Nîmes Olympique: play, but with which players ?

In the middle, the Picouleau-Mexique duo must find their level from last season. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

After eight friendly matches and five championship days, the crocodile team (13th in the National out of 17 teams) is still not competitive. What can coach Adil Hermach do, while NO receives Versailles (8th), Friday September 20 at the Antonins (7:30 p.m.) ?

Every problem has its solution. It just needs to be found. We are convinced: Nîmes Olympique has the team and the quality to finish in the top third of the National. At the height of its budget, around 5.50 M€, which places the club behind Sochaux, Dijon, Valenciennes or Versailles on a financial level.

On a sporting level, the Crocodiles have been underperforming since the start of the championship. To sum up, the more the days go by, the more NO worries. The opening performance against an attractive Orléans was interesting if not a winner (1-2). The next one, against Châteauroux, was solid if not brilliant (1-0). And the Gardois had shown things to Valenciennes, relegated from L2, before losing (2-0). “I knew that Nîmes was a playful team, with a lot of qualities. It gave a pleasant match”, observed the northern coach Ahmed Kantari.

The eleven lined up in Brittany nevertheless resembled a typical team

The last two were much less so, with fewer chances and offensive initiatives. Nîmes were saved by two penalties against FC Rouen (2-2) before sinking in Concarneau (1-0). In the second half, during 39 minutes at 11 against 10 and ten at 11 against 9 (including additional time), they only shot four times on goal (three of which were off target)!

The most alarming thing is perhaps that Adil Hermach had lined up a starting eleven that resembled the typical team of the season, even though three left wingers (Camara, Bouaoune, Amara) had to withdraw.

Regaining confidence, consistency… and the key players from last season

On a field that is nevertheless magnificent, conducive to the Nîmes game project, some were unrecognizable. So, what is the problem(s) ? There are several. The loss of confidence, first of all, following the defeat at VA, a match from which the Crocodiles expected a lot and at the end of which they fell from a great height. This confidence that makes up 80% of a footballer, so difficult to take and so easy to lose.

It probably explains another problem, the drop in performance of the key players from last season: the Mendy-Diouf hinge, the regular Diallo or the Picouleau-Mexique metronomes, currently struggling. “I expect more from some players”, Hermach simply replied when asked about it. That said it all.

The only ones to stay afloat in Brittany were the latest recruit, Ali Abdallah, 18, who caused the two expulsions, the substitute El Hamri, who came on well, and Simon, who had no problem in front of his goal.

There are also too many irregularities in the performances to hope for better at the moment. Mexico and Marcel, who were gaining momentum, failed in Brittany. Abdeldjelil had his worst performance. Camara, who missed in Finistère, must be more consistent and decisive.

The National ranking

The elegant left-hander Marcel summed up the situation a little on the evening of the disappointment in Valenciennes: “We are not afraid to play football, we know how to set the game, but then we have to punish and be decisive. Personally, my performance was good against VA but the hardest part is consistency. I have to prove that I am a good National player who aspires to go higher, by stringing together good performances and having stats. This is the key to taking Nîmes Olympique as high as possible."

Only two scorers and two passers for now

A few weeks ago, the Nîmes coach had confided that he was waiting for the "first dribbles from Amara (injured, only appeared for 12 minutes, Editor's note) and the first assists from Vini (Marcel's nickname)". He is still waiting. Sbaï and Bouaoune are for the moment the only two crocodile passers, and Abdeldjelil and Camara (one penalty) the only two scorers.

1 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 11

There are those who have played, and not very well, therefore. And those who have not played or played little. Amara is expected soon. Ali Abdallah has just arrived and "will do us good, and “Douk” (Dounkansy) too", Hermach is convinced. The coach also believes in a winning return of Labonne, not seen in National since&hellip Epinal, early April, Frédéric Bompard's last match.

Yes, there are problems. But there are also solutions. We think of one: 1 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 11. The 4 starting defenders (Sbaï, Diouf, Mendy, Diallo) and the 3 midfielders (Doukansy, Picouleau, Mexique) who went to seek survival and 4th place in the return phase in the spring are still there. Add Simon as goalkeeper and three recruits in attack, and the trick can be done. Now it's up to the staff to solve the equation.

I subscribe to read the rest