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Two individual error goals, and no efficiency on the other end. Missed one absolute sitter at 1-1. Not a good performance, but definitely better than the opponent. It's traditionally a difficult away game for us though, bone hard and old synthetic pitch which really doesn't suit our vertical play. That said, also a few key players completely absent today. Hopefully, we'll bounch back at home against Kortrijk this week, because the next five will be far more tricky: Gent away, Mechelen away, Antwerp home, Charleroi away an Club Brugge at home.

To elaborate on this, our new CEO and DOF worked together at Beerschot for the past two years. The latter, Gyorgy Csepregi, built a team at Beerschot in second division with pretty much no transfer budget that in two years time won the league. However, they both felt that the possibilities at their club were fairly limited. Our CEO, Van Den Steen, was confirmed somewhere in April of this year and after Csepregi left Beerschot a little while later, we all knew what was going to happen. Gyorgy is nothing short of a miracle man in my opinion, with a lot of (previously sorely missed) ambition for the club. There's a club interview today with him, little over 20 minutes long, where he clearly states that the aim is (at least) a top eight finish. Which, in my opinion, should have been the ambition for the past two years, with the means at our disposal. Also very happy with him saying that in two weeks, they already start preparing the shortlist for January and the next summer in case anyone leaves, and that they already are looking to make contact with at least two Belgian players who's contract will run out next summer. Genuinely excited for this season!

Two new players on the radar, a defender and a winger. Hasan Kuruçay - Player profile | Transfermarkt Stefan Mitrović - Player profile 24/25 | Transfermarkt Kuruçay was a pivotal player for Braunsweig in the Bundesliga 2 for the past two years. Was wanted by several promising clubs, which is why he didn't renew his contract there, but still not picked up. Mitrovic was very good at Red Star apparently. Signed by Hellas Verona during the last winter window, played 10 games in the Serie A but they brought in several new players in his position which is why he wants to move clubs. The latter would be a loan with option, supposedly 4M.

Mainly it was this. No idea how that's not a penalty. https://fb.watch/umV-d-hqBl/ Can't help you on the bars unfortunately, rarely drink anymore. You could try Café Sport at the train station, co-owned by a former legend of ours, Bjorn Ruytinx. Owned by some Indonesian businessman, but as far as I'm aware he wants to sell the club. They've mainly done well to get two excellent managers (first Timmy Simons, who is now doing great with Westerlo) and this season with Vincent Euvrard. Mostly relying on (excellent) bargain deals, a good tactical organization and as far as I can see a fair bit of luck. We have the same owner. That's pretty much it.

90 minutes of one way traffic, could/should have been four or five really. Great all round performance, despite not getting a clear penalty and a referee that was just plain sub standard in general.

Good for him and us, again. Not good enough for first division, really.

Good deal, both for him and the club. Would have liked a bit more cash, but he's still not a finished product imo. The 20% on future sale could potentially be big though, as I can see him moving on for at least 10-15M in the future.

Sports journalist at HLN (which has arguably the best sports department in Flemish newpapers) and club watcher for Genk and Standard Liege. Should be well informed.

Fair point, only saw a screenshot of the tweet so didn't check the source.

Advanced talks with Heaton, 38-year old backup GK from United. According to the article, he would be looking for more regular football but I'm curious if he will find that with us as Tobe Leysen has just been amazing since his arrival. Apart from that, it's quiet but the last few years we've been very good at not disclosing anything until the deal is nearly done. Unless we're looking to promote some youngsters (Mboko for Thorsteinsson, Souanga for Pletinckx), I'd assuming that both of them will need a replacement.

Presumably, Hertha made a bid of 1.5M a while ago but (if I understand correctly) we played hardball, so I'm assuming it'll be somewhere between 2 and 3M. No official figures though. Either way, he needed to go as he didn't want to sign a new deal and we're done with letting players that can command a decent fee (like Tamari) leave on a free. Been a good transfer window so far, great net positive and a stronger squad nontheless. Sold for 13-14M worth of players (including 5M for Keita), and spent 3.7M.

Absolutely. And there's the fact that we had the chances to win most of those draws too, especially in Beerschot and against Cercle. Just some rotten luck, really, in Westerlo too with that last minute ball against the post. But if we can grab the win this weekend against Standard, we'll have 10/18 and if we can keep that form, we'll be in contention for the championship playoffs until the end of the regular season based on last year's figures.

Basically all of the arguments you are making, you can make for El Khannouss, with the difference being that he's (a lot) younger and was a standout player in a better league. And yes, the transfer fee is higher. That's what happens when you pick up talent in a higher rated country. 20-25M would be a very good deal for you.

No offense, but Gronbaek played in Norway (which is quite honestly a lower level than the Belgian first division), and the same goes for Nanasi who played in Sweden. Not to mention the fact that El Khannouss is only 20, three and two years younger than these guys respectively, and has already established himself as a pivotal player at a top club in a higher standard league.

Was on the road all day, only just saw this. Someone with a LOT of potential. Excellent dribbler, great flair, great vision, very much the playmaker type. Someone who can create something out of nothing. Main question will be whether you're financially able to grab him as Genk want somewhere between 30 and 35M I believe. He's forcing the issue though, refusing to train now. Just as an addition, that doesn't mean he has a bad character. As far as I'm aware, he was promised that he could move to a better league/club.

Provisional one game, so no actual suspension (yet). Good draw in Westerlo, but again a game we could/should have won based on the chances. Hopefully, we can start Ikwuemesi soon as he's been very promising in his appearances off the bench. Lost Pletinckx with a shine bone fracture, unfortunately.

Sorry for the late reply, was on holiday Solid goalkeeper, part of the Antwerp eleven that won the league two years ago. Definitely ready for the next step.

Very, very happy with both the player and the deal. He was the main reason RWDM started so well last season and they started falling down the table when he got injured. Very fast and explosive, good technicals as well.

STOP THE CLOCK!

Great result, excellent first half! Second period was more difficult as expected but still held our ground fairly well, although we should have done better on the break. Verstraete as expected an absolute improvement in midfield, will be very happy when he's able to play the full 90. Also good signs from our new striker in this fifteen or so minutes off the bench.

Oscar Gil confirmed! Óscar Gil voor twee seizoenen naar OH Leuven - OHL - Oud-Heverlee Leuven

Not gone yet (at least officially), also still listed on the club website.

In all fairness, would have loved seeing Tamari under Garcia just to check if it was Brys' mismanagement or just Mousa not being good enough.

Yeah, I left that out on purpose. Hopefully, we'll settle for Chukwu or something.

Some more transfer news: William Balikwisha is a done deal, there's already a picture floating around of him posing with an OHL shirt in the stadium. We're also in talks with Konstantinos Laifis, 31-year old central defender who's without a club as his contract at Standard (where we're picking up Balikwisha actually) ran out. And finally, there's rumour in Italy about us interested in a Nigerian striker from Saliterna, who got relegated from the Serie A. Strong, tall, 22 years old, but would need to cost 3M and that's a lot of money for us.