anagain

Internationals Roundup Artur Horvath and Adam Miknyoczki got minutes for Hungary U21s in their 0-1 defeat to Bosnia. Not much special for either player but Miknyoczki had a good 24 minutes. A few days later and Nathaniel Alomani got 11 minutes as HUngary U19s drew 2-2 in Poland. Transfers and Contracts News of two contract renewals. Adam Vidnyanszky was attracting interest from elsewhere so I has very happy to tie this promising youngster down to a three year deal. I also managed to tie Szabolcs Mezei down to a nother three years. THat will hopefully put paid to Ekstraklasa clubs putting in cheap bids for Szabs. I have also procured the signing of a youngster from third tier Jaszberenyi. Gabor Kurunczi is someone I feel could be a promising defensive midfielder. Gabor won't join until the new year transfer window though. I may have paid over the odds. Reserves and U19s MTK II - Merkantil Bank Liga Our second team have not had a great start to the season, winning just two games out of six, and losing three. Daniel Zsori has been the star performer so far with two goals. I must mention Gergo Szoke, who has shown himself well in his three Merkantil Bank Liga matches. I am not sure it is just coincidence that in the matches lost Szoke was not playing. MTK U19s - Hungarian U19 National League Seeded Group In contrast, our U19s team have had a fantastic unbeaten start to their first three games. Norbert Racz has been a star performer with three goals. Mate Fellner has also had a great start to his MTK career in central defence. Monday 11th September 2023 The day after the weekend before... That's a bit of a pathetic film title but it might describe a weekend with my parents staying over. To be honest though, they were calmer than I expected. They are well and truly in love again though. I am sick of having to hide my face as they have what Rosina calls a 'make out session' in the street. In the middle of a packed Budapest, no less. Tourists. Locals. They all had to put up with my parents mid-60s loving. All that heavy panting will give them a stroke, the amount my parents smoke and drink. Rosina thinks it delightful. Pandora is happy for them. I wanted to vomit. I am sure they were making love in the spare room they shared, too. Those noises were not my father's snoring. Father was definitely smoking in there. When I told him to please smoke on the balcony my mother said, "oh Anton, you snob". Is it really snobbery to want one's lungs to not be clogged up with tar? I wish they had shown this much togetherness when I was growing up tormented by their infidelities. I was a laughing stock for all the times I became the child of a single parent. We had our good moments too. We enjoyed what was a very pleasant family meal at a local restaraunt on Saturday evening and had a nice relaxing day slowly wandering Budapest on Sunday. I saw a different side to Rosina than I usually see. Her and father really have become close. He is so proud of her designs. It's nice to see...but don't tell him I said so. I need a lie down...again. Back to proper training tomorrow. Game Sunday. International Roundup, Part 2 Nathaniel Alomani got 71 minutes as Hungary U19s beat Czech Republic 2-1. Artur Horvath and Adam Miknyoczki got some time on the pitch as Hungary U21s lost to Poland. OTP Bank Liga Matchday 4 Preview Debrecen find themselves in 8th place at this very early stage of the league. They beat Haladas but lost to Ferencvaros and Mezokovesd. We can expect an aggressive game from Debrecen. They'll get stuck in and we'll have to compete. I want to see better finishing than against Kisvarda too, something that might be a challenge with ex-Hungary international Balasz Megyeri in goal (all be it just one cap). Last time we played Debrecen was a 3-0 win in the quarter final of the cup last year. I am sure it won't be that easy. OTP Bank Liga - Matchday 4 - Debrenceni Vasutas Sport Club vs MTK Budapest FC Three changes for MTK today. Kovacsreti is preferred to Stieber. Medeiros comes in for Mezei. Szalai replaces Nagy. 6 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 0-1 MTK Janos Szepe Szepe rises first to meet Matyas Kovacs' corner and it's the opener for MTK. 10 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 0-2 MTK Krisztian Nemeth Szepe wins the long Debrecen ball out of defence and it's picked up by Szabo. A quick ball through the defence finds Nemeth beating the offside trap and the MTK goal-machine beats the keeper to make it two goals for MTK in the first ten minutes. What a start! 16 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 0-3 MTK Balint Szabo Schlax gives the ball straight to Szabo and the midfielder cuts inside and fires a shot from the edge of the D. The keeper can't get to it and the ball nestles in the net for three to MTK. They are tearing Debrecen apart and there are boos around the ground. 42 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 0-4 MTK Mark Kovacsreti It's four for MTK. Kovacsreti is the goal scorer but what a ball from Fernando Medeiros. A reverse sweep that landed perfectly in the path of the inside forward. He couldn't miss, and that's his first of the season. 42 mins: ❌OFFSIDE! The goal has been disallowed though. Offside apparently, and VAR shows the decision to be correct. That wonderful pass has been lost to history. Correction: Debrecen 0-3 MTK HT: Debrecen 0-3 MTK MTK have been absolutely superb. They have been first to every ball, creative in attack and have finished superbly. They deserve their lead. Debrecen have been woeful. 45 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 1-3 MTK Alexandros Kyziridis It's MTK that give the ball away this time. Sinan Medgyes loses possession in the middle of the park, a quick pass out to Kyziridis and he fires in a wonderful shot that gives Somodi no chance. Kyziridis only came on at half time. Game on? 52 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 1-4 MTK Fernando Medeiro It was game on. Fantastic play down the right by Adam Miknyoczki and he gets in a wonderful cross that is met by the head of the Brazilian and the ball powers in to the back of the net. This is some game today. 93 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Debrecen 1-5 MTK Balint Szabo It's five! Kovacsreti battles to keep the ball on the right of the box and finds Nemeth with a quick ball. The striker's shot hits a defender and falls kindly for Balint Szabo to slot home and complete a brace. FT: Debrecen 1-5 MTK Well, I never saw that coming. We blew Debrecen away in the first half. When their goal went in right after the break I must admit I started to worry, but I told the team to focus and they did so. We were just so deadly in attack, but when we were threatened, first Kongolo and then Szepe were there to stunt Debrecen. MTK Player of the Match: Balint Szabo. Who else? Balint was magnificent today, involved in almost everything. He also scored twice. The media have given Balint 10 out of 10! Haladas seem to have peaked first game. ZTE moved up the table on Friday after thrashing the newly promoted side 4-1. On Saturday the two favourites battled out a 1-1 draw that saw Ferencvaros lose their 100% record. Puskas Akademia ended the weekend in third after dispatching of the poor starting Fehervar. Sunday 17th September 2023 I really didn't see that result coming. We destroyed Debrecen with some sublime football. If we can keep up football like that then we'll be fine at this level. I have some news that I knew about before the game but will chose now to divulge to you, dear diary. My parents are getting married. They told me on the phone Saturday afternoon. I had not long been home from an early finishing training session and was getting ready to prepare a meal before sitting down to watch Honved at Mezokovesd (Mezokovesd being our next opponents that were on the telly) on the box. "We're getting married, me and your father." My mother told me. Bluntly, as if I'd protest. "You're already married," I told her. "You may both have been around the block more times than a randy lion, but you never divorced." My mother told me to watch how I speak to my elders and that they wanted to seal their love and put an end to years of doubt between them. "It was your father's idea," she said, sounding horrifyingly enamoured. "He proposed Saturday night in your flat. It was very romantic." "Yes, I heard you. I am sure it will make airing the stench of cigarette smoke more bearable. Oh, and apartment. It's an apartment, not a flat." "Oh, you are a snob, Anton? Can't you be happy for your folks?" "Oh, I am, mother. If it makes you happy, then I'm happy. Does Pandora have to buy a hat?" My mother sounded appeased at that. I think love has coddled her brains. "We have set a date for November. 18th. We checked the schedules and I think you have a free weekend. So no excuses." She really was insinuating I'd avoid going. "Maybe you could ask Pandora to marry you and we can make it a double celebration." "Oh, Pandora doesn't do marriage, mother. She's a strong, independent woman. We are more than happy, and, besides, if Pandora were to marry me we'd need to book St Stephen's Basilica to make her happy. I'd want to, too." Mother told me I was a romantic at heart then and that Pandora must be swooning in the background. I said, "no, just a realist. I am happy for you really, mother. Just tell father he better get a nice suit. And Pandora is politicking, mother. She often is. She'll be home soon." "He wants you to pay for the suit now you're loaded." Yeah, right. I swear they're going senile...

