I'm Just Flamers From The Bloc.

**Flamers** · 28-12-2011 14:09

The idea from this is try and make the Eastern Bloc the power in football that it never was. I have chosen as many leagues as I can that were part of the Eastern Bloc and loaded as many players as possible. From here I will be trying to take my career to dizzy heights, although it is more likely to end in a spectacular failure! For those of you how don't know here's a brief history lesson: the Eastern Bloc was formed under Stalin and the USSR, it consisted of the countries that are now considered "Eastern Europe", being part of Stalin's empire there was basically a media blackout which is refereed too as the Iron Curtain. Due to the Stalinist rule (technically it's not Socialism or Communism) it made these countries incredibly poor which is still noticeable to this day. Russian history has really interested me so I thought I would pack my bags and head off to the Eastern Bloc and see how good the football is!

Anyway enough of this wiff waff, time to get onto the game setup!

Database Setup

Manager Setup

Rules:

If I receive an offer from a foreign club with a higher wage I must take it.

I can spend as long as I like at any club but I will try and restrict to a maximum of 5 years.

Do not use the 48 month pay off period, this is too easy to abuse.

Game Updates:

Season 1

Getting Started On The Bloc

Quick Out Of The Blocs

Stalin'

Marching to the Sound of SKA

Season 2

Action behind the Curtain

Average in Every Way

Staring Into Oblivion

Viva La revolution!

Season 3

End of an Era

From Russia With Love

Rising From The Ashes

A Failed Assault on Europe

Season 4

Back In Black

The Iron Curtain

A Victory For The Motherland

Season 5

They Will Never Reach There Potential

Marching Onto The International Stage

Fighting On Two Fronts

Flight Of The Underdogs

Season 6

Deja Vu

Leading From The Front

Pushing Through Europe

Kings of Slovakia

Season 7

Back On the War Path

All going Well On The Western Front

Slovakia Will Revive

Reign of the Tzar

Season 8

All is Fine on the Western Front

Bringing Home Eastward

This Means War-saw

Working Until The End

Another Year, Another Title

Season 9

High Expectations

We Will Overcome

Set For The Future

Stuttering Through

2nd Sucks

Season 10

For The Good Of The People

Lenin And The Chocolate Factory

Rebuilding

A Revival in Leningrad

Domestic Domination

Ten Season Round Up

Ten Seasons In The East

Season 11

Defending Our Advantage

Unexpected Circumstances

Solid Footings

Sunny Side Of The Street

All Or Nothing

Season 11

A Question Of Faith

Hola España

The Weight Of Europe

Continuing Our Tradition

Loose Ends

Season 12

Plunging Into The Depths

The Beginning of an Era

Bringing Back Efficiency

Season 12

Complete Control

Clubs Managed:

SKA Khabarovsk: 2011 - 2013

Metalurg D: 2013 - 2015

Slovakia: 2015 - 2017

Trnava: 2016 - 2018

Legia: 2018 - 2019

England: 2018 - 2021

Zenit: 2019 - 2023

Spain: 2022 -

Chemnitz: 2023 -

Trophy Cabinet:

Russian First Division Runners Up - 2013
Ukrainian Premier Division Runners Up - 2015
Solvak First Division Winners - 2017, 2018
Solvak Cup Winners - 2017, 2018
Ekstraklasa Winners - 2019
Polish FA Cup Runners Up - 2019
Polish Super Cup Winners - 2019
Russian Cup Runners Up - 2020
EURO Cup Runners Up - 2020
European Championship - 2020
Russian Premier League Winners - 2021, 2022, 2023
Russian Cup Winners - 2021, 2022, 2023
Russian Super Cup - 2021, 2022
Champions League Winners - 2022
European Super Cup Winners - 2022
Club World Championship Winners - 2022

Social Media:

Steam Profile

Twitter Feed

Youtube Channel

Other thread titles that didn't make the grade (or posted by readers):

A Journey Around The Bloc

Welcome To The Bloc

Twitching The Iron Curtain

Bloc Party (Scribe's suggestion)

Behind The Curtain (AK22's suggestion)

The thread title was provided by SnakeXe and I thank him for it.

