SOLSKJAER TARGETS 3 PLAYERS, FAO Norwegian and Molde FK fans

what sort of system does OGS like to play, formation, personnel, gameplan, through middle/ down wings /possesion?

My take on it after watching almost all the games this season is that he wants to dominate possession. They've been most successful with fast attacking when they get the ball, but if that is not an option - they have played a patient short-passing game.

I would say they have mostly been playing a 4231-kind-of-formation, alternatively a 4411 (defending mostly with two banks of four and an attacking midfielder and striker chasing on top).
- Very attacking full back. Molde's right back (Martin Linnes, recently made his national team debut) have been one of the most dangerous attacking players. The full backs frequently overlap and comes on long forward runs.
- Two holding midfielders partly trying to give defensive cover, partly trying to control possession.
- Two inside forwards trying to exploit the room between full back and center backs.
- An attacking midfielder/deep-lying forwards (In some instances he has been more like a midfielder, preferring to defend like a 4141-formation - sometimes also more like a regular 442). This player seems to have a lot of creative freedom to try to create space for himself or for the striker.

On its best it is a pleasure to watch, with fast attacking trying to outnumber and outplay opposition defence.

A weakness have been that the team has been prone to counter-attacks against. Typically they can have dominated the possission, but given away the bigger chances. The very attacking full backs have left much room behind them, and the area between full back - center back and holding midfielder has been utilized against them quite a few times.

I would say he have made them play ambitious football. Sometimes it looks like they try to play better than they are capable off... But results have been mostly good. The only real exceptions was the first part of 2013-season, where the first seven games resulted in 2 points. Which were not very good for a team that won the league the previous two seasons. There was excuses made - a lot of injuries in the defense made for a lot of ad-hoc defensive set ups. It only really got better from the summer. With Forren (centre back and top star of the league in 2012) returning from Southamption and a couple of other players coming in. The last two thirds of the season were pretty decent and on par with the top teams - also winning the cup (which has more prestige in Norway than in the UK) against Moldes main rival.

Could this be the year the double is won in the biggest Derby on the planet!

I can smell it

Can we have an OGS smiley ???

Thank you to all the Norwegian and Molde fans who have contributed to this thread. Very informative.

Thank you to all the Norwegian and Molde fans who have contributed to this thread. Very informative.

I agree with that, thank you very detailed it's appreciated

what sort of system does OGS like to play, formation, personnel, gameplan, through middle/ down wings /possesion?

My take on it after watching almost all the games this season is that he wants to dominate possession. They've been most successful with fast attacking when they get the ball, but if that is not an option - they have played a patient short-passing game.

I would say they have mostly been playing a 4231-kind-of-formation, alternatively a 4411 (defending mostly with two banks of four and an attacking midfielder and striker chasing on top).
- Very attacking full back. Molde's right back (Martin Linnes, recently made his national team debut) have been one of the most dangerous attacking players. The full backs frequently overlap and comes on long forward runs.
- Two holding midfielders partly trying to give defensive cover, partly trying to control possession.
- Two inside forwards trying to exploit the room between full back and center backs.
- An attacking midfielder/deep-lying forwards (In some instances he has been more like a midfielder, preferring to defend like a 4141-formation - sometimes also more like a regular 442). This player seems to have a lot of creative freedom to try to create space for himself or for the striker.

On its best it is a pleasure to watch, with fast attacking trying to outnumber and outplay opposition defence.

A weakness have been that the team has been prone to counter-attacks against. Typically they can have dominated the possission, but given away the bigger chances. The very attacking full backs have left much room behind them, and the area between full back - center back and holding midfielder has been utilized against them quite a few times.

I would say he have made them play ambitious football. Sometimes it looks like they try to play better than they are capable off... But results have been mostly good. The only real exceptions was the first part of 2013-season, where the first seven games resulted in 2 points. Which were not very good for a team that won the league the previous two seasons. There was excuses made - a lot of injuries in the defense made for a lot of ad-hoc defensive set ups. It only really got better from the summer. With Forren (centre back and top star of the league in 2012) returning from Southamption and a couple of other players coming in. The last two thirds of the season were pretty decent and on par with the top teams - also winning the cup (which has more prestige in Norway than in the UK) against Moldes main rival.

I'm hoping OGS will be for us like Martinez was for Everton. Until recently when the off field circus was clear lying affecting the teams performance, we have been built on solid foundations and have been very hard to break down.

