I have nothing to say Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 4 hours ago, Stuniverse said: Episode 51 - December 2026 | Our Season's Over "What do you think to the Hødd Squad?" -- After a season where we finished 5th, and lost in the semi-finals of the OBOS-ligaen Payoffs, I'd be very interested in your thoughts on the squad (see posts immediately above this one), where Hødd should strengthen, who you would look to offload, any youngsters you think are worth giving an opportunity? That sort of thing. Many thanks. -- Tagged: @Blarney, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW There's always loads of good players available in Norway on a free at the end of each season so I'd wait to see who is available before planning on who stays. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blarney Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 On 10/01/2024 at 10:05, Stuniverse said: Wednesday 2nd December 2026 Hødd (5th) v Kristiansund (4th) Neutral Ground: Aker Stadion, Molde OBOS-ligaen Playoff Quarter Final -- It's great to have Markus André Kaasa (broken arm) and Markus Karlsbakk (ankle) available for selection again, but it might be too much of a risk to include them this time out. Having said that though, what's the point in resting them for the next game when there might not be a next game this season? Decisions, decisions, decisions. We gave the players three days off after the dramatic extra-time victory over HamKam and they've looked sharp in training since they came back. No changes to the starting 11. Two changes on the bench where Markus André Kaasa (broken arm) and Brage Kvithyld replace the very unfortunate Sivert Westerlund and Orri Sveinn Stefánsson. -- Aker Stadion, Molde -- -- I'm bitterly disappointed, I can't deny it, it hurts to lose, and to lose it with virtually the last kick of the match is even harder to take. A real kick in the teeth. I can't fault the players, they've been magnificent all season, they've worked so hard all season, they put the effort in today, I can't fault their effort and work rate, it just wasn't to be. We more than matched Kristiansund today, we created more chances than them, but we didn't work their goalkeeper enough as, I think, we only got two attempts on target all game. We just didn't have our shooting boots on. But we go away now, we lick our wounds, and we report back on Monday 11th January 2027 ready to go again. Watch out OBOS-ligaen, Hødd are coming for you! -- -- Tough way to go. Looks like you had your chances but the other club's attack was relentless and your side just couldn't find the net. Still, head held high for a good season. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 13 hours ago, Stuniverse said: Episode 51 - December 2026 | Our Season's Over "What do you think to the Hødd Squad?" -- After a season where we finished 5th, and lost in the semi-finals of the OBOS-ligaen Payoffs, I'd be very interested in your thoughts on the squad (see posts immediately above this one), where Hødd should strengthen, who you would look to offload, any youngsters you think are worth giving an opportunity? That sort of thing. Many thanks. -- Tagged: @Blarney, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW Start with a simple question, do you need to score more goals, or stop your opposition scoring? Once you answer that, work out if you need to strengthen your attack or defence. Then also work out what you can afford to pay, without breaking the bank, or if you can find a good free agent. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 17 hours ago, I have nothing to say said: There's always loads of good players available in Norway on a free at the end of each season so I'd wait to see who is available before planning on who stays. Thanks, @I have nothing to say. I hope so. Hødd's stature has grown a little over the last 12 months and the club's reputation is two-and-a-half stars. Can't remember what it was when I took over but hopefully we'll have a bit more clout now when trying to sign players. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 10 hours ago, Blarney said: Tough way to go. It certainly was, @Blarney. It certainly was. 10 hours ago, Blarney said: Looks like you had your chances but the other club's attack was relentless and your side just couldn't find the net. That's exactly how the game went. And that's what makes it even more frustrating. We created more chances than Kristiansund but didn't have our shooting boots on. 10 hours ago, Blarney said: Still, head held high for a good season. Thank you. We overachieved as the Hødd Board only wanted a top-half finish. To finish 5th, qualify for the playoffs, and win the playoff quarter final was a successful season. But we want to do even better next season. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 (edited) 8 hours ago, Punch said: Start with a simple question, do you need to score more goals, or stop your opposition scoring? It might be a simple question, @Punch but the answer is both. 8 hours ago, Punch said: Once you answer that, work out if you need to strengthen your attack or defence. With our top goalscorer Abel Stensrud's loan at an end (he was also out-of-contract and has moved from Brann to Lillestrom) I reckon we need to bring in two strikers. We do though have 19-year old Aleksander Ørstavik (currently out until early March) who I have high hopes for. We also need to improve our defence, particularly if left-back Niko Hämäläinen leaves and, to be fair, if a decent bid comes in (there is interest in him) I'll probably accept it as Niko is one of my bad apples. Spoiler -- 8 hours ago, Punch said: Then also work out what you can afford to pay, without breaking the bank, or if you can find a good free agent. We finished 5th last season, won the playoff quarter final and were unfortunate, in my opinion, to lose in the playoff semi final so I think we're close, I don't think we need major surgery but, as I mentioned, we do need two strikers and I'd like to bring in some better defenders. In central midfield and in goal I think we're fine. Budget wise, we still have the £500K we got it up to last season and our wage budget has increased by about 12K per week, but I want to be frugal if I can and look for free agents, loans (hopefully we have more clout now), and I don't want to spend any more than I need to on wages. The big thing for me is to concentrate more on the dynamics of the squad and get a better balance. Last season I had over 15 players who were expecting to be regular starter, important player or star player and it was always going to be an impossible task keeping them all happy. So, this year, I'm looking for two players for every position, aiming for a maximum of 11 players expecting to play every week and the rest as squad or fringe players, with as many versatile players who can play multiple positions as possible. That will then leave me three registration slots for young players with potential like Aleksander Ørstavik. Edited January 12 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 34 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: It might be a simple question, @Punch but the answer is both. With our top goalscorer Abel Stensrud's loan at an end (he was also out-of-contract and has moved from Brann to Lillestrom) I reckon we need to bring in two strikers. We do though have 19-year old Aleksander Ørstavik (currently out until early March) who I have high hopes for. We also need to improve our defence, particularly if left-back Niko Hämäläinen leaves and, to be fair, if a decent bid comes in (there is interest in him) I'll probably accept it as Niko is one of my bad apples. Reveal hidden contents -- We finished 5th last season, won the playoff quarter final and were unfortunate, in my opinion, to lose in the playoff semi final so I think we're close, I don't think we need major surgery but, as I mentioned, we do need two strikers and I'd like to bring in some better defenders. In central midfield and in goal I think we're fine. Budget wise, we still have the £500K we got it up to last season and our wage budget has increased by about 12K per week, but I want to be frugal if I can and look for free agents, loans (hopefully we have more clout now), and I don't want to spend any more than I need to on wages. The big thing for me is to concentrate more on the dynamics of the squad and get a better balance. Last season I had over 15 players who were expecting to be regular starter, important player or star player and it was always going to be an impossible task keeping them all happy. So, this year, I'm looking for two players for every position, aiming for a maximum of 11 players expecting to play every week and the rest as squad or fringe players, with as many versatile players who can play multiple positions as possible. That will then leave me three registration slots for young players with potential like Aleksander Ørstavik. It is often hard to get a lot of players to accept squad or Fringe roles or if they do, they often want outrageous wages. Example: Biskri from my ASSE team accepted Fringe player in negotiations but wanted $3.48M/Year Wages that the top players on the team were getting at the time. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Hootieleece said: It is often hard to get a lot of players to accept squad or Fringe roles or if they do, they often want outrageous wages. Example: Biskri from my ASSE team accepted Fringe player in negotiations but wanted $3.48M/Year Wages that the top players on the team were getting at the time. Thanks, @Hootieleece that doesn't surprise me. I guess it's aspirational based on players ganging up on me twice in my short time at Hødd because a team mate wasn't happy with his playing time and I refused to back down. On neither occasion has it got out of hand but, I guess, it could and that's what I'm trying to mitigate. Of course, even assuming I reach that utopia of balanced playing time, as soon as I bring in a new player in any position, who's better than the current starter, that new player is going to want to play every week and so the cycle starts all over again. Don't you just love dynamics in FM Edited January 12 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 (edited) Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Expectations" -- OBOS-ligaen (Tier 2) Season Preview -- Hødd Board Expectations The Board Expectations for the 2027 season seemed fair enough. -- Budgets Edited January 20 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 (edited) Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Hødd Players Report Back" -- -- Edited