Ligue 2 / 14th day. Non-existent at Guingamp last Saturday, the Nîmes, unsuccessful for eight days, are in dire need of points, this Saturday, October 30 at 7 p.m.
The situation is serious. The proof: President Rani Assaf reappeared Friday morning at La Bastide. After attending training, he spoke first with the players and then with the technical staff.
“He was there to motivate us, to tell us that he was behind us,” says Moussa Koné, author of the last four croc goals. We answered a few questions he was asking himself. He had the impression that we didn’t want to. Of course we want! As I replied, we really want to show that we want to play the leading roles… ”
Lack of listening
Hard to believe given the porridge offered last Saturday in Guingamp (3-1), the culmination of a series of eight games without a win (3 draws, 5 losses). “We are not allowed to play as we played”, agrees Koné who “spoke in the locker room to wake up everyone”.
In Brittany, “the game plan put in place, we have not seen it, and this is not new”, deplores Pascal Plancque who, pointing to “a lack of listening and commitment”, rather had “The impression that everyone (wanted) to do as they see fit”. His message would he no longer get through? Koné refutes it. The crocodile coach, he asked the question “clearly” to his players. What did they say? “To me, directly, nothing. Apparently it’s been a good week of work, good reactions. I don’t think there were any returns that the group had let go of the coach… ”It would be better because Pascal Plancque, who“ does not cling to (his) place ”and“ would not live it like a tragedy ”if he were to lose it, knows it very well:“ When a coach no longer has the support of the players, it’s over for him. “
Individual interviews
For the moment, it continues and the crocodile technician proclaims it: “I am not at all resigned. I am combative, I give my best, I try to find solutions, I rack my brains, I get involved. “But, since there is a” but “, he specifies:” I do not have a magic wand or a pointed hat, I am not a sorcerer’s apprentice. Alone, I can’t do anything. The keys to the truck are owned by the players. “
So, in addition to “taking refuge in work”, without especially raising the tone “because you cannot spend your time yelling and screaming”, Pascal Plancque, this week, felt the need to have “some talks individual to clear things up ”. He did not say with whom but when one wonders about the investment and the motivation of the ones and the others, the name of Ferhat inevitably arrives at the top of the list.
The discussions were positive: “Today, they reassured me about their state of mind and their willingness to get involved. I trust them, they’re not bad guys, they don’t want to let go. “
« We are all aware of the situation and really all motivated to change things», Insists Koné. “Now it is up to them to respond on the ground”, concludes Plancque, who hopes that the Crocs “will find the energy to get by, will show character, pride, will know how turn into competitors“And, above all, will show” commitment. We are sorely lacking and, beyond the result, this is what we need above all. “
The 18 players selected for #NOCNFC : pic.twitter.com/G4v7uwPyrR
-? Nimes Olympique (@nimesolympique) October 29, 2021
