Tom Tomsk Season Preview

Once something of a standard-bearer for Russia’s eastern regions, the city of Tomsk’s footballing representatives have more often hit the headlines for financial rather than sporting reasons over the past few years, coming under fire for the way they have relied on government pressure to find sponsors and, in effect, stay afloat. Last time they appeared in the top flight their rescue came too late, saving their financial future but failing to prevent them falling through the relegation trapdoor, and after a successful campaign in the FNL during which they finished runners-up to Ural, they’ll be looking to keep their head above the troubled waters at the foot of the table.

GREATEST STRENGTH: Familiarity. Unlike fellow promoted side Ural, who have often tried and failed to reach the promised land of the Premier League, this is not new territory for Tom. They were last here in 2012, and whilst there have been a lot of comings and goings at the club, Tomsk is a place which know what it means to struggle. They will know that the ‘one more than you’ style of football which earned them promotion will not work in the top flight, and be thoroughly prepared with how to deal with the step up.

Former Zenit reserve boss Anatoli Davydov is the new man in the Tom hotseat.

GREATEST WEAKNESS: Inexperience. If that seems like a contradiction in terms, a simple look at Tom’s squad and staff proves otherwise. Replacing Sergei Perednya, the man who took them up, is Anatoli Davydov, a man with no senior managerial experience beyond Zenit’s reserve squad - a huge gamble on a man who will be learning on the job. Up front, beyond Nikita Bazhenov - a 28 year old with just 25 league goals to his name - Tom are relying on the combined efforts of newly acquired ex-CSKA trialist Kirill Panchenko, 23, and Kirill Pogrebnyak, 21. In most areas of the side, there is a distinct lack of top flight experience, and with the side having to learn a new style of football, that naivety may come back to haunt them at season’s end.

KEY PLAYER: Kirill Panchenko. Freshly arrived on a free transfer from relegated Mordovia, the youngster carries a lot of weight on his young shoulders. Leading an inexperienced forward line is difficult for anyone at a newly-promoted side, but Panchenko has the experience - doing the same last season at his former club - and the abilities - two goals in as many games for Russia ‘B’ and a trial at league champions CSKA - to find the net. Tom will concede goals this season, but if he can at least score on a regular basis, Tom might just haul themselves clear of trouble.

DEPARTURES/TRANSFER REVIEW: The main issue for Tom this pre-season seems to have been to ensure enough healthy bodies in the squad. Five departures will do that to a club, particularly a newly-promoted one, so the beggars have been unable to choose too carefully. Coming in to replace the likes of Spartak loanee Aleksandr Zotov are a group of relative unknowns - Milanov and Muresan from Romania, Bozovic from Hungary’s Videoton, and Evgeny Sidorenko from Hapoel Nazareth. Bozovic’s performances between the sticks will be of huge importance for obvious reasons, and the speed with which the rest of the newcomers gel into the squad could determine the fate of the Siberians.

BEST CASE SCENARIO FOR THE SEASON: Survival. Ural fail to compete in the top flight and stay rooted to the bottom of the league, while Rostov finally complete their slippery slide down the league and take the second spot. Davydov proves to be an inspired appointment, learning from Spalletti in his time at Zenit and tactically outclasses the other sides at the foot of the table, dragging Tom above Amkar and Volga into the safe haven of 12th. A fortunate series of home draws takes Tom into the cup semis, where they fall to Davydov’s old side.

WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR THE SEASON: Relegation. Once more financial troubles haunt the Siberian club, and with no backing they are unable to add to the squad in the crucial winter period. After a slow start they are left behind by their rivals, fresh with a new signing or two, and a miserable away record sees them cut adrift by the beginning of April. By late May it becomes clear that Tom will not pass licencing for 2014-15, the club is forced to fold and is reborn as FK Tom-Tomsk in the Second Division East.

INTERESTING FACT: Tom’s ground bears a giant banner of Vladimir Putin after the Russian President personally intervened to keep the club afloat. He ‘most recently encouraged’ a number of energy companies to invest in the ailing club during the 2011/12 season, failing to stop relegation but earning a place in supporters’ hearts by stating the importance of a football club in the city.

‘There must be football in Tomsk!’ Vladimir Putin has already saved the ailing club once before - fans hope he won’t be needed again.

KEY EARLY-SEASON FIXTURE: Games one, three and four are all massive - at Amkar and Rostov before hosting Ural. All four clubs are likely to be in the mix at the wrong end of the table, and it’s these games that Tom need to take something from if they are to stay up. In many respects they can afford to lose in St Petersburg or Makhachkala, but Ekaterinburg and Perm are crucial.

SEASON PREDICTION: Relegation. Davydov is too much of a gamble, the squad is small and inexperienced at the top level, and they lack the surprise factor of Ural to gain them the surprise wins they’re going to need to stay up. A play-off is their best chance of survival, but they won’t make it.