January 20 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 (edited) Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Rule Changes" -- Edited January 20 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Player Contracts" -- At then end of his successful loan from Jerv last season, Runar Hauge joined Hødd on a permanent basis. Spoiler -- Unfortunately, our other successful loan player last season, Abel Stensrud, joined Lillestrom permanently from Start and Lillestrom are unwilling to loan him out this season. Spoiler -- New Contracts As we finished 5th last season, and won the Playoff Quarter Final before losing in the Semi Final, I decided to offer four out-of-contract players new deals. Spoiler - Spoiler - Spoiler - Spoiler -- This means that all the first team squad players from last season, plus the young players from the 2nd Team and U19s I'm considering for the Hødd First Team, are now contracted to at least the end of the 2017 season. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Pre-season Fixtures" -- Ahead of our 2027 OBOS-ligaen season, we've arranged nine pre-season friendly matches. Odd finished 10th in Eliteserien (Tier 1) last season. Grorud, Kristiansund and Sandnes Ulf were all promoted into Eliteserien last season and Levanger were relegated from OBOS-ligaen (Tier 2). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Hødd's 2027 OBOS-ligaen Fixtures" -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Trialists at Hødd" -- We've maybe gone a bit crazy with the number of trialists we have at Høddvoll ahead of our opening pre-season friendlies. Any you like the look of? Strikers - the main area we need to improve as we don't really have any good strikers currently Spoiler -- Defenders - an area we would like to strengthen Spoiler -- Goalkeepers Spoiler -- Midfielders Spoiler -- Attacking Midfielders Spoiler -- Tagged: @Blarney, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blarney Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 For strikers I like Ante Juric personally the best. He doesn't have the best finishing but his determination is off the charts and his mentals and physicals are all-around good. Plus he's young so could still get better. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 With the proviso I have no idea what constitutes 'good' in your league, I might take a punt on two or three... Diarra looks pretty good up front, and Juric might be worth a contract. Diop looks okay to me. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 7 hours ago, Blarney said: For strikers I like Ante Juric personally the best. He doesn't have the best finishing but his determination is off the charts and his mentals and physicals are all-around good. Plus he's young so could still get better. 6 hours ago, warlock said: I might take a punt on two or three... Diarra looks pretty good up front, and Juric might be worth a contract. Diop looks okay to me. Thanks @Blarney and @warlock. Much appreciated. 6 hours ago, warlock said: With the proviso I have no idea what constitutes 'good' in your league That's actually a very good proviso... I'm still trying to work that out myself 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 (edited) Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Hødd Squad Early Pre-Season" -- Including trialists and young players with potential, here's what my coaches at Hødd think of a long list of players we have at Høddvoll currently for pre-season: -- Edited January 21 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Additional Pre-Season Friendlies" -- We hastily arranged three more pre-season friendlies, mainly to allow us to take a close look at the trialists and young players. OBOS-ligaen Aalesund will be a particularly difficult test for these players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 Until Next Time Pre-season Fixtures -- Any questions... Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated. Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can. Thank you for reading and following. Until next time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 Wednesday 20th January 2027 Herd (Tier 4) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- This friendly is all about giving a run-out to trialists and young players from the 2nd Team / U19s. -- I'm not going to read too much into this one as we played with a cobbled-together team, most of whom had never played in the Hødd first team before. There were some good performances though and we were much improved in the second half. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 Sunday 24th January 2027 Aalesund (Tier 2) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- We're going with the same group of players who beat Herd in midweek. It will be a much tougher game for the trialists and young players though. Aalesund finished 14th in OBOS-ligaen last season and secured their place for this season by winning the relegation playoff 5-1 against Askollen. -- This was a good workout for the trialists and young players and we have some decisions to make now. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 4 hours ago, Stuniverse said: That's actually a very good proviso... I'm still trying to work that out myself I pick anyonre with double digit attributes for the roles within your system. You should be able to find 2-3 players to round out the squad. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 1 hour ago, Hootieleece said: I pick anyonre with double digit attributes for the roles within your system. You should be able to find 2-3 players to round out the squad. Thanks, @Hootieleece. In FM I tend to be loyal to players who have done a good job for me the previous season and want to stay. This pre-season though, I think I need to be more ruthless if I’m to strengthen in the areas I want to improve and also create the registration slots I need for the four young players I want to be part of the first team squad this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
