24 replies to this topic

[Funkenstein]

So, here we are, the dawn of Football Manager 2012 and the sequel to one of the less memorable and inspiring stories on the site (which for those interested can be read here) that ended prematurely after the corporate hand of Dynamo Kyiv drew me away from my beloved Tavria side and allowed me to grow tired of winning game after game. This time round I'm confident of conquering that inevitable boredom if nothing else, particularly due to the leagues I have loaded and the 'Add/Remove' function they are now coupled with. Indeed, to kick things off, I have no less than thirty-eight loaded:

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The more astute amongst you will notice some downloaded and custom countries intertwined into that list, and their presence is justified by one reason: to help complete the now clichéd but none-the-less difficult challenge of winning all five continental competitions, which as always will be started unemployed with a Sunday League reputation. Other than that, I simply hope to have a long and enjoyable save, and one not spoiled by my faltering loyalty and greed.

Let's get going then...

Edited by Funkenstein, 31 October 2011 - 02:55 PM.

[Funkenstein]

6 July 2011

In the build-up to the game's release I had an ever strengthening hunch my career would start in South Africa, and whilst last year I would have groaned at the opportunity to manage in this persistently dull and seemingly inescapable footballing nation, right now I'm actually relishing the chance. This is mainly because the two sub-leagues the National First Division previously consisted of have merged, meaning the season as a whole is more exciting, more diverse and hopefully absent of the massive inter-division gulfs of quality I'm sure many of you are familiar with.

In terms of the basics, the Mpumalanga Black Aces are a recently relegated Premiership team, who picked up a mere fifteen points from thirty games and lost all their games bar seven in their ultimately fruitless attempts to avoid dropping down. Despite this deterring record, they enter the current season as a club with one of the strongest reputations and financial backing for their league, as well as strong favourites to earn a play-off place or more reassuringly, make the leap straight back up.

The squad are generally well developed and organised and without the requirement for drastic changes, although a fair portion of the players are on the wrong side of thirty and without sufficient youth backup to reinforce their position. From my perspective a new goalkeeper is a must, whilst strengthening the left midfield position is also high on the priority list. Other than that, I'm confident in stating that we possess one of the most lethal defences and attacks in the league and as the report suggests, a valid candidate for the best player in the league in the form of Fabian McCarthy:

Whilst his age implies that he has perhaps only a couple of seasons left, his impressive attributes and invaluable experience means keeping him fit and injury-free will be vital to the team's fortunes and what looks set to be an inevitable promotion campaign in the coming season. Young Ace Bhengu is likely to be partnering him in the centre of defence, who appropriately enough for the paradoxical and unpredictable nature of South African football is also the second best striker in the squad.

For now, the team are preparing for what should be a relatively average and hopefully stress free pre-season. Several fixtures have lined up against top division teams which should serve as a measure of where they stand and more importantly, how much quality has been lost in the transition between the two divisions. After that will be the league, and the chance for the team to return to their natural habitat - the ABSA Premiership.

Edited by Funkenstein, 31 October 2011 - 02:55 PM.

[Funkenstein]

8 July 2011

There's nothing you could want more from a warm-up friendly game against the Reserves than having two first-teamers out injured for the whole of pre-season...

Edited by Funkenstein, 31 October 2011 - 02:42 PM.

[Funkenstein]

6 August 2011

Luckily for both the team and my stress levels, the two injuries highlighted above proved to be the nadir of a relatively productive and beneficial pre-season. As hoped, it was fairly routine-like and accompanied by a string of constructive transfers and friendlies, and it also easily consolidated that the team are prepared and ready for the coming season.

Despite being unspectacular, the team's pre-season results were very reassuring and impressive. After the token drumming of their reserves, they faced Premier League sides in a run where they remained unbeaten and were only denied from a perfect streak by late goals that prompted frustrating draws. Whilst admittedly the nature of the fixtures means that the matches should be viewed with a pinch of salt, in a notable portion of them they dominated possession and forced the opposition's defence to be on the back foot throughout, as opposed to containing and playing tightly before walking away with a scrappy win or draw. At the same time, whilst they were useful in the general sense that they built up the squad's fitness and provided them time to adapt to the new tactics, they also identified the team's strengths and weaknesses in their play: counter-attacking football and preserving a lead respectively.

There was a small fluster of activity on the transfer front, which was naturally focused towards reinforcing the stronger areas of the squad and ironing out any loose matters. As previously mentioned, the goalkeepers were an immediate focus of concern, and true to form whilst playing a half each against the Reserves both Mosima and Gwanya fumbled any shot placed at them and prompted myself to become extremely uncomfortable with either of them in goal, meaning the pair were shipped out immediately. All other departures were players released or sold due to the fact that they either weren't good enough or too old (and therefore unfit) to play, meaning my signings were focused towards young, developing players who could compete for a place with or serve as a future replacement to those in the first team. I was given a generous transfer budget of £50k although the pre-existing wage bill was already a few thousand over the allocated budget, meaning a certain degree of frugality was required on my part. Luckily, this didn't prevent me from acquiring my first choice targets:

Blessing Makhathini: The team's first choice goalkeeper and an anomaly in both the squad and the division in the respect that he contains some international experience. He has proved he can keep clean sheets against stern opposition although his passing game requires improvement.

