the big cold snap after the defeat of Alterna Stade Poitevin against Nice

Alterna Stade Poitevin: 0
Nice : 3

We have already written it, rewritten it and we will surely point it out again in the future, but the Lawson-Body room is a thermal sieve. And in winter, this is felt more than ever. Once again (too many), this Friday evening, it was chilly in the legendary Poitou enclosure. To the point that behind the scenes, the director of this match for the BeIN Sports channel had to wear a beautiful pink hat.

“There was a lack of match intensity”

The Poitevins had not put on gloves like Simon Magnin, Franco Massimino, Thibaut Thoral and Tom Cannesssant had to do at the start of training last Wednesday. Is that why this team appeared so tense and numb during this match against Nice? The thermometer didn't show twenty degrees, for sure, but the temperature felt much lower. And not only because for the first time this season, the Lawson-Body room was not full, like in the days of Earvin Ngapeth. But the 1,642 spectators present would have, at least, been able to ignite if the performance from Poitou had not been so disappointing against the Azuréens of Brice Donat who, as in the first leg, won in three sets. “We played a match with a lot of effortslipped the former coach of the Poitevin club. Tactically, we were in it, we read their game well. It was a great success. » And a disappointment on the stadium side.

Because the Poitevins only managed to heat up the atmosphere at the end of the third set when they finally reacted after a timeout from Dan Lewis (10-15). Simon Magnin arrived to serve and the Alterna SPVB, thanks in particular to two blocks from Michelucci who was able to release his frustration, showed that this team had a little character and energy (15-15 then 18-17), which Franco Massimino nevertheless tried to broadcast to his partners throughout the match. Too little, ultimately, to overturn this third round (23-25), after having suffered far too much during the first two (22-25, 18-25). “How can we wait to have the right intensityasked Dan Lewis. It doesn't make sense. » The Poitevins will however have to find one, and if possible the right one, during this second part of the season.

And this will not only involve technique and tactics. But by the state of mind. “The first thing is the mentalityexplained the Poitevin technician. He lacks a little communication, aggressiveness. We play well but we miss two supports which were not so complicated for example. There wasn't enough energy. Sometimes we can be calm when we play. But being too calm is not good. There was a lack of match intensity. However, we needed it from the start. This does not necessarily mean shouting or being too aggressive but putting movement, speed, life on the pitch. »

Despite the entries of Chris Byam, Colton Cowell, Tom Cannesssant and Simon Gill, there were not enough. This can, in part, be explained by the changes experienced in recent weeks within the Poitevin group and its lack of collective experience. Confidence is lacking, yet the matches keep coming. The Alterna SPVB has just lost two against Toulouse (3-1) and against Nice, direct competitors in the play-offs. Two others are already emerging in Paris (8^e) and against Cannes (9^e). Until then, it would be good for the people of Poitevin to find the thermostat button again. Just so you don't get a bad cold…