If past season's 14th place (at the time of suspension due to pandemic) could be considered a positive result as a newly promoted team, this year's 10th leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Not that the expectations before the start were better, after all the team had undergone a radical change during the summer, including a new coach, but in the first months they had shown considerable potential.
The Tukkers have practically played two different seasons, in 2020 they seemed a young and bubbly team capable of causing troubles to stronger teams (they defeated Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam, one of the only two defeats of the champions), in 2021 they became a fearful and predictable team that had an unexpected meltdown. In the first 15 games they had collected 27 points, in the following 13 just 14. Coach Ron Jans has probably made a mistake in always keeping the same system of play without ever trying other solutions.
In KNVB Beker they lasted only one round, immediately eliminated by second tiers De Graafschap.
This performance went hand in hand with that of Ajax's loaner Danilo who in the first 15 rounds had scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists, while in the last 13 he provided no assists and scored 6 goals. The many injuries suffered by important players such as Kik Pierie, Julio Pleguezuelo and especially Vaclav Cerny also had an impact.
In this strange season, some interesting youngsters have had the opportunity to show off, such as goalkeeper Drommel, already sold to PSV, left-back Oosterwolde, midfielders Ilic and Zerrouki. While the arrival in January of winger Narsingh from Feyenoord was a total disappointment.
