There have been reports that Blanc is the United’s #1 in terms of replacing Sir Alex when he retires (which health permitting might be in a season or two). I can see why Blanc would be an excellent choice for United, and I know that if indeed Sir Ferguson does retire, Blanc will certainly be the man to fill in the position very nicely. (Or indeed, Jose Mourinho’s spot when he goes to Real Madrid*, or even Domenech’s position.)

I’m a big fan of Blanc as our manager and the logic he applies our game here. Most of the strategies and the moves he makes make sense. I understand why he starts a certain player or substitutes another, and I appreciate his good taste in selecting players (with the exception of Placente). I have no doubt that bringing Ciani to Bordeaux had a great deal to do with him.

A quick look at Blanc’s current record with Bordeaux on scapulaire.com shows that Bordeaux wins at home 69% of the time and 50% of the time away. The away percentage is quite high compared a lot of the previous coaches (this is why I love scapulaire.com AND all their stats.) Blanc has quite the record. Guiding Bordeaux to a second place finish in his first year of coaching, and then a L1 title, and now early qualifications to Champions League, and though with spotty performances here and there, a top table standing in L1.

Blanc to United is just a little bit farfetched, but it does make sense seeing as Fergie did try his best (and succeeded) to get Blanc as a player. He has also attempted to bring Blanc in as an assistant coach but that was not accepted. However, it is evident that Blanc and Fergie are on extremely good terms…seeing Blanc’s reaction to Gaby Obertan’s recent move to United, I don’t doubt that Blanc had something to do with it. (In a related note, Gaby has been toted to take over Nani’s beleaguered spot and is apparently doing quite well indeed. Oh how I tear up with pride.) There are now also rumours at an United bid (an alleged £13 million versus Arsenal’s meagre £7.5 million) on Marouane Chamakh. Wenger should be fearful of Ferguson indeed, but of course he doesn’t want Chamakh anymore…..

I guess the point that I’m trying to make here, while writing this at 4am when I should be designing, is that if Blanc can make so much out of our squad and our meagre resources, imagine what he can accomplish with the vast resources at United? For me, Blanc has always been a coach (alas not for a long time) that made the most out of his resources and what he has. He always finds the best that his money can get (which in Placente’s case was almost free). While some people complain that his lineups always seem to depend on a few players (Chamakh, Gourcuff, say what you will), there is no doubt that he always tries to field the best possible and the most logical combination.

Blanc to Inter is quite plausible as well. The job isn’t as prestigious as taking over the reins at Old Trafford, but makes sense for Moratti to hire an ex-player. To be honest, as an Inter fan (hahahahahahhahaha no jokes here), I will actually resume following Inter if Blanc went.

I’m really curious to see what your reactions are to Blanc’s possibly departure from the club after bringing us so much. I forsee a great exodus of talent, from Gaby (already), to Chamakh (soon), then Gourcuff (obviously) to even Blanc, then many many other players. If Blanc does leave, who will be suitable to take over?

*I’m not justifying goal.com’s credibility in anyway, just a rumour that has been propogating.

P.S.: Happy birthday Laurent Blanc I was really trying to get this post up today just for your birthday.

Oh they’re so cute!
I’ve decided that having Gourcuff, Carrasso and Diarra is enough to make me support France in the World Cup (especially considering Sweden’s exit…)

Gouffran’s picture just kills me in this! In the beanie and the scarf, it’s just a puddle of “awwwww”. He should pose for like Abercombie or something. Also, Carrasso and Chamakh.

I know I’ve been gone for a long time from this blog and that’s because of school commitments and midterms and all that stuff. But, midterms are done, and even though I’m still really busy, THIS POST NEEDS TO GO UP OMG.

So we can talk about the finals 13 years ago, or we can talk about this upcoming game. I really haven’t been keeping up with the league and I have no idea what is going on with both Bordeaux and Lyon falling to teams that have been in the relegation zone just last year. I did watch Lyon vs Liverpool yesterday though, and it really showed that it is POSSIBLE to beat teams of that calibre away while coming off of a defeat. Nevertheless, Bordeaux is really struggling with the attacking portion of the game.

I recently spotted an article titled Arsenal Target Marouane Chamakh Isn’t Very Good, and guess what, besides their video proof, I have proof too. I agree wholeheartedly with him. Chamakh is a terrible player. Everything from his ridiculously ludicrous headers to his impossibly insane moments in the air. The man is a beast (and I mean that in the bad way.)

