Castres – MHR: alone against everyone, the Montpellier players must now take charge

The people of Montpellier still have a chance of not going through the roadblock. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

The Montpellier players travel to Castres this Saturday, May 11, a match counting for the 23rd day of Top 14. It will be interesting to see how the Hérault players mobilized to tackle the last four matches, which are crucial for survival in the elite.

We would give dearly to know what’s going on in there. What is an MHR player saying to himself, thinking, at the moment ? What emotions are going through his brain ? Given the context, we inevitably have some ideas. The anxiety of a probable play-off match next June, deciding whether or not to move down to Pro D2, should not be very comfortable. Seeing that he can no longer win is enough to give you a migraine when you wake up.

Precisely, we can also wonder what motivation drives him when it's time to start the coffee machine in the morning. Is he really determined to save a club on the edge of the precipice& nbsp;? The opposite would be impossible. Except that no player seems to proclaim it loud and clear.

Also read:Castres – MHR: "Playing a play-off is not at all the project", center Auguste Cadot determined to remain in the Top 14

Three years ago, when Montpellier was also fighting for its survival in the elite, Benoît Paillaugue banged his fist on the table: &quot ;There is no question that we will be the team that takes the club down to Pro D2." This feeling of rebellion stuck to the skin veterans, like the scrum half, Fulgence Ouedraogo or Guilhem Guirado. And he passed it on to the rest of the squad. This season they seem to sweat too little "maintenance" on a daily basis.

Double-edged speech

The staff has changed, the training methods have evolved. Electroshock was created. He ran out of steam after three months of good performance. From now on, it's up to the players to find the springs to raise their heads. It’s up to the players to put on the boss  costume. Too bad if it offends the staff. But we have to try something, show strength of character again. And if it doesn't work, at least they tried. Alone against everyone, that’s the idea. And this match against Castres, crucial for maintaining, will be part of the answer to the question of the current state of mind.

🔥 LA COMPO DES CISTES 🔥

🗃 @MHR_officiel
⎣📂 Saison 2⃣3⃣-2⃣4⃣
⎣📂Compo
⎣ 🟦⬜️ #J23

#TeamMHR 🔵⚪️ #COMHR pic.twitter.com/wmFq7AN9Z6

— Montpellier Rugby (@MHR_officiel) May 10, 2024

However, there is uncertainty about this leitmotif. Bernard Laporte stepped up to the plate recently, making the players face their responsibilities. "I told them truths that perhaps they have never been told. I'm tough, but fair", declared the director of rugby in our columns this week. A double-edged speech. Either it tightens the bonds, or it can encourage some to let go.

In addition to the sporting emergency, the Montpellier resident must also manage a context. Clearly, the popularity rating of the MHR is at its lowest. The Altrad-Laporte association is disturbing. The return of Mohamed Haouas next season, convicted of domestic violence last year, too. "A club without a soul", read – we have been on the networks since the lesson in supporterism given by Usap two weeks ago. Players without pride, too ? It's up to them to show. It’s up to them, too, to write their page of history. And to take charge.

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