Lens began the season fearing the worst. Now they're beating the elite | Luke Entwistle

Lens, once considered a team in crisis mode after the departure of several key players, has found itself in a remarkable position at the top of Ligue 1. Manager Pierre Sage's tactics and player management have enabled the team to punch above its weight, much to the surprise of fans and pundits alike.

Since the start of the season, Lens has been one point behind leaders PSG, with 19 points from nine matches. The club's president, Joseph Oughourlian, had set out a "No 1 objective" before the season, which was not European qualification or a points target, but rather to "rediscover financial solidity." However, the team's impressive form has led many to wonder if Sage's tactics and player management are key to Lens's success.

The club's squad has undergone significant changes in the off-season, with several high-profile players departing. However, despite these losses, Lens has managed to attract some talented signings, including Florian Thauvin, who has enjoyed a late-career revival and has even earned himself a recall to the French international team. Malang Sarr, another summer signing, has rediscovered his confidence under Sage's guidance.

Sage's tactical acumen has been a key factor in Lens's success. He has managed to get the best out of players who were previously written off by other clubs, including Sarr and Odsonne Édouard, who have scored three goals already this season. The manager has also repurposed Adrien Thomasson, moving him deeper into midfield, where he has excelled.

Thomasson's form is a testament to Sage's ability to adapt and improve his team. The captain has been one of the top performers in the league, with five assists already this season. His success under Sage is a reminder that even teams on a shoestring budget can compete against the big boys.

Lens's unlikely rise up the Ligue 1 table has sent shockwaves through the football world. The team's modest spending and lack of expectation from fans and pundits have only added to the surprise of their success. However, as they continue to rack up points and climb the league table, it is clear that Sage's tactics and player management are key to Lens's success.

The club's president, Oughourlian, has been vocal in his criticism of the powers that be in French football, including the LFP and PSG's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. His players have responded by showing plenty of fight on the pitch, much to the delight of fans who had written them off as relegation candidates.

As Lens continues its unlikely push for European qualification, it remains to be seen if they can sustain their form over the course of the season. However, one thing is certain - Sage's tactics and player management have been a major factor in the team's success so far.

Lens is totally killing the game right now! I mean, who would've thought that a team with some pretty big losses would be sitting pretty at the top of Ligue 1? Pierre Sage's coaching skills are on point and he's really gotten the most out of his squad. They're playing some really smart football and it's paying off big time.

I love how the president is still keeping it real about the struggles they face, but it's awesome to see the team fighting back with some serious spirit . Thomasson's been a revelation on the pitch, and Sarr's comeback story is truly inspiring. It just goes to show that even when teams are written off, there's always hope for a resurgence.

It's also super cool to see the French football hierarchy getting called out by Oughourlian, it shows that they're not afraid to speak truth to power . Lens might be an unlikely team at the top of the league, but I'm here for their underdog story . Can't wait to see how this plays out over the rest of the season!

I'm telling ya, Pierre Sage is a genius ! The way he's turned Lens around from underdogs to title contenders is insane ! I mean, who'd have thought that signing players like Thauvin and Sarr would make all the difference? It's not just about them though, it's the whole team's cohesion and Sage's tactical masterplan . And let's be real, his ability to get the best out of players like Édouard and Thomasson is pure magic ! Lens are proof that even on a shoestring budget, you can punch above your weight if you've got the right manager at the helm . Can't wait to see what happens next in this wild ride

I'm loving how Lens has turned the script on everyone . I mean, who would've thought that this team with all these departures would still be in contention for European spots? It's like they're saying to PSG and others, "Hey, we may not have the biggest budget, but we've got brains and heart" .

But seriously, it raises questions about how much of a role money plays in the Ligue 1 table. Is Lens just getting lucky with some smart signings? Or is their manager really doing something special with his tactics and team management? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we may not have the biggest spend, but we've got the best manager" .

And let's be real, the whole thing also speaks to the system in place. If Lens can do it on a shoestring budget, what's stopping other teams from doing the same? Are we just perpetuating this myth that PSG and others are the only ones who matter?

im lovin this underdog story lens is totally killing it right now and i think sage is the real MVP his ability to get the best out of players who were written off by other clubs is pure genius sarr, thomasson, édouard - they're all proving themselves to be top notch players in their own right. meanwhile, PSG fans are getting salty that someone else is stealing the spotlight lets be real, lens's modest spending and lack of expectation has actually worked in their favor it's a great reminder that anything can happen in football if you've got the right tactics and player management

omg i'm loving lens's story they're defo proving everyone wrong with sage at the helm his tactical moves are pure genius! and it's amazing to see players like thauvin, sarr, and édouard find their confidence again under his guidance adrien Thomasson's form is insane btw - 5 assists already this season?! what's even more impressive is how sage has managed to get the best out of those players who were written off by other clubs. lens may not have broken the bank in the transfer market, but they're getting results and that's all that matters

I'm loving this story about Lens ! Who would've thought that a team with high-profile departures could still be flying high? It just goes to show that good management and a clear plan can take you a long way . I mean, Pierre Sage's tactics are spot on, and he's really helped to bring out the best in some of his players . The fact that they're punching above their weight is truly impressive, and it'll be interesting to see if they can sustain this form throughout the season . As a fan, there's nothing quite like seeing your team surprise everyone with their performances – it's pure magic !

OMG u guys lens is literally on fire i was soooo rooting for them last season but they had like 2nd to worst record lol now they're top of ligue 1 i mean who would've thought right? manager pierre sage is a genius btw he's really good at getting the best outta his players malang sarr and odsonne édouard were like total underdogs but now they're scoring goals left & right plus adrien Thomasson is like the ultimate comeback kid lol he was so bad last season now he's 5 assists deep anyway i'm def here for lens's unlikely success let's see how long this lasts

I'm loving this underdog story! Lens has gone from being written off as relegation candidates to sitting pretty at the top of Ligue 1. It just goes to show that with the right manager and player signings, even teams on a shoestring budget can punch above their weight . I mean, Sage's tactical acumen is pure genius - he's got players like Sarr and Édouard who were previously written off finding form under his guidance. It's a great reminder that sometimes you need to think outside the box (or in this case, the squad sheet) to get the best out of your team . And let's be real, Lens's fans have been through the wringer - from being relegated to relegation candidates, but now they're celebrating European qualification dreams! It's going to be a wild ride for them, and I'm here for it

I'm loving the underdog story of Lens this season ! Who would've thought that they'd be giving PSG a run for their money? Pierre Sage's tactical genius has definitely made a difference, and it's amazing to see him get the best out of players who were written off by other clubs. Thomasson's form is a great example of that - he's been on fire this season! The fact that they're doing it on a shoestring budget just adds to the excitement. Lens fans have every reason to be proud, and I'm intrigued to see how far they can push it... maybe even challenge for European spots?

I'm not buying all this hype around Lens yet... I mean, sure, they're having a great run, but let's be real, it's PSG that's supposed to be dominating Ligue 1 this season, not some team with a bunch of "underdogs". Sage might know what he's doing, but I think the players are getting lucky too. That Thauvin signing was a big one, and Sarr's form is impressive, but can they keep it up? And what about when the injuries come? PSG has depth, Lens doesn't... yet, at least.

I'm not buying into this "punching above its weight" narrative just yet. Lens has been fortunate with some clever signings like Florian Thauvin and Malang Sarr, but what about the players they lost? Did their squad really improve that much? I need to see more data on player performance and stats before I give Sage's tactics a full pass. Can someone provide me with some context on Lens' roster changes and how they've impacted the team?

Lens is living their best life right now . Who would've thought that a team with some big losses would end up at the top of Ligue 1? Pierre Sage's tactics are on point and he's really getting the most out of his players . I love how he's been able to bring out the confidence in guys like Sarr, Édouard, and even Thomasson .

