The promotion push that Clermont mustered last season was never replicated this term. Their greatest problem was always going to be how to replace the goals lost when striker Famara Diedhiou departed for Angers in the summer, and the truth of the matter is that they simply were not. Mamadou Thiam arrived on loan from Dijon and provided cutting edge only in bursts, while the addition of Ludovic Ajorque proved to be rather ineffective. Without the scoring capacity that they enjoyed last term, Clermont were simply a mediocre Ligue 2 side and even flirted with relegation up until the beginning of April. Corrine Diacre’s side did have enough defensive muscle in their play to never be in serious trouble, but their offensive shortcomings were regularly painfully obvious. These were not aided by the fact that they lost Thomas Guerbert, their marquee summer signing, due to a knee problem in the first half of the season that curtailed his campaign. Remy Dugimont was left to carry the can going forward and he provided good service on the flank. On the opposite wing, Wesley Jobello was just as erratic as the forwards and now faces a long spell out with a serious knee problem, while Joseph Lopy failed to live up to his early promise in the centre of the park. In the holding midfield position, Diacre never settled upon a regular option, with both Michel Espinosa and Eugene Ekobo left to fight for their place at the club this summer. There were few such worries in what was a settled backline led by Thomas Fontaine, although there was never any particular flair about the full-backs – something that might have aided their attackers had they possessed it. Goalkeeper Mehdi Jeannin had another season of promise, despite a long absence due to injury before Christmas, although in the latter weeks he was guilty of making errors. Clermont retain many of the raw ingredients to have a successful Ligue 2 side, but are short of a star attacking player and are a little lacking in qualities in other key areas. These must be addressed in the summer.