Our problem was always what to do with the ball when have it!
I think Malky has strengthened the defensive core of the squad sufficiently in the summer, but we've been crying out for some pace and some players who have the vision to open up the opposition.

I hope OGS can settle quick and stamp his authority on our team by adding 2 or 3 players with creativity and pace. I honestly believe the spine of our team is quite good but we are definitely carrying one or two and if this can be rectified we could have a very good second half to the season.

I was worried about our home games in the second half of the season because we play a lot of teams who will come and say 'come on, break us down'.

I honestly think this could have been a problem under malky as we would often rely on set pieces and if the opposition was organised as teams like Hull, Palace and Stoke will be this could prove to be difficult.

Thanks for you contribution once again.

Why has this been taken off the sticky charts?

There's loads of good posts from Norwegians here which give us an insight into OGS management.

I'm hoping OGS will be for us like Martinez was for Everton. Until recently when the off field circus was clear lying affecting the teams performance, we have been built on solid foundations and have been very hard to break down.

Our problem was always what to do with the ball when have it!
I think Malky has strengthened the defensive core of the squad sufficiently in the summer, but we've been crying out for some pace and some players who have the vision to open up the opposition.

I hope OGS can settle quick and stamp his authority on our team by adding 2 or 3 players with creativity and pace. I honestly believe the spine of our team is quite good but we are definitely carrying one or two and if this can be rectified we could have a very good second half to the season.

I was worried about our home games in the second half of the season because we play a lot of teams who will come and say 'come on, break us down'.

I honestly think this could have been a problem under malky as we would often rely on set pieces and if the opposition was organised as teams like Hull, Palace and Stoke will be this could prove to be difficult.

Thanks for you contribution once again.

It is hard to be very critical when the team is winning the league. But I felt sometimes that Molde struggled with just that - to break down team with a deep defensive line, little room between defence and midfield and who tried to take chances to counter Molde. It takes a lot of precision, pace and intelligence to break through. I often felt more comfortable against teams trying to run the play themself.

Not sure how he will play Cardiff though. It will be a different game than in the Norwegian league with (despite a poor run the season before - in 2010) should be a team near the top (silver medalist in 2009).

And do not expect to win next game. Solskjær lost the first game of the season in all his three seasons in Molde...

I'm hoping OGS will be for us like Martinez was for Everton. Until recently when the off field circus was clear lying affecting the teams performance, we have been built on solid foundations and have been very hard to break down.

Our problem was always what to do with the ball when have it!
I think Malky has strengthened the defensive core of the squad sufficiently in the summer, but we've been crying out for some pace and some players who have the vision to open up the opposition.

I hope OGS can settle quick and stamp his authority on our team by adding 2 or 3 players with creativity and pace. I honestly believe the spine of our team is quite good but we are definitely carrying one or two and if this can be rectified we could have a very good second half to the season.

I was worried about our home games in the second half of the season because we play a lot of teams who will come and say 'come on, break us down'.

I honestly think this could have been a problem under malky as we would often rely on set pieces and if the opposition was organised as teams like Hull, Palace and Stoke will be this could prove to be difficult.

Thanks for you contribution once again.

It is hard to be very critical when the team is winning the league. But I felt sometimes that Molde struggled with just that - to break down team with a deep defensive line, little room between defence and midfield and who tried to take chances to counter Molde. It takes a lot of precision, pace and intelligence to break through. I often felt more comfortable against teams trying to run the play themself.

Not sure how he will play Cardiff though. It will be a different game than in the Norwegian league with (despite a poor run the season before - in 2010) should be a team near the top (silver medalist in 2009).

And do not expect to win next game. Solskjær lost the first game of the season in all his three seasons in Molde...

That is a bit of concern then mate. Though I suppose if a team organises itself then they are difficult to break down no matter what level it is. Hopefully OGS will have identified players who will be able to do this.

I appreciate the in depth comments of the Norwegian fans. Thanks.

Why has this been taken off the sticky charts?

There's loads of good posts from Norwegians here which give us an insight into OGS management.

cos it's to positive

Why has this been taken off the sticky charts?

There's loads of good posts from Norwegians here which give us an insight into OGS management.

Because there is no bad news in the thread.

Being both a Norwegian and a Cardiff fan, I have to agree with Møller Dæhlie. A great talent, and the comparison that Eriksen makes with Iniesta is not that far fetched, actually.

Apart from Møller Dæhlie, I can't really see any other Molde players being good enough. Perhaps Forren, but not Nyland, the goalkeeper.

