Football Season Guide

Standard Liege leave behind them a very conflicting and unstable last season, which did bring silverware but also saw them finish in their lowest position in the league for six years. The aim for the upcoming season is for the Reds to be a more stable and consistent unit that is capable of challenging for top honours again. Yannick Ferrera built the team nicely after a difficult start at the job last season and the young coach will be determined to build on these foundations and get the Reds to the next level. Yet he is facing a struggle in terms of recruitment as there is clearly lack of quality in the squad to compete at the top end. While key departures have been limited, the new signings have generally underwhelming and not to the expectations of the demanding fans. The hugely experience Jean-François Gillet is expected to be the new regular keeper but Guillaume Hubert had done pretty well at that position last year anyway and there is not much need of a new addition. On the other hand, Ivan Santini looks like the main option as a centre forward, except if Mohamed Yattara steps up to plate, and the Croatian just does not seem capable of carrying that weight. Creative midfielders in the team are lacking too and Mathieu Dossevi will be once again expected to provide chances aplenty from out wide. Central midfield looks pretty strong though as new additions Ibrahima Cissé and Birama Touré provide strength and drive and should complement Adrien Trebel nicely. The defence looks solid but the rather serious injury of Milos Kosanovic during pre-season is a setback. Generally, the squad looks decent enough and should be capable of finishing in the top six if there are not too many turbulence off the pitch. Yet Standard lack the sort of X-factor needed to transcend them into contenders for the top two and it is unlikely to be a season to remember for too long for this special club as they search for a route back to the top of the pile.