It's all a load of balls.... The Rise Through Europe

[BallyC7]

New Job - IFK Norrkoping FK

NEW JOB!

So I've secured my 2nd job in football management, and have decided to stay in the Swedish leagues, taking a significant step up the ladder to the Swedish Premier Division.

The club I have joined is IFK Norrkoping FK. They chased me, they moved quickly, they showed me lots and lots of commitment from day one and that was a big factor in my decision to take the job. So who are IFK Norrkoping...


Year Founded: 1897
Nickname: Peking
Country: Sweden
City: Norrkoping

Professional Status: Professional
Training Facilities: Impressive
Youth Facilities: Good
Reputation: National (3 Stars)

Stadium: Ostgotaporten
Year Built: 1932
Capacity: 16,700
Features: Synthetic Surface with Undersoil Heating

Fierce Rivals: Atvidabergs FF (Local)
Other Rivals: Orebro SK (Local), AIK (Competitive), Djurgardens IF (Competitive), FC Linkoping City (Local), Hammarby IF (Competitive)
Derbies: None


Previous Honours

Swedish Premier Division: Winners (1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1989, 2015)

Swedish Premier Division: Runners Up (1953, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2016)

Swedish Premier Division: Third Placed (1942, 1968, 1971, 1981)

Swedish First Division Elite: Winners (2007)

Swedish First Division Elite: Runners Up (2010)

Swedish Cup: Winner (1943, 1945, 1969, 1988, 1991, 1994)

Swedish Cup: Runners Up (1944, 1953, 1967, 1972)

Swedish Super Cup: Winner (2015)


So it was clear to see that I'd joined a team with a lot more history than my previous club Ange IF, although things had slowed up over recent years for IFK Norrkoping with only one Premier Division win in the past 30 years! Also, they had not lifted the Swedish Cup since 1994, 25 years ago! So they were a club with a rich history who have possibly largely underachieved for a number of years now. Could I be the man to change that? Only time will tell...


My Contract

I have been handed a 1 year contract worth £950 per week, a hefty pay rise on the £400 per week I was earning at Ange IF.


Current League Standing

I take over with IFK Norrkoping sitting mid table in 9th position with 22 points from 17 games. The club is underachieving based on the pre season media prediction of finishing 4th.

View attachment 82932


And although the team have won their previous two fixtures, they had only one win from their previous 11 games so there's definitely some work to do.

View attachment 82931



Board Expectations


With half the season already gone as I take over, the board have informed me that they expect me to consolidate the mid table position we currently sit in until the end of the year, then we will review things going into next season. I think this is fair and certainly achievable.

The Swedish Cup has not yet started. We are due to enter the competition in the 2nd round, but the board have told me that they do not consider the cup as important so won't be judging me on that. I disagree and would be keen to bring some silverware to this club ASAP, so I'd love to have a good shot at the cup.



Budgets

The club currently have a healthy bank balance of £7.3 million.

They have handed me a transfer budget of £6.8 million.

The board have also given me a wage budget of £100k per week, of which we are currently spending £74k per week.

Wow this seems like so much money after living on the world's tightest budget at Ange IF. I almost feel a little nervous being given responsibility for all this money!!





​

 

[BallyC7]

IFK Norrkoping Squad Evaluation

Squad Evaluation

First day on the job and again my first job on the agenda is to have a look at my squad. So the first things I notice...


I have a decent first choice goalkeeper

I have a lot of defenders

I don't have very many strikers, but the one's I have look pretty good

I have too many full backs

I have two very good right backs

I have a good base of Swedish players in the team

I have very good height in the team with most of my players over 6 foot

I have a good amount of players in the 22-28 age range who should be in their prime

I have a number of players valued at over £500k, with the highest at £1.3 million (Sebastian Andersson)

I have a number of players who are currently wanted by other teams


View attachment 82930 View attachment 82929



After having a look at the whole team in quite a lot of detail, some of my key players include...


View attachment 82928

Filip Dagerstal
Position: CB/MC
Nationality: Sweden
Age: 22

At such a young age, Filip has already established himself here having made 71 appearances. He looks solid as a centre back predominantly but can step in and cover centre midfield too.


