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“Half of the team works and the other half are apprentices”
WebGirondins: What does the match against Bordeaux mean to you?
Jacques Pichard: It goes beyond the team. A whole small town is waiting for this moment. When we knew that Bordeaux was in our group, we said to ourselves that it would be a great celebration and a great response after our promotion (Locminé is promoted to N2 this season after being champion of N3). It was a match on the first day that we were unable to play. Today the flavor is more interesting, because we know the National 2 championship better. We are going there with desire and without apprehension, even if it will be strange for us to play in a stadium with more than 40,000 seats.
How is your workforce made up?
We work as a duo with Florent Besnard. This is our fourth season together and the roles are well distributed. We know each other by heart. It's the same for players. It is the collective that dominates before the individual. We wanted to keep the core of the team that came up, because they aspired to play in National 2. We created a very solid group with a collective mindset. We don't have federal contracts.
“We have three values at the club: respect, conviviality and ambition”
What message do you sell to players to engage them?
First of all, we have been trying to recruit local players for 4 years, but it is increasingly complicated to reach the N3 level. We are in contact with training centers, but when the players who are not selected from these centers are recruited, we are forced to note that they do not have the N3 level. It's a lot of disappointment, their training is not finished and mentally they are not prepared to play in N3. It's very difficult. We want to recruit, retain, and train our educators to help our kids grow.
How do you proceed?
We use our networks, our advisors and agents throughout France. We gain respect little by little. We tell our players to work side by side, to get some fresh air. This is why we train in the evening. Most of our players work, the rest are apprentices. We are on the Rennes-Lorient axis, close to Vannes, we are very well located and attractive. We are looked at and envied with very healthy management. We are the second Morbihan club after Lorient. We're not going to spend money we don't have. We have three values at the club: respect, conviviality and ambition.
You have only conceded one goal in 4 matches, how do you explain it?
We are a small team that plays. We were pleasantly surprised with our start to the season. The players learn and accept the intensity, the impact of the N2, and also the turnover. This is the key to our success. We are capable of holding on and the last 4 matches confirm it, but also of playing and moving forward.
“Continue our unbeaten streak, and why not win in Bordeaux?”
What do you fear from the Bordeaux team this Saturday?
We have everything to gain, because we have 13 matches behind us, we have been to Vannes and Le Mans (in the Coupe de France, Editor's note) which are large stadiums. We will have to ignore it, and it will be magnificent. If the players put themselves in their bubble and show what we have seen in the last matches, I think we can compete. But we must not make any mistakes, because Bordeaux scores few goals, but they do not concede any. You won't have to give them anything. We have to have ambition and play as we know how.
Do you fear the aerial play of the Girondins?
No, it doesn't bother me. We have our central defenders to defend against Andy Carroll. I think Bordeaux will increase the intensity. We must believe in it and play our game. We must continue our series of matches without defeat, and why not achieve the feat of inflicting Bordeaux's first defeat at home.
How did you manage this week of training?
We resumed this Monday evening, we train Tuesday and Thursday. Players need to be careful on their New Year's Eve. We leave Friday lunchtime to stay in the evening at a hotel in Bordeaux. We have a 5 hour drive. This will be an opportunity to get together for two days.
What is your personal background?
I am 60 years old, I played for Vannes in the years 1987-88-89 in Division 3. I am the grandson of a farmer and I worked in an agricultural cooperative, then I became a crop technician, manager and chef market manager and director. I also did national and international work with the Avril group during my professional career. At the same time, I coached football teams. I trained in Pontivy in National 3. I have been at Locminé for 4 years. We tell our players to work and play football. I advise them to prepare for their future. Additionally, I am also a real estate agent in addition to being a coach.
NP and the Talk team
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