Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Preview Brann (7th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- -- -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Preview Brann (7th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- -- We want to win every game we play. We know we won't always win, but we go into every game confident of winning it. None more so than the Best i vest derby against Brann. We're away... and we really want to win this for the Viking fans, and ourselves, in Brann Stadion. -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Saturday 21st July 2029 Brann (7th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- -- -- I'm absolutely delighted for our supporters that we came to Brann Stadion and won the Best i vest derby against Brann. There was only one goal in it, scored by Lasse Berg Johnsen. I thought we were the better team but we couldn't double our lead, although Brice Wembangomo hit the post late on. In the closing minutes it was back-to-the-walls as Brann put us under pressure but we defended well and Patrik Sigurður Gunnarsson made a couple of fine saves. There were 852 Viking fans in the 17,049 crowd at Brann Stadion but they certainly made themselves heard. -- 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 (edited) Sunday 28th July 2029 Eliteserien -- Edited March 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Preview Lech Poznań (Poland) v Viking (Norway) UEFA Champions League League Path Second Qualifying Round, First Leg -- New Signing Spoiler -- This is a special moment for Viking as we've not been in European competition in the previous two seasons. For me, personally, it's the first time I've managed in European competition and I can't wait. -- -- Expected Line-up Wow! We get to name 12 substitutes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Wednesday 25th July 2029 Lech Poznań (Poland) v Viking (Norway) UEFA Champions League League Path Second Qualifying Round, First Leg -- -- -- We were brilliant tonight. How David Brekalo didn't give us a fourth minute lead I'll never know, first his header hit the bar, then his follow-up shot hit the post. Lech Poznań took the lead, against the run of play, on 21 minutes. Our heads didn't drop, we continued to boss the game, and Oscar Aga equalised just before half-time. During the break we made a change and my assistant manager, Egil Ulfstein, was inspiring. We made more substitutions in the second-half and that's probably the best 45 minutes of football we've played since I've been here. Yorbe Vertessen will take all the credit for his hat-trick, understandably so, but it was a sensational team performance. I'm so proud of the players. But we can't get carried away. There's still the second leg back home in the SR-Bank Arena to play. -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Saturday 28th July 2029 Eliteserien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Preview Åsane (9th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- -- The first time Zak Brown went nightclubbing he missed training the next day. This time, he'll miss a matchday. I gave him a second chance, but I won't be giving him a third one. If I could recall him, I would... but I can't so next time Mauricio Pochettino calls I'm going to suggest Chelsea recall him. -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 (edited) Sunday 29th July 2029 Åsane (9th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- -- -- We deserved this win, no doubt about it. When Ange Lago dived in two-footed on our captain we thought David Brekalo was seriously injured. Fortunately he wasn't and Lago got the red card he deserved. Åsane then shut up shop and we had to be patient. But we did score two goals and got the win we deserved. I praised Brice Wembangomo on his performance after the match and he told me he thought he'd play better and that he'd play better if I left him alone. -- Edited March 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Moving on up to the top of the table. Now can you stay there? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 UEFA Champions League Draw League Path Third Qualifying Round, First Leg -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Monday 30th July 2029 Eliteserien -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 4 hours ago, Hootieleece said: Moving on up to the top of the table. Indeed, @Hootieleece. At the halfway stage of the season, the Eliteserien league table is looking very good! 4 hours ago, Hootieleece said: Now can you stay there? That's the big question. We are starting open up a gap to Bodø/Glimt in 3rd but are struggling to shake Vålerenga in 2nd. I'm very happy with the Viking squad, we are playing some lovely football, have scored more goals (35) than anybody else and only Vålerenga (12) have conceded less goals than us (14). But with the August Transfer Window Open... ... a lot will depend if I still have this squad together, or if I've lost any key players, when the window closes at the end of August. