Not so Royal Antwerp: The Great Old’s winless run is cause for concern

Not so Royal Antwerp: The Great Old’s winless run is cause for concern Royal Antwerp aren’t looking so royal at the moment. The Great Old have lost five games on the bounce are, as a result, the worst team in the Belgian Pro League over their past five games. Marvin Compper’s side were humiliated away to Westerlo at the weekend as the home side won 5-1. Over these past fie games, Antwerp have scored just three goals while shipping 15 at the other end. Clearly something needs to change, otherwise the side that won the double just a few seasons ago could be looking at a battle to avoid the drop. Antwerp’s current situation feels a long way from when the side were facing the likes of Barcelona at home in the Champions League. Given the financial constraints surrounding the club in recent years, there has been a move towards youth alongside cheaper older players with experience. So far, this doesn’t seem to be working. The defence is the worst in the league, with 20 goals shipped in just eight games so far. There also don’t appear to be many options to change things at the back, so it is really down to Compper to somehow create a system in which the side can plug the leaky defence and give themselves more of a chance. Going forward, Antwerp do have goals in the team, but they aren’t finishing or creating enough chances. Michael Frey started the season well and has four goals already, not a bad return given how he has struggled since leaving Antwerp a few seasons ago. There had been hope that Ibrahim Salah could return to Belgium and have an impact, but so far the former Gent winger has scored one and not provided any assists. Alongside Salah, Christopher Scott had been another Antwerp fans would have expected more from this season. The former Bayern Munich youngster had his best season at the club with seven gaols and two assists in 36 games last season. That earned him a new deal, but so far he has had been in and out of the starting line up under Compper. In six games he has one assist, and perhaps that is down to the constant chopping and changing. Comper is clearly trying to work out his best side still, a sign perhaps of how the late appointment of the head coach is having an impact early on. Even after the international break, things appear to have gotten worse. Hope may be pinned on the return of one of the sides exciting young talents, Youssef Hamdaoui. The 18-year-old Moroccan has struggled with injuries recently, but when he had been on the pitch for Antwerp last season he really was a joy to watch. Confident on the ball, creative and with plenty of flair, Hamdaoui’s return could be the spark that Antwerp really need. Next up for the Great Old is a cup clash against lower league KSK Heist. Defeat would really begin to worry Antwerp fans and the board. They then face high flying Charleroi when the Pro League returns after the cup. GBeNeFN  |  Ben Jackson