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First team squad player profiles for the 2004/05 season -Goalkeepers and Defenders (source: D. Le Spliff's personal notes).


Goalkeepers.

Florent Chaigneau (Fra, 20, GK): Very agile for a man his size, and with a cool head on his shoulders for one so young. Commanding in the air, and a good shot-stopper, he needs to improve his communication with the defence as well as the timing of his rushes out of the goal. Came through Rennes' youth academy, AS Cannes is his second club.

Jean-Daniel Padovani (Fra, 24, GK): Able deputy for Chaigneau. Good all-round goalkeeping skills, but his distribution is mediocre and he lacks confidence in the air. Has played at Martigues, Nice and Rouen before joining Cannes in 2003.


Defenders.

Djibril Diawara (Fra/Sen, 29, D/DM r/c): Very powerful right-back, rarely beaten for pace or in aerial duels. One of the main targets in our set-piece combinations, scored an impressive thirteen goals last season. An experienced player, who plied his trade at Le Havre, Monaco and Torino. One of my first signings in the summer of 2003, and arguably the most effective.

Lasha Chelidze (Geo, 19, D r/c): Talented young defender, with good technical ability and football intelligence. I intend for him to replace Diawara on the right side in the medium term, though for now he plays mostly in central defence. Lasha has already played six times for his country, and is bound to attract attention from bigger clubs, sooner rather than later. We signed him for a pittance from Georgian club Kutaisi during the last winter break, and I hope we can hang on to him for as long as possible.

Mehdi Meniri (Alg/Fra, 27, D r/c): Mehdi is a solid defender who reads the game well, and provides cover for both the centre and right side of the defence. Seasoned campaigner who has played over two hundred competitive league games in France, with teams such as Nancy, Troyes and Metz, and is therefore perfectly suited to our current level.

Julien Tournut (Fra, 22, D l/c): I have high hopes for Julien, who joined us permanently this summer after spending last season here on loan from Nancy. Julien is maturing at an impressive rate, and as a defender he has very few weaknesses; strong and quick, good in the air, he can mark players out of a game and has an excellent attitude and work rate on the pitch. Natural cover for, and possibly in the medium term a replacement for, Harlington Shereni as the left-sided centre-back.

Harlington Shereni (Zim, 29, D/DM l/c): Strong and pacy, with an excellent positional sense, nicknamed 'Harley-Davidson' by the rest of the team for his reliability and tireless contribution, natural leader of the back four. Harley came to France in 2003, and was our biggest signing of the last winter break when he joined from Istres for £300.000.

Délis Ahou (Fra, 20, D/DM l/c): This young and attack-minded fullback is a product of Nantes' excellent youth system, and he has shown good potential whenever I've brought him into the team. He is bound to play more games this season, as he will be the designated cover for Mohellebi on the left flank of the defence.

Laurent Mohellebi (Fra, 20, DM l/c): Laurent never misses an opportunity to point out to me that he is not a defender. Nonetheless, he has been happy to play at left-back, and what is more, has thoroughly established himself as the best man for the position since the depature of veteran Torres Mestre. He too joined us permanently after an initial loan spell at La Bocca. Brought through the ranks at Monaco, he is an intelligent player with good defensive abilities and ball skills, and has already caught the eye of several Ligue 1 scouts.

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First team squad player profiles for the 2004/05 season -Midfielders and Forwards (source: D. Le Spliff's personal notes).


Midfielders.

Suleiman Mohammed (Nig, 20, DM c): A regular starter in the Nigerian under-21s, Suleiman is the steel in the Cannes midfield and had an excellent first season at the club. Strong and hard-working, he is a threat when shooting from distance and netted an impressive ten goals for the club in 2003/04. An excellent attitude and maturity beyond his years have earned him the captain's armband.

Guillaume Plessis (Fra, 19, DM c): Talented young player on loan from Lens, who is more of a playmaker than a holding midfielder. He is creative and a good passer, has quick feet and delivers a very good ball from set-pieces. He is also hard-working and determined, and could well have a bright future ahead of him. I'll be looking to sign him on a permanent basis, if the opportunity arises and his performances are good enough.

Youssef Moustaïd (Fra, 28, AM r/l/c): Played on the right wing last season, but now given a free role behind the front two. Very quick and en excellent dribbler of the ball, his flair and vision constitute one of our major offensive strengths. He was one of the stars of last season, with sixteen goals and twenty-six assists in thirty-eight appearances.

