach part-time and took the full-time youth couch gig for Zenit.

Three years later, Maxi was considered the best tactics coach in Russia and he was teaching the senior squad. He had stopped teaching as the money from coaching had outpaced the others, and he was the tactics coach for the senior squad at Zenit. He was involved in planning tactics for Zenit, and helped to push them to a EURO win in 2010. In 2011, Maxi was successful moving to an Assistant Manager role for another club in Russia - FC Anzhi Makhachkala. Anzhi had just been purchased by a mega-billionaire, and he was invested in heavily upgrading the staff, personnel, and infrastructure. Maxi Surubaru was one of the folks who came into a new Anzhi. In 2011/12 it finished at 5th in the Russian Premier League, then 3d in 12/13. However, serious financial issues and scandals arose, and it was relegated next year for 13/14. After that, big names and staff were let out of jobs, and Maxi lost the Assistant Manager job three years after getting it.


Maxi had been a bright rising star of Russian tactical football, but was not making any short lists for selection for another AM role.

Then Maxi saw a job open back home. And he applied for it instead. Based on his success with youth in Zenit Russia, in 2014, Maxi took over as the U19 Youth Manager for Romania. He takes over the U21 after the coach there left for Saudi Arabia.

Its 2017, and at 41, Maxi is now the manager of the U21 squad at Romania. He won qualification to the 2017, U21 Euro Championships in Poland, but lost early. But it was just the 2nd time in Romanian history that they even had made it to the final 12. He also used these years to finish his qualifications.

After winning qualification, Maxi’s name and history became a big name in Romanian football. He was the old kid come home and take the U21 national squad to success. Maxi agreed to take over newly promoted Sepsi and to push their push. After the U21 Euro Championships finished, Maxi took over the newly promoted team.

And the board looked back and smiled. They had gotten their man. He was born and lived here in the county growing up, played for their spiritual predecessor in St. George, and had been successful managing at the national club level in Romania. Dr. Maximillian Surubaru was their guy.

[Abe Sargent]

Dr. Maximillian Surubaru
Romanian/Russian
Age: 41, born in Cluj
Favorite Teams – Dinamo St. Petersburg; Zenit
Can also speak Russian, English and Ukrainian
Tactical Head Coach Style
Continental Pro License,



https://image.ibb.co/mvWRQJ/Pic_1.png

Active:

All Eastern European Leagues, all major other European leagues, and Brazil/Argentina


I have not played FM 17 or Fm 18, so this is a newer experience for me. Ready?

[Abe Sargent]

The Rules of Romania:

Liga I Betano:

14 clubs, 26 games.

Match Rules:

Must be one U22 Romanian in Top 11

Match Squad Must have at least four players trained in Romania

Squad Registration –

Maximum 25 players

No more than 5 EU players

EU includes both EU nations and Cotonou signees

At least four players training at Sepsi

At least eight players trained in Romania


Quals:

Top six teams are placed in playoffs for Champion play. Two make it to the Champions Cup; 3 make it to the Euro Cup.

Cluj is suspended for Euro qualifications this year

[Abe Sargent]

Here is Sepsi and St. George


https://weradio.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sfantu-gheorghe-panorama.jpg

https://weradio.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Piata-Centrala-Sfantu-Gheorghe-iulie-2016.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ro/0/0e/Galeriile_de_Art%C4%83.jpg



Sepsi:



https://footballtripper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/stadionul-silviu-ploesteanu.jpg

https://weradio.ro/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Sepsi-OSK-Chiajna-17-februarie-2018-01-1140x660.jpg


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ec/ACS_Sepsi_OSK_Sfantu_Gheorghe_logo.svg/270px-ACS_Sepsi_OSK_Sfantu_Gheorghe_logo.svg.png


The Fans are known as the Székely Légió, or Szekler Legion.

https://sptfm.ro/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/galerie-sepsi-sf-gheorghe.jpg

http://sepsiosk.ro/images/virtuemart/product/szekely%20legio.jpg

JOIN THE LEGION!!!

http://storage0.dms.mpinteractiv.ro/media/1/1/1688/17146741/1/sepsifcsb2.jpg?width=605


http://www.foxsportsasia.com/uploads/sites/4/31224931_1662581430527055_1830934593960673280_n.jpg

https://mediacdn.libertatea.ro/unsafe/810x0/smart/filters:contrast(8):quality(80)/https://static4.libertatea.ro/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sfgh.jpg

Ready?

[thehitcat]

This looks like fun! Love the pics can't wait for you to get the preseason underway.

[Abe Sargent]

This looks like fun! Love the pics can't wait for you to get the preseason underway.

I'm glad you like it! Join the Legion!

[Abe Sargent]

I meet with the Board:

No specific philosophies


My Assist Man:

Sebastian Moga –

His report:



https://image.ibb.co/kgKCzd/Pic_2.png

As you can see, we have some serious weaknesses. We are good in defense and weak in loads of other places, and we also lack things like passing, leadership, teamwork, and such.

This is another reason that Maxi was a good choice for the squad. He brings strengths to these weaknesses

Moga will set up friendlies, and I’ll run them


We are currently 6k/week under our budget of 35k Euros.


Several players were already brought in for the new campaign, including DC Viera.

We have almost no scouts, so I look for some to bring in to the team.

I fire a bad coach

I offer scout roles to a Serbian, Portuguese, Argentinean, and Polish; Spaniard for my Chief Scout


I actually find an AssMan I like a TON more than Mora. I send Mora off on a First Day release and make an offer to:

Goran Saula, 46 year old Serbian, professional AssMan who has been the AssMan of Serbian National team, Vojvodina and others. He’ll be coming here. He’s been out of football for almost 2 years, so he is happy to come to us, and he is taking a below market deal to do so. Goran, a former Serbian international, was a whole lot better that anyone else available who was willing to come work for us.

He has a 4 star defending training, and we’re good to go there.

[Abe Sargent]

Okay, time for a deep dive into looking at muh squad

I ask the board for permission and finances to increases our scouting database to eastern Europe from Romania. They agree.

Squad:



https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/images/stories/2016/08/12/1_Pic/0_Sport/rimniceanu-victor-rimniceanu.jpg


GK Victor Rimniceanu – This is our most valuable player at 600k. 27 years old. Romanian – best stuff is aerial 15, jump 14, and such. 13 reflexes and handling, 12 1:1s, command of area, and kicking. 1 footed and not very good at technique. He’s pretty good for this level. He stated the last two years for Viitorul, and they won the Betano (Liga I) last year.

We have 3 backup GKs, none of which are big deals. My 4th string GK is 27 year old Bogdan Miron, and I might look to move him soon.



Defenders:

http://e1.365dm.com/14/04/800x600/ousmane-viera-diarrassoub-ivory-coast_3126258.jpg?20140417161405

DC Viera, 30 years old, Ivorian, new addition to the team, str of 15; 14, 13, and 12 are the key defensive stats. 16 fitness, and his mental stats are all strong, with stuff like 16 bravery, 14 aggression, composure, 13 at concentration, determination, etc. Poor first touch.

http://aporistvan.ro/images/portfolio/_IONUT%20URSU%20HATVED.jpg


DC Ionut Ursu, 28 year old rotation player, not great, not that fast, savvy, good on the ball, or high jumping, just average at everything. Our coaches thing Ursa is good for the next level down, and poor degermation is a problem.

DC Constantin Dima, 17 years old, came through other youth ranks, youth deal, our coaches love his potential, he’s also got good mental stats such as 12s in determination, work rate, aggression, and such. Physically he’s 13/12/12 on the main D stats, and then 12 jump, 14 fitness, 11 acc, 12 str. On loan from another Bucharest club.

I like Dima and where he might go. I hand him a shortlist.



DR Albert Damau, Spain – 25 years old, rotation player, our coaches don’t like him at all. He’s not suited for this league of play, weak in air. He has two thing we like – speed and mental stuff – determined and such.



DC/DMC Sebastian Ghinga – 30 years, old, rotation, again, he’s a Liga II player, not Liga I, he is a leader on the team. He’s not going to win any awards, but his mentals are strong. But he’s not good elsewhere.

DC/DMC / MC – Marius Burlacu, 31 year old, he has 12s for his DC stats (these are marking, tackling, and heading, btw) , low passing, not good. He has a backup role, and I congree.



https://mediacdn.libertatea.ro/unsafe/1160x600/smart/filters:contrast(8):quality(80)/https://static4.libertatea.ro/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/jureobsivac.jpg

Someone is happy to join Sepsi!!! (Jure!)


DC/DR, DMC, MC Jure Obsivac, Croatia, 27 years old, key player role, stamina and fitness are 16 each, and then 12s in mark, pass, and tack (10 heading), 14 determination, 15 work rate, etc. Our coaches feel that Obsivac’s major issue is finding as role on the pitch and aerial ability. He is good, according to them, at bravery and is considered a physical player



http://www.achorsens.dk/sites/default/files/styles/header_large/public/nyheder/sato.jpg?itok=NvHOV7qy

DL Daisuke Sato, 22 years old, first team, already been capped 32 times by the Philippines, our coaches think that he’s not good for this level of play, but could be. He’s technically good – 11/11 pass/cross, 12 tack, 11 technique, 12 dribbling, etc. His 15/14 speed makes him one of the fastest players we have and he has solid stamina. He has no heading, jumping, strength, and such. His work rate is 15, 14 aggression, 12s in brave, and off the ball (OTB) and 11s in position, decisions, concentration, etc.



DL Florin Dumbrava – Backup role, 22 years old, his technical stats are better than Sato’s by far. 13/12 cross/pass, 13 mark, etc. He’s also my first solid set-piece person with 15 long throws. He’s also a bit savvier than Sato as well. He doesn’t have any 15s or 14s, but he’s at at least 10 almost everywhere. But Florin is not a physically gifted footballer. 9/10 speed, 6 agi, 11 fitness, 13 stamina, 9 jumping, you get the idea.



That’s our defense. I am sure that the ream probably had, in mind for defense, Damau, Sato, Viera and then Obsivac and rotating in Ursa, Dima, Dumbrava or Ghinga in and out. I don’t like that. Only Viera owns his role, and Obsivac marks me more as a DMC than a DC. Neither of these fullbacks have crossing or passing or magic like you want out there. I just don’t see it.

[Abe Sargent]

What about my midfield?


Midfield:


DMC/MC Miloslovan Petrovic, Macedonia, 27 years old, on loan, First Team role, weak technical stats – 11 pass, 12 mark, 14 tack, nothing else of value is in double digits. 14/12 speed, 15/14 fit/stam, and no mental stat, save for leadership, that’s useful for him is below 10. Not bad for this level of play.




https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3yzPfCfT3npU2V7HApATjHDRWoD8k1_mLpggCmB5ONBIw0Z_0

He’s also happy to join Sepsi!


MC Alejandro Rodriguez, Spain, 23 years old, First Team role, our coaches like him for Liga II, not good in the air or first touch, but great in other places. Technique - I like his 13 passing, 12 mark and tackling, and 11 technique, 10 first touch. Mental? I like his 13 decisions, team work, positioning, OTB, and 12 work rate, determination, aggress, anticipation, etc. For physical, he’s 11/9 fast, so yuck. He has nothing special. His highest stat is 13 fitness. I do like that he has some solid physical and technical skills defensively. He can be more of a ball control middle sort of for me.


M/AM RLC Nick Ross, Scotland,25 yeas old, backup, ummm……yuck. Wow is he not good. The best our coaches can say is that he fits in and is versatile on the pitch, playing a lot of positions. Next?



https://images.gsp.ro/usr/thumbs/thumb_924_x_600/2017/08/18/842398-836381-bmb-7028.jpg


M/AM RL – Patrick Petre, First team, 20 years old, on loan, I add him to my shortlist, and such. I don’t like his lack of passing and crossing, but he’s good with other things like speed at 14/14 and 13 technique, 14 flair, determination, and such. He’s interesting.




https://www.zerozero.pt/img/geral/386265_med_.jpg.jpg

Welcome to Sepsi, Felipe!

M/AL RL – Felipe Olivera, Portugal,33 years old, rotation, he is, technically speaking, my best middle ( I think) that I’ve seen thus far). 13/13 cross/pass, 13s in dribbling, first touch, long shots, corners. 12 technique. Just 10/9 speed, 13/13 fitness and stamina, mentally he’s good in places although not aggressive or brave. From 14 work rate and flair down to 8 brave. Not bad. I do like that he’s set piecing it up.



AMC Alexandru Chirita – 20 years old, broke his foot, hot prospect, he’s very, very green, but our coaches like his potential, but he’s the worst of the folks I’ve seen thus far. And he’s injured


https://alchetron.com/cdn/yasin-hamed-0183b5fb-d4cf-40be-8bf7-8eb8309a829-resize-750.jpeg

He’s the best player to come through our youth ranks…

AM RLC Yasin Hamed – 17 years old, hot prospect, he is much better now and looks to be better than Chirita. He’s our best prospect. 12/13 speed, 12 agi, that’s it of note for physical, and then 11 technique and 10s in lots of other places, 12 work rate, 11 determination, flair, 12 brave, and that’s it for mentals. I might give him a few starts or subs here and there, but I’ll look to loan Chirita.




https://alchetron.com/cdn/ibrahima-tandia-46277f2f-5102-4853-9cd7-93730968877-resize-750.jpeg

AM RLC Ibrahima Tandia, 23 years old, Mali, key player. He’s probably our third best player after Viera
and GK Rimniceanu.


Tech – 11/12 cross pass; 13 drib, 12 1st touch and technique; 11 free kick and pks,
Mentals – 14 flair, 11 off the ball, anticip, work rate, 10s in composure and concentration
Physical – 15 in acceleration, 14 in pace, agility, 12 baalne, str, fitness,

So he’s weak mentally but fine elsewhere.

Alright, now….


Attackers:


AMC, ST – Benjamin Kuku, Nigeria, 22 years old, on loan, first team (why?),

Phy – Everything is an 13 or 14 save for jump at 11

Tech – Finishing is 8, 11 dribb is the highest stat, four are at 10.

Mental? 14 work rate, 12 OTB, flair, determination, 11 brave, teamwork, 10 vision, decisions, composure

Yuck. Not a starter.

AM RL , ST – Istvan Fulop 27 years old, on loan, first team, every physical stats is 11 save for 12 speed. Tech – 13 free kick, long shots, 12 cross, dribb, first touch, technique; 11 finish and pass; mentals – 13 OTB, 12 & 11 have eight other stats.

Now Fulop is not a bad option. Better than Kuku


http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/ewcms/uploads/modules/clasamente/players/857-hadnagy-attila.jpg

Yes Sir! I do have the best name in football. I’m…

AM L, ST Attila Hadnagy, 36 years old, captain, rotation rule, 14 pk, 13 tech and head, 12 finish, pass, 11 first touch, dribb; 11/12 speed, 13 jump, 12 fitness, just an 8 stamina; 18 leadership, 15 wok rate, 14 vision, deter, 13 team, concent; 12s everything else save for 8 flair.

Attila is still a monster. I see him starting over Kuku all day long.

Here’s our last first team player:



http://www.tikitakagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sopimuskuva_nettisivut_simonovski.png__1175x725_q85_box-0817281076_crop_detail_subsampling-2.jpg


ST Marko Simonovski, 25 Macedonia, First Team, no physical stat lower than 11 or higher than 13, mentals – 14 brave, concentr, 13 aggress, decisions; 12 flair,otb, 10 vision; 14 heading, 12 PKs, technique, 11 first touch and dribbling10 finish, long, shots.

Not that great really. Why did my predecessor have three strikers with first team roles and another with rotation who’s actually the best? That makes no sense

[Abe Sargent]

DC - Viera, Obsivac
D R, L – Sato, Dalmau

ML – Tandia

MR – Oliviera

MC – Petrovic, Rodriguez

ST - Hadnagy, Fulop


And then look to rotate in players like Simonovski, Hamed, Petre, Ghinga, and such.

We brought in too many loaners that aren’t good. Like Kuku.

I’d rather sign and develop my youth than another’s.

I need savvier players, better set pieces, and more.

Now a 4-4-2 tosses Damau out there, and he ain’t that good.

I name Viera my Vice-Captain

What tactics should I use?

Let’s take a quick look at the rest of Liga I.

4-5-1 – 6

4-2-3-1 – 5 (with 2 DMCs)

4-4-2 - 2

That’s weird.

I am going to be using a 3-5-2. It’s my favorite formation. I use it all day long. And 3-5-2 works very well against various types of 4-5-1, as I have three DCs against your lone striker. I also have doubling the attack power as you, and I match your 5 middies with my 5 middies. It makes sense. You can move the ball out wider more easily, so I run my 3-5-2 with more well-rounded wingers that can play well, but a 3-5-2 should prove very useful in a world of 4-5-1.

4-5-1’s lack offensive creativity. So a 3 DC defense is arguably harder to penetrate than a 2 DC, 2 Fullback set up.

Who am I running in a 3-5-2?

DC - Viera, Obsivac, Ursu

ML – Sato

MR – Oliviera

MC – Petrovic, Rodriguez, Tandia

ST - Hadnagy, Simonovsky

That’s better. I like Sato much better at the ML spot here given how well rounded he is. Tandia moves in to an MC role that I am probably going to break out to more of an AMC one. And then we add in Ursu at DC.

I gave Rodriguez a Deep Lying Playmaker role which suits his skill set. Actually, no I think Petre is better at MR in this set up than Oliviera.

I order around 60 scouting assignments to begin.

I offer to extend three decent youthers I have on my youth team. No wordbreakers or anything out there though.


As you saw above, we don’t have a lot of transfer cash to chase folks.

[Abe Sargent]

What would I want?

A ST who can finish. A DC that’s good for a 3-5-2. An authentic AMC (all of my AMs aren’t good here.) And talent everywhere

I make an enquiry for Petre. I like him enough to develop him. Are Dinamo interested in moving him?


I can see you are making promises for folks now before signing them.

I reach out to:

18 year old Romanian ST Gabriel Dodoi, hot prospect
18 year old Romanian ST Andrei Dumiter, hot prospect
30 year old Bulgarian DC Borislav Stoychev, first team

I hit the continue button for the first time in this dynasty….

Despite the low value of the player, the team wants more than 2.4 mill for Petre. So I cancel it


Two days later, Dumiter arrives. He’s rawer, and more of a hot prospect.

I offer my 3rd string youther Gk for loan, actually I go ahead and do the 2nd one as well. I also loan Chiritia.


I make an offer to MC Mahamane Traoure of Mali, a capped Mali player.

Two days later, Borislav joins us

http://www.beroe.bg/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/borislav_stoychev.jpg



DC Borislav Stoychev – My first major signing. 2.3k/week, first team, Bulgarian:

Technique – 14 mark, heading, 13 tack, 11 first touch, 10 passing, PK, technique

Mentals – 14 work rate, positioning, bravery, 13 aggress, determination, decisions, etc

Phys – 10/10 speed, 15 jump, 16 fitness, 14 str and stamina, 9 agility

He is exactly what I want in an DC in a 3-5-2. Faster than your typical 7/7 guys, powerful in the air to shut down crosses, and good on tackling and marking, keys to not getting scored on. He’s muh guy.

I cancel the loan on DC Lima.

[Abe Sargent]

Ursu is concerned about being replaced but the captain talks to him and he’s fine.

My Spanish scout knows of a nasty potential DC languishing on Sevilla’s C team. We approach.

I make offers so some other youthers. I’ll let you know if they sign.

I still covet ST Dodoi and MC Mahamane.

Youth agreements:

ST Krysten Popiela, Polish, 18 years old, hot prospect.

AM RLC Emil Abaz, Macedonian, 18 years old, hot prospect

Traore joins us!

https://cdn.foot-sur7.fr/545x350/articles/2016/02/Mahamane-Traor%C3%A9.jpg

Hush Now, and join the legion!



A/MC Mahamane Traoré – 28 years old, first team, 3.7k/week, 30 caps

Physical – 14 agility, 13 pace, accel, 12 balance, stam, 10 fitness

Tech – 14 1st touch, dribb; 13 passing, technique; 12 tack, long shots, cross, 11 corners, long throws, marking, PK

Mental – 15 flair; 13 vision, 12 work rate, team, determinnation, composure; 11 OTB, anticip, 10 decisions, concentration


What’s not to like for this level? He’ll start for loanee Petrovic in the center, and I cancel his loan and send him back. I even have another Mali player, so they can connect and such.

[Abe Sargent]

I meet with my squad. We’re going to do well, and avoid relegation!

A day later, we got him:


https://i2.wp.com/kvsc.taccs.hu/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2018/02/dodoi.jpg


ST Gabriel Sodoi – Romanian, on the U19 squad nationally and was known to new manager Maxi, he is pretty good as a future star. Hot prospect. 550/k week, three year deal.

Phys – 13 pace, balance, 12 agility, accel, stamina, 11 jump, 10 str, fitness

Tech – 12 finish, 11 heading, PK, 10 first touch, technique, dribbling, passing

Mental – 13 off the ball, 12 work rate, determ, 11 flair, composure, decisions, aggression, 10 bravey


I hook up Sodoi and our captain ST Attila.


He’s a good prospect for us. I cancel Kuku’s loan.

I convince my board to get more coaches, but I fail to convince them to do a Trial Day.

I hire a Romanian Coach who’s good at teaching shooting. He signs and will give us 3.5 star training there.

[Abe Sargent]

My Seven Goals for Sepsi:


1. Create a powerful U19 squad. At the beginning of this game, we didn’t have a youth squad, just three players of note and value. Youth are the lifeblood of any team. I need to go out and sign out and jumpstart a new squad.
2. To do well enough this year to not get relegated.
3. Ideally, to do well enough this year to have a winning record.
4. Next year, to move Sepsi up to the Top 6, to qualify for the Romanian Champions Playoffs.
5. In following years to increase Sepsi’s chances to make it out of Romania
6. To turn Sepsi into an Eastern European Powerhouse like Dynamo Kiev, Sparta Prague, and such
7. So secure financial footing to cement Sepsi into that role after I leave, so that Sepsi will not fade but will remain strong.

In training, Petre is lightly injured for a week.


I make an offer to transfer in Petre. He works well, he’s young, he can develop more, and he has a minimum release clause of 40k. I go to my board and the agree to make an offer for Petre.


I link up my two Gks for tutoring.



We sign Petre officially for 2.5k/week first team deal for three years

Uh oh. Romania just dropped their 2nd Champion slot!

[Abe Sargent]

We sign Petre officially for 2.5k/week first team deal for three years

We get the season expectations. For, Steer Clear of Relegation, I am offered:


Transfer Budget – 650k
Salary – 48500k

That ain’t bad. Especially if I like where my squad is at

I go to my board and ask for upgrades to training and youth facilities. They say yes to training, but not to youth. I let it slip, and a day later they announce they are expanding both.


With my cash flush situation, anyone I want to look at now I can sign folks on contracts?

I hand out about 10 trials to unsigned youth from outside of my scouting radius, like South America and Africa.

I make a few offers for depth for my U19 squad.

I sign

ML Gianmarco Grimaldi, Italy
AM RL< ST Gabriel Morbeck, Brazil
M/AM C Aron Dobos, Hungary
ST Edi Koff, Croatia
D/M R Viveros, Brazil
MC Jean Patric, Brazil (France)
MR Jones Asare, Ghana
AM/M RC Morlaye Sylla, Guinea

I’ll let you know if they ever matter


Our first friendly arrives, and we are hosting it vs Dacia. I won’t go into too many details. It’s a friendly after all. 1-1 tie.


I secure a feeder club with my board.

I sign a Russian young player who looks good for 75k. Kirill Kolenchenko. He will join us in January.


June 27 arrives and with it the home friendly vs Slavia Prague. We lose 3-1. (Sato scored)

Yasin Hamed is injured for a week from an injury from the game.

Due to club protests the 2022 World Cup is moved to Australia

We have the highest odds for relegation

[Abe Sargent]

Welcome to July!

July


1 July – Friendly vs Zrinjski
7 July – Friendly vs Austria Wien
17 July – Away vs Voluntari, Liga I
22 July – Home vs Botonsani
28 July – Away vs Viitorul
I am given the potential 4 clubs the board narrowed it to:

Sacele – Romania Liga IV
Rasnov – Romania Liga IV
Papuati = Romania Liga IV
Ozun – Romania Liga IV

Hmmmm


My choice would be Rasnov. It’s the only one that’s not a amateur club

The board agrees and Rasnov is our new affiliate

The transfer window rises

I transfer list DL Florin Dumbrava.

Friendly? We win 1-0 (score by Tandia).

[Abe Sargent]

We’ve sold a mighty 500 season tix and expect another 100 ish.


Final Friendly? We lose 2-1. (Traore to Simonovski for the score) I was hoping to strengthen them for higher level play. We’ll see if that worked.

This year is likely to be the first year in the history of our club that it’s going to have a losing season!


Their record each year:

(I can’t easily find results anywhere in English for years 1 and 3, in real life they would finish 5-4-17 for this first year in Liga I, I’m confident we’ll do better with our influx of talent. My guess is we’ll be around 7-7-10 and finish with 31 points over their 19 points. That would be enough to get you to 9 from 12.)

2012 –
2013 – 22-4-4
2014 -
2015 – 14-4-4
2016 – 22-2-2
2017 – 21-8-5






Let’s move off from the pre-season, and kick this thang off!

By the way, like most of this region of the Carpathian mountains, St. George is, considerably, more Hungarian than Romanian. It was founded in the early 1300s, used to be Hungarian, and still have more than 70% Hungarian folk living here.


I linkup Traore and Aron Dobos.

[Abe Sargent]

Game #1 – Voluntari – We aren’t expecting loads of wins this year. So starting off with one would be awesome. We are in counter for my base strategy this year, and we’ll begin that way today as well. In the first 25 minutes, we both exchange solid chances. Then off a wonderful move where six players pass the ball back and forth quickly, Hadnagy finds Simonsvski for a score in the 38th minute. They get a yellow, then another. Half. Don’t get complacent. Sato injures their winger in the 55th and he heads off. The second half, thus far, is all Voluntari. We had even shots early, and now they are 12 total to our 5. I pull Tandia for Hamed. I send in Ursu for Rodriguez and swap him and the DC Jure. I want some fresh legs. They score in the 73rd, but it’s offsides. Burlacu for Traore. A third yellow for our foes follows. Obsivac gest a yellow in extra time and….we win 1-0. We had 8 shots to their 22. We’ll take it. DC Viera was MOM. That was great lads!


Because we need a powerful youth squad, anytime someone is coming to me and saying, “Hey I’m unsigned and would love to play for you” if they are young enough, I have been offering them Trials.


I make an offer to retain:

MR Andre Franco, Portugal


Florin Dumbrava is injured for a few weeks,

[Abe Sargent]

Game #2 – Home vs Botosani. It’s downpouring rain, by the way. They score in the 6th minute. Uh oh. But we crawl back. Sato hits goal in the 15th minute. Assist by Tandia. Then they score again in the 26th, and it’s 2-1 them at the half. I send in Dodoi, who scores in the 54th minute off a Attila assist,. In goes Ursu. They grab a goal in the 78th, and we can hit again, and we lose 3-2.


Today, we were out played. We had 18 shots to their 11, and such. So, you win and lose in the same way. Still, two games in and we have 3 points. I can’t fault the results thus far.


Chiritu is aback from his broken foot. I have placed him on loan

I sign, for my youth squad:

Gk Vittorio Antonio, Italy
M RLC Hanson Boakai, Canada
D RLC, DMC Petr Rys, Czech Republic
MR Sergey Boglaevskiy (15 years old), Russia/Romania
DC Martin Kubik, Czech, 15 years old
M RLC Kick de Geode, Dutch



Game #3 – Viitorul is the current champion, so this is a dangerous game. Away at the previous champ. This spells woodshed time for Sepsi. We have a boring 0-0 first half. Although they are getting frustrated and card. At the 55 mark I send in Ursu for Tandia and pull that position to a DMC one to help with defense. At the 65 minute mark they have had 22 shots to our 7. At some point in time, they are going to crack our goal. Oliveira for Sato. They score in the 73rd. I send in my best corner, loanee Fulop. Maybe we can magically produce one on set pieces. Nope. We lose 1-0. Close. So close….


4 of my staff aer working on various coaching licenses, by the way

[Izulde]

I sign, for my youth squad:

M RLC Kick de Geode, Dutch



Best.Soccername.Ever.

[Abe Sargent]

August


6th – Home vs Astra Giurgiu
11th – Home vs Medias
19th - Away vs Dinamo Bucharest
26th – Away vs IASI


We loved the training that Sato did this month

MC Rodriguez is injured and out for a few days He’ll miss the Astra Giurgiu match.

WHOA!

I just found a youther DC who’s pretty solid. One of the issues I’ve been having defensively is that while one of my best DCs by talent is not bad, he’s just not a DC, and that’s Jure. He’s not good aerially or stuff, but he’s not bad, he’s just playing in the wrong place on the pitch. I found a 16 year old Slovakian youth player who’s really, really strong, and I just made him an offer to come join us.



Game 4 – Astra Giurgiu. I am starting Ursu and moving Jure to Rodriguez’s middie position. I drop him to DMC Ball winning playmaker with support role, where he is best. In the 16th minute we score a nice goal. Sato takes a nice long shot, deflects off the keeper after he makes a great diving save to defect it, and then Simonsvski sinks it. Then they score one back in the 27th. Yuck. It’s even at the half. You can still win this! I pull out a disappointing Attilla Hadnagy for Istvan Fulop. Then in the 65th minute I pull an underwhelming Stoychev for Marius Burlacu. A goal of thiers is called off sides in the 72nd minute. Simonsvski is banged up, and I send in Gabriel Dodoi in the 81st minute. Then in the 87th minute, it happens. We score. Traore feeds a nasty ball to Fulop on an attacking run, Fulop is double marked, and he finds Dodoi. Dodoi is marked as well, and unselfishly heads the ball to an unmarked Tandia instead of trying it himself. Tandia finishes. 5 minutes of injury time ebb off the clock. Jure with a yellow We win 2-1. MOM is Patrick Petre.

Marko tore his shin and is out for a week. He’ll miss the Medias game

[Abe Sargent]

Best.Soccername.Ever.

I know! How could I now sign him?


Also we had someone in our league who's name is Helio Baptista, but because the font makes "i" and "l" look very similar, it looks like his name is Hello Baptista. It's like his name is a sentence, and I shout out Hello Baptista every time I see him name.


https://image.ibb.co/fXhk5J/pic_4.png

[Poli]

I really want to get back into FM, but Eastwood folded. I'm not sure who I'd play with now!

[Abe Sargent]

I really want to get back into FM, but Eastwood folded. I'm not sure who I'd play with now!

You could hit random team!

[thehitcat]

Good start! 6 points out of your first 4 games is excellent. Would love to see a screen shot of your young Slovakian DC find as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Good start! 6 points out of your first 4 games is excellent. Would love to see a screen shot of your young Slovakian DC find as well.

Sure thing! As soon as I lock him down....


Hey if you told me we’d be at 6 points in four games, I would have taken it too.


In champions play, one of our teams took out CSKA Moscow in quals. Another lost to Plzen. Now our remaining club has to face Dinamo Kiev to get to the Group Stage.

My board refuse to increase our scouting range.

Initially I was seeing Sepsi as this great beacon of Eastern European folks, but many of them aren’t EU, like Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Macedonia, etc. So it’s been weird to make these scouting things.


I think Africa is the key to unlock success. Most sub-Saharan nations count as Contonou signees, and thus are EU for our purposes. I want to great that next great Nigerian footballer or South African hope. Plus, I won’t need the same potential to succeed as someone like AS Monaco or Celta would need for their leagues.

YES!

I got him. Jakub joins us.

Now, I couldn’t get him for a hot prospect deal, we had to sign him to First Team 2.5k, but you’ll see in a moment that was okay. Oh, and I had to spend some cash to the lower division team that had him on a youth deal to sign him off them directly.

https://image.ibb.co/i2474d/pic_3.png

I’ll try to give you a screenshot of any new-gen characters come across. He comes in already smashing people (he has a youth contract until later in August when he is 17 and signs his full time deal). He is, already, my best DC. His defensive stats are strong at 13/14/15. Sure, I’d like a better passing, but I’m okay with that. His jump is okay at 13, I’d like more like 14-15 or more here, but that’s fine. 12/11 speed is good for DC. Stamina? Strength? He’s fine. And he’s got a powerful bravery, as ell as good teamwork, work rate, determination, decisions, and positioning. Normally someone develops their mentals later, but he’s already good. Shoot, he might be a wonderkid that was available for cheap, although I suspect a bigger club would have grabbed him. I suspect he might be more of an “early bloomer” who’s almost as good as he’ll get, given our scout reports. But he ain’t bad, and I’ll look to move him into my rotation soon.

[thehitcat]

For 16 Jakub is stellar. And while he might be that early bloomer he looks good enough now and with a little improvement potentially for a long time in Sepsi's back line.

The Legion welcomes him along with all the other newcomers!

