[guignol]

if you've been to gerland, you've heard the VN do this many times. but after nantes, it was in the dressing room they were chanting it! he's player of the week, and richly deserved.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/french...yerweek09.html

i read an english language report which said domenech would be very courageous (even a bit crazy) not to keep starting coupet even when barthez comes back. anyone else see that. any chance of getting the link?

[lefutur]

he's definately been spectacular for Lyon and the only reason they are undefeated in L1 so far. I agree that he's the man to replace Barthez and since he's played well for Les Bleus I see no reason to start Barthez instead.

[Pierre-Henri]

Agreed. If Domenech chooses Barthez over Coupet this time, it would certify him as a grade-A+ moron. If you ask me, Coupet is better than Barthez since a couple of years, and should have been in the net during WC2002 already.

Unfortunately, since WC1998, team France is ruled according to marketing rules, not soccer ones. It's Mr Adidas who chooses the players, not the coach.

[guignol]

he's got at least some of the press behind him:

Grégory Coupet (15 sélections), toujours plus haut, toujours plus fort. Sur un sondage réalisé par le site officiel de l'OL, l'actuel gardien des Bleus a été élu le meilleur joueur du club par les supporters en septembre, avec près de 35% des voix. Derrière, on retrouve Juninho (21%) et Carew (11%). A quand son poste de numéro 1 (et non intérimaire) en Equipe de France ? (Par L'Equipe de Maxifoot)

it's just a poll on the OL website, for OL fans, about OL players. but primo, maxifoot reported it, and secundo, made the comment i put in bold.

of course, maxifoot is no big deal, and a search of équipe's archives for coupet in EdF gives nothing since: http://www.equipe.fr/Football/20050322_175830Dev.html so you can guess where their allegiance lies.

[Pierre-Henri]

Yes : "prêt à suppléer" is almost offensive. As if Coupet was a second rate choice.

Probably Coupet should smoke too, say a lot of stupid things on tv, spit on refs, insult Israel, date a former top-model... and so on, and someone will decide he's worthy to represent France. But no. Coupet is just an outstanding goalkeeper, who does his job with a very professional attitude.

Pas vendeur, coco, pas vendeur.

[fishbiproduct]

Well, for a long time, I had my reservations
about *not* having Barthez in the "cage".
Because he had been very, very good to
us, that's just a fact.
However...Coupet has now gained my confidence,
he's just as "solid" and more motivated.
So...thank's for your services, Bart, but from
now on, Coupet will be the "reassuring" presence
on the field.

[guignol]

The first part is from SkySport, but the rest I translated myself from maxifoot, as SS's translation was pretty bogus.

Gregory Coupet is hoping to retain the French number one jersey when Fabien Barthez returns from suspension. The Lyon goalkeeper has come in as first choice after Barthez was banned for spitting at a referee in February.
The former Manchester United star is due to return on October 16 and Coupet is hoping he can stay first choice, even when Barthez does become available again.

“When Fabien comes back there will have to be a frank discussion between the coach, Fabien and myself. I’ve tasted the cake and I want my share. Before, there was no real competition for the goalkeeper spot. I dare say that since recently, it exists.

“But first of all, there are two matches against Switzerland and Cyprus. If I blow it, there’s no more debate.

“I have a lot of respect for Fabien. He’s the keeper that brought the World Cup to France. But the national team is winning, and they’re winning with Grégory Coupet in goal. My situation is not easy to live with, but I have to be honest: I’m a competitor, I’ve been dreaming about being N° 1 goalkeeper for France since I was six, and I’m still dreaming. It’s not a fault to be ambitious."

[guignol]

the worries aren't over for everybody loves raymond. he's got a big announcement to make soon, one that's going to bring bad blood no matter what.

and the timing of that decision may be very telling. if we don't get a statement in the next couple of weeks, it's possible that domenech's on the way out no matter what escalettes says.

[guignol]

FOOTBALL365 POLL
who should be goalkeeper for France ?
Barthez : 34,7%
Coupet : 65,3%

Total des votes : 7743

BUT
100 Ligue 1 players were asked to vote. Résult? 64% for Coupet et 36% for Barthez.

MAXIFOOT POLL
Coupet: 60%
mixed opinion: 10%
Barthez: 30%


FRANCE FOOTBALL
goes a bit deeper than a simple poll, the qualities of the two keepers are dissected: in the air, on the line, ballhandling, clearances both throwing and kicking, and psychology. to finally applaud them both; barthez is as good as any and coupet is perfect.
interviews of Ligue 1 keepers follow...
Cool (Auxerre): "a complicated comparison"
Isaksson (Rennes): "Coupet without hésitation"
Ramé (Bordeaux): "Fabien will be even hungrier"
Carnus (France '60's): "Fabien is still on top"
Lama (PSG & France): Grégory is the best in the world"

[guignol]

and FF has picked coupet in the list of 50 for the ballon d'or. http://www.equipe.fr/Football/20051024_103003Dev.html