Football Season Guide

Erzgebirge must feel elated after securing promotion last season and the fact that all players and fans trust a lot their Bulgarian manager Pavel Dotchev creates excellent atmosphere in the camp of the Violets. The key factor for the successful previous campaign was the great defensive record, combined with solid scoring contribution in the spring from the loanee Kopke and logically this summer the Violets broke the bank to secure the services of Pascal Kopke permanently. Not only that they added Nazarov to help him up front, both are coming from Karlsruher, and it seems that the two of them will lead the charge in the 4-4-1-1 formation. Toshev is another new arrival in attack and after having very few options up front last season now the gaffer can rotate things as he also has Max Wegner in his ranks. Erzgebirge’s goal will be to stabilise in the division and the defence will be very important again. Mannel is the team’s most popular player and the extremely talented goalkeeper has been producing on average 4.2 saves per match for the past three seasons. In front of him Dotchev thinks to trust the back four that brought him the promotion and the only name added to the group at the back so far is that of Kalig, but he is likely to be used only as a cover. The main transfer activity was focused in recruiting midfielders and so far Erzgebirge have signed five new names in that area. Fandrich arrives with the promise to be regular starter, while Pepic’s recent signing means that he will be putting pressure on Kvesic and Riese for starting spots. The fact that no regulars left just yet is very helpful and Erzgebirge definitely look stronger team now than back in May. The Violets are expected to offer more of their compact football and in a division where keeping clean sheets usually brings wins this will be vital.