Valenciennes

[FredVaFC59100]

7 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

 

From now on, after Ben's official departure, we won't be able to say it's his fault haha.

Correct, considering that all transfers were free players and on loan w/o buyout options, it indicates that he didn't have much money to play with. His replacement won't be able to perform miracles unless SR finally decides to break the bank.  

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Correct, considering that all transfers were free players and on loan w/o buyout options, it indicates that he didn't have much money to play with. His replacement won't be able to perform miracles unless SR finally decides to break the bank.  

One blessing is that they didn't have a lot of the squad on longer contracts. Whether that's through self imposed limits, or league limits, at least they didn't get carried away there. There can be a major clear out, without too many baggage players.

One of the articles said VA's budget was quite substantial for the league, as it was. With the focus on "Frenchfying" it, perhaps they've seen that a cohesive, lower budget squad could work pit better than a team of strangers.

If SR can add a few definite stand outs, who could be playing above, then all the better. Attracting them is an ask though.

[ChristopheVAFC]

2 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

One blessing is that they didn't have a lot of the squad on longer contracts. Whether that's through self imposed limits, or league limits, at least they didn't get carried away there. There can be a major clear out, without too many baggage players.

One of the articles said VA's budget was quite substantial for the league, as it was. With the focus on "Frenchfying" it, perhaps they've seen that a cohesive, lower budget squad could work pit better than a team of strangers.

If SR can add a few definite stand outs, who could be playing above, then all the better. Attracting them is an ask though.

It was one of the objectives following our descent into the 3ᵉ division last year to have fewer players under contract (35 players before / 26 this year).

No limits imposed here in France, but I think having a smaller squad allows us to work better and for all the players to be involved in the season too.

We had the biggest budget in the league and that doesn't make any difference in my opinion.

We have a bigger budget because we have the infrastructure and the way we operate (stadium, training centre, for example), which some clubs in our division don't have (e.g. Aubagne or Paris 13).

Once again, SR realised a little too late that the current system wasn't working and needs to change the way it works for next season, and indeed the idea is to put people who speak fluent French in key positions, which Ben wasn't doing.

It's going to be a busy summer for SR haha

[ChristopheVAFC]

It's the last home match of the season for Valenciennes, who host Nancy (recent champions and about to move up to Ligue 2).

No sporting stakes other than preparing for next season haha.

Kick-off 7.30pm French time and the match can be followed via the link below:

Allez VA! 

[Weston Super Saint]

I guess Ben is heading our way now that he has officially failed and been broken.

#thesouthamptonway

[Convict Colony]

7 hours ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Correct, considering that all transfers were free players and on loan w/o buyout options, it indicates that he didn't have much money to play with. His replacement won't be able to perform miracles unless SR finally decides to break the bank.  

This is the thing i dont get really.

The ROI on investment giving you a good transfer budget for the league you are in will pay off next season, it is critical Valencienne be giving a large budget (say 5-7.5m as a guess) to sign players and give them wages better than they can get in Ligue 2 etc.

5-7m is hardly anything to SR given the money theyve wasted on players and the club is an asset so it they want to appreciate it they need to invest properly in the squad.

When we were in league 1 we were the real madrid of the league it was awesome, buying the best players in the league and players from the leauge above (fonte) who came for the wages we could offer along with potential.

 

[Convict Colony]

4 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

It's the last home match of the season for Valenciennes, who host Nancy (recent champions and about to move up to Ligue 2).

No sporting stakes other than preparing for next season haha.

Kick-off 7.30pm French time and the match can be followed via the link below:

Allez VA! 

You think normal team or manager to try out some younger players ?

[ChristopheVAFC]

5 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

You think normal team or manager to try out some younger players ?

It's the right time for me, I think, to test players who haven't had much of a chance during the season. In any case, we need to start working now for the future.

[FredVaFC59100]

6 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

I guess Ben is heading our way now that he has officially failed and been broken.

#thesouthamptonway

enjoy!

[FredVaFC59100]

3 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

This is the thing i dont get really.

The ROI on investment giving you a good transfer budget for the league you are in will pay off next season, it is critical Valencienne be giving a large budget (say 5-7.5m as a guess) to sign players and give them wages better than they can get in Ligue 2 etc.

5-7m is hardly anything to SR given the money theyve wasted on players and the club is an asset so it they want to appreciate it they need to invest properly in the squad.

When we were in league 1 we were the real madrid of the league it was awesome, buying the best players in the league and players from the leauge above (fonte) who came for the wages we could offer along with potential.

 

We were sold a project where all would be centralized in SR headquarter for scouting, player analysis and all the good stuffs for efficiency and a more scientific approach to recruitment. B Chorley explained all that in his interview from April 2024.