Friday 1 September 2023 So we will be playing Milan. At the San Siro. This tops the Liverpool game simply because it will be a competitive fixture. Milan are 9th in Serie A but there's only been one game. They drew that 1-1 with Genoa. Last season they finished 7th. This is a MIlan a bit down on their luck after winning Serie A the season before that. They have Zlatan still, although he hasn't played yet this season. Even playing a 41 year old Zlatan should be a highlight for my players. I write this on my phone again. We're flying home to Budapest in that jet. A game in two days. Back down to earth for the Hungarian league. Our first European game is three weeks. Dnipro. OTP Bank Liga Matchday 3 Preview Kisvarda are 8th in the league, with a draw and a win. My scouts tell me they are a very organised team with a very high workrate. Kisvarda are also physical with a strong defence. Kisvarda may not be the most attacking team in this league but they finished second last season, scoring only 40 goals. They conceded just 22 goals last season. This is a team we will have to take our chances against, and be wary of a counter. OTP Bank Liga Matchday 3 - Kisvarda FC vs MTK Budapest FC Two changes for MTK from the side that drew with Partizan. Out go Varju and Bognar. In come Miknyoczki and Stieber. We asked Nagain what he was expecting from a game just a few days on from such an important match. "We know Kisvarda are a good side and they are very strong defensively. We need to take our chances today." HT: Kisvarda 0-0 MTK A game of few chances really. 73 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Kisvarda 1-0 MTK Driton Camaj A ball over the top finds the MTK defence wanting and Camaj runs in on goal for an easy finish. VAR checks and finds it onside. FT: Kisvarda 1-0 MTK I said before the game that we had to take our chances against Kisvarda. We didn't today and a our opponents hit us on the counter. MTK Player of the Match: Rodney Kongolo put in a lot of work today and broke up plenty of Kisvarda play. That gave us a chance to break, but it's just a shame we couldn't find the net. Only three games in the OTP Liga this weekend, and a win for Ferencvaros to remain the only unbeaten side. Sunday 3rd September 2023 Well, that was down to earth with a bump. A loud, thudding bump. Okay, maybe I am a bit harsh but we were shown we have to take our chances at this level. Kisvarda had one good chance and they scored. My life comes down to earth with a bump now. Remember, I invited my parents to come stay. They're spending the weekend. No first team football this coming weekend. Four full days to warn the neighbourhood.

That just happened. Went to my news box one day and it said we had a new partnership with Villa. And, for what it's worth, MTK Budapest have an affiliation with Liverpool, both in and out of FM. In FM it is represented as allowing MTK academy players (future newgens) to train at Liverpool's academy. I'll then get a better newgen. I haven't seen it yet and don't even know if the game tells me. So probably not unrealistic to have Villa as a senior affiliate. Unless that was a fan (either of or against Villa) joke and I missed it.

Thanks guys. Yeah, draw was tough but a trip to Milan will be fun. It has since occurred to me the draw wouldn't have been in Seville - where the final is to take place. I think they actually hold all the draws together at UEFA. Nevermind.

The Budapest Boys European Tour, Part 6 and Transfer Deadline Day European Matchday 6 Preview Transfer News I am getting bids for young players from Nemzeti Bajnoksag teams. Robert Guth has come on in leaps and bounds but I see no reason to send him to a tier three side when he can play for MTK II in the Merkantil. Our second team are not performing well either. I would like to inject some more talent in to what is a very young squad. International Call-ups European Matchday 6 - UEFA Europa Conference League - League Path Fourth Qualifying Round - FK Partizan Beograd vs MTK Budapest They could have timed this better. Today, we play a fixture in Belgrade and it is transfer deadline day. I have left instructions with my backroom team and I have my eye on some youngsters to boost MTK II. Any incoming bids and I will get a call. I am hotline 001. It's a concrete shell with a raucous atmosphere inside... MTK are lining up today in a slightly altered formation with more focus on keeping a clean sheet than usual. Varju and Ismaljgeci are the full backs, with a much more cautious approach. Bognar replaces Stieber to provide some creativity in the middle of the park. Szabo moves back out wide right, with instructions to get forward and support a Nemeth tracking back. We asked Nagain why he was favouring a more safety first approach today. "The goal here is to go through. We have a two goal advantage and we can maintain that with a good solid display." KO: With the rain teaming down Partizan kick off. There is quite an atmosphere in here. So much noise from the Partizan fans. Can MTK shock them? 8 mins: A good save from Varga. MTK are under a bit of pressure. HT: Partizan 0-0 MTK Partizan have had a great deal of the ball but MTK have remained firm at the back. Just 45 minutes to hold out. 45 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Partizan 0-1 MTK Krisztian Nemeth A breakaway goal for MTK, right at the start of the half. Matyas Kovacs wins the ball and threads it through the middle for Nemeth to run on to. The experienced forward holds his nerve and puts MTK in a surely commanding position. That silenced the arena. 62 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Partizan 1-1 MTK Ricardo Gomes A lifeline for MTK. A desperate ball over the top which Ricardo Gomes plays out wide to Zivkovic before remaining in the box to meet the wideman's cross. Good play from Ricardo Gomes. Concentrate, MTK. 91 mins: Partizan have a late goal disallowed for offside. Watching Nagain on the touchline it is clear he knew that was offside. His arms went up immediately. So close now. FT: Partizan 1-1 MTK MTK have done it! They've reached the group stage! Players are on their backs. They have worked so hard today but Partizan will be a little disappointed they didn't test MTK a bit more. Nagain looks jubilant. He's on his knees. Wonderful... We're in the group stage. We only went and did it. Group stage of a major continental competition. Some might say we were fortunate with the draw. The toughest team we faced were Partizan and the difference between us was marginal. Partizan's annual salary is £2.94m, ours is £2.48m. The draw is tomorrow...and the boss has got me a flight, along with my assistant, to Seville. MTK Player of the Match: Today's award goes to Rodney Kongolo. He was great today. Closed down everything, got tackles in and was assured in possession. You could tell how hard Rodney worked at the end, he was exhausted. Thursday 31st August 2023 I am sat on a plane, somewhere over Europe. My phone is in hand and my assistant's is too. I'm jotting this note down on my phone. I'll transfer it to dear diary later but making these observations on the spur of the moment was essential. I wanted to record this momentous moment in my football manager career for posterity. It turns out it's a private jet. Possibly the club owner's. Domestic flights would have gotten us to Seville just about in time for the final...in May! I love my club. We're in the group stage. I am going to be so knackered tomorrow evening. I might get some sleep later. I might get a chance to do the draw and the deadline day later this week... Nah! I'm doing it now. It's 7am! Weird sleeping hours are my norm. I couldn't leave this till my next play session if I was having a coronary. Dead (pardon the pun) excited to see who we get. But first... Transfer Deadline Day I had a couple of deals I wanted to try and push through but, what with the craziness in Belgrade, they got left a little too late. A few MTK players departed on loan. MTK Transfer - Summer Window We have spent £640k and received £81.75k. I am happy with the window though. Final MTK Squad August Performance Review B-? I just got you £2.5m, you ungrateful urchins... UEFA Europa Conference League Group Stage Draw - Seville, Friday 1st September 2023 A tired looking Anton Nagain in the seating... Well said, Zalan! I love these draws. SI have done a great job. Seeds B or H would maybe be easiest so far. A, C or G would be an experience. San Siro? Third teams done. Our turn next. San Siro it is then. For confirmation. Bring it on! I'll leave it there. This post is long. I enjoyed that. Random fan alert...

