Yes, the players have Bonded very well.
2015-03-01 22:16#209465 Justice : Yes, the players have Bonded very well.
That one is much better than your last one, well done
A Venezuelan Adventure
The World Is Not Enough
That one is much better than your last one, well done
Getting Started
Preseason approached, and with that came the hard work
After achieving our goal of avoiding relegation last season, this season we'd be looking to press on to bigger and better things. This season we'll be looking to finish in mid-table, although I told the chairman that we'd fight against relegation so if things did go balls up I could still have a relatively secure job.
With a little tweaks here and there to the playing squad, I feel we can have another positive season and looking to take the club to another level. Second season syndrome is always going to be lurking behind us but I'm confident we have what it takes to be even better than last season.
As mentioned above, for that to happen we'd need to make a few more additions to the squad and bring a couple of fresh faces and personalities to the changing rooms. Here is the money I was given to make these new acquisitions.
It's hardly what the Daily Mirror would label a 'war chest' but to us thirteen thousand pounds is actually quite a fair bit of money for a team of our stature and standing within the game. Now to see who we used it on!
Arrivals
In order to fully maximise the cash at my disposal I'd need to drive hard bargains with a lot of teams and scour the free transfer and loan markets for cheap, underrated players that could potentially make a difference.
After a fairly successful loan spell, when Alexander Padilla became a free agent it was no brainer to add him to our squad. He's got some good attributes and despite not having the most impressive of seasons he adds much needed depth for a long season.
Niel Soto also arrives for a paltry free transfer and we're just lucky enough to have signed him for that fee. He's a well rounded individual, who boasts both the physical, technical and the mental characteristics to really be a success at the club.
For a club record transfer fee of £4.3k, Oswaldo Giran has been made a Hermandad Gallega FC player. The 22-year old joins from neighbours and Liga Movistar outfit Carabobo where he failed to make the grade. Hopefully Giran can be the custodian between the sticks we need.
At just 21 years of age David Maldonado still has a long way to go in the world of football. But his attributes are extremely good for a player of his age and honestly, I feel we've pulled off another bargain here, and Estudiantes de Caracas may be regretting letting him leave for zilch.
Delving into the Brazilian market, and after the dreaded departure of iconic striker Jesús Reyes we've strived to replace him with Meike. Joining fellow Brazilian striker Vitinho, whose failed to score in seven appearances for the club, hopefully Meike can inspire his compatriot to hit the back of the net.
Preseason 2016
All these signings culminated for a fairly impressive preseason. The obvious exception to that statement is the game at C.D Lara B, who I thought we should be beating. However, we improved from there on in and that was proved in consecutive wins over Central Ítalo and Yaracuyanos by one goal margins each time.
The first game was settled early with a brace from club favourite Freddy Granados. His fellow flankman Archila added a third to put it beyond doubt. The Yaracuyanos game was much more close and intense, with Alberto Orta acting the role of super sub, giving us the win with only six minutes to spare.
A battling stalemate at our parent club, Trujillanos, was another positive sign in our building blocks for the season ahead. That was followed promptly by a thrashing of Lower Division side Victorianos, who we dispatched with ease. 5-0 tells the story.
Manager's Comments
"Preseason was highly productive for us and I think we can be happy with our efforts. Of all the results I think the Trujillanos one was the best. It showed we can really dig in and fight for points against much better opposition. I think confidence is high and we'll just take it one game at a time this season."
Great story, interesting plot, not bad... 4.8
You have significantly strengthened your squad, for sure, and I feel as if you're team is more than ready to challenge for a higher spot this season. A good pre-season too! I'm excited for the season ahead...
Chester hmmm, 4.8 - I can live with that.
Feliks lolololololol ikr
pompeyblue We've spent a lot on strengthening, now it's just fine tuning those players in to a machine that doesn't stop. Hopefully they all impress!
Feliks lolololololol ikr
pompeyblue We've spent a lot on strengthening, now it's just fine tuning those players in to a machine that doesn't stop. Hopefully they all impress!
Bond Keeping The Faith In Vitinho
Vitinho has endured a frustrating life in Venezuela
VALENCIA, VE - Originally, Brazilian striker Vitinho was brought into Hermandad Gallega as the replacement for Jesús Reyes. However, after seven goalless appearances for the Valencia-based outfit, questions are being asked as to whether this player is the real deal.
Quick, balanced and with all the attributes to make a quality striker, Vítor Hugo Matos Bessa da Silva, more easily and commonly referred to by his nickname Vitinho, has struggled in his mission to become Hermandad Gallega's direct substitute for iconic figure Jesús Reyes, now of Tucanes del Amazonas.
