The SpVGG Steele remains in the Landesliga after the deciding games against Bedburg-Hau. Coach Dirk Möllensiep is now optimistic about the coming season
After securing their place in the league, SpVGG Steele 03/09 are now looking to avoid another nail-biting season. Steele coach Dirk Möllensiep now has the preparation time to form a team that is ready for this
Steele will be entering their sixth year in the national league next season. The best result at this stage was seventh place in the table. A single-digit place in the table would therefore certainly be a success for the team from Essen.
“We are coming off a very long and tough season. I’m incredibly proud of the boys. However, I’m convinced that next season will be at least as difficult. In my opinion, the league is even more balanced. If we finish around tenth in the table, I would be very happy. Of course, any place above that would be a great success,” explained coach Möllensiep.
Last season was certainly a test for everyone involved. But Möllensiep is confident that his players have benefited from it: “I think the situation has helped the team. It has brought us even closer together. A large part of the team remains. I sensed the passion within the squad. That has definitely helped us move forward.
The coach is convinced that he can play a more solid season. He said: “We have significantly rejuvenated the squad. That’s good for us. We certainly have the potential to play a smoother season. We need to become more consistent and avoid making unnecessary mistakes. Unfortunately, that cost us a lot of points. “
The new players should take on responsibility and challenge the older players
Coach Dirk Möllensiep
The 54-year-old added with a laugh: “What’s more, only three teams will be relegated next season. That could also help us, of course.” Last season, four teams were relegated.
The coach analyzed the current squad situation as follows: “Unfortunately, we’ve also lost one or two key players. We’ll miss the lads in terms of soccer, but also on a personal level. But I’m sure that our new additions will be able to make up for the losses. We have a total of four boys aged between 18 and 22 who will take on responsibility and challenge the older players.”
SpVGG Steele will go to a two-day training camp in Sauerland on July 26. “We want to become more tactically flexible and rehearse new formations. The team has become stronger in the wing positions, and we want to take advantage of that tactically,” explained Dirk Möllensiep.