Football Season Guide

Mediocre. That’s the word that better defines Roda’s last season. In fact, despite briefly fighting for a place in the promotion playoffs, in early February, the Kerkrade outfit had a very disappointing campaign. All premises considered, though, everything looked in their favour: coach Bas Sibum had been confirmed at the helm after winning the manager of the year award, and the squad had been strengthened after failing promotion the previous May. But things went otherwise. In fact, Roda ended up on the 12th spot, sporting one of the worst Eerste Divisie attacks, only 4 sides scored less, and a defence that leaked like a sieve, especially in the final weeks of the campaign. Sibum left for pastures new during the summer, he made the Eredivisie, signing for Heracles Almelo, and was thus replaced by a Belgian, 46-year-old Kevin Van Dessel, at his first job as a head coach at this level. With the coach gone, they also lost most of the protagonists of the past campaign as 13 players left, 7 of which were starters, while only 7 joined in so far. In goal, Treichel should still be acting as a starter while on-loan Zich arrived, following a positive stint at Fortuna Dusseldorf II, as a replacement for departed back-ups El Maach and Bucker. Then, they lost two protagonists in the heart of the defence, since starting centre-backs Koglin and Roseler left for Helmond Sport and Homburg respectively. The likes of Tol, Van den Buijs and just-arrived Foss should thus be battling as their replacements. The midfield lost starters Džepar and Spieringhs, together with back-ups Veendorp and Kongolo, while only Nisbet and Paulissen were signed so far. The former should be given immediate starting status while the latter must re-adapt himself to Dutch football after 2 years in Hong Kong. And more men are needed. The attack, though, is the area that changed the most with Baeten, Sejdiu and Vancsa returning to parent clubs while key Cukur and back-up Bangura were sold. With experienced Van den Hurk being the sole arrival, they need strengthening offensively.