Cannes it be done?

good luck with this mate, You should gain promotion they are good enough. I won the league with them on twice and got them to league 1. Also keep Fouret if you have him on the update if not try and get him he is good as a long striker and does score crucial goals. Also whats your regens like?
 
Great story, man! This is how a story should be, a personal touch instead of just updates. :)
 
Thanks Xtormrage, much appreciated. Brido1967 thank you very much, i'm only in first season so no regens yet. Hopefully some decent ones comes second season.

Badra blow
The week leading up to our next game saw another setback for new signing Mourad Badra. He'd started the opening game, however missed the last two with a knock. We expected him to return for our the visit of Stade Plabennecois. The physios informed us that that would not be possible and it maybe another couple of weeks before Badra returned. That's a blow for us as a team as Mourad is vital to what we want to achieve. However, the week went well in training. Badra and Koller still out, however, Robert Malm returned after missing the Beauvais game. He was in line to return at the weekend. Boris Ponge we decided to ease into things a bit, though he'd looked solid in training.

AS Cannes v Stade Plabennecois- French National
We didn't expect Plabennecois to pose too many problems and expected another home victory. Their only real outlet is striker Jean-Michel Abiven who has played at this level for several seasons. We made two changes with Stephane Leoni coming in at right back for Romauld Marie and Robert Malm returned in place of Rudy Gestede up front.

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Leoni(DR), Vignaud(DL), Paulle(DC), Di Bartolomeo(DC), Kharbouchi(MR), Pariente(ML), Milambo(MC), Belson(MC), Malm(FC), Vincent(FC).

The match was as one sided as i expected it to be. The only disappointment being the final scoreline. We won the match 2-0 with a brace from the veteran Robert Malm. He is starting to look just as important as i thought Jan Koller would be. Both goals were superbly taken. Flavein Belson was at the heart of them, playing a delicate through ball into Malm's path for the first. The second saw Belson switch the ball beautifully from right to left allowing Kev Pariente to whip in a cross and Malm to head home powerfully. Job done. Having said that, it could have been, should have been five or six as Loic Mottier in the Plabennecois goal made some superb saves. Overall though we were happy and four games in, we sit on top of the French National table alongside Troyes who have made an identical start to us.

---------- Post added at 10:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 PM ----------

Confrontation time
Just one day before our next encounter away at Stade de Reims, i received a call from chairman Ziad Fakhri. So far myself and Ziad have got on brilliantly. Ziad has backed me with money, has listened to what i have to say and has also given me some good advice. The day after a game however is when myself and Ziad come into contact, not the day before. So what could be so pressing?

'Chris, we've just received a fax from RC Strasbourg. They've made a bid of £150k for Steven Paulle. We think it'd be a good move to take the money.'
No way i thought. Strasbourg are a big club in France but are only in Ligue 2 and i feel that this time next year we could be in the same league as them. Why sell one of our best players? We aren't in a bad financial position, at least i hoped not.

'No Ziad. We've agreed on many things this season but this is something i don't agree on. Steven is a key element to our push this year and to be seeling him would be foolish. We've searched for a centre back all summer, now you want to sell one. Do we need the money?'

'Not badly but it's a lot of money for a club like ours. I'll let you speak to Steven about it and then get back to me.'
'I will let Steven know but what you have to know is that we all want promotion, and by selling our best players that won't happen.'

The phone call was ended and the squad boarded the coach ready for the overnight trip. As Steven Paulle went to step on, i pulled him back a second.
'Steven.... i fancy a goal from you this weekend.'
I just couldn't do it. I was risking the wrath of Steven and my chairman but it was a risk i was going to take.
'Thanks boss, no pressure then,' Steven smiled. Off we went, all set for the next test and with one less problem to deal with. I knew though that by letting this problem go, i could be bringing upon myself many more.
 
Saw this on SI Forums mate, im liking the story, hopefully you can get promoted :)
 
Thanks pinder, yeah saw you commented on there too, appreciate you following:).

Paulle pressure
After our superb win over Reims at the weekend, we came into training on the Monday ready to prepare for our next game, a top of the table clash with Troyes, also known as ESTAC. Troyes are on paper the best side in the league and we knew our planning and preparation had to be spot on. However, the media were threatening to disrupt things. News had broke in one of the papers about Strasbourg's bid for Steven Paulle, they were reporting that Paulle was on his way for talks there today. I wondered whether Steven had heard or read about this. There were 8 days left of the transfer window and i knew they were going to be incredibly testing.

