Valenciennes

[Holmes_and_Watson]

30 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Hello friends, I hope you're well?

Today is match day for Valenciennes, who host Le Mans at the Stade du Hainaut.

With promotion to Ligue 2 no longer a possibility, the aim at the end of the season is to finish as well as possible and finish in a good position.

The coach is also taking advantage of the end of the season to give playing time to players who haven't had much of a chance in order to prepare for next season.

Also, according to my information, a friendly match will take place in mid-July between Southampton and Valenciennes at Saint Mary's Stadium if all goes well.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm French time and you can follow the match via the link below:

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Have a nice day and a good weekend.

Allez VA!

Thanks for the links as always Christophe. And for the info.

This will be interesting. A test for those who might not have played much this season, to stake a claim for more minutes next season.

That's in a side, where you could see the momentum/ hope drain out of it recently, that could be a bit disjointed with players not used to each other, and against one of the better sides in the division.

[ChristopheVAFC]

51 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Thanks for the links as always Christophe. And for the info.

This will be interesting. A test for those who might not have played much this season, to stake a claim for more minutes next season.

That's in a side, where you could see the momentum/ hope drain out of it recently, that could be a bit disjointed with players not used to each other, and against one of the better sides in the division.

It's always a pleasure for me to give you news about my team.

We're preparing for next season now because we can't go up to the second division and I know that the team will probably change a lot next year (at least 10 departures this summer).

SR governance was very disappointed with some of our players and I'm expecting a big mercato as far as I'm concerned.

There are 4 games left before the end of the season:

- Le Mans (home)
- Paris 13 (away)
- Nancy (home)
- Aubagne (away)

These 4 matches will allow us to test players and systems that could be used next year.

[FredVaFC59100]

4 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

ISR governance was very disappointed with some of our players and I'm expecting a big mercato as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah ?

-with players on loan and has-been free transfers from obscure leagues just like last year ? 

-with Siga Diarra, a very talented scout, jumping ship after 11 years at the club ? Who found good players with literally no money ? Who brought in GrBic during the 2023 winter transfer window to save our ass from relegation...until SR took over and finally relegated us to National ?

It will keep on going for the worse as long as SR remains in charge, in fact we were more competitive under the previous tenure with Eddy Zdziech, the tables ranking don't lie.

SR took us to 3rd league and managed to get the B-Team relegated twice. Quite an achievement for "experts in football", in just 2 years none the less.

 

Edited 22 hours ago by FredVaFC59100

[ChristopheVAFC]

1 hour ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Yeah ?

-with players on loan and has-been free transfers from obscure leagues just like last year ? 

-with Siga Diarra, a very talented scout, jumping ship after 11 years at the club ? Who found good players with literally no money ? Who brought in GrBic during the 2023 winter transfer window to save our ass from relegation...until SR took over and finally relegated us to National ?

It will keep on going for the worse as long as SR remains in charge, in fact we were more competitive under the previous tenure with Eddy Zdziech, the tables ranking don't lie.

SR took us to 3rd league and managed to get the B-Team relegated twice. Quite an achievement for "experts in football", in just 2 years none the less.

 

Well said, what expression in your answer!

I expected nothing less from you, dear colleague!

I would simply reply that, on the one hand, Mr Eddy Zdziech left the club, and he is far from it today, for the good of the club.

The most important thing for me is to want what's best for the club and its institution; yesterday it was the dictator, today it's an investment fund.

I would give SR as much time as EZ had in his time.

I think that our friends from Southampton who read us every day want to hear about our club and not see the settling of scores.

I don't deny that SR don't do everything right, they make mistakes, that's obvious, they even make mistakes at our friendly club Saint's!

Many Valenciennes supporters are lucid about the current situation of our club and know that things are improving in certain areas. A project takes time, and you have to be patient, even if it takes a long time...

You and I won't agree on the management of VAFC, and I don't want to pollute this discussion with a debate that will never end...

