Saturday, October 25, 2008

PSV v Roda JC match preview

Heading into today's match against Roda JC at Philips Stadion there is a breath of fresh air around PSV. The mid-week Champions League victory over Olympique Marseille not only increased confidence but was a definitive point in Hubb Stevens management of the club. Not mentioned much in the press, his leaving out of the lineup of five starting members of the club was a line drawn in the sand. Play with heart or you won't play. The results speak for themselves and PSV must now go forward with that new level of intensity.

Leading up to todays match, Hubb Steven's quickly turned the focus on the future:

"We have enjoyed a morale-boosting victory against a tactically strong and well-disciplined team that were keen to collect three points themselves. But it’s no use looking back. We have put in a solid team display but actually we haven’t achieved anything yet."

Regarding injuries he continued:

"We’ll resume training this afternoon after the lads were given the Thursday off. Some of them may very well have picked up a few knocks, but after a victory the players usually feel the effects of the physical exertions less strongly than after a win!"

Roda JC sits third from the bottom of the table, winless but with three draws in their six matches.

Hubb Stevens who started his managerial career at Roda JC noted they are improving:

"But Roda JC seem to be on the right track. They were close to claiming their first win, but conceded a late equaliser against SC Heerenveen on their last outing. So we have to be wary of the threat Roda may pose."

I will report on the match as it concludes.