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There was a flurry of transfer activity during the off-season. It was to be expected given that we needed to strengthen ahead of the new season, whilst some of our better players were sure to be targets of bigger clubs, having impressed during the last campaign.
There was a need to get rid of the over-age players, and the only two left were both sent packing. Mikael Ström moved to Vasalund/Essinge whilst Marcus Westermark was transferred to Lindsdal, both on free transfers.
There were only two other transfers out of the club, other than the loanees, none of whom were kept. Michael Kassyousef’s eye for goal earned him a £500,000 move to Halmstad, whilst Kristoffer Dyverfelt’s wing play saw him secure a transfer to Malmö FF. The fee for Dyverfelt will eventually rise to £340,000.
It was imperative that we strengthened the squad for the new season, and with our financial future secure, there was no need to use the loan system. That being said, I did bring in centre-back Leonard Abrahamsson on loan for the season for GAIS, and every other player I bought in came for free.
Joseph Cole, a young Nigerian midfielder come striker, signed from GAIS, and they also provided us with Ogyzhan Yayla, a centre-back who can also play in central midfield.
Emil Bengtsson from Billesholm and Tolle Staffansson from Örgyte will compete for the left-back spot, although Bengtsson can also play at right-back and in midfield.
Andreas Finnberg comes in from Växjö to cover the goalkeeping position, whilst Jacob Johansson will provide an option up front, having come in from Valla.
A number of friendly matches were arranged for March to get the squad playing together and getting to know each other’s strengths.
A trip to Jönköping Södra saw Jacob Johansson, Josef Kopkin and Christoffer Carlsson net to give us a 3-1 victory, before we were completely outclassed and outplayed at Trelleborg as we crashed 3-0.
Andreas Friman got his season going with a four-goal haul in the first half at Älvsjö, and Jacob Johansson grabbed another as we ran out 5-0 victors.
The home derby with Norrköping started well, and Friman and Adiel Jonson had us 2-1 up with ten minutes to play. But we conceded twice in the last few minutes to give the bragging rights to the more illustrious club based in the town.
Friman scored a brace as we beat Husqvarna 3-1, Joseph Cole netting his first for the club in the win. And Friman scored two more as we hosted Västra Frölunda, and further goals from Haris Dozo and a Fredrick Bouman own goal gave us a 4-2 win.
Forward were seen off 2-1 at their place thanks to strikes from Friman and Johansson, and we wrapped up the practice matches with a 2-1 home win over Häcken thanks to strikes from Johansson and Kopkin.
It promises to be an exciting season in the First Division North.
Three players will compete for the goalkeeping jersey, but to be honest, Peter Karlsson (20) is nailed on for the number 1 shirt. Andreas Finnberg (17) will be the backup, whilst Simon Sundqvist (16) will have to bide his time to get his chance.
The left-back position will be taken, initially at least by Emil Bengtsson (16), but he can also fill in at right back or even in right/central midfield. Tolle Staffanson (19) will be second choice, whilst Merwan Arslan (21), who can also play on the left wing will also provide cover.
Right-back will continue to be occupied by Johan Jönsson (21), who had an excellent season there last time around. He can also play right-wing if need be. Tomas Borg (23), the oldest member of the squad – and he can also play at centre back or right midfield, will be the backup in this position, and Henrik Hultberg (18) will struggle to make much impact this season.
The centre-back partnership from last season of Henrik Andersson (23) and Tony Hanna (20) will continue, with backup provided by the on-loan Leonard Abrahamsson (20) and Ogyzhan Yayla (20), who can also play in central midfield.
Haris Dozo (18) is the first choice in the left wing position, with backup provided by the exciting Maic Sema (17). Dario Dakic (19), who can play on either wing, isn’t likely to feature in the first team this season.
The first-choice right winger for the season will be only player in the squad who’s first nationality is not Swedish, Nigerian Joseph Cole (22). Cole can play anywhere across the midfield if need be, or even up front. Örhan Cakic (15), the youngest member of the squad will not play in the first team this season; backup will be provided by other member of the squad.
Christoffer Jonsson (19), who can also play at right back, will continue to be partnered by Johan Roxström (20) in the centre of midfield, with Christoffer Carlsson (16) will be pushing for a first-team spot.
Up front, first choice striker, without much doubt, is the club captain, Andreas Friman (22). His partner will initially be Jacob Johansson (17), but Adiel Jonson (18) will be hot on his heels, having done well as substitute last season. Josef Kopkin (18) and Georg Xantopoulos (18) will have to bide their time for any sniff at first-team action.
The season began with a trip to Vasalund/Essinge, who despite expectations, were not promoted to the First Division Elite. We didn’t play particularly well though, and 1-0 was probably a little harsh on the home team.
The first round of the cup sent us to First Division South side Höllviken. Our first goal of the season came from the unlikely source of Henrik Andersson, and Andreas Friman hit a second to send us through to a second round meeting with Premier League side AIK with a 2-1 win.
The first game of the season was against Spårvägen, and the locals weren’t to be disappointed. Friman hit a brace in the first half, as did Jacob Johansson as we led 4-1 at the break. Both strikers completed their hattricks after half time as we completed a wonderful 6-1 win.
The month ended with a visit from early pacesetters Eskilstuna City. An own goal from Daniel Strömberg gave us the lead at half time, but the visitors equalised soon after the break and the game ended 1-1.
May began with the visit from one of Sweden’s biggest clubs, as AIK came to town in the second round of the cup. We defended astutely in the first half, and were happy to go into the break with the score still 0-0. However, AIK scored almost immediately after the restart, and ten minutes later Peter Karlsson was sent off for a professional foul. Anders Finnberg’s first action was to pull the resultant penalty out of the net, and we conceded one more late on as we limped out of the competition 3-0.
Back in league action we travelled to IFK Luleå, and gifted them an early goal. Andreas Friman equalised soon after, but we weren’t good enough at the back and conceded once more in the second half to crash to a 2-1 defeat.
Topkapi came to visit as the games kept coming. We struggled to break them down, and were lucky not to get caught on the break. Midway through the second half I brought on Adiel Jonson, and it proved inspirational as the substitute netted the only goal of the game to grant us three precious points.
Friman continued his fine goalscoring form as we took the lead at IK Sirius, but we soon lost that lead, and then fell behind just before half time to a dodgy penalty. We never recovered in the second half, and conceded once more to go down 3-1.
The final game of the season saw us host Syrianska, who had previously lost all six of their league games. But we just didn’t seem able to hunt their goal down, and indeed fell behind to a counterattack on the half hour. Late on, Johan Roxström saved our blushes with an equaliser, but we just didn’t look like getting a second goal.
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