In 100% CSP this Wednesday, we take stock of the squad with sporting director Crawford Palmer following the extension of CJ Massinburg until the end of the season.
Can we say Crawford Palmer, that Massinburg did not give you the choice, that you were obliged to extend it given the level displayed by this player since his arrival?
This extension had been planned for some time. There was the need to do this before the end of his freelance which was scheduled for November 13th. There was no reason to rush. It gave us time to get to know him better. He is someone who makes us happy with his investment. It’s a 1-2 position, physical, tall, in the same profile as Demonte Harper. Gerry Blakes is much more of a position 2. We have sometimes seen him struggling a bit at the lead. Having that option makes Gerry a great wild card when he comes back. Someone who can score, create their own shots when the going gets tough. Something we don’t really have on the team. Where CJ can get into the racquet and bring in some percussion that we didn’t necessarily have before. So we think it goes well together with Demonte Harper who will be able to play on positions 1, 2 and 3. These versatile profiles give us a lot of options for the future.
It’s a luxury to have a larger workforce when you’re not European
When is Gerry Blakes coming back?
He was to run after 6 weeks. From the beginning of November. It’s the case. His recovery is on track. He runs, he begins to shoot. We have “the luxury” of having the international window coming. It gives two more weeks to really put it at 100%. He is scheduled to return for the 1st game (against CCRB) after the international break.
It will be a lot of people on stations 1 and 2 with Crusol, Beyhurst, Harper, Massinburg and Blakes. What do you think ?
Somehow, it is a luxury to have an enlarged workforce when we are not European with a few young French people that we will continue to develop. So much the better if we have a lot of backs. We saw the problems we may have had with Demonte’s faults at the start of the match. And we will have more options. Some may be shifted to the position of winger. It gives the coach a lot of tactical flexibility. Being able to tap into these different player profiles offers certain advantages.
I find it healthy because it keeps pressure on the group
The rule is a maximum of six foreign players, including 4 who are not Bosman or Cotonou. There you will have 5. What does Crawford Palmer involve?
It implies a possible rotation. It will be the choice of the coach for each match. I find that healthy because it keeps pressure on the group. The strategy to keep Massinburg is also not to burn out another contract. If we have problems or injuries, I hope we can use the group we have without using other contracts for other medical freelance. To keep a certain flexibility if you need to strengthen yourself at the end of the season or if you have big injuries at the end of the season. I’m not worried about that.
How many contracts do you have left?
Maximum 3 by the end of the season.
For now, there are no plans to adjust the interior
The club does not hide having kept a little woolen sock to readjust in the interior sector if necessary. Where are you at this level?
We hit it a bit to extend CJ Massinburg. Behind, we will see according to the needs. But for now, there are no plans to adjust the interior. I think Grismay Paumier does the job. Horace Spencer is progressing a lot. We knew he was a young, raw player who needs a lot of work to progress. He’s in the group. He continues to work. We will see how we do with him later. We have Kruize Pinkins, a 4-5 who can deviate. Assane Ndoye is a 4 who can defend against 3s, 4s and 5. And who can also post. Hugo Invernizzi has shown that he can be effective on post ups and that he defends hard on everyone. I think we’re pretty well off for now.
And when is Assane Ndoye’s return coming?
At the same time as Gerry Blakes, at the end of the international break.
We like it a lot but it will be difficult to keep it
Does that mean Crawford Palmer, that his medical freelance writer Sim Sander Vene is bound to leave? Can’t see him stay?
It will be very difficult. We think about it because it’s true that he’s someone we really appreciate. He does the job. It doesn’t make any noise. He did not play an entire match following the coach’s choices, and he entered against Dijon being very efficient. He quickly enters a workforce. He knows where to stand, he knows how to play. We like it a lot but it will be difficult to keep it.