Patro Eisden go into their clash with Zulte Waregem on Friday night with the chance to jump into the automatic promotion places in the Challenger Pro League. With just three games to go the race for promotion to the Pro League is incredibly tight. Only Beerschot have been able to build any gap at the top and could be all put promoted this weekend if they beat relegation threatened Oostende.
Patro, having been promoted from the third tier last season, are now chasing back to back promotions. During the transfer windows their recruitment focused on players with experience of the top flight. In the summer they beat a number of other clubs to the signing of Stef Peeters. The former Eupen captain was given a longer contract than most of the Pro League clubs interested in him were willing to offer. They also signed Iebe Swers on loan from KV Mechelen and Theo Pierrot from Lommel, both of whom have played in the top flight.
In January they grabbed two more players with top flight know how. Now former Westerlo captain Lukas Van Eenoo joined on a free, while former Beerschot striker Marius Noubissi was also brought over on a free. Noubissi already has four goals this season, with Van Eenoo already on three assists in a short space of time.
These players, alongside the likes of summer signings Stefan Ingi Sigurdarson (seven goals) and Bafode Dansoko (five assists) have propelled the side up the league this season. Patro Eisden have not played first division football since 1961, bouncing between the second and third tiers in the process. During the 2018/2019 season they even had time in the fourth division.
Following their clash with Zulte Waregem, the side welcome Oostende before a trip to Beerschot. So far, the transfer approach of targeting Pro League experience has worked for the side.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
