Latvia havin' ya

[scousevasey]

On 05/02/2022 at 20:01, scousevasey said:

To-Do list

To save having to read through the post repeatedly, this is the actions for the offseason in one place that will be reviewed as we move to the start of 2023

Actions:

(GK) Sign Pirktins to a new deal

(DR) Sign a third option, release Bite

(DL) Look for a replacement option for Birka in case, or sign all three options

(DC) Extend Korotkovs.  Review the position once Akpudje joins to see if we need a new partner for Musah.

(DM) Look into options to replace Cudars (who is already leaving) either as a rotation option, or a third string player off the bench.  This could be Mina if DC is sorted

(MC) Sign Zekhov to a full time deals to maximise their training time, and look for a possible addition to strengthen the rotation and possibly step up if one of the main two leave next year

(ST) Look at promoting or signing a replacement for if Grinsbergs and Muritala move on

 

End of 2022 update 

Squad building is progressing, and the calendar has just ticked around to 2023.

First up the negative

Star midfielder has made it clear he won't sign a new deal at the end of his current contract.  He is one of the first names on the team sheet when picking the strongest team, so there is a dilemma.  Sell him now, knowing that he has a release fee of £115k, to try and make money off him, or keep him for the season and let him walk.

This is slightly dependent on who is willing to sign this year, as I won't move Zelenkovs on until a replacement is sourced, but having lost three key players for free at the end of 2022 getting some income will be good.  Due to the European run it is not urgent in terms of staying in the black, but being able to add on a future sale fee will be more important to try and keep the income ticking over in future seasons.

 

Kaue was highlighted in a scout report and didn't want to come on trial, but as an 18 year old I decided to see what sort of money they were after and for a low wage it was worth signing him.  it does mean that with Beks and Pirktins there is a bit of a logjam in goal, but combined they make £155p/w so it isn't a huge drain

I wasn't actively after a GK, but seeing the ability of Kaue it just makes sure things are strengthened at the back, which is important after the loss of Korotkovs.

 

Kaue isn't the only new signing with a MC coming in, but with the transfer window opening soon, and multiple players already lined up to join those options will be explored when everyone arrives and it is possible to see who fits where in the side

[scousevasey]

January 2023

Lots has happened early in 2023, with plenty of new players rocking up, as well as improvements behind the scenes, all of which is helping to build up Metta to be more of a force in Latvian football

Upgrades in both sets of facilities, using the European money for good.  With completion due mid season it should look good to help players achieve their potentials over the next few seasons.

There is still work to do, even once these upgrades go through.

The board didn't want to upgrade Youth Recruitment, so it may require a bit more of an increase in reputation to wangle that, but they were willing to add an affiliate, which has led to some B Team players moving out on loan to see if they can develop a bit there.

 

Transfers

Outside of the players who left at the end of their contracts, not much has happened in terms of outgoings, with pretty much everyone heading to our new affiliate for the season.

But there is the possibility of movement, which I have tried to plan ahead for.  Vapne, Zelenkovs and Kirss are all attracting attention, with Kirkils being mentioned in the press too.  Nobody wants to offer a decent deal for Zelenkovs, possibly looking to save their money for when his contact expires.  Vapne had agreed to go for $65k, then when this was mentioned in the press got upset at it being too high.  He is also out of contract at the end of the season, and it may be worth shipping one on to guarantee some interest.  Kirss has had a bid but it was low, and RFS weren't willing to go higher, but may come back with an improved offer as the transfer window draws on.

Losing Kirkils and Kirss isn't too big an issue due to the recent recruitment.  Losing both of Vapne and Zelenkovs will be harder.  But the biggest issue that is starting to arise is to do with the nationalities of players, with the better Latvian options not wanting to come to Metta, meaning we are starting to push up against the league limits for the squad.

Five players were lined up in advance, to fill some key positions with Quintero coming in slightly later as I start to consider the loss of Vapne and Zelenkovs

Good reactions from the fans on arrival of the pre-arranged deals means the squad is strengthening

 

League Preview

Expected to finish in the same position as last season, so hopefully things work out as they did last time around.  Riga as favourites is tied to the amount they have spent, with Valmiera having spend a reasonable amount too after their poor finishing position last season.

It looks like Rezekne will go straight back down, with BFC looking at the relegation playoff again, but the league is quite close in the eyes of the bookmakers.

Riga have spent big, allowing Valmiera to spend big too, with Ivanov being a big fee relative to the rest of the league.  These six deals are the only ones seeing money change hand so far in the window, showing how big the top three deals are.

Friendlies have been planned, mixing in local sides with those of a similar rep to Metta, and finishing with the contractual trip to our affiliate who didn't want to make the journey to Metta and may cost them some income because of it.

When the league starts it is a tough game, which will show where Metta stand against derby rivals Riga.  A couple of easier games in a row build up to RFS, with Liepaja towards the end of the run.  Facing two of the big three away in the first quarter of the season means it is tough going to begin with but the squad is getting stronger and should manage to reach Europe again.

The first issue with the squad is that there are currently 36 players in the first team, but only 30 can be registered for the league.  Gorkss and Tarasovs are not planned to be registered, and are training with the first team to aid their development while being available for the U18s.

Some others are available for loan, including Pirktins (Ronald), Cinajevs, Rekis, Troickis, but that removes a chunk of Latvian players from the list which does make things harder to ensure we match the registration limits.  A couple of signings (Lotcikovs, Cucurs, Tonisevs, Krusatins) are Lativan which helps, but the limit (15 of 30 registered) is getting tighter due to the higher quality South American players who are willing to join on relatively low wages.

 

In terms of building longer term, Muritala is still available and only 22, so I am trying to tempt him back, and have a high quality Norwegian on trial who wants a huge amount to sign but would cover the loss of Zelenkovs and Vapne.  There isn't much else in the pipeline in terms of signings at this stage as it is harder to find areas in need of upgrade, although with a month of the transfer window left and interest in some of the Metta players things may change.