Having managed to scrape into season two with my job intact, I began looking at how we might progress as a team. Last season was a disappointment in terms of losing out on promotion, but we managed to concede the least goals within the division and only lost out on the automatic places by a single point, finishing joint third. Definitely some positives that we can take into the new campaign.

During the middle of last seasons campaign was the most frustrating, as I watched us struggle for goals, which only improved after the arrival of Colly Misrun, propelling Pro Titan forward for the final few games. If only we could have managed to snatch a win somewhere through the season we would be playing in the Indonesian Premier Division (which is the league below the top flight) this time around.

Having ended up with the board of directors disappointed in our seasons progress and my job hanging on a knifes edge, it was my hope that all would be forgotten and that my Pro Titan team could push on this season. During my last Pro Titan update, I suggested that I was close to getting the sack, informing you that after a one-on-one chat with the Chairman, he assured me that he understood that new managers in the game deserve time. Thankfully I was given a new one year contract.

So that brings us to the new season, filled with new aspirations and hope. Firstly though, what happened to my squad during pre-season and everything else that goes on behind the scenes?

Staff Transfers

First and foremost, I decided to have a clear out of all my ‘deadwood’. Players who didn’t perform last season to the level that I expect were shown the door. Also, as my entire back room staff were only on one year contracts, due to expire before the new season commenced. A problem with the staff arose when trying to sign them onto new contracts. Simply put, they wanted more money than I could offer. Not that I was being a cheap skate – I simply couldn’t offer them what they wanted as the board wouldn’t extend the wages that high. Dilemma!

I managed to keep my assistant manager for another season which is great, as he enjoys working with the younger players (as outlined previously). Training up the younger players in the hope of producing gems that we can sell on is an aspect of playing Football Manager that I very much enjoy. I’m a profit fiend! Unfortunately though, two of my coaching staff decided that they couldn’t accept slightly less pay, so they needed replacing.

Taufiq Said

Taufiq Said.

This particular coach was drafted on to server as an all-rounder. While his attributes aren’t mightily impressive (like any coach in Indonesia at this level), he has a medium range throughout the coaching areas. It is my hope that he can cover most of the coaching duties that we were obviously going to miss having lost two coaches before the second season began.

Boyke Adam

The reasons behind this appointment are quite interesting and disappointing at the same time. Having scoured the coaching transfer market I stumbled across the Malaysian national team goalkeeping coach, who was willing to work for Pro Titan. With his coaching goalkeepers attribute of eighteen, a smile soon appeared on my face. Having offered him a contract, it dawned on me that I had in fact offered him a contract as goalkeeping coach – a coaching role that my board will not allow. While Pro Titan are allowed four coaches, we aren’t allowed specific roles. So off I travelled, back to the contract negotiating room, this time offering the national team’s goalkeeping coach a general coaching role this time. He wanted a hell of a lot more wages, negotiations didn’t move, and therefore were finally halted.

Boyke Adam was my second choice, although he hasn’t been informed of this fact. I’m not disappointed though as his coaching goalkeepers attribute is top notch, coming in at a whopping seventeen. Fantastic for this level!

Boyke Adam.

He’s not an all rounder but he is by far the most specialised coach I currently have at my disposal. I see many clean sheets on the horizon…hopefully.

Having been notified of a half decent scout, we also drafted him in. Two scouts are better than one!

Arthur Anam

Arthur Anam.

Again, not amazing by any means, but he is pretty much level with my other scout in terms of scouting attributes. He’s already shown me some pretty good potential transfers, but it’s a shame that we are extremely close to our maximum wage budget already, having done some serious Summer shopping.

Player Transfers

Having noticed that we didn’t have any central attacking midfielders in the squad at all, my focus initially fixated here.

Dedi Irawan, Tommy Mariadi and Abdul Kodir (all attacking midfielders) were drafted in during the close season, all on free transfers, while seven players left before pre-season started for a total of £2,675k. In no particular order, these were: Fadly, Rama Pratama, Dedek Pranata, Syahputra Junaidi, Ricky Hamdani, Heri Irwansyah and Fajar Fauzan.