Toledo Robson (Bra, 23, AM/F r/c): Phenomenon. By far the most gifted player I have ever worked with. He has frightening pace and ball skills, and unlike most players of his type he works hard for the team and poses a significant threat in the air. Had an outstanding first season with Cannes playing up front, and was voted the Fans' Player of the Year as well as National Player of the Year. Bagged a staggering thirty-eight goals and thirteen assists in his thirty-nine competitive games for the club. Yet I remain convinced his natural position is on the right wing, and that is where will be playing this season, though of course his versatility provides me with additional options.

Steeve Théophile (Fra/Ivo, AM/F l): Quick, strong and skilful, Steeve is an ambitious young man who came up through the ranks of the Nantes youth academy. Since then he has ùoved on from season to season, leaving a good impression wherever he played, from RC Paris to Gueugnon, then Créteil and Sedan, from where we signed him this summer. First-choice on the left wing.

Milan Rapaic (Cro, 31, F c): Capped thirty-one times for his country, vastly experienced player who has been a key member of squads such as Hajduk Split, Perugia and Fenerbahce. Milan had been unemployed for quite some time and training with his home town club Hajduk, and he accepts the fact that he will not be starting too many games. Having said that, his cultured left foot and all-round ability make him an important addition in terms of the depth of the squad.


Forwards.

Bruce Inkango (Fra, 20, F c): Promising young forward, reared at the club and much loved by the supporters. Has a great turn of pace, and the ability to make runs into the right areas at the right time. Played well when he was called upon last season, and will now be vying with Zoko for the fourth spot in the strikers' pecking order.

Tim Janssen (Hol, 18, S c): Tim seems glad to have left the intense competition at PSV Eindhoven behind him, and since his arrival his pace and goalscoring instincts have impressed everyone in training. First-choice cover for the front two. I expect the teenager to play a major part in this season's proceedings, and adapting to a new type of football can only improve him as a player.

Anatoli Todorov (Bul, 19, S c): Fantastic prospect, who already has everything it takes to make the big time. Tall, quick and strong, he is a deadly finisher and a deceptively good dribbler. Excellent work rate, despite a tendency to grow 'blinkered' when he gets a glimpse of goal. He is bound to attract the attention of major clubs sooner rather than later, and frankly I'm amazed that he has eluded their notice so far.

Maxim Tsigalko (Blr, 21, S c): Eldest of the three 'young guns' we brought in this summer, Maksim is a natural finisher whose pace and searing runs should spell trouble for our opponents' defences. Good aerial presence and strong-willed, his attitude in training is exemplary and like Todorov he has the potential to reach the highest levels of the game. Capped three times for Belarus, he has scored twice for his country already and I am in no doubt that there are many more to come.

Gnahoua François Zoko (Ivo, 26, S c): Competent striker, quick and comfortable on the ball. Unlikely to feature much though, given the quality we possess up front, but when I made the situation clear to him he dismissed the idea of leaving the club, and seems happy enough to make up the numbers at the moment.

retired_bbcarr

still a thoroughly entertaining read, dave you look to have assembled a good squad, hopefully injuries won't hit badly

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Thanks Simon, much appreciated. You've been a bit quiet in the forum recently (no new stories appearing every other week ), hope everything's going well for you. Still studying film-making?

If the injuries were to hit, then these are the hopefuls who could benefit:

First team squad player profiles for the 2004/05 season -Additional cover: Reserve and Under-18 players likely to feature (source: D. Le Spliff's personal notes).


Julien Faubert (Fra, 21, D RC, Reserves): Good prospect who needs to improve the defensive aspects of his game. Quick and strong, Julien reads the game well and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Formed at the club, he played one game with the first team last season, and might well get a few more under his belt this year.

Denis Stinat (Fra, 21, D L, Reserves): Pacy left-back with a good attitude. Bought in the summer from Gap for £50.000, to provide extra cover down the left side of the defence.

Christophe Leca (Fra, 15, D C, Under-18s): French Schoolboy international and latest product of our youth set-up, Christophe is quick and excellent in the air. He is showing some excellent potential with the Under-18 side, but I don't want to rush things and Gabriel agrees it's far too early to have him train with the professionals, let alone play alongside them. Still, everyone at the club expects great things from him in the future.

