Unfortunately Almere is actually confirmed out of the playoffs now (as is De Graafschap). So sadly another season in the 2nd tier for Woud.
Is a relegation/promotion playoffs now, and 16th ranked team in Eredivisie (could be Willem II), will join NEC, Roda & NAC in the semis.
Is a relegation/promotion playoffs now, and 16th ranked team in Eredivisie (could be Willem II), will join NEC, Roda & NAC in the semis.
It is rather unfortunate, but another season in the Eerstie Divisie should mean less pressure on him than the big lights of the Eredivisie, as, even though he turned 22 in January, he is still relatively young for a goalkeeper. He still needs to develop, and an extra season in the second tier as (one would hope) one of the better teams should do well for development and morale, as opposed to going up and potentially being put to the sword by the big 3 (Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord) and the media scrutiny that would follow. Like, he made a penalty save in the first half today, but then also went to punch a cross in the driving rain but misjudged it and put it straight up, had to scramble it clear of going in and they scored from the resulting ball into the box. In a relegation dogfight that might be enough to get you dropped, or at least kill your confidence, but if you do that in a 4-1 win you’ll learn the same lesson with less of the pressure, so every cloud has a silver lining.