However - there is one more player I'd like Solskjær to bring from the Norwegian league, and that is Strømsgodset's Stefan Johansen. Also a central midfielder, but allready pure class. While Møller Dæhlie would be a great signing for perhaps next year, I truly belive that a player like Johansen, the league's by far best player this season, could strengthen the team right away.

PS: I support neither Molde nor Strømsgodset in Norway.

I've learnt more about OGS in this thread than from reading a dozen newspaper articles so thanks to all the Norwegian fans for the information. I'm still upset about Malky but have to admit Ole is an exciting prospect. Say what you like about City but life is never dull.

And yes, this really should be a sticky

BUMP

Could you please post your views about OGS here.

His strengths as a manager

His weaknesses

His tactics and formations

His coaching

His eye for spotting players etc.

Annis could you please merge this thread with Nobby's thread 'SOLSKJAER WANTS 3 PLAYERS' as there was some excellent insight from Norwegian posters about OGS in there?


Thanks

Some v interesting views from Norwegian fans in thethread Gringo mentions. Can someone pull them into this thread?

Well, first off.. He has often played in the "United" 4-4-1-1 formation. This formation often changes into 4-1-3-1-1 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the development of the game. He likes overlapping backs/wings on each side (quick and one touch). I feel Zaha will be one of OGS' serious thoughts for a loan deal until may (at least he should be). If lucky, also Büttner will come to South Wales.

He likes to play with solid CD's so that the backs can go forward. Here also a midfielder will hang back to create the stability you need defensively with offensive backs. So he will need another central defender (of class) who that will be, beats me. He will probably also want a new player who can fill that "Rooney-role" as the hanging forward/offensive midfielder. I know not if this is someone Cardiff already has in the lineup. So with Zaha on one side and an in-form and healthy Bellamy on the other wing. A stabile playmaker in the middle (new perhaps?) a new forward and a good stabile central defender, I think OGS and the rest of you will have a competetive team for the rest of the season and a chance of a good end result come may.

As for who OGS should bring in, I have no real clue. I know Solskjær likes young players who he can mold into the type of player he needs/wants. So, Jonathan Peter Williams (Jonny Williams) from Crystal Palace will definately fit that bill.

As for Mats Møller Dæli, I'm not too sure. He's 18, and I think 1 or 2 more years in Molde would do him some good. I know OGS really likes Magnus Wolff-Eikrem (now Heereenveen SC) but I just don't know.. But having said just that, René Meulensteen really never knew why SAF never gave the kid a chance in United, and he really was a fan of Magnus. He is a regular with Heereenveen (Magnus W.E) and maybe he is good enough?!?

But I hope (and think to some extent) that OGS will try to get hold of as many local lads as possible. Having Welsh lads in the squad is always a plus. The likes of; Adam Matthews DF, Celtic (possibility?) And Jack Collison MF from West Ham could be an idea? (don't know too much about this guy thoug) and maybe to old for Solskjær at 25.

There are also some rumors going on in Norway about ex. Molde, Man United and current Hannover striker Mame Biram Diouf can be a target for OGS. But it's silly season light and the newspapers are full of bull.

Could you please post your views about OGS here.

His strengths as a manager
His weaknesses
His tactics and formations
His coaching
His eye for spotting players etc.

I've shared my view about tactics in a previous post in the thread. A bit of a warning though. He has played Molde as a title contender. He might of course chose a different route of football for a relegation battle.

He has been known for heavy rotation. A popular quiz among fans have been guessing the next line up - and full score there was hardly common. He can be quite cynically too. Before an important league game he sent a bunch of youngsters to an away game in the europe league against Steauea Bucharesti - some of them had only played for the reserves team or cup matches against third-tier-teams before making their debut there. They lost that came - which they would probably do anyway. The rested players won the crucial league match... Sometimes there has been a feeling that he has gone a bit too far though.

Not sure of coaching style, weaknesses and strength. He seems to be good at media handling, and have ended up good. In the first two seasons he never lost two games in a row, which gave them a good reputation. And he had a very good home record. The last season opened dreadfully, his first real slump as a manager, and it took quite a while before he got the team on a right track again. He ended up with a great second half of the season, winning the prestigious cup final against Molde's main rival. In three years he had to league title, which is 2 more than the previous 99 years of the club history and only their third cup title. While his name and a well funded financial situation in Molde enabled him to get hold of strong signings, this should indicate a winning mentality.