Thando Mdluli: A versatile playmaker who will be primarily employed as the starting left attacking midfielder. Throughout the friendlies he was responsible for a handful of assists so naturally I’m hoping he can repeat the feat in the league.

Michael Nkambule: A general, all-round centre midfielder who will sit in the advanced playmaker role and is bolstered by both his young age and impressive attributes.

Rene Richards: An experienced wing-based player who can be deployed in any position on the left side, although he will mostly be

competing with Mdluli for a starting AML spot.

Thulane Ngcepe: A striker who will be challenging Shongwe and to a lesser extent Bulu for a starting spot. If he develops in the right matter he could mould into a replacement for the former the few seasons down the line, although at the same time he needs to learn how to pass to his teammates.

Khethukuthula Nxumalo: The squad's second choice goalkeeper. He put in a moderately impressive display during the pre-season matches although this was whilst simultaneously highlighting the fact that he is extremely vulnerable to long shots.

So, for now it's time for the season's real campaign, which begins against Sivutsa Stars in the First Round of the First Division Cup. Following that will be league fixtures against the African Warriors and fellow promotion candidates Vasco de Gama in arguably the first six-pointer of the season.

Edited by Funkenstein, 31 October 2011 - 02:56 PM.

[Funkenstein]

24 September 2011

The pictures above can be viewed from two perspectives. In general terms, they highlight the fact that the team have enjoyed a convincing start to the season, winning every match so far and demonstrating both their lethal brand of possession football and structured attacking against a variety of opposition. Result by result, they are slightly more deceiving. Indeed, the victory against Vasco was courtesy of a late minute penalty, Blackburn hit the post twice and had a goal debatably deemed offside in our encounter and F.C.A.K arguably deserved to beat us despite losing by a two goal margin. Whilst in the present scheme of things these features don’t stop the results simply being brushed off as lucky wins, it has to be considered that had these matches taken place against Premier League sides, it is likely that the team would have been punished, and involved in a relegation scrap as a result. However, for now I’ll shadow the seemingly inevitably of developing into the West Bromwich Albion of South African football by focusing on the positives: we’re five points clear after seven games and our lead is looking secure.

Even more pleasingly, the new signings have slotted into the team almost seamlessly, particularly Mdluli, Ngcepe and Nkambule, all of whom have collectively been responsible for several goals and assists. Naturally, it is therefore a large inconvenience that the latter has also been deemed injured for two or three months and will subsequently miss a handful of coming important and difficult fixtures. At the same time, it would be ignorant of me not to mention Shongwe, who has scored seven goals from eight appearances despite not having a set style as a striker, a feature underlined by the fact that his goals have ranged from Messi-esque tap-ins to thirty yard strikes. In broad terms, the squad have proven themselves to be competitive and full of depth, and their quality is evident in the respect that it is hard to decide upon a starting eleven without feeling guilty because someone who is deserving of a place hasn’t been included.

Meanwhile, the team have also had the First Division Cup to contend with, which as its title suggests is a competition exclusively featuring sides from the NFL. As the board indicated that they were not concerned with how the club performed in this, it has mainly been used as an opportunity to use lesser used players and those requiring an addition to their match fitness. Despite this, they have incurred an impressive run to the Final where they will face the Dynamos, although the fact that they are 10th in the league probably suggests that most other teams implemented the same plan.

To close, next up are the Witbank Spurs before the aforementioned FDC Final against the Dynamos. After that are league fixtures against Atlie FC and Chippa United around which time the team will be approaching the half-way point of the league campaign.

Edited by Funkenstein, 06 November 2011 - 04:59 PM.

[Funkenstein]

27 October 2011

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t beginning to feel sorry for Tipa, although that would also be the case if I stated that I wasn’t worried about his evidently weak frame. This is his third injury so far this season with the team not even a third of the way through it, and if his fitness continues to be such a liability he will find himself as an obvious target to be sold come the next transfer window.

[Funkenstein]

5 November 2011

Pleasingly, the team have maintained their impressive form and are gradually beginning to implement more conviction into their matches, a suggestion underlined by the fact that despite the result against Chippa United, it was arguably our best performance. Indeed, instead of lucky defending and being forced to play on the back foot, it was a combination of bad luck, strong opposition goalkeeping and a general inability to capitalise on the chances offered that prompted the draw, and presently the lone blip in our attempts to sustain a perfect record. Keeping clean sheets is still proving to be an allusive task, although when that suggestion is coupled with the fact that the team have scored the most goals and conceded the second fewest in the league, thereby also allowing them to have the largest goal difference, it pales into assuring insignificance.

