Heerenveen's victory over Ajax has De Tukkers on the verge of second place as Utrecht visits
The departure of Utrecht's manager Wim van Hanegem and technical director Piet Buter just before Christmas has left Ton du Chatinier in-charge. Morten Skoubo and Frank van der Zwam are out with Sander Keller questionable but they will have Simon Cziommer and Mihai Nesu back from suspension.
Steve McClaren has a completely fit squad and looking to extend the nine match unbeaten streak in the Eredivisie
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Green Whites to build on Pokal win
The Green Whites victory in the Pokal will hopefully be the start of their move up the table. With a goal of a top three finish there is no room for errors, particularly in this afternoons match against Arminia Bielefeld.
Thomas Schaaf has concern of the status of Frank Baumann and Markus Rosenberg who have both been sick:
"The good news is that it's not worse. But the main thing is that it's also not better. We have to wait on both to see if we can plan with them tomorrow, or if we have to wait longer."
In addition to these possible absences Martin Harnik, Naldo, Sebastian Prödl and Petri Pasanen are out injured and Diego and Claudio Pizarro are suspended.
A victory is an absolute must per Thomas Schaaf:
"We need to get in touch with the top as soon as possible.
"We need to be more focused in the second half of the season."
Thomas Schaaf has concern of the status of Frank Baumann and Markus Rosenberg who have both been sick:
"The good news is that it's not worse. But the main thing is that it's also not better. We have to wait on both to see if we can plan with them tomorrow, or if we have to wait longer."
In addition to these possible absences Martin Harnik, Naldo, Sebastian Prödl and Petri Pasanen are out injured and Diego and Claudio Pizarro are suspended.
A victory is an absolute must per Thomas Schaaf:
"We need to get in touch with the top as soon as possible.
"We need to be more focused in the second half of the season."
Feyenoord v NEC Nijmegen match preview
With Mario Been announced as the long term replacement at Feyenoord, caretaker manager Leon Vlemmings feels the stability will help the club and that it is time to get down to business:
"Thankfully it’s mostly settled down now.
"Secondary matters have been discussed a lot in the squad these past weeks. That only distracted us. Now we can focus fully on football.
"We are simply approaching this game in a businesslike way.
"We have to win points and it makes no difference that Mario is sitting on the bench.
"We are focused on football, not on secondary aspects. I haven’t mentioned it in the match preparation."
The irony is that in talking of their new manager, all they have to do is look down on the pitch as he is presently at the helm for NEC.
Het Legion can look forward to a slow return to a completely healthy lineup. Against NEC Georginio Wijnaldum, Roy Makaay and Diego Biseswar up top will be supported in the midfield Karim El Ahmadi, Luigi Bruins and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The back line is solid again with Dwight Tiendalli, Theo Lucius, Kevin Hofland and André Bahia along with Henk Timmer between the goal posts.
"Thankfully it’s mostly settled down now.
"Secondary matters have been discussed a lot in the squad these past weeks. That only distracted us. Now we can focus fully on football.
"We are simply approaching this game in a businesslike way.
"We have to win points and it makes no difference that Mario is sitting on the bench.
"We are focused on football, not on secondary aspects. I haven’t mentioned it in the match preparation."
The irony is that in talking of their new manager, all they have to do is look down on the pitch as he is presently at the helm for NEC.
Het Legion can look forward to a slow return to a completely healthy lineup. Against NEC Georginio Wijnaldum, Roy Makaay and Diego Biseswar up top will be supported in the midfield Karim El Ahmadi, Luigi Bruins and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The back line is solid again with Dwight Tiendalli, Theo Lucius, Kevin Hofland and André Bahia along with Henk Timmer between the goal posts.
Danijel Pranjić leads Heerenveen over Ajax
The incredible turnaround of Heerenveen continued as they defeated Ajax 1-0 at the ArenA. Ajax manager Marco van Basten frustration with his striking combination since Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's departure to Real Madrid continues as they barely threatened Brian Vandenbussche and were oddly well under control. As suspected Viktor Elm was rested due to a slight injury but unfortunately his replacement Mika Väyrynen was injured early and replaced by Arnar Smárason eleven minutes in. After a scoreless first half in which Trond Sollied was very patient in that attack, de Friese slowly became more forward but still never lost focus of their defensive vision. Two minutes into the half, with Roy Beerens heading in alone, Thomas Vermaelen was red-carded for a professional foul as he brought him down. Heerenveen took the lead three minutes before the hour when Danijel Pranjić, formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, scored with a perfect free-kick from outside of twenty-five meters. Ajax's attempts were under control for the rest of the match and Trond Sollied's new found defensive fortress lodged a 1-0 victory.
Königsblauen lose pace with loss to Hannover
The nightmarish first half of the season continued into the Rückrunde as die Königsblauen loss 1-0 to Hannover 96. In a rare shocking display, Schalke 04 controlled play, kept much of the ball possession in the Hannover half but their attempts were errant. Within the first six minutes Jefferson Farfán's early effort struck the post and both Gerald Asamoah and Heiko Westermann came close. However Sergio Pinto changed the course of the match as he scored the only goal eight minutes in from twenty meters. Die Königsblauen continued to attack endlessly, trying to pound their way through Robert Enke's goal but the German international was a wall that could not breached. After the break Fred Rutten brought in Kevin Kurányi and Ivan Rakitić and although they created a furious assault there was no way through and Hannover won bragging rights with a 1-0 victory.
