Month Overview

First of all, I would like to excuse myself for lagging behind and failing to post any posts at all in recent days/weeks. The reasons are that first I had to sit for the exams, then there was the World Cup and ultimately started to work. Nevertheless, I should be able to move back to normal ways and post anything which I deem significant. My apologies once again.

In order to make up for it, I would like to dedicate the following paragraphs to summarize everything that happened in the last couple of days...

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....back to Premier League action....

On Saturday 10 July 2010 Lokomotiv were called back to action following a 5 week World Cup break. Lokomotiv, who played at home, faced promoted Anzhi Makhackala. Surviving a scare at the death end, Lokomotiv managed to hold on and record a 2-1 victory over last year Division 1 champions. Tomislav Dujmovic & Aleksandr Aliev scored for the home side while Rasim Tagirbekov put Anzhi momentarily back onto the match. A milestone to point out was Magomed Ozdoev's entrance as a substitute which actually was his first ever appearance for the Railwaymen.

According to the fan poll produced by lokomotiv.info, the best players on pitch were Aleksandr Aliev, Renat Yanbaev and Dmitry Torbinsky. The goals of the match can be viewed by clicking here.

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....dumped out by Gornyak Uchaly....

No man in the world would have put the money on the third division club to dump out Lokomotiv Moscow out of the Russian Cup. Nevertheless, by showing producing a sound display they did the impossible and won the tie with the score of 1-0. The all important goal was scored by midfielder Maksim Tokarev, following a classical counter attack. For sure, Gornyak's win was the highest point in their three year history - without any doubt not the same can be said for a Lokomotiv side which practically included most of the first team players. Sadly enough, I feel that it's a necessary to point out Dramane Traore's horror show. This because I won't be exagerating if he missed two-three clear chances - with all respect to Gornyak, but if you can't score against a team of such level, I doubt it if he can score against a top-level club. The match highlights can be viewed by clicking here.

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....where are you going Renat?

According to various reports, Arsene Wenger was looking at Renat Yanbaev as a potential replacement for Spain bounded Gael Clichy. Actually the reports say that Yanbaev was recommended to Wenger by his scouts, who allegedly were totally impressed by Yanbaev's speed down the left. A potential stumbling block for the move is that Renat fails to meet the criteria to obtain the working permit due to the fact that he is behind Yury Zhirkov in the pecking order for the Russian left back spot.

Nevertheless the transfer rumour have recently cooled down. This is because the two who were leading to sign Clichy, that is Barca & Real, have reportedly shifted their interest towards other players than Clichy. Actually Barca official signature of Adriano means that Clichy's move to Barca is all but over. On the other hand Real Madrid, Clichy's other contender, have reportedly shifted their interest towards Ashley Cole thus meaning that potentially Clichy will stay in London. This will mean that Renat Yanbaev will stay in Moscow.

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....Lokomotiv officially sign Roman Shishkin....

Following days and days of rumours, Lokomotiv finally officially announced the signature of Roman Shishkin from Spartak Moscow. The transfer fee involved is believed to be around 500 million euros. The contract is designed for 3.5 years. Nevertheless should Roman Shishkin fail to prove himself in the first 6 months, Lokomotiv hold the option to terminate at zero cost Shishkin contract's. This also means that Roman have to option to leave the club after these 6 months and join any other club without any transfer fee. Should Shishkin impress and show his interest to stay at Lokomotiv, the 3 years extension will enter into play. Roman Shishkin chose the number he wore at Spartak, that is the 49. The right back will join his new team mates on August 1.

Unfortunately, the transfer didn't went down well with the majority of Loko fans. To me this is quite perplexing. It's true that Shiskin played for the Meat, but so did Loko legend Vadim Yevseev! Ironically Vadim was pratically as old as Roman when he decided to cross the city from Spartak to Lokomotiv. My point is that the transfer of Roman Shishkin would result to be a very big deal. Here, we are not talking about an ordinary player. Here we are talking about a player who played for Russia, have European experience and even being named amongst Europe's eight most prospective footballers back in 2006. Although he failed to live up the promise, I believe that with the right guidance, Shishkin can regain his confidence and finally fulfill his potential. And let's set the record straight, there is no one better than Semin to inspire any player.

Roman Shishkin, 23, is able to play both at right back and defensive midfielder and started his career with FC Fakel Voronezh. After some time, Roman moved to Moscow and signed for Spartak. In 2009, Shishkin fell out of favour at Spartak and was shipped to Krylya Sovetov Samara on loan and making 25 appearances in the process. On the other hand, Roman racked up 54 appearances for Spartak and scored a solitary goal. Shishkin's first and eventually only appearance for Russia came in March 2007, when he played the whole match against Estonia. Leaving his Spartak past aside, I really wish all the best to Roman and wholeheartedly hope that he prove himself to the extent that the number 49 will stay at Loko for years to come. Good luck Roman!!!

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....and Loskov released.

The title speaks for itself. Loskov was officially released by Saturn Ramenskoye. This means that currently our Legend is a free agent....SO WHAT IF....?

What do you think? Do you want to see Loskov back at Lokomotiv?