In terms of individual performances, Shongwe has continued his new-found tradition of terrorising defences, regularly slicing them apart and deservedly scoring in almost every game in order to cement his role in the race for the league’s top scorer. He is joined in this inter-competition feature by Dlamini and McCarthy, the former of which is now recognised as an excellent inside forward with the latter having earned the title as a lethal threat from corners and cemented his status as the league’s highest scoring defender. Honourable mentions also go to Gordon Gilbert, who is an equally lethal left-back accountable for by his deadly passing and mazy runs, and Thulane Ngcepe, blocked from appearances only by the form of his striking colleague and as hoped, a more than sufficient backup in his absence.

Meanwhile, the team also had the First Division Cup Final to contend with, and unsurprisingly the opportunity to grasp some early silverware coupled with the chance to defeat our nearest rivals ensured that I temporarily abandoned my fringe player policy in favour of a stronger, more traditional line-up. Dynamos did the same although that didn’t stop the fact that the match itself was fairly odd, with both our goals coming in a first half which they dominated. Indeed, Shongwe and McCarthy were seemingly ignorant of Dynamos’ initial influence over the possession and pace of the game, with the former’s goal stemming from a fluid counter-attacking move and the latter being a trademark header from the defender. The second half worked in complete contrast to its predecessor with us controlling the game and intimidating our opponents, although similarly to them we failed to convert our chances and were instead thankful that they didn’t score. All in all a confusing match, but that doesn’t stop the fact that the team won both it and the trophy, courtesy of defeating their rivals.

For now, it’s a return to the league and the team’s attempts to consolidate their position within it. The next team to challenge that task will be FC Cape Town, followed by Tuks and then fittingly enough, the Dynamos.

[Funkenstein]

26 November 2011

And so the inevitably of the team’s first defeat has reared its heavy head on their season. Conceding two goals early on (the first of which was after seventeen seconds) appeared to shatter the players’ confidence, and whilst their mediocre performance was still enough to offer them a valid chance at a comeback, Tuks’ penalty courtesy of a thoughtless Zuke tackle was served as the final nail in the coffin. Naturally, I’m disappointed to lose, but more worried that this game will feature as the domino that allows our season to collapse. The match against Dynamos will confirm if this is the case.

Edited by Funkenstein, 21 November 2011 - 08:10 PM.

[Funkenstein]

3 December 2011

Whilst this match may not have confirmed my guess that the previous game was a negative turning point, it does suggest that I’m a complete hypochondriac...

[Funkenstein]

7 January 2012

Whilst the team’s recent form is perhaps lacking by their standards, they are still in the comfortable position of being six points clear, and indeed seventeen ahead of fifth place and those competing for the play-off places. Following the defeat to Tuks we incurred a loss in similar circumstances to Sivutsa Stars, who managed to the dent the team’s motivation to an equal extent by scoring after thirty-four seconds. After a long, scrappy period of play that saw us equalise twice in order to take the score to two each, my risk in playing more attacking football in order to seal the win backfired as the Stars headed in a late winner and deservedly sealed the points. Yet again the team followed with an emphatic win over Vasco, suggesting that they are stimulated by failure and defeat and therefore not at any immediate risk of surrendering their position at the peak of the league.

Shongwe and Dlamini are still accountable for the spearhead of our attack, although their presence has faded to some extent and due to the increased contributions of Nkambule and Bantam. The pair have recently come into their element and are responsible for a small plethora of goals and assists, although they have also created a selection dilemma in the midfield. Both are suited to and perform best in the advanced playmaker role in charge of sitting behind and supplying the lone striker, but the fact that the formation the team play is restricted to only AMC position means that in the last few matches one has been forced to feature as a more restrictive box-to-box midfielder. This is liable for hindering their performance, and whilst I have attempted to tweak the tactic in order to accommodate for both of their attacking tendencies, I fear doing so to too large an extent will prompt the team to be vulnerable defensively.

The Nedbank Cup has also been supplemented onto the team’s agenda, and alongside the entirety of the First Division and a portion of non-league teams we entered the Preliminary Round facing league colleagues African Warriors. Similarly to my technique in the First Division Cup, I used a selection of fringe players and those with fewer appearances to their name, or at least that was the plan until Ngcepe came off injured and had to be replaced by Shongwe, the only other striker on the bench. He contributed two late goals to consolidate both the win and progression to the First Round, the details of which will be decided on 7 February.

Therefore, the club’s only worry as the team approaches the winter break is the finances, which have progressively fallen and led the team into a small degree of debt with the majority of the expenditure stemming from the wage bill. This is despite the fact it is one of the smallest in the league, and whilst I am attempting to offload the problem by selling the more expensive reserve players in the coming transfer window, I’m aware that this will only serve as a temporary solution and take minimal stress away from the ever increasing problem. At the same time, I’ve organised a selection of away friendlies against large Premier League teams in order to raise money through appearance fees, but until then I can only simply hope that the club’s success attracts enlarged audiences and the situation does not become overbearing as to hinder the team.