**Deisler26** · 28-12-2011 14:44

I preferred 'Twitching the Iron Curtain'

**Flamers** · 28-12-2011 14:50

It will be a list that I add to don't worry

**Scribe** · 28-12-2011 15:06

Bloc Party

Good luck wih this; I'm looking forward to it.

**Flamers** · 28-12-2011 15:14

Getting Started On The Bloc:

I started this game unemployed and upon loading the game immediately applied for all jobs within the Eastern Bloc (one job in West Germany I didn't apply for). After that I heard back from 5 different clubs:

SKA Khabarovsk

Chavdar

Krymteplytsya

Akademik

Hr. Dragovolijac

As some of you may have guessed from the logo I took the SKA Khabarovsk job. With a huge budget and nearly £20,000 left in it I stand a chance of achieving something!

Here's a brief history:

**Flamers** · 28-12-2011 15:17

Thanks Scribe! Added your suggestion to the list!

**SnakeXe** · 28-12-2011 17:36

That's 2 threads not made by me that I've named this year.

So far.

One with Lady Gaga lyrics, the other with J-Lo lyrics.

Sod it.

**Flamers** · 28-12-2011 17:40

You have no taste

**EvilDave** · 28-12-2011 20:06

Khabarovsk! I had a great game with them back on FM06 (or was it 07?), so I'll be checking in here. Also you're playing in the former USSR, so count me in as a definite follower!

**AK22** · 28-12-2011 21:03

I've often considered doing a similar save, simply based on my interests in 20th Century European History. Would have called it 'Behind The Curtain' though

Good luck with this, I gather you've made the switch to FM12 now?

**Flamers** · 28-12-2011 21:37

Thank you EvilDave and AK22! I wrote a high piece for my History A level and (strangely) a piece in my business degree on Stalinist policy so its a huge interest for me to. AK22 I will add that to the suggestions list

And yes I have made the move to FM12 (33% off is hard to refuse!), the UI I still don't like :P

Just so you know I'm not far from an update, I'm thinking the end of a transfer window will be better for mid season.

**iHeadHunta x** · 28-12-2011 22:17

Good luck in Russia

**deltablue** · 28-12-2011 22:40

In Russia, the club manages you.

**Flamers** · 29-12-2011 01:29

Thanks iHeadHunta x

Deltablue it doesn't seem too bad currently (but then I am only 2 months in!)

**roganp** · 29-12-2011 13:20

Should be an interesting career, good luck!

**deltablue** · 29-12-2011 13:21

I really like Bloc Party for some reason.

**abulezz** · 29-12-2011 14:20

Cant wait for this to get started - Russia sounds fun

**SnakeXe** · 29-12-2011 14:31

Don't be fooled by these pots that I got, I'm still I'm still Flamers from the Bloc

**Flamers** · 29-12-2011 20:46

*Flamers likes this*

**HotChocolate** · 29-12-2011 21:56

Very interesting set-up, best o' luck

**Flamers** · 29-12-2011 23:21

Thanks Hot Chocolate! I might get an updated out this weekend (girlfriend permitting!)

**HotChocolate** · 29-12-2011 23:24

The complications of real life, I feel for you.

**withnail316** · 29-12-2011 23:31

Sounds like a fun career. Good luck!

**EvilDave** · 30-12-2011 18:59

I know I've already said it, but good luck bettering the results of real-life Khabarovsk, who I've actually covered in my latest blog at More Than Arshavin! [/cheapplug]

**Flamers** · 31-12-2011 07:58

Thanks withnail

Evildave that's an interesting read! Play is spelt ply at one point

but other than that very good

**cerud** · 31-12-2011 08:23

Originally Posted by deltablue

I really like Bloc Party for some reason.

Who wouldn't? They're a great band!

