[FM24] Stuniverse's FM24 Adventure - Norway (Scandinavian / Nordics) adventure

[Stuniverse]

Bodø/Glimt v Viking - Highlights

Apologies, I should've thought of doing this sooner. Here's your chance to watch the thrilling last match of the 2030 Eliteserien season title decider at Aspmyra between Bodø/Glimt and Viking.

I'm sorry, I don't know how to export the match as a video file that you can just click and watch but I'm attaching the .pkm file for you to download onto your device and then watch if you want to.

(*** if anybody does know how to export a match video that you can just click on and watch please let me know as I'd be keen to include video footage in my updates if I could do them. I'm sure I could do that on a previous FM but can't seem to work out how to do it on FM24 ***).

Here's how you download and watch the .pkm file:

Download the Bodø_Glimt v Viking.pkm file (attached to this post) and save it in your ... Sports Interactive > Football Manager 2024 > matches folder

Launch FM24 and from the start-up screen click the down arrow on the "More..." button followed by "View Match"

That should default to the "matches" folder where you can select the "Bodø_Glimt v Viking.pkm" file and then click the "Load" button.

Enjoy!

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Tagged: @Blarney, @BML, @Carambau, @cerud, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Paggioram, @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.

Thank you.

--

On 14/04/2024 at 09:53, Stuniverse said:

Saturday 23rd November 2030

Bodø/Glimt (1st) v Viking (2nd)

Eliteserien

--

--

--

--

 

Bodø_Glimt v Viking.pkm

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

12 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said:

Wow, what an amazing way to clinch a league title! Away to the top team, 2-0 down and coming back to snatch it in style - well done indeed!

Thank you, @Jogo Bonito... Looking back on it after the match it was awesome. I was so relieved and elated when the referee blew the final whistle. I've talked about it a lot in posts since but there were so many times when I thought we'd blown it (we had a seven point lead at the top of Eliteserien at one stage) and handed the title to Bodø/Glimt but, hey, I've (belatedly) attached the .pkm file (post above this one) so you can download and watch the match yourself should you choose to do so.

12 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said:

I'm late to the party but 100% support your decision to sign the new contract at Viking. It was the only choice to make.

Never too late to join the party. Yes, it felt like the right thing to do and I'm loving managing Viking and this squad of players to be honest with you. Under contract for four more seasons, bring it on!

12 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said:

noticed that Diouf didn't play enough to get a winners medal, payback for the previous year sending off?!? Not your choice obviously, but must have given you a wry smile....

To be honest I hadn't noticed that  I should have, but I hadn't 

El Hadji Malick Diouf is a good player, if you do download and watch the Bodø/Glimt match, look at the great work Diouf does down the left wing for our second goal.

All I did in pre-season, after Diouf's red card in extra-time of the Cupen Final, was to make David Møller Wolfe first-choice left-back in my mind. I decided Møller Wolfe would start the season as left-back and it would then be up to the players and the form they showed as to who kept the shirt.

But to make things a little bit more difficult for Diouf, I also signed Anders Hiim in January, bringing Hiim back to Viking (he started his career 2018-2021 at Viking) so he also counted as a Home Grown Club (HGC) player.

Last season (2029) I thought Møller Wolfe would be my regular left-back but his form was patchy so Diouf became my go-to with Møller Wolfe at back-up. This season (2030) I started with Møller Wolfe as my go-to and his form was so amazing that he stayed first-choice throughout the season. 

I saw Hiim being my back-up but he upset me the very first game I started him when he got upset at being played FB-Su (the default in my system) so I try and play him WB-Su instead now... but that gave Diouf a way back into my thinking and, to be fair, Diouf hasn't let me down this season.

Hiim started moaning about playing time about halfway through the season so I tried to involve him more whilst agreeing to try and find a loan move for him - which I knew wasn't going to happen because we'd already reached our quota of eight loans out for the season.. 

Who knows what will happen this coming season (2031) as far as Viking's left-back is concerned...

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

12 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said:

I've seen the bits about choosing the training camp destination in FM24, but it's not every time they give you options. Usually they do if you've proven yourself at a club, so surprised you weren't given a choice. I don't think you have any say in deciding when they make it, I'm quite sure dates are picked by the club.

Thanks, @Jogo Bonito... I look forward to a time when the Viking Board think I've proven myself 

11 hours ago, warlock said:

Seems a bit hit-and-miss in this FM. At Vigo in the most recent two seasons we have been 'invited' to tour Germany and England, with a note pointing out how potentially lucrative such tours are given the popularity of Vigo in those countries 

Thank you, @warlock. Glad it's not just me. Maybe one day the Viking Board will ask my opinion? 

