The balance sheet of VfL Bochum after seven matchdays is not exactly promising, but it is not devastating either. Coach Thomas Reis must make an effort to close the ranks again.
The aim is to carry over the euphoria from the year of promotion into the new season, Thomas Reis announced early on. At the moment, there are a number of issues surrounding his squad ahead of the landmark game at fellow promoted SpVgg Greuther Fürth in a week’s time on Saturday. In any case, the high spirits after the promotion are gone for the time being. With four points and 4:16 goals, VfL Bochum are in 17th place
The question of the Bochum collective – Reis leaves squad places unfilled
To come to terms with the 0:3 in Leipzig on the day of Thomas Reis’ birthday (he turns 48), those responsible should take a little more time than usual. Not because the performance was subterranean, but above all because the plan to solve everything through the collective and a certain unity is beginning to falter.
Not for the first time, in Thomas Reis’ opinion, the training performance of some players left much to be desired. For this reason, he had banned Armel Bella Kotchap from the squad at the beginning of the season and later Herbert Bockhorn. The fact that Reis now left two squad places unfilled for the tour to Leipzig is probably relatively rare in paid football.
Reis left it at that, saying only that he had nominated the squad he thought best for the match. Which players had disappointed him the most could be seen from which professional would have been fit and able to play, but was not in Leipzig. For example, Silvere Ganvoula, who is on duty this week for the Congo national team. Apparently, however, the striker is doing precious little to convince his coach to give him a chance in a Bundesliga game
Ambitious Riemann again publicly denounces grievances
The critical words of Manuel Riemann, who not for the first time openly and honestly denounced the grievances in the team after a lost match, should also be discussed. Not everyone will like the way the ambitious player publicly judges his own team-mates, although of course he wasn’t faultless against RB either. “If there was a dispute,” said Reis, asked about his goalkeeper’s critical words, “then we’ll sort it out internally.”
Overall, the Bochum team is very well-behaved and quite quiet, with Riemann being the glaring exception. The fact that he chose the public route will certainly not please everyone. Criticism voiced internally is likely to fall on more fertile ground.
Trial stone Fürth
The team is prepared for setbacks, as those in charge said before the season. They will also be able to deal with phases in which there are two, three or more defeats in a row. How robust the current Bochum team is, not physically but mentally, will possibly be shown in the basement duel on Saturday in eight days’ time.
This match between the two promoted teams, ranked 18th (Fürth) and 17th (Bochum), has a certain significance, says sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz. “But after that, the season is not over. “
“But after that, the season is not over. “
SEBASTIAN SCHINDZIELORZ
Nevertheless, this encounter can of course become a signpost. Until then, the VfL officials must do everything they can to close the ranks. “Only collectively,” emphasises Schindzielorz, “can we achieve our goals for the season. “
