About four hundred supporters witnessed the first public training of FC Groningen on Saturday afternoon at sports park Corpus den Hoorn. It felt like a fresh start after the disaster season, but there were also concerns and even some consternation.
It gave a familiar image, as if it had never been different. Coach Dick Lukkien, flanked by his assistants Casper Goedkoop and Marcel Groninger, made the selection of FC Groningen, who had returned from vacation, sweat. Some running gear, position games and finally a game were the main ingredients of the first official field training.
Players and trainers work long days in the beginning of the preparation. The group had already undergone extensive strength training when they entered the field for the afternoon session. Along the line, hardly anyone spoke about last season’s painful relegation. The presence of the well-known trainer trio received the approval of most of those present in word and gesture. There was confidence among the supporters in approaching a good season in the first division with the ultimate reward, the return to the premier league, as the expected end result.
Worthless season
Lukkien agreed with that idea. “We go for the highest. Of course there is pressure. That is part of football and certainly FC Groningen. We are a big club. We have had a worthless season, but FC Groningen is and remains a club that belongs to the top eight in the Netherlands. No one should forget that. Take a look at the season ticket sales. We’ve already sold nearly nine thousand. People are loyal. And we have to show that we are worth it.”
Lukkien already said it on his Grunnings during his presentation. We just have to don . He repeated those words again at the first practice. ,,We have to show it on the field, among other things by using a style of play that fits this environment. People should be able to enjoy watching FC Groningen again. I have every confidence that we will make it happen. In any case, it gives a wonderful feeling to be back. I would walk through fire for this club. We’re going to make something of it together. I have faith in it, especially if everyone fully supports the club.”
Highest priority
FC Groningen is still looking for a strong striker, flank players and a dynamic midfielder. The wings have the highest priority for Lukkien, who is also satisfied with the selection that was on the field on Saturday afternoon. “The club has taken a critical look at what is there and what we need. The rearguard and midfield have already been strengthened. Now we mainly look at the attack. It’s quite difficult, because we want players who can make a difference.”
The Veendam coach, who assumes that players with a departure wish such as Tomas Suslov and Laros Duarte will also remain normal, is mainly looking for goals. “You saw last season at Heracles Almelo that that works. They already had fifty goals on paper with Laursen, Hansson and Armenteros. We have already made a good move with the arrival of Kevin van Veen.”
,,We also have guys who can score goals, but as a staff we want to have as many of them as possible. So we’re looking at that. I am very confident that under the leadership of Henk Veldmate we will succeed in our mission to bring in the right qualities. Players who will help FC Groningen to bring the club back to the level where this club belongs.”
Restlessness and worry
Kevin van Veen did not participate in field training at FC Groningen. The 32-year-old striker, who came over from the Scottish Motherwell, did walking exercises for himself. It immediately led to unrest and concern among the supporters. He would still score at least thirty goals for FC Groningen, it sounded desperate. According to Van Veen, no one has to worry about him. “I had a bad flu with a high fever. Then you take off a little jacket and you have to carefully rebuild, but next week I expect to be able to join the group.”
Paulos Abraham, who has been out of circulation for more than half a year, also trained separately. Johan Hove was not at the training at all. He is still on vacation after playing with Norway in recent weeks.
Director Wouter Gudde does not expect to see the midfielder again. Hove was the only FC Groningen player to have a relegation clause, which means that he can go where he wants for a transfer fee of 1.5 million euros. ,,We have tried to remove the clause from his contract, but Johan does not want to cooperate”, says Gudde. There would be broad interest in the Norwegian.
Consternation
Finally, some consternation arose around keeper Jan Hoekstra. The goalkeeper announced through various channels that he is leaving for FC Emmen. He also informed trainer Dick Lukkien earlier in the day. However, the Drenths have not reported to FC Groningen. ,,I have not heard anything”, says Gudde, who is surprised about the state of affairs.
Hoekstra still has an ongoing contract with FC Groningen and even an option for another two seasons. In other words, if the 24-year-old goalkeeper, his agent and FC Emmen want something, there will at least have to be a transfer fee on the table. ,,Otherwise Hoekstra will remain employed by FC Groningen”, Gudde says. For the time being, FC Emmen has nothing. To be continued.