Hey everyone, welcome back to Malmö!
Last update I took over the sorry looking side from the south of Sweden and managed with what limited resources I had, to pull them out of the clutches of relegation into mid-table safety. Thankfully, it was a new year where I could start to build up the club with the players I wanted, as well as getting some well needed ‘Home Grown Players’ so I could have a bench. However, for whatever reason it really didn’t go to plan. I don’t know what it was but the players were just not pulling their weight..?
As you can see from the screenshot above, the first 7 games were not pretty. It just felt like we had no presence upfront, no-one that could finish a team off?! The only one who was scoring for us was my (pretty average..) right attacking midfielder Simon Backbom who managed to grab three in the space of seven games.
This left us fighting a gruelling battle with the teams around us to avoid the relegation places. Not exactly what I had imagined when I started the adventure but I guess it makes it all the more difficult. Anyway at this point I introduced my wonderkid striker Viktor Eriksson (because lets face it, we needed some talent upfront), and I changed the tactic. In all fairness I knew the impact a new tactic could have on the squad but at this stage I really was clutching at straws. I went more attacking and hoped for a change in fortune..
Our first two wins! Finally some major points on the board.. Gonzalez and Rios stole the show against both sides, bagging all but one of the goals over the two matches. I was so happy that it paid off, I mean it could have gone either way. Next up was Varberg BOIS and I really hoped that we could take this momentum into the game and show my old side what we were made of..!
Ehh..? Well that was a huge disappointment. Not only were we completely bossed out of the game on the night, but I got to see the squad that I had built up completely humiliate me. Excellent. With any luck, we should have the last laugh but I guess only time will tell ;)
Anyway, here are the rest of the scores until the opening of the summer transfer window:
Starting and ending with wins, but a couple of narrow losses really hurt either side of the game against GAIS. Star player over this period of games has to be Viktor Eriksson. I couldn’t believe that at his tender age, he could be leading a premier league front-line! He scored three in the period, one of which was a ‘Goal of the Season’ contender for me.. (Click here to view the Goal), it really is worth watching. Oddly, he wasn’t our topscorer either! That went to our centre back Soren Daucke who managed to bag 4, all from corners.
A little look at the league table showed us that we were right in the thick of things at the bottom of the league:
Luckily there was some good that came out of the near-disastrous start to the campaign, and that was the league cup! We had a sketchy start against IK Sirius where the game went to penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the end of extra time. I was a little worried when Gunnar Leo missed the second spot kick, but two shots over the bar for the away side made sure we went through to the 4th round against Kalmar FF. Zero to Hero in this one as it was Gunnar Leo who managed to grab a brace in a 2-1 win to see us fly into the Quarter Finals against Norrköping.
I have to admit though, that I went a little crazy in the transfer market and pulled in talent that I neither needed and in some cases, couldn’t really afford..
Gabin Duhamel
Ok, he looks good right? But he should do really, at a massive cost of £6M! In all fairness, I was very desperate for a decent striker but this was probably a move that I wouldn’t have even tried if we hadn’t had such a poor start. You never know, he could become the next Lecomte but I’m questioning whether this was a good eye or very bad money management. I’m thinking the latter…
I did need more strength in depth, and I brought in three frees that took my fancy:
All areas get another player! I thought I needed some experience due to the lack of leadership on the team, so hopefully these three will provide that for me. Also in the midst there is another ‘Homegrowner’ so I have got back-up for my bench at the very least ;)
Anyway that’s your lot for Malmö for today, come back next update when ill be taking you through the end of the season in which I hope that the lads can pull together and get a respectable place in the Allsvenskan.
Till next time then, Hej då :D
Jon Crosby
19 августа, 2011 at 18:35
Very risky signing of that £6mill guy but only time will tell if has paid off or not!
The free’s look decent and this should without a doubt end your up and down results
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:12
I know, panic buy..
Thanks bud :)
Darren Smith
19 августа, 2011 at 18:35
Well that must have been frustrating mate, but you scraped through and until the side is packed with your won purchases I think this could be a struggle. Those new signing will make a difference though and should see you attain that respectable mid-table finish.
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:13
Mmmh, i’m betting it will be. Ahh well, have to wait and see if we can improve on what we have started..
Dan
19 августа, 2011 at 19:35
Difficult start but you must have expected that, your team is showing signs of improvement and the new players you’ve added can only make you better. A mid-table finish should be achievable and with some good results you could even push on into the top half.
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:14
Thanks Dan! I hope so, it will be tough but I need the players to blend together so I can start this challenge ;)
Sears
19 августа, 2011 at 21:24
Hopefully the new experienced players can make a difference and push your side further up the table. The guy you spent £6 mil on looks a prospect, he’s pace to burn so he should score a few goals. Good luck ;)
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:15
Thanks mate, he has got pace but im not sure his attacking prowess is brilliant!
Only time will tell though ;)
Kevin
19 августа, 2011 at 22:00
Hopefully you can turn things around — all those freebies looks very decent as does the one you paid for too. Good luck!
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:15
Thanks Kevin :)
MRDNRA
20 августа, 2011 at 00:02
I think it’s safe to say that you’re going to survive, a 7 point gap already and despite the mixed results you’ve been having I’m sure you’re going to increase that. Some very good signings you’ve made there, I particularly like the look of that free defender, he’s got good pace for a 30+ year old.
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:18
I think you are probably right mate, but it isn’t where I want to be..
Thanks mate, he looks pretty decent actually and I have been waiting to see if I can draft him in. Hopefully it will pay off ;)
CsAtlantis
20 августа, 2011 at 06:12
That 6 million player better have some potential, he doesn’t look too good yet for his price, good to see you found some free agents to rope in, with wonderkid Eriksson (hey, Kadlec led my line when he was 20 :P) you should finish higher, maybe mid/top half table finish? Though your old team Varberg seems strong, they’re not dominating the league, only 1 pt ahead on top…..
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:21
I agree, but hopefully with that electric pace he can improve some of his technical abilities..
Mmhh, they aren’t dominating the league but they have been very strong against us. But we should hopefully push up the league in the coming months and achieve a respectable finish! :P
Nicholas Phipps
20 августа, 2011 at 09:47
With those new signings, I’m sure you’ll survive :). Not a great start but things will get better and your team will be greatly improved with the new signings.
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 14:25
I hope so Nick :D
Johnny Karp
20 августа, 2011 at 10:13
Hang in there mate, the new signings will make a difference pretty soon, maybe not 6 million worth of a difference but I trust you will climb up the table. Fingers crossed!
Excessive
20 августа, 2011 at 21:05
Haha, yeah probably not £6M worth ;)
Thanks Johnny!
Laxeyman
22 августа, 2011 at 11:23
Quite a tough start Excessive, but you’re slowly turning it round, and I’m sure you’ll be fine this season, with a mid table finish at least. Duhamel is a risky signing, but he must have potential, so hopefully he’ll turn out to be an excellent player. Good luck!