Football Season Guide

VPS had a great run in 2023 and eventually they deservedly finished in third place and won the bronze. It was a slow start, 1 win in the first 11 rounds, but then striker Michael caught fire. The Nigerian set a new Veikkausliiga record with his goals in 11 consecutive matches. This saw VPS win all of their 11 matches from the seocnd half of the regular season. The good form continued in the play-offs too and VPS moved above SJK to win the bronze and qualify for Europe. Naturally, after such a season striker Michael was a hot commodity and he is no longer in the squad. Defenders Valencia and Reid are the two other regulars that left, with all other departures not so important. VPS addressed well on the transfer market the holes left in defence and attack. Two new centre-backs and two new full-backs make the back line deeper if anything. Up front obviously somebody will have to be scoring now Michael is gone. Vlijter is a very exciting new signing and the Surinamese striker can prove to be very efficient in this league. Borchers is also a good new arrival in attack. VPS’s coach Nuorela starts his fourth season in charge and he has clear system in his head for the team. Based on the second half of last season VPS could be challenging for top places again this season if they can replace Michael’s 17 league goals with 2-3 of the new forwards scoring the same amount between them.