Shedender - Comments

It's got to that stage of the summer again, the beginning of pre season when the expectations are announced for the forthcoming season along with the new fixture list and our pre season friendly programme. This season I can guarantee that the pressure will be indeed on and I'm sure I can cope, or at least I hope I can cope.


The pressure is on!

The minimum expectation for the forthcoming season is that they expect me to win the Premier League and they've backed me with a transfer budget of fourteen and a half million pound but I may adjust that down slightly. I can't believe the board has put such pressure on us knowing that Celtic are much more better than us currently.

Why would the board expect a team, that finished THIRTY! YES THIRTY! points behind their rivals and champions Celtic to win the league? Bizarre and as I've said the pressure is indeed on so I need to go straight to the transfer market to try and bring in some real quality - and quick.

Should I fail to win the league, I really hope I don't receive the boot as I do believe I can win the league...eventually with them.


Our opening league fixture of the season will see us make the trip to Dundee before hosting newly promoted Kilmarnock at Ibrox and then our third league game will be at Tynecastle against Hearts. The first Old Firm derby game of the season will be the fifth league game of the season as the champions come to Ibrox.

Before the split happens we have three tough games, two away from home and one at home but definitely should be games that we should be targeting nine points from. They're away to last season's overachievers Hamilton Academical, away to Motherwell before the final game before the traditional split will be at home to Butcher's Inverness Caledonian Thistle side.

Eight pre season games were also arranged:


The pre season programme starts with a home game against French side Olympic Marseille before we face Teplice also at home. Our third game will be away at Glanford Park against Scunthorpe before we head to the Republic of Ireland for a two game tour against Bohemians and Derry City before going back to England with a trip to Rochdale.

Our pre season preparations end with two away games against Cambuslang Rangers and Blantyre Vics.

Can only see us really struggling against Marseille and Teplice, every other game should be winnable.

One player has already agreed to depart the club and he'll be heading to Italy for a million pounds while two players have been released, one relucentely as I like him but he would never play for me due to having better players in his position.

Who is it I hear people ask? Well, you need to wait until I post the transfers in and out.

Couldn't believe how dominative they've been this season it's been awful for me to witness it. Sadly ( as you already know since you did the "ninja smiley" ), I did get tanked in the final but it was so undeserved... oh who am I kidding, it was deserved as they twice as many shots on goal and on target compared to us - I'm starting to hate playing Celtic, really not looking forward to next seasons game against them.

I need to get some damn experience in for next season to try and close the gap.

The final month of the season came as we had three league games to play to complete our first season back in the SPL while we also had a Scottish Cup final to play too - the problem is we had to play Celtic, could we actually beat them for the first time this season or would it be another defeat to the runaway league champions?


The final Old Firm derby clash with Celtic started the month and yet again we suffered defeat against our bitter rivals, following a scoreless first half the second half burst into life as Ledley struck seconds into the restart before Kadlec was then sent off for two yellows on forty nine minutes. Champions Celtic sealed the points on fifty eight minutes as Joseph-Monrose scored.

We then faced Hearts at Ibrox with second place still not guaranteed and we picked up a much needed three one win as our inconsistency continued as Bustos put us into the lead after seven minutes and that's how it remained until early into the second half as Stourac doubled the lead before Stephens headed a goal back for the Jamobs but Bennett, in for the injured Ramsay added a third late on.

Our league season ended with a short trip to Partick Thistle and we could pick up a draw to conclude the season with Gros and Andrews just after the half hour and early in the second half had Thistle two up but we fought back to earn a share of the spoils as Bennett and Nimely scored.

It was then time for the Scottish Cup final as we entertained bitter rivals Celtic but it was a game to forget as Celtic won the Scottish Cup with a comprehensive six nil win over us, which angered me no end and seen me almost fine the entire starting eleven as a result. Joseph-Monrose (2), Kadlec and Forrest had the Hoops four goals up at half time while a Russell double completed the one sided final.


As the season came to an end we finished an awful THIRTY points behind champions Celtic.

