Thomas Reis: Get in the right areas to play to our strengths

“We haven’t played the kind of football we want to in our last two games,” said head coach Thomas Reis, who closely analysed the 2-0 defeat to Holstein Kiel last time out with his team and coaching staff this week. The boss believes that his side need to be more compact and defend with more energy. “We need to try and press them. The important thing will be how high we manage to press them up the pitch,” he stated, whilst also demanding better play from his team on the ball.

Strong from set pieces

Reis described Saturday’s opponents as “a team full of confidence after their promotion last season.” He added: “They look to play an attractive style of football despite not having much possession.” The coach is well aware of how strong Wiesbaden are from set pieces, with three of their four goals this season coming from dead-ball situations.

S04 will once again be without Dominick Drexler, Bryan Lasme and Kenan Karaman due to injury. Lino Tempelmann, Paul Seguin, Danny Latza and Niklas Tauer are the candidates to replace Ron Schallenberg in defensive midfield. S04’s number six has been given a two-match ban after his red card in the defeat against Kiel.

Murkin could be in the squad

Left-back Derry John Murkin, who joined on Wednesday (30/8), already played twice for his former club FC Volendam in the Eredivisie this season, which makes him an option for the squad according to Reis. Tomás Kalas, a Royal Blue since last Saturday (26/8), will not be in the 20-man squad for Wiesbaden. “We knew that we would need a little while to get Tomás match fit,” said Reis on the centre-back who was without a club at the start of the season. However, the 30-year-old has made a good impression on Reis in training and the coach wants to use the upcoming international break to help him get closer to making a matchday squad. “We have gained quality. It’s my job to get everyone at their best so we can work well as a team,” stated Reis, who is happy to now have two players for every position in the squad now.

Thomas Ouwejan is expected to play at left-back on Saturday. “He will definitely play,” revealed Reis, before praising his free-kicks and crosses. Overall, the coach feels that it’s important that his players get in the right areas of the pitch to play to their strengths.”