Climbing the Mountain: Bob Bradley at Stabæk

Ahhh, expectations can be a terrible taskmaster.

Some might say it is impressive to win even when you play badly.

I might offer that those teams even less fortunate might be playing here . .

http://www.livescore.com/soccer/norway/2-division-avd-4/

 

And the answer is: Wonderful! 0-2, five clean sheet wins in five matches!

The first 25 minutes or so was played on our half. Vålerenga pushed us back, applied pressure and even created several chances. Strong defending from our back four, and CBs in particular meant they never got easy shots, however. We weathered the storm and slowly got into the game, scored on a penalty with ten minutes remaining and went to halftime one goal up.

The second half started the same way with Vålerenga applying pressure while we defended well. Then, Kassi recieved his second yellow ten minutes into the half. Down to ten men was when we started playing really well in my opinion. Asante doubled our lead halfway through the second half and from then the victory seemed all but secured and we even got some great opportunities on counters.

Vålerenga had most of the pressure, most of the chances - I still feel it was a fully deserved win and that we had more quality in our defending and counterattacking than Vålerenga in their execution. (Can't believe they paid $500.000 or something like that for Deshorn Brown; he seems completely useless.)

 

Very happy for Stabaek and their outstanding second place in the standings. Fun to follow this thread this year - it wouldn't be anything without the local reports - thanks!

 

Congratulations, yes DeShorn Brown is nothing more than a speed merchant, only a problem if he gets the ball in space.

 

Brown is incredibly fast, a speed merchant among speed merchants. He would make sense as a signing for a team that expected to counterattack.

 

Sounds a lot like Asante on our right wing...

Match highlights: http://www.stabak.no/free/videoId/jkll79qy1ae01xkty2j2w8ai2

 

I wondered where brown went. Watched him in pdl. Seemed like a good guy.

 

Noah's friends might be offended,especially if it was implied that he was just some guy who happened to be on the ark.*

*Not saying you and ringo are doing this,of course.

 

So are we thinking that if Bobbo can put in a few really good years in Norway that he'll eventually move up to one of the elite euro leagues? I for one look forward to the day when he gets the Sunderland job and all blame is heaped on the clueless american.

 

This is actually a really good comment.

 

Would anyone mind letting me know how Yassine El Ghanassy has looked so far? Seems like an interesting situation with a guy who was called up to the Belgian National Team in 2011 and practically started two full seasons for Gent as a 19-20 year old. Looks like it has been downhill from there. Has he been a good signing for Stabaek?

 

He was a really great talent once, but not mentally ready for it, it seems. According to people in Gent, he was very unprofessional in many ways and that's what stopped him from having the career many expected. Judging by some interviews, Yassine is fully aware of all this but he seems uncomfortable talking about it - or unwilling, even. He seems like a guy who has finally matured and understood what it takes to be great, and now he wants to forget the past and just work towards improving his future.

He was very unfit when he came on trial but the talent and skill was evident so Stabæk decided to give him a chance, convinced that he could be our best player if he got fit. While his shape is improving he's not quite 100% yet and has not gone the full 90 in any matches so far. He's playing fairly well, however. Of the four attacking players, he has probably been our 2nd best after Diomande so far. He is a creative player with flair and skill on a higher level than most of our players. While I wouldn't necessarily say he has been a brilliant signing quite yet, it certainly looks like he has the potential to be our best player once he's 100%.

 

I think both of those players stopped being middle of the road a couple of years ago. They are both outclassed by the emerging young American dmids. Kitchen, Trapp, Polster and Acosta are all just a class above.

 

For those of new to following Stabaeck, would you kindly offer a bit more insight into their fall into relegation and scramble back from the 2nd Division?

Thanks

 

I was going to add that he's the type of player that probably wont be in MLS in 5 years, but didn't want to overstate the case.

 

Stabaek's incredible start to the season continues, as they're up 2-0 early in the second half.

 

Up 4-0 now.

 

It ended 4-0. Stabaek dominated from start to finish. They were defensively organized and and flowing offensively. The attacking trio of El Ghanassy, Asante, and Diomande look great. Grossman was solid in the midfield. I don't think Sanefjord had a single shot on frame. This team looks better each time I see it play. It was interesting to hear Bob shout out instructions on the stream I was watching - he was mostly emphasized winning the ball back quickly and shouting for certain players to show for the ball. Stabaek are now level on points with 1st place Rosenborg.

 

League game?

 

Yep - as if last year's over-achieving wasn't enough, they're now 6-1-1 through eight games.

 

Wow, they are just tearing through people right now. Can someone post some highlights whenever they are available?

Thanks to all our friends from Norway for keeping us up to date on all the latest with the club.

 

Easiest match of the season. We didn't start too well; lacking a bit focus and aggression initially. Bob kept yelling from the sideline and after 30 minutes or so it started to look better, and five minutes later we got the first goal. The second half started the same way the first ended: 3-0 55 minutes in, all goals assisted by Yassine El Ghanassy. After the 3rd goal it seemed the guys started to relax a bit, even so we controlled the rest of the match and Adama Diomande completed his hattrick with 4-0.

Sandefjord is definately the weakest team I have seen so far this season. They didn't produce a single chance or shot on target that I can remember. Judging by their performence in this game, I'd say Sandefjord is the most obvious relegation candidate. I haven't seen Bodø/Glimt yet though, but all the other teams in the bottom half have some quality - I couldn't spot anything in this Sandefjord team.

I will probably get to it eventually but it's a pretty big subject and a long story so I can't say when I have the time.

 

Stabaek really busting my balls on my Tippeligaen season predictions... I didn't have Stabaek in any type of trouble but I also didn't have them in my Top 4.... I did however put them in my NM Cup semi-finals... so hopefully they carry that form over.

 

Stabæk - Sandefjord 4-0 (highlights)