Now that this has failed,  we are doing a 180 degree turn around  to the old way, with frenchyfying the club, local scouting and sporting director; It remains to be seen how Spors is going to glue everything together for a cohesive approach for SR long term.

Why does Rasmus still have a job ?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

49 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

We were sold a project where all would be centralized in SR headquarter for scouting, player analysis and all the good stuffs for efficiency and a more scientific approach to recruitment. B Chorley explained all that in his interview from April 2024.

Now that this has failed,  we are doing a 180 degree turn around  to the old way, with frenchyfying the club, local scouting and sporting director; It remains to be seen how Spors is going to glue everything together for a cohesive approach for SR long term.

Why does Rasmus still have a job ?

Our Turkish colleagues have done well, and he's apparently more involved there now (last refuge)

He has money in it, so his involvement may be linked with that.

SR considered him to be "Mr Football" which says a lot about their grasp of things.

Despite the local focus, I'd imagine there would still be shared data services and links. SR just have to find some best practice in anything, before sharing it. 🙂

[Weston Super Saint]

2 hours ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

enjoy!

Bâtard

[Holmes_and_Watson]

VA keeper makes an excellent double save from a penalty. Nancy's third effort goes in. 'keeper high kicks post in sheer frustration, possibly wondering why none of his team mates could get it clear.

0-1

[Holmes_and_Watson]

A couple of mins later, it's an unpressured cross to a very unpressured header and VA are 2 down.

There wasn't much quality in the opening 15. But VA tried to get forward and had a couple of decent opportunities from corners.

Let's see how much fight is left.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Occasions on each flank, where there's space to cross, and bodies in good positions in the middle. Instead, the ball is stopped, and the player waits to try an intricate pass that gets promptly intercepted. Very frustrating.

VA get one back from a free kick, that their keeper looks to have been able to do a lot better with.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Nice finish for VA equaliser. Nancy expecting it to come in, as VA had looked decent in previous ones. Instead it comes out, a nice cut in to get the angle and a shot from range.

All square.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

All square at half time. VA just about the better side. Didn't get a good view of the pen, but the player had to go out of his way to concede it. Both sides leaving some space on the flanks to get behind. VA were caught a little forward when they conceded from this. There was a second not long before the break, Nancy did nothing with.

VA had a nice cut back before the break, but sadly no AA to put it in. A second chance near their keeper towards the interval could have gone better too.

Both sides will be thinking they can win this.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

A slow start to the second half.

Those gaps at full back came into it again. A nice cut in and shot at an angle lobbed over the VA keeper for Nancy's third.

VA offered nothing in response. On around 62, a better chip into the middle would have had 2 Nancy players lined up to make it 4.

10 mins later, it was 4. VA's defence slow in tracking back, slow to close down and slow to put in any block. VA keeper once again a frustrated figure.

VA got a third around 80, with a nice turn and shot in the middle.

Other than a shot across the face of goal towards a well marked player at the back post,that was it.

VA didn't create enough to get close to compensating for conceding so many. It did look as though there were some fringe players coming on, without names on their shirts.

Far from a classic game. Not too many good moves or passages of players. Yet 7 goals and more VAcdisapointment.

[disconnect]

How was Daouda Traoré?

[SuperSAINT]

24 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

A slow start to the second half.

Those gaps at full back came into it again. A nice cut in and shot at an angle lobbed over the VA keeper for Nancy's third.

VA offered nothing in response. On around 62, a better chip into the middle would have had 2 Nancy players lined up to make it 4.

10 mins later, it was 4. VA's defence slow in tracking back, slow to close down and slow to put in any block. VA keeper once again a frustrated figure.

VA got a third around 80, with a nice turn and shot in the middle.

Other than a shot across the face of goal towards a well marked player at the back post,that was it.

VA didn't create enough to get close to compensating for conceding so many. It did look as though there were some fringe players coming on, without names on their shirts.

Far from a classic game. Not too many good moves or passages of players. Yet 7 goals and more VAcdisapointment.

Nice write up. Thanks for these.

PS - I blame Ben Chorley  

[Holmes_and_Watson]

22 minutes ago, disconnect said:

How was Daouda Traoré?

Came on with 8 mins to go. So not much chance to see much. As a team VA didn't do much in that period, so nothing that stood out for him.

[FredVaFC59100]

7 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

A slow start to the second half.

Those gaps at full back came into it again. A nice cut in and shot at an angle lobbed over the VA keeper for Nancy's third.

VA offered nothing in response. On around 62, a better chip into the middle would have had 2 Nancy players lined up to make it 4.

