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Great start KUTGW!

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If that's truly what you believe chester

Thanks LCFC!
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Kids

Not only was the site of Apula Bete walking around the Dinamo pitch a great relief to Van Es it also raised a few eyebrows amongst the local media. Who - lets face it - had little to do around Makhachkala now that the race riots had passed a few years back. Being on the border of Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Asia has ensured that the cities history is filled with incidences of racial disharmony and political unrest. If you are to believe most local sources the decline in the conflict has coincided with Osman Kadiev's disarming of the Dagestan mafia which occurred back in the summer of 2004.

Back to Bete there was just the little issue of conjuring up an agreeable transfer fee and the 18 year old Armenian national goalkeeper would be standing between the posts at Dinamo on a permanent basis. Born in Cameroon, Bete's family migrated to Armenia when he was just 14 and the story now reads that he would gain dual citizenship three years later and subsequently be rewarded with his first full cap at the ripe old age of 17.

Van Es sat down with Kadiev in the stand and explained that this signature would be the first of many. Kadiev looked sceptical, "Do you really think you can win this league with kids?"

"Haven't you heard of Bill Shankley?" questioned Van Es.

"Shankley. Wasn't he some famous English writer?"

"If they're good enough, they're old enough" quoted Van Es proudly.

"So what!" volleyed Kadiev.

"Shankley believed in the kids - and so do I boss. So do I!"

Kadiev just stared coldly at the young manager.

Van Es continued, "Today I'm getting that quote painted above the door in the changerooms. Everyday these boys will see that and they'll become stronger. They will believe - and every member of the staff here from Denis the boot studder up to you boss will believe as well. I give you my word!"

"Good. Let's get to work then" grinned Kadiev childishly.

The following two weeks absolutely flew by with eight players signing for Dinamo - including the clubs first signing under Van Es in Apula Bete. Bete joined officially from Pyunik in Armenia once an agreeable fee totalling 95K was delivered. The young keeper was elated to be at a club of such prestige - it is firmly believed that the young Armenian-Cameroonian thought he had signed for the more famous but equally uninspiring Anzhi Makhachkala. With their one Pervyy divizion title back in 1999 Anzhi are the Man United of Makhachkala with Dinamo the Man City equivalent, not just because they wear the light blue proudly but also due to their spiteful hatebred towards their bigger city rival.

Joining Bete at Dinamo were three defenders signing for a grand sum of - wait for it - nothing. Andriy Tcherevko, Andrey Bovtalo and Algis Jankauskas were the bargain buy defenders in question. The biggest signing of Van Es' first raid was no doubt brilliant young centre back Kamalutdin Akhmedov who was prised from Khimki for what is believed to be a club record of 100K. Holding midfielder Alexey Petrov and striker Igor Shevchenko also joined on free transfers while versatile winger Alexey Nikolaev completed the signings when he joined from CSKA Moscow for 1K plus a few future payments. On top of these signings a talented young midfielder Dmitry Kudrashov signed on for a trial after Prem'er-Liga side Krylja Sovetov decided he was not worth continuing with.

After the squads first real training as a group it was clear to see that Van Es had uncovered a few quality kids and without doubt the side was stronger for the recruitment efforts of the staff over the past week or two. That is with the exception of the clubs 57 year old scout Denis Lebedev who it seems is about as useful as a spanner in a gay bar, as Dinamo's only scout you would have high expectations of the guy. Don't! Yes he smells of fish. Why? Well it seems the old coot is a bit superstitious - unfortunately this means he hasn't washed since 1988. Apparently it keeps him 'lucky'. It certainly keeps him out of trouble. Anyway Kadiev has publicly stated that as long as he wants too Lebedev will always have a home at Dinamo. Legend has it that the old man gave Kadiev a heads up while he was just cutting his teeth on the streets of Makhachkala. The rest is history.


The pre-season friendlies came and went without great fanfair in Makhachkala. Three wins, a draw and a loss with Somchenko proving he can deliver the goods up front with some composed and classy finishing. With the new recruits arriving for the final couple of matches it was Akhmedov and the trialist Kudryashov that were playing out of their pants.

After a couple of stunning performances the impressive Kudryashov was finally tabled a contract by Kadiev and Van Es. Surprisingly he shunned the offer saying that, "a club like Dinamo can not take a player of my calibre to the level up to where I belong!"

