Friday, April 10, 2009

Het Legioen pulls together

With only five weeks remaining in the Eredivisie season Het Legioen pulls together as Feyenoord welcomes Heracles Almelo to De Kuip.

Four points out of a Europa League playoff spot the margin for error is the smallest of small ones. Although recent performances have been promising, last weeks loss to Volendam. However with Heracles Almelo, Twente Enschede, ADO Den Haag, Utrecht and Roda JC Kerkrade in the remaining weeks the Leon Vlemmings era could come to a close on a high note.

Under Leon Vlemmings, who is soon to be replaced by N.E.C. Nijmegen's Mario Been, Feyenoord has responded well if even injuries were still a brake on their advances. Since replacing Gertjan Verbeek, the club has shown marked improvements and can look back fondly of a five match unbeaten streak that included upsets of NAC and PSV as well as holding the soon-to-be champions to a draw.

For the Almelo side, they are just slightly above the relegation zone but a bit too close for comfort. With only a single win away from home this year Feyenoord will want to exploit their anemic attack and find the much-needed three points. The will be without suspended André Bahia, replaced by Serginho Greene and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Leon Vlemmings is very aware the visitors will be looking to grind out points and could easily push the match towards a defensive lock-down. Exalting his forces with a wise attacking mind-set he added:

"We will have to be patient and accurate when we have the ball. We have to try to create chances from the flanks."

Of the race for the playoff spot he added simply:

"I’ve always said that’s our goal. And I couldn’t care less how we do it. As long as we have made it after 34 games."