[FM23] Kosovo

[Jimbokav1971]

Feb 2033. 

SuperLeague. I've got to be happy with 4 wins from 5 in a month, and especially so when it was the 2nd Team who lost away to a good  Dukagjini Kline side. It sees us sit 2nd, a whopping 15 points clear of Llapi in 3rd. I think we've already secured 2nd and thankfully Llapi have already beaten Ballkani so there is no chance of an unbeaten season for them. 

(31g) Hassoun (ISR) is playing as our WBR and is deserving of a mention. I've found watching him a really interesting part of the save this season and the way he fits into the WBR(a) role is a little different to how I have seen with others, especially with 3 strikers playing in front of him and often with the SRC attracting the attention of the opposition DL. It means that in his quite high up position he's often in quite a big pocket of space, and the player earmarked to pressure him isn't going to be an actual defender and is going to be trying to do so from the wrong side defensively. He is able to just sit there in a pocket and pass the opposition to death and this is evidenced by his key pass figures of 13 Ulpiana, 8 Llapi, 13 Malisheva & 9 Gjilani. Where as you would usually think of a WB as buccaneering forward and crossing into the box from wide, what he's actually been doing is sort of sitting in this slightly withdrawn wide attacking position and just popping balls about. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Youth Intake day. Mar 2033. 

This is a REALLY good intake, but not for the reasons you might think. 

(33a) Bisha is another bloomin (Unamb) player and for the life of me I can't think why I signed him him, (other than the fact that he is the (33a) player and has 5.0 PA. He's got an astonishing amount of development to do to get anywhere near the Senior squad but he has time to develop so you never know. 

(33b) Rexho looks great. A really good attacking WBL with a good personality and the only slight issue are his physicals and in particular his lack of pace. He could definitely do a job at a pus though. 

(33c) Mema is the same surname as (28a) Mema *, (but no relation), who is now at the enemy Ballkani, so that's a good omen. I don't like his pace, but I pretty much like everything else. It's just a matter of developing him now. He is rather good though and could be really good. What I've noticed about our trio up front is that the AF(a) is often far more withdrawn in a central position that the 2 wider PF(a)'s. A slow player, who is also good at passing is more suited to the central AF(a) position then the 2 wider PF(a) roles. 

(33d) Jonuz looks spectacular!  How he's only rated 3.0 CA I have no idea. He's REALLY good. My initial reaction is that I can convert him into a really good SLC, but actually that's not what I need at all. I need full-backs and centre-backs. He obviously can't help out at centre-half, but I think he would make a really good WBL. Yeah he's more attacking than defensive, but that's what I want because we're going to be attacking far more than we will be defending. WBL it is. 

(33e) Shumeli looks really good for a 1.5 CA player. Dribbling & Finishing, Determination & Off the ball + decent physicals. Added to which he's a (F.Pro) personality. What's not to like. 

(33f) Fahrni (KOS)(SUI) is a player I really like. Some really good mentals there along with some key technicals & the basis of some physicality. He looks plenty good enough to feature at some point. 

(33g) Vesterbekkmo (KOS)(NOR) is definitely someone who could play for us. Of course he has issues, but he can at least do the basics. 

(33h) Jeaneret 6'0"(KOS)(SUI) looks like a decent GK in the making. 

(33i) Feicht DC6'5"(KOS)(AUT) is the DR that I have been desperate for, (except that I no longer am because I'm playing a utility striker in there to decent effect. We're also desperate for centre-backs though and he just happens to be 6'5". That's a sign from the FM Gods. He's getting re-trained as a centre-half!  

(33j) Sulejmani 6'5" (Merc) looks pretty decent but a 6'5" lumbering mercenary.  

(33k) Palloshi has the dreaded (Unamb) + (L.Det) mix and if someone could explain to me why I have signed him I would be really grateful.  

(33l) Caushaj might be (Unamb), but at least he hasn't also got the dreaded (L.Det) double whammy. Pretty sure I made the wrong choice signing this guy. 

(33m) Kastrati says he's a midfielder, but if he is he can't pass, can't tackle and has poor vision. It's not ideal, but on the other hand he can run about. Surely we're beyond that now? 

(33n) Kasemi 5'10" is a quite limited, short, centre-half who hasn't got much PA by the looks of it. On the other hand his (Det) is in double digits and he has a (F.Pro) personality so thank heaven for small mercies.  

(33o) Elezi is a bit of a strange, muddled player. Finishing of 15 but composure of 5. Vision of 12 but passing of 7. Poor stamina, strength, acceleration and workrate is not good. 

(33p) Hoxha was signed simply because he has 20 (Det). There, I said it. Can we move on now? 

What I particularly like about this intake though is this. 

And I like this too. 

But obviously not keen at all on this  or this.  

[Jimbokav1971]

Mar 2033. 

SuperLeague. We're nowhere near the level of Ballkani yet, and we also struggle to beat some of the lesser clubs with our 2nd Team. Despite that we sit 2nd, 20 points clear of 3rd place.

Kosovan Cup. A fielded a really weak side and they did themselves proud in going down by a single goal.

Records.

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Apr 2033. 

SuperLeague. We've qualified for Europe with a month of the season still to play. What I find interesting is that only 3 clubs still have positive GD, (and I would love to get that down to just 2 next season). 

