The Heracles Sentinel
Squad29 Aug 2039
A knee injury of the worst kind for Mohammed Nour Bouhilal
74 days on the estimate, and a long, private, unglamorous year of a rehabilitation nobody watches. Heracles lose a footballer; he loses considerably more than a season.
Squad29 Aug 2039
Kristen Ngandimoun breaks a bone — 54 days out
Brutal, unambiguous and, for all the horror of the moment, usually less career-shaped than the ligament everybody fears more. 54 days, a clean timeline, and a return date somebody can actually plan around.
Match27 Aug 2039
Heracles throw away a 2-goal lead
2 in front and in complete control, and it finished with ADO Den Haag the happier side. There is no version of this afternoon that Heracles will enjoy reviewing.
Squad29 Aug 2039
A one-man rearguard from Kilian Nikiéma
There were 6 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.
Market29 Aug 2039
Only the photograph left for Georginio Strootman
Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Georginio Strootman will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Heracles the goodbyes have quietly begun.
Squad29 Aug 2039
Tempers go at Heracles
Kilian Nikiéma was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Market29 Aug 2039
Heracles say no — this time
The offer from De Graafschap for Patrick Dumfries was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Match27 Aug 2039
Heracles share the spoils with ADO Den Haag
A 2‑2 draw with ADO Den Haag leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.
Player ratings29 Aug 2039
The one thing Leandro Milito could not do
Shots: 7, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.
In brief
- Player ratings Nobody could get near Sil Blokhuis
- Market Robin Simons leaves for nothing
- Market Marco Berghuis leaves for nothing