Hi everyone. :)
So after a really hectic past few days am back with another update! My brother had flown over from Italy for the first time since his horrific car accident and our whole family sat round to watch the semi final and saw Spain make it to the final.
That’s the main reason I haven’t been around for the past week or so, but I did finish this season before he arrived and now I have some free time to type it up and bring it you now.
Last time around we finished in a club high eighth in the Belorussian first division and with high hopes of once again avoiding relegation.
So lets see how my fourth season went.
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So the season began with a contract extension as I signed up for another year onto my existing one as my project seems to backed by my chairman. :)
Last Year’s Team of the Year
So we had two players make it our star center back Maxim Khlebnikov and central midfielder Oleg Gerasimovich or Mr Set plays as he is known!
Club Information and Club Finances Start of the Season
So for the first time we are not predicted to finish bottom!
No surprise too see Khlebnikov be amongst the clubs favoured personal list as he had a fantastic season last year and we did gain a massive three new ticket holders. ;)
Club value remains the same and I wasted no time in promoting Khlebnikov to our vice captain which was seen as a very popular choice amongst the players.
Transfers In and Out — First Window
So four new faces and I was really pleased with the new players, I did release a lot of players due to them being far from good enough and even sold Kononov a team in the top division for £16k pounds which is a really huge amount!
I would have liked a few more players in truth but due to them not wanting to sign I just settled for what I could get so here are the new players.
Vladimir Tyurin
Alexander Gaponenko
Artem Ivanov
Pavel Kovalchyuk
Wow!
Finally a good standard of player and that wanted to join Livadia, Tyurin is twice the player of the departed Kononov and with better finishing and Gaponenko is a really good left back.
Ivanov will play in defense or midfield haven’t decided yet, where ever we are weakest I guess and Kovalchyuk will be a super sub of sorts with his pace.
Formation For the New Season
So that’s it a 4-4-2 and one I will be sticking with for now and the future, it worked last year at Cheonam and FCAK and a few other places so have decided to incorporate it into this game in Belarus.
Am so much happier with the team this year as we are far better than last year so am hoping for a good season this time around.
Results and Table — First Half of the Season
Seven wins seven defeats says it all really but am pleased.
We are still far too inconsistent and that horrible run of defeats seems to haunt us a bit but all in all am encouraged as we are sitting in ninth place and thirteen points clear of relegation, so barring a disaster which should be safe at least this season.
I hope. :)
Transfers In — Second Window
Sergey Hleb
Artem Platonov
So am starting to plan for the future and I couldn’t really say no to either of these players Hleb was bought first and will start alongside Khlebnikov in the Livadia defense.
Platonov will be a squad player and will probably replace Mr set plays in the heart of the midfield as he just a much better player in all departments (except set pieces of course!).
League Table and Results End of Season
So fifth it is!
We managed to beat or record ever finish by three places and we would have been knocking on the playoff door had we ended the season a little better.
These run of defeats happen and it seems very hard to stop them! But at least we had a great season and ended with a positive goal difference and my team seemed to like the new 4-4-2 so much more as they really settled into well.
My 100 game at Livadia was one to remember as we beat Partizan Minsk 5-1. :)
Final Player Ratings of the Season
So no real surprise too see Khlebnikov lead the way as once again he had an amazing season, Kuznetsov and Tyurin formed a decent partnership with 27 goals between them and Koval really settled into the team as my record signing.
All in all I was very happy with all the players and can not be happier with the best finish in the clubs history!
Star Man of the Season — Maxim Khlebnikov
End of Season Finances and Team + Player Records
So financially things still look very good despite losing a little money but nothing major as of yet.
We recorded our highest ever finish and our biggest ever win whilst Khlebnikov took Zhukuv’s record of our highest average rated player.
End of Season Round-Up
And thats that as they say. :)
I am very happy with how things went and we are starting to build for the future with a few pretty talented younger players matched with some experience which is vital I think.
We still can get in these terrible run of defeats which is hard to take and difficult to keep the players motivated but when we do play well we look a pretty good side.
The squad is improving each season and with each good finish we are able to sign some slightly better players so I feel now we are no longer a relegation threatened team and am hoping to maybe improve our fifth place and maybe push the leaders.
I feel its do-able if we can get out of the habit of these losing streaks as we were not too far from second and with Khlebnikov and co at the back and players who look like they can score goals the future is looking bright at least.
