#kvc-westerlo

#kvc-westerlo

I felt the players we'd brought in were different to the ones we'd lost and I enjoy working with them. They're coachable and they want to learn. Sometimes when you get a group of players at the end of January, you work, work, work but it doesn't happen straight away. You get the fruits of your labour further down the line. That's always happened - it takes time for them to get going.

KV Mechelen are seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, while Frederik Vanderbiest's side might have failed to make it three consecutive Pro League victories last time out, the Antwerp-based outfit should find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Sat in the driving seat to claim a top-six finish among Belgium's elite in 2026, the former Cercle Brugge boss has seen his potential European chasers receive plenty of plaudits this season.

Matt is a first-class coach with an outstanding character, and I am convinced he will help us turn the tide on what has obviously been an incredibly poor season to date. After a period of poor results, it can take time to return to the level of performance required to win games in this division but I remain confident that one result will help bring another.

Wolves have not lost at home against their Midlands rivals since 2020 and generally have a decent record in this fixture when it's played at Molineux. After a slump in form Unai Emery's side are no longer looking up the table and instead have a resurgent Manchester United breathing uncomfortably down their neck.

I think the defensive side of things has been a strength at times but in recent weeks that's gone out the window, they've been conceding goals for fun. In their last five games it's been at least two goals every game but what do you put that down to? And how hard is that going to be for him to turn around a team that this year is not scoring anywhere near enough when you look at some of the teams they are up against.

It's been a difficult period and I think the players have to take a lot of responsibility, because we've got to do better, first and foremost. For whatever reason it was, we had too many injuries and we just couldn't cope with the amount of games and the quality we were up against in the Premier League over the last couple of months. Now we've got everyone back and we've got a squad, we've been picking up some good results, so hopefully that can give the club a boost.

Feyenoord will train in Belgium this week instead of their home in Rotterdam so signing Raheem Sterling can work with his new team-mates. England forward Sterling joined Feyenoord last week after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent but he can not train or play in the Netherlands until he is granted a work permit. Manager Robin van Persie says he has moved his side's training to Tubize - which is around 137km from Rotterdam - to allow the 31-year-old to gel with his new team-mates as quickly as possible.

Chelsea are very interested in signing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. The 20-year-old Netherlands prodigy has attracted the attention of Real Madrid and Barcelona as well. According to Fichajes, Real Madrid have already submitted a 50 million offer to get the deal done, but the Dutch outfit is holding out for a fee of 60 million. Smit has also been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.

When you lose, you're never in a good mood. But we're all experienced enough and know how to deal with defeats. You experience defeats not only in football, but also off the pitch, and you learn from them. We're fully focused and motivated for the game tomorrow,