FK Strathcarnage, Pride of the Black Mountain!

It's what Montenegro means, y'know (the Black Mountain bit, I added the "Pride" bit myself). To further commemorate the GWC exploits, it's time to meet the squad properly, starting with the GKs:

Goalkeepers

1. Stipe Pletikosa
Stipe "The Stripe" Pletikosa, native of Split, has been capped 81 times by Croatia, placing him joint 4th on their all time list with Robert Jarni (and the highest placed player currently still active). He has lived up to this reputation for Strathcarnage, providing a solid defensive platform and averaging 7 in official games along the way. As you can see, he presents a terrifying prospect to onrushing attackers, chiefly because his face looks as though it has slightly melted.

13. Mladen Bozovic
"Bozo" is what is often referred to as a Big Unit. Or alternatively, brick shithouse. 6'5" and 14 and a half Stone, the Montenegrin international (7 caps to date) is pushing hard for Stripe's place as #1, but still has someway to go to reach the required level of consistency. He started his career with Buducnost Podgorica and, if you peep carefully at the photo, he is sporting their badge (the badge on which the 'Carnage's new emblem is partially based).

22. Bojan Zogovic
A relatively tiny 6'3", The Zog has been known to ask Bozo to fetch him things from very high shelves. He's also notoriously publicity-shy, hence the picture of his former club's badge in place of a bio pic (basically, I couldn't find one. Google Imagesearch just turned up some pictures of fat chess players). Only 21 and already a threat to Mladen's place on the bench, he's a bright goalkeeping prospect (3.5 stars of it) and has been near enough ever present for the U21s.

30. Marko Lucic
Young Marko was one of the first products of the Carnagecademy in Montenegro, and is showing distinct promise regardless of his ongoing assessment (currently standing at 2.5 stars). He isn't as tall as the other 'keepers, a mere 6'2", which makes for an oddly sloping team photo.

Defenders

2. Milan Bogunovic (DR)
Milan continues the big physical theme of the team, bringing his 6'2" bulk to the rightback spot. The 26 year old is no slouch however, with perfectly acceptable pace and well rounded mentals complemented the tough-tackling style. Formerly a member of a team (not sure which) in the Hungarian league (thanks Wikipedia, who knew there were so many foreigners in the Hungarian league?!?), Boggers has been the very image of consistency since signing, averaging comfortably over 7 across the 92 games he's played thus far.

18. Burak Inkaya (DL)
Burak, the sole non former-FYR remaining in the squad, has clung to his first team spot with tenacity and no little skill. A positive midget in the side at just 5'7", he provides a distinct contrast to Boggers at left back, but with similar results (also averaging over 7) and still covered in dark green arrows at 24. The internet is curiously quiet on his appearance, but he does appear to have played for the Turkish team to which that emblem belongs, which is nice.

6. Vanja Dzaferovic (DC)
"Uncle" Vanja (I'm going to keep repeating that til it sticks) has brought a calming, experienced presence to the centre of defence since signing (apart from when being sent off in GWC Quarter Finals, of course). Strong and hardworking, given the level of his performances for the 'Carnage, it's a mystery that the 27 year old is yet to be capped by his country.

5. Roberto Puncec (DC)
A Croatian U19 international, this 18 year old, 6'4" beast of a central defender has been a revelation this season, averaging 7.6 in 29 official games, scoring 13 goals, and being nominated for OFA Young Player of the Year.

20. Milan Medic (DC/DM)
Poor young Milan. Transfermarkt.co.uk doesn't even list him as having a market value (although it does indicate he plays for Radnicki Sombor in the Serbian second division). Still, the 20 year old has proved a capable and cultured deputy when called upon (filling in at DM as well as DC), starting 12 official matches, coming on as a sub in a further 4 and disappointing in 0 of them.

23. Filip Stojkovic (DR)
Little Filip is another deemed to be valueless by Transfermarkt, so it's probably good he has his farming to fall back on. He looks quite old for 17 there, probably had a big paper round too. Transfermarkt does indicate that he plays for FK Sopot Belgrade and is a Serbian U17 international. Most of the internet seems quite quiet on FK Sopot, all I've been able to glean is that they play in purple, in a tiny stadium and also run a women's team. Filip has performed strongly for the U21s, and certainly not disgraced himself in any of his 18 official senior starts, even chipping in with 2 goals.

3. Sinisa Rozman (DL)
Sinisa can has a value! According to Transfermarkt, anyway - £45k, no less. And also more, at least than his value on FML (£28k). Still, little Sinisa is (or so my coaches assure me) a 4 star prospect and his performances do nothing to dissuade me from believing that. Steady rather than spectacular for the U21s, he has rapidly improving attributes across the board. Such has been the indefatigable consistency of Burak the Turk, Sinisa has been limited to a single official start for the first team. He averaged 7.58 a provided an assist. Was probably gutted to be stuffed straight back into the U21s to mature a bit more (he is only 19, after all), but such is football.

14. Marko Filipovic (DRC)

I didn't think Marko was a regen, but a scouring of the internet seems to suggest he was (just one of the very early ones - there is a real Marko Filipovic, but he's about 30, and my Marko is 16). A quick and strong centre half (with slight fullback tendencies), he's had an impressive season in both the U21s and also the seniors when required. Was a candidate for release to make room for Montenegrin graduates, his performances (and development) have earnt him at least another season.

31. Nedeljko Pejovic (DR)

Most recent academy graduate, the initial signs don't look good for little Nedeljko. Starting assessment suggests a lowly 1.5 stars of potential, with attributes to back this up. Still, he's only 15 and he'll get a season in the youth set up at least, to see how/if he progesses (initial signs are better on this front, some good green arrows).

29. Sead Donkovic (DC)

An early academy hatchling, there was cautious giddiness when he arrived with an initial 4 star potential. This has since slipped back to 3.5 for the 15 year old, but he has some impressive attributes for his age (positioning of 16 and marking of 14), so hopes are still high. Needs to work on his jumping though, it's like he has no knees at the moment.

32. Milos Akovic (DC/FC)

Despite being that most detestable of hybrids, the bright green DC and dark green FC (really thought they'd been phased out with Paul Warhurst and Chris Sutton), and also despite an initial assessment of 2.5 stars of potential, 15 year old Milos will get a season to prove his graduate credentials like the rest of them. And will likely then be shot.



Right, think it would be prudent to give the mids their own post after that mammoth effort. Oh, and in the meantime, the 'Carnage have guaranteed themselves a top six finish (highest 2nd, lowest 6th)! Early season goal accomplished.