what do you have against slutsky, he already show that he is a great coach at fc moscow before he went to the mess called samara, in any case a more competent manager than vgg (how is it possible to dislike slutsky but mention that gazzaev is a loss) and zico. his only flaw is that he barely risk anything as you can see with him holding on one of the sisters instead of nabakin for the crucial games at the beginning at right back.

cska might have less money than the other top teams but financial worries? a lot of cash for the cl progress so far, a record from the sponsorship was announced today, krasic and maybe vagner love selling will get a lot of money return, problems at the stadiums were issued. honda and doumbia were purchased for around 15 mio euro and a lucrative offer was made for the croatian, are this how financial problems look like?

quite debetable whether “Zenit, Lomotiv, Zenit, Spartak and even Dinamo have better rosters this years. “, the only one mentioned who really strengthened this winter is loko, dinamo got just a few other average players and time will tell how kerzha will do home at gazprom. and its not like any of the other teams have deficiencies at their squad.

and unlike the others teams cska is not frequently bordering the foreign limit.

@Martyn the back line might be not great but still one of the better ones in our league.

But looking just at themself, right now they have Slutsky, a let-see-coach (I really disliked him at Krilya), and international role players in the front, and russian players on defensive positions. Dont know if this is the right mixture.

My prediction is Slutsky to be fired and they will between the 5th and 7th spot, losing the most of the games versus top teams.

P. D.: Thank you very Andrew for this previews reports. There are just a few sites when we can find info abut Russian Football in english, and this site is, of course the best one.

I’m going to try to post a review of the match but you have said many thoughts in a more succinct way. The team effort, as ever, was an example of how Berdiýew knows his stuff. Prepares his team well and regardless of who he puts on–appearances for Orekhov, Sibaya, and Galiulin were of interest today–he can get them to perform. Rubin’s depth, while it is not spectacular, should not be overlooked.

As for CSKA. I’m finishing up a preview of the club and you will notice I share your opinion. Honda has of course been their finest addition–but the real question remains at the forward position, someone that Dzagoev can support. Doumbia, I’d like to think, will be a great help–but that won’t be until July.

Rubin showed as a strong team, and undoubtfully they will be at the top of the RPL despite F. Domínguez departure. S. Ryzhikov was perfect and Bukharov did many good things with or without the ball. Also Kasaev was very active in both sides. They won as a team.

And CSKA… they taked the ball possesion (no problem for Rubin), but they looked like Kryliya Sovetov (former Slutsky team): moving fine the ball in the midfield but can not to reach the area and make chances. The exception was Honda, who made a few dangerous long range attemps. I think they need to play easier and someone who makes Wagner Love role, to play in front with Dzagoev (as open forward).

“Joyless”: I could not have found a better descriptor for Twente. Still, props to McClaren’s crew. I’ll admit, however, that I’ve longed for even a fleeting Bryan Ruiz rumor with a Russia club. But, alas . . . a move to Spain seems much more likely.

A Totti-Danny combination, that would be a fun chemistry experiment to watch! Regardless of success.

I know it was only Waalwijk, but nevertheless, Koeverman’s movement to score his goals (and win the penalty) were very clever. Maybe the flat-track bully tag resonates, but heck, sometimes someone’s gotta stick it away!

I hope losing Lazovic doesn’t derail Eindhoven’s grip on the title. As fantastic as it’d be to see a side from Enschede win it, I find watching Steve McClaren’s side to be rather joyless.

Anyway, Spalletti has his Vucinic now. His 2007/08 Roma side that so nearly won the title during Round 38 in Catania; how many of the current crop of players he has with him on the Neva River would penetrate that XI? Entirely baseless, granted (considering the uniqueness of each and every tool varies so greatly: Perrotta, Pizarro, Totti/Bystrov, Denisov, Danny – peas from very different pods). Nevertheless, I’d say Anyukov, Danny (if he could somehow work with Totti).
Picking between De Rossi, Pizarro, Zyryanov and Denisov would simultaneously be a manager’s dream/nightmare mind!

Keep up the great reporting here!

ESPN360 has picked up the same coverage that we saw from Setanta. They will have two games per week starting with the coming season.

Great review! Looking forward to more. This site is the best.

I hope Alania stays up. They belong in the RPL.

Also a side note – do you know anything about RPL television rights in the USA? Now that Setanta USA is no more, and Fox Soccer Channel took over, hopefully Fox Soccer Channel will show the RPL in the USA this summer. I really liked ESPN360 coverage of RPL in the 2008 season. Hopefully that comes back.