We trained well Monday and Tuesday morning with the players having Wednesday morning off, ready for an afternoon session. I turned the telly on that morning to the French version of Sky Sports News and within five minutes i was fuming. Strasbourg manager Pascal Janin had declared publicly his interest in Paulle and that they'd had one bid turned down already. I knew that upon arrival at the training ground, Steven Paulle would be the first man in my office.

I was right. I arrived at 1.00pm, the players weren't expected to be in until 2.00pm. Steven Paulle was sitting in my office with his agent. Brilliant.
'Well gaffer, was i going to hear about Strasbourg's interest before the transfer window shut or conveniently hear about it afterwards?'
'Look Steven, i didn't tell you as we had a big game against Reims and i didn't want your mind on that.'
'Well why didn't i hear about it on Monday morning? Why has it taken the Strasbourg manager to come out and say something for you to come clean?'
I didn't know what to say really. Steven was extremely angry and his agent was licking his lips at the prospect of a move.

'I spoke with the chairman Steven and we opted to turn down the bid, we feel you are vital to our plans and this time next year we could be in the same league as Strasbourg. We don't want to sell our best players. You are one of them.'

Steven and his agent spoke briefly. Steven said that he didn't expect to leave Cannes this transfer window, he's been at the club his whole career and loves it here. He went on to say that as such a long serving player he expected his manager to at least be straight with him. He put it bluntly,
'I'm staying. Strasbourg wouldn't tempt me at this moment in time but Chris you have angered me. I would have liked to have at least known what was going on. My agent makes a good point, if there's a £150k offer on the table for me and i'm one of your 'best players', i think it's time we talked a new contract.'

I was being held to ransom by one of my own players. ****** ****. I knew Steven was important but for a player to hold power over a manager is ridiculous. It's becoming more and more common in today's game and now was my turn. God what would i do?​
 
Thanks a lot mate, great to know you're following still.

Troyes test- AS Cannes v ESTAC- French National
With all the Steven Paulle drama going on this week, this match was a welcome relief for myself and hopefully Steven too. Troyes are the favourites for promotion this year and are going to be a very tough test for us today. Our form at home has been impressive though with two wins from two and we felt confident going into the game. Troyes posed several threats to us, including striker Gregory Bettiol, a former Lyon youngster. He has been in fine form this season and is likely to be a handful. While in defence Matthieu Baudry has been a rock, he is strong, quick and has a great positional sense, he's been key to their early season form. Mourad Badra returned after injury to make just his second start, he replaced Flavien Belson who dropped to the bench. Kevin Pariente returned in place of Eric Bautheac and Sebastien Gimenez made his first start at left back with Stephane Leoni switching to the right.

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Leoni(DR), Gimenez(DL), Paulle(DC), Di Bartolomeo(DC), Kharbouchi(MR), Pariente(ML), Milambo(MC), Badra(MC), Malm(FC), Vincent(FC).

We began quite shockingly and found ourselves 1-0 down within five minutes. Sega Keita with the goal, a young striker partnering Bettiol up front, scored with a lethal finish from just inside the 18 yard area. We bounced back quite well though and Mourad Badra was looking impressive. He had two shots from around 25 yards out, both tested Troyes' goalkeeper. Five minutes before half time we got the breakthrough. Abdellah Kharbouchi whipped in a teasing ball which Troyes failed to clear, Stephen Vincent continued his good early season form and blasted a shot low into the bottom right hand corner. 1-1 at half time.
images

Vincent in good form

That's the way the game stayed as the crowd at Stade Pierre de Coubertin urged our side forward, however we could not get the second goal. Robert Malm missed our best chance with a header that went inches wide. Troyes rarely threatened, Bettiol had a quiet day up front, though in midfield they were much better than us in the second half. Overall, both sides went home fairly pleased, Troyes remain top, while we slip to third on goal difference. Pacy Football sit second, the top three all on level points at this early stage in the season.
​
---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 09:54 PM ----------

Enter September
We entered September sitting in 3rd place and having kept hold of Steven Paulle. Both achievements in different ways. Ziad Fakhri still didn't know i hadn't told Steven about Strasbourg when i promised him i would, he'd found out the hard way and now with Steven wanting a new deal i had to hope this didn't all come out in the open again. Our next game was an away day at Paris FC. Paris are one of a number of sides who could be in trouble this season and i was confident we could go there and get three points.

