Team Focus: Sochaux Must Go On

Sochaux finished 2011 second bottom of Ligue 1 and coach Mehmet Bazdarevic would have hoped to start the New Year afresh and use the distractions of the cup to mask the league problems.

Ligue 2 side Bastia had different ideas and the 4-1 win for Frederic Hantz’ side highlighted the troubled times in Montbéliard; it is a far cry from the free-flowing side we all enjoyed last season.

Last season Francois Gillot led the swashbuckling Les Lionceaux to a fantastic fifth placed finish. The goals of strike duo Modibo Maiga and Brown Ideye backed up by Marvin Martin's eye for a pass became a deadly combination. With a few good signings the nucleus of a great side was there for everyone to see.

With great success comes unwanted attention. First out the door was Francis Gillot, the coach was led to a new project in wine country. Bordeaux now sit 10th. Perhaps the former Lens manager had foreseen the future problems.

Ideye and Maiga had combined for 30 league goals last season so it was clear that they would receive some attention. Ukrainian giants Dinamo Kiev swooped in to sign Ideye and the speculation regarding Maiga, Martin and Algerian winger Ryad Boudebouz continue to disrupt new boss Bazdarevic’s plans.

Before the transfer window closed Sochaux’s season had started reasonably well. Wins over Saint-Etienne and Nancy, a fantastic draw at Marseille and defeat to Caen was not the worst way to start the season.

Boudebouz had started very strongly averaging 7.65 in the WhoScored.com ratings helped by his three goals and an assist. Martin had made a steady start with an average of 7.00 including a goal and an assist.

However, there were signs of unrest in the Sochaux camp as early as the Caen game. The trip to Normandy was rocked when Malian striker Maiga decided at the last moment he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play and pulled out of the squad. Bazdarevic was left with only six subs and Caen went on to win the game 2-1.

When a player with the temperament of Modibo Maiga sits as Sochaux’s third best player of the season with a rating of 6.70, it highlights the issues at the club. Twice this season the forward has decided he is not able to play. However, the four goals he has scored show that when in the mood he is a deadly forward. His attitude, though, has caused disruption to the teamwork Bazdarevic has been trying to build.

Unfortunately the coach himself needs to take some of the blame for Sochaux’s poor season. Before the trip to champions Lille forward Maiga was joined by midfielder Kevin Anin in a sort of protest, with both banished to the second team it was tribute to the side’s mettle that they travelled north and won a superb point at the Stade Lille Metropole.

It was an excellent performance. Twice coming from behind they ended the game with more possession than Lille, more shots on target and higher pass accuracy. Right back Sebastien Corchia was an inspiration with his surges down the right and the combinations between Martin, Boudebouz and young striker Cedric Edouard Butin were breath-taking at times.

After such a determined performance the squad would have been in such high spirits, they had outplayed one of the best teams in France without, supposedly, two of their best players.

Next up was Sochaux’s visit of Rennes and back into the starting XI came both Anin and Maiga. The Malian may have scored but the performance from the home side was very poor, in one of the worst performances of the season Bazdarevic could only watch as his side were humiliated 6-2 by the visitors.

Just when beginning to doubt the credentials of Sochaux’s mentality they would provide a wonderful performance and silence the critics once again. Facing Remi Garde’s Lyon side at home should have been fearful for a squad playing without direction or purpose, but once again Sochaux would rise to the occasion and out-play one of France’s top sides.

The game was level after Aly Cissokho’s own goal was cancelled out by Alexandre Lacazette header. It was down to the superlative Boudebouz to inspire his side to victory. Constantly looking to cause the Lyon defence problems when in possession, his driving runs and dazzling skills proved a tricky opponent and when Cissokho brought him down the Algerian converted the spot-kick and led Sochaux to the win.

Inconsistency caused by unrest in the camp has been Sochaux’s main problem so far this season. With Kevin Anin going AWOL for the third time this season and Maiga’s position at the club unattainable there is food for thought that, until these two troublesome characters are permanently removed from the squad, Sochaux will not be able to move on.

At the start of the season the talismanic Marvin Martin had looked happy to remain at Sochaux until after Euro 2012 but the position of the club could see the midfielder move on before the summer. He has clearly been affected by his side’s performances. A rating of 6.74 is down from a 7.28 rating last season, and though he may lead the club in assists; with only four to his name it would be unlikely if he reached double figures this season.

This week in Le Pays Martin was interviewed about his future at Sochaux and the tone of the interview came across as somewhat of a goodbye.

"I'd like to thank the training staff for giving me my chance. It's thanks to what I experienced at Sochaux that I'm here today."

"I would like to play in the Champions League as every footballer does."

"When I'm with the France squad, I'm one of the only ones who doesn't experience Champions League football. I want my chance."

"I've always dreamed of playing for PSG".

The worrying question for Bazdarevic and for Sochaux is that if Marvin Martin is to leave in the winter transfer window, will there be any chance of hanging onto their best player this season, Ryad Boudebouz?

With Maiga already on the way out, the loss of Martin would signal a lack of ambition and, for Boudebouz to progress as a player it would seem the logical decision to take the next step in his career.

The 21-year-old Algerian has scored five goals and created two for his teammates. With three man of the match performances and a rating of 7.03 he is without doubt Sochaux’s spark this season. He leads his side in key passes per game and successful dribbles. Any side that added Boudebouz to their line-up would instantly add a dangerous piece to their puzzle and a wonderful creative spark.

2012 sees Sochaux’s Ligue 1 campaign restart at the intimidating Stade Geoffrey Guichard and with only three points separating them from the foot of the league table, can things get any worse for FCSM? If they lose their best players before January ends it will be a very long season in eastern France.