Bas Dost now proving his ability in Bundesliga after two modest seasons

Since the resumption of the Bundesliga season following the winter break, Bayern Munich have emphasised their current domination of German football by recovering from a 4-1 opening defeat by Wolfsburg and a 1-1 home draw with Schalke to register three successive league victories without conceding a goal. 8-0 and 6-0 wins against Hamburg and Paderborn respectively were particularly impressive. However, second placed Wolfsburg have won four of their five league games and striker Bas Dost has been scoring goals in abundance as his team seeks to consolidate their hopes of qualifying for Champions League football next season.

Dutchman Dost signed for Wolfsburg in June 2012 after scoring 32 league goals for Heerenveen that previous season to become leading goalscorer in the Eredivisie. At a scoring ratio of nearly one goal per game, the fee of approximately 7 million euros appeared to be a bargain deal for the young striker.

However, although his first season in German football could not be regarded as a failure, his eight goals from 28 first team appearances could be termed fairly modest as he adapted to the quicker pace of the Bundesliga. Yet for the following season, injuries and a loss of confidence restricted Dost to fewer games and just four league goals with suggestions that his tall slender frame was ill-suited to the demands of higher level football.

Dost was almost regarded as a failure by several German football pundits especially during the early stages of the current campaign when he was restricted to substitute appearances with no sign of adding to his meagre goal tally in the Bundesliga. However, in December 2014, he entered the field of play with Wolfsburg drawing 1-1 at home to Hannover and in need of some inspiration.

Whether the home fans thought the introduction of Dost was a good idea is open to debate but the Dutchman repaid the faith of manager Dieter Hecking by adding a second goal for the team with Wolfsburg eventually winning 3-1. Dost scored another goal for the team in a 2-0 win against Koln prior to the Winter break, but his form since the New Year has convinced Wolfsburg that he is more than justifying his fee with his market value now probably increasing.

Bas Dost has scored 11 competitive goals in just six matches this year including two against Bayern Munich, four at Bayer Leverkusen and another two during the 2-1 weekend victory at home to Hertha Berlin. Another brace has claimed in midweek when Sporting Lisbon were beaten 2-0 in the Europa League.

Now that he has recovered from a series of troublesome injuries, Dost is beginning to demonstrate that he can provide a regular supply of goals in a top European league. The challenge for the Dutchman will be to continue with this free-scoring form as more defenders become aware of his undoubted talents.

Should 25 year old Dost continue with his goalscoring exploits, Wolfsburg may also face a problem in retaining his services for next season.