WINNERS OR CHOKERS’
Well this is my 3rdseason with Montpellier – having been with FC Twente and WBA before. Where my record was poor to put it mildly, making me take a break from this tough league.
In the time here the team has improved season on season, without a big budget and no big signings.
When I review this last season it is with mixed emotions.
At the start the bookmakers predicted that we would finish 15th. (Not the first time that they have thought we would be nearer the bottom than top). We proved them wrong and finished 4th. But once again we choked in the playoff semis.
To say I was gutted is an understatement and it has taken me a few days to get over this. Having discussed with the president my position it has been agreed that I will have at least one more season here. But for next season we must reduce the squad size and hopefully with that our wage bill.
In general the last season followed a similar pattern to others, poor in defence, but had some good goal scorers. We had 10 transfers in and 11 out (including many part exchanges). This gave us an overall loss of £3m.
In goal Adrian had another poor start to the season but gradually improved as the season progress.
The defence had no one outstanding but I have high hopes for Diaz and Bensebaini for next season.
In midfield the surprise for me was the form of El Kaddouri (10 goals, 9 assists). Next season will be harder for him (rating drop) and it remains to be seen if he stays.
Up front there was more competition to challenge Pelle, and although he finished with highest rating his goal tally was only 6. Hoping I can get one more good season out of him. Both Sala and Ideye had good seasons. However, Ideye has not been that happy with lack of starts and with great regret I have had to sell him.
As well as the players already mention I have high hopes for Paqueta and Piazon, with perhaps one or 2 more breaking into the first team.
So what does next season hold for at Montpellier?
It will be very hard for us to match this season’s performance again, as we do not have the quality in depth. Just hoping the book makers don’t forecast us to finish in top 6. As I know where we finish then!
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