[spyinthesky]

7 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

It's always a pleasure for me to give you news about my team.

We're preparing for next season now because we can't go up to the second division and I know that the team will probably change a lot next year (at least 10 departures this summer).

SR governance was very disappointed with some of our players and I'm expecting a big mercato as far as I'm concerned.

There are 4 games left before the end of the season:

- Le Mans (home)
- Paris 13 (away)
- Nancy (home)
- Aubagne (away)

These 4 matches will allow us to test players and systems that could be used next year.

Christophe,

Thanks for your posts.
Really interesting Bonne Chance for the remaining part of the season and next year.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Nathan Jones right once again. Playing against 10 is harder. Only a few mins after Le Mans were down to 10, and they got the only goal. That was quite late on and VA had no answer.

I was beginning to think a warrant would be put out for the thieves who had pinched everyone's shooting boots. Most of the few chances were blazed over.

VA did get a 1 on 1 fairly close to the keeper that was saved. Some running up and down the middle, followed by poor passing was the order of the evening.

VA will be very disappointed about the marking for the goal. But they hadn't done anything of note to get more than a draw.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Let's look back at yesterday's game, which was a continuation of the last few games, a team that gave up and which, for me, is already on holiday because there are no longer any objectives to achieve...

As I said here yesterday, I think we need to start thinking about next year and building a new team.

I hope that SR will make the right choices this summer and that we'll have a better season next year.

Below is a press article summarising yesterday's game.

Have a good day and a good game, folks.

[ChristopheVAFC]

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1579544/article/2025-04-25/vafc-le-mans-symptomatique-battu-sur-la-fin-va-prend-encore-ses-limites-en

Quote

VAFC - Le Mans: ‘Symptomatic!’ Beaten at the end, VA once again take their limitations in their stride

Technically mediocre in the first half, a depleted VA ended up losing to Le Mans (0-1) at the end of the game despite having raised their game and playing with eleven against ten. It was a familiar scenario and a winless streak stretching to five games. The end of the season can be so long when you have nothing left to play for...

It's been one evening after another for Valenciennes fans. Those who were hoping for a thrilling end to the season, full of suspense and decisive matches, have nothing left to look forward to. Not only did their hopes of going up disappear without a game last weekend, but they are also seeing others come and have a fiesta in their backyard. A month ago, 500 Boulonnais celebrated a last-gasp 2-3 win in style. This time, it was the Manceaux who roared their delight at having also won at the end.

Three games in a row without a goal

Beaten in the final minutes despite being outnumbered, without a win in five games and without a goal in three games, VAFC are bogged down in a nasty run of form. It has cost them their last dreams as much as it has exposed their limitations. To take a goal like that, they go sixty metres with the ball and it's symptomatic of our problems," laments Vincent Hognon. At Bourg, it wasn't the same game, but we also took a goal with eleven against ten, without being in danger. At Dijon, against Boulogne... We're not focused enough or presumptuous enough to think that things are going to go well. Even if I think we're better than we are at the moment.

Too shaky in the final quarter

Perhaps, but against an opponent who deserves to be up there, VA were far too weak technically in the first half before recovering, and Kouakou even lost a decisive one-on-one with Nicolas Kocik (74th). VAFC were also far too predictable. "We knew that if we went after them, they'd be cut in half. They're a team that score a lot of goals in the last quarter of an hour," said Sarthe coach Patrick Videira, his voice hoarse with celebration. When we got the red, I told my assistant that we'd have another chance. Right on target.

VALENCIENNES - LE MANS : 0-1 (0-0).

Stade du Hainaut. 6,107 spectators.

Referee: Mr Perpinan.

Goal : Rabillard (87th) for Le Mans.

Expulsion of Yohou (83rd).

Warnings for Valenciennes: Oyewusi (32nd), Masson (38th), Sissoko (50th); Le Mans: Burlet (36th), Yohou (81st).

