Football Season Guide

Angers narrowly avoided relegation last season, going on a decisive run of 3 wins from their last 6 matches to lift themselves out of trouble. It was a season that was tense, though. Under financial pressure, they laboured to get victories and only claimed 2 wins against opponents in the top half of the table. Alexandre Dujeux ultimately achieve their goal of survival. Over the course of the summer months, Angers’ squad has been trimmed once again, with several problematic players departing the club, including Lois Diony and Adrien Hunou, who were absorbing big wages despite not playing. Also departing, though, were more regular starters Zinedine Ould Khaled and Jean-Eudes Aholou. There has been a definite trend in getting rid of expensive under performers. Few players have so far been added. Louis Mouton from Saint-Etienne looks a strong addition for the midfield and probably the only new face in the squad who is likely to get significant game time. He will likely start deep in Angers’ midfielder with Haris Belkebla, whose role in the team is likely to be more prominent as they have been seeking ways of playing the ball out of the back more effectively in pre-season, with the No.6, who is also the captain, having a big role in this. Angers will look to two key creative forces in attack to shine for them. Esteban Lepaul had a strong season at centre-forward last time out, scoring 9 times in the league, while Himad Abdelli in the No.10 role is also key. If these players pick up injuries or drop off in terms of their level, there could be real issues for the team unless reinforcements are made. At the back, Angers are young but will hope that the experience gathered last season will help them going into this campaign. This is the area of the squad with the most significant experience while goalkeeper Yahia Fofana is another one of Angers’ indispensable players.