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 15th December 2030

"Non-Homegrown Players"

--

The Åsane manager, Tobias Linderoth, paid me a huge compliment last season about the number of Norwegian players I had in my Viking squad.

I'll be honest, I was touched and very grateful to Tobias for his comments as, I must admit, I've been working hard to try and build a homegrown squad of Norwegian players.

The Eliteserien Squad Registration Rules permit a maximum of nine non-homegrown players and we currently have five in our squad.

The five players are:

Martin Palumbo, who I don't really think of as non-homegrown because he is Norwegian but, before I signed him for Viking, Martin had spent his entire career playing in Italy.

--

Our captain, David Brekalo.

--

Our vice-captain, Valeriy Bondar.

--

Otto Rosengren.

--

And new signing this January, Preslav Borukov.

[Stuniverse]

Let's Review the Viking Squad(s)

It's been quite a while since I've reviewed the Viking First Team Squad in detail - I think I did when I first arrived at Viking on the 5th December 2027 and I don't think I've done it again since.

So, ahead of the 2031 season, let's do that now.

Also, I don't think I've ever reviewed the 2nd Team and U19 Squads with you in detail so let's do that as well shall we...

[Stuniverse]

Viking - First Team Squad

Age Profile

--

To start with, let's look at the age profile of the first team squad.

There are seven players aged 30 or over:

The full age breakdown of the first team squad is:

--

Reports

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Viking - First Team Squad

Goalkeepers

--

--

Jasper Torkildsen is my #1. We signed him from Bodø/Glimt in August this year to replace Patrik Sigurður Gunnarsson (now Atlanta). After a shaky start, Jasper is now showing the form that got him into Norway's World Cup squad (as back-up to Kim Christian Høyenhall) and made us want to sign him.

Spoiler

--

Julian Faye Lund was my back-up goalkeeper this season to Patrik and then to Jasper. Julian made five starts for us this season and never let us down, but our scouts have noticed the start of a decline in his abilities.

Spoiler

--

We've signed Daniel Gjerde Sætren from Sogndal and he'll be joining us on January 9th as our #2, with a view to him challenging Jasper for the gloves eventually. 

I'm not sure yet how Julian Faye Lund will react to dropping down to #3.

Spoiler

--

And finally we have first-year scholar, Roger Vestgøte, who we promoted to the first team squad this season to aid his development as we think he's the best young goalkeeper in our Academy.

Spoiler

 

[Stuniverse]

Viking - First Team Squad

Defenders

--

If everybody is fit and healthy, this would be my starting back-four.

It's a very, solid defence that served us very well this season but the problem with it is that it's an aging back-four.

Brice Wembangomo, who has been brilliant this season creating an Eliteserien record number of assists, celebrates his 34th birthday this week.

Our captain, David Brekalo, turned 32 earlier this month. And our vice-captain, Valeriy Bondar will be 32 in February.

Isak Amundsen is 31 and his 32nd birthday is in October next year.

Which leaves David Møller Wolfe, who turns 29 in April, as the only regular starter in the back-four under the age of 30.

--

Centre-Backs

To be fair, our right-footed centre-backs are probably better than our left-footed centre-backs currently which is why my first choice starters are David Brekalo and Isak Amundsen.

Our captain, David Brekalo, is a great leader and very dependable in  the air and on the ground but the Slovenian manager Ante Šimundža is no longer selecting David for the national team. David's been at Viking since 2021 but, at 32, we have to start thinking about his future replacement.

There was a lot of interest in David from Saudia Arabia during the 2029 season but we didn't want to sell and rejected all offers. Since David's sports hernia injury in August 2029, there's been no interest in him at all.

Spoiler

--

It's a similar story with Isak Amundsen who's been at Viking since 2026. Again very solid and dependable, Isak also covers at right-back, particularly when we play very strong teams as I think he's defensively the best right-back we have. We rejected some bids from Saudia Arabia this season but there was nowhere near as much interest in him as there was in the 2029 season when Isak was quite unsettled. Isak does seem a lot happier at Viking now.

Spoiler

--

Our vice-captain, Valeriy Bondar, was a regular starter for us in 2029, alongside David Brekalo, as Iask Amundsen spent most of the 2029 season playing right-back. This season just gone, with Isak partnering David in the centre, Valeriy has become more of a squad player.

