Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle | Netherlands)

So close and yet so far…

An extra-time penalty, slotted home by Sebastian Haller, fired 10-man FC Utrecht to a 1-2 comeback victory over PEC Zwolle on Friday 23 October 2015 in Zwolle.

The Bluefingers, entertaining FC Utrecht in front of 12.300 faithful, were on top in the first 30 minutes with a dazzling display of pressure cooker football.

Pressure cooker football occurs when both the opponent team and the home croud have no time to recuperate and breath 

Our beloved PEC Zwolle took the lead in the 14th minute, capitalising on a dreadful error in the FC Utrecht defence, at the time conjuring up visions of Emmenthaler cheese.

Off-target marksman Lars Veldwijk's shot was blocked into the path of Wouter Marinus, who put his effort into the bottom corner.

However, the visitors fought back to equalise as they hit Zwolle on the break and Haller found the bottom corner with a low drive from inside the penalty area.

PEC Zwolle were denied the lead by a fine save from Robin Ruiter after Veldwijk latched on to a cross from Bart van Hintum, but the keeper made the diving stop.

The away team went close just before the break when Timo Letschert rose highest in the box to latch on to a corner from the right, but he headed his effort just past the post. Zwolle threatened when Sheraldo Becker raided down the flank and lifted a cross into the box for the head of Veldwijk, but his effort was straight at Ruiter.

PEC had one final chance to win the game when they were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes when Marc van der Maarel brought down Veldwijk in the box, which resulted in the defender being dismissed. However, Stefan Nijland lost his composure as he sent the spot kick over the bar.

The midfielder was to pay for his miss as there was time for one more twist in the tale. The visitors were awarded a spot kick in the second minute of stoppage time and Haller took the penalty and fired his effort past Kevin Begois to earn the away teamthree points.

Vitesse won their first away victory at Zwolle last week, with FC Utrecht emulating the same feat.

Hello PECZwolle, what is the financial situation at the club?

@Global Game:

Based on the total of points a club receives from graded financial reports, they are placed into Categories I, II or III. Category III contains the healthiest sides, Category I contains the clubs that have a sub-par score.

Clubs like PEC Zwolle currently fall under Category I and are put under a strict regime; meaning they have to provide the KNVB with financial status reports more often and have to set up and follow through a plan of action to improve their financial position.

This summer the transfers of Jody Lukoki (Ludogorets,Bulgaria), Jesper Drost (FC Groningen, The Netherlands) en Ben Rienstra (AZ,The Netherlands ) amassed € 4,2 mio. This has not yet been accounted for during the latest ‘benchmark’.

PEC Zwolle are highly likely to be lifted into the second and relatively safe second category once these figures have been integrated in the next graded financial reports.

On top of that, PEC Zwolle’s home shall be baptised the ‘MAC3Park’ at the start of the 2016/17 campaign. It’s part of a sponsor deal with a regional real estate developer.

What are the chances of them trying to sell Ryan in the January window?

@Global Game:

Ryan Thomas’ contract terminates on 30 June 2018. I have never read any solid or reliable reference to a premature lifting. Should PEC Zwolle let him go in the winter, Ryan’s price tag shall be determined and discriminated by a domestic or international move. Thomas is a leightweight who blends in perfectly well in Ron Jans’ alchemical mixture.

From the trivial department:

PEC Zwolle’s refurbished players tunnel:

Next week’s fixtures:

can only add my appreciation for the reporting on what's going on with Ryan and PEC

Thanks for the info PECZwolle. Good to learn about the Bluefinger's improving financial situation. It indicates to me that there will be no PRESSURE to sell. This would allow Ryan another season or more to consolidate his reputation and continue to improve his game in a known environment. We watch with interest. Cheers

After several players missed a penalty in earlier games Ryan will be the new penalty taker for PEC Zwolle.

https://twitter.com/ForzaPECZwolle/status/65840399...

Stop Press. 

Please pardon my laziness and not having you kept updated of lately.

Today's news, 11-11-2015, a result of google translation and me re-writing where I felt appropriate. The result is a lethal editorial mixture but you posture dance haka lot will get the gist, jazz and drift. Here we go:

PEC Zwolle intends to extent Ryan Thomas' contract. He still is 'fixed' until mid-2018.

