Analysis: the way to POI

THURSDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2019, 19:20 - lajoya
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OPINIONS We have already completed a third of the regular competition. Because looking backwards, the average Anderlecht supporter does not feel good these days, we look ahead to what awaits us. We take a closer look at the 20 remaining matches and see what might be needed to achieve POI.


In these cases you must of course start with a statement, an intended number of points that is both realistic and can bring us to POI. It also seems logical and fair to the new trainer to provide a certain build-up period. After all, we remember the 0-6 on Standard and 2-5 on champion Genk from the so-called year of 1999, but who still remembers the cup elimination after penalties against the illustrious Denderleeuw?

Even though we hope that the Vercauteren II era starts differently than with the 0-1 defeat to future relegant KV Oostende in 2005, all beginnings are difficult. That is why I am assuming a minimum of 18/30 for the next 10 games and then pounding open the gate of POI with a final sprint of 22/30. A total of 49 points was good for at least 7th place in recent years, so with a little bit of luck it should be enough.

Series 1: 18/30
- victory: STVV, Cercle, Kortrijk & Charleroi (home) + Eupen (away)
- draw: Genk & Ghent (home) + Ostend (away)
- defeat: Zulte-Waregem & Standard (away)

It would, of course, be desirable to win against Zulte-Waregem, perhaps a direct competitor, but you might just lose. If you put them in a row, I think this is a very feasible prognosis. A home defeat against AA Gent, for example, can be corrected with a victory in Ostend.

Series 2: 22/30
- victory: Mouscron, Eupen, Zulte-Waregem (home) + Cercle, KV Mechelen, Beveren & STVV (away)
- draw: Club (home) + Antwerp (away)
- defeat: Ghent (away)

This series is spicy but not impossible. Of course you have to correct the weak series from before October.

Enumerating a number of matches and sticking a result behind them is obviously easier than doing everything the same way. In my opinion, it does give us a guideline that is more concrete than blindly challenging the process or calling it a long time ago. I am therefore curious about your opinion about this scenario.