Yeah, I don't mean so much how many loans you can have. That is usually league/FIFA rules. It's the ease of getting good players at smaller teams. Ramsey is a good player for the Hungarian league and could battle to start week in, week out. He spent the last two seasons on loan in first League 1 and then the CH. CH has a better reputation than the Hungarian top league. It would be a step down for Ramsey (though I reiterate I never found out if he'd accept). I'd be surprised if Villa would want a player of his promise to play in a league like Hungary when he could play in the very competitive CH. Especially for no money. The affiliate link is probably a big deal here though. I just think it's an interesting discussion to debate what is realistic and what not.

The Budapest Boys European Tour, Part 5 Friday 18th August 2023 It's been a day to let it sink in but we're through another round in Europe. The board just wanted us to be competitive but we're doing great. We're south, across the border, to Belgrade next. I've never actually been to Serbia despite it's closeness. Despite being born in Slovenia, Pandora is actually Hungarian and the family were living back in Debrecen at the time of the ten-day war when Slovenia declared its independence and the former Yugoslavia invaded. Her father had left his job in shipping, that took him to Koper, and had entered the big world of high management at a transport company. This is the job that made him wealthy, available to glamorous women and accepted by his wife, whatever he did...because he could give her a good life. Pandora thinks her father is a playboy, but she has done pretty well out of his good job too. If I suggest that her mother probably has had extra-marital relationships as well I get a sour look. My Pandora, always forgives the lady. Talking of being promiscuous, Rosina moves in this weekend. I am ready for noise and disruption. I have posted a list of rules on the door of her new room. It is much the same as the list I presented to her when my family visited. The one they pretty much ignored. 1. No boys, 2. No noise, 3. Smoke on the balcony, 4. The skimpiest clothes must not be hung on the balcony. I don't want people thinking my Pandora is a tramp!, 5. Do your homework. I'm assuming she'll have some, 6. If father phones the landline he pays...not me, 7. Under no circumstances are there to be drunken parties. I suspect noise rules covered this but I have to be sure. I stopped there because Pandora was tutting as I wrote the rules. I'm a respectful, intellectual and prominently European football manager. I will not have my sister bringing my name in to the gutter with sex, scandal and disrupting the cultural hub of Budapest. Not my apartment, the district. Though I am cultural. I love my sister...but rules are necessary in life. Pandora says I'm a snob. European Matchday 5 Preview Thankfully my scouts, and board, realised Belgrade is quite near and got a decent scout report this time. They tell me Partizan play a very deep game with wing backs and they do well against other wing back/three-at-the-back formations. Partizan are vulnerable against my favoured 4-2-3-1 and I suspect that is the way to go. We shall have to pay particular attention to Ricardo Gomes, up front, as he leads the competition for goals. Partizan are good passers but what they may lack is creativity. Stay solid and I would say we have a good chance of a positive result. I am still very unsure about this one though. Our clubs are at a very similar level. OTP Bank Liga Update Some matches were played in domestic football this weekend. We lose top spot...for now. A dominant win for ZTE takes them top. Sunday 20th August 2023 I am a nervous wreck. Rosina is here. I pointed out the list and she burnt it with her cigarette lighter before going out on the balcony, lighting up a cigarette and holding a skimpy pair of pants to the window. Pandora laughed and this time it was I who scowled. Rosina arrived lunchtime yesterday, phoned father, on my phone, to let him know she was safe and took Pandora out that evening. I said I had gameplans to do and stayed at home and watched Carrie, as it was on telly. The new one, with hitgirl. You know...her. Now I'm banning pig's blood. I came home from a Sunday morning trip to my office to find Rosina and Pandora discussing their night out. Pandora got a kiss! She swears she never asked for it and never returned it, but the guy thought she was about 25! As if. I said nothing. I saw some of Rosina's clothing designs. That's what she does, apparently. She wants to be a fashion designer. I told her they were very good, not that I know anything about fashion. Pandora laughed and said "too right." Rosina gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, "I know you love me, big brother, but you do need to live a little." Was there a compliment and a rebuke in there? Rosina smiled and said, "I love you too, big brother. I'll be good." Bonus! We earn £615k for doing absolutely nothing. Thank you, Saudi Arabia. Oh, to have a player like Szoboszlai here. and...Norwich are not as generous. European Matchday 4 - UEFA Europa Conference League - League Path Fourth Qualifying Round - MTK Budapest FC vs FK Partizan Beograd MTK set up with the same team as that which faced Dila Gori a week ago. We asked Nagain for his reasons. "We were brilliant against Dila Gori. Why change a winning side...a side that looked terrific in attack?" We then asked why there was no Horvath. Was he not back training? "Artur is doing basic training but he is not ready for the rigours of a full match. He may be on the bench at the weekend. More likely next week. Artur is in the squad as an U21." 4 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 1-0 Partizan Balint Szabo Great play from Miknyoczki to loft a ball in to the area for Szabo to latch on to. Markovic should do better but he dwells on the ball and allows Szabo to get a foot in and prod the ball home. HT: MTK 1-0 Partizan It's been a rather even game, with both sides showing some attacking promise. MTK have possibly made the better chances but Szepe and Nagy have been excellent at the back to defy Partizan. 