Football Season Guide

Rodez comfortably avoided relegation last season but much of that owed to a terrific start they made to the campaign. From the middle of September to the end of the campaign, they won only three matches, though their fortunes did improve after the winter break, largely because of a high volume of draws. Nevertheless, it was a successful campaign for Laurent Peyrelade’s side, who had largely been together since the fourth division, with the coach awarded a new deal until 2023. Over the course of the transfer window to date, they have not lost any players who might have been considered essential to their starting XI, with the exception of goalkeeper Arthur Desmas. Indeed, the size of their squad has increased, with the depth of the squad improved down the spine. There is little room for superstars in this set up, with the players still doing their own washing of their gear, even before the time of COVID-19. Their focus is on the collective, with team spirit key in securing points. With that in mind, they need their new arrivals to buy into what the club are doing, which can only happen if they come with the right attitude. Most have played at this level previously, with Malaly Dembele and Jordan Leborgne and Johann Obiang arriving with genuine experience. Meanwhile, coach Peyrelade has promised an “evolution” of his side. He has used the summer months to try and drill different systems into his players, allowing them to switch formation based on their opposition. He has also successfully assembled his squad – as of early-August he said the team was completed – and if they can keep last season’s key attacker Ugo Bonnet, they would appear to be in a good position.