During pre-season, transfer activity did not die down. Six in, six out.

Transfers during pre-season.

The most notable of the transfers was the sale of Antonio Teles for £3,000. He had to stay with us all through last seasons campaign in the knowledge that he could never play. The rules of our current division state absolutely no foreigners, and as he’s Brazilian, he simply could not get involved. This was a transfer from the previous management, having been relegated the season before from the Premier Division – which I assume allow a quota of foreign players. In a way, having zero tolerance on foreigners within the lower leagues is a great system which encourages the development of young Indonesian players. Although it’s frustrating, as there are many great foreign players willing to come to the club who simply can not.

Again, dead wood shifted out, and new fresh talent drafted in while not spending a penny, ignoring contract fees of course.

Aswan Asri – Midfielder (Centre)

Aswan Asri.

Aswan is the biggest transfer in terms of quality attributes to arrive at the club. He offers a dramatic improvement over past personnel, giving us excellent passing options throughout the midfield. A good purchase on a free transfer. Unfortunately though pre season matches he’s been injured for a couple of months, but that’s where my attacking midfield purchases come into play! We now have decent backup options throughout the spine of the team.

Imam Suprapto – Defender/Wing Back (Right)

Imam Suprapto.

Another quality player who replaces Gatot Rahmat at right back. A much needed improvement down the right hand side and one which I look forward to seeing in action.

Samsul Bahri – Goalkeeper

Samsul Bahri.

The idea behind this transfer was that if I change formation, using a high defensive line in the process, Samsul can give me the cover that is required behind my defence. Ignoring his acceleration and pace, he is pretty much a sweeper keeper, albeit at the lower end of the scale.

Fransiskus R Mabel – Defensive Midfielder

Fransiskus Mabel.

Having scouted a number of free transfers during the Summer, Mabel spotted my eye. As you can see he is fairly highly regarded, is part of the Indonesian Under-19′s and will give me defensive midfield options if I decide to play a formation which utilizes such a role. I’ve never been afraid of giving younger players a chance within the first team, especially at this level.

Bryan Cesar Rahmadhan – Midfielder (Left)

Bryan Cesar.

Throughout last season we suffered because of a lack of a natural left winger. Within any formations / tactics that required such a player, I would swap my wingers throughout the match automatically. Both wingers were right footed, hence the swapping.  Not being able to use a natural left winger was frustrating at times, so it is my hope that Bryan Cesar can give us attacking options down the left flank. Alongside Mabel, Pro Titan now have two Indonesian Under-19′s throughout the squad. My next aim is to get my young target man Arif Yanuar into the youth set up.

Two players in the Indonesian Under-19's.

Finances

While there has been plenty of movement within the various transfer windows, financially we are finding it hard, although I’ve never got us close to debt – even praised last season for extremely tight wage control. Pro Titan struggle to make huge profits which isn’t surprising really, therefore I was extremely happy to see that even though we are two tiers below the top flight, our reputation is helping us out. We top the sponsorship table, woop!

Top the sponsorship table.

That sort of money will definitely help us out over the course of the season, and even though in the grand scheme of things it’s a pittance, income of any sort should not be ignored. Plus it’s nice to see that we can command the larger companies support in placing their badges all over the club gear.

Next up, television rights. Again, a nice bit of extra cash to help us out!

Television rights.

If the sponsors continue to support us financially, combined with this seasons television rights, we are looking at just shy of £100k this season through media and company backing. Not to be sniffed at.

Season Expectations

Having narrowly missed out on promotion last season and the board of directors showing a lack of amusement, it was obvious that they would require promotion this time around. Needless to say, they suggested that expectations either be ‘promotion’ or ‘winners’.

Season expectations.

I accepted that I would get Pro Titan promoted and we parted ways. Starting the season with the board confidence reset to ‘satisfied’ certainly goes a long way in helping promotion and my job, but only time will tell.