Schalke absolutely hammering Cologne in the 2nd half... that was wonderful football, but I still wonder if it was Schalke's strength or Cologne's weakness. I'm leaning towards the latter, but it was definetly something inbetween... and I'm left wondering why we didn't even see flashes of this in the Stuttgart match. weird. Well, I guess i'm just gonna enjoy seeing great football, which I thought Schalke could only play in the Champions League. Nice!
Dortmund really not as strong as we've come to expect from them, but then again, it was against their "frequent foe" Hoffenheim, which seem to have their number. Black and yellow is still the first favourite for the title... Especially considering how Bayern plays. Really uninspired once more, and lucky not to go down when Helmes scored. Benaglio also really should have stopped that Gustavo shot.
I'm pretty shocked about Hamburg's play. I mean yeah, they're in a complete makeover of their team, and Hertha marched through the 2. Bundesliga last season, but you shouldn't be dominated by a promoted side in your own stadium. Next to Cologne, Hamburg has made the worst impression on me so far.
Hamburg will continue to look weak like that as long as Oenning is in charge, that guy is completely clueless.
He has no system whatsoever, though he's pretty good at finding excuses. A rebuild doesn't mean you make a good roster look like #*"%. Things don't have to run perfect right from the get go, but the very least you should see are the basics and a hint at where things are supposed to be going. Right now it's headless chicken time.
They simply don't play as a team, there is no support. The strikers don't move enough but don't get any passes either. The wingers are left alone and have to take on 2-3 players all the time, which makes them look bad. Midfield is way too far away from the opponents, unable to stop attacks, no help for the defense at all.
On a positive note, only two games until we meet an opponent who looks as bad as Hamburg
It's funny how often players hit the post or bar yesterday. League-wide there were a few minutes where it looked like every chances ended that way
1-1 with Augsburg, feel pretty hard done by, apart from the goal and a couple of half chances we dominated that match, should be walking away with 3 points. We must of had at least 3 shots cleared off the line as well.
Can't believe ref blew for full time just as we're about to take a corner either
Travelling to Cologne next week, big game for us, really need to get a win under our belts considering we have Bayern the week after.
Koln are pretty awful. Welcome to pretty much every season. It will get better, but they're struggling right now. Their defense is a shambles. They have enough talent to stay up, but if they don't get some early points, they're going to struggle all season.
Stuttgart with a draw is a bit disappointing, but I'll take the point.
Dortmund's loss was a bit of a shock for me. I agree that they're still the favorite, but maybe this season is a bit more wide open.
Gladbach are certainly starting the season well. I guess from my perspective that means that the likelihood of Wendt gaining a first-team position for them is low.
Right now yes. Daems is the captian in Gladbach and a team leader. He is playing well right now, so there is no need for Favre to change anything. So unless Daems gets injured or gets a red card, Wendt will not play very much in the next weeks.
I'm not at all suprised by Gladbach's success. Their offense has always been great and they fixed their defense and defensive midfield and got themselves a great coach after the winter break. Plus Reus is incredible.
Kjaer is still a trainwreck. If Roma really wants to play Mio10€ for him, Wolfsburg should definitly do it!
Hamburg are just sad. They should have even lost against Berlin.
Maybe Arnesen overrated the EPL talents??
Köln are trying but they are all that talented. Doesn't help that Podolski is out with a fever.
It's going to be interesting to see if Hannover will rest a few players tomorrow?
I'd sit Rausch and play Pander.
Well 1-1 drew with Koln, really mixed about it, we played really well for 40 minutes then after that it was all Koln, they probably should of scored at least another goal so in the end a point is lucky and we are out of the drop zone for the moment.
Next 5 games are going to be pretty tough as well, really need to get a result at Gladbach, but they look great this season so it's going to be tough. Not looking forward to next week as if we play like we did in the second half we're going to get beaten into double figures
München (H)
Mönchengladbach (A)
Mainz (H)
Wolfsburg (A)
Stuttgart (H)
Well 1-1 drew with Koln, really mixed about it, we played really well for 40 minutes then after that it was all Koln, they probably should of scored at least another goal so in the end a point is lucky and we are out of the drop zone for the moment.
I had bought a ticket for the game a while back, but ultimately couldn't go as we visited a friend who celebrated his birthday. I ended up getting just half of the value of the ticket back, thanks to Köln starting the season that terribly and many fans giving up on everything already...
I had bought a ticket for the game a while back, but ultimately couldn't go as we visited a friend who celebrated his birthday. I ended up getting just half of the value of the ticket back, thanks to Köln starting the season that terribly and many fans giving up on everything already...
You should be use to bad starts to the season by now...
I'm surprised by Koln's start to the season, though they would of been doing a bit better, specially if they play like they did yesterday, probably should of had a few more goals if it wasn't for Trapp.
You should be use to bad starts to the season by now...
I'm surprised by Koln's start to the season, though they would of been doing a bit better, specially if they play like they did yesterday, probably should of had a few more goals if it wasn't for Trapp.
Haven't seen highlights as of now, but that's what I heard so far. Good for him, I had slight doubts after the semi-softy he gave up in Bremen, but he answered perfectly.
Not to sure what to expect from Köln myself. The euphoria for the new season seemed to disappear very quickly after the mess around captaincy there. Could see them having a rough year, even by their standards.
Haven't seen highlights as of now, but that's what I heard so far. Good for him, I had slight doubts after the semi-softy he gave up in Bremen, but he answered perfectly.