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "Tangen Unhappy With Playing Time" -- Spoiler -- -- -- -- To be honest, I'm not convinced I can give Harald Tangen the playing time he'll expect as a squad player but at least he's happy for now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "New Contracts - Five Players Extend Viking Stay" -- Oscar Aga Spoiler -- Lasse Berg Johnsen Spoiler -- Gaetano Oristanio Spoiler -- Otto Rosengren Spoiler -- Joachim Prent-Eckbo Spoiler -- Players Out-of-Contact Which leaves us with six players out-of-contract at the end of the season plus one loan player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 13 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: To be honest, I'm not convinced I can give Harald Tangen the playing time he'll expect as a squad player but at least he's happy for now. Rotate him in for a few starts against the table propping teams and sub him in as many of the others as possible and that should keep him happy. Squad players for me have been happy with roughly 50% of the playing time of a regulars starter, but the number of total appearances should be more like 60-75% of a regular starter. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "Transfer Window Open" -- -- Snubbed We were snubbed by Vetle Walle Egeli having verbally agreed terms on a contract. Spoiler -- We have already been fighting off bids for some of our better players. Yorbe Vertessen Spoiler -- Isak Amundsen Spoiler -- Patrik Sigurður Gunnarsson Spoiler Edited March 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "Viking First Team Squad" -- Player Appearances -- Player Reports Edited March 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "Manedens Trener and Spiller" -- Manedens Trener -- Manedens Spiller 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Wednesday 1st August 2029 Until Next Time... ... when we'll know if we've progressed in Europe, will have played four Eliteserien matches, and... ... we'll know whether we've held onto our best players and what the Viking squad will be for the remainder of the season. -- August'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... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 26 minutes ago, Hootieleece said: Rotate him in for a few starts against the table propping teams and sub him in as many of the others as possible and that should keep him happy. Squad players for me have been happy with roughly 50% of the playing time of a regulars starter, but the number of total appearances should be more like 60-75% of a regular starter. That's not so much the issue, @Hootieleece as Otto Rosengren, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Oscar Bobb and Gaetano Oristanio are my starting midfield diamond. Then there's Martin Palumbo, Runar Norheim, Johan Bakke and Herman Geelmuyden who are all younger and ahead of Harald Tangen in the pecking order so there's no room for Harald on the bench (assuming no injuries or suspensions). And then, if a spot on the bench does open up, Harald's then in competition with Tobias Børkeeiet. Harald is out-of-contract at the end of the season and I can't see him being here next season. -- 54 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Episode 86 - European Adventure | 1st August 2029 "Tangen Unhappy With Playing Time" -- Reveal hidden contents -- -- -- -- To be honest, I'm not convinced I can give Harald Tangen the playing time he'll expect as a squad player but at least he's happy for now. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Preview Viking (Norway) v Lech Poznań (Poland) UEFA Champions League League Path Second Qualifying Round, Second Leg (Viking lead 4-1) -- It's only half-time but, after winning comfortably 4-1 in the away leg, we're confident of going through to face Feyenoord, but we must avoid complacency. -- -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Wednesday 1st August 2029 Viking (Norway) v Lech Poznań (Poland) UEFA Champions League League Path Second Qualifying Round, Second Leg (Viking lead 4-1) -- -- -- I'll be honest, I picked a team today with half-an-eye on the Eliteserien match at the weekend. As the game progressed, we were very comfortable, so I had the luxury of bringing some players off and giving some of our fringe players European playing time. We hit the post twice as well, once in each half. -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Preview Viking (1st) v Sandefjord (6th) Eliteserien -- -- After missing first training and then a match day, there'll be no third chance for Zak Brown. I've unregistered him and registered Academy graduate Joachim Prent-Eckbo in his place. I'll be asking Chelsea to recall Zak next chance I get. Unfortunately, we've had some bad injury news as well. -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Saturday 4th August 2029 Viking (1st) v Sandefjord (6th) Eliteserien -- With the Feyenoord first leg in midweek, we made a late decision to rest our captain David Brekalo as he was looking tired. Brice Wembangomo starts at right-back, with Isak Amundsen moving inside to centre-back. David is on the bench in case he's needed. -- -- Sandefjord have been playing very well this season and went into this game in 6th place. I'm delighted we were able to win this game, comfortably in the end. We took the lead early after six minutes but then had to be patient to add our second and third goals. We got the rub of the green with VAR today as Abel Stensrud's header was allowed after 90+5 minutes but, on 88 minutes, when Sandefjord thought they'd pulled it back to 2-1 through an unfortunate Johan Bakke own goal, VAR ruled it out for offside in the build-up. -- 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Sunday 5th August 2029 Eliteserien -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Everything's coming up roses at the moment. Although it needs to... looks like Valerenga are going to be snapping at your heels every step of the way. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) 1 hour ago, warlock said: Everything's coming up roses at the moment. Yes, everything is going very well. 1 hour ago, warlock said: Although it needs to... looks like Valerenga are going to be snapping at your heels every step of the way. I think so as well... and Vålerenga don't have European competition to add fixture congestion. It's about three months before we travel to Vålerenga for the reverse fixture. Edited March 18 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Preview Viking (Norway) v Feyenoord (Netherlands) UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round, First Leg -- UEFA Champions League Path Playoff draw -- -- -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Tuesday 7th August 2029 Viking (Norway) v Feyenoord (Netherlands) UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round, First Leg -- -- -- I don't say this very often but we were second best today in every department. Feyenoord were just better than us. We had more possession, and we created some chances, more chances than Feyenoord, but we never really looked like scoring. We changed things at half-time in an attempt to create more. It didn't really work and we had to go even more attacking. Unfortunately, that left us open at the back which was when Feyenoord scored their third on the counter-attack. Norway manager Antonio Conte was here today but, sadly, not many Viking players will have impressed him. After the game, I let my assistant manager Egil Ulfstein play the bad cop. -- -- Edited March 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Preview Strømsgodset (4th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- Strømsgodset are doing very well and are flying high in 4th place. This will be a very difficult match for us. Hopefully we can do much better than in midweek against Feyenoord. -- -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Sunday 12th August 2029 Strømsgodset (4th) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- -- -- Strømsgodset are very good at what they do which is to sit back, not worry about possession, stop you attacking, and hit you on the counter-attack. That makes them very difficult to play against and to break down so we were delighted to score an early goal. We had to be patient before doubling our lead. Christian Synnes pulled a goal back for Strømsgodset with a stunning, long-range strike. Fortunately though, Strømsgodset didn't put us under much pressure and we were able to score a third. -- -- Including this evening's result Edited March 18 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Preview Feyenoord (Netherlands) v Viking (Norway) UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round, Second Leg (Feyenoord lead 3-0) -- After losing the home leg 0-3 nobody gives us a chance against Feyenoord. We want to restore some pride tonight and show people the real Viking. We have nothing to lose and we'll be giving it our best shot. -- -- Expected Line-up Edited March 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Wednesday 15th August 2029 Feyenoord (Netherlands) v Viking (Norway) UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round, Second Leg (Feyenoord lead 3-0) -- -- -- We were much better tonight than we were at home in the first leg. I was proud of the players tonight, even in defeat. But we didn't lose it tonight, we lost it in the first leg. 2-1 down at half-time, we changed our shape for the second half. We weren't that bad in the first half, but we were much improved after the break. -- 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Episode 87 - Out of Europe | 17th August 2029 "Chelsea Recall Brown" -- -- -- -- 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Hooray the Zak Brown issue is resolved. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 5 minutes ago, Hootieleece said: Hooray the Zak Brown issue is resolved. Hooray, indeed @Hootieleece Want to know something funny? Zak Brown still likes me. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Preview Bodø/Glimt (3rd) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- At least Zak Brown will have plenty of nightclubs to frequent back in London. It's a big game for us away to Bodø/Glimt but I think it might be a case of picking my fittest team, rather than my best team. We will definitely be without our captain David Brekalo as he looks very jaded and I told him I'd be resting him for this match. Bodø/Glimt are the only team to have beaten us in Eliteserien this season so we'll be looking to avenge that 2-3 defeat at the Aspmyra today. -- -- Expected Line-up Edited March 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 (edited) Sunday 19th August 2029 Bodø/Glimt (3rd) v Viking (1st) Eliteserien -- Yesterday's Results -- -- -- Credit where credit's due, Bodø/Glimt have done the double over us this season so Tite clearly has our number. It's frustrating because we started well and took a third minute lead. But Bodø/Glimt were level a minute later and were 3-1 up by the break, having scored with their first three attempts on goal, somewhat against the run of play. We definitely missed our captain in the heart of our defence, but David Brekalo was clearly suffering fatigue in training and we'd have risked an injury had we played him. At half time we changed our shape to a more attacking one. We had more possession than Bodø/Glimt, we created more chances than Bodø/Glimt, but Bodø/Glimt were more clinical in front of goal than us. The team I picked wasn't the one I'd have picked if we hadn't had two