KV Mechelen are in serious trouble after a disastrous start to the season. Manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck warns that the team is now fully feeling the consequences of a vulnerable defence and summer departures.
The numbers tell the story. After six matchdays, KV Mechelen sit 16th and bottom of the Jupiler Pro League with just two points. The team lost its last two games, against Anderlecht (0-1) and KVC Westerlo (0-4), and has already conceded fourteen goals in total.
Vanhaezebrouck explains that the current situation did not come out of nowhere. "Let's not forget: no team overperformed as much last season. According to the expected points, we could have finished last," the manager said. He is referring to last season's sixth-place finish, which statistical models suggest was an outlier. Several players left the club this past summer, while the defence remains far from solid.
Goalkeeper Miras is also currently earning fewer points than last season. In attack, M. Van Brederode, with three goals, is the only bright spot, but that does not outweigh the many goals conceded. The summer arrival of Dennis Praet has not yet been able to turn the tide.
Vanhaezebrouck issued an urgent plea to the supporters. "The home crowd will have to play its role and not turn against the team. Otherwise it will become very difficult," he stressed. The squad, featuring players like Koudou, Hammar, Boersma and Van Brederode, faces a key away game against 12th-placed Lommel United. The injury list is long, with Adeshina Ayodele, Keano Vanrafelghem, Leo Fuhr Hjelde and Tijn Van Ingelgom all sidelined.
The full standings show the scale of the deficit, while the upcoming fixtures leave no more room for error. The next chance for points comes on Saturday away to Lommel.
The original report is at Voetbalkrant.com
