Football Season Guide

Managerial turmoil and poor form from key players after Christmas saw Union suffer through a mediocre previous campaign and now it is up to everyone connected to the club to show that the hard lessons were learned. As expected a managerial change took place at the end of last season and Urs Fischer was appointed in charge, his first ever job outside Switzerland. The new gaffer is an experienced manager though and he managed Basel for two years, including Champions League adventures, after being in charge of Thun and Zurich. Quickly after his arrival Fischer parted ways with three regulars tempted by lucrative offers, but he didn’t stand idle and quickly reinforced the group. At least four of the newcomers are expected to be regular starters, while the Swede Andersson is seen as the perfect back up option for the main striker Polter. Union should continue using 4-2-3-1 as their main system, but if they chase matches late on both Polter and Andersson could be on the pitch, which provides the Irons with two tall and muscular target-men inside the box. In fact some games in which Union are clear favourites might see them going for 3-5-2, they tested it twice in pre-season. Union are likely to get lots of attacking contributions from their two main full-backs Trimmel and Reichel (newly signed player), with both of them finishing last season in double figures for assists and with seven goals between them. The heart of the midfield also seems well equipped with the newcomer Schmiedebach hoping to replace Promel as the preferred partner for captain Kroos. Having very good depth and at least two players competing for every position on the pitch Union look prepared for the demands of a long season and as long as coach Fischer adapts quickly to the league the Irons should be a team to watch.