Vaasa Palloseura has won seven Veikkausliiga matches in a row. Head coach Jussi Nuorela is not satisfied with a tough atmosphere, because there is a tough competition for a place in the upper end series.
Vaasa’s Palloseura is in high spirits in the football Veikkausliiga. The team is riding a seven-game winning streak, and in the ten-round fitness test, VPS takes the top spot.
From ten matches, the club has seven consecutive victories, which were preceded by three defeats. Before the cavalcade of consecutive victories, VPS had six points from 12 matches. Now the club is in fifth place in the league with 27 points and is stuck in the upper end of the league.
– There is no strange reason for that. In the previous games too, there should have been clearly more points than what was obtained, when you look at the game performances and statistics, VPS head coach Jussi Nuorela states.
In their 19 matches of the season, VPS has scored 24 goals and conceded 21. During the seven consecutive victories, 18 have been scored and three conceded. The goal difference in seven games is a dizzying +15, while the second-best Kuopio Ball Club has a difference of +6.
– From the beginning of the season, it felt like everything was against us: we didn’t get goals from anywhere and the opponents punished pretty hard whenever they had chances. More games could have been won, but at least we shouldn’t have lost, Nuorela describes.
A young talent and a dream acquisition
One of VPS’s assets is an 18-year-old club coach Roni Hudd. He has been given a lot of responsibility this season, as he has accumulated the eighth most playing minutes in the club: 1,183.
– He plays a big role, especially in special situations. They have been an important asset for us because we have a physical team that needs to be strong in special situations.
Nuorela reminds that Hudd is a young player who still has huge potential to improve his game.
– Roni could be more effective in so-called normal game situations. Lately, all the goals and assists have come from special situations. When the power starts to come in game situations, we really talk about a tough class talent.
Read also: SJK and VPS in good summer condition in the Veikkausliiga – many eyes are on young promises
The Australian star, who recently moved to the Vaasa club, has also played well in the last few games Harrison Sawyer. “Harry” joined VPS when the summer transfer window opened.
– When Harry came to Vaasa, the team started winning and the game went on. He didn’t have to be played right away, but he could be driven in at ease. There was no need to state that: “Harry, this is now on my neck. Start solving these games.”
Sawyer scored the opening goal and finished the decisive 3–2 winning goal into the net of local opponent Seinäjoki Football Club.
At the Hietalahti football stadium in Vaasa, the mood has risen over the past few weeks. For example, the VPS–SJK match was sold out.
– The atmosphere at the home stadium has been great and the feeling has been growing all the time. The Vaasa audience has woken up nicely, even if it took less than a few wins, Nuorela glows.
– It’s hard to imagine that the Vaasa team wouldn’t return to the stands in the next home match after such an atmosphere. It would be a big deal if we could reach the upper limit, so that Vaasa would have a great autumn.
Away game in Lahti on Friday
Thanks to the winning streak, VPS is currently stuck in the upper end series. AC Oulu is four points ahead, FC Honka of Espoo is one point behind and FC Inter of Turku is two points behind. VPS and Honga have three matches left, while Inter have four.
– Seven have been won in a row here, but it may be that reaching the upper end series requires a winning streak of up to ten matches. Probably one of the three of us will still be out of the upper end series.
On Friday, VPS plays FC Lahti as a guest.
– This is a super big game for us considering the rest of the season. We have been talking all along that we have seven, six, five finals left and we still have three finals left. This won’t be easy.