Front 3 partnerships. The adaptation to 3 proper finishers playing across the front 3, (instead of 2 more natural wider players supporting 1 central finisher), has worked a treat and the 3 of them have gone goal crazy with a fair chance of 2 out of the 3 of them hitting 30 goals for the season. Between them I can only remember (30i) Barrigana (POR) being unavailable for 1 single game. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

May 2033.

SuperLeague. We finished the season strongly and the 2 goals in the last game of the season against Trepça '89 were enough to get us over the 100 goals scored mark.

Records. 

Player of the Year.

Young Player of the Year.

(29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) now has 6 (KOS) Caps but is still eligible for Switzerland. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Big Transfer. Jun 2033. 

Ballkani and Al-Wakrah in Qatar have come in for (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) and although he is never going to Ballkani if I can help it, and I would quite like to flog him to Qatar, I also want to play him in our 1st European round, (to make sure there is a 2nd European Round), before he goes. This is where the deal is right now and I'm stalling because the 1st leg is 7 days away. 

[Jimbokav1971]

1 hour ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

Big Transfer. Jun 2033. 

Ballkani and Al-Wakrah in Qatar have come in for (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) and although he is never going to Ballkani if I can help it, and I would quite like to flog him to Qatar, I also want to play him in our 1st European round, (to make sure there is a 2nd European Round), before he goes. This is where the deal is right now and I'm stalling because the 1st leg is 7 days away. 

I've managed to negotiate the offer up to this now, but I'm still stalling. 

I actually want the deal to go through now. I just don't want it to go through yet. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Jul 2033. 

Europa Conference League, League Path, 1st Qualifying Round. Leg 1. We played really well, but I think we've just had 2 training sessions and no friendlies and we just didn't take our chances. All to do in the 2nd leg.  Thank God for the late goal though. 

Europa Conference League, League Path, 1st Qualifying Round. Leg 2. Now this was a really good performance and we deserved to win by more! Thank God for that. I was sure we were going out in the 1st leg again. 

Europa Conference League, League Path, 2nd Qualifying Round. Leg 1. It could have been 5 by HT. How we only lost by a 3 goal margin I have no idea. 

Europa Conference League, League Path, 2nd Qualifying Round. Leg 2.

Finances. 

A total of £774,000 is much more like what I was hoping to earn. We were battered by Plovdiv and the scorelines probably flatter us, but I don't care. I will happily take the money and run, (and there might just be some more money on the way soon). 

[Jimbokav1971]

Transfers. Aug 2023. 

For the last 6 weeks or so, Ballkani have kept coming in again and again with £100k offers for (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI). I don't really want to sell to them, and I have a deal going through to Qatar that I have been delaying and increasing and delaying and increasing so that he can play in our European games before leaving, but we're out of Europe so just waiting for that to go through in the next couple of days, (it's a doozy!), and Ballkani have just submitted this. 

£575,000(£693,000) + 40% profit. Let's see if I can make them pay through the nose for him. 

I've cancelled the 40% profit clause and added 50% sale, I've added a friendly, (just because), and I've added £10,000 per league appearances for 50 appearances. None of these things add to the up front cost of the deal at all, so if they really want him they might just go for it. In fact that's not enough, let's add some goal clauses in there too because he will fill his boots playing for them. I've now added £100,000 after 50 league goals, (which he might score in 1 single season playing for them). They have a clause for £59k after 10 Int appearances but I have added another one for £100k after 20 Int appearances. 

Let's see what they say to that. 

They have countered with this. £700,000(£818,000).

I'm countering with this. 

Ballkani have agreed to everything and these are the deals now on the table. 

There is 25% sale & a friendly on the bottom of the Al-Wakrah deal that can't fit on the page. I'm going to have to ask them for more because I don't want to sell to Ballkani. 

This is the final Ballkani offer and I've accepted it because it's just too good to turn down. It's £900,000(£1,759,000) + 50% of re-sale and a friendly. I have no idea how much he will be worth at a pro club, but I can't see there being much left for them after we take our share. 

I've cancelled the Qatari deal.

OMG!  That little Michael Ballacks had a 25% transfer fee clause in his contract, so he gets 25% of the deal!   

And what's more when we get 50% of his next transfer, he will get 25% of that too. 

He's immediately worth £4.2M-£5.2M but I can't complain about any of it. We've had some really good service out of him and with just 12 months left on his contract he's changed the club forever with this deal. 

Finances.  We didn't actually get that much up front cash for him in the end, (what with giving him 25% of it),  but we have loads of add-ons and in particular I like the £10k per league appearance clause, plus of course the 50% re-sale clause. Great deal for us. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Records? Aug 2033. 

I wondered what the most expensive transfer of a Kosovan player was, but also what the record domestic fee paid within Kosovo was. 

Beqiri (KOS) * scored 51 SuperLeague goals in 2030/31.

The most (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) has ever managed is 29 in 2029/30. 

Ballkani have been playing 1 up front and 2 in behind, so it will be interesting to see if that continues. 

[Jtomsett11]

Sad to see Vonmoos leave, but what a deal! I reckon he'll improve and go for £10 million + and that'll be your huge windfall in a couple of years if you haven't qualified for the group stages of a European competition by then. 