As the defence is aging, I'll be looking to develop younger centre-backs and, sadly, I think Valeriy may be the first casualty of that.

Spoiler

--

Eivind Helland joined us from Sarpsborg in January and he's already my first-change option if either David or Isak are unavailable. I'll be looking to increase Eivind's playing time next season to see if he can step-up and become a regular starter for Viking.

Eivind is also a threat from corners and free-kicks and has the ability to find space in the opposition penalty area and head the ball into the net.

Norway manager Antonio Conte has taken a look at Eivind on several occasions and named Edvin in Norway's provisional World Cup squad, but he missed out on the final cut.

Spoiler

--

I'd been wanting to sign Brage Kvithyld ever since I arrived at Viking. Brage played for me at Hødd and I knew he was a good, young left-footed centre-back who would fit in well here. We kept trying with Odd but we could never get a deal over the line.

Fortunately, we were able to sign Brage in August but his playing time so far for Viking has been limited. I'll be looking to increase Brage's playing time this coming season but he will have competition as we've also signed another young, left-footed centre-back.

Spoiler

Talking of which...

... Jan Rune Hansen will be joining us in January from Åsane. My scouts already think Jan is a better player currently than Brage so it will be interesting to see how they both develop as I hope one of them will be able to establish himself as a regular starter in the next season or two.

Spoiler

--

Right-Backs

Right-back is an area where we do need to strengthen and it's our main recruitment focus at the moment.

A lot will depend on how Brice Wembangomo plays this coming season. Brice will be 34 in a few days time and, although he was absolutely brilliant this season just gone setting a new Eliteserien assists record with 15, he's not getting any younger and won't be able to play at that level indefinitely.

Spoiler

--

We signed Jesper Robertsen in February with the idea that he'd challenge Brice for the right-back spot so that Isak Amundsen could play centre-back for us.

Unfortunately, Jesper has struggled to find any form of note this season and he's currently unhappy with his playing time and wants to go out on loan to prove himself.

Spoiler

I think it's definitely a case of watch this space as far as right-back is concerned.

--

Left-Backs

We signed David Møller Wolfe for the 2029 season and his form was patchy I would say, but this season just gone David really found his feet and made the starting left-back spot his own. David's still the right side of 30 so I can see him being our left-back for a season or two yet.

Brann are interested in signing David and their manager Emre Belözoğlu has scouted him a few times. I wouldn't want to sell David, certainly not to an Eliteserien rival, so we'll have to keep a close eye on the situation.

Spoiler

--

El Hadji Malick Diouf impressed me last season and I was thinking of him as my regular left-back but then he had his moment of red mist madness during last season's Cupen Final and David Møller Wolfe overook him in the pecking order.

To be fair, El Hadji Malick Diouf hasn't done anything wrong this season just gone, he's now gained Norwegian citizenship as well, and is a very useful squad player as he can also cover as a left-sided centre-back.

Spoiler

--

We signed Anders Hiim in January for two reasons - firstly, because we were unsure what the situation would be with El Hadji Malick Diouf, we knew Anders could come in and challenge David Møller Wolfe for the left-back spot and, secondly, as Anders played for Viking at the start of his career, we knew he'd help squad registration as a homegrown club player.

Unfortunately, Anders hasn't really found any consistency on his return to Viking. Anders is unhappy with his playing time and wants to go out on loan.

I'll be honest, Anders is currently third in the pecking order and I'm not sure whether he will be part of my plans next season.

Spoiler

 

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Viking - First Team Squad

Midfielders

--

We play a 4-4-2 diamond and have eight midfielders registered in the first team squad.

At first glance, that sounds like two players for each position but it's not as simple or straight forward as that because they can all play more than one position within the diamond so it's very interchangeable and fluid.

If everybody was healthy, I'd say this would be my preferred diamond set-up.

We signed  from Jakob Napoleon Romsaas from Tromsø in March and he made an immediate contribution at the tip of the diamond with his goals, his assists and his ability from set-pieces. 

Unfortunately, Jakob tore his hamstring and we definitely missed him during our Eliteserien run-in.

Spoiler

--

Oscar Bobb was our Player-of-the-Season in 2029 and was Årets Spiller i Eliteserien runner-up as well. We tend to play Oscar on the left of the diamond as either a MEZ-At or a AP-At / AP-Su. Oscar had another standout season just gone although we didn't help him by playing him at the top of the diamond at times with Jakob's injury.

