June 13, 2023...Analysis - Anchorman: The Legend of Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare (from York United FC website)
ANALYSIS - ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF JÉRÉMY GAGNON-LAPARÉ
The midfielder set the tempo against Atletico Ottawa and provided composure in the middle of the park.
THE DETAILS
EFFERVESCENT DISPLAY FROM ‘ANCHORMAN’ JÉRÉMY GAGNON-LAPARÉ
Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé has regained full fitness and was handed his third start of the season and the new recruit put in
an eye-catching performance. This time he had to partner versatile Paris Gee and the duo helped stabilize the midfield.
He created [three] the most chances, completed the most passes [78 out of 80] and had 100 touches of the ball.
"Yeah, a big performance overall. I think everyone was together in the effort and energy and it took a lot. It took a lot
to get back from that first goal. But we managed it and I'm very proud of everyone tonight," an elated 28-year-old said
in his post-match interview with OneSoccer.
The three-cap Canada international believes his best football is yet to come.
"I think it's gonna take a bit more time still to get into a flow or a real rhythm and really get on the same page
as everyone else," he added.
"I've been injured a lot for the start of the season so far, but it's very nice to be back with the team especially with
a result like that. It means a lot."
FINALLY, A NO.9 GETS ON THE SCORESHEET
A striker without goals is like a star without shine.
After a remarkable debut season where he emerged as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals – just one behind the league’s goal-king
Alejandro Diaz - Osaze De Rosario was tipped as the heir-apparent but it’s been a tough start to his 2023 campaign.
But Martin Nash kept on believing in him and it's paid off. His decisive header on a corner-kick sealed the points for
The Nine Stripes which will boost his confidence. Now that the floodgates are opened, more can be expected from the centre-forward.
PARIS GEE WEARS THE CROWN AS MR. VERSATILITY
With bodies unavailable, Nash had to continue with his game of chess and shift players around. He called on Mr Gee, this time,
to partner Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé in central midfield. He was never dispossessed of the ball, gave 15 passes into the final third
and had 84% accurate passes. In the absence of Elijah Adekugbe, Brem Soumaoro, Matthew Baldisimo and Oussama Alou, Gee proved
a quality replacement.
TEMPORARY LEADERS
The win on Friday night took the Nine Stripes to the summit of the table - but only temporarily - after extending their
unbeaten streak to five matches. Despite having fewer total shots [6v14], Martin Nash’s side were ahead of their guests
in terms of shots on target. And for the first time in four matches, they had the bulk of ball possession [60%]. The good
thing about the win was that The Nine Stripes had to bounce back from a goal down too.
"I thought our start was decent. We had a bunch of possession; we're getting into some good areas but we didn't have
a cutting edge for most of the first half, to be fair and we just got caught short," Nash said in his post-match press conference.
"Zach [Verhoven] got inside and he had a cracker. It's one of those where it's probably a low percentage chance but he put
it in the top corner. A great goal but we didn't get down, we kept going, we kept fighting.
"A good ball by Johnny [Grant] that they weren't able to deal with to get the first one - we settled down going into halftime
and it changed a few things. Mostly, their chances came from our giveaways. We were a bit sloppy at times and there were
three times when players of ours put our hands up admitting bad play and they hit the post. At times we brought our luck
but we hung in there and we're able to find the winner."
Ridwan Ibrahim Asante
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