After four defeats in a row, there is no denying it anymore: there is plenty of work to be done at FC Emmen during the winter break. Trainer Fred Grim has already submitted his wish list to the club management.
The month of December is one to quickly forget for FC Emmen. They lost to Willem II, FC Eindhoven, Roda JC and FC Dordrecht also proved to be too strong last Saturday. No other team from the first division has lost the last four matches in a row. FC Emmen is still on course to reach the play-offs and thus complete this season’s goal, but it could have been so much better: at the beginning of December the top position was still within reach. It can change.
The winter break will mainly be a period of reflection for coach Fred Grim, his staff and his players. Because it is now clear that something needs to change. It can no longer be a coincidence that FC Emmen has not managed to take full advantage against virtually any competitor for the top spots so far this season. The team was also unable to cope against SC Cambuur, ADO Den Haag and FC Groningen. Direct promotion now seems to be a difficult proposition.
‘We have to get to work on that’
The core of the problem that has been plaguing FC Emmen for months is a lack of ‘ruthlessness’, as Grim emphasized almost every week this season and also repeated after the defeat against FC Dordrecht. “It is a repetitive story,” sighed the Amsterdammer. “The ability to create opportunities, work ethic and individual qualities are certainly present. At the same time, it is also a quality to take advantage of those opportunities. We don’t have enough of that and we have to get to work on that.”
So a lack of quality; these are harsh words from Grim. Forward players such as Rui Mendes, Joey Konings, Piotr Parzyszek and El Messaoudi too often do not give in. But there is also work to be done in midfield and at the back. FC Emmen scored a goal against FC Dordrecht just before half time. A crucial moment, Grim concluded. It has happened to his team before. This season, victory has also been conceded a number of times just before the end of a match.
“The team must learn to recognize that a goal at such moments must be prevented at all costs,” said the coach. “Women and children first, I always say. But I sometimes have the feeling that we are all half in the dressing room. That sucks. Even though we had discussed it with each other beforehand. Against FC Dordrecht I was also shouting on the sidelines, like: ‘Pay attention!’ You just saw it coming.”
‘This competition has not yet been played’
Finishing opportunities and recognizing moments; According to Grim, it is a matter of training, repetition and building confidence. But that lack of quality bothers the experienced Amsterdammer and so he has submitted his wish list to the club management. “I want someone who can easily score goals, because we miss that. That doesn’t necessarily have to be a pure striker. We also need reinforcements at the back. Every time someone drops out, we quickly have to become very creative.”
There is no guarantee in advance that these wishes will be granted. Financially speaking, not too much is possible at FC Emmen. “If we really want something, one or more players will have to leave during the winter break,” said Grim, who is not only head coach but also technical manager. “Which players are eligible depends on the interest of other clubs. In any case, there are currently no clubs that have reported to us. That’s all just starting now.”
It is clear: there is plenty of work to be done and so Grim faces a busy period during the winter break. The objective may be to reach the play-offs, but the fervent desire is to play in the Premier League again next season. And although achieving first place seems almost impossible and second is already disappearing from view, Grim remains hopeful. “Things are bad now, but in January and February things could easily go well again. This competition has not yet been played.”