Spoiler

--

Otto Rosengren is my feel-good story of my time at Viking so far. When I first arrived here at the SR-Bank Arena, I'll be honest, I didn't really rate Otto. It wasn't so much that he was a bad player, he was pretty good, but I didn't see him making my starting-11 too often. What also didn't work in his favour was that I had a lot of midfield players, I inherited too many non-homegrown players, and as Otto was Swedish and non-homegrown I couldn't find a slot to register him.

We tried to sell Otto but had no offers that were acceptable, we may have had no offers at all I can't really remember, so we ended up loaning him to Eliteserien rivals Vålerenga.

Now my track record on FM, not just FM24 but in previous versions as well, is that once I've made up my mind that a player is surplus to requirements that player doesn't get a second chance and I don't change my mind. But...

But...

But Otto had a very good loan spell at Vålerenga, played against us twice that 2028 season and was a handful, so when his loan was over I gave him a chance in pre-season.

And Otto impressed. He became a regular for me in the 2029 season and in the season just gone (2030), Otto Rosengren made 42 appearances for Viking, all of them starts, the most appearances of any Viking player last season.

I wouldn't have thought that when I sent him out on loan in 2028.

Spoiler

--

We signed Lasse Berg Johnsen for the 2029 season and he had a great season in his second spell at the club. This season just gone (2030), Lasse had an alright season but didn't hit the heights he had the year before. 

At 31 years old, Lasse is facing a big pre-season if he's to keep his place in the starting 11.

Spoiler

--

After impressing for Viking 2 in 2029, I promoted Steinar Braathen to the first team squad for the 2030 season and was able to give him one start and 10 substitute appearances. I want to give him more playing time this coming season and, if Steinar does well, he's the player most likely to take Lasse Berg Johnsen's place in the starting 11.

Spoiler

--

Johan Bakke played for me at Hødd and I knew he was a very good young player. I signed him not long after joining Viking and, to be fair, Johan has done very well here as a squad player but he hasn't developed as well as I'd hoped and, regrettably, I'm not sure if he'll become a regular starter here at any point.

Johan also faces strong competition now from Steinar Braathen for a regular starting place.

Spoiler

--

We signed Martin Palumbo towards the end of the 2029 season and he is a very reliable squad player for us who is one of our most creative players in terms of taking free-kicks, corners, and assists. I don't see him being a regular starter, unless we have a nasty injury crisis, but he's a great asset to have in the squad.

Spoiler

--

We signed Runar Norheim at the start of the 2029 season and he's a valuable player to have around the group. Runar is a squad player right now, with four very good strikers he only gets limited opportunities up top and he is in competition with Jakob Napoleon Romsaas, Martin Palumbo, and even Oscar Bobb to play at the tip of the diamond.

Spoiler

 

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Viking - First Team Squad

Strikers

--

We scored 75 goals in 30 Eliteserien matches last season, 10 more than Bodø/Glimt who were the second highest goal scorers. 

I believe we have four very good strikers but all of them had at least one  barren spell last season.

We signed Lasse Nordås from Tromsø in August and he went on to score 10 goals in 12 starts and three substitute appearances for us. I love the way Lasse leads the line for us as a TF-At, dropping deep to receive the ball and link up play, whilst still being a threat in the air or the ground inside the opposition penalty area. His height also helps us defensively at corners and free-kicks. And Lasse scored three out of three penalties.

I can't wait to see what Lasse can do for us over a whole season.

Spoiler

--

We signed Preslav Borukov in January as Yorbe Vertessen's replacement. Preslav had an in-and-out season as I juggled three strikers trying to find the best pairing up top but he really settled alongside Lasse Nordås  during the run-in.

Preslav scored 16 goals from 23 starts and nine sub appearances.

Spoiler

--

Edvin Austbø didn't have the best of seasons scoring nine goals from 17 starts and 14 sub appearances. In 2029, Inter Milan were very interested in signing him and we rejected bids, but this season just gone there was no interest in him at all.

Norway manager Antonio Conte has taken a look at Edvin on several occasions and named Edvin in Norway's provisional World Cup squad, but Edvin missed out on the final cut. To be fair, I think that affected Edvin for the rest of the season.

Edvin has been in my ear wanting more playing time. I said I'd give him more starts but he needs to prove he deserves them. I started him against Celtic and Edvin got on the scoresheet.

Spoiler

--

 

I signed Oscar Aga at the start of my first season here and he's now been with us for three seasons. Oscar scored nine Eliteserien goals in 2028, 16 in 2029 and eight this season just gone. In all competitions, in 2030, Oscar scored eight goals from 16 starts and six sub appearances.