[Abe Sargent]

Speaking of which, now that I have him here, I want to talk about three disappointments on my team thus far:

AMC – Tandia – He scored and had an assist, but he has not looked the part. I would be willing to try it out a little longer, but…..

I am puling Tandia’s AMC spot. I don’t have a good AMC. I have good AMR and AML, but not AMCs.

Instead I am moving the AMC role to DMC, where I have a ton of talent.

DC Stoychev – He had a 6.30 rating last game, and has been the lowest rated of my DCs, and often of my entire team, in every game and friendly he has started. Urzu has been fine, so I am moving Urzu into the starting role for a bit. And then I’ll slide Jure to DMC. Expect me to give Jakub a start for the Medias game, so I can give him some match play, before moving him for the tougher away games vs heavies in the Liga I.

ST Attila Hadnagy – Sad face.

[Abe Sargent]

For 16 Jakub is stellar. And while he might be that early bloomer he looks good enough now and with a little improvement potentially for a long time in Sepsi's back line.

The Legion welcomes him along with all the other newcomers!

Awesome! I like him too, he th'e first signing that feels like it to could push us, you now?

[Abe Sargent]

Game #5 – Medias – I am starting back Rodriguez, Sato is benched for Felipe Oliviera, and new signee is out here as well as Urzu and not Tandia. Medias is 13th right now in the league. Sodoi is getting his first start for an injured Simonsvski.

HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP.

I’m playing against my Rondon!



Mario Rondon was my starting striker over at Nacional da Madeira when I took over, and he was, again, one of my older, strong strikers that I find I can unlock well after arriving, and he was muh guy. I didn’t realize that, in real life, he came to Romania! In fact he had the most goals in a season for me for all of European top flights for Portugal’s top flight.


http://e2.365dm.com/14/10/16-9/20/mario-rondon-venezuela_3216638.jpg?20141014134642

Here's my old dynasty if you want to check out just how awesome Rondon was for me:

https://forums.operationsports.com/fofc//showthread.php?t=88678


After retirement, he joined my staff, worked his way up to AssMan, and then took over the team after I retired. RONDON!!!!

I am going to do everything to beat you. And then I’ll apologize afterward. I know how to stop you. I move to tackle hard, keep possession, and countering. We are going to punch Rondon in the face. Metaphorically (I hope).


Back to our normal match already underway, and Petre is knocked in the 8th minute. I decide to pull him for Tandia. It’s raining heavily. We injure two of their non-Rondon players. They collect a yellow. Half, 0-0. We have 3 shots, 2 on target, they have 3 and 0. We have 9 fouls to their 5. Beat RONDON!!!! I pull Rodriguez for Nick Ross, to see what he can do. In the 67th, Hadnagy has a perfect shot he can’t keep on target. Traore intercepts a pass dangerously, feeds Hadnagy in the box, misses. We have to get shots on target to score. I pull Hadnagy for Fulop. Game. 0-0 tie. Unlucky!



Our injury wasn’t enough to stop Petre from coming back next game. Hadnagy comes to me for a new deal. He’s on 150/week and I extend Hadnagy’s deal by a year with just a backup role for 1k/week and he accepts.

[Abe Sargent]

Morbeck arrives today on the 20th. He’s a Brazilian & Sao Tome player we signed. I give him a jersey.


Game #6 – Away vs Dinamo – This is a rough game, Dinanmo is usually one of the best teams in the league. I get my folks ready to rock. I have Stoychev back and most of my normal folks are rocking the block. Let’s just say we are not exactly favored here. They score in the 5th minute off a DFk. Yuck. Don’t want to give up set piece goals to Dinamo. We stabilize and things slow down. In the 31st, Simovsky hits Attila Hadnagy for a goal to claw us back to even. We injure one of their players and they head out. Hadnagy collects a yellow before the half and it’s all knotted 1-1 at the half. At the half, stats are even matched – 51% possession for them, 6 shots, 4 on goal for us to their 6 and 3. Keep it up! I pull us off nasty tackling. I pull an underperforming Stoychev for Jakub Palenik. Ross in for Rod. They have a strong offensive push in the 70s. We hold and they got a yellow. Then it happens. On a counter, Ross finds Simonsvski for a goal in the 84th minute. I pull to defend. I send in Dodoi for Hadnagy. Here comes Dinamo. We win 2-1! Great comeback!

In a win, Stoychev was 6.4. It’s time to rethink Stoyvchev.

I have sent folks out on loan,, inc some GKs.

For anyone I have loaned out from a non EU place, such as Brazil, I kept them in Romania to speed up their Romaniazation.

Hadnagy has begun studying for his coaching license.

[Abe Sargent]

Game #7 – Away vs Iasi - I move Palenik to start for Stoychev. I give Ross a start over Rodriguez. It’s been all us in the first 15 minutes, but no scores to show for it. It looks like a boring first half, but they slip in and score in extra time, 0-1 them at the half. Show me something else! Petre hits Simonsvski for goal in the 50th and we have tied it. Alright then lads, keep it up! Iasi is coming at us hard. I send in Burlacu for Jure Ob at DMC. Before that happens, they score. In goes Fulop for hopefully a set piece goal or something, cause we have only had one shot this half. In a minute he gets a yellow card. In the 87th, Fulop finds Simonsvski, who puts it away. I pull back to defend. Hard. Here comes five minutes of fun injury time to watch Iasi try to get that 3rd goal and…………………………………….. that’s it. 2-2 draw. MOM is Simonsvski. Nicely done to come back and draw!


On the 31st, I spend it getting folks loaned out. I also loan out Florin Dombrova who was on my transfer list. I have handed out 13 folks, which shows the strengthening of my youth squad!

[Abe Sargent]

September


Sept 9th – Away vs Cluj
Sept 17th – Home vs FCSB
Sept 23rd – Home vs Craiova
Sept 30th – Away vs Concordia

The two biggest teams to open things up, and the current #1 team to follow. This might be the toughest slate of games on the schedule. This is not going to be easy. Good training reports on Petre, ,Dodoi and Traore.




Game #8 – I start Tandia at ML tonight. Sato is very tired from international play. They score in the 12th from a rebounded shot off the crossbar. Viera booked. We calm things down and things move to a boring push and pull for the half. Unlucky! They notch another goal in the 51st. 76 seconds later another score arrives. Tandia hits Simonovski for goal in the 58th. Jakub Palenik for a 5.9 Stoychev. Burlacu in next. Palenik a yellow card. They score in the 77th. I pull Viera. No sense keeping in someone with a card. We lose 4-1. Im not happy with that!

At some point in time, you knew we were going to get shell shocked, and it just happened. To be fair, we were not dominated in terms of stats. They had 14 shots to our 12. We had 52% possession. They just scored.

[Abe Sargent]

I am moving Stoychev to rotation. Jakob is permanently moving in front of him, not Ursu.


So the book on Jakob Palenik from my coaches is that “he lacks composure and he can be hot on the pitch…” That’s probably code for some hidden stats. However he “steps up to the competition” which may also key into a hidden stat. Stoychev? “Enjoys big matches” and “is a consistent performer”. Nothing in there to key in to what it happening. He should be working.

Our U19 squad is just dominating all other Romanian youth squads. We just crushed one 7-2, and then 4-2, 3-0, 4-1, etc. We haven’t lost a game.


Game #9 – We host the team that dropped CSKA Moscow from the Champions Cup and took Dynamo Kiev to away goal tie before losing. Sato is rested and ready. Alright, let’s get this thang moving. They score quickly in the 2nd minute, but we push back hard and in a few minutes later, Jure slides the ball to Simonovski for a tying goal in the 9th. Alright. We push back and then are pushed back. In the 41st, they score again, and we go down 1-2 at the half. You gotta show me something else! They do! I sub in Tandia at ML for a struggling Petre, and then In the 58th minute, Hadnagy hits Traore for a nice breakaway goal that slides away from the defenders. Now it’s all tied up! In send in Stoychev and Dodoi replaces an injured Hadnagy. In the 89th, they score again, off a long shot blasted into the upper corner of our goal. Uh oh. I push forward. 4 extra minutes tick off…..one, two, three. At 93:06, Tandia finds Sato on the other side for a lethal attack run across all of their defenders that are marking our attacks, and Sato slips in a tying goal. We tie 3-3. MOM is Traore.

WHEW! That was a good game. I wish we got 3 points, but I’ll take 1 point against FCSB.

We have given away too many goals early.

I offered trials to 9 people who came to me this week about being unsigned.

Game #10 – Going into today’s match, we are tied with another team for 12 points and at 7th on the table. Craiova is here. Today I am starting Dodoi at ST for Hadnagy and Felipe Oliviera at MR for Petre. Craiova have won 6 matches in a row and are currently 1st. The plaudits are already coming out. The manager for Craiova was very very warm for Sepsi’s new manager for his early success. I start defending and then will open up later. They push hard against us in the first 8 minutes or so. No score, and then I send us to counter around the 18 minute mark. They score in the 33rd. We hold. Half. Oliviera has been playing lousy, so I send in Tandia for him to push our foes. They come hard, but we hold them off. In goes Burlacu and Fulop, but we aren’t scoring. Game. The stats were worse than the 1-0 scoreline, they had like 25 shots to our 7, for example.

[Abe Sargent]

I would have hoped to have gotten more than 1 point against that nasty gauntlet of teams, but we did well in games 2 and 3 of that, so we’ll be fine, I hope.

Our youth squad won 4-0 though, so hey!

Training injury by Fulop. He’ll be out for a week.

Game #11 – We face Concordia today. Concordia won a few match and are on a high note and are now sitting at 3rd. I have Hadnagy and Petre back in lights. We have an early push and Simonovski hits goal in the 3rd minute. , but then things calm down for 30 minutes. In the 38th Somonovski again hits the net for another score and then they gather one back and we are up 2-1 t the half. After, we injure one of their players and they have to come out. They get two cards. They score in the 49th, and its 2-2 tie. Petre leaps on a loose ball and scores in the 56th. On the 67th, they penalize us, and Hadnagy sinks the PK. I sub in defenders expecting Concordia is going to come after us, so I move back and prepare. They get a 3rd, and then a 4th yellow card. I move to tackle hard. We have no cards, and maybe I can get them hot. Tandia in for Sato after he gets a yellow. Game, we win 4-2. That was our first definitive win, a strong 4-2 game we dominated from beginning to end.

Tandia was injured a bit. He was knocked around a bit after sending him in. He’s out for 10 days to two weeks with a badly gashed stomach.

[Abe Sargent]

October


14 Oct – Home vs Timisoara
21 Oct -Home vs Voluntari
25 Oct – Home vs Juventus
28 Oct – Away vs Botosani

Daisuke Sato can now get forward better and more reliably after learning that in training.

Good training notes? Sato, Petre, and Dodoi.

Traore’s goal against FCSB was the Goal of the Month for the Liga.


Game #12 – We face Timisoara today. Our youth club has continued dominance. They won 6-1 earlier today. The rain is driving today, as is Sato towards goal and we score in the 21st minute after the initial and expected push by each team. Traore found Hadnagy on an attack run and he slid it to Sato for the for the goal. For the rest of the half, Timisoara only have one shot from a corner kick and we push ahead strongly. Half. 1-0 us. Don’t get complacent lads. I send in Stoychev for Palenik. Simonovski hits Hadnagy for goal in the 69th. They played back and forth music for a bit before sinking the note. Dalmau in for Ursu. Ross for a tired Sato. They get two yellows late in the 80s, clearly frustrated. We win 2-0. MOM is Traore.

Two victories with two goal differential in back to back games? Hello Romania!

[thehitcat]

18 points in 12 games. Really playing well in the last 4 or so with 7 points to show for it. All that and the last win was at home. The Legion rejoices!

[Abe Sargent]

18 points in 12 games. Really playing well in the last 4 or so with 7 points to show for it. All that and the last win was at home. The Legion rejoices!

And the Abe is happy to boot!

One of the things I am enjoying about FM18 a lot (and it might have been added in FM17, the last I played was a few dynasties in FM16) are the social media Twitter-ish responses to the various news items. I love it. I love seeing the reaction - "Why did we sign Jakub Palenik from abroad instead of one of our own?" Stuff like that is awesome.

[Abe Sargent]

Our coaches are raving about Dodoi’s improvements under Hadnagy’s tutelage, and with the good training and game play he is getting.

It feels weird that my youth squad just won a game 1-0. It’s like they were replaced with changelings or something.

My best signing so far has probably been Traore. He has been running that midfield. After Marko Simonovski, who, in my opinion, came out of nowhere, he is my most in-form player with a 7.23 rating. Marko has 9 goals and 2 assists in 11 gams and has been my primary goal-maker. And if you had told me that a guy with 10 finishing was going to be my lead striker…?



Game #13 – Home vs Voluntari. Tandia’s injury keeps him from playing. His injury is done, but he’s in the low 80s in condition, so I wanted to keep him away from playing. After this game, we will have played each team once in the Basano. I will start Burlacu today for Palenik. I don’t trust Stoychecv right now. Their stud player is out for a month with a damage knee, so he is not playing today. Early in the game, DMC Jure intercepts the ball, finds Sato deep on the flank, and Sato crosses to Simonovski for goal. Here comes Voluntari. They push, and we hold for the half, but they finish ahead of us statistically. Don’t get complacent! This is a team with the same number of points this year as us on the league table. Ursu with a card in the 55th. They score an equalizer in the 59th. Simonovski lofted an amazing ball to Hadnagy with a one:one shot with the keeper and he just love tapped it over. That was a killer ball. I send in Dodai for Hadnagy and Stoychev for Marius Burlacu. We have three more strong attack s leading to nice shots on goal, nothing. Palenik for Viera. He’s been my worst defender today. There it is!!! 89:49 mark, on a corner, Traore hits Ursu ‘s head for goal. 4 minutes of stoppage time added and…………..We hold and win 2-1. Great jorb lads!

[Abe Sargent]

Liga:

1. Craiova, 32 points
2. Cruj, 25
3. Botosani, 23
4. Concordia, 22
5. Us, Sepsi, 21
6. Dinamo, 20

That three game winning streak took us from 10th to 5th.

I think we’ll return to the ground soon, but other than against Cluj, I haven’t felt the talent difference between top and bottom here like I have with other teams. We have been pretty solid, not losing by much, and not winning by much either.

I am shocked at how well Simonovski is playing and how poorly Stoychev has done thus far. Simonovski now has 10 goals. He is tied with the league lead.


Game #14, Cup – Tandia is back for today’s away match against Medias. This is a Romanian Cup match that was added to our schedule. I give Ghinga a start for today’s match at DC along with Viera and Urzu. This is not a game that should match equals. We are on a 3 game winning streak, they on a 5 game losing streak. They are currently the 14th team in the league, and, well, we aren’t. So we should be able to make this one work. We know how that goes in footy though, right? Rain is cascading in droves across the stadium. It’s not a nice warm rain, but a cold one that’s the sign of winter. We are playing in their place, and the first 25 minutes melt as very little happens. At the 30:35 mark, Sate dribbles, is free of a defender, crosses to Simonovski who heads it in, but their GK jump and stops it, it lands at Hadnagy’s feet, and he puts it away. Goal. Medias….isn’t coming forward. I was expecting it. But nope. Half. I think they are playing defensive to my counter. At the half, I have 8 shots and 3 on target to their 5 and 1. Guard against complacency. They claw one back in the 47th. I send in Jakub and Ross. Tandia next. They are really having a second half awakening. I am doing everything I can to keep them out of goal again. And there it is. Mario Rondon scores in the 83rd. DAMMIT RONDON!!! Do we have another late goal magic going for us? ATTACK THAT GOAL. Nope. We lose 1-2. I’m not happy with losing to the lowest team in the league, even in a Cup match.

I sign off trials 18 year old DM/MC Noa Benniniga, Dutch. Our scouts said (he could be a little better than our best middie, Traore). I send him to muh U19 squad to continue to blow people out.

After losing to Botosano in the Cup, FCSB fired their manager. My AssMan has finished his Romanian language course.

Game #15 – Away vs Botosano is next. (The Juve match was pushed back due to Euro play). I give Ross a start for Rodroguez and Jakub is back in the lineup. Vengeance! Meh. I’m not going to bother with the play by play for this incredibly boring 0-0 game. I’ll take the point and move on. There was a 5-4 match elsewhere in Bosano. But nope, we have to yawn our way through a tie.

[Abe Sargent]

November

Nov 4 – Away vs Astra
Nov 8 – Home vs Juvenus
Nov 18 – Home vs Viitorul
Nov 25 – Home vs Dinamo

Two of the tough teams and last year’s division winner, as well as the current #7 (Astra). No easy games this month sav for Juventus, the recent promotion candidate along with us last year! Although we’d likely just lose them anyway…

Dodoi had a great training report from last month.


Game #16 – Astra time. Rodriguez and Stoychev start. They get a goal in the 9th minute, then we claw one back in the 16th. Simonovski is set up by Hadnagy. Then they score back in the 17th. And then….nothing Half. We are down 1-2. Show me something else. They have two yellows already in the first half. I try some stuff to disrupt their rhythm, get us back into the game. I pull Stoychev. Stoychev is my Lucy. I pull Rodriguez.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAA. That was an amazing strike by Traore. Best goal anyone sunk this year so far. Long, strong, proud, in the 77th minute, and brings us back to even. I suspect Astra is about to send it. Here it comes! They come, we had an amazing break option but Hadnagy couldn’t finish it off. Ghinga has a horrible back pass to the GKm, lazy, that is intercepted and on target, but our GK stops it. I send in Jakub Palenik right now for him. That was stupid. Another wasted counter in the 86th that was set up by Simonovski. 4 minutes added. We survive with a 2-2 tie. Not bad.

[Abe Sargent]

I hand out some rests to key players. But Hadnagy is too tired. I move Istvan Fulop to the starting spot for the next game.

Game #17 – Juventus is here. Sato and Palenik are out on international duty. I start Oliveira and Dalmau. We have things under control, so at the 15th, I move to control. We have a goal called offsides in the 21st by Rodriguez. A goal by Simonovski in the 33rd is called off as well. And then we can’t score. Half. Get out there! We can’t score. We can’t; score. We can’t score. 0-0 tie. Oliviera was injured and we had to pull him out.

He’s out for 4-5 weeks with a hamstring injury

Everyone is saying that the offisdes goal for Simonovski wasn’t, by the by. It was a bad call.

Our U19 team….tied…2-2. Weird.

Tandia is not happy about the lack of play, and I agree. I have moved him from key player to first team but I am playing him as a rotation player. I’ll give him some starts for Rodriguez.

On the other hand, Borislav Stoyvhev. wants to talk, and we do, and I tell him, in no uncertain terms, that the last time I gave him some starts he wasn’t good. Because he wasn’t good. I get four other players in my office upset at not letting him play. We did! I gave him 7 starts and 3 subs. In that time he is my worst DC with 6.52 rating. Meanwhile Viera is 6.74, Jakub Palenik 6.67, Urzu is 6.81 and even Jure was 6.70 in his four games there to start the season. HE HASN’T EARNED IT. Knock it off.

[Abe Sargent]

Game #18 – Viitorul is here, and with it a chance to knock this crap off. We have been underperforming for a long amount of time, so I want to grab a win before the next two tougher games. Revenge! In the 13th minute, Ursu is set off for a red card. Ouch. One goal. Two goals. Three goals. Half. Ouch. Well I sent in Stoychev, so there you are. Four goals. Yellow to Jure. We lose 4-0. And of course the media will likely blame it on Stoychev or something.

Most of my team is happy with Stoychev’s treatment – Palenik, Viera, Hadnagy, etc. He went to the press of course, and I said, in no uncertain terms, that he’s not getting first team play, and that’s that.

Much of our competition has not been doing well, and we are still 6th going into this next match


Game #19 – Dinamo Time! It’s a quiet ten minutes, and then everything explodes and goals rain down. Rodriguez hits Simonovski for goal to get started at the 12th minute, and then they score, and then again by the 21st minute. Finally, Rodriguez hits hay and scores off an IFK. And then…….nothing. No goals, no push, nothing. 2-2 tie, MOM is Rodriguez.

Again, a failed opportunity.

We are now in a 6-game winless streak.

[Abe Sargent]

December

Dec 2 – Away vs Medias
Dec 11 – Home vs Iasi
Dec 16 – Home vs Cluj


Traore’s goal was 2nd in the month for the league and we had good training by Petre.


Game #20 – Medias arrives. Ursu is back in the lineup. Can we beat Rondon? Palenik with an early yellow. We injure one of their players around the 19th. We injure one of their players. Then they score an OG for us after trying to head away a cross. 1-0 us at the half. I send out Palenik as he can sometimes get hot, and then I send out Stoychev, and then Dodoi for a tired Hadnagy and Jure Obv is pulled after he gets another yellow. We hold and win 1-0. I will take any win right now, even that mess.

[Abe Sargent]

Traore was injured for a few days, he’ll still play against Iasi. Jure is banned for next match for having too many yellows.

I extend GK Rimnicenu for a year and raise his salary to 3k.


Game #21 – Iasi – I start Burlacu at DMC. I give Fulop the start at ST for Hadnagy. Viera with an early card. I will pull him first. Tons of time just evaporated. Patrick Petre with a goal in extra time before the half. Cards by Burlacu as well, so I send in Rodriguez at DMC and Stoychev at DC. Then eventually Dodoi, but nothing. We hold and win 1-0, and Petre is MOM.


We’ll be heading to Turkey for January Training Camp.


Game #22 – We finish the year with the Cluj match, the only game where we just weren’t in it at all this season. Right now we have climbed to #4 after those two wins. I am starting Jure again at DMC. Rodriguez and Hadnagy are back as well, as I want my normal Best 11 out there. Revenge! We have the benefit of playing in St. George. I still begin my counter strategy for this year though. We get pressure early, and then a few counters, then more pressure. Then it’s the half, 0-0. Vengeance is still on the cards folks! They get a break away score in the 55th after a set piece from us failed. Four minutes later, they score again. I send in Ross, Stoychev, they score in the 78th, Sato to Hadnagy for a goal in the 83rd. Ross is injured, in heads Tandia. We lose 3-1. They didn’t dominate us. 12 shots each, we had 6 on target to their 5. They had 52% possession, 5 fouls to our 8, etc.

[Abe Sargent]

Ross pulled his hammy and is out for 10 days or so.

Oh, and by the way, with 21 games in, we are having a winning season:

8 wins
7 ties
6 defeats


Here’s the table:


https://image.ibb.co/kPJsN8/pic_5.png



As you can see, we are currently in 5th place with 5 games left before the league divides into playoffs. We finish with a five game streak that includes four away games, and games vs FCSB, Craiova, Timisoara, Concordia and Juventus. The top 6 teams play each other, and the bottom 8 play each other. We’re about to see how that works in real life for one of these sides!

[Abe Sargent]

Is there anyone on my team who I like to retain? Here are the folks with deals expiring in July, 2018

Tandia
Viera
Ross
Backup GK Beja Fejer
Ghinga
Burlacu

Ghinga is 30, Viera is 31, Fejer is 22, Burlacu is 32, and Ross 26. I am comfortable losing Ross, Fejer, Ghinga, and Burlacu without question.

I make an offer to extend Viera by one year.

I offer Tandia a squad rotation deal.

We have entered our midseason break

I plead with the board for more coaching, and after not letting them say “no” they eventually relent. I can hire another coach.

As of right now, we have low coaching for attacking, ball control, as well as just one fitness coach splitting those training sessions.


I hire Austrian fitness coach Wolfgang Striebel for 2 years. He’ll allow us to divide the aerobic and strength coaching into two sections. He has a 4 star rating in aerobic, and is just the third person at the club for offer at least a 4 star rating training (Dr. Maxi Surubaru is 4.5 stars in tactics)

Viera extends his contract.

Tandia also agrees to a squad rotation extension as well, and appears to have our previous differences behind him. His deal finishes in 2020, and extended his contract by two years.

Hadnagy finishes his first coaching course.

I go to the board and they agree to fund his next course.

I extend GK Fejer by two years.

[Abe Sargent]

Dec 29 is here. Time to get to work. Anyone worth making offers to?

One guy I like a lot, 26 year old ST Martin Giminez, but is only Argentinian. He looks better than any of my other STs and could be more permanent starter alongside Simonovski while I finish developing Dodoi.

Yeah, I make him an offer. He is worth one of my precious non-EU roster spots. Anyone else to bring in for free?

Wait…

The end of their contract year is in a few days. I can bring in Giminez now, and he can give me that ST push to finish strong, and fix my team a bit at the same time.

No one else strikes me as feasible.

Alright, let’s move this thang forward a bit.

Antoine Griezmann wins some serious awards this year

Gimenez will be joining us soon.

[Abe Sargent]

January

Jan 13 -Friendly vs Turkish Team
Jan 17 – Friendly vs Turkish Team
Jan 20 – Friendly vs Turkish Team
Jan 27 – Friendly vs Turkish Team

We get back to real football in February

We have updated our expectations to mid-table and the board have given me some more cash to work with

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/martin-gimenez-of-paraguays-sol-de-america-celebrates-after-scoring-picture-id665454446?k=6&m=665454446&s=612x612&w=0&h=5Rv7GHOXOYKMaTPrA4TfpA8t_oGoLJJvr_JUN9j2K7I=

I just got signed to Sepsi!!!

Yes you did my friend. Yes you did.


ST Martin Giminez, 26 years old, Argentinian – So the bad stuff up front. He is not good, at all, with jumping and heading – 7s in each. He is not versatile, according to muh coaches. He just plays ST. I’m paying him 4.4k/week on a key player role. This is his first time playing outside of Argentina. Our coaches think he can get a little hot under the collar at times, but they love his “consistency” and how big he shows up for big matches. So, hopefully, they see some strong stuff there from various hidden stats.

Here’s the good stuff:

Physical stats – 15 acceleration, 14 agi, 13 pace, strength, stamina, balance, 12 fitness

Mental – 14 flair,13 vision, off the ball, anticip, devisions; 12 aggression,, concentration, determination, 11 work rate,

Tech stats – 14 dribbling, finishing, technique, 13 passing, first touch, 12 long shots, 11 PK, 10 cross, free kicks


Now that is a Striker who can compete at this level. I will work him into my lineup right now. I cancel Fulop’s loan.

[Abe Sargent]

I have an offer of 450k for my GK from Cardiff. No thanks

My current value of my players:

Traore – 1 mill
GK Rimniceanu – 650k
Tandia – 425 k
Jure – 425k
Viera 275k
Gimenez – 275k
Rodriguez – 275k
Sato – 275k


That’s everyone over 250k

Again, hello Traore!

Gimenez should prove to be a strong signing for us.


Martin has been a bit of a traveler, and we are his 5th club. I hope he’ll have a landing party here for a few years.

The board offer to extend my deal. I force them to improve the facilities as part of the new deal. I extend my contract by one year..

I select my Turkish training camp squad.

I reject another offer for Rimniceanu, this time 100k more. He’s good. He’s not amazing. He’s not someone I’ll never replace. But he works. He’s a 27 year old guy who’ll do well for you.

We have statisticians giving us analyses like our injuries from training are the lowest in the Liga right now and such.

Several of my tutoring links are coming back as successful.

I accept an offer from Fiortina for one of my unsigned youth that I brought in from Italy for 400k plus 50% of next sale. This is for Gianmarco Grimaldi, whom we like and think he’s one of the better prospects out there, but I am happy to get cash now that I can harness later. He’s not going to be happy if I reject a good offer to head back home with a big time club. Bologna and a couple of others jump and I negotiate the same deal with two, and the others bow out.


Turkish Friendly #1 – I start Hadnagy for the first game and will rotate in Martin Gimenez. I sub in a ton of players after going up 2-0 by half time. We win 2-1.

[Abe Sargent]

Grimaldi heads to Fioritina, and that was his favorite team growing up so…. There you are. Good luck!

Turkish Friendly #2 – We win 3-1.

Moving forward I am going to start Gimenez. What role? He is best at False Nine. Now I have been running Simonovski at Target Man, support, this season, and we’re happy with the result. Hadnagy was Deep Lying Forward, Attack. He was a little old and his stats have atrophied. When I subbed him in, the best role for Dodoi was Advanced Forward, so I gave him that role. The best for Gimenez is False Nine, but that’s not really a role for a 2 man striker squad, that feels more 1 ST styling.

After that, his next best roles are poacher and trequarista. Given his passing is solid, let’s do Trequarista first and see how that goes for a bit.

Cardiff have given another offer for Rimniceanu with a base offer of 550k plus 200k in incentives. Nope. I’m not moving on for that low of an amount of money for my best GK. That’s not happening, and it’s not like Rimniceanu has gotten upset that I have been turning down Cardiff. It’s not a real team or anything.


Turkish Friendly #3 – We win 5-1. All four of my strikers scored one goal, and even Stoychev scored. For them. An Own-Goal. That guy is just….

[Abe Sargent]

Simonovski has perfected the 1-2 pass.

Training Camp ends.

Turkish Friendly #4 - We win 3-2.


I offer a youther in Spain who’s deal is expiring soon a chance to come to Romania and play for Sepsi. Who would turn us down?

He agrees. DC Pepe Castellano, at Villareal that never broke through. He’ll join us in July. I reach out to Villareal and they offer to sell him now for 7k. We do.

Pepe Casteno, 19, Spain

https://image.ibb.co/mfkyeo/pic_6.png


Here. His stats aren’t nearly as good as Jakub, but he’s got potential, he’s not as good now, but maybe…

I want to link him up. If I can get that determination up I think we might have someone I want to push.

He’s a project I might want to push later as I lose my DC depth with two of my DMC/DC backups heading out.

[Abe Sargent]

One of my previous signees arrived, Russian/Polish 18 year old Kirill Kolesnichenko, this is the one we signed for 55k.

https://image.ibb.co/iHPGzo/pic_7.png

Here’s Kirill. Again, he’s not a bad prospect, but I wish his mentals were more on task for what I am looking for with a prospect, his low work rate isn’t what I want. But his Determination is much better.


Oh, training reports on Jakub Palenik say he hasn’t gotten better in the few months he’s been with us, but that’s okay. Again, our scouts seem to think he didn’t have a lot of room for growth.

I loan out a few more of my youthers.

[Abe Sargent]

February


Feb 4 – Away vs FCSB
Feb 7 – Away vs Craiova
Feb 12 – Away vs Timoaroa
Feb 16 – Home vs Concordia
Feb 25 – Away vs Juventus

This will conclude the regular season, and then playoffs from there. So we have a rough final five. These include:


• Away at a heavy hitter


• Away at #1, a team that hasn’t lost all year long

• Home vs #4

• Four away matches

And then we finish with Juventus at 13th to finish the season. So we need to show up.


Good training reports for Petre, Rimniceanu


Game #23 – Away vs FCSB – They have had a down season and find themselves in 7th. The cut for the continental playoffs is 6th. So right now, they are on the outside looking in, and they are going to do everything they can to ensure they rise on the league table. I am starting ST Gimenez at the Trequarista role and Tandia is not in the middle for Rod, I want the defensive minded Rodriguez in there. They score in the 17th minute, with a nasty cross to their star striker. Then in the 21st, Simonovski hits goal after Gimenez drives and shoots, and the ball is stopped by a DC and Simonovski pounces on the pass and puts to goal. Back and forth. Each team is playing well. Nasty shot by Gimenez turned aside, and them as well. They score again in the 35th. Then these idiots score a fluke bad cross that winds up in goal. They score in the 45th. Half. We are down 4-1. My attack is playing well, flowing, fluid, but my defense is just a sieve out there. They have just FIVE SHOTS ON TARGET. This is not a 4-1 scoreline statistically. I have 12 shots and 6 on target myself. Gimenez finds Simonovski for a goal in the 49th. He took a knock and I send in Dodoi. Petre finds Dodoi for goal in the 62nd, and now we are just one goal back. This could be about to get seriously unbelievable. I send in Stoychev for Palenik. I know. They score on a corner in the 65th. Tandia for Sato. We lose majestically 5-3. I have strikers and forwards with high 7.0s and 8.1 and no defender with a score more than 6.4. That’s just weird.

[Abe Sargent]

Gimenez is just out for a day. He got an assist in his debut

That loss dropped us to 8th

Next up is the juggernaut of the league this year

I accept an offer to loan out Kirill for the rest of the season

Game #24 – We would need a miracle to walk away with a result today. Away vs Craiova. 19 wins, 3 draws, no losses. After handing out rests we should keep the same group of players. Ready to try to crack the Craiova Castle? Let’s head out. We are playing in a snowstorm. Welcome to Romania. Sato finds Gimenez for goal in at the 0:51 mark! Here comes a wave of Craiova, and we survive, but around the 12th minute I move to defending and such from my normal countering. They collect two early yellows. More onslaught follows but then lightens up around the 25th. We are getting the occasional counter, and Petre fed a lethal ball to Simonovski that he missed on his header, so we are getting some shots to push to two goals. We are controlling possession 54%. In the 43rd minute Simonovski had been free on goal and is moving towards in, and the man he juked around does a professional foul to stop the goal scoring opportunity. It’s a red card for our foes. Do I move to our normal 10 man attack? Against this team with just a +1 GD? But do I risk holding off and letting them hit us? I move to counter, and up my tempo heavily. Rodriguez’s DFK is on target but pushed aside by the GK. Half. We are up 11-10 for players and 1-0 on the scoreboard. Don’t. Get. Complacent. Be. Professional. Am I about to get the Upset on the Road? Let’s find out! My foe has used their last sub the 55th minute. Let’s push them. Tempo up. Petre and Simonovski are banged up badly and I send in Godoi and Tandia. A quiet 15 minutes rolls off. Our foe has a amazing counter opportunity in the early 70s but we stop it. Stoychev for Ursu. I know. Four minutes of extra time. Here comes their GK to help them score. We win 1-0. MOM is Sato. WHEW!!!!

