Mike..

It was a very different looking squad that travelled to Croix de Savoie, with Kangu and Adjamossi both out of contention the central spine of the midfield dropped back, Labat had to switch flanks, and Testas was brought into midfield to make up the numbers. Now the injuries were really telling and Ed could sense big problems for the game ahead.

Sure enough the game descended into the realms of nightmare for Ed. Once their hosts had identified the weak spots they set about exploiting them and all but killed off the game shortly before half time. After the break Ed had to completely reorganise twice, first with Testas withdrawn showing the signs of a knock, then when Elhadji Ba was given a straight red card for nothing more than a 50-50 challenge. The match ended up in a 3-0 win for the home side, on top of which the ‘curse’ of left-midfield seemed to be sapping the will to play out of anyone given the position.

-----

“What’s wrong monsieur Allen?” the chairman had travelled with the team to the game and he dropped himself into the empty seat next to Ed

“Well I suppose I’ve been waiting for this day and now it’s here I can see that we’re not really the team many people think we are”

“What? What foolishness are you talking? We have injuries, players on international duty, we fought hard today and for once we were found wanting – do you see me worrying myself yet? No”

“I suppose you’re right but…”

“But nothing monsieur Allen, if we lose only one game in every eight for the rest of the season I will be a very happy man. I don’t want you to dwell on this result, I want you to think what we have achieved so far and be proud. Of course, lose again next Saturday and I’ll have your balls” Le Coadou winked at Ed and shuffled back along the aisle to talk with the players.

Mike..

Sitting at home Ed’s mind drifted back to the conversation with Gazza. Growing up in the streets of Huddersfield, his father had always tried to instil in Ed the importance of strong family and moral values

“Now you listen to me Edgar Allen, when you find the right woman you get married and you stand by her. It’s a big decision, and it has to be made for the right reasons, and if you do that then it will work – just look at your mother and me”

Whilst, as his mates had often pointed out, he had grown up in a much more liberal society than his parents, he still held true to those values and it therefore struck him as odd, almost sad, that he could talk about Sonja’s departure in such an off-hand tone. He had loved her, in fact that was a stupid suggestion – he still did love her – but she obviously had her own ideas and so she was gone, just like that. Anyway, what was he doing thinking about that again? He’d been spending most of his time – quite successfully – to put the topic out of his mind and he would do so again.

He had a big game coming up and he needed to do his homework, Nîmes were in 7th place but only a point behind Pau – a win would probably elevate Pau back into the promotion spots but defeat could see them drop almost to half way. The signs were mixed, Nîmes were unbeaten in four games but had injury and suspension woes of their own – although they had displayed an ability to score plenty of goals, their main scorer would miss the game.

On Ed’s side was the fact that Nîmes had a midweek game, a visit from 12th placed Rouens, whose manager had decided to embark on a war of words with his counterpart. It didn’t seem to help the visitors and Ed, who drove east to see the game, was treated to a daunting sight – injury hit Nîmes smashing four goals past their guests who rarely got out of their own defensive third.

Mike..

The week just kept getting worse for Pau, in Thursday training Millereau clashed with his marker in a practise match and twisted his ankle, by the time Saturday came around Ed was without six of his first-choice XI and his strike partnership was going out with a combined age of 38.

To say that he was expecting a bigger mauling than the Savoie game was an understatement, he took his place in the dugout and began to chew savagely on his nails.

-----

80 minutes, and three! penalties later the majority of Pau fans were leaving the ground with the game still in progress. From what he could understand of the French taunts being hurled their protest was not directed against their side, but against Pierre Tavelet – the referee.

Ed could sympathise, each of the penalties awarded to Nîmes had come from some friendly jostling whilst Pau were defending corners, and each had seen no serious action taken by the man in black – indeed the only bookings came for dissent, going to the understandably furious defensive line.

Rest assured Ed would be making a complaint of the strongest kind if he could get the French FA to listen to him* - without the ridiculous spot-kicks Bonnel’s goal would have earned Pau a point, as it was they left the ground on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline and with a first name on the newly penned ‘hit list’.

-----

Writer’s Note: thanks for removing that feature SI

retired_mellnet

I loved the complain to the FA feature. I think I would complain after every match. There must be something seriously wrong with the Penalties, because I've given up about 15-20 a season so far...

Oh, and nice story, but it does seem vaguely familiar... :p

Mike..

