Sunday in Nantes, Steven Fortes was not good. He was very good, according to his coach, who highlighted his performance on Tuesday in the middle of the three-way defense at La Beaujoire. Another good outing for the defender, who has not started the season in a starting role and has only started six times. But ” which has fulfilled its role rather well each time », Franck Haise insisted.
Before this trip to the Vélodrome, where the Lensois must fear the motivation of Marseillais shaken in all directions after their defeat against Nîmes (1-2), Fortes (28 years old, 1.92 m) appears as a safe bet for the blood group and gold.
A model, a fulcrum
For Franck Haise, who constantly reminds his troops that there are those who start and those who finish the job, Fortes is at least as important as a holder. He is a model, a point of support. More than a solution, a guarantee, reliability. A supporting role of first choice. ” I’m very glad you are talking about Steven, has also entrusted the coach. He has often been criticized. Wrongly. »
According to him, the Cape Verdean international, who has nearly 150 games in L2, but only 13 in L1, this season receives the reward of investment and unfailing commitment. ” It’s good for me and for the team to have players who are not necessarily starting, but who, when they play, are there. Well there.
“I feel good physically”
This complicated role of “super replacement” is not enough for Fortes, who, ” as a good competitor Says she wants more. But it is in any case a role that he fulfills wonderfully. And if he remains efficient despite the lack of competition, apart from a propensity to ” never let it down ”, According to him, it is thanks to the work.
« I feel good, because in training, there is a lot of intensity, very few moments when you cut. And that refers to what we do in a match. I was talking about it with Yannick Cahuzac: he told me that he was sometimes more tired after certain training sessions than in certain matches. It’s the same for me », He explains.
Of his six starts, Fortes has played twice on the left, where he is ” less comfortable »Because he is right-handed, twice on the right and twice in the center, as in Nantes. ” At the moment, I feel good physically and it is true that this match gives confidence “, He assures with the hope of continuing in Marseille.
Marseille, a special meeting
Marseille, for him, is a special event. ” It’s anchored in me, because I was born there and I lived there until I was 19 », He confides, now far from the supporter of his childhood, but always with an eye on the club.
And still also this feeling that one can expect everything in this closed-door Velodrome where Lens will face a team stung to the quick. ” The Marseillais will be keen to catch up. We move without any particular pressure. We just say to ourselves that we will have to do everything to make them thwart and go find something », He indicates. Serene as always. And ready, of course, if we need him.
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