Hi everyone!!
So here is an unexpected post for you all to enjoy!
I was planning on posting this at the weekend but I cant as its my birthday on Sunday am 26 so am feeling very old. :(
So my partner is taking me away for a few days to cheer me up! Nothing too fancy just a nice break in England though he wont tell me where says its a surprise so am pretty nervous! (My guess is Blackpool……..again….)
That’s why I will be bringing you my new update today! Last time I left you I unveiled my new project in the country of Belarus using a team called Livadia Dzerzhinsk to create a home grown dynasty and a team to be proud of!
However I never imagined just how tricky that would be and having just survived my first season and just how poor the team I had was, however the one thing I am is determined and going into season two I was ready to face what was thrown at me and here it is for you to read!
* Note I wont post my C.V anymore as that was just for my Pentagon challenge and its safe to say I wont be winning anything for a good while yet!
———————————————
So draw for the world cup first!
As you can see we are drawn in group E alongside Italy, Greece and South Africa I feel that both Greece and South Africa are beatable so am pretty hopeful with the draw!
Before I go onto my world cup results a brief change back to Belarus!
Livadia News
So no surprise I chose avoid relegation, having saw my team I don’t expect anything more than another long and difficult season.
We do have a bit of transfer money to spend its just a shame that there are no players worth buying!
There were a few bids I did get accepted but they didnt want to move to our club, so their loss I guess! :)
A new parent club and the second best team in Belarus!
£5k may not sound like much but to our team that is huge so am very pleased and I might just get some good loan player’s too!
New Assistant Manager
So meet Gonzalo Vargas and for now my right hand man!
Erm….. not much else to say except he is very attack minded like me. :)
Club Information and Finances
So club info wise and nothing much has changed!
Vadim Zhukuv was added to the favoured personal list and our club value did increase by £15k to a nice £75k!
Finances still look very healthy, still in the black and are not losing huge amounts each month so far so good!
Transfers In and Out — First Window
So finding players was a big struggle!
Most of my players brought in were no better than what I had really but I have one golden rule in lower league management, buy one really quick forward which I did!
Vladimir Kononov
Peru — The World Cup!!
As quick as that!! :)
Just another terrible campaign and my terrible record at international level continues without picking up a single win!
We should have beaten Italy in truth as we were leading 2-1 but managed to lose which was harsh and a similar story against Greece which after that defeat put us out.
Just cant do it! Not sure if I will ever take another international job again.
The World Cup Final
Back To Livadia — Results First Half of the Season
Yes, this is as hard as it looks!
Just thankful that Dinamo-2 Minsk are the worst side in the league or we would be in huge trouble!
We just cant defend, watching my defenders trying to dribble out of defense it just laughable as they are easily tackled and then its one on one against my goalkeeper as they wont listen to me and try and clear it!
My team cant pass, cant clear the ball can barely hit the target!
But we are deadly from set pieces! :)
Transfers In — Second Window
Two new faces and I am playing to our main strength which is set plays, as you will see with Gerasimovich!
Oleg Gerasimovich AKA Mr Set Play! ;)
Yury Baranov
Results and Table Second Half of the Season
Survived!
That said it was still a tough run of results but Kononov did work out where the goal was! Then started to score a few goals and help create a few as well, but our main threat was set plays without them we would have been relegated this season this is pretty tough!
But am really enjoying it so far!!
Final Player Ratings of the Season
So our center back was our best player and sadly our second top scorer with six goals! Kononov is quick but after that I am struggling for positives as he cant really dribble so his pace is useless to my team as he cant ever run at the oppositions defense.
Ideally I would like to release all these players and start again! None are really good enough for this division even my signings are not really an improvement but hopefully our reputation has increased slightly allowing me to sign some of the promising looking Belarus players I have scouted and start to improve my squad!
Star Man of the Season — Artem Tarasenko
What I’m Up Against
So on my last post Heresy suggested a really good idea in which I post some of the star players in this division to give you an idea of what I’m up against.
So here is the golden boot winner and the assists leader from this year :
Golden Boot Winner
Assist leader
End Of Season Finances and Round-Up
So at least my finances are still looking ok!
