Beggars can't be choosers!

On a more positive note, my Ass Man is once again applauding the remarkable improvements displayed by 'keeper Mabaso.

And I went shopping, spent 45K compo on a South African defending utility who looks the goods as a defensive mid. He was plying his trade in Australia, but holds dual nationality. He will come to us in January when his contract with the North-Eastern Metro Stars finishes.

Both Platinum Stars and Golden Arrows are under takeover offers.

My Ass Man is now waxing lyrical about the training performance of fullback Radebe.

Denis Khripunkov made his full international Kazakhstan debut in a 1-2 loss to Slovakia. He played for 68 mins, for a rating of 6.80.

The only way is up from there.

Ass Man is now saying that Denis Khripunkov has been showing "remarkable progress during recent training sessions."

Err, newsflash, the lad has just made his international debut...so tell me something I don't know you noddy.

In order to balance the books, I am turning out (and winning I might add) at a few friendlies. These serve the dual purpose as to give players match practice - particularly some of my sixteen year olds - and to show me where I need to strengthen the team.

Worryingly, Mashego does not appear to be hitting the back of the net with the same frequency as he did last year.

Denis Khripunkov has just played his second game for Kazakhstan in his weakness position of AML. While playing the full 90 mins against Italy, he only managed a disappointing 5.80 as Kazakhstan were put to the sword 7-0.

Alas he has returned! I was beginning to wonder if yiu have forgotten about your FM Scout duties.

Hi Rookie, yes, Akash sought out my return. It was nothing more sinister than work and life getting in the way for a while. I did have to come back for the launch of FM13, and found that Stam and others had totally revamped the site. It looks fantastic.

I am still on the "old" FM12 for a while, so this story still has legs on it, for the foreseeable future anyway.

2012-10-19 22:38#67921 The FM Rookie : Alas he has returned! I was beginning to wonder if yiu have forgotten about your FM Scout duties.

Jomo Cosmos are the latest side to allegedly be the subject of a takeover bid.

With Ajax CT sniffing around BOTH my left defenders, I am on the hunt for an adequate backup. I feel that Edgard could shift to the DL position, and have the new 'Doc Ntseki start in CB with the equally new recruit Shaaban.

I am well covering in goal if Supersport succeed in signing Masabo, although I have made an attempt to lure winger cum striker Mbongbeni Kunene from Golden Arrows.

The only other decision I have to make is now that utility Mhlongo has turned seventeen and signed a three year contract, it he going to be best deployed as a midfielder or a striker?

Golden Arrows takeover has been completed - I wonder if that will have any bearing on my bid for one of their strikers?

Elsewhere, Neil Winstanley believes Mashego has made significant improvement as a footballer over the last six months.

Our next two games pit us against last years surprise champions Swallows at home, followed by meeting the Orlando Pirates in the First Round of the SA KO Cup away.

In short, no, the takeover at Golden Arrows has had no impact on the signing of promising striker Kunene. It will help ease the over-reliance on the scoring feats of Mashego, who has being blowing hot and cold.

Aside from him, we have injury prone striker Lucky Mesenya and developing youngsters Mhlongo and Qalanto.

The players whom would be considers fringe in light of the signings would be young wing back Simonovic, strikers Slabalala, Mseluku and Botha, midfielders Khwela and Ferreira and goalies Motloung and Mahlangu.

SA KO Cup Quarter Finals have been drawn, and Dynamos or Pirates will meet either Sundowns or Black Leopards.

Personally, I'd like the Dynamos v Black Leopards on two fronts. One, it draws the crowds; two, we seem to have the wood on the Leopards at the moment.

I can't complain as we beat Pirates 2-0 after we took full advantage of some fundamental errors by them (one own goal, and one high ball not collected by the defender and pounced on by Mashego to score) but Sundowns taught Black Leopards a lesson 2-0.