We approached the penultimate month of the season unable to win the SPL title due to Celtic running way with it but we still had a chance to finish as runners-up, which I suppose will have to do should it happen, in April we had four league games as well as a Scottish Cup semi final versus Inverness Caledonian Thistle. It turned out to be a poor month as we picked up just the one league success.


A trip to bottom of the table St. Johnstone started the penultimate month and we could only pick up an unacceptable away point against the bottom side and they home side took the lead just before half time through Craig but we equalised through Nimely early in the second half, the home side retook the lead with Wright scoring with only twelve minutes left but Nimely's second goal rescued a point in a game we should've won.

We then hosted strugglers Motherwell and slipped to a disgraceful home defeat. Two goals in two second half minutes just after the hour mark through Murphy and a Goodwin header sealed the shock win.

Our next game was the Scottish Cup semi final encounter against Inverness and we demolished them and eased to a sensational seven one victory to take our minds of the stuttering league form. Young winger Davidson opened the scoring after only seven minutes with a second goal coming on eighteen minutes through Gasparotto, Nimely then struck twice within five minutes to put us four goals up but Caley Thistle pulled a goal back through Stewart. Second half goals from Nimely who struck twice to complete his hat trick and beyond and Black completed the rout.

Back to league action and we hosted St. Mirren, a good game saw both sides cancel each other out. Game finished 0-0.

And the month concluded with a trip to Hamilton and we had to fight back to pick up a much needed three points with our only league win this month as goals in each half from Nimely and defender Gasparotto who side footed home on sixty four minutes turned the game around after Marrow struck for the Accies on nine minutes.


Heading into the final month we are a staggering twenty seven odd points behind Celtic who have bulldozed to the league title despite actually slipping up in April following a defeat away to St. Mirren. You can tell the difference between the two sides - Celtic have unfortunately scored one hundred and eight goals and conceded twenty six while we've only scored sixty six and conceded forty six to date.

I think it would be good to compare how much they've spent more/less than you this summer.

You're doing very well Danny Boy! KIU!

I bloody hate Celtic for obvious reasons but they're really annoying me this season. I've only beaten them twice since I began this save and that was in the Scottish Cup semi final (5-2 back in 2014) and in the League Cup final (1-0 in 2015), they've won the last five against me with an aggregate score of 14-4 and I have still got to play them this season in the split. It could be an unbeaten season but I am really hoping it's not, I would love them to slip up, even once.

I've thirteen under twenty-one players (all not in the first team by the way) so I think in the summer, if I receive a good transfer budget I will need to sign experience, especially in defence.

With a successful February behind us that only saw us slip up once that cost us progression in the Europa League we entered the business end of the season and March saw us play five games, three in the league along with a Scottish Cup quarter final tie and a League Cup final.


Our first game in March was a Scottish Cup quarter final tie against rivals Aberdeen at Ibrox and a crowd just short of forty nine and a half thousand saw us progress to the semi finals with a single goal victory as striker Nimely scored the only goal of the game on sixty four minutes.

We then made the trip to St. Mirren and were on the wrong end of a three goal hiding that saw Folly put the Buddies into the lead after only seven minutes before goals in the second half from Harding and Miller sealed the shock victory for the home side.

Celtic were up next in the League Cup final and the side, running way with the SPL title won the League Cup courtesy of a three two win at Hampden Park. Celtic took the lead with Russell scoring on sixteen minutes but Stourac equalised eight minutes later before Zanev restored the Celtic lead just before the half hour. In the second half Bustos levelled for the second time with sixty nine minutes gone but Russell's second, with ten minutes remaining ensure the cup went to Celtic Park.

We returned to league action with a trip to Celtic Park and were beat two nil as Neumann opened the scoring with an unfortunate own goal on twenty three minutes before Ledley sealed the points early in the second half.

Our final game of the month was a home encounter with Inverness and we deservedly beat them four one for our first and only league win of a disappointing month. We took the lead on twenty one minutes as Bustos smashed the ball home before winger Ramsay doubled the lead before half time, Nimely made it three before McCullough pulled a goal back but Faure headed home a fourth to seal the points. We finished the game with ten men as Pajvot was sent off for two yellow cards.


