After losing three key players in the summer, finishing in seventh place for the second year running and missing out on European qualification by only four points, you could have forgiven the RC Lens supporters for thinking their period of progress was ending and for being a little pessimistic ahead of this campaign.
The players who departed were their top scorer, Arnaud Kalimuendo, who returned to Paris Saint-Germain; right back Jonathan Clauss, who was sold to Marseille; and midfielder Cheick Doucouré, who moved to the Premier League to join Crystal Palace.
However, those losses have not had a negative impact and Les Sang have once again started the season strongly.
As you can see, Lens is undefeated after seven games, winning five and drawing two, and is currently in third place in Ligue 1.
This article will be a tactical analysis and a scout report of the tactics that Franck Haise has implemented so far this season and how they helped Lens challenge towards the top of the Ligue 1 table.
It will be an analysis that focuses on how the team applies their attacking and defensive tactics.
Franck Haise Formation and Preferred Style Of Play
This season has seen Franck Haise stick with his preference for the 3-4-3 formation.
The 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1 that Lens implements are similar, as the two formations can rotate simultaneously between each other throughout the same match.
The two free-roaming number 10s support the play out wide when Lens attack through the wide areas, making it look like a 3-4-3, but they can also position themselves centrally to support the play through the middle of the pitch, which makes the formation look like a 3-4-2-1
This system provides a good bala
