Can Lorient's new recruits save Ligue 1 status? | OneFootball

We take a look at the impact of Lorient's winter signings on their new-found form, as Les Merlus lifted themselves off the bottom of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats table last weekend with a win against FC Metz (1-2).

The transfer window was a busy one, to say the least, for FC Lorient: five arrivals and five departures came and went through the door over the month of January at the Breton club. This is not to mention the retirement of the emblematic veteran defender Vincent Le Goff, all whilst the club were sat bottom of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats table. However, if Lorient’s result against FC Metz (1-2) this weekend was anything to go by, the new signings at manager Régis Le Bris’s disposal are making an instant impact.

Perhaps the biggest impact is coming from Mohamed Bamba, signed from Austrian 1st division side Wolfsberger. The Ivoirien forward scored on his Ligue 1 debut during the 3-3 draw against Le Havre, before netting against Metz in clinical fashion with his only chance of the game.

Another signing that got on the scoresheet against Metz was 22-year-old Greek wing-back Panis Katseris who was brought in from Italian Serie B side Catanzaro. Katseris had already scored in a defeat to Lyon earlier last month, but his rebound finish this time secured a vital three points for the Bretons.

Can Les Merlus deal with the loss of Romain Faivre?

Imran Louaza’s signing from English Championship side Watford FC is another interesting addition to the side. “Imran Louza has been a good signing,” said Amazon Prime Video’s Benjamin Nivet about the Moroccan midfielder. “He has technical quality, a good left foot, with Laurent Abergel it could be quite interesting to see.” Louaza assisted Bamba in the victory against Metz, following up on an assured performance against Le Havre.

“Panos Katseris played his part, and Mohamed Bamba and Aymen Kari made a good impression. They deserved to win against Le Havre. And I like Badredine Bouanani. But Romain Faivre has left, he was the club's top scorer (5 goals)..."

Indeed, Nivet was right to highlight the big loss of Faivre - who has been called to parent club Bournemouth in the Premier League. But with new signings making a positive showing and after two confidence-boosting performances, there may be a little more reason to be optimistic at Stade de la Moustoir heading into a vital game against Reims this weekend.