Is this the end?

[TheLionLyon]

It all comes down to this, basically. The chairman, manager, and the players, excluding Juninho and Cris, seemed to have quietly given up on the title chase. However, this day was going to come eventually. If any Lyon supporter expected us to continue winning consecutive titles, they were out of their minds. The problem in the statement "Is this the end?" comes as to this Friday when we play PSG. Looking at both clubs schedules, this match is of utter importance as it will likely determine who gets that final Champions League spot.

Coming in to the season, I knew the Marseillais and Bordeaux were going to be title contenders, but after last season's utter debacle from PSG, I didn't think they were going to be a factor in the title chance, despite signing Maka, Sessegnon, and Hoarau. Maybe mid-table. Considering that, I expected Lyon to at least get a CL spot if we didn't win the league.

First off, Aulas is in a tough bind. He fired Perrin AFTER he won the double. That basically means that Aulas MUST fire Puel, but if he does, people are going to start thinking he's gone mad with power, considering the fact that it will be the 4th different manager he's let go in 5 years. That will undoubtedly keep the likes of Deschamps (who is up for the NT job) and other managers from even considering majors offers, unless they get big money and a considerable budget and also frustrate players like Benzema, Juninho, Cris, and other veterans who haven't had a stable manager since Le Guen, which leads me to the Champions League. For Lyon, the Champions League is of utter importance. It determines so much for the club. Compared to the Premier League's television contract, Ligue 1's TV contract is peanuts. Over the past seven years, playing in the CL has been very beneficial to the club because it's gotten the club some great exposure, not to mention the extra money. The success in the league and CL brought in fans, which in turn, got Lyon to raise their ticket prices and consistently make the Top Wealthy Clubs list. Missing out on the CL will also make players back away, thus canceling out Aulas's comments of competing with the top clubs for top players.

Speaking of players, regardless of what Benzema says, he's GONE, especially if we don't qualify for the Champions League. But more importantly Aulas may have to listen to offers from clubs for Toulalan, Kallstrom, Makoun, Pjanic, and Ederson, though I doubt the latter two will be considered. We know what Benzema can do, yes, but clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Inter drool over players like Toulalan, Kallstrom, and Makoun and will likely offer a hefty price for them. This isn't like the Bayern Munich situation last year because Bayern has money and lots of it. In terms of average salary, our competition is up there with a big 4 UEFA Cup side. Our defense was expose this season, primarily due to injuries, but recently with everyone healthy, Cris has began to show his age and Boumsong is simply......Boumsong. There's a chance we may have a whole different squad going into next season. It will be so humiliating for Juninho to play his final season with Lyon not playing CL football, but if we conitnue to play like the way we are playing now, we might not be playing European football at all! I am hopeful that we will be crowned champions, but I am more concerned with the Champions League now. This was done off the top of my head, btw. Allez Lyon!

[drac78]

well Juninho did say before the game against bordeaux that Bordeaux and Marseille deserve to win the title this year, sounds like he's given up on the title chase to me.

I'm pretty sure and I hope you'll beat PSG, mostly because their squad is not CL material, we all saw what they were capable of against Dynamo Kiev :rolleyes: plus, Makelele will most likely retire next season..

Puel's mistake imo is always sticking with the same line up despite the fact that the team is not playing well. Why does he keep playing Keita who is just crap? What has Ederson done to earn his place more than Pjanic? Why not play Bodmer in central defense instead of Boumsong? Why not drop Juninho who's way past his prime imo and try players like Pjanic or Mounier or Kallstrom (in MIDFIELD not as LB)? Imo you should keep Puel next season (as I doubt the likes of Deschamps or Rudy Garcia would wanna come) and buy at least 2 cb's and a striker.

[meleficia]

Any particular reason why Puel played Kallstrom at LB instead of Grosso? Was he injured or is Puel just mad? And I'm totally agreeing with you, drac, I have no idea why Keita keeps playing. He was lousy against Monaco and Bordeaux....I can't remember the last time he's had a decent game.

I think when Bodmer came in the Bordeaux game, he was played on the left side of a three man attack. I have no idea why Puel would do something like that, if only maybe to put Benzema in the middle? Bodmer, I think, is most effective in midfield or playing right behind the striker.

Aulas needs to keep a manager for more than one season. It's too much change and no one gets used to each other. There's no stability there at all.