[Jimbokav1971]

31 minutes ago, Jtomsett11 said:

Sad to see Vonmoos leave, but what a deal! I reckon he'll improve and go for £10 million + and that'll be your huge windfall in a couple of years if you haven't qualified for the group stages of a European competition by then. 

I honestly don't mind him going in the slightest. We're a PT club for God's sake! We shouldn't be anywhere this performance level right now. 

Also, (and I will have to do a full post on this), but while we might not have many full-backs or centre-backs coming, Christ Almighty we have a lot of strikers!  In fact, that's my next post after the Aug 2033 update. 

Also any "windfall" we receive from (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) for re-sale value will be good, (50% sale rather than profit), but we will also have to give 25% of that to the player himself because of his deal. Usually I refuse to sign a deal with that clause in it, but obviously in his case I was desperate for him to sign so it was worth it. To think he could have gone for nothing a couple of seasons ago. 

Edited August 29, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Aug 2033. 

Apologies. I usually do these in pre-season, but my focus was taken away by all the transfer bids and the to and from the (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) deal and then our European campaign and then before we knew it we were playing league games. As a result I not only played the whole European campaign with last season's pre-set Match Selections, but I've also already gone and played the 1st 2 league games of the season. It was only when I was responding to @Jtomsett11that I realised I hadn't done it yet, (so all the (33) intake players haven't been properly considered for selection yet. 

GK. I think I mentioned previously that what usually happens here is that I pick my squad selections at the beginning of the season and then it doesn't change until the following season unless someone is bought or sold. (28p) Krasniqi 6'0" * was 1st choice for 4 seasons, (and I was fine with him even though we were conceding a shed-load of goals), and then (32g) Kadriu 6'1" came in for the last 4 games of the season, (only because the Ass Man picked him). Since then we have gone from 5, 6, 7 & 4 clean sheets in a season under (28p) Krasniqi 6'0" *, to straight away 13, (+2 in the Cup), with (32g) Kadriu 6'1" in goal. What's interesting though in just that 1 season is that there is a 2.0 PA gap appeared between the top 2 and the next 2. (33h) Jeaneret 6'0"(KOS)(SUI) for example looked OK in the intake but nothing special, is already ranked #2 by CA and is keeping up with the 5.0 PA as others have fallen away. 

If he goes that will leave me with 2x (F.Pro) and 1x (Spirit) GK.

The last thing worth pointing out is that despite (33h) Jeaneret 6'0"(KOS)(SUI) only being 15 and only coming through the last intake, he's already been capped twice for (KOS) U21's. That's just a little unusual to be capped so early when there are other options. 

(32g) Kadriu 6'1" will be 1st choice. 
(33h) Jeaneret 6'0"(KOS)(SUI) will be 2nd choice. 
(31l) Gashi 6'1" has gone out to a Tier 2 PT club, but it looks like there is an old GK ahead of him. 
(28p) Krasniqi 6'0" * has only 12 months on his contract so I think I'm going to try and sell him, 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Aug 2033. 

DL. It's a surprise to me, (but perhaps it shouldn't have been), but this is one of the strongest areas of the squad. 2 players in the U21's and 1 in the U19's tells you all you need to know about the depth here. Again, 1 of the U21 players and the U19 players are both from the (33) intake, (so perhaps that's why it has surprised me a little). 

We've already had bids of £100k+ for (31i) Dedja * in this window and had I known quite how much depth we had I might have negotiated a suitable deal for us and let him go, (to someone other than Ballkani). 

(33d) Jonuz WBL (1st Team) looks phenomenal and I just can't look past him as 1st choice DL. 
(31i) Dedja * (2nd Team) contributed 6 goals and 9 assists last season in a great debut campaign, but he's still fallen behind in the pecking order due to the quality of the (33) intake. 
(33b) Rexho (U19's) looks a little raw but I like the look of him. 
(32b) Hoxha (U19's) looks a decent little prospect. 

(33l) Caushaj (Unamb) (U19's) I don't like his personality and it's getting to the point where that's enough to kill a players career playing for me. 
(29g) Dalipi. (Unamb) SELL (SELL)
(32m) Çela (LOAN) Looks ok. It's ridiculous he's so far down the pecking order. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Aug 2033. 

DR. We're so good at DL and so poor at DR that I might seriously consider developing the player with the best right footb to play on this side even though there is a significant hit in terms of CA usage, (or at least there used to be). 

I'm properly desperate for a propper DR or WBR to come through this seasons intake, (even though I'm enjoying the performances of (31g) Hassoun (ISR).

(31g) Hassoun (ISR) (1st Team)has been an inspiration at WBR, as evidenced by his 10 assists last season. 
2nd Team slot will be filled from a player elsewhere. 
(31d) Marchhart (AUT) (U19's) is pretty limited and simply the 2nd best option we have available. Doesn't make him good & I don't like that (Unamb) personality at all. 
(32j) Mazreku (U19's)  is average at best but I need someone to play at WBR for the U19's. In fact that's my decision made right there. (31d) Marchhart (AUT) is going to drown back into the U19's and they can rotate between them and I will find a back-up from somewhere else, whether it be a centre-half, a left back or a midfielder. 
(33i) Feicht DC6'5"(KOS)(AUT) is 6'5" at 15 years old and will be a centre-half rather than a WBR. That being said I absolutely hate (Unamb)+(L.Det).