Luckily Petre and Simonovski were just banged a bit and will start next game. That win moved us ack up to 6th.

I sign trialist AM/ST English Jake Picard to a hot prospect deal.

Our scouts found a sexy young Brazilian ST. I am trying to bring him in now.

[thehitcat]

Huge result against Craiova! Giving them their first loss of the year on their pitch! I know I can speak for the rest of the traveling Legion when I tell you we were still partying when the buses rolled back into St. George.

[Abe Sargent]

Luckily Petre and Simonovski were just banged a bit and will start next game. That win moved us back up to 6th.

I sign trialist AM/ST English Jake Picard to a hot prospect deal.

Our scouts found a sexy young Brazilian ST. I am trying to bring him in now.


Game #25 – The Timisoara match has arrived. I am starting Tandia in the middle for Rod. I also have DC Pepe on my bench in case there is a spot to send him in. Good luck! They have a nice shot on goal in the 33rd second of the game, but we stop it. Petre finds Simonovski in the 5th minute for goal, so they are clearly back and healthy! They score twice and it’s a 2-1 down, and then in the 26th minute Simovski is injured badly. In heads Dodoi. WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Gimenez feeds Dodoi and the ball rolls off his leg for a long shot into the goal perfectly. Wow that looked pretty. He fed that thing threw like three defenders and a GK. They get a card. Timisoara move hard but the half sees 2-2 tie. Half. You can still win this! Go get this game! Another yellow their way early. Then a third. Troare picks up a knock, I send in Rod and flip him and Tandia on the match. A quiet second half sees time just drip. Oliviera for a tired Sato. Game, 2-2 tie. MOM is Dodoi.

Simonovski is out for 6 weeks to 2 months with an ankle injury.

We agree to a deal with the Brazilian youth club. We are spending 400k, which is the money we made earlier this year. Luckily he;s a striker, and he could come in to help out now.

GK Miron doesn’t like his lack of first team football but Hadnagy talks him down.

We sign him – we’ll look at him post match



Game #26 – Concordia arrive. I am staring Hadnagy and Gimenez. Early on, Tandia collects a goal after getting helped by Traore. Goal. Half. Don’t get complacent. Our foes score in the 51st, and then Viera is injured and I send in Dalmau for him. Dalmau assists Gimenez for goal on a corner when he gets Troare’s CK and then heads it over for their score. I send in Oliviera. They foul in the box, and Hadnagy sinks the PK in the 83rd, and we win 3-1. MOM is actually Dalmau!

Any win in the storm.

That bumps us to 6th with one game left. With 5 points separating us and the #7 team, we are guaranteed a Top 6 finish and the playoffs

[Abe Sargent]

Huge result against Craiova! Giving them their first loss of the year on their pitch! I know I can speak for the rest of the traveling Legion when I tell you we were still partying when the buses rolled back into St. George.


Yeah we were gifted that win by teh football gods. :)

[thehitcat]

Euro Playoffs **Clap Clap Clapclapclap**
Euro Playoffs **Clap Clap Clapclapclap**
WHOOOOOOO!!!!

[Greyfriars Bobby]

Just stopping by to let you know I've been following along. Congratulations on the big win away to Craiova and the berth in the playoffs!

It's fun to see more Football Manager stories on the board again.

[Abe Sargent]

Awesome, thanks, thanks! Let's get out there and see what we can do!

[Abe Sargent]

Our new guy:

ST Luiz Scholocobiert, Brazil, 18 years old, our scouts loved him and raved about him all day long. He played in some international stuff and did well.

Here

https://image.ibb.co/d4jBjo/pic_8.png

I’m sure you can see what I saw with my 425k investment into him. He’s already in the rotation for quality. His technical development is strong and enticing. Where will his finishing or technique or first touch or dribbling and such wind up? His physical stats aren’t amazing, and he needs some mental development, but he’s moving there. You can see it, and I am happy to bring him here. I can see him getting Romanian nationality! Play for Romania oh Loco Bert!



Dalmau has used this year to learn the winger position and DC ones well, and now he’s a lot more flexible that the WB/DR I inherited. I am going to move him as a sub more on the wing and such. I offer my 27 year old GK for sale. I have better options on my club if my leader went down with injury.

Marius Burlacu was injured for a few weeks in training.

Game #27 – The last game of the regular season is here. Juventus. Ready? Let’s do it! Holy crap? They score twice in the first ten minutes! Holy crap! I move back and castle up and we hold on. Half, 0-2. We can’t do that! I send in Dalmau for Sato and swap him with Petre. Then I send in Sodoi fo a woeful Hadnagy. Dalmau crosses to Gimenez for goal in the 69th minute. Then in the 73rd, Dalmau and Gimenez connect. Well alright then. I send in Pepe Castellano for an underperforming Ursu. Game, we tie 2-2. MOM is Gimenez.

We finish in 6th place with a 10-9-7 record, so we recorded a winning record and 39 points. Playoff time!

[Abe Sargent]

Here let me show you how it works:

https://image.ibb.co/c9f6H8/pic_0.png


Here is the Championship Playoffs. You begin with 50% of your points from the regular season, so we will begin in 6th place with 20 points. Then we each play each other twice in a home and home round robin, like a Group Stage, with the winners after that making it in. So we are playing against the class of the division twice more. Because it rewards regular play, that makes it pertinent, but at just 50% of the results, that gives you something to play for here, meaning these ten matches in this group are basically counting for double points.

Now normally you would get two Champions slots here, but our ranking fell, so there is only one Champions spot. Then EURO for spots 2-3. We would have had 4 spots here, but that’s the break. I don’t see it mentioned Cluj’s ban, so that may have been for last year when we started and it may have ended, so we would be playing against the heavy as well.

I do like the idea of this in theory. You can’t qualify by losing to the best clubs but doing well against the rest of the league. You have to run this gauntlet.

Let’s get this thang started!

There were times when we played up this year to teams on this list, such as beating FCSB, Craiova, and such. But that was not consistent, and we laid eggs to Cluj.

Sato has finished learning how to be a threat on the wing.

[Abe Sargent]

March

March 3 – Home vs Botosani
March 9 – Away vs Viitorul
March 17 – Home vs Craiova
March 31 – Away vs Cluj


Good training by Dalmau and Dodoi.


Continental Qualifier - Game #1 – Home vs Botosani – Despite them getting 2nd, I never felt like Botosani was this powerhouse when I played them. This could be one of our best chances to start out good. Remember we begin in 6th place with 20 points, but 5th is 20 and 4th is 21, and Botosani in 3rd is 22. We have the chance to really do something dangerous with a win. We’ll certainly leap over Botosani. I am starting countering, but I may move off soon. They score in the 9th minute off a counter, but then back off and I move to control. They get two yellows and I have Ursu and Sato not playing well. Hadnagy steals the ball and scores in the 24th and ties us back. In the extra time of the first half, they score again and it’s 2-1 them at the half. We can still win this one! In the 53rd minute, Gimenez finds Hadnagy for goal. I send in Dalmau and Stoycheck for Sato and Ursu and I switch my flankers and move Petre to the left flank. At the 69th minute, Dalmau finds Attila Hadnagy for his hat trick, and now we are up 3-2. Can we stay in front? They are moving forward hard, and I pull back to counter. They equalize in the 78th. One minute later, Dalmau finds Gimenez for goal. We are pushing forward hard ourselves over the next 8 minutes or so. I send in Rod. Five minutes of injury time. We win 4-3, MOM is clearly Hadnagy!


That was a classic, epic, back and forth match. That we won.

[Abe Sargent]

I am going to move Dalmau to start at MR and move Petre to ML for a bit to give the clear hot leg some starts.

After the first round of matches was over, we are now in 3rd. That means we have moved out of the hole in 6th place and into EURO qualification. Now, we have a gauntlet of stuff coming. I doubt we finish there, but that’s not bad for right now.


Continental Qualifier - Game #2 – Away vs Viitorul. The next match is here. Can Dalmau continue his form at the MR spot? Here we go! If I can steal points here, I’m going to be happy. Wow. In the 8th minute DC Jakub Palenik fired a 25 yard shot into goal. That just feels lucky. I don’t want my DCs taking shots at goal. It was a corner, and they headed the ball out, it fell to Petre outside of the box, he slid to Jakub who shot. So there you are folks. Even your DC can get a goal outside of a header on a set piece! They come at us hard but fail to pop the cherry. Wow are they not going to be happy. Here’s Tandia with another long shot that sinks. 20th minute, assist by Ursu, on another corner kick, we popped the ball out and he shot it. They have just given up two set piece long shots. They have two cards injured Viera’s jaw, and it’s half time. Don’t get complacent out there. We have three shots on target, both of our goals are from set pieces and they have been outplaying us. Don’t get seduced into looking at the scoreboard. They score in the 57th, fittingly, on a IFK. Live by the set piece, die by the set piece. I pull 6.20 Hadnagy for Dodoi. In the 65th, Petre hits Dodoi for a nice shot, and it rebounds off the crossbar – Traore finishes. Goal for us. I pull Viera for Stoychev. I know that’s funny. Oliviera for a tired Dalmau. We win 3-1 - MOM is Traore.


Well that’s not bad. Again, we got two set pieces, so it feels artificial, but still, it aint bad.

Cluj lost to Craiova 1-4, we remain in 3rd, but are now just one point behind 2nd.

But now we have the juggernaut of Craiova. Sure, we are the only team to beat them this year! But it was luck and a red card.


Slovakia’s Senior Squad is calling us Jakub now, btw

Our new youth squad arrives but I don’t see any new folks that excite me.

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Qualifier - Game #3 – Home vs Craiova. Cluj just tied 0-0 to FCSB so that opens us up. If we win today, and we certainly won’t, then we move to 2nd. Simonovski is back from injury but not match ready yet. He’ll be on the bench with the idea of subbing him in. They score off a PK given to them by a foul by Viera early, he gets a yellow card. Then they gather another goal from a long, lethal strike in the 27th. In extra time, Tandia hits home with a shot, assisted by Traore for goal and it’s 1-2 them at the half. Show me something else! In the 2nd half, I send in Simonovski and pull Viera for Stoychev early. Stoychev finds Tandia for another score in the 53d and it’s all knotted. Then they answer back in the 59th, and they are ahead 3-2 And they are coming hard. We weather the storm. I send in Sato. But remember, fans of Sepsi. Remember. We have the chosen one back. In the 88th minute, DMC Jure Obsivac finds Simonovski on an attack run. We finish that minute tied 3-3. Can we hold? Can we score and win? In the 91st minute, Dalmau is injured, and we are out of subs. We tie 3-3. Good comeback lads!


One of the things I like to after youth input is to heavily scout the league. Who got lucky?

Craiova did. They got a qualified mega-star, wonderkid of awesome potential - Robert Lupu. Cluj and FCSB have good ones as well that are better than most of the rest. I am scouting some potential additions to our squad from lower level leagues.



The Romanian Messi Craiova just got:


https://image.ibb.co/emjxqT/pic_11.png

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to these two Romanian youth

ML Adrian Prodan, 16, Romanian, from Victoria 2010
GK Daniel Muntean, 16, Academia Farul
AMR Alexandru Dimitru, 15, ProTeam

My wages have gotten a little high, and I remove much of my transfer money to help out. I have 40k in transfer left but bumped my salary to 59k. This also included the injection of cash we got from our renewed mid-table push in January.

Anyone else I like enough to bring in from nearby nations that our high scouting knowledge knows?

Yes, and I make some offers to youth on lower level clubs and such. If they sign, I’ll let you know. I am also doing scouting of folks on better clubs I can’t just poach.

I sign:

GK Henri Staelens, Belgium, 15 (not on any teams)
DC Pasqualano Pagano, Italy, 15 not on any teams
ST Petr Adam, Czech, 14, not on any teams

We rate Pagano very, very low right but but with high upside. Adam is the same. Staelens is a little better now but appears to have a much weaker future. But they were free!

I make Marko Simonovski a new contract. If anyone has earned it…. He signs and extends his stay a year and we bump his salary from 475/week to 2000.

I sign DC Carlos Badal from Valenica, he’ll join us at the end of that deal, he’s another youther they didn’t retain.

Jakub Palenik just earned his first cap.



Continental Qualifier - Game #4 – Away vs Cluj. That tie keeps us one point behind Cluj. Dalmau has a concussion and I swap in Sato again and go back to my normal set up. Cluj are on a losing streak and have just two points in three games. This might be the one good time to play Cluj. I begin defensive, and will hopefully open up like a beautiful flower. Marko is back in the starting role. Here we go! They collect two yellows in the first 15 minutes, and then they score in the 19th. I move to counter in the 30th. We injure one of their players and they have to get pulled. Half. We are down 1-0. Sato is injured in the 55th and Oliveira heads in. I also send in Stoychev and Ghinga. They score in the 84th, and we lose 0-2. I’m not happy with that.

[Abe Sargent]

April


April 7 – Home vs FSCB
April 14 – Away vs Botosani
April 21 – Home vs Viitorul
April 28 – Away vs Craiova


Good training reports from Petre and Dodoi.

Jakub Palenik’s long range strike was the league’s goal of the month!


Dalmau is back from his concussion



Continental Qualifier - Game #5 – Home vs FCSB = Our foes are currently in 6ths out of 6 after losing some early matches. Hopefully their bad form will be our win. After the loss to Cluj, we are down to 4th. I start Dalmau again after his return from concussion. For today’s match I am going to do something counter to my normal process. Rather than beginning slow, I am going to start attacking. Not control. Attacking. I’ll start and we’ll see how things go. My guess is I’ll move back around 15 or 20 minutes in, but I want to keep folks guessing. Here’s Sepsi, and here’s their counter-game. I’m at home against a team that has two points in four games. Let’s hit them hard. 12 minutes in I slide to control. Gimenez with a goal in the 27th. Petre crossed to Simonovski, and the ball was headed away and Gimenez grabbed it and scored. Yellow card to Jure. They grab goal back in the 43rd. Then in the 46th in extra time, Petre crosses to Simonovski for goal. Yellow for Viera. We are up 2-1 at the half. Don’t; get complaint. Or complacent. Gimenez finds Tandia for goal in the 49th. A few minutes, because of the fouls, I pull Jure for Rodriguez. I don’t want double yellows to ruin our momentum. Gimenez finds Simonovski for goal in the 55th minute. I pull Viera for Stoychev. I ease back to standard mentality. They score in the 77th. Oliviera for Dalmau. We win 4-2. MOM is Gimenez. I am definitely leaving him in the Trequarista role.

[Abe Sargent]

Nicely done. I honestly don’t think they were expected me to come at them for 60ish minutes and four goals.


https://image.ibb.co/bBUYx8/pic_9.png

Here are the standings at the half-way point. We are still at 4th, but we are in a solid place. Just a point separates 2 and 4. But Viitorul and FCSB aren’t in the conversation right now.

Craiova beats FCSB and have won the Liga.


Continental Qualifier - Game #6 – Away vs Botosani – If we win today, then we will flip over them on the table. As I Need my best players out there, no changes to my roster. I begin countering. Lots of waves of moves, but….it’s kind of slow. Quiet. Halftime 0-0. Hmmmm. Can we hold out? Nope. They hit goal in the 56th. I send in Stoychev, Dodoi, Rodriguez. Dalmau gets a red card in the 83rd. We lose 1-0. Ah well…

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Qualifier - Game #7 – Home vs Viitriul. I have Sato starting again. If we can hold our serve and win here, then there is still a chance. Although at #4 we’ll need some good results here. We are four points behind #4 and 7 behind #2. I begin controlling. Traore finds Sato for goal in the 9th minute. It was corner where the defense headed it back near the line, and Traore dropped it, and kicked over all of the mess of players and defenders to an open Sato on the other side, so good vision and quality by Traore there. 20 minutes pass quickly, and they are pushing hard. Can they sink that equalizer? Petre drives, crosses to Simonovski, goal, in the 39th minute. Half. We are up 2-0. Don’t get complacent. They have had 9 shots, 7 on target. That’s lethal stuff, but we have 17 and 10. They score on back in the 52nd. Petre dribbles down the flank, jukes a defender, finds Simonovski, who is double covered, he flicks it on to Gimenez, and he scores. In he 59th. I ease back to standard. I send in Rodriguez for Tandia. I move to counter, they are coming hard. They score in the 72nd. I hope they don’t tie this! Simonovski to Gimenez for goal in the 76th. Nevermind. I send in Stoychev and Ghinga. Sato finds Simonovski in the box for a goal in the 87th. We win 5-2, and MOM is Simonovski with his two goals and two assists.


Whew. Man. When Simonovski and Gimenez are clicking, I don’t envy anyone. They had almost twice as many goals on target as us on the day. But we still notched five goals.

Hadnagy finishes his next coaching quals. I convince the board to send him on another.

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Qualifier - Game #8 – Away vs Craiova. Dalmau is not coming back to start this year. What are our foes playing for today? They’ve already won. Can we beat a team that ain’t playing for anything? Well, let’s hope so! They are having lots of early pressure. We hold. Half. 0-0. Alright. Not bad. They finally pop our cherry in the 59th. I send in Stoychev, Rodriguez, Hadnagy and they score in the 77th. We lose 2-0. Well, what is this team playing for? Pride!


To be fair, they are also a 3-5-2 with a DMC like us, so we use similar tactics. We’ll discuss that later actually.


And at least we can say we were the only team to beat Craiova this year!

Botosani has also lost twice to Viitural and FCSB and thus is still just one point above us at #3 with two game left. So we are still in shouting distance of #3 and EURO play…. But we have two tough teams to face to do so….

[Abe Sargent]

May

May 6 – Home vs Cluj
May 12 – Away vs FCSB

Yes. Cluj, whom we never come close to beating, and FCSB.

Simonovski won Romanian Player of the Month for the Liga I Basano.

I get some good training reports on Pepe Castano, but several players like Hadnagy are dwindling.


Continental Qualifier - Game #9 – Home vs Cluj. Today Craiova are playing Botosani and we have Cluj. If we beat Cluj, and then Botosani either tie or lose, then we jump over. If we even manage a point today, then we are likely to gain ground against thee Botosani vs Craiova match. Which means, of course, we’ll actually beat Cluj, but Botosani will also win too, right? I decide to do something that’s probably stupid. I open up controlling. We are controlling the match, but in the 29th, they steal the ball from Viera in the box and score. Then they injure Traore and I send in Rodriguez. They score in the 42nd minute. They fire a lethal long shot on target in the 47th. Half. We are down 3-0. They have four shots on target. We are winning everywhere but the scoreboard. Which is a theme this year. We lose 3-0.


Now, the good news, I suppose, is that Craiova won. So there is still just a single point between us and Botosani. Traore gashed his leg and he’ll miss the final game. DMC Jure is banned with too many yellows.

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Qualifier - Game #10 -Away vs FCSB – Alright, here we go. Starting are Rodriguez and Ghinga. Let’s do this! Can we upend FCSB? Can we move past Botosani? Just 90 minutes are standing between the question and the answer. Let’s get started!!!!!!!!! Alons-y! By the way, Cluj are against Botosani, so there is still a chance that we’ll slide past them as our form has been equally woeful. Boring. Nothing. They move to assault us before half but nothing. Half, 0-0. We injure their key DC in the 53rd. Is that the answer? I move forward hard. Head in Dodoi, Dalmau and Stoychev. Nothing. This boring 0-0 tie keeps us in 4th.


https://image.ibb.co/jd9rZo/Pic_12.png

We came that close to EURO play in the final stage, and if we had just gotten a single win in that 4-5 game strength. Ah well. Happens.


Hadnagy announces he is retiring at the end of the season next month. I offer him my U19 Assist Man role.

[Izulde]

What a kick in the teeth. I'd be hurling obscenities.

[Abe Sargent]

What a kick in the teeth. I'd be hurling obscenities.

Yeah, I hear ya, but we also dropped a lot of games late.


And also, we'd would have made it out at 4th in the league when I started this dynasty, but Romania dropped it's coefficient. 's ok!

[Abe Sargent]

So let’s break this down,.

Here are my goals:


My Seven Goals for Sepsi:


1. Create a powerful U19 squad. At the beginning of this game, we didn’t have a youth squad, just three players of note and value. Youth are the lifeblood of any team. I need to go out and sign out and jumpstart a new squad. CHECK
2. To do well enough this year to not get relegated. CHECK
3. Ideally, to do well enough this year to have a winning record. CHECK
4. Next year, to move Sepsi up to the Top 6, to qualify for the Romanian Champions Playoffs. CHECK ONE YEAR EARLY
5. In following years to increase Sepsi’s chances to make it out of Romania
6. To turn Sepsi into an Eastern European Powerhouse like Dynamo Kiev, Sparta Prague, and such
7. So secure financial footing to cement Sepsi into that role after I leave, so that Sepsi will not fade but will remain strong.


Now, why did this happen this quickly?

Here are my thoughts, in order.

1. Tactics. Our 3-5-2 was good against the many 4-5-1s. We struggled against Cluj’s 4-4-2, and Craiova, the class of the year, was the only other 3-5-2. Both over-achieving clubs used the 3-5-2 with 1 DMC and 4 middies.
2. The System. Romania has more teams than any other hitting continental play because of this system. It’s a whole lot easier to get hot (or cold) and punch above or below your expected place on the table in 26 games, rather than a normal 36 or 38 or something.
a. One of the keys of the system is the low umber of teams Romania has. Getting Top 6 for this cool playoff set was easier in a league with 14 teams, let’s be honest. In fact, we are not the first to do this well this quickly.
b. If I had told you that, in real life, our club hit 14th on a table of 20, but we took it to 8th in the same year, you might not think much. We did the same, just going from 12th to 6th.
3. Talent. We added many new players after taking over that were lifebloods of the team. Traore? Jakub Palenik? Martin Gimenez? Gabriel Dodoi? Even DC Stoychev. We brought in a good amount of talent to push the team more, and not settle for 12th. I also don’t feel that the talent level difference on the pitch was that different after this influx of talent, save for Cluj, and maybe Craiova.


Now, moving forward, I know that I can’t get out of this place until I can, reliably, beat Cluj.

In normal season, I would aim for a consistent roster that won’t embarrass you. Take a 20 team division with 38 games in it. I can finish above a better team that I lose to if I am more consistent with the lower teams. I don’t need to be better than the best club in the league, I just need to be better than the rest.

And you would often be able to secure promotion to a higher level or to European play. By coming in 2nd or 3rd. That’s fine. But here? I am playing Cluj not just two times, but four times. And I am doing do with just 13 other teams. Those two games against Cluj matter more in a 26 game season to set rankings than they so for a next season. And then I have two more that count even more.

I can’t get to EURO without pushing. I can’t get to Champions without winning the final ten-game playoff and coming in first because we dropped in our co-efficients.

So I have to build a different team. My new sub-goal is to build a roster to beat Cluj.




My EIGHT Goals for Sepsi:


1. Create a powerful U19 squad. At the beginning of this game, we didn’t have a youth squad, just three players of note and value. Youth are the lifeblood of any team. I need to go out and sign out and jumpstart a new squad. CHECK
2. To do well enough this year to not get relegated. CHECK
3. Ideally, to do well enough this year to have a winning record. CHECK
4. Next year, to move Sepsi up to the Top 6, to qualify for the Romanian Champions Playoffs. CHECK ONE YEAR EARLY
5. In following years to increase Sepsi’s chances to make it out of Romania
6. Build a roster that can reliably defeat Cluj.
7. To turn Sepsi into an Eastern European Powerhouse like Dynamo Kiev, Sparta Prague, and such
8. So secure financial footing to cement Sepsi into that role after I leave, so that Sepsi will not fade but will remain strong.

[Abe Sargent]

Stats Time!


Patrick Petre led everyone with the most distance covered. Traore came in 2nd. Jure 11th.

Simonovski had the 3rd highest average rating with 7.32

Viera was 1st with the most headers won and 2nd in most key headers

Marko’s 20 goals were 2nd in the league.

Gimenez was 3rd best in shots on target as a percentage of shots with 60%.

Traore was 2nd in key passes

Jure was 7th with most tackles/game

Rodriguez was 4th with most mistakes leading to goals

Jakub Palenik was 8th with the most key tackles

Viera was 11th with most key tackles

Viera was 1st with the most interceptions

Viera was 1st with the most shots blocked

GK Rimniceanu conceded the 12th most goals

GK Rimniceanu was 1st in saves held, and in saves parried.

We scored 56 goals and conceded 59 goals.

[Abe Sargent]

Ratings –

Going into next year –

I don’t like Ursu remaining at DC for me. He was a stopgap rotation guy who played more reliably that Stoychev. I am not sure that my youth will be ready though.

All three DCs were 6.72
Jure was 6.93
Gk was 6.77
Traore was 7.17
Tandia was 6.93
Petre – 6.99
Sato – 7.01
Rodriguez – 6.74
Dalmau – 7.10
Hadnagy – 6.89
Simonovski – 7.32
Gimenez – 7.39
Dodoi – 6.80
Stoychev – 6.53


Leaving this year are Felipe Oliviera, GK Miron, Marius Burlacu and Sebastian Ghinga, as well as Hadnagy’s retirement and I have transfer listed Stoychev.

I do think I can upgrade in a few places. But here is the thing. How many of these players are better than their counterpart on Cluj?

None. I do think that my GK, Jakub and Gimenez are, roughly, as good as three random starters on Cluj, but that’s it. I need a team of Gimenezs. Alright, let’s snap muh fingers sand make that happen!

But seriously, I have to be mercenary here. None of these players aren’t replaceable. I have to grow up across the board. Tandia? Traore? Simonovski? Viera? If you find someone better, send them over!


Craiova wins the Romanian Cup.

Our scouting network is now worldwide!

I plead and get permission for another coach.

I sign 60 year old Serbian Dusan Dragovich. He’s giving me a four-star ball control training effort.



Uh oh, shit...............

[Abe Sargent]

Are you ready?



ARE YOU READY LEGION??????????????



ARE YOU REAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYY?????????????????????????????????





(no you are not........)

[Abe Sargent]

I'm about to head out for game night. I'll be aback tamarrow.


In the meantime, relax and have a Sepsi on me.


http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww211/bentexrevolutions/sepsi.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

Craiova’s win in the Cup means that the Cup Qualification drops.

To #4 on the league table……..


Welcome to the EURO St. George!

Sepsi rejoices


https://romaniaballs.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/sepsi-digisport.jpg

Oh, and thanks Craiova!

[Abe Sargent]

June 1st arrives

I am waiting to see my budget for next year first.


Sepsi Awards:

Fan’s Players of the Season – Simonovski

Goal of the Season – Palenik

Signing of the Season – Gimenez

Young Player of the Season – Sato


https://image.ibb.co/f7EqEo/pic_13.png

What jersey did you order last year? (And why didn't Simonovski hit higher? Was his name too long for the jersey?)

[Abe Sargent]

GOT IT!

Our initial budget is 7.5 mill and 130k. We are in money now, and I know exactly where I am spend it.

I call up Craiova!

Last year after HE came to Romanian football, I called them just to see what it would take. I know what they want….


We agree to a 4.5 mill deal for no cash for Robert Lupu.

He is initially hesitant to come to us, but I offer him first team play rather than youth.

He agrees.

He come to us in June 15th (Internal transfer date for Romanian leagues is two weeks earlier).

Alright, we just signed Lupu!

[Abe Sargent]

Who else do I want?


The reason I wanted Lupu is simple, but yet complex. Here are squad registration rules again:


Match Rules:

Must be one U22 Romanian in Top 11

Match Squad Must have at least four players trained in Romania

Squad Registration –

Maximum 25 players

No more than 5 EU players

EU includes both EU nations and Cotonou signees

At least four players training at Sepsi

At least eight players trained in Romania



Now, only Dodoi and Petre really met the first last year. You have to have a starter that’s U22 Romanian. That means you need a few youth that either you rotate in, or you have a rock that will work.

My match squad has to have four trained as well. Now my GK counts, as do players like Petre, Dodoi, Ursu, etc. But others don’t This counts subs though, not the top 11.

I can’t have more than 5 EU on my squad, but I have to have a lot of players trained here and trained at Sepsi, as you can see.

So I need to bring in some strong Romanians who will carry the badge moving forward. Lupu does that perfectly.

[Abe Sargent]

I have 3 Mill left, which will be more than enough to enhance the rest of my squad.

I make an offer to a great DC from Peru who is finishing up his deal, in his mid-20s. He’s the Gimenez of DCs for me, and will start with Palenik and Viera if he signs.

I offer a Trial to unsigned vet DC Bogden Mitra, Romania, 31 years old. He refuses. He’ll sign for me, but not come to me on trial.


None of my wingers sold me last year, although I’d be fine keeping Petre, Sato, Dalmau out of the wings if I needed to, I’d rather run Lupu in the middle, and put Tandia or someone else there. The wingers from last year played okay, but they are all outclassed by others. I need quality wingers in a 3-5-2 when they are the only ones out there, so I am looking for a nice MR or ML who can put us into a strong set of quality there.


Let’s look at my anticipated roster right now and show you what I am talking about:


Keeper - GK Rimniceanu, backups – Fejer and Nizhuly


DC – Palenik, Viera, OPEN SPOT, Ursu, Youther Pepe Castano,

DMC – OPEN? Jure Obsivac

MR – Petre, Dalmau

ML – Petre, Sato

MC - Traore, Tandia, Lupu, Rodriguez

ST – Martin Gimenez, Marko Simonovski

Backups - Gabriel Dodoi, youther Luiz Schlocobert

[Abe Sargent]

Cluj vs Sepsi

This next section is going to be dense but I think it'll prove really helpful to see where we need to be. Get ready for picture overload!

Now let’s give you a couple of screen shots of current Cluj starters:

https://image.ibb.co/e3dOZo/cluj_1.png

This is the best player on Cluj’s roster that isn’t a loanee. Now he’s 32 and will likely soon drop in quality, but you get the idea. Deac is a creative force for footballing good.

My best midfielder is Traore


https://image.ibb.co/jgZVEo/Traoore_1.png

Their player is a lot better mentally, and mine is about the same, physically, as theirs, save for the big STR of Deac, and then they have about the same technique for the key stuff I care about (pass, 1st touch, cross, tech) but you can see how much more well rounded Deac is with stuff like his finishing.


Now, here is Cluj’s worst midfielder


https://image.ibb.co/jv5gLT/Cluj_2.png

This is Rafa Sousa, a backup guy they are trying to sell. He’s still good enough to make the cut on my squad, and perhaps even push for starts. He doesn’t even start for them.

Here is one of my own middies that I started.


https://image.ibb.co/iC2p78/sato_1.png

This is Sato. Note that Sato is worse than Sousa. One of my first team starters is worse than their worst player! Now Sato is fast, and and, uh, ….. Well, you san see. His mentals aren’t there, he doesn’t have good pass or cross, etc.

Here is Dalmau


https://image.ibb.co/j3BGn8/dalmau_1.png


This is Dalmau after a year. Now he has gotten better at the positions he plays, we taught him flexibility. But a 10/10 in cross/pass or 12/11 speed or 10 technique ain;t going to get it done, right? I need more stuff.

Here are some other Cluj middies, just to push this point home;

https://image.ibb.co/ccoOZo/cluj_3.png

https://image.ibb.co/epk3Zo/cluj_4.png

These are two other examples of folks better than my best.

And this is true for other players as well

https://image.ibb.co/iwWo0T/cluj_5.png

This is one of Cluj’s strikers. George is very strong, with good physical stats, and such. You have to like him.

This was my best striker on the pitch


https://image.ibb.co/cSuQfT/sominovski_1.png

Now this was my most in-form player and goal leader. He’s not anywhere near the quality of George. 10 finishing? 12/11 tech and first touch? He’s not even outpacing George at heading. Simonovski isn’t someone with heft.

But Gimenez? He can go toe to toe with them:


https://image.ibb.co/k3TOZo/gimenenz_1.png

This Is Gimenez and his physical, technical, and mental stats will allow him to dominate.

Now, here was my best DC on the pitch, Viera

https://image.ibb.co/fubo0T/viera_1.png

He was the best non-GK on the team I inherited. But he still wasn’t strong. Here is the best Cluj D (that they own and didn’t have on loan).

https://image.ibb.co/b1c6n8/cluj_6.png


Now this isn’t a DC, but their DL, and yet, you can get the points, I think. His mental, physical, and such are just better.

