Fabrice Lefrançois asked his players to regain their « underdog » mentality

Friday April 11th late morning, Cholet players finish their training at La Meilleraie in a group complemented by Academy players. Several messages are displayed on the venue’s giant screen – kept secret – hammering home the team’s values. After three consecutive losses including two setbacks in the championship (91-68 at Le Mans, and 105-72 at Chalon) and a heartbreaking elimination in FIBA Europe Cup (88-90 against PAOK Thessaloniki), they needed to get their heads straight.

Coach Fabrice Lefrançois gave his players two days off after the last game, so they could spend time together and « get some fresh air. » Something they really needed after seven months of regular season where they played matches in all competitions. Especially as they approach the final sprint.

READ ALSO

« There’s no room for excuses… It’s unacceptable »: Fabrice Lefrançois after Cholet’s collapse

Apr 6, 2025

Tom Compayrot

« We’re having a great season »

Very harsh with his players during the last press conference in Chalon (« The performance wasn’t worthy of a basketball game, simply put… It’s unacceptable! »), the recently extended coach until 2028 wanted to go back to basics. Those that gave Cholet a season beyond expectations, which they better not let slip away at this end of season. Hence his instructions to players this week:

« I felt the guys were empty in Chalon, in terms of energy and passion. We needed to understand why… There’s a lot of mental aspect now: we need to reset our objectives by putting ourselves back in an underdog role, as we’ve been since the start of the season… Now I feel the guys are aligned again with these values. I felt this week that we’re moving forward again…

We’re having a great season. And I say ‘we’re having’ not ‘we had’. We should be happy about what we’ve done, be aware of it, be pleased with it, but we also need to tell ourselves we still have great things to do. »

Starting with this game at Nanterre this Saturday at 8:30 PM, an opportunity to bounce back in front of their fans. But beware of the Paris region club, in good form despite their mid-week loss in BCL. Currently 11th, they’re still in the race for the play-in and will give it their all.

On Cholet’s side, they’ll still have to do without Bastien Vautier (2.10 m, 26 years old). According to his coach, the Cholet leader is on schedule, even slightly ahead in his foot injury recovery. He hopes for a return 1 or 2 games before the end of regular season. He will undergo new examinations in 10-15 days. The search for a replacement player hasn’t progressed. « We might be the team most impacted by absences since the start of the season. Maybe the smallest roster in numbers in the Top 6 » Lefrançois regretted.

🎙️ Aaron’s words before the match against @Nanterre92!#CBNTR #CBFAMILY @Betclic_ELITE pic.twitter.com/YoopUMzLOM

— Cholet Basket (@CB_officiel) April 11, 2025