KibworthBull

October 2029 We have a nice ability to get ourselves within touching distance of the Play-Offs before dropping away, just when it's our moment. Academia Puerto Cabello beat us 2-0 in the latest near miss. Ade Oguns bags a double in the next match to actually get us INTO the play-offs with 3 games left. UCV provided a chance for the team to impress and they duly did. We also appear to be one of the few form sides still battling

I havent noticed if they did. It all seemed correct.

September 2029 August was games every 3 days, September is much more sedate. Petare have had a similar season to us, Jhon Torrealba wins it late, our loanee has his 10th of the season - 8 of them for us. The international break didn't see much happening apart from the President announcing he was stepping down - we now have a transfer embargo whilst new owners are sorted. A draw against the side bottom of the table - two points dropped as we conceded very very, very late. A new owner and an additional 50k in the coffers - not needed, but no complaints from here. The new board saw us beat Zulia, but the fact they are second bottom suggests that was expectations met rather than anything else. We only dropped two points in the whole month. And we sit two points behind the play-offs.

August 2029 The opening game of the month is a free hit. Away to Deportivo Tachira - the best team in the land this year. I have absolutely no words... our Senegalese Centre Back Mouhamadou Thiakane grabs a hattrick and we win 6-1. Another victory follows before we have our local derby against Caraboba - 53 miles apart according to a quick google search. The board and everyone wants a win... we lose 1-0.. It's where we are right now. Capable of fantastic wins and poor defeats. I'm hoping we can sneak into 8th and get into the Champions Play-Offs - if we can win that... 100pts and the nation is done! Back to Back defeats may have put paid to that dream, but it means I can give the youngsters chances for next season in mind. We had some good un's, we had some average un's, we had some bad un's 9 games left, 7 points behind the play-offs. It's still possible. I started the course in Ukraine and finished it in Venezuela. I've gone for the pro course straight away.

July 2029 Our first month see's two games in the Opening Phase and one in the Closing Phase. It appears the new manager bounce is real... 5-0 home victory. The fans already adore me. Kevin Castellanos, a not so great MC with a double, as well as the aforementioned Ade Oguns getting two. Caracas spoil the party, reminding us we wont have everything our way. The opening stage ends with us in 16th place. We opened the closing stage with a bang. Ade Oguns again the man. In terms of transfers as the window has just opened. Jhon Torrealba, a striker from opening stage champions Deportivo Táchira. He's on loan till the end of the year It's tradition that I have Cameroonians, so the signing of Joseph Mbom will surprise no-one. A Right Back from the top tier of the country. £40k Naby Nouah Fofona is my 4th and final foreign player I am allowed, a DM, who at 20 is already a regular for Guinea I wont have to worry about keeping track of signing former players as they all don't want to know... Even staff aren't keen.. The out door has been busy too. As normal the AI have stored far too many players, but we have found it fairly easy to move them on, which makes a nice change.

The period of unemployment lasted 21 days Aragua are a side struggling at the wrong end of the table. They are however, quite a well funded club with lots of space in the wage budget and some transfer kitty. Star Man: Ade is undoutabedly the star of the show, but we have decent depth in most places bar the strikers.

May and June 2029 The last knockings of Ukraine. A potential double can be secured in the first two games. Away to Obolon (15th) in the league, victory will give us a league title, and then 3 days later we face Kyiv for the Cup. A fully rotated squad for Obolon.. I can only claim credit for one of the trophies but that's the country of Ukraine complete And 3 days later... We left it late but that's another trophy to my collection. A bunch of reserves took on Karpaty, Nikita Talibov (Y) enjoyed the day, marking his debut with a hattrick. He also breaks the record for youngster player and goalscorer. Kyiv in the league, and our equal worst result of the season. A 2-2 draw. They scored late. The kids got another chance away at Epicenter, they've already been relegated. Igor Savchenkov (Y) gets two as does Talibov (Y) - which shows the gulf in class. We rolled into June - we haven't told the board yet that we are off - and faced Vorskla and got the better of them to complete an unbeaten season. So Ukraine is complete. 181 points from the nation - 154 of them secured this season. Manager Profile: And the final step... Time to start Chapter 3...