Thanks once again for reading my story and as always I look forward to your comments and thoughts so far!
I will bring you my next update as soon as its played, so until then goodbye for now. :)
David Wiggins
28 июня, 2012 at 19:19
Excellent Ana! Always good to physically see the teams improvement in the shape of the league table. Should be close to winning it next season ;)
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:18
Thanks David. :)
Am very pleased with the progress made this season am hoping for even better next one!
Bhargav
28 июня, 2012 at 19:21
Oh wow! What an awesome second half of the season! Slowly, but surely, your team are becoming contenders!
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:21
Thanks Bhargav.
Agreed we are getting better each season so hopefully with a few new additions we can be contenders very soon. :)
Darren Smith
28 июня, 2012 at 19:47
Well done Ana, you’re building on the squad well and it shows through the season…I think next year may see a big improvement and hopefully a challenge on the top teams, keep it up.
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:23
Thanks Darren.
Am finally able to sign some of the better players I have found and as always with better players we can actually win some games for a change. ;)
Am hoping to challenge very soon as our team is pretty good I think.
karl deighton
28 июня, 2012 at 20:04
Well done! The signings are amazing compared to your other players, and it’s good to see you building for the future. Hopefully next season you can reach the play-off and who knows, get promoted! Though with your play-off record, t’ll be doubtful :D
Good luck Ana
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:25
Thanks Karl.
Agreed! It feels so much better being able to sign some decent players for a change as I can go into games thinking that I can win them!
Yeah! Playoffs and me don’t get a long I guess my best chance is to finish top then I wont have to worry about them! :)
Johnny Karp
28 июня, 2012 at 20:42
Well done Ana, you are bringing this club closer and closer to the spotlight and that was no easy task. I’m quite sure that next season will see you dominating the league, that’s my (educated) guess ;)
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:26
Thanks Johnny.
Am very pleased with how things have improved so far and I hope your prediction is correct! :)
Malhar Bhadbhade
28 июня, 2012 at 20:47
Congrats on your season, I feel you will keep improving. Really brilliant story as well. Great read! And looks like Italy’s going to play against you in the final. 2-0 to them at half time right now :D
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:28
Thanks Malhar.
Am really glad you are enjoying it. :)
Italy it is! am nervous and excited but fingers crossed I guess!!
Martin F.M.J.S
28 июня, 2012 at 20:59
Well done Ann your patience to improve this club has nearly paid off. I can see you improving on your position next season. :D
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:29
Thanks Martin.
I hope so! We have been improving steadily so just need to try and take the next step and compete for promotion now.
saltwater
28 июня, 2012 at 23:00
A solid season, and fantastic progression from the last one. I don’t know about you but I smell a promotion race coming on next season.
You’ve glued together a very capable squad, all who have a role, which brings me to the farewell to Mr Set Pieces, a legend for Lividia. Never heard of somebody who is only good at set pieces.
The quality of your side has improved obviously, you’re knocking in goals for fun! The formation change came at the exact right time I think.
Good Luck for next season!!
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:33
Thanks! :)
We have a squad that is almost there in terms of pushing for a promotion, maybe just a few better ones and we might have a real chance.
His days are numbered as his overall stats are terrible but he has played his part in our progress but now I have some better midfield players.
Formation did work better than I expected am trying to keep things as simple as possible and so far the players seem to like it.
Thanks for the luck I fear I will need it! :)
TheZiggy
28 июня, 2012 at 23:17
You’ve made good progress, so it probably won’t be too long before you’re starting to push for a chance at promotion.
Changing to the 4-4-2 formation with this team is also a positive, as it’s much more balanced.
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:36
Thank you. :)
Agreed, I felt I was probably being far too negative with my previous formation and although I am not a huge fan of a 4-4-2 I find it very simple and every player has a specific duty so its easy to slot players into.
Am delighted with the progress so fingers crossed for a better season next time!
Tegar Triemanudigdo
29 июня, 2012 at 00:16
Wow, nice progress there! And I think your team should be capable of challenging for the top spot there in a few years. Keep it up!
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:37
Thanks Tegar.
Am very happy with the progress so far and I hope your right! :)
Kevin
29 июня, 2012 at 00:25
Hi Ana
Congrats on reaching the Euro 2012 final. It should be a great Sunday night for you…hopefully. Don’t have to much vino down at the local :)
Well, you are making tremendous progress with each and every season and vert interesting to see you play a 4-4-2. I don’t think you’ve ever played that system before? Anyway great stuff!!
