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National League: VA Defeated but Safe, We Take Consolation Where We Can Valenciennes should have been leading at halftime if they had been more precise in their final pass and shot. Instead, they were punished by Fleury after the break and were never able to recover. Despite the 2-0 defeat, they can at least take some satisfaction in knowing that their survival in the National League is now secured. VA is now safe from relegation in this league, which has given them a lot of trouble for the past two years. Their focus shouldn't be on second-to-last Châteauroux, who dropped to the bottom last week, but rather on Bourg-en-Bresse, who were beaten at home by Caen (0-2) on Friday night. Bourg-en-Bresse only has three matches left to play, and Valenciennes holds a ten-point lead over them. That's settled. “The mission we were given when we took over as interim manager, and which we’ve grown to enjoy as the weeks have gone by, has been accomplished,” Pierre Blois rejoiced, despite the 2-0 defeat in Fleury. “We mustn’t forget the context in which we took over the team, with difficult matches and strong opponents at home, like Caen and Versailles. It wasn’t a sure thing.” Like his coach, Alexandre Coeff would have “preferred to secure our place in the league with a win, but we’re not going to be picky when we see where we were not so long ago.” At rock bottom. 29 crosses, 13 shots… Two months later, Valenciennes has the proud bearing of those who enter the arena without flinching. In an Essonne Stadium reminiscent of a Roman amphitheater, he caused Fleury serious problems in the first half, demonstrating composure, control of the game, and dominance over the ball, which he monopolized without managing to effectively utilize it in the penalty area. This resulted in a match with "29 crosses (but only three successful) and 13 shots," tallied Pierre Blois. "Twice as many as the opposition." The difference was that when he struck, he struck hard. "We can't afford to come back in the 47th minute with that level of commitment," said the prolific striker Kevin Farade, alert to the opportunity, tapping in a shot from Homssa that Jean Louchet had managed to deflect onto the crossbar. The second goal came in stoppage time after a mistake by Jules Collet, whose introduction had otherwise been promising. Pierre Blois wanted to focus on the positives: "As usual, the players never gave up, they gave their all, they tried their hardest." FLEURY – VALENCIENNES: 2-0 (0-0). Essonne Stadium. 2,594 spectators. Referee: Mr. Legat. Goals: Farade (47th), Belliard (90th + 4) for Fleury. Yellow cards: Lelevé (45th), Belliard (88th) for Fleury; Niakaté (28th) for Valenciennes. Fleury: Alette; Lambèse (Bovis, 41st), Vogt, Karamoko, Plisson; Lelevé (captain, Angong, 73rd); Homssa (Jean-Pierre, 73rd), Le Méhauté (Gannoun, 81st), Aubourg; Rivas, Farade (Belliard, 81st minute). Coach: David Vignes. Valenciennes: Louchet; Niakaté (Collet, 66th minute), Landre, Coeff, Koum (Wahib, 86th minute); Belloumou (captain, Boissier, 74th minute); K. Diomandé, Maréchal, Rouaï (Kouakou, 74th minute), Appuah (Abi, 74th minute); Courtet. Coach: Pierre Blois.

For anyone wondering/worrying about why we’re winning I think it can be summed up in one word. Momentum. We’ve got it in abundance right now, however I reckon Tonda’s next big test will be how to restore it in the squad after the City game, as that will likely be a disruptor.

Bugger. That's the end of our winning streak.

Weirdly having city not sell out, and Saints players seeing our ‘yellow wall’ in good voice could give us an extra 0.something%. If we win this game I do think we’ll win the tournament. I’m basically looking for any leg up or reason to feel optimistic that I can find.

Larin for sure. Strong, quick, holds it up. Stewart off the bench is a nice option as well. Protects his legs

Honestly that’s an absolute stinker of a post He’s a young lad that has done very well every time he’s been asked to play. His touch, general movement and passing has been first class for such a young lad.