View attachment 82927


Pontus Almqvist
Position: AMR
Nationality: Sweden
Age: 20

Another young player who really stood out to me. Good pace, acceleration, passing and dribbling should make him a threat going forwards. He also has fantastic determination and flair.



View attachment 82926

Sebastian Andersson
Position: ST
Nationality: Sweden
Age: 28

Sebastian has a good goalscoring record for the club having scored 40 goals in 98 appearance, so almost a 1 in 2 ratio. Good finisher with a decent first touch, who is very good at heading the ball too.



View attachment 82925

Daniel Sundgren
Position: DR/L
Nationality: Sweden
Age: 28

Very good full back who can play on either side. Strong defensively in the tackle but can whip crosses in when getting forward too. Brilliant work rate for getting up and down the pitch.



​

 

[BallyC7]

Almqvist Wants Out

Pontus Almqvist Wants Out


I'm only 2 days into the job and I get a knock on the door. Come in I say and Pontus Almqvist enters my office. He sits down and proceeds to tell me that he wants to leave the club...

Now I'd already identified the 20 year old as a very promising talent and one of my best players at the club so naturally I wanted to keep him.

I tried to explain to him that there have been a lot of changes at the club recently and I'd like him to sit it out and see how he feels in a few weeks time. I explained about how I want to lead this club to glory and how I wanted him to be at the forefront of that.

Unfortunately, it was to no avail and young Pontus wouldn't budge. He has heard rumours that KRC Genk from the Belgian league are interested in him and he wants to go there as its a more established league in Europe. I can't knock his ambition but I tell him to hold off until a bid comes in as its pointless discussing it until then.

Almqvist left my office and I can tell he wasn't happy....Imagine if I'd actually told him we'd heard a rumour that Napoli were interested in him too....I think for now I'll keep that to myself.

​

 

[BallyC7]

July 2019 Review

July 2019 Review

Results

Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 1 - 1 BK Hacken

View attachment 82918


My first game in charge and BK Hacken came and spoiled the party. They were resolute in their defence and managed to hold on against all odds to get a draw against us. We were brilliant in our build up play and it was fantastic to see my style of football being demonstrated by players with so much ability compared to what I'm used to. We wasn't clinical enough in front of goal today, but if we play like that every game, we'll do OK!


Swedish Premier Division
Orgryte IS 2 - 2 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82917


For f*cks sake....Can't believe we threw that away! Again, the much better team but this time there is no excuse other than complete lack of concentration!! Our opponents didn't even have a shot until the 66th minute and then scored 2 goals to level the scores. 2 games in and 2 draws!



​​League Table

View attachment 82916


Not much change since taking over after 2 draws.


Player of the Month

I didn't do a player of the month as I've only been in charge for 2 competitive games.


Squad News

Jon Gudni Fjoluson made his 100th career appearance for the club

Pontus Almqvist is unsettled as he wants to leave the club for KRC Genk. No bid has yet been made.


Manager Views


Happy to be here in my new role. It's been a slow start with 2 draws on the board so far, but hopefully as the team get used to my style of play the results will start to come.

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[BallyC7]

European Update...

European Competition Winners 2018/19

I thought I'd provide a bit of an update from around Europe as most of the major competitions have now come to a close for the 2018/2019 season...


English Premiership Winners: Tottenham
English Premiership Runners Up: Arsenal
English FA Cup Winners: Chelsea
English League Cup Winners: Arsenal


Spanish La Liga Winners: Real Madrid
Spanish La Liga Runners Up: Barcelona
Spanish Cup Winners: Real Madrid


German Bundesliga Winners: Bayern Munich
German Bundesliga Runners Up: Bayer Leverkusen
German Cup Winners: Bayern Munich


French Ligue 1 Winners: Paris Saint Germain
French Ligue 1 Runners Up: Olympique Marseille
French Cup Winners: Paris Saint Germain
French Coupe de la Ligue Winners: Paris Saint Germain


Italian Serie A Winners: Juventus
Italian Serie A Runners Up: Napoli
Italian Cup Winners: Juventus