Here is our worst starting DC by comparison


https://image.ibb.co/dJmGn8/ursu_1.png

This is Ursu. Yeah, exactly. But he played better than Stoychev, so there’s that. You’ve seen how good Palenik was to bring in.

We need to upgrade our talent.

https://image.ibb.co/kFknuo/obsivic_1.png

Here’s Jure Obsivac. He’s another full-time starter I had who locked in the DMC role for me. Again, he’s not bad. If I had to I could run him out there for me, but there’s no magic here. No zest. There’s nothing to hang my hat on.

[Abe Sargent]

Others vs Sepsi

For example, I decide to grab a non-Cluj team by comparison.

This is Viitorul

https://image.ibb.co/c2ei0T/viitorul_1.png

This is their best player not from a loaner on their roster. I decided to scout him for you.

https://image.ibb.co/bVwwLT/viitorul_2.png

Their best DC

https://image.ibb.co/cJrwLT/viitorul_3.png

Another good Mid


https://image.ibb.co/bukdZo/viitorul_4.png

Another young powerhouse

And of course, Viitorul aren't one of the powerhouses of the league. They came in 6th. Out of 14.

How about Astra? They won the relegation group and essentially were 7th.

https://image.ibb.co/mQFO0T/astra_1.png

Astra’s best player not on loan or their Gk

https://image.ibb.co/egWJZo/astra_2.png

2nd best


https://image.ibb.co/ngTbLT/astra_3.png

3rd best

https://image.ibb.co/b9WwLT/astra_4.png


4th best

And they are on the same level as a Tandia, Viera, or Traore, right? But they aren’t on a Cluj level either.

And yet you can see where they can win games. I mean, take Bus. 13/12 cross pass can someone do some damage, right? I mean Bus is better than my Sato/Dalmau options at ML by tons.

I need to beat Cluj.

And now you have seen how I need to upgrade my entire squad to Gimenez or Palenik level quality player. My Traore, Sato, Petre, Dalmau, Tandia, Rodriguez, midfield isn’t going to cut it.

EDIT - I think you saw this in the final half of the continental quals when we could't get wins and points despite having a good form for the first part. Both us and Batason lost a ton of games in a row. We could easily have been third. But we didn't have this level of quality and consistency.

[Abe Sargent]

Now I do have some other options.

This is Emil:

https://image.ibb.co/ngMffT/emil_1.png

Emil is on my youth squad, and is someone that joined me after reaching out and telling me he wanted to play for my club after being put on a free transfer. We were working on his ability to play ML and then loaned him. He has a 7.01 rating in U19 international play in the U19 Euro this year. He has room to grow, but he’s already better than Sato/Dalmau. A 13/12 cross/pass and 15/14 speed ain’t nothing. I could run him out there if I needed to.

Here’s another good youther I have

https://image.ibb.co/gWLnuo/morbeck_1.png

This is Gabriel Morbeck, and he’s another youther guy we brought in. He’s developed and is now ready to promote and give some internal development to. Our scouts think Morbeck has a bigger ceiling than Abaz, but you can see he’s ready to look good. Now, Morbeck is Brazilian, so there is that issue, but still, he ain;t bad. He’s better than my current squad and will improve.

I decide to transfer list Rodriguez and Dalmau. By doing so I can open up roster spots for others to promote.

I need Gimenez’s

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to the old DC that won’t take a trial but it good and local. I am seeing him as my Ursu. Local, Romanian, solid. Having a quality 4th option for when I need to sub in someone or give some games here and there.

Let me show you how scouting works in this game, as I really like it:

https://image.ibb.co/ndfLEo/pic_14.png

This is a report that my scouts bring me and I can choose what to do with it. I just got this report. Here is South African young star Grant Margeman, and my scout has told me that they think he’s really good and would be interested in playing for us, as well as the cost of around 425k-1.1 Mill, which is feasible now. They also give him a 4.5 current rating and 4.45 future, so he looks developed. Let’s look at him, as this report seems like something I might want to follow up on.

https://image.ibb.co/bUQy0T/pic_15.pngv

And here is Grant’s profile. As you can see, we need more scouting numbers, but there is a lot to hang your hat on here. He basically plays the same role as Traore on my club, and could be a better Traore and nine years younger. 20 year old, capped, South African who would be willing to come to Romania? That’s something to follow up on. I’ll scout him out, and then look at him. He was a 7.26 rating starting for Ajax CT (In South Africa) last year in 30 games. So that’s something.

If I could secure him for, say, 500 or 600k, then it seems like a wise play. I can bring in competition for Traore, and then see who wins out.

I prefer to chase prospects like this. My scout found him. I also will look at youth squads for nearby teas, or U21/19 national squads and such myself to see who I like, which is something I am sure scouts do in real life as well.

This is how I found some of the better wonderkids (from real life) in the game. I found Alexis Sanchez and brought him into my Kaiserslautern team in Germany. I didn’t look him up. I found Kim Kallestrom. I found Sebastian Driussi for Nacional da Madeira. I found Thibou Courtois at GK for Slavia Prague. Etc. These are my people.

Is Grant the next on my list? I guess we’ll see, but he looks like a strong option for pushing us past Cluj.

I scout him, and make an offer for 775k. A little higher than I wanted, but still, he looks the part.

[Abe Sargent]

Next, I need to look at ML and DMC. Well, I could sign a strong MR and then move Petre to ML. Petre is still getting better, but Sato/Dalmau aren’t. And I can break out Tandia to the wing and see how he plays out there after spending a year learning the MC/ML/MR spots better. But my preference is to delve down and unpack a high quality class player for us. I scout some folks to see what I can do. I have two strong, young, Argentinian players who would be happy to come play for us on the wing, but that’s yet another squad spot to a non-EU person. Do I want that?


For DMC?

There is this good Peruvian DMC my scouts like as well, but again, non-EU. Both him and my current offer for DC are on the Peru squad together. That’s cool.

There is a 30 year old Spanish guy approaching the end of his contract who’ll come play for me happily. Now he’s free. That’s nice. And his Mentals are strong, but physically and technically I’m not seeing a powerhouse. But he is a EU National, which helps.


Our first target agrees to come to Sepsi after his deal finishes:

DC Hansell Riojas, Peru, Free Transfer

https://e.ad.amtv.pe/futbol-mundial-belgrano-cordoba-hizo-oficial-fichaje-defensa-hansell-riojas-n289758-808x454-396332.jpg


Here he is:

https://image.ibb.co/nDXLx8/pic_16.png

Now he’s fully developed and he should be doing a strong job for us. See how some of his key things I want are still fine – 14 head, mark, tack etc, but there is also stuff here like technique, passing, first touch, even set pieces with throws and PKs? And then you have a very consistent slate of mental and physical stats? There is nothing here to dislike! Welcome to Romania!

Now that he’s confirmed, I may chase the other Peruvian on my radar for my DMC spot

Riojas and Lupu clearly push my squad closer to Cluj

[Abe Sargent]

Who’s next?

I have set up friendlies with nearby strong teams – Craiova, Slavia Prague, Salzberg, and Fenerbache.

Salzberg is the big one. They have won the Austrian Premier Division 8 out of the last 10 years. Fenerbache is always one of the giants of Turkish football and just won their Super League last year. This will help to measure our growth. Can we hang with them?


Alright, my next signee has been locked in – Grant Margeman. After he arrives, I’ll show you his skill set.

Welcome to Sepsi!

http://www.kickoff.com/chops/images/resized/main/3a92be8c4bce751f588c5b982981db82.jpg

I love you too buddy!

My players have returned from break.

Lupu arrives. He has a first team deal, 1.2k/week. My three youthers I signed back in April from lesser Romanian clubs are here as well.

I have around 2 mill left after these deals

I get a first team loan offer for Dodoi. Hmmm. With Hadnagy retired, I have four ST that I want for this year, and Dodoi and potentially Schlocobiert. If this were an offer for Schlocobiert from a fellow Liga team? I might take it. But Dodoi is my 3rd guy, and he’s not available for loan anyway. I say no

I am getting pushback in the media for the Lupu deal. I overspent. That Craiova made out massively.

We’ll see what they say in a few years….

[Abe Sargent]

This year’s training camp is Slovenia

The awards for last year’s season were handed out:

Liga I Basano Goal of the Year: Jakub Palenik vs Viitorul

Simonovski was named the Team of the Year

Romania dropped more on the Euro charts to 21st.


Three teams are getting relegated – Iasi, Juventus, and Medias. The worst two are relegated and then the 3rd worst is in a playoff with the 3rd best below to see, and in this case, Iasi lost 3-1.


But Sepsi ain’t one of them!

We come to a 775k deal for the Peruvian DMC. Offer time. We finalize a deal and they are mulling it over. Their next transfer window won’t be for a while though, in January.

I accept an offer for Stoychev

Felipe Oliviera has announced his retirement later this month.

I headed to the board and they are super happy to keep Oliviera on the staff here and support his coaching quals. I offer Oliviera a spot here.

I convince my club to upgrade our youth facilities. Again.

We draw Norweigan team Sarpsborg in EURO play.

He accepts the deal. We are going to be welcoming DMC Wilder Cartagena, 23 years old, in January. We can run Jure for now.

The Austrian Super Cup conflicts with our friendly so Salzberg cancel their friendly.

Stoychev is sold

I make an offer to a nice older Romanian midfielder out in Italy right now to come back and be a rotation and option on the wing.


I sign that DC off the street:


DC Bogdan Mitrea, 30, Romanian


https://alchetron.com/cdn/bogdan-mitrea-8d107f99-c744-4d98-8bd0-1034d8367e4-resize-750.jpeg

Who’s ready to come back to Romania?

https://image.ibb.co/fWs3Zo/pic_17.png

Here he is. He’s quality and good. He’s much better as an option than Ursu. We won a bidding war with 10 or so other clubs, and I’ll give him some starts early to see who are my top three, but my guess is he’ll come in at #4 behind Viera, Palenik, and Riojas, although Viera is the worst on paper.

[Abe Sargent]

Ursu is concerned that I brought in Mitrea to replace him, and frankly, he should be. Look, Ursu was signed to a three-year deal when we entered Liga II for rotation. We got out in one year, which is a good problem to have, but he was my 4th DC last year, but started due to Stoychev blowing chunks everywhere. And he was…okay…in that role. But he is playing way above his talent level. So yes, this is a replacement, but that context shouldn’t concern him.

I tell Ursu that, frankly, he’s right, and I will look to move him. He tells me he doesn’t want to leave, and that he overacted.

So here is what I’ll do for Ursu. I don’t dislike him. He’s experienced, savvy, etc. I will loan my hot prospect DC Pepe Castano and give him some first team experience elsewhere. Then you can be my 5th DC on my squad, and on a squad with 3 DCs, that means you’ll always dress and be one of my 7 subs.

Mitrea joins our camp in Slovenia.

I move Sato to rotation from first team.


I sign 27 year old Romanian Adrian Stoian for 200k, and he will be on a rotation deal


http://www.itasportpress.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2017/01/stoian.jpg

Someone is excited to join the Sepsi Juggernaut!!!!!!

(In real life, he just signed with Craiova)

https://image.ibb.co/jX3Suo/pic_18.png

You can see why I liked him here and there. He is cheap, depth, and won’t push the better players better-y.

This gets me some needed squad depth at

Welcome to June 30th

[Abe Sargent]

I confirm our board’s expectations of getting top half, QF of Romanian Cup, and reaching 3rd Qual Round for EURO. The board offer to expand the potential budgets of my coaches. After arranging games, my other two heavies pull out with various commitments. Grrr.

We sign Oliviera as a U19 coach. I also confirm our pitch size

Goodbye:

S. Ghinga
M. Berlacu
Florin Dumbrava
Nick Ross
GK Bogdan Miron


I sign a new GK Coach (Hungary) and an Argentinian coach

I offer to extend Dodoi by two years.

Do I believe in Simonovski enough not to pursue anyone else at ST?

With these changes, my current starting 11 is Rimniceanu, Jure Ob at DMC (for now), Simonovski, Gimenez, Tandia, Petre, Traore/, Lupu, and Three of the DCs. Does my push for excellence mean that I am fine with Dodoi and Locoschubiert?

June 30th, is the best day to chase people, as folks that have previously thought they were too big for you suddenly find themselves without a job. Let’s advance a day and bring in my new folks and see a bit better what muh squad looks like

[Abe Sargent]

July 1 –

New folks:

ST Andrei Dumiter, signed last year

MC Grant Margeman

M RL Adrian Stoian

DC Carlos Badal

They all join camp

They one you’ll want to see, Margeman:


https://image.ibb.co/cCN2C8/pic_19.png

This is how you beat Cluj. You bring in a guy for around 800k with bonuses to him and his agent, and bring him from South Africa to Romania after he’s mostly developed and good. This is Grant. For comparison, this is Traore:

https://image.ibb.co/jgZVEo/Traoore_1.png


Traore is older, savvier. For example, better Flair or Teamwork. But Margeman is the fastest player on my squad, and has good agility, fitness, and such. Now, I could beat him in an arm wrestling contest, and probably beat him in a standing high jump coemption ever after spotting him 6 inches. But those aren’t as valuable for a silky midfielder. He’s already better at passing, determination, decisions, 1st touch, finishing by 4, etc. Traore has some stuff going for him, but Margeman is just better, younger, and a 4.5 star guy vs Traore 4 star. I have to be cutthroat like this. I will start Traore early and then move to Margeman.

[Abe Sargent]

Now I have a thought for my last 1 mill or so.

GK.


My current Gk – Rimniceanu, is the 4th best Romanian GK and the best of those still playing in Romania – they others are elsewhere. I like that. And you saw last year that Rimniceanu had a lot of goals given up. But he also stopped a ton of shots too. He was one of my best players, and I’d say he’s still my 6th or so after various influxes of talent. But I want to see if I can find a youth prospect I can groom to replace Rimniceanu. My two backups are youthers who don’t have the class for this level of footy, although they aren’t bad.

So what would make sense? Ideally I’d unearth a great Romanian GK hopeful.

Nope.

Alright, any young players I can bring in, groom, give them Romanian, homegrown, roots to after a few years?

I send scouts to five prospects

While doing that I also bring in a Romanian youth Gk, Zoltan Toth, that’s not as good, just in case. He signs an hour later. Kid is happy.

The first of my youth trialists arrive. I’ll let you know if I sign anyone permanently.

On July 5th, in training camp, Viera is injured and will be out for 4-5 months with a hip injury.

That’s not good ☹

[Abe Sargent]

The title odds come out and we are 5th best in the league for winning


Our first friendly is here. We are in Ukraine. I have moved Lupu to an AMC role, have Traore in the middle, and have Ursu in for Viera. Tandia on the ML. We lose 3-2.

I hand out some rests because in a few days, we’ll have our first EURO game.

I name Viera as captain and Mitrea as Vice.


Away vs Sarpborg, Leg #1 – Ready? Time for our first EURO match!!! They get a red card at the 3:44 mark for a nasty foul on Petre. I slide from counter to standard up my tempo, and such. We have 35 minutes move off quickly. Jure with a yellow. Half. We have 11 shots, 1 on target, and I have tried to up that. I am on control. 2nd half underway. Tandia hits Gimenez for goal And that’s it. We finish with 22 shots and 2 on target. I sent in Dodoi and Sato. Good win. MOM is Tandia but frankly, he wasted like 6 shots on the wing from outside the box. I need to tell him to knock that off. He isn’t s shooter.

We extend GK Rimniceanu by a year.

[thehitcat]

The Legion traveled in numbers to Sarpborg for our first Euro Cup game ever and came home singing the name of Gimenez the whole way!

[Abe Sargent]

The Legion traveled in numbers to Sarpborg for our first Euro Cup game ever and came home singing the name of Gimenez the whole way!

Yeah! Can we hold on? I think so. I see us moving through the Vikings to the next threat.

[Abe Sargent]

We extend GK Rimniceanu by a year.

Friendly #2 – We lose 1-2


Home vs Sarpborg, Leg #2 – I move Petre to the bench and start Stoian. Ready for gaming? Here we go! They get a yellow early. Boring first 20, and I tell my folks to open it up. They get goal in them 32nd minute off a counter. Half 0-1 them. Go out there and get me that win! They injure Gimenez a bit, I choose to send in Dodoi. Traore finds Dodoi for a score in the 63rd. I send in Sato on the ML. Then in the 74th, Dodoi finds Simonovski for goal. Petre for a tired Traore. We win today 2-1, MOM is Simonovski. We are through

Gimenez is out for 4 days with a gashed leg.

We draw Rijeka from Croatia for the next leg.

[Abe Sargent]

Well, I found my GK to build for the future. I was hoping for someone more ready to head out, but he works. He’s a 16 year old Gk in Italy on a Serie B team called Bari, and I think he’d do well for us.

https://image.ibb.co/kjZOkT/pic_20.png

Here he is. He’s a project, no question. We spent 800k on him. But you can see the beginning of a quality GK there I hope. I have 75k in transfer cash left, by the by. Anyways, Maio probably was available for us because he was at a lower level. I scouted some good young Gks that I was able to make deals within good top flight clubs that just weren’t interested. They wanted to remain But Maio was different.



Liga, Game #1 – Away vs Pandurii. In the 1st minute of play, Gimenez is driving down the left, and the ball is tackled and falls the flank where Tandia leaps on it and crosses. Simonovski scores at the 0:21 mark! That is a great way to start the season folks! They hit us on a break in the 17th. In the 22nd minute, Jakub Palenik has the ball, and finds Gimenez with a run. He drives down the flank, and then hits Simonovski for another goal. We injure one of their folk. In the 43rd minute, Mitrea hits a lethal ball perfectly placed to Gimenez. Gimenez rushes, has a 1:1 shot with the Gk and finishes with goal outside the box just as defenders begin to close down. 3-1 half. The stats are pretty even in shots, on goal, possession, etc. But we are winning, sort of the obverse of last year. We need to finish strong. Dont get complacent lads. In the 47th minute, Simonovski gets his first ever hat trick for us. Gimenez feeds him a lethal ball. A great goal kick by Rimniceanu was hit on the way down without even dropping it by Gimenez to Simonovski who hit the ball and scored before they were set. It was a beautifully majestic goal to behold. It might beat Palenik’s goal from last year to my mind, as the best I’ve seen thus far. I send in Margeman and DC Pepe Castano. They hurt Jure’s calf and send in Morbeck for him. We win 4-1, and MOM is Simonovski. Nicely done!


I have to admit that this surprised me. I thought the early half of this season would see him return to the expected on-pitch performance for him from someone with his skill set, and it looks like he’s picking up steam. That MOM in back-to-back matches. Noice!

[Abe Sargent]

Oh, and that was our fastest goal ever scored, by the by

World Cup 2018 Results:

Spain defeated Belgium 1-0.

Belgium is happy their class finally showed making it to the Final.s

Surprises of the Cup:

Uruguay, England didn’t make it out of Groups

Bosnia made it out of Groups

USA made it out of groups

In the 1st Knockout Round, Poland devatated Germany 3-0

Others were as expected –Belgium over Japan, Portugal over South Korea, etc. Argentina did take out Brazil in a battle of South American heavies.

Qf –

Croatia over Port – 2-0
Belgium over Poland 1-0
Argentina over France 2-2 on pks
Spain over Italy – 1-1 on pks


SF

Spain over Croatia – 1-0
Belgium over Argentina – 4-1

Enjoy!



Away vs Rijeka, Leg #1 = I start Petre today and I start Margeman in the AMC spot I created for Lupu. I want to give Margeman some games. I deregistered Sato from my Euro squad to give me another DC in case of injury and such. He is not on my bench right now. In the 5th minute they score, and it doesn’t look good. I had moved to defensive for the first fifteen minutes or so, but they still cracked the ice. They have a great winger, Marin Tomosov, and in the 16th minute, he again calls our goal his home and now we are sinking. We are down 2-0. In the 40th, Margeman gets a goal after grabbing a loose ball in their box after they tackle Traore. Well that’s good, that will bring us within one of the half. Until they score in extra time. 1-3 them at the half. SHOW ME SOMETHING ELSE! Margeman feeds Petre on a nice run, and Petre scores in the 53rd. I send in Pepe Castano for a tired Ursu. In the 67th, Petre finds Stoian on the other side of goal and feeds him rather than the attacks in the middle and Stoian, unmarked, finishes. Now we are tied 3-3. Well alright then! Stoian grabs a card. I send in Tandia for him, I don’t want to see him head home. Both of us have good opportunities. They know how important the Away goal rule is, and 3 goals is strong for us, so they are trying to come, and we are trying to crack that tie. Margeman feeds Petre and Petre feeds goal in the 84th. We hold and win 4-3. That was an AMAZING COMEBACK! We were down 0-2 and 1-3. Nice. As you would expect, Petre was MOM.

Holy crap. Is Margeman my secret weapon? Petre had two goals and an assist.

Well I’ll leave Margeman in at the AMC for a few games, and let’s see what happens.

[Abe Sargent]

I have loan offers for Morbeck and Abaz. Do I want to loan them out? I say yes to Morbeck as there is some development left he can do, but not to Abaz, our scouts tell me he has little growth left. We can do it here for him.

I move Sato to a backup role from rotation.

I link up Mitrea to tutor Castano


Liga, Game #2 – Home vs Calarasi – We make no changes, save I start Tandia at wing across from Petre and keep Margeman at AMC. In the 15th minute, Tandia gives away a penalty. They score. In the 25th, Simonovski is taken off the pitch and I send in Dodoi for him. Tandia gets a yellow and is doing horribly, so I pull him in the 33rd for Stoian. Half. We are down 0-1. They have one shot on target, but it was the PK. We have 11, and 2, We need to class it up. In the 53rd minute, Dodoi finds Margeman for the equalizing goal. I send in Pepe Castano for a tired Mitrea. As time nears, we need to turn our dominance into a win. I move to attacking. We score in the 88 as Petre crosses to Dodoi for goal. We pull back and hold and win 2-1. Good job! MOM is Dodoi with a goal and an assist.

Marko is out for 4-5 weeks with strained ligaments.

I will start Dodoi in his spot for now.

Good news!

DC Hansell Riojas has arrived from Peru. We need the DC depth fast, and I’ll rotate him in quickly with the injury to Viera.

Pepe Castano came to me unsettled at the club and wanting a transfer. I agreed to bring in an compatriot instead.

[Abe Sargent]

August –

Aug 2 – Home vs Rijeka, EURO
Aug 3 – Draw for EURO Round 3
Aug 5 – Home vs Craiova
Aug 9 – First Game of Round Three, EURO
Aug 12 – Home vs FCSB
Aug 16 – 2ng Leg of EURO
Aug 15 – Draw for EURO
Aug 19 – Away vs Cluj
Aug 23 – First Game of Round 4, EURO
Aug 25 – Away vs Astra
Aug 30 – 2nd leg of EURO
Aug 31 – Home vs Viitorul

Now that’s a busy month. Forget the EURO for a moment, Away vs Cluj? FCSB? Craiova? This is not an easy month for the league matches. For example, only Craiova and us started the season with two victories, so one of us won’t be perfect in less than a week.


We liked the training of Mitrea, Lupu, and Castano this month

The amazing goal I mentioned of Simonovski was goal of the month for the Liga.

I bring in Spanish youth GK Guayacen Guerra and Castano now feels fully settled.



Home vs Rijeka, Leg #2 – We begin countering, I suspect they’ll come after us. They do. We hold, and hold. I slide to standard about 20 minutes in. They gather a goal off a nasty deep cross and Tomosov again scores on us. Nasty. In the 38th, Gimenez feeds Dodoi and we are tied at the half. Keep up the form. In the 46th minute, Tomosov hits goal again. Now they are up 2-1. I send in Lupu and Badal at DC. In the 83rd, Tandia finds Lupu for goal, and can we hold? In 5 minutes of extra time, Gimenez feeds Lupu and he scores. We win this game 3-2 and are through to the next stage 7-5. MOM was on their squad.

[Abe Sargent]

Who’s next?

Frankfurt.

Well that was a good EURO campaign! Have a good night Europe! Will the last Romanian team out please turn off the lights? Thanks.


Liga, Game #3 – Home vs Craiova. Make no changes to my roster. Ready to have a rough match? Alright, here we go I begin countering at home. In the 7th minute, GK Rimniceanu gives away a goal. Ursu hit an accurate back pass to him and he chose not to really pursue it, but to lazily allow it to come to him. As he saw a Craoiva player, he was closer and could have challenged, but didn’t and the goal was scored. Then in the 17th, they score again, and we are down 0-2. In the 33rd, Petre grabs a rebound from the GK off another blocked shot (that he shot) for goal. Two minutes later, a nice pass to set up Gimenez from DC Mitrea gives us the tying goal. Half, 2-2. Nice comeback, but keep it up. We got another half going. I send in Lupu for an underperforming Margeman. Jure with a yellow card. In the 67th, Lupu feeds Gimenez for goal, and we move to 3-2. Then in the 73rd, Gimenez has a moment. We are defending a CK. Gimenez is back. The ball is headed out, he scoops it up, runs with it the entire length of the field against two defenders, feeds Dodoi who is free due to the double team, for goal. I send in Rogriguez for a tired and yellow carded DMC Jure Obsivac. Craoiva pulls one back in the 79th. Now it’s 4-3. They score in the 87th. Tandia is injured late but I can’t pull him. Game. We tie 4-4. I thought we had them!

Tandia is out for a week or so.

[Abe Sargent]

Home vs Frankfurt, Leg #3 – Right now I have Viera, Tandia, and Simonovski out with injuries. Great time to play Frankfurt! Hansell Riojas is starting today. I begin countering. By the 20th minute, two of their players have collected yellow cards. Two minutes later, they have injured Dodoi lightly, I’ll keep him in for a bit. In the 23rd minute, they actually gift us an own goal, so we are up 1-0. I’ll take the accidental goal, thanks! Dodoi finds Gimenez for goal in the 25th.

I don’t know how long this score will last so here:

https://image.ibb.co/hWcPaT/pic_21.png

Enjoy the 2-0 score while it lasts. Margeman is knocked up a bit late in the half and they get a another card. Half. Don’t. Get. Complacent. Those words have never been more important. They come hard. They score in the 48th. They give a foul to them in the 49th and they score. Even the commentators are ruling that the PK was “harsh.” They are now tied just four minutes into the half. They finish a Corner for goal in the 54th. In the 60th, they get another yellow for someone who already had one and that player is sent off. I move forward. I send in Lupu. Schlocobeirt for Dodoi. And nothing happens. No goals, no magic, nothing.

Post Game Injuries:

Margeman – out for two days
Dodoi – Out for 5 weeks to 2 months with a thigh strain


Man, injuries are killing me.

[Abe Sargent]

Are there any ST I might want to think about bringing here for a loan?

We have sold Daisuke Sato for 125k to a team in Holland.

Liga, Game #4 – Home vs FCSB. I start Lupu and Schlocobiert today. I begin countering, and then ease back to standard around the 17 minute mark. They score in the 28th minute on a nice cross/header. In the 44th, Lupu grabs a loose ball outside of the box and drives a few steps and scores. We tied at the half. 1-1. You can win this! I pull Traore for Margeman. In the 67th, Schlocobiert finds Lupu for goal. I send in Abaz for Stoian. Then in the 83rd, we, hopefully, put the game away as Margeman hits Schlocobiert for goal. Rodriguez for Jure Obsivac. In extra time, Petre finds Schlocobiert for goal. We win 4-1. Mom is Schlocobiert.



Away vs Frankfurt, Leg #2 – We have Tandia back from his injury today in the lineup. They score in the 25th, Half. 0-1. You can do better. Gimenez gets a card and we injure one of their players. I pull Lupu for Margeman. Petre a card. Jure one. Stoian for Petre. Palenik a card. I send in Castano for him. They score in the 91st. We lose 0-2. Well, we wanted European play, and this happens. We lose to Frankfurt 5-2 aggregate.

[Abe Sargent]

Liga, Game #5 – Away vs Cluj. Is today the day we manage to get points from Cluj? I move Margeman to the middle where Traore would normally start. He’s tired from the congested fixtures. In the 15th minute, DMC Jure Obsivac collects a yellow card. Grrr. I pull my AMC to MC to have a 3-4-2 set up. We play good keep away and at the half it’s 0-0. Keep it up. In the 61st, Gimenez drives, finds Schlocobiert on an attacking run for the goal. I send in Rodriguez then Stoian. In the 85th, they manage to get that goal, and then we hold, and tie them 1-1.

If you had told me we’d tie Cluj today, on the road, prior to the game, I’d be happy. If you had told me we would have done so after being down a man for 75 minutes of the match I’d be happy. Be could have won that game without Obsivac’s red card. According to everyone, the card was totally justified.

I reject an offer for Gimenez

Liga, Game #6 - Away vs Astra. Astra are currently undefeated and 2nd in the league after Craiova. Traore is back in at MC and Lupu remains at AMC. Rodriguez is at DMC. Astria, Craoiva, and Viitorual are the only teams, other than us, to have no losses yet. I don’t want to talk about this game. We lost 4-2. And it asn;t that close, they were up by 4-0 by the 30th minute, and Gimenez got two assists late to Schlocobiert and Lupu for goals to make the score respectable. I had DCs giving up deep picks when they knew they were under pressure and a lazy throw-in that was intercepted and assisted for goal and more. It was a lazy, stupid performance.

[Abe Sargent]

I reject an offer for Petre.

14 of our players are called up for international duty.

We get the option of adding players today, on the 31st, and Riojas can start now

Liga, Game #7 – Home vs Viitorul. They haven’t lost and are #2 in the Basano after Astra. Simonovski is back from injury and starting again. Jure Obsivac at DMC. I start controlling. Let’s unfurl my sails and see what the guy can do now that he’s back. In the 12th minute their player, Dani Lopez, fouls us in the box and it’s PK time. Now my secret PK weapon is actually Mitrea. With a PK of 14, fin of 12 and long shots of 14 and composure of 14, he’s a great set piece option, even when you might expect someone who, isn’t,you a DC. He drills it in and we are up 1-0……and that’s it. It’s one of those boring matches where little happens and I look up and three minutes have passed and that’s it. I forgot to send in more than two subs. It’s the first loss by Viitorul this season, and gets us back to winning after a loss at Astra last week. MOM is Riojas, starting for Ursu. Welcome!

[Abe Sargent]

September


Sept 15 – Home vs Hermannstadt
Sept 22 – Away vs Timisoara
Sept 29 – Away vs Concordia

Good Training – Petre, Schlocobiert, Castano

We got through hell month after going against Cluj, Viitorul, Astra, and Craiova as well as the EURO six matches. Whew! We are currently in 3rd place, although we have a game on many of the other teams.

Simonovski has been called up to the Macedonia squad for injury replacement.

Margeman scored his first goal for South Africa


Liga, Game #8 – Home vs Hermannstadt. Jure with yet another yellow card. Diving rain, an I begin controlling. In the 5th, Lupu finds Gimenez for goal, and we are up already. Four minutes later Traore and Gimenez connect and we are up by two before the 10 minute mark. I pull back from control after a few waves of them come. They injure Lupu’s ankle,and I send in Margeman. Half. I send in Rodriguez for Jure. They get two yellows. Gimenez to Simonovski in the 68th for goal. I send in Stoian for Tandia. He’s not had a great day. Rodriguez with a card. Another card for them. And there is his hattrick! The GK came forward, and Gimenez punishes him in the 93rd minute with a long shot into an empty goal. Lethal long ball from Mitrea that cleared the defenders for him perfectly. We win 4-0, MOM is….yes, Gimenez.

[Abe Sargent]

Liga, Game #9 – Away vs Timisoara. I am starting Ursu for Palenik today, and Dodoi is back from injury. He’s on the bench. We begin quietly countering after a few minutes early pressure from us. We punch the ticket in the 25th as Traore feeds Lupu for goal. Half. 1-0 us. Don’t get complacent, they have outplayed us. Stoian for Tandia. They finally crack our goal in the 67th. Dodoi for Simonovski and Palenik for Mitrea. We tie 1-1.


Liga, Game #10 – Away vs Concordia. I start Ursu and Margeman today. Corcordia is 6th in the Basano right now. We begin countering in the driving rain. We have early pressure but it amounts to no results. Then they get a card but nothing. In the 42nd minute, they drive for goal. We are down 0-1 at the half, but the stats favor us, and we have more shots and more on target. And 54% possession. Tandia is, again, not playing well on the wing so I send in Stoian early in the 2nd half, and that was the right call. In the 60th, Stoian gets a goal after an assist by Gimenez. Gimenez with a yellow card. In the 76th, Margeman finds Stoian for goal. I send in Dodoi and Palenik to sub for Ursu with a card. Game, we win 2-1, MOM is Stoian.

Cluj are in a freefall and sitting at 12th. They just fired their manager. I applied. Not because I want to got their, but in order to see if I can get my board to invest in additional club upgrades that they declined last time.



After ten games we are in 3rd place. 1st is Astra with 22. Then us, Craiova, and Viitorul are all tied with 21 points. All of us have 6 wins. Astra has four ties. The other three have one loss and three ties.

