Marseille: Aubameyang struggling as fans turn on him

Three goals since the start of the season, only one of them in the league: the numbers make poor reading. Low-key since joining Olympique de Marseille in the summer transfer window, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had another difficult game on Saturday against Lille, in Ligue 1 matchday 11. He was substituted in the 77th minute, to a chorus of jeers from the Stade Vélodrome crowd. It was a first for the Gabon international, who was personally targeted by supporters unhappy with his lack of efficiency and his failure to influence the team's play. "PEA", who has played for Dortmund, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barça, is expected to deliver, all the more so given he earns close to 700,000 euros a month.

Read more: OM: Gattuso's clear view on the competition between Aubameyang and Vitinha

It is a huge investment for OM and, inevitably, for the supporters, and the return does not add up, with just three goals and as many assists. The match against Lille proved the final straw for many fans, who have turned on the 34-year-old forward, short of inspiration in his decisions when he was not being outpaced by the Lille defence. It is always a hard situation for a player to handle, but he received the backing of his manager straight after the final whistle.

"People expect him to score a goal every game"

"He missed a few passes but I don't see a player in real difficulty. People expect a bit more because he's called Aubameyang. He makes mistakes like everyone else but he's paying a bit for his career and his name. People expect him to score a goal every game," Gennaro Gattuso said at his press conference. "Today we all made mistakes going forward and I don't see a player who is dead or couldn't care less. We're focusing a bit too much on him and I don't like it much. I'll go into battle to defend him, like all my players."

The manager's words should offer some comfort to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, particularly as his team-mates have also rallied round him, including captain Valentin Rongier. "For me, it's very harsh from the supporters. We know what football is like these days, people are very demanding. We're all together, the whistles are not for him, they're for the team. He has a lot of experience, and we're here for him anyway, and I hope it won't affect him," the midfielder said in the mixed zone.

Those are significant words of support as OM face a busy run in Ligue 1, with games against Lens, Strasbourg, Rennes and Lyon, not to mention the Europa League and three heavyweight ties against AEK Athens, Ajax and Brighton. These games will be decisive for how the Marseille club's season turns out, and they will certainly need their striker to come to life. It is a chance for the Panther to step up a gear and be decisive in front of goal, or risk incurring the Vélodrome's wrath once more.