Holland Eredivisie Winners: Vitesse
Holland Eredivisie Runners Up: AZ
Holland Dutch Cup Winners: Ajax


Portuguese Premier League Winners: Benfica
Portuguese Premier League Runners Up: Porto
Taca de Portugal Winners: Benfica


Scotland Premiership Winners: Celtic
Scotland Premiership Runners Up: Rangers
Scottish Cup Winners: Celtic


Champions League Winners: Barcelona
Champions League Runners Up: Juventus


Europa League Winners: Manchester United
Europa League Runners Up: Tottenham


European Super Cup Winners: Real Madrid​

 

[BallyC7]

August 2019 Review

August 2019 Review

Results

Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 1 - 1 AIK

View attachment 82802


Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 0 - 0 Jonkopings Sodra IF

View attachment 82801


Swedish Premier Division
Orebro SK 3 - 3 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82800


Swedish Cup 2nd Round
IFK Norrkoping 5 - 2 Lidkopings FK

View attachment 82799


Swedish Premier Division
Hammarby IF 0 - 0 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82798


I've decided to group all this month's games into one review rather than individually on each game. The reason for that is quite simply that I have turned this team into the draw specialists since I joined. We have played 6 league games with me as manager and managed 6 draws! However, there is a common theme emerging and that is that we are without a doubt the best team in every single game by a country mile....once we work out how to defend a lead, we'll be flying!! Over the course of the 4 league games we played in August our stats are as follows...

Shots on Goal - 66
Opponents Shots on Goal - 22
Possession - 55%, 59%, 59%, 61%
Average player ratings per game - 7.01, 7.18, 6.96, 6.76
Opponents average player ratings per game - 6.89, 6.95, 6.87, 6.82


League Table

View attachment 82797


Still sitting comfortably in mid table which is the aim for the season. Not going to make Europe and should be safe from being drawn into a relegation battle.


Player of the Month

Anton Wede
MC

Appearances: 5
Goals: 2
Assists: 3
Key Passes: 5
Average Rating: 7.66


Anton has adapted extremely well into his new role as box to box midfielder for the club. He has been solid defensively and brilliant going forward being involved in 5 goals for the club this month. Excellent average rating across the 5 games this month.


Squad News


The squad generally seem pretty happy as a whole and are adapting to the new style of play I have brought to the club.


Manager Views


Can't believe I am 6 league games in and every one has been a draw. A lot of frustration over the last month as we continue to let leads slip through our fingers. This is something I'll need to look at and understand why the team seems to have such a lack of drive or concentration when we get in front.



​

 

[BallyC7]

Transfer Update

Transfer Update


Outgoing

Filip Dagerstal
CB/MC
Sold to Club Brugge for a fee of £1.8 million


View attachment 82795


Gutted to lose Filip as when I joined the club I highlighted him as one of my best players and an excellent young talent. Unfortunately, Brugge came in with an offer of £1.8 million and my board accepted the offer on my behalf. I literally begged and pleaded with them to block the transfer but they said it was just too good to turn down.


Incoming

Fouad Bachirou
DM/MC
Signed from Rangers for a fee of £800k

View attachment 82787


Solid defensive midfielder with excellent work rate and determination, exactly what I like from the man in the middle of the park who's main job is fight to win the ball back.


Rafael Santos Borre
ST
Signed from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £2.3 million
(£1.1 million up front, £1.2 million over 2 years)

View attachment 82786


I like this look of this guy a lot. Half decent pace, good finishing, good dribbling, off the ball and determination. Most stats in the 13-14 range and this makes him a good player in the Swedish league. I'm expecting big things from Borre.



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[BallyC7]

September 2019 Review

September 2019 Review

Results

Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 1 - 0 Helsingborgs IF

View attachment 82785

Helsingborgs were sitting in the bottom 3 so I was hoping this would be our perfect oportunity to get my first league win on the board as manager of Norrkoping. And I'm pleased to say that we did. It may have only been 1-0 but it was most welcome and I'm pleased to get my first league victory under my belt. To be fair, we probably should of won by a wider margin considering our domination, but I'll take this all day long.


Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 1 - 1 Halmstads BK

View attachment 82784


Next up was bottom side Halmstads so a good opportunity to make it back to back wins. Our opponents were set up very defensively with two holding midfielders, so we countered it with a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, and it looked like it might pay off when new signing Borre went clean through on goal on 12 minutes, only to smash his shot straight at the keeper. We continued to attack throughout the half and our persistance paid off at the end of the first half when we were awarded a penalty for a clear foul inside the 6 yard box which prevented a certain goal. Right back Sundgren stepped up and calmly slotted into the bottom corner. No less than 4 clear cut chances were created in the 2nd half but their keeper was resolute in keeping them in the game. And they rewarded him for his efforts with an equalizer in the 77th minute to earn a draw....Yes another draw for us in another game we should have won!


Swedish Premier Division
Kalmar FF 1 - 1 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82783


We were in front of the TV cameras for the game against Kalmar and I was hoping this would motivate my boys to turn on the style and show how we can play with my new passing style of football. We started brightly and looked good on the ball early on, and when Hopcutt put Bonsu through on goal on 14 minutes, there was no doubt the ball was going in the back of the net. Bonsu had come into the team in replace of the suspended Anton Wede and he looked great, comfortable on the ball, passing it around nicely and sticking a firm tackle in where required too. Kalmar came out for the 2nd half with a bee in their bonnet and looked much better creating 2 early chances which were saved well by our keeper. However, on 53 minutes, the equalizer came from a corner and we looked like we might be heading for yet another draw! We pushed hard for a winner, creating multiple chances, but again struggled to find the back of the net as we recorded our 8th draw in 9 matches since I took over.


League Table

View attachment 82782

Stayed 9th . Only 4 games to go and we're just seeing the season out now for an inevitable mid table finish.


Player of the Month

Daniel Sundgren
DR

Appearances: 3
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Dribbles: 14
Average Rating: 7.17

Daniel was a constant threat this month down the right wing always driving the team forward, but looked competent in defence as well.


Squad News


The team set a new club record of 12 games unbeaten.

Pontus Almqvist is becoming increasing unhappy as he tries to force through a move to KRC Genk. No bids have still come in.


Manager Views


Another 2 draws on the board is frustrating but happy to still be unbeaten as manager here. Setting a new unbeaten record is an excellent achievement, we just need to turn some of these draws into wins.
​

 

[BallyC7]

October/November 2019 Review

October/November 2019 Review

Results

Swedish Premier Division
IFK Goteborg 1 - 1 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82781
I expected this to be our toughest test since I took over with Goteborg sitting 4th in the table and challenging for a European place. On the focus of play it wasn't close at all as we dominated completely from start to finish. However, same old story as we didn't take our chances and they punished us with a late equalizer. I definitely need to sign some better quality forwards before next season, and defenders with better concentration and experience to hold onto these leads.


Swedish Premier Division
Malmo FF 2 - 1 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82780
3 days later we were away at Malmo. Now they have already won the league so effectively have nothing to play for but we know they're a determined side who won't want to lose, so we can't take the game lightly. And we started sharp taking the lead within 5 minutes, Hopcutt getting on the end of a Sundgren cross. But Malmo fired back with 2 goals late in the first half to send us into the break behind. The boys came out and gave a valiant effort in the 2nd half but couldnt quite find the goal to level things up and I suffered my first loss in charge of the club.


Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 2 - 0 GIF Sundsvall

View attachment 82779

I was keen to try to end the season on a high so wanted a couple of wins under our belt. Sundsvall on paper should have been a prime opportunity with them lumbering in 14th position. Two first half goals secured that win from us and the defence were absolutely superb for this one.




Swedish Premier Division
IFK Norrkoping 2 - 0 Ostersunds FK

View attachment 82778
Last game of the season and I wanted to give our fans a result to send them off in high spirits for next season's campaign. I gave a couple of players a run out for potentially the last time....Almqvist looks certain to leave the club before next year so I wanted to give the fans a chance to see the young talent on show 1 last time. And Johansson was retiring at the end of the season so I wanted to give him one last game. Almqvist signed off in great fashion by banging in our 2nd goal. We took that two goal lead to half time and were looking good to sign off with a win.



