RC Lens had to lose 1-0 against Toulouse this Sunday at Bollaert (16th day of Ligue 1), in a match that it dominated for a long time in a sterile manner before finding itself 10 against 11 and experiencing a last stormy half hour. Will Still gives his take on a lively afternoon.
Lensois.com: Will Still, what did you say to referee Hakim Ben El Hadj after the match?
I wanted an explanation on the fact that we played 3 minutes of stoppage time out of the 8 minutes announced. The referee didn’t answer me. He said to me, “I’m not talking to you.”
Is this a misunderstanding that applies to the entire match?
That’s what I’ve been saying for a while, it’s a shame for French football. I’m not going to dwell on the subject. We’ve talked about it enough, it’s something I can’t control. Honestly, I’m not even upset. We can debate these subjects for hours. If there is red there, is it there on other matches or on another action? Everyone will have different opinions, there’s no point. But we have to talk, communicate. It’s okay to make mistakes or disagree, but at least let’s communicate, and that’s not the case.
“I would be the first to sign players for 25-30 million euros, but there is a financial reality”
Beyond the refereeing, there was only one shot on target out of 14, many attempts at chances without it materializing…
Today’s match perfectly illustrates our first part of the season. You are very good but you don’t score on your highlights, on set pieces, and you expose yourself to this kind of probability. Overall, I am very happy with the general performance, we dominated the first half and we were very good in the second half until the red. Afterwards, the match got a little wilder. Now, I would be the first to sign players for 25-30 million euros, but there is a financial reality in Lens and in France. I’m going to focus on what I can control.
On the one hand the club must sell, does not have big resources to recruit and on the other hand your management repeats that the objective is to be European. Is there not a gap between what is requested and what is ultimately feasible while the Top 6 seems better armed?
We must face this challenge. RC Lens proved that it could compete despite this financial deficit compared to other clubs or players who may be less sexy on paper. We will continue!
