Wolke Janssens: Top 8 and surprising results against top teams

DEFENDER 22 Wolke Janssens

Wolke Janssens is a Canary for four years now. The 25-year-old transferred from KFC Dessel Sport in 2016. One year later a one-season loan with Lierse SK followed, after which he returned to Sint-Truiden. With Marc Brys as a headcoach, Janssens gave up his role as a forward to become a defender. A career turn he doesn’t regret, as Janssens featured in 19 games last (shortened) season. The cherry on the cake, was his election as STVV’s player of the season, to become the successor of Tomiyasu. We had a nice chat with the sympathetic player during the preparation for the new season and looked back and ahead.

“Our preparation started very difficult with the passing of Mo Nitcheu, which has affected the entire group of players very much,” Janssens begins his analysis of the past season. “We didn’t get many points at the start of the competition but I think the home win against Standard was the turning point for us. After that, we gradually got into our game and after all, it was a calm season.”

A calm season with outliers… “In Genk!”, Janssens quickly adds. “But there were other nice victories, just think of the away games at KV Mechelen (1-2) and Charleroi (0-3). That pretty much sums it up, a carefree season with some nice outliers every now and then. Too bad the Play-Offs were cancelled due to corona. Of course you want to keep playing and STVV always aspires to play a significant role in PO2.”

Player of the season

On a personal level, Janssens looks back with satisfaction, although he remains self-critical. “I could have never thought that I would get so many playing minutes. I think it was a good season, but there is always room for improvement. Especially at the beginning of the season I made some stupid mistakes, for example the penalty foul in Antwerp. I knew it would take some time to completely fit in the defense. In the meantime, I am already more familiar with my new position.”

And that has not escaped the attention of the STVV supporters. In April, Janssens was even elected as STVV’s player of the season, after a neckand-neck race with Ibrahima Sankhon, Samuel Asamoah, Yuma Suzuki and Daniel Schmidt. “That came as a surprise, I must say. I was very happy to be among the five nominees. It means a lot to me to be elected. I know the players who preceded me and there are some big names among them. I think the fact I’m a local lad has also something to do with it”, Janssens remains modest.

Ready for the new season

In early June, coach Kevin Muscat took over from Milos Kostic. Of course, the Australian was not completely unknown. “He already was part of the club in a different role for several months, so we know his football vision for some time now. Our new coach likes to keep the ball in the team. Just like Marc Brys, by the way. When losing the ball, every coach sets different accents, we now play in a different system as well, but I won’t reveal too much about that yet,” Janssens cautiously adds.

We also welcomed a number of new faces within the technical staff. The collaboration seems to be going well. “Also within the staff we knew most members already. The staff is very enthusiastic. They work hard and pass their enthusiasm to the squad. The coach is very accessible. He speaks with everyone and not just with the key players. He wants to teach something to all of the lads, he communicates well, has a lot of experience and knows exactly where he is heading.”

Although preparations are still in full swing, we already inquired about the ambitions for the new season. “In this new competition format (where numbers 5 to 8 compete for the 4th European ticket) I think that we should push for the top 8 with STVV. Again with some surprising results against the top teams, just like last season. We will do everything we can and we count on the support of our twelfth man, then I’m sure everything will work out.”

And what are Wolke Janssens’ personal ambitions? “On a personal level I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I used to do that, but you get older and start looking at what’s is coming for you. That works best for myself. Things can go fast in football, just look at the past year. In the beginning you may not be part of the starting eleven, two or three match days later it can be completely different”, Janssens concludes.