Molde can look back on a good season in which they seemed to have finally crystallised a version how they want to play under Ole Gunnar Solskjær after the confused mess of the previous season. His reunion of former assistant Mark Dempsey proved quite a successful one as MFK started to play really well once they adopted the 3-5-2 formation that Dempsey used at his time as a Haugesund manager last season. Initially, Molde were decent without looking that assured at the back and consistent, following a strong start of three wins in four, with a three-game losing run. But the manager soon started to settle on a set starting 11 and a way of playing and a run of five wins in seven games in June and July moved the Blues into the upper echelons of the table. Babacar Sarr was standing out as a top performer in the back three, even if he is naturally a midfielder, as he provided calm and composure on the ball. Also, Bjorn Sigurdarsson was a reliable provider of goals, having put his injury issues from previous years behind him. The return of Vegard Forren midway through the season was a good addition to the squad as well. But Molde still never truly worried the leaders Rosenborg and a galling 2:1 home loss to them in August ended any notions of a title race. The one big disappointment for Molde was a poor loss to a mediocre Lillestrøm side in the NM Cup semi-final clash in September as the team passed on a glorious opportunity to claim silverware. That did not deter them in the league and Molde finished the season in superb form, winning seven out of their final ten games. It was enough to earn them the second place ahead of Sarpsborg and gives Solskjær and his side a feeling of satisfaction. There has certainly been some real progress but Molde still look a class behind Rosenborg and have a lot of ground to make up to become a serious title contender again.
