Lierse manager Chris Janssens has been pleased with the defense, including the play of Boban Grncarov, as Lierse has conceded the fewest goals in Belgium.

As Belgian newspapers are reporting, the Lierse manager Chris Janssens praised the play of his defense which has only conceded six goals after 8 rounds.  That is astonishing especially since Lierse had the worse defense last year when they conceded a whopping 58 goals.  To date, Grncarov has played the maximum 720 minutes in league play.

So, after the defense of last year, the Lierse manager demanded 2 new CB’s to shore up the defense.  Lierse ultimately decided to sign Macedonian international Boban Grncarov and Karim Saidi.  Grncarov and Saidi have made a great pairing at CB but the Lierse manager has been disappointed with his attack.  Lierse has only 6 points because of their inability to score goals.

The Lierse manager Chris Janssens noted, “Grncarov and Saidi have been a great pairing while Fréderic Frans is a good third option at the CB position.  Meanwhile, Ibrahim Ayew and Kenny Thompson are solid wing backs that provide a good organization.  The play of the defense has also led to more confidence for our keeper.  The defense is now fixed but the attack must improve.  It is a shame that striker Stein Huysegems is out until January.”

Grncarov has made 21 appearances for the Macedonian national team and has scored one goal during a World Cup qualifier against Norway in 2009.  However, since the appointment of John Toshack, Grncarov has not been summoned to the national team.  In the latest squad, Toshack called up 4 CB’s in Nikolce Noveski, Vance Sikov, Daniel Mojsov, and Igor Mitreski.