Football Season Guide

Back in the top flight after 23-year absence. It wasn’t easy. Finished the regular season only in fifth place. Scored plenty of goals but no team in the top 8 conceded more than Lommel’s 46 goals. In the play-offs eliminated RFC Liege 5:1 on aggregate. Then beat Beerschot 3:1 in both legs. Finally, managed to defeat Dender 3:2 on aggregate and take their place in the top flight. Winger Zalán Vancsa had 4 goals and 4 assists during the play-off run. 37-year-old striker Ralf Seuntjens scored 2 massive goals in the 3:2 triumph against Dender. Both stay put this season. The latter likely to be used only as an impact sub in the top flight. English head coach Lee Johnson is yet to make any significant moves on the transfer market. Relying on the core that achieved the promotion is risky. Depth is needed for multiple positions. Lommel could still add an influx of talent late in the transfer window. They are a feeder club for Man City. Some high-profile City Academy players could arrive on loan and gain experience. Also, the likes of Krastev, Karim and Gordic might stay put this year. All of them loaned out to top flight teams in various countries in recent years. Their wages were way too high for Lommel’s shrunk budget in the lower league. Now they can finally play for the team that owns their rights. They are all good inner midfielders, with Krastev an attacking player, while the other two mainly seen as enforcers. There are major issues with the structure of the team still. The recent sale of left-back De Grand means currently Lommel don’t have a single natural full-back on their books. Clearly, the team is still in building mode. The squad should look much different come September but in the early rounds there could be some pains.