Zulte Waregem once again endured a season of painful mediocrity and lack of purpose as they basically existed mid-table for most of the campaign and then failed to sustain any challenge during the play-offs.
The team suffered a morale-sapping eight-game losing streak from August to October that basically ended any hopes of a challenge for the top-six. That said, the squad was always too talented to actually get dragged into a battle for relegation and results stabilised later in December and January, with notable wins over Club Brugge and Standard.
However, there was clear lack of ambition and consistency as the team mustered consecutive wins on just a couple of occasions throughout the regular season.
Having played some excellent football in the play-offs last season, the Essevee were expected to challenge again this year but a poor start, winless in the opening five games, meant that they had no chance of topping the group.
Just like last season, Hamdi Habraoui and Theo Bongonda were the only shining lights, with the former scoring 25 goals and the latter coming up with some excellent wing play. The midfield never really got established and settled while the defence was at times alarmingly poor.
The team needs surgery in terms of full-backs, wings and probably a new keeper, and the impending sale off Bongonda should provide some funds for regeneration, even if long-serving manager Francky Dury already feels spent there.
