Francis Laurent: Not quite the level he was aiming for in the summer
You've got to give it to the former Shrimper winger Francis Laurent, he travelled the country to prove his worth after walking out on the Shrimpers in the summer.
He thought he was better than League Two and with a gallic shrug and a one fingered salute to Uncle Ron he left Roots Hall to find his fortune with....... Coventry, Sheffield United, a reserve game behind closed doors with Cardiff and a frigging hat-trick, but none of them followed up.
So with the Championship fading fast, it was on to League One Colchester United and a trial in their reserve side and an attempt to impress head Farmer John Ward.
Sadly for the Frenchman they lost 3-0, though the Col. U. official site said Francis; 'played a clever through ball behind the Stevenage back line', hurrah!
The answer from Ward; 'non'.
So he went back to his native country and signed for AFC Compiegne and that seemed it, until in comes Northampton boss Ian Sampson and before you can say sacré bleu he's at the Sixfield Stadium until the end of the season and back in the bottom tier of league football where he was back in June, though he may get paid this time.
And as long as he gets international clearance the Thierry Henry of League One, we'll always have that Leeds game, will join the Cobblers squad next week.
Samson told www.ntfc.co.uk: "I am pleased to bring Francis to the club. He is an attacking player who can play in a number of positions, and he is someone who has the pace and the ability to beat players. I have been looking to give us more natural pace and Francis is quick. We have had to move fast to beat other clubs to sign him. He is highly rated and was close to earning himself a deal at a couple of Championship clubs earlier in the season. He is different to what we have here and I think he will be a player the fans take to."
He sure is Ian, but we've got Louie Soares.
Good luck Francis, and maybe we can say bonjour on Saturday, February 26th, when the Cobblers visit Roots Hall. Videos for francis laurent