Football Season Guide

The Canaries were extremely lucky to avoid relegation after suffering through an awful spring. Stoppage time goal in the last regular season round just about kept Sint-Truiden above water and expectedly a managerial change took place in June. Ivan Leko is the new man in charge and the fact that all fans and players like him a lot can only help for the creation of pleasant atmosphere in the dressing room. With many of the players last season being only on loan it was obvious that Sint-Truiden will have to build a new team now, but many think that Leko is doing very good job with the limited finances he has and the Canaries already signed at least four players expected to be regulars and crucial factors this season. The other big win for Leko was to convince goalkeeper Dutoit to stay. Pulido and Fernandes will form the Spanish-Portuguese heart of the defence, while Bagayoko and Dussaut are the regular full-backs. Djene, Sylla and Kotysch are providing options for rotations and the latter can also play in midfield, where De Petter is most likely to execute the role of a tackle-winner. Valdivia and Bezus arrive with the hope that they will be massive for the club and if the talented wingers Ojo and Soumahoro remain healthy Sint-Truiden can look very interesting when going forward. Proschwitz is expected to lead the attack, although Boli and Momi are also expected to get plenty of minutes. Last season Sint-Truiden made a very strong start but come the winter break their manager was gone and three of their best players followed him, but this year Leko is pledging loyalty and he has no intension to release any more of his regulars. This can only be good for the Canaries and if things go their way in the early rounds they should be able to settle nicely and enjoy their football later.