We did lose a little bit but am not too concerned just yet as we are still well above the red so am fairly happy with our bank balance.
And thats that!
Such a tough season but a very enjoyable one surprisingly, we are far and away one of the worst teams in Belarus every game we are massive underdogs so when we do pick a win its such a great feeling as its usually a massive surprise even to me!
This will be a long project as my team is terrible, easily the worst team I have ever managed and even though I have found some more than decent Belorussian players they wont join me, a huge shock I know!
However this is what I wanted! To build something from the bottom up and from the very bottom! Ideally I want to post many seasons of this story and get to the point when we are laughing at the thought that someone like Artem Tarasenko is far and away my star player!! :)
He is though by a mile but in terms of this league and the other team’s defenders he is terrible, half my trouble is just getting better players to join us our semi-pro status wont help that so the sooner we turn professional the better.
So that’s it I’m afraid!
Not exactly making huge strides in this league as of yet, two seasons two almost relegated seasons but am really enjoying it. Progress is slow but I guess it is progress as twice we were predicted to finish 16th and twice we finished 13th with a squad who struggle to pass the ball five yards to a fellow player!
So again I hope you enjoyed this post! I have already played about half of my next season (am so addicted to this game at the moment!) so a newer post should be done hopefully very soon so until next time bye bye for now!!
Dan
7 июня, 2012 at 21:49
Hey Ana,
It’s my birthday this weekend too, 20 years old on Saturday and I still can’t even buy a drink in a bar without being asked for ID which is really annoying! But happy birthday! :)
This challenge seems to get harder each time I look at it. You’re staying in the league though which at this point is an achievement in itself! Unlucky with Peru and at least now you can focus 100% on your massive club challenge…
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:17
Thanks Dan!
Happy birthday for yesterday! :)
Yeah this challenge is a lot bigger than I first imagined, Peru was a disaster which was quite disappointing as I felt we could get through out group but like you said at least it’s back to my excellent team! :)
saltwater
7 июня, 2012 at 22:09
This is possibly one of the weirdest yet best stories as I’ve ever read! :) It really is a case of where will this story go next as you can’t guess it!
You kept your head above water which is the most important factor and it’s almost as if, because of your terrible money and resources, you can’t make big strides in improving. But seriously great challenge and maybe in a couple of seasons a promotion battle?
Good luck, this is a great read!
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:21
Thank you! :)
Am glad your enjoying it, I was a bit worried at first that no-one would read it as its so obscure but like you said I have no idea what will happen either!
Its tricky as I cant really attract better players yet so am stuck with players who are just not good enough for this league, promotion may be way off am not sure how long I set myself the target of challenging after six seasons may be a few more all depends on the quality of players I can sign.
Again thanks for enjoying it! I have played almost half of my next season too so am hoping to get another update out on Friday. :)
MRDNRA
7 июня, 2012 at 22:51
Slow progress but hey surely slow but steady is the way to go.
Unlucky with Peru, but Algeria to win the final?! Against Belgium?! I can kind of understand Belgium, but where did Algeria come from? What rank are they in the world now?
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:23
Thanks!
Yeah slow and steady it always the best way to go!
No idea! They are ranked third (Algeria) but my rankings and winners are really weird, I guess the game loves the underdogs!
I mean France and England are not even in the top 35, Spain are 20+, Argentina 27 I mean really??
My game is just so crazy at the moment! :)
Darren Smith
7 июня, 2012 at 22:53
Now that is determination….I think any FM gamer that can endure such a tough period like that and keep going is a legend. Readers always associate that word with people who constantly win but for me its the tough runs that really show a gamers true colors so well done for sticking in, you’ll certainly benefit from it when your team gets back on track.
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:27
Thank you Darren.
It is tricky to see your side lose time after time, but am no quitter!! :)
Its a challenge and I know that progress will be slow for the first few seasons and losing is hard to take but if you watch my games its even harder! Defenders who cant run, no creativity, no quality, no pace but I know that if I can keep surviving I will be able to attract players that the other teams have and we can maybe take a step forward!
