For De Graafschap, any place higher than 18th is a bonus. The team from Doetinchem has been at the bottom since the first weeks of the league and as a result has been embroiled in a battle against relegation for ages. There is no panic, however, and that seems to be paying off cautiously.
Rest
Coach Jan Vreman ensured an unexpected success in the nacompetition by guiding De Graafschap to the Eredivisie at the expense of Go Ahead Eagles and FC Volendam. That it would be a difficult season was therefore calculated and therefore there seems little panic in Doetinchem. Vreman seems assured of his job and that peace of mind paid off in victories over ADO Den Haag and Excelsior in recent games. For its part, Heracles Almelo was fortunate to win 2-1 against De Graafschap last weekend, as that team found the aluminum no less than three times.
Jurjus
An important link at De Graafschap is goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus. Jurjus started playing football at sv Longa and then went through De Graafschap's youth training. Last season he made his debut in the main squad of the Superboeren and came to 27 matches in the Jupiler League. With De Graafschap Jurjus eventually promoted to the Eredivisie where he - until the home game with ADO Den Haag last Wednesday - kept every game so far and was the only player not to miss a second.