Football Season Guide

Disappointing start to the campaign last season and early managerial change were the main reasons why the Buffalos couldn’t get involved in the title-race in the play-offs. After enjoying very impressive start to his reign coach Vanderhaeghe will expect to see his players being solid and ruthless on home turf from the early rounds this season. This summer Gent sold both their regular starters in the heart of the defence and at least at this moment in time there is not enough options for the centre-back positions. Plastun arrives from the multiple Bulgarian champions Ludogorets to form partnership with Bronn as preferred starters, but no other centre-backs have been signed by this stage and all the cover options are young and untested players. The situation is very similar with the full-backs, where Foket and captain Asare are the clear starters, but if they are to get injured there are not many back up options. Things get much better for Gent further up field as Renato Neto is an option again, he missed the entire last season injured, plus to boost the competition for the wide attacking areas three new wingers were signed. The Nigerian explosive wingers Kalu and Simon should remain preferred starting options, though, while Kubo is equally good in the number ten role and as the main target man. That said, Janga and Yaremchuk are more natural centre forwards and they should be rotated regularly up front. All this suggests that Gent should be able to score plenty of goals, with their starting back line also looking solid on paper. However, the cover options in defence are very poor at the minute and this could prove costly if injuries hit the main players. This pre-season the gaffer is mixing 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 constantly and it seems that depending on the opponents and how games develop he will be willing to change the system. The 4-1-4-1 option seems more suitable for away games, with Gent known for their poor record on the road for several years now and definitely looking for improved results outside their own fortress.