10 mins later, it was 4. VA's defence slow in tracking back, slow to close down and slow to put in any block. VA keeper once again a frustrated figure.

VA got a third around 80, with a nice turn and shot in the middle.

Other than a shot across the face of goal towards a well marked player at the back post,that was it.

VA didn't create enough to get close to compensating for conceding so many. It did look as though there were some fringe players coming on, without names on their shirts.

Far from a classic game. Not too many good moves or passages of players. Yet 7 goals and more VAcdisapointment.

 

7 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Nice write up. Thanks for these.

 

Hell yeah! awesome write-up; better than what we get on the club official website !

I do hope that @Convict Colony hires you as chief reporter for the club when he gets in charge of the business.

[Convict Colony]

2 hours ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

 

Hell yeah! awesome write-up; better than what we get on the club official website !

I do hope that @Convict Colony hires you as chief reporter for the club when he gets in charge of the business.

Great idea Fred, @Holmes_and_Watson is officially hired as soon as I get the role although since we are frenchifying the club you will have to change your name to inspector clouseau.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

11 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Great idea Fred, @Holmes_and_Watson is officially hired as soon as I get the role although since we are frenchifying the club you will have to change your name to inspector clouseau.

Auguste Dupin in spirit, Clouseau in action. 🙂

[ChristopheVAFC]

press review: https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1584007/article/2025-05-09/la-saison-prochaine-montee-obligatoire-valenciennes-l-amour-se-mele-l-impatience

Quote

VAFC's last home game against Nancy (3-4) was a goal-fest and, above all, a further demonstration of the loyalty of its supporters despite an uninspiring end to the season. More than 7,000 fans turned out for the match, displaying a fervour that is rare at this level and demanding results that would match their loyalty.

With chants, flags waving in the late afternoon sun, smoke bombs and a procession to the Stade du Hainaut, the Valenciennes supporters acted as if this was their last home game. As if this end-of-season VA-Nancy match were a real high-stakes affair, with, why not, a climb to the top at the end of the road. It would have looked good on the eve of Rudy Mater's jubilee, and that was undoubtedly the idea, but things don't always go as hoped. The Lorraine side arrived with the promotion in their pocket, and the Valenciennes fans had just one more home game to show their fervour, for want of anything better.

‘That's the idea behind the procession. It's to show that we deserve to have a good time too, because we're a bit bored of seeing other teams come to celebrate with us,’ says Maxime, referring to the Boulonnais and Manceaux teams who have come to parade around Hainaut in recent weeks before the Nancés. Also in the fray is François, who has made 19 moves this season, symbols of his loyalty, even if his love for VAFC does not make him blind. ‘I have a taste of unfinished business, of disappointment. We'd been told we'd go straight back up, and now we realise that we've struggled in the fight for promotion. And when you look at the teams that will be coming down from Ligue 2, it's not going to be easy.

‘Our club finally deserves to relive some great emotions’. 

On the pitch at Le Hainaut, where VA have won just six times in sixteen games, this taste of far too little does not diminish the love of the colours. We're from Valenciennes, we'll never go to Lille or Lens,’ Phillippe promises. I live 200 metres away and we had our heyday here with Nungesser. We're all hoping for much better. The future, what's to come next season, is already on everyone's minds. And on all the - numerous - banners put out by the Valenciennes kop, which offered at least as many readings as there were goals in this last home game.

The first were a reminder of Ben Chorley's announced departure (‘Chorley: game over’), the others were aimed at owner Sport Republic (‘Don't spoil the good administrative work with bad sporting choices’), and the last spoke volumes about the impatience of the Red and Whites, who turned out in their numbers of over 7,000 for this last match with nothing at stake. ‘2025-2026, 0 excuses, 1 goal: L2! ‘Next season, mandatory promotion’. Then another, so symbolic of the sacred fire smouldering in the Hainaut stands: ‘Our club deserves to experience great emotions once again. That says it all.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

Press review again: https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1584005/article/2025-05-09/battu-par-nancy-va-mesure-encore-l-ecart-qui-l-separe-des-meilleurs

Quote

Beaten by Nancy, VA are still measuring the gap that separates them from the best.

After Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Mans, it was only logical that Nancy should come away with a win at the Stade du Hainaut on Friday. There were goals, lots of goals, but the defeat (3-4) stretches VA's winless run to seven games.

Let's make no mistake about it: it's high time this season came to an end for Valenciennes and, above all, for their supporters, who are weary of seeing their opponents' ultras strutting around their windows. After Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Mans, Nancy came to the Stade du Hainaut for a 3-4 win on Friday evening, a result that only serves to underline the gap that separates VAFC from the best this season.