As for this save, it sounds cool! I'll definitely be following

**EvilDave** · 31-12-2011 09:57

Originally Posted by Flamers

Thanks withnail

Evildave that's an interesting read! Play is spelt ply at one point

but other than that very good

Cheers Flamers, glad you thought so

Just run a spellcheck through for 'ply' and only found 'ply their trade' which I think makes sense, thanks for flagging it up though. Mistakes always slip through the net somehow!

**Flamers** · 31-12-2011 15:46

Thanks creud

EvilDave I know, and it's always harder to spot errors in your own work!

**Flamers** · 31-12-2011 16:58

Quick Out Of The Blocs

Squad | Results | League Table

The squad itself has some very talented players, the main problem I have is that they are mainly foreign and all in the some position. I am playing a 4-5-1 (the modern one that isn't flat) currently and it seems fairly successful however I am thinking about moving it around as it's not quite working as I intend.

As for the results we are not doing too badly, the cup tie we shouldn't have lost really and the last draw we conceded in the 89th minute. I took over the team when they were 16th so I feel I have made a positive impact as we now sit 13th.

Transfers | Finances

I have made plenty of Free Transfers in order to try and add players to the squad that will fill out positions, the problem is all the good players are foreign!

We are losing money but for a club of this size to have £5m is ridiculous so I don't really mind and I bet the Chairman pays it off anyway!

**SnakeXe** · 31-12-2011 18:40

Good start! Some big names in your division (and not just in terms of the number of letters!).

**Flamers** · 31-12-2011 19:01

I know, it worries me that we will get stuck in obscurity if a big transfer budget isn't coughed up.

**iHeadHunta x** · 01-01-2012 12:24

Good luck mate

**psychonaut** · 01-01-2012 13:42

Originally Posted by Flamers

I know, it worries me that we will get stuck in obscurity if a big transfer budget isn't coughed up.

There must be one Russian billionaire left who doesn't own a football team yet - send them a begging letter

Good luck next season.

**deltablue** · 01-01-2012 16:21

Just focus on keeping your heads above water for now.

**Flamers** · 01-01-2012 16:40

Psychonaut I wish that was in FM12...

deltablue we should be alright this season so im looking for players for next season

**noikeee** · 02-01-2012 17:43

I'm sold on the concept and the thread title.

Count me as a follower.

That league does have some big name clubs, who caught my eye was Alania (former champions iirc) and Torpedo Moscow - the weirdest thing is that one is top, the other is bottom.

**Flamers** · 02-01-2012 21:21

Thanks nokieee! It does seem a bit strange I have to say but its good fun so far!

**Deisler26** · 02-01-2012 21:55

Having Iron (Curtains) In The Fire - more suggestions!

**EvilDave** · 02-01-2012 22:24

Originally Posted by noikeee

That league does have some big name clubs, who caught my eye was Alania (former champions iirc) and Torpedo Moscow - the weirdest thing is that one is top, the other is bottom.

IRL Alania are a big team that should never have been relegated really - they draw bigger crowds than half the Premier League. Torpedo, on the other hand, went bust and dissolved a couple of years ago, so the current team is actually a phoenix club just a few years old. Hence the poor performance.

**0gris** · 02-01-2012 22:41

Yugoslavia technically wasnt part of the eastern bloc :P.

Regardless i'm going to be following this. Hopefully it's going to be as epic as your iceland save.

**Flamers** · 03-01-2012 09:22

0gris wasn't it part of the treaty that made a tree alliance with the USSR? The same as East Germany?

Either way its minor details! Thanks and I hope so to! I want to try and visit every country if possible...

Deisler it will be added when I get to my computer

Thanks EvilDave, honestly I don't follow Russian football :P

**deltablue** · 03-01-2012 10:04

Originally Posted by Flamers

0gris wasn't it part of the treaty that made a tree alliance with the USSR? The same as East Germany?

No, it was liberated before the USSR got there, so didn't have a puppet government installed and was independant enough not to be part of the Pact.

