ChristopheVAFC

1 point gained tonight, folks... Don't give up!

I think we needed a change at the top of the team, but I also think our players need to take responsibility. Many fans felt that Ahmed Kantari was more suited to the role of manager. On the club's social networks and in the stadium on match days, chants of ‘Kantari resign’ have become increasingly frequent. I hope we'll have a good replacement for the rest of the season.

In France, it's a bit different, because coaches have an employment contract and that's governed by the Labour Code. The club has agreed that he will no longer coach the first team, so there are now 2 possibilities: either a total breach of contract and a definitive departure from the club or reclassification in the club's other teams. He has coached the B team on several occasions. It remains to be seen what will be decided, bearing in mind that he is currently taking a diploma known as the BEPF (brevet d'entraineur professionnel de football). To continue his training, he needs to be a coach at a club with a level 5 team (National 3), which is the case for our B team. To be continued.

https://www.va-fc.com/articles/25434

SR seems to be finding it difficult to make certain decisive decisions, particularly in sporting terms. I'm talking about the first-team coach, but even if it's never an easy choice, it's sometimes necessary for something to change. So yes, even the players are responsible for the situation, because they're the ones on the pitch, but the coach also has his share of responsibility. Your coach, like ours, is not very far from the end of his contract, given the sporting results, but SR doesn't seem to want to press the button just yet...

Hello friends, I hope you're well this Friday. Match day for Valenciennes, who travel to Normandy to take on QRM (Quevilly Rouen Métropole). The aim is to stay in the top flight, knowing that we don't play next weekend (the joys of a 17-team league). Kick-off 7.30pm French time, match link below: I can't hide the fact that I'm not feeling very good about tonight's game because we haven't won away from home since the start of the league. We'll find out tonight in any case. Go VA! Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Hello folks. I just came across this post on LinkedIn: An excellent four days at VAFC - Valenciennes Football Club with Olly Lancashire as we work to further align and strengthen our approach to player and staff development across the Sport Republic clubs. A big thank you to Simon Raux, Alexis Caron, Ben Chorley and everyone at the club for their warm welcome and for sharing valuable insights into the great work they’re doing. This is a great initiative that will strengthen the links between our 2 clubs.

Henrik Kraft intervieuw in local press today:

Hello folks, Rasmus Ankersen is due to appear in the local press tomorrow, and I'll share the interview with you. I know that Rasmus was in Valenciennes this Friday at the Stade du Hainaut... to be continued....

I'm watching the game and I think that, especially in the 1st half, we had the chance to take the lead but it's a shame we didn't convert our chances... I feel sorry for your coach Russell but I think we're going to need a major shake-up very soon and I think his days on the Saint's bench are numbered. Courage, my friends, my heart goes out to you.

Back from the stadium, our team lost 2 goals to 1. Our 1st home defeat came at a very bad time... On a positive note, the 20th anniversary of the ‘red and white generation’ supporters' group with this great pre-match entertainment. Good evening to all. Go VA!

Match day, folks, as Valenciennes welcome Bourg en Bresse to the Stade du Hainaut. Kick-off as usual at 19:30 French time. Here's the Youtube link for the match: Allez VA !

Congratulations my Friends ❤️🤍

Hello friends, it's derby day for Valenciennes on 1 November! It's off to Boulogne sur Mer for our team. A sold-out match (6,000 seats), a full visiting stand (600 Valenciennes fans expected, or around 8 buses, not counting the many cars)... I will of course be present for this trip, and will send you some photos of the trip nearest you. Kick-off 7.30pm French time. Here's the Youtube link for the match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iXUVnc9-Ro A derby means a much-anticipated match, and both teams want victory, so let's hope it's for VA!

Hello friends, on this match day, I hope you get your 1st win of the season. Of course it won't be easy against Manchester City, but I sincerely wish you a positive result this afternoon. Let's go Saint's !

Most of the fans are not unanimous in their support for him, and neither is the coach, Ahmed Kantari. From my own experience, I know that he has learnt from last year's mistakes (recruiting exotic players who are unfamiliar with the league). This season's recruitment has been much more coherent, with experienced players who have gone up in the league. He wanted players with a good mentality, with exemplary character and who were serious about their work. He recently celebrated 2 years as our sporting director. I speak to him from time to time, and he tells me that he's really committed to us and that he's trying to do his best for Valenciennes. I wish him personal success, because his success will be VA's success. In any case, he's open to discussion.

Yes, my friend, we're back from 2-0 down at home to Dijon. It was a morale-boosting win and helped break the momentum that has been lacking in recent weeks. I've got my smile back today and I'm going to have a great day

Hello folks. Match day for Valenciennes as they welcome Dijon to the Stade du Hainaut. Kick-off 7.30pm French time. The link match on YouTube: There's no question about it, we need to get back to winning ways if we are not to lose too much distance from the top of the table. At home, in front of the fans, we hope with all our hearts for victory. Allez VA !

Incredible scenario today... Courage, my friends...

The day after the match, and a second league defeat this season. We have regrets, because we have the potential to do much better. It's been a bit of a complicated period and I'd say there are 2 reasons for that: We don't have defensive stability because we've lost our experienced defender Bakaye Dibassy to injury until January 2025. In attack, we're relying too much on our top scorer Mathias Oyewusi and the other strikers aren't scoring either... The situation is still far from critical, as we are still well placed in the table, but we will have to react very quickly if we are not to be left behind in the league. As for the fans, they are gradually becoming annoyed and impatient, and they hope that answers will soon be found.

Kick-off 7.30pm French time, 6.30pm London time

Hello folks. Some news from my team. After the heavy 4-1 defeat at Orléans, VAFC played last Sunday in the French Cup against Compiègne (6ᵉ division), a quiet 3-0 victory. We also lost our number 1 goalkeeper, Jean Louchet, to injury following a shock against Versailles. Unfortunately, our goalkeeper tore his anterior cruciate ligaments (he will be out of action for around 6 months). The club has recruited a new, experienced goalkeeper in Mathieu Michel, who will play his first official match this evening against Sochaux. https://www.transfermarkt.fr/mathieu-michel/profil/spieler/193142 So tonight, Valenciennes travel to Sochaux as part of the 9ᵉ journey . We hope to get back to winning ways, but it won't be easy. Here is the YouTube link for the match: Have a good day. Allez VA !

End of match: 4-1 defeat. Logical score. Good night to all.