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Francis Gillot Explains Decision To Bench Sochaux’s Charlie Davies

Les Lionceaux’s coach was worried about burning out his young charge so early in the season.

Aug 22, 2009 6:19:23 PM

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Ligue 1 : Charlie Davies (Sochaux)

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Charlie Davies

After a sensational two-goal cameo appearance from the bench last weekend, Sochaux coach Francis Gillot was forced to explain why forward Charlie Davies was not involved in the starting XI, noting that the player had endured a gruelling summer and that he would have been risking injury had he played the full 90 minutes.

With les Lionceaux trailing champions Girondins de Bordeaux 2-0 at half-time last week, Davies was thrown onto the pitch as a substitute and changed the complexion of the game, scoring twice as a spirited Sochaux pushed Laurent Blanc’s men all the way, ultimately losing 3-2.

Immediately the French press hailed the former Hammarby player as Sochaux’s new star, and Gillot was forced to answer questions as to why the 23-year-old had not started.

“He began his season in February [in Sweden] and was returning from a trip to Mexico, where he played on Wednesday [with the USA international squad],” the coach told Football365. “Taking into account the time difference and an adductor problem, we agreed with the medical staff he should not start. I didn’t want to burn him and slap him with a three month absence.”

It has been left ambiguous as to whether Davies will start on Saturday evening against newly-promoted Montpellier, who are unbeaten in their opening two fixtures of the season.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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