The Long Way Home

Transfer Time

It's been a busy summer for Korbinian Holst as he set about putting his own stamp on the team. Hopefully he's brought in some names you may recognise, as Holst attempts to stop LASK Linz slipping into relegation which would surely see him sacked.

Incoming

First comes Kenan Kirim on loan from Red Bull Salzburg, this lad was already signed when Holst got here but really looks to be fit for his role at left wing.

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The next signing will be a familiar face to many of you, Adrian Mariappa (please ignore the typo on the picture). A bit of experience will go a long way, and I've had first hand experience with this lad on past games, namely at Reading a good few years ago.

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This lad could be something special for us. Hans Sarpei is a beast as it is, playing in the centre midfield, he has plenty of room for improvement at just 20 years old too. He'll be starting regularly, and good be a huge player in Linz's future.

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We stole a Rapid Vienna for his last few years as our biggest signing of the summer. Schrammel looks to be a leader from left back, consistent, and fitting of the tactic I want to play.

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The first of our two attacking signings, Mause has plenty of potential in his back pocket and looks to be good enough as it is, he'll have to take his chances when Malec isn't performing.

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Our final signing looks to be an inspired one, a great youth talent to battle with Mause throughout the years on a free. Hadzimesic reminds me of a Dzeko kind of player, hopefully he can reach his quality in years to come.

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Out

Pavao Pervan was the first of only 2 major outgoing moves at Linz this summer. A simple situation of overcrowding meant our higher value option left. Oddly to Spurs.

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Michel Neimeyer was the responsible for the biggest fee of the summer, he didn't suit our system so it was cheerio to our German left back. He went to Portugal for just under a million, and I'd say I'm rather happy with that.

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Holst's reflection

Holst was happy with his first ever transfer window, he still had a slight issue at centre back which he'll address in January he hoped. Sarpei was exactly the kind of player he wanted at this team, good enough to start, but young enough to grow with the team.

However, as much as Holst was growing attached to this team, he couldn't help but dream of the English shores.

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Thanks for reading, comments are appreciated and reciprocated.
Cheers, Alex

Pre-Season

Here we go, Holst had his first pre-season coming up, with the weight of his Father's text hanging over him, he would do everything to get some form and put it behind him.
First though, he had to organise a first team squad, something he had never done before. Holst didn't have much rotation available at his disposal, so decided to focus on chemistry, and getting a team of close friends.

Humble beginnings

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Holst started off with an embarrassingly close game against Linz' Under 18's, this was the first game with a new relatively unknown tactic for the lads, and of course, the first game back. Ramsebner was the difference between the two teams on the day.

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Holst's final game of June was a match against Swiss Neuchatel Xamax, who put Linz' fairly unfit side to the sword comfortably. Having said that, the stats were fairly even, 9 shots to 9, but they were far more clinical.

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Finally a convincing performance came along, a decent 3-0 win over lower league would do for Linz as they looked to get some form going. Kerhe shone in this one, finishing 1 from the spot and converting another chance early on in the second half.

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A few days down the line Linz bagged another 3-0 win. Sarpei grabbed his first goal for the club with an excellent finessed shot from the edge of the box as Linz looked to have stepped it up a gear. Kerhe was once again heavily involved throughout, a standout performer so far.

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A well fought draw against a very daunting Young Boys side in the Europa League qualifiers left Holst feeling rather happy. Ramsebner and Luckeneder had stella games at the back to hold back a good team.

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Sandwiched inbetween the two qualifiers was a cup derby against the other Linz side. LASK Linz smashed them 3-0 in a game that really highlighted to Holst how good Adomat and showed Holst that Malec could live up to his hefty valuation.

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Linz finished pre-season on a slightly negative note as they tumbled out of the Europa League. Playing away from home against Young Boys was always going to be tough, and they had the job done within the first half. Sarpei was sent off to add further insult to injury.

Coming Up

Some big games coming up for Linz in the coming month as the games come thick and fast from the offset. The game against Salzburg will definitely be the biggest one of the lot, let's hope Holst can lead his team through the start of the season without too many slip ups.

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Thanks for reading, comments will be appreciated and reciprocated.
Cheers, Alex

1000 Views

I know it's a small milestone but I really wanted to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for the support I've been getting on this story! I feel like I started at the wrong time with my story last year, when viewership was slightly down, but it's so good to see this year that I'm getting great support from you guys.

I'm glad you've been enjoying my story, hope you continue to.

Thanks, Alex

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The game begins

Never in a million years did Holst think he'd be at this point in his life, he never thought he'd be back in Austria for one, it was full of such bad memories for him, bad people.

However, the lads in his side were good people, he had a great team who wanted to succeed under his guidance. They all believed in Holst and that was the crucial part.

'Av it

LASK Linz started their season off with a hard fought win over Austria Wien, no goals from Malec up top, but the lads on the wing chipped in and got once each, and Michorl got one too, showing he may be more than a bench warmer.

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Though Holst is a man who always like to win, a 0-0 draw against league favourites Red Bull Salzburg is a circumstance he'll go without the 3 points. A great performance from the lads.

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Another goal-fest for the LASK faithful as Holst's side came out victors in a 4-3 masterpiece. Though Holst won't be pleased with conceding 3 goals, he'll be more than happy to have given the fans a great spectacle and a wonderful win. Malec opened his account for the season too, grabbing a lovely brace.

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The goals keep going in when LASK are involved, a lovely 4-1 win against SC Neustadt, a bottom half team. It didn't start well, conceding in the second minute, but Adomat's goal got the side going, and it was 4-1 before Holst knew it.

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Another 5 goals came against Rapid Vienna, this was such a close game, but Holst's side managed to squeeze out as victors once again. Adomat had a stormer, 1 goal and 1 assist, whilst Mariappa got a goal to make up for his own goal a few games prior. Another win under our belt.

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Finally the defence decided to hold up their end of the bargain, playing beautifully to secure us a 2-0 win over Sturm Graz. Mariappa got man of the match for his hard work, and his second goal in two games, he's becoming a cult hero at LASK.

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To round off the month, LASK came back down to earth to win by a fine margin with only the 1 goal in the game. Truth be told, we had 35 shots to 9, but Kirim's goal was the only thing separating the two sides at full time.

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Where does that leave LASK


1st. Simply put, but unbelievably true. LASK lead Admira by 4 points in the battle for the Austrian First Division title, and they have a game in hand. Pundits can't quite believe what's going on at Linz at the moment, but credit keeps going Holst's way.
Already, rumours of jobs are circulating and a few papers are suggesting Holst has plans to go home at the end of the season, but he's creating a legacy at LASK, surely he can't leave?

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Player of the Month


This lad has been fantastic so far, surprising everyone with his professionalism throughout his games this season. He has Blutsch breathing down his back but doesn't seem phased as he puts in great game after great game. Well done Michael Adomat, our first POTM.

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Flop of the Lot


It's not been a great start to LASK Linz life for this lad, sure he was signed as back up and rotation, but Holst expected a real impact when he was utilised. So far, Holst hasn't had anything in that manor. He's been playing in games, but no assists, no goals to his name, unlucky Jannik Mause.

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Coming up...


Coming up we have a few games in September, nothing as thick and fast like August. LASK will be hoping they can come out of this month still at the top of the tree so their dream can continue.

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Thanks for reading, all comments are appreciated and reciprocated,
Cheers, Alex