JJK - Honka preview

JJK – Honka
No important new Team News.

Hannu Haarala could return to right-back position for Honka, but mf Nicholas Otaru did more than well in replacing him vs. HJK. The most interesting question is the availabilty of Honka striker Hermanni Vuorinen, but Honka have done well without him lately and it is not essential that he is playing and he might be saved for Thursdays cup match vs. HJK. Honka have more than 20 players available and some of them are probably left at home to play with Pallohonka at Kakkonen.

My guess would be Konsta Rasimus, Tapio Heikkilä and Henri Aalto. Ville Koskimaa has been sidelined because of contract negotiations, but he is not missed as Roope Heilala is a more than adequate cover.

JJK have improved the most since last season, biggest impact is the ex-honka assistant coach Kari Martonen, and the new experienced signings Pasoja, Okkonen, Tumanto and Hyyrynen, but naturally I have said all of this many times before.

Kari Martonen is slowly trying to change JJK into a Honka of Jyväskylä, the players are encouraged to keep the ball on their own team, on the ground and going forward with the ball. Basic things really, but many teams with a lesser player material have a tendency of trying to secure a point by giving the ball away too easily and defending like their life depended on it. JJK material is very vulnerable and not quite match up yet with the ambitious hopes of play, but the postive approach should be applauded.

Honka have not yet scored away in their two matches, vs. TPS that was mostly due to unluck, but Jaro did shut them down and Honka head coach Mika Lehkosuo is demanding more balance and control in the team play. Last round´s home win vs. HJK was a positive boost and it means bad news for JJK, but they have positive memories from the league cup final where they held Honka to a 0-0 draw at a neutral ground. Stopping Honka can be done.

JJK home stadium is under renovation and the match takes place at nearby Vaajakoski, the only ”home” match ended in a 0-2 loss vs. TPS and in that match JJK let the class disadvantage show.

It is certain that apart from Honka coach Lehkosuo no one knows Honka better than Kari Martonen, but is the information really enough when the class difference is that big?

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