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Aug 2033.

DC. Although this was a problem area for a while, it has improved in the last couple of years, but still needs to improve further. 

DLC. (28l) Ramadani (KOS)(ALB)
DC. (31f) Shabani 5'10"
DRC. (32c) Nurmi (KOS)(FIN) 5'11"

DLC2. (33i) Feicht DC6'5"(KOS)(AUT) is playing out of position here, but I think it will be good for his development which will struggle because of the dreaded (Unamb)+(L.Det)
DC2. (33j) Sulejmani 6'5" (Merc)
DRC2. (32e) Vlcek (SVK) 6'5"

(32i) Skenderi (L.Det) (U19's) is going to struggle with that personality. 
(31o) Kullashi. 6'0" SELL (U19's)
(30l) Lekaj. 6'1" DC SELL (U19's)

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Aug 2033. 

MC. We've got some good options here, but it's not quite as deep as I was hoping. We could do with another MC through the next intake with some proper CA already.

MLC. (27b) Kapo * was going to leave with 12 months on his contract in a £100k(£300k) deal, but it fell through & he signed long-term (3+2) contract instead. 
MRC. (26n) Gjuzi *

MLC. (30g) Hajdari MC
MRC. (31k) Shehi

(33g) Vesterbekkmo (KOS)(NOR) (U19's) isn't suited to that WBR role that's available.
(30h) Demiri (LOAN) has gone out on loan to a Tier 1 Pro side. 
(30k) Fejzulla (Temp) (LOAN) has gone out on loan to a Tier 3 Semi-Pro side. 
(30o) Jashanica (U19's) is also available for loan. 

Edited August 29, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Aug 2029. 

SC.

SLC. (31h) Capi scored 14 goals from this position 2 seasons ago when we were a much poorer team. 
SC. (30i) Barrigana (POR) scored 23 league goals last season. 
SRC. (32d) Väänänen (KOS)(FIN) scored 28 goals last season. 

All 3 of the 2nd Team strike force are from the (33) intake and when you consider that the 1st Team GK and DL as well as 2x 2nd Team centre-backs also come from the (33) intake that's ridiculous. 

SLC2. (33f) Fahrni (KOS)(SUI)
SC2. (33c) Mema
SRC2. (33e) Shumeli

(30j) Pashaj (Unamb)+(L.Det) (LOAN) On loan at 1st Tier Pro club.
(32f) Mehmeti * (U19's)
(31j) Lange (GER) (LOAN)
(33a) Bisha. (Unamb) (SELL)
(31b) Rexhaj. (SELL)
(31p) Raba (LOAN)
(33k) Palloshi (Unamb)+(L.Det) (SELL)
(29n) Willibald (KOS)(GER) (LOAN)
(33o) Elezi (U19's)
(32o) Hasi (Unamb+L.Det) (SELL)
(32k) Shehu. (Unamb+L.Det) (SELL)
(32n) McCartan. (NIR) (SELL)
(33p) Hoxha. SELL (U19's)

Edited August 29, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Aug 2033. 

SuperLeague. We've had a great 1st month that was almost rewarded with a perfect record, but Ballkani don't know how to lose and although we kept (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) scoreless, we were unable to do the same to (28a) Mema * and it cost us 2 points. 

Europe. It was great to get our 1st European win under our belts, (and the money in the bank). 

Facilities. The new Balkan El Presidente said no, but he didn't say no because of a lack of money, (so I assume we've sorted that now), and maybe the missing thing could just be reputation, or even could just be a fickle El Presidente. Anyway, it's fine. I will ask again soon and keep asking. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Sep 2033. 

SuperLeague. A 1st half red card was the catalyst for our loss at home to Vushtrria. Not happy! Not happy at all! 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Oct 2033. 

SuperLeague. The win against Ballkani was huge and we absolutely battered them! The win is also significant in that even if they win their games in hand now, they still only go level with us and our GD is currently 7 goals better than theirs, (although at the very least theirs would improve by 2 when winning their games in hand).

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Nov 2033. 

SuperLeague. The 2nd Team with a really good win against Feronikeli 74, but we're still level on points with Ballkani if they win their games in hand. 

Kosovan Cup. The 2nd Team youngsters just weren't good enough to get the job done against a strong Prishtina outfit. I considered swapping the rotation round for this game, but in the end I chose to prioritise league games instead and I'm happy with that. 

New contract. (Another 2 year deal).

Records. Why do we always lose the next game after these? 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Transfers. Aug 2033. 

We have had so many bids for players it's starting to become annoying. 

£67,000(£125,000) for (31g) Hassoun (ISR) our WBR.
£28,000(£42,000) for striker (30i) Barrigana (POR).
£21,000(£45,000) for DC (28l) Ramadani (KOS)(ALB).
Ballkani keep bidding approx £100k for (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI), (but there is no way he's going to them).
£155,000 for MC (27b) Kapo *. He only has 12 months left on his contract now so I might actually go and sell him. 
£68,000(£125,000) for DL (31i) Dedja *.