Souleymane Bamba (Fra, 19, D C, Reserves): Played in the youth teams at Juventus and Paris SG, but never made the grade there. Joined us on a free transfer in the summer of 2003, and played one game with the first team last season. Physically imposing and gets about well, but needs to improve the mental and technical sides of his game if he hopes to challenge for a place.

Panagiotis Lagos (Gre, 19, D/M LC, Reserves): Versatile young player, competent and hard-working but unlikely to ever provide more than additional cover. Then again, he has plenty of time to develop, and cost us nothing as he was released by Iraklis in the summer.

Thibault Courtel (Fra, 21, DM RC, Reserves): Pacy wing-back who likes to get forward. Featured in nine games last season, but the increased competition for places is likely to keep him out of the first team altogether.

Urby Emanuelson (Hol, 18, M C, Reserves): Talented young midfielder, whose contribution last season (13 games, 3 goals) made a big impression on the staff and the supporters. Very good passer and dribbler, formed at the prestigious Ajax youth academy. Injury to any of our midfielders will see him join the first team squad as extra cover, but on the whole I hope to see him gain experience and fitness with the Reserves.

Ludovic Viltard (Fra, 20, F LC, Reserves): Pacy left-winger who can also play up front. Ludo featured in five games with the first team last season, scoring one goal and setting up two others, but with several attacking players joining us this summer he no longer really gets a look in. Seems happy enough playing with the Reserves, but he doesn't feature in my medium- or long-term plans.

Christophe Lemaire (Fra, 16, S C, Under-18s): Excellent prospect we filched from Beauvais during the last winter break after Jean [Varraud, Head Scout] urged us to do so. Quick and sharp, with a great eye for goal, he so impressed the coaches that he made three first-team appearances last season, setting up two goals and displaying maturity beyond his years. But like Christophe Leca he has plenty of time ahead of him, and I intend to spare him from any pressure that might hamper his development.

Yohan Delplas (Fra, 18, S C, Reserves): Yohan is big and strong and deceptively quick. Formed at Montpellier, he is a natural finisher too, and if he can improve his ball skills he will become a significant threat to any defence at this level of the game.

retired_bbcarr

just been busy of late, to be honest. started my uni course, still job hunting (although not too much dedication going into that) but managed to get a gig writing the occasional rugby report for the edinburgh evening news. will hopefully soon get to updating my current story more regularly

retired_confal2

Which one? I've lost track...Sorry, I know that was cheap, but I've not actually been reading that much of the recent stuff on the forum.

I usually buy the Evening News on a Thursday, when the employment section comes with it. Still not working

I'll keep an eye out for the rugby reports though


Game reports and team news (source: 'Bocca Vera!' fanzine, first three weeks of September 2004).


3rd September 2004.

Dinamo Kiev beat Juventus 2-0 at the Stade Louis-II in Monaco to win the European Super Cup.


5th September 2004, La Bocca (att. 6774). Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 3
ASO Valence 0

Goals: Todorov (1-0, 13), Ardouin (og 2-0, 50), Tsigalko (3-0, 81).
Shots: AS Cannes 28 (18), ASO Valence 1(0).

Excellent team performance by the home side, who dominated their opponents in every compartment of play. From the moment the first goal went in, there was never any doubt as to which team would take the three points.

Cannes stay third in the table, and now have the best goal difference in Ligue 2, having scored eighteen and conceded five. Niort and Angers lead the pack.


10th September 2004.

Youssef Moustaïd twisted his knee in training and will be out for about a week.


13th September 2004.

Cannes were drawn to play at home against Niort (Ligue 2) in the Preliminary Round of the League Cup. The game will take place at La Bocca on 28th September 2004.


14th September 2004.

Siramana Dembelé picked up a groin strain in training, and will be away from the pitches for around three weeks.


15th September 2004, Stade des Costières (att. 7956). Ligue 2.

Nîmes Olympique 1
AS Cannes 2

Goals: Janssen (0-1, 47), Mohammed (0-2, 57), Moke (1-2, 85).
Shots: Nîmes Ol. 3(2), AS Cannes 10(9).

The late rally by Nîmes did not prevent Cannes from coming away with the spoils, though Moke was the best player on the park and scarcely deserved to be on the losing side. On the whole, though, it was a well-earned win for the visitors, and only a string of saves by Nîmes keeper Duchesne kept the scoreline close.

With Angers held to a draw away to Valence, Cannes move up to second spot and lie two points behind leaders Niort.


