This is a guest piece by Andrew Watson.
Bodo/Glimt set up in a 1-4-3-3 formation against Rosenborg, using Berg as a defensive pivot in midfield. Their style of play is possession based, the full backs play high up the pitch in possession and allow the wide forwards to drift inside, especially on the left. Though this can leave the central defenders exposed all of the defenders are athletic and have good recovery pace to get back into position.
Bodo/Glimt dominated the first half and were deservedly ahead, however, despite Rosenborg receiving a red card after 50 minutes the multiple-time champions played much better in the second half and managed to lead 2-1 going into the last 5 minutes of the match. Bodo/Glimt upped their intensity impressively and scored two late goals to maintain their 100% start to the new Eliteserien season.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at that level
- B2 – Potential to be a good player at that level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
Patrick Berg
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Age: 22
- Date of Birth: 24/11/1997
- Current Club: Bodo/Glimt
- Career: Bodo/Glimt
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred Foot: Right
Berg is an archetypal example of the modern holding midfielder. He isn’t tall or strongly built but he is fit and intelligent. Berg filled in the defensive gaps left by the attacking full backs but his primary function in the team is to receive the ball and pass it accurately and effectively.
He is very aware of his surroundings, always checking around his shoulders and he knows what he wants to do with the ball before he receives it. With his head up Berg is able to pick out passes that keep his team moving. He has a good range of passing, the majority of his passes are fairly short and along the ground but he played long diagonal balls out to the wide forwards and full backs when that was the best option available.
In the match that was scouted Berg didn’t produce a pass that created a chance directly, this is something that he could improve on. His final product consisted of two well struck long range shots that were blocked.
Berg is a very assured, confident leader on the pitch. He oozes calmness in possession and he appears to make good decisions off the ball as well. It would be better to observe him in a game where he is pressed and given less time to pick his passes but on this display it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Berg play in a top 5 league, but perhaps for a mid-table side initially.
Rating – A1
Alfons Sampsted
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Icelandic
- Age: 22
- Date of Birth: 6/4/1998
- Current Club: Bodo/Glimt
- Career: Breidablik (Y), Norrkoping, Landskrona (L), Sylvia (L), Breidablik (L), Bodo/Glimt
- Position: Right Back
- Secondary position: Left Back
- Preferred Foot: Right
Sampsted played as an attacking right back, he is physically athletic and of a medium height (180cm). The Icelandic international has a good technique, he showed a fantastic first touch under pressure from a lofted ball and he was very rarely caught in possession. His delivery in the final third was mixed however, some low crosses were cut out at the front post and he rarely looked to pick out a player.
In his primary tasks Sampsted was beaten in a 1-v-1 duel early in this match as he was outstrengthed by his opponent, however this was the only time in the match that he was beaten in a duel. His turn of pace and athletic ability meant that he was able to recover in any occasions he found himself out of position. The first Rosenborg goal came from his position, but he was not at fault in this case.
Sampsted needs more games and experience at this level before considering him to be of the level to move on into a bigger league. He has some good attributes but needs to improve his final product to become a real asset to his team.
Rating – B1
Fredrik Andre Bjorkan
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Age: 21
- Date of Birth: 21/08/1998
- Current Club: Bodo/Glimt
- Career: Bodo/Glimt
- Position: Left Back
- Preferred Foot: Left
Bjorkan is a stocky, athletic young man who fulfils all of the physical characteristics required of a modern full-back. He uses both feet to pass and dribble and thus is able to underlap and overlap effectively. His attacking instincts mean that Bodo/Glimt are able to use a right-footed wide forward on the left to cut inside knowing that Bjorkan can still provide a threat on the outside.
When not in possession Bjorkan performed was keen to win the ball back, however, he failed to intercept a cross at the back post for the first Rosenborg goal he should have been in a better position to deal with it. He also produced something of a rash tackle late in the game to prevent a Rosenborg attack. He certainly needs to improve defensively to be an asset to teams in the top 5 European leagues, but he has time and experience to gain that.
His dynamic play on the ball and ability to get forwards into central attacking positions is impressive and a key attribute to demonstrate in the modern game. There is definite potential for Bjorkan to move on in the future.
Rating – A2
Jens Petter Hauge
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Age: 20
- Date of Birth: 12/10/1999
- Current Club: Bodo/Glimt
- Career: Bodo/Glimt, Aalesund (L)
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred Foot: Right
Hauge was deployed on the left of a front three in this game but constantly moved inside when he had possession of the ball. His propensity to do this sometimes meant that he was easy to defend against. He is a tall (184cm), willowy player who looks like he may develop a bit more strength in the next few years.
His primary tasks of creating and scoring goals were fulfilled in this match. all of Bodo/Glimt’s goals were actually partially as a result of Hauge’s passing, a forward pass resulted in the first half penalty, he played the ball through the defence for the second and was available in the penalty box in the build up to the third. However, for most of the match his attempted passes were blocked or intercepted so it was a match of many attempts but mostly frustrated. This does demonstrate that the youngster has a resilient character, but perhaps his decision making in the final third needs to improve.
Rosenborg didn’t threaten often enough going forward to fully assess Hauge’s defensive play, although it is possibly worth noting that despite his height he was deployed as a free man on the edge of the area when defending corners.
Hauge is definitely a player to observe more over the course of the next few months to see how he develops both physically and with his decision making. He isn’t ready to move up in standard yet but the technique and persistence he showed certainly merit him being monitored by bigger clubs.
Rating – A2
Target Scouting 