Montpellier vs Evian preview

Evian boss Pascal Dupraz is frustrated with his side's form after sinking down the Ligue 1 standings, but hit out at the critics of recent performances.

Les Roses travel to Montpellier on Saturday bidding to avoid a fourth straight defeat, which included the Coupe de la Ligue exit to Lorient on Tuesday night.

"I am upset to be 19th and to have been eliminated from the Coupe de la Ligue but I'm not panicking," Dupraz said on etgfc.com.

"We're still making individual mistakes but it's never the same player.

"We must find the strength that allowed us to win three times in a row. We have more of a chance of winning if we don't concede."

Evian had won the three straight games before their current streak and have been the target of whistling from their own fans in recent weeks.

Dupraz called for a united front in a bid to turn his side's fortunes around.

"I think it's counter-productive," Dupraz added.

"It's not going to bring anything to the players. We know very well that we will not champion of France, we need everyone.

"The players realise when they are not playing well."

Dupraz has criticised his players, too.

Right-back Youssouf Sabaly, who is on loan from Paris St-Germain, said: "It's never fun when the coach yells at you, but he's right. It will serve us for the next matches.

"We are in a bad time. We showed good things when won three in a row. There are times in football when you are not well."

Evian come up against their former striker Kevin Berigaud at Montpellier.

Berigaud is yet to score in Ligue 1 for his new club, who are also in the midst of a three-game losing streak.

Montpellier exited the Coupe de la Ligue with a home loss to Ajaccio in midweek.