Surprised that from next season, even the top franchise doesn't have look after it's roster going into post season. But they've just extended those play off slots, rather than having a proper race to a Wembleybowl final.

Anyone know where I can get a knock off yellow shirt that will arrive before the game?

Roster 🙈 fuck off mate

Deservedly beaten. Good timing for new people to have been brought in to look ahead for next season. They can watch this one as an example of many VA games. VA started busily, getting lots of the ball. But when the decision making is atrocious, passing poor and linking up non existent, then you're not going to score. As so often, VA are physically not a match for this league. At one point, it took a blatant foul to stop one of their players beating a swarm of 5 VA players. Today's comedy moment was watching Louchet lumping balls out to Niakate. Either bouncing over his head, or when he was marked. Niakate had one really decent pass, and a very long range effort. But was first off, after a game he'll not remember fondly. Fleury's first was also their first attack of the second half. Their player eased past 2 VA defenders. His shot at the near post blazed over Louchet, hitting the woodwork. VA were unsurprisingly second bast to clear it, as the ricochet took it across the center. VA tried upping the tempo with little effect. Fleury had another 2 really good chances, including a 1 on 1. The interim coaches rung the changes. Abi gave the side a bit more of an outlet and Courtet had a shot blocked. It was Niakate's replacement, who was responsible for the second. It was 3-4 minutes into added time. Collet's heavy touch was intercepted as VA moved up. A couple of decisive passes (of the sort VA bring out a couple of times a season), to take it away from tracking defenders, and Fleury put it past an angry Louchet. One of the early realisations for the new back room staff will be that, if it's true the players were offered silly deals to come here, it's going to be very hard to clear them out on a budget. And just think of those who aren't considered good enough to get a game, and what it will take to move them on.

They are. We are massive

The Championship this season has been exciting in the sense of everyone has been shit at one point or another that it’s competitive. There’s been no standout team, despite Coventry winning the league. It’s been an incredible weak roster of teams, but that’s what’s kept it interesting.

Really don't think Coventry have taken their foot off the gas. More likely anxiety as they got closer to the finish line May well play with more freedom now. They'll want to be champions for a start

Poor in the sense that they won eight out of nine and took their foot off the gas in the last three games now they're guaranteed to win the league. They're on the beach, next season will depend on how they recruit.

I know this is a wind up account but you got to do better. Bragg hasn’t looked out of place when he’s played whoever that’s been against, impressive for a kid in his first season, comparing him to Baz is ridiculous as has looked out of his depth at every level he’s played at. Some people were so wedded to the Baz camp they couldn’t accept they were wrong but anyone who knows anything about football could see he’s shite even at championship level, no one can deny Peretz has been a massive upgrade. You got to do better to make this account work.

Coventry have been a poor team for some time, they’ll take a pounding in the Premier League.

The last 10 minutes of the game was a bit of a joke. Both teams happy to take a point and just let Coventry pass it around at the back

There is no way on Earth relegation is going to come down to Blackburn vs Pompey. Oxford and West Brom would both need about 7-9 points each from their last four games and that's not happening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cldpnw74201o?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-gb "A trans woman, whose work for a women's health charity was criticised by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, has left the organisation. Steph Richards was chief executive and later parliamentary adviser to Endometriosis South Coast in Portsmouth, Hampshire."

Coventry have got one back.

OK im in for Bennett , thought he'd be our Tony Daley

Oh yeah dont get me started on the greedy bastards at the FA, semi finals shouldn't be at Wembley, tickets prices are a joke, useless. I know last year each team had 36,500 , Forest sold out asked for more but FA declined, they should have had another at least another 3,250 ready for us as soon as first lot sold out. We had a crowd of nearly 86k at the play off final , going to be 25k less than that as things stand which is a shame.

Fat Frank don't look happy 1-0 Rovers!!!

Yeah but you have to name one of Bennett or Spedding, as is stated.

Ok I find it difficult to give a fuck about either of those right now.