Like Edvin, Oscar needs to improve his consistency and is probably our fourth striker right now.

Spoiler

--

We signed Runar Norheim at the start of the 2029 season and he's a valuable player to have around the group. Runar is more of a midfield player (and I talked about him in the Midfielders post above) but he does get some playing time up top, albeit limited.

Spoiler

--

23 year old Sean Nilsen-Modebe will be joining us from Bodø/Glimt in January. I think he's more first team ready than any of our Academy strikers right now and I'll be looking for him to push for the fourth striker spot over the next couple of seasons.

Spoiler

 

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Viking Players Out on Loan

--

We have nine players out on loan, which I don't quite get as there's a limit of eight players a season (unless Felix Taraldset's loan to KFUM Oslo doesn't count for 2030 as it was an extension of his 2029 loan) but nine players out on loan never-the-less.

--

Note: I've never really bothered too much with youth development but, as I've now been at Viking for three seasons, and I'm contracted for another four seasons, it's probably something I should pay more attention to.

So, if you do youth development, I would welcome any advice, tips and suggestions and your thoughts on the potential for the nine players we loaned out this season.

Thank you.

Tagged: @Blarney, @BML, @Carambau, @cerud, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Paggioram, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW

--

Eliteserien (Tier 1)

Øystein Bekkeheien

Spoiler

--

Per Andreas Haughom

Spoiler

--

OBOS-ligaen (Tier 2)

Felix Taraldset

Spoiler

--

Krzysztof Krysiak

Spoiler

--

Magnus Bech Riisnæs

Spoiler

--

Tier 3

Joachim Prent-Eckbo

Spoiler

--

Joakim Ørstavik

Spoiler

--

Sverre Olav Bø Pedersen

Spoiler

--

Tier 4

Erik Salte

Spoiler

 

[warlock]

Re: youth development, I don't do much. I try to keep u18 players at the club, then look for good loans for them between 18-20, but I'm not averse to playing a good prospect in the first team if the coaches think he's good enough.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I don't have the patience to minmax their progress 

[Stuniverse]

11 minutes ago, warlock said:

Re: youth development, I don't do much. I try to keep u18 players at the club, then look for good loans for them between 18-20, but I'm not averse to playing a good prospect in the first team if the coaches think he's good enough.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I don't have the patience to minmax their progress 

That sounds very similar to what I do, @warlock

I tend to leave U18s at the club for development through training (which I delegate) and then over 18s out-on-loan where possible.

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

 Young Viking Players Promoted to the First Team

In addition to the loan players above, who I will reassess in pre-season when they return to Viking, I've promoted these two young players to the first team squad.

Steinar Braathen

Spoiler

--

Roger Vestgøte

Spoiler

 

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

11 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Let's Review the Viking Squad(s)

It's been quite a while since I've reviewed the Viking First Team Squad in detail - I think I did when I first arrived at Viking on the 5th December 2027 and I don't think I've done it again since.

So, ahead of the 2031 season, let's do that now.

You'll find detailed updates on the First Team Squad by position posted above, together with the nine players who are out on loan.

11 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Also, I don't think I've ever reviewed the 2nd Team and U19 Squads with you in detail so let's do that as well shall we...

I'll try and post the detailed update for the 2nd Team and U19s later...

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Viking - 2nd Team

PostNord-ligaen Avdeling 2 (Tier 3)

--

--

Goalkeepers

Spoiler

--

Defenders

Spoiler

--

Midfielders

Spoiler

--

Wingers

It's going to be difficult for the wingers because the first team play a 4-4-2 diamond that doesn't utilise wingers.

Spoiler

--

Strikers

Spoiler

 

[Stuniverse]

Viking - U19s

Nasjonal G19 Serie

--

--

Goalkeepers

Spoiler

--

Defenders

Spoiler

--

Midfielders

Spoiler

--

Wingers

Again, as with the 2nd Team, it's going to be difficult for the wingers because the first team play a 4-4-2 diamond that doesn't utilise wingers.

Spoiler

--

Strikers

Spoiler

 

Edited April 16 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 22nd December 2030

"Møller Wolfe's Viking Future In Doubt"

--

--

I have no interest in selling David Møller Wolfe, especially not to Eliteserien rivals Brann but, as the reports claim David is leaning towards the move, I thought I'd speak to his agent and see if David really does want to to move to Brann or if he would prefer to stay.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 22nd December 2030

"Viking Make Fourth and Fifth New Signings"

--

I'm delighted that two more players have agreed to join Viking in January.

