Sparta Rotterdam V FC Twente Preview: FC Twente aiming for first win in six against Sparta Rotterdam
After a dire run of form, manager Joseph Oosting has acknowledged that his Twente side must be much better if they are to attain continental football next season. As reported by Voetbal International, Oosting said: 'Everyone knows that it has to be better.
'But it is true that we have had to shift in crucial positions in the team and that is never beneficial. That is a difference from last year.' Twente will have to do without Sam Lammers for the remainder of the season after he dislocated his shoulder in training. Sitting 5th in the table and almost assured of a Play-off place, it's key that their players remain fit and they pick up points in the last few games to gain some much-needed momentum.
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Another piece of bad news for The Tukkers is the confirmation of Sem Steijn's summer move to Feyenoord. Regarding the sale of Eredivisie's top scorer, Oosting says, 'We are also here to develop players, that is what we stand for and we succeeded with Sem. Then the interest will come automatically. Of course he did most of it himself. For Sem it is a great step towards the top of the Netherlands, but first he has to do a job here.'
In desperate need of a win, Twente travel to Rotterdam to take on a Sparta side who are pushing the Play-offs and picked up a valuable point against Leaders Ajax last week. Manager Maurice Steijn, who is also the father of Sem Steijn, is in a positive mood ahead of the clash against his son's current team.
Reported by Voetbal International, he said: 'We are simply going to try to finish as high as possible. Teams around us are also winning. We know about the toughness of the programme, although I have said from the start that we can get points in all those matches.'
Sparta come into the match unbeaten in seven and sit in 10th, five points off 8th place with a game in hand. With the last meeting between the clubs ending in a 1-1 draw back in August, and Twente seemingly in a rut, Sparta will be incredibly confident of continuing their excellent run under the stewardship of Maurice Steijn.
Kick off is at 14:30 CET.
GBENeFN | Samuel Fabre
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