Until then, we have a final league fixture against Blackburn before a brief rest and the aforementioned matches that will occupy the team throughout January and February. After that will be the return to league action and fixtures against Bay United, United FC and F.C.A.K.

[jd123]

Good luck with this mate. It will be interesting to see how you manage to do. I'm also doing a pentagon and also started with Black Aces. I managed to get promoted first season and it's been mid table in the ABSA since then. Even with national rep I get laughed off every single job.

[Funkenstein]

11 February 2012

The team enjoyed a quiet yet productive mid-season break, and one highlighted by the valuable experience they obtained from facing the Premier League’s more dangerous and challenging teams. Indeed, whilst unlike last time the team incurred defeats and the defence were accountable for conceding several goals, their performance as a whole was more convincing and sufficient in suggesting that they would not be hopeless if promoted to the top division.

In terms of the friendlies themselves, the team challenged the Kaizer Chiefs for an equaliser and a long period until an impressive header from a corner sealed their win before successfully completing the feat and coming from two goals behind against PSL leaders Orlando Pirates. The match against the Mamelodi Sundowns resembled a case of de ja vu of the former as their powerful 25 yard strike consolidated the result whilst the team were inspiring in a comprehensive victory against an admittedly fringe player reliant Supersport United side. The games were rounded off with a simple victory against Second Division outfit Winners Park which served as an opportunity for the players used less prominently in the campaign to build up their match experience and fitness ahead of the return to the league.

Both to my wants and expectations, the transfer market proved to be an equally quiet front, thus allowing the team to maintain their stability and composure. The lone departure from the squad was Thulane Ngcepe, who joined F.C.A.K for a fee of £22k and thus created a profit of the same value, whilst his replacement came in the form of striker Sherwin Smith who will feature as third choice for the centre forward role behind Shongwe and Bulu:

The only other important piece of news was the announcement that the club will face Second Division team Nobela All Stars in the First Round of the Nedbank Cup and on 14 March. Perhaps needlessly to say, a win and progression to the Second Round should arrive at no difficulty, where hopefully the team will be involved in an equally easy draw. Until then, it’s time to return to the league and the final stages before it is firmly implanted in the business end of the season.

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jd123, on 24 November 2011 - 08:37 PM, said:

Good luck with this mate. It will be interesting to see how you manage to do. I'm also doing a pentagon and also started with Black Aces. I managed to get promoted first season and it's been mid table in the ABSA since then. Even with national rep I get laughed off every single job.

Thanks. I think based on our performances in the friendlies mid-table is a realistic target for the first season with the obvious hope being that a few years down the line we can challenge for the title. As for now I'm not looking at any club openings although I wouldn't say no if the chance for some international management came up.

[Funkenstein]

14 March 2012

Aside from the fact that this injury is generally unfortunate, it may also confirm Musasa Muamba to be the first departure come the next transfer window. He is heading towards the conclusion of his football career and has been deployed as second choice for right back behind October all season, meaning there is little justification in keeping him for the next. Admittedly I haven’t given much consideration towards who he will be joined alongside in his exit, although if events such as this continue the transfers will be primarily aimed towards reducing the average age of the squad.

[Funkenstein]

31 March 2012

Heading towards the business end of the season the team have retained both their strong lead and impressive form, albeit whilst sacrificing the opportunity to confirm promotion after losing to Thanda Royal Zulu in their most recent game. Despite this, the most disappointing result listed above is that against F.C.A.K, which arrived courtesy of two late goals and an 89th minute penalty scored by former striker Thulane Ngcepe. The fact that he has netted four goals in seven appearances has allowed me to wonder if I was perhaps a bit rash in deciding to sell him, although as the club is slowly experiencing more and more debt the £45,000 we obtained in his sale serves as a palpable influence on our finances.

In more general terms, the team are maintaining their conviction in both attack and defence, as highlighted by the fact that the defeats are contrasted against emphatic victories against Witbank Spurs and Chippa United coupled with the biggest win of the season so far in the match against United FC. Dlamini and Shongwe are continuing to dominate the top scorer charts (presently sitting at third and fourth respectively) and score hat-tricks as if they are second nature, whilst more recently they have been accompanied in their efforts by Richards, who appears to be the master at netting last minute goals.

As predicted, the match against Nobela All Stars offered little threat in progressing to the Second Round of the Nedbank Cup and struggled to be more than an affair of training ground quality for the second string team used. Indeed, regardless of the scoreline the opposition were content to park the bus and it took less than half an hour for Bulu to surge into the box, chip the ball against the bar and obtain an assist as Bantam headed in the deflection without a defender within a ten yard radius of him. Mahashe scored the second goal in similar circumstances as he nodded in a loose ball bouncing back after Gumede’s own header before Nkambule consolidated the win when his twenty-five shot was fumbled in by their nervy goalkeeper. In the next round the team will face the Golden Arrows, a PSL side that have fluctuated between the mid-table positions throughout the season. Naturally they’re the somewhat obvious favourites to win although I’m confident that if the team put in a strong performance then the game can at least be forced into extra time.

