Valenciennes

[ChristopheVAFC]

4 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Is Rento Takoaka a decent prospect? He's still quite young but wonder could he step up?

I quite like Rento; he puts in a lot of effort, isn’t afraid to get stuck in despite his small stature, and never shies away from hard work. In my view, he deserves a bit more playing time.

 

So yes, he isn’t very tall and can’t quite compete with traditional players yet, but he’s very deserving.

 

I’d really like the club to keep him on for next season.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Good match everyone ❤️🤍

[ChristopheVAFC]

End game before few minutes.

Non win tonight...

0-0.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

0-0

That was grim. The highlights at the end make all the poor touches, passes and decision in between much better.

VA did get the ball in the net in added time. The ref blew before it got there. Either for a very soft foul on their keeper, or for comedy diving from a VA player to try and get a penalty.

Moments later, their forward heads the ball past the high VA defence. He's got a long run, one on one with Louchet, who blocks it.

Louchet had another decent block in the first half. He gets my VA player of the match. His falling over is on purpose.

VA missed a good chance when a player fell over his own feet rather than cut the ball back into the box. Courtet also tripped himself up trying to get a ball up from midfield.

Aubagne had fallen further and further into their defence in the second half. But VA offered no real coherent attack. The visiting keeper spilled a tame effort on 55 minutes, that VA didn't capitalise on. Other than that, it was snapshots. 

Appuah and Niakate had moments where it looked like they might link up. Passi looked the most likely to do something. He's the central defender, which says a lot about VA's attack.

Diomande was versatile, but was easily snuffed out tonight, and got subbed. Courtet was his usual, lonely frustrated self across the pitch.

VA may look at it as a point gained, ensuring their safety. But it was another disjointed effort from a tired looking side. Those 3 absentees were missed after all.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all well on the eve of one of your biggest matches of the season.

News from Valenciennes:

Following last Friday’s 0-0 home draw against Aubagne (who parked the bus and came away with a point), we’re now heading to the Stade Robert Diochon to face Quevilly Rouen Métropole, who are second from bottom in the league.

As for VA, we reckon they need two more wins to officially secure their place in National 1 (in Ligue 3 next year). Facing an opponent who don’t want to be relegated, it won’t be easy, but the Stade Robert Diochon holds fond memories for VA:

- Two years ago, the club beat FC Rouen at this very stadium to reach the semi-finals of the Coupe de France.

- Last January, again at the same venue, VA faced FC Rouen in the league; the home side, who were league leaders at the time, were beaten 2-1 by Valenciennes.

The bad news: Rento Takaoka has been ruled out with an injury sustained whilst on international duty. We don’t know the extent of his injury, but I hope he’ll be back soon!

The match kicks off at 7.30 pm French time and the link to the match is below:

I’ll be sharing articles from today’s press with you throughout the day.

Allez VA !

[Toadhall Saint]

Bon chance mon ami oh and safe travels!

[ChristopheVAFC]

Good evening, everyone.

Valenciennes’ unbeaten run has come to an end with a 3-2 defeat away to Quevilly Rouen.

I didn’t see the match, so I can’t really comment on it.

It’s a shame, as the team could have moved a step closer to securing their place in the league...

Have a good evening, everyone, and see you tomorrow 😁😁

[Holmes_and_Watson]

For those who haven't watched many games, the better team, with the V on the front of their shirts, isn't the well resourced Valenciennes team, dreaming of Ligue 1. It's hummel's QRM shirt.

Christophe mentioned that Our Rento would be missing tonight, through injury.

The coverage graphic had Ngoya in for Niakate, but with Niakate's number.  Neither would want to put their hand up for that one. Gave away a penalty for the first, didn't track the overlap for the second, and was left in the dust of their left winger (and MVP) for the third.

Saints have seen successive managers have to reach the same conclusions. Once again, Abi didn't start. So, we had a pile of attacking midfielders, Courtet dropping deep, wide or wherever he wants, and absolutely no one as an outlet. A side built on those who feel they have to start, over the system.

They did bring Abo on for the second half. Not coincidentally, VA looked a lot better, with Rouai being bright. Passi managed to get one back, with a bouncing header that beat the keeper.

Courtet got VA's second through perseverance, and his defender not winning the header he was favourite to clear. Other than that, he had a bit of a stinker. Everywhere across the midfield and attack, but with very little working.

He had a real chance to get a goal back, but fell oveclaiming a push for a penalty. The ref and the coverage didn't show enough for his legs to have collapsed.

As always, he's just the most noticeable. Others were just as ineffective. 

Appuah got sent off for having his boot high. In real time, and in every replay, the opponent dips his head down towards the ball. A yellow card was upgraded to a red either from a 4th official, or the ref seeing the injury for long enough. Very harsh. 

The evening's comedy moment came from two QRM players leaving their free kick to each other, and both running over the ball.

The recent form, under new management, has got VA clear of any real danger. If they are to stay ahead of the pack that belies their position, they'll need to have a couple more performances in them, better than the last two.