Ligue A: the Toulouse Spacers are in bad shape (s) before challenging Chaumont
Penultimate, the Toulousains remain on four defeats in a row while the reception of Chaumont, impressive leader, is looming this Saturday evening at 6 p.m.
three points taken from the last eighteen games: this is the sad record of Spacer’s who have lost their last four games since their home success against Sète (3-2) on 20 October. Hardly beaten in their last three meetings, at home against Narbonne (1-3) and Tours (0-3) then last Sunday in Montpellier (0-3), the men of Patrick Duflos are no longer advancing and counting this morning five points behind Sète, eighth and last virtual qualified for the play-offs.
“However, we had several opportunities to take points” regrets captain Maximiliano Chirivino who calls for “more character”. There are certainly many games left and the people of Toulouse will not play every weekend against such big cars as those that have stood in their way since the end of October; but the gap widens and morale suffers. “We are going through a complicated moment but we have to stay calm” advises the Toulouse passer, Duflos’ trusted man.
Chirivino: “Show another face”
Speaking of big cars… Chaumont is advancing as the undisputed leader with seven wins in eight games and twenty-two points taken out of twenty-four since the start of the season. Outside, the Haut-Marnais have lost only once in four trips, it was in Tourcoing and in the tie-break!
And as if all these figures are not scary enough, the results of the last three confrontations between the two teams at the Sports Palace are just as chilling: three 3-0 victories for the visitors. “Of course at the moment they are playing at a different level than ours, but we are going to play at home, we need points and we have to show another face” Chirivino nevertheless refuses to abdicate. See you in the early evening…