I was determined to not sell any other 1st Team players other than (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI), so most of these sales were a cull rather than any attempt to generate income. The players needed to leave anyway. I was just getting a few quid for them. It's interesting that many of them went to other SuperLeague clubs despite the fact that I was deeming them not good enough for us. I wonder how many good players I've released by accident? 

[Edit]

It should be mentioned that most out-going transfers come with a 25% sale clause + a friendly, but I should also point out that a friendly is only worth £1k-£2k because of the attendances.

Edited August 30, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Significant contract. Jan 2034. 

I've just had this message to advise me that (30i) Barrigana (POR), (who has about 18 months remaining on his contract), is considering leaving on a free. Considering how much (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) went for £900,000(£1.8M) I really can't afford to let that happen. He wanted a lot of money in terms of contract for us, but when you consider his potential sale value, (if similar to (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI)), then it's a no brainer. In any case, £5k per month is £60k per year and over a 3 or 4 year contract that's only £240k (without bonus'), so actually it seems pretty doable. 

In the end I signed him to a 2.5 + 1 year deal on only £4,400 per month so wages of approx £185k over 3.5 years if he stays for the full term, (or £132k if we sell him with 12 months remaining on his contract which is the plan), with about £50 in bonus' over the full term of the contract. I'm happy with that. It's not a ridiculously long-term deal, but I had to bring the length down because we couldn't offer the wage he wanted. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Dec 2033. 

SuperLeague. Our winning SuperLeague run came to an end against Llapi and while I was obviously gutted, (because it handed control temporarily back to Ballkani if they won their games in hand), I was just happy not to lose in the end as we were 2-0 down and it looked like we were going to lose. As it happened, Ballkani couldn't take advantage of our slip-up and they lost their 2nd game in hand, (to Prishtina), so we're now 1 point clear at the top having played the same number of games. That point against Llapi just might be important come the end of the season. 

Facilities. Top of the table in Jan seems to be a good enough reason to ask again about our Pro status. 

Unfortunately they are now saying that we don't have enough money, so the difference between £900k and £1M might be significant. With that in mind we probably need to sell another player. Not in Jan, because it looks like we're in with a chance of our 1st SuperLeague title, but perhaps in the summer. (30i) Barrigana (POR) has just signed a new contract and (32d) Väänänen (KOS)(FIN) is on a 2.5+2 deal so not ideal to sell him either. I'm not sure I've got many players that would generate the amount of money we need. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Jan Transfer Window. Feb 2034.

We received loads of smaller bids for our young players, but nothing over £100k, (so nothing I'm interested in). 

(29n) Willibald (KOS)(GER) SELL left not because I didn't think he was good enough, (in terms of PA), but because he was unhappy. In the end I just took the money to get rid of him and stop him complaining. (Unamb) + (L.Det) again. 

Injuries. We haven't had too many big injuries in this save that I've noticed, but there are 2 that have caught my eye this season. 

(30h) Demiri * is on loan at Pro club Ulpiana in the 2nd Tier, and although he broke his leg, he's fit again now and looking forward to the 2nd half of the season. I was hoping that playing every week at a Pro club would boost his physicals, but a broken leg tends to put a halt to that. 

(31g) Hassoun (ISR) * got injured in the mid-pre-season friendly against Ballkani,  so that was really worth the £1,500 it earned us.  (He will be out for about 6 weeks, but that's about 5-6 games including possibly the next game against them which might have a huge impact on the title). I need him not only back, but also fit. Not sure that's very realistic. 

Finances. 

[oche balboa]

Loved reading all of this. Keep up the good work 

[Jimbokav1971]

Feb 2034. 

SuperLeague. We're not playing well, but we keep winning, and even when the 2nd Team can't win on their own, the 1st Team strikers are on hand to come on and win the game from the bench. Ballkani on the other hand are struggling in their easier games and have drawn 1-1 against both Malisheva & Llapi this month to give us a 5 point lead at the top going into the big head-to-head with them in our next game. As long as we don't lose I think the title is virtually ours. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

4 minutes ago, oche balboa said:

Loved reading all of this. Keep up the good work 

Cheers @oche balboaAppreciate it.  Really enjoying it at the moment.

[sherwinriga]

12 hours ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

SuperLeague. A 1st half red card was the catalyst for our loss at home to Vushtrria. Not happy! Not happy at all! 

BOO! Not a great match smh. *facepalms* Suspend that ref smh! 

Also, it's a shame that Hamra left after 10 years, but I wonder when he'll be signing a new team sooner than you think. Maybe, he wanted to play for Vushtrria. On the other hand, Vonmoos's run in your team had finally come to an end, which is heartbreak before nonetheless, he'll have his own career to prove now that he's the better man that you have groomed. 

3 hours ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

(31g) Hassoun (ISR) * got injured in the mid-pre-season friendly against Ballkani,  so that was really worth the £1,500 it earned us.  (He will be out for about 6 weeks, but that's about 5-6 games including possibly the next game against them which might have a huge impact on the title). I need him not only back, but also fit. Not sure that's very realistic. 

Wow! That was ridiculous to see him out for 6 weeks, but I hope that things will about to get even better if he wants to stay healthy soon.

Overall, it's a okay season except on that winning streak comes to an end, which is F***ING SUCKS smh, but then, again, if you can Vushtrria's ass one more time, then, use an aggressive tactic for sure!

