FCV Dender mid-season review: Newly promoted side proving the doubters wrong | OneFootball

Not many would have predicted that, after 20 games, FCV Dender would only be three points off of the top six. The side with the smallest budget in the Pro League were expected to be in the bottom two for most of the season and ultimately go back down. Despite losing their head coach to Westerlo in the summer, they have done remarkably well. Vincent Euvrard has come in and got the side playing some excellent football.

Their summer business has been fantastic as well. Aurelien Scheidler leads the side with five goals, while Roman Kvet and Mohamed Berte also have four goals apiece. In goal, former Fortuna Sittard man Michel Verrips has won them points with some great goalkeeping. 27-year-old Nathan Rodes, who has spent nearly all of his career in the lower reaches of Belgian football, has taken to the top flight with ease. The midfielder has three goals and one assists so far this season.

Transfer needs

Dender have an interesting decision to make. They have a number of players on loan that they should probably look to bring in on a permanent basis. If these players continue to perform, they could then sell them to other Pro League sides that may be interested. This will then help them to go beyond being just a one hit wonder, as financially they will struggle to sustain this success without striking gold every season in the transfer window.

Bringing in more Pro League experience for the final months of the season may be the way to go. The worry remains that they could go on a bad run and suddenly all the early season promise is lost. Either way, if they finish above the bottom four, Euvrard will have to be considered as a candidate for manager of the season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson