NEC forward Dusan Tadic faces mounting pressure from supporters and analysts following a difficult start to the season after arriving on a free transfer from Al-Wahda, according to club reports and match broadcasts. The 37-year-old attacker has yet to score for the club after eight consecutive starts across multiple positions, culminating in a 2-2 home draw against Excelsior.
Tadic Struggles in the Striker Role Under Dick Schreuder
Manager Dick Schreuder deployed Tadic as the central striker during Tuesday’s home match against Excelsior at De Goffert, where the forward struggled to make an impact. According to match analysis from the club’s supporters and media, the player’s lack of mobility and speed hindered the team’s attack. ESPN commentator Mark van Rijswijk noted during the broadcast that Tadic missed a crucial heading opportunity in the second half just before teammate Noé Lebreton scored an injury-time equalizer.
“Van Tadic mag je verwachten dat dit de gelijkmaker is…,” Van Rijswijk said during the live coverage. Supporters echoed these frustrations on the club’s primary fan forums, arguing that deploying the veteran in the central forward position offers little value to the squad.
Supporter Backlash and De Goffert Atmosphere
Discontent among the Nijmegen fanbase intensified following a 3-1 defeat to Feyenoord, during which jeers and sarcastic cheers reportedly erupted from the tribunes when Tadic was substituted, according to journalist Jeroen Bijma speaking on the podcast Over RoodGroenZwart alongside former player Jan Peters and supporter Levi Houkes. Fans online have criticized the player’s on-field reactions, pointing to visible frustration and smiling during difficult moments instead of high-intensity play.
Did you know? NEC secured Tadic on a free transfer in July, handing the former Ajacied the iconic number ten shirt previously worn by captain Tjaronn Chery.
Tactical Adjustments and Defensive Vulnerabilities
Schreuder made sweeping changes to his starting lineup against Excelsior, benching several regular starters including Chery and Lebreton. Despite these rotations, NEC continued to concede soft goals, a recurring issue highlighted by Tadic in his post-match interview with ESPN. Adam Tahaui opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, but goals from David Garden and Valentin Sulzbacher put Excelsior ahead before Lebreton rescued a point in stoppage time.
“We incasseren de doelpunten in elke wedstrijd te gemakkelijk,” Tadic told ESPN after the match, emphasizing that the squad must defend and attack collectively to turn results around.
League Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
The draw leaves NEC ninth in the table with seven points from five matches, while Excelsior climbed to fourth place with ten points.
Pro tip: Keep track of starting lineups and tactical shifts on official club channels to understand how managers manage veteran players during dense fixture schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Dusan Tadic play for NEC?
Manager Dick Schreuder has deployed Tadic across multiple roles, including attacking midfielder, left winger, right winger, and central striker.
How many goals has Tadic scored for NEC?
According to club records, Tadic has provided three assists but has not yet scored for NEC.
Where does NEC rank? Following the draw against Excelsior, NEC sits in ninth place with seven points after five matches.
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