April 2029 Games come thick and fast now. 8 league games in 27 days. Zoria (3rd) - a big game. It wasn't pretty but the old guard did the job - Sikan and Mudryk Away to Kryvbas 3 days later - Zoria and Vorskla go head to head as well. Mudryk gets 3 and Zoria lose to put them out of the race. Rukh next, again 3 days later, lots of rotation happening. Staggeringly we still haven't played any of our games in hand, but we do extend our lead - Vorskla are held to a draw by Dynamo Kyiv and we win. 3 days... you get the picture. Away to Vorskla. HUGE. Victory gives us the advantage. A cagey affair, but that boy Mudryk is on fire and we force our way past them. It feels like we played Kryvbas about a week ago (we did), but it was several games ago now, anyway, the return league fixture is played out to the same result as the first. Rukh again. This time cup. Only 1 goal, but it's ours and we have a final on our hands. It's against Dynamo Kyiv so i'm sure we'll lose. The Champions League is secured thanks to another couple of Mudryk goals against Kolos. That's 21 for the season, and 11 assists to boot. We finally hit a game in hand, lowly Nyva, we get all 5 of the goals. It shows how strong the squad we have is, we can play all those games, heavily rotate through all of them and get a perfect month. Whilst we haven't officially won the league, i'm checking flights to Venezuela.

March 2029 We are entering the last few months of Chapter 2 (we hope...) We started the month at home to Veres, it took us a hell of a long time to take control, only confirming the win thanks to two late penalties from Danylo Sikan - who says the big clubs get the decisions.. Giving AC Milan a two goal head start is not the ideal preparation but we went to the San Siro and tried but once they scored it became impossible. We travelled back with £8.25m, which isn't bad for an evenings work. My replacement at Hirnyk lasted 221 days Back to league action and we travelled to lowly Nyva, Cláudio Cipriano showed his worth with 4 goals as we get "6 of the best" The cup is a priority for me as it's 25 points, so a strong side went to Metalist and we managed to scrape through. A few days later, they came to us in the league and met Danylo Sikan in some from - a hattrick and the news got better that Vorskla dropped 2 points so we moved to the top of the table. 30 players went off to play some international football and when they returned we went to Zorya who are third in our little mini league at the top. But that game is in April... Plenty of games in hand

February 2029 We get home advantage and batter Salzberg scoring 6 times.. They sadly scored 3 of their 4 chances. I'd feel happier with a 3-0 win. Manor Solomon with a hattrick. From massively exciting, to dull and boring. But effective A 1-0 defeat in Austria means we progress. AC Milan - we drew 3-3 in the group stage, we led 3-1 though. A tough but a winnable home leg. A complete shambles. Whilst we are not out, the phrase "A good one to win from here" seems valid.

January 2029 The first day of the month is an incredibly busy day. 7 new arrivals Cipriano is an additional point (so we have 56 now). Ladji Zadi was someone I was sweet on before he went to Vorskla, and it weakens them a little bit. The best of the bunch is Nikolov In the out column. I've reduced the number of foreigners - none of them were regulars. But onto the football. Two matches. Both at home in the Champions League and both winnable. Besiktas first. 5 debutants in the squad, but it's the old guard that see us through. Home games are easy. Then in -5 degrees and snow, we saw off Celtic with a first goal for Ladji Zadi The reward? Red Bull Salzberg

December 2028 I've toured the Nou Camp. It was lovely. A really warm day in August 2010. Not sure what it's like in December, but I don't fancy our chances in our only game this month. As long as we get off to a good start.. Balls.. "Some" great wins... We've only won 1 game.

November 2028 Big month. Kyiv and the old employers both to be played and we need some positive Champions League stories. Holland, Amsterdam, Ajax first. Whatever the magic formula is for Europe, we don't have it. Ajax teach us a footballing lesson. We are much safer on home soil, although Kyiv are unbeaten. Correction - were. A real humdinger of a game, but we came through it nicely. When I left Hirnyk they were about to move into a new stadium - that move has completed and that's where we rocked up after the international break. I don't get the red carpet.. We hit 7 - it should have been more.. I leave the ground in dark sunglasses and a wig. There is no time to recover before we face Oleksandriia. Lots of rotation and an early goal and we can relax. Made even better that top of the table (because they have played 3 games more, Vorskla, lost for the first time this season) AC Milan come to town. 5 to go and we are 3-1 up and cruising. How we only end up with a point - well I know how, we conceded twice, but you know the saying. Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to be brilliant. Regulation and Routine, Dnipro-1 are beaten. Plenty of games in hand domestically. A new one on me.. So i am meeting expectations AND not wasting cash? How dare I!!! I'm now going to go off and spend lots of cash..

