Norrkoping will feel that the 2019 season was a huge step back from the runners-up spot they achieved in 2018, and this despite finishing the campaign as one of the form teams. A seven game unbeaten run at the end of the season was only good enough for a fifth place finish this time, and that tells you how desperate the start of the season was for Jens Gustafsson's side.
Because the opening games of the season were nothing short of disastrous in a season where Norrkoping would have hoped to be challenging for the title. Losing 3-1 to newly promoted Helsingborg on the opening day was bad enough, but one win in the opening eight games was far from good enough. And that was a 4-3 topsy turvy affair against a struggling Falkenbergs side. Winning five games out of six over the summer, and beating AIK 2-0 away from home were highlights of the campaign, but there will be no European football for them next year and that is a disappointment. The challenge for Norrkoping is to try and put a whole season of good results together. They've had great springs and great autumns, but not in the same season for a very long time.
Gustafsson will be busy assembling another strong team for the 2020 season and it's vital that they keep hold of their best players in the off season. Kalle Holmberg is one of the best strikers in the division, and at the other end in Isak Pettersson Norrkoping have the best goalkeeper in the top flight. If the spine of this side is left undamaged by having to cash in, Norrkoping will go again next season and hopefully get closer to the summit.