**Flamers** · 03-01-2012 10:32

That was meant to say trade btw, clearly my phone decided otherwise! I may well be wrong then

**EvilDave** · 03-01-2012 12:01

Originally Posted by Flamers

Thanks EvilDave, honestly I don't follow Russian football :P

No worries - I study Russian at university so can border a little on the obsessed at times :P Still, it's one of the nice things about writing the blog, a lot of the time people are actually learning something from it

**Flamers** · 05-01-2012 22:13

Stalin'

Squad | Results | League Table

We suck, the squad should be good but it isn't. If you look more carefully we are good on the right side but everywhere else is lacking badly. Our results have been very poor, we lose to poor teams and win against good teams and lose against very good teams! It's wonderful.

Transfers | Finances

We are moving players in and out trying to improve the squad.

We are losing money, no attendance and high wage bill. Oh well!

**HotChocolate** · 05-01-2012 22:25

You should look to turn some of those defeats into draws, as you don't seem to draw many at all.

I'm confused by the league table, why are certain teams around the table highlighted in red? Does it have anything to do with the relegation group? It doesn't seem so.

**Flamers** · 05-01-2012 22:27

I think it's buggy as there hasn't been a game played.

We SHOULD turn some loses into draws, we can't

**HotChocolate** · 05-01-2012 22:29

Originally Posted by Flamers

I think it's buggy as there hasn't been a game played.

We SHOULD turn some loses into draws, we can't

Buggy as in Pram?

Well, you're screwed then! Good luck

**EvilDave** · 06-01-2012 16:17

Your record isn't too dissimilar to the real-life Khabarovsk, teetering on the brink a little bit! Looks like you've got the wins in you to stay up, it's just finding that consistency. I'm sure you'll manage! Shame to see Shinnik in your half of the table though, got a bit of a soft spot having seen them live and they usually challenge for promotion.

PS. New blog today

**Flamers** · 06-01-2012 23:41

EvilDave I wish it was better

**City2000** · 07-01-2012 09:54

An early struggle was probably to be expected as this looks a good but tough challenge.

Good luck

**Flamers** · 07-01-2012 14:44

thanks City2000

I am currently looking for jobs in countries with less strict rules..

And yes I will try and come up with some pun for every update but I don;t know how long I can keep it going for

**Flamers** · 07-01-2012 18:24

My new "lets score one more than them" tactic seems to be working:

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 00:22

Quite literally "score one more"

Grabbing the winning goal in the 90th minute!

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 00:39

Epic defensive fail:

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 12:37

Marching to the Sound of SKA

Squad | Tactics

The squad is now fitting in much better with my new tactics, our aim is simple, score as many as we can. I can to this decision after realising that people with no legs can defend better than my defence. We are qutie reliant on one striker but when he is there we win, a lot. We are also still very weak on the left hand side, a problem I hope I can address in the next transfer window.

The tactics are a basic 4-4-2 with a Target Man and a Poacher up front. From this the team is set to Control, Shorter passing and closing down often. I find this aggressive strategy rather effective against bigger teams however I still can't find a way to beat bottom of the table.

First Division Results 1 | First Division Results 2 | Russian Cup Results |Overall League Table |Champions Group |Playoff Results |Relegation Group

All of the results in results 1 I had no control over, most of them in results 2 I did. In the end we went up a total of 4 places under my command, finishing 12th overall (not in the overall table). The league splits after each team has played each other twice, from that we gained more places to pull ourselves well clever off relegation. It is quite interesting how the team who finished 2nd at the end of the normal season are the champions! The less said about the Russian Cup the better, we shoudl have won but we were robbed. The impact I have made is a positive one, pulling the club (reluctantly) up from 16th place to finish 12th by the end of the season, we played some very exciting football (often too exciting for my liking!) and made sure the fans got what they paid for!

Transfers | Finances

We sold a player! He was transfer listed and we got £22,000 for him. Can't complain! However is doesn't quite cover the £3,000,000 loss this season.

**SnakeXe** · 08-01-2012 13:45

Decent start, looks encouraging for next year!

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 13:46

Thanks! I am going to have to reshape the squad, again!

