[FM16] Vitkovice? More like Kidkovice!

[dan_simmonds]

May 2024

Synot Liga

Ceská pošta Cup



Manager's notes

We won the match against Mlada Boleslav on penalties, and took home our second trophy under our reign. Fresh off the cup win, we welcomed Sigma Olomouc to the Mestsky. A relatively dull game was punctuated in the 73rd minute as Kopecky gave us the lead. Three minutes later and he had doubled our advantage as we looked to secure a crucial three points. Sigma were able to grab a late consolation, but the game was ours as we took a crucial step towards safety. We travelled to Slavia Prague, knowing a victory would secure survival, but fell behind five minutes before half time. Despite our best efforts, we weren't able to get an equaliser, but the teams around us weren't able to take advantage as we headed into our last two games. Our penultimate game of the season saw us face Sparta Prague, who we've had an excellent record against in the last few meetings. Navratil gave us the lead after just 6 minutes, and we held our opponents at bay for the next 84 minutes to both win the game and secure our survival. The final game of our season saw us face Slovan Liberec, hoping to secure our highest finish of 12th in the Synot Liga. We fell behind in the 16th minute, but Kopecky was able to level the game just before the hour. Unfortunately, we weren't able to capitalise on that momentum, and fell behind once again in the 73rd minute. That was to prove the end of our season, but we were safe and comfortable in 12th.

Next month

Enjoy our cup win and most impressive performance in the league so far.

[dan_simmonds]

Vojtech Zacherias makes it into the best team of the year, and becomes our first player to do so. Excellent form from the young keeper all season.

[jengaehassim]

Congrats! Looking forward to the Europa League.

[dan_simmonds]

I disagree with the player of the season selections, but back four aside, this is pretty much my first choice team.

[dan_simmonds]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Finally!

[dan_simmonds]

Congrats! Looking forward to the Europa League.

Thanks! It's appreciated.

[dan_simmonds]

FC Vitkovice

End of Season 8 - 2023/24

Zynot Liga

Our highest ever league finish, and a much improved performance this season to boot. Another performance like this next season, and I'll be very happy indeed.

Ceská pošta Cup

We won it for the second time under my stewardship, largely in part to the fantastic displays from Kopecky and Navratil. It gives us another crack at the Europa League, which I'm delighted about.

Transfers

No transfers, as part of my challenge, but the £5M banked from Urban's sale improves the club's finances, and as a result our facilities too.

First Team

Clearly the best team under my reign, and as the team matures they become better and better. The only player that won't be with us next year is Petrous having agreed a deal to move abroad, but we have everyone else under contract for at least one more year.

Key Players

1. Jiri Kopecky - ST - 19 goals in a season where he was top goalscorer in our cup run says it all. Bigger clubs are already sniffing around, but with two years left on his deal they're going to have to offer me a significant sum of money before I'll let him go.

2. Matej Navratil - MR - Hit double figures in the league for the first time and weighed in with another 9 assists. His form kept Petrous out of the starting lineup this season, and means that he won't be missed going forward.

3. Ladislav Prochazka - MC - He stepped in the gap left by Urban's big money deal, and kept the midfield ticking over with Musil alongside him. If he makes another step forward next season, I'll be very happy.

Youth Team

The u19's and the u21's both finished in 10th in their divisions, taking yet another step forward for the club. The future really is starting to look bright!

Best Three 'Yoofs'

1. Jiri Kopecky - ST - Just 17 years old, and 19 goals for the season which is the most under my stewardship. So pleased I gave him that 3 year contract before the start of the season.

2. Matej Navratil - MR - Made the breakthrough this season, and won't be eligible for this award next year. Still, that right hand berth is in safe hands and he'll need some stiff competition from someone in the reserves next year.

3. Ladislav Prochazka - MC - Running the midfield at the tender age of 18. If he can add a final pass to his game, this team will flow through him for the foreseeable future.

NB: 'Yoofs' are defined as 19 or under in the Simmonds school of management.

Youth Intake

We kept 8 of them on, such is the relative level of talent we now have. I'm looking forward to the next step forward though.

Facilities

These haven't improved... Yet. Next season will be a big deal for us.

Finances

The money from Urban's sale meant we were in positive finances for the year! Next year we get some European football to hopefully boost the coffers a little as well.

Board Objectives

Zynot Liga - Battle bravely against relegation - 12th, our best effort yet!

