Things have been on the up down the Carnage Bowl - the doughty band of young 'slavs (with a turkish left back) flying up the rankings, hovering around the top 5 in the youth section. However, the strain was telling - the high pressure system takes it's toll and, with fitness levels often ending under 40%, I thought it was time to bolster their ranks with some old heads, to take the heat off in the seniors and provide some squad resilience.
Out:
Caner Osmanpasa, 22, Turkey - giant centrehalf snapped up by Raufoss IL for £7k. Burak Inkaya is even more lonely now.
In:
Zelimir Terkes, 28, Bosnia - A wily striker, primarily for the poacher slot, take the strain off young Lovro Scrbec. Brought in from Gooners Utd for £16k and a well rounded striker (not in the Mick Quinn sense), Zeli has settled in quickly, netting 15 times in 25 unofficial comps already.
Milan Bogunovic, 26, Serbia - a tough tackling rightback, with good all round attributes, he's started as though he's always played for us, averaging well over 7 after 16 matches (including two league games). A long term club legend in the making, snaffled for buttons from free agency.
Vanja Dzaferovic, 27, Croatia - a steadying influence to bring along young Puncec in the first team, Vanja has also slotted in with the appearance of always having been there. Great mental attributes, nothing ruffles "Uncle" Vanja, complements the burly young enthusiasm of Puncec very well.
All in all, a pleasing week's work - should be well set for the first three seasons now, with money available for the right purchase should they present themselves, with the ranks being bolstered by academy graduates soon. All very much in contrast with the seismic upheaval going on over at the Onions, but more on that later...