Valenciennes: Michel; Coeff, Poha (Boutoutaou, 90e), Dibassy (capped); Buades, Sissoko, Masson (Traoré, 55e), Basse; Camblan; Oyewusi (Appuah, 71e), Kouakou. Coach: Vincent Hognon.

Le Mans: Kocik; Eyoum (Lamgahez, 70e), Yohou, Voyer; Matumona Makanga (Oudjani, 76e), Bernardeau (Oggad, 76e), Lauray, Quarshie (capped by Rossignol, 66e), Burlet; Rabillard, Vula (Gueye, 66e). Coach: Patrick Videira.

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

45 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Let's look back at yesterday's game, which was a continuation of the last few games, a team that gave up and which, for me, is already on holiday because there are no longer any objectives to achieve...

As I said here yesterday, I think we need to start thinking about next year and building a new team.

I hope that SR will make the right choices this summer and that we'll have a better season next year.

Below is a press article summarising yesterday's game.

Have a good day and a good game, folks.

Thanks for your summary and that excellent, spot on, article.

I try to be a bit tactful, watching from afar. You have a club with engaged, if flawed decision makers. The position is not where anyone wants to be, but there are plenty of opportunities for players to stake a claim and go up with the club. 

It's not everyone, but there are a number of apathetic, mediocre players drifting their way through this season. Why they don't grasp the opportunity is a mystery. If that's their level, or they deluded themselves into thinking they should be somewhere else, that's on SR's recruitment and coaching.

Oh, for a manager that gives them some home truths and a right kick up the rear. At least you'd see some intensity and increased effort.

[Convict Colony]

I'm calling it now.

The new boss decides to get rid of the sporting director will be changed in the summer and @FredVaFC59100 will finally find something to be happy about😁.

Next season you demolish the league, better players, better system and most importantly a better mentality.

[ChristopheVAFC]

35 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

I'm calling it now.

The new boss decides to get rid of the sporting director will be changed in the summer and @FredVaFC59100 will finally find something to be happy about😁.

Next season you demolish the league, better players, better system and most importantly a better mentality.

Aside from the sporting director's responsibility, we don't talk enough about the disappointment of certain players who have not lived up to their expectations and who have greatly disappointed SR...

The sporting director makes and validates the choices, the players have to do the work on the pitch, and today, few are satisfied, and it's not for nothing that 18 of the 26 current players will potentially not be retained in the team for next year...

I hope we'll have a much better season next year, with players who are fully committed and aware of the expectations placed on them.

If our coach stays with us and does the whole season, it could be very good in building the new team.

[ChristopheVAFC]

2 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Thanks for your summary and that excellent, spot on, article.

I try to be a bit tactful, watching from afar. You have a club with engaged, if flawed decision makers. The position is not where anyone wants to be, but there are plenty of opportunities for players to stake a claim and go up with the club. 

It's not everyone, but there are a number of apathetic, mediocre players drifting their way through this season. Why they don't grasp the opportunity is a mystery. If that's their level, or they deluded themselves into thinking they should be somewhere else, that's on SR's recruitment and coaching.

Oh, for a manager that gives them some home truths and a right kick up the rear. At least you'd see some intensity and increased effort.

It's always a pleasure to share the news from my team with you.

The club is becoming more professional and I know that in certain areas it is taking its cue from you, as with the club's official mobile application, which is the same as Southampton's. I'm delighted to be able to share my team's news with you.

As far as sport is concerned, I maintain that in a football club, it's the most difficult thing to build and stabilise in order to have a good season. Even if the choices are carefully thought out at the outset, no one can say whether these choices will pay off 100% (players out of form, injuries, player behaviour, declining performance)...

Our coach, who arrived at the start of the season, was quick to spot the flaws and weaknesses in our team, and once again, it's not for nothing that, as I speak, 18 of the 26 players probably won't be retained for next year...

The players don't realise that they're at a club like Valenciennes, with a Ligue 1 stadium and training centre, and a crowd that's always behind their team...

A lot of work awaits Sport Republic next summer and next year.

Stay tuned!