Tidings from La Gaillette

By: Xavier | July 30th, 2009

Wednesday recruiters came to observe Aruna Dindane’s health and fitness and the danger man played the entire match against Panthrakikos. Lens emerged victorious in the encounter (1-0) thanks to a penalty awarded to new Lens recruit and Moroccan international defender Issam El-Adoua. Aruna subsequently stepped up and converted from the penalty spot for the victory.

According to But! Lens, the magazine dedicated exclusively to the sang et or, Bryan Bergougnoux is “not a priority in the eyes of coach Jean-Guy Wallemme“.

Monaco is still interested in signing Aruna Dindane. The ASM has offered a paltry four million Euros, but president Gervais Martel has balked.

The lack of financial resources has forced the club to increase the amount of recruiting trials for players, hoping to find the rare pearl mostly from Africa or France. Two potential recruits were tested against Panthrakikos yesterday, defenders Oxence M’Bani (DR Congo) and Mustapha Oussalha (Tunisia) have yet to fully convince coach Wallemme. “M’Bani, who has arrived from Auxerre, has shown great aggressiveness in duels, noted the Lens coach. As for Mustapha Oussalha, he has arrived from Belgian side Mouscron playing the left back slot. It’s hard to judge players on one game, but I don’t think these are the type of players we need right now.”

Geoffrey Doumeng was injured in yesterday’s friendly. “I lept a little to pass the ball between my legs and the opponent planted his foot on my ankle said the veteran. As my foot was stuck, my ankle turned and it cracked on the outside. The result, I have a sprain … I think after a week of rest, I should be ready. “The official Lens website reports that Doumeng” will likely be present at the friendly against OM.

After setting the record for the best attendance in the history of Ligue 2 last season, Lens could turn out one of the best crowds for a pre-season friendly. 32,030 spectators are expected Saturday at the Stade Felix Bollaert. The stadium box office remains open until tomorrow night.

This has been Tidings from La Gaillette….