Diederik Pattyn retains confidence in VKW Vleteren, even though he is reluctant to face the precarious situation: “It keeps me awake at night” (Vleteren)

VKW Vleteren is at a loss. The team is last after the 3-1 defeat at direct competitor Keiem. Despite the fact that Vleteren has not yet been able to win this season, the board and trainer Diederik Pattyn maintain confidence in each other and in a good outcome.

Vleteren seems to have forgotten how to score and win. It was quiet in the dressing room on Saturday after the lost cellar cracker against Sporting Keiem. Vleteren is already five points behind the penultimate. “I’m having a very difficult time with it,” coach Diederik Pattyn expresses his heart. “We create a lot of chances every match, but we just can’t score anymore. It is certainly not a blame for our striker Jaron Blomme, but last season he made sixteen and now it just won’t work. That is indicative of our season, but we have to wait until it blossoms. In Keiem we played another strong match, but two own goals defeated us. How much bad luck can you have?”

Diederik Pattyn has been the team’s trainer for five years and his Vleteren heart bleeds. The ex-footballer met with the board on Monday. “The trust within the club and in me as a person is certainly still there,” Pattyn is still firmly in the saddle. “It keeps me awake at night, but bad luck will continue to haunt us for the time being. Some opponents have already congratulated us on our performance, but unfortunately that is of no use to us. The players also continue to believe in it. I’ve already received messages that it’s really not my fault. That is of course heart-warming, but I would prefer to get that first victory as quickly as possible.”

Vleteren faces an important triptych and will have to collect points as quickly as possible. “Things can move quickly in football and that is to our advantage,” thinks Pattyn. “I remember that last season we barely had eight points at New Year’s. In the end we managed to get 35 more and finished well in the middle of the pack.”

Special derby against Merkem

Anyone who cannot win against their direct competitors will have to perform stunts to get those much-needed points. With matches against Merkem, Dosko Beveren and De Ruiter, the program looks extremely difficult. “Last weekend Brielen performed stunts at Dosko Beveren, so anything is possible,” Pattyn immediately replies. “I think we need to win once to let the train leave. Merkem is another nice match and derby for us. Everyone can always do something more. Our goalkeeper Jens Van Damme came over from Merkem this season and it will be an extra special match for him. Hopefully he can keep a clean sheet. I also know their trainer Rino Vandenbulcke very well. We are good friends and played together at Vlamertinge at the time. We often call each other to gather some information about the opponents and that makes the match even more special.”