Football Season Guide

Heidenheim had their most difficult campaign in five years last time around, but they never lost faith in coach Frank Schmidt. The gaffer eventually brought the side to a mid-table finish and now he is preparing for his twelfth consecutive season in charge. Just like in previous campaigns Heidenheim don’t make many headlines with their transfer activity and none of the only four new signings so far seem likely to become a regular starter. The most notable departures were Titsch-Rivero and Verhoek, but they were forced to move on after being told that due to the solid competition for places in their roles they won’t be seeing so much first-team football this season. With as many as 10 Heidenheim players working under Schmidt for five years and more the synchrony shouldn’t be an issue. Once again the team’s captain and legend in the town Schnatterer is expected to have a season in double figures for goals and assists, with this always guaranteeing success. Heidenheim showed two faces last season, they were amongst the top six sides in terms of points won on home turf and amongst the bottom six when it came to their results on the road, and the task ahead is to improve the away form. Injuries to main players crippled the squad twice during the previous campaign and hopes are that much better luck in terms of health will be accompanying the squad this time around. Winger Thiel showed some very good football at the back end of the previous campaign and after two very difficult seasons scarred by injury problems he hinted that he might soon return to the form that saw both Bayern and Borussia Dortmund wanting him back in 2015/16!