19th August 2004, La Bocca (att. 8175). Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 3
Louhans-Cuiseaux 0

Goals: Moustaïd (1-0, 8; 2-0, pen 23), Janssen (3-0, 33).
Shots: AS Cannes 22(16), Louhans-Cuiseaux 2(0).

Rivals in the National last year, the teams looked very mismatched in this encounter, particularly in the midfield where Cannes were rampant. Moustaïd was outstanding, and Plessis, Zoko and Janssen put in very good performances. The young Dutchman's superb individual effort brings his tally to four goals in five league games -a very impressive start to the eighteen-year-old's French adventure.

Plessis suffered a calf injury during the game, and is likely to miss the next three weeks at least. Other than that the news was good, with Angers falling two points behind in third. Niort stay top with a two-point cushion over Cannes.

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Diary entry (source: David Le Spliff's personal diary) -entry dated 22nd September 2004.

Writing this down might help to clear my thoughts a little. My hands are still shaking slightly, but a glass or two of Macallan's ought to see to that. I probably shouldn't leave the bottle on the table, in front of me and within easy reach, but that's just one more item on the list of things I probably shouldn't be doing...

I got back a little later than usual this evening, after an informal meeting with Stéphane and Gabriel at the Marie-Galante, which we mostly spent glaring at passing tourists to discourage them from sitting anywhere near us. I barely touched my pastis and pestered Georges into making me a sandwich, whilst Stéphane and Gabriel went through their squads for the Reserve and Under-18 games. The day after tomorrow, the first team plays away to Troyes, and despite their poor start to the season I'm well aware that our unbeaten record could come to an end there. Still, the new signings are adapting very quickly and their performances have been excellent, and the team has already made considerable progress in terms of the quality of the play, compared to the end of last season. I can't reasonably ask for any more than that.

I walked home feeling very content, looking forward to a long hot shower and a big fat joint. It took me about half a minute, once inside the door, to realize something was not quite right. I must have frozen in my tracks, or given some other obvious indication, because at that moment someone spoke from behind me.

- "I hope you don't mind, I helped myself to a smoke. Can't be too easy to find Haze like this around here." I whirled round, and he was standing in the opening that leads to the small kitchen alcove.

- "What are you doing here, Giacomelli? And what do you want?" I asked, a little more harshly than I had intended. He grinned and shook his head slightly, pacing over to the couch and sitting down.

- "No need to be so tense. I just want to talk. Don't you want to know more about what's going on in this corpse of a town?" He reached for the carved wooden box, which he must have taken from the cupboard in my room, opened it and began to roll a joint.

- "I'm not sure I do."

I grabbed the chair from under the small desk by the window, and sat facing him, mildly shocked that a cop could roll so attentively and expertly. As we smoked, he talked about the Bertuzzis, confirming the rumour I'd heard that the younger of the two had been murdered. There were apparently rival criminal groups involved in the killing, and it was becoming obvious that both the Bertuzzi brothers had been in the pay of one of these camps, perhaps even both. Giacomelli seemed fairly sure that it was part of a struggle for supremacy between, on the one hand, groups affiliated to the Albanian and Russian mafie, and on the other the older, longer-established clans of Sicilians, Corsicans and Latin Americans who had controlled the area's criminal activities for at least half a century.

I was both fascinated and disturbed by Giacomelli's account. The situation was obviously far more volatile, and potentially far more dangerous, than what I had suspected. The worst of it was, I had no idea how any of this tied in with the club, or even if any of it did. But Giacomelli certainly thought so.

- "Keep your eyes peeled around the other staff. They must have people inside, or at least as close to it as they can manage. Mention any of this to anyone, it could be your funeral. It's no joke."

- "I'm well aware of that. I've got a morning visit to the hospital to prove it."

- "You risk far more than a beating if you don't tread carefully."

- "On the whole I'd say I'm far less at risk than you are."

- "True." He grinned again, stubbed out the joint after a last drag and let out a long, weary breath. "I'm going to be in town for another couple of weeks, no more. After that, I return to HQ for the debriefing. I'll probably make contact with you one more time before I leave, but that depends on whether an opportune moment arises. Remember, not a word about any of this." I nodded and stood. We shook hands and I opened the door.