You can see Celtic ran away with the league title, which is disappointing but at least we're currently exceeding expectations by being in second place. Celtic have unfortunately (for us, and everyone else in the league) secured the league BEFORE the split.

Couldn't believe the second leg against Athletic although perhaps I should as our poor away form cost us.

They've ran away with the league and a matter of when and not if they win the league, I can only hope they have a poor season next and the gap can be closed. So far the point gap is ridiculous.

The league is a lot tighter between the two heavyweights compared to what it was like last season although their is still a long way to go.

This update will have the seasonal expectations for the forthcoming season as well as our pre season fixtures and the draw for the Belgian Super Cup as I look to depart Belgium before the league season even starts.


With the seasonal expectations being announced I am not at all surprised that the board are expecting us to yet again win the Pro League title and in return they've given me a transfer kitty of just under seventeen million pounds to spend and I'm unsure on how much I will spend of it, it depends on who I think is good enough for a club the size of Anderlecht.

I have players coming back from loan spells so I will see if they're up to much while I have players departing the club after they agreed pre-contracts elsewhere.


Five pre season fixtures have been arranged by my assistant manager with three of them being away from home and two at home.

We face away games against Dynamo, Krasnodar and Koniz while we face giants Monterrey and Stuttgart at home.

Finally the draw for the Super Cup was also announced:


In what could possibly be my final game in Belgium, we will face Genk in the Super Cup in what will be a tough game. We will have home advantage as the game will be played at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock stadium on the twenty eighth of July twenty twenty-three.

It says that Genk have only won the Super Cup ONCE in their one hundred year history and that one came back in 2011, I hope when we face them their wins in the competition remain at one.

Just the Super Cup to win mate and then I can finally depart Belgium.


Thanks pal.

And now the time is upon us, the final month of the season that will determine whether I have two more trophies to add to my trophy cabinet or whether I have nothing to add and this season has ended in extreme disappointment. Our final three games are against Gent, Genk and Westerlo along with a Belgian Cup final, vs. Gent.

I definitely don't think I could have asked for a tougher end to the season.


The final month of the season began with a home encounter with Gent and two second half goals defeated us. Visitors Gent took the lead after sixty nine minutes with Caniggia finding the net and then Madsen doubled the lead with ten minutes remaining to seal the points and end a disappointing performance and result from ourselves.

We then made the trip to Genk and another dire performance saw us defeated for the second game running by the same two nil score line with Thomas, who has been a pain in my side every time we've played Genk, opened the scoring on twenty three minutes with Souza doubling the lead just before half time.

So those two defeats meant the league had gone to the final day with Genk top of the table and travelling to Standard and with us now in second place facing Westerlo, how will the season end? Will we secure the league as champions or will I need to spend another entire season in Belgium?


Sensational. We are the Pro League Champions in my first full (bar the opening game) season in charge.

We did what we had to do against Westerlo and that was to pick up maximum points and we did in style as we beat them five nil with ourselves racing into a four goal lead before half time. De Clercq broke the deadlock on thirteen minutes before an own goal from de Groot doubled the lead, the advantage was trebled on thirty two minutes with Clayton scoring and four minutes later Stepanyan headed home before Praet added a fifth in the second half.

Standard's 4-2 home win (iirc) over Genk ensured the league was won in dramatic circumstances.


We won the league by a single point in the end but at least the league was won. Did I ever doubt it? No, not until we lost those two games back to back at the beginning of the month that saw us lose top spot but I'm just pleased we crawled over the finishing line.

Just one more competitive game was to be played and that was the Belgian Cup final versus Gent, could I add a second trophy this season to my cabinet?


Absolutely. A strong crowd of fifty thousand fans saw us wrap up the Belgian Cup and the treble (although I wasn't in charge for the Super Cup so sadly that doesn't count) but we picked up an excellent two nil win against a strong Gent side and the lead was took on the quarter hour through De Clercq before the same man doubled the lead on sixty four minutes.

