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!

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.

and by MJ I mean the respectable Marc Jacobs. It’s evident that this amazing designer (and fine specimen of of man) has the hots for Gourcuff (get in line Marc! And allow Yoann a face in either your work for LV or your eponymous label. Commercials? Runway shows? Front row seats?).

Yoann has a bright future in fashion ahead of him. Maybe a capsule collection for LV? Or a celebrity line for D&G? Who knows. At least I hope a little but of his style would diffuse to the masses via ads for these big fashion houses (or even a collection for Zara Men?)

I’m just getting ahead of myself..
Gourcuff is always open to his fans, no matter how busy he is with his social life.

andddd
The new kit!

Aha, I found the rest of it! 7 minutes of glory! I gotta go grab my dictionary.

Yoann Gourcuff signs on to Bordeaux on a 4 year contract!

He says: “I am very pleased to continue the adventure that I engaged with the Girondins. My decision to sign with the FCGB has matured throughout the season.

We managed to create all conditions for a sporting success while fostering true relationships within the group.

I learned a lot when I was at AC Milan and I would also like to thank the players and the trainers of the club with whom I was learning at the highest level.

The trust that Laurent Blanc and my teammates have put in me since the beginning of the season, the ambition of the club for the upcoming season, and the unwavering support of our supporters, made me determined to accept this new challenge, to beyond the purely economic aspects that have not been a priority in my decision. “

First he wins for the most beautiful goal, and then comes the best player award with Zidane. Towards the end of the video, Zidane comments on his opinion of Gourcuff in Bordeaux but always saying that it is Yoann’s decision, and then Yoann speaks about what he thinks *cut to Blanc looking srs all the time*.

The group for Monaco:

Ramé, Valverde – Chalmé, Diawara, Henrique, Jurietti, Placente, Planus, Trémoulinas – Diarra, Ducasse, Fernando, Gourcuff, Sertic – Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakjh, Gouffran, Jussi.

Some things to look at while biding by the 4 hours wait for the game to start:

-Mathieu Valbuena talks about what he thinks about Bordeaux and the loss to Lyon last week.

-It looks like Gourcuff’s contract contract negotiations are coming to an end. Apparently, there is a clause stipulated that he will be able to leave by the end of next season.

-It has been made clear that Yohann Pelé is a priority this transfer season. (Martha, from the Nice blog, has also informed me with some anger about Bordeaux interest in David Ospina. Not that I would mind.)

-Sevilla is interested in and following Fernando, who is bound to leave for either Italy or Spain this summer, with the right clubs.

-An interview Planus gave, in 5 parts, starting with this one.

After the game:
Looks like I had the insightfulness to put Chamakh in the photo before the game! I actually missed the game, even though it was on TV and I was at home. I had a nightmare that I couldn’t find the channel on TV, and by the time I woke up, the game already finished.

It sounds like a decent game, but I haven’t read any real reviews yet. OM also won 3-0 at Nancy, so a win or a draw at Caen will bring us the title for sure! (They lost 3-1 to Lyon today.)

Lots of Chamakh to Arsenal news today…please don’t.

(yeah, I’m bring back the first trophy this season to celebrate.)
Lyon beats OM 3-1 to give us a breather at the top and even more hope for the title.

Let’s consider the games left to play.
Bordeaux has to play:
AS Monaco – Monaco hasn’t been in terrific form lately, and was even in relegation for a while, but they seem to have risen from that and will probably not be relegated. They’re dealing with some coach issues. In the past three games they drew once (with VAFC) and lost twice (Sochaux and AJ Auxerre).

Caen – Overall speaking, Caen is a weaker team. They’re only a point away from the relegation zone. They’ve done fairly well in the last 3 games with two wins (Le Mans and Sochaux) and a loss to Rennes. They would want to keep their form and prevent relegation, and according to their latest form, this will probably the tougher of the two games.

Marseille’s last two games are:
Nancy- Their last 3 games all ended with draws, but this is a team to be reckoned with. I don’t doubt that OM will lose since they will be striving to get over this set back.

VAFC – VAFC powered over a struggling Lyon 3 games ago, put up a good fight against Bordeaux and tied with Monaco this weekend. They have a good players from the relegated Lens FC, but will not hold as a struggled to OM either.

What I think:
the difficulty of both Bordeaux’s and OM’s next two games are around the same, and as long as les Girondins continue their form and their drive, the title should not be out of reach. (Especially with a recovering Cavé and Jussiê, seeing as we will need to score as many goals as possible.) A title will probably also propel Gourcuff to a decision of staying with Bordeaux.

How to secure the title:
By next week: Bordeaux wins and OM either draws or loses. Bordeaux can afford a draw and a win and still win the title.

There’s really no reason why this is here. Except that Lloris is also in the same picture and that’s just more awesome. I love how excited he is.

^L’Equipe’s team of the year. Bordeaux’s only one two players off from Lyon!

Biggest Flop: Diego Placente 
Free transfer or not, I think this one is unanimous. It’s like buying another CFA player except much older and not as talented. 

Biggest Diappointment: Mathieu Jérémy
It’s too bad he did not sign. He would have been a great replacement for Jurietti. Bordeaux still shows interest in him since he is not extending with Toulouse, but my guess is that he is leaving for the Premiership.

AND

Yoan Gouffran
Surprise? No, not really. His performance was really disappointing. I prefer not to speak more.

Biggest Promise: Gabriel Obertan
Gaby has all the makings of a star (in the strict non-womanizing, non-Drama Queen, excellent footballer way). A loan away will allow him he the experience he needs to excel. FC Nantes really wants him now, too. Not surprising.

Biggest Invention: GirondinsTV/GirondinsMag
Uhhh, when can I get my hands on those?

Biggest Injury: Ulrich Ramé
We couldn’t fix him in time, it certainly cost a few, albeit important, games.

Also there’s Wendel..more of a mental thing, but he’s back and I’m glad for it.

Biggest Performer: Yoann Gourcuff
This one’s been expected by everyone. Raking in pageviews everywhere, who can beat that?! *Cue naked jokes….or banana hammock*
(I also like to acknowledge the consistent, solid services of Diarra and Diawara. Without you we’d be even shittier than we think we are.)

Biggest Break: Kevin Olimpa
It’s not like a really impressive start, but definitely a shocker that Valverde would break a few games after Ramé breaks. I think he’ll become a great keeper if he’s given the chance, unlike Valverde, who scares the living shit out of me.

Biggest Matchup: Lyon – Bordeaux
This has been the best match up this season. The games have been pretty exciting so far, and I hope the next one will be just a good (and hopefully we’ll win one that actually counts).

Biggest Influence: Fernando Cavenaghi
I’m a big fan of this guy. I’m a even bigger fan of his finishing and the charisma he has on the field. This is one player who can change the course of a game even as a sub.

Biggest Loss: Roma 2-0 Bordeaux
It’s been a long time coming huh…it was terrible to watch, even worse than that Chelsea game. Well there’s next year..and UEFA Cup

Biggest Moment: Beating Lyon
This blog started off with a bang! That was such an intense game. Moar moar moar!

Biggest Hope: SIGN YOANN “MONEY” GOURCUFF
Self explanatory.

So, what are your biggest(s) this season? Don’t say something dirty.