It's also super refreshing to see a team that's not expected to do well just going out there and giving it their all . The fans are loving every minute of it and it's awesome to see the players responding with some great performances .

I'm curious to see how they'll hold up over the rest of the season, but for now, let's just enjoy this crazy ride . Lens is definitely proving that money isn't everything in football .

I don't usually comment but I gotta say... Lens is having an epic season ! Who would've thought that a team with all these changes would be top of Ligue 1? Their manager, Pierre Sage, is like a genius or something . He's brought out the best in players who everyone thought were done dealin'... Malang Sarr and Odsonne Édouard are killin' it on the pitch . And that Thomasson dude is on fire with all those assists! Their underdog story is so inspiring . Can't wait to see if they can keep this up and make a real push for Europe

Wow Lens is on fire! They've got some magic happening at this club and it's amazing to see them punch above their weight. Interesting how manager Pierre Sage has managed to get the best out of his players, especially with the signings they made in the off-season. Thomasson's form is insane!

I'm loving this! Lens is proving everyone wrong and I'm here for it . Their squad changes didn't seem too promising at first, but Pierre Sage has definitely found his magic . The way he's gotten the best out of players like Sarr and Édouard is pure genius . And let's not forget Thomasson, who's been a revelation in midfield . It just goes to show that you don't need a huge budget to compete with the big boys . I'm excited to see how far Lens can go this season - they're giving me all sorts of hope for underdog stories .

Lens thought they could just pick up any old players and still make it in Ligue 1 lol . I mean, sure, they've got some decent signings like Thauvin and Sarr, but they were basically rubbish before this season. And now, because of Sage's "magic", they're top of the league. The fact that PSG is leading by one point just shows how weak the competition is in France right now .

And let's not forget, Lens was already struggling to make ends meet financially before this season started. So, their new president Oughourlian's "goal" of "rediscovering financial solidity" sounds pretty realistic considering .

Sage's tactics are impressive, but it's not like he's some kind of genius or anything. He's just exploiting weaknesses in other teams and making the most of what he's got. And honestly, I'd be surprised if they can keep this up for more than a few weeks .

I'm actually kinda rooting for them to crash and burn now

I'm loving how surprised everyone is that Lens is doing so well . I mean, don't get me wrong, they've made some great signings like Thauvin and Sarr, but it's not like they're breaking any new ground with Sage's tactics. It's just clever squad management and adapting to players who were previously written off . And let's be real, PSG are not exactly the most stingy spenders in Ligue 1 . I'm just waiting for Lens to come crashing back down to earth before we all forget they're there .

I think this whole story is about being underestimated . Lens was written off as a team that couldn't compete against the big boys, but Pierre Sage has shown everyone what they're capable of with his clever tactics and player management . It's like life - we often get judged on our past mistakes or perceived shortcomings, but it's how we respond to those situations that really matters . Sage has taken a team that was seen as a risk and turned them into a powerhouse, proving that even the most unlikely teams can achieve great things with the right guidance and support .

I'm loving this comeback from Lens, but can we talk about how bloody frustrating it is to navigate their website and forums? I mean, have you tried searching for threads or articles on their site? It's like they want us to get lost in the depths of their platform . And don't even get me started on the comments section – it's like a time warp from the early 2000s .

Anyway, back to Lens. I think what's most impressive is how Sage has managed to extract performances from players who were written off by other clubs. Florian Thauvin and Malang Sarr are proving themselves to be top-notch signings, and their contributions are a big reason why Lens is where they are today .

But let's not forget about the squad dynamics – it's clear that Sage has done his homework and knows how to get the best out of his players. Thomasson's form is a great example of this, and it's awesome to see him thriving under Sage's guidance .

Still, I'd love to see more depth in the analysis on Lens' site. Sometimes their articles feel a bit superficial, and I wish they'd dive deeper into the tactics and strategies behind their success . Oh well, maybe that'll happen once they sort out their website and forums .