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Lens boss Francis Gillot hopes his players can maintain their good run in January, having ended the year with a 2-0 win over Le Mans yesterday.
Aruna Dindane (pictured) and Daniel Cousin netted the goals on an icy pitch, although Dindane was later sent off for a rash challenge on Laurent Bonnart.
"December has been a very satisfactory month," Gillot told reporters. "We've taken 11 points from a possible 15, but being second means little. The most important thing was to take three points.
"We have the possibility of finishing with 64 points if we do the same in the second half of the season. With that, we could be in the top four or five places.
"I hope the players make the most of their time off and come back with the same amount of desire."
In contrast, Le Mans go into the Christmas period in 11th place and Coach Frédéric Hantz was quick to point out the difference between the two sides.
"It was difficult to trouble Lens because they've got good individual players and a lot of confidence at the moment," he said.
"The problem is that we have players who are discovering new stadiums and a new ambiance every two weeks. We don't start matches well because they're still discovering things.
"Our record at the break is excellent given the club's potential, but the second half of the season will be difficult as we fight to stay up. We're playing three direct rivals in January: Metz, Ajaccio and Troyes.
"It would be nice if Father Christmas brought us a little something to solve the problems we have at the moment."
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