Cruel summer

Örebro SK's winning streak is now up to 5 after the win i the cup quarterfinal last night, despite a schedule after the short break that has been, is and will be exhausing for the lads.  We've only seen the beginning.

This schedule will test the depth of the squad in what for the club is an unprecedented manner.  Haddad is still injured and some others have minor problems, Almebäck will leave at the end of June and there may be other transfers (in particular Bedoya is expected to go).  On top of that, Bedoya will be away for as long as the U.S. stays in the Gold Cup (quarterfinal against Jamaica on Sunday 19 June, possible semi on 22 June and final on 25 June).  Yasin has been hob-nobbing with the national team of Iraq for a week but should be back soon.

But the attack is the least of my concern.  We have enough players to rotate and give tired players the necessary rest.  I'm more concerned about the midfield and the defence. Assuming we will lose not only Almebäck but also Bedoya, we will be very evry stretched until we have a chance to replace them in early August.  If we get an injury on Haginge or Wikstöm we are absolutely screwed as we have no other central defenders; Nordback and Anttonen could play in that role but it's far from ideal.  And in the midfield Kihlberg and Nilsson need to up their game.  And Berger needs to show that he is of allsvenskan quality, he will get his chances.

Here's the summer schedule:
13 June: Trelleborg (home) 4-2 (League)
15 June: Åtvidaberg (away) 0-3 (Cup)
18 June: Halmstad (home, league)
23 June: Djurgården (home, league)
26 June: Mjällby (away, league)
29 June: Cup, semifinal (may possibly be moved, seems like a good idea)
3 July: Elfsborg (home, league)
10 July: Elfsborg (away, league)
14 July: Europa League, 2nd round 1st leg
17 July: Gais (away, league)
21 July: Europa League, 2nd round 2nd leg
24 July: Norrköping (home, league)
28 July: (Hopefully) Europa League, 3nd round 1st leg
31 July: Gefle (home, league)
4 August: (Hopefully) Europa League, 3nd round 2st leg
7 August: Häcken (home, league)
14 August: Djurgården (away, league)
18 August: (Possibly) Europa League, Play off 1st leg
21 August: Mjällby (home, league)
25 August: (Possibly) Europa League, Play off 2nd leg
28 August: Helsingborg (away, league)