Rouges & Noirs forever

It is with considerable pride for me to welcome each reader to the new blog for Stade Rennais. For those outside of France, they are typically most aware of Lyon, Bordeaux, l'OM and Paris Saint-Germain, yet the Rouges & Noirs is strong part of Football's cradle in France. Through the course of my writings, I hope that each of you will not only come to appreciate the club but the entire north-west area of France where I reside.

This weekend Guy Lacombe leads the tour bus to the beautiful coastal town of Le Havre. Although a wintry visit my not be in the travel plans of many, they will have the pleasure of going up against a club that needs to start planning for Ligue 2 next year. Unfortunately for the seaside community, after an impressive championship run in Ligue 2 last year, they have lost their form and have one foot in the lower division. Prior to the holiday break, Frédéric Hantz took over as manager but Le Havre has responded with three successive defeats.

Yet the Rouges & Noirs cannot lose track that while Le Havre has been challenged by play in Ligue 1, they were able to squeeze out a draw in the autumn. For Rennes, who sit only five points behind Lyon, the test is not only to beyond their beaten opposition but find the right petrol to get back into gear. While they have went through a tough span of matches against Lille and Toulouse without a victory, those are the matches that need to be won if the season will be capped with a trophy. Now is not the time to suffer "Icarus complex" but instead allez, allez.

Holding Le Havre together is their goalkeeper Christophe Revault. A veteran of over fifteen years, his goal has been littered on a consistent basis and defending is Le Havre greatest challenge. Yet he possess the eye of a veteran, he knows the sun is setting on his career and will fight for his clubs honour. With full knowledge of the Normandes weakness, the Rouges & Noirs must attack.

For those watching the Rouges & Noirs for the first time, the club is a unique mix of veterans and products of the academy. While their is much to be said of the entire mix, cast an eye towards the central midfield of Fabien Lemoine and Stéphane M'Bia and of-course striker Jimmy Briand. All in their early twenty's they have come up through the clubs nurturing process and show unlimited promise.