A troubled season, especially in the first part, which saw three different coaches on the bench. The first 4 months were disastrous, 9 defeats in 16 games and a very worrying table situation that saw them clearly involved in the fight to avoid relegation. At the end of December Van ‘t Schip was sacked with Gert-Peter de Gunst taking momentarily his place waiting for a permanent coach. In early January, the team was entrusted to Jaap Stam who had previously held more than one role in the club, as well as having been a player.
The impact of the former Manchester United defender was immediately positive, the team collected a streak of victories and climbed back up in the table, moving away from the relegation zone. At some point were also very close to fight for a spot in the playoffs, but in the last rounds gave up losing a few games.
Stam did not change much, maintained the 4-3-3 as system of play and alternated more or less the same players, but he certainly gave the character the team obviously needed. The only relevant change was between the posts where put on the bench old Boer giving a chance to Van der Hart…a brilliant idea considering the latter excellent season.
Very good also the season of Kingsley Ehizibue who alternated the role of right-back and winger. In general all defense was positive considering they conceded only 57 goals, to be emphasized in particular the regularity and solidity of Lam and Van Polen. The downside was a rather sterile attack (only 44 goals) with Thy and Van Crooij disappointing.
Much will change next season as Stam already signed for Feyenoord and other important players, such as Namli, will leave.
