On Friday evening we will play our last home game of 2023. A cracker between numbers two and three of the Kitchen Champion Division, because Bas Sibum’s Roda JC is coming to visit. We look ahead with head coach Fred Grim.
The difference in the rankings is three points, so with a win we will be on level terms with the yellow-blacks – although Roda JC’s goal difference is a lot better with +17 compared to our +5. That gap was created last week, when Roda won against Jong PSV and we lost at FC Eindhoven.
“I was of course quite angry and disappointed about that,” Grim reflects. “That will take you a few days, you evaluate with the group, look back at images and discuss how we are going to prevent this. Then you lose it and focus on the next match.”
The disappointment is logical. Until the 88th minute, there was little going on for the Emmen team with a 1-2 lead. But because Mawouna Amevor hit the target and Ozan Kökçü also found the net in injury time, we returned to Drenthe empty-handed.
“Sixty to seventy minutes of good play”
Grim: “We played well for sixty to seventy minutes, with the football we had in mind. We put a lot of pressure and imposed our will on the opponent. The adjustment we made because they play with five at the back also worked well. Until the opponent started playing opportunistically and added an attacker. From then on we will no longer do what we agreed.”
“You just have to keep your agreements and keep doing your thing,” the coach analyzes. “We often want something too much and get out when it is not necessary. We have to get those crosses out from the side, then those situations don’t arise in front of the goal.”
Moreover, with a 1-2 lead, the Drenthe had enough chances to make it 1-3, but unfortunately they were not taken. Grim: “How often do we say that we should reward ourselves? If we create the margin of two after the break, the match is as good as over.”
Roda JC
Opponent Roda JC was recently fortunate in the final phase, when Lennerd Daneels scored the 1-0 against MVV in injury time at the end of November. The following week the Koempels lost 2-0 to FC Dordrecht, last week Jong PSV was defeated 2-1. Roda then fell behind, but after the Eindhoven goalkeeper was sent off the field, Bas Sibum’s team went for it.
This week we visited Sibum, who went through the youth academy of FC Emmen, played 54 matches in the first team and started his first job as a head coach in professional football at Roda last summer. Watch the video here!
Grim: “Roda had a strong start to the season and they are now continuing that trend. But of course we want to end the year well at home, that seems clear to me.”
Three injuries
Grim cannot rely on Desley Ubbink, Michaël Heylen and Jasper Huijzer against Roda. Whether Jorrit Smeets can play against his old club is still a question mark. Chardi Landu will join the competition selection again.
History
Roda JC was only a guest in Emmen three times before. Click here for more history!
Minute of silence
As the last home match of 2023, the match against Roda JC will be remembered by supporters who have passed away, including a minute’s silence and the wearing of mourning bands. Last year, supporters and sponsors were able to provide the names of deceased Emmen residents, who will be honored on Friday evening.
FC Emmen – Roda JC
Friday, December 15, 8 p.m
The Oude Meerdijk, Emmen
Referee: Nagtegaal
Listen live to the radio report of RTV Drenthe here:
