Football Season Guide

They just about managed to avoid the drop last season but mostly due to what happened with other clubs rather than changes they made. In all honesty, they made too many changes with too small of an outcome. They really had to ride their luck. Their positive mental attitude spared their blushes in the end, but it might not be enough this time around. Although they've worked a few flankers in the transfer market (e.g. getting Cipot and Jano back for another year in attack), it's generally felt a little desperate for the Styrians. I think the arrival of Koch will really help in beefing up their midfield but it's not going to be enough to take them to the next level, which is where a club of their standing should be. Once again, it feels like they're going to have to take chances this season. Defender Yannick Oberleitner impressed on loan, for example - he may play. They also made an intriguing wildcard signing - Alexander Hofleitner, who used to be a CB but is now a striker. Some of this might be enough to keep them up but it's a tough one to call. They lost some good players pre-season, particularly from a defensive perspective with goalkeeper Wiegele returning to Viktoria Plzen (although they're reportedly still hopeful of loaning him again) and Tikvic's loan also expiring. With Perchtold retiring and Jovicic also moving on, the core + experience at the back has been severely depleted, hence the arrival of Vraa-Jensen but it's again a risky call, given his reported attitude. It's also worth noting that Filipovic is fighting to get fit ahead of the start of the season; he's been carrying an injury. Acquiring Paumgartner from Salzburg could prove to be a stroke of genius though. They need more quality in midfield, and he definitely has some. Once again though, the big question is, "Where will the goals come from?". They've been optimistic with Prenqi, Harakate, and Hofleitner but it can't be described as a savvy approach at this point. The likelihood is that they'll struggle for goals again this season. Expect the team to bring energy and commitment in every game; that's the Grazer AK way. They may have more direction with engines like Koch in the middle but they're still lacking goals, and they're going to have to drastically reshape their back line if they're to try and contain teams. They'll want more this season but honestly, they should be glad if they avoid the relegation battle.