ASNL went into the game as champions of the French national league and it soon became apparent. Trailing 0-2 at the 19th minute, Vincent Hognon's players had the merit of not giving up. ‘We showed character,’ said the coach. Aymen Boutoutaou's free-kick and Stredair Appuah's shot from the edge of the 16.50 metre box brought VA level (2-2, 34').

‘Everything was in place for Valenciennes to go ahead and for us to watch them play.
Pablo Correa, Nancy coach

At that moment, ‘everything was in place for Valenciennes to go ahead and for us to watch them play’. Nancy coach Pablo Correa's fear was only in retrospect. Because his team added the finishing touches (2-4, 76th). And although Kylian Kouakou was finally rewarded for his efforts with his first goal at this level (3-4, 81st), VA were not as effective.

VALENCIENNES - NANCY: 3-4 (2-2).

Stade du Hainaut. 7,372 spectators.

Referee: Mr Henry.

Goals: Boutoutaou (26th), Appuah (34th), Kouakou (81st) for Valenciennes; Dabasse (16th, 19th), Bokangu (56th), Gomel (76th) for Nancy.

Warnings for Valenciennes Dibassy (9th), Basse (38th), Appuah (74th); for Nancy Carlier (53rd), Gomel (85th).

Valenciennes: Michel; Coeff (Buades, 65th), Touré, Dibassy (capped), Basse; Moursou (Ndinga, 89th), Boissier; Appuah, Boutoutaou (Kouakou, 65th), Camblan (Traoré, 82nd); Oyewusi (Gasnier, 82nd). Coach: Vincent Hognon.

Nancy: Giagnorio; Julloux, Saint-Ruf, Thiaré, Experience; Bouabdeli (Ebonog, 58e), Carlier (Camara, 65e), Bouriaud (Suljic, 46e); Sidibe (Gomel, 58e), Dabasse (Tayot Savina, 72e), Bokangu. Coach: Pablo Correa.

 

Edited May 10 by ChristopheVAFC

[ChristopheVAFC]

Valenciennes fans had a number of messages to get across in the stands yesterday:

‘SR: Our club finally deserves to relive great emotions: make the right choices’.

‘In National as in Ligue 2: Football is Saturday’.

‘Gerkens: It's time to get rid of some incompetents’.

‘SR: Don't spoil the good administrative work with bad sporting choices’.

‘Chorley: Game Over

‘Chorley: The door is wide open for you’.

‘Tonight: Knock-Out Nancy’.

‘25/26: 0 excuses: 1 objective: League 2’

‘Next season: Compulsory promotion’.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

We get 4x the fans inside St Mary's than Valenciennes get at home games but they're showing far more resolve and passion than you see over here. Lucky for their directors they've had a decent season compared to us!

English stadiums are full of pussies these days.

[Convict Colony]

7 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Valenciennes fans had a number of messages to get across in the stands yesterday:

‘SR: Our club finally deserves to relive great emotions: make the right choices’.

‘In National as in Ligue 2: Football is Saturday’.

‘Gerkens: It's time to get rid of some incompetents’.

‘SR: Don't spoil the good administrative work with bad sporting choices’.

‘Chorley: Game Over

‘Chorley: The door is wide open for you’.

‘Tonight: Knock-Out Nancy’.

‘25/26: 0 excuses: 1 objective: League 2’

‘Next season: Compulsory promotion’.

Valenciennes the pound for pound champions at banner making

[FredVaFC59100]

7 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

We get 4x the fans inside St Mary's than Valenciennes get at home games but they're showing far more resolve and passion than you see over here. Lucky for their directors they've had a decent season compared to us!

English stadiums are full of pussies these days.

What do you attribute that to ? What I don't understand reading some other threads on this forum is youngsters from Southampton turning to other clubs instead of SFC w/ people blaming the shitshow on the pitch as a reason. Would have been unheard of 20 years ago ?

[FredVaFC59100]

8 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Great idea Fred, @Holmes_and_Watson is officially hired as soon as I get the role although since we are frenchifying the club you will have to change your name to inspector clouseau.

If you have an open position for Blamer in Chief then I am open to it.

[Convict Colony]

26 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

What do you attribute that to ? What I don't understand reading some other threads on this forum is youngsters from Southampton turning to other clubs instead of SFC w/ people blaming the shitshow on the pitch as a reason. Would have been unheard of 20 years ago ?

This has always been the way Fred in england.

People who have low self esteem feeling the need to support a team that wins more often than not to hope that this rubs off on themselves.