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At the same time, the club also received their annual influx of youth players. They were taken in on week-long trials before playing against the Under 19s in a friendly match, which they drew 2-2. Impressed with their potential and upon realising that the majority of the existing Under 19s were greyed out, I signed all of them on youth contracts. Upon closer inspection, they proved to be mixed in quality and the majority of them were rated as only containing the potential to develop into mediocre players by the division’s standards. However, there were also two gems hidden amongst them in the form of Musa Ngwenya and Lucky Masanabo, both of whom contain impressive ability already and look set to develop into fixtures of the first team within the next few seasons:

So, next up will be a match against Atlie FC and hopefully one in which the team confirm the league title before our tie against the Golden Arrows in the Nedbank Cup. After that will be a relatively difficult concluding run against Carara Kicks, FC Cape Town, Tuks and Dynamos.

Edited by Funkenstein, 22 December 2011 - 09:14 PM.

[Funkenstein]

7 April 2012

That’s better.

If I was feeling cynical or pedantic then I might have criticised the team for an openly shocking performance in the second half, but that still wouldn’t underline the joy and relief stemming from the fact that we’re finally promoted. Attention will now be focused towards the Nedbank Cup and attempting to blend in the younger players through the remaining league games, whilst a growing amount of consideration will also be given to the next transfer window and how the squad will be developed ahead of the transition to PSL football. I already have a clear idea of which players will be sold although who are replaced by will solely depend upon the budgets we’re offered.

Meanwhile, here are the customary ‘Well done’ messages:

[Funkenstein]

28 May 2012

As hoped, the team completed their league campaign relatively easily, and whilst offering the younger and fringe players the opportunity to experience playing time within the first team. The most obvious recipient of this was Mahashe, who underlined the fact that he contains palpable potential and the ability to mould himself into the starting eleven over the next few seasons (albeit whilst being responsible for certain mistakes responsible for the team temporarily sacrificing their clean sheets). Overall, the team conducted themselves well in the closing games spare the draw against Dynamos, in which they highlighted the fact that they were firmly stuck in holiday mode through their lazy and somewhat deplorable finishing.

The majority of the first team were therefore rested for the Nedbank Cup and our long-awaited tie against the Golden Arrows. As previously mentioned, they had spent a large portion of their season in mid-table but more recently their form and standing had disintegrated and they subsequently found themselves in an unexpected relegation battle. This had prompted the bookies to label us as favourites for the match although within the first ten minutes they threatened us and enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession. However, Nkambule interrupted their dominance when he seized upon a poor corner and pummelled the ball out to Shongwe on the wings, who then raced ahead twenty yards before crossing to an unmarked Bantam and creating a sitter which he duly slotted home. For a brief period the pundit’s expectations appeared likely to come to fruition until the Arrows capitalised on our sleeping defence to create an unconquerable one on one and cancel out our opener with equal ease and calmness. From then on we were responsible for controlling the ball whilst our opponents were emerging as more probable to score, until a Tipa lob from thirty five yards was met by Dlamini, who scored after his volley was turned in by the post. The rest of the match dissolved into being rather lifeless as the Arrows began to preserve their fitness ahead of their campaign to remain in the PSL whilst our team were simply keen to defend the lead. This consolidated that the match finished 2-1 and was responsible for setting up a Quarter Final tie against Ajax CT only a few days later:

Despite the fact that we remained at home for the next round, we were predicted to perform far worse in this game and indeed Ajax CT were a team of more established and recognised calibre than our previous opponents. However, once again the match was initially successful in defying the predictions taking place before it as Shongwe punted the ball in the top corner in order to complete a twenty-pass build-up originating from the kick off itself. A combination of luck and poor finishing from them was enough to maintain the lead until half time, although just before the hour both aspects were soured when Manyema’s shot was fumbled in courtesy of Makhathini’s delayed reaction coupled with his flailing arms. A powerful Nkambule shot from outside of the box restored our lead although this was quickly dented when a fluky header from Van Graan caught Makhathini off his line and serendipitously floated into the corner of the net. Extra time was then forced upon both teams and unfortunately for us Ajax CT noted and capitalised upon our evident fatigue when a genuinely impressive twenty-five yarder by Manyema deservedly reached the top corner. Desperate for an equaliser, we then placed everything in attack yet the goal proved to be enough to book them a place in the Semi Finals, where they beat Chippa United before losing to the Kaiser Chiefs in a closely fought Final.

