Starts: Onze ELF. 🔵⚪#krcgenk #mijnploeg #andgnk pic.twitter.com/QiLYRrjQ7C— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) February 20, 2022
Given the fierce competition for CB minutes there, that's a really bad thing to do if you want to keep in that rotation. Even worse. Won't do him any favors as the WCQ window fast approaches.
NT content-delete or move as needed- If he's fing up that bad why should he be near our squad in March?
He shouldn't and that's my point. He was already probably the last on the CB depth chart for WCQs and poor form won't help his case.
I think McKenzie is a versatile player because of his two-footedness and mobility. His previous coaches rave about his leadership for a young guy so I assume he is a good team player. He is a sturdy tackler, good passer and smart defender. My "but" with him has been that he seems almost a little lackadaisical in his recovery at times which is what it looked like when he slipped at the center line on the first goal. First of all, if you are bodying up against the CF at center stripe, you can't let him just get by with the ball no matter what. Slips aren't an excuse. Foul him or if the worst happens and you do go down, bust your freakin' butt and get back even if it looks bleak. You're a young mobile guy, you don't have a bad back so if for nothing else, do it for appearances. On the second goal, a small # 10 beat McKenzie to a cross and made a really nice volley finish. That one may have been a little excusable but after first goal, I don't blame the coach for the sub especially with the options he has on the bench. I think he can come quite good but it may take a little more seasoning.
McKenzie didn't make the bench today due to illness, and Genk lost 1-0. He hasn't seen much playing time since the international break, only 135 minutes (2 starts) in 8 Genk matches.
Nothing really going right for him. Genk also still 8th and only 2 points away from 9th. Could be some upheaval either way in the summer.
Starts: Ons startende 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠. 💪#krcgenk #mijnploeg #gnkeup pic.twitter.com/p2gSAZ7xl4— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) April 3, 2022
Went 90' in 2-0 win: Onze 11 starters. 🔵⚪️#krcgenk #mijnploeg #sergnk pic.twitter.com/BU42uMgktK— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) April 10, 2022
I believe their regular season is over and their champion rounds start now. Genk barely finished 8th - tired with another team but got in based on GD. Overall a rough season for them, the atmosphere around their fanbase is not positive. A lot of negativity and a lot of issues with certain players. Lucumi benched the last few games - from a big name CB target last summer linked with Sevilla to being benched. Really a bad season for them. Will be interesting to see how they retool this summer. Once again it's an important summer for McKenzie to see where he is in their plans and if he gets a starting spot.
No excuse for Mark now. He has been through a full season campaign. He has been acclimated and knows what to expect. I fully believe he is an above average player for this level. Time to be consistent and take his chance. Yeah, since he came the plan seemed to be to move on at least one, if not two of their center backs, especially Lucumi for $$. Hasn’t worked out that way and created a CB log jam.
Looks like Genk will compete with Gent, Charleroi, and Mechelen for the dubious honor of making the Europa Conference League play-offs.
Started: Ons startende TEAM.#krcgenk #mijnploeg #gntgnk pic.twitter.com/6OF2xdzWl6— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) April 24, 2022 0-0 in the 82nd (Genk up a man).
The narrative he's struggled has always seemed to center around how much he was playing. Per the metrics, he's always been pretty consistent, & had the best season of their cb's. They just are decent in their own right and have seniority on him. If he were at Standard Liege, or maybe even a bigger Belgian club that didn't invest so much in their CB's, the narrative would probably be different. And that he did have a successful season in Belgium.