Cheers Mao, always nice to see one of the 'old' faces still popping in :cool:

As for the FA thing, worst mistake the ever made was taking that out - and I only ever managed to get one Ref sacked

retired_tonytranbg79

Story is still going strong flippers, there does seem to be an alarming amount of penalties. I seem to get most of them though so thats ok

retired_tonytranbg79

I also find that more than should happen a keeper will hit a kick off the forward and it eith goes in or the forward scores most of the time, that happen with you?

Mike..

Can't say I've seen that one too much, usually I suffer from the keeper kicking it into midfield and three opposition players all congregating unchallenged to collect it


Ed stretched out on the leather sofa in his lounge and tore open the envelope. He knew what it would contain, his mother always used the same stationery and her letters always followed a familiar routine; a few bits of gossip, a couple of moans about his father (they were worse than Ed and his sister had been as kids), and then – usually – a cutting or two; she seemed convinced that he still kept the football scrapbook he had started when he was 10-years-old. He skimmed through the neatly handwritten updates

…your sister’s been seeing this chap Colin for a few months now, looks like it might be getting serious…

He knew that, in fact he probably knew more than his mother, Lynne never really liked revealing too much about her love life to Mum, but she would tell Ed what was going on if he asked, and they spoke quite regularly.

…your father is useless, he nearly broke my washing machine when he was painting the kitchen window frames…

The usual then, he’d probably just knocked it with a ladder or something.

…do you remember Andy Smith from your high school? I heard from his mother last week, apparently he’s not been well – they think it might be an ulcer…

The name rang vague bells, but it couldn’t have been anyone that he’d been friends with – still, it wasn’t pleasant news for Mr Smith.

Then the letter went into the usual Are you alright? Are you sure you’re looking after yourself? Have you talked to anyone about the split?. Of course mothers are like that, he knew he couldn’t stop her worrying no matter what he did, but it still wound him up a little, even at his age.

Finally there were a couple of clippings, apparently ones that his father had spotted.

Spurs old boy causing a stir

The clipping was from a long-running Spurs fanzine, although his parents still lived in Huddersfield his father had subscribed to the fanzine’s mailing list as soon Ed had signed for the club. It seemed that one of the writers had made it a habit to track down former players in a ’Where are they now?’ style, and the would-be investigative journalist had tracked Ed down to the French south-west. It was a flattering piece, and Ed allowed his ego to bask in it’s glow for a while, noting that it was dated just before the recent run of defeats.

The second cutting was equally pleasant, a 2-0 home win over Everton had seen his former club continue the unbeaten run that had taken them into a strong early-season 6th place. Ed had to admit that he’d been sceptical when Santini had been given the job – he’d hardly produced the goods from a star studded French national side, but he seemed to have taken to the Premiership well.

Reading through his mother’s letter a second time – not that he expected that he’d missed anything important – he decided that it was time for bed. It had been a long day.

With Pau almost back to full strength he’d been looking forward to a strong showing at Cannes but it had been a struggle, and Ed’s nerves were shot. The home side had launched a barrage of attacks that had kept the re-formed Pau defence alive all through the game. There had been the odd glimmer from his forward line, but the absence of Millereau was still telling. In the end he’d been happy to escape with a goalless draw, and he made a mental note to send the match stats to monsieur Tavelet – four corners conceded, and not one penalty!

retired_stehlylm

LOL - Edgar Allen (of) Pau?? Very subtle!!

Good work fella!! :thup:

Mike..

SEPTEMBER 2004 SUMMARY

Croix de Savoie 3 (Dragacevac 41, Peslier 44, Durand 80)
Pau 0
Man of the Match: Lemasson (Savoie)
News: Elhadji Ba (Pau) sent off 61

Pau 1 (Bonnel)
Nîmes 4 (Rivenet pen 19, pen 39, pen 62, Yao 30)
Man of the Match: Rivenet (Nîmes)
News: Don’t mention the penalties!

Cannes 0
Pau 0
Man of the Match: Jaureguiberry (Cannes)

Pau 2 (Millereau 13, Cami 90+)
Tours 1 (N’Diaye 90+)
Man of the Match: Coquerel (Tours)

Racing 92 0
Pau 2 (Millereau 10, 75)
Man of the Match: Millereau
News: Apataki (Racing) missed penalty (saved)