Here we go folks, I hope you’re ready for a new episode of my Football Manager 2012 story! You surely remember that my Viitorul Constanta had a great 2016-2017 season, the best season so far: we won another double in Romania and we also managed to reach the second knockout round of the Europa League after grabbing no less than eight points in the Champions League group. That performance set the bar pretty high for the new season and that’s why the summer transfer window was extremely important for me to prepare the squad for reaching higher goals.
Before moving to the eagerly awaited transfer news let me start with some news I’m quite proud of. Firstly we made another leap forward in the European rankings, we moved up no less than 218 places and we entered the top 100!
Secondly I’m even prouder to report that we single-handedly managed to improve Romania’s standing in Europe: the country will have two teams in the Champions League qualifying rounds next season! That’s entirely due to our effort because none of the other Romanian teams managed to reach the knockout rounds of the Europa League last season.
Now on to the money… The board offered us a generous transfer budget, around 9 million if you add the initial budged to the one linked to the season expectations.
I guess it isn’t a surprise that I promised another title, we’ve won four in a row already and I have no doubt that we can clinch the fifth.
The bookmakers are not so sure though… Well, I don’t know if they are suddenly keen on losing money or if they somehow transformed into philanthropists…
And now, finally, the transfers… This summer was quite big on player sales for us, we managed to get 8.25 million pounds into the club’s coffers. Some good players have left the club though, here’s a quick list and a few explanations:
— Milton Mella (1.3 million) and Silviu Pana (1.9 million) were both sold to foreign clubs because they were no longer good enough to compete for a regular place in the first eleven.
— Ionut Peteleu (0.5 million) and Rodolfo Oliver (3.3 million) were sold to foreign clubs as well but these deals were kinda forced. What happened is that they entered the last year of their contracts and they demanded absurd salaries to renew the deals so I decided to cash in and move on. I regret losing them but that’s how life is, you never know what you’re gonna get ;)
And now the players in: 12 new names for a total of 10.5 million pounds! Only four of these lads will join the first team straight away:
— Ali Amara — a French full back that will replace Peteleu.
— Roman Benes — a very talented Czech midfielder that could also provide cover as a striker.
— Markus Winkler — a solid and young German midfielder.
— Zezinho — the man who should replace Oliver upfront, a talented but rather slow Brazilian.
Here’s the whole squad (23 men — you can view their profiles by clicking the names)
Goalkeepers: Hernan Prestia, Xaropinho
Right backs: Lubomir Cerny, Ali Amara
Left backs: Mory Kante, Danut Gongolea
Centre backs: Juan Belencoso, Georgica Dicu, Michael Vesely, Ionut Putanu
Central Midfielders: Hector Fernandez, Markus Winkler, Nenad Grumic, Christian Kaufmann, Roman Benes, Drazen Tokic (promoted from u19 squad after doing well on loan last season)
Strikers: Rastislav Benko, Manoel, Daniel Mazzoni, Zezinho, Olexiy Romanchuk, Scott Ward
July 2017 Results
We scored quite a few goals in July, a few in friendlies but also managed a staggering tenner against a tiny team from Luxembourg in the CL Second Qualifying Round. We ended the month with the first league match, a 1-1 draw against Rapid, our rivals which we had beaten in the Romanian Super Cup a few days earlier.
August 2017 Results
The team really got going in August, eight wins out of eight and another qualification to the Champions League group stage…
We were in the last pot in the draw once again and we were handed another tough group… I think we can aim for the third place but not higher since FC Porto is a mighty strong team and Real Madrid is… Real Madrid!
The back to back matches with CSKA Moscow will be the key to the campaign, I think that if we manage to get four points out of those two games then we might have a shot at the third place.
Here are the player stats so far: Rastislav Benko is still the man who leads the team forward, Manoel also seems to have found his feet while new lad Zezinho enjoyed a good first couple of months with six goals in six starts. Joaozinho is the leader in our midfield so far while Georgica Dicu and Juan Belencoso still form a rock-solid tandem at the back.
That’s about all I had to say for now boys and girls, feel free to criticise my transfers in the comments ;)
Laxeyman
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:07
Good signings and a good start Johnny, the usual domination in the league, and a breeze through CL qualification :) The group is quite a tough one, but I reckon you can certainly get 3rd place, maybe even second if you can beat Porto at home, and win both ties againt CSKA. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:46
Thanks Laxeyman. It was a good start but I doubt that we can beat Porto. Well, I haven’t studied their squad yet but I expect them to be very strong.
