Football Season Guide

Finished in the bottom half of the table last season and only 5 points above the relegation zone. This was mainly due to the lack of goals, had the fourth worst scoring record, just 37 goals in 34 matches. The poor last season led to lots of changes in the summer. Sacked the manager Lamouchi in late April and in the summer brought in from Spain Javier Calleja. He has only coached back in Spain in the past, Oviedo, Levante and Alaves most recently, so it is yet to be seen how he will adapt to a different environment. The squad has been revamped too. Half of the regulars from last season left, replaced the entire front line, a logical move. Already added 14 new players to the squad but the search for a star centre forward continues. Right now the only natural centre forward on the roster is Rayan Al-Bloushi. Al Riyadh still have a free roster spot for a big foreign name and very soon they are expected to fill it with a prolific goalscorer. The new head coach believes in using the flanks a lot. In his previous jobs the overlapping runs were always part of his arsenal. This is likely to be the focus of the new-look Al Riyadh too. Added 5 new full-backs and 4 wingers to the squad, which clearly gives lots of options to the manager. Yet to be seen from where the goals will come though and until Al Riyadh prove they can find a solid goalscorer, failed to have such a player in back-to-back seasons now, they are only likely to continue struggling to win matches.