KV Mechelen is struggling with a negative start to the new Jupiler Pro League season. The Malinwa club has gathered just one point from its first three matches and currently sits 14th in the standings, according to the latest standings data.
This difficult start follows a successful previous campaign in which Fred Vanderbiest's team qualified for play-off 1. Analysts are now offering very mixed opinions on the situation at the club. Voetbalkrant.com reported on these differing views this week.
What are analysts saying about the start?
Olivier Deschacht, a former RSC Anderlecht player turned analyst, states that Vanderbiest squeezed the maximum out of the squad last season. "Fred Vanderbiest heeft KV Mechelen vorig seizoen helemaal uitgeperst," Deschacht said. He suggested the coach perhaps should have left, similar to how Wouter Vrancken departed after a strong season elsewhere.
Stijn Stijnen, however, is preaching calm. He does not understand the negative talk. "Ik snap niet waarom er zo negatief wordt gesproken over Mechelen, zeker na zo'n enorm goed seizoen van vorig jaar," Stijnen stated. He emphasizes that Vanderbiest has accepted the club's transfer policy and does not yet have his core team together. According to Stijnen, the coach is not the problem.
What issues are affecting the squad?
The results are lacking and that is causing unrest. KV Mechelen has scored three goals and conceded seven this season, a negative goal difference of four. Striker Myron van Brederode, the current top scorer with two goals, spoke about urgently needed reinforcements after a defeat to KAA Gent. Benito Raman also voiced clear criticism following a loss in Charleroi.
Coach Fred Vanderbiest has himself asked for new players. The situation surrounding Keano 'Kiki' Vanrafelghem is concerning. The player, formerly of Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, is going through a poor period. Stijnen notes that Vanrafelghem needs daily support, while within the club people are being very negative towards him.
How are others viewing the situation?
Columnist Marc Degryse of Het Laatste Nieuws points out that the club is at the very bottom of the table. He questions how the player group and the trainer will handle the shift from play-off euphoria to the current misery. With disappointing results and key players criticizing the rest of the group, KV Mechelen finds itself in an unstable condition.
Frank Boeckx, a speaker on the HLN Voetbalpodcast, says he is not surprised by the poor start. He states last season was an overperformance. When players start shooting at the board about departing players and a lack of additions, it lives within the group and presumably with the coach too. Boeckx thinks both Mechelen and Westerlo will have a difficult time after an attractive season and that neither club has much time left.
What are the next steps for KV Mechelen?
The club must survive the transfer market in the coming weeks. After the departure of Zekri, the squad has been further depleted. It is suggested a real team might only be on the field after the international break at the end of September. The question is who will provide stability. An experienced player like Mike Eerdhuijzen is mentioned as a possible anchor, similar to Burgess at KAA Gent.
The immediate focus is on the next fixture. KV Mechelen plays away against 15th-placed RAAL La Louvière on August 29. It is a chance to pick up points against a direct rival in the lower part of the standings. The club is already eight points behind leaders Club Brugge KV, making the title race a distant dream for them. The coming weeks, until the transfer window closes, are critical for the rest of their season. Fans can follow the progress via our overview of the squad and upcoming fixtures.
