TRONDHEIM (VG) Kjetil Rekdal (54) used the youth squad as part of the briefing on RBK’s problems. But VG’s calculations show that Trønder has been the “oldest team” at half the game.

– We have a pair that draws a lot on average, replied Kjetil Rekdal when he was confronted with VG stats in the press zone after the 1-0 win against Haugesund.

Tuesday’s win could provide some much-needed respite for coach Rosenborg, who has endured some rough weather so far this season. Prior to the win against Haugesund, the team had a poor six points from seven matches.

The Rosenborg boss has repeatedly singled out a young, inexperienced squad as an explanation for why things have been a bit slow at the start of the season.

After the 1–1 against Sandefjord, he called it “naïve to expect 20 year old boys to excel at Lerkendal” in an interview with Television 2 – and at the same time asking for time. After losing to Brann, he repeated the gist of his message to VG.

– Those of us who do it know where we stand and where we are going. We were on the road last year but have lost quality, especially in attack. Then you have to build it again. We’re working on it, but it’s going a bit slower than we thought, of course, said Rekdal after the win against Haugesund.

Numbers from Couch score points out that Rosenborg is one of the youngest teams in Eliteserien:

Rekdal named goalkeeper André Hansen (33), captain Markus Henriksen (30) and Per Ciljan Skjebred (35). Admittedly, the latter has only started one game this season. He further pointed out that there are four players in it Age U21 Age U21 Players born after 1 January 2000 can play for U21 EC this summer in Romania and Georgia. Edvard Tagseth (22), Santteri Väänänen (21), Kristall Máni Ingason (21) and Sverre Nypan (16) are the four players Rekdal has spoken about.in the starting eleven against Haugesund.

– That’s the strategy the club has chosen and we have to stick with it. It may run a little slower than some expect. It looks like this now, but we can still speed things up. There is still a long time in the season.

– Is it too strict to only see the average age?

– You can say that. There’s nothing wrong with age, but the experience you need to play for the club at Rosenborg, here with the requirements and expectations that come with it, is not settled in one sitting. You may need a season or half a season, says Rekdal.

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