The past has proven it: whether they are good or bad, the results of friendly matches during a summer preparation do not bode well for the following season. The content and the sequences are much more important and revealing, during these confrontations which especially allow the coaches to integrate young people and newcomers, to test devices and associations, and to draw little by little an eleven type, as well as preferential schemes.
But while La Paillade hoped to turn the page this summer, after half a hellish season and twelve points taken from the last 19 Ligue 1 games, a success would still have been welcome, if only to boost the morale of the troops who have not tasted it since March 20, in Bordeaux.
Open house operation
And yet, despite the bright spots that boys like Khalil Fayad and Enzo Tchato have had, and despite the grinta and overflowing energy of Jordan Ferri, nothing has happened, with five defeats in as many disputed games : Rodez (0-1), Espanyol Barcelona (2-0), Clermont (0-2), Toulouse (4-5), Crystal Palace (4-2).
The supporters therefore remained unsatisfied. But more seriously, the Paillade has not always displayed a huge appetite. First, while the defensive work had once again become the staff’s priority, like a year ago, the five friendly matches have failed to stop the bleeding, far from it.
It is not for lack of having tried everything. Four or five behind, with lanes and hinges constantly modified, due to the tests but sometimes also physical glitches, the outcome remained the same: an avalanche of goals conceded (nearly three per game, on average).
In the game, not always a lot of momentum, a certain passivity and a great feverishness, especially on set pieces, where the MHSC is exceeded, and the opponents too often unmarked. Patrick Vieira’s men have also benefited greatlylast Saturday, on their south London lawn.
A defense not fixed?
The rather rapid arrivals of Faitout Maouassa, Théo Sainte-Luce then Falaye Sacko, which compensated for the departures of Mihailo Ristic, Ambroise Oyongo and Junior Sambia, during a transfer window where La Paillade ultimately had little room for maneuver financially, do not bring not yet all the expected guaranteesand landmarks such as automatisms still need to be found.
At the same time, none of the centrals appeared imperial and managed to come out on top. This is the case of Pedro Mendes, who came back from hell recently, after a break from the Crusaders and a complicated recovery. This is also the case for Mamadou Sakho, whose slowdown has been evident since the start of the last return phase, last January. Finally, Nicolas Cozza and Maxime Estève (author of a very good Festival Espoirs de Toulon) have yet to find the high level displayed between August and December last.
However, it is necessary that a hierarchy emerges or, failing that, that emulation arises, so that everyone pulls the others up. Because for the time being, it is of course on these four, and on Falaye Sacko, that the coach will have to rely on to start, while Matheus Thuler has not been retained and the club has found itself confronted with Clément Vidal’s desire to stay in Corsicaafter his loan to Ajaccio, where the young man had found a smile and experienced the rise.
That said, less than a month from the end of the transfer window, the defensive line is not necessarily fixed. Maxime Estève is the subject of several desires since mid-June. Among them, a very hot track, according to our information, leading to Serie A, in the North East of Italy, although the leaders of Montpellier do not intend, for the time being, to give up their nugget unless of 15 million euros. On his side, Nicolas Cozza, former international Espoirs, also arouses the interest of some formations.
A more powerful attack?
On the other hand, if defensively the wounds are raw, they seemed to close in the offensive sector, during the last two games. In front, the breaking forward desired by the coach, and initially by part of the management, did not finally arrive, and it is on the international and experienced Wahbi Khazri that the Paillade finally bet. Capable of playing behind and around the striker, even to one side in a false winger role, the Tunisian is trying to get his bearings and was decisive for the first time against Toulouse.
A fourth game in which Stephy Mavididi, who had not scored since January 23 against Monaco, found colors and the net (double).
Besides these two, la Paillade obviously relies on its jewel Elye Wahitop scorer last May (10), also on the shelves of many formations, as well as another recruit, Arnaud Nordin, whose summer preparation was not the least interesting.
Exit coupons?
But there again, nothing says that the men in place will be there at the beginning of September. The English striker does not rule out staying one more season in Héraultwhen its leaders are still hoping for a substantial offer from England or, less likely, Italy.
At the same time, the Hérault management would be far from being closed to a possible departure of Valère Germainwho has not scored since the end of December 2021 and whose performance, he knows and regrets, is far from that expected.
One can also wonder about the case of Beni Makouana and on the advisability of lending the young Congolese to a lower floor, like Yanis Guermouche in Châteauroux, both the one who was presented as a rough diamondwhen it arrives, still needs to be polished.
And then, other “exit vouchers” have been issued. We know, and wrote it several weeks ago, that Jonas Omlin would not be retained in the event of an attractive proposal, provided of course that it also caught the attention of the Swiss goalkeeper. Moreover, his current dolphin Dimitry Bertaud is in full reflection on his future, largely conditioned by that of his Swiss partner.
Also courted, notably by Laval recently for a loan, the talented Sacha Delaye also and logically wonders about the follow-up to his career. If his first wish is to stay in the Hérault, his playing time and the place which will be granted to him in August could change the situation, as for his teammate Léo Leroy.
Start of the season under pressure
In the meantime, it is with a lot of pressure that coach Olivier Dall’Oglio will start the season. Next Sunday, when receiving the Estac at la Mosson (3 p.m.), at the opening of the championship, it will 140 days since the Paillade has not won, and 196 days since it has no longer communicated with its public, in its enclosure. Against Troyes, a poor performance would be synonymous with a series of ten games without a win in Ligue 1, and fifteen meetings without success, counting the friendlies.
A total that would weaken the coach, of course, but that would probably not seal his fate. The credit of the alesian and his staff has dwindled in recent months, but it is not exhausted. And the staff does not want to panic.
First, because the month of August, affordable on paper with the receptions of Troyes, Auxerre and Ajaccio, should make it possible to raise the bar. Then, because the daily work of the technician does not displease, on the contrary. The person who appointed him, Laurent Nicollin, has also renewed his confidence in him recently.
According to everyone’s opinion, internally, the responsibility of the coach is not the only one to be engaged. The attitude and individual performances of certain players are also singled out by management, who are also aware of the errors to be corrected in terms of numbers.
Olivier Dall’Oglio threatened?
On this subject, without constituting the only explanation of all evils, far from it, the long-requested absence of an athletic sentry is still considered by many to be a real handicap.
And finally, because the club does not intend to throw money awayat a time when every penny is more than ever counted due to the crisis and the new stadium project, and when a separation two years from the end of the lease would force the MHSC to pay a significant sum before committing a successor.
So many arguments that give ODO time and a bit of respite, and the possibility for him and his players to partially extinguish the fire this weekend. However, if the Gard did not manage to regain control quickly, to completely remobilize its players and to rectify the situation, the patience of the board would reach its limits. He knows it. What’s more in a high-risk season, with four descents.
Behind the scenes, even if it is not yet relevant, replacement profiles are already circulating. In May 2021, as we indicatedLaurent Nicollin had two names in mind: Olivier Dall’Oglio and Sabri Lamouchi. The latter, another Alesian but by adoption, could again be one of the applicants, in the event of failure of the current project.