Stevens: PSV not on schedule yet

Peter van Duyl
AD
Tuesday 28 October 2008

When the performances and the results don't improve coach Huub Stevens might focus on the defense more than he does now.

The coach started his mission in Eindhoven with the intention to have PSV far away from their own goal.

But so far things are not going as planned.

They are not panicking in Noord-Brabant, now that PSV have lost three of seven league games.

With the away game to ADO Den Haag up next the current situation forces them to reflect.

Much to his own regret Stevens has to conclude that PSV's metamorphosis to a more offensive team is not on schedule.

"Things are not being acquired as fast as I had hoped," Stevens says.

"I think that a part of the squad is not used to playing twenty meters further forward, as we like to see it. When it's not working out you should perhaps consider taking a step backwards."

That moment hasn't come yet, Stevens emphasizes.

And when the decision to do so needs to be made he will discuss it with the most important players in the team.

Stevens will never criticize his players publicly.

But he can't hide that he isn't happy about certain things.

"Am I happy about the way in which the experienced players help out the younger ones? That isn't easy. I should say: yes and no. Some better than others."

Having lost two in a row the game against ADO has become a crucial game all of a sudden.

On the eve of a tough month of November the reigning champions can not afford another mistake.

PSV will be without Jérémie Bréchet and Nordin Amrabat on Tuesday.

The defender and the forward both left the pitch on Saturday with a muscle injury.

Stevens can possibly dispose of Ibrahim Afellay again, who seems recovered from his hamstring trouble.