This means that the season has now reached its conclusion and it can now be reflected upon as a whole. Overall, I think it’s been productive and accountable for demonstrating the team’s proficiency both in their lethal attacking and compact defending alongside their ability in retaining possession and controlling the pace of the game. I feel we stand in a good position for entry into the PSL, and are hopefully capable of a comfortable mid-table finish alongside a more rewarding run in the Nedbank Cup. For now, attention will be turned towards preparation for next season, or more specifically the token plethora of friendlies coupled with our transfers in the coming window which will aim to reduce the average age of the squad and iron over its weaker areas.

One final bit of news, however:

The Ivory Coast were the only team to offer me a response when I applied for a series of Under 23 openings, meaning that I will be in charge of them during the coming Olympics and in their group, which also features Mexico, Spain and Australia. I only have a vague idea of how good they actually are so I’m not overly concerned with how we perform as much as hoping that the role grants me some reputation and a broader range of jobs to choose from if I opt to leave South Africa.

Bye for now...

[Funkenstein]

MPUMALANGA BLACK ACES

2011/12 SEASON REVIEW

Competitions:-
South African National First Division: 1st [Promoted]
South African National First Division Cup: Winners [Defeated Dynamos 2-0 in Final]
Nedbank Cup: Quarter Finals [Lost to Ajax CT 2-3 after extra time]

Squad Statistics:-



Players:-
Most Appearances: Blessing Makhathini – 38
Most Goals: Myron Shongwe – 22 (18 in league)
Most Assists: Marawaan Bantam and Michael Nkambule – 14
Highest Average Rating: Fabian McCarthy – 7.60
Most Man of the Match Awards: Fabian McCarthy – 8
Most Goals in One Game: Myron Shongwe – 3 vs. Sivutsa Stars (31.8.2011), Sibusiso Dlamini – 3 vs. United FC (25.2.2012) and Chippa United (17.3.2012), Marawaan Bantam – 3 vs. Carara Kicks (11.4.2012)

Matches:-
Largest Win: 6-1 vs. United FC (25.2.2012)
Largest Defeat: 2-4 vs. Tuks (26.11.2011)
Highest Scoring Match: 6-1 vs. United FC (25.2.2012), 7 goals
Longest Winning Streak: 13 matches (12.8.2011 to 15.10.2011)
Longest Losing Streak: 1 match (Various)
Longest Winless Streak: 1 match (Various)
Longest Undefeated Streak: 17 matches (12.8.2011 to 19.11.2011)
Longest Goalless Streak: 1 match (Various)
Longest Streak without Conceding: 3 matches (1.10.2011 to 22.10.2011)

Attendances:-
Highest Attendance: 6,275 vs. Tuks (10.9.2011)
Lowest Attendance: 210 vs. Sivutsa Stars (12.8.2011)
Average Attendance: 3,374

Edited by Funkenstein, 24 December 2011 - 11:04 PM.

[Funkenstein]

10 August 2012

The team’s pre-season was significantly more stressful and demanding than the previous, and a large part of me is relieved that it’s over. Despite this, it still ensured that they are sufficiently prepared for the coming season and underlined my suggestion that they are capable of a mid-table finish. However, before they had the chance to engross themselves in the friendlies two final bits of news regarding their NFD campaign dribbled through, both of which created an insight into the dominance and prowess they displayed within it:

Firstly, our three strongest players were titled the best players within the division, also in the order I would have placed them in myself. I think the fact that they play in three different positions highlights the strength in depth across the squad, a feature evident in the Team of the Year also listed above. Again, the players chosen in the first team and as substitutes are in conjunction with my own assessment of the team and demonstrate the combination of fresh youth and raw experience responsible for driving the team forward.

The friendlies themselves were all played against PSL teams and away from home, partially to provide some assistance to our finances through appearance fees and also to consolidate that the team obtained experience of the highest level before the league campaign. As suggested by the results, the team put in a good account of themselves throughout the matches, although perhaps obviously the more emphatic results should be treated with a large pinch of salt. Indeed, the games against Sundowns and Jomo Cosmos were against reserve and youth players and those on trial as opposed to typical PSL calibre, whilst spare their starting goalkeeper Orlando Pirates and Bloem Celtic fielded a selection of fringe players and those desperate for match fitness. Overall I’m generally pleased with how the team fared in the pre-season campaign, which was only marred by the fact that Gumede and Mdluli were absent from large parts of it through injury.

At the same time, the club were fairly busy in the transfer market and employed a small degree of transition into the squad through their signings and departures. As previously mentioned, the dealings were primarily focused towards reducing the average age of the squad and guaranteeing that it featured a palpable selection of younger players ready to challenge for places and create a competitive edge within it. Therefore, any players sold were either older outfits struggling to make appearances or fringe players from the first team and reserves who simply did not contain enough ability for the entry into PSL football. In acquiring players I again restricted my search to South Africans aged 25 and under, and whilst this time I granted myself the luxury of actually spending some money, as a result of the club’s relatively weak financial situation the transfer fees were still forced to be cheap. This took the form of a mini raid on FS Stars, who contained a pool of skilful players wanting to leave following their relegation. A few of them were added to the first team alongside Masashe, who was promoted from the Reserves.

