Also scored a 2nd. Neither from the spot. That's what we needed to see more of, even though he was having a good season relative to league. Telstar in the lead now, up 2-1 against Graafschap.
Came out in the 83rd minute up 2-1. Graafschap came back to tie a couple minutes later, only to be answered for the 3-2 Telstar victory. Big win for them against a promotion battler. Novakovich scored on a free kick and a tap-in with the keeper out after some deft hold-up play. Strength continues to be set pieces, hold-up play, creation off the dribble, and work-rate it seems. I still wouldn't say he's ever hit his stride there scoring from the run of play, in spite of now boasting 9 league goals. If he does that he'll be really interesting. Die Novakovich voelt zich nog niet te groot om ook de intikkers te benutten. #suuuuu @Telstar1963NV #telgrahttps://t.co/Ja5EuzOT09 pic.twitter.com/t21xcFeC9V— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) December 22, 2017
It seems like, based on Telstar's twitter, he should have about 20 goals if he finished all his chances.
A lot of people would be playing in the Eerste Divisie right now if they finished all their chances. Not quite literally but you get what I mean. He finishes with +15 regardless of where or how, and that's a great season relative to his age and experience. I think he's gonna do it.
It astounds me that he is still in the 2nd division of Dutch soccer. All this kid does is score. Who doesn't need that?
It's not like he has been there for 5 years. He has been there for half a season... You shouldn't be astounded. He signed with SC Telstar on a season long loan.. he had a nice first half of the season and is now having a nice start to the 2nd half... hopefully he has a nice 2nd half of the season with Telstar and then has more and better options over the summer. This situation is perfectly normal.
With his parent club currently 18th in the table, and led in scoring by a player with 7 goals, I think Novakovich probably could help them now, as he is averaging a goal every other game in a professional setting.
Novakovich is a player whose only real professional experience consists of performing well at the Eerste Divisie level for 1/2 season... I don't think it's "astounding" he is still there at the dawn of the 2nd half of the season... just my take.
He's never got the chance with Reading. They just play him on their U-23 or whatever team and he use to score there too but no call ups.
Team of the Week: ⚽️| Elftal van de Week Speelronde 213⃣spelers in het team van @fcdordrechtnl 👏2⃣spelers van @GAEagles en @Telstar1963NV ➡️ Ook @AlmereCityFC, @fcvolendam, Jong @PSV en @FC_Emmen leveren één speler. pic.twitter.com/aTNWsRX3BS— Keuken Kampioen Divisie (@1e_Divisie) January 23, 2018
And they kept him out of the showcase that is the u20 World Cup, promising him that he was in line for first team football. Pretty ridiculous that was 3 years ago.