“Cuypers and Orban are both a bull’s eye. If they continue to develop like this and maintain the same efficiency, I think AA Gent could and should raise the bar next season”, says shadow coach Wim De Coninck. — © Isosport
Agreed, AA Gent will play two more games this season, but last weekend the Buffalos secured the final win in the Europe play-offs. They also immediately have certainty about the ninth consecutive European ticket. It is high time to evaluate the (almost) past season with shadow coach Wim De Coninck.
Stefan Smet
The Transfer Policy: 9.5/10
“Inbound, AA Gent has done a fantastic job. Cuypers and Orban are both a bull’s eye. If they continue to develop like this and maintain the same efficiency, I think AA Gent could and should raise the bar next season. Nardi, Hong and Piatkowski have also proven their worth in the meantime. Who speaks of Salah in the meantime? His departure turned out to be a godsend. The departure of Owusu and Hanche-Olsen also turned out to be not insurmountable. Ngadeu may have left unexpectedly, but is not indispensable either. In that respect, a contract extension of Piatkowski would be a golden move.”
The European course: 7.5/10
“AA Gent has once again had a very long and tough season. Do not underestimate that effort, because if you have to play football in a corner of Europe on Thursday and then have to perform again on Sunday, that is not easy. That is what awaits them next season. Make no mistake: of course many fans will have the feeling that there was a European semi-final in it, but before New Year the European was really difficult and there was hardly any winning. So in that respect it was a European course with two faces, because I found the victory at Basaksehir impressive again.”
“Of course many fans will have the feeling that there was a European semi-final in it, but before New Year the European was really difficult and there was hardly any winning”
Wim De Coninck, shadow coach AA Gent
The team performance: 7/10
“Missing the Champions’ play-offs remains a blot on this season, you can’t ignore that. That home defeat against a remarkably eager Ostend – which had been lying on its doorstep for a while – remains a huge mystery to me. Was it nerves that betrayed the Buffalos then? It remains incomprehensible that for the second year in a row they were unfortunately unable to bring that unlikely remonte to a successful conclusion. The excellent performance in the Europe play-offs is only a small consolation. Moreover, the Ghent players again missed their start, an old problem that is not solved.”
The coach: 8/10
“It’s not easy being Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s shadow coach, because you can’t improve him. (laughs) Hein was also never discussed, not even when things were really not going well. He always analyzes very clearly and knows how to quickly involve the new guys in his story. His training methods and tactical approach are clearly contagious. When things went against and the results were somewhat lacking, he was not afraid to point at his players. He certainly does not pamper his group of players. Not even to the outside world. On the other hand, he emphatically spared his players after that disgrace against Ostend. The fans also sometimes got a blow from the pan, just like the board. He always substantiates this very thoroughly and seems to have an elephant’s skin. It’s also great how he allowed many young guys to make their debut. Fofana in particular showed flashes of his class. On the other hand, he still has a hard time against clappers like Union. Nieuwkoop really taught him a lesson in modern football.”
