Den Bosch in dire straits: this is what the stats say

Almost halfway through the season, Den Bosch is fourth, nine points off unbeaten SCHC. The team of coach Marieke Dijkstra, who has been without the injured Laura Nunnink and Emma Reijnen for some time now, won only five of its ten matches, drew twice and suffered three defeats. That the team is visibly struggling with its form is beyond doubt.

The numbers underline how unusual this phase is for Den Bosch.

1. Only five wins after ten matches for the first time in thirty years
The last time Den Bosch did not get beyond five wins after ten games was in 1995-1996. Back then, the team won five times and also lost five.

2. Four goals against in one league game for the first time in 15 years
The 4-2 against Kampong was the first time since 7 November 2010 that Den Bosch conceded four goals. Then the away game with Amsterdam ended in a spectacular 5-5.

The text continues below the photo

3. Goal tally at lowest level since 1997-1998
After ten match rounds, Den Bosch is only on 21 goals - a number that was last this low in the 34 previous premier league seasons in 1997-1998. By comparison, title rival SCHC has already scored 38 times this season, almost double the number of goals of the Boschians.

4. As many defeats as in the previous three seasons combined
This season's three defeats match the total of the past three full seasons: two in 2022-2023, none in 2023-2024 and one last season. Not since 1997-1998 has Den Bosch lost so many times in the first 10 matches.

5. Vulnerability at the back: many goals against, few clean sheets
Defensively, Den Bosch is less stable than before. The team has only scored two clear goals this league. Goalkeeper Josine Koning has so far conceded fifteen goals - more than she has ever conceded in ten match rounds. Only in the early nineties was the number higher: seventeen in 1992-1993 and 25 in 1990-1991, Den Bosch's first big league season.