Seven games and no goals in to his spell in Venezuela, the 24-year old is gaining no fans for his often lethargic spells on the pitch, to add on to that worrisome goal tally which already plagues him.
Some point to the fact that, naturally, Vitinho likes to slot in the hole behind the striker. Acting as a shadow striker, he played his best football in that position for Oeste, the club where he began his career, scoring 10 goals in 27 games and often being the main goal threat for a side that was devoid of any attacking nous.
That role in the gap between midfield and attack is one that manager James Bond does not utilise and maybe, despite being renowned for his extreme versatility and adaptability, Vitinho does not have the intelligence to really make the adjustment.
If needed Vitinho can drop back into the centre of the park. A competent passer with fairly good technique, it's only the Brazilian's real lack of teamwork can make life difficult if his job is to set up teammates instead of getting himself into a match winning situation.
His stamina and strength is also an issue. When it comes to beating the offside trap there is no problem for Vitinho, but he might just be stopping to catch his breath twenty minutes before any other teammate is even starting to show signs of tiring.
Whatever the answer is, James Bond will have to find it if he wants to have a successful season. Despite such poor showings last season from the Brazilian utility, who can also play on both sides of defence, he has the potential to win and lose games. His goals, if they ever arrive, will be essential in keeping 'Los Gallegos' above the dropzone.
The Start of Something?
Three games in August to prove our worth
Preseason is all well and good but there is nothing like the real thing. Football fans relish the first day of the season, as do the players. They were raring to go for the 2016-17 season and I wanted to make it a successful one. This was the month where we made sure to get off on the right foot.
August Results
Our season began on the road in an away trip at Estudiantes de Caracas in the capital. The Nacional Brígido Iriarte was the venue to play host to the fixture and both sides looked set for the match ahead.
The 10,000 all-seater stadium held 304 on the day and the home fans were treated to a largely dominant display by their side. With the lion's share of possession it wasn't too unexpected when Franco Arévalo put the hosts ahead only twelve minutes in.
On the stroke of half time sloppy defending allowed us the easiest of routes to goal: a penalty. The ever reliable Freddy Granados thumped it home and at half time it was back to where the game began from, with the scores ever.
Estuadiantes de Caracas continued to press and despite some hassle from the our team, who racked up eleven fouls over the course of the match, they took the lead after seventeen minutes of play in the second half. Number 31 Jon Pérez was the man to put them ahead. His namesake, Jesús, put the result to bed with sixteen minutes remaining in the fixture. The final result 3-1 to Estudiantes de Caracas.
In front of 276 fans on a hot day at the Polideportivo Misael Delgado, we bounced back from our opening day defeat in style. Dervis Barrera, who seems to have assumed the role of Reyes' replacement after his departure, added the first a quarter of an hour in.
And with eight minutes until the break Freddy Granados, man of the match, put us two to the good as we put our stamp on the game. Despite Guillermo Ramírez pulling one back to ensure a nervy final few minutes, we held on and earnt our first three points of the season.
The final game of the month came on the 27th of August when we were to play at the Farid Richa, Barquisimeto. Home of Unión Lara, newly promoted to the Segunda Venezolana, in what was a fairly standard match.
The contest was more or less settled within the first quarter of an hour - after we found ourselves ahead by two goals to nil. These came in the form of centre back Geder Barrios and advanced forward Dervis Barrera.
Again we let in a late goal which meant the final eleven minutes were very tense, yet we held on, and accumulated three more vital points. Our new captain, Barrera, racked in the Man of the Match honour for this game.
August League Table
A fine finish to August means we sit comfortably in the top half of the table. We're even on points with several sides, and only a few in front of the trailing pack. It's so early in the season that no result can possibly define a season just yet, but ensuring we do start as well as possible is key.
August Player of the Month
It was a close run thing, but the fans have elected Freddy Granados the player of the month. Firmly cementing his place among Los Gallegos folklore, another good season looks to be on the cards for Mr. Reliable if he can maintain this form.
Manager's Comments
"We've played well throughout August. I thought we were unlucky in the first game. When we created chances we looked good but unfortunately we just played a better side. We responded well against Angostura and Unión Lara, two good wins, although we'd like to keep clean sheets in future."
Obviously a disappointing and slightly unlucky opening day loss, but you've responded brilliantly with back to back wins! As you say, no result can shape the season just yet, however if you continue to play like this then you're bound to be successful. Once again a massive congratulations on your SOTM win and becoming Head Judge - both fully deserved!
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