[Abe Sargent]

October


Oct 5 – Home vs Dinamo
Oct 19 – Home vs Botano
Oct 27 – Away vs Voluntari
Oct 31 – Home vs Pandurii

Good training – Lupu, Schlocobiert, DC Carlos Badal.


Holy crap! Let me show you a cool news item I just got:

https://image.ibb.co/eaCcx8/pic_22.png

And this is just 10 games into the season, Gimenez is clocking in with a ton of assists. Good jorb!




Liga, Game #11 – Home vs Dimano. I start Stoian. Hot leg and all. I begin controlling. Petre to Lupu, goal in the 11th. Simonovski with a yellow. They bang up Gimenez and I pull him in the 42nd to protect him and Dodoi heads in. Petre is driving the flank, finds Simonovski who heads to Dodoi, who’s header is lethal, and punched by the GK out, and it falls to Jure Obsivac who scores in the 45th. Half, we are up 2-0. Don’t let up. I send in Traore. They score in the 72nd. Mitrea with a card. I send in Palenik for him. They claw one in the 83rd. I move to attacking high tempo. In extra time, Traore to Dodoi for goal. Lupu’s interception started the move. Here comes Dinamo. There goes the clock. We win 3-2. MOM is Obsivac.

Gimenez is injured for 4 days, but should be back for Botano

[Abe Sargent]

I interview with Cluj.

I bring in a couple of good Swiss youth prospects for a few years – MR Christian Schaub and MC Gabin Debobist

After negotiating with my club, they agree to update the training and youth facilities for me to withdraw my interest in Cluj, which I do. It will take a few days, but things should be fine.
Liga, Game #12 – Home vs Botosani – I begin controlling today. In the 16th,Gimenez finds Simonovski for goal, and then a minute later, Petre finds Gimenz for a gal, and then….nothing. quiet half. 2-0 us at the half. Keep it up. Jure with a card. Again. I send in Treore. (I trained him the DMC position over the last few months). Tandia for Lupu. They grab a goal in the 79th. Dodoi heads in for a tired Simonovski. A Botosani wave smashes but we hold and win 2-1. Petre is the MOM.


The two scheduled upgrades have begun and will take a few months each.

[Abe Sargent]

Liga, Game #13 – Away vs Voluntari – This is the halfway point of the season. Palenik is back in the starting role. No other changes. I begin with a counter mentality. A great Voluntari wave crashes against our defense in the first few minutes, but the boardwalk doesn’t fall. Simonovski’s groin in injured and I send in Dodoi. Jure with another yellow card. This will force him to miss our next match. Half, scoreless. We can still win this. I send in Ursu. In the 72nd they score, and I move to attacking. Dodoi grabs a goal in the 78th. I ease to control for a bit and see how it goes. Jure gets another yellow in the 79th, and I pull back to counter and move some folks in and send in Rodriguez. 7 minutes of injury time are added. They score in injury time.

I am so tired of playing this game with Jure.

I fine him a week’s wages, and he think’s that’s unfair, but I don’t care.

I move Traore to the DMC role to see what he can do with it. He will start there until my new player arrives in January or he loses it.

Here’s the table at the halfway mark

https://image.ibb.co/b9GzAT/Pic_23.png

As you can see, Astra as still in 1st, and Craiova 2nd. We were in 2nd until our loss at Voluntari. As you can see, Cluj are in the last spot. Which is good for us. If the season ended today, we’d be in the 3rd spot moving into the playoffs. I also cut the assists and ratings that have Gimenez in them so you could see that snapshot fo his progress thus far.

Viera returns from his injury. I’ll nurse him back to the starting role from the bench.

[thehitcat]

It makes this member of the Legion happy to see the table with Sepsi near the top and Cluj (this leagues version of the Yankees or Real Madrid) all the way at the foot.

That said, how are they down there with all that talent? Do they have a million injuries? Did they sell all their best players to cash in and pay down a debt? 8 Points after 13 Games seems unfathomable for a team that outclasses the rest of the division so heavily.

[Abe Sargent]

It makes this member of the Legion happy to see the table with Sepsi near the top and Cluj (this leagues version of the Yankees or Real Madrid) all the way at the foot.

That said, how are they down there with all that talent? Do they have a million injuries? Did they sell all their best players to cash in and pay down a debt? 8 Points after 13 Games seems unfathomable for a team that outclasses the rest of the division so heavily.

That is a great question. In real life, Cluj hit a financial wall about 4-5 years ago and had to dig deep and they lost some of their rep and players. They had some insolvency issues and were unable to pay their players. They were banned of a few years of Continental play while they got their house in order, but by all accounts they had by now. You, they no longer had great players like Ete'o, but they still were the best by far.

When I interviewed I saw something unusual. Their salary was high, sure, but they had just a few hundred thousand in the transfer kitty, although I figured at the time that this was because this was mid-year and they had spent it. They told me that the financial environment was tight.

In FM18, they are in their 4th manager. But I still have issues when I play them. One of my games last year was after they let their manager go and I still lost against a rudder-less Cluj. But it takes a while for a new manager, tactics, etc to help, to matter. Maybe that's the issue in FM? They haven't had the chance to congeal around a manager. Who wants Cluj? They have high expectations, and 6 month average turnaround, are sitting in the back of the table, and currently don't have the funds to get them out? So I think Cluj are just contniung to be the victim of their Yankee-equae success.

Take us. We are in Translyvania as well, with just a 5000 seater. We haven't sold out one time. Not for EUROs, no for Dortmund, not for major matches in the qualifiers last year, nothing. There just ins't the long-term sustainability in Romania that Cluj needed to continue As some point in time, the oil is going to drain from your wealth Oil Tycoon. Where do you go then? When everything you did was based around importing and buying at full price, rather than building and developing?

[Abe Sargent]

November

Nov 1 – Away vs Targu, Romanian Cup
Nov 4 – Away vs Calarasi
Nov 7 – Home vs Pandurii
Nov 11 – Away vs Craiova
Nov 24 – Away vs FCSB
Nov 29 – Draw for Cup


Good Training – Badal, Schlocobiert, Lupu

I drop Viera to First Team from key player

Cup Match vs Targu – I’ll skip most of the boring write up. 0-0 draw, we win on PKs as Rimniceanu blocks two of their PKs while we don’t miss any. Viera played the second half and thus extra time as well. MOM is Margeman.



Liga, Game #14 – Calarasi. We begin countering, no changes to the squad. Around the 30 mark I realize they aren’t pushing so I move to control but nothing happens. Tied half. They have zero shots taken to our 12 and 4 on target. Keep playing your game! I send in Viera at the start of the half. Lupu feeds the ball past some defenders, and Gimenez and Simonovski pass it back and forth and Gimenez. Then in the 71st, Simonovski intercepts a backpass and scores. I pull to counter, and send in Rodriguez and Tandia. They come forward. We hold and win 2-0. MOM is Gimenez.

[Abe Sargent]

14 international callups from Sepsi.

Liga, Game #15 – Pandurii – I move in Viera to start for Palenik. I begin controlling. Riojas to Stoian off a IFK in the 27th for the first score of a quiet game. A few minutes later Petre is injured a bit and I choose to pull him for Tandia. Half. We are up 1-0. Traore injured and I send in Rodriguez. Stoian crosses to Tandia for goal in the 56th. Tandia to Gimenez for goal in the 67th. Dodoi for Simonovski. We win 3-0. MOM is Stoian.

Traore injured his hip and will be out for a few months.

We lock up Petre for a few more years.



Liga, Game #16 – Away at Craiova – This is a big match. I stat Jure at DMC because I don’t have time to send out Rodriguez. Viera is tired and I start Palenik. I begin with a counter mentality. Can we get points from them on the road? We injure one of their players in the 16th. We started even, but then Craiova just opens up a can of beatings, and we barely hold on till the half. 0-0. I send in Ursu. Then Tandia. It’s sloppy game. We have one shot on target, they four. Then in the 83rd then get their 5th shot on target and score and u push to attacking. I don’t get a goal. We lose 0-1.



Liga, Game #17 – Away vs FCSB- Viera starts. Everyone is rested and ready to go. I will begin countering as normal, it’s FCSB after all. At 6:16 we injure one of their folks. In the 14th minute, Stoian hits Petre for goal. Then in the 19th minute, Margeman hits Petre for goal! And then…….that’s it. Quiet game. No real pressure by either team. FCSB was content to pull back after we exposed them twice for attacking, and we were too. Petre is MOM. Jure had another yellow and is banned for the next match for too many of them.

We draw Cluj in the next round of the Cup

[Abe Sargent]

December

Dec 1 – Home vs Cluj, Liga
Dec 6 – Away vs Cluj, Cup
Dec 9 – Home vs Astra
Dec 15 – Away vs Viitorul
Dec 22 – Away vs Hermannstadt

Ready for the Month o ‘ Cluj?

Good Training – Lupu, Schlocobiert


Liga, Game #18 – Home vs Cluj – We begin standard for the Cluj match. We then move to control and then we get an OG and are up 1-0 at the half. Don’t; get complacent folks! Simonovski finds Lupu for goal in the 56th, and then…nothing. Very quiet game from Cluj. We win 2-0 and MOM is Lupu. We have finally beaten Cluj!

[Greyfriars Bobby]

We have finally beaten Cluj!

Good job! I'm really starting to dislike them. :)

Now, it's time to knock them out of the Cup, too.

[Abe Sargent]

Good job! I'm really starting to dislike them. :)

Now, it's time to knock them out of the Cup, too.

Yup! Let's do it!

[Abe Sargent]

Cup – Away vs Cluj – Is Cluj going to get revenge on us for last game? Jure is back at DMC. The game is even until they foul Gimenez in the box int eh 25th. Up steps Mitrea and……..score! Nicely done lad. They wound Simonovski a few minutes later and I send in Schlocobiert. In the 29th, Stoian crosses to Lupu for goal. The Cluj assault begins and they manage a few shots but nothing dangerous. They grab a goal in the 44th. Half, 2-1 us. Don’t get complacent! In the 47th, Petre finds Gimenez for goal. Another penalty is called on Cluj, and Mitrea sinks it as well in the 53rd. Please give us another penalty, I want to give a DC a hattrick. I pull Gimenez to keep him ready for Astra. We hold on and win 4-1. Cluj won’t like the score. They had 22 shots and 17 on target to our 13 and 6. But hey, even without the penalties, we won 2-1. MOM is Mitrea

I'll take it!!!

[thehitcat]

Cluj is down (or heading there) and out(of the cup) and the Legion couldn't be happier!

[Abe Sargent]

Liga, Game #19 – Home vs #1 Astra – This probably isn’t going to be easy. I move in Palenik for Viera. I begin controlling.They hold up and keep us from hitting goal again and things calm down. Then in the 38th minute Gimenez feeds Stoian for goal. Mitrea had a lethally on target DFK but the keeper pushed it away. Astra almost grab a goal off a corner kick in the 44th but it was pushed aside. Half, we are ahead 1-0. Don’t get complacent. Mitrea with a card. They have pulled their 3 subs by 56 minutes. I up my tempo to tire them out. Astra are pushing forward. In the 61st, Petre finds Stoian for a goal. Then a minute later, Obsivac to Petre for goal. I pull folks back to counter, and survive an Astra counter attack. We win 3-0, MOM is Stoian.


That was a big game. With that win, we are now in 1st. Good job!




Liga, Game #20 –Away vs #3 Viitorul – This is also a big match as well. I make no major changes to our squad. We begin countering and we are playing in snow here today. The first 18 minutes sees a minor Viitorul wave of attacks coming and we push it back. In the 28th, they give us a PK and up steps Mitrea and……he misses. The GK guessed right. The rest of the half melts away and we are 0-0. Now we are getting heavily outplayed. As the second half gets underway I pull back to defend as I just want to survive. I send in Palenik and Tandia for Stoian and Mitrea. We are holding well. Until the 91st minute in extra time, and Viitorul crack the goal. Then, a minute later, they do so as well. They finish with 20 shots and 11 on target to our 3 and 1. We lose 0-2.

That drops us right back down again


With 20 games, we are 13, 3 and 4.

[Abe Sargent]

Cluj is down (or heading there) and out(of the cup) and the Legion couldn't be happier!

Me too!

[Abe Sargent]

I choose to go to Cyprus for training camp.


Liga, Game #21 –Away vs #4 Hermannstadt – Alright, this is the final game before Winter break. There’s a driving winter rain and no one is in the seats. Let’s win it. I begin countering as I am on the road. They have an early push with a few shots on target. We survive another assault. In the 28th, Simonovski finds Lupu for goal, his 10th of the season. Jure finds Gimenez for goal in the 39th. Half. We are up 2-0. Don’t get complacent! They have more shots and more on target. They also have possession and such. They sink a DFK in the 65th. I send in Tandia, Viera, and Rodriguez. Simonovski finds Gimenez for goal in the 88th. MOM is Gimenez


https://image.ibb.co/dtc5Ko/pic_24.png

Here we are, heading into Winter Break. After everyone has finished 21 games, we are 2nd – Astra just lost again, so we gained on them. Five games left!

You can also see Gimenez is leading in Assists, 3rd in goals. And rating

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to a great Bulgarian DC coming free in a few days. Anyone else want to chase?

Not really. We’re doing well, and I’m about to add that DMC we picked up in June.

With starts and mentoring, Lupu has already moved into the role as my best player. Here take a look at Lupu

https://image.ibb.co/byYVkT/Pic_31.png


As you can see, he’s on the rise in a number of places, and already looking better. Here is is when he was newly generated last Spring:

https://image.ibb.co/emjxqT/pic_11.png

You can see rises to mental stats like composure, anticipation, bravery, flair, decision, and positioning, and well as longs, dribb, bal, pass and such. He is our guy. No question. He’s going to be our guy, no question.

Here is our coach report:

https://image.ibb.co/dKAbQT/pic_26.png

And there you are. The Lupu Project is working nicely. We are training him in passing right now.

[Abe Sargent]

18 year old DC Valentin Antov, Bulgaria is our latest youth guy, and this one is more developed than many of my youth projects out there like Castano or Cadal.

We signed him.

http://cska.bg/images/VALKATADEBIUTIRA!.jpg

He wants to bring his game to Sepsi!

https://image.ibb.co/eHhvKo/pic_27.png

He’s not as good as my current level of talent, and I’ll send him to the U19 squad for the rest of the year, but we’ll try to mentor and develop him. He actually speaks Hungarian, which is one of the two lingua francas of Sepsi, so he’ll be fine

(Sfântu Gheorghe is more than three quarters Hungarian). Cluj has been as high as 85% Hungarian in the 40s but that number dropped considerably during the Iron Curtain.

[Abe Sargent]

Who’s contracts are coming up in 6 months:


DMC Jure Obsivac
MC Alejandro Rodriguez
DM C R Albert Dalmau
GK Roland Niczuly
AMC Alexandru Chitiru
DC Ionut Ursu

And that’s it, no youth. Do I want to keep any of them? Dalmau is loaned out right now, and I have no desire to keep heavily carded Obsivac, the crowded out Rod, or the others. Niczuly is currently my backup GK but isn’t that good. I think I have better options on my youth squad. All five are going to be let go.

I don’t have any youthers free either.

Anyone coming free next year I want to make offers too?

Yes, but he won’t sign for me initially. So I make an offer with his club to transfer him, they agree, and we do the deal.

Now, before I show him to you, let me tell you what I had to do to sign him:

I had to cut like 10k from my weekly budget to afford the transfer

He has been on my radar and shortlist for a while. One of my Eastern European scouts found him last year. They thought he had a giant future for footy at the highest levels.

I made their team an offer to bring him in. But nether were interested. I was hoping that the connection he might have with our team would be enough.

He is 17 years old and Slovakian,the same as Jakub Palenik

He will be capped soon.

I was reminded of him when his contract was almost up in 6 months, and then made him an offer to join us for free, and that would have let me rob Europe. He said he wanted to wait until closer to the deadline to decide, but our scouts feel that he’d want to play for us.

We agreed to 850k with the club, Presov, in Slovakia.

If he says yes after our hot prospect offer, then we’re be getting happy.

He has agreed. But he’s great. Here:

I give you Milan Ekhardt:


https://image.ibb.co/bBAPC8/pic_32.png

Sometimes you get an opportunity to sign a player who’s good and you just have to. I’ll figure it out later, right? Right. This is Milan Eckhart, 17 years old. You can see that he reminds you of Lupu last year. I can see bringing him in and running him in the MC or AMC as well as Lupu and Margeman. And he’ll be a hot proect as he’s a little rawer than those two right now, although on the level of Traore or such already.

Welcome to Sepsi!

I have no money left, so time to hit okay and let’s finish 2018

Before he comes in, I offer Traore a squad rotation.

[Abe Sargent]

January, 2019


Jan 19 – Cyprus Friendly #1
Jan 23 – Cyprus Friendly #2
Jan 26 – Cyprus Friendly #3
Jan 28 – Cyprus Friendly #4
Feb 2 – Cyprus Friendly #5


Good Training – Petre, Dodoi, Lupu

Schlocobiert has moved ahead of Dodoi and is better than Simonovski. Technically.

We extend my coaching deal by a year.

We fly out to Cyprus for Winter Training!

One of the better young developed players in Romania was at Viitorul, but was poached by AC Milan for 5.5 mil.


Friendly – We win 5-3

[Abe Sargent]

We have our three new folks arrive, two you just saw and Wilder Cartagena

https://prod.media.larepublica.pe/720x405/larepublica/imagen/2018/02/08/noticia-wilder-cartagena.png


Welcome to SEPSI baby

Here’s are his stats


https://image.ibb.co/jtAt5T/pic_28.png


This is how you beat Cluj. Assuming they aren’t in a freefall. Wilder is great for this level of play. As a young, fully developed DMC, he’ll own that position instead of Jure, and he is on a club with fellow Peruvian international Riojas at DC. Wilder is the sort of player who can help to take us to the next level. Passing 15? Mark 16? Tack 15? He’s good at stopping folks, marking the worst players that are coming, and more. His 13/14 speed is good too. 17 leadership? 15 Visions, work rate, determination, aggression, etc? Stamina? The only thing I wish was a higher jump/head, but no one is perfect, right?

Welcome to Sepsi!

I move Jure to rotation

Traore is back from injury

Friendly #2 – I start Cartagena. We win 6-1.

[Abe Sargent]

My AssMan took over as the Manager of Iasi.

I need a new Assistant. I find my guy:

Georgian Akaki Khubutia

He’s very good. He’s a 4 star defending trainer and great elsewhere.


Friendly #3 - We tie 1-1.

Friendly #4 – We win 4-2

I get an offer from Inter for DC Carlos Badal. Why are they interested in one of my youth? He hasn’t show that much.

Here is Carlos:


https://image.ibb.co/iPGaKo/Pic_29.png

He’s 19. He hasn’t really developed that much with player and such. He doesn’t have this amazing work rate to get to his potential. He’s a DC with 4 stamina. But clearly, AC Milan fee they can develop him. I picked him up after Valencia didn’t retain him last year, but I’m not seeing what is bringing out the big guns.

Can I push the transfer? I would sell him for a good amount of cash. I remove their clauses. They are Inter. I offer a flat 1 mill. They counter. We settle for 750k and 50% of next sale. I was able to pocket 550k of that cash, and is there anything else I want to secure?

[Abe Sargent]

I decline an offer of 400k from Porto for Palenik.

Palenik and I discuss his concern and I told him the offer wasn’t anywhere near our evaluation of him. He has a min release fee of 3.5 mill. He asks what I would sell him for, and he tells me that my 3.5 mill is too high, and we agree that if I get an offer at 2.7 mill, then I’ll sell.

It’s like his agent went and told Porto that because within an hour I have a “non-negotiable” offer for 2.7 mill. That’s sad. I liked you Jakub, I even brought another young Slovakian for you to play with. But you had already peaked.

Now I have 3 mill in transfer kitty to go shopping with. Certainly someone or other will scratch.

I call up my recent DC acquisition from the U19 squad.

I make an offer to Cluj for their best youth prospect. I like him a lot. I was willing to offer a lot, but my first check-in offer of 250k was accepted. Did I overpay? I doubt it, he’s strong. I was expecting to spend a lot more of my transfer cash.

Ah well.

Anyone else who strikes me?

I finalize an offer for the best youth prospect at FCSB for 750k.

Huh.

We must sell our youth too cheaply.

The 16 year old at FCSB doesn’t want to come to us (too young), but we do get the Cluj guy. Their finances must not be good. I’ll poach him.

https://image.ibb.co/gWXAkT/pic_30.png

This is Striker Raul Cobarzan. He’s a solid St prospect who can, hopefully, bring some heat. He’s my 5th choice ST after Gimenez, Simonovski, Schlocobiert and Dodoi, but we love his potential. I put him on loan. He needs first team starts.

[Abe Sargent]

February

Feb 2 – Final Friendly
Feb 9 – Home vs Timisoara
Feb 13 – Home vs Concordia
Feb 16 – Home vs Voluntari
Feb 23 – Away vs Dinamo

Good Training – Schlocobiert, Lupu

Four of our last games include three games at home, and this isn’t exactly a Gauntlet of death or anything.

I loan out Raul.

I have had an offer accepted by an Italian club, Spal, for a young Romanian middie for 1.1 mill.

Friendly #5 – We win 7-0.

I connect Gimenez and Raul for mentorship.

Liga, Game #22 –Home vs Timisoara – I am starting my new DMC but everyone else is normal. I begin with a standard mentality. We injure one of their players in the 3rd minute of the game. On a run up the side, Petre finds Simonovski for goal in the 31st. Half. We are up 1-0. Don’t get complacent! They don’t. I send in Tandia and Traore. In the 74th, Margeman finds Petre for goal. Then in the 85th they ratchet one back. I send in Schlocobiert. Then we push and get an OG from them in the 89th. In extra time, Tandia gets a card, and they get a score, so we win 3-2. MOM is Petre with an assist and goal.

We lucked into that win, but any win when chasing the top spot is worth it.

[Abe Sargent]

I have a loan offer for first team play for Schlocobiert. Take it? Yeah, it’s here in Romania and will help keep him here for getting Romanian citizenship as I have don for other S. Americans, and I can’t guarantee games either. I can call him back if I have some bad form or something.

Actually, I have changed my mind. I call up that team and cancel the loan. I am going to move Schlocobiert to start for the next four games. He currently is better than Simonovski in skills, and Simonovski currently has 8 goals and 4 assist in 19 games, but Luiz has 4 goals and 1 assists in 4 starts and 2 subs. Simonovski has been fine for a starting ST, but Luiz could be better, so let’s unfurl him and see what we can unearth.


Liga, Game #23 –Home vs Concordia – I begin controlling for this match. I hope to score. In the 9th, Petre shoots after assisted by Schlocobiert, the GK hits it, and Gimenez pounces on the rebound and puts it away. They are clearly setting up a fortress. 25 minutes in, they have zero shots to our 12. Viera a yellow card. 1-0 at the half. Keep it up. Lupu a card. I send in new signee Milan Eckhart for him. They hit a DFK in the 59th. Then Schlocobiert finds Gimenez for goal two minutes later. Ursu for Viera. I send in Dodoi for a tired Schlocobiert. In the 87th, Dodoi finds Gimenez for his hat trick! DC Hansell gives up a PK in extra time and they sink it. It bounced off Rimniceanu, who chose right, into goal. Then they score in the 91st off a counter from a Corner kick. I move to attacking. There are 5 minutes of injury time, so there is time for a 4th goal from us can we get it? Dodoi? Gimenez? Do we have it in us? No we do not. Tie, 3-3. Sad. Mom is Gimenez.

[Abe Sargent]

Liga, Game #24 –Home vs Voltunari – I handed out some rests and I have new DC Valentin Antov start for Hansell Riojas after his bad game against Concordia. I also am moving Tandia to start on the left Wing, to give Stoian a rest. After letting Palenik go, Antov is now my 4th DC and ahead of Ursu. Let’s get him some playing time, and see how he does. I begin controlling. In the 18th minute, Margeman finds Schlocobiert for goal. In the 38th, Schlocobiert finds Lupu for goal. Half. We are up 2-0 at the break. Don’t get that complacency. In the 50th, Schlocobiert finds Gimenez for goal. I send in Eckhart and Traore early to give them time to play. I’ll hold my final sub for injury. They climb one back in the 62nd. I put in Ursu for Margeman, and move him to DC and Antov to DMC and Traore to MC. On a IFK after they foul Schlocobiert in extra time, Mitrea hits Viera for goal. We win 4-1, MOM is Schlocobiert.


Well I think starting Schlocobiert for Simonovski is already paying dividends.

[Abe Sargent]

Liga, Game #25 –Away vs Dinamo – With two games left, we are 2nd going into this match. Viitorul just lost last week, and now they are just a single point above us on the Basano league table. Today we are heading to face #5 Dinamo in their place. Stoian and Riojas are starting today. I begin countering because they are Dinamo. In the 10th minute, Stoian crosses to Gimenez, and he heads the ball at goal and it rebounds off the crossbar and he grabs it and puts it away. A few minutes later in the 15th, Dinamo score in the 15th off a corner kick. Then in the 18th, Petre crosses to Schlocobiert who scores. We injure one of their players. A wave of Dinamo attacks comes, but at the half, we are still ahead 2-1. They have twice as many shots as us, and are clearly not happy. They start getting cards as the 2nd half is underway. I send in Simonovski and Traore. Then in the 81st, one of their guys with a yellow already fouls us and gets another and is sent off. I push forward as they turtle up. In the 89th, Stoian has a great run, finds Simonovski, and we win 3-1. MOM is Petre.

Our win puts pressure on Viitorul, who are away against Craiova this week. They are just a point above us and… they win 4-3 against Craiova

The Cup Quarter Final occurred, and we are playing against League 2 team that made it to the QF. There is an opportunity to take away their homefield advantage by offering them cash in Romanian football. I offer them money (15k) flip home-field to us. They take the cash.

In training Simonovski is injured and out for 2 weeks.

[Abe Sargent]

March

March – Away vs Botosani
March 7 – Cup vs Mioveni


Good Training – Antov, Lupu, Dodoi

The other matches will populate once the regular season ends.


Liga, Game #26 –Away vs Botosani – We are locked into 2nd. #3 Astra is four points behind us. But we are just one point below #1 Viitorul, so we have a shot at getting up to them. I begin countering for Botosani. In the 16th minute, off an IFK, Mitrea finds Gimenez for goal. Then they claw back as a wave hits us for five minutes, finishing with a tie. Things back off, quiet half. 1-1. Get this win! In the 66th, after I send in Dodoi for a banged up Gimenez, They score and we are down 1-2. I send out Traore. A few minutes later, Petre finds Schlocobiert for the tying goal….and thats it. We tie 2-2, and MOM is Petre.

Here is the regular table:

https://image.ibb.co/fVC6uo/pic_33.png

Here you are. We finish the regular season in 2nd, and head into the playoffs 2nd.

You can see Cluj in the back below two teams at 12 and 11 that were promoted this year. The rest of the top 6 are Viitorul at #1, Craiova behind us, Astra, FCSB and Dinamo. We will fight and juggle for various positions over the next ten games. As a reminder, Viitorul won this Basano Liga two years prior, and then Craiova last year in the first year of Sepsi in the Basano. So they are winners of the regular season again, two years later.

Oh, please note the highlighted gold folks. You can see Petre at the top of the ratings, Gimenez in 2nd and the top of goals, Petre top of assists, etc.

[Abe Sargent]

Romanian Cup QF – Home vs Mioveni. I start Antov at DC, Jure Obsivac, and Tandia and Eckhart. Given we are playing at home, I am in a controlling state of mind. We win 4-2 – 2 goals by Schlocobiert, 1 by Gimenez, 1 PK by Mitrea, and MOM was Petre with 2 assists.


Petre has like 3 Mom in a row now!

(As a heads up, I am playing these games, I am watching season two of Queer Eye, so I will have more limited commentary. Sorry! Not really :) )

Continental Quals – Game #1 – Away vs Dinamo – This is a game we just played, and they are a team you need to respect. I move back my full starters and starting countering today. We have a bore draw on the way when Mitrea sinks a 30 yard DFK for goal in the 82nd. Mitrea is a baller. Then they score us right back in the 85th. In extra time, Traore finds Schlocobiert for goal. We win 2-1.

[Abe Sargent]

Simonovski is back, Jure Is injured for 4 or 5 weeks.

The new youth are here. I look to see if we have anyone notable. Not really that much. Anyone else I want to look at?

I’ll look after the Craiova game

Continental Quals – Game #2 – Home vs Craiova – I begin controlling. I want to take this game to Craiova. Stoian finds Wilder Cartagena for goal in the 35th. Schlocobiert to Lupu in the 49th. Tandia injured. Schlocobiert to Gimenez for goal in the 79th, Margeman to Petre, goal, 86th. We sandblast Craiova 4-0. MOM is Schlocobiert.

Tandia is out for a month; that was a major victory by over Craiova. Good job team!


We now have a 9 game streak of no losses.

I don’t see any Romanian youth that leap out at me.

SEVEN of my players were named in the Team of the Week!

16 international callups occur

The Sepsi U19 squad defeated the U19 squad from Iasi in the QF of the U19 Cup.


Continental Quals – Game #3 – Home vs Astra – I begin controlling. Like Craiova, I want to take this game to Astra. Viitorul beat Craiova on the road. They are not dropping any points yet. We can’t either. I start Traore in the middle as Margeman is out on duty. We win 3-0, MOM is Petre. Goals by Mitrea, Schlocobiert, and Gimenez.

[Abe Sargent]

April

Apr 3/May 1 – U19 Semi Final Cup
Apr 4 - Away vs FCSB
Apr 14 – Home vs Viitorul
Apr 20 – Home vs Dinamo
Apr 27 – Away vs Craiova


Good training – Ekhart, Lupu, ST Raul Cobarzan

Petre is named as the Player of the Month!!!

Mitrea was 3rd, by the by.


Continental Quals – Game #4 – Away vs FCSB – Margeman is back in the MC spot. Uh oh,

We begin with two goals by either team, ours is by Schlocobiert. We hold and then in the 68th minute, they injure Rimniceanu, I replace him with a DC from my bench, and we manage to hold for a tie after I slide back to “Thou shalt not pass” levels of defense and giving us all aspects of attacking. We tie 1-1. MOM is Stoian with the assist on the day.

But this is not good. Rimniceanu is out for 3-4 weeks. He’ll be back in May. Meanwhile I have Craiova, Dinamo, and Viitorul in our way at least.

Who’s my next GK? My next one is Ivano Maio, the youth I signed. He’s already better than my backup.

Viitorul won and are now 4 points in front of us

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Quals – Game #5 – Home vs Viitorul –This was going to be our shot to catch up. But now without my GK it’ll be tough. I will begin counter not controlling. They have come hard against us, with more than 20 shots in our place, but just one goal by the half. Meanwhile Schlocobiert and Gimenez have exchanged assists and goals and we are 2-1. Don’t get complacent. We have 4 shots, 2 on target. We are lucky to be ahead. Riojas with a yellow to their 3. Lupu with a card. They score in the 59th and equalize. Another score follows. They disallow our goal in the 69th by Stoian. Stoian to Schlocobiert in the 71st. Whew. This is tight. I pull Riojas, Lupu with their cards. They were attacking the entire game, had 37 shots, and 18 on target, and we tied them 3-3. I’ll take it. MOM is Schlocobiert


We draw Dinamo for the Romanian Cup semis


Continental Quals – Game #6 – Home vs Dinamo – We win 3-0 with goals by Mitrea, Gimenez, and Petre, with 2 assists by Schlocobiert. I was controlling fr the 2nd half after counter early, and we never missed Rimniceanu. MOM is Schlocobiert

Tandia and Jure are healed back from their injuries.

[Abe Sargent]

Romanian Cup = Semi-Final, Leg 1, vs Dinamo – We are playing in driving rain, Stoian to Schlocobiert, goal, 19th. We injure one of their players in the 23rd. Petre to Schlocobiert in the 35th. They get one, then another yellow. They have a powerful attack, but it gets to nothing. 2-0 half. No complacency. Off a corner, Stoian hits Mitrea for goal. That guy scores more than an ST. I injure another of their players and this one looks serious. By the 55th minute, they are out of subs. I push my tempo. Stoian to Gimenez, goal, 59th. That’s his third assist today. In goes Tandia, Antov, and then finally Traore. On a corner in the 89th, Stoian finds Tandia, who heads it to Schlocobiert who scores a hat trick. We win 5-0. MOM is Schlocobiert. Now I also want to toss a thanks out to Ivano Maio, the GK, who, at 17, has been forced into the lineup, and has two shuts out and a 3-3 tie after getting assaulted for more than 30 shots and tons on target. Would Rimniceanu have done any better?

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Quals – Game #7 –Away vs Craiova – Countering for today! We win 5-1.

Here, let’s brag:


https://image.ibb.co/fTuvpo/pic_34.png

Hattrick by Gimenez. Just one goal allowed by GK Maio on the road against a team that used to have our number. We got six shots on target, and scored 5. Effective, efficient, and solid. Good job folks!

We have officially qualified for the EURO next year


Rimniceanu is back and will start next game.