On the other hand people like me and you who are amazing and life goes great needs depression every saturday hence i support southampton and you valenciennes.

Edited May 10 by Convict Colony

[Convict Colony]

3 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

If you have an open position for Blamer in Chief then I am open to it.

Dont worry I have you down as Grounding Expert, your role will be when we keep going unbeaten throughout the season, i keep bringing you in to tell them how shit they are and they are bound to lose the next game etc etc 😃

[Convict Colony]

Also guys I am extremely tempted to come to town for either pre-season or during the season, only 3hrs from me so maybe i might pop down, will keep you in the loop if i do but looks like a good visit.

 

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

Hello friends, I hope you're well!

Last game of the season tonight for Valenciennes, who travel to Aubagne (not far from Marseille).

Nothing to expect from this match, it's holiday time tonight for the players and the start of work on next season for the club. I'll share with you a press article about the coach, who says he's not sure he'll be on the bench next year...

Tonight's match kicks off at 7.30pm French time as usual.

The match link: 

Allez VA !

[ChristopheVAFC]

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1586043/article/2025-05-15/vafc-le-chantier-est-partout-vincent-hognon-evoque-la-saison-et-son-avenir

Quote

VAFC: ‘Work is everywhere’, Vincent Hognon talks about the season and his uncertain future

VAFC, who have yet to appoint Ben Chorley's successor as sporting director, are not certain of continuing with Vincent Hognon. In recent weeks, the coach has acted as if he were preparing for the future. Before Aubagne, he agreed to take a look back at the season and outline what lies ahead.

This is the last game of the season, will you be on the bench for the first game of the next one?

‘I'm not sure it's the right time. I won't answer that question at the moment.

What is your wish?

‘People know what I want.

At the club, yes, but not necessarily outside.

‘They'll have to wait a little while, but that's no big deal, we've got time.

You said on Friday that VAFC could use the second half of the season to rebuild. That might have suggested that it wasn't necessarily with you.

‘I didn't pay much attention to that sentence, it probably came out of my mouth too quickly.

‘Coming here has been a progression for me, whether it's the structure of the club, the level of equipment or the staff.’
You also hinted that the matches at the end of the season helped prepare for the next one.

‘I've already met a lot of the players. I've been working with a view to next season, I'm on the payroll, it's logical. You can't just snap your fingers and decide things at the last minute. After that, we'll see what happens.

Let's go back to your arrival here. You weren't necessarily keen on coaching at this level.

‘It's normal, I was 6th in Ligue 2 when I left Grenoble, for various reasons. I could have hoped for a Ligue 2 club in the middle of the season. But then Valenciennes came along and I wanted to come.

Is the overall experience of discovering this level positive?

‘I'm not sure about the National League itself, because it's a different, atypical league. When you see what happens in Dijon, for example, when the referee (on the touchline) gets injured and they call in someone who's not in the refreshment room but not far away... On the other hand, coming here has been a step forward for me, whether it's the structure of the club, the level of equipment or the staff. Having the means to work is one of the reasons I came.

‘The team could go down

On Friday, you also said that the team could have gone down. Is that the observation you made when you arrived in December? Was it a question of momentum or the level of the team?

‘The dynamic was terrible. And beyond the dynamic in the accounts, I sincerely think that if there had been no change, and I'm not talking about myself, the team could have gone down.’

And what about the squad?

‘Yes, of course. That's my feeling. Maybe some people think that this squad could have gone up at the start of the season. I don't think so.

Did you have to change the squad and the way you played?

‘Of course. Every five minutes in the last few games, there was a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Anyone who doesn't think they can go deep (in those conditions) is in danger. In the end, though, we held on very quickly, perhaps too quickly. Given the situation, I think we had to keep that in mind. And I did.

So a mid-table finish is the lesser evil?

‘It's not good enough for me. Before Dijon, we were fourth when we should have been seventh or eighth in attack and ninth or tenth in defence. That means we were a little above our best.

At the end of the day, there's no lie...

‘Once we'd secured our place in the Bundesliga, we toyed with the idea of a rematch, we came close, and that's when we fell apart. Since Boulogne and even Bourg, a match we must never lose, there's been nothing left. It must have been seven weeks since we had anything to play for, I've never experienced anything like it.

Has the team given up?

‘It's not that. When you're up against Le Mans, who are playing for promotion, and you've got nothing to play for and you've got absentees... Because for us, as soon as we had two absentees, that was it, we were down. It's not that we've given up, it's that the others are doing more because they still have something to play for. But, for me, the end of the season was clearly insufficient.

‘There are one or two positions where we were a little short, particularly up front. Because when I start playing with Lucas Buades at centre-forward, there's a problem.