Its a long road but I am kind of enjoying it! :)
Charlie
8 июня, 2012 at 00:08
Hola Ana,
Another great read from you! I can not wait till your next update. I found this on the work permits for the EPL, http://www.internationalworkpermits.com/football-players-work-permits.html if you are still confused! It explains a lot :D
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:29
Hola Charlie! :)
Oh thanks! I will definitely read it as am still very confused! :)
Malhar Bhadbhade
8 июня, 2012 at 00:08
hi ana, i completely agree with what Darren said. i don’t think i would every be able to just sit there and watch my team play rubbish football for that long a period. i congratulate you for sticking with this save. well done! and also, well done with avoiding relegation! i always feel the more seasons you have in a league, the better your final position is likely to be. so hope you finish in the top 10 for next season..and then onwards and upwards :D pity about the world cup..first i thought you were managing Spain and i was shocked to see the results..but then I realised it was Peru, so not too bad really. yeah, i don’t think it’s worth taking another international job for now…gives you the chance to focus solely on improving your team. really enjoyable read and sorry for the length of this comment :D got a bit carried away :)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:32
Thanks Malhar! :)
No I love longer comments, shows you are interested!
It is hard but watching defeat after defeat but then from no-where your team put in an amazing performance and win and you are just so happy!
It will be slow going as I still cant attract players that are good enough for this level, but each season I survive the more chance I get of signing a few of them.
Peru was just another disaster so I wont be thinking about international management for a while it annoys me too much!! :)
Ronan Donovan
8 июня, 2012 at 02:25
haha cool!Seems like a mad challenge but a good one at the same time.It is tough and obviously very challenging but it is so difficult that you can enjoy the challenge of trying to make something out of this team.A tough season of course but you stayed up and that’s the main thing for now.I hope you can make them a stronger force soon
As for peru,that was unfortunate.You’re just jinxed in terms of international management but fm doesn’t always go our way unfortunately !! :(
So keep enjoying this save and try to improve things at Lividia.I’m sure we’ll see you again soon.I will definitely make sure to check out you next blog.Good luck with the next season!
Ronan Donovan
8 июня, 2012 at 03:35
oh and happy birthday!Enjoy :)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:34
Thanks Ronan! :)
I am looking forward to leading this team to some sort of glory! However for now its a case of just surviving and relying on set plays!
Yeah I dislike international management am not sure yet if I will ever take another job.
Thanks for reading and am really glad you are enjoying my story. :)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:35
Oh thanks for the birthday wishes!
We had a lovely day in the rain! ;)
denson
8 июня, 2012 at 02:59
Even though your a very bad team! haha
This still looks fun and it is fun to read,
I am enjoying this story so far,
So Good Luck!!
denson
9 июня, 2012 at 03:15
And happy birthday!
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:36
Thanks!
Am really glad your enjoying it! Makes all those defeats worth it! ;)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:36
Thanks for the birthday wishes! :)
CsAtlantis
8 июня, 2012 at 03:33
Happy Birthday Ana, you’re one year older than me ;)
The Peru run at the World Cup was not that good but as they say, keep trying and you will one day succeed!
Can’t believe Mr Set Play exists :P, he’s like born for dead ball situations and not much else…anyway another good season of survival, hopefully with some more links with other clubs you may one day get some better players (I must say, the top scorer looks really good, superb physicals paired with decent technical skills, poor Kononov is just no match….)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:40
Thanks!! :)
True! I don’t usually give up too easily either but in terms of international management I guess I will wait a few more seasons and maybe try again!
Me neither! When I saw him I was like I need this player then when he signed I was so pleased, not pretty to watch but at least we are playing to our strength’s! :)
I know! My defenders just cant cope they pick up the ball and just run at my defense who cant do anything so chance after chance goes by it can be painful to watch at times! :)
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:26
Hi Ana
Happy birthday for Sunday. 26 eh? You’re still very young but then again I’m old enough to be your dad of course..LOL! :) I hope Spain provide you with a birthday victory on the weekend :)
It’s good to see you have such a positive attitude about your current save especailly as this team seems to require a lot of rebuilding. Of course you are the right person for the job based on your track record so I’m sure we will see a mid table or better finish next season.
Nice update, good luck and enjoy your mini-break in….Blackpool?
