Liga II outfit Farul Constanta have surprised the football world by appointing Grigor Pasha as their new manager. Pasha, who is Bulgarian, is no stranger to the Black Sea region. In the 1980s he played in the Varna region in Bulgaria. He then took time out from football, working in the merchant navy and what … Continue reading Breaking news: Surprise managerial appointment in Romania
Reportage
Where has the football manager gone?
Du Malone writes: Grigor Pasha sent me this rather bleak photo, accompanied by the following text: 'Have come here in the hope/expectation of landing a job in football management'. But, frustratingly, he forgot to tell me where 'here' is. Can anyone help? Picture credit: Image generously made available by andrejwin under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 … Continue reading Where has the football manager gone?
How to keep your players fit and free from injury
Du Malone writes: I’m far from expert about what goes on, on the pitch. So to succeed at Football Manager (FM) I have to attend closely to what goes on, off it. One area in which I do seem to succeed is management of injuries and fitness. My aim is always that, when the match … Continue reading How to keep your players fit and free from injury
Breaking news: Pasha quits Balchik, citing medical issues
June 2023: It has been confirmed that Grigor Pasha's 4-year reign at Black Sea-outfit Chernomorets Balchik is over. In a press release Pasha said, 'I have been diagnosed with a condition known as incipient ennui and have decided to take some time away from the game. 'My doctor, Dr Glarus, has recommended that I allow … Continue reading Breaking news: Pasha quits Balchik, citing medical issues
Football manager: the grumpy old man edition
Grigor Pasha writes: June 2023. The prolonged winter break in Bulgaria means that we don't get much time off in the close season in the summer. Still, I've found a few days to catch up with Mariya, my half-sister. She's come up the coast from Burgas to stay with me for in Balchik. When she … Continue reading Football manager: the grumpy old man edition
The benefits from using a wide target man (WTM)
Du Malone writes: From discussion online I don't get the impression that the wide-target man (WTM) role is widely used in FM. Members of the FM community often publish their formations. These reveal that WTM isn't at all a popular choice for players playing wide in the attacking-mid line. Wingers, inside forwards, and inverted wingers are … Continue reading The benefits from using a wide target man (WTM)
How to get out of a bad run
Du Malone writes: I'm very pleased to say that my guest post on this subject has been published on the Dictate the Game website: https://dictatethegame.com/2020/02/15/how-to-manage-in-a-crisis-on-fm20/.
How to develop a club: get those positive cycles going!
In this edition of Black Sea FM, Du Malone interviews Grigor Pasha, manager of Chernomorets Balchik. Context: success on the Black Sea coast Du Malone: Pasha has been in charge at Balchik for four seasons. In his second season, they won the Bulgarian Second League. In the third season, when the First League split into … Continue reading How to develop a club: get those positive cycles going!
Arrigo Sacchi and #FM20: team instructions and set pieces
Du Malone writes: It is time to bring this series of posts, concerning the application to #FM20 of Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan tactics, to a close. To do so I'd like to cover two remaining topics. Team instructions As readers of previous posts will know, I have based this project on the account of Sacchi's … Continue reading Arrigo Sacchi and #FM20: team instructions and set pieces
Tactical revisionism: Arrigo Sacchi in the Bulgarian First
Du Malone writes: In my previous post I outlined a tactic (in the sense of formation + player instructions) derived from Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan side. The tactic was used with success in the 2021-22 season by Chernomorets Balchik in the Bulgarian First League. In the first ('Preliminary') stage, consisting of 26 matches, Balchik, in … Continue reading Tactical revisionism: Arrigo Sacchi in the Bulgarian First