[talk2smc]

Aulas needs to keep a manager for more than one season. It's too much change and no one gets used to each other. There's no stability there at all.

really? i would tend to say winning what 6, or 7 in a row is stability.

however, as TheLionLyon pointed out, every Lyon fan knew this was probably coming one day, tho i dont think they are out of the race at all yet. i still enjoying watching them play, and tbh, im my humbling Ligue I knowledge:o i know Puel did some things differently during this campaign, but i also feel like other clubs just got better and when you push a club to the end, they react differently with 10 or less matches to go than when they arent 20 points up.

perhaps its just a factor of Marseille, Bordeaux, certainly Toulouse and PSG just getting better and giving Lyon a proper go for the duration of the campaign. :o

[TheLionLyon]

well Juninho did say before the game against bordeaux that Bordeaux and Marseille deserve to win the title this year, sounds like he's given up on the title chase to me.

I'm pretty sure and I hope you'll beat PSG, mostly because their squad is not CL material, we all saw what they were capable of against Dynamo Kiev :rolleyes: plus, Makelele will most likely retire next season..

Saying they deserve to win it is not saying they will. If Marseille get through their final schedule as tough as it as, they deserved and should be proud of themselves for winning the title. Considering our current form and PSG great form in the league, I wouldn't be surprise if they manhandled us, especially if Puel starts the same lineup he's been starting. Bodmer needs to be in there since he's healthy, problem is Juninho will be the casualty and regardless of how old he is or how down he's been, he is still "one of the world's most feared strikers of a static ball."

Any particular reason why Puel played Kallstrom at LB instead of Grosso? Was he injured or is Puel just mad? And I'm totally agreeing with you, drac, I have no idea why Keita keeps playing. He was lousy against Monaco and Bordeaux....I can't remember the last time he's had a decent game.

I assumed he was dropped because of the speedier and more athletic Yoan Gouffran and Wendel were playing on the wings and they often switch. Also, Puel may have expecting Kallstrom to provide better support. Other than this match, Kim has started twice at LB this season, with the results being disastrous, but Puel had no choice because we don't have a backup unless you want a 17-year old in there.

perhaps its just a factor of Marseille, Bordeaux, certainly Toulouse and PSG just getting better and giving Lyon a proper go for the duration of the campaign. :o

That's because we let them. Over the years, its become acceptable for Aulas to simply sign the best player from a solid Ligue 1 club, just insert him into the fold and voila a title. That strategy has hit the fan. For example, alot of people thought Puel robbed Lille of Makoun, Bodmer, and Keita. Rudi Garcia came in and simply replaced them with Obraniak, Rami, Hazard, and Mavuba without missing a beat. We paid a 9 million for a useless Mensah. Rennes use that to buy Kader Mangane and still was able to get Gyan. Though Gyan hasn't contributed much, Mangane has been immense in defense and now they are int he Coupe de France final. Rennes supporters have quickly forgotten about Mensah. I don't know what's happen with the Brazil scouting. Since the Nilmar debacle, we've kind of laid off signing Brazilian players outright from Brazil.

[meleficia]

really? i would tend to say winning what 6, or 7 in a row is stability.


I'm not sure it's good for a team to have four different managers in five years or whatever it was that Lyon had, not to mention, the team seems to change drastically every year. I read an article where Juni said he was less than happy about the sacking of Perrin, because they needed continuity in the team.

And yes, they won seven years in a row, but Ligue 1 hasn't really been that competitive until now.:D

[talk2smc]

TheLionLyon, i do agree 100% tho about CL. Lyon miss out on the CL, and its a mass exodus of players

[TheLionLyon]

I'm not sure it's good for a team to have four different managers in five years or whatever it was that Lyon had, not to mention, the team seems to change drastically every year. I read an article where Juni said he was less than happy about the sacking of Perrin, because they needed continuity in the team.

And yes, they won seven years in a row, but Ligue 1 hasn't really been that competitive until now.:D

Oh and during Lyon's early titles, the first 3, the league was very competitive. I remember Lyon winning the second one on the last day of the season. That was when Monaco were relevant. It wasn't until 04 and up, when the money started coming in, that the parity disappeared.

[drac78]

I assumed he was dropped because of the speedier and more athletic Yoan Gouffran and Wendel were playing on the wings and they often switch. Also, Puel may have expecting Kallstrom to provide better support. Other than this match, Kim has started twice at LB this season, with the results being disastrous, but Puel had no choice because we don't have a backup unless you want a 17-year old in there.


or maybe Puel finally realized Grosso sucked? :p

[talk2smc]

or maybe Puel finally realized Grosso sucked? :p

never for Gli Azzurri;)

[TheLionLyon]

or maybe Puel finally realized Grosso sucked? :p

I wouldn't say he sucks. Maybe his age is catching up to him and the injuries he's had this season surely hasn't helped him. Other than Squillaci, he was our most consistent defender last year.

[meleficia]

I really wish Toto stayed with us. :(