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 16:04

Action Behind the Curtain

Board Expectations | Media Expectations

The board what me to at least get into the top half, something that I think should be possible. I doubt that we can really go much further than that this season, having said that we have signed several very promising players of the off season. The media expect us to be average.

Squad | Results

The squad is huge, I am trying to sell players so I can get more in but that takes time. Hopefully I few more can be sold before the end of this window.

In terms of results we have played well, until two players decided that it would be a great idea to get themselves sent of 25 minutes into a cup game. We lost that 3-0.

Transfers | Board Overview

Sold one player and brought in several. Hopefully more sales to come, which should keep the bank manager a bit happier!

I put up the board overview as it gives you a better idea of what I have to play with behind the scenes.

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 16:08

Here is that last moral booster:

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 18:37

Average in Every Way

Squad | Results | League Table

Compared to this time last year we seem at the same point, why am I more positive this team you may ask? Well I can tell you! First off our main striker was out for a month at the start of the season which is a major blow but he is back now! Also we have had a lot of high profile games to start the season with so hopefully we can now improve!

Transfers | Board Overview

Only one more transfer in the transfer window, a spare player leaving for £18,000. Our finances are no better for it though, however I am only £1,900 over budget now!

**abulezz** · 08-01-2012 19:59

Not a great start, but encouragingly your defense has been great. Just need to score some goals!

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 20:54

abulezz It has been far from great, all goals we have conceded have come from catastrophic defensive blunders, we are generally in the lead for most of the match

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 21:14

Guess the score:

**ManUTactician247** · 08-01-2012 21:18

8-2? :d...

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 21:25

I wish it was like that...

**0gris** · 08-01-2012 22:26

2-3?

I'm sure they scored at least two and doubt you scored more than two.

**Flamers** · 08-01-2012 22:30

Nope

Think lower

**HotChocolate** · 08-01-2012 23:15

0-0?

1010

**Flamers** · 09-01-2012 00:58

Nope, if no one gets it by tomorrow I will post the score and goal times

**0gris** · 09-01-2012 01:02

0-1. Goal scored in 90+2 by their rightback who never scored a goal in his life and you sold to them?

**Flamers** · 09-01-2012 01:17

Not quite...

**rancer890** · 09-01-2012 01:21

0-3 with 1 own goal.

Was one of the goals a penalty shot?

**SnakeXe** · 09-01-2012 10:32

1-2 I'm guessing.

**Flamers** · 09-01-2012 10:57

Snakexe wins!

pen 61 - 45+3 (there first shot), 81 (there second shot on target, this was from a throw in)

**EvilDave** · 09-01-2012 11:41

Tough break with that result, although you seem to be doing well enough elsewhere. As you say, facing Krylya, Amkar, Spartak and Ural in the first eight game is a tough start so it should ease up a bit. Interesting to see Neftekhimik and Dnepr come up though, not the usual suspects. Be kind to Rotor Volgograd for me!

**Flamers** · 09-01-2012 11:48

I can't remember if I have played them yet.. I will only be kind if they are to me

The problem with that tough start is that it hit moral, hard.

**City2000** · 09-01-2012 12:58

Tough start and that defeat above sums it up by the looks of it, hopefully your main striker can put some of these chances away now he's back.

**Flamers** · 10-01-2012 11:04

I have found the club I want to manage: 1. FC Magdeburg

Because of this: 1974 UFEA Cup Final

As far as I can tell they are one of the few Eastern Bloc clubs to have ever won a European cup (time to be corrected) and also they will hopefully be floating around in tier 3 of German football

I just checked there are two other Eastern Bloc winners at the time, one is Dinamo Kyiv (who I should manage at some point) and a Georgian side who I can't play as.

**HotChocolate** · 10-01-2012 11:12

The crazy world of football comes up with yet another surprise.

**Flamers** · 10-01-2012 11:27

They have quite an impressive record, until 1990

Here is the league position: http://www.abseits-soccer.com/clubs/magdeburg.html

I bit harsh putting a UEFA Cup team into the third tier I feel!