--

Aleksander Liland

We're thrilled that current Norway International Aleksander Liland has agreed to join us from Molde.

Spoiler

--

Sindre Grønvold

Norway U21 International Sindre Grønvold has also agreed to join Viking although, as part of the deal, we've agreed to loan Sindre back to OBOS-ligaen Sarpsborg for the season.

Spoiler

--

We're looking forward to meeting all five of our new signings in January when they officially join Viking.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 23rd December 2030

"Players Report Back for Pre-season"

--

The Viking players have reported back for pre-season training after a short break of 12 days since they played Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.

I don't get why the Board wanted the players to report back the day before Christmas Eve so, as soon as the Medical Team had finished assessing the players, I sent them home to be with their families until the 30th December when we fly out to Portugal for our Training Camp.

We are in negotiations for three friendly matches during our training camp.

And then we have two very difficult UEFA Champions League fixtures.

--

Three of our younger players will have an increased playing time expectation for the 2031 season.

[warlock]

2 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

And then we have two very difficult UEFA Champions League fixtures

Um... that'll cure any New Year hangovers 

[Stuniverse]

5 hours ago, warlock said:

Um... that'll cure any New Year hangovers 

Yeah, Barcelona away and Napoli at home. 😂⚽️🤣

Edited April 17 by Stuniverse

[Punch]

I think you already have the Youth thing covered.

Just keep an eye on your Youth Team coaching and see if you can make any improvements. Even sending them on Coaching Courses can help some.

[Stuniverse]

42 minutes ago, Punch said:

I think you already have the Youth thing covered.

Just keep an eye on your Youth Team coaching and see if you can make any improvements. Even sending them on Coaching Courses can help some.

Thanks, @Punch I'll do that.

What I could really do with is a good Youth Intake. I haven't had one yet on this save, not even at Viking, which is why I haven't posted about them.

Think I'll be asking my scouts to focus on U19 Norwegian players, starting with the national team squads 

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 27th December 2030

"Hoibraten Hangs Up His Boots"

--

Marius has had a brilliant playing career and has been a fantastic servant to Viking.

I wanted to offer him a job as coach or scout or something but he's only interested in being a Head of Youth Development and we don't have a vacancy here.

I shook his hand and wished him all the very best for the future.

I told Marius he is welcome back at the SR-Bank Arena any time.

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 30th December 2030

"Training Camp Underway"

--

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 31st December 2030

"Vestvik Released"

--

Spoiler

 

Edited April 17 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 31st December 2030

"Møller Wolfe Signs New Contract"

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Spoiler

15 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 22nd December 2030

"Møller Wolfe's Viking Future In Doubt"

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--

I have no interest in selling David Møller Wolfe, especially not to Eliteserien rivals Brann but, as the reports claim David is leaning towards the move, I thought I'd speak to his agent and see if David really does want to to move to Brann or if he would prefer to stay.

 

Edited April 17 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 31st December 2030

"Former Viking Player Returns on Trial"

--

Spoiler

 

Edited April 17 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Episode 106 - End-of-Season Break| 1st January 2031

"Monthly Review"

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Results

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Board Confidence

--

Supporter Confidence

--

Finances

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Dynamics

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 1st January 2031

Until Next Time...

... when our pre-season for the coming season begins, and...

... our UEFA Champions League campaign from last season continues...

--

January'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...

[Stuniverse]

Thursday 2nd January 2031

--

My medical team advises me that we pretty much have a clean bill of health, although we won't be rushing Jakob Napoleon Romsaas back after his torn hamstring.

--

--

This match against Louletano Desportos Clube was mainly for the benefit of the younger players and our trialist.

The plan was to try and give the starters around an hour and the young goalkeeper, Roger Vestgøte the full game if we could. That plan pretty much worked and Roger impressed in goal, making some fine saves.

None of the youngsters let themselves down which was pleasing as the majority of them were out on loan last season at clubs lower down the pyramid.

Ironically, it was just after we made a shedload of substitutions that Louletano took the lead after a mix-up between our two central defenders and goalkeeper.

But then, with more experienced outfield players on the pitch, we showed our class to score three good goals and win comfortably in the end.

[Stuniverse]

Thursday 2nd January 2031

Viking Take Karlsson on Trial

--

Spoiler

 

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 5th January 2031

Aarhus Gymnastikforening Sign Rugland Ree

--

We had offered Magnus Rugland Ree a new contract to play for our 2nd Team but I can understand why he opted for AGF.

