3 June 2019. The manager's office, Central Stadium, Mykolaiv. DRAMATIS PERSONAE: Grigor Pasha (manager); Andrey Zacharov (Chief Scout) and Pavel Ignatenko (Scout). Yuriy Chaus (Director of Football) is expected but has been delayed by matters pertaining to his new responsibility managing the U21s. PASHA: So you asked me how we should scout for goalies. Let … Continue reading Scouting for goalkeepers
Reportage
Guerilla scouting
30 May 2019. The manager's office, Central Stadium, Mykolaiv. DRAMATIS PERSONAE: Grigor Pasha (manager); Andrey Zacharov (Chief Scout) and Pavel Ignatenko (Scout). Yuriy Chaus (Director of Football) is expected but has been delayed by matters pertaining to his new responsibility managing the U21s. PASHA: Ok, so the database is reasonably extensive. But actually that constitutes … Continue reading Guerilla scouting
FM, Toulouse, and creative writing: Score More FM reveals all
Du Malone writes: On our Other blogs page I provide links to those blogs I particularly enjoy reading. One of the categories I use there is 'blogs that exhibit fine writing'. Listed there you'll find Score More FM, whose Toulouse story I've been particularly enjoying. I'm delighted, therefore, to publish an interview with the author. … Continue reading FM, Toulouse, and creative writing: Score More FM reveals all
MFC Mykolaiv go asymmetrical
End of the working day, 28 May 2020. Atmosfera bar, Central Avenue, Mykolaiv. MFC Mykolaiv manager Grigor PASHA and assistant manager Anatoliy DIDENKO are enjoying a swift half -- well, actually their second swift half -- and sharing a plate of snacks. PASHA: So this, Anatoliy, this is what I'm thinking for the first tactic … Continue reading MFC Mykolaiv go asymmetrical
The view from the boot room: the world according to MFC Mykolaiv’s coaches
Mid-afternoon, 27 May 2019. Scene: the boot room at Central Stadium, Mykolaiv. Cast: Dmytro Nazarenko (coach); Mykola Gibalyuk (coach); Roman Chumak (goalkeeping coach) NAZARENKO: The gaffer's meeting with the senior squad went very well. The expectation of staying up, no sweat, went down well. And the code of discipline was regarded as reasonable. Though personally … Continue reading The view from the boot room: the world according to MFC Mykolaiv’s coaches
Music and FM: my failure in Ukraine
Du Malone writes: In Music for #FM20 I sought to identify suitable music for listening whilst playing my Black Sea saves. The selections worked for me -- but that was months ago and it's time to refresh. Since I am now beginning an MFC Mykolaiv save, I decided to take the opportunity to search for … Continue reading Music and FM: my failure in Ukraine
Club management as brand management: the MFC Mykolaiv brand
Time and date: Just before lunch, 27 May 2019. Place: the manager's office, Central Stadium, Mykolaiv. Cast: Grigor Pasha (manager); Anatoliy Didenko (assistant manager). Pasha has the air of a man in his element. Didenko has the look of the man who has been disconcerted by the rapidity and boldness of the his boss's decision-making. … Continue reading Club management as brand management: the MFC Mykolaiv brand
What do you do with a Director of Football?
Time and date: late morning, 27 May 2019. Place: the manager's office in MFC Mykolaiv's Central Stadium. New manager Grigor Pasha is thinking. Hmm, we have a Director of Football (DoF), Yuriy Chaus. I don't really want a DoF. I'm not really the delegating type. There's no way I'm letting him, or any other members … Continue reading What do you do with a Director of Football?
Special offer from MFC Mykolaiv: a 3-for-1 offer on left wingers
Time and date: late morning, 27 May 2019. Place: manager's office, Central Stadium, Mykolaiv. Grigor Pasha was aware that, on his first day as manager of the club, he would be wanted by all kinds of people for all kinds of things. But they'd have to wait. He noticed, as he entered the manager's office, … Continue reading Special offer from MFC Mykolaiv: a 3-for-1 offer on left wingers
What on earth is going on at MFC Mykolaiv?
Date and time: lunchtime 27 May 2019. Scene: Restaurant La Terrazza & Roppongi, Mykolaiv Cast: two directors of MFC Mykolaiv DIRECTOR 1: An uneventful morning then. All that's happened is that our new manager has been arrived, has been fired, and his replacement has arrived. Am I right? DIRECTOR 2: Yes. And of course as … Continue reading What on earth is going on at MFC Mykolaiv?
