Football Season Guide

Even though they never were involved in the fight against relegation, NEC cannot be too happy for the way things ended last season, as they eventually missed out on the European playoffs following an almost winless 2-month run. In fact, at their second campaign in the Eredivisie, they looked solid and hard-to-beat but they just drew too often, 15 times, due to their offensive ineffectiveness. With 42 goals scored, they only fared better than the relegated sides. Despite attracting offers from bigger clubs, 42-year-old coach Roger Meijer remained in charge of the team for the 4th consecutive year. NEC had an extremely busy transfer campaign especially in terms of departures; thus, the squad is a bit thin, still in need of strengthening at the back and in the attack. In the heart of the defence, Marquez left for pastures new and so the new signings, young Ross and experienced Nuytinck, who had a disastrous season with Sampdoria, will be competing for a place next to Sandler, who will hope to be spared by injuries this time around. With El Karouani gone, Verdonk will step up and become a starter at left-back, with talented Baas as an alternative. There is no depth at right-back, though, with back-ups Bronkhorst and Lartey Sanniez gone. They lost 2 attacking midfielders in key Tannane, 6 goals and 9 assists, and Bruijn, who left as he was not given the playing time he hoped for, and an experienced replacement is missed at the moment. Last but not least, they also lost their top scorer Dimata, 10 goals and 2 assists, and Marques should thus be given the starting status with loanee Ogawa gaining space in the course of the campaign.