Stade Reims vs Saint-Etienne preview - Vasseur hopes to show progress

Posted Saturday, January 10, 2015 by PA

Reims coach Jean-Luc Vasseur hopes Saturday's clash with St Etienne will show the progress his side have made this season.

Les Verts, who sit in fourth place in the Ligue 1 table, were 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture in August as Reims picked up just one point from their first four matches.

But their form has improved markedly and they go into the game on a three-match winning streak.

Vasseur told a press conference: "St Etienne have a great squad with a coach that has been in place for a long time and their project is in place. They should be an example to us I think.

"They are a team that we have not beaten in Ligue 1 since we were reformed. We lost the first game but, since that time, we have found a good way.

"We will be very glad to assess things tomorrow, to see what we were able to accomplish and whether it has reduced the difference in level between us."

Asked if striker David Ngog, who has not scored since November, is fatigued, Vasseur added: "There may be fatigue, we'll see.

"A goal can boost the psychological mechanics of a striker so I'm not too worried."

St Etienne are unbeaten in the league since early October and are still going strong in both domestic cup competitions.

They have six matches still to play in January and midfielder Renaud Cohade told the club website: "It is very busy, as was December. This did not prevent us from being effective.

"We are competing in three competitions. We have an exciting schedule ahead. We will need everyone. We will have to show a lot of solidarity and desire to have a good month."