This is why I say so:

1. His hair defies gravity, and he probably uses enough hair gel to fund a small economy.

2. He defies gravity. <— most ridiculous photo I’ve seen of him yet.

3. He gets chummy with Gourcuff.

4. He gets kisses from Triaud.

5. His head is small.

6. He ain’t no arshavin or brazillian.

7. He’s really old. I mean, 25? Come on, he is only functional for like 5 more years.

8. I think he has a nightclub in Morocco? (<– cannot be confirmed)

9. He photographs too well.

10. He’s skinny.

There you go Wenger. 10 reasons why you shouldn’t sign Chamakh on even a free transfer. Do you really want him ruining the lucrative hair gel market, skyrocketing the prices for the average Londoner? ‘Course not. In fact, no club deserves the completely undesirable Chamakh. If Gourcuff didn’t have a slight crush on him, we wouldn’t even want to keep him for ourselves (but obviously, to please Gourcuff we must, and we must pay him a lot of money.)

(If it’s not obvious I was totally stuck on the 7th reason and beyond.)

Can someone else give 10 reasons why Arsenal shouldn’t sign Chamakh?

In other news, I am completely grateful for the international break. I’m going MIA for the next week as I’m packing like crazy and moving. Also, frosh activities and the beginning of school is going to eat a chunk of my time. Similarly, since school is starting and I don’t think I want to fail post-secondary education, I’m going to take it easy on this blog.

Possible groups:

Marseille:
Mandanda – Bonnart, S. Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo – Abriel, Mbia, Be. Cheyrou – Kone, Brandao, Niang (cap.)

Bordeaux
Carrasso – Chalmé, Ciani, Planus, Trémoulinas – Diarra (captain) – Plasil, Gourcuff, Wendel – Chamakh Cavenaghi (or Gouffran)

Also known as Mr. 55% now, it’s been pointed out thatGourcuff responsible for 54.54% of Bordeaux’s goals.

Gourcuff had let slip that a girl who is not famous/celebrity/model CAN BE MRS GOURCUFF! Any girl indeed.

Also he says “I am very happy that Marouane remains even if the transfer window is not finished yet and it may happen a lot of things. I get along with Marouane on the field and off. He happens to be easy [going] and he is understandable. And he’s a good guy, so it’s nice to play with guys like that.”

I honestly apologize for the random bit of trivia I threw in there. I sort of planned a post a few days before and saved this draft, and now I kind of just put everything together. Anyway, there are the streams: http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=47087∂=sports

Also, live blogging right now in the comments.

Some genius decided to tell Google Translate that Mickaël Ciani = Adam Clayton. Hmm, I wonder why. (You might have to fullview that seeing as I don’t have Photoshop yet.)

As you can see, I’ve been absent for the past few weeks, but hopefully I’m back (for a while before school starts again). I know I missed some very exciting/interesting games. I badly wanted to watch them (especially Lens’ return to L1, but also Nice), but both weekends happened to be very busy. I hate to think that I lost chances to see Ciani’s performance, but there are always other times.

But, just reading some of the reviews, it’s apparent that the two players pushing the squad this season are Gourcuff and Chamakh. In some ways it’s very worrying since one of them will be leaving soon and the other will be leaving in a while.

The most important thing right now is that we’re scoring against some good teams and some good keepers (Ospina has been a real catch for Nice).

As anicho in the comments pointed out, we have a most crucial game coming up this weekend, again OM. I don’t see it online yet, but all of the active L1 Offside bloggers have done a little Top 10, and it seems that everyone thinks that OM will be the team to beat and the team most likely to win the title this season. I see where they’re coming from, but I think we’d like to prove them wrong .

In my opinion though, after some reading around, OM’s play hasn’t been THAT stellar, though it’s just the start of the season and they’re bond to pick up. IF we can beat them this weekend, it will set a tone for the rest of the season for sure. Picking up points is crucial from the start and it’s even more imperative when it is picking up points from our biggest opponents (OM and OL both)

I think I’m a little weary after the Chamakh drama (Arse? West Ham? Fulham? Greek club?). He’s obviously going to leave on a free transfer and Bordeaux will lose potential profit. But the opportunity cost gained in him assisting the title run obviously appealed to them more. I’m pretty sure that they’re not idiots and probably did realize that if they don’t let Chamakh go on his request, he will get significantly pissed and refuse to extend. At this point they can hope that 1. Chamakh scores a shitload and secure a lot of points (6 so far) and/or 2. Chamakh does really well that he will consider his situation to be a good one and stay. I think so far Blanc’s plan is working. I guess we won’t know if he’s going to stay for sure until the end of the transfer window on August 31st. It’s drawing quite close and I’m waiting anxiously.

