Having failed to make the Division five play off's in Season three, manager Mark Stewart set about planning for season four.
Stewart's team planning involved risking the wrath of the fans, as the manager unveiled plans to let favourites Valentin Stocker and Balazs Dzsudzsak go.
Stewart called a fans and press meeting at the training ground to explain his decision stating that although Dzsudzsak had been a fantastic servant to the club time was not on his side, and a deal had been pre agreed to bring young Japanese attacking player Yoshinori Muto to the club in exchange.
The manager also unveiled plans to let Stocker go in exchange for Italian war horse Andrea Poli, He went on to explain that Poli would solve the right back problem and Muto although not at the level of Dzsudzsak would bring quality and potential to the side.
The only other major signings were Wes Morgan - who joined in exchange for Helder Costa and Luca Bergomi from Besiktas and Sergio Oliveira for £5.2m from Gil Vicente. Stewart was quick to point out that Oliveira was not expected to see much game time but he hoped that the Portuguese midfielder would improve and challenge for a place in the future.
The Season
Hopes were high at Olympiastadion after a decent pre season and Stewart publicly stating that the club would guarantee finish 10th or above. In true Berlin fashion they started just as they did in season three with two defeats.
Fortunately things turned around and Berlin managed to win their next four games setting a new club record. Things then went sour for the Germans as they started dropping points regularly. By match day 19 the club had dropped to eleventh in the table.
Desperate to change things Stewart moved in the transfer market to bring in Willy Caballero from RCD Espanyol for £4m. Since bringing in the Argentine stopper things have improved, Berlin recorded a good 0-0 draw away to promotion chasing Independiente, then followed that up with wins against Brugge and West Brom, and most recently an away draw to fellow play off hopeful's Cologne.
With fifteen games to play the fans still have faith in the manager and will go all out to try and make the play off spots.
The Players
Stewart said about the players "overall I have been pretty happy with the squad and have compiled an update about our key performers which is listed below.
Wissam Ben Yedder - hasn't yet repeated his form of last season but seven goals and three assists to date isn't a bad return, and I have full confidence in the lad firing regularly before the end of the season. In real life Ben Yedder has been scintillating for Seville where he has scored 15 times in 20 games (cups included) after seeing the recent reviews I was disappointed he only got a plus one rise to 89, but I'm sure that 90 rating isn't to far away".
Luis Muriel - The mercurial Colombian has carried on improving on from last season and has seven goals and four man of the match awards, He offers us versatility being able to play attacking midfield or up front. I'm mystified as to why there was no ratings rise as he has been very good in real life amidst being the subject of much transfer speculation, hopefully he will rise to 89 at the end of the season.
John Terry - the club captain has continued to improve after a below average start to his career in Berlin and has really settled in well alongside Wes Morgan, His three team of the week awards have shown his value and he has said he will battle to the end to help get Berlin up.
Florian Thauvin - the flying French winger continues to wow the fans and has weighed in with four goals, seven assists and two man of the match awards already this season, He is the creative spark in the engine and is indispensible to the team at present. In real life he has been in fantastic form back in Marseille and if he can keep it up a ratings rise and call up to the French national side may well be a possibility.
Vladimir Darida - The lad disappointed overall in season three and halfway into season four he hadn't lived up to expectations. I called a meeting with him and to instill confidence informed him I was making him set piece taker. That was seven games ago and in that period the Czech dynamo has scored four times, assisted once and made the team of the week. Like John Terry, Darida is respected and valued by his peers and now his confidence is back he will be key in driving the team on which I'm sure he will do.
Walter Gargano - the midfield powerhouse has carried on his good form from the end of last season and he is having the best season of his career statistically. The Uruguayan has so far weighed in with four goals, five assists, three man of the match and four team of the week awards. He adds steel in the centre of the park and has a bullet shot when he gets the chance to go forward, I hope he will stay with us until the end of his career, as an exemplary professional he sets a great example to the younger players.
Looking Forward
With fringe players like Sergio Oliveira, Scott Hogan and Charlie Taylor all looking to have great careers ahead of them the foundations have been laid. Obviously promotion is the clubs aim but the division is very tough this year with everyone capable of beating everyone. I dont envisage any transfer activity between now and the end of the season, and as usual I will review the squad then and make the necessary changes. I have taken the club to my heart since being appointed and as long as I'm able to I'll continue putting in the hours and striving to get the club up the divisions and make the fans proud.
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