Football Season Guide

Brest had a steady season in Ligue 1 last time around, finishing 12th in what was seen as a disappointment based on how competitive they had been in recent years as well as how poorly they finished the game, going 9 without a win. They were one of the better sides to watch, with their games producing 98 goals. The club was rocked by the death of popular head coach Eric Roy, who led them into the Champions League a couple of seasons ago, with Julien Lachuer stepping up to replace him having worked as an assistant at the club for 4 years previous. On the playing front, Brest have sought to foster a sense of consistency, with few changes. However, there is a little less depth due to the loan players departing. None were particularly important but they brought much-needed depth. There is late speculation over the future of striker Ludovic Ajorque, which is alarming for Brest. Results, meanwhile, have been poor. They have only lost 1 of 5 but equally they have only won 1 against mediocre opponents. Brest’s physicality, willingness to get the ball forward quickly and strength in the air is their most notable attribute. In particular, centre-forward Ludovic Ajorque is a key focal point, with his holdup play particularly important. Arguably their best player is Kamory Doumbia, yet unlocking his scoring power from midfield on a consistent basis has proven an ongoing battle. Brest are currently operating with a really small squad, which could prove problematic, and in particular a defence that was already soft last season is lacking in depth. Given that starters Bradley Locko and Kenny Lala have not exactly been bulletproof when it comes to avoiding injury, and that captain Brendan Chardonnet is becoming more prone to physical concerns, this is a major worry.