Post Sweden Report

Just back from 6 days in Sweden and in case anyone is interested thought I would share a few observations from the tour before I retire to my bed for 3 days in an attempt to recover!

First Game:

The ground was absolutely in the middle of nowhere with no bars within 10km as we soon discovered to our horror on arrival at 11.30 a.m. Things were looking grim until the day was saved by one of the Swedish girls from Ahlafors women's team who offered to drive 2 of us to a supermarket. In fact she did it twice as she had to take us back 2 hours before kick-off when the first lot of beers ran out. The net result was 300 cans of lager consumed by 20 of us and the team being greeted by an extremely rowdy away contingent (prob about 200 in total). In fact so concerned were our hosts that right said fred were drafted in to keep an eye on things!

As for the game it was pretty poor really and Norwich not that impressive. The passing was not great, Fozzy in particular gave it away quite a lot and was given copious amounts of stick for wearing new blue and white boots. The French trialist looked decent and took his goal very well but it was very obvious that we need more cutting edge up front and we lacked some creatvity without Hoolahan. Doc and Shack contrived to gift them a goal with a defensive mix up straight out of last season.

Game 2:

Much better location just outside Falkenberg. Established early in the day that they again would not be selling beer at the ground so beers were safely smuggled in. Good to see Super Matty Svensson in the crowd and he seemed a top lad. In my view Norwich played very well and knocked it about nicely from the off. Could really have had a hatful. Clingan filled in well at the back and looks tidy. Hooly gives us something different on the left and showed some nice tricks. For me though Omazuzi really stood out and I think we have got another loan gem on our hands. He looked quick, composed and strong but most impressive for me was the fact he was barking out orders to the rest of the team and urging them not to take their foot off the gas after our early goal. Very encouraging. Other than that Curo took his goal very well.

Other general observations:

1. Sweden is nice but f**king expensive

2. Swedish women are beautiful but quite a lot of them are quite dull to talk to.

3. Our coaching set up is undoubtedly the best it has been for a while. Very impressed with the way Clark and Stephenson went about things and Roeder oversees things from a distance.

4. Martin looks leaner and stronger.

5. A massive 16 year old called David Stephens came on in central midfield last night. Never seen him before but he is enormous and alongside Corey Smith and Daley looks like he could be one for the future.

6. Am quietly optimistic about things for next season with the squad GR is assembling.

Posted By: Jim, Jul 23, 20:23:22