Official club press release:
After several years' absence, Rhino FC has found a new benefactor and is starting afresh. Five years on, it's a real return to our roots. Here's the interview with the new horned Pablo Longoria:
Q/ We remember a club that played in the VF Masters and reached D1!
A/ Yes, with a strategy that paid off: to win you have to score, a very attacking style even against the big teams, one goal plus the bus, that was our mantra. We beat some of the predictions and that was great.
Q/ So why did you stop using VF?
A/ Managing a match in a delivery room. You have to admit that it took the little one 21 hours to come out! Let's just say it made you think about your sense of priorities. And let's just say the wife didn't like it too much!
Q/ What convinced you to come back?
R/ The email confirming the definitive deletion of my account. That's quite a paradox, isn't it?
Q/ What changed the most?
A/ The little numbers during the match, and maybe the training centre. I haven't had time to go round it yet. No, really, it's mainly the smoothing out of the players' NGs. It used to be 20 or 90, but now I'm going to have to nibble on every position and that's great!
Q/ What hasn't changed?
R/ The people stuck in the 'mdm' loop. Lamentations about players' values. I feel like I just left yesterday!
Q/ What are your objectives for this season?
A/ In the league, third place would be very ambitious. Our priority will be the beginners' cup once we're registered. A last four finish would be a great achievement.
Q/ Are you interested in a partnership?
R/ No! The rhino is a lone wolf (a strange bird!) What a strange idea to play as a team in a team sport!

We'll see you at mid-season for a tune-up! Which we hope won't be half and half.

Here we are, halfway through the season! Even a little late! It's time for an update.

Has VF changed?
Yes and no.

Nice answer from Normand!
No, it hasn't changed: the curves, the progression, the gameplay, the xg, it's all the same. I still haven't fully understood the affinity mechanism (even though it was originally one of my ideas......). The tactic still consists of trying to create chances in the hope that, out of the four loops in the bag, you'll hit the blue ball and not one of the three green ones!
Yes, that has changed because the NGs are more spread out. The days of all the NG max teams seem to be over. And the transfer market is complicated! You really have to keep your eyes peeled if you want to grab something here and there. Above all, the move to 5 changes brings new perspectives, but that's for all football.

Wow, that was boring to read! So, what about the results?
We're 2nd in the league. We've only taken one carrot, but we'd still be second: we lost to the leaders. It's safe to say that nothing's decided yet. We're aiming for first place, which was very ambitious. You can go and read my championship interviews. You'll laugh your head off!

And you're in an agreement?
Well yes, only stupid people don't change their minds! As the beginners' cup isn't taking place this season, I thought a good way of progressing was to play inter-ententes.

Any final words?
See you at the start of next season for another review! See you later, VFiens.

How would you sum up the first full season?

Well, we've had a great run in the league, finishing second just 1 point behind the leaders, who snatched our place on the final day. As some people would say (it's the Languedoc championship): corrrrrrroupcìon!
That said, in Division 2 we'd have had a crack at the title, but I feel like I've missed out on a great opportunity.
As for the cups, the beginner didn't happen, I was counting on it to make a few million, too bad.
As for the team, it's hard with 3 million in the bank to have anything other than a typical eleven with one or two variants and no asthmatic players, no grandpas or loans, so we're stuck with an NG of around 70 with no style of play of our own.
One regret is the league cup, which is only played with 32 players in our team, so no official cup again this season.

What are your objectives this season?
At team level, to keep the age below 29, which means essentially changing the midfield, if possible before the start of the championship so that the affinity is at its best.
At club level, we've launched cdf 4, but we won't have the chance to move up to level 5 straight away, so we're going to be scouting for players in small villages! We'll probably also be adding a few grandstand seats.
As far as the league is concerned, we'll be aiming for promotion. We've still got some good challengers, but we believe in it. Let's be realistic, though: 2nd place would be great. And one or two cups too, and maybe some IE because we've got the 25-goal official sponsor!

The final word:
As it's almost carrot season, I wish you all a great season!