Football Season Guide

GIF Sundsvall did just enough to stay in the Allsvenskan last season, and were fortunate that Jonkopings Sodra hit an even worse patch than themselves when it mattered, which meant Joel Cedergren's side escaped the dreaded relegation play off. Because 2017 was not exactly a vintage year for Sundsvall, one of the smallest fish in the Swedish top flight budget and size wise, and this season could be another tough year for them battling against the drop. They have already lost the likes of Eric Larsson, Marcus Danielsson, Noah Sonko Sundberg and Lars Gerson, some of the first names on the team sheet last season, and with money and resources tight, Cedergren will have cast his net as wide as possible to search for players with a hunger for the inevitable relegation fight that is coming their way. And the head coach has had to take several steps into the unknown again in order to shape this year's Sundsvall squad. Kim Skoglund is probably the marquee signing ahead of the 2018 campaign, as he left Sirius for GIF Sundsvall obviously not seeing a lot of difference between the two sides. Chidi Omeje has signed from AFC Eskilstuna to provide some attacking cover, but considering he was relegated with them last season he needs to step up if he is to make a suitable contribution. Right back Jonathan Tamimi arrives from relegated Jonkopings Sodra, while Juanjo Ciercoles arrives from the lower reaches of Spanish club football. These are mostly gambles of the highest order and everyone involved with the club will hope they pay off. Cedergren and GIF Sundsvall approach the new season with an inevitable feeling of firefighting again from the word go. It will be a challenge to keep three teams below them in the league this year, because the newly promoted sides Brommarpojkarna and Trelleborgs both have Allsvenskan pedigree from previous seasons and know what it takes to survive in the division. But budget wise Sundsvall are not the only ones who have taken inexpensive risks, and it will all boil down to who has been the shrewdest in the winter market.