65 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 2-0 Partizan Balint Szabo Second goal of the game for Szabo. Great play from substitute Matyas Kovacs as he bursts in to the box and plays the perfect ball to the head of Szabo. FT: MTK 2-0 Partizan What a performance. We were simply sublime today, from defence to up front. We hit the woodwork no less than three times - or so I was told when interviewed by Hungarian TV - so it's a little disappointing that it couldn't be better than 2-0. Partizan had their chances too though, and Bence Varga made an outstanding save right near the end. MTK Player of the Match: I can only give this award to Balint Szabo for his double today. Balint was everywhere. Partizan couldn't handle him and he is fast becoming by far my best signing. Possibly one of the best signings I've ever made in FM, if he keeps this up. We have a league match in a few days time and I think changs will be in order. Right now this European competition is more important to me. We can afford to lose one league match and the money, should we make the group stage will be more than worth it. Expect wholesale changes. A chance for the fringe players to shine? Selected Ties Review Wolves are one of the biggest clubs in the competition but they couldn't get past plucky Flora, of Estonian. They were held to a 2-2 draw and had to be rescued by Traore late on. Lyon were a little better off but conceded twice to Motherwell in France. There was less drama for MIlan and Basel who both won 2-0, against Vojvodina and Vorskla. In an all Benelux tie, Nijmegen were unable to get a result against Standard. Our partners have it all to do in the away leg. Final Signing...Probably We have signed a Brazilian. Fernando Medeiros was on trial here in pre season and he impressed me enough that really considered signing him. I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted another midfielder or a forward player, but with Szoke and Kosznovszky probably headed out on loan I decided to take the plunge. Fernando is a well rounded and a little more defensive minded midfielder with possibly more creativity than my ball winners in the squad. Fernando likes to get forward and favours a segundo volante role. He will be direct competition for Horvath and Mezei. Fernando joins us on a free after leaving Albanian club, KF Egnatia. OTP Liga Matchday 2 Preview Fehervar have had a mixed start to the campaign, losing to Haladas but then beating Ujpest. The league's second favourites will be tough opposition. Playing an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, Fehervar rely on good movement to make it hard for their opponents to defend against them. Good finishing means they'll take chances presented to them. This isn't a match I reallye xpected to win at the start of the season. As I said above, I may pick a side that allows me to rest players for the crucial cup tie in Belgrade. OTP Bank Liga - Matchday 2 - MTK Budapest FC vs MOL Féhérvar FC Nagain was true to his word in match previews for this Fehervar tie and has made sweeping changes to the MTK lineup. IN come Somodi, Varju, Szalai, Zeke, Ismaljgeci, Fernando Medeiros (debut), Kovacsreti, Bognar and Matyas Kovacs. Only Nemeth and Miknyoczki remain from the Partizan tie. Of course, we asked Nagain if he was still confident. "I believe in all the players at this club. There is no reason why we can't take the game to Fehervar. They have had a mixed start to their campaign." 4 mins: MTK have a Nemeth effort cleared off the line. 33 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 1-0 Fehervar Fernando Medeiros The Brazilian scores on his MTK debut. It has been end to end but MTK get the breakthrough as Medeiros bursts in to area to fire home the lose ball following Miknyoczki's deep ball in to the box. 38 mins: ❕ PENALTY? Istvan Bognar is felled in the area and the referee points to the spot. It will be checked by VAR...and the decision is...spotkick! 38 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 2-0 Fehervar Krisztian Nemeth A two goal blast from the Buapestians. Nemeth steps up and confidently converts. This team is giving Nagain something to think about. 41mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 3-0 Fehervar Matyas Kovacs It's three! A lofted ball in to the area is laid off by Nemeth and Matyas Kovacs fires home spectacularly. Is there no stopping this MTK team? HT: MTK 3-0 Fehervar MTK have blown Fehervar away with a ferocious display in the first half. Szabolcs Huszti will not be happy with how his team have performed. 75 mins: ❕ PENALTY? The ball hits a Fehervar hand in the box and the ref signals a penalty. VAR are checking...and they agree with the man in the middle. It's a penalty for MTK. Nemeth is off the field, so who will take? 75 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 4-0 Fehervar Istvan Bognar It's Bognar...and he puts it in the bottom right corner. What a team performance. FT: MTK 4-0 Fehervar Wow! Well, what can I say about that? We utterly dominated Fehervar. The match was more even early and Somodi made a great save to deny Fehervar before the goals started flying in. I changed the whole team and we still put in a team performance like that. I am so proud of my boys. MTK Player of the Match: Okay, so Krisztian Nemeth was the media player of the match today, for his work rate, an assist and the penalty. I was very impressed with Fernando Medeiros today though. Debuts are never easy but Fenando scored and was always on hand to make a pass or stop a potential Fehervar attack. He is my choice. OTP Bank Liga Weekend Review Dominant wins for MTK, Ferencvaros and Mezokovezd to maintain their 100% records and keep them battling for top spot. Puskas Akademia got the best result of the weekend, thrashing former 100%ers ZTE 5-1. Jakub Plšek got a hattrick for the academy side. It is not a good start for Ujpest. They have failed to get off the mark so far. Let's have a look at salaries. I thought we'd be a little lower. I've said it before, but MTK should never be a second tier club. Sunday 27th August 2023 What a few days! We put in a great performance against Partizan, and are in control going in to the away leg in Belgrade this week coming. I change the whole team and we destroy Fehervar 4-0!! If we make the group stage in Europe then I can surely officially class myself as a good manager? Does the fact we didn't win the Merkantil last season hold me back? One has to be proud of oneself as a football manager. An ego is a valuable tool in this game. On the home front, Rosina has actually been quiet. Her and Pandora have become good friends, and I am happy for them both. I can see a new light in Pandora. My love adores hr job but I sometimes think that being the significant other of an intelelctual, a football manager and a cultured individual can put a strain on her. It's good to see her smiling at meal times. Would you believe it? Rosina can cook. She told me she's been cooking for father for years now. Go figure. Talking of fathers, mine phoned. He misses his daughter and wanted to know how she was. She was out at the time. Meeting some new friends at a local bar. "Give her chance to get settled," I told him. "Rosina is exploring a new world and a new way of life. I'm sure she misses you too. Come up and see us in a couple of weeks. I believe we have a free weekend, for internationals." He said he and mother would and I sensed a gladness in my father. I also sensed a questioning of me inviting them to stay. I can be nice. Even football managers can care for their parents. Even with all that weight on their shoulders. It is going to be one hell of a week. Partizan Thursday. Transfer Deadline Day Friday (or Thursday - I never can tell for sure on the window - does it close Thursday going in to Friday or Friday late?). Kisvarda Sunday.

Viva España!