[Jimbokav1971]

Youth Intake day. Mar 2034. 

Usually I sign everyone in the intake, (because it's so unclear as to the PA situation on day 1), but I've just had it with (Unamb)+(L.Det) players and there are 4 players in this intake that I'm not going to sign. 

(34i) Skenderi (Unamb)+(L.Det) is a DL and we have loads of them anyway. 
(34l) Zoga (Unamb)+(L.Det) is ANOTHER DL and we have loads of them anyway, (although he is either footed), but he's still not going to develop so there is no point. 
(34o) Govori (Unamb)+(L.Det) is a DR and we're ABSOLUTELY desperate for  a decent DR, (but he isn't one of them). 

The 1st 3 are all (Unamb)+(L.Det) and my thinking is that it doesn't really matter what their PA is because they're never going to develop anyway so what's the point? 

The 4th one is just (L.Det) but what the hell I'm in the mood for culling so culled he is.

(34k) Adili 5'10" is a reasonable(sih) looking centre-half. This could be a mistake but I don't care. No contract for him!. 

Everyone else will be getting a contract. 

(34a) Asani (Unamb) might be (Unamb), but thankfully his isn't also (L.Det). I'm not sure I have the bottle to cull an (a) player on Day 1.  He looks decent. 

(34b) Pasha (KOS)(ALB) is already 6'0" at 15 years old. 14 finishing and 9 composure is good with some decent physicals. 11 jumping and 11 heading, (together with 8 pace), suggest a central rather than wider role though. I like him. 

(34c) Hidri (Perfect) is indeed perfect. A thing of absolute beauty in any Youth Intake. Love the look of him. I'm pretty sure he's the best player we've produced. Fingers crossed he also has a good PA.

(34d) Xhafa (Res) looks great. I mean he looks REALLY great! Could play up front on the left, possibly even at WBL and maybe even in central midfield. I like the look of him. Just need to work out how I'm going to use him. (I love a (Res) personality too). 

(34e) Asllani is another player who appears quite versatile. Could play in midfield, could play up front in a wide position, but I think I see a WBR.  In fact I definitely see a WBR.

(34f) Ademi 6'0" looks decent and we always need centre-backs and I quite like a Fickle personality too because it turns into something decent, (can't remember what), with some relatively easy pops. He looks better the more I look at him. Turn those 9 physicals into 10 with the 9 heading and we've got ourselves a player. He's also a lefty which is great because we only have 1 lefty DC at the moment I think. 

(34g) Pettersson (KOS)(SWE)6'4 looks decent. The only thing I really don't like, (other than the communication), is (Temp) personality.

(34h) Aliu (F.Pro) looks decent and I like a (F.Pro) personality, but it's just so hard for wingers to get in this side when they're faced with such depth of strikers who dominate. I like him though. 

(34i) Skenderi (Unamb)+(L.Det) looks ok, and I quite like his attribute balance, but I'm just done with (Unamb)+(L.Det) so he's been released!  This could be a mistake but I don't think so. With our facilities and the level we play at it;s hard enough as it is to develop players without trying to do it blind-folded and with 1 arm tied behinfdyour back. 

(34j) Memaj (F.Pro) is a bit more defensive than other MC's we've seen, but I don't mind that. I also quite like his (F.Pro) and some of his 9 attributes too, (which would look great once popped to 10). First Touch, Tackling, Workrate, Acceleration & Pace. Pop them all to 10 and I think he looks like a hell of a player. 

(34k) Adili 5'10" could be a risk in terms of me releasing him. He actually looks ok, but I'm really fed up of (L.Det) players not developing and I've made my decision and he's already gone. Hopefully someone else picks him up and develops him and if I've screwed up I can always re-sign him. Released. 

(34l) Zoga (Unamb)+(L.Det) is another (Unamb)+(L.Det) and I have no qualms about releasing him even though he's a DL who could play on the right and we're on the look-out for one. This bloke is not what we're looking for. Released. 

(34m) Ajdini doesn't look great, but he has some pace. Let's hope his PA is wrong. 

(34n) Marku could possibly be turned into a WB who plays on both sides couldn't he? 

(34o) Govori (Unamb)+(L.Det) is the 4th and final player I'm not signing. Don't even look further than (Unamb)+(L.Det). Nothing else matters. Released. 

(34p) Beqiri doesn't look great, but he doesn't have to to get a contract. He just needs to not have (Unamb)+(L.Det). 

 

[Jimbokav1971]

40 minutes ago, sherwinriga said:

BOO! Not a great match smh. *facepalms* Suspend that ref smh! 

Also, it's a shame that Hamra left after 10 years, but I wonder when he'll be signing a new team sooner than you think. Maybe, he wanted to play for Vushtrria. On the other hand, Vonmoos's run in your team had finally come to an end, which is heartbreak before nonetheless, he'll have his own career to prove now that he's the better man that you have groomed. 

Wow! That was ridiculous to see him out for 6 weeks, but I hope that things will about to get even better if he wants to stay healthy soon.

Overall, it's a okay season except on that winning streak comes to an end, which is F***ING SUCKS smh, but then, again, if you can Vushtrria's ass one more time, then, use an aggressive tactic for sure!