1899 Hoffenheim starts off right!
Bundesliga leaders 1899 Hoffenheim started off the season right with a 2-0 victory over a very motivated Energie Cottbus. In a surprise move, Ralf Rangnick started Boubacar Sanogo at striker and even though he had problems connecting early, the coach and general manager Jan Schindelmeiser are pleased. Most concerning, beyond problems to fighting off der Lausitzer' high energy defending, Timo Hildebrand was injured on the hour mark and was forced to leave.
Boubacar Sanogo had close chances go off course early but 1899 took the lead before the half hour when Selim Teber cross into the box found Demba Ba to send in for a one goal lead. Der Lausitzer continued to play efficiently and came close to scoring six minutes into the new half when Marvin Compper gave up the ball to Timo Rost but the veterans attempt struck the cross bar. Bosnian international Sejad Salihović, Ba and Sanogo continued to search for openings and as the match progressed they continued to gain confidence and in one of their first times playing together. Finally with twenty-seven minutes left added the second goal as Ba's back heel to Sanogo worked like a charm and the Côte d'Ivoire striker scored.
A very good start to Rückrunde and although there many aspects to work on it counts for three points.
Boubacar Sanogo had close chances go off course early but 1899 took the lead before the half hour when Selim Teber cross into the box found Demba Ba to send in for a one goal lead. Der Lausitzer continued to play efficiently and came close to scoring six minutes into the new half when Marvin Compper gave up the ball to Timo Rost but the veterans attempt struck the cross bar. Bosnian international Sejad Salihović, Ba and Sanogo continued to search for openings and as the match progressed they continued to gain confidence and in one of their first times playing together. Finally with twenty-seven minutes left added the second goal as Ba's back heel to Sanogo worked like a charm and the Côte d'Ivoire striker scored.
A very good start to Rückrunde and although there many aspects to work on it counts for three points.
Tyne-Wear derby preview
There is little introduction needed with the Tyne-Wear derby. While a number of rivalries are often referred to as "friendly" in nature, this one isn't so and typically all bets are off with past performance or general play. However given the course of both clubs fortunes this year, it will have a different because not only could it be the rare taste of success for both but equally a menacing point in the fight to avoid relegation.
In a strange mirror of fates while Newcastle went through the pain of losing Kevin Keegan and the eventual fan uprising, Sunderland equally was stricken with the loss of their leader Roy Keane. However since taking over, Ricky Sbragia has righted their course, amassing eleven points in eight matches. Possibly more indicative of this managerial ability is that he has been able to push the Black Cats in "winnable" matches the right way and they consistently squeeze out points against bottom half opponents. While the jury is still out, it appears that the chances of Sunderland falling into the drop zone can be dismissed.
Yet the case isn't so bright for the Magpies. Since the start of December they have gained eight points but over the last five match starting on Boxing Day, they have only a single draw to show for their efforts. In addition to a host of long term injuries such as Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka, they recently lost Michael Owen and Joey Barton and are staring down the barrel of losing Shay Given to Manchester City. If there is a positive to the transfer season certainly the addition of Kevin Nolan is an extraordinary coup but equally the departure of Charles N’Zogbia should be celebrated as he is undeserving to wear the crest. With the present injury situation, Joe Kinnear in the peculiar position of pairing up new addition Peter Løvenkrands and Andy Carroll at striker, relying heavily upon new man Kevin Nolan and calling upon youngsters David Edgar, Kazenga LuaLua, Mark Doninger, Jonny Godsmark and Nile Ranger into the fight to stave off relegation.
For the match, intensity reigns supreme. This is about heart, soul and the crest and every blade of grass at St James' Park must be fought for.
In a strange mirror of fates while Newcastle went through the pain of losing Kevin Keegan and the eventual fan uprising, Sunderland equally was stricken with the loss of their leader Roy Keane. However since taking over, Ricky Sbragia has righted their course, amassing eleven points in eight matches. Possibly more indicative of this managerial ability is that he has been able to push the Black Cats in "winnable" matches the right way and they consistently squeeze out points against bottom half opponents. While the jury is still out, it appears that the chances of Sunderland falling into the drop zone can be dismissed.
Yet the case isn't so bright for the Magpies. Since the start of December they have gained eight points but over the last five match starting on Boxing Day, they have only a single draw to show for their efforts. In addition to a host of long term injuries such as Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka, they recently lost Michael Owen and Joey Barton and are staring down the barrel of losing Shay Given to Manchester City. If there is a positive to the transfer season certainly the addition of Kevin Nolan is an extraordinary coup but equally the departure of Charles N’Zogbia should be celebrated as he is undeserving to wear the crest. With the present injury situation, Joe Kinnear in the peculiar position of pairing up new addition Peter Løvenkrands and Andy Carroll at striker, relying heavily upon new man Kevin Nolan and calling upon youngsters David Edgar, Kazenga LuaLua, Mark Doninger, Jonny Godsmark and Nile Ranger into the fight to stave off relegation.
For the match, intensity reigns supreme. This is about heart, soul and the crest and every blade of grass at St James' Park must be fought for.
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