Valenciennes

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Jesus this is even worse than us.

"In two home games, we had 31 shots on goal, 16 against Orléans, 15 tonight (Friday), for only one goal scored"

That can be a bit misleading. VA did have a couple of good opportunities. El Hadary's one stands out for me, and that might not even have made the stats. The woodwork was hit. But I think one of those was it falling awkwardly for Abi, who could only bobble it to the post, rather than it being a sitter.

Sample quotes:

Moulin:

“In two home games, we had 31 shots on goal, 16 against Orléans, 15 tonight (Friday), for only one goal scored. We had eight shots on target, they had three, and they scored two goals. I think we hit the post three times (twice actually). That sums it all up; we can’t win games like that.” Stéphane Moulin reiterates that he’s not a miracle worker: “I don’t know what to do. We’re working on finishing, we’re working on our passing patterns…”

“The coach is responsible for the results, so it’s my fault.” 

Landre:

“We’re disappointed, it’s a bit like the one against Orléans. We come up against teams that are incredibly efficient, they manage to open the scoring, and then it’s always more complicated, you have to put in more effort, open yourself up… "

VA's opponents are not "incredibly efficient."  Nor are they magically more clinical.

It's mid February. The only side in this league who has just finally decided on a squad, is VA. Never mind all the backroom stuff we heard was going on in that video, around recruitment. VA aren't neessarily playing their best team yet. They've just weeded out a number of the ones they don't want, and this is what's left.

VA are also the only team in the league to have just settled into a formation. It's been a front 3 for all of 3 games. And it shows. They have little clue, as yet, on how to play it.

No width for crosses to Abi. The right back is capable of pushing up, but doesn't often. The defense can't cope, if he does push up.

No incisive play centrally. Or anywhere else really. Moulin bemoaning all the shots, fails to take into account their circumstances. We've been a bit like that too. You might get a shot away. But if it's against a defence, who've been given all the time in the world to get into position, it's not going to have the best of chances.

VA made plenty of mistakes against Rouen. The pace of the game covered it, and allowed them to put their opponents on the back foot at times. VA made plenty of mistakes against Briochin. The slow pace of their game, and inability to force errors on the other team, cost them dearly. It was 72 minutes when I spotted a pass into a channel, for example.

Briochin were quite happy to play at VA's pace, then take advantage of the high defensive line. When VA made their mistakes, the visitors were in behind with a couple of passes. VA never wanted to stretch the game, and didn't come up with alternatives either.

Simple tactics. Not anything mystical as VA's despairing coach seems to believe.

Moulin can look at the few really good chances. But these are the exceptions in the play. Players need more of those to ensure wins. Not a random few, with lots of longer distances efforts not troubling the defences they meet.

Before I forget. A little shout out to Diomande. He's clearly wanting to do well, despite not being in the first eleven.

 

[Convict Colony]

Bro send your cv to sports republic as tactical consultant

[Holmes_and_Watson]

30 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Bro send your cv to sports republic as tactical consultant

They couldn't afford me, and I have zero tolerance for grifters. 🙂

[ChristopheVAFC]

Hello Friend's !

Today press:

Quote

National : « On ne fait pas peur en fait », le VAFC renvoyé à ses manques et à ses doutes - La Voix du Nord

National League: "We're not actually scary," Valenciennes confronted with their shortcomings and doubts

While the victory in Rouen certainly didn't make them a title contender, Valenciennes, still recovering, fell ill again on Friday with a 2-1 home defeat, their sixth loss of the season, this time against bottom-of-the-table Saint-Brieuc. The grim reality: survival is now the priority.

As he was substituted (79th minute), Gaëtan Courtet was booed off the pitch at the Stade du Hainaut, embodying the frustration of a crowd weary of waiting for a turnaround that never materializes. Frustrated and furious, the captain stormed to the locker room, tearing off his jersey in a fit of anger. This didn't go unnoticed, especially by the commentators who have been harshly criticizing him on social media since Friday. He apologized on Instagram on Saturday but will be sanctioned by the club for this gesture. It's the way things are when results aren't forthcoming.

Gaëtan Courtet was booed by the crowd as he left the pitch in the 79th minute. His visceral reaction did not go unnoticed. - Photo Christophe Lefebvre

The club's general manager, Yoann Godin, knows this all too well, as he tries his best to "keep a cool head" and weather the storm. He doesn't intend to part ways with Stéphane Moulin now, whose distress is understandable but also raises questions. "We'll have a meeting with the coach and Mathieu (Frison, the sporting coordinator), as we do every Monday. We need to be honest with each other and try to move forward together. The important thing is that the coach is with us and believes in us." »

Weaknesses

As exciting as it was, the 2-1 victory in Rouen, against the league leaders, achieved with unwavering determination, didn't make Valenciennes a potential champion. Stéphane Moulin is well aware of his team's weaknesses: "effective about once every five matches," capable of eight shots on target, as on Friday, hitting the woodwork twice, and scoring only one goal, in stoppage time. The stark assessment: "We're not exactly intimidating." And defensively, things aren't much better.

