August 2013
I kicked off the month by trying to strengthen the squad, and targeted a number of players including Roman Pavlyuchenko and Chris Gadi. I didn’t get my very best targets, but I did manage to bring a few players in. First of all I signed a pair of promising young defenders in Igor Yeremenko and Marc Muniesa. I have high hopes for Yeremenko, who is only 16 and I feel has the potential to become a future international. Muniesa is a little older, but I am still looking forward to seeing him develop, and he should provide competition for the defence. They also arrive for a combined fee of under £700k.
Next is a player I signed on a free transfer after he was released by Tottenham. Adel Taarabt. He has bags of ability, and his flair could be the key to unlocking opposition defences. He will probably be used mainly as an impact substitute, but I was delighted to bring him in for free.
And finally, our biggest signing of the month, and a player I know very well. Aidan Marques arrives for £5.5m, after signing for Lech for half that amount twelve months ago. We didn’t really have an outstanding striker before Aidan arrived, but I have faith in him to bring the goals. I have worked with him at Bidvest Wits since he was 16 and came through the academy, before Lech had an offer accepted by my chairman, and he went on to have an outstanding goalscoring record in Poland. I also let some fringe players go for a total of about £3.5m.
Lokomotiv Moscow 1-1 Saturn
Sadaev (79)
We weren’t particularly impressive today, and left it late to get even a point. Sadaev looks like a good goalscorer, but we are not playing well.
Spartak Moscow 2-0 Lokomotiv Moscow
I gave the tactic I implemented at Bidvest Wits one last chance, and it didn’t pass, meaning I will be trying something new in coming matches. It could have been more than two, to be honest, and we didn’t deserve to get anything out of the match.
Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0 Spartak Nalchik
Lakhiyalov (55)
Vorobjov (63, 73)
Before this match, I asked one of the players to organise a team meeting, before I changed our tactics, and the combination of the two seemed to work. I once again tinkered with the set-up at half time, and we went on to dominate the second half, scoring three goals. Hopefully this will be the turning point in our season.
Euro Cup 4th Qualifying Round 1st Leg
Slask 0-3 Lokomotiv Moscow
Lakhiyalov (17, 28, 90)
Another great performance from the team, and a superb performance from Lakhiyalov who made a real statement today, and will provide stiff competition for Marques to get in the team. His first goal was a neat finish, his second was a long range free-kick, and his third was a scorcher which puts one foot in the group stage. They went down to ten men after 64 minutes after conceding a penalty, which we missed.
Moscow 2-1 Lokomotiv Moscow
Aliev ( 6 )
In another Moscow derby, we took an early lead and everything was looking bright. But they put the pressure on, and after 74 minutes they equalised from the penalty spot. By sitting off, we were inviting pressure, so I went to try and win the game, but it backfired and they scored a late winner. Still, the performances have been much better than when I first took over.
Euro Cup Qualifying Round 2nd Leg
Lokomotiv Moscow 4-0 Slask (agg 7-0)
Rios (5)
Lakhiyalov (30, 76)
Aliev (90)
I rested some players for this match as we have a league game two days after, and the players who came in performed admirably. Rios was superb as an inside forward, and Lakhiyalov continued his hot streak to ease us into the next round.
The draw for the group stage was also made this week, and I am hopeful that we will be able to come through it. We avoided the really big guns of Inter Milan, Manchester United, Lyon and Porto, but it will still be tough. We were 4th seeds for the draw.
Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 Rostov
Muniesa (5)
Marques (89)
It was a tight game, but if the fans were doubting my signings, they aren’t now. Muniesa opened the scoring on his Premier League debut, and at half time I brought on Aidan Marques for his debut. He made an instant impact and put the game beyond doubt.
So, it has been a busy and up and down month, but I am happy that things are turning around. After finally finding that first win, we have got some good results, although there have still been some blips. I am looking forward to next month, when all my signings will be available and settled.
Player of the month: Shamil Lakhiyalov