League Table

​​View attachment 82777


An 8th place finish. Secured the mid table position the board wanted....Now onto next season when I get the whole year in charge.
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Player of the Month

Jon Gudni Fjoluson
CB

Appearances: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Key Headers: 11
Average Rating: 7.33

Stepped up brilliantly to fill the boots of Filip Dagerstal who left the club last month.


Squad News


We'll definitely see some changes over the next few months before the new season starts.


Manager Views


Well as we've probably seen from a long way out it was a mid table finish and now I can look forward to bringing in some players to the club and seeing what we can do next season. I definitely want to be pushing for a top 4 spot next year. My record as IFK Norrkoping manager so far reads played 14, won 4, drawn 9, lost 1.
​​
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[Sammuthegreat]

I find possession-based systems so **** difficult to get right on Footy Manager. Fast, direct counter-attacks with wingers? Easy peasy. Retaining possession and pulling teams apart with slow buildup? Near enough impossible.

Lost count of the number of infuriating matches I've drawn 1-1 or 2-2 despite having 65% possession, 5 CCCs and 10 HCs compared to 35%, 0 and 3.

 

[Sir Ciprian Amza]

I find possession-based systems so **** difficult to get right on Footy Manager. Fast, direct counter-attacks with wingers? Easy peasy. Retaining possession and pulling teams apart with slow buildup? Near enough impossible.

Lost count of the number of infuriating matches I've drawn 1-1 or 2-2 despite having 65% possession, 5 CCCs and 10 HCs compared to 35%, 0 and 3.

View attachment 82698

 

[Sammuthegreat]

Yuuuup.

I mean... I get it, it happens in real life. Look at Leicester winning the Pram, or that year Bayern beat Barca 7-0 on aggregate, or Holland smashing Spain. But it seems to happen almost every match on FM, which to me says the match engine needs a tweak.

 

[BallyC7]

End of Season Player Stats 2019

End Of Season Player Stats

Top Average Rating (in relation to appearances):


1st: Jon Gudni Fjoluson - 25 appearances - 7.12
2nd: Daniel Sundgren - 27 appearances - 7.10
3rd: Gudmundur Porarinsson - 28 appearances - 6.96


Top Goalscorers:

1st: Jamie Hopcutt - 6
2nd: Daniel Sundgren - 5
3rd: Adin Bukva - 5


Top Assists:

1st: Anton Wede - 5
2nd: Daniel Sundgren - 4
3rd: Pontus Almqvist - 4


View attachment 82397 View attachment 82396 View attachment 82395

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[BallyC7]

IFK Norrkoping Player Named in Team of the Year

IFK Norrkoping Player Named In Team of the Year


Really proud of right back Daniel Sundgren who has been named in the Swedish Premier Division Team of the Year.


View attachment 82394
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[BallyC7]

I am really enjoying reading about your time in Sweden. Keep up the good work.
I have a question about tactics. Do you have a tactical formation you like to use or do you build a tactic around the best players you can attract to your club in the lower leagues?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks mate, glad you are enjoying reading about my journey. I tend to have 3 standard formations that I load and like to play with, but I will change up the player roles and duties depending on who we are playing, or based on our performance during the match.


I tend to like a couple of formations, and try to build/mould my team to play my way. If players don't fit into my system then they will ultimately be moved on to make way for players that can come in and fit the tactic. I'd rather have 11 mediocre players who can play 'my way' than 11 super players who don't fit and won't perform as a team in the tactic I use. I wouldn't think twice about selling the club's best player if I didn't think he'd give me the performances in my system.


My general 3 formations are;

4-1-2-3 Wide with a control mentality and very fluid team shape.
4-1-2-3 Wide with a counter mentality and very fluid team shape.
4-2-3-1 Wide with a control mentality and very fluid team shape.


General rules for all formations;

RB and LB always start every game as wing backs, set to attacking. I will change this to support or defensive if we are being over run down the flanks, or if we're trying to sit back and hold onto a lead.