Are you willing to be an accountant until the Bourg-en-Bresse match, but not for the rest?

‘I am a bit! But there are some things I can't be totally accountable for, that's obvious. I look at the stats and try to see where we went wrong. We know full well that we're not good enough offensively. Since I arrived, we've been the sixth or seventh team to shoot the most. Along with Sochaux, we're the team with the most corners. That means we're getting into the last thirty metres but we've missed some.’

Does that mean that Valenciennes didn't have what it took to achieve their objective of going straight back up the table?

Factually, no. We improved the team because we worked well with Ben (Chorley, future ex-sporting director) and a lot with Mathieu (Frison, head of recruitment), but there are one or two positions where we lacked a bit, particularly up front. Because when I start playing with Lucas Buades at centre-forward, there's a problem. And when I finish the season with an 18-year-old (Kylian Kouakou), I can almost blame myself for not having taken him on before.

‘It lacked a bit of quality

So the squad wasn't big enough to match our ambitions?

‘There were plenty of players, but they certainly needed to be a bit more consistent. There was a bit of a lack of quality. We've strengthened our squad, we took on five players (this winter) and of those five, almost four have given us satisfaction.

Wasn't there also a problem with the profile of the player in the centre-forward position?

‘The profile was good to start with, but the truth is that the performances weren't there and they weren't there two months before I arrived. And it wasn't just him (Mathias Oyewusi), there were others who could play in that position that I didn't think were capable.

Let's assume that you're still here next season. What needs to be changed as a priority?

‘The work is everywhere.

Not more in the attacking sector?

‘A lot more in attack! When I look at all the teams every weekend, all the attacking players, I want to take them on. Some people might find mine interesting too. We've had some good loans with Stredair (Appuah) and Axel (Camblan). Bubu (Lucas Buades) has been really effective in the game, he's the top scorer excluding penalties. We've had the opportunity to win every game since I've been here. The team was in place and pretty solid, but we were missing a killer.

You have a lot of players on loan or at the end of their contracts, so everything has to be redone.

‘That doesn't bother me. It all depends on the resources we put in. But there's a lot of work to be done.

‘I've been ready for a long time, we've met players, we've done visios.’

How many players will we need to recruit?

‘Thirteen or fourteen. There could also be some extensions.

Can we find out more?

‘Dibassy, Masson. Mathieu Michel could have extended his contract but Jean (Louchet) is coming back.

And those who are under contract and no longer seen, the idea will be to get rid of them?

‘Yes. To be honest, I don't think we'll be seeing them again. At least not with me. I've been ready for a long time, we've met players, we've done visios. But some of them could come back, look at Aymen (Boutoutaou) whose quality we know, Jean-Éric Moursou...’

AUBAGNE - VALENCIENNES, Friday, 7.30pm.

 

[Tommy Mulgrew]

A lot of that is familiar to us over here, Christophe.  One can certainly tell that both clubs are SR ones.

Onwards and downwards into adversity and ignominy!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

VA one up at half time. A poor touch was intercepted, VA ran through, and the defender with the poor touch bundled into the back of the VA player to concede a penalty. That was a few mins before half time.

A lovely evening there, with another ground where you get to watch traffic and people too.

Second half about to start. Let's see if VA can end the season with a win, before the summer overhaul.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

57 minutes and the first thing of interest puts VA 2 up. Neither keeper has been troubled. This was going to be the same, had not a header down at a sharp angle not hit off a defender and into their own net.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

62 mins. VA on the break! Forward in numbers! Overloading the defence! Made a total hash of it. AFC break back up the park and squander a 1 on 1 on the VA goal.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

65 - The same through ball that leaves the VA centre half's like statues, and led to the last one on one, is done again. This time cleared for a corner. VA captain telling players off, as they aren't picking up the runners.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

69 - A third golden opportunity wasted by the home side as they bundle a a VA defender off the ball to be through on goal.

VA were fortunate to get their second, and have offered nothing. The home side have tried much more, but the tempo overall is a bit slow (not that unusual for these games)

[Holmes_and_Watson]

76 - A rare unforced looking keeper sub for the home side.

Not much going on. So a comment on earlier in the half. A VA long ball to a lone attacker deceives him and his two markers. The two defenders fall over themselves, but take the VA player down too. Someone on the VA bench picked up a card, presumably saying they brought the player down. A player who didn't know where the ball was.

78 - A decent home chance from an unmarked good range header. Straight at the 'keeper.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

85 - VA saving their energy up. A good pass from the centre out wide. Under a little pressure it's put into the centre for a VA player who has run from deep to get ahead of the defence and put it in. 3-0 to VA

[Holmes_and_Watson]

89 - A flurry of VA subs, possibly getting a good ye. Traore was one of these.

