Pre-Season- Stamping out the Errors
Honestly speaking ? The squad lacked both self belief, and a bit of class that will win you a game. Given a budget of around 16 million to avoid relegation with, I immediately set my sights higher. With qualification for the Uefa Cup also acquired through the German Cup Victory, we also needed to strengthen the backbone of our squad for that.
So, signings first. In came-
Signings Review
Delighted is one word I could use to describe this tansfer window. The signings of Kiko Femenia and Artem Milevskyi were the two I was particularly pleased with. Milevskyi is, I'm sure you know, a goal machine. One thing we were lacking last year was firepower, and he alone could probably score the amount my forwards did last year. Kiko Femenia, put short, turns into a beast. He is very versatile, and can fill in most wide positions. The signing though, I'm sure that shocked you the most. When looking for backup to Milevskyi, as I didn't really have a player in his mould if he got injured, I was thinking of inexpensive options. Step up Shevchenko. Lets face it, you can't really go wrong for 2.5 mil, and he could prove to be a bargain buy. I admit though, it's a risky buy.
Ludovic Magnin, was signed on a free to fill in the left back position. A seasoned campaigner, I was delighted to get him on the cheap, and fill in my defence. Leandro Cabrera, as, bizzarely transfer listed by Atletico Madrid for 2.6 mil. I wasted no time in slapping in an offer, and he promptly became my last defender that was necessary.
Fernando Gago, on his day, is a beast, and even if we only have him for a season, it's still our benefit. Last but not least, is a promising Mexican defender Darvin Chavez. Put simply, he's one for the future at an inexpensive rate.
Pre-Season Results
Due to inability (forgetfulness) to arrange a friendly, we only played one game against Pescara, which we romped 7-0.