The penultimate month of the season saw us play six leagues, all in the league as we looked to wrap up the league title. Unfortunately despite going through the month unbeaten with four wins and two draws from the six leagues the league challenge will be going down to the final month,


So it was a crunch month and I couldn't have asked for a tougher start as we hosted Standard and beat them four two as we raced into a three goal lead inside the opening half an hour as Sivan, De Clercq and Creemers all scored in a six minute period. The visitors pulled two back in the second half through Gordana but Praet's goal with the game entering stoppage time sealed the points.

We then made the trip to Gent and overturned them two nil with goals in either half from Praet on thirty eight minutes and Clayton on fifty two separating the sides.

Our next game saw us face Genk but both sides cancelled each other out and it ended goalless.

Westerlo away was up next and we brushed them away as we picked up a four one win. In-form striker Creemers scored his fourth goal from the last five after only three minutes before central defender Stepanyan headed home, Clayton added a third before half time with Praet adding a fourth on fifty seven minutes - Hajji bagged a late consolation for the home side as we struck with four minutes left.

Cercle Brugge made the trip to Brussels next and we demolished them four nil with Praet opening the scoring before Creemers continued his fine goal scoring form with a goal in each half and in between a third goal thanks to Clayton. It was a one sided victory and deservedly so.

Our final game of the month was a tough clash against a Standard side looking for revenge following out four two home win earlier in the month but they couldn't get it as the game ended two all. Standard got off to a flyer with van der Horst opening the scoring after only two minutes but we flew back and had the lead midway through the half as Praet converted an eleventh minute penalty and Sivan then curled home a free kick eleven minutes later. When I thought we were going to hold on, Matias struck for a share of the spoils.


It's going to the wire. With three league games remaining we have a four point lead over second placed Genk but our final month isn't going to be an easy one as we host Gent, travel to Genk before ending the season with a home clash with Westerlo.

We will face Gent in the final of the Belgian Cup. We're still in a shout for the double.

March saw us face just three league games, two in the Belgian Pro League in between a Belgian Cup semi final second leg tie away to my former club Namur. It was a good month as we remained undefeated throughout in the league with one draw and victory as well as progression to the final.


We started with a game against Gent that was played away from home and we picked up a point despite taking the lead in the thirty sixth minute courtesy of Falcao's ninth league goal of the season but we were pegged back on the hour mark as Clayton struck for the hosts.

The Belgian Cup semi final second leg was up next as we made the trip to my former stomping ground Namur with a three one aggregate lead and we progressed and won the second leg two one thanks to second half goals from Clayton who struck a minute into the restart and Sivan who found the net with fifteen minutes left. Namur were reduced to ten men on seventy eight minutes when Armendariz was shown a straight red card but Aguirre halved the deficit but we advanced.

Our final league game of a short month saw us face our third away game on the bounce as we made the trip to Cercle Brugge and beat them four two. We took the lead after only five minutes as Creemers tapped the ball home and the same man doubled the lead on twenty two and then Gonzalez made it three before Nys pulled a goal back, our three goal lead was restored on sixty nine minutes with Gonzalez firing home his second before Cercle added a second consolation goal in second half stoppage time through van der Heijden.


Just the two league games were played in March and we're a point clear of second place Standard who moved into second following the month with Genk slipping to third.

We have three more months (eleven league games) to wrap up the title.


Thanks pal, the unbeaten run has been excellent and long may it continue.


Cheers.

That's the plan but whether the form continues remains to be seen. We still have some extremely tough games coming up, especially in April.


Getting through that Champions League group was near on impossible so it's no surprise we failed.

Decent transfer budget but probably nothing compared to what Dinamo have to spend. I've no doubt you will spend it wisely though mate and the league table will be a lot closer to what it finished last season.

We remained unbeaten in the league throughout February with three wins from our four league games while we played a Belgian Cup semi-final first leg tie against former club Namur. It was a promising month heading into the business end of the season.


An away trip to Mechelen started the month and we could only manage a draw despite central defender Nunes opening the scoring but the home side equalised before the quarter hour mark through Blaauw, the home side could have won the game but they had a goal controversially chalked off.

