STVV is third in the rankings and continues to impress week after week. What started as a surprise now looks like a structurally strong story. The Champions’ Play-offs are no longer a dream, but a very realistic goal.
STVV has been surprising since the start of the competition this season. The Truienaars achieved great victories and were briefly at the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, the Canaries have dropped a bit, but not much. They have 36 points and are in third place.
Other years we also saw surprises at the start of the season. Last year Westerlo started off very well, although it collapsed afterwards. Dender also started very well, although the quickly achieved points turned out to be mainly necessary to ensure retention.
More than a good start to the season
But there was no slump at Sint-Truiden, there is no need to look down anymore. Rein Van Helden spoke plainly after the victory against KV Mechelen: “We just have to get it, period,” he said when he was asked a question about the Champions’ Play-offs.
If they can beat Standard at Sclessin this week, they will win another three gold points. Fewer and fewer observers are still taking into account a scenario in which STVV misses out on the top six
The difference with last season is enormous. The club then made notable transfers, such as Loïc Lapousin and Didier Lamkel Zé. Good football players but they come with a manual. This season the club started with a clean slate.
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Mentality and a good group feeling are now central. STVV has players in every line that it can rely on, and when things don’t go well on a football level, all players fight for each other. It has workers to fall back on in midfield.
Vrancken’s hand
With Wouter Vrancken, the right man is at the helm. He brought back faith with the necessary dose of realism and avoids boasting. This after he had to keep the club in the first division last season. The picture is perfect. After the 3-2 win against Club Brugge, his entire press conference was about how proud he is of his players.
He wants to keep pressure away from the group. Unlike Van Helden, few concrete statements about the Champions’ Play-offs came from his mouth. Maybe he will dare to say it sometime in the coming weeks.
Not a one-hit wonder
A win over Sclessin could further improve their chances of reaching the Champions’ Play-offs. Depending on the ambitions, incoming transfers may follow this winter, although it must be said that Vrancken has a quite complete group.
The message is clear: this STVV is not a one-hit wonder. Will the Canaries make it to the play-offs? Few still have doubts. But whether they could also perform stunts there depends on how Vrancken keeps the group on their toes. One thing is certain: in a competition full of surprises, STVV is the revelation that adds color to the Jupiler Pro League. The fans at Stayen can dream, and rightly so. European football is coming closer than ever for Stayen. The top clubs have been warned.
