Football Season Guide

VVV Venlo were never really able to get going last season and were once again a side that spent most of the campaign mired in mid-table and never really looking like they could make the play-offs. Peter Uneken was a decent and acceptable coach but never maximised the little talent that he had in the squad and the Venlo were a bit of an afterthought as a whole. Now they start with a new man in charge in Marinus Dijkhuijzen, who has been a manager at this level for number of years, and should be a solid figure to lead a young squad from the dugout. But expectations should be still quite low for VVV as they are side that has been stripped of the few impressive players in the squad and have made a few decent signings but none to get one too excited. Alex Schalk is set to be the new man in attack but he is over 33 now and has not really been a regular for a while and needs to be prove that he can stay fit. Luis Gorlich is a decent option down the right but the other additions are a bit of a shot in the dark. In terms of departs, the experienced Navarone Foor and Driess Saddiki are not around anymore while Bjorn van Zijl and Layree Kromah have moved as well, with the former showing some really good instincts for a striker at times last season. Of the players sticking around from last season, Nassim Ait Mouhou looks exciting on the wing and had a promising season last year while Gabin Blancquart is a strong and solid option at the back. But the lack of genuine presence in midfield is a real issue unless Mohamed Odriss makes a leap, which is unlikely. This team again looks like a mid-table occupant that is not expected to pull up any trees and the fans in Venlo will need to be patient and understanding again this season.