Football Season Guide

VVV Venlo endured an absolute woeful second half of last season, winning a single point in 15 games from February until the end, and a rather comfortable position turned into a relegation spot at the end. Even the late appointment of Los Luhokay as a new manager, and the heroics of 26-goals striker Georgios Giakoumakis, could not save a VVV side that just looked well out of their depth at times and could not keep it tight at the back at all. This is their first season back in the second flight in five years and it is clear that the aim will be an immediate return. Luhokay starts afresh and he has the reputation of being pragmatic coach that tends to get results, even if the football is not always pretty on the eye. Sven Braken and Joeri Schrojen are the main new additions to the squad so far in the summer and it is clear that VVV will need more reinforcements to be among the leading pack. Both Braken and Schrojen are solid players at this level who have what it takes to perform but there will need to be more variance and creativity in midfield. Giakoumakis seems certain to leave, having been linked heavily with Feyenoord, and he is another one whose spot up front will need to be filled. Luhokay will rely on experienced players like Danny Post and Guus Hupperts to lead the way but it does not immediately look like this VVV side is ready to take charge and lead the table this season, even if the level of competition in the second flight is considerably lower. They may have to focus on getting a spot in the fifth-eighth play-off places before looking up the table.