In the 4-1-2-3 formations, the DM is always set to defensive midfielder with a support duty.

Centre backs are set as central defenders. I always change their individual instruction to 'close down less' in order to keep them in their position/shape.

Centre midfielders tend to be a workhorse and a creator....I like to play a box to box midfielder all the time, someone with very good stamina and work rate....good passing and tackling is important. The other midfielder is likely to be a roaming playmaker, advanced playmaker depending which role suits that player best. I find we are more creative with the roaming role, but have had very good success with individuals in the advanced playmaker role.

Both wide men are always set to inside forwards. Individual instructions are set to shoot less often to avoid them wasting too many chances with wild long shots.

Striker is generally a complete forward. If the player is really poor in this role, I will potentially change to a deep lying forward. Again individual instructions set to shoot less often.

Because I play a very fluid team shape, I tend to have most players on a support duty....wing backs and centre backs apart. This is because with the very fluid shape, the whole team should be contributing to both attacking and defending as a unit, so to set too many individual mentalities confuses the team and doesn't enable them to work as a complete unit as well.



Hope this helps mate!

 

[BallyC7]

November 2019 - February 2020 Update

November 2019 - February 2020 Update

Here's the update on what's gone on over the 4 months between the end of last season and pre season for 2020.

Profit/Loss

The club announced losses of £2.7 million which meant there was no tax bill to pay.


Board Cash Injection

The board have injected £3.3 million into the club to assist with day to day running costs.


Prize Money

The club were awarded £46,000 for finishing 8th in last season's Premier Division.


Affiliations

The club have no affiliations in place.


Sponsorship

The club announced 4 new sponsorship deals totalling £1.8 million per annum.
The most notable deal was with a telecommunications company worth £825k per year.


Membership Fees

The club have received £95,000 in membership fees over the course of last season.


TV Rights

The Swedish FA have informed us that the club will receive £956,000 over the course of the season for TV rights.


Budgets

The board have informed me of next year's budgets...

The transfer budget will be £5.27 million.
The wage budget will be £100,000 per week.


New Coaching Course For Me

The board have agreed to fund a new coaching course for me. Over the next 4 months, I will complete a course to gain a National B License. The cost to the club is £600.


Backroom Staff

No changes to backroom staff.



Contract Updates

Released from club:

Andreas Johansson - DC/DM/MC - Retired
Michael Langer - GK - Not good enough
Erik Lindell - DR/DL - Not good enough
A number of youngsters from the U21s and U19s were also released, deemed to be not good enough to remain at the club


Outgoing Transfers

Christopher Nilsson Telo - DL/WBL- £425k to AIK
Surplus to requirements

View attachment 82389


Pontus Almqvist - AMR/MRC - £2.2 million to Olympique Lyonnais
Player was unhappy and had been edging for a move away from club for some time - player has subsequently been loaned out by Lyon

View attachment 82388



Per Frick - ST/AMR- £750k to Molde
I didn't think he was good enough for my team

View attachment 82387



Incoming Transfers

I pinpointed last season that there was areas of the team we needed to improve and set about my business to do exactly that....


Alexandre Vincent - AMC/AMRL - Signed for £750k from FC Mulhouse
Good attacking midfielder who can play down the right and left

View attachment 82386



Oran Jackson - DC - Signed for £675k from Reading
(Another £75k will be due following 40 appearances)
Good squad rotation centre back to provide extra cover

View attachment 82385



Fredrik Knudsen - DC/DL- Signed for £625k from Odd
(Another £40k will be due following 50 appearances)
Another good rotation player who can cover both centre back and full back positions

View attachment 82384



Patrick Kpozo - DL/WBL- Signed for £1.9 million from AIK
Highest average rating for any defender in the league last season. Great signing!

