1. Montpellier to continue their charge

The southerners’ dramatic rise was my highlight of the first half of the season. No side scored more than René Girard’s (39) and no player hit the net more than Olivier Giroud (13). They have looked strong all over the pitch but Montpellier don’t possess a big squad and ran out of steam in December, picking up one point from their last three games. Playmaker Younes Belhanda (Morocco) and midfielder Jamel Saihi (Tunisia) will be missed during the Africa Cup of Nations, but I’m hoping Montpellier’s spirit will enable them to keep apace, and that they play a serious part in this season’s title race.

2. Corgnet earns France chance

If Montpellier are the surprise team then it’s fair to say Benjamin Corgnet is the surprise player. As recently as 2010, the midfielder was playing amateur football for MDA Chasseley. That was partly because he had not been scouted yet by a top club and partly because he wanted to qualify as an optician before devoting himself to football. His vision has been a weapon for Dijon: Corgnet starred in their promotion campaign and the 24-year-old has had no trouble adapting to life in Ligue 1. He is dynamic, creative and has a nose for goal. The last time an unknown enjoyed such an impact soon after emerging from amateur football, he excelled for France at a World Cup. So, Laurent Blanc, do you not think Corgnet could be another Franck Ribéry this summer?

3. Ancelotti takes down Christmas tree

I thought Christmas trees were supposed to be taken down before the 12^th night? New PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to set his Christmas tree up in the New Year and is showing no signs of chucking it in the Campdes Loges compost heap. In both games under Ancelotti so far, the Parisians have lined up in the 4-3-2-1 formation that gave the Italian so much joy during his time at AC Milan. But Carlo, this isn’t Serie A! PSG do not need to play with three defensive midfielders in Ligue 1. Operating this way means that only three of Kevin Gameiro, Guillaume Hoarau, Javier Pastore, Nenê, Jérémy Menez (and Pato, Kakà, Carlos Tevez and Didier Drogba, obviously) will get to play in any one game. If PSG are going to have so many fine attacking players on their books then we don’t want to be denied the chance of seeing them play.

4. Correa gets Evian fizzing

Pablo Correa is no Jose Mourinho when it comes to style. The feisty Uruguayan is short, rotund and folically challenged, and speaks French with such a strong Spanish accent he can be difficult to understand. But what Correa lacks in looks and linguistic skills, he more than makes up for in personality and coaching prowess. Nancy president Jacques Rousselot used to call him ‘the Guy Roux of Nancy’, yet the former Penarol striker ultimately fell 35 years shorts of Roux’s Auxerre record when he resigned at the end of his ninth season last summer. Nancy had gone stale, but that should not detract from the brilliant work he did at the Stade Marcel Picot. I’m delighted Correa has made a swift return to Ligue 1, replacing Bernard Casoni at Evian Thonon-Gaillard, and am looking forward to more explosive touchline rants from him in the coming months.

5. Cole gets some company

Back in September, I wrote a blog about Joe Cole in which I suggested that his switch to Lille might prompt more Englishmen to move to France. I admit, this hasn’t materialised. But it may still happen. While David Beckham decided at the last moment not to join PSG, former Blackburn Rovers assistant coach Paul Clement has agreed to join Ancelotti in the capital. According to reports, Monaco are considering a bid for West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green and Hearts winger Andrew Driver could be lured to Evian. So don’t worry too much Joe. Vous n’êtes pas seul. Reinforcements are coming.

6. OL and OM do France proud

In 2009/10,Bordeaux reached the quarter-finals and Lyon the semi-finals of the Champions League. It looked as though French sides were becoming more competitive again. But then last season proved disappointing with both Lyon and Marseille failing to make the last eight. I’m hoping OL and OM will do better this year and believe both are capable of winning their last 16 ties against APOEL and Inter respectively.

7. No more rugby-style kick-offs

This has been a pet hate of mine for some time. More and more Ligue 1 teams are smashing the ball in to touch, as close to the corner flag as possible, when they take the kick-off. I don’t know if they have received tips from the town’s famous rugby team, but Toulouse seem to be the worst culprits. For a commentator, there is nothing better than a punt in to touch at the start of the game to kill the excitement you have tried to build up. I understand why teams do it. There is a feeling that trading possession for territory, then pressing the opposition high up the pitch, can be advantageous. Yet the greatest French teams have always been founded on possession football. What must Jean-Claude Suaudeau think when he sees teams handing possession to the opponent like that? Pure sacrilege!! Albert Batteux would surely turn in his grave if he saw such waste. So please, Ligue 1 teams, let’s keep respecting the traditions of the French game. Keep the ball!!

8. The best players stay put in January

There have been some worrying reports in the press this week. Moussa Sow, Loïc Rémy, Aly Cissokho and Yoann Gourcuff have all been linked with moves away from Ligue 1. Selling key players in January is surely not going to help the likes of Lille, Marseille and Lyon as they try to keep apace with PSG. Let’s hope, for the sake of an exciting few months, that the top clubs all hold on to all of their top players in January.

9. The most exciting title race in years

Optimistic Rennes and Marseille fans may not agree, but the title race looks like a four-horse race right now. PSG are the currently and regarded as the favourites, but Montpellier, Lyon and Lille all have the potential to upset the odds. In recent seasons, we have seen two teams vying for top spot in the final weeks. It would be nice to see all four contenders fighting right until the end this time around.

10. Deschamps and Anigo exchange kisses

Ok, so this one isn’t very realistic. But come on Didier, come on José, it is time to let bygones be bygones. You both love Marseille. Marseille loves you both equally. You are reasonable people and, ultimately, you both want the same thing. Seeing José and DD enjoy a big end-of-season hug and a few pecks on the cheek would really make my year. 

>> MATCH REPORT: Valbuena inspires OM

>> League tables