Kevin
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:10
Hi Johnny
At just 18 Amara looks like a very promising left back indeed and on a realtively low salary too. Another tough draw for you in the Champions League…you can’t catch a break here. Good start to your league campiang though!
Johnny Karp
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:47
Thanks Kevin, we’ll have to work hard in order to improve our Champions League seeding and then maybe we’ll get easier groups.
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 09:25
OMG my spelling is terrible «campiang». I should definitely not type anything without my glasses on :(
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 11:20
Don’t worry Kevin, I haven’t even noticed it! :)
TheZiggy
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:43
A great start to the season, with the Super Cup already tied up, and into the Champions League group stage again, and love the 10-0 demolition job. Shame you didn’t catch a break with the draw for your group, but I think you should be able to make it into 3rd again and get to the Europa knockout stage again. If you get really lucky at home though, you never know if their might be a shock on the cards, but 3rd looks most likely.
I like the look of Amara, and with that pace and improvement through training, he’s gonna be really strong at left back. I’ve decided I love France for producing some of the most outstanding regens.
Johnny Karp
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:49
Thanks Ziggy, I agree that 3rd would be the best bet but that won’t be easy either! I love French regens too, I have quite a few on my shortlist but unfortunately most of them are quite expensive for us at the moment.
Malhar Bhadbhade
10 февраля, 2012 at 22:52
hi johnny,
some really good signings there. that german midfielder is really good. i was hoping the story would go on for a bit more, but then i always do…anyway, hopefully your next post is updated very soon, seeing as its the weekend. i have no doubts that you’ll win the league again, and the cup too if you really want to. i think going to the semis or quarters of the europa league would help your team a lot. anyway, keep up the good work. and waiting eagerly for the next post!
cheers!
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 08:36
Thanks mate, I will probably have some time to play during the weekend ;)
Malhar Bhadbhade
11 февраля, 2012 at 10:41
thats great….then can we expect another update by tomorrow? or is that too soon? lol im getting desperate to find out what happens in the champions league…its almost like im playing it :D
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 11:21
I can’t promise that Malhar, I have some social commitments tonight so that will reduce the playing time :) Plus I had to go shopping for a new car battery this morning so I haven’t played at all until now. But I’ll start soon :)
Woody
10 февраля, 2012 at 23:04
Some great signings there and a solid start that should continue another hard group in the champions league but would do well to finish 3rd
Anyway well done and good luck
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 08:37
Thanks Woody, 3rd would be very nice ;)
Martin - F.M.J.S
10 февраля, 2012 at 23:33
Some nice signings and a great start to the season. I like the brazilian striker Zezinho. Congrats on reaching the CL group stages but I can not believe your group again. Also congrats on the Super Cup.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 08:37
Thanks Martin, the CL group is tough indeed and they won’t get much easier unless we improve our seeding.
Calin
11 февраля, 2012 at 07:40
A great start of the season, Johnny and that 10-0 win is still huge even though you’ve played against a team from Luxembourg. You were a little unlucky with the CL group draw, but you were able to perform miracles last year, you might just make it this year too. We’re certainly hoping you will, and the new players you brought in certainly have the quality to surprise a few :)
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 08:38
Thanks Calin, I have faith in my squad but it will surely take at least a half-miracle to gather 8 points like we did last season.
Ivo
11 февраля, 2012 at 09:10
Hi Johnny ,
Nice start of season without a defeat.. great signings.
A tough group but if you could gather 8 points like last season you could do it again :)
Good luck , Ivo
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 11:17
Thanks Ivo, I’d be thrilled to get 8 points again.
vaibhavc
11 февраля, 2012 at 09:20
I think the other Romanian teams are thanking you! Great start to the season so far, no defeat yet. Your Champions League group is tough, but I still think you can get points at home.
vaibhavc
11 февраля, 2012 at 09:22
And what is this loyalty points thing? Or am I the only one getting it?
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 11:19
Haha, it’s a new contest that I’m preparing. I will reveal all the details soon but you can get an idea if you join with your facebook account. Basically each visitor gets points for every visit, comment, facebook like, tweet and so on and then if one reaches enough points he could get a fancy prize ;)
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 11:17
They should thank me but I’d be happy if they would start adding some points in Europe themselves!
paine
11 февраля, 2012 at 09:22
I’m intrigued by Zezinho, a bit slow, but his passing (17) and first touch (17) are impressive for his age, he could become a very technically gifted target man.
I’m looking forward your European campaign…good luck!