View attachment 82383



Axel Andersson - CB - Free Transfer
Youth prospect

View attachment 82382



Mikael Anderson - AMRL/MRLC - Signed for £350k from FC Midtjylland
(Another £100k will be paid after 30 appearances)
Very versatile player can cover anywhere in the midfield. Good stats, bargain at the price I paid and he is only 21 still

View attachment 82381



Eric Smith - MC - Signed for £1.6 million from AIK
(£1.3 million up front and £300k over 2 years, Another £14k per game for 10 appearances, Another £100k to be paid after 30 appearances)
2nd signing from our rivals AIK. Eric had a fantastic season last year with an average rating of 7.00 and 5 assists from centre midfield.

View attachment 82380



Magnus Zetterberg - DC/MC/ST - Signed for £32k from IF Brommapojkarna
(Another £9k after 1 international appearance, Another £9k after 10 appearances)
Youth prospect

View attachment 82379
​

 

[BallyC7]

Swedish Cup Draw

Swedish Cup Draw

Following qualification for the Swedish Cup last year, the groups have been drawn and we've been handed what would seem to be a relatively straight forward draw against 3 teams from lower leagues.


Swedish Cup Group Stage
Group 1

IFK Norrkoping - Swedish Premier Division
Halmstads BK - Swedish First Division Elite
Nykopings BIS - Swedish First Division North
Norrby IF - Swedish First Division Elite


Fixtures

22/02 - Norrby IF - Away
29/02 - Halmstads BK - Home
07/03 - Nykopings BIS - Home​

 

[BallyC7]

Swedish Cup Update

IFK Norrkoping Make Swedish Cup Final

As mentioned in a previous post, you play majority of the Swedish Cup in the pre season schedule before the league kicks off. I'm pleased to report we've made the final this year after winning our group and comfortably getting through both the quarter final and semi final too....



Swedish Cup Group 1 Result


IFK Norrkoping W 2 D 1 L 0 Pts 7
Halmstads BK W 2 D 0 L 1 Pts 6
Norrby IF W 1 D 0 L 2 Pts 3
Nykopings BIS W 0 D 1 L 2 Pts 1


View attachment 82368 View attachment 82367 View attachment 82366
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Quarter Final


IFK Norrkoping 3 - 0 BK Hacken

View attachment 82365

Semi Final


Hammarby IF 0 - 2 IFK Norrkoping

View attachment 82364



We will play Ostersunds FK in the final on 7th May 2020.

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[BallyC7]

Pre Season 2020

Pre Season & Expectations

Most of this year's pre season was taken up by the Swedish Cup, of which we have reached the final, to be played in May. I set up three friendlies which included a couple of draws and a loss but I'm not too worried as I played mainly reserves/2nd string for these and we were excellent in the cup when we were at full strength. I couldn't resist a return to my old club Ange IF for a cheeky friendly....that club will always hold some affection for me no matter where my career leads me.

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Board Expectations

Following the additions to the team, and possibly the fact that I only lost one game as manager last season since taking over, the board have decided they would like to put last year's disappointing season behind us and have set me a target to be around the top of the league.

The media predict us to be in the mix, with a predicted finish of 3rd and odds of 11-2 to win the title. Malmo and AIK are predicted to finish above us.


A New Captain Is Appointed


Now there is one issue at the club and that's that we still have no natural leader. Leadership is not a stand out quality for any of our players. I've appointed goalkeeper David Mitov Nilsson as my new captain, with centre back Jon Gudni Fjoluson as vice captain.



Season Tickets

The club have sold a total of 6418 season tickets. This is a rise of 10 on last year's figure of 6408.



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[BallyC7]

1 In 1 Out

1 In, 1 Out On Transfer Deadline Day

Simon Skrabb was deemed surplus to requirements with the new additions that have already come into the club. We have more attacking options this year, and Skrabb barely got a look in last year. I didn't think it was fair to hold the lad back and when he asked me for a move I was more than willing to oblige.

Odd came in with a bid of £50k, I asked for £79k and they matched my demands. So Skrabb was sold on.

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My scouts brought the availability of Nemanja Nikolic who had been released by Chicago in the MLS. He has an impressive goalscoring record having racked up 259 goals in 392 appearances throughout his career so definitely knows how to find the back of the net. I thought it was a no brainer to bring him in with the experience he could offer.


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