Spoiler

 

[Stuniverse]

Sunday 5th January 2031

--

--

--

The plan for this match against Casa Pia Atlético Clube is to start first team players from last year, give goalkeeper Julian Faye Lund the full match, and everybody else about half an hour.

We'll also try and give our two trialists some playing time.

--

In terms of playing time, things went according to plan and we didn't, as far as I know, pick up any injuries.

It was a fairly even match, with nothing much to pick between the teams, and a 1-1 draw was probably a fair result.

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 8th January 2031

Viking Sign Hansen

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Spoiler

 

[Stuniverse]

Wednesday 8th January 2031

--

--

Unfortunately Krzysztof Krysiak picked up an injury in training and will be out for a few weeks.

Otherwise we're fit and ready to go.

The plan will be the same against Portimonense Sporting Clube as our other friendlies.

Look to give the goalkeeper, Jasper Torkildsen the full match and the other players around half an hour.

--

This was a good work out for us against Portimonense.

I thought we had the better of it, we had more possession, we created the better chances, but Portimonense were more ruthless in front of goal.

Twice we fell behind and came back to equalise.

When we went 2-3 down we had a great chance to equalise but Oscar Aga had his penalty saved.

We also had a good chance late on but Steinar Braathen put his shot over the bar.

Overall, I thought we generally played well but looked a little rusty.

[Stuniverse]

Thursday 9th January 2031

Transfer Window Open

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--

--

--

Daniel Gjerde Sætren

Spoiler

--

Aleksander Liland

Spoiler

--

Sean Nilsen-Modebe

Spoiler

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Sindre Gronvold - loaned back to Sarpsborg for the 2031 season.

Spoiler

--

Edited April 17 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Friday 10th January 2031

Viking Snap-up Warholm Signing

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Spoiler

 

Edited April 17 by Stuniverse

[samboing]

Regarding the youth development I do tend to bring the prospects into my first team (mostly because I am Bath City and we have no money) but with the players in the U18 squad with better prospects I will look at what area is their weakest for that position and get them doing extra training to help progress them as well as training in the position!

[Stuniverse]

2 hours ago, samboing said:

Regarding the youth development I do tend to bring the prospects into my first team (mostly because I am Bath City and we have no money) but with the players in the U18 squad with better prospects I will look at what area is their weakest for that position and get them doing extra training to help progress them as well as training in the position!

Thanks, @samboing, that sounds sensible.

At the moment I’m trying to assess the young players who were out on loan last season, plus the best prospects who played 2nd Team and U19s last season.

The limit of eight loans out is quite challenging and hardly anybody wants to pay wages or loan fees.

Probably not surprising when you look at how many Eliteserien teams have insecure finances and I imagine it’s even more challenging further down the pyramid.

[Hootieleece]

As a league champion that is getting some European Money. You have to eat the wages for loanees. Just make sure they are on low wages and short contracts in case they don't workout.

In my current save (Slovakia, AS Trencin) almost all the players I loan out are on their first professional contract. That is because I don't have a B-Team/U-21's, but only a U-19's team.  I usually foot most of the bill for the loanees and I have no where near the money that Viking does and I just got European Football (Europa League Playoffs, $107k for winning the first round plus gate receipts). 

Yes, I still play FM even though I am not writing about it.....it makes watching Man City lose much more fun!

 

[Stuniverse]

7 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

As a league champion that is getting some European Money. You have to eat the wages for loanees. Just make sure they are on low wages and short contracts in case they don't workout.

Thanks, @Hootieleece... yeah, I think that's what I ended up doing last season as I virtually gave some of the young players away on loan by agreeing to o% wage contribution.

7 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

In my current save (Slovakia, AS Trencin) almost all the players I loan out are on their first professional contract. That is because I don't have a B-Team/U-21's, but only a U-19's team.  I usually foot most of the bill for the loanees and I have no where near the money that Viking does and I just got European Football (Europa League Playoffs, $107k for winning the first round plus gate receipts). 

Yes, I still play FM even though I am not writing about it.....it makes watching Man City lose much more fun!

It's early days in this window at the moment as we're only at...

... and the transfer window doesn't close until...

... and there's stringent limits on how many loan players can be loaned out...

--

Currently we only have one player out on loan,

Sindre Gronvold who we agreed to loan back to Sarpsborg as part of his transfer because (a) they've played him regularly over the last two seasons and I think he'll get good playing time there again this season and (b) whilst I see him as my longer-term solution at right-back, I have Brice Wembangomo and Jasper Robertsen who can play there this season and Isak Amundsen can cover. With nobody close to Sindre's ability in my Academy set-up right now, I think he'll get more playing time at Sarpsborg than he would here with us at the moment.

