At the start of the season, Lens maintains a good 6th place, despite an impressive series of draws. Undefeated, the Sang et Or are no longer able to win. A concern that they must resolve during the next deadlines.
The defense is on point. The attack is much less so. HAS Lensa bittersweet feeling animates consciences. Even though the club is still undefeated, it only has 7 goals scored, making it the 4th worst attack in the Championship. Lacking inspiration, the players stand still, match after match. But, with recovery comes hope and Will Still intends to change the situation.
A concern for precision
It’s not for lack of trying. The Lensois are not cautious in front of the opposing cages. Just on the last day against Strasbourg (2-2), the players offered 12 shot attempts, including 5 on target. Against Nicea week before (0-0), they had tried 15 times to open the score. So the desire is there, and so is the company. But efficiency is a problem. It is such that it is close to that d’Angers (red lantern).
One of the reasons why it is noteworthy is undoubtedly the numerous injuries which have plagued the squad. Without some of its players, Still had to compose as best he could and his attackers were not necessarily all ready to play. This also had an impact on the continuity of the attack and therefore, on the efficiency displayed.
The departure ofElye Wahi also left a void at the forefront of the northern French team’s attack. And since Martin Satriano is injured for a long period, no real number 9 is in place to provide goals. A real concern that must be resolved as quickly as possible.
However, this does not prevent us from doing better. Each attacker and player on the pitch must always work a little harder to bring out their offensive potential. The failures need to be corrected in order to move forward and forget this salvo of nullities which will ultimately slow down the Sang et Or in their objective of Europe.
To get back on track and get back on track, Still will probably rely on the summer recruit. M’Bala Nzonda is in fact the only attacker – and player on the squad – to have scored more than one goal since the start of the season (2).
After a long adaptation, the Angolan was finally able to come into play against Rennes (September 21, 1-1). Author of the equalizing goal, he delivered a very good performance and reiterated Strasbourg. So he is on the right track to help his club score. And even if he is still missing minutes on the clock, he intends to establish himself within the Lens attack.
“It gives us a lot of power, a lot of speed in the depth“, rejoiced Still after the last day. “He must improve on the fact that once he gets into his finishing areas, there is technical work to consider that will allow him to score goals. But once again, he played one match as a starter, he came on twice. So let’s give time to do things correctly with him and let him adapt to this new environment. If we postpone the start of the championship four or five weeks late, his entry into Rennes is replicated with the end of a preparation, then the start last week was in continuity or in the logic of what we had put up with him“.
The future of the African looks rather good Lens. If he develops in the right way, he could also revive his club’s attack. A good objective for a first season in Ligue 1.
