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.