On the transfer market he have a mostly good record, he has predominately bought young talented players.

- In the last national team squad in 2013 (though only picking players from Scandinavian teams) Molde had 6 players. All of them brought in by Solskjær (or brought back, as in Vegard Forrens case). He also brought in american then U20-player Joshua Gatt, who later went on to their national team before getting injured. Of course there have been youngsters not making it, but the success rate have been good I think. (One failure was former Liverpool youth player Lauri Dalla Valle). What he did not really succeed at was getting a reliably goalgetter into the team.

- One example of a tranfer window: After struggling the first part of the 2013-season he brought in 5 players. That included bringing centre-back Vegard Forren back from his failed Southampton-stay and a new full back to shore up the defense. That worked well. He brought in Mats Møller Dæhli (the third formed Man Utd youth midfielder, also having brought with him Magnus Wolff Eikrem (now established in the national team and Heerenveen) and Etzaz Hussain). Failing to score in the first half he also brought in two established strikers, one of which made a decent run - and one we can call a failure.

- He has a close relationship with norwegian agent Jim Solbakken (Agent of a lot of Norwegian national and U21-national players, among them former Arsenal player Håvard Nordveit (now in Bourissa Mönchengladback). He is also the agent of former Molde and Man UTD striker Mame Biram Diouf.

Well, first off.. He has often played in the "United" 4-4-1-1 formation. This formation often changes into 4-1-3-1-1 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the development of the game. He likes overlapping backs/wings on each side (quick and one touch). I feel Zaha will be one of OGS' serious thoughts for a loan deal until may (at least he should be). If lucky, also Büttner will come to South Wales.

He likes to play with solid CD's so that the backs can go forward. Here also a midfielder will hang back to create the stability you need defensively with offensive backs. So he will need another central defender (of class) who that will be, beats me. He will probably also want a new player who can fill that "Rooney-role" as the hanging forward/offensive midfielder. I know not if this is someone Cardiff already has in the lineup. So with Zaha on one side and an in-form and healthy Bellamy on the other wing. A stabile playmaker in the middle (new perhaps?) a new forward and a good stabile central defender, I think OGS and the rest of you will have a competetive team for the rest of the season and a chance of a good end result come may.

I think Gary Medel will be the man who will marshall our defence mate alongside Jordan mutch. Maybe mutch will be given more license to get forward as our box to box midfielder.

You are right in saying ole needs to bring in someone in the 'Rooney role' as I feel this is what we have missed most this season. Kimbo Kyung is the closest we have to resembling this but malky often didn't have confidence in him. I think solskjaer will get more out of him.

Solskjaer either need to get Turner to pass the ball or he needs to be replaced.

Thanks for your contribution.

Welcome to all the Norway lads and many thanks for your contribution to the threads.

Could you please post your views about OGS here.

His strengths as a manager
His weaknesses
His tactics and formations
His coaching
His eye for spotting players etc.

I've shared my view about tactics in a previous post in the thread. A bit of a warning though. He has played Molde as a title contender. He might of course chose a different route of football for a relegation battle.

He has been known for heavy rotation. A popular quiz among fans have been guessing the next line up - and full score there was hardly common. He can be quite cynically too. Before an important league game he sent a bunch of youngsters to an away game in the europe league against Steauea Bucharesti - some of them had only played for the reserves team or cup matches against third-tier-teams before making their debut there. They lost that came - which they would probably do anyway. The rested players won the crucial league match... Sometimes there has been a feeling that he has gone a bit too far though.

Not sure of coaching style, weaknesses and strength. He seems to be good at media handling, and have ended up good. In the first two seasons he never lost two games in a row, which gave them a good reputation. And he had a very good home record. The last season opened dreadfully, his first real slump as a manager, and it took quite a while before he got the team on a right track again. He ended up with a great second half of the season, winning the prestigious cup final against Molde's main rival. In three years he had to league title, which is 2 more than the previous 99 years of the club history and only their third cup title. While his name and a well funded financial situation in Molde enabled him to get hold of strong signings, this should indicate a winning mentality.

On the transfer market he have a mostly good record, he has predominately bought young talented players.

- In the last national team squad in 2013 (though only picking players from Scandinavian teams) Molde had 6 players. All of them brought in by Solskjær (or brought back, as in Vegard Forrens case). He also brought in american then U20-player Joshua Gatt, who later went on to their national team before getting injured. Of course there have been youngsters not making it, but the success rate have been good I think. (One failure was former Liverpool youth player Lauri Dalla Valle). What he did not really succeed at was getting a reliably goalgetter into the team.