Well that was a shock. Van Es couldn't understand why the overconfident fool had signed with him on trial if he never intended on signing a longer term contract. As he opened an email from one of his contacts in the Netherlands made things a bit clearer. Kudryashov is rumoured to have signed for ADO Den Haag and apparently his new wage is more than half of what we have for the entire team at Dinamo. "Good luck to the kid" Van Es spoke to his computer screen. Not surprisingly there was no response.


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Will the loss of Kudryashov hurt Van Es' ambitions at Dinamo?

How can anyone respect a league that is called the 'Pervyy division'?

I know it's not a leading question but... that new Assistant Manager still looks familiar I just can't place it. I know it'll come to me soon.

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'The Enforcer'

Confident early season victories over Fakel and Spartak Nalchik left Dinamo surprisingly in 2nd position just behind promotion favourites Luch who had also started the season with 2 victories - a measely 4-0 on both occasions if you don't mind. 19 year old right winger Shamil Burdziev started the season in awesome fashion hitting the net twice in the opener and was joined on the scoresheet by Somchenko and the centre half Golovko. However Burdziev's explosive start to the season was to be shattered late on against Spartak Nalchik in the next match when he managed to badly tear his calf putting himself out of action until at least June. Burdiev's replacement Gamleth Siukaev made an instant impact firing home the second of three goals to ensure that Dinamo's form would continue until at least the third match of the season. A Somchenko strike salvaged a draw against SKA Khabarovsk which was followed by a Serdyukov/Somchenko double against Avangard Kursk to end the month in winning style.

The board were elated and Kadiev immediately passed on the congratulations to Van Es in the only way he knew. It seemed Van Es was to be a lucky boy now that Katya would be visiting twice a week for as long as the side stayed in the top half of the table. If there was one thing that must me said about these (former) Mafioso bosses it's that they know how to look after a lonely man in a new city.

The first month of proper football also saw the first incident of what would become a recurring issue at Dinamo. Age - backup keeper Andrey Sidelnikov had matured to the grand old age of 25, he was subsequently tranfer listed and dropped to the reserves without ever gracing the pitch under new boss Van Es.

"Sorry boss. This is the way it's going to be. You either have faith in me or sack me right now because it's only going to get tougher"

"All right, all right. Sidelnikov is useless anyway" replied Kadiev.

"The thing is boss when Somchenko turns the same age he'll receive the same treatment. As will Burdziev and Bete. It has to be an across the board/no exceptions policy"

Regretfully Kadiev agreed, "look you have 11 months on your contract and I'll give this little project of yours a chance" the eloquent Russian paused for effect, " however - if this club is failing I will pull the reigns so quickly that you won't even see it coming. After all what are contracts really worth these days"

This was where Van Es' new assistant manager Vladimir Mikhaltsov came into play. You see over the 20 years that Mikhaltsov played professionally in Armenia he'd earnt the nickname 'The Enforcer', not only due to his tough tackling misfield play but also thanks to some tough follow up work in an unofficial after match role with the club. Lets just say he helped keep those out of the club that were not wanted and keep in the club those that were still required.

Not surprisingly Sidelnikov took poorly to being dropped and listed. It wasn't long before Vlad 'The Enforcer' convinced the young man that his career may carry more legs at another club, "because your career here at Dinamo is over. Full stop! Back in Belarus we call this the 'final stand' - it means this is where you get to decide whether you walk or get pushed"

"Err, okay Mr Mikhaltsov. Thankyou I will clear my locker and wait for the club to find me a new employer if that's possible" replied a shattered Sidelnikov.

Vlad wrapped his giant arm over the shoulders of the youngster, "Good boy! It's nice to see you have some brains between those ears after all. We'll see what we can do for you"

That's why Mikhaltsov looked so familiar, it's all coming back now. After ending his playing days in Armenia Vladimir was in a TV show called 'Armenian Celebrity Big Brother'. On this show Vlad gained international infamy after brutally bashing an Armenian TV chef that had glanced at Vlad's in house girlfriend (who of course turned out to be a man, but that's an even longer story). It turned out that the TV chef had a lazy eye and wasn't perving on Vlad's girl/boyfriend. But that's life isn't it. Vlad was later cleared of any assault charges and was offered a role as a TV chef at on the very same TV station. He gracefully declined the position.



