Neal Wilson's Revival of Lens
The newest Manager of Racing Club Lens, Neal Wilson has completely turned around the clubs fortunes, and they now look set on returning to Ligue 1. Wilson who comes from Canada has been coaching in the sport since his major knee injury when he was younger which ended his playing career. He took his Provincial team in Canada, to the National Championships, but ended up losing in the Finals to Ontario, where most of todays professional football players come from.
Racing Club Lens was formed in 1906, when a group of Parents gave the team the name, for their teenagers, to compete against other teams such as Racing Club Roubaix. The team got its Blood and Gold motto in 1924 when the team switched to Red and Gold kits, because of Spanish influence, thanks to last Spanish church in the area, and to represent the blood of the miners, and the value of the coal, that the miners collected, in the mining town. Through their history, they have never been the strongest team, but the club continues to work towards stability in the top French division, and this new era for the club, could be the beginning of that.
Neal Wilson was asked to take the RC Lens vacant Manager spot, as the previous manager Jean-Louis Garcia was sacked when it was revealed he took part in illegal betting, and even took part in betting, on his own matches, something the Lens Chairman, Gervais Martel was not too happy about. The fans felt betrayed, and soon they began to question if they would be able to get back to the Top division any time soon, with all the animosity surrounding the club in only a short amount of time.
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Lens results so far, have been spectacular! In just a few months, he has brought the team to the top of the table, and has also set a new Ligue 2 record winning 6 straight matches to start the year. With less than a handful of losses all season, the club is now the favourite to promote, and they have a very nice cushion too. The January window can change really change the perspective of the league, and Lens have already made it clear they have very little money to improve the squad, so Lens will have to work hard all season long, and build up a nice lead, in case the quality of other teams become much closer to their own.
Neal's Notes:
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"This is the squad, I have been working with for the better part of the year. I had brought in Regis Etari, and Jonas de Roeck a defender on loan, while I have sold Sidi Keita, a fan favourite because I needed to free up the wage budget, and his contract was the largest. He no doubt would have been an important part of the team, but I'm sure he will enjoy himself at his new club Derby. I feel the results of the team so far, have been great. The team still needs to work on discipline but the results are there, and they are learning my tactics quickly, thanks to the help of my staff. Unfortunately the board doesn't feel the team needs an increase in wage budget cash, so I will probably have to complete this season, without adding another player, while all other teams around us, work to improve their squads in January. Its frustrating, but I am confident in our side to promote anyways.
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You can call me Neal btw. Thanks! 
