[Drewcorp]

Season: 2008/09
Club: Real Mallorca

Transfers In:

Manuel Ruz (1m)
Stefan Barboianu (750k)
Franco Zuculini (500k)
Raul Goni (250k)
Razvan Ochirosii (250k)
Tsvetomir Todorov (50k)

Transfers Out:

Fernando Varela (3m)
Josemi (1.5m)
Josep Lluis Marti (500k)
Javier Dorado (250k)
Jordi (free)

Transfer Round Up:

With transfer funds tight it was important to spend wisely. It also meant I had to focus on bringing in young talent rather than proven veterans. Franco Zuculini looks to have a bright future in the centre of midfield whilst Ochirosii and Barboianu arrive to bolster my options on the flanks.

Josemi and Josep Lluis Marti were both valued members of the first team but departed to lower the clubs wage bill. Fernando Varela was an important sale that funded the majority of my business this summer.

Starting XI:

GK - Dudu Aouate
DR - Manuel Ruz
DL - Enrique Corrales
DC - David Navarro
DC - Jose Nunes
MR - Stefan Barboianu
ML - Jose Manuel Jurado
MC - Mario Suarez
MC - Juan Arango ©
FC - Aritz Aduriz
FC - Pierre Achille Webo

Top Scorer: Juan Arango (13)
Top Assister: Juan Arango (10)
Fans Player Of The Year: Juan Arango (Goals 13 - Assists 10)
My Player Of The Year: Jose Nunes

Liga BBVA:

http://i28.tinypic.com/fvvi80.jpg

Copa Del Rey:

Fixture List

http://i28.tinypic.com/2hhekb6.jpg

Season Review:

A comfortable mid-table finish would of been a good achievement at the start of the season. However we managed to get off to a flying start, forging a reputation as a solid resilient side that teams would have to work hard to break down. Close draws with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia cemented our reputation. However a strong start to the season was going to be matched with a poor finish. Embarassing 6-2 defeats to both Barcelona and Villarreal shattering our confidence.

Our early season success was built upon our solid defence, as teams began to find weaknesses in our back four, our forward line that had failed to impress all season struggled to compensate. Webo, Trejo and Aduriz getting only 22 goals between them. It was left to the midfield, in particular Juan Arango to drive the team forward.

A mid-table finish is something that we can look to build on next season. The squad needs investment in most areas, but a goalscorer is top of the shopping list.

[aird]

Good first season and a nice comfortableish finish.

Did you get Zuculini in straight away or in January? Because i'm sure i got him straight away with Parma now he's always coming in January because hes under 18 :(

What are you long terms goals for the squad?

[Drewcorp]

Zuculini arrived in January for the reasons you mentioned. My long term goal is to get into Europe. But the top half of the league is so competitive. Madrid and Barca usually break away but the rest of the top half usually take points off each other and group together. I'd love to challenge for the title one day but at the moment Barca and Madrid just seem so far ahead.

[david]

Half decent first season, if only you had a good striker I think you would have been further up the table, without a doubt.

How much you got to spend next season and who are your targets?

[Drewcorp]

I don't think I'll get much to spend. Its going to be one of those sell before I buy seasons. Although Arango is probably the only player I won't look to get rid of. The squad is so average we did really well to get mid-table.

[Rob]

Congrats on getting a solid mid-table finish, a shame that you had a poor end of season but I'm sure you will bring in the players needed to further improve next season.