Oostende are in free fall. Relegation looks to be a certainty for a side that just two seasons ago were knocking on the door of European football. Now, they sit second bottom and six points adrift of safety. When they welcome Charleroi to the Albertpark this weekend they will be looking to end a woeful run of 17 games without a clean sheet. The side are also averaging over two goals a game conceded, with 54 shipped in their 25 games. This is just one worse than the side above them Zulte Waregem.
Dominik Thalhammer has certainly been trying to bring more defensive stability. He has changed his back three multiple times, and last weekend against the aforementioned Zulte Waregem he also brought Guillaume Hubert back in goal for Dillon Phillips. However, even that did not work as the side once again conceded.
To add insult to injury, off the field the problems are mounting as well. In response to allegations of financial mismanagement, the club released a combative statement. In the statement, the relegation threatened club claim that the reports are incomplete and state that all clubs in Belgium are running an operational deficit.
Defeat to Charleroi, alongside points gained for the likes of Kortrijk and Eupen could almost end Oostende’s season. Given their current form, the chances of survival are fading every single week.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
