Club icons Willy and René van de Kerkhof see a positive vibe at ‘their’ PSV and that bodes well according to them. The Eindhoven football club left little of Fortuna Sittard (5-0) intact on Sunday and is thus keeping pressure on leader Ajax. That list leader almost spilled expensive points against Feyenoord.
“I have always said that Ajax will become champions this season, but I am slowly coming back to that,” René told the radio program ‘Wakker!’ on Monday morning. at Omroep Brabant. “PSV already played a fantastic game in the Conference League on Thursday and it was fun on Sunday too. This week there is international football, but it should happen for PSV in April.”
Brother Willy also has the feeling that PSV could well become champion. “Ajax only has to draw twice,” explains the midfielder of yesteryear. “Ajax does not necessarily have to lose. And PSV must continue to win. I have been hopeful in recent weeks, because PSV have played all good matches. Also on Sunday. I see that the players are growing to great form.”
Ajax did not make a great impression again on Sunday, during the top match against Feyenoord. “Feyenoord certainly deserved a point,” says René. “And a penalty kick. It was a great topper to see, with Feyenoord as a better team. Ajax was lucky. Feyenoord lost undeservedly, unfortunately. Ajax’s loss of points would have given PSV an even better starting position.”
RKC Waalwijk also made an impression last weekend. Sub-topper Vitesse, which made a big impression in the Conference League, was beaten 2-1 in Arnhem. “That was certainly nice”, René looked back. “I did not expect this, this was a nice victory over Vitesse. RKC will get a little breathing room in the fight against relegation.”
RKC is fourteenth in the Eredivisie with 27 points from 27 games. Coach Joseph Oosting’s team is now five points away from the relegation zone.
Willem II also seemed to be on his way to a stunt on Sunday evening, against AZ. Until the ninetieth minute, the team of new coach Kevin Hofland led 2-1, but in injury time Zakaria Aboukhlal saved a point for the team from Alkmaar.
“It’s a shame that Willem II lost two more points in the last seconds”, Willy sighed on the radio. “Although a win would have been a bit undeserved, because AZ was a bit better. With this draw they stay at the bottom, but it was a very positive game.”
The ex-international sees an improved morale at Willem II, who is now fifteenth with 23 points. “It is going in the right direction there. I expect Willem II to surprisingly manage to stay out of the relegation zone.” According to him, this is due to the appointment of Hofland. “Kevin is a good trainer. He knows what is required in top football. He has played at big clubs and worked with good trainers. I think this has an influence. I saw much better football on Sunday than in recent weeks. Willem II has not the easiest program ahead, including a match against PSV, but they can just win those other six matches.”
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