"Thanks for the smoke" he said, and was gone. I shut the door after him, and the first thing I did after that was to roll another...

retired_bbcarr

I probably won't have any more reports in this season, so here's one I prepared earlier

and the story I was on about has now bitten the dust but i've got a new one going

oh, and needless to say this is still very good stuff :thup:

retired_confal2

Cheers Simon. Sounded like an entertaining game, despite all the errors. So it's the 'BT Premiership One' now...


Team news and game reports (source: football365.fr, Ligue 2 updates).


24th September 2004, Stade de l'Aube (att. 13.373), Ligue 2.

ES Troyes AC 1
AS Cannes 3

13. Superb ball through played by Toledo from the right flank, sending Todorov clear. The Bulgarian takes the ball round Heurtebis and taps it in. 0-1. [Toledo injured and replaced by Rapaic]

52. Forty-yard diagonal cross-field ball by Mohammed into the path of Moustaïd, who cuts inside from the right edge of the box and shoots from ten yards out. Heurtebis tips it onto the post, but it bounces back onto the unlucky goalkeeper and into the net. 0-2.

56. Vairelles whips in a low cross from the left flank, which Bangoura meets first-time, unmarked near the penalty spot. A good strike which finds the lower left-hand corner. 1-2.

76. Todorov wins the ball in the centre circle, beats first his marker then the covering defender, before tucking the ball into the right corner with a low, in-curling shot. 1-3.


A much closer game than the scoreline suggested, but Cannes' finishing -and Todorov's in particular- was excellent. Another very solid team performance, extending the team's remarkable run of results in Ligue 2 so far. Toledo's injury was the only disappointment for manager Le Spliff, but as it turned out it was nothing more than a painful knock.

Cannes temporarily take the lead in the table, but Niort have played one less game and are just one point behind. [The next day, Niort lost 2-1 away to Nîmes, and Cannes stayed a point above them at the top.]


28th September 2004, La Bocca (att. 5380), League Cup Preliminary Round.

AS Cannes (L2) 4
Niort (L2) 1

42. Good interception by Meniri, who finds Janssen free down the right side of the box. The striker cuts inside and sends a low, powerful shot into the opposing corner. 1-0.

48. Théophile runs on the outside of his marker, down the left flank. He reaches the byline and cuts the ball back with a deft chip into the box. Janssen has peeled away from the defender and slots it home easily from ten yards. 2-0.

57. A string of quick accurate passes makes space for Théophile on the right wing. The cross is flicked on at the near post by Janssen, and headed in at the far post by the unmarked Emanuelson. 3-0.

63. Zoko flicks on Mohammed's clearance. Good anticipation by Janssen, who runs clean through and dribbles past the keeper, completing his first ever hat-trick for Cannes. 4-0.

70. Very poor back-pass by Emanuelson, intercepted by Biakolo who cuts it back straight away. Chaigneau's bizarre attempt to palm it away ends in embarrassment as the ball sails over him and into the empty net. 1-4.


A very interesting game between the two early leaders of the Ligue 2 campaign, a big test for both teams even though the prize itself -a place in the draw for the First Round of the League Cup- was modest enough. The first half was evenly-matched, but Cannes seemed to up the tempo after half-time, soon adding to the lead they had taken just before the break.

Young Dutchman Tim Janssen had a terrific game, and the first competitive hat-trick of his budding career was a just reward for his incessant hard work. The game was a lesson in realism, which Cannes will need to repeat when they meet Niort again in ten days' time for their top-of-the-table clash in Ligue 2.


29th September 2004.

In the draw for the First Round of the League Cup, AS Cannes were drawn to play Angers (L2) away at the Stade Jean Bouin, on 2nd November 2004. Amongst the other fixtures, Marseille vs. Lens and Auxerre vs. Bordeaux stand out as the biggest games.

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Game reports and team news (source: 'Bocca Vera!' fanzine, October 2004 issues).


2nd October 2004, Stade Jean Bouin (att. 14515). Ligue 2.

SCO Angers 1
AS Cannes 3

Goals: Moustaïd (0-1, 44), Toledo (0-2, 61), Janssen (0-3, 63), Aubanel (1-3, 66).
Shots: SCO Angers 4(2), AS Cannes 8(5).

Youssef Moustaïd ran the midfield for Cannes and was particularly decisive in dead-ball situations, unquestionably the best player on the pitch. This was a very important victory for the Mediterraneans, and a fairly opportunistic one in a tight game, which was decided in a five-minute period during the second half.

