Timmy Simons’ Tactics: The Belgian at the helm navigating FCV Dender toward the promised land – tactical analysis

FCV Dender have not experienced top-flight football in Belgium since the 2008/09 season, which was the year they were relegated to the second division. However, this was not the end of the trouble for Dender. A few seasons later, they were relegated to the third tier, which is considered amateur football in Belgium. 

Since February of 2023, the club has been managed by 47-year-old former Belgian international Timmy Simons, with the former Zulte-Waregem manager currently on pace to grab the second automatic promotion spot in the Challenger Pro League with Dender. They are currently second, and a win on the final match day will seal promotion back to the top flight. This tactical analysis will take a more detailed look at Simons tactics this season at Dender and the ways in which they have been successful in all phases of the game. 

Formations 

Throughout the course of this Challenger Pro League campaign, Simons has tended to set Dender up in either a back three or back five formation. The starting formation has changed depending on the opponent, but it tends to be either a 3-4-1-2 or a 5-3-2, with the starting shape also being a 3-4-2-1 during some matches. 

Looking to prioritise forward progression while in possession 

When watching Dender from an in possession perspective under Timmy Simons, it is hard to miss the prioritisation of advanced ball progression when Dender are in possession. Dender look to attempt and hold possession against most opponents, with the Belgian side averaging just over 50% possession this season in the Belgian second tier. 

The data viz graphic above shows the progressive passes of Dender this season, with Timmy Simon’s side at the top of the Challenger Pro League in both progressive passes (2,434) and long passes (1,750). Most of these progressive passes into the penalty area have occurred from the wide channels and both half spaces, with Simons looking for his side to attack with both width and depth. 

The centre-backs tend to be heavily involved in progressing the ball quickly between the lines, with Dender tending to have just a single pivot holding to help the three centre-backs when they are looking to progress play from the back. However, this single pivot tends to be the Dender captain and #10 Lennard Hens, with the 26-year-old Belgian leading the Challenger Pro League in through passes played. Also, centre-back Jeodrick Pupe has the second most long passes played in the division, showing his impact in progressing the ball forward from the backline, highlighting how these four have a huge impact in advancing attacks for Dender.