A hint of stability?
By: Jay | December 2nd, 2007
After weeks of inconsistent play the blood and gold seem to have found a semblance of stability. If saturday’s victory at struggling Sochaux is any indication the Lensois may finally have found something to build on in preparation for the coming reinforcements slated for the winter transfer period.
However, little of this could actually be seen early on as the home side began the match in stronger form and Julien Quercia forced goalkeeper Vedran Runje to make a timely save with a jarring shot from the right side of the box in the 16th minute of action.
But just four minutes later and the most dangerous Lensois Aruna “danger man” Dindane put Jean-Pierre Papin’s side ahead following a swift counter-attack.
Olivier Monterrubio broke down the flank and delivered a perfect cross which the Ivorian international controlled and struck towards goal.
Sochaux goalkeeper Teddy Richert managed to get a hand on the ball put was unable to prevent it from crossing over the line.
The home side immediately responded and midfielder Romain Pitau set Moumouni Dagano free inside the penalty area but Runje twice denied the striker.
Sochaux continued to press and almost scored in the 40th minute.
After a neat interchange of passes Stephane Dalmat found space on the left flank and his cross was met by captain Michael Isabey.
The attacking midfielder struck a first-time volley which flew over the head of a rattled Runje but sailed frustratingly wide of the goal.
Frederic Hantz’s men did not let up after the half-time interval and Isabey saw his shot a minute after the break beat Runje but cleared off the line by Lens skipper Yohan Demont.
Sochaux would pay for their missed chances in the 58th minute.
After an incredible cross dribble Dindane left a perfect pass for Monterrubio who shot at goal but the ball rebounded back to Dindane. The danger man again picked out Monterrubio and this time he snapped his shot from close range at goal and the ball deflected off former PSG defender Stephane Pichot before it hit the back of the net.
The contest was a definate improvement over wednesday’s drab match against Lorient and most of it has to do with the fact that coach Papin selected a better squad. Lucien Aubey was back out on the pitch alongside the talented young defender Sidi Keita and the exciting midfielder Mounir Diane of Morocco. Indeed, Diane should have been playing a long time ago and I was critical of former coach Francis Gillot for doing very little to develop his talents. Maybe he will get a chance with Papin but that seems doubtful considering his squad selections to date.
Regretably, Keita seems destined to shine somewhere else as all reports emanating from La Gaillette seem to indicate he will be headed to either Paris, Monaco or Valenciennes. His loss will be squarley on the shoulders of Papin who has stubbornly kept him sidelined ahead of less talented if not hard working players like Nenad Kovacevic who is a fan favorite at Lens precisely because he is perceived as being a hard worker more than an impressive footballer. Sidi you will be missed and I feel the Lensois will regret it later.
On another note, it must be said that Kader Mangane was once again very impressive on the pitch. This time the Senegalese international thrilled us by demonstrating his amazing versatility by filling in at center back for injured skipper Adama Coulibaly. His defensive instincts are simply brilliant and I would have to name him as my man of the match.
On the negative side it is a bit disconcerting to see a different starting eleven every week. However, I would rather have this situation if it means developing our younger players instead of just sticking with hasbeens like Luigi Pieroni, Julien Sable, Milan Bisevac, Fabien Laurenti and others. Once again Kevin Monnet-Paquet and Razak Boukari were nowhere to be seen. I will not even go into the Kanga Akale situation here because I have no idea what is going on in Papin’s mind with this player nor shall I try.
Furthermore, it is rather depressing to see Lens great Eric Carriere being completey disregarded and at best being used in the dying minutes of some contests. Its even more surprising since he seems to be in fine form whenever I have seen him on the pitch. This wasn’t how it was supposed to end for Eric the great.
Until next time…….allez Lens!
Category: Team News
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Comments
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I was wondering about why Carriere has been on the bench so much - if his form isn’t bad, maybe he had a spat with Papin, who seems rather egotistical, imo.
Also, Papin actually maintains a blog for Setanta. I don’t know if you’ve seen it but here’s the link:
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Inara,
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I have seen Papin’s bore of a blog. Not very useful if you ask me. I really have no clue about some of his decisions. The situation with Carriere and Akale are absolutely ridiculous and untenable. I don’t see how they will be in Lens very long unless Papin bolts for another job which is doubtful considering the poor one he has done at Lens to date. My only hope with him is the transfer window. I am willing to see how he recruits. It is possible he may excel here. I at least like some of the potential recruits he has named such as Eric Mouloungui, Joseph Akpala and Barel Mouko. By the way, congrats to the Lyonnais. What a way to bounce back and look invincable again. I think Perrin is getting a handle on things. He finally seems to have realized that Benzema and Ben Arfa need to play together at all times. Govou looks better than ever which is saying a lot since I think he was always pretty great. The one thing I do not understand there is the Belhadj situation. What in the world is Perrin thinking?? Send him to Lens! I am sure Papin won’t pass that kind of quality up. This guy should be playing everyday. He is a star in the making. Furthermore, what is Lyon planning to do with Hartock? Maybe they could also send him to Lens. I don’t know why Lyon insists on sticking with Vercoutre, as young as Hartock is he can’t possibly hurt them any worse than the current keeper.
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[...] scores: Lorient 1-1 Saint-Étienne; Monaco 1-1 Ugly camo-wearing fools aka Nice; Sochaux 0-2 Lens Category: Match Recaps, France Ligue 1 Tags: France Ligue 1, Match Recaps, Tag Index « [...]
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