Ceská pošta Cup - Third Round - WINNERS!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Season   |  League                 | League Position |  Ceská pošta Cup      | Europa League| Champions League |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2016/17  |  Fotbalová Národní Liga | 10th            |  3rd Round            | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2017/18  |  Fotbalová Národní Liga | 11th            |  3rd Round            | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2018/19  |  Fotbalová Národní Liga | 2nd             |  3rd Round            | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2019/20  |  Synot Liga             | 14th            |  3rd Round            | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2020/21  |  Synot Liga             | 14th            |  Winners              | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2021/22  |  Synot Liga             | 14th            |  4th Round            | Group Stage  |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2022/23  |  Synot Liga             | 14th            |  4th Round            | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2023/24  |  Synot Liga             | 12th            |  Winners              | N/A          |  N/A             |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/Code]

[tyler16]

Your persistence is admirable! Becoming a bit of a cup specialist here.

Europe should be nice if for nothing but the money an experience. Facility upgrades are a big deal.

[dan_simmonds]

Your persistence is admirable! Becoming a bit of a cup specialist here.

Europe should be nice if for nothing but the money an experience. Facility upgrades are a big deal.

Thanks! It's great to see you're still following along. The cup has fallen into our lap a couple of times which is nice, but if you get the right draw then you can win it fairly easily in the Czech Republic.

Looking forward to another foray into Europe, our last performance has seen us seeded for the First Qualifying Round, so hopefully we can get through the first couple and see what happens! I can't wait for them to be completed, if nothing else then to upgrade our youth recruitment on the back of it.

[LEEMOD]

Fantastic read, as someone else said before, it's nice to see someone building slowly and sensibly, much more interesting, on my thread 'the journals of humpus widgren' it took me ages to build up Trelleborgs.

[dan_simmonds]

Start of season nine - 2024/25

First Team Squad

The squad has some newer faces in it, and there's been some movement after the off season review. However, the first XI remains in situ until another player makes a big step forward.

Transfers

Petrous has left but won't really be missed. The others are players that have been usurped by teammates and have no future with us.

Key Players

1. Jiri Kopecky - ST - 19 goals from him last season, and now needs to prove that wasn't a fluke. He's the best striker we've got though, so our hopes rest on him.

2. Matej Navratil - MR - With Petrous leaving, there's a lack of competition on the right hand side so he needs to match his performances from last season.

3. Tomas Kriva - MC - The emergence of Michael Koucourek allows me to move him into the advanced playmaker role ahead of Prochazka. His passing range should help us going forward, and no doubt will solidify the midfield.

This season's objectives

Board Objectives

Zynot Liga - Battle bravely against relegation

Ceská pošta Cup - 3rd Round

Europa League - 2nd Qualifying Round

Czech Super Cup - Don't get outclassed

This season's objectives

Zynot Liga - Battle bravely against relegation - Same as every year, but a little progress would be nice.

Ceská pošta Cup - 3rd Round - We should be comfortably in the third round, but another cup would be great as we try to reach Europe for

Europa League - 2nd Qualifying Round - I'd love to make the group stage again, but making it through the first few rounds would be nice for the experience.

Czech Super Cup - Don't get outclassed - It's against rival Banik Ostrava, I want to win.

[dan_simmonds]

Fantastic read, as someone else said before, it's nice to see someone building slowly and sensibly, much more interesting, on my thread 'the journals of humpus widgren' it took me ages to build up Trelleborgs.

Thanks! I hope you continue to follow as we (slowly) progress.

[dan_simmonds]

July 2024

Zynot Liga

Europa League



Super Cup



Manager's notes

The early start of the Europa League, meant no preseason so we focussed our attention on the opening match with Stjarnan from Iceland. We welcomed them to Mestsky for the opening leg, and Navratil began his campaign with the opener after just four minutes. Vecera doubled our advantage 10 minutes before half time, and we saw it out to take a comfortable advantage into the second leg. The match was barely three minutes old when Kopecky put the tie beyond doubt. Navratil then continued his fine form with a second and we threatened to run riot until our opponents pulled a goal back. We once again saw out the second half, and took a comfortable 4-1 aggregate win into the second qualifying round. Just 3 days later, we faced rivals Banik Ostrava in the Super Cup. A evenly matched game, but with the best chances falling to us saw us take the lead just before half time through left back Novotny. We then saw out the second half to take a much deserved win, and win the first trophy of the season. We travelled to Warsaw to take on Legia, and Kopecky gave us the lead and a crucial away goal after 36 minutes. Our task was made easier in the 55th minute when Legia were reduced to 10 men, before Vojtisek gave us a two goal advantage late on. In the return leg, Legia had pulled a goal back within 10 minutes, but Kriva had us level and our two goal advantage restored just 8 minutes later. Koucourek scored from the spot after Kolar had been tripped to give us an unassailable lead, and we needed it as Legia equalised, and then went ahead before we eventually progressed on aggregate. The league season opened with a trip to Plzen, but despite our best efforts we were unable to get anything going forward and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.