(23) Hamra. was indeed decent for us for years, but we've been looking to replace him for a while and then suddenly we had 4-5 youngsters who were all better than him and with much more PA. He's dropped down 2 levels though. 

(31g) Hassoun (ISR) * was back fit enough to play in the Ballkani game, (but more on that in my next post). Yeah I won't be holding back against them. 

(29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) is doing fine at Ballkani. So fine in fact that he has more goals than starts, (and he's starting regularly). I just hope he doesn't score against us.....

[Jimbokav1971]

Kosovo National Team. Mar 2034. 

Until now we have only had 1 player who had been capped at Senior level by any Nation. (29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) has been capped 10 times by Kosovo, (scoring 4 goals), but is still eligible to play for Switzerland as he has until his 21st birthday to change his mind if he so wishes. 

I wasn't expecting anyone else to be called up to a Senior National side right now, so was surprised to see this. 

6 (SIX) of our Academy products are in the senior Kosovo National Team squad. 

(28a) Mema * is one of my favourite players to come through the Academy, but unfortunately he came through when we were effectively too small for him and he soon moved on to Ballkani, (on a free). He scored a whopping 16 league goals for Ballkani last season from central midfield, (although they play with 2 players behind a single striker so it's likely he's one of those 2). He's brilliant and I would love to see him move to one of the big leagues while he's still young enough to have another development spurt. He has already been capped and I had missed that. 

(29a) Vonmoos (KOS)(SUI) we all know about. He has 11 goals in 8(3) SuperLeague appearances this season so he's doing ok. 

(29l) Imeri 6'2" was our best centre-half when he left.

(31f) Shabani 5'11" * plays in the centre of our 3 at the back as a Libero. I'm astonished he has been called up. 

(31i) Dedja * is a player I really like, but there was a DL that we lost to Ballkan before on a free,  (29m) Dauti *, who I expected to be ahead of him in the pecking order. He was VERY good when he left. I'm surprised he's not in the NT ahead of him, Actually I've just had a look and while he's still at Ballkani and playing regularly, his contract is running out and I can approach on a free.  Maybe he can play right back? 

(32c) Nurmi (KOS)(FIN) 5'11" * is great for us, but surely there are better players than him available? 

[Jimbokav1971]

Mar 2034. 

SuperLeague. I'm gutted to report that we came up short against Ballkani in our head-to-head this month. We were the better side but a 53rd min red card, (2nd yellow), hurt us, but not nearly as much as the 76th min penalty that was awarded against us for the only goals of the game. Despite them being awarded a penalty, we still won the xG battle. That shows you how dominant we were. Still, it's not all bad news as although Ballkani beat us, they also dropped points themselves as they drew away to Trepça '89, meaning that we're still 4 points clear with 8 games still to play, so even if Ballkani beat us again in our last fixture against them, (at the end of next month), then assuming we don't drop any other points.... we will be Champions. Sounds easy doesn't it. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Apr 2034. 

SuperLeague. Victory in the last game of the month against Ballkani means that we're 7 points ahead with just 3 games to play. If we win any of our remaining 3 games then we will be crowned Champions for the 1st time in our history, (while still a Semi-Pro club, in a league full of Pro clubs). It will also give us access to the Champions league rather than the Europa Conference, and the riches that, (I hope), come with that. 

Records.

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

May 2034. 

SuperLeague. This really is a big deal. We're the only Semi-Pro club playing in the Superleague and we've only gone and won it!  

U19's. I don't usually bother reporting on the U19's because all the best players are playing for the 1st Team anyway, but a 3-way tie for the league title decided on goal difference, (which of course we won), seemed worthy of a mention. 

ICON. 

Hall of Fame. 

Records.

Finances.   

Edited August 31, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

End of Season. Jun 2034. 

Final SuperLeague Table. No surprises that the SuperLeague side once again triumphs over the First League side in the Playoffs.

Squad by Appearances.

Squad by Goals. 

Squad by Assists. 

Squad by Avg Rating. 

Squad by valuation.

[Jimbokav1971]

Internationals. Jun 2034.

Main. 

U21.

U19.

U18.

Academy players in Kosovo National Squad. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2034. 

GK. 

(32g) Kadriu 6'1" * (1st Team)
(33h) Jeaneret 6'0"(KOS)(SUI)* (U19's)
(34g) Pettersson (KOS)(SWE) * (U19's)
(31l) Gashi 6'1" * (SELL)
(28p) Krasniqi. 6'0" (SELL)

DL. 

(31i) Dedja * (1st Team)
(33d) Jonuz WBL * (2nd Team)
(33b) Rexho (LOAN)
(32b) Hoxha (LOAN)
(32m) Çela (LOAN)

DR.

(31g) Hassoun (ISR) * (1st Team)
(34e) Asllani WBR (2nd Team) He's actually a MC being retrained so doesn't appear on this list yet. 
(31d) Marchhart (AUT) (LOAN)
(32j) Mazreku (U19's)

DC.

DLC1. (28l) Ramadani (KOS)(ALB) 
DC1. (31f) Shabani 5'11" *
DRC1. (32c) Nurmi (KOS)(FIN) 5'11" *

DLC2. (34f) Ademi 6'0"
DC2. (33j) Sulejmani 6'5" (Merc) *
DRC2. (32e) Vlcek (SVK) 6'5" *

(32i) Skenderi (L.Det) * (LOAN)
(33i) Feicht DC (KOS)(AUT) (U19's)
(30d) Cani 6'0" (SELL)
(33n) Kasemi 5'10" (SELL)

MC.

