After a somewhat disappointing fifth place finish last season The Fifth Column now is enjoying a luxurious vacation on the island Alcatraz. With rooms of 4 square metres and one meal a day everyone is enjoying the good life.
Just before leaving for Alcatraz, traveling by bike and swimming across, manager Woodstock was delivered the change report. With 14 bars extra, a bar less than the previous season's report was achieved. But all in all it was decent enough. Only young Russian Oleg Ekimov missed his bar due to his alcohol problem and immediately was sacked to seek professional help. Albeit he has some talent, his lack of attitude will probably result in the consequence of him never playing anymore games on Xpert Eleven.
"We invested some millions in this frigging moron and we get nothing in return. I now have to explain this to our financial manager Jenny Everdeane as we also seek to make some profit on some our players. She will probably make me strip and dance like a bear on a gigantic ball on the main square of the Five Points."
So far The Fifth Column bought one new player on the cheap to replace poor Ekimov and keep the balance right. This is especially important since the sad news that came from the medical department, who told manager Woodstock that superstar Svenne Hagerth only has one more season until his knee collapses.
"We are devastated with the Svenne news. He has been with us since his mum bought his first boxers. From a 16/3 he became the best defender and freekick taker in the Power League, and a terrific captain and mentor to all the lads. He claimed his tenth most valuable player award last season and hopefully he can say goodbye with his eleventh."
As for the new season the division actually looks a lot tougher then last season. The competition has stronger players and seem more balanced.
"Well we aren't too shabby either. Our squad value increased by 30 million and we are the most valuable; furthermore our age is more right this time around. We hope to battle for the playoffs. Special effort will be made in the cup as it's Svenne's last season and maybe we can get a somewhat easier draw this time."
As preparation The Fifth Column played his yearly friendly against his brother, who manages Norax FC. The match was won 4-0 which says nothing, but Norax FC is a top division team. They survived on the last day last season in splendid fashion and hopefully they can do a little better on the highest level this season. Another friendly was played against Worchester Royals, a team much like the Fifth Column, and in a most entertaining match 2-2 was the result on the scoreboard.
As the club really does lack econs no less than four of our players are on offer. Maybe the prices are a little steep for some; but then again you wont find better players with better education, cherished and development anywhere on Xpert11.