Football Season Guide

At their first participation ever to the Ligue 2, last season Pau FC were considered as true relegation fodder and the first months of the campaign seemed to confirm so. It is only thanks to the fresh blood injected in the squad in January that they eventually got going and lifted themselves out of the trouble zone. In particular, once they were allowed to play in their renewed Stadium, Nouste Camp, they became unbeatable in home soil. Coach Tholot, the architect of their salvation, was thus confirmed also for the new season. Unfortunately for him, though, the 3 players who had allowed him to turn the tide will no longer be there. Left winger Itaitinga, central midfielder Diarra and, most of all, striker George, capable of 7 goals and 3 assists in 14 games, had all arrived on short-term loans and their ambitions logically brought them elsewhere. Beside them, they also lost another starter, left-back Sadzoute, and his back-up Scaramozzino, while Sabaly, one of the heroes of the promotion from the Championnat National, failed to repeat the wonders displayed in that magic campaign and returned to his new club, Metz. With the very tight budget they can count on, Pau had to strengthen the squad through an array of new loans coming from bigger clubs and luring some free agents. Boto, who played little at Auxerre, and Lambert, who never played at Crotone, will be expected to contend at left-back; 23-year-old Nisic, at his first experience outside Serbia, could be given the reins of the midfield, while Essende, also a debutant for the Ligue 2, could lead the attack with experienced Gomis or promising Sylvestre and Dianessy supporting him from the wings. There is sufficient quality at Pau but they are still lacking a prolific striker and a full-back and they are a bit short in terms of quantity. An injury crisis could put them in serious troubles.