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'The Enforcer' has shown his worth but with his celebrity status can he still do his job here in Makhachkala?

In such a small squad will Burdziev's loss be covered or can the team strengthen without one of their young stars?

Can this author keep coming up with three pertinent questions at the end of each post??

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You Busy?

April was to be a busy month on the field for Dinamo with eight matches in four weeks and with such a small squad this would surely test the depth and fitness of the team. A Nikolaev strike was enough to share a point at Metallurg-Kuzbass however the midweek trip to Kuban was less profitable resulting in a 3-1 loss with Somchenko's delightful finish adding little to the gloomy nature of the result.

Close to eight thousand fans packed Dinamo for the Makhachkala derby with Anzhi making the short trip from nearby Kaspiysk which is practically a suburb of Makhachkala. It took just one goal to settle a ferocious derby as Anzhi's keeper was left to rue a poor first touch enabling Somchenko to steal pride, glory and the three points - from their most hated neighbours - by tapping in with a gaping goal confronting him. Despite lowly Spartak Tchelyablinsk taking an early lead an opportunistic Asildarov strike followed by a Jankauskas penalty on the stroke of half-time were enough to claim another victory on the road.

Amur came and went with Asildarov and Serdyukov seeing off the visitors 2-0 as the season's toughest test dawned on Dinamo. Away to Sokol Saratov, whether the side really new what to expect could be questioned as after just 11 minutes Dinamo were staring at a 3-0 scoreline in favour of the home side. By half-time it was 4-0 and despite two second half consolation goals by Siukaev the 4-2 final score was due reward for a dominant Sokol Saratov side. Two strikes by Asildarov ended the month with a 1-0 win over highflying Luch followed by a 1-1 draw away to Dinamo Bryansk. Four wins, two draws and two losses in an action packed month of football saw Dinamo drop to third in the Pervyy divizion behind Ural and Luch repsctively.

Sure Kadiev was impressed by the way Van Es had the young team playing but what pleased the Russian even more was the fact that if the finances kept performing this well the club would have close to 2 million in the kitty by the season's close. Cutting senior players and bringing in youngsters that would play for a pittance had ensured that less than half of the club's wage allocation was being utilised.

On the field Somchenko and Asildarov had formed a formidable partnership in front of goals for Dinamo and Van Es was delighted. Knowing that clinical striking was essential at this level to discover a couple of youngsters that would fit his plans that were already used to the system at Dinamo was very fortunate. Of the other boys the standout must surely be Bete in goals who has saved more than one game on his own fingertips whilst Khutov so far looks more than capable of bossing the midfield at this level. It looks like Siukaev can cover the loss of young starlet Burdziev for now on the right but any other injuries would certainly test the depth in this young squad.

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April 2005 - Review

h Metallurg-Kuzbass 1-1
a Kuban 1-3
h Anzhi 1-0
a Spartak Tchelyabinsk 2-1
h Amur 2-0
a Sokol Saratov 2-4
h Luch 1-0
a Dinamo Bryansk 1-1

3rd (of 22) in Pervyy divizion


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I suppose this means the answer for now is no!

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Flying

Four goals in as many games for Somchenko to start May reignited Dinamo's season which was threatening to fade after a bright start. A solid 2-0 win against Lokomotiv Chita was followed by a crushing 3-0 demolition away to Metallurg Lipetsk before lowly Petrotrest visited Dinamo stadium and left on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. Draws with Chkalovets-1936 first, followed by KamAZ and Volgar meant that the month ended with three draws. Undefeated from six matches in May and a run of eight undefeated in total ensured that Dinamo Makhachkala had ignored the doubters by maintaining their 3rd position on the fringe of promotion as the meaty part of the season was almost upon them.

Injury was beginning to take it's toll on a relatively small and inexperienced squad. With first choice right winger Burdziev already out for a few months his backup Siukaev managed to break a toe at training in the build up to the clash with KamAZ ensuring that young Dorokhin would gain his first start of the season. The boy didn't stand out but he did a job, unfortunately if Dinamo are to maintain their current position they will need more than just work-man like efforts on the park. The competition to escape the Pervyy divizion to the bright lights of the Prem'er-Liga is always fiercely fought in Russia and this season will be no different. Everyone will now be gunning for the young upstarts of Dinamo after showing what they can do over the past eight weeks.