Next month

Travel to Sofia to continue our battle to make the group stages, and then look to pick up our first points in the league.

[tyler16]

Solid start! I'm not sure what leagues you have loaded, but I find Europe (at least the smaller clubs) are relatively weak in these saves due to being predominantly composed of grey players. Also wouldn't be surprised if your league has seen a boost in the continental standings over the years and should continue to grow.

[dan_simmonds]

August 2024

Zynot Liga

Europa League



Ceská pošta Cup



Manager's notes

We fell behind in our third qualifying round first leg against Levski Sofia, and then conceded a second to put ourselves in a hole after less than 20 minutes. We were three down just 10 minutes later, and I feared our European adventure was now over for another year. We stemmed the bleeding, but only for so long and Sofia put the game and tie to bed with a fourth 20 minutes from time. We needed to bounce back against Viktoria Zizkov, but despite an even game, neither team were able to break the deadlock and we ground out a 0-0 draw. A much changed side took on Levski in our second leg, and our opponents were ahead after just 90 seconds. We were three down after just 15 minutes, and just after half time we were humbled as we conceded a fourth and bowed out of the competition with our tails truly between our legs. An early battle against Pribram was the perfect opportunity to pick up our spirits, and some points, and got off to the perfect start when after barely 10 minutes, Musil and Kopecky combined to give us the lead which proved to be the only goal we would need as we picked up our first win of the league season. In our next league fixture, we faced perennial strugglers, Dukla Prague. Kopecky gave us the lead after half an hour, and we then controlled the game to pick up our second 1-0 win in a row. The final league game of the month would see us take on Slovacko, who sat two places above us in 2nd. We went in level at half time, before Kopecky scored for the third game on the bounce with a 25 yard thunderbolt that no-one, including the Slovacko 'keeper saw coming. The lead only lasted 15 minutes though, before Malina put through his own net, but we came away with a point, and an unbeaten league month. We opened our cup defence against Rosice, and Navratil opened the scoring after 11 minutes before turning provider for Kopecky who scored for the fourth game in succession. Prochazka scored a third as we began to rout our opponents, and Koutny added our fourth just after half time. Kroupa came off the bench to complete the game in the last minute, and we were comfortably through to the third round.

Next month

Continue our fine league form and continue to leave a significant gap between ourselves and the drop zone.

[dan_simmonds]

A well deserved call up for Kopecky...



... but it won't be whilst playing for us. Hugely frustrating that the board continue to sell my best players from underneath me, and now I need to hope that one of the understudies is capable of 19 goals a season.

[dan_simmonds]

Solid start! I'm not sure what leagues you have loaded, but I find Europe (at least the smaller clubs) are relatively weak in these saves due to being predominantly composed of grey players. Also wouldn't be surprised if your league has seen a boost in the continental standings over the years and should continue to grow.

Only the Czech league as per the challenge rules, but we've actually gone backwards as a nation in terms of European Co-Efficients and as you've seen Levski demolished us.

[dan_simmonds]

September 2024

Zynot Liga

Ceská pošta Cup



Manager's notes

We began life without Kopecky by falling behind in the first minute against Mlada Boleslav which was a lead they held for the next 89, and we stumbled to a first defeat in five games. We looked to bounce back against Slavoj Vysehrad, and after a dull first half, Kroupa gave us hope there was life after Kopecky with his first league goal for the club. We had further chances, but couldn't take any of them, it proved not to matter though, and we took another massive victory. We locked horns with Jihlava in our next game, a team who had only been relegated from the top flight two seasons previously, and sat top of the second tier. We fell behind after 23 minutes, but Navratil grabbed an equaliser just 8 minutes later. We dominated from then on, and won a late penalty which Koucourek duly missed and then converted the rebound to get us the win. The final game of the month took us home, but away as we faced rivals Banik Ostrava. Kroupa stupidly got himself sent off (and a two week fine) for a two footed lunge after just 17 minutes, and left us with an uphill struggle. We were equal to it though, and took a strong point to end the month comfortably in 6th.

Next month

Some tough matches, but if we want to progress then we need to ensure we take opportunities when they come.