I have nothing to say Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 16 hours ago, Stuniverse said: Episode 52 - January 2027 | Pre-Season Preparations "Trialists at Hødd" -- We've maybe gone a bit crazy with the number of trialists we have at Høddvoll ahead of our opening pre-season friendlies. Any you like the look of? Strikers - the main area we need to improve as we don't really have any good strikers currently Hide contents -- Defenders - an area we would like to strengthen Hide contents -- Goalkeepers Hide contents -- Midfielders Hide contents -- Attacking Midfielders Reveal hidden contents -- Tagged: @Blarney, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW Julian Faye lund. Markus Nakkim and Johan bakke are absolute must buys. Elias Mylid and Rasmus weisterhiem-paul are also really good 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 2 hours ago, I have nothing to say said: Julian Faye lund. Markus Nakkim and Johan bakke are absolute must buys. Elias Mylid and Rasmus weisterhiem-paul are also really good Thanks, @I have nothing to say. I’ll have a good look at them. Johan Bakke scored a cracking goal against Aalesund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 (edited) Preview Bergsøy (Tier 5) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- Ahead of the friendly match against Bergsøy, we have some new arrivals at Hødd. Julian Faye Lund (GK), Markus Nakkim (DC/DR), Johan Bakke (MC, DC/DM) and Elias Myrlid (SC, AMC) were all on trial at Høddvoll and impressed enough for us to follow up our interest with a formal offer. Spoiler -- We've also brought El Hadji Malick Diouf in on loan from Tromsø. He had a very successful loan spell with Jerv in OBOS-ligaen last season and, whilst it's quite an expensive loan deal for the club, we believe he can be a success here at Hødd as well. Spoiler -- We've also been in negotiations with trialists Ante Matej Juric (SC), Djibril Diop (DC), Eneo Bitri (DC), Ibrahim Diarra (SC, AMRL) and Rasmus Wiedeshelm-Paul (SC, AMRL) but, frankly, their wage demands were too excessive for where Hødd are right now. To be fair to the Board, on an individual basis they would've sanctioned the wage demands for any of these players but I didn't think it was fair on the rest of the squad to have one player earning two or three times the amount the rest of the squad were earning. We will be monitoring developments and will see if any of these free agents are willing to lower their wage demands later in the transfer window. [Note: You can view their Player Profiles in an earlier post on this page]. Edited January 22 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 (edited) Wednesday 27th January 2027 Bergsøy (Tier 5) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- The injury to Jens Petter Hauge, who joined us for the playoffs last season, is a real blow as we wanted to fully integrate him into the squad during pre-season. We were also hoping to give youngsters Per Christian Nguyen and Aleksander Ørstavik plenty of playing time during pre-season, so their injuries are very disappointing and a set-back to their development. -- For today's game against Bergsøy, we'll continue to involve some of our younger players plus give more playing time to the trialists we've still to make a decision on. -- I'm delighted with both the performance and the result today. The young players all stepped up and showed me they have the potential to be part of the Hødd first team squad and a number of trialists gave me plenty to think about. Edited January 22 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 On 10/01/2024 at 21:34, warlock said: Looking at the team talk screen, Emsis is a wrong 'un. You know what to do @warlock 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 (edited) Preview Voss (Tier 5) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- There's been two in and one out since our last friendly match. Latvian international Eduards Emsis has joined Valmiera on loan. Despite being a current Latvian international, Eduards didn't get much playing time last season and I couldn't see that improving for him this season. We're delighted to have secured the loan signing of exciting young striker Gabriel Silva from Sporting Lisbon. (I just need to work out how to send him on an intensive language course as I wasn't given that option when I signed him or when I got the confirmation email in my Inbox). We've also signed a free agent centre-back. We originally brought Olle Samuelsson in on trial but were so impressed with him on his first day of training at Høddvoll that we offered him a deal there and