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The press were snapping away at the feet of anything that happened around Dinamo. It appears that Van Es' appointment and subsequent shake up has not only left the club flying near the top of the Pervyy divizion table it also sparked an interest in the goings on of the football club. This amount of interest had not been witnessed since the Zona Yug success of 2003 which propelled Dinamo back into the Pervyy divizion where they belong.

Every angle was being covered. Was it the Dutch style of beautiful flowing football with the one goal of success above all else? Or was the discipinarian nature of Van Es' relationship with the strong hand of Dinamo chairman Osman Kadiev's that had bred such a fearless attitude amongst the young squad? In truth it was a melding of these theories along with another couple of angles that Van Es was prepared to open up with regard to these youngsters. The Russian discipline, precision and quest for perfection was joined by Van Es' natural quest for a beautiful and successful style of play which were then enforced by his Scottish hardness and unrelenting - if somewhat oft misguided - passion.

Various sectors of the media were even claiming that Stu Van Es could be the leader that would make Moscow stand up and take notice of Dagestan. There were even whispers that the Chechen population of this proud southern state were preparing for Dinamo and Van Es to lead them into the heart of the capitalist state. Mere speculation no doubt but the sort of speculation that causes a stir amongst the power mongers of Russian business and Russian football in Moscow, which undoubtedly go hand in hand. The name Van Es was gaining notoriety and in all honesty Stu had done little to earn such respect to date. It was early and much more would be required before speculation would turn to belief.


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May 2005 - Review

h Lokomotiv Chita 2-0
a Metallurg Lipetsk 3-0
h Petrotrest 2-1
h Chkalovets-1936 1-1
a KamaAZ 0-0
a Volgar 1-1

3rd (of 22) in Pervyy divizion


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Can Somchenko's golden touch continue in front of goals?

Will the notoriety gained by Van Es work against his young side?

Does Dorokhin have what it takes at this level or will the current right wing injury crisis damage Dinamo's highflying ambitions?

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Bust-up

In a month shortened by international schedules Dinamo received the mixed bag in June. The run of eight matches undefeated came unstuck at home to league leaders Ural when a single Zubko penalty was enough to see off the challengers. It was back to business as the ever impressive Khutov and the returning Siukaev ensured the three points at Orel before letting two points slip at home to promotion contenders Khimki despite a brace by Somchenko's understated offsider Asildarov. With one win, one draw and one loss the Makhachkala club slipped one position to 4th in the Pervyy divizion - falling behind Khimki who are now pressuring Ural and Fakel for those precious promotion spots.

As the Dinamo Makhachkala side has settled a little now despite the right wing issues Van Es had been able to firmly pen his best eleven for the first time since taking over. In goals it is the indominable Apula Bete with Jankauskas, Akhmedov, Gomlenko and Bovtalo across the back four from left to right. The imposing Petrov has made the jump from amateur football to the Pervyy divizion with ease and holds down the defensive midfield position. Across the park once more from left to right Nikolaev, Khutov and preferably Burdziev make up the rest of the midfield. Finally up front Somchenko and Asildarov have given the backup strikers little to nibble on, but whilst these two keep scoring everyone at the club will be happy. Well everyone except the backup strikers that is. All in all the club is performing above expectations but this means little to the board who's expectations grow week to week as the club continues to fight above it's weight.


"No boss, things are going exceedingly well both on and off the pitch" replied Van Es curtly.

"On pitch - yes, but off pitch are you really sure?"

"Happy as I've been in years"

Kadiev seemed curious, "You are happy with Katja then?"

"What about Katja wouldn't I be happy with? She is beautiful and intelligent - both things that I admire greatly in a woman"

"Bah! Intelligence, wasted on a woman. She is talented - yes - but intelligent? I doubt it Stu"

"You know your problem boss? You only see what you want to see" remarked Van Es sharply.

Kadiev smirked - raising an eyebrow towards Van Es, "I have no problems. You are becoming confident with me son. I don't like it. Be confident sure - but I don't want to see it okay!"

"Whatever keeps you happy"

The Russians fury was simmering by now, "She is nothing but a wh*re! You understand that right? A wh*re, she is nothing - worthless!"

