PSV: The Second Century

December 2013 Roundup

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December; The month of gifts, both given and recieved, and festive cheer all around the country. A month in which the football season just starts to get good, and a month in which PSV faced some tough challenges domestically. After a shocking start to the month, losing to RKC, the side picked themselves up, once again asserting their European dominance with victory over Red Bull Salzburg, before a sketchy draw with Utrecht brought concern to Phillips Stadion: we were performing in Europe, but what about domestically? Dropping points was becoming far too common an occurence. The 2-1 win against Ajax ensured progression in the Cup, and with one final 2-1 victory, PSV ensured the year ended on a high. Below, this month's Player of the Month, Memphis Depay talks World Cup, Holland and the Title Race.

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Playing for your country is something every aspiring young footballer dreams of. Those dreams don't dim as we grow older. I've picked a photo of me celebrating with Arjen as the focus of this column, because that goal was one of my proudest moments as a Holland international. Of course, the squad for the world cup is still entirely up in the air, but it's a squad I would be honoured to be a part of - and there are plenty others at this club who also deserve to be involved; Jetro Willems is one who I think could really make a name for himself at the tournament, and his performances this season indicate a boy who is soon to become a man.

Of course, that's the story of our squad right now - and with Alexander [Buttner] and Leandro [Bacuna] both joining in January, Tony has added some experience and fight to our young squad, and I think that's going to show in the second half of our season. There's a real desire in the camp right now, and nobody can see any reason we shouldn't come out on top in the title race.

One of the fans wrote to me last month, asking who I thought would win the World Cup, and one player i'd love to see at the club if we had unlimited funds, and who the best player is that we know won't be at the World Cup.

In answer to the first question, I think Uruguay have a lot about them, and also some amazing players, coupled with a great work ethic. With Luis Suarez leading the line, i'd say they're my pick for the World Cup, well....after Holland, of course!

As for my ideal player? James Rodriguez from Monaco would be an absolute dream to play with; like me, he plays all across the attacking midfield, and his link up play is a dream to watch. He's having a great season at Monaco too, and at only 22, he's got years to develop...

The best player not at the world cup? Gareth Bale, without a doubt. Wales mathematically can't qualify now, and it's a shame for Gareth, because he's having an amazing season at Madrid.

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January 2013 Roundup

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Despite only playing 3 games this month, PSV's form was altogether a mixed bag; one draw and one victory in the league, followed by defeat to Feyenoord in the Dutch Cup saw them move into 2nd position in the league, keeping them in the hunt for the league title, with a little over 2 months to go. A key talking point for this season was the long-awaited arrival of Leandro Bacuna and Alexander Buttner from Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively. Both players have settled quickly, and if they can maintain this kind of form through to the end of the season, they could be contenders for World Cup inclusion.

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With not long until the end of the season, several PSV fans have expressed their surprise and confidence in their unknown manager Tony Young, with one excited young fan exclaiming that "this might finally be our year! We've been playing some great football, and that's down to Tony" With one of the best passing success rates in the league, PSV's style of football has been a breath of fresh air to the league, and with funds likely to be given to Young to strengthen in the summer, that success is only going to keep coming.

February 2014 Roundup

This month, PSV really proved that they're made of more; under intense media pressure, and touted as potential Champions, they faced a month of 7 matches, and took 6 wins from those 7, including a massive 4-0 demolition of NEC, who are also pushing at the top of the table. Midfielder Adam Maher was instrumental this month, with excellent passing and dangerous runs into the box, he notched 6 goals in 7 games to really heat up the race for the title.

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Adam Maher is a 20-year old Dutchman, playing for PSV has an attacking midfielder, although occasionally doubling as a central midfielder, bringing depth to the squad. He arrived at the club this summer from AZ, in a deal worth £5.5m, after scoring 7 times in 31 games for our league rivals. Quickly forcing his way into Tony Young's setup, Maher has recently spoken of his delight at the club's season, and of his World Cup aspirations.

"Every player at this club is dreaming of playing at the World Cup: It would be a dream come true for all of us. If anyone here deserves it though, it's Memphis [Depay]: he's been sensational this season, and has never given up on our chances at a title. Our last title was in 2008, so to go on and win it this season, having been so close last year, would be incredible.

With the club also in Europe, and facing a tough test against Benfica, the next two months are absolutely crucial for the club, and every single player will have to remain at the top of their game to bring home that title.

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March 2014 Roundup

With just over a month left of the season, and PSV very much in the driving seat in the league, we look back at a month which included a momentous win over Benfica in Europe, and another defeat of Feyenoord in the league, the team seem to be flying at the moment, and with only 4 league games left, their league fate is very much in their own hands.
Remaining League Fixtures

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All things considered, the rest of the season domestically is a straight-forward affair, but in Europe, a semi-final tie with Juventus awaits the Dutch side.



