Football Season Guide

A really disappointing campaign last season despite starting quite well - finished 8th, conceding far too many goals. As is often the case nowadays, they prefer to wait for academy graduates to solve problems rather than spending money. They are good at it, and boss Veart has a proven track record of developing younger players, but it mostly highlights the lack of ambition at the club in general. However, it does ensure that they're finally solvent. They lost some regulars pre-season but it's not the worst transfer window they've had in that regard. Ansell missed too many games through injury, for example, and Musa Toure had yet to break into the senior team. Also, Halloran's form toward the end of last season resulted in him being dropped on a number of occasions. However, they will miss Ibusuki and Irankunda in attack. Ibusuki's movement and height was a big boost for them, and Irankunda's explosiveness often meant he was untouchable despite the undeniable rawness. That said though, Folami coming in as his replacement could be very smart - he tends to play well when he's a regular starter, and that's what he will be here. Goodwin should do well as Ibusuki's replacement as long as he can remain injury-free - the Jets didn't play someone of his talent anywhere near often enough. They had problems in defence last season but bringing Elsey back to the club and signing Vriends should solve that problem. LB still a slight worry (regular LB Kitto is essentially a winger, and backup Cavallo is always injured), and RB is too with Lopez retiring at the end of the coming season and his understudy having moved on so Madanha has to step up. They also need to find a long-term solution for Isaias, who will hang up his boots at the end of the season. In general though, this is a pretty good squad, albeit a little threadbare. They're lacking dynamism in the final third so chance creation is likely to be tricky for them, at least at the start. Should warm up eventually but it's not likely to be a great campaign for them unless one of their academy graduates turns out to be something special - or Dukuly remembers how good he can be on his day. Likely key players - Vriends, Mauk, Clough.