Four consecutive defeats, a takeover in progress, two players laid off, a captain suspended… The pressure is mounting at ASBH which must win against Soyaux Angoulême to get back on track positively.
The pressure is mounting on the Béziers side which hosts Soyaux Angoulême this Friday at the Raoul-Barrière stadium. Not only on the pitch, where if they want to get back into the race towards the top, the Biterrois would be wise to return to success after four matches without victories. Behind the scenes too, the pressure is felt. Even if the players and staff keep repeating that extra-sporting does not interest them, many of them are asking questions about the takeover of the club.
If it is finally effective, for the moment, the news is not really circulating in the aisles of the Raoul-Barrière stadium. The terms of this buyout, the buyers, their motivations, their ambitions, their projects…
Apart from those close to Robert Ménard, the mayor, who was at the center of the transaction, there are not many who know what sauce their club will be in. Perhaps they will know a little more in the days to come… The official announcement of the takeover will be revealed to the press on Thursday, November 7, late in the afternoon.
Facts that unconsciously impact the club
The accusations of domestic violence affecting Taleta Tupuola and Hans Nkinsi, both dismissed by the club's management, are also at the center of the debates. Whether we like it or not, facts have an unconscious impact on the life of the group.
Off and on the pitch, both players are key figures in the team. In short, even if the valve has not yet blown, Béziers must manage a certain pressure.
With a first milestone to be reached, this Friday, at the Raoul-Barrière stadium, against a Soyaux Angoulême team which has got into the habit, this season, of not traveling empty: in four trips, the Charentais have not lost. They won at Aurillac, Nice, Dax and got a draw at Colomiers. What to be wary of.
Absent in the group
Especially since Béziers must still review its copy in terms of workforce. To the absences of Taleta Tupuola and Hans N'kinsi, we must add that of captain Clément Ancély who received a red card in Oyonnax last weekend: “Injuries, cards… It’s part of any group. We have to move forward despite that and today we are fielding a high-level team,” assures David Irazoki, the three-quarter coach of Béziers.
“Soyaux Angoulême is indeed in a very positive phase, he continues. In terms of statistics, it is the first team in terms of away matches won. This is a big challenge that awaits us. After four defeats, we have another big test. It will be up to us to fight from start to finish and get a result.”
Beating Angoulême and continuing the following weekend with the arrival of Dax at the Raoul-Barrière stadium would allow ASBH to move forward once again. Otherwise, it could, on the other hand, give him a nasty migraine. : “If we get through these two matches, we will come back and we will be in a positive phase. It's important”, confirms the coach. With, in sight, a success which would reassure Raoul-Barrière and reduce the ambient pressure.
