Stade Reims vs Metz preview - Cartier urges Metz to take a beat

Metz boss Albert Cartier has urged his side to relax despite their relegation struggles.

Les Grenats, promoted last season, are bottom of Ligue 1 ahead of their trip to Reims on Sunday following last week's defeat to Guingamp.

Metz are seven points from the safety line after just five victories this season and have failed to win since the start of November.

After their trip to the Stade Auguste Delaune they face a crucial relegation showdown with fellow strugglers Evian next week, and Cartier is eager to take the fear away from his side.

"We have 13 matches to go, are we scared of being last? We are already last," he told the club's official site.

"On the contrary, the players should feel free and enjoy playing. It's in the most extreme of circumstances you find extreme resources to survive.

"It's up to us to find those resources."

Their last win in the league came with a 3-2 victory over Caen on November 1 and they have lost 10 of their last 12 matches in Ligue 1.

It is why Cartier understands why the struggling side's fans are unhappy but believes it shows their love and passion for the club.

Reims snatched an impressive point at second-placed Marseille last week as David N'Gog's 90th-minute goal earned a 2-2 draw at the Stade Velodrome.

It extended their winless run to six games though and Jean-Luc Vasseur's side are 14th, nine points clear of their visitors.