Noa Lang has stirred the pot following PSV Eindhoven's disappointing 1-1 draw against provincial rivals Willem II on Saturday, aiming harsh words at the team's fans. The winger, who scored PSV's only goal, voiced his displeasure with the crowd's lack of support during challenging times for the team. "We’re just having a tough time right now," Lang said during his interview with ESPN. "But we won't play any worse because of the way they act. There's no synergy at all. Yes, we're not playing well, but we really need the support from the stands right now. After all, we are one club, and we need to help each other."
February 8, 2025 marked yet another point dropped for PSV Eindhoven as they struggled to secure victory at home. Though Lang was pivotal, having broken the deadlock with his goal, the match took a sour turn when Willem II leveled the score late on after defensive lapses from PSV. "It seems like everyone has pudding legs," Lang explained, expressing the overall sluggish performance of the team. He recognized the tremendous pressure on the players when playing at home: "The support we need to get through hard times hasn’t been there, and it's quite frustrating," he added.
Lang's comments came right after the match, as he reflected on the current state of the team and their disappointing form. "We’ve played well for the past year and a half, yet now we find ourselves stuck for over a month. This is truly disappointing," Lang lamented, clearly agitated by the negative atmosphere, which he felt was compounded by the fans' initial reactions. "It's absurd how the crowd responds… flares up instantly after one mistake. It doesn’t help the players at all. Quite the opposite, for it only serves to worsen our confidence."
The match against Willem II highlighted the struggles facing the team after several rounds of subpar performances since the winter break. The goal from Lang seemed like it would lift spirits, but the equalizer from Willem II left fans disheartened and questioning the team's readiness. Lang pointed out this need for mutual support, stating, "There's no credit coming our way. Even when we did play well, there was silence from the stands. But when things go south for just over a month, everyone turns negative."
Critics may point fingers at the players for not managing the game appropriately, but Lang insists the shift in energy from the fans during games plays a role too. Engaging the crowd positively could send them back to their joyous days, rather than exacerbation. "The reaction to our performance has been drastic. Apparently, the fans think they’re out there playing alongside us.” His remarks suggest deep-rooted frustrations within the team, as many players feel weighed down by negative fan responses and blame.
Not everyone approved of Lang's candor. Coach Peter Bosz rebuffed Lang's critiques, stating, "We shouldn’t be talking about our supporters. We underperformed and need to analyze the reasons for our poor showing. It's us, not the fans, who need to take responsibility for the points lost today."
Captain Luuk de Jong shared similar sentiments after the match, stating the team needed to convert more chances. “When you only score once, it opens the door for opponents to capitalize on any opportunity,” de Jong emphasized, "From our end, we should have capitalized on multiple chances to secure the win. We must aim to increase our tempo to overpower teams, not just dominate possession."
The calls for both player and fan unity echo through the PSV camp as frustration grows among supporters and players alike. Lang's remarks resonate with many, who are itching for the team to return to winning ways. Since the New Year kicked off, PSV has already let points slip against AZ, PEC Zwolle, NEC, and now Willem II. It's clear something needs to change.
Despite the recent disarray, there’s still hope for improvement, but Lang insists the support from the fans is pivotal. “This is the time when we need to stand together as one,” he said, urging supporters to rally behind their team. “This is not going to work if the fans continue to respond negatively during our bad patches. For any player, getting booed at the slightest inconvenience is disheartening.”
Looking forward, PSV must regroup quickly as they continue their campaign, with upcoming fixtures posing significant challenges—especially if Ajax manages to close the gap on points during their next match. Lang’s emphatic message connects dots between performance and fan support—both integral to achieving domino wins for PSV. Navigational synergy, as he puts it, is not just about the display on the pitch but also the pulse from the stands. Only time will tell if both sides can mend their relationship and rise together as one united front.