Thierry Laurey is playing his fifth season on the Strasbourg bench.

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Alain Robert / SIPA

  • Things are bad for RC Strasbourg, which has only taken 6 points in 11 Ligue 1 days and is in the penultimate place.

  • As often in these cases, the coach could be replaced.

    Even when it comes to Thierry Laurey, who notably won a League Cup in 2019 with the Alsatian club.

  • But is the technician responsible for all this current bad patch?

    We tried to see where he was wrong or not.

Even almost empty, the Meinau will only have eyes for him this Friday evening (9 p.m.).

Facing Rennes, Thierry Laurey certainly plays his future at the head of RC Strasbourg.

A little over four years after his arrival and despite his past glories, the technician might not withstand another defeat.

It would then be the 10th in 12 days.

Too much for Marc Keller?

The president of the Alsatian club has not spoken on the subject.

"I always try to take decisions with coolness and without haste", he said recently, he who has already separated from two coaches since the start of his presidency in 2012. His brother François had resigned, then in great difficulty in National in 2014, while Jacky Duguépéroux was not extended once the rise in Ligue 2 validated in 2016.

Is it now Thierry Laurey's turn?

We tried to see if all the fault lay on him.

Is he responsible for this Gruyère defense?

It's simple: there is no worse in Ligue 1. In 11 days, the Strasbourg have taken 23 goals.

Of this total, many can be attributed to individual errors.

We think here of the three penalties conceded during the first three days or Kamara's ball on Lyon's opening scoring in mid-October.

The examples are not lacking, as again in Montpellier last Sunday (4-3).

"We took goals on actions that were identified", testifies the coach, ensuring that he does not put the blame on his men.

However, and on these specific cases, he cannot do much about the marking errors of Simakan, Aholou and Caci.

But the technician has control over the men he chooses.

And there, a statistic is obvious: Thierry Laurey has never started the same team for two games in a row since the resumption.

By obligation or because of form, injuries, suspensions, sick… but also by choice.

Is he too careful in his team compositions?

This criticism is not new.

Even when Racing was going well, many accused his coach of a certain offensive timidity.

Why do you often play only one point with Ajorque and a midfield without creativity?

This criticism is no longer valid since the arrival of Diallo in the autumn transfer window.

With him, the Strasbourg attack scored nine goals on his last outings.

Not to mention the many big missed opportunities.

As in Reims where Faes saves on his line… of the face.

Or in Saint-Etienne, where the crossbar and Moulin had played heroes.

Or in Montpellier where the famous Ajorque and Diallo have eaten the leaf several times ...

"There is always a small grain of sand which blocks the machine", summarizes Thierry Laurey, evoking a certain bad luck.

“We still have a lot of things going against us”.

Difficult here not to think back to the cruel defeat against Marseille (0-1), conceded on the only shot from Olympian of the meeting.

With, in addition, an obvious penalty on Zohi forgotten in stoppage time.

🎙️ Thierry #Laurey: "We will have to start a series. Our salvation will come through there. It is, clear, clean and precise." # RCSASRFC pic.twitter.com/yZhYsXpTAW

- RC Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) November 25, 2020

Is he still master of his group?

If his speech does not pass to certain journalists - "but fortunately, you do not play", he teased his assistance Wednesday -, Thierry Laurey still ensures to have the ear of his players.

Again, the latest releases plead in its favor.

A team that has let go of its coach does not get tired of coming back to score three times in Montpellier or pushing to the end against OM.

But this attitude has not always been visible this season.

Thierry Laurey half admitted it.

“The boys are in the right frame of mind today,” he said, suggesting that wasn't always the case.

As pack leader, his responsibility is engaged.

Our dossier on Ligue 1

Just like that of maintaining a competitive group where everyone can contribute to the common cause.

This no longer seems to be the case with Waris, Prcic or Zohi today, or to a lesser extent with Thomasson.

"If we are there, it is because of all of us", concludes Thierry Laurey.

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