With the signing of Justin Hoogma, the Cloverleaf hoped to strengthen their central defence in the summer. However, after decent starts in preparation as well as appearances in the first three league games, the Dutchman is currently not playing a role.
Young, but no longer inexperienced. Left-footed, talented, on loan from Hoffenheim. The package Justin Hoogma read as interesting as promising for SpVgg. No wonder that coach Stefan Leitl promoted the 23-year-old, who had previously spent two years on loan from TSG to FC Utrecht, into the starting line-up on the first three matchdays. But while Hoogma was quite convincing in the 1:1 against Arminia Bielefeld, he went down with his eleven at VfB Stuttgart (1:5), in the 0:2 in Mainz he fluffed – and subsequently lost his mandate in the starting line-up.
Apart from the faulty performances, this was certainly due to the late signing of Nick Viergever and Jetro Willems, who play as half-left centre-back and left-back respectively in the positions that Hoogma can play. Both clearly raise the level of Fürth and are therefore set. Hoogma would have greater chances if Leitl were to go for a three-man backline, which has not been the case recently.
Leitl wants to protect Hoogma
Nevertheless, it came as a surprise that Hoogma did not even appear in the 20-man matchday squad recently. Leitl justifies this by saying that the player must also be protected. Sounds like a cliché at first, but on closer inspection it makes sense. Instead of brooding over mistakes, Hoogma can regain automaticity and self-confidence in his daily work and thus be recommended for the squad again.
The squad is not too thick in terms of central defenders. Gideon Jung is missing due to injury, Hans Nunoo Sarpei can step in, Abdourahmane Barry as well. But both are also an option in other positions – Sarpei in defensive midfield, Barry as an outside defender. In this respect, the way back for Hoogma could be shorter than it seems at the moment.
