Football Season Guide

Kristiansund

In


Alexander Munksgaard (def), Banik Ostrava), Heine Gikling Bruseth (mid), San Diego FC), Jesper Isaksen (mid), Stabaek), Hrannar Snær Magnússon (mid), Afturelding), Júlíus Mar Júlíusson (def), KR Reykjavik), Tobias Svendsen (mid), Odd)

Out


Knut André Skjærstein (sp)(gk), Strømmen), Mikkel Rakneberg (r)(def), Bochum), Axel Kryger (sp)(mid), Sandnes Ulf), Igor Jelicic )(sp)(def), Napredak - loan), Marius Olsen (r)(def), Katowice), Rezan Corlu (sp)(mid), Henry Sletsjøe (r)(mid), Rosenborg - end of loan), Alioune Ndour (r)(att), Zulte Waregem - loan), Ian Hoffmann (r)(def), Lech Poznan) - end of loan)

Kristiansund did fairly well last season to keep their heads above the water throughout and managed to secure safety without that much tension and trouble in the final stages of the campaign. They always looked like they had enough about them to secure the points needed to keep them up and at the end of the day it a job well done for Amund Skiri on a shoestring budget and with a pretty limited squad. There was little to get too excited about in their play and no members of the squad really broke through and caught the imagination but the team nevertheless did their job as well as they can and now the aim is to pretty much repeat the trick and ensure that this team manages to stay afloat despite the obvious disadvantages they have. They have lost some of their more impressive performers from last season in reliable and assured full-backs Ian Hoffmann and Mikkel Rakkneberg, along with centre-back Marius Olsen. Yet they kept hold of a prized asset like defensive midfielder Wilfred George while Musapha Isah and David Tufekcic had good seasons up front last year and remain around. Kristiansund brought back some ild favourites as Heine Bruseth is back at his home club 18 months after leaving for the MLS, where he failed to really break through. He is a very assured and capable midfielder on his day and will definitely add to the ranks. Jesper Isakesen comes back to the team as well to give Skiri another good option in the middle of the park. Tobias Svendsen in midfield and Aleksandr Munksgaard at full-back also seem like very sensible additions that carry little risk of not working out as intended. That overall paints the picture of a functional and capable side that has enough in the locker to keep themselves clear of danger as long as they avoid any early disasters that set them back and drain their confidence.

Target


Will look to beat the drop again and it will be unwise to bet against them with a fine coach and a pretty solid squad.