Paris FC v AS Cannes- French National
We made one change to the side that drew with Troyes. Romauld Marie came in for Sebastien Gimenez with Marie starting right back and Stephane Leoni again moving to left back. Paris do have one or two players that can test us. Striker David Pollet could be key if they're to stay up, he's on loan from Lens and has made a fine start to the season while in midfield they have Alioune Traore who is pacy and creative.

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Marie(DR), Leoni(DL), Paulle(DC), Di Bartolomeo(DC), Kharbouchi(MR), Pariente(ML), Milambo(MC), Badra(MC), Malm(FC), Vincent(FC).

We got off to a flier today, came straight out the traps and in the 4th minute we were 1-0 up. A superb free kick from Abdellah Kharbouchi met the head of Vincent Di Bartolomeo who nodded home. We continued to play some lovely football and Robert Malm missed a good chance. In the 25th minute we got the second goal. Kevin Pariente whipped in a ball which just missed Stephen Vincent's head, however, Abdellah Kharbouchi was on hand to tap in from just a few yards out. We were in complete control.

That was until just after half time when in the space of two minutes Abdellah Kharbouchi received two yellow cards and therefore a red. I was so angry. The first one was harsh, the second even harsher. How it was a red card i do not know but Paris had a route back in now. We held our own pretty well, even missing a chance for a third with Albert Milambo brushing the crossbar. However Paris did get one back, fifteen minutes from time Nicolas Mirza scored a thunderbolt from 25 yards. Now we were on the ropes. Pressure was building, anticipation amongst the home fans was building and in the 91st minute, the wonderful referee who'd already sent Kharbouchi off for nothing awarded Paris a penalty. Was it a penalty? Again i have my doubts, but i suppose i am biased. Up stepped Jimmy Roye, a young striker, only one goal to his name so far this season. Saved!!!! Jeremy Gavanon with a wonderful save down to his left hand side and we'd held out for a vital three points. Relief was the feeling amongst the dressing room. We felt we deserved the win and had the referee not hindered us, it could have been a lot more convincing.
images

Kharbouchi was M.O.M despite seeing red

AS Cannes v CS Louhans-Cuiseaux- French National
Our next game would be a home one, just three days after the Paris game. Louhans would be more difficult than Paris, though they are expected to be in a relegation battle also. We were forced into one change with Kharbouchi's suspension. In came Lahoucine Kharbouch, very similar surname. Boris Ponge also made his debut after his arrival from Beauvais. He replaced Vincent Di Bartolomeo at the heart of the defence. Louhans' key player was right winger Matthieu Bochu who was very direct and has an eye for goal.

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Marie(DR), Leoni(DL), Paulle(DC), Ponge(DC), Kharbouch(MR), Pariente(ML), Milambo(MC), Badra(MC), Malm(FC), Vincent(FC).

This game was a lot tighter in the first half than the previous game. Louhans were very quick to get tight to us and we struggled to create any real chances.We did get the breakthrough though in the 37th minute. A long ball from Stephane Leoni was flicked on by Robert Malm, Stephen Vincent reacted quickest and raced on to slot home. 1-0 at the break was a fair reflection. The second half was a similar story. Louhans refused to let us play our game and we struggled to break them down. Mourad Badra had our best chance with a long range strike(i'm sure he will score a couple of those this season, his strike is lethal). We were then stunned as Louhans countered and equalised. Completely against the run of play. A slip in the backline from Romauld Marie allowed the dangerman Matthieu Bochu to sneak in and chip Jeremy Gavanon brilliantly. That's the way it stayed and though we didn't play well we regarded this as two points dropped.

Our next game would be away to Rodez Aveyron Football who've had a brilliant start to the season and could well threaten for promotion this term. This was going to be much more difficult than Paris and Louhans. This is where we see what we're made of. Jan Koller would return for this game, a timely boost as we go in search of a massive confidence boosting win.
 
Last edited:
you've made a really good start to the season mate, shame about the draws though. At least the big man's back now!
 
