SEASON 4 (2008)
Lillestrøm, Norwegian Prem
Board and Fans expectation: Mid table
After last year's season and, maybe more importantly the pre-season friendlies, I was expecting a title race. This was somewhat reflected in the game-to-game odds, where I was the favourite in all but four matches (against Rosenborg and Brann). Squad looked good, last year's Bosman spree secured some up-and-coming backups for my first 11.
As it turned out, I really needed them. My only signing pre-season was an experienced Norwegian AMRC, who I splashed out £1.7M(!) for. He slotted into midfield, and when my Romanian AML got injured after 4 matches (and 4 MOMs, 8.80 avr) I forgot all about the stupidly high transfer fee. Until he was sidelined for 3 months.
As mentioned, first half of the season I was flying high. Summer vacation saw me top of the table, on G/D, with Rosenborg chasing behind. After the summer I had a major injury crisis. Some of the youngsters really stepped up, especially the Swedish AMR/FC who singleheader'ly won me the cup last year. New Bosman signing Young Italian MC also helped a lot.
The autumn term started off badly, I lost in both my UEFA-cup qual games, to a Ukranian team with a greyed out stiker who shared name as well as finishing skills with a certain other world class Ukranian poof. Lost a few league games, but so did Rosenborg. Managed to find the best combination of backup/youngsters (note to self: screw the ass.man), and managed a tight 1-0 victory over Rosenborg in the latter stages of the campaign to secure the title. A promising Belgian AMC, who I was on the verge of selling before the injury crisis, proved to be vital with some quality finishing and mental tackling.
Got lucky in the cup, again. Until the final, all I met was Nonleague/D2/D1-teams. Meat for my moaning players. In the final I faced Viking. The Swede and the Belgian Frog teamed up and shared the Viking feast. I've seriosly never ever won a double in a LLM game, I was really happy about that win. Cups doesn't suck arse (today)
My Veteran AMFC continued his scoring spree: got 21 goals in 22 league matches, and 8 goals in 4 cup matches. Without him I'd be relegated for xure. Also, an interesting prospect got promoted, seriosly promising MR who'll be nice to have in hand next year.
Got some job offers, from Viking (yes, before the cup final
) and Brann. Was really tempted by the Brann offer, but I want my next jump to be over the North Sea to the Pooflanders. Wonder how's that gonna work, after a certain ultra-defensive communist managed to wreck Wimbledon with the help of some literaly Fishy moneymen, I guess Norwegian managers are generally frowned upon over there
Players out: 8 @ £4.6M
Players in: 8 @ £2M
League:
POS 1 PL 26 W 15 D 6 L 5 GD +22 PTS 51
Cup:
Winners vs Viking (3-0)
UEFA Cup
Lost in 2nd Qual. Rnd vs Dnipro (Ukr) (2-5 aggr)
Futbol Mundialllll European Champs: Italy (2-1 vs Spain)
Champions League: Lyon (p 2-2 vs FC Bayern)
Premier League 07/08: Liverpool(
), runners up Chelsea. Note on the side, Cardiff ended 5th.
Linear Mode