Not to sure what to expect from Köln myself. The euphoria for the new season seemed to disappear very quickly after the mess around captaincy there. Could see them having a rough year, even by their standards.
Yeah I'm glad he's finding some form, he's really been on a high since he got the job,
unlucky for Sippel that he only lost his spot due to illness, though he's starting to go off the rails lately, something like a 60k euro fine a few weeks back for causing a crash and fleeing the scene
What happened with Luka? I was surprised to see him striped of the captaincy, apparently there is some bad blood between Luka and the manager?
Yeah I'm glad he's finding some form, he's really been on a high since he got the job,
unlucky for Sippel that he only lost his spot due to illness, though he's starting to go off the rails lately, something like a 60k euro fine a few weeks back for causing a crash and fleeing the scene
Didn't help where he fled to...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mightyquack
What happened with Luka? I was surprised to see him striped of the captaincy, apparently there is some bad blood between Luka and the manager?
Difficult to say. I don't think it's really so much bad blood, as it is a manager trying to do what he thinks works best. In my opinion, Poldi isn't really captaincy material, to be honest. Of all the qualities a textbook captain should have, I only see him identifying with his club. Other than that, I don't think he's a guy that would be a leader in the locker room. Last season he seemed to work more consistently on the pitch, but he's still turning into a passenger to often as well. But it was definitely a tough call, as it's the type of decision that can easily blow up in your face combined with a less than successful start.
I just read the game was actually sold out. So, maybe my buddy was kidding me when he texted me he got 15 euros for the (29 euro) ticket. Or he really sucks at negotiating...
Difficult to say. I don't think it's really so much bad blood, as it is a manager trying to do what he thinks works best. In my opinion, Poldi isn't really captaincy material, to be honest. Of all the qualities a textbook captain should have, I only see him identifying with his club. Other than that, I don't think he's a guy that would be a leader in the locker room. Last season he seemed to work more consistently on the pitch, but he's still turning into a passenger to often as well. But it was definitely a tough call, as it's the type of decision that can easily blow up in your face combined with a less than successful start.
I just read the game was actually sold out. So, maybe my buddy was kidding me when he texted me he got 15 euros for the (29 euro) ticket. Or he really sucks at negotiating...
I'm sure he had a happy ending though..
Yeah fair enough, I agree with you, Luka never really seemed a captain type player, but as you said he really only identifies with the club. I just think that it perhaps could of been handled a bit better. Perhaps he should of waited till he was in the job as manager a bit longer before making a big call like that, because as you said it can so easily backfire on you.
Maybe he comes from the School of Jake Harper negotiation
Mainz throw away a 2 goal lead at home against Schalke, Fuchs got the 4th as well. Not a bad way to end a Sunday
I can finally relate to what werder bremen fans had to go through in the past years. Us schalke fans were always secretly jealous of bremen because they played so excitingly and scored so many goals... but now that we do virtually the same, I gotta say the ole' times weren't all that bad... Knowing you will at least draw when you score the opener is quite nice.
Let's hope schalke comes up with a 2nd half performance on thursday.
I love seeing Hamburg doing this badly. Words cannot describe how much I hate them.
How come? Not that I like them - feel pretty neutral about them - but the fact that someone from Scotland would hate that club with a passion seems to suggest some kind of interesting background...
How come? Not that I like them - feel pretty neutral about them - but the fact that someone from Scotland would hate that club with a passion seems to suggest some kind of interesting background...
Each of the Old Firm sides have supporter friendships with the two big clubs from Hamburg, Celtic and St. Pauli are linked to the point that St. Pauli merchandise has been sold in the official Celtic club shop while HSV and Rangers fans have had a supporter friendship since the 70's.
I'm just going to guess that ScottishCanuck is a Celtic fan.
How come? Not that I like them - feel pretty neutral about them - but the fact that someone from Scotland would hate that club with a passion seems to suggest some kind of interesting background...
It's the Rangers connection. Plus their fans caused a bit of trouble when they were over in Glasgow a couple of years ago. Also in the away game, when they did this. Which I have no idea how they got away with. Clearly trying to get some sort of reaction from our support.
Not that all Hamburg fans are bad. I'd love to visit Hamburg too, it looks awesome. They also play good football (or they did anyway), but I just really don't like them.
In terms of the Bundesliga I'd support Dortmund. I've got a soft spot for Bayern too.
Each of the Old Firm sides have supporter friendships with the two big clubs from Hamburg, Celtic and St. Pauli are linked to the point that St. Pauli merchandise has been sold in the official Celtic club shop while HSV and Rangers fans have had a supporter friendship since the 70's.
I'm just going to guess that ScottishCanuck is a Celtic fan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottishCanuck
It's the Rangers connection. Plus their fans caused a bit of trouble when they were over in Glasgow a couple of years ago. Also in the away game, when they did this. Which I have no idea how they got away with. Clearly trying to get some sort of reaction from our support.
Not that all Hamburg fans are bad. I'd love to visit Hamburg too, it looks awesome. They also play good football (or they did anyway), but I just really don't like them.
In terms of the Bundesliga I'd support Dortmund. I've got a soft spot for Bayern too.
Ah, thanks for clearing that up, it is quite understandable now.
Always good to hear about soft spots for Bayern, too.
Well Peter Gagelmann didn't do himself any favours in that match, both penalties were debatable, but the second one was disgusting play by Mueller, not even close to being tripped and flops to the floor.
Ah well, didn't expect us to get a result but 3-0 really flattered Bayern, Trapp played an excellent game. Just annoying that questionable decisions helped Bayern on their way.
