Mike..

AUGUST 2006 SUMMARY

Niort 2 (Jacuzzi 26, Féret 59)
Pau 0
Man of the Match: Ott (Niort) [GK]

Pau 1 (Bakayoko 20)
Nice 2 (Ljuboja 30, Rubén 71)
Man of the Match: Bigné (Nice) [AM RC]

Pau 0
Grenoble 0
Man of the Match: Grandel (Grenoble) [GK]
News: Bakayoko (Pau) missed pen 29 (saved)

Gueugnon 2 (N’Diaye 6, Ettori 22)
Pau 0
Man of the Match: Benvegnu (Gueugnon) [GK]

Pau 0
Bastia 0
Man of the Match: Penneteau (Bastia) [GK]

Brest 5 (Auriac 1, Dissa 28, Minoungou 55, Baldé 80, Kouassi 90+)
Pau 3 (Di Bartolomeo 15, Tchami 30, Bakayoko 34)
Man of the Match: Kouassi (Brest) [D RC]

Mike..

Hehe thanks Baros, feel free to show to anyone you like

The main thing helping Ed to retain his faith was the sheer class of Bakayoko, whilst he tried not to harp on about the striker he was on a different level to the rest of the squad, with the possible exception of Cami. There had been flashes from others, Bindi occasionally put in a sparkling performance, and Testas had begun his career promisingly but rapidly faded – but his team was basically workmanlike, even Tchami was more Shearer than Ronaldo. Bakayoko, on the other hand, was a trick-a-minute player and the fans could sense the same thing as Ed, his big breakthrough was just around the corner.

Thankfully they were proved right as Pau finally got off the mark at home to Istres, but not before Ed felt himself ageing prematurely. Some good pressure had seen Bindi fouled in the box, with Bédani reclaiming his mantle of penalty taker to open the scoring, and then a strong run from Bakayoko doubled their lead. At last Ed had the feeling that things were taking a turn for the better, at last they were up against a keeper who wasn’t Clark Kent in disguise. Had they not allowed Istres to pull one back before the break it would probably have been a fairly comfortable win but, on recent performances, Ed knew that his team didn’t like to give him an easy ride and he spent the rest of the game gnawing on his fingernails as the visitors looked for an equaliser. Injury time was the worst, four minutes were scheduled but it felt more like forty as both sides had chances, both hit woodwork, and Valverde had to pull of a miraculous save with literally seconds remaining.

Whether or not he was not sporting a few extra grey hairs Ed didn’t really care, they had a win under their belts and at the next training session there was a marked improvement in the general mood. In the days leading up to the Istres game there had been a number of long faces in the camp, with some players looking like they were going through the motions – now the smiles were quickly returning though, and if they could just string a couple of wins together…… Ed tried to hold on to that thought.

When five players were called up for international duties his hopes took a dive, with Tchami and Bakayoko among the names he would be looking at a big dent on their chances, but then the FA came to the rescue. Seemingly five was the magic number, with their game put back a few days he would still have to juggle a little – it was highly unlikely that the internationals would be up to a full game so soon after their trips – but he would at least have the option.

Sure enough the win seemed to work wonders and when the return to form of Cami, who had not enjoyed the best of starts to the campaign, was factored in it was all smiles on the road at Valence. An audacious flick over the keeper got the playmaker on the scoresheet and, despite their hosts drawing level, the pressure was almost one-way. Cami finally restored their lead late in the game, a goal that everyone had known was coming, and after a challenge born of frustration saw the home side lose a man, Bakayoko nipped in at the death to make it an emphatic 3-1 win on the road.

retired_emsta12

The (probable) inflated wages of Bakayoko begin to pay off!! Still, you seem to be leaking more than a few. What does the league table look like at this early stage?

Keep it up, this is just about the only joy I get while writing up my dissertation!!

Mike..

Yep, Baka is looking a quality signing, unfortunately this was still played pre the first patch so now league tables, although there is a mention of league position somewhere in this update...


Ed sat on the terrace of a little hotel looking out over the foothills that marked the start of the Pyrenees, it had been a long day what with training and then extended phone calls dealing with contract negotiations, he’d decided to stay in town rather than drive home tonight. Sedan had arrived in town earlier in the afternoon, having made the long trek from the north east corner of the country, almost in Luxembourg in fact, and he would be looking from a strong showing from his side tomorrow.

Things had been going well, they’d extended their run of victories to three with a win at home to Le Havre, Laurent Bédani scoring not only from the spot but also a rare goal from open play. With Bakayoko grabbing a late equaliser at Laval, fully deserved for their dominance in the game, Pau had climbed to fourteenth in the league and joined the mid-table scrum. The early nerves that had accompanied their awful start to the season were starting to settle.

There was further cause for positive thoughts too, it seemed that finally people were starting to take them at least a little seriously. Maybe not the press, maybe not top-class players, but Ed was having some success in the transfer market. Jarkko Vesapuisto, a 17-year-old midfielder from Finland, had been recommended by his scouts and accepted a free transfer into the Reserve setup and when the winter break arrived they would also be joined by Moses Reed. Reed, an 18-year-old Swede playing at IFK Kumla, looked a decent prospect – an old fashioned half-back with an eye for a strong tackle. Both youngsters had made positive noises about Pau when finalising their deals, of course Pau would be a step up for both of them but it was still nice to hear.

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Whilst Pau might have been operating with the threat of Bakayoko up front, it was Séga who delighted Ed, lashing home a long range free-kick fifteen minutes into the first half. In fact with Tchami out it was the Senegal striker that showed more of a threat on the day as Bakayoko played the supplier role, for half an hour they kept Sedan pretty quiet but Ed was conscious that the visitors had one of the most dangerous men in the league playing for them. Sure enough, shortly after the break, it was Aliadière who ran onto a through-ball and left the Pau defence flat footed as he levelled the scores.