MLC1. (27b) Kapo * 
MLC2. (34c) Hidri (Perfect)

MLC2. (34d) Xhafa (Res)
MRC2. (31k) Shehi *

(26n) Gjuzi (SELL)
(34j) Memaj (F.Pro) * (U19's)
(30h) Demiri * (LOAN)
(30g) Hajdari MC * (LOAN)
(33g) Vesterbekmo (KOS)(NOR) * (U19's)
(30o) Jashanica (LOAN)
(30k) Fejzulla (Temp) (LOAN)
(34p) Beqiri. (SELL)

SC.

SLC1. (31h) Capi *
SC1. (30i) Barrigana (POR) *
SRC1. (32d) Väänänen (KOS)(FIN) *

SLC2. (33e) Shumeli *
SC2. (33c) Mema *
SRC2. (33f) Fahrni (KOS)(SUI) *

(31j) Lange (GER) * (LOAN)
(34b) Pasha (KOS)(ALB) (U19's)
(32f) Mehmeti * (U19's) (LOAN)
(30j) Pashaj (Unamb)+(L.Det) (SELL)
(34a) Asani (Unamb) (U19's)
(31p) Raba (LOAN)
(34h) Aliu (F.Pro) (U19's)
(31b) Rexhaj. (SELL)
(33o) Elezi * (U19's)
(34n) Marku (U19's)
(34m) Ajdini (U19's)
(32k) Shehu. (Unamb+L.Det) (SELL)
(32n) McCartan. (NIR) (SELL)
(33p) Hoxha. (SELL)

1st Team.

2nd Team.

[Jimbokav1971]

Reputation. Jun 2034.

4362 Ballkani
3369 Prishtina
3367 Shkëndija

[Rikulec]

Things are coming along nicely with the league title and the players getting senior call-ups! The overall quality seems to have improved a lot as well.

[Jimbokav1971]

International Job Offer. Aug 2034.

This is a really interesting offer. It's not something that I would usually do, but I'm seriously considering it......

[Jimbokav1971]

Unusual transfer bid. Sep 2034.

AC Milan in for a player, but wanting to pay a pittance for him. 

[Edit]

And now Inter are in for him too, but again a really low bid. 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Jul 2034. 

Champions League Champions Path First Qualifying Round 1st Leg. 

Champions League Champions Path First Qualifying Round 2nd Leg. 

Champions League Champions Path Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg. 

Champions League Champions Path Second Qualifying Round 2nd Leg. 

Champions League Champions Path Third Qualifying Round 1st Leg. 

Champions League Champions Path Third Qualifying Round 2nd Leg. 

Champions League Champions Path Third Qualifying Round 2nd Leg. 

Records. 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Aug 2034. 

Kosovan Super Cup. Nice to win this at the 1st attempt and it's an unusually modern looking trophy too. Can't decide if I really like it or absolutely hate it. 

SuperLeague. Considering we have also been playing in Europa, this is a pretty impressive start to the season. 

Records. 

Facilities. 

Finances. 

[Edit]

The month as a whole looked like this. That's a lot of games for a Semi-Pro club playing against FT Pro clubs and the most pleasing aspect isn't the wins in Europe, (although that's amazing), or even winning the Kosovan Supercup, (also amazing), but the fact that when I stuck the real young kids in for the 2 SuperLeague games, they were able to do the business without needing the help of the 1st Team. That really is progress. 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

1 hour ago, Rikulec said:

Things are coming along nicely with the league title and the players getting senior call-ups! The overall quality seems to have improved a lot as well.

The Kosovo NT job, (that I almost took), Champions League qualification, more money than I thought possible at this stage of a save like this, 3 more facility upgrades and bids received from 2 Italian Giants. Yeah, it's been an interesting few months. 

[Vakama2619]

[oche balboa]

Congratulations on getting to the Champions League. Enjoy the experience, Maybe you can use the money to be closer to the best academy in the world 

[Jimbokav1971]

6 hours ago, Vakama2619 said:

I was hoping to get through the 1st Round, (especially when I saw it was Dinamo Tblisi because we lost to them on pens 2 years ago and we're a better team now). Then I was hoping to get through the 2nd Round, (Bate Borisov and we went from losing 3-2 with 2 mins to go to winning 5-3 and it just set us up for the 2nd leg). Then in the 3rd round we got lucky with the draw and played Qairat (who were rubbish). By the time the 4th Round & Maribor came along, (and I knew we were guaranteed European Group Football one way or the other), I didn't think we had a chance but I also didn't care if we won, lost or drew. I didn't think we had a chance, but the hardest thing about the 1st couple of round is the lack of match practice. By the time we were playing Maribor for the 1st time we had already played 10 games so the team were in top condition. The rest as they say is history. 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

56 minutes ago, oche balboa said:

Congratulations on getting to the Champions League. Enjoy the experience, Maybe you can use the money to be closer to the best academy in the world 

I don't know about best Academy in the World. I'm sure as hell enjoying being by far the best Academy in Kosovo though.