TEAM AND PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Every 2 weeks a team and a player is looked at in depth. We will look at a teams position in the league, evaluate their season so far and interview th particular manager about their performance so far. We will then look at a player from the team. We will look at his recent performances and evaluate the type of player he is and what his future is like. This week the team will be Red Star.

Click the link below to see the other spotlight

BRESCIA / ROCHEMBACK

UDINESE / SARR

BENFICA / RIVALDO

TEAM SPOTLIGHT

RED STAR

RHIA EDWARDS - FACT FILE

ABOUT RED STAR

NAME Rhia Edwards AGE 19 ROLE Red Star Manager NATIONALITY Scottish HONOURS FA Cup. In Quarter Finals (FC Koln). League Cup Knocked out in round 3. Lost in replay to Spartak Moscow (2-1 AET) European Cup Knocked out in round 1. Lost 4 - 3 (agg) to Bordeaux League First full season in charge. Currently 8th in first division.

Red Star are currently sitting 8th in the Central European, division 1. 3 points off 4th place. This has been a disappointing season up to now for Red Star after finishing 3rd last season and qualifying for Europe. At the start of the season they were rock bottom and looking doomed already. But all credit to Rhia, she has manged to find the right tactics and mix of players which has resulted in a dramatic turn around in form. With a fairly average team Rhia has managed to work wonders to turn them around. Performances from their fairly average players have been excellent. Some of the lesser players are keeping the more talanted players out the team. Koller is arguably their best player but seen as Reinmayer has been putting in excellent performances, Koller hasn't had a sniff. They are also looking for the FA Cup as they face FC Koln in a replay in the quarters. Should be interesting to see if Rhia can continue Red Stars good form.

THE LEAGUE TABLE IN AND AROUND THEM (WEEK 15)

6th Spartak Moscow - 20 pts, GD -1 7th Hertha Berlin - 19 pts, GD -2 8th Red Star - 18 Pts, GD -1 9th CSKA Moscow - 16 pts, GD -4 ******************************* 10th Honved - 14 pts, GD -7

Played: 15 Won: 5 Lost: 7 Drew: 3

Goals for: 20 Goals against: 21

INFO ON RED STAR YOU MAY NOT OF KNOWN

Clean Sheets: 2 (Honved, Dynamo Kiev) Leading Goalscorer:  Tomislav Maric (11 in 20) Most Man Of Matches: Koller, Tedesco, Reinmayr (2)

Captain: Flavio Roma Penalty Taker: Tomislav Maric Player Of Season So Far: Hannes Reinmayer (TM) for consistent performances always 8*s or better

RHIA EDWARDS (RED STAR) - INTERVIEW

1. Rhia, What do you believe the key is to Red Star's turn around in form? I think that the belief that i have in my players abilities is beginning to rub off on the players which in turn is beginning to bring about a change in fortune at the club. 2. What do you aim to achieve with Red Star? In the short term I am aiming to get the club into the top half of the table this season and in the long term i hope to become champions within the next couple of seasons. 3. Will Red Star be able to push on into the top 2 or 3 this season? I believe at the moment the top two positions are out of our reach but if the results go our way I am sure that the club could finish 4th if not 3rd. 4. What is the atmosphere like in the dressing room and on the training ground? The atmosphere is beginning to imporve now.  When I first took over the club the players were very unhappy and it took them a bit of time to get used to being managed by a woman, obviously I had a few players that couldnt cope with it so I arranged for them to transfer to different clubs.  This helped improve the atmosphere as players began to feel they could talk to me if they had a problem 5. If Red Star remain mid table, would you be tempted to move to a bigger club if the opportunity arises? If the club finish mid table, I will not be leaving.  I feel that I need time to settle in and get the players I want.  The only way I will leave is if the chairman feels I am not doing well enough and sacks me, but I am sure that will not happen as he agrees that I need time to settle in. 6. Will you be able to buy players in the near future or is the cash not there? I do have a bit of cash available to buy players and I have a few players I would like to sign but as nothing has been agreed with any players yet I wish to keep their names secret. 7. Do you fear the likes of Koller and Maric will be snapped up by bigger clubs? No I dont need to worry about that as both players have just signed new contracts and are very happy at the club right now. 8. Is there any messages you would like to give the loyal fans? I know everyone says this but my message to the fans is..... give me time and the results will become more consistant, the players are trying very hard to improve the results and are greatful for your support.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

VASSILIOS ZIKOS (RED STAR)

NAME Vassilios Zikos AGE 28 NATIONALITY Greek GAMES PLAYED Played 18 scored 1 ATTRIBUTES SH - 69, PA - 88, SP - 66, CO - 73, RE - 76, AG - 77, TA - 95, HE - 99, IN - 78. HONOURS Finished 3rd with Red Star in season 3. Been at Red Star since Rhia took charge..

Zikos is a greek central midfielder who tends to sit in front of the back four. Zikos is highly regarded both by his team mates and his manager Rhia Edwards. His performances lately have been of a very high standard and a lot of the time been Red Star's top performer. His excellent standard of performances have been recognised by the Greece national team coach, Otto Rehhagel. He has since remained in the national team and continues to play well for both club and country. To date he has 17 caps for his national team. His array of passing skills is to be marvelled at. He often collects the ball off the defence and makes defence splitting balls. Also his tackling and heading are his main strengths. He will always be one of the first names on the team sheet and Red Star could find themselves leaking more goals than usual if he is unavailable. But will Red Star be able to keep hold of the greek star??

VASSILIOS ZIKOS (RED STAR) - INTERVIEW

1. How have you found it at Red Star since Rhia was appointed? It has been great since the new manager joined for me as I have been given more chances to play and although the results havent been great, i have enjoyed my run in the team. 2. Would you ever consider moving clubs if a bigger club came in for you? I feel a move to a bigger club in the future would improve my career but at the moment I want to stay here at Red Star Belgrade as I am enjoying my game and still have a lot of things to learn. 3. How are you finding it here in Yugoslavia? Cold but the style of the game suits me as a player. 4. How do you find playing in this league? I love playing in this league. The way the game is played suits me brilliantly and I am also on the brink of the national side which I feel is a good thing. 5. Do you think that you personally have been playing the best football of your carrer? Yes I do feel I am playing the best football of my career so far although I still have certain aspects of my game to improve. 6. Are you enjoying playing at a club that is playing better? Yes the results are beginning to go our way which is creating a good atmosphere around the ground. 7. What do you attempt to achieve at Red Star. Do you think your team will be able to push on for the top places in the division? My main aim is to help the club climb up the table.  I feel looking at the table as it stands that the top couple of places are out of our reach right now but things are always changing so we will have to see come the end of the season. 8. Name one player who would be in your all time dream team and why that player? I couldnt just pick one player.................. well if your going to push me on it I will have to say.............erm Rivaldo.  Why? Because he is great on the ball.