Roelofsen Sets High Stakes for De Graafschap’s Visit to Oss – ‘3 Points Crucial for Remaining in the Race’
De Graafschap’s head coach, Mike Snoei, expressed his disappointment after their 1-1 draw against Excelsior Rotterdam last Thursday, saying, “We threw it away completely. We were by far the better team…You can’t win if you don’t take chances.” But the team can’t dwell on the past for too long as the stakes are now higher than ever.
Pressure on Roelofsen
The pressure is on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s successor, Dick Lukkien, as FC Emmen and De Graafschap continue to fight for automatic promotion to Eredivisie. With only two points between third and fourth place, every match must be won. SC Cambuur has already secured first place in the rankings, but the remaining positions are still within reach for the two opponents.
FC Emmen must win their upcoming game against Almere City, while De Graafschap must defeat TOP Oss to keep the dream of promotion alive. And according to De Graafschap assistant coach Rolf Timmer, the club’s chances are good.
Importance of 3 Points
De Graafschap currently stands firmly in fourth place, while TOP Oss struggles in 13th place – ten points behind the promotion zone. However, the fact that the hosts sit far below does not mean that De Graafschap can take it easy.
Assistant coach Dennis te Braak remarked, “TOP Oss is a team with a lot of quality, and they’re capable of creating chances.” #neverunderestimateyouropponent #everygamecounts #promotionrace De Graafschap must win all four of their remaining games to move up and snatch away the potentially secured third spot from FC Emmen.
Roelofsen’s Strategy
However, interim coach Richard Roelofsen assures that the team is up for the task. Roelofsen has been coaching the team since mid-March after Mike Snoei tested positive for Covid-19. The coach states that the upcoming game will have a considerable impact, especially since their fate is in their own hands.
“We have four finals ahead of us – this being the first one,” he said. “We can only focus on this match and take at least three points with us.” #allin #keepbelieving #focusonthepresent Roelofsen adds that the team is still suffering from injuries, with as many as six players currently absent. But the coach remains confident, “We know we’ll have fewer options, but those who are fit will need to play hard and can only deliver the full 90 minutes.”
Summary:
De Graafschap prepares to face TOP Oss in a crucial match for their promotion race. With only four games remaining, the pressure is on to win each game as their chances of taking up an automatic promotion position in Eredivisie dwindle. Interim coach Richard Roelofsen has his eyes set on carrying at least three points, indicating how crucial victory in the match is for De Graafschap’s future. #SPORT