"We want to reward Ryan with a new, longer continuous contract", president Adriaan Visser says in 'Voetbal International'. 

"He progresses in such a way that he is highly likely to join another club before his current contract expires"

"This also we give him wholeheartedly, because he's not only a big asset for the club but also a very amicable character on and off the field'.

"But for now we hope to keep Ryan here. If he would not have signalled ambitions for a contractual extension, we would not be talking," concluded the president. 

"Allegedly, several clubs from the top and the second tier of The Netherlands are flirting and making avances to sign the Kiwi-dribbler"

Post Scriptum. No Google Translation:

No price tag mentioned, suggested or indicated at this stage. No idea what his 'value' is.

I haven't got the foggiest which 'top or second tier Dutch club' is courting with quicksilver Ryan. Are they really? His appearance is still that of a lightweight. I don't know what he is doing in a gym apart from having a shower.

Bambi Thomas is bound and destined to be crucified in physical leagues. In The Netherlands the resistance is low. In sharp contrast, his ligaments and fontanella would be all over the pitch before half-time in England, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and all South American leagues for that matter.

Please stay in Zwolle, Ryan. You are pure and genuine and down under in the true spirit of the word. In essence, you are an all-black in blue & white disguise.

Congrats to your rugby lads! Kikiki kakaka kauana!

Oh Man, what was it me saying Ryan Thomas being an all-black in blue & white disguise?

Oman vs New Zealand. 0-1. Here's the culprit shaking of sartorial feathers. 

Was it quicksilver Johan Cruijff wearing 14 during his career with Ajax?  Oh man, by all means.

what?

Been sampling some of the product in Amsterdam?

God that made no sense haha.

I feel like I become a more englightened individual whenever I read your posts PEC.

I feel like I become a more englightened individual whenever I read your posts PEC.

PEC Bukowski you are my favourite beat poet

Stanza: 3 lines.

The first lines compares the glorious grace of Carter and co. to the PEC lad from Te Puke: Ryan Thomas, with the courage of an All Black.

The second line states the result of the game. The culprit refers back to the first line: Ryan Thomas. " The satorial shaking of the feathers" refers to the preening of a peacock, and in this case the celebration of the winning goal.

The third line again refers back to the first line and the hero of this epic poem: Ryan Thomas. Our poet compares the genius of Thomas through the coincidence of him being given the number 14 to a famous hero of yore: Johan Cruijff. Was this later day hero the same as this legendary one of the days of yore? Completely, totally, abso-bloody-lutely.

(martinb, Forum Poetry of Football, page 1, 2015)

Geez Louise, I feel like I am back in High School and doing unfamiliar text with all the language features and stuff! 

Only use I could think of for my BA...joke being I think it's not too far away from accurate...

The upcoming ‘audit dates’ for PEC Zwolle’s financial classification by the Dutch FA’slicensing committee are scheduled for 1 December 2015 en 1 March 2016.

I quote from previous statements:

‘Based on the total of points a club receives from graded financial reports, they are placed into Categories I, II or III. Category III contains the healthiest sides, Category I contains clubs like PEC Zwolle that have a sub-par score’

‘This summer the transfers of Jody Lukoki (Ludogorets,Bulgaria), Jesper Drost (FC Groningen, The Netherlands) en Ben Rienstra (AZ,The Netherlands ) amassed € 4,2 mio. This will be accounted for during the next two ‘benchmarks’, together with a raise in gate receipts and sponsor revenues.’

It implies PEC Zwolle will be promoted to Grade II, indicating financial stability. It conveniently supports Global Game’s theory ‘there’s no pressure to sell’ during Dutch League hybernation come winter’s transfer window.

Stop Press Episode 1

Bambi Thomas shall not participate in New Zealand’s friendly against Libanon. He will return home where his heart is on Tuesday 17 November 2015 to join PEC Zwolle in the wake of the away fixture at Kerkrade against Roda JC on Saturday 21 November 2015.

Stop Press Episode 2

It may not have escaped your attention Europe is currently being flooded by a tsunami of refugees and asylum seekers.

Today, Friday 13 November 2015, 80 refugees from primarily Syria and Eritrea in the age group of 12 to 17, enjoyed a football clinic at PEC Zwolle’s home ground, masterminded by the youth coaches from the club’s ‘football academy’; as part of a nationwide campaign to entertain the less fortunate at 34 football venues.

