ErediVision: PSV's class, Feyenoord's midfield Jenga, fireworks lunacy

1: PSV look alive again

Last weekend was the first time this season that I recognised PSV as the PSV we know it - a marauding, relentless attacking machine with a plan behind every attack. It's the MO we know from Peter Bosz, and it finally returned to the pitch against FC Groningen.

The false start was a wake-up call, with Thom van Bergen and Brynjolfur Willumsson slicing through the PSV defence with absolute ease. That's when the floodgates opened, and PSV just went all-out on Groningen, who valiantly tried to stay in the game but ultimately were no match for the reigning champions.

Ruben van Bommel was excellent, as was the entire PSV backline, who deserve much praise after a rather shocking start to the season. The midfield looked good in their first game of the post-Joey Veerman era, with Kodai Sano creating three chances in his new role. He wasn't a duplicate of Veerman, and I don't think anyone will be, but it was a very positive outing for PSV.

2: We need to do better right now

Last weekend was a terrible reminder of how idiocy can ruin football.

A group of Feyenoord 'fans' thought it was a great idea to bring a ton of flares and fireworks into the Cambuur stadium, where the away end is situated next to the family stand, and set them off in the middle of the game. If only it stopped at setting them off, though, as they threw flares around - towards their goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, who got away lucky by dodging a "missile", towards Cambuur fans, everywhere.

Five Cambuur fans were injured due to those guys' antics. People who came to watch a football game with their siblings, children, parents, and grandparents are now scarred with eye injuries, hearing damage, and burns. Because of what? People in balaclavas who turn football into a sport of savages.

Protocols need to be revisited. Referee Danny Makkelie said he had to resume the game after a lengthy stoppage "with a heavy heart" because although those five people were injured, fans are not included in the fireworks protocol that states that a game has to be permanently suspended when players, staff members, or officials are wounded by fireworks from the stands.

But we all need to do better. There's no defending this, not with yelling and shouting against collective reprimands, not with saying that "it's only a small group", not with explaining this stuff as "fanatic". It's pathetic.

Wildly throwing flares around, unprovoked, and injuring people in the family stand while covering your faces. Have some shame.

3: Feyenoord's midfield is spectacular but fragile

Thankfully, Feyenoord spoke on the pitch as well. They beat lowly Cambuur 5-2, and Charles Vanhoutte, Luciano Valente, and Gjivai Zechiel delivered another midfield masterclass.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has really figured his midfield out. Vanhoutte provides the perfect balance behind the creative, dynamic Zechiel and Valente, who combined for three goals. The Belgian led his team in tackles (3), possessions won (7), and passes (59), while also creating two chances, as many as Valente and Zechiel combined.

However, this midfield is also a fragile Jenga tower. Take one tile out, and it could collapse. Oussama Targhalline came on after 60 minutes and the midfield just changed face. Feyenoord lost control and conceded twice - it was yet another shutdown after the 60th minute, which is what we also saw against Sparta Rotterdam and Go Ahead Eagles.

There are rumours that Targhalline even wants out, and Zechiel is reportedly a prime candidate to succeed Ayyoub Bouaddi at Lille. How much longer will we be able to enjoy this midfield?

Paul Winters is Flashscore's Netherlands country manager, having previously worked for Flashscore's Netherlands desk. Paul is an expert on the Eredivisie and also specialises in the NFL, as well as a plethora of other sports. Residing in 'sunny' Katwijk, you can follow all of the news from the Netherlands here. 

You can find Paul on X and LinkedIn.