Five players, including GK Maio, were in Team of the Week.

[thehitcat]

Just wondering how many points behind Viitorul for Champions League qualification our boys are?

[Abe Sargent]

May


May 1 – 2nd half of U19 Semi Final Cup
May 5 – Away vs Astra
May 12 – Away vs Viitorul
May 16 – Away vs Dinamo, Romanian Cup Semis
May 19 – Home vs FCSB

We have three games left in the quals, and we are still four points behind Viitorul, so it would be really hard to catch them now. We are guaranteed 2nd with three games left.


Good training – Mitrea, Petre, Maio


Schlocobiert is player of the month for the Basano

Our U19 team wins 7-4 on aggregate and are through to the finals.


Continental Quals – Game #8 –Away vs Astra. Countering to begin. Riojas is out with 4 yellows. I start Antov. Going into this game, we have three players with 11 assists and the record is 12 in a season – Schlocobiert, Gimenez, and Petre. 3-3 tie. 3 goals by Schlocobiert, assists by Lupu, Gimenez, and Lupu. MOM is Schlocobiert.

His agent comes to me, and I agree to a rotation deal that takes him off his current hot prospect deal. Dude is playing well. After that tie, we are now six points behind Viitorul.

[Abe Sargent]

Just wondering how many points behind Viitorul for Champions League qualification our boys are?

Six now after the Astra game! Not likely :( happening this year.


EDIT: To get there, I'd have to beat them on the road this week and then win the following week when they lose,and have the tie breaker slide to me.

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Quals – Game #9 –Away vs Viitorul – We lose 1-3. Gimenez hits Lupu for our lone goal. We had 6 cards.


Semi-Final Away Leg - Away vs Dinamo, Romanian Cup Semis – We begin countering, although we have that 5-0 win to remind ourselves so I have a few starters, like Tandia, out there to get some play. Cartagena has an early card, and then in the 11th, on a corner kick, Stoian feeds Margeman, who slides the ball to Riojas for score. They hit us back in the 18th on their own counter attack. They get two cards of their own. Half, 1-1. Lots of opportunities by both teams ensue, but avail of no score. I send in Simonovski. Then Antov. Then Ekhardt. They grab a late goal in extra time. We lose 1-2, and are through to the Finals on a 6-2 aggregate. Craiova beat Viitorul, so we’ll be playing them.

[thehitcat]

Euro Cup might be more our speed for now anyway. Think we might have a chance to get through to the group stages perhaps. :)

[Abe Sargent]

Euro Cup might be more our speed for now anyway. Think we might have a chance to get through to the group stages perhaps. :)

That's my hope too, that we can be a challenge and do some damage in the EURO. We made it through two clubs last year before Germany ended us. But my team this year is better and more experienced. Lupu is better, Schlocobiert is on fire and growing, Petre is better, Cartagena is better than Obsiviac, etc. Plus whatever I bring in in the transfer winder this year.

[Abe Sargent]

Continental Quals – Game #10 – Home vs FCSB – We are locked into the #2 spot. Nothing we of today matters. Hopefully, our attacking mentality will help. I’m not cutting any corners. I am going after FCBS! We only win 2-1 in a very close match. MOM is Petre, and goals by Gimenez and Gimenez, assists by Schlocobiert and Margeman. Win 2-1.



Final table for the quals:

https://image.ibb.co/hCdxkT/Pic_35.png

Viitorul were strong, and went 8-1-1, with a loss in their final game as they had won, and started youth and such to give them experience.

We got 2nd with a 6-3-1 record in the quals. Only us and Viitorul had winning records, by the by. We have Craiova in the Cup, so one of us wins, and Astra should get the Cup bid.

We moved up this year in quality.


https://image.ibb.co/jdDrC8/pic.png

This is the current Relegation Group 10 games in, although they have four games left. Cluj is now in th e playoff spot rather than the both two relegation ones.

[Abe Sargent]

The old manager just burned me:

https://image.ibb.co/nghweo/pic_41.png

[Abe Sargent]

Our U19 club wins the top Romanian U19 league. By like 10 points over Cluj.

We win the U19 Cup Final 6-1 over U19 Viitorul!


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7b/Cupa_and_Supercupa_Romaniei_2016_logo.svg/170px-Cupa_and_Supercupa_Romaniei_2016_logo.svg.png


Bucharest, Romanian Cup Finals

Defending Champion, #3 Craiova

Vs

Upstart Sepsi, #2


Ready to roll?

In the 15th minute, DMC Cartagena gets a red card and heads out. I massage my team and move to protect. I was hoping to come out and stamp our mark on Romanian with a nice offensive game. But ten men down this early? Nope, we need to wait for the right moment……… Half. 0-0. Keep it up! I send in Ekhardt for Lupu as soon as he gets a card. I don’t want to be down two people. Then I send in Traore for Margeman, who’s tired. And we hold, and they do not crack Castle Sepsi. Full time. Get out there and get that one goal! In the 94 mark, Milan Ekhardt scores a nice, strong goal. We are now up by one. I like to save one sub for a game looking to go into extra time, and I do. Five minutes later, Schlocobiert finds Ekhardt for goal. I send in Ursu at DC for a tired player. Half time in extra time. Here comes wave after wave of Craiova. Schlocobiert to Gimenez in the 116th minute for goal.


https://image.ibb.co/eeof5T/pic_37.png

We win! Well, it wasn’t the way we expected…but we’ll take it! MOM was Ekhardt. We are the 21st team to have won the Cup.

[Abe Sargent]

My initial budgets for next year have been set at 8.00 mill transfer and 130k salary.


Stats!

Basano Only Stats:

DMC Jure Obsivac tied with the most red cards


Petre was 7 MOM, 2nd after 8 for a Viitorul player. Schlocobiert rocked 6, and Gimenez was at 5, Stoian 4.

Petre led the league in Distance Covered

Gimenez and Petre were tied at 7.54 for highest rating. Stoian was 6th with 7.32. Margeman was 11th with 7.18.

Mitrea was 3rd with the most headers

Gimenez led the league with goals at 26. The most in the league’s history was 27, so Gimenez was one off.

Schlocobiert’s 16 goals was 4th most and tied with Gabriel Morbeck, a loanee of mine who started for Viitorul.
Lupu’s 10 goals was tied for 11th, and was the 2nd highest among middies.

Gimenez led the league in average minutes/goal. Lupu was 9th best.

Petre was 8th in % of shots on target

With 13, Gimenez both set the Assist record this year, and broke the previous best of 12

Schlocobiert had 12 assists; Petre 11; Margeman 8; Stoian 7


Petre was 3rd in key passes. Gimenez 4th, Stoian 9th, Margeman 10th


I didn’t have any major defensive stats like top 15 key headers, tackles, interceptions, etc.

Mitrea was 4th in picks

GK:

Rimniceanu conceded 42 goals, 3rd fewest

Rimniceanu was 4th in saves held, and 1st in saves parried.

We led the league with 88 goals, 16 more than #2.

We had the 3rd fewest goals allowed

However:

#1 Viitorul only allowed 26 goals to our 46, and scored 72 to our 88, so they were the better team overall when you consider just how much better their D was.

[Abe Sargent]

Here are some fun facts outside of friendly play:

This includes Cups, EURO, and Basano games:

Gimenez – 32 goals; 15 assists – 7.45 rating
Schlocobiert – 21 goals, 14 assists (17 Basano games, 24 games total) – 8.01 rating
Lupu – 13 goals, 4 assists – 7.05 rating
Margeman – 2 goals, 10 assists – 7.20 rating
Mitrea – 8 goals, 4 assists, 7.17 rating
Obsivac – 1 goal, 2 assist, 7.06 rating
Petre – 9 goals, 15 assits, 7.58 rating
Rimniceanu – 6.85 rating
Riojas – 1 goa, 2 ass, 7.07 rating
Simonovski – 9 goals, 4 assist, 7.24 rating
Stoian – 6 goals, 11 assits, 7.32 rat
Tandia – 1 goal, 5 assits, 6.97 rating
Traore – 5 asists, 6.94 rating (12 starts, 11 subs in Liga, 6 starts in Euro, etc)
Ursu – 6.74 rating, 26 games (16 of which were starts)
Viera – 7.10 rating
Cartagena – 7.24 rating, 17 games
Dodoi – 3 starts, 16 subs, 5 goals, 5 assists, 6.94 rating
Ekhardt – 7 games, 3 goals, 1 assit, 7.30 rating


Best loanee – Morbeck, 17 goals, no assits, 7.21 rating for Viitorul

[Izulde]

Looks like you made the right call in not loaning out Schlocobiert. Dude was on fire for you the latter half of the season.

[Abe Sargent]

Looks like you made the right call in not loaning out Schlocobiert. Dude was on fire for you the latter half of the season.

Yeah I was surprised by how quickly he just jumped in there. Dodoi is just trucking along, getting a little better here and there like you'd expect, but, BAM, there's Schlocobiert and it's just, "Where have you been all my life."

Right?

https://s2-ssl.dmcdn.net/aJT0a/320x240-ZVp.jpg

He says yes.

[Abe Sargent]

Player Thoughts –

Gimenez – Led the league in goals and assists? Total class. Next year I expect to keep and start him.

Simonovski – He wasn’t doing badly, but I felt it was time to hand the reign elsewhere, and boy, was I glad that I did that. I thought he was going to drop back down to form this year, and then I’d run out Dodoi, but he did drop, but was still scoring and helping, just not as dominantly as before.

Dodoi – Heading into this year, Dodoi was my #3 and I thought he’d get enough starts after Simonovski fell off that he’d wind up at #2 by Gimenez by the end of the season. I was wrong about that. His stats off the bench were fine, but not impressive, and his staring games were never that strong.

Schlocobiert – I had him locked into #4 on my rotation and only the injury to both Simonovski and Dodoi at the beginning of the year gave me a chance to see him next to Gimenez, and he was okay in limited time, but when the others came back from injury and weren;t blowing the roofs off, I moved to him halfway through the year and wow, was that the right call. He went from #4 to #2 and has a season worth of goals and assists for half a year of starting. He is my starting ST next year, no question.

With the success of Morbeck in Viitorul, I might was to question Simonovski;s role in this squad next year, not because he failed, but because he’s just weaker than the rest.

Rimniceanu – Probably going to be my starter next year. 3rd fewest goals allowed in the Basano is good.

Maio – I rushed Maio to four starts, and he was good in all of them. I want to try and get him some first team play next either, either with up and Cups and such, or on a loan, but after his tutoring with Rimniceanu concludes. I would expect him to start in 2-3 seasons if developed correctly.

Mitrea – Mitrea was good on the ball and surprisingly good at set pieces with IFKs, DFKs, and PKs sinking regularly. And not as the header but as the kicker. 8 goals for a DC on set pieces? That’s just fun! I expect that added variety t lock my vice captain in as a starter at DC next year

Viera – I like my captain, but due to his injury, he only started half of the season. He wasn’t this amazing defensive machine, and a 32 year old DC with a history of long term injuries might be a little too much to rely o, with my forced sale of Palenik removing that option,

Riojas – I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as VC or Ca this year at DC. I have him penciled in at DC along Mitrea. I think they work well together. He’s solid.

Ursu – I am not surprised that Ursu dropped in quality on the pitch

Antov – Antov is a 18 year old with some interesting stuff, but his technical skills still need work. He’s a developmental kind of guy, but he can also be a solid sub at DMC too

Petre – Petre is locked into my MR/ML spot despite not having a great set of skills, he just plays up to the competition every time, and he’s strong. I don’t plan on moving Petre off the starting spot he has for me.

Stoian – I liked the older rotation guy, who was better than Tandia, both on paper and in real play. He played well, but he stats weren’t that amazing. Despite the fact that Stoian is better, more experienced, and has Gimenez on his side of the field getting his balls, he had 50% of the goals of Petre and fewer assists. I have him penciled in at ML next year, but I am not committed to it.

Traore – Traore got a lot of starts and reps, and was perfectly fine, but he wasn;t at the level of himself last year, and his MC role went to Margeman and I never went back. I could see rotation for him again next year, but he’s 31 soon. That’s a little on the older side of life.

Tandia – I love Tandia, but my team has clearly passed him by, and I wouldn’t be surprised to look to sell hm next year. He went from my 2nd best middie to my 3rd worst in two years.

Lupu – Lupu has grown into the best player, but I was surprised at his lack of assists at the AMC spot. Still, he had a bunch of goals, so he played well. I’ll keep him in the AMC spot, and I did rotate in Margeman and Eckart into this spot to give them some AMC experience as well, and they did well. Elkhart got Mom in the Cup in the AMC spot. I suspect Lupu remains in this spot. I can’t imagine a Top Xi that doesn’t include Lupu. But he could be in another spot.

Margeman – No question, Margeman was locked into my MC spot as the main player last year, after ebbing into Traore’s role and spot on the team. He played well too, and I am sure that he’ll be penciled in next year as well.

Eckhart - Our surprise signing in the January window when I found him, he is an up and coming middle and youther who can already play at the this level. Will he be a sub? Or a loanee? I don’t know.

[Abe Sargent]

Who is leaving the club:

DC Ionut Ursu
DM/MC Alexandro Rodriguez
D, DM, M RC Albert Dalmau
GK Roland Nizuhy
DMC Jure Obsivac

So I don’t have a whole lot of openings on my squad:

I need a 3rd starting level DC
Depth at DMC and Wing

Looking to potentially move Simonovski and Tandia

As of right now, only these four players will remain from the team I inherited:

Viera
Rimniceanu
Simonovski
Tandia

Petre?

(Does Petre count? He was on loan with me but I signed him)


Anyone I want to look at for next year?

I scout around 25 players, all veterans of various types that seem to be interested in me. The biggest name is probably 27 year old German winger and wingback Marcel Halstenburg, or young Romanian National Team star ST Andrei Ivan for Leeds, and such. I also have around 10 youth I’m scouting as well.

[Abe Sargent]

There are some interesting ways to take my sqaud.

One example:

Italian GK Simone Columbi, 27 years old, backup, worth 3 mill, on a 3k/week backup deal with Carpi in Italy Serie A, and is angry, has been transfer listed by request for 1.7 mill.


https://image.ibb.co/f98uZo/pic_47.png

Here’s Colombi. As you can see, he’s very good. By comparison, Rimniceanu

https://image.ibb.co/m6rgEo/Pic_48.png

Rimniceanu isn’t bad, but we’ve gotten past him I think, but just a little. Anyways, Colombi is faster stronger, better command of area, communication, first touch, handling, 1:1 ones, reflexes. Rimniceanu is better in the air by one point. Also better throwing. By a point. Colombi is just a better player. If I can secure a GK that is that much better for a few years, then I can probably push back Maio by another year, and secure a better player in the meantime. I don’t have to spin in place with Victor. I make an offer to Colombi.

You get the idea. I make an offer for 1.7 mill. This is not only a better player, but it seems like a good bit of business as well.

I can’t get to where I want to be, without being a little mercantile at times. I need Colombi’s. I need to push for greatness. I want to be a regional superpower on the level of Austria’s Salzburg, Ukraine’s Dynamo Kiev, or the Czech’’s Sparta Prague. And I can’t create that path until I can win the Basano. I got 2nd! But 2nd here just gets you a Euro. I got a Cup win! But a Cup win here just gets you a Euro. I can’t get to the good stuff until I win. And Colombi is a better chance of winning than Rimniceanu.

It’s hard to imagine I can make my attack better. But I had a lot of multi-goal games that I want to reign in. Viitorul allowed 26 goals. I have to measure up.

I come to an agreement with Colombi for 7.5k/week, first team, four years. That will be a good salvo to pushing our squad higher

We sign Colombi

[Abe Sargent]

I list Rimniceanu

One of the good things about having money now is I can pursue high quality Romanian players rather than just taking the best one available that I can afford. Stoian, Lupu, and Mitrea were all strong Romanian additions to my club last year, which helped me get registered, while I had players that weren’t Romanian, or EU, like Riojas, Schlocobiert, and Cartagena.

I am scouting and making enquiries for various Romanian players who intrigue me enough to consider them.

Final relegation results

https://image.ibb.co/hf7hLT/pic_40.png

Cluj finished in the playoff spot and are going to play for relegation.

[thehitcat]

I list Rimniceanu


It's not personal, it's football. But this one stings a little.

[Abe Sargent]

It's not personal, it's football. But this one stings a little.

I know, but he's just been our starter for two years, we signed him from Viitorul after he started for them in their winning campaign two years ago and then let him go. I kind of thought his injury would set us back, but when it didn't, I realized I had the youth here to be fine going with a bigger name and player.


I doubt he goes far. He remains the best Romanian GK to still play here.

[Abe Sargent]

I have 23 players on international duty

I make an offer of 1.1 mill for DC Tobias Strobl, in Germany, 29, who is transfer listed by request. I offer him first team, and 12k/week and they consider it.

I reject offers for Petre and Lupu.

Strobl joins us


https://image.ibb.co/kbANn8/Pic_42.png

Quick look at Strobl, He can play a ton of spots. He’s good quality. He’s good all over, from long throws to mark/pass/tack/head/jump/str to stamina and more. I expect to run him in Vera’s starting DC spot, but he also adds depth at DMC or MC as well.


For comparison:

https://image.ibb.co/dwnDuo/pic_43.png

Here’s Viera! He was muh guy my first year. He’s slower, less agile, less jumpy, less passing, less tackling, less positioning, less strength, etc. Strobl is the better class of player.

The cheaper costs of these two fill gaps for next year and increase my quality.

Antov is better than Viera. I transfer list Viera.


Antov gets his first cap for Bulgaria, and I toss him a congrats.

Romania dropped another 5 spots in the European coefficients table

[Abe Sargent]

Fan Awards:

Signing of the Year – DC Mitrea

Player of the Year – Petre (2nd and 3rd were Gimenez and Stoian)

Goal of the Season – Simonovski vs Pandurii

Young Player of the season – Schlocobiert



https://image.ibb.co/bt66Eo/pic_44.png


Who’s Jersey did you buy?

[Abe Sargent]

I am already getting loan offers for folks like Dodoi, Emil Abaz, Raul Cobaron, and more.

We sell Viera to a South American club for a few hundred thousand.

I have a 5 mill option on the table for this amazing 16 year old Brazilian youth, and due ot their rules, he could not join us for two years, but in two years we could get this guy. Already at 16 he’s good enough to push for starting time on my squad. I do it. I don’t have a whole lot to buy, my team has already improved itself in two major areas.

Here he is:

https://image.ibb.co/nh1HLT/pic_45.png

[Abe Sargent]

Traore comes to me upset about Viera leaving but he gets why when I talk to him.

Petre agrees to an extension of 3 years, 1st team, 3.2k/week deal

I get the first real offer for Lupu – 8 mill from Arsenal. No thanks. I need youth Romanians starting on my squad. That’s Lupu and Petre.

After I said no to Arsenal, Lupu wants an increased deal. That’s fine. I make an offer to raise his salary to 3.0k and extend a year.

We confirm Christiano. That drops most of my transfer kitty, but I have about 200k left over after moving them and then another 250k I got from Viera

Is it time to move Marko Simonovski for the good of, well, him? I have Dodoi, Raul, Morbeck, Schlocobiert, and Gimenez all of whom are better. He got me 20 goals and 5 assists in 30 games last year, but 8 and 4 in 16 games this year. He was out with a major injury twice, and he lost his job. He’s not my #1 or 2. Should I move him to somewhere where he’ll be more than a bench-warmer? Don’t I owe him that?

I think so.

Traore’s pace and acceleration and dribbling have dropped.

I ask for a new feeder club and they let me choose. I grab a club in the 2nd league. I like CS Luceafărul Oradea, who finished 7th in the 2nd league last year. That’s a good place to send loanees, because we don’t have a sub squad or a U21 squad or anything, so I want to send folks that are too old to play internationally on my U19 club to them.

I convince my board to give me another coach and I go out and get a third GK coach.

[thehitcat]

Who’s Jersey did you buy?

Margeman, love me a midfielder who can pull the strings. I alternate between Margeman on the road and Lupu for home games.

[Greyfriars Bobby]

Who’s Jersey did you buy?

I got a Margeman shirt, too. I've got a Traore shirt from his first season with the club. :)

[Izulde]

Schlocobiert jersey for me, easily.

[Abe Sargent]

I would have been Petre's jersey myself. He's my favorite player. He's not a dominant force on paper, but he always plays up to the level of competition and he's always up for it, you know?

[Abe Sargent]

WOW!

Izulde is about to be proven right?

https://image.ibb.co/fQhP0T/Pic_46.png

This is the first time I’ve seen “Touted as the next XXXX” on any of muh players!

Anyone else?

Nah. Anyone in my U19 squad?

Nah

Serginho Chulapa - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serginho_Chulapa)

http://memoriasdoesporte.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/4-7.jpg

http://www.canalsoberano.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/serginho.jpg

243 goals? Let’s get started!

Serginho approves!

[Abe Sargent]

Anybody I want off a free?

Not really. We’re solid for now.

Cluj won their games 4-2 aggregate and are staying in the Basano next year.


Basano Season awards:

Patrick Petre, Player of the Year


Patrick Petre, Young Player of the Year; Lupu was 3rd


Marko’s goal against Pandurii at the beginning of the season was 2nd best Goal of the Year

I won Manager of the Year


I confirm my season expectations of winning the Basano, Cup, etc.


EDIT - See, PETRE!!!

[Abe Sargent]

July 1st is here. Anyone I want?

Good train for Castano, Ekhart, and Margeman.

There is a good unsigned Nigerian player. I make him an offer. He’s another major upgrade in talent, if he agrees to come to Sepsi.


Our two new signings have arrived!


https://www.express.de/image/24703228/2x1/940/470/309c5875b342673a9d99442e50ace5ff/My/tobias-strobl-borussia.jpg

Tobias Strobl – Surprised by just good Sepsi is going to be this year!

http://www.carpicalcionews.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2017/08/36533619285_4689e66ffe_h.jpg

So excited to be here, Colombi!

Simonovski is heading out to Finland.

Lupu signs that new deal for us. My hope is that this ends the speculation offers from junky teams with little cash but bigger names.

[Abe Sargent]

We beat two teams to sign my Nigerian target off the free deck.

https://image.ibb.co/cYxsPy/pic_49.png

Here’s Etebo. He’s a developed youth on the Nigerian squad. He’s strong, our scouts loved him, he was let go by a mid-table Portuguese team, and was willing to come here. I was talking about depth at Middies, particularly on the wings to have another option. This guy can play every midfielder spot, ST, and he’s learned DMC and even wingback. He has decent-ish mark/tack/etc and he’s good everywhere – mentally, physically, and technically. There is nothing here to not like. I expect to give him early games on the ML side competing with Stoian, and I’ll let the best player there win out. I also could see giving him reps at Lupu’s AMC, spotting at Mc, subbing for Petre, etc. I might even give him some ST play, although I’m deep there.


The goal is to keep pushing so we can win the Basano, and Etebo was a free addition of quality to my squad, much like Mitrea and Riojas last year.

https://independent.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Oghenekaro-Etebo.jpg

He is imagining his first goal for Sepsi!

[Abe Sargent]

I get an offer from Zenit for Kirill Kolechenko, a Russian youth I signed and developed for 55k a few years ago for 750k. I accept it.


Current Squad:

GK Colombi, backups Maio, Fejer

DC Mitrea, Strobl, Riojas, Antov, Castano

DMC Cartagena, Antov, Strobl, Traore

MR Petre, Stoian, Etebo

ML Petre, Etebo, Stoian

MC Margeman, Lupu, Tandia, Traore, Etebo, Eckhardt

AMC Lupu, Eckhardt, Margeman, Etebo, Tandia

ST Gimenez, Schlocobiert, Morbeck, Corbazon, Dodoi, Etebo


Traore feels a little over-whelmed by the competition, to my mind. How many starts is he getting over Margeman? How many subs over Etebo, Eckhardt, etc?

Is it time to move Traore so he can get first team ball elsewhere? Or is there still a role for him here in his final year with us?

Players in the Last Year:

Traore
Stoian
Tandia
Bejer

[Abe Sargent]

Title Push this year?

https://image.ibb.co/bF1xrd/pic_50.png

We are the favorites to win, even though we haven’t won before. Sepsi for the Win-si!

Friendly #1 – Some of my players are internationalizing. We win 4-1.


I sell Rimniceanu to Poland’s Legia. I had a bid from Craiova as well, but he chose to head to Legia.

Friendly #2 – We win 11-1.
I put Marko Simonovski on my shortlist so I could follow him. He is injured and out for four months at his new club.

Koleshinko is heading out. Spartak Moscow made a bid late for 750k and got him.

I name Hansell Riojas my Captain and Cartagena my vice. Peru for the win!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YbEqnpJqH94/hqdefault.jpg


Super Cup – Viitorul vs Sepsi. My normal XI are starting, save for Margeman whose club, South Africa, are playing and have made it deep into the African Cup of Nations. Etebo is starting in the middle for me, and this is his, Colombi., and Strobl’s first game for me. All are starting. We are favored today 6-4 odds in the neutral site of Bucharest. We begin attacking as I want to take it to them, but that isn’t doing anything, so I back off to controlling instead., In the 27th, Stoian finds Schlocobiert in the box for goal. Lupu finds Gimenez for goal a few minutes later. Half. We are up 2-0, but we only have 5 shots, 2 on target to their 7 and 3. It’s been a quiet game. Don’t get complacent out there. They grab a goal in the 52nd. Gimenez to Schlocobiert in the 59th. I send in Antov. Then Traore. Tandia for Petre. They grab a goal in extra time and we win 3-2. MOM is Schlocobiert


https://image.ibb.co/cnQOWd/Pic_51.png

Taking out Viitorul in the Super Cup is good. But defeating them in a week at our place as we kick off the season would be a lot better. Beginning the season with a win against Viitorul would demonstrate to everyone that there is a new sheriff in Romania Town, and his name is Dr. Maximillian Surubaru.

Actually, I misread it, we start with Voluntari, not Viirorul. But I still want to begin with a smashing win!

[Abe Sargent]

We welcome back to the Basano Liga this year Medias and Iasi, two clubs that went down last year.

My sales have brought my transfer kitty to 1.4 mill, as an FYI.

We draw IF Elfsborg, out in Sweden, for our first EURO leg. Astra won their 1st round game against Llapi and have Cukaricki next. Craiova beat Lions 8-0 on aggregate. They have Botev Plodiv this round.


Basano Game #1 – Home vs Voluntari. I start Margeman at MC and Etebo at ML. I begin full out attacking today. Let’s make a mark on Romania. I don’t want to quietly push. In the 9th minute, Mitrea finds Lupu for goal. Gimenez to Schlocobiert in the 15th for goal. In the 36th, Gimenez again finds Schlocobiert for goal. They have 3 shots, one on target at the half. They are clearly playing keep-away. Keep it up! I ease back to control for the 2nd half. In the 55th, Schlocobiert finds great opportunity to give back to Gimenez a goal, they intercept it, Lupu pounces on the pick and scores. I send in Antov and Traore. Schlocobiert with goal in the 69th. Tandia heads in. We win 5-0 MOM is Schlocobiert.

[Abe Sargent]

EIGHT of my players are named in the Team of the Week!

I loan out Dodoi and Raul Cabaron when nice first-team offers from higher level clubs arrive.

EURO GAME #1 vs Elfborg – We start at home, and like last week, I begin attacking. I want to establish dominance on Europe. We are here. I won’t belabor it too much. We won 5-0 . Goals by Lupu, Gimenezx2, and Schlocobiert x2. Assists by Petre, Margeman, Gimenzx2, MOM is Gimenez


Basano Game #2 – Away vs Dinamo – I begin countering. Schlocobiert for goal in the 13th. Petre’s assist to him was cut off and he pounced on the ball, grabbed it for goal. Cards by Cartagena and Mitrea quickly follow. Half, we are up 1-0 after a quiet half. Don’t get complacent! We are ahead on the scoreboard! But not necessarily elsewhere, they have possession and 9 shots and 6 on target to our 7 and 4. But, as the 2nd half opens up, Herman Riojas finds Margeman for goal and that’s 2-0 at the 52nd. I send in Antov and Traore at the DC and DMC spots early to prevent card issues and then Tandia later. Etebo was lightly injured in the 81st, but we leave him in We hold and win 2-0. MOM is Margeman.

Etebo is lightly injured but due to how quickly the next game is I have Stoian starting on my ML spot.


I send out some loanees, like Kick de Geode and others to my 2nd Liga club. I have a lot of folks too old now for my U19 squad and I don’t have a B team or a U21 team. Because I brought in a lot of my U19 squad two years ago, many are now too old to play, and need to be loaned out. All told I send 8 players two my two affiliates, the goods ones to the good one,and the not good ones to the not good team.


We are the only team to have won its first two games,

For the first four matches of the season, which include the Super Cup, a EURO game and two Basano matches including away at Dinamo, who’s a real team, we are a combined 15-2 with three clean sheets. Not bad!

The Sepsi Juggernaut is Rolling!

[Abe Sargent]

August

Aug 1 – Elfborg, EURO
Aug 2 – DRAWING FOR EURO 3rd Round
Aug 4 – Home vs Concordia
Aug 8 – 3rd Found of EURO
Aug 10 – Home vs Astra
Aug 15 – 3rd Round of EURO
Aug 16 – Draw for EURO, 4th round
Aug 17 – Away vs Botosani
Aug 22 – 4th Round of EURO
Aug 24 – Away vs Viitorul
Aug 29 – 4th Round of EURO
Aug 30 – Draw for EURO Group Stage
Aug 31 – Home vs Cluj


Good training – DC Kubik, DC Castano, Middle Farcas.

Luiz Schlocobiert won Player of the Month! He has 4 goals in two games. Duh.

EURO GAME #2 vs Elfborg – I will begin countering as we are here in Sweden, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I opened it up later as the game progresses. The game begins quietly and 25 minutes are gone, they have a minor injury. They foal Stoian and Mitrea heads up to take the long indirect free kick and he hits Gimenez who scores. That set piece is our lone score of the first half. Don’t get complacent! I send in Antov at the 59th. In the 65th, Lupu finds Schlocobiert for goal. I send in Morbeck and then Traore. They score in the 89th. We win 2-1 on the road and Lupu was MOM.

[Abe Sargent]

Our 7 wins in a row breaks a Sepsi record.


We draw FC Midjytlland. Craiova lost. Astra won, and Viitorul lost their play-in game in the Chmapions Cup, so they have Galway Utd and Astra is encountering Veres from Ukraine.

Antov and Riojas had a great mentor-mentee hook up and Antov learned a lot.

Basano Game #3 – Home vs Concordia – Today I’l begin controlling. Margeman is on South African duty so I am starting Traore at the MC spot. I am trying something tactically. We have a lot of players with flair. I tell them to be more expressive. I want to see what happens with a looser Gimenez, Schlocobiert, Lupu, and such. Etebo is back on the ML. Etebo gives away a penalty in the 18th. Colombi dives, hits the PK, and pushes it aside. Mitrea to Etebo for goal off an IFK in the 44th. Half. It’s been quiet, we have like 4 shots to their 3. Mitrea nails a DFK but their GK manages to stop it. They have three yellows already, and Cartagena gets one from us. He gets another yellow a minute later and we are now down a man. I shift the AMC spot to DMC and move out Lupu for Antov. I slide to counter. Mitrea with a card. I send in Tandia then Eckhardt. Antov finds Schlocobiert on a counter run, Schlocobiert shoots, it rebounds off the bar, and he puts it away in the 84th. We hold on and win 2-0. MOM is Etebo.

[Abe Sargent]

EURO GAME #1 Away vs Midtjylland – I am starting my best XI and playing counter ball here in Denmark. Early in the first half, Riojas is sloppy with the ball, and makes a lazy back pass, that their ST and AML pounce on and puts away with Colombi on a 1 on 2 situation. Things calm down, they get an injury. In the 35th, a goal of ours from Etebo to Gimenez is called offsides. Half. We are down 0-1. In the 57th, on a counter, Gimenez and Schlocobiert pass back and forth and Schlocobiert puts the ball away for a score. I pull Riojas who is still having a bad game. I send in Antov for him, and then youther DC Martin Kubik later as we are under assault from one of their players after they injure Strobl. Eckhardt heads in. We hold and tie 1-1. Mom is Etebo.

I reject an offer for Gimenez from Dynamo Kiev.

That was our first draw of the year, we have won every other games.

[Abe Sargent]

Let’s pause for a moment.

Sepsi today, financially:

https://preview.ibb.co/jZch7J/pic_52.png

These are my first team players listed by value. I included those worth at least 500k. As you can see, my younger, proven youth tend to be the most expensive – Lupu, Etebo, Schlocobiert, Petre, etc. I also have some vets with value like Gimenez, Riojas, Colombi, and Strobl. You can also see some of my future folks like Fracas, Morbeck and such here as well.


I have a transfer offer for Morbeck from Atalanta. Hmmm. He was hot last year. I accept an offer for 50% of next sale and 1.2 mill.