The two parted ways and departed the training ground with Kadiev turning dramatically and shouting for all to hear, "Don't test me Van Es! Don't test me!"


June 2005 - Review

h Ural 0-1
a Orel 2-0
h Khimki 2-2

4th (of 22) in Pervyy divizion

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Will Van Es test his boss?

Is Katja really just a wh*re or can it ever be more?

With their undefeated run long gone can Dinamo regain form and continue to push for promotion?

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I damn love Russian stories. But maybe because I dislike the nation because of my countries past.

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You know Tanel - I too love Russian stories.

I don't know what it is but there's something about Russian football that intrigues me. Just something about the east i guess.

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Nurses

After a quiet June Dinamo started July with two tough away matches and faired poorly with a 1-0 loss to Spartak Nalchik closely followed by a 2-1 defeat to 2nd placed Fakel. Things were back on track with Jankauskas penalties leading the side to well earned victories over Avangard Kursk and SKA Khabarovsk. However the form was only temporary as a disappointing loss to Metallurg-Kuzbass followed along with a lucky draw against an impressive Kuban side to end the month in pooor fashion.

The drop to 5th in the table was dissapointing however there were bigger things to worry about at Dinamo. Following the loss to Spartak Nalchik backup striker Golovko was chastised by Kadiev about his poor effort as a substitute in the days match. The public would learn just days later that Golovko's contract had been terminated immediately - terminated one day before Golovko's 25th birthday. This in itself was not big news. Golovko was an average player that offered little to Dinamo's game, however following injuries to right winger Gamleth Siukaev again and leading striker Eugeny Somchenko the timing of the dismissal was poor to say the least. The injury problems at Dinamo worsened when 19 year old standout centre back Kamalutdin Akhmedov was sidelined for up to a month with a groin strain just two days later.

By the time the club had made it's first signing of the July/August transfer window matters had become even worse with giant holding midfielder Alexey Petrov ruled out for at least a month with an ankle problem. Yaroslav Kharitonskiy was the signing in question - a talented central midfielder who had been lost in Prem'er-Liga side Shinnik's reserves of late. By the time Kharitonskiy debuted against Avangard Kursk three other signings were being touted by Dinamo chairman Osman Kadiev and his manager Stu Van Es. Fortunately for the club first choice right winger Burdziev finally returned from injury to play alongside new signings defender Anton Grigorjev and strikers Roman Rebrov and Dmitry Kudinov. In the final match of July the debutant Rebrov was unlucky not to score however he'll need to show even more now that regular striker Rasim Asildarov has torn his calf and will be sidelined for close to three months.

Injuries had become a curse for Dinamo and Van Es was concerned. His players had seen more of the fiesty nurses in Makhachkala Central Hospital than they had of eachother of late. It was showing too - results were still good - but the side was playing very inconsistently and it wasn't good enough. The thought of altering the training and recovery for the players was upmost in Van Es' mind, the problem was Kadiev. After seeing the money come in as it has been the chairman seems less than encouraging about hiring new trainers and physios. Time will tell. One more injury and even Kadiev may be tempted to open the purse strings a little more.

"We'll need more still" Van Es spoke out loud from his desk as he shuffled through scouting reports.

Stu Van Es sat down to assess his new signings and where they would fit in. Since the Katja argument things had been very frosty between Kadiev and Van Es, and in all honesty it was hard to see the situation changing any time soon. All Dinamo's new signings were technically free to keep Van Es' end of the bargain - some included future fees for former clubs - but nothing that devalued the original agreement. It was obvious that depth was needed and that's where the two strikers fitted in. Grigorjev on the other hand was a genuine starter and finally the club had a left sided defender on their books. The ever impressive Lithuanian Algis Jankauskas has played out of position all season to date and could finally shift over to right back where he is more comfortable. Jankauskas has been very effective so far and his 5 goals from the penalty spot have been crucial in elevating Dinamo to the position which they hold proudly in the top six.


"Get Serdyukov to my office now!" screamed Van Es down the line to Mariana.

15 minutes passed before Sergey Serdyukov sheepishly entered his managers office.

"I guess you know what this is about Sergey"

"I, it's, it's not what I said boss. You know the papers. I told them that I hoped that I would be coming under serious contention soon and that an improved contract would no doubt not be far off" responded Serdyukov.