players suspended and everybody had been match fit, but I still thought the team selected was good enough to get a result here. -- -- Tonight's Result Edited March 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 Preview Viking (1st) v Sarpsborg (16th) Eliteserien -- We didn't meet the standards we've set ourselves against Bodø/Glimt last time out and we're determined to put that right at home to Sarpsborg today. -- -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 Sunday 26th August 2029 Viking (1st) v Sarpsborg (16th) Eliteserien -- Yesterday's Result -- -- -- It was great to return to winning ways in front of our own supporters in the SR-Bank Arena. We were brilliant in the first half, less so after the break. But a win's a win and we'll take it. -- -- Tonight's Result Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Tough loss against Bodo/Glimt, but a good bounceback win to follow. As Sir Alex used to say, never lose two in a row 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 8 hours ago, warlock said: Tough loss against Bodo/Glimt Yes it was. We scored very early and we’re on top… then bang, BANG, BANG three goals from their first three attempts on target, the first two headers from corners for the same player. I’m second-guessing my team selection in hindsight. It was three days after our away leg against Feyenoord. We missed out captain in the heart of our defence but he was out on his feet. I made other changes as well, so we weren’t at full strength. We’ve only lost two in Eliteserien, both to Bood/Glimt which doesn’t bode well for when we play them in Cupertino semi final. 8 hours ago, warlock said: but a good bounceback win to follow. We were expected to beat rock-bottom Sarpsborg, which we did, but the performance was impressive. 8 hours ago, warlock said: As Sir Alex used to say, never lose two in a row 🤣 That Sir Alex knew a thing or two about football, @warlock - we should listen to him! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Just catching up and may have skipped some updates here, which I am sorry for as your updates always tell a really good story. On the pitch, going really well and I am very much liking the squad you have here. The title race is close, but that makes it interesting! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 (edited) I'm confused... looks like we (Viking) are still in Europe, despite losing to Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round. Any ideas anybody? -- UEFA Europa League League Phase -- Interestingly, the fixtures take us beyond the end of this Norwegian season and into pre-season. -- Tagged: @Blarney, @BML, @cerud, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW Note: If you no longer wish to be tagged in posts like this, please let me know by Direct Message and I'll remove you from my tag list for future posts. Likewise if you would like to be tagged, please send me a Direct Message and I'll add you. Edited March 19 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 7 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: Just catching up and may have skipped some updates here, which I am sorry for No need to apologise. 7 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: as your updates always tell a really good story. That's very kind of you, @Jogo Bonito although I think my updates might be too detailed for some. 7 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: On the pitch, going really well Yes it is, I'm very pleased. 7 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: The title race is close, but that makes it interesting! Indeed. It is very close. It was looking like a two-horse race with Vålerenga but our defeat to Bodø/Glimt has allowed them back in. 7 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: I am very much liking the squad you have here. Me too. I'm loving this Viking squad. I hope I can keep this group together for the rest of the season. Transfer window closes end of August and in-game it's currently... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 17 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: looks like we (Viking) are still in Europe, despite losing to Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League League Path I'm only guessing, but it looks as though you simply dropped down from Champions League qualifying, to the Europa League league phase 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XaW Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 30 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: I'm confused... looks like we (Viking) are still in Europe, despite losing to Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round. Any ideas anybody? If you go into the rules for the round you are playing in you can see both what the winner and the loser will qualify for. I think the losers in the qualification round often qualify for the lower rated tournament. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 12 minutes ago, warlock said: I'm only guessing, but it looks as though you simply dropped down from Champions League qualifying, to the Europa League league phase Yes, I think you are right @warlock. Feyenoord went into a play-off after they beat us and lost to Lille. Lille are in the UEFA Champions League League Path. Feyenoord are with us in the the UEFA Europa League League Path. Lech Poznań, who we beat in the Second Qualifying Round, are no longer in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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