Yes, i hope he can forward me up the table. Thanks mate:)

Rodez Aveyron Football v AS Cannes- French National
This was going to be a massive test for us. Rodez had started the season very well and we faced them followed by second placed Pacy. A real chance to test our promotion credentials. We made three changes to the side today. Steven Paulle was absent through illness with Vincent Di Bartolomeo stepping in. Jan Koller started up front for the first time since the second game of the season, he was partnered by 17 year old Franck Kanga, making his first appearance for the club. Stephen Vincent and Robert Malm drop to the bench.

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Marie(DR), Leoni(DL), Ponge(DC), Di Bartolomeo(DC), Kharbouch(MR), Pariente(ML), Milambo(MC), Badra(MC), Koller(FC), Kanga(FC).

The first half was a cagey affair which saw no real goalmouth action at all. Rodez having the only shot on target from 30 yards out. The second half was much more eventful though. 7 minutes into the half a corner was dinked in from Mourad Badra which was headed home strongly by Vincent Di Bartolomeo, his second goal in two starts. Hanging on was going to be difficult though. We battled away as Rodez upped their game. They were bombarding our box with high balls and the back four were having their work cut out.

Three minutes from time, there was a second goal, but it was ours again. Mourad Badra broke at pace through the middle of the field and sprayed a pass out wide to Franck Kanga. The youngster then magnificently cut inside and drove a shot into the top right hand corner. Unstoppable. Game over and a fantastic 2-0 win for us, also a debut to remember for Franck Kanga.
images

Superb finish from the youngster

The players then had a couple of days off to regroup ready for the clash with Pacy. The phsyio room was heaving though. Steven Paulle was still ill. Jan Koller was feeling the effects of a return to action. Kev Pariente had a slight ankle knock. Pierre Vignaud was still out and Albert Milambo had a tight hamstring. They were dropping like flies. Ted Lavie was close to a return thoguh after a long term injury. I spoke with the head physio Jean Frederic Gervais. He warned me that squad rotation was going to be key if we were going to keep players fit. I knew he was right. Deep down i knew. But. A massive but, in this league you can't afford to take any game lightly and every week you needed the best eleven players out there. My frist managerial post was proving to be a steep learning curve, i had faith that i could balance things though and Pacy were up next.
 
Thanks mate. Much appreciated. Update tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 11:40 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 08:55 PM ----------
AS Cannes v Pacy Football- French National
We went into today's game knowing another three points against promotion rivals would be a huge lift. Pacy had started the season very well and would be dangerous on the counter attack. Their main goal threat would be Yassin El Azzouzi, who is extremely quick with a good eye for goal. Going into the game we'd had some injury problems and little niggles which were playing their part on a tired squad. Abdellah Kharbouchi returned after suspension for Lahoucine Kharbouch on the right of midfield. Steven Paulle returned but only to the bench after illness. Eric Bautheac replaced Kevin Pariente down the left of midfield due to Pariente's slight hamstring niggle.
images

Bautheac would be out to impress

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Marie(DR), Leoni(DL), Ponge(DC), Di Bartolomeo(DC), Kharbouchi(MR), Bautheac(ML), Milambo(MC), Badra(MC), Koller(FC), Kanga(FC).

We controlled much of the first half, however Pacy were lively on the break and had a couple of half chances. In the 20th minute we took the lead. Bautheac beat his man and cut the ball back to the 18 yard box where Franck Kanga scored his second goal in as many starts to give us the lead. The rest of the half saw little to no goalmouth action. The second half was again us dominating posession with no real end product and it cost us. Ten minutes from time a corner was delivered into our box which saw a real scramble, we failed to clear and El Azzouzi hit a shot that was going well wide, however it hit Boris Ponge on the head and went in, a freak own goal but it was 1-1.

We'd dropped two points again. Or so we thought. Reality was, we dropped all three points as four minutes from time Pacy got a winner. Kamel Ramdani with a wonder strike from 25 yards that flew past Jeremy Gavanon and we were beaten for the first time this season. The players got back in the dressing room and were devastated. I knew it was going to take a lot to pick them up. I told the players that defeats happen and we couldn't dwell on it. Pacy are a good side that we were all over, today was one of those days where missed chances cost us but on another day they'd go in. I told them i'd be looking for a response, in training, in our next game. If we were to go up, it was days like these that got you there. How you respond from it. Positivity was key.
​

---------- Post added at 11:35 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 11:40 AM ----------

In the doghouse
Two days had passed since the defeat to Pacy. My mind had been spinning, wondering how we were going to go about bouncing back from it. I arrived at training that morning prepared to get the players heads down and get on with things. When i got there though, someone was already waiting for me.

