Like a dodgy kebab on a Saturday night, it appears that in the Adeccoliga what comes down must go straight back up again..
Because this weekend saw Sandefjord and Start both ensured that they will be joining Odd in the 2009 Tippeliga. Sandefjord did so by beating Notodden 1-0, while a draw was enough for Start who were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Sogndal.
Odd have already booked their place, but look determined to end the season on a high as they came up with a 3-2 away to Løv-Ham.
In the other end of the table Kongsvinger are seemingly out of the woods with an impressive 1-0 win away at Haugesund, while Bryne also went a long way towards securing their status in the league by battering local rivals Sandnes Ulf 4-0.
These results would have left Alta in deep doo-doo, but they rose to the occasion and produced a fine 3-2 away-win against Sarpsborg Sparta to keep their hopes of staying up alive.
Playoff-chasing Hønefoss were in no mood for charity and easily disposed of utterly doomed Ulsteinvik-outfit Hødd, who once again shot themselves in the foot by getting a player sent off at an early stage in the game. The 1-0 scoreline was more a testament to Hønefoss' impotent forwardline than anything else.
And finally, in an utterly inconsequential mid-table tussle, NIL-Trysil were given a right spanking by Moss and lost 5-0 at home.
Updated league table here.
In the news this week, obviously, Start and Sandefjord are both officially back in the big-time. Interestingly the two teams have the exact same record after 28 games (16-8-4), while the way they went about it was very much polar opposites: Start started superbly but tailed off near the end of the season while Sandefjord started the season disastrously but picked themselves up with a successful change of manager.
Looking at their squads both teams will be amongst the most obvious candidates to go straight back down again next season unless their squads are heavily strengthened, but at least Start for their part have a lot of young players who will have learned a lot this season and who might step up to the plate. Their finances are a bit buggered though, so the it'll take some shrewd dealings by their Sporting Director if they are going to add some much needed top-flight experience to the side.
Good luck to them both anyway. Start are clearly a club who belong in the top division, and while we here at fjordball-towers aren't quite convinced by Sandefjord they've certainly earned their right to be there after a superb run of form.
5 opinions:
Start's coach said today in the newspaper that they will not survive next year w/o re-enforcements. One new player on each line is the minimum but the money guys from Club 21 are only looking at giving 2-3 million kroner to do the job. Club 21 have said they would like to buy the contracts of a few existing players to provide some cash and then get their money back upon the future sales.
I saw Goodson play a few minutes on Saturday and I see what all the fuss is about. He's pretty dominant and I can see why they topped the table before he got sick. Still they will need more than him next year or it will be a quick trip back down.
Sounds like a fair assessment. What you've got to look at is the spine of the team: Keeper - centre backs - central midfielders - strikers. If your spine if in good shape you're fine. Their keeper is decent enough, no worries there. Goodson as you say is good, but neither Borgersen (past it) or Mathiesen (I don't care if the sporting director is your daddy..) or indeed Engedal look like Tippeliga-defenders to me, so a solid defender has to be a priority. In midfield I think they could do with a grafting, physical type, because they have a pretty decent midfield but it looks a bit short on muscle. Up front, well, I think they're ok up front to be honest. Hulsker may be a nasty piece of work but he'll get you goals, Khalili I think can make a big impact next season and if they can get Årst back that would be like getting a brand new player. Perhaps a winger would be good.
Anyway, a central defender, a physical midfielder and a winger and I think they'll be in good shape. Where they are going to get these players with just 2-3 million to spend is another matter entirely..
Nice assessment of Bernt Hulsker!
I fully expect to see Inge Andre Olsen back in yellow next year, and if fit he could make a real contribution to the Start back line. With Segerström, Sandberg and Skjønsberg all fit and some very promising youngsters emerging, IAO will be surplus to requirements at Telenor Arena and may even be go on a free if he makes a case for returning to his native southlands.
It's getting exciting for the playoff spot between Honfoss & Songdal with only a point difference with two matches to go.
Lars,
Can either win against #13 in the Tip? Also is it a one-off or home/home situation?
Erm, Sogndal or Hønefoss versus Aalesund, HamKam or Lillestrøm?
You wouldn't think they'd be capable, really, but Sogndal in particular are on excellent form and have a lot of momentum on their side, which can count for a lot in this game (as you all know).
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