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:43
Thanks Kevin! :)
I know 26 inst that old! Its just weird when you read the forums or something where people are saying they are doing exams and I’m like yeah I remember exams and its was close to ten years ago even though it feels like last week or something, where does the time go!? :)
I am really enjoying this save at the moment, and yes it was Blackpool and yes it poured down! :)
Kevin
11 июня, 2012 at 00:15
I know what you mean about those exam comments. That makes me feel really old!!!
Letr me tell you once you reach thirty it’s like boarding an express train, suddenly your 40 and you’re saying to yourself » what happened».
This is why you have to make the most of each day :)
Ana Garcia
11 июня, 2012 at 19:31
Very true!
I guess its part of life that we will all go through, definitely going to make the most of every day now! ;)
Johnny Karp
8 июня, 2012 at 10:36
That was an excellent season Ana, no kidding! You did a great job to save the team with those players in it. Happy birthday for Sunday and enjoy Blackpool (again) :P
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:45
Thanks Johnny! :)
I was pleased to survive! It was a tough season but I did what I set out to do so am happy!
Thanks for the birthday wishes! Yeah Blackpool again my boyfriend is that predictable but we had good fun in the rain! ;)
Laxeyman
8 июня, 2012 at 13:12
Happy Birthday for Sunday Ana, and a good season too :) Considering the players you have at your disposal you’re working wonders in Belarus, and hopefully that can continue. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:45
Thanks Laxeyman! :)
Had a great b-day and was pleased with our season also! :)
Acss
8 июня, 2012 at 14:04
Happy Birthday!! :)
Well it wasn’t such a bad season, you survived relegation and that’s the most important. I know how it feels to struggle in the league but we both know, when you’ll reach the success you’ll be really proud of the progress ;) Anyway, unlucky with Peru at the World Cup…how the hell did Algeria win the trophy? haha :)) Things do change in football at some point I suppose…
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:47
Thanks Acss!! :)
I was pleased with how the season went I knew we would struggle but we survived which was the main aim.
Peru was a disaster! Shame too as I felt I can do pretty well and get through the group just not meant to be I guess.
My game is crazy! I cant believe Algeria won it either no idea what is happening!! :)
Curly
8 июня, 2012 at 22:23
Well a little improvement this season I think.
Now you seem to have the team under control and hopefully eventually you will get some luck in the transfer window and/or string a few results together to begin improving.
Though to be fair struggling away at the lower end of the league with virtually no resources is making a very different and refreshing story so don’t go too fast haha :)
Some of your signings were quite funny.. a 13 stone player with 1 strength, and your pacy striker with 5 finishing and 3 strength made me laugh a little. It just shows what your up against, but on the other hand «Mr Set Piece» is surely a freak of nature!!
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:51
Thanks Curly! :)
I just need to sign the players that are good enough for this league, I have scouted them but some just wont join me yet so maybe another survival will tempt them to Livadia!
Thanks! Well progress will be slow! Having saw my team am not expecting this to improve that quickly the sooner we turn professional the better!
Agreed! He is defiantly just here for his delivery from set pieces as otherwise he is hopeless! But needs must I guess! :)
Heresy
8 июня, 2012 at 22:48
Happy birthday, Ana! I’ve been in the exact same mental state in March. So come on in and join the old hag club xD
I’m surprised that with your reputation, you can’t attract better players for your club. I guess this only works the other way, good players don’t want to join a low rep manager, but being recognised worldwide doesn’t do much to your credit when it comes to signings :(
And bloody hell! (excuse me there, I’m just shocked) How on earth can you fight against players like Zhukov and MIkhailov?! There’s no way in… I really thought your squad isn’t much different from what you’re up against in the league.Thanks for the screens, now we can all see the monumental challenge you’ve embarked on. Kudos for avoiding relegation and for sticking around :P I’d quit after seeing such poor quality players available for me to sign :P
Can’t wait for your next update and to see what you’ve managed to pull off ;)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 19:55
Thanks Heresy! :)
Yeah my manager reputation has no bearing on the players I can sign which is shame even though I have a good track record with winning trophies. My team’s reputation is just too low I guess its annoying as good players are there they just wont join me!! :)
Its difficult!! I mean they are just so quick and we have zero pace, most of the time its watching them run at your keeper time and time again I just close my eyes and hope most of the time! ;)
Thanks again! Next update should hopefully be done by Friday. :)
TheZiggy
8 июня, 2012 at 22:49
Hope you have a great Birthday. It’s seems like a long time since I turned 26, as I turned 43 next month, so I think you’re still young.
