Sweden for Definite...Degefors I mean. [2023]

And back to where things started really. I was holidaying and waiting for offers. I wasn't getting great ones. Rotheram....Walsall. It wasn't the teams that put me off them it was just I couldn't see myself staying and taking them to the top. I didn't want to take a job that I was bound to tire of.

So I held on and got an offer from Degerfors. A team in the Swedish First Division Elite...for one more game. They had already been relegated and would be playing next season in the First Division North.

It didn't take me long to decide. I liked playing in Sweden before, I had been successful, I still had things to win, I had a connection there, and the club had money spare and there was potential to become a big fish and in a small to medium pond.


So I took it.

I had one game to play which gave me a brief chance to look at the team. I wanted to try something different tactically and I needed to be flexible. From looking at the original team I had a lot of central defenders that were decent, some good attacking midfielders, and not much else bar a singe decent striker. After having read this article on possession football I decided that I would build a new tactic (for me) based on similar principles.

I was going to play 3 central defenders, two wingbacks, two central midfielders, two attacking midfielders and one striker. A bit narrow but the wingbacks would add depth and the roles of the AMC's would change the shape a little.

Here it is:

I'll go through the players in a bit. The first thing that might strike you is that some of the players are not in the right position. Basically they are good enough for those positions and are being trained in them. The stats, training and match experience will see them through.

The three central defenders should keep things solid at the back. One DC is a limited defender and his job is just to clear the danger, he's the last gasp no nonsense player.

The wing backs provide some defensive cover but also the width and supply.

The ball winning MC provides some stopping power and defensive cover, hopefully increasing our chances of winning back possession. The deep lying midfield should partner them and start moves, all without running into the space of the AMC's ahead. The DLP and BWM can also work with the wing backs, almost giving us a bank of 3 and then 4 defensively.

In AMC I have an inside forward and a Treq. The IF should carry a direct goal threat, working off the shoulder of the striker and attacking from slightly deeper. I'm expecting a fair few goals to come from there. The Treq is there to be creative and create space as well as chances. In theory the IF and Treq could push up when attacking to give me 3 up front. Again in theory my team shape could under certain conditions be closer to a 433.

The striker at the moment is playing as complete forward but this I might tweak to a Defensive Forward or Targetman. They should be a threat on their own, the point of the attack, but also they should be able to bring in other players, ideally the IF and Treq behind them. This role I think will change depending on who is playing it.

So there we go. There's also room to evolve the tactic. As well as changing the striker role and I can see the limited defender role changing to a libero as we move up the leagues and get the players for it. The AMC roles could change too.

I played it in my first game and the teams final game of the season and we held a title pushing side to a creditable away draw. We created chances and frankly only drew because we gave away a goal in a bit of a scramble. All this without most of the players you see above, they were recruited afterwards.

Players

I needed to bring in a few but I had the core of the defense, and midfield present. Luckily the team had a lot of money for this level and I was able to get quite a few good youth players in. I favoured youth but also brought in a few older, more seasoned, players too.

Defense

Wingback was the key bit to strengthen here. I had a few players I could train into the positions already at the club but I needed a couple more.

Axel played for me at 'Tuna and I remember him being great at pushing forwards. I got him for the WBL position but also for cover on the right.

Engstrom is a U19's starlet, cost about 18k, and isn't a natural WBR. But I think he'll grow into it.

Sandberg provides cover across the back and in defensive midfield. He also had a season of experience in the Elite Division. He was a another U19 team mate of Engstrom.

Midfield

I recruited quite a lot here just to make sure I had cover and flexibiliy.

Nordin was another U19 star and cost quite a bit. I see great potential there and I think he'll slot into either MC role, though DLP more.

Stahl was bought to be the ultimate utility man but I think he's going to go straight into the IF role. He doesn't have AMC as one of his positions but if he can play MC and play ST then IF isn't beyond him.

Svahn was brought in as cover, ideally in the AMC position. Getting on a bit but it doesn't hurt to have a bit of experience. Also for the first division he should be fine.

Goransson and Kallgren were on the young side but again they were there as AMC cover. I think at least one of them should grow into the role well enough.

Attack

I brought in Citaku to rotate with Pode. Both should be good enough for the Elite division.

I also brought in Ohlsson on loan. Hopefully he'll just be attacking as cover. With the players I have and only one out and out striker role I can afford to be light up front.


So far

I've played lots of friendlies and the group stage of the Swedish Cup. We lost unfairly 5-0 to Premier side Hammarby (we outplayed them for most of the match but just couldn't break through), lost 2-1 to Premier side Elfsborg (lucky goal from them), and then beat Elite side Qviding 3-1.

The tactic seemed to be working very nicely. We held onto a lot of possession against the big sides and created chances. They were a little further out than I would have liked, very few against the top sides were in the area but I think initially that can be put down to the quality of their defence. First Division North sides should suffer.

Against Qviding Stahl got a brace from the IF position and the attacking moves were beautiful. I don't want to jinx the season by saying I have a good feeling about things but....I have a good feeling about things.

I'm going to make use of the analysis tab this season as well so hopefully I can be better tactically.