I agree, but I don't dislike the game by any stretch of the imagination. I know you're not accusing me, but just thought I'd say that. Yes, there will always be someone not happy if it's too hard to acquire players. This is one occaison when I find myself wondering if some of the suggestions for difficulty levels could be implemented. Levels that make it harder to sign players...somehow. Not sure how feasible it is as an idea. This is my thought, regarding Ramsey. I guess FM has to be 'a game'. I'm coming back to the difficulty level thing again. I guess this is two areas in which my own self control has to be utilised. I pretty much chose to not sign Ramsey already. I think asking myself 'would this be a realistic transfer' is a way I can go to satisfy doubts.

The Budapest Boys European Tour, Part 4 Returning back home, it's time for the home leg. I thought my scouts might be able to tell me more about Dila Gori now but they returned the same scout report upon our team previews for the match. Dila Gori weren't great though, and I believe that real pressure in the home leg will see our Georgian opponents off and we can advance to play Laci or Partizan. The media, fans and pundits still aren't too sure though. But first, I did cut the last round short. Don't work nights, kids. It's not so bad when you're young, but really hits me these days. Not that I'm geriatric! So here is a little run down of the first legs. Other than us, the last Hungarian side left in the competition is Puskas Akademia. They face Motherwell in this round and lost an entertaining game 2-3 at the MOL Arena in Szekesfehervar. Koper may have progressed a step too far, losing their first leg 0-2 in Sofia. Nijmegen negotiated a banana skin in Ireland with another late Monschein goal. Laci have the edge in the tie to decide our next opponents, should we beat Dila Gori. Laci have to travel to Belgrade though. ~~~ He should be fine for the tie, but I may give Nagy a run out. The fans were clamouring for it. European Matchday 4 - UEFA Europa Conference League - League Path Third Qalifying Round - MTK Budapest FC vs Dila Gori A few changes for a much more attacking MTK lineup. Miknyoczki replaces Miles at right back. Nagy replaces Szalai because of his knock. Stieber and Szabo remain in but Szabo moves centrally and Stieber out right. Mate Kovacs replaces Matyas wide left. Nagain's final words before the match. "We're going to attack and try to quickly put an end to Dila Gori. We're the better team here and need to prove that." 40 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 1-0 Dila Gori Balint Szabo A lovely flowing move from MTK, finished by Szabo for his first MTK goal. It was Mate Kovacs that started the move, winning the ball back from a Gori free kick. Mezei made the final pass and Szabo finished off the post. It was an agonising wait as the ball crawled along the line only to come off a second post and bounce in to the goal. HT: MTK 1-0 Dila Gori 47 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 2-0 Dila Gori Mate Krisztian Kovacs What a goal! Mate Kovacs receives the ball out wide left before cutting inside and firing a shot that gives the keeper no chance. All his own work. 53 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 3-0 Dila Gori Krisztian Nemeth A backheel goal from the MTK goal machine! Great work from Kovacs finds Nemeth free right in front of goal. He can't miss really but does the elaborate and finishes with a backheel. MTK well in control. FT: MTK 3-0 Dila Gori A nice comfortable win to see us through to the next round. It took longer than I'd hoped to get the opening goal. Indeed, we started looking nervous, but that blitz of two goals at the start of the second half sealed the win. MTK Player of the Match: Mate Krisztian Kovacs was outstanding today, and it was he who drove us on at the start of the second half and helped seal the win. Mate has been better than the much higher rated Matyas Kovacs this season. ~~~ It all helps. ~~~ Third Qualifying Round Summary We are the last Hungarian side in the competition after Puskas Akademia lost in Scotland. Koper are out, too, despite a fight against Levski. It took an extra time goal from Dimitrov to see Levski through. Nijmegen are through after a narrow homeleg win sealed the tie against Derry. Partizan won the tie to decide who we meet. Off to near neighbours Serbia then. ~~~ I seemed to forget to do the 'who will we face' graphics, so here's one for our opponents. Laci were Albanian, by the way. If you didn't notice. This tie will be much tougher. We welcome Partizani to our place in a week. More from Anton later. Going to go watch some real football and wanted to post this first. Really pleased with how we're going.

Is this a stupid question? I don't want needless slagging off of FM here though. Can agree loans could be improved and be constructive? Why is it so easy to get cheap, and unexpectedly good loan deals for players you probably shouldn't be able to get? Do others ignore loans they can get or even give clubs money when they're offering you a player for free? Or, is it too easy? Let me give a recent example I had an I want to know what people think. I am MTK Budapest? I just got promoted back to the top flight in Hungary (I didn't get us relegated). I have Liverpool and Aston Villa as senior affiliates. I have already picked up a Liverpool released youngster on a free. I was surprised he'd go to Hungary but figured as Liverpool were connected with MTK then he might have been advised it was a good deal. I saw Aaron Ramsey (above) was listed for loan at Villa. He always is. Was in FM22. Must be the most loaned player in FM for the pst 2 years! I saw that he wasn't interested in a loan. But I figured I'd try and Villa were willing to let Ramsey come here for no wages. Maybe he'll refuse but I wonder if it's just that they're an affiliate that he's free. Should he be free? Would even a senior affiliate let a player of Ramsey's calibre go for nothing when he's on £18k wages? Would Aaron Ramsey go to MTK Budapest on loan? Maybe I am disrespecting Hungary but I'm not sure he would. I do tend to avoid loans often, or I at least keep them to a minimum. Can SI do anything to make it harder to acquire players in FM? It's not just loans really. Free transfers are often very easy to get to agree to join. I really am interested in people's thoughts on this. I'd really like an opinion on whether Aaron Ramsey (the Villa one) would make a loan move to Hungary.

Welcome to the Career Updates forum and a lovely start. When I were young - many, many moons ago - I was into Subbuteo. I had a team chart/book thing and I remembering seeing a team call Rot Weis Erfurt (with that German B I don't know how to do on mobile). Long story, short, I didnt know there was a Rot-Weiss from the Rurh. Always a great start to like the name. Good luck.

Nice start. I thought it was going to be a Dutch save when I saw the first pic. Either the Oranje themselves or a Dutch league team. I like the idea to progress on from a Dutch won World Cup. If you do as well as you did with Uthongathi it'll be a continental and World double. Good luck.

I hadn't realised I was so far behind. I can't belive it's late January!! Congratulations on the title and that was a great start to the next season. Loved the tactical approach and the new layout was great. Sorry to read you're not enjoying the save. Hope you find a save you can enjoy.

Commiserations. I don't tend to do National Management in FM and I certainly understand people's complaints about how it is handled in FM. Full eyes on Tranmere and promotion to make up for Gold Cup.

Thanks, that is real handy. Worked a treat. I should get that mod that makes faces for newgens aswell. Never had the patience to set it up though. And, thanks. Pleased with that start.

