It's never too late to do it right.
At 37, Xavier Pinoteau has been Chambly's titular goalkeeper for eight games.
Lining Simon Pontdemé since 2016, the former Beauvais goalkeeper was able to bide his time to find the light.
A light he had already known in 2018 when Chambly reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France.
Xavier Pinoteau, substitute in the league, had played all Cup matches until this memorable meeting at Beaujoire in Nantes against Les Herbiers (2-0).
The current success does not surprise Vincent Bordot, the coach of Red Star (National) who played with him at Beauvais (National) during the 2003-2004 season and that he trained at Entente SSG (N2) during the 2010-2011 season.
“I knew he would have a long career because he has a healthy lifestyle, believes Bordot.
He's a hard worker with a big mind.
It is also less worn because it has been a liner for 4 or 5 years.
He had good matches and above all the team's results improved.
"
Since November 21, 2020 and a good draw against Toulouse (1-1), Xavier Pinoteau has never left the starting position.
During this period, Chambly straightened the bar by extricating itself from the red zone in particular.
The defeat last Tuesday against Le Havre (0-1) does not change the situation.
Author of a good match, Xavier Pinoteau will start again against Pau this Friday while Simon Pontdemé will not even be on the bench, being injured again.
"The Chambly coach must have his shovels"
“Xavier is a goalkeeper who was well above the rest, admits Jessy Rodrigues, the current goalkeeper of Saint-Brice (R1), who played with him at Beauvais (2013-2014).
I'm not surprised that he won in Ligue 2 because he has the level.
However, it is a surprise to me that he passed in front of Pontdemé.
I admit that I asked myself questions.
The Chambly coach must have his reasons.
"
For Eduardo Rodrigo, the midfielder of Beauvais (N2), who played in Chambly between 2011 and 2018, the surprise is also there.
“I did not see Simon lose his place one day in Chambly, he was so huge in his last seasons
(Editor's note Pontdemé was elected best National goalkeeper in 2017 and 2019)
.
It was he who was decisive for the maintenance of the club and then the rise in Ligue 2 the following season.
Now it also proves that when you hang on, you can do it.
Xavier has always been a great professional and a hard worker.
"
Adama Camara, the striker from Nogent-sur-Oise (R2), is full of praise for his former partner in Beauvais (2015-2016).
“Xavier, he's a great guy, I owe him a lot.
When I arrived in Beauvais, he was the one who did everything to make me feel good there.
Xavier's success makes me ecstatic.
He deserves it so much and it doesn't matter if it happens to him at 37.
"
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For Laurent Héloïse, the midfielder of Amiens AC (N3), the emergence of Pinoteau “proves that in football, anything can go very quickly.
"And to continue:" It's a surprise for many, I even think it's a surprise for Xavier, who had accepted his role of number 2 behind Simon.
Xavier is an experienced goalkeeper who can keep starting as long as the results are there.
It can even last until the end of the season… ”If so, that will mean that Chambly will stay in Ligue 2. This is the only obsession of the Picards…