"The standings in this league based on a single match mean nothing. I said based on a single match. That's why there are so many erratic results compared to the league table." “Stéphane Moulin, on the eve of VAFC – Saint-Brieuc

The coach knew what to expect from Saint-Brieuc, the “false bottom” team determined to save themselves at all costs at the start of the year, and who, before unsettling VA on Friday (1-2), had held Dijon (0-0) and Sochaux (1-1). “The hierarchy of this league based on a single match means nothing. I said based on a single match. That’s why there are so many erratic results compared to the standings,” he observed the day before this latest defeat, the sixth conceded at home by his team, who are also the only ones to have lost, and twice at that, against Saint-Brieuc. What does this say about this team? Stéphane Moulin remains perplexed: “I have absolutely no idea… But it’s certainly not to our credit.” “

To make matters worse, Valenciennes, now 13th, saw QRM, the first team in the relegation zone, close the gap to seven points after their 2-1 victory over Concarneau on Thursday. The order of the mission has changed: “The objective is to secure our place in the league as quickly as possible,” insists Yoann Godin. This will allow them to prepare for the future with a minimum of peace of mind.”

[ChristopheVAFC]

Gaetan Courtet's apology on Instagram:

Quote

I feel it's important that I speak out after yesterday's match.

Throughout the game and as I was being substituted, I heard whistles and insults that hurt me. In that tense atmosphere and under the influence of frustration, I reacted to being replaced in a way I now regret. I should have remained calm.

I also want to clarify that I did not tear off my jersey. In the heat of the moment, I headed towards the locker room to quickly leave the pitch and calm down, but I understand that the image may have been misinterpreted.

In any case, I want to apologize to Valenciennes FC and all the club's fans.

Since I arrived, I have fought for this jersey and for this club, always striving to give my all in every match. Emotions got the better of me last night, and I regret that.

I will abide by the club's decisions and accept any sanctions that may be imposed. I now want to focus on the pitch and do everything I can to help the team during this important period.

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Nonsense to have a go at Courtet. 

He had a poor game. Very poor, by his own standards.  

Fortunately, the rest of the team of world beaters, and their top level coaching staff, turned it round. Oh wait, they absolutely didn't. 

His error led to a goal. So he joins pretty much everyone in the team, who have already had individual errors leading to goals. Two of the new signings, just in the last few weeks.

Courtet has cut a very frustrated figure for a long time now. Previously, it would pretty much him trying to be everywhere to turn games.

Now, the team might have settled on a system with more up front. But he's still trying to be everywhere, in a side that struggles to identify how to set up tactically.  

His form, after such frustration, and in this set up, has also taken a knock. Not to mention the off-field things. 

The coaching team have to decide the roles they want from their players, and set the bar for them to be leaders. Given the choice, I'd rather have Courtet around than them.

[ChristopheVAFC]

2 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Nonsense to have a go at Courtet. 

He had a poor game. Very poor, by his own standards.  

Fortunately, the rest of the team of world beaters, and their top level coaching staff, turned it round. Oh wait, they absolutely didn't. 

His error led to a goal. So he joins pretty much everyone in the team, who have already had individual errors leading to goals. Two of the new signings, just in the last few weeks.

Courtet has cut a very frustrated figure for a long time now. Previously, it would pretty much him trying to be everywhere to turn games.

Now, the team might have settled on a system with more up front. But he's still trying to be everywhere, in a side that struggles to identify how to set up tactically.  

His form, after such frustration, and in this set up, has also taken a knock. Not to mention the off-field things. 

The coaching team have to decide the roles they want from their players, and set the bar for them to be leaders. Given the choice, I'd rather have Courtet around than them.

Personally, I don't blame my player because he's doing his best. Of course, many of our supporters expect more from him, want him to be more decisive and score more goals, because he's considered a striker.

Rumours also say that he has one of the highest salaries in the club and therefore, inevitably, he has to justify it.

He realised he had lost the ball on Friday and tried to make up for it and help the other players, but unfortunately our opponents scored a goal and so some of the crowd turned on him...

In my opinion, he's neither the best nor the worst. The problem lies elsewhere and we really need to find a solution to our issues with confidence, efficiency and communication...

Our players each have their qualities, that's undeniable, but it's difficult to understand why our players can't play at their level... That's the paradox of our team this season...