The Europa League occupies matters with a trip to Go Ahead Eagles.
It’s time for another trip to get some early Christmas shopping done, and this time we’re in sort-of familiar territory. Go Ahead Eagles play in Deventer, a picturesque and ancient city on the river lJssel. More importantly it’s an hour from Amsterdam, so it’s back to the regular haunts we’ve got to know so well in the Dam.
Go Ahead are one of those teams better known for having a strange name than for anything else they’ve ever done, Their original name was Be Quick, they changed it in 1905 (remind you of anyone?) then again a bit later (naturally) and they’ve spent much of their history being relegated and in the second division. Perhaps there’s a club they could twin with somewhere, if they were really desperate.
They did win the cup last year though, beating AZ in the final which was at De Kuip although they’re not doing too well this season. No good saying who plays for them because nobody’s heard of any of them. They’ve got a ground that’s even smaller than Bournemouth and an away bit that’ll get less than five hundred of us in there. Other tickets are also available. Willum Willumsson used to play for them before dropping several levels.
As ever, it’s difficult to guess what sort of team Unai will put out. Marco Bizot may well be playing, as well as Donyell Malen and Lamare Bogarde. Two Dutch internationals and one who will be soon – that’s not a bad weakened line-up. Not only are we finally getting the hang of this squad rotation thing, we’ve also got the players to do it properly. If Harvey Eliott doesn’t get a game it may well be time to start wondering whether he exists.
Another three points without any fuss, trouble or injuries will be good, and only to be expected.