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:40
Thanks Kevin.
I played a 4-4-2 in my pentagon last year at Cheonan and FCAK but am not a big fan of using it, however I feel its the easiest formation for players to understand, am keeping things simple as its something I always like! :)
Ha! Depends on the result I guess, if Spain win I might just have to take the week of work!! ;)
vaibhavc
29 июня, 2012 at 02:41
Thats a great season Ana, 5th place is definitely showing some signs of improvement. I think within two to three seasons, you can challenge for the title.
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:42
Thanks!! :)
Agreed, am just really pleased that we are no longer a relegation team, am definitely looking up rather than down so in a few seasons we might just make it for a title challenge.
Acss
29 июня, 2012 at 09:23
Definitely an improvement, well done Ana! I believe now you can start thinking about an European place, next season ;) Good luck!
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:44
Thanks Acss!! :)
Not sure about Europe this is the division below the top one in Belarus!
But we are improving which is nice and going into games now thinking that we can win is such a better feeling than going into games with my fingers crossed that we can score from a set play and hold onto that lead!!
Acss
3 июля, 2012 at 12:48
Don’t know what I was thinking, forgot it’s not the top division :)) Hmm then it’s the promotion you should think about ;)
Ana Garcia
4 июля, 2012 at 18:35
No problem!
Am hopeful we can push for a promotion, top place goes straight up second into a playoff……
:)
Laxeyman
29 июня, 2012 at 11:46
Good season Ana, another solid improvement and you keep bringing in better players every transfer window, so I can’t be long before your challenging right at the top :) Keep up the good work!
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:46
Thanks Laxeyman.
Hope so! The standard of player now want to join Livadia which is such a relief scouting the same four or five players was pretty frustrating!! :)
ryan
29 июня, 2012 at 13:47
Well done a great season, just 9 points off a play-off spot ! i think next year you can close the gap and get that second spot :)
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:47
Thanks Ryan. :)
Hope so! We were pretty close this time round and if not for a terrible end of season run we might have made it this season so fingers crossed!!
Gaurav Chaddah
30 июня, 2012 at 00:00
Great season their Ana! ;)
Ana Garcia
30 июня, 2012 at 23:47
Thank you. :)
Michael Grantham
4 июля, 2012 at 00:31
Congratulations on a really good season Ana! Your side is making great progress each year, and I can see an even better finish on the cards next season! Good luck :)
Ana Garcia
4 июля, 2012 at 18:37
Thanks Michael. :)
I have been very pleased with the progress so far so with a few new signings we might be pushing for a promotion next season, hopefully!
Ronan Donovan
4 июля, 2012 at 01:05
Hello Ana,
wd Spain! Great to see them win the Euro because they’re a great side and spain is a country that is easy to like. Most people love you Spanish and your great team! I kind of wanted someone else to win like Italy or Germany because it’s nice to give another team a chance, but Spain are too good lol :P
Well done on your latest season with Livadia too! Fantastic job! You did really well and made great progress. Soon you will be going for promotion I’m sure. It’s amazing and you should be proud of the achievements so far. I hope you can improve further next season :)
So good luck in the next season. Hope to hear from you again soon :) I always enjoy your articles so hopefully you’ll be back again soon. Bye!
Ana Garcia
4 июля, 2012 at 18:42
Thanks Ronan. :)
Ha! I partied until 4 am! Paid for it the next day but lucky I took the week of work! ;)
I am pleased with the progress being made its just nice going into games thinking I can actually win it! I too hope for an improvement next season as if I can achieve it we should be pushing for promotion at least I hope so!
Thanks for you kind words also, I will now try twice as hard to get my next update done. :)
CsAtlantis
4 июля, 2012 at 04:42
Incredible improvement in the league Ana, the club is also getting better players to join, good luck next season, I think you can get promoted in a few seasons (if not the next!)
Congatulation on winning your landmark 100th game too ;)
Ana Garcia
4 июля, 2012 at 18:44
Thanks!! :)
I too feel a promotion is on the horizon but I still feel we are just a few players short at the moment so have my scout working hard to discover some more Belorussian players!!
Ha! It makes a change winning one I must say! :)