Heerenveen's worrying run of form continued with a tactically frustrating draw against Telstar. Despite clear statistical dominance, the match at the Abe Lenstra Stadion ended 0-0 on Saturday, meaning Robin Veldman's side have taken just one point from their last four league matches.
With 63% possession and six shots on target to Telstar's two, Heerenveen controlled proceedings. Yet visiting goalkeeper Ronald Koeman junior dealt with every threat, including a key challenge on Dylan Vente in the 92nd minute. The home side, sitting 11th in the Eredivisie with six points from six games, lacked the cutting edge to turn pressure into goals.
Injury woes and tactical battle
Veldman again had to cope without a string of injured players, including Dirk Proper, Marcus Linday, Mees Hilgers and Mats Egbring. Levi Smans earned his first start of the season. The first half unfolded as a tactical chess match, with Telstar, led by former assistant Henk Brugge, defending compactly. "We have an idea of how Henk thinks, but Henk will also make a plan because he knows how we think," Veldman said afterwards. He added, "He knows our squad better than we know his."
Only after the break, when Telstar took more risks, did chances arrive. Vente headed wide from a Smans assist, Maxence Rivera saw a long-range effort saved, and Roberts Uldrikis directed a corner straight at Koeman. A rapid counter-attack from their own penalty area, started by Petrov, also broke down with Vente. The inability to score is a recurring theme; the team has scored seven and conceded nine this season.
Disappointing sequence continues
This draw fits a worrying pattern of results. After an opening win against Twente and a creditable draw at Ajax, defeats to PEC Zwolle and AZ and a draw at Willem II followed. The last five matches have yielded zero wins, three draws and two defeats. The full standings show a ten-point gap to leaders PSV.
The injury issues remain a concern, as visible on the injuries page. Next up is a key fixture away to Sparta Rotterdam, who sit 12th, on Saturday. The last meeting, in February, ended in a 2-1 victory. Preparation for that fixtures encounter starts with solving the attacking inefficiency.
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