Football Season Guide

Nurnberg have been solid enough recently and though they had some concerns last year, they ended up finishing in the middle of the table once more. They will consider that to be their natural level but with Maroh, Eigler, Bunjaku, Judt, Didavi and Wollscheid moving on, who all played a role in the first team last year, they could well be in for a season of transition. On the bright side, captain Schaefer remains in goals and is an excellent 'keeper while Antonio should boost a defence which is quietly efficient rather than superb. The midfield is led by Simons who takes on a deep holding role but though Feulner, Balitsch and Mak will look to kick on to a new level, the star here could well be summer signing Gebhart who could excel if he can rediscover his previous top form. Scoring goals may not be boosted hugely by Polter or Ngankam, both of whom seem very modest additions, but Pekhart is a decent forward and will have to carry a lot of the responsibility for goals upon his shoulders. Nurnberg are a solid side but though probably too good to go down, they don't look strong enough to really challenge for Europe either.