Andries Noppert’s long-term dip in form is not without consequences. The goalkeeper loses his starting place at SC Heerenveen.
By referring the Marum resident to the bench, trainer Kees van Wonderen is taking a tough but unavoidable measure. Andries Noppert simply costs SC Heerenveen points this season. Former FC Emmen goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart will therefore be under the bar on Saturday in the away match against Fortuna Sittard, several sources have confirmed to the Leeuwarder Courant.
Noppert had a bad start to the season, in which he made several mistakes. He then recovered somewhat towards the winter break, although he never reached the high level of the previous year. Noppert then excelled every week at Heerenveen and defended the goal of the Dutch national team at the World Cup in Qatar.
Blunders and bad luck
In recent weeks, Noppert has made an anything but stable impression at Heerenveen. He regularly hesitated and conceded unnecessary goals. Although it must be said that Heerenveen’s defense is also not blameless and that Noppert was also unlucky. For example, the equalizer recently came in the away match against PEC Zwolle (2-2) because a ball bounced up in front of his feet due to a poll.
But during the home match against AZ (2-2), last Sunday, Noppert played a negative leading role. He didn’t look good at 0-1 and blundered conspicuously on the second goal. After the match against AZ, Noppert already took into account the scenario in which he could end up on the bench. “Then we have to make do with that,” said Noppert. “I’m sick to death of this. Really sick.”