- One example of a tranfer window: After struggling the first part of the 2013-season he brought in 5 players. That included bringing centre-back Vegard Forren back from his failed Southampton-stay and a new full back to shore up the defense. That worked well. He brought in Mats Møller Dæhli (the third formed Man Utd youth midfielder, also having brought with him Magnus Wolff Eikrem (now established in the national team and Heerenveen) and Etzaz Hussain). Failing to score in the first half he also brought in two established strikers, one of which made a decent run - and one we can call a failure.

- He has a close relationship with norwegian agent Jim Solbakken (Agent of a lot of Norwegian national and U21-national players, among them former Arsenal player Håvard Nordveit (now in Bourissa Mönchengladback). He is also the agent of former Molde and Man UTD striker Mame Biram Diouf.

Ottobre, another superb post mate. I wish more of our own fans would write more football posts like this.

Håvard Nordveit would be interesting as he could go straight in as centre back for us and would definitely be able to use the ball from the back. The only is that he'd probably be more comfortable on the right side of the centre back pairing and I don't think we'll be in any rush to drop Caulker.
I also think it would be extremely difficult for us to tempt him away from Germany at the present time, though he has expressed his desire to one day play in the premier league.

I'm thrilled that you say that Solskjaer worked wonders in your version of the 'January transfer window' last season as this is where he finds himself now. I'm not surprised that he had to utilise the Scandinavian market as no disrespect the Norwegian league would maybe find it harder to draw players from further afield.

I think Ole would have known for at least the last two seasons that he was destined to manage in the premier league and I believe he would have been keeping an eye on players with that in mind.
I also believe he would have been tapped up by us from at least October when Tan and Malky's disagreements became public. I think he would have known then what type of budget would have been offered to him and would have been scouting accordingly.

I'd love to know more about Solskjaer's coaching as one of my biggest criticisms of Malky, having watched a few training sessions was his lack of focus on coaching match situations. I never once seen them go through drills with the next game in view. Maybe they did but I never seen it and judging by the fact that the gap between the midfield and attack was never addressed I wonder if they did work on it at all.

I don't mean to be harsh on Malky as on the whole he done a great job for us but I just want to know if solskjaer is known for this.

Welcome to all the Norway lads and many thanks for your contribution to the threads.

Thanks. Norway love (or hate) when Norwegians do well abroad. There will be quite some media coverage in Norway about Cardiff with Solskjær there. Expect silly Norwegian journalist asking silly question about anything remotely Norwegian-related...

Håvard Nordveit would be interesting as he could go straight in as centre back for us and would definitely be able to use the ball from the back. The only is that he'd probably be more comfortable on the right side of the centre back pairing and I don't think we'll be in any rush to drop Caulker. I also think it would be extremely difficult for us to tempt him away from Germany at the present time, though he has expressed his desire to one day play in the premier league.

Well, I believe I have read that Nordtveit has been getting less first team action this season, so you never know. It seems he has also been linked to Southmaption a couple of weeks ago.

If you are looking for left-footed central backs, there is the question of Vegard Forren again. He is left footed. He was very highly rated one year ago, after dominating the national league, impressing in europe league and establishing himself on the national team and been celebrated as the player of the year in Norway. Then the whole miserable Southampton-affair. And now people are speaking more of his weaknesses (mainly being on the slower side). In Norwegian press he is mentioned, also expressing desire to try again in Cardiff (according to unreliable journalist, however).

I think Ole would have known for at least the last two seasons that he was destined to manage in the premier league and I believe he would have been keeping an eye on players with that in mind.

Agree - this looks like a firm plan - even assembling his coaching team in Molde. He was very close to Aston Villa last year. In a regular soap-opera looking affair, it looked like he was pulled back home by Molde's financial backers...

I'd love to know more about Solskjaer's coaching as one of my biggest criticisms of Malky, having watched a few training sessions was his lack of focus on coaching match situations. I never once seen them go through drills with the next game in view. Maybe they did but I never seen it and judging by the fact that the gap between the midfield and attack was never addressed I wonder if they did work on it at all.

Sorry, never saw his training sessions.

[/quote]

Welcome to all the Norway lads and many thanks for your contribution to the threads.

been great reading the norwiegens posts.thanks for taking the time lads,top bannana.kro