Heineken Red Star FC: Open the Footballing World - Season 5 Midpoint - LIGUE 1

Ligue 1. The first in a line of goals planned for this save has finally come true. That being said, the work in the league has only just begun. The most immediate goal is to stay up. Looking at our squad, we will need to do some strengthening if we are going to compete to stay up, let alone begin our winning ways.

TRANSFERS IN/OUT

OUT

Very little to talk about in terms of outs. Mahiddine and Zukanovic never developed. Hutchinson looks to impress on loan to become another successful American player for the club.

Bertaud looks like he could develop VERY well for us. Coming to the club for 11k last year, we have fought off much interest from some of the top teams in Ligue 1 to keep him. Being either footed and possessing 15 pace and 12 crossing at just 18 years of age, I am hoping we can develop him into a threat from both flanks.

IN

Nabil Alioui has been brought in on a free to compete with Bamba. Sane has fallen to the wayside and seems perfectly content to be our 3rd or 4th choice striker. Bamba needs a presence behind him to push him, and Alioui can do just that.

Much like Alioui, Arango was brought in to compete with and push Houri this season. A bit of a throwback to FM17, Arango was available on a free and ticks the boxes, adding a piece of quality and depth to our central midfield.

With Mfulu getting on in age, it was time to bring in another bruiser in our DM position. Over the coming years, I envision Kouakou and Thomas competing for minutes in that DM role. Both players will benefit from this competition.

FIXTURES/RESULTS

PRESEASON

If i am honest, I wasn't truly happy with preseason. I say this because we had some fairly good results, aside from the 2-5 against OL. The reason for my displeasure is the quality of opponents we are playing in preseason. Next year, a priority will have to be on playing tougher opponents to prepare for the level of competition we are now regularly facing.

Rough start to life in Ligue 1. The crazy thing, even with this very poor run of form..we have never been in the relegation zone this entire season. All the focus is on results for the rest of the season.

FM PEELS

Just a few updates from the manager..

We've signed an extension with the club! I've lowered the salary as much as possible to make sure we are utilizing the funds in the club in better areas. A 4 year contract, which I can only see being extended again in the coming years. We have built quite the rapport with the board. 2 Titles in 4 years for a lower league side will do that I suppose.

An award I thoroughly did not anticipate. I say this because we were already halfway through our Ligue 1 campaign when we received the award. A personal accolade that I am once again very proud of.

Check back soon for more from HRSFC and Head Coach FM Peels. To follow along with the save more regularly, follow @RattledCrossbar over on Twitter for steady updates!

-FM Peels