How To Win Ligue 1 For Dummies

By: Julien | May 27th, 2008

How To Win Ligue 1 For Dummies
Lille has managed to miss the Champions League and the UEFA Cup yet again. DOH! Being a Lille fan during these past two seasons has been nail biting and ridiculous. From the Giggs Champions League free kick to the inconsistent Ligue 1 matches. I swear, it seems like you could easily predict the club’s Ligue 1 matches last season. Every match was either a tie, a surprise victory (meaning we scored more goals than we should have), or a close loss. I can’t stress it enough how much it bothers me to see the club lead the 07/08 Ligue 1 season in draws. How about we convert those draws to wins next season! On the one hand the club has somewhat high expectations with such a tactical coach, Claude Puel, but on the otherhand can we really expect much from such a young and inexperienced side? Here are 5 things that Lille needs to accomplish to give us the Hexagoal (Ligue 1 trophy).

1. GET A NEW STADIUM!!!! Talks of a new stadium for the club have been never-ending.
Lille Métropole, is one of the biggest metropolitan areas of France and yet we still do not have a new stadium. There was a recent interview on the official LOSC website regarding the new stadium. All talk but no results! Give us a new stadium damnit!

2. STOP GETTING RID OF TALENTED PLAYERS! Why the Lille management thinks that developing talent is more important than preserving talent is beyond me. A recent summer transfer window saw the loss of around 13 (YES THIRTEEN!) players. I was so angry to see Odemwingie, Bodmer, and Keita leave the club only to be replaced with aging Kluivert and youngsters.

3. OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS HAS TO STOP WINNING! Let’s face it, for Lille or any Ligue 1 club to win the title Inara’s Lyon powerhouse has to stop winning. We actually had a close title race this year (FOR ONCE!). Lyon has won the league for 7 straight seasons in a row. They just don’t really seem to be letting up. I am convinced that les gones will only stop till they get a star on their maillot (jersey) for being Ligue 1 champs 10 times.

4. NEW STRIKERS PLEASE!!!!!! The leading goal scorers of the club last season were Mirallas, Bastos, and Cabaye. Of those three leaders only one is an actual attacker, Mirallas. Although it is nice to see goals that were scored across the club, I really wish we had better strikers. Mirallas is promising, but he needs reinforcements.

5. NEW MANAGER? Is it time for Lille to hire a new manager? Claude Puel has been managing les dogues for 6 years now. He was at AS Monaco when they won the Ligue 1 title. Puel is good at what he does. There is no denying that. I honestly think that the club would have fared worse in the past if it were not for Puel. A Puel-less LOSC side may not have done so well in our past Champions League appearances. However, is it time for a change in club leadership? Blasphemy or truth?