The Neftchi Sentinel
The dugout30 Oct 2028
Nodirbek Karimov: that is not what I was promised
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Neftchi have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Squad30 Oct 2028
Words at Neftchi training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Ibrohimhalil Yo'ldoshev is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Squad30 Oct 2028
A falling-out at Neftchi
Farruhjon Qodirov and a teammate went at it, and not about football. Training grounds are small places and a long season makes them smaller.
Boardroom30 Oct 2028
Wages swallow 97% of the Neftchi income
Every club pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time it has been tried.
The dugout30 Oct 2028
Stipe Perica has become a man the manager trusts
Nobody at Neftchi will say this on the record and the team sheets have been saying it for weeks. There is a small group in every squad who get picked when the fixture is difficult, and he has joined it.
Market30 Oct 2028
Nodirbek Karimov is free to find somewhere else
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Neftchi has been clear about where Nodirbek Karimov stands, which is more than many ever get.
The dugout30 Oct 2028
Danil Baklanov gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Market30 Oct 2028
The Ratinho question follows Neftchi around
Every press conference now starts and ends the same way: with Ratinho’s future. The manager has run out of new ways to say nothing.
The dugout30 Oct 2028
Muminhon Bahodirxonov asks for a word with the manager
“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.
In brief
- Squad Questions about Danil Baklanov on the training pitch
- Squad Eldor Hasanov is fit again