Football Season Guide

Toulouse have spent recent seasons fighting against relegation from Ligue 1, though the last time they were not in the top flight was 2003. In all five of the last campaigns, they have finished in the bottom half, while only twice have they been more than a place above the automatic relegation spots. Last season, when they finished 16th, could be argued as something of a success, but given that they picked up only 38 points from 38 games, they were fortunate there were not a couple more teams better than them. Indeed, over the last two campaigns, they average less than a point per match. Alain Casanova can feel himself somewhat fortunate to still be in charge of the club ahead of the new campaign, but the same problems they suffered last term still appear to be evident. The squad has not changed dramatically, though they have worked to sign four additional players. Efthymios Koulouris could perhaps be the most important of these. The striker from PAOK scored a very impressive 19 goals in 28 Super League matches last season and Toulouse need him to return significantly if they are to attain more comfortable survival. There is, of course, no guarantee that he will settle easily, but after Aaron Leya Iseka and Yaya Sanogo both flopped last term, they need a source of offensive inspiration that is not Max Gradel, who was leaned upon far too much. Yanniack Cahuzac left for Lens in the summer, depriving TFC of the kind of battling qualities that a side in the relegation fight needs. William Vainqueur seems to be his replacement but is not quite as gritty, while Jean-Victor Makengo also reinforces the heart of the field. He will add more energy to the side than Manu Garcia, who was on loan from Man City last season but had only a modest impact. Defensively, Christopher Jullien, who is perhaps their best centre-back, has moved on to Celtic. Agustin Rogel has been added from Samara but arrives in France a rather unknown quantity. One positive for Toulouse is that they have a strong youth section and their academy players have typically stepped up impressively when called upon. It seems likely they will need these qualities this season.