The sad legendary Jonah Lomu news must have rocked your nation. Condolences.

You heard about that in the Netherlands? 

You can safely assume that a good chunk of the people on this forum are not Rugby supporters, but Jonah in some ways transcended Rugby. He battled health problems for most of his career and is an example of succeeding based on both talent and also grit and determination despite some pretty severe odds stacked against him. Despite his success and profile he always appeared humble and did a lot for charity. And of course its mostly a shock because he was only 40 and had seemed healthy as recently as a couple of days ago if social media is to be believed.

Thanks for the condolences.

Oh by all means, although The Netherlands aren't egg-chasing territory at all. But we love sports in general. He was a great rugby ambassador and the sad news was prime time material in domestic sports-related media.

Post Scriptum:

The ancestral posture haka ritual is a well-recognised and highly appreciated phenomenon over here .

Ex-All White Steven Old is the son of ex-All Black Geoff Old who once coached the Dutch national rugby team. 

2 goals in a 5-0 win this morning. One of them was penalty.

Stop Press!

Ryan Thomas announced his contract extension at PEC Zwolle!

"Ik ga verlengen. Ik speel hier lekker, ik zie niet in waarom ik nu naar een grotere club zou moeten gaan. Daar kom ik dan misschien op de bank te zitten. Ik wil nu gewoon minuten maken."

In your parlance cq lingo:

”I am extending my contract. I am very comfortable in and with Zwolle. I can’t see me leaving. Why should I be moving to a bigger club with a possible prospect of warming the bench. I just want to play”

This exciting news follows tonights gallery performance away from home at Kerkrade against Roda JC.

Headlines:

‘PEC Zwolle en wervelende Thomas geven Roda voetballes in Kerkrade’

In your lingo:

'Roda JC subject to masterclass of PEC Zwolle and swinging/dazzling Thomas in Kerkrade'

PEC Zwolle put five goals past the promovendus with Bambi Thomas scoring twice and distributing delicate crosses left and right in the channels.

The Bluefingers took the lead after 4 minutes. Wouter Marinus connected with a Bart van Hintum cross to pass the ball into the net beyond the reach of goalie Van Leer.

Ryan Thomas was fouled in the box ten minutes later and man of the match comfortably slotted the penalty home.

Thomas netted again in the second half, as our New Zealand international struck from outside the box and it flew into the top corner, leaving Van Leer gasping.Astunner of a goal!

The Bluefingers top scorer Lars Veldwijk made it four after an hour as he placed his strike from close range into the bottom-left corner.

Stef Nijland completed the rout in added time after Ouasim Bouy provided him and rifled his effort high into the Roda goal to conclude an emphatic performance.

This win moves Zwolle up to fifth in the Eredivisie table.

Bring on Ajax!

Highlights 

Thomas should teach the Nix how to take pens.

Looks like he was involved in everything that game - terrific finish for the 2nd and could've easily had a hat trick.

I'd put WeeMac on pens rather than Krishna, he's looking pretty sharp with the free kicks.

His goal made the Top 10 for the weekend on the ESPN nightly football show!

Thomas Taken off after 40 mins vs Ajax

Ajax too strong 2-0

He got injured

Wishing you Kiwi Lot a very prosperous 2016 in every sense. 

I have been traveling up and down two continents lately and not been in a position to update on Zwollish tits & bits.

PEC Zwolle and Ron Jans have mutually expressed their ambition and intention to continue their successful symbiotic love affair for the 2016/17 campaign. The club are also likely to finalise details of Ryan’s contract shortly.

The club recently traveled to Mijas in Spain to escape hibernation and break away from the winter conditions in The Netherlands;Without Bambi Thomas though who is struggling with a knee injury.

PEC Zwolle will pick up their top flight routine on 16 January 2016, hosting Frisian sc Heerenveen at the IJsseldelta cauldron.

You Kiwi Lot:

There’s a Dutch idiom cq expression, ‘de kogel is door de kerk’,which translates as ‘the bullet is through the church’, meaning that, after long deliberation, a decision has been made.

