Football Season Guide

Last season was the last of a good spell for Açorianos under the guidance of highly competent João Henriques. The gaffer led Santa Clara to two memorable seasons, having parked the team in a solid mid-table rank instead of the usual struggling position of previous years. Having been able to keep most of the squad, one should expect Santa Clara to repeat the safe and solid performance of last couple of years, but this time the man in charge is Daniel Ramos who is a more questionable leader. Ramos showed a great improvement on his managerial skills last season under Boavista, but is still in need of affirmation, and a success on a project like this one would definitely make it for him. Will he have what it takes, though? Zaidu Sanusi and Schettine (this one already announced a long time ago) are the big losses from last season, but having kept the likes of Lincoln, Thiago Santana and especially Fábio Cardoso is a great achievement for the club. Left-back Mansur is perhaps the only new signing with chances of getting an immediate spot on the XI, which should remain otherwise untouched from last year. Carlos and Santana association in attack can is a constant threat to opponents, but the competence of midfield with multiple good options like Anderson, Osama, Costinha and Lincoln and the solidity of defence commanded by Cardoso are the main weapons of Insulares. There may be time for the promising André Ferreira to have a chance at starting in goal, instead of club's favourite Marco.