Da Squad - Part II

We have narrowed down the squad to 25.  Let's look at 11 of them in the first go, namely the goalies and the defence.

Overall
We have a keeper and two defenders with Swedish national team experience.  We have the two most prolific fullbacks in Sweden when it comes to scoring and providing assists. We have a clear starting line up that have played with each other for two full seasons already.  We have a clear number 1 back-up for the position as central defender and right back, who has been instrumental for us before.  And a bunch of useful others.  Compared to the other four expected top teams Malmö, Helsingborg, Elfsborg and Gothenburg, I'd say we are clear of Helsingborg and at least as good as the others.  My ranking between them is as follows:

1. Elfsborg 23 points
1. Örebro 23 points
3. Göteborg 22 points
4. Malmö 20 points
5. Helsingborg 18 points

Having a back four and a keeper that know each other so well is important as I think we may need to use a few different players in the position as holding midfielder this year (more on that in part three).

Goalkeeper:
First choice: John Alvbåge. A keeper of international standard, a leader, and although a Gothenburg man by birth, a man with Örebro in his heart.  We have seen him prove that many times over.  Alright that he left Örebro when we were relegated in 2004.  He was perhaps the most promising keeper in Sweden and we could not ask him to stay.  But he is back, and the return of John in summer 2008 coincides with our transition from relegation battle team to top-half team (and rising).  John may not have had his best year last year (it is harder to convince when there are fewer goal attempts against you), but we fully trust him and if we are to create an upset in the Europa League qualifyers, we will need him to make a performance of a lifetime.  I'm sure he may do that.  He has looked a bit sloppy in the friendlies this pre-season, but the regular season is a different story.

How long can we keep him? I think John will stay.  If he goes somewhere, it will be to a better club in a better league.  He will need to impress in the Europa League to get there.  His contract ends this season, but negotiations of an extension are ongoing.

Second/third choice: Not sure who to go for her, Nurme or Rosendahl.  Nurme is just coming back from injury, so right now Rosendahl feels safer.

Do we need to strengthen? Not now, but we should perhaps start thinking of life after John.  Local youngster Oscar Jansson (From Adolfsberg!) belongs to Tottenham but is looking for a place to play after a not becoming a regular at Northampton, where he had a short loan spell.  A man for the future that I think we should sign.  With John and legend Anders Karlsson as a goalie coach he will get the education he needs in Örebro.

Right back:
First choice: Patrik Anttonen. The saga of Anttonen after this season was sillier than most silly season stories.  He decided to move on, could not find a club that fitted the bill, and when Örebro approached him again decided to sign a new contract.  Silly, but with a happy ending and great from both sides not to let pride come between them.  I would not switch Anttonen (Alvbåge's brother-in-law) for any other right back in the league (Adam Johansson maybe, but he tends to get injured a lot, even more the Patrik himself).

Second choice: Patrik Haginge. It was disappointing when he decided to leave for Djurgården in mid-2008.  A stupid decision from Patrik believing this was an upgrade (we saw him in the elevator shortly afterwards, he was descending, we were not).  But now he is back, strong defensively, great lungs, fast, good shot but not with the touch of Anttonen.  In my view better as a central defender but a great back-up in particular against better teams.

Third choice: Tommy Wirtanen. A great sport, but if this is the position where we will play, I'm afraid he will be the third choice.  Shaky in defence, but fast enough to recover most of the times.  Will not be on the bench if everyone is fit, but will get his chances.  A perfect "squad player" as he can be used in many positions and will not sulk if he doesn't get a game.

Central defenders:
First choice I: Michael Almebäck. One of two players from allsvenskan in the latest Euro qualifyer squad.  I like Augustsson in Elfsborg, but in my book Almebäck is the best defender in the championship this year.  Big risk of losing him already this summer, and then we need to go shopping.  Finding someone like him will be close to impossible.

First choice II: I have often criticised Magnus Wikström.  No more, I don't, after his fantastic autumn last year.  But I still think this is may be our weakest point in the starting line up.  Works really well with a fast player, though, so matches perfectly with Almebäck and goes well with Haginge too.

Second choice: Patrik Haginge, yet again.  See above.

Third choice: Boris Lumbana is on his way up.  But the Kongolese is still untested in important games.  So if we play Gefle at home, he is the third choice.  If we play a big team, I would be more confident sending Nordback down from the midfield, or Anttonen in from the right.

Left back:
First choice: Samuel Wowoah has been a left back for three seasons now, but is still not fully adapted.  Let's hope this is the season where his positional game improves, in particular on set pieces.  Offensively, there is noone better.  Which other left back in the league has ever done this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRb144rBcbs

Second choice: Well, given that Samuel is never injured when the season starts, and rarely banned, there is almost no such thing.  But I would place Per Johansson here, although he is probably better in midfield.  But again, come a big game, I would be safer using Haginge here as well despite the lack of a left foot.