Football Season Guide

The past campaign was more than just a good one for US Orleans, as they managed to finish on the 12th standing, their best result since 1990. For such reason, they saw no reason for a change at the helm and coach Didier Ollé-Nicolle was duly confirmed at the helm also for the new campaign. He had actually taken the reins of the team mid-through the 2016-2017 season, leading the side to a last-gasp salvation. For the new season, US Orleans will aim at building from all the good done since their return to the second tier of the French football but, just as well, they will have to solve those defensive problems that saw them conceding 61 goals last year, only better than 5 other teams. 3 of which ended up being relegated. In order to do that, Gabriel Mutombo was tied permanently to the club, after spending the past season on loan from Angers SCO. Quentin Lecoeuche arrived on loan from Lorient and he is expected to become a protagonist at left-back, since Edson Seidou left for Red Star. Due to their departures of Ferris N’Goma and Denis Will Poha and with Pierre Bouby and Karim Ziany well into their 30s, US Orleans logically had to sign a few midfielders. So, the likes of Durel Avounou, on loan from SM Caen, the young Yohan Demoncy, who joined in from Paris Saint Germain, and the more experienced Joseph Lopy, who spent the last couple of season at Clermont Foot, are all expected to get some relevan playing time. Unfortunately for US Orleans, though, they picked up a big blow as Arthur Gomis, their top scorer in the past campaign, with 12 goals, was attracted by Racing Club de Lens. Thus, Hicham Benkaid, who contributed to the last season with just 3 goals, or the new coming Fahd El Khoumisti, who has absolutely no experience at this level, despite arriving from Paris Saint-Germain B, will have to provide the goals up-front.