Newly promoted Westerlo are one of the stories of the season in Belgium this campaign. The side managed by Jonas De Roeck are currently in seventh place, just four points outside of the top four. They are on course for their best season since the 2008/09 season in which they finished sixth under Jan Ceulemans.
During that campaign the side won 15 games, drew seven and lost 12. They scored 42 goals and conceded 38. Compared to the 2022/23 season, De Roeck’s side are just four wins behind with 11 from 26 games. With eight games to go, they could certainly match this total. They also have six draws and nine defeats, so at the end of the season the numbers could look very similar. However, De Roeck’s side is more attacking. They have already amassed 49 goals, with 43 conceded.
A major part of their success this season has been the performances of their full-backs. Maxim De Cuyper, who Club Brugge loaned to Westerlo in the summer and tried to take back in January, has scored seven and provided six assists. Bryan Reynolds on the right may not have the same numbers, but his ability to provide attacking width has been crucial to how the side play. Despite losing Lyle Foster in the winter to Burnley, the side have continued to perform at the level they have shown throughout the season.
It is not impossible that Westerlo could qualify for European football if they can break into the top four. To do so, they will certainly have to match the 15 wins of the 2008/09 season.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
