Less consistent against Saint-Brieuc (0-0) and La Roche-sur-Yon (0-1), falling with honors against Rennes in the Coupe de France (1-4), the Girondins attacked the new year very poorly by delivering their worst match of the season against Locminé last weekend, at Matmut Atlantique (1-2). They fell back to fifth place, 11 points behind leader Saint-Malo and a game in hand. They absolutely must take points so as not to see their dream of climbing move further away. Note that this match is the only one in the group not to be postponed due to bad weather.
Fact of the week: straps pulled up and questioned
Just after Locminé then at the start of the week, the players suffered reprimands from coach Bruno Irles then from management, embodied by… Karim Saada, recruiter and representative of Gérard Lopez at Haillan. “We had our straps lifted,” admits Adrien Louveau. Not to tell us that if we lose other matches it will be over, but in relation to our state of mind: don’t lose this, don’t give up, wet the jersey. We could feel a little more tension in training at the start of the week, but today (Thursday) we saw a very good mood. »
Same speech from Bruno Irles. “The questioning begins with the staff: what have we not done well enough, what solutions can we provide? That doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re going to change everything, but it could be in the approach to the week, the way of speaking to the players, what I’m asking tactically… It’s not enough to say that it will work better in changing a player. » The technician felt “players listening”.
The novelty: the two ultra groups present
Since the start of the season, Bordeaux ultra groups have been banned from traveling, which has not stopped the Ultramarines (in Blois and Saumur) or the North Gate (in La Roche-sur-Yon) from making the trips anyway . The strong tensions between the two groups were put under cover with a non-aggression pact signed at the end of the year. For the first time this season this Saturday (and since February 19 in Amiens), and with authorization from the prefecture, UB and NGB will be present at the stadium. They will be handled separately as they approach Granville, and will each have a dedicated entrance and parking area.
The opponent: Granville in the tough
Nine defeats, three draws and only two victories, the last of which dates back to October (on the field of… Locminé), worst defense (26 goals conceded): Granville is today dead last in the group. This was not the idea for the relegated National club, which has a budget of 1.8 million euros. “For me, it’s the same type of match as Locminé,” predicted Bruno Irles. A team that is capable of giving us problems, that has strengthened recently, that will be delighted to host the Girondins and play its match of the year. We can put them right side up… or not. » The Norman club recently recruited two defenders.
The composition: a defense to be remodeled
Cédric Yambéré and Driss Trichard suspended, Djibril Diaw injured in the calf: Bruno Irles will have to rebuild his defense, around Jean Grillot. Nassim Ranem seems to be holding the rope to accompany him in the hinge. Youssouf Assogba and Nathanaël Bai should hold the corridors. This could allow Amadou Diallo or Travis Mutyaba to return to the starting lineup. Adrien Louveau returns from suspension. The newly arrived striker, Étienne Beugre, is not qualified.
