LSK “better” than the gold team from ’89 – Hoff praises Åsen and Helland – VG

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– It has exceeded all expectations. What has been pri one, and which has irritated me for several seasons, is that we have not managed to make Åråsen a castle. We had a slogan that our opponents should leave the points outside the gate before we entered Åråsen, says Ivar Hoff to VG.

– When we dominated Norwegian football, it was a nightmare to come to Åråsen, he describes.

This year, Lillestrøm has won six of six home games.

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– The duo from Trøndelag has come in and lifted the club professionally. I do not think people are aware of how important Helland and Åsen have been to us. There are many examples now of players who are pushed out into the cold, and who find a new employer and strike, says Hoff.

Helland and Åsen were left over in Rosenborg, and ended up in Lillestrøm last year.

– They are frozen out, go to a new pasture and get a boost that is absolutely incredible. Even though Helland is not on the field that much, I think what he has done means much more than what I myself am also aware of.

– What do you think about the chance of a medal or even gold?

– When you top the table, you are Norway’s best team. There is nothing more realistic than a table. I have experienced coaches who say they do not look at the table. That’s the dumbest thing I hear. They jug so that it stands out from their ear, says Hoff – and describes how it really is:

– You study the table back and forth. You study the home table, the away table, the first-round table, the second-round table and evaluate opponents you will face. Can I avoid relegation? Can I sniff at a medal? This is the coach’s everyday life.

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Nor can the gold team from 1989 match the opening of today’s LSK. In the summer of 33 years ago, LSK had 26 points (8-2-2) and topped the Elite Series. Then there were admittedly only 12 teams and a total of 22 league rounds.

Lillestrøm took their last league gold so far, with an eight point margin to Rosenborg.

Also in 1996, LSK had 26 points, and was a-point with Rosenborg after 12 rounds. Then LSK finished in 2nd place, 13 points behind RBK.

In the 2000s, LSK has never had more than 23 points after 12 rounds, which the club had in 2001. Then LSK finished in second place, one point behind RBK.

– LSK now has a bench that is much better in terms of quality than they have had before. That means very, very much, says Hoff.

– What is LSK missing compared to the other gold candidates?

– We are missing a goal scorer. Last year, Lehne Olsen ended up with 26 goals, while number two was Swedish Tom Pettersson as a midfielder with three or four. You must have one or two in double digits.

Akor Adams is this year’s LSK’s top scorer with four.

– Very good, but when so many matches have been played, you should be at 0.8 in scoring frequency if you are a goal scorer, Hoff believes.

After 0-3 against Strømsgodset, Gjermund Åsen admitted that “we have a lot to work with”.

– Now we will let the loss sting a little, and then come with full energy storage. We will continue to work hard. We must endure losing too.

– Do you feel that you have something to defend as a league leader?

– Absolutely not. We are very keen to enjoy the journey we are on. We will work hard every day to get a little better. We have not talked about the table at all.

See more statistics for the Elite Series on VG Live.–