Yes, I know it is only a friendly, and from the rankings Japan are ranked ahead of Scotland, but this is just something I didn't expect to see.
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I wonder how
George Burnley is feeling now?
The Board agrees in principle that the youth and training facilities are not up to snuff, but they can't find the funding to upgrade them. I think I am going to have a long slow road ahead of me in Africa to get any sort of traction.
Interesting the fans also think we have not being playing attractive football.
1.12.13
The contract end dates are different in South Africa to most of the places I have played in the past. With contracts ending on 31 May of any given year, today represents the first day I can negotiate with players who haven't yet renewed their contracts.
I'm looking for a striker, another midfielder and a specialist left back to strengthen the squad, and am hopeful that I can pick up some better backroom staff, mindful of the fact that if I do get promoted, how will take affect budgets and the attractiveness of Dynamos as a club, so I will only sign players and staff if they are suitable for the next level.
November ‘13 review
Board approval at “untouchable” level, 74%;
Profit of 45K made, without any sale of players;
Wages still successfully kept within budget;
Transfer funds untouched at 55K;
Opened a three point buffer in the league and remained undefeated through the month;
Bobbs, Gcaba and Yusuf Mashego have received glowing training reports, although concerns have been raised over strongman Brandon Barkhuizen’s training which may be indicative of his workload.
December looks like it could be an awkward month for the finances, we have only three games, two of which are away.
We begin our quest for the South African FA Cup on 18 Dec 13, by meeting Tuks (or the Uni of Pretoria) away in the preliminary round.
Results
This month we were solid, and we gave up only one goal, which came during our solitary away fixture. While it was pleasing from my standpoint, there were no blowouts to give the fans something to cheer about. It might help to explain why they believe we are not playing attractive football. However, I had made a commitment to two strikers in the squad to give them some starts, which I was able to do. They both appear happy although I am not impressed with the fact that Ramadumo was unable to find the net during the time he spent on the paddock.
2.11.13 Home to Tuks
A pleasing result because for the first time in what feels like forever, we dominated the possession statistic. A landmark first goal for centre back Edgard set the pace in the first spell, and Mashego closed the game out in the second, for a well deserved 2-0 win in front of our home crowd.
9.11.13 Home to MP Black Aces
Clash of the titans, battle for first place, call it what you will, this game showed why we were currently the league leaders, and that outright first place was on the line. The Black Aces deployed a different tactic to what is normal in the league, and perhaps that is the reason both teams are in the running for promotion. We were not in control of the ball as often as our counterparts, which is a worrying, yet all too common theme. That said, we were able to use it when we did have it, as Hammers had another storming game, scoring a brace, and Edgards scored for the second successive game, to record a 3-0 win and open a gap at the top of the table.
27.11.13 Away to Vasco
Mashego was able to score two goals in ten minutes just before the half time hooter, and opposing striker Carneiro got free to score an absolute screamer late in the game, we held on to record a 1-2 win, in a game devoid of too many opportunities, which made it a struggle to watch at times.
30.11.13 Home to Carara Kicks
A 2-0 victory showing on the scoreboard does not do the Carara Kicks justice. Goals to Hammers and Mashego in each half were reward for us having possession, but the game only came to life after Boy-Boy Mosia was carded in the twenty-third minute. Unfortunately for Mosia (and the Carara Kicks) he was sent for an early shower five minutes later. While the Carara Kicks fans will be thinking “If only”, we banked the three points by keeping our heads and working the overlap.
Damn! I thought I had the transfer of young striker Darren Sixaba all sewn up. He has now re-signed with Roses Utd until 31.5.15.
After having my fitness coach advert running for what feels like forever, and despite having an eventual "good response" with eight candidates, I've also decided that that the respondents were nothing more than a "great deal....of rubbish" and that the advert will be withdrawn.
Here's hoping that I can re-advertise later and have a more appropriate set of CVs to look through.
Also wondering whether FM13 may be able to add a clause to job adverts that says previous applicants need not reapply.
My Ass Man is pleased with the progress that captain and 'keeper Mabaso has been making in recent months.
While he puts it down to the first team exposure, I didn't have the heart to tell him that he is the captain and should be expecting to start each game, and further, he is the only decent keeper on the roster than I can play week on week at the moment.
2.12.13
Key midfielder Onana has been injured in training and will be out for 8-10 days with a bruised rib.
Twice now I have organised a transfer out for pesky Jo Mahlangu, and twice it has been canned on me because the club can't free up enough funds. Why does that happen?
1.1.14
Some things don't change. Lionel Messi has won both the World Golden Ball and the World Player of the Year.
Ouch, just because I thought it doesn't mean it had to come true. The finances took a beating during December, with a loss of nearly 28K.
When the coaches makes their monthly assessments of players, the comment about there "being nothing positive or negative to report" makes me laugh.
I have those nasty greyed out players that couldn't play to save themselves.
Dec ’13 review
Board approval still at 74%;
Transfer funds untouched and wages still within budget;
Progressed to next round in South African FA Cup;
Undefeated for the month in the League, with a six point lead, but not scoring as freely as in previous months as team adapt to tactic. Team is showing a lack of composure with defensive set pieces and inability to control possession;
Loss of 28K, potentially representative of lack of home games this month;
Bobbs, Yusuf Mashego and Gomis have been impressive in training.
