Soccer. Dover are waiting for a striker to assert their ambition
By Aline Chatel
Published on
In a group B now deprived of the scarecrow Villers-Houlgate, mounted in Regional 1, there is no need to get lost in thought to make JS Douvres one of the main favorites for the title. “Going up is what we want to try to do, recognizes Eric Fouda. We are not going to hide, otherwise we would lack ambition. »
Departures raise the question…
Ambition, however, goes hand in hand with caution in the former resident of Regional 1. Dover lost four major players during the offseason, including its captain Moustapha Seck (Villers-Houlgate). “He was a bit like the soul of the team, describes Eric Fouda. It was an almost indispensable element. “At his departure, unfortunately followed by a serious knee injury, were added those of Mattéo Marivel (Carpiquet), Arthur Marco and Luc Mve Zeng, who returned to Gabon. “Have we filled in the holes properly? asks Eric Fouda.
… and reassuring arrivals
At first glance, the answer is yes. Mattéo Gardet (ASPTT Caen), Lucas Conann (ASPTT Caen), Arthur David (Bretteville-sur-Odon), Joachim Badji (Courseulles), Gabin Guérin (Flers) and Thomas Rattier (Bretteville-sur-Odon) have arrived. Mattéo Gardet and Lucas Connan are key recruits about their experience in Regional 1. “We contacted Mattéo at the start, he told us about Lucas, explains Eric Fouda. I didn’t think he was leaving. It happened quickly. We hope they will bring their experience. »
A deep search attacker
Despite a rather disappointing fifth place obtained last season, the fault of a “half-fig half-grape” start and a winter hole, Dover has the feeling of preparing for this new season with “less certainty than last year”. . Eric Fouda wonders out loud. “We will see how our defense will respond and how Mattéo (Gardet) will adapt to the middle. We also have to see if our offensive sector is still performing as well…”
In front, Eric Fouda still hopes for reinforcement. ” This is essential. “Since the departure during the season of Herman Lemaitre last year, the position of center forward rested only on the (solid) shoulders of Selim Batbout. “He scored 17 goals last season and we are counting on him. But when he was absent, it was very difficult to score. You have to anticipate it. Only, finding a number 9 is not chosen easy. “All players ask for money, and a lot of money. »
“The championship will be much more homogeneous”
In the meantime, Dover can still rely on solid offensive arguments, especially since Yacin Azdad, 15 but last year, stayed. But the Douvrais will not be the only ones to display some claims on the starting line. “The championship will be much more homogeneous than last season, anticipates Eric Fouda. La Ferté Macé and Lisieux finished with a bang; they will be there. Hérouville has kept many good players and a well-recruited player, like Anthony Boutamine. Dives and Mondeville will play spoilsports depending on the descents, the PTT will be strong, L’Aigle is a very good team…
I think six, seven teams will try to fight for the climb. And there may be a surprise.
Reinforced in quantity and probably in quality, Douvres knows that it is eagerly awaited. For this group that knows each other well, this may be the best year to achieve the goal.
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