90 - AFC hit the post from the left edge of the box.

That's it over.

AFC found the way to unlock the VA defence with ease, but lacked the skill to do it often enough and the clinical finishing to punish the visitors. VA eventually sharpened up a bit more centrally. Not that there should have been gaps given their lack of attacking.

 A good third goal was the highlight for VA, who relied on defensive errors for their first two.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1586465/article/2025-05-16/national-valenciennes-large-vainqueur-aubagne-dans-un-dernier-sursaut-d-orgueil

Quote

National: Valenciennes win big at Aubagne in a final burst of pride

Valenciennes have been chasing victory for two months in the French top flight, where they have had nothing to play for for some time. However, they put in an interesting performance at Aubagne on Friday, winning the match by a large margin (0-3).

Of course, this match will do nothing to change the general assessment of VA's end-of-season form, which has fallen apart in recent weeks after they realised they would not be going up. But it was a victory after all, a fine victory in fact (0-3), and it allowed them to leave the stage in 9th place. The Bouches-du-Rhône region had everything to make you think you were already on holiday - the singing of the Aubagne supporters to the tune of ‘Fort Boyard’, even on TV, was worth its weight in gold.

Kouakou, the spring hit

However, Valenciennes did not turn up with their toes in the air. Their dominance in the first half deserved to be rewarded with a goal, but it came late on, before the break, when Lucas Buades converted a penalty. Alexandre Coeff headed in from a corner (0-2, 57th), prompting Aubagne to finally shake off their lethargy. Neither Khetir (63rd) nor Nsimba (70th, 80th) were able to convert their chances into goals. And it was Valenciennes who, on the counterattack, wrapped up the points. Kouakou, the hit of the spring, was the symbol (0-3, 85th).

AUBAGNE - VALENCIENNES: 0-3 (0-1).

Stade De-Lattre-de-Tassigny, Aubagne. Referee: M. Roffet.

Goals: Buades (45th, sp), Coeff (57th), Kouakou (85th) for Valenciennes.

Warnings for Aubagne's Karamoko (44th); for Valenciennes' Sissoko (54th), Boutoutaou (74th).

Aubagne: Lavallée (Gil, 77th); M'Dahoma (Bouteba, 72nd), Nehari, Karamoko; Mouton, Khetir (Amiri, 77th), Rouaï, El Kaddouri (Berrabha, 72nd); Benhattab, Nsimba, Djaballah (capped by Carbonero, 64th). Coach: Gabriel Santos.

Valenciennes: Louchet; Touré, Coeff, Dibassy (capped by Woudenberg, 90th + 1), Basse; Boissier; Buades (Diomandé, 89th), Moursou, Sissoko (Traoré, 90th +1); Boutoutaou (Gasnier, 81st), Kouakou (Venema, 90th + 1). Coach: Vincent Hognon.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

Monday's press review:

Quote

VAFC : Vincent Hognon dans le flou, un chantier à tous les étages à Valenciennes - La Voix du Nord

VAFC: Vincent Hognon in limbo, a construction site at every level at Valenciennes

On the pitch as well as in key positions, particularly the coaching position that needs to be clarified, VAFC's sporting department is a huge undertaking. Even more so if Vincent Hognon is not reappointed, which seems to be the trend.

Sporting Director: Who to succeed Ben Chorley?

The announcement of Ben Chorley's departure definitively confirmed the failure of the English sporting director and the end of the sporting policy focused on exotic, data-driven recruitment, which has yielded no positive results since June 2023. The focus had already been shifted towards French players last summer and during the winter transfer window, and this direction will now prevail. This will also determine the profile of the future sporting director, in line with president Dirk Gerkens' desire to "make the club as French-speaking as possible." While several options have been explored, Mathieu Frison could move up a gear. Having arrived in early 2024 as head of recruitment, he has the advantage of knowing the club, having established networks in the French leagues, and the last winter transfer window he successfully led (Touré, Camblan, Appuah, etc.) speaks in his favor.

Vincent Hognon: Why this uncertainty doesn't bode well

By refusing to answer the question about his future immediately, Vincent Hognon has cast doubt. Not being able to be definitive about his future at VA while explaining that he is "ready for next season and has already contacted players" raises other questions: does the VAFC management still count on him and has it clearly expressed its intention to continue the adventure? If this were the case, the situation would be clear to everyone, but the situation remains unclear. This lack of clarity opens the door to Vincent Hognon's departure after only six months on the VA bench.

