That played out well for us with Clermont winning 3-1 and it turned into a bit of an endurance test for VAFC who had to play over an hour with nine men after both defensive midfielder Abdoul Kabore and left back Saliou Ciss were dismissed. I guess the loss of the former tonight is not too bad as Baradji (see Coupe preview)) returns, but Ciss is a big loss as fellow left back Loris Nery is injured, that will mean a start for 19 yo Moussa Niakhaté who has only ever made six Ligue 2 starts ( one win). The visitors have made the trip with just four defenders and with, in addition to Niakhaté, SEVEN teenagers in the squad and ten of fifteen outfield players are aged 20 or younger and that is too little experience IMO. They have no recognised, senior left winger with Sigamary Diarra and Sebastian Roudet injured, so incredible weak on that flank and huge pressure on Niakhaté, which Metz will surely target.
 

They lost that 2-0 and now have to deal with the always tricky Mon-Fri quick turnaround, which so many teams have struggled with in recent seasons. They get Ciss and Kabore ( see above) back which helps of course, but lose Sekou Baradji and his experience in the holding role, seven of the 13 outfield players who saw game time on Monday were teenagers, two others were aged 20-21 and now another 21 yo in Kabore will replace Baradji, even alowing for Ciss giving them better options at left back, there are still missing players further upfield on that flank and this is an incredibly young squad and one which has already conceded five in their last two starts and both have been tough, mentally as well as physically, draining fixtures.
 

The visitors also served us well last week with a 2-1 defeat of Dijon, ahead of which I wrote ...They served us well there, with the match "over" before the break and then forcing a late equaliser and extra time before winning on penalties and landing that "upset" progression. They look short on quality overall, have played extra time with limited rotation, with a long midweek trip to Brest and back (circa 1,900km ) thrown in for good measure, they have the lowest budget in Ligue 2 and are playing home games over 100 km away from Peronnas in Gueugnon, so almost nothing in their favour. HOWEVER, despite all that, I am starting to feel that there is something about them, they have a little spirit, have scored in each game, also missed a penalty in the 3-1 home loss with Le Havre which could/should have been a game changer and I have just watched highlights of that loss at Creteil last Friday, where in truth, a draw was the least they deserved and defeat was an injustice.

It would be great for them and good for Ligue 2 if they could get a result today, but I doubt it will come along with a clean sheet, the home side have already conceded seven in three starts, at least two in each and are facing a talented Dijon side who have scored six in their last two, with Julio Tavares who is vital to how Dijon play in road games, something we have touched upon a lot in the past, scoring three

.
 

They are clearly coming to terms with life at this level and as I said last week, they do have something about them and play with plenty of spirit, if they can build the momentum with a result this evening, they might even turn into the surprise package of the season and we have had plenty of those in Ligue 2 in recent campaigns, FBBP are likely to be unchanged and have named the identical squad to that which faced Dijon.