Other things in the transfer window that are coming up is Fernando’s potential transfer to Werder Bremen for 4 or 5 million euros. I wonder if this Fernando would want this considering his open request to go La Liga.

Anyway, hopefully I will find time to put up a real preview of the game against OM sometime soon. (Seeing as I’m going to be busy this weekend again.) So long ’til then!

(from half time)

I took notes while watcing it on TV, LOL! Planus played the whole first half with the tag sticking out of his shorts. I wasted enough time noticing this detail, but that was how boring the half was. I’m literately yawning and falling asleep right now from the lacklustre first half.

I took my time observing our new signings. So far, I can conclude that Plašil is terrible at passing and Carrasso is very good at standing…and catching the ball!

At first I had some concerns about the pitch, since it is an artificial pitch and is hideously ugly with those coloured stripes, but Trémoulinas reassures me in his halftime interview that “It’s not much different from the real pitch, and we’ve also prepared for it”. He’s also pleasantly suprised by the # of supporters present and is glad for the encouragement the squad gets from them.

Soon, I will devote an entire article to how Wendel has completely lost it in midfield. The goal was almost completely the effort of Trémoulinas, beating two defenders and expertly guiding the ball to Cavé. He’s certainly better at being a winger than Plašil. Trémoulinas gets my vote for man of the match…so far.

As well, Chamakh looks a little sad, especially considering the number of “Chamakh, reste à Bordeaux” signs in the Stade. I feel a little bad for the Quebeckers as they seem to be quite confused about the occasion, sporting their France jerseys and also their OL kits.

Also, as a commentor pointed out, the new kits look hideous. They look like they stuffed napkins/serviettes down their necks and called that a kit.

Second Half
Ehhh, I wasn’t really paying much attention. Just a lot of passing around and, well a great goal at the end from Fernaaaaaaaaaaaaaaando. I got to watch the celebrations too and that was cool.

Yay, go uncreative titles. I’m as tired as hell running errands and working, so this update will be quick and sweet.

First of all, I can’t believe this blog is a year old! When Inara and Martha first thought that I should blog for Bordeaux, I wasn’t so optimistic. Honestly, I didn’t know much about Bordeaux at all at the beginning. I was gonna have a co-blogger who is actually A REAL BORDEAUX FAN STRAIGHT FROM BORDEAUX, but he had a kid and is now devoting all his time to that. I think near the beginning, I had one loyal reader (hi Julien!), but I have no idea where he is now. Anyways, thanks guys for the great times we’ve had in the past year (I’m indulging myself), and hopefully we’ll have an even greater 09/10 season!

-Valverde has officially left Bordeaux. After the signing of Carrasso, Valverde clearly drew the short end and joined Boulogne-sur-Mer (just promoted to L1) after being tested there. Good luck to Mathieu.

-Sunderland hopes to conclude the deal with Chamakh, but Bordeaux isn’t looking to letting him go. They’ve offered him a 2 year contract extension, raising his salary to what he would be paid in English (about 200,00 euros a month).  Gourcuff also made it clear that he would love to see Chamakh stay.

I know there’s a lot of speculation of Chamakh joining Arsenal after the departure of Adebayor, but right now that is unfounded and Chamakh seems to prefer Sunderland (Blanc prefers neither).

Chamakh is in Montréal right now for the Trophée des Champions match tomorrow and also a game against Montreal Impact. He says

“Frankly, I did not want to go to Canada to make this trip. My head is in England”

(He makes me sad..)

Needless to say, I’m sulking in Toronto.. GUYS, TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. If you’re a Girondins/Guinamp supporter that happens to be reading this blog, CALL ME UP WE CAN CHILL IN SEPTEMBER, and also, you can get tickets here. I’m pretty sure you can still get tickets for Bordeaux VS Impact, but really do you want to torture yourself?

-Diarra also extended to 2013.

-I’m also hearing of Bougherra turning down Bordeaux. The reasons I’m too tired to look up. Who really cares anyway?

Is LOL. Apparently, it wasn’t even technically a date. They have the same lawyer and went to dinner just to discuss that. Of course, it doesn’t mean nothing happened during the dinner.

Also, along this update, there’s also reported interest in Michaël Ciani, a central defender from Lorient. Only about 3-4m compared to the other interest Adil Rami from Lille whose selling price is about 15m. Also, Blanc has reported contacted Marko Baša from FC Lokomotiv Moscow as a replacement to the irreplaceable Diawara *tears*.

You’ve also probably heard about the arrival of Jaroslav Plašil from Osasuna. Read the interview with Triaud and Plašil here.

As well, I have an article about Obertan over here if you want to read it.