Unlucky to miss out mate but you've still had a terrific season and if you're there next year promotion should be a lot easier!
1
1
Russian To The Top?
An average footballers attempt to be an above average manager.
- POSTS256
- VIEWS75009
- FOLLOWERS7
Unlucky to miss out by such a narrow margin, but you deserve a lot of praise for what was a tremendous season! As for next season, will you be pushing for promotion once again at your current club, or move on?
Thanks for the comments everyone, very much appreciated. Kristoph's second season with Baikal will begin as soon as I've sifted through the daunting number of Post/Pre season screen shots I took & decide what to use & what not too 
Post Season Wrap
So, we get 2 players in the team of the year & that's about it, although Dmitry Kortava does finish 3rd in the golden boot.
It seems only first place is given in the player of the year award, which is a players player type deal apparently, &, perhaps a little disappointingly, I don't get a mention in the manager of the year category either.
Various Club Matters
The clubs reputation is deservedly on the rise, though I cant help but think that a playoff spot would have helped it much more. Still, its good to know we're headed in the right direction.
Its always nice to know that your opinion is valued. I think its a must for the club to begin improving its facilities if we are to succeed long term &, while it would have been nice to expand our coaching staff, the fact is that, although they may not be top drawer, our current staff are hardly overworked, so upgrades to our existing staff, rather than their numbers, should be sufficient.
Personal Stuff
An offer I politely declined, I feel quite comfortable here in Irkutsk & it would take a much more attractive offer than Yenisey to tempt me away.
Always looking to improve myself. The off season, short as it is, seems like as good a time as any for personal growth.
Pre-Season
Just a short pre-season as, quite frankly, there is not enough time for anyone to getoverly unfit. Results were encouraging as we even managed to get a win over Premier Division side, Spartak.
Promotion Playoff
So, Torpedo Armavir go down, 5-3, to Anji, meaning its another year in the first division for them, whilst Arsenal Tula ride their late season momentum all the way to the Premier Division with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Terek.
Odds
Odds of 50-1, much improved on the previous year, however it seems the bookies are still unconvinced we have what it takes to mount a serious challenge.
July Preview
So 6 games in July to begin the new campaign. Its always hard at this time of year to make predictions, lets just hope for a solid start that gets us into a solid position early.
My match of the month will be our season opener against Shinnik, you'll see some new faces in our line up but we'll get to that in due course. As always wish me luck as we once again look to defy the odds & fight our way to the Premier Division!
You can do it this year! you can and you will!
Everyone except Jack - Thanks for the support guys
Jack - No pressure then, ay mate
Jack - No pressure then, ay mate
Match of the Month, Baikal vs Shinnik
For some reason, FMshots is now telling me the images I generally use to do individual match reports are too big to upload so, after trying everything I can think of, I've given up on it.
I had already uploaded the video though, so thought I might as well use it here.
Our season opener against Shinnik was deceptively close, despite the final score appearing quite lop sided.
We went behind in just the 1st minute of play but responded magnificently to fight our way back into the game. Both sides had plenty of chances but on this day it was us who took them.
In the end, a comfortable 4-1 win though it wasn't as easy as it appeared.
Not a bad start to the year as we lose just the once to Spartak 2. Draws against Spartak Nalchik & Volgar the lowlights as really we should be beating those type of sides comfortably.
Table
So, 3 wins, 2 draws & just the one loss is good enough for us to occupy 5th position at this early stage. We are definitely within striking distance, as are most of the other contenders.
The exceptions are recently relegated Alania & last years 3rd place finishers, Torpedo Armivir, both of whom have really struggled to begin the year.
Stats
Bit early to draw any conclusions from the stats yet but our patient build up allows us to top the possession charts, which is promising.
Again this year, Azamat Gonezhukov is leading the way for us, bagging 4 goals from midfield to top both our goalscoring charts & bank our highest average rating.
Awards
No surprises here, given what I said previously. Gonezhukov picking straight up where he left off last season, taking home the player of the month award as well as booking a spot in the team of the month. He really is the heart & soul of our side at the moment.
August Preview
Our hectic start to the campaign continues in August with another 7 games for the month. Matches against Amkar & Alania should prove to be big tests, while we finish the month by playing newly promoted, Khimik Dzerzhinsk, twice having drawn them in the cup as well.
In all I want to remain towards the top of the table & win my first ever cup game to progress to the next round. Not overly demanding I don't think.
You are reading "Russian To The Top?".