We bounced back in our first home game of the month as we brushed Beerschot aside four one with Clayton and Sivan firing us into a two goal lead inside the opening twenty one minute and attacking midfielder Clayton scored his second and our third on forty one minutes. Away side Beerschot pulled a goal back two minutes later with Richard scoring but De Clercq regained our three goal lead on fifty two minutes.

Our next game was a tough clash away to Club Brugge and we defeated them two nil thanks to two first half goals from Praet and Sivan within ten minutes of each other.

We then had a top of the table clash against Genk and we came out on top in a five goal thriller. We raced into a three nil lead inside the opening twenty five minutes thanks to a double from Sivan on eight and twenty two minutes and De Clercq striking two minutes later but we switched off and let the away back into the game with two goals in a four minute period as Thomas scored them both but we held on.

Our final game of the five game month was a Belgian Cup semi final against former club Namur and we came out on top thanks to a three one success, despite dominating the entire first half that ended goalless and the second half was no different. We continued to dominate but were stunned when Andre struck on fifty one minutes for the visitors but we struck back with three goals in the final eleven minutes - Clayton equalised on seventy nine minutes before defender Stepanyan headed home on eighty seven minutes and then a couple of minutes later Villalba deflected the ball into his own net.


February has ended with us remaining top of the table and with a four point gap over Genk. Their is one league game remaining before the league is split with the top six teams facing each other twice to take the league games played to forty. We're still not guaranteed the league title and as stated before I wish I had a bigger lead at the top.

Twenty one times in a row from Dinamo!

You need to stop that next season and I'm sure you will. Well done on winning the cup by the way.

This is sure going to be a tough task to win the league as no doubt Dinamo are the better team but I'm sure you will win the league, possibly next season depending on who you bring in/Dinamo lose in the summer.

We had a tough game against Standard in a game that we could have easily lost. Falcao hasn't been scoring as much as he did under me at Namur, which is a disappointing - he still has eight league goals iirc.

Can't believe you have managed to land another big job. Good luck at Hajduk mate.

On the back of nine league matches undefeated we entered the New Year looking to continue the good league form as we had three matches in the Pro League to deal with along with a Belgian Cup quarter final second leg encounter with Standard - we lead one nil from the first leg.


We started the New Year with a trip to Kortrijk and we turned them over three nil as Clayton broke the deadlock shortly before half time before De Clercq doubled the score a minute into the second half before attacking midfielder Clayton sealed the points near the hour mark.

Our quarter final second leg tie in the Belgian Cup was next and despite losing the second leg two one in Liege we advanced on the away goals rule. Standard took the lead a minute before the break through Kontsevay and then ten minutes into the second half Gordana doubled the lead - Falcao's goal, on the hour mark ensured we progressed to the semi finals on away goals following a two all aggregate score.

A home game against STVV followed as we returned to league action and we smashed into a three nil lead inside the opening half hour as we won the game four one. Clayton's double, in between a De Clercq goal had us three up with only twenty six minutes on the clock before Hubert pulled a goal back on forty four minutes, Sivan completed the score with the game entering second half stoppage time.

And the month ended with a trip to Lokeren and we could only manage a disappointing draw despite taking the lead after only five minutes through Sullo but despite us trying to kill the game off we were unable too and we paid the ultimate price when Camara equalised with four minutes remaining.


That slip up away from home hasn't damaged us too much as we're still top of the table and the gap has been cut to us only being three points ahead of second place Genk while Standard are further behind in third.

I didn't sign anyone in the January transfer window but I did five players depart the club - Eder has headed to Greece to sign for Panathinaikos that has seen us bag two point one million while Tassio heads to Brazil for half a million, he's joined Botafogo. Spanish side Racing Santander completed a deal to bring Oliver to the club for just shy of three million pound while Aubert has joined Beerschot on loan and Kalenga has also departed the club, also on loan.

Three players have also agreed to depart the club on frees and have agreed pre-contracts elsewhere. Charalabous will be playing his football in Glasgow next season after agreeing to join Rangers while Poletti will sign for French side Stade Malherbe Caen and Ragnoli is going to Antwerp.