Rudiger Gilbert: A solid right-back initially signed to serve as backup to October but following impressive displays in pre-season a player currently placing ahead of him in the first team. He is capable of running forward without allowing himself to get caught on the break meaning he is an asset when attacking.



Msimela Baloyi: A young, impressive striker employed as second choice behind Shongwe who again matched him in the friendlies, displaying the fact that he has the potential to mould into his replacement but also that he is injury prone.



Goodman Sahautsi: A versatile midfielder signed to provide cover for either of the centre midfield positions. He can feature in a number of positions and therefore could operate as our utility player for the season.



Monde Colin Dube: A winger acquired to provide back-up behind Dlamini in the right of midfield as Bantam (the only other player in that position) has asserted his role in the centre. He will lucky to reach to double figures in appearances but again he could be a future replacement for the former if he plays well.



My summer was also occupied with the Ivory Coast Under 23s and their involvement with the Olympics. As previously mentioned, they were placed in a group alongside Spain, Mexico and the Ivory Coast and one which they were considered unlikely to get out of. They were permitted a rather small 18 man squad for the competition, of which three were allowed to be aged 23 or over:



The squad I ended up choosing fell rather short in ability from the one I would have picked had the entirety of the national pool been available to me. Indeed, the Under 20s were involved in qualification for the African Nations, meaning I was forced to assemble the squad from a restricted group of players somewhat lacking in quality. This led to a particular lack of ability in goal, the centre of defence and the centre of midfield and therefore the over 23 players chosen were Copa, the first team’s starting goalkeeper, Kolo Toure, a name I imagine many of you are familiar with and finally Boti Goa, a lethal attacking midfielder. Whilst it would be insulting of me to suggest that the remainder of the squad did not deserve to play at the Olympics, as I’m sure the price tags listed next to them suggest they were not amongst the forefront of the nation’s footballing stars.



However, despite the extent of my criticism and the imposing predictions monitoring their performance, we qualified from the group. Following the opening defeat to Spain (who chose Casillas, Pique and Fabregas as their over 23s) we enjoyed a relentless win against Australia, placing us in second and only requiring a point against Mexico in the final game to qualify. Fortunately for us their star player Javier Hernandez was out injured for the rest of the tournament, although that didn’t prevent them dominating the game from start to finish. Instead, we required two dubious penalties to confirm both victory and qualification, where we faced Switzerland in the Quarter Finals:



Switzerland had also qualified from the group in second and the match was predicted to be close, although we controlled large parts of the first half with our simple inability to convert chances denying us the lead. Instead, a simple yet admittedly well executed counter attack from Switzerland granted them the first goal and the lead entering half time. The second half played out in exactly opposite fashion, with Switzerland forcing us onto the back foot as we were forced to scrape at chances. However, once again through successful counter attacks we finally scored and luckily took the lead, where annoyingly we were drawn against Spain again in the Semi Final:



In contrast, there were no surprises in this match, and the features that provided the defeat in our encounter in the group stages were ever present. Whilst their winning margin deserved to be far higher, we were unlucky in the respect that both of their goals were 30 yarders from Fabregas that any goalkeeper in the world would have struggled to save. Despite this, we were condemned to defeat and the subsequent Third Place playoff against Uruguay:



Given the pointlessness of this match, I just wanted to finish it as quickly as possible and cared little for the result, although it did rankle somewhat to think that the team fell at the final hurdle and walked away without a medal. The match itself was pretty even although once they scored their second goal I switched off, and was indeed oblivious to Copa’s howler that ensured the win in injury time and the fact that my time with the Ivory Coast U23s was over.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with the team and it actively invigorated my thirst for international management, if nothing else. The next time vacancies are likely to arrive will be after the African Cup of Nations in January, although given my somewhat limited reputation chances are my wait to find a job will be somewhat longer. Until then, my attention will be firmly driven towards the PSL and more specifically our relatively difficult opening fixtures against the Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Black Leopards.

Let the season begin.

Edited by Funkenstein, 31 December 2011 - 09:37 PM.

[Funkenstein]

28 September 2012

Six games in, the team have unexpectedly found themselves integrated with the title chasing pack of the season. I’m still unsure if this is as a result of them being supported through their matches by a combination of luck and fortune or the fact that the gulf in quality between the two divisions is far larger than I originally anticipated. Indeed, they have presented palpable control and conviction in the matches they have won, particularly against Bloem Celtic and Sundowns (the latter of whom have notably degenerated into relegation candidates). However, this has been juxtaposed by the nervy performances and striking ineptitude displayed in the games they have lost, although it should be noted the defeat against the Swallows was courtesy of an injury time winner.

