Football Season Guide

Waasland-Beveren had yet another turbulent summer of changes after what was an extremely impressive and successful previous campaign for the modest team. In fact the Lions were the most exciting team to watch last term with their direct approach and huge amount of goals scored, but it is hard to predict what to expect from the team this term as the majority of the squad was changed. So far 17 players left the club, while 16 new arrivals were signed, this not counting the 4 big stars that departed the squad between January and March once the much-loved coach Clement resigned to take charge of Genk. This summer the controversial Yannick Ferreira was appointed as the new permanent manager. Despite his lack of success in the league, sacked both from Standard Liege and Mechelen in the last two seasons, he is one of the proven names in Belgium and the Lions hope that his well-known connections with several other teams could allow them to add at least 5-6 more players on loan before the transfer window closes. The Lions have the youngest squad in the league, the only team without a player older than 29, with exactly 56% of their squad 22-years-old or younger. This lack of experience might be an issue when grinding out results is needed. Waasland-Beveren will have a very different back four this term, 3 of the 4 regulars from last season are no longer in the squad, with the 21-year-old centre-back Caufriez tipped to have his breakthrough season. Ferreira tested a formation with three at the back in pre-season and instead of 4-2-3-1 he might go for 3-4-2-1 in some games. In the heart of the midfield as many as six new players were signed, but the main figures should be Van Damme and Verstraete. The former is serving a doping ban until last December, while Verstraete joined only in January, but now they are both tipped to play important roles. There is a lack of proven strikers in the squad at the minute after the Golden Boot winner Thelin returned to his parent club in the summer. Waasland hope to re-sign him on loan, but at least for now this is yet to happen and none of Ndiaye, Ndao or Sula seem to have enough quality to be seen as secure goal providers. Waasland’s squad remains work in progress and only come late August there will be a clear indication how strong the Lions will be during the campaign.