Football Season Guide

Spartans are coming from a great season ended in 6th position. They took part to the playoffs for a spot in Conference League defeating Utrecht in the semi-final but losing to Twente at the last stage. The author of this great result was undoubtedly coach Maurice Steijn who had taken over Henk Fraser giving the team a much more offensive game. Unfortunately for the Rotterdammers Steijn's excellent season did not go unnoticed, and in the summer he became the new Ajax manager. The club decided not to upset the team's system of play and therefore appointed Stejin’s assistant Jeroen Rijsdijk as new coach. During the summer the team hasn't been upset, but a rather shrewd and logical signing campaign has been carried out. They kept the two top scorers, Van Crooij and Lauritsen (23 goals together) and joined them with few young forwards such as Camiel Neghli, Agustín Anello and Charles Brym. The major changes came in defense where experienced Dirk Abels left alongside the two starting full-backs, Mica Pinto and Shurandy Sambo. The centre-back was replaced by Alkmaar's loanee Tijs Velthuis, while on the flanks will play experienced Django Warmerdam and Said Bakari and young Spanish Sergi Rosanas. In midfield came an interesting prospect as Brazilian Metinho and a certainty at this level as Pelle Clement.