Monaco vs Reims preview - Jardim cautious over Monaco form

Posted Thursday, October 30, 2014 by PA

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has warned his players they have not turned the corner completely yet despite an upswing in results.

Back-to-back wins after a draw away to Paris St Germain have moved Monaco up to eighth in the Ligue 1 table after a poor start to the campaign, but Jardim still sees plenty of room for improvement.

With Reims due in town on Friday night, Jardim was keen to remind his players that there is plenty of work still to be done before Monaco can say they are meeting the standards that were expected of them in pre-season.

"Early in the season, it was not all as bad as it appeared, just as now, it is not all as good as it looks," he said on the club's website.

"There is always room for improvement in football.

"It is only by working every day that you can be your most effective as players."

Monaco won this fixture last season, but their recent record overall against Reims is not overly impressive, with two defeats since 2012 - albeit both of them away.

"The previous results mean nothing because it is not the same team that we will face on Friday," Jardim said.

"We will need to play well on Friday to win."

Monaco will also need to find a reliable source for goals with Dimitar Berbatov sidelined, joining Layvin Kurzawa and Joao Moutinho in the treatment room.

Franck Signorino and Prince Oniangue are available again for Reims after suspension.