October 2028 More chance of Champions League glory this month. A lot of league games first. Bottom side Epicenter make their way over to us on the 1st, a professional performance puts 4 past them. After an international break, two tough home games, Zoria (3rd) and Kolos (5th) before a trip to Germany in the Champions League. Zoria are an extremely strong side and would probably claim to be the 2nd best in the country, so to win is a very pleasing result, Mykola Matvienko, veteran Full Back with the only goal. No such nerves against Kolos, 5 star showing before boarding the plane to Hoffenheim. Only 1 goal in Hoffenheim, it was a poor match and a poor showing, we are 0 from 2 outside of Ukraine. We sit 26th with the top 24 progressing. Back on it against lowly Obolon. Another 5. Although it was only 2-0 after 82 minutes. Bukovyna Chernivtsi are not in the league, but they are in the Ukrainian Cup, hence our meeting. I've got a poor record in the cup, but Shakhtar don't. We miss a lorry load of chances, but progress 4-1. Karpaty are the last side to feel our wrath, although we again waste SOOOO many chances. One day we will destroy a side. Perfect league month, Cup progression, just a shame about the Champions League

September 2028 Full Disclosure - I have no idea how the Champions League works. In real life I have very little interest in it. My team will never play in it. But FM is different. In this month we travel to Real Madrid and host Juventus. But before we make that start, we travelled to Veres looking to keep a 100% record going, Petar Enev, our deadline day signing from PSG, made his debut between the sticks. He's Bulgaria's No.1 but he'll be a rotational option for us. Our 4-1 defeat to the Real version of Madrid pails into comparison when you see that Barcelona put 10 (ten) past Celtic. A terrible result against Dnipro-1 - a goalless draw. We missed a penalty too. Back on it against Rukh, Victor Kilama with a double, although we did concede our first goal of the season. At Hirynk we had an Israel winger, Shakhtar have one too. This one is a bit better. He scored (Manor Solomon) the winner against Juve - our road to Champions League glory has started. Early stages

August 2028 We continue to be busy in the transfer market. Kristijan was a superb Right Back from me and was happy to be convinced to travel along. Another point for the challenge. I've also bought in Francis Akoli a midfielder from Congo - another who was out of my price range at Hirnyk. Opening fixture of the league season... it had to be.. This Shakhtar team has Mykhaylo Mudryk, which is rather pleasant. He scores and we get the 3 points. I get pelters from the away fans. He gets a couple more against Oleksandriia and also newboy Kilama scores. 100% record after 2. It's what the fans expect.

July 2028 And I don't even get chance to take my coat off before the first game. A Super Cup against Dynamo Kyiv A quick recap on what we need to do to get out of Ukraine. We need 100 points to move on. We are currently on 29 25 points for gaining promotion out of the 2nd tier 2 points for moving a staff member to a new club - Jon Obi Mikel joined me at Hirnyk-Sport and has followed to Shakhtar Another 1 point quickly followed as Vadim Nazarov came across as U19 fitness coach 1 point for moving a player to join me at the new club - Loic Bebey came from Fauve Azur to Hirnyk-Sport A succesful season means we can move to Venezuela. Start as you mean to go on boys.. 25 more points in the bag - everytime we win the Cup. This puts us onto 54 points. The only area of the Shahktar squad that looks weak(ish) was up top, so I have splashed the cash and bought in Victor Kilama from Barcelona for £9.7m

Season 2028/29 Preview. Breaking News... Dan Petrescu has moved onto to be the Serbia manager AND if you can't beat them... join them..

May and June 2028 Cherif Gnahe is a wanted man, by most of Europe - he has a 1.4m release clause and sooner or later someone is going to trigger it. 2,213 watched us beat Kryvbas, at least 50% of the crowd were scouts watching Gnahe. Injuries meant that Alexey Petrov (Y) made his debut between the sticks against Kremin - our local rivals have already been relegated and we compounded the misery. Metalist 1925 are the 3rd side this month that are in the relegation zone when we play them. Marjan Ristevski bags a treble and we are guaranteed at least 3rd. Our win put us into 2nd and Zoria lost to Kyiv so it's really ours to throw away. At Rukh. And we throw it away. Defeat means 3rd Not the best news Neither is this...

April 2028 April Fools Day. Karpaty at home. Win much needed. It took us a long time to get into our stride. 2-2 after 85 minutes but we get the win we needed. Much better against Kolos, although we let them back into it from 3-0, we hung on for another 3 points. Marjan Ristevski hasn't had nearly as a good a season as last year but his double moves him to 8 in 16. Chornomorets Odesa are fighting like beavers at the bottom of the table, we didn't give them any wood to build that damn. Victory over Vorskla completes a perfect month and secures a European spot for next season. What competition is still to be decided. Ristevski hits 6 in the month. 3rd as it stands, which would be Europa League Group Stage - depending on who wins the Cup. Youth Intake, and we got a DM for the future.