The Budapest Boys European Tour, Part 3 Before we head on to matters European, we have news of another transfer. Mate Tuboly is an 18 year old midfielder that we have signed from FC Gyor of the Merkantil Bank Liga. I have also allowed Tuboly to go back to Gyor on loan for this season. Tuboly will be best utilised either as an IF on the right or centrally, behind the striker. For an 18 year old, Tobuly has amazing vision and he is also a fit lad with reasonable pace. European Matchday 3 Preview Due to the costs involved in scouting as far afield as Georgia, my scouts have come up with less information on Dila Gori than I'd have liked. It is likely we will face the increasingly popular 4-2-3-1 formation and Dila Gori do seem to play in a similar fashion to ourselves. My bet is they will attack hard against us. Who Are Dila Gori? Dila Gori are a Georgian club from the town of Gori, just to the northwest of Tbilisi. Dila play their home games at Tengiz Burjinadze stadium, on the banks of the Liakhvi river, just west of the city centre. UEFA Europa Conference League - League Path - Fourth Qualifying Round Draw Should we beat Dila Gori we will face either KF Laci or Partizan Belgrade in the next round. What little knowledge I have of these teams makes think either would be another winnable tie and the potential of a spot in the Group Stage. It would seem we are slight favourites... Wednesday 9th August 2023 I write to you in my hotel room in Gori. The Gori Inn is a pretty hotel in central Gori, just south of Dila's ground in a town dominated by the ruins of a medieval fort. We arrived here by coach after landing in Tbilisi yesterday and visited Dila's ground before a training session at a nearby football school. In the late afternoon we had a bonding session in which we visited the fort as a group. It is early to bed tonight, training and some relaxation before tomorrow evening's game. I'm looking forward to it. Gori, from the fort. Dila's ground is central and if you follow about NW from the ground you'll see a brownish building that I believe is our hotel. Nice town surroundings. European Matchday 3 - UEFA Europa Conference League - League Path Third Qalifying Round - Dila Gori vs MTK Budapest FC One change to the MTK team to face Dila Gori this evening. Zoltan Stieber is chosen to start centrally, in place of Istvan Bognar, after his wonderful goal against Honved. We asked Anton Nagain is he was feeling confident. "I am actually. We have had a good couple of days aclimatising to Gori and we have trained well the past week. I think we can win this. We'll be a bit more cautious and see how we fare." 8 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Dila Gori 0-1 MTK Janos Szepe Janos Szepe rises highest to head home Matyas Kovacs' corner and give MTK an early lead. HT: Dila Gori 0-1 MTK FT: Dila Gori 0-1 MTK An assured, if unspectacular, display in Georgia and an away goals advantage. Wait, do they even have away goals now? No, but that goal does give us a morale boost. What we lacked today was a cutting edge in front of goal. Balint Szabo worked hard throughout but lacked punch. I was impressed with Ismajlgeci when I bought the Albanian on for his debut in an unfamiliar midfield role. He held on to the ball with a steadfastness and sprayed some nice balls about. MTK Player of the Match: Tonight's award goes to Janos Szepe. The winning goal and a strong display at the back. What more is there to say? I was gona do a double but rather tire so will leave it there.

I was a bit annoyed when Haladas won...what with us being pipped to the post last season. But then we scored 3 and topped them in the table!!

2023/2024 OTP Bank Liga Kicks Off Friday 4th August 2023 Hello, dear diary...and sorry for ignoring you of late. It always cracks me up when I say things like that. As if my diary knows. Unles, of course, all my writings have given it a kind of earnt sentience. If that were posible it might well have become senile with age. When I was 13 I wrote in my diaries daily, give or take the odd day. That time we got lost in the forests around Szentgotthard didn't write in my diary for days. When I headed off to university I pretty much left my diaries by the wayside. Only since I have pursued my dreams to be a football manager have my diaries blossomed back to close to what they once were. They may publish these diaries when I'm dead. It will be an insight in the workings of the mind of an intellectual and, hopefully, very successful football manager. But, anyway, I have been busy as anything. It's been a long pre season, but a good one, and we have negotiated one round in Europe. I know next to nothing of Dila Gori but I am tentatively thinking they are beatable. Hopefully I am not drastically wrong. ~~~ A little reminder of what the board expect of us before Sunday's match with Honved. Matchday 1 Preview Honved finished 5th in the OTP Bank Liga last season and I am expecting a tough game against an established top flight team. In fact, Honved have never been outside the Hungarian top flight in their history and they have won that very league 14 times. The most recent success was 2017 but before that they had not won the league since 1993. You could argue that a good season for Honved is well overdue. Honved are not quite a fallen giant, but they are sleeping. We did, of course, beat Honved 2-1 in a friendly in January, but I take that with a pinch of salt as far as predictions go. Honved are a creative team and we will have to watch players like Cafu and Jairo. Up front, Lukic is an accomplished finisher who has scored 15 the past two seasons. Where my scouts think Honved is vulnerable is in the fact that they tend to switch off because the mentality of the squad is not good. My scouts are urging me to stick with last season's successful formation and say Honved are vulnerable against it. 2023/2024 OTP Bank Liga - Season Preview Before we kick off we should have a look at the predictions for this season in the OTP Bank Liga. Ourselves and Haladas are predicted to struggle, although we have close competitors in ZTE, also at 150-1. The Media Dream Eleven is dominated by players of Ferencvaros (in the white) but Puskas Akademia, Fehervar and Vasas have players highlighted too. MTK Budapest FC Squad - 2023/2024 Kick-Off... Haladas started things off on Friday 4th August with a great 2-0 win over Fehervar. ~~~ ~~~ Wonderful start... ...even better... I added some pics...do you like my handywork? I don't have anything to do cutouts. At least Miknyoczki's injury is minor. Welcome to the OTP Bank Liga!!! ~~~ With matches spread over the weekend at this level I don't know how I'll do the weekend's league review...I shall see who it works after a week...for now, Saturday's matches... OTP Bank Liga - Matchday 1 - MTK Budapest FC vs Budapest Honvéd Futball Club Balint Szabo gets his debut straight away, with Stieber dropping to the bench. Szabolcs Mezei is chosen as the replacement for the injured Artur Horvath and Terence Williams gets his chance in the OTP Bank Liga, replacing the injured Patrik Poor. We asked Nagain if he was confident. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be? We have what I believe is a strong squad and hope to make mockery of the league predictions. Remember, we beat a number of top flight teams in the cup last season." 21 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 1-0 Honved Krisztian Nemeth 21 minutes into the new season and MTK have their first goal. It is, of course, Krisztian Nemeth that scores it. Balint Szabo has had a great start and it is he who sets Nemeth up for an easy tap in after Miles had set Balint free down the right. HT: MTK 1-0 Honved 54 mins: MTK have been fashioning some great chances but Honved's Peter Szappanos is defying them to date with some outstanding saves. 76 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 2-0 Honved Zoltan Stieber He's only just come on to the pitch as a substitute but Zoltan Stieber makes it two for MTK with a lovely finish after he latched on to Mate Kovacs' ball inside. Stieber has looked up for this after not being chosen to start. 93 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 3-0 Honved Mate Krisztian Kovacs A goal all of his own doing, Mate Kovacs makes it three for MTK. With a corner cleared and Honved seemingly able to clear the pressure, Keke won a header and the ball ended up with Kovacs, via Mezei. The left winger cut inside and fired deftly past the Honved keeper. FT: MTK 3-0 Honved "We are top of the league, say we are top of the league!" Yes, a dominant and assured display against a good Honved team has seen us top of the league after the first round of matches. We really were very good, with Balint Szabo playing a leading role on his debut. I can't speak highly enough of Kongolo, too. Very little got past the African, but when it did Janos Szepe was in fine form in defence. Truth be startlingly told, Honved were awful. Really awful. MTK Player of the Match: As I said, Balint Szabo was absolutely sublime today. Our newest signing was a creative menace to the Honved backline and was just as unforetunate not to score as he was brilliant with the ball. Six games with winners in the first round of matches producing a clear split in the elague table at this very early stage. It is Haladas with possibly the biggest surprise of the weekend, though many will argue that honour belongs to MTK Budapest. Ferencvaros have bragging rights in the battle between two of the favoured teams, as they beat Puskas Akademia 2-0. Sunday August 6th 2023 A winning start to my first season as a top flight football manager. I am very glad I listened to my scouts. I wonder if we would have done so well had we gone with a back three, as I am honest enough to say I had been inclined to do so. I read it in one of my books that no football manager should be too proud to accept the advice of his backroom team. That's what they are there for. Many of the best managers have had their trusted confidants. Gusztav Sebes (manager of the great Hungarian team of the 50s, of course ) had Béla Mandik and Gábor Kompóti-Kléber, Clough had Taylor, Klopp has Buvac, Guardiola had Vilanova and Mike Bassett had Lonnie Urquart. I must pay tribute to my assistant, Vaszilisz Teodoru. He's my next opponent scout too. Let's hope this good start continues. We have a free weekend next week. We have the first leg of our European tie before that though. In fact, our next league game is not until 27th August. It's against Fehervar and they will be keen to bounce back from losing to Haladas. We have time to be very ready. I may do a double European episode this weekend. Zoltan Stieber, scoring of a key goal against Honved, is assured we can continue this well...