Basano Game #4 – Home vs Astra – I begin controlling. For this match where Cartagena is out, I’ll start Strobl at DMC and Antov at DC. They injure Margeman in the 9th and we have to pull him – I send in Traore for him. 7 minutes later, Strobl finds Gimenez for goal. Astra then clamp us down and for 20 minutes or so, neither team has an offensive performance. Card by Astra. We get a lot fo extra time in the half, and that leads to Antov launching a dangerous ball deep for Gimenez to grab, and he dribbles a few steps, feed Schlocobiert, and that’s 2-0 at the half. And….that’s going to be it. I send in Tandia and Kubik. We win 2-0, MOM is Strobl.

[Abe Sargent]

I reject offers for Fracas from Arsenal and Liverpool.


EURO GAME #2 Home vs Midtjylland – I start Etebo in the middle and Stoian at ML. I also leave Strobl in at DMC given he just got MOM here, and Antov remains at DC. I have removed my “play flexible” instruction and siding back to normal as the results have been uneven. In the 13th, Schlocobiert finds Gimenez for goal. In the 15th, Petre finds Lupu for goal. They claw a goal back in the 39th. Half, 2-1. Schlocobiert to Gimenez in the 46th. In the 55th, Stoian finds Schlocobiert for goal. Lupu feeds Gimenez on a deep pass, and he finds Schlocobiert. Then his shot rifles back off the punch from their GK, and Lupu, who ran in after his pass, is there to feed the goal. In the 57th minute. In go Traore and Eckhardt early, and I hold onto my last sub until late for injury. Gimenez to Petre in the 69th for goal. Kubik heads in for Mitrea. Lupu collects a late yellow. We win 7-1. Mom is Schlocobiert. Brag time!


https://image.ibb.co/e3u6Zy/Pic_53.png

Enjoy the face-smashing victory!

We win 8-2 aggregate.

[Abe Sargent]

Teams that got knocked out include Rangers, our Astra, and more. Viitorul won and are into the last Knockout before the group stages.

Are you ready for the most important draw?

Viitorul got Lech from Poland, which is do-able. We got…a pretty easy task. FK Astana from Kazakhstan.

We sell Morbeck. I will call ST Raul back from loan if we need him as he’s better than Dodoi. But right now my sub can be my Nigerian middie guy. Right now he’s starting in the Basano for Medias, vs a sub that I’ll never use. I haven’t put in Morbeck once for five minutes. My guys don’t get tired, and don’t need to be subbed. There is almost always someone else out there to sub.


Basano Game #5 – Away vs Botosani – By the way, Cluj are currently 2nd in the Basano. They have recovered from last year’s tailspin. Cartagena is back at DMC and Strobl to DC. Margeman is still out, although he just finished his injury, he is tired. I have him as a sub. They score in the 14th off a corner kick. Then Mitrea hoofs a ball to Schlocobiert who’s shot deflects off the GK and Gimenez sinks 2 minutes later. And we don’t look back. In the 28th, Gimenez finds Schlocobiert for goal. Two of their players head off the pitch. Half, 2-1 us. Don’t get complacent!!! They don’t!!! In the 61st, after I sub in Margeman for a lightly wounded Etebo, he feeds Schlocobiert. I ease back to counter from control, and we hold and win 3-1. Cards by Mitrea, Strobl, and Lupu all later in the game, by the by. MOM is Gimenez.

[Abe Sargent]

It’s like at the end of each match someone makes an offer for Gimenez. This time it was Eibar. They aren’t offering real money and they aren’t “real” teams, and Gimenez isn’t pushing back against me not giving him a chance to talk with Dinamo Kiev or Eibar.


Antov wants an improved deal after I turn down some folks, and I agree.


With my recent transfer money, anyone I want to bring in?



EURO GAME #1 Home vs Astana – I begin controlling. I give starts to Traore, Tandia, and Eckhardt. Let’s do this! All that stands between us and the EURO Group stage is Astana. Early on, Schlocobiert feeds Gimenez for goal, and then he feeds Traore for goal by the 14th, and then Astana gains their footing. We injure their AMC in the 34th and he leaves. Half, 2-0, but we have not dominating Astana statistically. I tell my lads not to get complacent. In the 55th, Eckhardt is feeding Gimenez in the box, and he is tackled, and the ball free, and Schlocobiert finishes. They score in the 59th on a counter. I send in Antov. Then Stoian. We win 3-1 and MOM is Schlocobiert.

Viitorul lost on the road 1-2, but that gives them an away goal for hosting next.

[Abe Sargent]

I accept a first team loan offer from Iasi for Castano.

I sell one of my youthers (Scylla) to Porto for 500k and 50% of next sale



Basano Game #6 – Away vs Viitorul –Normally, this is a match each season that I don’t look forward to. And while Viitorul are fine in the EUROs, they don’t have a win in their first 5 games in the Basano. I am starting my best – Etebo, Margeman, Lupu, etc. But this is, perhaps, the best time to catch Viitorul. We have not dropped any points and have 15 points in five games. Can we pick up three more today? Let’s find out! We allow Viitorul to score in the 15th minute off a counter, and then again in the 19th off a nice corner. Then the game settles down. We have a card to Lupu. And…….half. 0-2 them. SHOW ME SOMETHING ELSE. In the 55th minute, Etebo finds Schlocobiert on a nice attack and hits for goal. In the 74th, Margeman feeds Etebo for goal, he shoots, and a DC gets the in the way and Schlocobiert gets us that tying goal. I send in Antov and Traore. I move to attacking. Can we get another goal without losing one? In the 81st, on a counter attack where he dribbles at the defense for at least twenty-five yards, Schlocobiert feeds Margeman for goal. I pull back. In extra time, Margeman intercepts the ball, finds Schlocobiert, he feeds Etebo for goal and we win 4-2. Schlocobiert is MOM. WHEW! Brilliant way to come back lads!

Antov picked up a minor injury and will be out for a week.

I hope our defeat of Viitorul won’t keep them from winning against Lech at home.

[Abe Sargent]

I sign four youth trialists that I brought in.

We have 24 players called up for play

EURO GAME #2 Away vs Astana. We begin standard. They get a yellow in the 7th minute of play. 5 minutes later, Petre finds Margeman on an attacking run for goal. Astana fire right back in the 22nd minute and then it’s back and forth for a while, and they get two more yellows prior to the half. Tied 1-1. Cartagena with a card. Then in the 59th minute, one of their players with a yellow heads off. I pull my yellowed guy as well and we push forward. In the 68th, Gimenez is driving forward and finds Schlocobiert for goal. In the 78th, Riojas hoofs the ball to Schlocobiert and he scores. I send in Kubik. We win 3-1, and MOM is Schlocobiert.

We make it to the Group Stage and we get 2.4 mill in hard Euro cash. Viitorul lost 1-0 at home to Lech and are out.


GROUP DRAW

We are seeded fourth, duh.

Our group:

Group I

Now, before I give you Group I, let me show you some groups that I think we would have been competitive in:

Group A:

Besiktas, Young Boys, HJK and then 4th Seed is Trencin.


Group E:

Porto, Club Brugge, Zorya, and the 4th seed is Haifa.


Group C:

PSV, Dinamo (Croatia), Rubin and 4th will be Red Star

And there are two death Groups that we avoided.

Group L:

Villarreal, Stoke, Braga, and 4th is Brondby

Group J:

Dortmund, Fiorentina, Utrecht, and 4th is Rijeka

Both of those have strong heavies as well as three real powerhouses -

But we got Group I, which is arguably the third hardest Group as a 4 seed….


Group I

Sevilla, Spain
OM, France
Qarabag, Azerbaijan
Sepsi, Romania

So we have two real heavies of European football. Even if we get 6 points against Qarabg, it’s not like OM or Sevilla will drop points. I have to do well against one of them to get out of Group I.


Sevilla have 5 EURO Champion Victories and are the winningest team in the entire qualification.

[Abe Sargent]

September

Sept 1 – Home vs Cluj
Sept 15 - away vs FCSB
Sept 19 – Home vs Qarabag
Sept 22 – Home vs Hermannstadt
Sept 30 – Away vs Timisoara

Good training – Antov, Lupu, Eckhardt

Player of the month, was, again, Schlocobiert


Basano Game #7 – Home vs Cluj. I start Stoian today. I want more experience than youth on my wing. Has Cluj reclaimed their claim to fame, or are we still the masters of Romania? We’re going to find out in a moment. Riojas is out for the game in the 25th. And it’s a very quiet game with a goal by Stoian to Schlocobiert in the 75th the game’s lone score, or push, by either team. MOM is Stoian

I’ll take a win vs Cluj, even if it wasn’t as push-y as I was hoping.

[Abe Sargent]

Riojas broke his foot and will be out for 4 months. Antov will start for him

Lupu was given his first cap today, and he scored on his international debut against Israel.

Basano Game #8 – Away vs FCSB – This is my 100th game for Sepsi! I begin countering because they are FCSB and 4th in the Liga I. Strobl with an early yellow. In the 9th, Mitrea sinks a DFK. They equalize in the 33rd. Gimenez to Lupu off a break, goal, 44th. Half, 2-1 us. We have 3 shots, and 3 on target in the first half. I send in Kubik for card-ded Strobl. Let’s remove the chance of a double yellow. I send in Eckhardt after they injure Lupu Margeman finds Schlocobiert on a beautiful attacking run juuuuuuuust onsides and clear. Goal in the 68th. Etebo with a card and I send in Tandia for him. After he broke away and juked a defender and was about to hit goal, they foul Gimenez in the box in the 83rd, both a red card and a PK. They block Mitrea’s kick and I am sad ☹. Tandia to Schlocobiert in the 88th. Yellow for Petre late. We were lethal with 8 shots, 8 on target. They had 19 and 9, and just got a goal. We just had possession 38% Schlocobiert is MOM with our 4-1 debasement of FCSB.

Lupu is out with a concussion for a few weeks, and Etebo will start for him with Stoian at the ML spot.

[Abe Sargent]

I think our best chance out is to have one dominant powerhouse who crushes everyone and then we slip through at #2.

For example:

Imagine Team A beats everyone and gets 18 points
Imagine both Teams B and C defeat Team D twice for 6 points

Now if Teams B and C either tie each other, or beat each other, then both have 8 or 9 points and it goes to tiebreakers. If Team B or C can steal a tie and then get a win, then they can get out, and thus, it’s not between you and Teams A or D, but just C and B.

And if Team D manages to get points somewhere, or Teams B or C manage to snake some from Team A, then they are moving forward.

But in a giant scrum for points, I feel like it’s a lot harder to get out. Everyone is pushing hard, and you get 100% from everyone,


EURO – Group Stage #1 - Home vs Qarabag – This is our best chance for points. I begin today in a standard mentality. We win 3-0. Goals by Gimenez x2 and Antov off a corner by Stoian, and Schlocobiert and Strobl with assists. Gimenez is MOM.


Sevilla won 1-0 over OM.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #9 – Home vs Hermannstadt – Our foes are 14th and last and have just two ties in 8 games. We are, how do I say this nicely…not expected to lose today. I start Kubik, Tandia, Traore. I begin attacking today. Let’s rain goals! It’s raining hard. Rain, not goals, before we begin the match. We have a not-good half. We finish 0-0 with 16 shots, just 2 on target to their 2 and 0. I tried everything but nothing happened to help. In the 2nd half, Stoian scores and then Gimenez finds Schlocobiert for goal and we win 2-0, MOM is Strobl. We had two cards with Mitrea and Etebo cards. We should have won by more, but I’ll take it.

We have won 10 Basano games in a row stretching back to last year.





Basano Game #10 – Away vs Timisoara – Mitrea is out with too many cards. Lupu is back from concussion. Kubik starts with Antov and Strobl. Schlocobiert is fed a nice ball on an attacking run by Margeman and then he feeds Petre with a goal in the 25th and that’s a quiet half. Lupu and Cartagena with cards and sub them both out. In the 73rd, Gimenez and Schlocobiert hook up and Schlocobiert grabs a goal and we win a quiet match 2-0. They had 11 shots and 1 on target to our 6 and 5. MOM for Schlocobiert.

[Abe Sargent]

October –

Oct 3 – Away vs OM
Oct 6 – Home vs Medias
Oct 18 – Away vs Iasi
Oct 24 – Away vs Sevilla
Oct 27 – Away vs Craiova
Oct 30 – Away vs Voluntari


Good training – Kubik, Antov, Eckhardt

Schlocobiert was just 2nd in Best Player of the Month

EURO – Group Stage #2 – Away vs OM. Before our match, the coach at OM just sandblasts us in the media. I want to punch his team in the face and win. This is a good chance to get a point or three. We have a better chance of OM than Sevilla. I begin defensive. In the 19th Gimenez steals the ball from one of the OM defenders, rushes goal, finds Schlocobiert for goal, and that’s us. They hit us back immediately. Card for Lupu almost immediately. In the 44th, Stoian finds Antov’s head for goal off a CK and we are up 2-1 on the half, but not statistically. I tell them to not get complacent and they cannot break our defense. We hold and win 2-1. MOM is Antov.

Sevilla won 3-0 as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #11 – Home vs Medias – Medias has given up and is just trying to not lose. They have a 5-4-1 tactic with a hard tackling and defensive mentality. They don’t even have wingbacks like some 5-4-1s but instead a full 3 DCs, 2 fullbacks, and 4 middie,s none of whom are in AM roles. We win 2-0 with goals by Mitrea and Gimenez. MOM was Gimenez.


Gimenez’s goal today gave him the club lead with 37 goals.


https://image.ibb.co/hpdj6d/pic_54.png

In case you care

During a training session, Tandia is injured for a month.


Basano Game #12 – Away vs Iasi – An 8th minute yellow means Cartagena is going to miss his next match. I have Stoian start for Petre. Mitrea with a PK in the 17th. In the 25th, Gimenez feeds Schlocobiert after he springs free. Goal. Stoian a yellow card and…….half. We are up 2-0 and looking better than they as well. In the next half, they lean back hard. I send in Traore, Eckhardt and Kubik. We hold and win 2-0 and MOM is Schlocobiert.

[Abe Sargent]

EURO – Group Stage #3 – Away vs Sevilla – Heading into today’s matchup, we both have 6 points against two enemies in OM and Q that don’t have any. I’m not winning on the road and we all know it. Assuming that we lose today and OM wins, that means that at th end of the first half of the Group, we’ll be Sevilla – 9, us 6, OM 3, and Q 0. So I am going in knowing that I ain’t winning today, so I’ll playing defensive, and try to be respectable. If I can steal a tie, an away goal, something, then I’d be happy, but we all know that this is likely the first loss on our EURO career this campaign. We lose 2-1. But we should have won. Early, Mitrea got a card, and I choose to pull him rather than risk double caradge. They foul us, and my backup PK couldn’t sink it. We gave away a own goal (Kubik) and then scored (Antov) off a IFK. Can’t fault you lads for your efforts! Antov was MOM.


Our facility expansions have finished! Oh and OM won 5-0 over Q.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #13 – Away vs Craiova – This is the perfect time to paly them away, they just sacked their manager and are sitting at 8th. With his suspension, Cartagena is replaced by Traore today. Each yellow by Etebo. We are in control of the game but we are just flirting with scoring, we haven’t actually seduced the goal yet. Then in the 43d, off an IFK, Mitrea feeds Stoian for goal. I’ll take a set piece score right now. I’ll take any score right now. Half. Guard against complacency! Please! Traore to Gimenez for goal in the 51st. Thanks! I ease back to countering as Craiova move forward. I send in Petre, Eckhardt. Yellow for Traore. I pull him for Kubik. We win 2-0. MOM is Stoian.

This is the first time a GK has at least 12 clean sheets in a season across all completions - Good job Colombi!


Table at the halfway mark of the regular season


https://image.ibb.co/k2J6Ky/Pic_55.png


Well there you are. We are 13 points in front of Astra at #2.

You can also see the goal list, average rating, and assists, as well as MOM, and clean sheets, and we have our player at the top of them all. Colombi has been a big improvement over Rimniceanu.

In 23 games, inkling Basano, EURO, and the Super Cup, he has 15 goals allowed, and 12 clean sheets. Not bad, right?


Mitrea finishes a coaching course- we send him on another,.

We have the selection for the Romanian Cup and we get a lower level club next.


5th Round: Romanian Cup – Away at Industria Galda – I start Ivano Maio at Gk today. I am amlso starting Traore, Tandia (back from his injury), youther David Farcas, and Kubik. We win 5-0. MOM is Gimenez who had all of the goals. Every single goal.

[Abe Sargent]

November


Nov 3 – Home vs Dinamo
Nov 7 – Home vs Sevilla
Nov 10 – Away vs Concordia
Nov 13 – Away vs Voluntari
Nov 23 – Away vs Astra
Nov 28 – Away vs Qaraba

Alright, here we go!


Good Training – Antov, Eckhardt, Farcas



Basano Game #14 – Home vs Dinamo – Most of my starters are back – Mitrea, Colombi, Cartagena, and such. I leave Petre in the lineup as well. Lupu finds Schlocobiert for a goal the 3rd minute. We’ve had a lot more opportunities to score in the next ten, but to no avail. Gimenez to Etebo for goal in the 19th. We injure a player in the 32nd. They have been playing keep-away from Schlocobiert and have just one long shot for the first half. 2-0 half. Don’t get complacent! Just as water is cascading from the sky, so too should tears cascade from the eyes of Dinamo fans after this game! Right after Margeman collects a yellow Traore heads in to spell him. Eckhardt next. Schlocobiert to Gimenez for goal in the 88th. We win 3-0. MOM is Schlocobiert.

[Abe Sargent]

EURO – Group Stage #4 – Home vs Sevilla. I can only hope that we are Sevilla’s trap game today. Today is the final match of Q vs OM. Should the worst happen and both Sevilla and OM win, which is by far the most likely outcome, then us and OM will be tied with 6 points apiece, but we’ll have Q left to play, and should we hold our serve and Sevilla beat OM, then we’ll be ahead for the OM match the final week by three points. But points here, today, puts us into a whole new situation. So I am doing something a little different. In addition to starting my best XI and Antov, I am also beginning controlling. Let’s take it to Sevilla. Lupu feeds Schlocobiert for a NASTY, FILTHY GOAL in the 4th minute. It was just wrong.


https://image.ibb.co/c5ghsJ/pic_56.png

I can’t show the video, but that goal was just nasty good. Upper left corner, and long range, and despite their GK going in the right direction, he was just too late. Just incredible, vintage quality stuff from Schlocobiert.

Now, can we hold our lead? I doubt it seriously. The one bad thing about this goal is just how early it wound up happening. It gives them plenty of time to make adjustments. We were actually 6-4 for the match heading in, probably because we barely lost in Sevilla and beat Om on the road. Meanwhile, Sevilla is not doing well in Spain and has been losing. We are catching them in Romania, at the right time for us and the wrong time for them. At least in theory. Not let’s continue the game.

In the 16th, Gimenez is on a counter and they are covering him almost at the half line, so he launches a cross deep to Schlocobiert in heavy traffic. Schlocobiert finishes.

https://image.ibb.co/jfWhsJ/pic_57.png

Gimenez with the covered hoof….

https://image.ibb.co/byKDzy/Pic_58.png

You can’t even see another Sepsi player! He is covered by two defenders and the GK and many more are there. But it doesn’t matter. All we need is one player. All we need is Schlocobiert! And we are up 2-0, that quickly. I pull back to Standard.

We injure Pablo Sarabia and they sub him off. They claw one back in the 44th Half. We are up 2-1. Don’t get complacent! I send in Stoian. We give away a penalty in the 73rd. Colombi saves it! Tandia in. Our first major attack of the 2nd half is turned aside in the 79th. Here comes Sevilla and I move to counter. Can we hold on? They score on a corner in the 93rd minute. We tie 2-2. MOM is Schlocobiert with his 2 goals. We had two shots on target the entire game.

That single point is a lot right now. OM won 3-1, so we have 7 points to their 6 heading into the final two games.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #15 – Away vs Concordia – This is the last game before the November international break. We have 26 players called up. At some point in time, we are going to lose here in the Basano. But I hope it’s not today! In the gentle snow. They score a CK in the 7th. Then in the 19th, they foul Petre in the box and Mitrea sinks the PK and we are tied. Later in the half, Gimenez feeds Schlocobiert for goal. Half, we rare up 2-1. But they have not been bad in the first half. Don’t get complacent. At the 62nd minute, Schlocobiert finds Gimenez as a thanks and gets him a goal back. A few minutes later, Lupu does the same for Gimenez. Heading in are Traore and Etebo. In the 75th, Etebo feeds Gimenez and he sinks his hat trick. Kubik heads in. We will eventually lose. But it ain;t going to be today! We win 5-1 and MOM is Gimenez.



Schlocobiert is injured for a few days, but it won’t affect his next game.

Man, Gimenez is the Gift That Keeps On Going

[Abe Sargent]

https://image.ibb.co/n2hThJ/Pic_59.png

NOT TODAY. Maybe tomorrow. But not today!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IBzgoHTtimA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I am declaring this the official song of Sepsi’s 19-20 campaign!

You say you won't be frightened,
And turn to your hate to rage,
but time is not a virtue that you gave me,
and I won't say it's safe but I'm in dire need.
I'm down on my knees yeah.
Who wants the love, Who wants the hate?
We just need it cause the world will never change.

And all you ever wanted...my love...
And all you ever needed...my love...
And all my time was wasted.....
Not today, but maybe tomorrow,
Not today, but maybe tomorrow,
Maybe tomorrow, you won't be around to let me down.

You say you won't be tortured.
You say you won't be torn,
but time is a virtue that I gave you,
and I won't say it's safe, but I'm in dire need.
I'm begging you please.
Who wants the love, Who wants the hate?
We just need it cause the world will never change.

And all you ever wanted...my love...
And all you ever needed...my love...
And all my time was wasted....
Not today, but maybe tomorrow,
Not today, but maybe tomorrow,
Maybe tomorrow, you won't be around to let me down.

And all you ever wanted...my love...
And all you ever needed...my love...
And all you ever wanted...my love...
And all my time was wasted...
Not today, but maybe tomorrow,
Not today, but maybe tomorrow..
Maybe tomorrow, you won't be around to let me down.
Not today, Not today,
(The world will never change)
Let me down
Not today, Not today,
(The world will never change)
Let me down
Not today, Not today,
(The world will never change)
But maybe tomorrow.

[Izulde]

Schlocobiert is a God damn hero!

[Abe Sargent]

I am now getting job interview opportunities in Russia, by the by. I just turned down an interview at Kazan.

Lupu got a price hike with his wage after netting 5 caps.


I make an offer for another young Eastern European guy in middle Borna Bartolec of Croatia to come and join Sepsi! We sign him for 105k.


Basano Game #16 – Away vs Astra – This is not an easy game. They are 2nd. I will move to countering for today’s match. Are we losing today? Maybe tomorrow! But NOT TODAY!!! Luckily, Astra cannot use their starting ST against us today (Dodoi) because he’s on loan from….us. And he cannot be used against us (it was the same for Viitorul and their start ST Gabriel Morbeck last year too). At the 1:59 mark, Gimenez scores. A lovely attack by Schlocobiert was snuffed out in their box and Gimenez grabbed the loose ball for goal in the 2nd minute baby. Petre fouls someone in the corner of the box and they score a PK in the 33rd. On a IFK in the 41st, Mitrea feeds the ball dangerously, they head it out, and Stoian pounces on the header and scores. Petre with a late card in the half. 1-2 us. I pull Petre. In the 46th, Schlocobiert to Gimenez for goal. I send in Kubik and they score in the 78th. Card for Mitrea. Can we hold on from the Assault from Mount Astra? Yes we can! Maybe tomorrow? BUT NOT TODAY! They had 27 shots, 12 on target, and 2 goals to our 10 shots ,and 5 on target for 3. But not today. We got away with that.

Maybe we’ll lose tomorrow. But not today baby. Not today.

[Abe Sargent]

Schlocobiert is a God damn hero!

I know! I sort of lucked into him I think. Also, his agent didn;t negotiate for a minimum release fee...

[Abe Sargent]

I pull Petre from the starting job for a bit and Stoian and Etebo will be on the edges. He has 2 goals and 4 assists in 26 games.

A better Russian team comes calling – Lokomotiv Moscow. They have a ton of cash. I could easily make my imprint. Maybe bring Lupu, Schlocobiert or someone with me. No thanks. I want to turn Sepsi into Lokomotiv Moscow, or a similar club. Not vice versa. (Oh, our team looks almost as good as theirs, by the by)

EU and UK Update, by the by:

https://image.ibb.co/mQks9y/pic_60.png

We draw Botosani next in the Romanian Cup.


EURO – Group Stage #5 – Away vs Q. We can get in with a game to go with both us and Sevilla win today. That would put us four points above OM. The worst would be a win by OM to go along with our win here, as they would just be one point behind us heading into the final week. Cluttered boards hurt. I begin controlling. Schlocobiert to Gimenez for goal in the 19th minute. Again ten minutes later in the 29th. 35 minutes in, OM are up by 2. Come up Sevilla. Cartagena with a card. Mitrea with a DFK in the 44th. Half, we are up 3-0. No to complacency. Or to losing! Traoe in for Card-agena. Get it? Gimenez to Schlocobiert for goal in the 52nd. Margeman steals the ball in a dangerous place and slides to Schlocobiert for goal in the 63rd. In the 82nd he gets his hatrick! Which one? Schlocobiert found Gimenez for goal. Now can someone get Schlocobiert his hattrick as well in the last ten-ish minutes? I guess we’ll see! Nope, but we win 6-0. On the road in their house, we had more goals then they had SHOTS> 6 goals to 5 shots. MOM is Gimenez, and OM beat Sevilla with a final score of 3-1.


With one game left:

https://image.ibb.co/jrCuNJ/Pic_61.png

Here is Group I.

Now two major points. If we had held on in extra time in our place, then we would be leading this group at 12 points, and OM would be in 2nd. However, because OM won today, we now have a relevant game at the end. At least it’s home.

All I need is a tie.

[Abe Sargent]

December

Dec 1 – Home vs Botosani, Basano
Dec 5 – Away vs Botosani, Cup
Dec 8 – Home vs Viitorul
Dec 12 – Home vs OM
Dec 15 – Home vs FCSB
Dec 20 – Away vs Cluj
WINTER BREAK

Good Training – Maio, Antov, Eckhardt



Basano Game #17 – Home vs Botosani – I have one question for you. Are we going to lose today? NO! Perhaps tomorrow. But definitely not today! Stoian to Gimenez in the 27th shows that’s it NOT TODAY! Then Stoian hits Schlocobiert two minutes later. NOT TODAY! They annoyingly hit us on a counter in the 35th. Card-agena strikes again. With a card. (In case you couldn’t do that math). Half. We are up 2-1. I pull him for Traore. In the 58th a deep hoofed pass from Mitrea finds Schlocobiert for a score. In the 75th, Etebo to Lupu for goal. Tandia and Kubik head in as well to join Traore. Tandia feeds a dangerous ball to Gimenez in the 79th, and he is double covered so he slides the ball to Schlocobiert. Goal. We win5-1. MOM is Schlocobiert and his Hattrick of Happiness.


Maybe we’ll lose tomorrow…






…but not today…

[Abe Sargent]

Lupu comes to me wanting to leave the club, but I get Gimenez to talk him down.


6th Round: Romanian Cup – Away at Botosani – I begin controlling. We just beat them 5-1, but we’re in their place now, so we’ll see what happens. Hansell Riojas is back from his injury but dead tired. I have him on my squad as a backup. I’ll use him only if needed but I want to work to get him back. My captain has been out for an extended period for every year (Attila Hadnagy, Viera, Riojas). So annoying. Lupu has an amazing run at goal and finds Gimenez for gal in the 20th. Margeman to Schlocobiert for goal a few minutes later. Otebo to Stoian for goal in the 38th. Schlocobiert with a yellow. I pull him for Tandia and swap him with Etebo. We win 3-0 and MOM is Stoian.



Kubik and Mitrea have a great connect in tutor-tutlee




Basano Game #18 – Home vs Viitorul – They are currently 3rd! This may not be an easy match. Nevertheless, we shall not lose today. Maybe tomorrow! But not today. They have some early momentum but no goal to show. Card—agena strikes early. We grab goal in the 12th. Sure, it’s off a OG, but I’ll take it, thanks Viitorul! They score in the 35th off a nice goal from a cross. Half 1-1. I am not happy! I send off Cartagena. Kubik heads in, and I move Strobl to DMC. They get another goal in the 58th. Maybe we’ll lose tomorrow. But. Not. Today. In the 67th, they score. Again. Can Petre or Riojas help? Nope! We lose 3-1. Tomorrow came.

Insert Sad face here

We lost.

We’re still in first by, like, 15 points over Cluj, but we still dropped a game. That’s just…off.

Well I guess we can make it up in the next game….

[Abe Sargent]

EURO – Group Stage #6 – Home OM. All we have to do is to win or tie by any amount, here at home. But we have to get a result against French club currently 2nd in their division. They are not an easy team. They beat Sevilla by two. They lost to Sevilla by one. They lost to us by one. Technically we could lose here, and Sevilla lose by a ton more against Q. But that’s ain’t happening. I have to get through OM. Did you know that, with 14, Schlocobiert leads the EURO in goals over #2 Gimenez at 11 and over some bum at 8. Fortune favors the bold. I begin controlling. In the 18th, Schlocobiert hits goal, and I ease back to standards, and then counter as they come more. We hold though and then the 35th minute sees a goal of theirs to tie us get offsides. Whew. Then we injure their DC and they head out. Half, 1-0 us. Don’t get complacent, we have 7 shots and 4 on target to their 15 and 7. They score in the 53rd. Then on a counter led by Gimenez, Schlocobiert hits goal again less than three minutes later. I send in Kubik for Card-agena in the 61st as soon as he gets a card. Card in the 70th to Stoian, and Petre heads in. I send in Eckhardt. In the 85th, they score and it’s all knotted. I move to defensive as they move to overkill. We hold and tie them 2-2. MOM is Gimenez. Good job getting through the Group Stage lads!


We make it out!

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #19 – Home vs FCSB – Our foes are currently 8th in the Basano, and have been tumbling right down the charts with a recent bad run of form. We are ready to get back to winning in (and the) league. Here comes the stretcher. We sent home one of their players. We win 2-0, goals by Lupu and Sch, assists by Sch. They injure Gimenez and I had to pull him. MOM is Lupu.


Gimenez is injured for a week with a damaged ankle. I give him an injection to get him through the last game of December and then he can rest.


Well that was a fun EURO campaign. We drew Man City.

I choose to head to Spain for our training camp!

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #20– Away vs Cluj – With Card-agena out with too many yellows, I move Strobl to DMC and Riojas is back from injury starting at he DC spot. I begin countering. Margeman finds Gimenez on a counter in the 8th. They bang up Antov a few minutes later, but I’ll keep him in. Luiz Schlocobiert to Gimenez in the 17th for goal. In the 35th, Lupu is assisted by Margeman for goal. In the 37th, Schlocobiert crosses and gives Gimenez his hat trick. Here, let me show you.

https://image.ibb.co/kLER2J/Pic_62.png

This is a team that we used to fear. This was the big heavy of Romanian football, based on an Oil Tycoon’s big cash. They were mean. They didn’t pay their players, and they had some issues, but they are still Cluj, and you saw that two years ago when I couldn’t even scratch them. And I have set out to build a roster capable of handling Cluj and the rest of Romanian football. Here we are, on the road in Cluj’s home, in eh 38th minute of the game. Gimenez a hattrick. I am up 4-0 and it’s dominating. They have a single shot and it was nowhere near goal. In the same time, we have 13 shots, 9 on target. We are playing at a different level this year. Half. Don’t get complacent. For about ten minutes they don’t score but they are pushing forward. Kubik for Antov. They score in the 68th. The next minute, at the 68:46 mark, Schlocobiert scores after Gimenez finds him an on attack run. Petre and Traore head in. They score again in the 83rd. Lupu finds Margeman for goal in the 87th. We win 6-2, MOM is Gimenez.


I’m glad I gave him that injection!

[Abe Sargent]

Here’s the table for me. Even though we have just 20 games, we have a lot of distance between us and the rest of the pack. You can also see goals, ratings, assists, clean sheets, and MOMs, in case you care about those, or the many cards of Cartagena.

https://image.ibb.co/d7NDhJ/pic_63.png

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to an unsigned Nigerian youth player. I am scouting but I don’t see any major acquisitions to bring in in January. I could. There are players coming free who are happy to join me. There’s a nice Uruguayan player here and a few from the heavies of Argentina and Brazil.

Who do I have coming free in 6 months?

Traore
Tandia
Stoian
GK Beja Fejer

I make offers to around 8 youthers and a few I have allowed to leave without making an offer for them, among them is Kick de Geode. I transfer list Fejer.

Of that list, only Stoian is someone I like as a Romanian guy who can play on the wing. He only has 5 goals and 7 assists on the wing in 19 games. I make an offer to extend him by a year, and he is thinking about it.

Any of my scouts come back with any interesting results?

I sign the 18 year old Nigerian youth prospect, Bright Agu.

