After my preseason preview of the hopes and expectations for ADO Den Haag and the international break upon us, I thought i would be a good time have a look at their progress after five games and it’s disappointing reading.
- By Mark Neale
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The 1st game of the season was always going to be tricky against perennial title chasing PSV. After getting thumped the previous season 1-6 at home and 7-0 away the omens were not looking good. But a battling display still ended up with PSV win but only by the odd goal in a 2-3 defeat. A spirited comeback after being 3 goals down ADO managed to almost snatch a draw. Coach Steijn said he saw some great stuff from his team and there were some positives to be taken.
Onto the first away game of the season against odds on favourites for relegation newly promoted Go Ahead Eagles. After the verve and passion shown in the 2nd half against PSV this was the exact opposite, with ADO being bullied by GAE constantly conceding possession, unable to control the ball and ask any questions of GAE. Losing 2-1 with star striker Mike Van Duinen scoring for the second game in a row being the only highlight of this disappointing game.
Onto the away game against NAC Breda and with zero points after two games, to come away with at least a point was imperative and they did more than that by winning with the last kick of the game by 1-2. Ricky van Haaren showing some much needed influence from the midfield, an inspired substitution from coach Steijn worked perfectly when replacement Kramer came on to score with the last kick of the game.
ADO must have been hoping to build on the three points gained against NAC at home to Roda JC but how wrong they were. In a disjointed performance with ADO looking like complete strangers they fell heavily to a 0-4 defeat. The nature of the defeat will wrankle, NAC came not to lose the game and didn’t offer much but somehow managed to win by this wide margin. A lack of leadership on the pitch is becoming apparent and something that needs to be addressed.
How would ADO react against Heracles Almelo? Away from home may have been a blessing to such a disastrous, not well is the answer. Again a disjointed performance not helped by a red card for Dion Malone after two yellow card offences. Davidson for Heracles scored after a double save by ADO goalkeeper Coutinho in the 31st minute. The 2nd half and ADO resorted to long balls down the channels for van Duinen to chase, lacking ideas, cohesion and any signs of fight the players left the pitch defeated again hardly glancing at coach Steijns, who has some work to do in this international break..
One win in five games is not the sort of form the ADO fans hoped for to start the season, and problems are apparent with a lack of leadership both on and off the pitch. The good news is that the transfer window closed with Mike van Duinen still at the club which is a major plus, and the glimmer of hope that ADO fans needed after such a desperate start.
Coach Steijns must be under pressure in what could become a season embroiled in a relegation fight, and fight seems to be what the ADO team seems to be missing. A season that was hope to be progressive and build upon the 9th place finish of last season looks like being more like the two previous season before that with 15th and 16th places. To be defeated is part of any sport but it must be the manner of these defeats that must concern ADO fans than anything.
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