Matchday: Lens-Toulouse (Stade Félix Bollaert)

By: Xavier | October 25th, 2009

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It seems as if all of Lens’ matches are do or die these days and Sunday’s home encounter against Toulouse is no different. The pressure on Coach Jean-Guy Wallemme is palpable in Artois and a positive result is almost required over the next few games if he is to keep his post.

Football is a funny sport and the fact that Toulouse is where it is as Lens languishes in the anxious condition of the “promoted side” speaks volumes. Just two seasons ago Toulouse barely avoided the dreaded relegation that befell Lens and effectively destroyed the venerable club as we know it. Yes that fateful final day of Ligue 1 action two years ago sealed Lens’s fate and propelled Toulouse to European spots the following year while the defeated Lensois toiled in the interminable obscurity of Ligue 2.

If Toulouse would have fallen to Antoine Kambouare’s Valenciennes on that fateful day Lens would have survived and likely rebounded with a strong campaign last year. But alas, such was not the case and Lens fans paid and are still paying for that fateful Sunday afternoon.

But football like life must go on and the current disaster of a football club at Lens must trek on and try to battle for the most humbling of football goals, “le maintien“.

And that dreadful battle continues tomorrow at a beleaguered Stade Félix Bollaert where fans are on the brink of mutiny against one of their own heroes who was once cheered from the terraces. Yes, Jean-Guy Wallemme’s historic reputation along with Daniel “druide” Leclerc’s genius are on the hot seat. And like President Gervais Martel before them they are about to feel the wrath of the long suffering fan.

_231009-wallemme At this point the Lensois have not tasted victory since beating hapless Grenoble on August 23.

That pathetic run has seen the sang et or slump to 18th in the table and winger Sebastien Roudet who returned to action last week is well aware his side must improve, starting this Sunday at the Bollaert.

“We need at least one win (from the two home games),” Roudet admitted. “It would be great if it happens on Sunday against Toulouse.

“It will not be an easy game because we know it went badly in the European Cup for them (Toulouse lost 4-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek). They will certainly want to win this game.

“Sunday’s meeting will be complicated to negotiate but we’re at home. We must put pressure on them and do everything to take the three points.

“When I was at Valenciennes a few seasons ago, we were almost invincible at home. I think there was a big solidarity and unity when you feel you have nothing to lose.

“Once the coach used a particular player, he gave 200%. He fought like a dog on the ground to do his best. There is the same feeling here in Lens but the results haven’t yet followed.

“The teams that come to Bollaert must fear us and know they will be in for a sleepless night. We must do everything possible to reverse the trend and take maximum points here.”

The only difference of course is that Valenciennes didn’t have much to lose back then whereas northern France and indeed the whole of Ligue 1 are holding their collective breath at the thought of another year without the magic of the Stade Félix Bollaert.

Le Groupe Lensois: Atrous, Runje: Demont, Chelle, Laurenti, Ramos, Sartre, Yahia: Hermach, Kovacevic, Milovanovic, Roudet, Sow: Jemaa, Akalé, Boukari, Eduardo, Maoulida, Monnet-Paquet

Le Groupe Toulousain: Y.Pelé, Blondel – Firmin, Congré, Nounkeu, M’Bengue, Ebondo – E.Didot, Braaten, Sirieix, Machado, Berson, Mou.Sissoko, E.Capoue – Tabanou, Luan, Gignac, Pentecôte, Soukouna

Viewing Options: The match will be televised on Setanta Sports at 2:00 PM ET. as a tape delay. Setanta is available through a subscription with Direct TV or Dish Network in North America.

Streaming: http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=52677&part=sports