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 11:20
Thanks Paine. Zezinho is very talented indeed, if he would have had good speed then I guess he would have joined Juventus instead of Viitorul :)
Mariano
11 февраля, 2012 at 13:38
You always find very good youngsters Johnny!
When you send your scouts out you ask them to bring players younger that a certanin age?
Cheers
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 14:31
Thanks Mariano. And no, I don’t ask the scouts for a specific type of player, I just filter out whatever they bring me.
Rod
11 февраля, 2012 at 13:44
Hi man! That Vittorul squad looks stronger and stronger every year, this year i have no doubts that you will go trough the group, Porto is a good team but your lads are quality too. Congratulations on improving Romania, that was great news, you should be proud :D.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 14:32
Thanks Rodrigo, I do have a lot of confidence in my youngsters but I don’t know if they’ll be able to beat a team like Porto. We’ll have to wait and see :)
Darren Smith
11 февраля, 2012 at 15:31
Hey Johnny, some good signings there, while they may not be the same level as your current top stars they are close and have bags of potential. I think strength in depth will be very important for you and you’ve certainly built on that. A great start and while the CL group looks tough you could pull off a shock. I think Zezinho looks very talented and all he seems to be missing is quickness so hopefully you can increases that area.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 19:20
Thanks Darren, I agree that we are much stronger when it comes to squad depth because I also have quite a few lads in the under 19 who could step up any time.
CsAtlantis
11 февраля, 2012 at 16:03
Oh dear Johnny that is another tough group again, glad to hear that you have managed to improve Romania’ league coefficients, the rise to 70th place definitely turned some heads, Real Madrid look the strongest team of them all, both CSKA and Porto are also really established continental clubs
Some nice buys in the window, supplemented by some nice money from player sales, I like Winkler, he has just about everything it takes to be a great advanced playmaker and is still young
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 19:21
Thanks for the comment mate, we have a tough group indeed but I guess you can’t have easier groups in the Champions League. We’ll just have to grab some points again and improve our coefficient.
Frank
11 февраля, 2012 at 20:00
Hi Johnny
Some nice signings and an unbeaten start is always good. Your Champions League group is very tough so third place would be a great achievement. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Also if you have time, could you check out my new blog where I am managing New York Red Bulls
thefootballmanagergaffer.blogspot.com
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2012 at 10:05
Thanks Frank, I will drop by your blog today.
saltwater
12 февраля, 2012 at 00:27
Wow, you have a real knack of getting the group of death in the Champions League, but viitorul have defied the odds before, and I wouldn’t really be surprised if you got 2nd or 3rd. And in terms of the domestic league, the bookmakers obviously want to go out of buisness.
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2012 at 10:06
Thanks mate, I guess we could have gotten an even tougher group so I can’t really complain about that.
Sears
12 февраля, 2012 at 15:04
The league has now become to easy for you :P Tough CL group, but I’m sure you will relish the challenge! Good luck!
Johnny Karp
12 февраля, 2012 at 15:53
Thanks Sears, the league does seem too easy for us now but I’m not sure if that’s a good thing on the long run. We might need one or two good rivals to keep us on our toes.
Ana Garcia
13 февраля, 2012 at 21:09
Another tough group, Porto will be hard to beat and you said Real Madrid need no introduction.
However CSKA may prove to be beatable, and if you can take a few home points of Porto you may well finish top three to continue your European journey.
Your signings are good I think, you did lose a couple of good players also but better to cash in now that losing them on a free because of wage demands.
As always the best of luck! :)
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2012 at 09:53
Thanks Ana, the group is tough indeed but I believe that we are better than last season so I guess we could clinch that third spot.
Bhargav
15 февраля, 2012 at 10:16
I’m so sorry that you are getting unlucky with such tough draws! But I think if anyone, you will know how to get through! Good luck!
Johnny Karp
15 февраля, 2012 at 19:15
Thanks buddy, we will have to earn more luck ;)
billy
16 февраля, 2012 at 14:52
nice work
Johnny Karp
16 февраля, 2012 at 19:03
Thanks Billy.
John Martin
17 февраля, 2012 at 09:43
Hi Johnny great signings, well done. Could you tell me where you got the logos for romanian teams?
Johnny Karp
17 февраля, 2012 at 09:49
Thanks. The logos are from here: https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/10/download-mega-logos-pack-for-football-manager-2012/
TE5711
18 февраля, 2012 at 07:27
Nice one Johnny! Well done.
I think you have a real chance of progressing in the CL.
Good luck!
Johnny Karp
18 февраля, 2012 at 11:45
Thanks mate, I have already played the CL group games and I will probably publish a new episode today.