Football Season Guide

Despite only returning to the Super League last season, they managed to upset the odds by winning the title. Despite dropping off toward the end of the season, their performances across the season were marvellous, and they were worthy winners. The forthcoming season will either be really good, or really bad. It's a great time to impress in the Super League with nobody dominating the league anymore. FC Thun have shown they know how to do that. However, having lost a lot of key personnel, the jury is very much out as to whether they can recreate last season's heroics. For starters, boss Lustrinelli left for Union Berlin following their Super League title win. Gianluca Privitelli replaces him; has been at the club before with their youth teams. It's a risk. Then they've lost some good players too. Goalkeeper Ziswiler missed most of last season through injury anyway, and they've long prepared for life without him - that's not a problem. Replacing the genius of Imeri, though? The dynamism of Meichtry? The leadership of Bertone? The goals of Rastoder? They're big, big asks. It's not unfair to say that their midfield has been decimated. Even rotation options like Rupp and Janjicic moved on. What's left is limited, even after adding Maier (who did impress at Blau-Weiss Linz), and Derbaci, two hard-working midfielders with a sprinkling of something special. Their defence should be good, though. They've added a familiar face to their ranks in Burgy, and have somehow kept hold of star left-back Heule, which beggars belief after a phenomenal campaign. Burgy's arrival is most opportune, given Montolio's battle with a bad injury, and Burki starting the season with what is likely to be a 3-match ban. Midfield remains the biggest concern though - that's where their games will be won or lost. Adapting to a new manager could be a challenge. Still, I think this club has been clever with their appointments in the sense that all of them - on and off the pitch - either know the team, the league, or the area. They've not taken many risks, and Nassim Zoukit is the latest example of such. A direct replacement for striker Rastoder is yet to materialise. Swiss media report that the target remains - as it has for 1-2 years - Muci from Grasshopper Club Zurich, but as of yet there has been no movement there. One thing I would always trust this club with is rebuilding. Financial constraints have meant they've had to do it a lot over the years, and few can do it better in Switzerland than they can. They have this ability to replace players, either those that are injured, or those that leave. As unlikely as it is to look at their squad now and see a potential champion, It's really hard to know what to expect from this team other than entertainment. They're going to need to find a way to convert chances more regularly without Rastoder, but if they can do it then they might have a good campaign, although winning the title looks a stretch. Then again, it did last season too, and they've looked really dangerous in recent friendlies...