Football Season Guide

Eindhoven had the occasional good moment last season and at times threatened a run to the playoffs but the lack of consistency and enough solidity across the back line cost them on a few too many caissons. Jan Poortvilet certainly had good impact on the squad when he took over by an accident in November, due to coach Maurice Verberne breaking his leg and having to take a medical leave, and the former was kept on for the time being due to the upturn in fortunes. Now he has the task of creating very much a new-look side as quite a big chunk of the starting 11 from last season is gone and new blood is coming in. There are mostly youngsters with lots to prove and no real first-team experience to fall back. It is almost like another youth side at this level but the coach has history off nurturing and developing good young players and he will relish the challenge. Last season's midfield is pretty much gone as Sven Simons is off to the Eredivisie and Dyon Dorenbosch, Boris van Schupen and Sven Blummel have moved on too. Farouq Limouri at the back is another substantial loss and one that will not be easily filled. Siegert Bartmanns is probably the most intriguing of the new additions as he had good impact at times at Willem II last season and will not get a lot more regular minutes. There certainly needs to be at least a couple more established players to come before the end of the month to give the coach a bit more to work with. That leaves the coach in a tough spot but he will rely on players like Thijs Muller and Amir Bryson up front and Owen Renfrum further back to continue the development that they showed last season and become even more important and impactful players. But there is no hiding the fact that this is probably one of the weakest squads in the league and they will do well to make the top half of the standings.