Barely arrived at the Sports Palace this Thursday morning, Brandon Jefferson, learned of the death of his suffering grandfather. In tears, the playmaker immediately returned home. A big uncertainty therefore hangs over the participation of the 2e league leading scorer in the game. A largely understandable package would be a sporting blow.
Eric Bartecheky : “He learned this very bad news just before training, he came home …
Barely arrived at the Sports Palace this Thursday morning, Brandon Jefferson, learned of the death of his suffering grandfather. In tears, the playmaker immediately returned home. A big uncertainty therefore hangs over the participation of the 2e league leading scorer in the game. A largely understandable package would be a sporting blow.
Eric Bartecheky “He learned this very bad news just before training, he went home immediately. We will take the time to see with him what he intends to do, play or return to the United States. If he doesn’t play, it’s obviously a big blow, it’s a reorganization to put in place with Justin (Bibbins) as playmaker and Gérald (Ayayi) behind ”.
►THE STATE AFTER THE CUT
Returning from Trélazé on the night of Sunday to Monday, the Palois carried out a cryotherapy session on Monday afternoon before touching the ball only this Tuesday morning for a short session and at relative intensity.
E.B : “We had a day off on Monday. This Tuesday we just did a little training, so it’s not easy to know where the group is physically but I couldn’t shoot it. At the mental level, on the other hand, it is very positive. We must quickly switch back to the championship. It’s all the easier when you see who you’re playing and then the players like to play matches. »
►IN ONE YEAR, THE TRANSFORMATION
In the Top 6 at the dawn of this 25e day and qualified for the final of the Coupe de France, the Elan saw an almost perfect season on the sporting level whereas a year ago almost to the day, when Eric Bartecheky returned to Béarn, he was vegetating at the 17e place with a series of eleven defeats and the profile of the perfect relegator.
E.B. “It’s true that a year ago the club was in a position that could lead us to expect the worst. We have made the necessary efforts to ensure maintenance. This season, we are in an interesting position. We go from one opposite to the other, that’s good. It is sure that the situation is positive today, it is not every year that we go to the final. We will do everything in time to win it. In the championship we are in the fight to position ourselves as best as possible in the Top 8, but everyone is neck and neck, it can go very quickly in both directions, nothing is certain”.
►LE MANS, ABSOLUTE DISTRUST
Although deprived of Kazami-Keane (hamstrings) and captain Terry Tarpey (pubalgia), the MSB remains an athletic and intelligent group that is difficult to handle.
E.B : “They are 14 wins, with a lot of talented and physical players. We know that we have to be flat out the whole match to be able to shake them up. They played 8 against Roanne with the young Mienandi on the wing and who was good. With, Narace, Odom, Gauzin and Lemar, there is plenty to strum behind despite the absentees. »
►WIN BY BEING CLUMSY FROM FAR
Sunday against Gravelines, the Elan managed to win by posting a little engaging 8 out of 35 from 3 points. Fifteen days earlier, he had defeated Le Portel by shooting 8 out of 29 from afar. Proof that the team is less dependent on its 3-point skill to win?
E.B. “It’s true that against Gravelines we win without being skilful. But we showed phases where we defended a little stronger, higher. We also found Vitalis better indoors. Now, without disrespecting Gravelines, we have to see how we are going to calibrate against teams, like Le Mans, tougher in defense, which put more physical impact, which will challenge us. This is what will really allow us to see where we are. »
►CHIKOKO IN UPWARD FORM
It is not yet the archi-dominant Chikoko of previous years but the pivot has shown for a month that his personal rise corresponds to the collective well-being of his team.
E.B. “For a while, we were looking for more alternation to better find it inside. But he was not yet very fit and in top form and we, in our game, were struggling to feed him. There, it’s a good thing to be able to rely on him again. He is still the pivot in the League who is able to be very effective with the low post ball. »
