Thursday, March 11, 2010

League Prediction: 8th place

Brann (Last year: 5th in Tippeligaen)
+ Two good goal keepers, but are they focused enough?
+ Huseklepp and Guastavino, two of the most creative players in the league. While David Nilsen is another type of attacker, which gives them a chance to vary their tactics. Huseklepp has also signed a new contract.
+ The signing of Erik Mjelde means more goal from the midfield.

- Has had a tendency of buying expensive players who are over the top rather than nuturing young talents, and are paying the price now with very few promising players.
- The defence consist more or less of attackers and midfielders who are forced to change posisions as Brann hardly has any good defenders.

Player to watch:
Guastavino's technique was why Brann bought him from Lyn one year ago. He didn't shine last year, but we think that he this year will be back to the level he had in Lyn. He and Huseklepp will make a terrifying duo for any defense.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

League Prediction: 9th place


Tromsø (Last year: 6th in Tippeligaen)
+ Vegard Braathen is an interesting signing, played well for Alta last year, but he has got big shoes to fill.
+ Tommy Knarvik, Ruben Yttergård Jenssen and Helge Haugen on the midfield
+ Sead Ramovic is the best keeper in the league, Tom Høgli is one of the best backs, Yndestad is not bad either
- No good central defenders
- Too many new players
- Has lost keyplayers like Lars Iver Strand, Tore Reginiussen, Morten Moldskred and Joel Lindpere.
- Rushfeldt doesn't get any younger
- No good wingers

Player to watch:
Vegard Braathen, Tromsø is known as a club who finds good attackers, is Braaten going to be the next after Flo, Rushfeldt, Årst, and Moldskred?

League Prediction: 10th place


Strømsgodset (Last year: 12th in Tippeligaen)
+ Jostein Flo and Ronny Deila in charge have chosen to focus on young talents.
+ Great players in the attack with the most promising attacking duo in the league with Jo Inge Berget(The Fernando Torres look-a-like from Lyn) and Marcus Pedersen(The Norwegian Wayne Rooney), plus Øyvind Storflor, the king of assists.
+ Decent midfield.
- Have lost their creative midfielder and captain Fredrik Winsnes and need someone who can lead and motivate the team
- Young squad with lots of potensial but little routine. Only 6 players who are older the 23 in the squad!
- Adam Larsen and Lars Stubbehaug are both promising, but probably the weakest keepers in the league.


Player to watch:
Jo Inge Berget(19yrs) Tecnique, vision, speed and finishing!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

League Prediction: 11th place

Aalesund (Last year: 13th in Toppeligaen)

+ Magnus Sylling Olsen is a good signing, this means that Aarøy won't have to score ALL the goals.
+ Fight hard against better teams.
+ The best defense and goal keeper Aalesund has had in years. Good attacking backs and solid central defenders.
- Still too dependent on the giant Thor Hogne Aarøy.
- A couple of players with potential, but their current ability is just not good enough.


Player to watch:
Herrera is skillful and determent, the back contributes both in attack and defence, can be the big profile in this years Aalesund team.

League Prediction: 12th place

Start (Last year: 9th in Tippeligaen)
+ Mads Stokkelien was the biggest surprise last year, can he preform at the same level this year as well?

+ Good first eleven
- Few good substitutes, will suffer if any of the key players are injured or match banned.
- The defence is to reliant on Goodson, when he is injured(as he often his) they struggle to keep the opponents from scoring goals.
- Both Goodson and Bolaños are likely to be sold during the summer, will they find replacements?


Player to watch:
Christer Kleiven (21) is reported to be the next Hæstad, Strømstad and and Marius Johnsen(!)

Monday, March 8, 2010

League Prediction: 13th place

Hønefoss (Last year: 2nd in Adeccoligaen)
+ Has signed amongst other Paul Obiefule (Lyn), Davy Claude Angan (Lyn), Kristjan Örn Sigurdsson (Brann), Madiou Konate (Ankaragücü), Erik Hagen (Vålerenga), good players with experience from Tippeligaen.
- Hasn't impressed anyone in the pre-season
- It's going to time to establish a good connection between all the new players.
- Lacks a good goal scorer.


Player to watch:
Umaru Bangura, great midfielder with loads of potential. The 22-year-old from Sierra Leone, is capable of doing magic with the ball in his feet. This years Thiounne?

League Prediction: 14th place

Haugesund (Last year: 1st in Adeccoligaen)
+ Scores a lot of goals, Last year Thomas Sørum scored 24 goals in 29 matches.
+ Great enthusiasm in the city of Haugesund, are going to be strong at home.
+ Has bought exciting players, rather than exciting names(like Hønefoss), could Pelu and Savolainen show why Rosenborg brought them to the club in 2008.
- Goal keeper Kristiansen and the central defenders Tronseth and Skjerve are probably not good enough for this level,


Player to watch:
Joakim Våge Nilsen: 19-year-old left back who played regularly on the team last year, and even made it to the team of the year.