Football Season Guide

Groningen's season was more or less in line with expectations,. They spent a long time within the play-off zone, but dropped out a couple of weeks before the suspension of the league due to three consecutive defeats. Their strengths and weaknesses immediately leap out from the main statistics. The White and Green jerseys conceded only 26 goals in 26 rounds making them Eredivisie's third best defense. However, they only scored 27 goals, making them the third worst attack along with last placed RKC Waalwijk. During the summer it would have been logical not changing the defense and focussing on players with strong offensive skills, but it didn't happen. The club decided to take a risk by selling their 3 best defenders, Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Django Warmerdam and above all, Mike te Wierik. Replacing them are two reliable but uninspiring players, Wessel Dammers and Damil Dankerlui. Groningen made the biggest news of the whole Eredivisie with the signing of the retired Arjen Robben. The immense qualities of the former Bayern winger are not in question, however, in addition to his advanced age (36), it must be considered that he has not played for a whole year after his retirement in July 2019. Anyway, beyond his technical contribution, Robben can serve to give enthusiasm to the environment and the younger players. At the moment, Robben has only is given been joined by former Utrecht and Sparta Rotterdam striker Patrick Joosten. Young coach Danny Buijs, who in two years in Groningen has shown excellent qualities, has another chance to prove his worth.