Despite only having played one game this season, there is already pressure on the players and coaching staff at Anderlecht. More transfers were expected by the start of this season, but business has been slow as the side look to avoid the mistakes of the past. This has caused frustration amongst the fanbase, who want to see the side back to competing for the Pro League title. After a poor performance and a 2-0 defeat to city rivals Union St Gilloise, the pressure is already on.
Rumours have begun to circulate that the board have given head coach Brian Riemer and ultimatum, with HLN reporting that by the end of matchday six the side needs to be in the top six. This is by no means an impossible task, but the side hardly have the easiest of fixtures. Up next for the Mauves are defending champions Antwerp. Despite losing a few players, Antwerp remain a pretty similar side to last season. Plenty of Pro League sides have entered this years campaign with squads that clearly are not fully complete, however Antwerp look more balanced than most.
Even at home, beating the defending champions won’t be easy. Following that, they travel to Sint-Truiden, a side tipped for relegation. If they haven’t won by then, the pressure will certainly be on. The Canaries shocked Anderlecht’s rivals Standard Liege on the opening day, and if Anderlecht don’t play at their top level they could also be on the other end of a shock defeat.
After Sint-Truiden, the side face Westerlo, Charleroi and Genk. The first two, traditionally, would be seen as winnable games for Anderlecht. However, both of those sides have brought in some quality, and Charleroi have former Anderlecht head coach Felice Mazzu who will have extra incentive to win. Genk may well be the final game for Riemer, but he will probably feel hard done by. Perhaps by then the influx of new players, alongside the exodus of those deemed not good enough, will have happened. Either way, the head coach does not have much time to turn things around.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
