Football Season Guide

Kristiansund continue to impress in the top half of the Eliteserien and their latest sixth place finish is a fantastic achievement for Christian Michelsen's side. They have looked such a strongly committed unit for so long now, and Michelsen will hope that the winning formula can continue despite the obvious restrictions on budget and reach. Kristiansund are not the most fashionable club, but fully deserve to be taken seriously having established themselves in the top flight for the last three years. There will be another north west derby to look forward to again too as Aalesund make it three teams in the top flight in the region this season. Neither of them will be able to match the power of Molde, but they will enjoy the occasions for sure. If the club can keep Flamur Kastrati happy, and if winger Amahl Pellegrino can rediscover the goalscoring form of last year, they have plenty of attacking threat. And at the back goalkeeper Sean McDermott will have an important role to play behind a defence which has a reputation for being uncompromising. They have lost Torgil Gjertsen though and that is a definite setback for their attacking football. Kristiansund will be targeting a top half finish again, and there's nothing that should scare them in terms of the strength of opposition clubs compared to last year. The only thing that can cause a disappointing season would be their own commitment and it's very hard to see that happening.