The Season Starts - The Budapest Boys European Tour, Part 2 But, because I had to cut things short last time out, some more on the first leg. A quick look at some selected other ties. A bad start for Kisvarda, our fellow OTP LIga team. Dila Gori won the first leg in the match to decide who we will face if we can get past Shkendija. A great start in Portugal for Pandora's home town team. Our senior affiiliate held to a stalemate by the Montenegrans. Puskas Akademia can only manage a nil-nil in Ireland. MTK Player of the Match (vs Shkendija): A great victory in our first European tie, but who is my Player of the Match? I have to give it to Janos Szepe. A wonderful through ball to set up a goal and an assured display in defence. Monthly Performance Review ~~~ A Last Cog? We have made another signing, raiding last season's relegated Paks. Balint Szabo is an exciting young inside forward who likes to cut in from the right on his left foot; a natural replacement for the aging Zoltan Stieber. Balint is not super pacey but he makes up for that with intelligence and fitness along with a fair splash of technique. Balint is only 22 too, so he'll improve. And one out. Martin Palincsar is on the verge of the first team squad and wanted to head out on loan to prove himself. I saw no reason to not allow this and he heads to Merkantil Bank Liga side Szeged. European Matchday 2 - KF Shkëndija Tetovo vs MTK Budapest FC MTK line up with a more defensive 4-1-2-3 formation here in Tetovo. Szabolcs Mezei is chosen over Artur Horvath and Terence Miles replaces Adam Miknyoczki. Istvan Bognar comes in to the side as a more creative option. Benedek Varju is the centre back to drop to the bench. We asked Nagain to explain his choices in midfield. "Mezei is a slightly more dynamic player that Horvath and will get aup and down the pitch today to complement Bognar sitting and playing a more creative role. As for Rodney Kongolo making his full debut, we I think he earnt it with the late goal, don't you?" 43 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Shkendija 0-1 MTK Zoltan Stieber Zoltan Stieber with a wonderful volley after Nemeth won the ball on the edge of the box and headed down. Stieber had had a slow start but that's what he can do. HT: Shkendija 0-1 MTK 45 mins: ⚽ GOAL! Shkendija 1-1 MTK Sabit Bilalli A mistake out wide from Sinan Medgyes allows Shkendija to break and Bilalli races on to beat Varga. MTK need to concentrate. FT: Shkendija 1-1 MTK A nervy second half from MTK but they get the job done. Not a super confident performance by any means, but a tie winning performance. I sent the team out with a much lower mentality than they are used to, because I just wanted to be sure we made it through. I was annoyed with the goal we conceded right at the start of the second, and that event made for a nervous half, but that Stieber goal had probably seen us through. MTK Player of the Match: How can I give the award to anyone else but Zoltan Stieber? His goal was a strike of the highest order. ~~~ £86k is better than a kick in the teeth. ~~~ Selected Ties Kisvarda are out but Puskas Akademia beat Shamrock Rovers to progress. Koper faced a tough match against Gil Vincente but progressed courtesy of an extra time goal from Andrej Kotnik. Our senior affiliate, Nijmegen, progressed thanks to a late goal from Christoph Monschein. We will face Georgia's Dila Gori after they emerged victorious from a close tie with Skalica. It took a penalty shoot out to decide a winner, with Skalica's Stursa and Curma missing. That'll be all for now. I've left it tight before work again. Gotta squeeze the hours in to play. I'll try and fit some diary in next time.

You're pretty much matching your xG, you're just conceding a lot. You have a lot of shots but they don't appear to be quality efforts. Tinker or visit the tactics forum and get some advice.

The Season Starts - The Budapest Boys European Tour But first...we finally get a mention. C'mon Artur! Next Round of Europe Draw The draw has taken place for the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Conference league...and two teams I have never heard of...I think. Georgia.. Or...Slovakia Gotta get past Shkendija first. Europa Conference League - League Path Second Qualifying Round - Ist Leg - MTK Budapest FC vs KF Shkëndija Tetovo Despite my board saying it would be too expensive for a team report we have a scout report on Shkendija. We are looking at a team that play their football very narrow. I will look to utilise that with wingbacks. I do suspect Elezi and Bilalli will get wide and those same wingbacks will have to be wary, as will my wider centre backs. I expect to go with a back three. A Big Signing! I got my man...but it cost me. Rodney Kongolo has joined us after impressing me on trial here over the summer. Rodney is a strong, hardworking and well-rounded player that can play centrally on the park, either very defensively or getting forward more. Rodney is not a goalscorer though, and he'll look to play others in. Just what I want. Rodney is on a hefty wage but I believe in this guy. This transfer upset Lehoczky a little, but competition for places needs to be high. ~~~ European Matchday 1 - MTK Budapest FC vs KF Shkëndija Tetovo Here we go...my first European match. Let's just give it our best shot. I'm confident. We had a little bit of a hiccup before the match with a few players expressing their disapproval of my treatment of Lehoczky, but I'll put that behind me. He starts because Kongolo is not quite up to fitness.Let's let football do the talking. 7 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 1-0 Shkendija Matyas Kovacs Excellent work down the right by Miknyoczki and a great cross that lands at the feet of Kovacs. The hot prospect blasts the ball home! HT: MTK 1-0 Shkendija MTK have been the better side but is there a little complacency slipping in? The Macedonians have had a few chances. 65 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 2-0 Shkendija Krisztian Nemeth First of the season for the MTK front man. A wonderful defence splitting ball from janos Szepe finds Kovacsreti whose shot is well saved. The rebound comes to Nemeth though, and he makes no mistake. 73 mins: A wonderful save from Bence Varga to deny a Shkendija break and keep MTK at 2-0! 85 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 2-1 Shkendija Sabit Bilalli A missed header and Bilalli can't miss. MTK need to focus. 90 mins: ⚽ GOAL! MTK 3-1 Shkendija Rodney Kongolo He scored on his debut. The midfielder is forward on an MTK break and he can not fail to turn home Medgyes' cross. What a debut! FT: MTK 3-1 Shkendija I'm gonna have to cut this short because I sadly have to go to work... Great win in our first European tie. More later. Bloody proud of Kongolo though...

