BVB v. Hertha BSC Berlin [R]

[footyfan1]

Listening to the final moments of the match right now. It's "too exciting". BVB should be up 4-1 right now, yet we are clinging to a 2-1 lead.

Final whistle just went and we held on for a 2-1 win.

From what I heard, we blew at least three goal chances the announcers thought should have been sure goals.

Same old story........

We are now in ninth place with 38 points. The last potential European place is eighth, right now being held by Hannover 96 who also have 38 points, but have a better goal difference total than we do.

They are a +1, we are a -3.

We have to beat them on points......

[jonam]

We are now in ninth place with 38 points. The last potential European place is eighth, right now being held by Hannover 96 who also have 38 points, but have a better goal difference total than we do.

They are a +1, we are a -3.

We have to beat them on points......


Out of the teams on spots 8 to 12 (35-38 points) only we and Bielefeld have four home matches and only three away. We even have a slightly easier schedule (together with Bielefeld) compared to Hanover, Kaiserslautern and Wolfsburg. Plus we are on the rise while most of the other teams around us are on a downslide. So.....I bet we make spot 8 at the end of the season and reach the UI Cup. Regarding the current state of BVB and all the turmoil this season that would be an acceptable or even nice finish.

[footyfan1]

Out of the teams on spots 8 to 12 (35-38 points) only we and Bielefeld have four home matches and only three away. We even have a slightly easier schedule (together with Bielefeld) compared to Hanover, Kaiserslautern and Wolfsburg. Plus we are on the rise while most of the other teams around us are on a downslide. So.....I bet we make spot 8 at the end of the season and reach the UI Cup. Regarding the current state of BVB and all the turmoil this season that would be an acceptable or even nice finish.


Yes! Very acceptable! BTW, where the hell have you been?! Get back to the list! LOL!!!

[david29]

Considering I've spent most of the season holding grave fears for our very existence as a football club, let alone what looked likely to be a season long battle with relegation, then I think anywhere beyond eigth position is an excellent achievement. Not that we didn't have the players to achieve such a result to begin with, mind you, but now is hardly the time to be dwelling in the past, either on or off the field.

By the way, while I was pleased to hear of Ewerthon getting the first goal, I've heard several reports of wasted chances when we were 2-0 up. Would I be right in thinking his profligacy in front of goal is still a problem? Regardless, an excellent result, no reason to think something similar isn't possible in Leverkusen next weekend.

[footyfan1]

Considering I've spent most of the season holding grave fears for our very existence as a football club, let alone what looked likely to be a season long battle with relegation, then I think anywhere beyond eigth position is an excellent achievement. Not that we didn't have the players to achieve such a result to begin with, mind you, but now is hardly the time to be dwelling in the past, either on or off the field.

By the way, while I was pleased to hear of Ewerthon getting the first goal, I've heard several reports of wasted chances when we were 2-0 up. Would I be right in thinking his profligacy in front of goal is still a problem? Regardless, an excellent result, no reason to think something similar isn't possible in Leverkusen next weekend.


I wouldn't get too optimistic about our chances in Leverkusen. Even in the good Sammer years, we always got our asses kicked in Leverkusen. Honestly, I can't see where it's going to be any different this time. I HOPE it is, but I don't see how.

It's not like Bayer are going to miss that punk bi#ch Landon Donovan.

And yes, Ewerthon still craps his pants in front of goal too much. By all accounts, he should have had a hat-trick yesterday and BVB should have scored four or five goals.

However, this has been a BIG BVB problem since 2001-2002. We don't have a pure finisher and WAY OVERPAID for the last one we had. (Amoroso)

[david29]

Funny, I was all set to make some comment about overturning the poor results of the past, blah blah blah. Then remembered that our unbeaten runs visiting Hamburg and hosting Hertha have both been duly upheld in recent weeks, so you're probably right.

With regards to Ewerthon, I guess what I'm trying to discern is whether he'd be worth keeping if a suitable offer came in during the summer. With the form of Smolarek and the measured return of Gambino, just how expendable is he?

[footyfan1]

Funny, I was all set to make some comment about overturning the poor results of the past, blah blah blah. Then remembered that our unbeaten runs visiting Hamburg and hosting Hertha have both been duly upheld in recent weeks, so you're probably right.

With regards to Ewerthon, I guess what I'm trying to discern is whether he'd be worth keeping if a suitable offer came in during the summer. With the form of Smolarek and the measured return of Gambino, just how expendable is he?


Ewerthon basically hasn't earned his salary this season and right before the winter break and just after the start of the season let it be known he isn't happy in Dortmund. I think he and Rosicky both got "jolted" back to life when the team began to succeed without them. It isn't Ewerthon's performance that has the club putting him on the trading block, it's his attitude.

His talent cannot be questioned. However, he needs to learn coolness in front of the net. With the chances he blew last season, Ewerthon should have had 30 goals. This season has been no different.

If Ewerthon is sold, look for the team to bring in a new striker or maybe even two. BvM has made it known he wants another "big" striker to backup Koller, so I think BVB management will try to get one of Mainz' young "big" strikers. Those being Benjamin Auer (Available on a free transfer after the season) and/or former BVB striker and USA International Conor Casey (Contract until 2006, but can probably be had for between 300 and 500,000 Euros).

Or the team could try BVB amateur player Marcus Steegmann. My opinion is that Steegmann isn't ready for such a step yet. If BvM thought he was, I think we would have seen Steegmann against Hertha and during the other matches Koller missed. However, I do think Steegmann has a future with the club. I believe he just needs another season or two with the amateurs or to be loaned to a 2. Liga club.

The team has Odonkor, Gambino and Senesie to try at Ewerthon's position if he is sold.

Despite the club's rhetoric so far, I think this is Rosicky's last season with us. I expect him to be sold to Liverpool or Real Madrid during the off-season. Expect us to take that money to buy Smolarek. If that happens, I think Gambino's future at BVB will be at the attacking midfield/striker position Smolarek currently occupies with Smolarek moving into Rosicky's central midfield position.

[jonam]

BTW, where the hell have you been?! Get back to the list! LOL!!!


Yeah sorry, haven't been very active on the internet for a while. Have to concentrate on my studies at the moment.

[footyfan1]

Yeah sorry, haven't been very active on the internet for a while. Have to concentrate on my studies at the moment.


Manoj, if you can, let the guys on the list know you are OK. I'll tell them I "saw" you here again, but Michael asked about you last week.