Late pressure from the home side saw Cami go close twice, and Testas come off the bench to force a fine save from the Sedan keeper, but they had to settle for a draw in the end, and a point that actually lifted them into thirteenth spot.

retired_Brandon Scott

absolutely loving this story Flip-its a major inspiration for my own :thup:

Mike..

Cheers Mamba, and best of luck with your own odyssey


“Two weeks, you’re sure about that Marcel?”

“Absolutely, two weeks minimum” the look in the physio’s eyes was clear enough, he knew exactly what the loss of Cami would mean to Ed but he was adamant that there was no risking a quick return to action.

Thankfully they had the depth to cover for injuries now, as long as it didn’t get silly, but Cami was such a vital part of the Pau engine room that he would always be missed. He hadn’t enjoyed the greatest of starts to the season but as far as Ed was concerned he was most certainly back to his best now. It would be down to Djamel Bindi to take over in the creator role in midfield, he’d deputised well in the past and the manager was confident that he could stand up to the job again – especially against weak opposition.

The last game of the month was away at Troyes and Ed hoped that their hosts would continue to suffer the terrible run of form that had left them with just one win in the campaign so far. It certainly looked to be heading that was when Bakayoko slammed home the opener inside five minutes but Ed knew better than to make predictions so early into a game, he maintained an external air of caution but he was in little doubt of which way the game was heading when Tchami doubled their lead moments later – the game was already looking like a whitewash. Bindi was revelling in his new-found freedom, to the point where Ed began to consider giving him the more creative role even after Cami made his recovery – early in the second half the Chad midfielder spotted Bakayoko’s run and lobbed a superb pass that dropped over the striker’s shoulder and was volleyed home with his first touch. At the other end Troyes were starting to show some threat but an inspired Valverde was only found wanting once and, whilst they couldn’t muster a fourth, he saw his side cruise to an emphatic win.

Mike..

SEPTEMBER 2006 SUMMARY

Pau 2 (Bédani pen 15, Bakayoko 36)
Istres 1 (Shirko 43)
Man of the Match: Théophile (Istres) [AM/F LC]

Valence 1 (Adjaoud 50)
Pau 3 (Cami 32, 81, Bakayoko 87)
Man of the Match: Cami (Pau) [MC]
News: Leclerq (Valence) sent off 83

Pau 2 (Bédani pen 49, 60)
Le Havre 1 (Ben Idir 83)
Man of the Match: Bédani (Pau) [DM C]

Laval 1 (Joël Tchami 73)
Pau 1 (Bakayoko 88)
Man of the Match: Cami (Pau) [MC]

Pau 1 (Séga 15)
Sedan 1 (Aliadière 50)
Man of the Match: Gardan (Pau) [D/DM LC]

Troyes 1 (Florentin 78)
Pau 3 (Bakayoko 4, 60, Tchami 7)
Man of the Match: Valverde (Pau) [GK]

At the time of writing, still waiting on the patch so I can start posting tables

retired_manpk1

Glad to see that you've started to turn things round. Hope you can make a surge for League 1 this season as well :thup:

retired_jgirl87

Classy writing Flippers, and good form by the team as well. :cool:

Mike..

Thanks chaps, and apologies all round as my posting has been rather erratic of late - I'll try and do better

This was the last thing he needed, Ed returned to the bench having just given a quick word of encouragement to his team. Already hit by absence, then by forced substitutions, those left in the centre circle to prepare for the penalty shoot-out were about fit to drop…

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The month had started with a tight win – but a win all the same – at home to Dijon that had further improved their league position. They’d got off the mark quickly, Asare and Cami exchanging passes before the fullback whipped in a vicious swinging cross that Bindi controlled with his first touch and buried with his second. Although the visitors had drawn level before five minutes had been played, Pau continued to pressure and had by far the better of possession – eventually rewarded when Kangu headed in a Cami corner late in the second half.

For the Cup tie Ed would have preferred to rest a few first-teamers but the draw had given them Division Two opposition, and a training ground injury to Tchami restricted his options. Grenoble were their hosts and both sides had looked cagey for much of the match – Bakayoko showed his familiar flair and threat but with time running out it was Kioyo who had given the home side a break with a fine header from Ahmed Said’s cross.

Ed was short on options, with no substitute forwards available and two changes already made, he decided to let the lads play out time and was rewarded when Séga – now the sole striker - dug out the ball from under his feet and smashed home the equaliser in stoppage time. Extra time was not what he needed, another league game was scheduled in a couple of days, but they had to play it and he had advised a cautious approach. It seemed that his opposite number had done the same and neither side created any real threat – the only moment of import coming when Cami went down after a strong midfield challenge and had to be replaced. Valverde also took a knock, but indicated that he was okay to continue – not that it would have made much difference if he hadn’t.

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…so with 120 minutes of football played, and two of his recognised penalty takers out of the match, Ed watched the remaining Pau players decide their order amongst themselves.

Bédani, the regular taker, stepped up first and crashed the ball into the bottom corner and when Valverde gambled, standing his ground to save Ousmane Traoré’s ‘down the middle’ spot kick, it was advantage Pau.

Séga netted his penalty, as did Malm for Grenoble, and Di Bartolomeo for Ed’s side. Julien François stepped up for the home side, knowing that the pressure was on, and promptly skied his shot over the bar. All that was left was for Kangu to tuck away his kick and progress was secured – at the expense of tired legs, a booking-induced suspension for Bédani, and an injured playmaker.