Tvery often, in this editorial, we like to be teasing and, sometimes, we like to shoot at ambulances. But from time to time, we come across causes that seem so lost to us that it is useless to add more. When you see this AS Saint-Étienne team, you just want to wish their supporters a lot of courage.
After a long agony in Ligue 1 and a relegation in chaos on May 29, the Stéphanois wanted to believe in a new positive dynamic on the lower floor.
For the moment, this Ligue 2 is turning into a nightmare: four days, two points taken, eleven goals conceded and five red cards. Green with rage at the turn of events, Laurent Batlles’ players too often lose their nerve. Announced as a candidate for the rise, ASSE will no doubt have to review its plans.
6-0 defeat against Le Havre: hard to do worse
How to explain this permanent shipwreck for a historic French football club? With their impressive track record, which is certainly starting to take the dust, the Greens should command respect and a certain prestige. Unfortunately, it is quite the opposite.
The 0-6 defeat against Le Havre in a sadly empty Geoffroy-Guichard with, as a bonus, three expulsions: we had never seen such a scenario in Forez… And with their penalties linked to the invasion of the field against Auxerre , we recall that the Greens started the season at – 3 points. They are still not positive as the end of August approaches: chalice to lees.
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�� Another red card for AS Saint-Etienne!
�� Led by 3 goals by Le Havre, the Greens are only 8 on the field pic.twitter.com/cVwOvzJhEE— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) August 20, 2022
So who is to blame ? We are not going to fall on poor Laurent Batlles, who has just arrived on the bench. The players ? If we want to spare the recruits and the young people who do what they can, we feel that the oldest still experience relegation as a blow.
Inevitably, we will turn to the leaders: the Romeyer-Caïazzo duo crystallizes the tensions. The sale of the club, promised for several months and which is still not done, prevents the Greens from finally moving forward. The end of the mandate of these leaders is a total failure, so try to leave with your head held high and save what can still be saved.
Battles, an impossible mission?
While waiting for a new era, Laurent Batlles will have to do with the means at hand. There are ten days left to close the transfer window and put together a decent team that will finally be able to get their heads above water.
“You have to try to move on, but I find that the will to fight to keep the score as long as possible is not there. I will have to find solutions, I am also responsible for putting the players on the field. We have to put the team back on the right track, ”he confided, disappointed, after the slap suffered against Le Havre.
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As you have understood, there are few grounds for hope for AS Saint-Étienne in distress and in search of a second wind. We are still looking forward to seeing the return of the public to the Cauldron, scheduled for early October against Grenoble after the last matches behind closed doors against Bastia and Bordeaux. If there are a few people who still believe in these Greens, they are their supporters.