During battles in the past, churches were spared from attacks and shooting out of respect; so when an enemy did not subscribe to this unspoken gentleman’s agreement, it meant that he was capable of committing any evil in battle and a hard nut to crack during deliberations.

Today’s version of ‘de kogel is door de kerk’ would translate as ‘the kalashnikov has hit the mosque’ but that is an entirely different story…

Anyways...

During their traditional New Year's reception, PEC Zwolle announced having come to terms with Ron Jans to extend mutual cooperation.

Hence the born and bred Zwolle coach remains at the helm during the 2016-2017 season.

Ron Jans is synonymous with the club’s progress, resulting in winning the Dutch FA Cup and the Dutch equivalent to the Premier’s League Charity Shield. Last season saw The Bluefingers reaching their highest top flight spot ever and participating in domestic play-offs to qualify for Europe.

Ron Jans’ reaction: “It makes me feel good that we have reached an agreement to extend the contract. I have been enjoying my involvement with my hometown club from the very start.

With the club gradually maturing on and off the field, I am looking forward to further develop the team, the staff and myself”

“It is very pleasant to work here. The club grows and prospers; not only in the city Zwolle itself, but also in our catchment area. I am happy and very excited to contribute my share in the future’. The club feels like a warm bath and I feel greatly appreciated by the supporters and the club”

This is a banner from the PEC Zwolle supporters, encouraging Ron Jans to follow the footsteps of his father, PEC Zwolle’s Dries Jans, a club legend from the fifties and sixties.

Technical director of football, Gerard Nijkamp, was quoted as saying:

“It is obvious that we are very happy with the outcome of our negotiations. Ron has done a great job since his return to PEC Zwolle as a coach.

I see Ron as a key player and pivotal asset to our club. Our ambitions for both this season and the near future remain untouched.

We want PEC Zwolle to become a sustainable force and the leader of the pack behind the domestic top four clubs. Our goal is to qualify for one of the European play-off spots this season”

PEC Zwolle will not be able to field Bambi Thomas, still suffering from a knee injury, for this weekend’s home clash with sc Heerenveen.

Thomas' knee surgery - anyone know what type of injury it was?

Apparently it's 4-6 weeks out.

In addition to not playing since 1 December, which is why I was wondering if anyone had got wind on the specific type of injury.

4-6 weeks could well be a miniscus

4-6 weeks from now, plus out since 1 december i think = approx 3 months out. No point speculating, just wondering if anyone had heard what it actually was.

Ryan Thomas officially extended his contract with PEC Zwolle untill the summer of 2019.

"PEC Zwolle is my first club outside New Zealand and has a special place in my heart. I had various options , but I don't want to hurry to go to another club. I feel much confidence from the club and, when I am back fully recovered from my injury, I want to be important again for PEC Zwolle"

Article here: 

http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/pec-legt-thomas-langer-vas...

On April 14th each year, the city of Zwolle, The Netherlands, commemorates her liberation from German occupation during World War II.

On April 27th each year, the Netherlands hugely celebrate ‘Koningsdag’, (‘Kingsday’) , marking the date of birth of present King Willem-Alexander. This year King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima will visit Zwolle, capital of te province of Overijssel, on April 27th.

As a jubilant reference and coinciding with these festive events, local Eredivieclub PEC Zwolle added to their sartorial saga a collector’s item of a one-off royal orange outfit, adorned with a prominent crown, paired with ‘Koningsdag Zwolle’.

PEC Zwolle celebrated this unique ‘momentum’ in emphatic style against NEC in front of a sell-out crowd, clad in the blue & white club colors, trimmed with orange haberdashery and paraphernalia.

Stop Press:

PEC Zwolle coach Ron Jans presenting King Willem-Alexander with an enframed collector's item.

Ryan Thomas has started his comeback from his injury, playing for the youth side:

.@Ryan__Thomas_ has started his comeback from injury, playing 38' for @PECZwolle Reserves in a 2-3 loss #RTho https://t.co/lyhchPcfq9

— NZFootballers OS (@NZFootballersOS) April 28, 2016

Today, PEC Zwolle qualified for the Europa League play-offs for the second season running. Cheers!!!

First leg at home to FC Utrecht coming Thursday. Kick-off 20.45hrs Dutch time.

Thanks PECZwolle, I always enjoy your posts.