Beggars can't be choosers!

Results

During the month of January, Mashego discovered a purple patch of scoring form, scoring in every game ending the month with eight goals in four matches. And we said “An-nyeong Hi-ga-se-yo” to striker Kwetela, who leaves for the next step in his career, in Korea.

4.1.14 Away to FCAK
At 0-3 up after twenty two minutes after goals to Hammers, Mashego and Kwetela, you could be forgiven for thinking this was a walk in the park. They responded strongly through goals from Mofokeng and Mosehle to bring it back to 2-3, we were able to hold on and have the final word when Mashego slotted home another in the 88 min, for a 2-4 win. The last laugh was also ours as central defender Peterson was red carded in refs time for an ugly tackle on Edgard at a restart.

11.1.14 Away to Bloem Celtic
The brilliance of Mashego kept us in the match, as opposing winger Hlongwa gave Bloem the early advantage. Mashego struck back for us to go in to the sheds at one all. He scored twice after the break to give us a 1-3 advantage before getting injured – lucky for us only a three day bruise, before Bloem striker Songwe scored a stunner from a set piece in the eighty-first min. We held on for ten minutes to record a 2-3 win.

18.1.14 Home to Witbank Spurs
This game required a bit of a reshuffle, Barkhuizen was suspended, so was replaced by Bobbs, and Mngadi was making his first start in place of the departed Kweleta.

Opposing winger Mabalane, shocked everyone with a soft goal in the fourth minute and it took us a long time to reply, and we finally did through a Gcaba penalty on the stroke of half time. Mashego gave us some breathing room straight afterwards with a well placed strike, to record 2-1. Disaster struck soon after as Bobbs was injured, and with no replacement right defender available natural centre back Sait was pressed into service. Hammers took advantage of a short range toe poke late in the game to record a comfortable (on paper) 3-1 win.

25.1.14 Away to Chippa Utd
This would be easily the most frustrating game of my tenure as manager. We didn’t see much of the ball (we only had 38% possession), and when we did have the ball, we wasted opportunities – they were either blocked by the keeper, went wide, hit the post….etc etc etc. A brace from Mashego was good enough for the three points, but it was an uncomfortable last twenty mins for us as we recorded a 2-1 win.

How can my Board still be slightly disappointed by a free transfer that was organised just prior to my arrival six months ago? Winger Richard Rantjie doesn't look *that* good, and he is now earning GBP850 per week at Bloem Celtic, why can't my Board let it go?

I may have problems at the end of the season! From a squad of twenty one players, seven now have interest from other teams, including my two main strikers, the goalie, the reserve midfielder and three of my starting defensive line.

I think my Board have gone off me! I'm trying to turn a profit and make sure the club is financially successful long term, but they still won't release any more than 60% of the transfer budget to me. Guess I am stuck with the 130K kitty that I currently have, although I am not looking to strengthen the side anymore at this stage.

The Board also won't talk to me about expanding the scouting area yet either. I must remember to be patient!

I think my Ass Man may need replacing, depending on whether we get promoted or not.

He is nothing spectacular, although was the best available when I hired him. He's contracted until May '15, but suggested that "Ntshingila is expecting to be offered a new contract and may be forced to take things into his own hands if I don't stand by my word."

Ntshingila and I had a bit of a set too and now the sod isn't talking to me;

I wasn't going to be held to ransom over a bench rider;

I've already replaced him (effectively) in the squad;

Ntshingila has already signed a new contract....with Batau FC and his last day is 31.5.14

My impulse purchase of goalie David Mahlangu may need to be written down in the books as just that.

In my monthly meeting, one of my dodgy scouts suggested I look at young Samora Motloung, a young keeper plying his trade with Old Mutual Academy.

While he doesn’t look flash, he is better than Mamphita or Mahlangu is now. The best bit is he is available free, and is “very happy” with a GBP240 per week contract, and will serve as the long term backup to Mabaso.

Dynamos FC will play Hanover Park in the First Round of the SA FA Cup.

Looks like an away fixture in mid March, and looking at the Hanover Park team, most of the team appear jaded. Although Damien Wareley looks like a player we should respect.

Argh, so many of my young players are saying that their progress has stalled due to needing a new challenge.

It's of particular importance this time as it is my keeper and captain Mabaso, who has improved significantly over the last five months!

Evidence of Dynamos improving reputation under my stewardship can be seen with Godfrey Pillay being open to discuss terms with us. He is a fantastic striker, currently with Cosmos until 31.5.14, and he has so far flat out refused to sign a new deal with them.

Granted, his initial wage demand is outside what I could pay, but I feel sure he'd settle for something that I would be able too.

But, the compo due to Cosmos - of 869K - would be a stumbling block. A rather large one at that.

In light of my budgets, I must say that I am finding the compensation requests of other South African teams to be severely out of alignment with what we, and I'd suspect other teams, to be willing and able to pay.

Good news! My Board have increased the transfer budget availability percentage to 75%.

And they have dropped harping on about Richard Rantjie. Unfortunately for me though, the new target of disappointment is Chris Netshidzivhe, who signed - with my blessing - with Golden Arrows for 7K, and is now worth 12K.

The lowest place we can currently finish is fifth on the league ladder, which would put us just outside the promotion playoffs.

While we still have nine games to play, I am confident that we will finish higher, but it does make a mockery of the media prediction pre-season of twelfth.

None of the clauses I inserted into the players sales contracts have reached a stage were they are for sale yet. I am hopeful that some will be available before the end of the season!

I am troubled by the fact that despite being in charge of Dynamos for a good six month period, I am still have difficulty inspiring the players before a match, or during half time where most of them sit around like lemons.

On the odd occasion I have had my Ass Man take the team talks for me, he hasn't fared any better, but he is also a non international player.

That's not to say that my team talks are bad per se, they don't get stressed or confused as a general rule, but sometimes it doesn't matter what I say, or how I say it, it doesn't make the blind bit of difference.

Same thing can be said for private chats, particularly with the older players who I have since sold on, it would have been preferable if I could have turned them into scouts or coaches - they can't have been any worse than the ones I have on staff at the moment!

19.2.14

Riddle me this.....'Fatso Mashego is nothing startling in terms of stats. He is a thirty-two attacking mid/centre midfielder who has not played a game under my tenure; and nor is he likely too!

His current worth is 1.5K, and he is contracted until 31.5.15 although he was transfer listed by request. There has not been as much as a inquiry about him, and now his wants off the transfer list.

I'll do it, but I don't understand!

20.2.14

That will teach me - Ass Man comes to me today - the aforementioned 'Fatso Mashego has been in his ear making noises about wanting first team football, or wanting to leave if he doesn't get it.

I'll offer even money he'll be back on the transfer list before the end of the day.