Ziad Fakhri the chairman was outside the building walking towards me. He is usually a jolly, bubbly kinda guy, always with a smile on his face. Not today. ****** ****, i thought. That one defeat can't have angered him this much. Defeats happen.

'Ziad, how are you?' the words almost mumbling out my mouth.

'Cut the cheap talk Chris, how dare you go behind my back with the Steven Paulle transfer?' Oh god. This was all i needed. I should have seen it coming.

'Ziad, i told you i didn't want to sell him. I should have told him yes but when word did break, Steven told me he wouldn't have left the club anyway.' I knew i wasn't getting away with this.

'I am the chairman of this club. The man who decides who to employ and who not to employ and right now you're very luckywe've had a decent relationship so far, or else you'd be out the door. One more slip up like this and that's it Chris. I expect to be able to trust my manager. Not for him to lie to me or to lie to his players.'

That certainly put me in my place. This week just went from bad to worse. On the plus side, Steven Paulle had signed his new deal at the club. Steven's agent had told Ziad about the Strasbourg incident obviously and demanded Steven get a new deal. Ziad obliged, apologising for my behaviour and agreed that Steven deserved a new deal. He probably did, but not in these circumstances.

On the field, the week in training was quiet. The mood had gone sour after our defeat to Pacy and only the day before our next game did smiles return to faces. In a way i was pleased, it showed that defeat hurt them. I knew we had to turn things around though and that started on Saturday with an away trip to Hyeres FC.​
 
Last edited:
love this. I'm big on french football anyway, have been to see a few games over there, so keep this up, I'm followin
 
Thanks samillyroy, much appreciated.
Hyeres FC v AS Cannes- French National
A tough test lie in wake today. We needed to bounce back from our defeat to Pacy and prove our promotion credentials. Bouncing back after defeat was key in doing that. We knew however that Hyeres would pose problems. In particular striker Tony Patrao would need to be watched. We made three changes to our side for the game today. Steven Paulle, Kevin Pariente and Robert Malm came in for Vincent Di Bartolomeo, Eric Bautheac and the fatigued Franck Kanga. A big display was required and each and every single player knew it.

AS Cannes starting lineup: Gavanon(GK), Marie(DR), Leoni(DL), Ponge(DC), Paulle(DC), Kharbouchi(MR), Pariente(ML), Badra(MC), Milambo(MC), Malm(FC), Koller(FC).

A slow start was not what we wanted, but it's what we got. I was very disappointed with the way we came out the traps. Our passing was slow, our movement lethargic and with the rain hammering down, we looked as though we didn't want to be there. Hyeres were all over us, dominating in every area. I shouted instructions to Stephane Leoni to get the defence up the pitch and to rally the rest of the side. It didn't seem to get through to them. The half time whistle blew and i needed to give the players a real dressing down.

I told the players the harsh truth, that we were second best by a country mile and if we didn't pull our fingers out we'd be beaten again. I went through each player. One by one and demanded more, demanded a huge improvement. Within two minutes of the second half i got it. A great passing move involving Badra, Kharbouchi and Malm resulted in a lovely through ball for Jan Koller to slot past the Hyeres goalkeeper. 1-0 Cannes. With that goal we began to move the ball around nicely, there was a lift all of a sudden and Malm could have made it 2-0 bar a great bit of goalkeeping from Laurent Feraud. We kept the pressure mounting but we just couldn't find the second goal and i feared that we may crumble in the last ten minutes.

Thankfully we kept our nerve and won the game 1-0. It was a massive boost and the second half display was very impressive. Why they couldn't do it in the first half is beyond me but we got the three points and the change on the faces of all the players from half time to full time was a sight to see. That buzz was back, that energy was back and now we felt confident again. A great win, a decent display and now we could kick on. I hoped.
​
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

FMBase

Beta

Resources

Back
Top