Cheers pal. I still can't believe I managed to bag the Anderlecht job - biggest club I have managed so far.


Aye but at least I have played in the Champions League group stages unlike yourself who would bottle at the qualification stages, I have more points than you though.


Absolutely. I have one point while Dan's never actually been in the CL group stages so his opinion is irrelevant.


Cheers, very much appreciate the comment. As I've said previously, when I first applied for the vacant Anderlecht job I was expecting them to employ someone with a lot more experience than myself as I had never managed a "big" club before until now.

Belgium, I am hoping will be wrapped up at the beginning of next season.

We reached the final month of the year top of the table and looking good for the Pro League title while we remained in the Belgian Cup but faced a tough quarter final against Standard that is played over two legs. In December we played five league matches winning three and drawing two.


We started the final month of 2022 with a trip to my former club Namur as we started with an excellent three goal away success with two goals in the opening twenty minutes from De Clercq and Sivan getting us off to the perfect start before winger De Clercq added his second and our third before half time.

Our final European game was at home to Leverkusen and unfortunately we crashed to our fifth defeat from the six games. We missed a penalty before the German Bundesliga side won the game in the sixty eighth minute through Doumbia, a point would have been a fair result.

When we returned to domestic action we faced an extremely tough game against Standard Liege and the game got off to a blistering start when Clayton smashed home a free kick after only five minutes but six minutes later saw us give away a penalty that Sjogren converted and that's how it ended.

Club Brugge arrived for our second straight home game and we edged a five goal thriller. We took the lead on eighteen minutes through Falcao but Club Brugge levelled proceedings before Sivan restored the lead just before half time, the points look sealed whenever De Clercq made it three one but Saad's late goal made it a nervy ending.

In our next time we made the trip to Brugge to face Circle Brugge and the points were shared as De Clercq cancelled out Decuninck's opener.

We then faced a quarter final first leg tie in the Belgian Cup against Standard and we've taken the edge going into the second leg in Liege with a single goal win as Sivan scored the only goal of the game after four minutes - visitors Standard were reduced to ten men when Matias was sent off after fifty nine minutes.

Our final game of the year was a home clash with Vise and we ended the year with maximum points as Sivan gave us the lead on forty three minutes before central defender Nunes guided home a second goal with just over twenty minutes remaining.


We will be approaching the New Year top of the table and with a five point lead over second place Genk, I'm still not overly confident I can wrap up the league title but I suppose it's how we do in the second half of the season - I would love Falcao to bang in more goals but it's still been a successful season, minus our Champions League form as we're still in the Belgian Cup and challenging for the league.


Our Champions League adventure was one to forget as we finished rock bottom of a terrible group that included Leverkusen, Inter Milan and Barcelona. Remember when I said one big team would need to miss out, that ended up being Barcelona who will be playing Europa League football after winter.

With ourselves crashing to a forgettable five one defeat away to Genk it was important we bounced back in the next month as we faced four league game throughout the month as well as a Belgian Cup seventh round tie and two Champions League games.


A home Champions League clash with Inter Milan started the month and we picked up our first points in the group following a one all draw in what Falcao fired us into an excellent start after just five minutes and despite the Italian side dominating I thought we could have held on but it wasn't to be as Franz equalised with ten minutes left.

We returned to league action for the first time following the five one Genk defeat with a tough home encounter against Gent and thankfully we bounced back to winning ways immediately with a two one victory at home. Clayton opened the scoring after only eleven minutes before Sivan doubled the lead with ten first half minutes remaining but the visiting side scored a consolation when Eduardo headed home with a minute left.

Our next game was a tricky Belgian Cup seventh round tie away from home as we played Eupen and progressed to the quarter finals following a three two win and we took the lead inside the opening five minutes courtesy of Van der Bossche before Clayton doubled the lead but the home side halved the deficit on the stroke of half time. Striker Falcao made it three one early in the second but we were made to sweat when Meyers scored a second goal for the underdogs with six minutes left but we held on.