Given the team you have, to survive is good work. The best players in the league provide a sharp contrast to the lack of quality you’re fighting against. Hopefully this will start to improve, otherwise you’ll be stuck fighting to stay above the relegation zone forever. Dinamo-2 Minsk must be indescribably bad, and a bit shocking to see that they actually beat a team at some point.
Even when you get a good team together, I’ve found they sometimes don’t listen to what I’m asking them to do. It’s therefore no great surprise to me that your players are doing odd things. Something I’ve found, is that occasionally if you have even just one nervous player in the team according to the motivation window, the whole team starts behaving strangely. I’ve seen the team start to be really hesitant, allowing the ball to be taken from them, and their ability to find the target is abysmal. The unmissable becomes all too easy for the player to find a way to not score.
I’ve pretty much given up the idea of doing international management. Oddly I’ve hardly ever even been asked by any teams. Last time was England which I turned down, as I didn’t need the distraction. They had also just, unbelievably won the European Championship in 2016. Everybody knows England can’t play well in that tournament, and usually an embarrassment.
Luke N
9 июня, 2012 at 09:23
Hopefully we’ll see you eat your words on the Euros come Sunday evening!
Good job though Ana, keep at it and your team can only improve. As you survive consistently your reputation will hopefully get to a level where the standard of players available to you will jump markedly and when that happens, there’s only one way to go!
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 20:00
Thanks Ziggy! :)
Yeah 26 inst too old I guess, its just I always get a bit funny on my birthday my weird way really! :)
Dinamo were terrible, infact even we had some better players than them shows just how bad they are!
Yeah my players don’t listen to me or the instructions I give them, its an exercise in patience as I try to earn set plays so we can actually try and score some goals!
So one dimensional but I have no choice really. :)
International management is weird, I just cant work a way of succeeding I dont blame England its harder than it looks! :)
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 20:01
Thanks Luke!!
True, the only way is up I guess! :)
Tegar Triemanudigdo
9 июня, 2012 at 05:25
Damn, looks like things might get worse there, but I love you choice there! Yeah, I think for the next few seasons it will be a hard long road there, but keep it up and you will gain the momentum there.
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 20:02
Thanks Tegar!
Am glad your enjoying it am ready for a few tough seasons then hopefully so improvement! ;)
Mohammad Sadek
11 июня, 2012 at 00:26
I don’t think things are bad at all , i am sure you did your best to attract better players but you couldn’t because of your team reputation , you did a great job for saving your team , btw i predict promotion in next 2 seasons !!!
Ana Garcia
11 июня, 2012 at 19:33
Thanks Mohammad. :)
I did do my best with what was available and I do feel like my club’s reputation had increased slightly as am attracting slightly better players.
In terms of promotion I don’t think so! I would be happy to still be in this league in two years time! ;)
vaibhavc
11 июня, 2012 at 04:39
Slow and steady wins the race! Your club reputation means that no good player wants to join, so it is going to be a big challenge to win the league. Btw Happy Birthday!
Ana Garcia
11 июня, 2012 at 19:35
Thanks!
Yeah slow and steady always the best way to progress!
Winning the league is my long term aim but for now I just need better players! Otherwise we will just keep on struggling to win games and I will watch loss after loss again!
Thanks for the birthday wishes had an eventful day at least! :)
Uncle Joe
13 июня, 2012 at 14:19
woah! how do you complete a season that fast?! anyways, great work again!
Ana Garcia
14 июня, 2012 at 16:19
Thanks! :)
Well at this moment I only have Belarus league selected so my game goes really fast, also I have added a challenge to sign only players from Belarus so scouting is really easy and quick, essentially anyone I scout is loads better than what I have!!
Takes me around an hour for half a season (15 games) not much tactically just defend and hope for some set pieces!! :)