[dan_simmonds]

October 2024

Zynot Liga

Ceská pošta Cup



Manager's notes

The annual October injury bug hit the squad, and we started the game with fourth choice (at the start of the season) striker Pacholik playing his first game of the season with Kopecky having been sold, Kroupa suspended and Divis injured. Koucourek though tucked away a penalty to give us the lead, and Kounovsky having won the penalty then doubled our advantage in the 63rd minute as we ultimately secured a comfortable victory. After the international break, we faced bottom of the table Teplice with a very real chance to pick up more valuable points. We took the lead through Kolar's first senior goal for the club, but our opponents were able to peg us back just before half time. Neither team could find a second half goal, and we grabbed yet another point to take our tally for the season to 16 in mid October! We would face top of the league Hradec Kralove 3 times in the next 4 games due to our matches in the cup, and we travelled to them for our first leg tie. Nothing had happened after an hour, so we made some changes. An instant impact was felt, as Divis and Sip combined to give us the advantage and an away goal. The third substitute Kounovsky then grabbed a second, and we'd given ourselves a fantastic chance of the quarter finals as we headed to a second leg. Fresh off our win there, we welcomed them to the Mestsky in the league. Musil rounded off a fine team move to give us the lead after 18 minutes, then midfield partner Kriva scored a second just 2 minutes later. Kroupa scored a third before half time, and we were in dreamland absolutely cruising against the team top of the table. They pulled one back just before the hour mark, but then my subs once again came to the fore as Sip grabbed another goal to round off an absolute destruction and finish October on the highest possible note with us sitting pretty in 4th.

Next month

Secure a quarter final place in the cup, and make sure we continue to be well clear of the relegation zone heading into the winter break.

[deltablue]

Great going so far this season!

[dan_simmonds]

Wow, 10,000 views of my career. Thanks guys, I hope you keep continuing to follow.

November/December 2024

Zynot Liga

Ceská pošta Cup



Manager's notes

After the highs of October, November started with us falling behind against Sigma Olomouc. Kolar was taking his chance due to Navratil's injury, and turned provider yet again for Kroupa as he equalised as we remained unbeaten in 8 games. Our second leg against Hradec was next, and our opponents pulled one back inside of 10 minutes. We were able to see it out though, and despite the 1-0 defeat we were into the quarter finals for the second year in succession. We welcomed Slavia Prague as we looked to consolidate our league position, but Koucourek gave away a penalty. Fortunately for him, we have one of the best penalty savers in the business and Zacherias yet again proved his brillance to earn us another point. We travelled to Liberec, and took on Slovan only to fall behind after 25 minutes. We weren't able to find a leveller, and lost in the league for only the third time all season. Our last game of November saw us face Sparta Prague who we've had an excellent record against in recent seasons, but an even game was settled by a magical free kick just 6 minutes from time, as we suffered our second straight defeat. The final game before the winter break saw us travel to Zizkov, and a dull game saw us play out a 0-0 draw and finish the first half of the season safely in 8th place.

Next month

The winter break friendlies and looking forward to a much more comfortable second half of the season than I'm used to.

[dan_simmonds]

Great going so far this season!

It was until November and December!

[dan_simmonds]

We have our facilities upgrades...



...and more to come as we look to build our strength through the youth team

[dan_simmonds]

Musil has been a fine servant to the club, and is now the record appearance holder for us. An impressive achievement for someone who came through the youth academy at the very first attempt.

[dan_simmonds]

Winter Break 2025

Manager's notes

We travelled to Poland to face Wisla Pulawy in the first of our Winter Break friendlies, and Kroupa gave us the lead after 25 minutes. Musil doubled our advantage on the hour and then we rang the changes, and saw out a comfortable result. We'd travelled to Spain on a training camp and took on local side Lanaja, where Kroupa had a brace and we were up by 2 inside of 15 minutes. Musil forced the 'keeper into an own goal around the half hour and then Kroupa completed his hat-trick on the hour as we once again rang the changes before Divis added a fifth. Vecera rounded off a great result with four minutes to go as we started to progress nicely. The final match of the Winter Break saw us face Brumov, and Kriva gave us the lead just before half time. Vecera once again grabbed a late goal, and we're heading into the second half of the season in fantastic form.

Next month

Kick onto another level in the second half of the season and finish in the top 10.

[tyler16]

Great season so far. Going to begin calling you the Czech Pulis if this keeps up.

[dan_simmonds]

Great season so far. Going to begin calling you the Czech Pulis if this keeps up.

Woah, hold the insults

[dan_simmonds]

February 2025

Synot Liga

Manager's notes

We began the second half of the season with a match against Viktoria Plzen, 2nd in the table and chasing Hradec Kralove hard. After an even first half, we entered the break at 0-0, but the game sparked into life just 45 seconds into the second half as Kriva gave us the lead. Our opponents were level just three minutes later though, as Koutny gave a penalty away to give our visitors the opportunity from the spot. They took the lead on the hour mark, after we failed to clear our lines from a cross as we suffered a defeat all of our own making. February was a short month, and our second and last game of it saw us face relegation threatened Pribram. Another first half 0-0 followed, but Kroupa took a pass from Musil 10 minutes into the second half to fire us into the lead. Similar to the Plzen game though, our opponents were level instantly, but this time we weren't to concede again and picked up a valuble point as we looked to consolidate our midtable position.

