Feyenoord had an astounding last season. The past years have seen the Rotterdam team refrained of European football. But, beyond every expectation they finished last season second, after being in the bottom half of the Eredivisie for a long time. It was like water for fans who were lost in the dessert. Two people, the architects of this success, deserve credit: manager Ronald Koeman and Manchester city hireling John Guidetti.
Execution
The Swede, Guidetti, quickly acquired the status of club hero. A status strikers haven’t reached since the days of Jozsef Kiprich and Henrik Larsson, another sweet Swede. Guidetti who scored a hat-trick against major rival Ajax, has been recalled by Manchester City and may end up playing for Lazio next season according to the Speculations of the Mirror.
Design
After unlucky episodes with Valencia and Benfica, Koeman’s career got decimated at AZ. Over a year later Feyenoord knocked on his door with an empty wallet. It was a golden opportunity, which he grabbed without thinking twice. He must have felt revived amongst the youngsters of Rotterdam’s biggest club and the opportunity for re-building. There was a spark between him and his players.
But the building blocks were not made to last. This season Feyenoord squad lost midfielders Otman Bakkal, Karim El Ahmadi, defender Gill Swerts and firestarter John Guidetti. Ruud Vormer (Roda JC), Lex Immers (ADO Den Haag), Daryl Janmaat (Heerenveen) and John Goossens (NEC) came to replace them. Feyenoord payed off much of their debt and are heading for a more solid financial grounding. The new collection of players have been bought with a small budget. Neither fans nor competitors are impressed. But, just recently the Rotterdam club added Harmeet Singh to their selection. He is considered to be one of Norway’s finest talents.
Last Sunday news came out, that their only international, icon and captain Ron Vlaar might move to England (Source: Daily Mail). Aston Villa is interested in the Feyenoord central defender, who might be re-united with El Ahmadi. Vlaar was spotted at Villa Park and is currently weighing up the pros and cons. Feyenoord are reluctant to let him go, but will not stop a transfer. Another pillar gone. The question asked by many, is: Can Koeman still build a winning team or will they become the laughing stock of the Champions League?
No goals, no glory
The friendly campaign started with a 3-0 win against the amateur division of Feyenoord. It was followed by games against small, hardly trained amateur clubs, who go by the names of FC Horst and Nieuwleusen (this will probably be the first and last time you hear about them).
Last friday their sparring partner was BVV Barendrecht. A club qualified for the National Cup, and playing in the amateur Top league. Feyenoord struggled. Feyenoord attacked in vain. They never could cope with the artificial grass, and small spaces that the opponent carefully defended. In the 63th minute the only goal of the game was scored. Scored by a Barendrecht foot in its own net. Something the Feyenoord strikers could not manage. “If you don’t score , you won’t win” is a famous and deadly simple statement from guru Johan Cruyff. And herein lies the Achilles heel of the team: Scoring goals is an issue. Guyon Fernandes, Cabral, young Tonny Vilhena and new star Singh are not even close to the heritage of Guidetti.
They feel the pressure to perform and deliver a season like last year. It seems a mission impossible, but players and staff are eager and committed. After the match against Barendrecht, defender Martins Indi got into a fight with one of his teammates. But that is all right. As long as the subject is about winning and ambition. And that’s one thing that Koeman has already accomplished.
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