Todorov's shoulder injury during the game sees him out for about a week, which gives young Janssen (8 goals in 7 appearances so far) further opportunity to shine. Unfortunately Todorov will miss the forthcoming top-of-the-table clash with Niort at La Bocca, but Cannes are looking very strong at the moment and will go into the game with a great amount of confidence.

After 9 games, Cannes are first with 25 points. Niort follow close behind on 24 points, with Lorient and Sedan tied in third with 19 points. Two teams are still unbeaten; Cannes and Istres.


5th October 2004.

Youssef Moustaïd signed a new four-year contract with Cannes, and later in the day it was announced that Suleiman Mohammed had also agreed to a new four-year deal.


9th October 2004, La Bocca (att. 8044). Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 1
FC Niort 0

Goal: Paulo Miranda (1-0, og 82).
Shots: AS Cannes 16(11), FC Niort 3(1).

The result may have been tight, but this was a game that Cannes controlled throughout, denied a more convincing scoreline only by the exploits of Niort goalkeeper Marichez.

In the end it was the unfortunate Paulo Miranda who unwittingly gave Cannes the three points, when the ball bounced in off his back after a good save by Marichez. With the win Cannes open up a four-point gap at the top of Ligue 2.


16th October 2004.

Lascha Chelidze played the whole game for Georgia (6th cap) away to Austria. The game ended 1-1 and Chelidze put in a decent performance.
Maxim Tsigalko sat on the bench and watched as Belarus lost 3-0 to France at the Stade de France.


17th October 2004, Stade Louis Dugauguez (att. 19920). Ligue 2.

CS Sedan 1
AS Cannes 3

Goals: Poueys (1-0, 12), Todorov (1-1, 32; 1-2, 41), Théophile (1-3, 60).
Shots: CS Sedan 4(4), AS Cannes 19(11).

Sedan's early opener did not give rise to panic in the Cannes ranks, and from the moment Todorov grabbed an equaliser it was clear there was only ever going to be one winner in this game. Sedan's long-ball tactics were easily dealt with by Shereni, Tournut and Diawara, whilst Cannes ran riot down the flanks.

Niort were held to a draw, and Cannes now lead by six points, with Guingamp in third and now fully ten points behind.


22nd October 2004, La Bocca (att. 7926). Ligue 2.

AS Cannes 5
FC Istres 1

Goals: Todorov (1-0, 21; 2-0, 24), Moustaïd (3-0, 37), Laslandes (3-1, 66), Mohammed (4-1, 72), Tsigalko (5-1, 90+2).
Shots: AS Cannes 18(10), FC Istres 3(2).

Another excellent performance by Todorov, who grabs his second brace in successive games. Tsigalko, Mohammed and Diawara were the main architects of Cannes' success, and their quick passing moves kept pulling Istres' 4-4-2 wider and wider apart. By half-time the damage had been done, thanks in part to marking errors by Istres' defence.

Niort still haven't recovered, it seems, as they lost and allow Cannes to move nine points ahead. Guingamp consolidated their third place with a resounding 6-1 away win against Le Mans, who have just appointed former Marseille player Bernard Casoni as their manager. Le Mans are twentieth and last, the only club still to win a single game. They have 3 points from 12 games played.


29th October 2004.

After suffering recurrent groin injuries over the last couple of seasons, Gnahouan Zoko has decided to undergo surgery at the behest of the club's medical staff. It is thought he will be absent for around five months.


30th October 2004, Stade de la Licorne (att. 10277). Ligue 2.

Amiens SC 1
AS Cannes 4

Goals: Théophile (0-1, 41; 0-3, 55), Tsigalko (0-2, 45+2; 1-4, 80), Buron (1-3, 74).
Shots: Amiens SC 4(4), AS Cannes 19(11).

Thoroughly-deserved victory for Cannes, who might have scored three or four before they eventually opened their account. Théophile was outstanding, popping up on both wings, setting up a goal and scoring two in the process, including a magnificent solo effort punctuated by a fierce strike from twenty-five yards.

Despite the upcoming League Cup tie at Angers, manager Le Spliff fielded his best available side, and it showed on the park. Toledo, Moustaïd and Tsigalko left opponents trailing in their wake, causing danger every time they had the ball at their feet.

Niort were held to an away draw, and slip down to third after Guingamp ripped Rouen to shreds (4-0) at the Roudourou. Cannes remain first on 37 points, Guingamp follow on 27 points and Niort are now third with 26 points.