The whole feel and atmosphere around European ties is really special. Taken me a few months but I finally got to season two and an appearance in Europe. Well done, SI. SI get a lot of rubbish on these forums - way too harshly, I believe - but I think the effort put in to making European football feel special proves they really do care. I never doubted they do. I think more people need to realise that. Well done.

Thank you...I don't think I'll ever be someone to manage 10+ seasons. I really need to catch up with more of the forum, myself.

MTK Budapest FC - 2023/2024 - Pre Season, Part 4 MTK II at Ujpest II Our younger stars - and our hopeful triallists - continued their pre season with a 0-0 draw at Ujpest II. Of the triallists, Bruno Ramires and Emmanuel Banda were best. I have been contemplating a bid for a Hungarian attacking midfielder my scouts highlighted. It is a case of either going Hungarian and probably paying a fee, maybe substantial, or trying my luck with a foreign star on a free. Dunaujvaros vs MTK - Friendly We put in a lacklustre performance at third tier Dunaujvaros, but for a scintillating few minute spell in first half stoppage time. In the second half it was the MTK of last season's end as we looked like we just didn't care. Ironically, I had an issue with FM (I had been adding pics for some young players that don't have them and messed things up - don't ask, I'm old - and had to run the last two friendlies again. In that now dead reality MTK II had beaten Ujpest II 7-0 and my first team ran out 4-1 victors over Dunaujvaros with a hattrick from Benedek Barkoczi. Just goes to show how varied FM can be. Better I have issues now than when the season starts for real. We Lose A Man... Mihaly Kata is off to Poland. He accepted the offer from Gornik for the infrastructure and standard of living on offer in our northern neighbours. Well, screw you, Mihaly. I need to step up the search for a replacement. Diosgyor vs MTK - Friendly We put on a good display in the final friendly during the training camp. Diosgyor would be no pushovers but we ran out 3-1 winners, Szabolcs Mezei proving he's still very much an MTK player with two stunning goals and Italian wide man, Cristian Galano finishing off the victory. Congoan, Kongolo, had a good game and Gergo Szoke showed me he could be an option for our holding man in midfield. Gergo is just 19 but has been putting in mature performances as a regular thing. ~~~ We have a big game coming up, and it just got bigger. We play English champions Liverpool at Hidegkuti Nandor next Saturday and Hungarian TV execs have chosen to broadcast it live. ~~~ MTK II at Putnok Varosi A run of the mill performance at third tier Putnok was next in pre season for my second team. Barnabas Biden scored but he's off anyway - not sure if I covered that. Mate Balogh (older profile) impressed me up front and Kongolo and Medeiros, of my triallists, did well. Of all the triallists I am most inclined to snag Kongolo. I have a sneaky bid in the works elsewhere though. We shall see as there's no urgency. ~~~ Macedonia is is then. Ironically, I wanted to get an early scout in on our opponents but my board wouldn't let me. Too expensive, apparently. Shkendija had beanten Floriana 6-2 on aggregate. ~~~ A Steal... Balint Juhasz, one of our youngsters has moved to Gyirmot in a deal that I honestly can not believe. No disrespect meant, but I wouldn't have paid that for Balint. The offer came in and I said why not. ~~~ Long list but I like to prepare for the future. I used a lot of players last year. ~~~ Unfancied... ~~~ A Huge Day For MTK - MTK Budapest FC vs Liverpool FC - Friendly I don't lie. This is Anton Nagain's "AFC Bournemouth vs Real Madrid". The lucky twenty-six! Liverpool picking a strong lineup too! Alisson, Trent, Firmino. Thank you, Jurgen. I wanted to reward players from last season, but with Poor injured I thought it nice that Miles should start against his former club. Just 1-0 to Liverpool at half time. We are performing really well. A second goal for Liverpool in the second half and a 2-0 defeat to one of the best teams in the world. I was impressed with the lads. There's no shame in losing that. Bizarrely, I told the lads they gave it their best effort after the match and they reacted strangely, showing little emotion. I thought they'd be happier that I recognised their effort. This game sometimes! Saturday 22nd July 2023 What a fantastic day. I shook hands with one of the greatest managers in the world and afterwards Jurgen even complimented me on our team's performance and ambition*. That means a lot to me, as an aspiring intellectual football manager. I think the lads enjoyed themselves too, although I was a little surprised with their response to my praising them on their effort after just a 2-0 loss to one of the greatest teams ever. Just shows my lads want to win. Pandora came along to this game and sat with Nandor and my sister. Yes, Rosina came along to watch us play Liverpool. She's been in town a few days chatting to some people about this art stuff she wants to do. Szabolcs seems happy too. I don't think they're - what do they call it - 'an item' anymore, but it does seem that meeting my sister hasn't ruined one of my players. Rosina's reason for coming really? She wanted to see some of the best players in the world in action. And...Jordan Henderson is pretty hot. I ribbed her that he didn't play and suggested he heard she was coming. It was Pandora that punched me on the arm. Nandor laughed and said, "you still got it, Anton." Sometimes I wonder what my agent does all this time I don't really see him. * yes, that was artistic flourish. The game never said that but what the hell. Jurgen is a nice guy...hahaha. A Gamble... We have signed Gabor Toth from third tier Karcag, and will loan him back for the season. Gabor wasn't super highly rated by my scouting team but I decided to take a chance for just £4.2k. Crazily, Gabor wanted to be recognised as a regular started. He was furious when I offered him terms as a prospect. ~~~ Not fancied again... A New Face We have signed the Albanian left back come centre back come defensive midfielder we took on trial. Marsel Ismajlgeci could be any of those positions and I suspect I will start training him to play a deep ball winning midfield position. Marsel is a tough tackling, hard running and intelligent player that I was willing to take a gamble on. That'll be it for now. Next up is the Budapest Boys European Tour. Hopefully it's a tour...and not just two games.