Strengthened this season by the additions of Asmir Begovic, Ezequiel Munoz and Daniele Rugani, amongst others, Juventus are a formidable foe for our side. With 2 champions league trophies, and 3 Europa League titles to their names, in comparison to PSV's one of each, Juventus certainly seem to have the edge on paper, but PSV have been full of surprises this season, and fans will be hoping for another miracle under the guidance of Tony Young.

April 2014 Roundup

Some incredible performances from the man who has arguably been PSV's player of the Season, Michy Batshuayi, sealed the deal this month for PSV, as the Eindhoven side clinched their first league title since 2008. With 72 points to their name, 33 games played, and a record of W21-D9-L3, with 78 goals scored, the side only have one match left to play, and it's definitely a dead rubber for the club.

We caught up with this season's top scorer Michy Batshuayi, to get his thoughts on his season, and the team's progression under Englishman Tony Young.

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This season has been absolutely incredible for me; To move here for £6.75m from Standard was a big deal for me - this club is steeped in history, and i'm happy to have made such an immense impact for the club this season. Somebody text me the other day to tell me that my value is estimated about £10m, which is unreal.

Next season, I just hope to improve and learn more, to make my game more complete; but first, the World Cup is very soon, and i'm just concentrating on making it onto the plane to the competition, and making an impact on that stage.

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PSV Boss Accused of Match Fixing

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Broken: PSV's Players lie dejected at fulltime

After PSV endured only their fourth defeat of the season: a heavy 7-0 loss to FC Utrecht on the final day of the season. The result, coming as a total shock to football fans all over the world, meant that the home side qualified for Champions League football at the expense of Vitesse, who had been banking on a PSV win to put them 2 points clear of Utrecht at the close of play.

However, Utrecht will now join PSV in Europe's best competition, and stand to make well over £10-15 million, between gate receipts and television rights, while Vitesse will play in the Europa League; something which club chiefs are unhappy about.

The accusations of match fixing are a reflection of the 7-0 scoreline in the game; a new low point for the Eindhoven club. Indeed, Tony Young's team selection for the game has been called into question, although he claims that he did nothing more than use the game as a stage for the club's younger talent to showcase themselves...

Tony Young, PSV Manager:

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"I set my team out to give our youngsters a chance to impress, and while that wasn't the case here, there was no maliciousness in my thought process, and certainly no intention to ensure that one team secured Champions League football over another. The good of the club is always at the fore of my thoughts, and young players being given playing time is a priority in games such as this, where there is nothing to lose."

However, Vitesse Manager Peter Bosz was critical of Young in his statement:

Peter Bosz, Vitesse Manager:

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"I think what Tony and PSV did today was outrageous. We were in a position to take Champions League football for this club, but their despicable capitulation against Utrecht means that we're now fighting for scraps at the Europa League. I want a full investigation into activities at the club, and particularly the squad choice for that game.

We will bring you more on this story as we get it

World Cup Kicks Off In Brazil

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Today marks the opening of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The hosts kicked off against Switzerland in front of 79000 people, but in truth it was a poor game. In the first minute, Brazilian defender Marcelo was sent packing for a reckless two footed challenge on the perfect Maracana turf, before both Stephan Lichtensteiner and Timm Klose both found themselves booked for poor challenges within the first five minutes.

The only goal of the game came after 10 minutes, when Ricardo Rodriguez headed the ball into his own net from a Neymar corner, before Timm Klose was shown his second yellow card for a late tackle on the Brazilian playmaker just after 15 minutes.

The remaining 75 minutes of the game were uneventful, with neither side really threatening the other, delivering in truth, a poor opening game.

The world's eyes turned to Salvador next, where Egypt took on Australia at the Arena Fonte Nova, in front of a more modest crowd of 50,000 vocal fans. Egypt took the lead through a 30th minute goal from Shikabala, before a string of bookings on both sides reflected on another poorly-tempered match, and we saw the 3rd red card of the World Cup: Egypt's Hosny being sent off for a second bookable offence.

Overall, if the opening day is anything to go by, this World Cup has a long way to go to become the spectacle of free-flowing football many were expecting.

Lambert: I Want Out

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All Smiles: Lambert Netted 4 Times Last Season

After Southampton's relegation from the Premier League, striker Rickie Lambert has made his desire to leave very public, claiming that, as he approaches the end of his career, he needs a side who will bring him silverware, and give him the chance to shine.

The Englishman, 32, usually operates as a Target Man, and many Premiership teams have already politely declined his request to join their ranks once more, although there is some interest from overseas, with several French clubs reportedly showing an interest in Lambert.

Renowned more for his Work Rate and Strength than his finishing, Lambert is a classic Target Man: he gets into the right positions in the box, and meets the incoming crosses from the wings. The question is though, can he find a side which plays with two Strikers, and become the second half of a 'little and large' pairing? More on this as it comes.

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