Lokeren and Load!

Lokeren Pro League Belgium

Afyer a mediocre season in the Belgian top flight last term, Lokeren will hope to build on their mid table finish last time out and build on an inconsistent playoffs. The side from the Daknamstadion were fruitless in front of goal in all honesty, relying too much on Tom De Sutter and if it wasn’t for Play Off group 2B being nothing less than a complete goalfest, along with Guus Hupperts stepping up, Rùnar Kristinsson has done reasonably well in his first full season in the Belgian Pro League. Gary Martin told me back in March that he is basically the king of coaches in Iceland and will hope to bring some of that majesty to Lokeren this coming season.

Nearly every club thus far in the Pro League has had ins and outs and we’re still in the post season, well, in most countries. The difference with Belgium is that in around 6 weeks, Antwerp versus Anderlecht kicks us all off and business needs to be done and fast! Like most coaches, the Icelander wants his players in and settled and he began with a double swoop before the season even ended!

Snapping up Samy Kehli and Luciano Slagveer from Roeselare and Heerenveen respectively was a good move from my point of view. A Frenchman who performed very well in the Belgian Division B and the striker who performed equally well as an impact player or as a starter in the Eredivisie in Holland. With those deals completed, it showed where the manager hoped to improve going into the 2017/18 season already.

Soon after those deals, Robin Söder came aboard from Danish side Esbjerg. Averaging a goal nearly every 3 games for his former club. More firepower was brought in to help with Tom De Sutter’s workload, seeing as Gary Martin is still to find the back of net from his winter transfer. Three attackers signed in quick succession, with not many outs so far maybe shows his philosophy too where if Lokeren aren’t focusing on bolstering their defense, especially with Boubacar ‘Copa’ Barry leaving the club too in goal, the goals are certainly the way forward.

But after yesterday’s signing of Stefano Matzo, again from Heerenveen, who was ever present for the Dutch outfit, and the announcement today of Tracy Mpati from Union Saint Gilloise, again from the Belgian second tier, either these are real deals his getting or the chairman has given the manager a blank cheque book? Earlier this season, the club was on the verge of being sold to a Chinese consortium, and the deal was done until the current owner had a change of heart. Maybe in his old age he’d like to see the side back in the Europa League or win another Beker van Belgie? And with some of their Impressive home results last season, things may be progressing at the Daknam, but until that first ball is kicked in very late July, pre season tells us nothing, even with their prestigious fixture against Olympiacos!

All I’ll say is, please keep the signings coming Rùnar and kepp the fans hopes alive, at least until Christmas…