"So you're not asking for a new contract. You aren't disappointed by the signing of two new strikers. Is that right Sergey?"

"Well no. I guess I'd hope that you'd look at me before the new boys to replace Somchenko or Asildarov - that's all"

"We signed the kids for depth, without our top two strikers of course we'd be looking to you to step up" reassured Van Es.

"Well, thanks boss"

"That's why it's such a shame you went to the press"

Serdyukov was visibly shaken, "What?"

"Don't worry Sergey you are of some value to us, we should get a decent sum for you still. After all you're only 23."

With that Van Es opened the door for Serdyukov to exit, "learn from this boy. Good luck wherever you end up" Van Es' sincerity was less than genuine.


Dinamo Makhachkala Review - July 2005

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| [July Fixtures] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| || A Spartak Nalchik 0-1 | | A Fakel 1-2 Jankauskas(p) || H Avangard Kursk 2-0 Jankauskas(p), Asildarov || H SKA Khabarovsk 2-1 Jankauskas(p), Serdyukov || H Mettalurg-Kuzbass 1-2 Asidarov || H Kuban 1-1 Jankauskas(p) || -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| [Pervvy divizion 31.07.05] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| | | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Ural | | 27 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 51 | 17 | +34 | 66 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 2nd | | Fakel | | 27 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 25 | +16 | 53 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Khimki | | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 58 | 33 | +25 | 48 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Sokol Saratov | | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 40 | 25 | +15 | 48 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | *Dinamo Makhachkala* | | 27 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 41 | 25 | +16 | 47 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Kuban | | 27 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 44 | 29 | +15 | 47 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Luch | | 27 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 49 | 33 | +16 | 46 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Amur | | 27 | 13 | 4 | 10 | 46 | 38 | +8 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Orel | | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 40 | 33 | +7 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Spartak Nalchik | | 27 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 36 | 43 | -7 | 41 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Anzhi | | 27 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 41 | 34 | +7 | 40 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | SKA Khabarovsk | | 27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 45 | 35 | +10 | 37 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Chkalovets-1936 | | 27 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 25 | 22 | +3 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Volgar | | 27 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 34 | 38 | -4 | 34 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Metallurg Lipetsk | | 27 | 9 | 2 | 16 | 42 | 47 | -5 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Metallurg-Kuzbass | | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 33 | -7 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Dinamo Bryansk | | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 36 | 51 | -15 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Lokomotiv Chita | | 27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 36 | 62 | -26 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Avangard Kursk | | 27 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 48 | -30 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | KamAZ | | 27 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 26 | 35 | -9 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Petrotrest | | 27 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 22 | 56 | -34 | 14 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Spartak Tchelyabinsk | | 27 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 17 | 52 | -35 | 10 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Note: Top 2 clubs will be promoted to Prem'er-Liga, bottom 5 clubs will be relegated || -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>


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Can the new signings cover the loss of Somchenko up front?

Has Dinamo and Van Es' bubble burst with the recent run of lost points and missed opportunities?

With the season getting on is the pressure and workload becoming too much for Dinamo's young tyros?

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You want goals?

The injury induced striker shortage at Dinamo was emphasised away to cross town rivals Anzhi with Roman Rebrov playing just his second match for the club as a lone striker. Despite Rebrov hitting the net for the first time in Dinamo colours to equalise early in the second half it was Anzhi who took the three points with an 83rd minute winner. Immediately following the Anzhi defeat Van Es announced that they would be unveiling a further two strikers in the morning.


"How do you rate Zakazaka and Plyaskin? Are they going to fill the boots of Somchenko and Asildarov or will it be more of a patchup job?" came the first question from the football broadcaster of the local radio station.

"The boys are young 19 and 21 repectively so we don't expect the world from them - but, I hasten to add - they will have to step up immediately while our first choice strikers are stuck in the physios rooms" Van Es responded.

"We understand that Zakazaka is an international representative at 19. Where has he been playing?"

"Jimmy was granted a big career move when Brazilian giants Internacional signed him from his boyhood club in Malawi, curiously named Total Big Bullets. However his time in Brazil was not productive for the boy so that's where we stepped in"

Changing the focus of the interview, "The other boy Plyaskin, no-one seems to know much of him around here. Where is he from and what attracted your club to him?"