Next month

It's youth intake time! We continue our cup run, and hope to pick up a victory in the league.

 

[dan_simmonds]

Youth Intake 2025

The quality of the club is improving, and we only keep 7 of the youth candidates on, although a case could've been made for just three of them. The annual match between the current u19's and the incoming youngsters finished 1-0 to the u19's and these youngsters are going to have to work hard to make an impression.

Prospects:

1. Ondrej Marek
2. Richie Stone
3. Milan Zeman
4. Lukas Berger
5. Stanislav Filip

[dan_simmonds]

March 2025

Zynot Liga

Ceská pošta Cup

Manager's notes

The month opened with a trip to Slovacko, and facing their loan star Jiri Kopecky! Kroupa though had the best chance of the first half, and the Slovacko 'keeper kept him out as we headed to the interval deadlocked at 0-0. As we have so often this season though, we scored early in the second half. Kroupa once again hitting the back of the net, and this time we saw it out and held onto a fantastic win. The cup quarter final against Teplice came next, and the first leg saw us at home. After another 0-0 first half, we fell behind early in the second half and then conceded a swift second to leave us with a mountain to climb in the second leg. Eager to bounce back, we faced Mlada Boleslav and yet again found the score 0-0 at half time. It looked like we had earned a point, but conceded a 91st minute goal as Boleslav took all three points. We travelled to Prague to face relegation threatened Dukla, and after Kroupa gave us the lead after 36 minutes, we held firm and picked up another 3 points. The second leg of our cup tie against Teplice saw us face a 2 goal deficit and matters worsened after just 10 minutes, as we fell behind on the night. Vecera pulled one back, but Teplice were not to be denied and saw out a great victory for them as they reached the semi-finals of the cup and headed home. Our final game of the month played out as a dull 0-0 draw against Slavoj Vysehrad but we kept a great position in the table well clear of the relegation zone.

Next month

Control our destiny and pick up at least one win.

[dan_simmonds]

April 2025

Zynot Liga

Manager's notes

April began with a 'visit' of rivals Banik Ostrava, and in a very even game we took home a strong point to continue our decent enough form. A massive chance for three points came against bottom of the league Teplice, responsible for our cup exit, but despite domination, this was another game in which we ground out yet another 0-0 draw. We welcomed Jablonec to the Mestsky looking for our first win of the month, but had to settle for another point following our fourth consecutive 0-0 draw. I would gladly have taken that result against Hradec Kralove, but that was to prove impossible after just 3 minutes as we fell behind. We were 2-0 down after 16 minutes, and that's how the game and the month finished as we remained firmly ensconced in mid-table and safe from relegation.

Next month

Relax, we're safe!

[dan_simmonds]

May 2025

Zynot Liga

Manager's notes

The final month of the season was upon us, and for the first time under my reign we were well and truly safe. We reverted to type against Sigma Olomouc and picked up yet another point from yet another 0-0 draw. Our last home game of the season saw us face Slovan Liberec, but our goaless run continued and we succumbed to a 1-0 defeat. We travelled to Prague for our final two games of the season, facing Slavia Prague first up. Kroupa got us off to a great start, breaking his and our goal drought in the process. He then turned provider for Navratil, to double our advantage just before half time. Slavia roared back into the game in the second half, firstly pulling one back and then equalising as we looked to have thrown away two points. Captain Musil had other ideas though, and scored from a Kolar freekick in the 85th minute to win the game for us. We rounded off the season at Sparta, and fell apart just before half time conceding 3 goals in 6 minutes to leave ourselves facing a demolition. We battled on in the second half, but conceded a fourth with 15 minutes to go before Navratil grabbed a consolation in the 92nd minute. Not a great way to round off the season.

Next month

Look back proudly at our season and hold onto our best players to improve again next year.

[dan_simmonds]

Unbelievable. We've got more than enough cash in the bank. I just don't understand.

 

[dan_simmonds]

Spot on really. Kriva was immense all season long.

 

[tyler16]

Good stuff, Pulis.

Glad to see this back in action.

[dan_simmonds]

18 hours ago, tyler16 said:

Good stuff, Pulis.

Glad to see this back in action.

Ha! Cheers, I've been playing but haven't had time to write it up with life getting in the way. I have three weeks off coming up to catch up on my writing if I'm not too busy elsewhere