March 2028 Much love from the man who keeps animals safe It would be nice if his side can roll over and not stuff us? Unbelieveable!!! We don't concede early, we don't flounder and we secure a point, Our best result ever against them lot... In typical FM fashion, we follow an unbelievable result with a defeat, Zoria nick the only goal of the game. We very nearly made it back to back defeats but had Cláudio Cipriano's 93rd minute equalisier to thank to get something out of Metalist. The international break came and went before we travelled to Dnipro-1 - a side having a good season and sit in 3rd at kick off. Too good for us on the day - we peaked in the first game. Not how I saw it panning out. Well placed for Champions League has turned into either Europa or Conference League. 8 games left, we should get something but need a good month to get into Champions League (Top 2)

January Transfer Window - 2027/28 Trying to strengthen the squad when your finances look like this is tricky Bear in mind that this is AFTER we have culled a number of players from the squad. Leaving are (deep breath) Roman Konov (Y) - youth intake DM has dropped a level for £1k Blendi Belančić - Croatian teen winger, has not developed quite enough, gone back home for £2.2k Victor Zykov (Y) - 3rd choice keeper, gone down two levels, £3.5k Francisco Javier - Spanish striker who never quite scored consistently enough - Cadiz offered £475k Denys Barchenko and Artem Benediuk were both regulars last season but had dropped down the pecking order and were out of contract in the summer, both have moved on free transfers to 1st Division clubs. In all it's transfer fee's of around £500k and a reduction off the wage bill of nearly £3k per week. This has allowed us to sign TWO players.. Yehor Rudenko can play anywhere on the left hand side and has been a bit part player for Dynamo Kyiv since coming through the academy there. We've paid £10k for him, but it's a no money straight away and then £10k over 6 easy installments. Ivan Donets has come in on loan for the rest of the season (completely free) from a first division reserve side... I actually quite like the look of him. I don't have many options in the DMC roll and this guy has good potential and does what he does well - if he doesn't do something then he's terrible but Marking, Tackling, Passing are all good, Decent Mentals and some Physicals too.

November 2027 My first Cameroonian Love versus My Second. Away at Karpaty.. Neither did anything. But we secured our 4th straight 2-0 win. Kremin play in the same ground as us (for this season at least) - our local rivals. They sit 16th without a win so far. Cláudio Cipriano the toast of the town with a hat-trick. The monthly horror show - this time in Kyiv at Dynamo. And for 80 minutes it was glorious, then they turned it on and dragged themselves back into a draw. When we got back from Kyiv there were 3 teams to play us - or that's how it felt. 3 games in a week, or 4 in 9 days. Thankfully that was it until March so plenty of recovery time for the boys. Late goals were our downfall but another good month. As good a month as it was, no gloves are being laid on Shakhtar Not sure what my Assistant is smoking but I want some..

October 2027 *Checks calendar...see's Shakhtar this month... inwardly swears... After the 2 defeats at the end of last month, it's important we bounce back with a win, and that's what we did against Dnipro1 Kristian Bako becomes the first player to represent Ukraine whilst employed by us as he gets 8 minutes against Senegal. Vorskla (2nd), then Shakhtar (1st) - that win against Dnipro was extremely important. Daniel Golani comes back from the International break crocked so misses both. Vorskla are still our senior affiliate, but they were deffo second fiddle when we smashed 5 past them - Danylo Honcharuk with a treble. We were 3rd when we beat Vorskla but defeat to the Invincibles 3 days later saw us in 8th. In the end it was a good recovery to ensure we only dropped points in one game Title already looking fairly stable.. Confirmation that Francisco Javier moves on in January - back to Spain and Cadiz - for all his ability, he's just not consistent enough and on a decent wage. 20 in 61 games. Compared to others it wasn't enough to be first choice.

September 2027 Transfer window slammed shut just prior to the Zoria game, no further additions were made. A nice convincing 4-1 victory starts of the month. Plain sailing in the league games as we didn't face either of the scary two. We rotated in the cup and lost. In typical Premier League mentality, we only realised AFTER the game that the Cup could be a good distraction from the league and a chance to win something. Remember that plain sailing? Yeah Metalist put paid to that. We are exactly where the board expect us to be