Next up was a home league game against Westerlo and they were defeated 2-0 as Falcao scored both of the goals inside the opening twenty seven minutes.

We then made the trip to Lierse and eased to a three nil away win with Falcao opening the scoring on twenty three minutes and then Sivan doubled the lead late in the first half, the points were sealed with three minutes left as De Clercq side footed the ball home.

A daunting trip to Barcelona was next and in front of almost ninety three thousand fans they beat us 3-0 in a game that didn't even see us muster a chance on target in the ninety minutes. The Spanish side took the lead on the stroke of half time through Serrano before second half goals from Huet sealed the very much deserved win.

The month ended with a scoreless draw against Waasland-Beveren. I was very disappointed with our performance.


We are still top of the table heading into the final month of 2022. We are three points clear of second place Genk.


We are out of the Champions League after defeat to Barcelona but truth be told I ruled us out of the competition after match day three. One of Barcelona, Leverkusen and Inter Milan are going to have to miss out on qualification and play in the Europa League for the remainder of the season.

Only four goals were scored from ourselves, which I'm very disappointed with. Conceded seventeen times so far.

You obviously haven't seen the group as I have the small matter of Barcelona, Inter and Leverkusen.

I would rather be running away with the league title truth be told as the sooner I can wrap it up then the better.

On the back of an unbeaten league record in September we faced four league games in October and it wasn't the best of months as we crashed to our second league defeat of the season after receiving a hiding at the hands of Genk.


We started the month with a home encounter against Lokeren and eased to a four nil victory despite losing a man to a red card during the second half. Former Namur striker Falcao opened the scoring on just eight minutes with Praet doubling the lead on the quarter hour but then we were reduced to ten men after sixty five minutes when Jadson was shown his second yellow card but it didn't make a difference as an own goal and a goal from Monteiro inside the final ten minutes wrapped up an emphatic win.

Our next game saw us come out on top of a five goal thriller at home to KV Mechelen with all the goals coming in the first half. Winger De Clercq fired us into a dream start with just three minutes on the clock but the visitors levelled after ten minutes before Falcao restored the lead on thirty four but Mechelen equalised for the second time through Clayton but we won the game in first half stoppage time courtesy of De Clercq's second.

In Champions League action we made the trip to Milan to face Italian giants Inter but they overturned us three one. Inter took the lead on the quarter hour through Gabbiadini but we equalised fifteen minutes mate through a De Clercq goal but second half goals from Vadillo and Franz sealed the win for the Italian side.

Back to league action and we made the trip to Beerschot but could only play out a scoreless draw.

We then faced a Belgian Cup sixth round tie against Kapellen and eased to a comprehensive five goal victory as we wasted no time taking the lead as Falcao opened the scoring on five minutes before two goals in five minutes from Falcao for his second and Salvador had us in control. We scored a fourth goal before the break through Sivan and the same man scored his second and our fifth late on.

And our final game was away to Genk and it was a trip and game to forget as they beat us five one with the home side scoring three times in the first half as Thomas netted a hat trick and the home side added a fourth from a Souza free kick before Thomas netted his fifth on fifty five minutes - Falcao scored our consolation goal on sixty eight minutes but it was definitely a game to forget.


Despite that shocking result away from home we have ended the month top of the table and a point clear of the team who had just humped us five one but we could still lose top spot if Standard when their game in hand but I just don't know when that's being played, could be soon but then again it could not.


Our Champions League "group of death" hasn't got any better as we're bottom of the group following this months only game and it was a defeat away to Inter Milan.

Unfortunately unless something bad happens to Dan's save, I don't think I can ever catch him.

Oh ffs. One more trophy and you'll be onto the next country, which I believe is Croatia? You're doing a wonderful job wherever you end up.

Couldn't believe it when we were drawn out in that group, awful group for us but I'm glad it's not important.


It's just a shame that we're conceding the goals instead of scoring them, isn't it? Dan and myself are allowed to win the Champions League/Europa League but as you have said it's not an immediate goal to be a success but it's more a "luxury" rather than something that we must win.