Football Season Guide

Grenoble rather rode their luck last season as they finished 15th in the standings. It was a position that flattered them as they struggled to score goals – getting 32 in total – and were often fortunate to get key victories during the run in. Despite this, GF38 will persist under the guidance of head coach Vincent Hognon, who has struggled to impress in any of his previous jobs but did have a difficult task in taking over a team in transition. There is a much more settled feel to Grenoble this season. Those players they have released, they have done so freely, although it is little surprise there was little interest in their squad from bigger teams over the summer given that they did not have too many individuals who seriously impressed. The experienced Yoric Ravet has gone, but he did not touch his best form last season. Meanwhile, the players that have been brought in by Grenoble are designed to bolster the depth of the side somewhat. Amine Sbai and Mamadou Diop have both joined from the fourth tier of the French game, for example. Where Grenoble have concentrated their efforts, unsurprisingly, is in attack. Even Saikou Touray, who arrives from Maccabi Haifa, is not certain to go straight into the team. Two new forwards have been added in the form of Matthias Phaeton and Pape Meissa Ba. Both have the potential to succeed to some degree at this level. GF38 are now overstocked in attack and, while that likely moves that players will be moved on, if they cannot be, there is sure to be some tension in the ranks. Grenoble will be hoping their youngsters can continue on a positive trajectory, too. Bamba Sanyang and Jekob Jeno both impressed towards the end of the season, putting their more experienced counterparts to shame. The defence, meanwhile, remains thin in numbers, despite injury problems posing them serious issues in that area last season, but this appears a risk they are willing to take.