Fifteen players to recruit

Whether Vincent Hognon stays or not, the situation remains the same: between the end of loans and the end of contracts, the team will no longer have the same look. "We'll need to recruit between 13 and 14 players," estimates Vincent Hognon. To achieve its ambitions next season, VA must notably rebuild its attacking sector and find a real killer in front of goal. The other phase of the squad's major work will be to find a way out for the players who are no longer used. The only certainty between now and the scheduled return to play on June 30th is that the team will be undergoing a lot of changes.

Quote

VAFC : reprise, matchs de prépa, championnat, les grandes dates de l’été valenciennois - La Voix du Nord

VAFC: Return to training, prep matches, championship, key dates of the Valenciennes summer

With the championship just over, the next phase will soon be upon us for the Valenciennes team after a six-week vacation.

Reunion on June 30

Regardless of the coach at the helm of Valenciennes, the resumption of training and therefore the kickoff of the 2025-2026 season is scheduled for Monday, June 30 at the Mont-Houy training center. Until then, players still under contract are on vacation but are required to maintain fitness, notably through a follow-up program established by the fitness coach.

Six weeks of preparation

Last year's format, with an eight-week preparation period, has not been renewed. The Valenciennes team will have six weeks to prepare for the start of the National Championship on Friday, August 8. While everything is not yet finalized, several warm-up matches will be held against National teams and Belgian teams. VA is also scheduled to face Southampton in England in July. The English club, relegated from the Premier League this season, also belongs to Sport Republic, the owner of VAFC.

Away kick-off: August 8th

Again, everything must be confirmed when the schedule for the next championship is released, but VA will most likely begin with an away game. This is the club's wish to allow time to renovate the pitch at the Hainaut stadium, while the Valenciennes stadium will still be used on June 20th for the France-Belgium Women's Euro 2019 warm-up match. Next season, VA will play in an 18-club league, not the 17 it has this season. Among the new teams, Caen and Martigues are relegated from Ligue 2 pending the verdict of the play-off between Boulogne and Clermont, while Le Puy, Saint-Brieuc and Fleury, who were in the National 2 group of Feignies-Aulnoye, are promoted to National.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

New coach to be announced soon! 

Mercato : Stéphane Moulin tout proche de Valenciennes

Quote

Mercato: Stéphane Moulin very close to Valenciennes

Former Angers and Caen coach Stéphane Moulin is set to be appointed head coach of Valenciennes this week.

Stéphane Moulin is set to open a new chapter in his career. Almost two years after his departure from Caen, the 57-year-old coach is close to taking on a new challenge in the French top flight.

After a period of reflection, the former Anjou coach is close to concluding an agreement with Valenciennes, owned by Sport Republic, who had already considered him in December as a replacement for Ahmed Kantari. Vincent Hognon was eventually appointed. Six months later, Hognon is on his way out.

Moulin is expected to be appointed during the week. He could be working for a club that will have one of the biggest budgets in the National next season, and which will be aiming to climb back into Ligue 2. The length of his highly likely contract has not been revealed.

 

[Convict Colony]

8 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

New coach to be announced soon! 

Mercato : Stéphane Moulin tout proche de Valenciennes

 

Yeah just saw the official announcement of hognon leaving 

"a club that will have one of the biggest budgets in the National next season"

Sounds promising 

Edited May 19 by Convict Colony

[Holmes_and_Watson]

32 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

New coach to be announced soon! 

Mercato : Stéphane Moulin tout proche de Valenciennes

 

Not a surprise, but comes with the usual mitigating factors SR provides all it's managers.

Interesting on French football, that he took a step down in order to have the better facilities with VA. Not to mention the "project" would have been a big draw too. They may have sent Rasmus over to hypnotise him into believing in it.

He took over midway. So, SR will have left him with an assorted collection of transfer duds, mapped to a plan they've since abandoned, and very possibly with big gaps in it (as they did for us). He said that 4 of the 5 brought in under him worked out.

And there's where it gets tricky. As soon as VA were in with a shout of showing their mettle, they folded. With promotion then gone, they gave up. Is that down to SR's squad? Or is that also down to a manager who couldn't get a tune out of them?

Instead of a promotion push, Hognon was of the opinion that they were already at their peak, and that he helped save the season from being much worse.

While there were a few exceptions, the teams that limped their way through the end of the season didn't show they were fighting for their manager, or the club.

Would have allowing the manager to be key in clearing out the deadwood have allowed for a better next season? Hognon clearly knew what he wanted. We'll see how much of his views are taken up by the new manager. Like ourselves, VA could do with a manager who drives SR, not one who is beholden to their ever changing, crashing and burning, ideas.