It has been another good season for Linköping. Once again in a season that saw Malmö and Tyresö battle for the championship Linköping finished third once more. The season started slow but soon the team became stronger, and the results were flowing. A few surprise defeats, but also some very good victories.
This has been a season to build on. The mix of youth and experience has shown that Linköpings FC will only be stronger the next few seasons.
Here are my ratings for each player (Marks out of 10 for the seasons performance)
Goalkeepers
Sofia Lundgren – 7/10
Started the season well but suffered a nasty back injury, which kept her out of the team for the second half of the season. Encouraging news that Sofia has made a great recovery and will be expected to be back as Linköpings number 1 next season
Lina Ringshamre – 6.5/10
Stepped up into the number one spot when Sofia was injured. A good shot-stopper but sometimes not so confident. Will only get better with experience. Has a good career ahead of her.
Brianna Davey- 7/10
Young but experienced goalkeeper from Australia. Came in on loan for the last few months of the season and has impressed. If Brianna returns for the 2014 season, it will be exciting to see the competition between Brianna and Lina for the number 2 goalkeeper position
Defence
Charlotte Rohlin – 8/10
After returning from a horrific ACL injury that kept her out of the 2012/13 season. Rohlin needed some games to be match fit. Has since shown why she is the natural leader on and off the pitch. Playing back to her best Lotta has scored three goals but, as ever, has been a rock at the heart of defence.
Nilla Fischer – 8/10
Nilla sadly left Linköping to be transferred to European Champions Wolfsburg. Before she played her final game she had an outstanding season. Following her silver boot in the European Championships, Nilla was paired as a formidable defence partnership with fellow international Rohlin. Always putting her body on the line Nilla is a player that will be very hard to replace.
Jennie Nordin – 7/10
After Fischer went to Wolfsburg young Nordin had the chance to show precisely what makes her one of the most exciting young defenders in Sweden. Played eight games and looks like a star for the future. Playing alongside Rohlin will only improve Jennie’s game. Will hope that she stays with Linköping for a long time. Good in the air and reads the game very well.
Jessica Samuelsson – 8/10
Two seasons ago was a promising young player. Has now matured into a world-class full back. Established member of the Swedish team, Jessica has been consistently one of the best defenders in Damallsvenskan. Never backs down from a tackle and has improved at going forward. Still young, but certainly one of Linköpings most senior players.
Magdalena Ericsson – 8/10
One of the stand out young performers in the Linköping team. 19 games this season and 2 goals. Still only 20 years of age Magdalena has been rock solid in defence this season, and this is certainly the start of a great career with Linköping. Like Samuelsson, is good at moving forward and a great reader of the game.
Maja Krantz – 7/10
Been a tough season for Maja. As always a very consistent player but needs to stay injury free to be at her best. Lots of competition in young players but on her day Maja is an automatic first team choice. Strong, experienced and a rock at the heart of defence.
Midfield
Mariann Gajhade Knudsen – 7/10
Mariann is one of the eldest players in the team. Vastly experienced and has had a good season for Linköping. Reliable in attack and defending Mariann has played nearly every game this season. Like many other elder players will have competition from the emerging youngsters coming into the team but Mariann will certainly be a star performer next season.
Emma Lennartsson – 7/10
Another young player that has exceeded all expectations this season. Has played in every game except one and scored one goal. Offers creativity, and a good dead ball kicker. Certainly an asset for Linköping and will aim to cement her place as a first team player next season. Most impressive going forward.
Renee Slegers – 8/10
One of the most consistent and impressive midfielders in Damallsvenskan. International and at 24 years of age already a seasoned professional. Played every game and contributed four goals to the team. Accurate passer of the ball and great at set pieces. Excellent season
Petra Larsson – 7/10
Incredibly frustrating season for Petra. Returned from Australia on top of her game only to miss half the season with an injury. Now back at full fitness Petra will be aiming to fight her way back into the first team next season. We all know what Petra is capable of and on her day is Linköpings most creative and efficient midfield player. Let’s hope for a quick return!
Venera Rexhi – 6.5/10
Young player, one for the future. Not enough game time to really assess. Looks very committed to the game and passionate as a player.
Eunice Beckmann – 7/10
Came on loan and played some effective football. Good going forward and strong off the ball. Will be interesting to see if Linköping make her a full time player. Will be an asset to the team to have her strength in attack.
Lidija Kuliš -7/10
Another on loan player that has impressed. Brings a different approach in attack and is ever dangerous going forward. Similar in play to Larsson will be interesting to see if Kunis returns for 2014
Attack
Stina Blackstenius 8/10
One of the most talented young players in Sweden. Still only 17 Stina has all the quality to be a world-class player. 10 starts, 19 games including substitutions and 6 goals. Powerful in the air, off the ball she moves into the right places to score. At this age, her talent is there for all the world to see, with the right coaching and guidance she could be one of Sweden’s finest in years to come.
Pauline Hammarlund – 7/10
Effective player out wide. Quick and a consistent crosser of the ball. Made 12 starts this season, and though Pauline needed a few games to find her rhythm has been a good player this season. 17 games in total and two goals.
Pernille Harder – 10/10 – STAR PLAYER
Without any question one of the leading strikers in world football. Once Pernille moved from midfield to attack she found her natural place with Linköping. An outstanding season that saw an incredible 17 goals in 20 games, Harder has progressed from a young talent into a leading striker that any team would want. It is essential that Linköping keep her as a player if we are to achieve any success. Danish International, and Linköpings most lethal striker.
Linda Sällstrom – 6.5/10
After two years of horrific ACL injuries, Sällstrom has finally made her return to professional football. Only three games this season but Linda is a quality player, and everyone in the game is keeping their fingers crossed that she remains injury free. With an injury free season Linda can once again become one of the most potent finishers in Damallsvenskan. It is like having a new player back. There is only one Linda Sällstrom!
Jonna Andersson – 7/10
Many players would have not had the patience that Jonna has shown. Kept out of the team for most of the 2012 season Jonna has fought her way back into the squad and has played very well this season. 20 games, and three goals compared to 7 starts in 2012. Great to see Jonna get game time and here is to her continuing in 2014.
Overall Review
Another third place and could not have expected more. Have some wonderful young players coming through to become first team players and congratulations to all the team. It is essential that Pernille Harder stays as a Linköping player. She is too good. Also, as good as players like Jennie Nordin are, Nilla Fischer needs to be replaced with a world class central defender.
Next season I would hope with one or two world class signings that we could push for a top two finish!
See you on Sunday!!!!
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