Football Season Guide

Norrkoping looked like title contenders early in the 2017 season but it all went pear shaped during the summer and in the end they were behind the leading pack in the Allsvenskan by some margin. They finished 16 points behind Malmo and their sixth place finish wasn't anywhere near good enough for a team that really ought to be challenging for the top three at least. Manager Jens Gustafsson knows this, and the pressure is on him and his side ahead of the 2018 season to make sure that they are a lot closer to the hunting pack this time around. The key for Norrkoping is not to lose any of their prize assets as the season progresses. Their strong start last year led to the departure of key players who had masterminded an early league win over Malmo, and instead of pushing on Gustafsson's side saw themselves fall behind as the consistency of the early league games fell away to some really disastrous results. They rallied in the autumn but by then it was all too little too late. A new season breeds new optimism and Norrkoping have been busy in the winter transfer market as Gustaffson tried to mould a team that can have a real go again this season if luck falls their way. Jordan Larsson arrives from the Dutch Jupiler League to offer another attacking option. Lars Gerson played a huge role in keeping GIF Sundsvall above water in the Allsvenskan last season. Simon Thern looks a marquee signing from the Eredivisie. The only real departure of note is right back Nikola Tkaclic who left for Norwegian top flight football with Sarpsborg 08.