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Wednesday, April 5th, 2023

Monday I spent with our assistant coach Jarmo Pulkkinen and our head of youth development Tommy Pennanen to talk about how the youth team is developing.  Both wanted to talk about the progress Luukas Manninen has had since joining the squad in February.  I recognize he's only played the single U20 match for us, so I am thinking he might get some PT in our final friendly this Sunday against TP-47.

Miika Juntnen let me know about a a 22 year old central midfielder he though might fit us well.  I gave the kid a call, as about all we can do to recruit is to convince folks of playing time, some on field success, and a good time.  This kid didn't think he could break into the starting eleven, so no harm no foul - I'm sure he'll find a place to play.

Looking forward to Sunday's match - should be close to 8 or 9, so it will be a warm evening.  I'm a little worried by TP-47s athleticism to be honest.  Their keeper, Aki Peltokorpi is young, but I've been told he's very solid.  That said, everything I have heard is that though this team is fast, they tend to get gassed, so if we can hold a tight match until the 60th minute or so, we might have a shot.  Again, these boys are from the division above us, so I'd expect their talent to match.  

I did get the list of player numbers out to the league.  Nobody really cared about their numbers, except  Manninen - so I gave him the one he wanted.  I was also excited to get a verbal commitment from Matias Ojala our 16 year old First Choice Keeper, that he wants to stick around OPS until he gets an offer for a paid gig.  I am more than happy to oblige.  I think Matias has a great future, and I'm excited to give him a ton of pitch time and I hope he strikes it big!

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Well that was a topsy-turvy weekend!  First I was bummed to learn that Jussi Kangasniemi - who I interviewed for the scouting role - opted to take a role with a different 3rd division side, telling us it was all about the club's reputation.  Kind of peeved me.  We then had our friendly match against RoPS - knowing they were a second division club, I was worried about being out classed today at Heinapaan Nurmi field.  Thankfully the weather was still cool - about 2 degrees - it kept the players comfortable.  The chilly nights still kept the stands bare - only 17 were there to watch today.  Those who showed had a treat of a match!  Not only did we win, we did so playing against the 12th man - who ever that sorry referee was.  The guy awarded 3(!) penalties in 8 minutes!

Jere Koistinen put us on the board in the 2nd minute.  You can't ask for a better start!  Tommy Hakala put in a beautiful cross to catch Jere on a fade to the back post, allowing for a drifting header into the upper right.  It was a thing of beauty.  In the 14th minute, RoPS did the almost identical play to us, leveling up the score at 1-1.  We sent Felix Orishani to the spot after Timo Helenius got pulled down in the box on a  questionable call.  Felix finished clinically.  Not more than two minutes later RoPS was sent to the spot.  The courageous 16 year old  Matias Ojala guessed correctly, and parried RoPS' Kovalainen PK for a corner.  Felix then sent a towering long ball down to Koistinen, who one times a shot off the cross bar and out - so close to a 3-1 lead.  RoPS was gifted another penalty, and this time Kiljunen blasted right down mainstreet to knot us up at 2.

In the 35th, Samuli Aalto launched a corner into a busy box, and some how the ball found it self at the toe of Timo Helenius.  Timo let it rip, deflecting off a defender but in, giving us the lead once again 3-2.  One would think that's enough action for a half…nope!  I minute into injury time, RoPS had a series of pinball shots, that were alternately deflected until a blast against the bottom of the crossbar let in an unjust goal for the sacrificing defense.  We closed half time at 3-3 - and it was breathless.  I was so pleased with the number of quality chances we had, and I let the boys know!

The 2nd half was much more calm, with nary any excitement for the first 30 minutes.  I subbed our DR Arponen at the half - he'd played every minute of the U-20 game on Wednesday, and I could see he was exhausted.  I also pulled Ojala out too - he's had a lot of minutes this spring, and he picked up a dubious card in the first half.  In the 77th minute - right after brining Mattias Juntunen on for Pekka Lappalainen, Christ Diafouka-Otta sent in a nice arching cross to a sprinting Hakala, who looped in a goal, getting us to 4-3.  What a match - I definitely don't think anyone forecasted that upset!

Hakala was definitely the player of the game - some of our 16 year olds really show some great footballing maturity.  We've got one more friendly to go - next Saturday against another 2nd division team Tornion Pallo-47.  This one's at home too.  We'll let the boys have today and tomorrow with the families (and jobs), and we'll catch them on the training ground on Tuesday.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

I chose to spend the night in Kokkola.  The match finished up around 10:30, and with training being managed by Jarmo Pulkkinen our assistant manager back in Oulu in the morning, I thought it best to take some rest nearby.  Was definitely an interesting match - not something one expects when the senior squad plays a U20 squad!  From a score line perspective, I’ll take a 5-3 victory any day.  But it was sloppy.  Saaripotku’s youth squad showed both magnificent disarray as well as some flashes of brilliance.  I put Titi into the starting XI because I thought he could use some minutes in prep for league.  Granted, a 42 year old amongst teens - it was not going to be hard for him to excel technically - though I figured he’s struggle for pace.  He has more years of experience than some of the opposition had life.  Regardless, he poked in a penalty kick that Juho Berg won us in the opening 15 minutes.  I caught up with Titi after the match to tell him how brilliant he played, but he was having none of it.  I suppose recognizing the competition, I can appreciate his perspective.  I’ll have to keep an eye on that.