The new signings are largely accountable for our prominent league position and filtered themselves into the squad with reassuring efficiency. As predicted, Gilbert has displaced October at right back in the starting eleven and underlined his versatility through his surging runs coupled with his powerful tackles, meaning it is a shame that he is presently out injured for two months. Sahautsi is also challenging for a starting berth and proved to be a reliable if not equal backup for Bantam when he was sidelined for a brief period. However, this isn’t to say that the pre-existing and veteran members of the squad haven’t contributed to our strong form, and Bantam, Dlamini and Shongwe are collectively responsible for the ten goals we have scored. The latter has retained his status as the club’s star striker and the six in six he has netted so far has offered him in a place in the contest to be the league’s top scorer.

Away from the football and for the first time in a long period, the club is growing financially, pleasingly to the extent that they have managed to overturn their restricting debt from last season. A large portion of the recent profit originates from the season tickets we sold for the campaign, although at the same time there has been a marked increase in monthly grants and gate receipts. This suggests to me that the future is optimistic for the club and provided our form doesn’t suffer a palpable downturn we can establish ourselves as a Premier League club and eventually challenge the larger teams. One player whom I’m convinced will be a part of that process is Musa Ngwenya, who has scored eleven goals in a combined nine appearances for the Reserves and Under 19s alongside five in four for the South African Under 20s following his mention as a key youth prospect. For now, however, the focus remains on the task at hand and our coming fixtures against Maritzburg United and the Witbank Spurs, after which we will face the Bidvest Wits in the First Round of the Telcom Knockout Cup.

[Funkenstein]

5 December 2012

Our performances are continuing both to exceed expectations and remain inconsistent, as highlighted by the sheer contrast in our results home and away. Whilst at the Puma Rugby Stadium the team are displaying championship form with five wins from five, on their travels they have managed just six points from seven games. Indeed, an emphatic 3-0 win against the Kaizer Chiefs which inflicted their only defeat of the season was immediately followed by an edgy draw against relegation candidates AmaZulu, who deservedly clinched an equaliser in the last thirty seconds. Form such as this has made it difficult to establish how good the team truly is, although if they maintain this standard then a finish in the top six is definitely plausible.

This implication is made more pleasing by the fact that recently injuries and suspensions have blocked several first teamers from game time, meaning the raw strength in depth of the squad has been realised. Gumede has just returned from two months out whilst Bantam is approximately half-way through an injury lasting the same period, whereas Sithole and Baloyi are preparing to come back following a two week absence. At the other end of the scale, October is beginning to serve his five match ban imposed on him for violent conduct whilst Shongwe is now the centre of the physio’s attention having been declared unfit for the next six weeks. One player who hasn’t been prevented from continuing his impressive form is Musa Ngwenya, who now has twenty-four goals from his twenty-three appearances in the Reserves and Under 19s leagues combined and proudly sits as top scorer in both competitions. He was rewarded for this with a first senior appearance in the game against Santos F.C and whilst he didn’t set the world alight in his twenty minute cameo, he demonstrated his skill and ability coupled with his threatening attacking tendencies.

For the first time since I was in charge the team also featured in the Telkom Knockout Cup, which for the uninitiated involves the sixteen Premier League sides competing in a straight knock-out tournament. The first round saw us against Bidvest Wits in a match that witnessed an unimpressive opening eighty minutes coupled with a nervy ending for us after the aforementioned injury to Gumede meant we were involuntarily reduced to ten men. A lapse in the defence’s concentration gifted them what appeared to be the winner until Nkambule converted a penalty awarded two minutes from time. This prompted extra time in which Baloyi’s first goal for the club coupled with a trademark finish from Bantam created a 3-1 lead entering the final fifteen minutes, although they offered a reasonable attempt at a comeback when their two goals were sandwiched by a second Nkambule penalty to ensure a place in the Quarter Finals. Thankfully this was a less frantic affair as goals from Shongwe and McCarthy underlined a simple win and progressed the team further, although Bloem Celtic proved to be the catalyst to end the team’s campaign. A scrappy goal twenty minutes into the game offered them the lead before October’s sending off extended their advantage and ensured that any attempts from us to force a comeback would be nervy and unconvincing. Overall I’m impressed with the team’s performance in the tournament and hopefully it will serve as a good omen for success in the Nedbank Cup, although our reward of £73k was somewhat sour given that those who exited in the First Round received £182k and those in the Semi Final double that.

In other news, the latest round of contract renewals has seen both McCarthy and Bantam reject their offers, largely on the basis that their wage demands are both unreasonable and too large for the budget to cope with. As their current deals run out in the summer this has somewhat cemented their status as the first departures come the next transfer window, although given that they are 35 and therefore likely to be retiring soon I’m not too distressed at the thought of losing them.

For now, the focus remains on the league as it approaches the half-way point and hopefully the first barometer of where the team stand. Ensuring that we reach that stage will be fixtures against the Jomo Cosmos, Platinum Stars and Bidvest Wits.