Above expectations [2015]

We're still playing well above expectations. Which could mean a couple of things I guess.

1) We're awesome and this is going to be a fantastic season.

2) When we crash and burn it's going to hurt even more because of this false dawn.

Who's knows. With 5 games to go we're a healthy 2nd place with 38 points. I don't think we have to fear relegation at this point. Promotion is what we're looking at. The title isn't out of reach and there's always the play off place.

A few blips here and there but our recent form is okay (ish). The worrying thing is in the past 3 games we only have  4 out of 9 points. If that continues then who knows what will happen. It's still quite tight at the top.

Of the 5 games left I would consider Degerfors, Karlstad BK and Vasteras SK to be tricky games.

What makes it more difficult is that Bergh is out injured for 8 weeks. I've managed to track a replacement but I don't know yet whether he'll be any good.

The attributes are promising for this level (at a glance he might be considered better than Bergh) but keepers are always tricky. They are the position I hate recruiting for the most because it is so easy to get it wrong. It's very hard to judge as well (I find) whether a keeper is playing poorly or has been let down by the defence. It's a bad point in the season to be recruiting for such a key position but none of the pre-season options gave us a 2nd look.

There's another recruit as well whilst I remember, from the youth intake. Ludvig...

Again for this level, a club with these facilities he looks like a good youth prospect. With some targeted training and a good tutor I think he'll excel. Maybe not top flight quality but perhaps 2nd tier.

This is where I struggle to understand the complaints people have on forums sometimes about youth prospects. Even though the two players I've put up from my last two youth intakes aren't superstars I have to admit they are fantastic prospects for this level. I think sometimes FM players need to adjust their expectations; how many world beaters come through every year at a top flight academy?

Additionally I think every youth signing has to be looked at realistically. They are a youth player - they need work and training. They need to be nurtured. They shouldn't even be close to the finished article at 15-18.

Anyway back to the final five...