"Dmitry is a quick striker who has scored freely at lower levels of competition here in Russia but has not played in the professional leagues until now, we obviously hope he can continue his goal scoring form with us in the second half of the season"

"But can they replace experienced first choice strikers with goals on the board?"

"Can they do it? You'll have to come along on Saturday and find out" finished Van Es as he hung up the phone.


The crowd at Dinamo stadium were rapturous in their welcome of 19 year old Malawian international striker Jimmy Zakazaka who was introduced alongside fellow striker Dmitry Plyaskin and a third signing - left sided Georgian midfielder Beka Jgenti. Just a day prior to the match with bottom side Spartak Tchelyabinsk the clubs dwindling strike options had been replenished in one hit of bargain signings and manager Stu Van Es was pleased by the quality that they been able to snap up at such short notice.

Plyaskin wouldn't debut against Spartak Tchelyabinsk after carrying an existing injury to his new club, subsequently new signing Zakazaka was partnered by Rebrov for the match with the Pervyy divizion relegation favourites. It was a tight encounter but it was the two strikers in question that made the decisive move with Rebrov crossing for Zakazaka to emphatically head home on his debut for the club. The match would end 1-0 to Dinamo and it proved crucial as the club set off on an unbeaten run following this grafted victory.

A 1-0 win over Amur was to follow with Plyaskin replacing the unfit Zakazaka and scoring on his debut in Dinamo's second match of the week. Then it was Sokol Saratov - 4th vs 5th - however it wasn't long before Dinamo were looking comfortable with Plyaskin putting them 1-0 up and cruising. A late equaliser looked to spoil the party for the visitors. The side from Saratov hadn't counted on Rasim Khutov further emphasising his goal scoring reputation by getting onto Jgenti's flick on at the top of a crowded box before jinking past one defender and blasting the ball into the top corner with what was virtually the last kick of the match.

A Jankauskas penalty and a late Kharitonskiy strike saw off Luch and ensured that Dinamo's league run would go to four wins and surge the Makhachkala side to within 5 points of Fakel and the second promotion spot. To the delight of the travelling Dinamo fans Somchenko made a cameo off the bench along with Petrov, both returning from long injury layoffs. The month came to a close with another signing, another win and another injury. Attacking midfielder Ruslan Albarov signed for free to add depth in the middle of the park just prior to the cup fixture with Fakel. The match not surprisingly ended with another Dinamo victory - Khutov starring once more to help see them off 2-0. Unfortunately the match was tainted once more by injury as Zakazaka jagged a hamstring which would see him out for a couple of weeks. After the disappointment of July, Dinamo had turned things around and were just five points behind the second promotion spot and Fakel.


Amidst all this a disgruntled Serdyukov finally left to Gaz-Gaz for a reasonable fee after the player had a very public bust-up with Van Es just 2 weeks ago. The player exits to date at Dinamo had been more than adequately covered by the talent shown by the new (and free) signings. The likes of Serdyukov were not required by Van Es and he'd made it blatantly obvious that no individual would be greater than the team.


Dinamo Makhachkala Review - August 2005

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| [August Fixtures] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| || A Anzhi 1-2 Rebrov | | H Spartak Tchelyabinsk 1-0 Zakazaka || A Amur 1-0 Plyaskin || H Sokol Saratov 2-1 Plyaskin, Khutov || A Luch 2-0 Jankauskas(p), Kharitonskiy || A Fakel (5th Rd Cup) 2-0 Plyaskin, Rebrov || -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| [Pervvy divizion 30.08.05] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| | | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Ural | | 32 | 23 | 8 | 1 | 59 | 20 | +39 | 77 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Fakel | | 32 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 53 | 30 | +23 | 64 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | |*Dinamo Makhachkala* | | 32 | 17 | 8 | 7 | 48 | 28 | +20 | 59 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Kuban | | 32 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 52 | 36 | +16 | 57 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Khimki | | 32 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 62 | 36 | +26 | 55 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Sokol Saratov | | 32 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 43 | 28 | +15 | 53 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>


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Who can stop Dinamo's surge up the table?

With four foreigners and only three match day positions who will miss out of Bete, Jgenti, Zakazaka and Jankauskas?

Does anyone really care?