I make offers to three Romanian youths, none of which I see doing but adding to our youth squad.

[Abe Sargent]

Dec 30 arrives. Our youth sign with us. I did find some studly Colombian folks that would be happy to move their game here, but have Riojas, Cartagena, Schlocobiert, etc that are keeping that from happening.

https://image.ibb.co/iQGH9y/Pic_64.png

This is Francisco Viveros. 18 year old Columbian youth willing to swing by Sepsi, and not bad, right? Now if I could secure a hot prospect deal initially that would allow me to build him, then we’d be okay, but he appears better than a mere hot prospect by now. This guy has all of the look of a Wonderkid. I know Lupu is one. Milan Eckhardt probably is. I’m unsure about Schlocobiert; he plays like it but hasn’t grown much in the last six months. I think GK Maio is one. I also suspect that 17 year old Romanian David Farcas is one as well. That’s it. This gives me another. I could bring him in and train him as my future DMC in a year or two. Riojas isn’t so good that I need to have him take up a precious non-EU spot, non-Contonu spot. But Cartagena is. I like him better. Save for his proclivity for cards, but that could be more a function of a DMC with a ball winning role.

Here’s the other Colombia youth prospect I was looking at:

https://image.ibb.co/nnfc9y/Pic_65.png

He’s an 18 year old who’s already been capped by Colombia. That spells WONDERKID. He’s more of a DR, but he has been learning the rest of the R positions, could be trained as a future MR or DC, and so forth. And he is willing to com to Romania as well.

I make offers to both. Again, it’d help if I could secure hot prospect deals.

Viveros – 375k, 4 years, 4k/week, hot prospect
Osorio – 950k, 4 years, 2.3k/week, hot prospect

Let’s do it!

[Abe Sargent]

Anyone coming free in 6 months I want to make an offer to?

Want another Nigerian First Team middle? Ahmed Musa is coming free in June. ��

Awards...

https://image.ibb.co/cdsqUy/pic_66.png



My fans are getting jaded:


https://image.ibb.co/bOHqUy/Pic_67.png


Don’t join them LEGION!

[Abe Sargent]

January

Jan 17 – Training camp in Spain begins!
Jan 18 – Friendly #1
Jan 22 – Friendly #2
Jan 25 – Friendly #3
Jan 29 – Friendly #4
Feb 1 – Friendly #5


Good Training – Lupu, Schlocobiert, Kubik

I sign youther ST Elliot from the Real Madrid youth squad.

I make an offer to Ahmad Musa of Nigerian football fame. He’s very good quality, and with my loss of Traore/Tandia, can add more to my midfield.


By January 5th, I have 6 offers for Schlocobiert, none higher than 2 mill, and 1 for Lupu, at 2.5. Nope. Now Gimenez has a minimum release fee of 5 mil. If the various offers down through the year also wanted to really pick him up, they could have for just 5 mill. But Lupu and Schlocobiert have no such min fees.

I get some pushback from Lupu, but, again, Gimenez talks him down.

Schlocobiert has never come to me and gotten upset about me turning down the latest offers from SEP, INT or COR. Lupu wants an improved deal, and I offer it.

See, the guy starts with 4.7 min release, and I remove the clause and lock it out and pay a little more. He could start with that locked in, as Gimenez and many others have, but nope. He hasn’t.

If you ae a Man City or something that likes him, make him an offer that I am not turning down in the double digits. Then you get him now before the removal of the UK from the EU and can grandfather him onto your team.

DC Martin Kubik now counts as home-grown. After finishing a course, one of my coaches improved enough that my shooting training is now four and a half stars.

We are beat out for Nigerian Musa’s services by another club. He won’t be joining us in the Summer.
January

Jan 17 – Training camp in Spain begins!
Jan 18 – Friendly #1
Jan 22 – Friendly #2
Jan 25 – Friendly #3
Jan 29 – Friendly #4
Feb 1 – Friendly #5


Good Training – Lupu, Schlocobiert, Kubik

I sign youther ST Elliot from the Real Madrid youth squad.

I make an offer to Ahmad Musa of Nigerian football fame. He’s very good quality, and with my loss of Traore/Tandia, can add more to my midfield.


By January 5th, I have 6 offers for Schlocobiert, none higher than 2 mill, and 1 for Lupu, at 2.5. Nope. Now Gimenez has a minimum release fee of 5 mil. If the various offers down through the year also wanted to really pick him up, they could have for just 5 mill. But Lupu and Schlocobiert have no such min fees.

I get some pushback from Lupu, but, again, Gimenez talks him down.

Schlocobiert has never come to me and gotten upset about me turning down the latest offers from SEP, INT or COR. Lupu wants an improved deal, and I offer it.

See, the guy starts with 4.7 min release, and I remove the clause and lock it out and pay a little more. He could start with that locked in, as Gimenez and many others have, but nope. He hasn’t.

If you ae a Man City or something that likes him, make him an offer that I am not turning down in the double digits. Then you get him now before the removal of the UK from the EU and can grandfather him onto your team.

DC Martin Kubik now counts as home-grown. After finishing a course, one of my coaches improved enough that my shooting training is now four and a half stars.

We are beat out for Nigerian Musa’s services by another club. He won’t be joining us in the Summer.

[Abe Sargent]

https://image.ibb.co/mRuFwd/pic_68.png

Enjoy the next Gianluigi Buffon!




Gianluigi Buffon - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianluigi_Buffon)



Buffon approves of Maio!


https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hsGv3sGdAs0ITPTHKj2Yzjx4jhM=/112x404:3000x2272/1200x800/filters:focal(1307x577:1787x1057)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59763871/937164370.jpg.0.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

I am changing and handing friendlies over to my AssMan.

Friendly – We win 3-0

Lupu signs his new deal

Friendly – We tie Slavia Prague in their place 1-1.


January 23rd arrives and it’s a big day:

We have arriving today:

3 Romanian Youth that I am moving to our U19 squad. All are 17.

Elliott from Spain that I move to our U19 squad, 18 years old

The 18 year old Croatian I picked up a few months ago – Borna Bartolec. Also on the U19 squad

18 year old Bright Agu from Nigeria….


https://image.ibb.co/b2fYhJ/pic_69.png

As you can see, only Agu is really worth something from that list. He’s already capped at 18, but we don’t have a great future for him, see the potential stars above by my scouts. We’ll give him a chance, and maybe with Etebo on the squad, he’ll have someone that help him acclimate and become the greatest version of Bright Agu that he can.

None of the other youth, save for my Colombians, are worth anything, they are just bodies who are interested to add bulk, heft, maybe some subs for my main team, and more. I don’t expect any of them to be the next Schlocobiert. Of course, I didn’t expect Schlocobiert to be the next Schlocobiert. If I did, I would have started him at the beginning of last year rather than January. We might have won the Basano if I had done that…

Anyways, then we have our two Colombian youth joining them. Welcome to St. George!

[Abe Sargent]

Friendly – 3-1

I have loan offers from 7 clubs for Osorio. He clearly is on folks’ radars. He isn’t even listed for loan! I want to keep him this half of the year so he can learn the language and help the two Colombians cope and such, and I want to give him some subs and starts in EURO play and such.

Huh.

I just realized that I might have been making an assumption about non-EU play that I screwed up on for Romania. Let me try something in a moment.

What I am trying is this…

Why can I play four South American players on my squad?

I never did the math.

ST Gimenez – Argentina
ST Schlocobiert – Brazil
DC Hansell Riojas, Peru
DMC Wilder Cartagena, Peru

That’s four players. Four.

I figured it out.

Here are the match registration rules for Romania, as a reminder:



Squad Registration –

Maximum 25 players

No more than 3 EU players

EU includes both EU nations and Cotonou signees

At least four players training at Sepsi

At least eight players trained in Romania

Players under 21 do not need to be registered


Do you see it?

I never registered Schlocobiert as one of my squad. Just like Lupu, Petre for a while, Kubik, Antov, Palenik, GK Maio, and many other younger players, I never had to register them. So the cap on EU players only applies to players that are registered. It never applied to Schlocobiert, and it won’t apply to my two new Colombian additions either!

Mind………blown.

It’s no *wonder* Cluj were able to buy a team, where I have had to build one.

Well I feel sheepish…

[Abe Sargent]

Friendly – We win 3-2.

I got an offer for Etebo but I declined.

I have been getting some bids for Antov as well, but none approached his 6.5 min release fee. He’s gotten better with Riojas’s absence and is now, arguably, better than Mitrea and Riojas.

I loan out Elliot to a Basano team with a first team play.

I have an offer for Strobl and I decline it. Riojas? I’d accept. Mitrea? Sure. Strobl? Nah. He’s my best DC.

The offers for Schlocobiert are rising. I just got one for 8 mill from Stuttgart. And again, when I refuse, am I getting a Schlocobiert in my office the next day complaining? Nope.

Blast it Europe!

Southampton just made a 6.5 mill offer or Antov. He signs for them.

Stop poaching my young DCs in January! Palenik last year, Antov this…

Annoying!

Alright, can I find another DC? Kubik isn’t ready yet to be my 4th DC. Antov had a 20 jump, and was getting better at heading, for example.


https://image.ibb.co/dqTKNJ/pic_70.png

Kubik is fine physically, but he just needs to improve technically. He’s okay as an emergency starter and subber, but I don’t want him as my 4th option. Anyone out there I like enough to snatch?

Should I bring back Castano? Nah I loaned him out as Kubik was better at DC. I find someone I like for the meanwhile. Not a great youth I can develop, just a solid, mid—range DC who will suffice.

[Abe Sargent]

Okay, I am not abusing this, but I want to show you what just happened. We have just been Cluj’ed.

Due to our success, an oil tycoon has chosen to invest in the club.


https://image.ibb.co/j5TvxJ/pic_71.png


103 MILLION? Holy crap! Well, I guess in a backward way I have just finished a goal.









My EIGHT Goals for Sepsi:


• Create a powerful U19 squad. At the beginning of this game, we didn’t have a youth squad, just three players of note and value. Youth are the lifeblood of any team. I need to go out and sign out and jumpstart a new squad. CHECK
• To do well enough this year to not get relegated. CHECK
• Ideally, to do well enough this year to have a winning record. CHECK
• Next year, to move Sepsi up to the Top 6, to qualify for the Romanian Champions Playoffs. CHECK ONE YEAR EARLY
• In following years to increase Sepsi’s chances to make it out of Romania
• Build a roster that can reliably defeat Cluj. CHECK
• To turn Sepsi into an Eastern European Powerhouse like Dynamo Kiev, Sparta Prague, and such
• So secure financial footing to cement Sepsi into that role after I leave, so that Sepsi will not fade but will remain strong. CHECK



I think goals 6 and 8 were done this year, leave just 5 and 7 left.

Now I am not withdrawing my offer for my guy and I’m not about to head out and sign someone to a crazy, expensive, oil-ridden dream in the Way of Cluj. But hey. Financial security matters. What I’d like to see is the team invest in a new stadium. Ours is capped at 5000 and cannot be expanded…


Hmmm….

Board, will you build a new stadium? Nope. Buy one? Nope. But they do manage to expand it, even when that wasn;’t an option before.

Friendly – 4-0

[Abe Sargent]

February


Feb 7 – Away vs Hermannstadt
Feb 11 – Home vs Timisoara
Feb 15 Away vs Medias
Feb 18 – Away vs Voluntari
Feb 20 – Home vs Man City
Feb 23 – Home vs Craiova
Feb 27 – Away vs Man City

Good training – Kubik, Lupu, Eckhardt


Our new signing arrives:


25 year old Romanian DC Mihai Balasa -

https://image.ibb.co/n4nzPy/Pic_72.png

We signed him from FCSB for 2.3 mill with some of the cash we got from Antov.

http://fotbaljudetean.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1v-ale-1758-resize.jpg

He’s scouring the wires to see if he’s going to be signed to Sepsi!

Now, as you can see, he’s on the Romanian national team, he’s on a rotation play with us at 6.75/week. I just signed him for this year and next. But he’ll suffice. I want to give him a start or two soon, to get him stuck in, and then we’ll rotate him more later.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #21– Away vs Hermannstadt – We are controlling. Stoian with an amazing cross for goal to Gimenez in the 20th. They pull and circle the wagons and get very little pressure. Half, we are up 1-0. Don‘t get complacent! Gimenez feeds his ST teammate a goal in the 51st. Balasa is banged up and I send in Mitrea for him. Petre heads in. Eckhardt in. Late card to Card-agena. We win 2-0, MOM is Gimenez

I loan out Bright Agu

Balasa is injured for a couple of weeks.


Basano Game #22– Home vs Timisoara. I don’t want Hermannstadt to feel left out so we are controlling today as well! Cara-gena with a card-early. In the 25th, Stoian a card as well. In the 27th, Schlocobiert is given a nice pass by Gimenez to set him up on an attacking run. They score off a counter just a few minutes later and it’s tied 1-1 at the half. I’m not happy! I send in Petre and Kubik for my cards, and they get two themselves. In the 80th minute, Petre intercepts the ball and finds Lupu up the middle who eases the ball to Schlocobiert. Goal. Can we hold? Schlocobiert says yes! He scores in the 88th as Gimenez feeds him. Goal, hattrick, MOM and we win 3-1.

Cartagena will miss the next game.

[Abe Sargent]

I loan out Farcas. I confirm Petre as a rotation team status, a downgrade from first team.

I am going to fast write this as I am in WATCH WORLD CUP mode. Sorry! (not really)

Basano Game #23– Away vs Medias – I start Viveros at DMC. Let’s see what he can do. We win 4-0, goals by Schlocobiert, Strobl off a corner, Gimenez, and Etebo. Cards by Strobl. MOM is Gimenez. Viveros had 7.6 rating in his first start for me at DMC


Basano Game #24 – Away vs Voluntari - In preparation for the Man City game, I field a weakened team with players like Petre, Traore, Tandia, Kubik and others starting. We win 5-0 on the road. Hatrick by Schlocobiert, goals by Gimenez and Traore. Assists by Tansia and three by Gimenez. MOM is Schlocobiert

[Abe Sargent]

Ready?

I hand out some rests…

We have had a magnificent EURO campaign thus far. Save for one game back in the knockout round where we tied a Danish team 1-1 in their home, we won, with a lot of quality, throughout the early part of the game. Then we had a surprisingly good Group I result. For example, During the Group Stage, we only lost once – away at Sevilla. In fact, if we had won the game and not given away that goal in extra time, then we would have won Group I and be facing a not-that-much easier AS Saint Etienne. Sure, they are easier than MC, but not by much.

Here are some stats to make you aware of:

The record for most goals in a EURO campaign is 17, set by A. Madrid’s Falcao in 2010-11 Cup. As of right now, Schlocobiert has 16. Even if we lose these next two games against Man City, and we all know that we will, if our guy nets two goals, he will set a record for 18 goals!

We got to get him that goal, n’est-pas?


EURO KNOCKOUT ROUND, LEG #1 – HOME VS MAN CITY – This is our chance for a point, a result, and goals for Schlocobiert. I don’t back down. Like OM. Like Sevilla. I am going to being controlling. You are in OUR HOUSE NOW Man City! We pipe “Maybe Tomorrow” through the speakers. Man City? You are going to win tomorrow. You are going to beat us in your place by more that enough goals to win. We all know it. But not today. Not today. I give my folks a hard tackling metric. I want to see if I can essentially Hack-a-Shaq Man City. At 2:43, Gimenez finds Schlocobiert for goal! This is his 50th goal for us. Already.

https://image.ibb.co/bu2oHJ/Pic_73.png

BUT NOT TODAY!!!

I ease to Standard mentality. They come forward and I order us to slide to counter, but in the 19th, their winger just stelas the ball hard from DC Strobl out by the line and his immediate cross is lethal. They hit us back. We hold for a bit, and then in the 43rd, Schlocobiert feeds Gimenez for goal. We are up 2-1 at the half. Do not get complacent!!! Never get complacent. Mitrea with a card and I send in Balasa for him. Balasa is still injured a bit, but he should be fine for a major game like this late. They score in the 67th for goal off a nasty long shot that was not only lethal but beautiful. They have knotted it. We send in Eckhardt and Traore. They have a nice shot in the 84th, but they handballed and it’s waived off. And………four minutes added….and….we hold. We tie 2-2 and MOM is Schlocobiert with a goal and an assist.

That gives him the tie for most goals in an EURO Cup campaign. Can he get another on the road against Man City?

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Game #25 – Home vs Craiova – I have handed out many a rest. I start Petre for a tired Stoian. We tie them 2-2 here in our place, with 2 goals by Gimenez, and MOM was him as well. Well,


Here is the table after 25


https://image.ibb.co/nz9Djy/Pic_74.png

Here you are. Even after we drop a tie against Craiova, we are still strongly in 1st. See Goals? Rating? Assists? MOM? Clean Sheets? And Cartagena even has yellows too! Clearly he wanted to catch up with the others.

[Abe Sargent]

We draw Cluj for the Semi Final of the Romanian Cup


EURO KNOCKOUT ROUND, LEG #2 – AWAY VS MAN CITY –We are tied at home 2-2, so if we tie with a 3-3, 4-4 or higher then we win with away goals, otherwise, we’ll need to win in order to, well, win. I begin defensive. We can open up like a flower later, but only under the right conditions. I start Balasa who is just gotten back from his injury, so we can see how he’s doing. I’ll save you from a thumping 6-3 loss overview. Goals by Gimenez, Schlocobiert, and Stoian. That gets Luiz to 18. They injure Balasa in the 23d, and I put Mitrea back in.

I get a 1.1 Mill offer for Petre. Should I take it? I don’t need the cash! So no, I hold off for now.

Balasa is injured for the rest of the season. DANG! Injured twice that quickly. That’s not going to leave me a lot of depth at DC…

We’re past the deadline for registering others. I have no one I can bring in.

Basano Game #26 – Home vs Iasi – This is our final game of the regular season. I begin this match with a controlling mindset. This is the club my former AssMan is now managing, if you don’t remember. It’s snowing gently. We win 2-1, MOM is Gimenez, with assist, Schlocobiert has goal and assist, and Riojas a goal.


Mitrea finishes a coaching course and we send him on another.

[Abe Sargent]

March

Mar 5 – Home at Cluj, Romanian Cup
Mar 8 – Home vs Viitorul
Mar 15 – Away vs Astra
Mar 22 – Away vs Timisoara


Good Training – Riojas, Maio, Eckhardt

Schlocobiert is P of the M again

Two of Schlocobiert’s goals are 1st and 2nd for the month.


We are starting at the 1 spot:

https://image.ibb.co/bUexcJ/Pic_75.png

As you can see, we begin with 10 points on Cluj, 11 on Astra, 14 on Viitorul, and 15 on Timisoara and Craiova.


Quarter Final, Romanian Cup – Home vs Cluj – We win 5-2, Schlocobiert, Mom, has a hattrick, goals by Gimenez and an OG. Lupu, Otebo, Gimenez, and Margeman with goals.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Continental Quals #1 – Home vs Viitorul – We win 2-1 after starting controlling. Goals by Lupu and Gimenez and they injured Lupu and he’ll be out for a week.

Viitorul have just fired their manager.

12 Mar – Our youth candidates arrive but they are….not good. That’s me being nice.


Basano Continental Quals #2 – Away vs Astra – I play with a Standard mindset. I start Eckhart and Petre. We win 4-2 and MOM was Petre with two assists. Goals by Gimenez, Schlocobiert, Eckhart and an OG from ‘em. Etebo has a card and will miss next game.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Continental Quals #3 – Away vs Timisoara – I start Stoian and Peter and leave in Eckhart for Lupu. We tie after Card-agena gets two yellows and we drop to 10 men, 1-1. Stoian was MOM. I discipline him for a week’s wages, and he accepts it.

There are no other great youths in the Romanian Youth intake this year either. Ah well.

I am scouting 40, 50 youthers in the area and such folks out, trying to find any major people to target for inclusion.

I convince my board to invest in better training facilities. It will finish in October.

Viveros is capped by Columbia. I call and congratulate him.

Schlocobiert comes to me and he wants to move. We rejected another bid for him. This is the first time he’s come to me. He’s been a warrior for me. I would love to go to war with him for the rest of my time in Sepsi. I want to see him get 300 goals for Sepsi. He already has more than 50 in two years. But he has this. I tell him that I want to finish the season, and then we’ll actively look to move him then. He agrees.

[Abe Sargent]

April

April 3 – Away vs Cluj
April 10 – home vs Craiova
April 18 – Away vs Viitorul
April 22 – 1st Leg of the Semi Final of the R. Cup
April 25 – Home vs Astra

Good Training – Lupu, Kubik, Dodos




Basano Continental Quals #4 – Away vs Cluj. I am playing a counter style today. Because he has been in good form, I am keeping Eckhardt at the AMC Spot for more time. I also leave in Petre as well. We win 4-3, with Riojas gifting them a OG in extra time, but Schlocobiert was MOM with a hattrick and Gimenez a goal.

With that victory, we have officially qualified for the EURO. Champions League here we come!

[Abe Sargent]

My AssMan, who is one of my favorite that I didn’t previously have a link to in the dynasty (such as Mikel Alonso in my Bilbao career or Basnik Hasi in my Carlisle one, etc), completes his coaching course, and I send him out for another.

Here let me show you my guy:

https://image.ibb.co/gbL3HJ/Pic_76.png

Here is Akaki. It’s just fun to have a former DC international for Georgia as my AssMan. And he’s good too.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Akakiihubutia.jpg/220px-Akakiihubutia.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

Due to his growth this year, Maio is about as good as Rimniceanu, and would likely start from here on out, but he has a while before he’s close to Colombi. His link up with Colombi is finished and they get along lots and he learned a lot. They are both Italian.


Basano Continental Quals #5 – Home vs Craiova. If we win today, then we win everything with five games to go! Cartagena is back after missing last game – Viveros had started for him. We win 3-1, Strobl with a card, Schlocobiert with 2 scores, and Gimenez a 3rd. Great job at winning the Liga I Basano and making it to the Champion’s League!


https://image.ibb.co/ioHiHJ/Pic_77.png

For next year. Crazy, right?


I sign a youth Romanian named Cosmin Tina. Not a name you need to remember.

We draw Astra in the Semi Final of the Romanian Cup.


Basano Continental Quals #6 - Away vs Viitorul – Strobl Is out with cards. I send in some youth to give them starts – Eckhardt and Lupu over Margeman and Traore, Kubik, Viveros at DMC, Osorio at MR, etc. My goal is to get them starts. I still want to win. I still have my captain – Riojas, my strikers, and my GK out there to keep people honest. We’ll be countering today. We win 3-1. Mom is Gimenez with a goal and two assists. Schlocobiert and Traore with scores.

Gimenez comes to me and wants an extension. I do so by a year.

[Abe Sargent]

1st Leg, Semi-Final of Romanian Cup – Home vs Astra. I have my normal XI starting for me. It’s raining here in Saint George in the Carpathian mountains at this time of year. It’s a cold rain that bites as a throwback to winter. A goal from Margeman to Strobl int eh 16th looks great! Until they call it offsides. Ah well. We are dominating the match, so I open up a little. They have no shots and 42% possession right now. They injure Strobl in the 19th and I send in Kubik. They got a yellow for the nasty foul. Gimenez feeds Schlocobiert in the 26th and we are up 1-0 over the Astra Injury Makers. At the 36:40 mark, the Injury Makers get a red card, and I pull into my normal Red Card strategy. We have pressure, but can’t net that next goal. I slide to attacking. Half. I told my folks to tackle easy, but Card-agena strikes and I send in Viveros for him. In the 61st, they injure Stoian and that’s my last sub. They score off a CK. I am trying everything to get a goal. I’m at home. I’m up a man. I am getting real shots not desperate long ones around Castle Astra. I have Gimenez and Schlocobiert. We have to get this. Viveros with a yellow. And there it is - 88th minute. Schlocobiert fed a nice ball by Petre, and he feeds Gimenez the goal. On the 90th, Schlocobiert to Gimenez for another goal. Whew. You knew it was going to happen. They were going to come through!

https://image.ibb.co/ceXiHJ/Pic_78.png


They had 2 shots, 1 on goal off the CK, and we had 26 and 14 on target. MOM is Gimenez. My boys! It’ll be sad to see Schlocobiert head out.

[thehitcat]

As a long time Sepsi supporter (:)) and member of the Legion I can only continue to be astonished at how well the team is playing. We are all worried about the coming summer with larger clubs coming in to poach our top talent but we feel strongly that between our manager, his scouts and our new deep pocketed owner that we will be able to move from strength to strength.

Now as just me: This is always the biggest danger time for me. We've been great but are taking the next largest step up in quality. Add into this the wild card of a new deep pocketed owner who might be A) fickle and looking longingly at other managers after even a slight stumble or worse B) only in in for the short term and potentially looking to sell quickly and saddle the club with debt. As a fan or real life Reading I know what sudden take overs by seemingly deep pocketed Russians can mean when he comes up short and the club is nearly thrown into administration.

Also really enjoying this dynasty, your style of reporting and the run you're own. Long may it last and Long Live the LEGION!!

[Abe Sargent]

As a long time Sepsi supporter (:)) and member of the Legion I can only continue to be astonished at how well the team is playing. We are all worried about the coming summer with larger clubs coming in to poach our top talent but we feel strongly that between our manager, his scouts and our new deep pocketed owner that we will be able to move from strength to strength.

Now as just me: This is always the biggest danger time for me. We've been great but are taking the next largest step up in quality. Add into this the wild card of a new deep pocketed owner who might be A) fickle and looking longingly at other managers after even a slight stumble or worse B) only in in for the short term and potentially looking to sell quickly and saddle the club with debt. As a fan or real life Reading I know what sudden take overs by seemingly deep pocketed Russians can mean when he comes up short and the club is nearly thrown into administration.

Also really enjoying this dynasty, your style of reporting and the run you're own. Long may it last and Long Live the LEGION!!


Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying it!

The good/bad of being rich is definitely a problem, and I'm not super comfortable with my dynasty changing on me like that :).

I do think that one of my current young loanees Could step into Sch's role as well. We'll see though.

[Abe Sargent]

Stoian is out for 4-5 weeks

Strobl is out for 2 weeks

Cartagena not allowed in the next Cup match.


Basano Continental Quals #7 - Home vs Astra – I am doing three things today different. First, I have to start Kubik and Petre due to injury. Second, I have rotated a few starters like above. Third, I am tackling hard. You were clearly tackling hard, you had a ton of fouls, you injured two of my goals, and you got a bunch of cards and a red. Get ready to be bloodied, and hopefully, I’ll hurt your roster for the latter half of the Semis. We defeat them 1-0, goal and MOM to Schlocobiert

May

May 3 – Home vs Timisoara
May 10 – Home vs Cluj
May 13 – Away vs Astra, Romanian Cup
May 16 – Away vs Craiova
May 31 – Cup Final

Good Training – Muntean, Eckhardt, and Kubik

Schlocobiert is Player of the Month


Basano Continental Quals #8 - Home vs Timisoara –We win 6-2. 2 goals for Petre, Schlocobiert, Gimenez, Lupu and Kubik, with Schlocobiert as the MOM.

[Abe Sargent]

Man City and Liverpool made it to the final of the EURO. Man City just beat Shakhtar 10-1 aggregate to make it! Ouch.

Basano Continental Quals #9 - Home vs Cluj – Strobl is back and on the bench and I continue to start Kubik today. While Cluj are even in possession, they never really are in this game.

https://image.ibb.co/bYa3HJ/Pic_79.png

If you had told me we would ever get to where we were 3-0 thumping Cluj, I would have called this dynasty concluded. Mission accomplished. Mom is Schlocobiert and his 2 goals.

[Abe Sargent]

https://image.ibb.co/ejXiHJ/Pic_80.png

2st Leg, Semi-Final of Romanian Cup – Away vs Astra. Cartagena is out with a card issue, Viveros stays, and I have Strobl in for Kubik. I begin countering, as I respect Astra too much not too. The sun is shining, and it’s a nice day for football. They grab a goal in the 9th minute of play. Then we hold off an assault, and they grab a card. And another. And Schlocobiert, on an attacking run, shots, and then sinks the rebound. They injure Gimenez and I have to send Etebo up at ST and Tandia at ML. Half. 1-1 tie. Don’t get complacent! I pull Viveros for Traore. They injure Petre. I send in….Osaraio. he’s the last winger I have. That’s my last sub in the 66th. Tandia collects a card. We hold and tie today 1-1, and win 4-2 aggregate.

Gimenez is out with a concussion for two weeks. Petre is fine though, just a few days.

We draw Timisoara in the Final

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Continental Quals #10- Away vs Craiova – I start Tandia, Etebo at ST, and others. We score twice – in the 2nd and 4th minute, and that’s it. We win 2-0. MOM is Strobl. Goals by Lupu and Strobl.


Final Qual table


https://image.ibb.co/mxPxcJ/Pic_81.png

There you are! Cluj had a fall in the last few games and came in 5th. Even if a EURO entry falls to 4th from us winning the Cup, they won’t get it.

Zenit St. Pete just sacked their manager. Is that the place Dr. Maximillian Surubaru wants to head to next? Maybe. (I apply)


Stoian is back from energy. Wow did I mistype injury there.

[Abe Sargent]

Man City beat Arsenal 3-1 for the EURO


https://image.ibb.co/jUVUcJ/Pic_82.png

I thought you might enjoy seeing who led in scoring and assists

[Abe Sargent]

Our U19 squad made it to the U19 Cup Finals and will face Craiova.

I am given an opportunity to come to St. Petersburg to interview with Zenit. They have a ton of cash, and their two philosophies always line up with my own – Sign big names and young talent that can make an immediate impact on the 1st Team. They want me to build my way, but think it’s their way.


https://image.ibb.co/dZinWd/Pic_83.png


Alright, what do I want to go? Head east? Or keep up Romania?

I talk to the board, and they don’t agree to expand the youth facilities more, so I don’t pull out of my job interview.

[thehitcat]

I wonder if you've taken Sepsi as far as you can. Certainly the best single season team in Romania's first division history. Unless you believe you can build a team to not only dominate but slowly make an impact in Europe you might be at the top. No matter your decision you will always be a legend to the Legion.

[Izulde]

Take the Zenit job, buy Schlocobiert.

[Abe Sargent]

The Cupa Romaniei Final!


Welcome to Bucharest!

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hFfiFc_INxw/hqdefault.jpg


Your defending Champions, Basano Winner Sepsi


VS



Your #6 team, Timisoara


We begin controlling. Gimenez is back. Stoian is back. They are playing well, and I slide back to counter in the 7th minute. They score in the 26th. Then……nothing. Half. Show me something else!!! I move to control? Stoian a card. I injure one of their players lightly, but he stays in. In heads Petre for Stoian. Cartagena with a card. Traore spells him. I move to attacking. They score in the 88th. They win 2-0. That was not what I expected. I had never lost to Timisoara. Until now. Good job Timisoara!

When you are the heavy, sometimes upsets and such happens, right?

[Abe Sargent]

Take the Zenit job, buy Schlocobiert.

Yeah, let's see what happens here with the job in a bit. Every indication seemed to suggest that they were interested. And I've never done Russia. I think that would be interested as a major European nation in football outside of the EU bubble.

[Abe Sargent]

I wonder if you've taken Sepsi as far as you can. Certainly the best single season team in Romania's first division history. Unless you believe you can build a team to not only dominate but slowly make an impact in Europe you might be at the top. No matter your decision you will always be a legend to the Legion.

I feel you. I do think I could build a powerhouse that can compete with the bigger clubs over time, years of time, with that Champions money and results, but we'll see. Hopefully my good run in the EURO will help push Romania back into the light.

[Abe Sargent]

Basano Stats!


With 13, Schlocobiert led the league in MOM; Gimenez was tied for 2nd at 8.

With an average rating of 8.02, Schlocobiert led the league, Gimenez was 2nd with 7.93. The highest non Sepsi player was at 7.39.

Mitrea was 3rd in headers;

Schlocobiert had 43 goals, Gimenez 26, both led. The next highest was at 20.

Dodoi was 4th with 18 for Astra. ST Raul C had 11 on loan to Medias.


Dodoi had the Basano’s high % of shots on target at 68%.

Gimenez led with 24 assists, the next highest was 14, and Schlocobiert was tied for 2nd with 14. Mitrea was next on our team with 9.

Gimenez led in key passes and in chances created


Schlocobiert was 3rd in dribble/game.

Cartagena was 4th in tackles/game.


Mitrea was 8th in picks


Antov is still first in Headers own ratio at 93% > sad he left

Colombi concedes 28 goals, one behind FCSB’s GK.

With 18 clean sheets, Colombi led the Basano

Colombi was 3rd in saves, 4th in parries

We scored 105 goals and allowed 28 goals, the fewest in the league (FCSB;s GK was out for 8 games, and thus looked better that Colombi among those with conceded goals).

Why did we do so well this year?

Two reasons
1. Schlocobiert started the entire year rather than half of it last year.
2. We signed Colombi and dropped from high 40s to high 20s goals conceded and almost doubled our clean sheets.