then and we're delighted he accepted. Spoiler -- We've also brought two more strikers in on trial, Erlend Hustad and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Spoiler Edited January 22 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 14 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Gabriel Silva ... how to send him on an intensive language course I've noticed that the option often (usually/always?) isn't there for loan signings. Regardless, he looks like a brilliant signing 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Sunday 31st January 2027 Voss (Tier 5) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- -- Although this is our fourth pre-season friendly, it's effectively our first as the previous three matches were for the benefit of trialists and the young players I thought were good enough to challenge for one of the 25 first team registration slots. So the plan is to give two sets of 11 players 45 minutes each. -- I love visiting Voss in early pre-season. It's always snowing which makes for very challenging conditions for the players but helps strengthen their legs. A very satisfactory display by us. The players put in plenty of hard work and effort in the snow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 42 minutes ago, warlock said: I've noticed that the option often (usually/always?) isn't there for loan signings. Agreed, @warlock. I'm hoping the option appears during a Staff Meeting at some point. 43 minutes ago, warlock said: Regardless, he looks like a brilliant signing Thanks. We have high hopes for Gabriel Silva. I'd love to take the credit but my Director of Football recommended him. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Episode 53 - 1st February 2027 | Pre-Season Underway "New Players In" -- -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- Spoiler 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Episode 53 - 1st February 2027 | Pre-Season Underway "Players Out" -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- We need to offload more players to make room to register the new players we've signed... and we're working on that. -- We also have some unhappy players. Morten Sætra, understandably, was unhappy that we'd signed a new goalkeeper Julian Faye Lund. I told Morten that he needed to work hard and challenge Julian for the gloves. Morten agreed to do that for the good of the football club. -- Dion Krasniqi was unhappy with the loan signing Gabriel Silva. As Dion wasn't a regular starter last season, we agreed it was probably best if he found a new club. -- Sivert Westerlund was unhappy with the loan signing El Hadji Malick Diouf. As Sivert wasn't a regular starter last season, and also spent a lot of time complaining, we agreed it was probably best if he found a new club. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Episode 53 - 1st February 2027 | Pre-Season Underway "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Until Next Time February's Fixtures -- Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated. Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can. Thank you for reading and following. Until next time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 (edited) Sunday 7th February 2027 Loddefjord (Tier 4) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- For the Loddefjord game, the aim is to give the starters 60 minutes each and then make 11 substitutions with half an hour to go. We'll then reverse that in the next match against Brattvåg so that 22 players get 90 minutes across the two games. -- When we brought our Hødd team here for the first game of the last pre-season we lost 1-3 so it was nice to return today and show everybody what this Hødd team is all about. All of our goals came in the first half but let's not read too much into that as we played well throughout and Loddefjord didn't have a single effort on target. -- It was really nice to return to the Alvoen Stadion and catch-up with my former Assistant Manager, Tor Martin Hegrenes, who has been the Loddefjord manager, initially as caretaker and then permanently, since I left. Edited January 23 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Sunday 14th February 2027 Brattvåg (Tier 4) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- -- Today, in the main, the players who came on as subs against Loddefjord will start and, after about an hour, we'll replace them with 11 subs. -- Another good workout for the players with a pleasing performance and result. They now have 90 minutes in their legs across two matches. For the next two friendlies, we'll look to start with two completely different 11s and get 90 minutes into the players in one or other of the matches. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Sunday 21st February 2027 Fyllingsdalen (Tier 4) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- Ahead of the Fyllingsdalen friendly, we've signed free agent Vetle Skjærvik after a successful trial at Høddvoll. Spoiler -- The plan today is to get our starting 11 through a full 90 minutes if we can. -- I'm very pleased with the performance and the result. Unfortunately, we didn't get everybody through 90 minutes as we lost Isak Gabriel Skotheim with a groin injury but, on the plus side, it was good to see Jens Petter Hauge back on the pitch after missing all of pre-season so far with an abdominal strain. The players looked tired out there towards the end, which probably explains their late goal, but I felt we kept going, kept digging in, and it was good to see Elias Myrlid score in the 90th and 90+2 minutes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Sunday 28th February 2027 Levanger (Tier 3) v Hødd (Tier 2) Friendly -- Levanger were relegated from OBOS-ligaen last season so we're expecting a very difficult game. Just like last time, the aim is to try and get the starting 11 through 90 minutes if we possibly can. -- As expected, Levanger gave us a very difficult match but we came through it with a win. Gabriel Silva grabbing a brace for us, in a 2-1 victory, with all the goals coming in the opening quarter of an hour. We did have a scare with Markus Andre Kaasa stubbing his toe early on but we got through the game with no additions to our long injury list. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 (edited) Episode 54 - 1st March 2027 | Squad Building Continues "Transfers IN" -- We signed two more free agents after successful trial spells with us. Spoiler -- Spoiler Edited January 23 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 (edited) Episode 54 - 1st March 2027 | Squad Building Continues "Transfers OUT" -- With nine players having joined Hødd this transfer window, we now need to continue our attempts to offload some of the fringe players to make room for us to register our new additions. Spoiler I didn't want to lose Martin Bergum but Sandnes Ulf's offer of £240K, potentially rising to £275K, was too good to turn down. And I couldn't really stand in the way of Martin testing himself in Eliteserien (Tier 1) this season. At least we parted on good terms. -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- Spoiler -- -- I'll be honest, Sivert Westerlund frustrates me a lot. I signed him last season as a squad player and he's done nothing but moan and complain since he got here. Spoiler Edited January 23 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Episode 54 - 1st March 2027 | Squad Building Continues "I've bagged another coaching badge" -- I was in two minds whether or not to ask the Hødd Board for another coaching badge so soon after gaining my Continetal C License... but nothing ventuted, nothing gained and all that. I'm glad I asked now. -- 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Episode 54 - 1st March 2027 | Squad Building Continues "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 Until Next Time March's Pre-season Fixtures March sees our last four pre-season friendlies before our OBOS-ligaen campaign kicks-off against Haugesund next month. All four friendlies will be against Eliteserien (Tier 1) opposition - the three that were promoted from OBOS-ligaen last season, plus Odds Ballklubb. -- Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated. Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can. Thank you for reading and following. Until next time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Nice profit on the transfer deals. Squad looks promising ahead of the season. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 (edited) 5 hours ago, warlock said: Nice profit on the transfer deals. Thanks, @warlock although more luck than judgement I think. We’re mainly in profit because of the Martin Bergum sale. That bid came out of the blue (not even a rumour) and was too good to turn down £240K-£270K. The Diouf loan was more expensive than I would’ve liked but, based on how well he did in OBOS-ligaen last season, I wanted him here as I have issues with my other two LBs. What I’m more proud of is that we are comfortably within our wage budget. 5 hours ago, warlock said: Squad looks promising ahead of the season. Yes, I’m very happy with how the squad is shaping up. I believe it’s a better squad collectively than finished 5th in OBOS-ligaen last season. I guess I’ll have a better idea after the four friendly matches against Eliteserien opposition. I’m still trying to get five players out the door. They were ok with being put on the transfer list, but there’s no interest in any of them currently, even their agents can’t drum up any interest. Edited January 23 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 Sunday 7th March 2027 Hødd (Tier 2) v Sandnes Ulf (Tier 1) Friendly -- Today we entertain Sandnes Ulf who were promoted to Eliteserien last season as OBOS-ligaen champions. We're expecting our toughest challenge of pre-season so far but a good litmus test as to where we're at right now. -- Adding El Hadji Malick Diouf to our long injury list was a real blow. -- As I have issues with Niko Hamalainen and Sivert Westerlund , both of whom are on the transfer list, Warrer gets a start at left-back today. Spoiler No real plans for today, this is the first of four friendlies against Eliteserien opposition as we prepare for the OBOS-ligaen campaign. We'll manage it as a competitive match albeit that we can use a lot more subs. -- We're very pleased and encouraged by our performance against last season's OBOS-ligaen champions Sandnes Ulf. On the downside though, injuries to two strikers Gabriel Silva and Elias Myrlid is a big blow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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