Berg tossed in a goal of his own two minutes after the penalty, and our boys were up two nil within 12’.  Then we has some magnificent meltdown at the end of the half.  Saaripotku’s 20 year old striker Elmeri Lahti looked like a genius pushing two past Tommi Kovanen in 2 minutes - though to be fair the defense really let him down.  So we stood 2-2 - a senior squad against a youth squad - my word….

2nd half was total control, and we were able to bring on a few more seniors to get some minutes - Felix Orishani, Eelis Koskinen, and Callistus Chukwu all came off the bench.  Veeti Kokkonen caught a beautiful throughball from Titi to put us in the lead at 60’.  Orshani and Chukwu played heads up ball and cashed in as well in the 81st and 90+3’ minutes respectively.  We let our guard down and allowed one more 5 minutes into stoppage time - but fine, that didn’t really matter.  

So not sure how I feel - it was simultaneously invigourating and infuriating.  I’m going to drive back this afternoon, and see if I catch the back half of training.  We’ll get ready for our Friday evening match focus session as we take on Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS) on Saturday evening.  One more item, Jere Koistinen also let me know he understands why my commitment to him as a breakthrough prospect couldn’t be kept.  He keeps close a close friendship with Veeti Kokkonen - so I’m thinking that rubbed off a bit on him - which says more about Veeti than anything else.

3 Weeks to match day one!

Sunday, March 26, 2023

I am exhausted from the drive today, and that was a trash match that we didn’t deserve to draw. We made the journey up to Lulea, Sweden today for our matinee.  Left Olou around 9 this morning, and though the sun was out, it was still a dull drive.  It was kind of fun to play an international friendly - it’s something our boys will likely over hype in the desire to impress family and friends.  I should probably let them enjoy it - they are all volunteers after all.

It was our 7th friendly since I took the helm, and I was definitely hoping we’d look a bit better by this point, with little over 3 weeks before the start of the season.  But we looked disinterested and uncreative.  We conceded right before the half on an unmarked header, which really pissed me off - it didn’t seem like the guys really wanted to play today.  I can appreciate the desire to not want to play when its -5, but come now - the sun was shining, and we were in Sweden!  Think I counted 11 fans!

Jere Koistinen pulled out a brilliant run and Tommy Hakala sent a precise lob from the midline to catch Jere in stride - the finishing was quite simple.  It was nice, because I hadn’t really seen a glimmer of desire in Jere’s eyes since I told him his minutes weren’t going to look great this season.  But Ok - that’s back to back matches with goals, so maybe he’s starting to show some heart.  It’s tough trying to remember what’s its like as a teenager - I need to focus on that a bit given how many kids we’ve got on this team!

That said, I was pretty peeved by Veeti Kokkonen’s effort today.  I thought he turned a leaf last week when he spoke to me and said he understood my comments around his playing time being curtailed.  After whinging for two weeks to his teammates, he finally must have gotten the hint from his teammates - both Titi and Callistus Chukwu were pretty stern with Veeti - telling him there’s nothing in football that isn’t earned.  Helps having their veteran presence around - especially Titi - I can’t believe he’s still pushing at 42!

Regardless, we’ll take the draw - that puts us now at 3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses on the preseason - which I can live with.  We’ve got a U20 match against Saaripotku on Wednesday down in Kokkola again.  We were just there last week with the senior squad where we looked like phenoms!.  Given how much playing time I’ve given all our youth in this pre-season, I’m thinking we’re going to actually use the U20 game to let all our veterans play - seems counter intuitive, but with league picking up in three weeks, they are going to need some form in a hurry.  I’ll talk to Kalle Riski, the new U20 Manager, and let him know my thoughts.  This will be his first match at the helm, so I don’t feel too bad giving him some direction on who needs to play.  We’ll let some of the “rougher” teens get some match time - must of the stronger boys need a blow after pre-season.  I’m thinking Kokkonen starts up top as opposed to wing - see what he can do as the go to.  Juho Berg and Titi can take the wing roles this time.  I haven’t really seen Nenad Nikolic yet, so he can take the central midfield role next to Pekka Lappalainen - two 16 year olds in the centre - we’ll see what they can do.  Pekka’s played 180 minutes over the last two weeks but he’s young - sure he can handle it.  Not quite sure about DM - I think Tobias Poutiainen might take that role even though he just played yesterday.  In back I don’t what to do.  Probably be good to see Luukas Manninen play - don’t think he’s touched the field since he transferred last month.  We’ll get Tony Salonen some minutes - he may be pushing 30, but he’ll need some reps.  Uku Kask hasn’t touched the pitch in almost 2 months - thinking him and Juha Arponen on the right.  Juha’s played the last three weeks, so his form is looking good for a 16 year old.  Pulled him in the 62’ minute yesterday, and he only played the first half two weeks ago.

Worst thing will be making another 3 hour drive this week.  Last one of those until the season starts - next two friendlies at home!  Supposed to be cloudy and 3 degrees Wednesday evening!  I’ll talk to Kalle tomorrow morning at training to finalize the starting XI.