No updates for price estimations but a lot of chit-chat. Use the sheet sent earlier for reference.
Tampere United – MyPa
The signs are not that good for any unforgettable night at the stadium in this match where two mediocre teams who both have even underperformed more or less so far meet. TamU have been at their worst ever in the league, losing vs. AC Oulu and JJK without scoring is pretty much what they deserved as they did not create too many chances, there is no movement, no skill, no self-confidence and no good mental spirit. TamU have had their share of unluck in the form of injuries and even with the icelandic volcano and paperwork with newly signed Brazilian Dema, but they can not hide behind that for too long and they have to roll their sleeves and start working seriously if they want to stay in the league. That is not the goal they have set themselves before the season, but with the performances so far it is a more realistic one. Survival.
The cup game vs. Lahti showed some improvement going forward and they managed to create goal chances and even score once, but yet a loss at home vs. Lahti should not be good enough to be happy, funnily that is what they almost seemed to be at the TamU camp after the game.
The injury list is getting a bit shorter but there has been no clear news of who are returning. Mf. Tuomas Haapala is most likely to return, and the paperwork is finally ok with mf Dema which means that TamU should be able to field a bit better starting 11 for this match than they have had for a long time. All they need to solve then is the mental part, and it is not that easy. The importance of the first goal is crucial in this match, can not see either of the teams recovering from being a goal down as the attacking options are very limited on both sides.
MyPa have not showed even a hint why they had been tipped to be a top-four team and a black horse in some media. They are especially good nowhere in the pitch, and there is no width and help from the bench. The coach is very old school and predictable, and there is a too big work load on Antti Okkonen´s shoulders in the midfield. The strikers are not top notch, and as the delivery to them is also poor a MyPa goal from open play is always a surprise. Mfs Felipe Benevides and Konsta Hietanen are injured.
If there is one match to choose you do not want to see from the whole season from entertainments point of view this would be it, and personally I will rather drive some miles to see a Ykkönen match instead at Kotka.
Review tomorrow of the whole round, perhaps a couple of words on Wednesday about cup match JJK – KuPS and Ykkönen match FC Espoo – Hämeenlinna, and then on Thursday the early team news and prices for the weekend round. I think it worked quite well!
Have a nice day all, though I know it is Monday.