There is a recall clause in Sindre's loan agreement so I will be monitoring the situation.

--

As for the other seven loan out slots there's two types of loans I'm looking at:

Jesper Robertsen and Anders Hiim are both senior first team players who are unhappy with their playing time and I've promised to try and find them loans out. Both players figure in my plans for this season so they won't be going anywhere unless a club will pay 100% Playing Wage and 100% Unused Wage as well as agreeing to a recall clause.

Their situations are slightly different though.

Jesper Robertsen probably has more chance of playing. After his scintillating form last season, Brice Wembangomo will continue as my first-choice right-back but, at 34 I'm not sure how long he can keep going for, plus he's out-of-contract at the end of the season and I'm not sure I'll renew it, so Jesper is the back-up. I have looked for better right-backs I can sign and I haven't found any. I expect Jasper will get plenty of playing time this season and, hopefully, he'll become happy again but he does need to step-up as he only averaged 6.60 in seven Eliteserien appearances last season.

It will be more difficult for Anders Hiim to get the playing time he wants this season I think. David Møller Wolfe is my first-choice left-back as he was sensational last season and Anders will find himself competing with El Hadji Malick Diouf as David's back-up. On the plus side, as Anders started his career at Viking he counts as HGC but, on the downside, he has become upset when I played him FB-Su (the default in my 4-4-2 diamond system) and wants to play WB-Su although I haven't promised him that. We are training him at FB-Su but I'd say Anders's future at Viking is uncertain at the moment.

--

And then there's my Academy System where our 2nd Team and U19s are lagging behind where they need to be and require work, especially our U19s who finished rock-bottom of their division and were relegated last season.

I have more young players with potential I would like to loan out than the rules will allow so I'm kind of offering them out in phases as it's another way to guage their ability and potential based on how other football clubs rate my younger players.

Here's where I'm currently at in terms (pardon the pun) of loan terms:

I've offered all the young players I'd like to send on loan out on these terms and had no takers. I'll keep trying for a bit and then I'll start to lower the Agreed Playing Time and / or Unused Wage %, in an attempt to get the maximum number of loans permitted out of the building temporarily.

--

We do also have an affiliation with OBOS-ligaen Vidar (who were promoted from Tier 3 via the playoffs last season) so I'll look to make use of that affiliation this season as well.

 

Edited April 18 by Stuniverse

[Hootieleece]

I always ask for Squad use and hope the player works his way into regular/important playing time while on loan. Sometimes the clubs that want to loan the player offer better playing time also and I always agree to those deals.

Like I said.....your going to have to eat the wages.....

[Stuniverse]

3 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

I always ask for Squad use and hope the player works his way into regular/important playing time while on loan. Sometimes the clubs that want to loan the player offer better playing time also and I always agree to those deals.

Yeah, I think it’ll be Squad Player next time I offer them out.

3 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

Like I said.....your going to have to eat the wages.....

I think you’re probably right, @Hootieleece

[Stuniverse]

Friday 10th January 2031

Eliteserien Review

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--

[Stuniverse]

Monday 13th January 2031

Eliteserien Fixtures - Viking

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[Stuniverse]

Monday 13th January 2031

2031 Season Expectations

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Board Expectations

--

Season Preview

Edited April 19 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Monday 13th January 2031

Eliteserien Squad Registration

--

--

I always think this is very early as our Eliteserien season doesn't kick-off until April.

 

[Stuniverse]

Friday 17th January 2031

--

--

It's always good to go back to Høddvoll to play my former club Hødd.

They finished 7th in OBOS-ligaen last season which is where the Season Preview predicts them to finish in the 2031 Season as well.

I really enjoyed my time at Høddvoll.

The match today is very much preparation for Barcelona away on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.

We have a few injury and fitness concerns so we won't be taking any risks today, we'll probably look to give 22 players 45 minutes each.

--

--

A friendly match where we looked impressive going forward and certainly had our shooting boots on. 

Seven goals, plus Edvin Austbø hit the post before he got on the scoresheet.

Defensively, we could've defended set-pieces better in the first-half. 

El Hadji Malick Diouf mistimed a header at the far post, gifting them a second minute lead. We should've done better to defend their second goal as well.

I thought our two new centre-back signings, Aleksander Liland and  Jan Rune Hansen did well second-half and showed promising signs.

Unfortunately, we did pick up one injury but it doesn't look too serious.