Debuting in professional football, Pau needed some time to adapt to Ligue 2 and in the initial months of the campaign they could hardly repeat the wonders displayed during their promotion from the Championnat National. After all, they had lost coach Irles, the architect of their triumph, and a number of key players over the summer.
Didier Tholot, the new man in charge, had a good reputation in the lower tiers of the French football and in Switzerland but had all to prove in Ligue 2 and he was not given much credit.
Pau started their season very poorly, obtaining just 3 draws from the initial 7 weeks, and they already seemed doomed to play the role of relegation fodder. In the following 6 weeks, though, they showed glimpses of life pulling 3 wins and, thus, lifting themselves off the bottom of the table.
Then, between December and the end of January they had to face a deep crisis which brought them back to the bottom of the table, as they lost 7 out of 8 games, 6 of them in a row, drawing once.
The situation looked desperate but Pau did not lose heart. A host of new players arrived and they were immediately given starting status. Diarra, a holding midfielder, Itaitinga, a winger, and George, a highly-needed striker, brought new life and the goals needed by the team.
In fact, from week 22 to the end of the season, Pau would only lose 3 more times, while becoming deadly in their renovated home, where they started playing in late February. Away form was solid too.
Thus, they closed the season on the 15th spot, which is quite a miracle considering where they started from.
With 7 goals and 3 assists in barely 14 games, George undoubtedly was their saviour, while also Armand and Lobry improved their performances once the newcomers got going.
Pau confirmed that, with wise winter signings, miracles can be worked. However, next season will be tougher for them because they will no longer represent a surprise for their opponents.