**HotChocolate** · 10-01-2012 11:33

How did you find out about them? Did you just look down the past winners of the European Super Cup?

**Flamers** · 10-01-2012 11:54

Nope: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...football_clubs

**Flamers** · 13-01-2012 13:38

Staring Into Oblivion

Squad | Results | League Table

The team is better than last year but about the same. Out players are much better but at the start we just couldn't play. A more conservative style has seen us have some good form recently but I was nearly sacked 3 times and am in the last year of my contract with no signs of an extension.

Transfers | Board Overview

Sold 3 players and another is being offered a contract.

However we now have insecure finances, I blame the chairman as I only spend the money I am given!

**deltablue** · 13-01-2012 13:56

Looks like all you can do is survive.

**Flamers** · 13-01-2012 14:09

The board expect more than that unfortunately..

**iHeadHunta x** · 13-01-2012 18:14

You'll survive I have Faith :L

**Flamers** · 14-01-2012 00:21

I think we will survive, if I keep my job is another question..

I am moving back to uni this weekend, so expect no updates for a while

**iHeadHunta x** · 14-01-2012 00:26

Hopefully you will survive!

**Flamers** · 14-01-2012 15:19

The board clearly think I can survive, they offered em a two year deal on £200 p/w more, I changed it to a one year deal and they agreed. So I am manager for one more year!

**abulezz** · 14-01-2012 15:26

Congrats on the new contract

**Flamers** · 14-01-2012 15:36

Thanks abulezz

**Flamers** · 14-01-2012 17:05

Something big might well happen this season. Stay tuned to see what it is, next update should hopefully be Monday!

**Flamers** · 16-01-2012 15:09

Viva La Revolution!

Squad | Tactics

The squad has shrunk noticeably due to a lot of players leaving who were simply not good enough for the First Division. This would have been the case no matter what, I need wage budget to bring in new talent to the club so we can push forward. I am looking to bring more foreign talent to the club as we can now have up to 6 non Russian players in the first 11!

The tactic has stayed the same throughout the season, I very defensive closing down 4-4-2, we aim to win the ball back as soon as possible and then get it to the poacher who scores.

First Division Results 1 | First Division Results 2 | Russian Cup Results | Friendly Results | Overall League Table |League Position Graph

It took a while but when we hit our stride we were nearly unstoppable, we were one of the few teams in the division that managed to beat Shinnik who went on to win the league. Honestly Shinnik outclassed the league and were long gone, at that point I was sitting just above relegation with my head on the line. I was nearly sacked on three different occasions, however we managed to pull our form around and climb the table. On the last day we sat 4th, 2 points above 6th and 1 point off 2nd, we managed to do the business and won 6-1 vs bottom. Amkar were the only team that could stop us, they went 2-0 down after 30 minutes and I thought I would easily be promoted, however 60 minutes in they pulled it back to 2-2, then onto 3-2 in the 85th minute, we were destined for the playoffs. When my match ended they were 3-2 in front and going through, however Dinamo Bryansk had other ideas, scoring in the 92nd minute to let me go through in second!

With this great late league form it saw me win Manager of the Year, Lutsenko was Top Goal Scorer and 2 players managed to get into Team of the Year.

We still do not talk about the Russian Cup. Ever.

Transfers | Finances

Sold £97,000 worth of players, brought £7,000. Lost £3,780,000 can't beat that!

**crouchaldinho** · 16-01-2012 15:25

Very nice ending to the season Flamers!

**crouchaldinho** · 16-01-2012 15:26

Team of the season link needs changing Flamers.

**SRL88** · 16-01-2012 15:29

Congratulations on promotion

.

**Flamers** · 16-01-2012 15:30

Thank you Mr Crouchy!

Thanks SRL!

**Flamers** · 16-01-2012 15:38

This just came through:

Budget cut by £10k p/w, should I leave and save myself the shame of finishing bottom?

**cragswfc** · 16-01-2012 15:40

think positive you won't finish bottom

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