BVB-Wolfsburg [R]

[jonam]

Only 7-8 days to go. Seems that Dortmund will start like this:

Weidenfeller
Kringe, Metzelder, Wörns, Dede
Kehl
Rosicky, Sahin
Odonkor, Smolarek, Gambino/Buckley

Doesn't look too bad, though I am worried about our left wing.

[footyfan1]

Only 7-8 days to go. Seems that Dortmund will start like this:

Weidenfeller
Kringe, Metzelder, Wörns, Dede
Kehl
Rosicky, Sahin
Odonkor, Smolarek, Gambino/Buckley

Doesn't look too bad, though I am worried about our left wing.


I'd like that lineup. As long as that sorry ass Degen isn't playing.

[jonam]

I'd like that lineup. As long as that sorry ass Degen isn't playing.

At the moment I totally agree.

[david29]

Is anyone else more than a little concerned with our form during the Winter Break? We were rubbish during the games in Turkey and were thrashed against Gladbach the other day. I know these are hardly matches of life changing importance, but would it kill this group of players to win some games outside of Bundesliga fixtures?

Reminds me of all the Uefa qualifiers and German Cup matchups we've had over the last two years, when we failed to produce either decent football or the desired result. I just fear that yet again, we'll need three or four weeks to get back of the level of performance we know this team is capable of, by which time we might be half a dozen points or more away from that 5th Eufa Cup place. I think both Van Marwijk and the squad have done tremendously well under very difficult circumstances, don't get me wrong. Simply that with the month of February comprising of three beatable opponents and the derby, our season is going to largely be determined by what sort of start we make. I just hope I'm wrong.

[Hypo-Luxa]

I'm just worried about the current state of striker possibilities...

Ebi has been MASSIVE and nobody can take that away, but Odonkor andsGambino as striking partners for Ebi just won't cut it against the top 5-6 clubs in the league (and isn't Ebi more of an attacking midfielder by trade anyway?). And unless Odonkor and Gambino can develop a bit quicker with their technical ability in front of the net, I think reinforcements have to be brought in.

As for the form during the Winter Break--As long as it doesn't carry over into the season I don't care. I hate looking at Pre-season/winter break games because you'll find things that look encouraging and never transfer into the season, or bad things that don't carry over. The aggravation's just not worth it to me...

I do know one thing...I can't WAIT for the season to commence!!!

[Hypo-Luxa]

Oh yeah!! Just saw that this match will be televised at 11AM by Fox Soccer Channel!

Now I REALLY can't wait for Saturday!

Roll on Dortmund!

[HeyaBVB]

Odonkor is in fact very good (at least he was for the winter break)

Amoah is playing for Ghana at the African Championships
otherwise imho he would play

[Arlo]

gambino played well in turkey, i think gambino instead of buckley would be better

[Hypo-Luxa]

yeah Gambino and odonkor are good, but as far as out & out strikers who can deposit a good amount of goals consistently, they aren't there as of yet.

if the BVB staff want to get them to be the strikers of the future, I understand that, but as for right now, maybe a true veteran striker can be brought in to score the goals and help the young lads along instead of throwing them into the fire straight away. I'm not saying get rid of them, just get them some support so they can concentrate upon their winger roles as they are defined these days.

Again, Frei would be an amazing signing, but I doubt that BVB will want to pony up that amount of cash what with the financial issues already in place.

[jonam]

We already signed Amoah of Vitesse Arnheim. He should be a decent addition to our offense. Unfortunately at the moment he is in Egypt to play at the African championship with Ghana. He will be back in 2 or 3 weeks.

[footyfan1]

Is anyone else more than a little concerned with our form during the Winter Break? We were rubbish during the games in Turkey and were thrashed against Gladbach the other day. I know these are hardly matches of life changing importance, but would it kill this group of players to win some games outside of Bundesliga fixtures?

Reminds me of all the Uefa qualifiers and German Cup matchups we've had over the last two years, when we failed to produce either decent football or the desired result. I just fear that yet again, we'll need three or four weeks to get back of the level of performance we know this team is capable of, by which time we might be half a dozen points or more away from that 5th Eufa Cup place. I think both Van Marwijk and the squad have done tremendously well under very difficult circumstances, don't get me wrong. Simply that with the month of February comprising of three beatable opponents and the derby, our season is going to largely be determined by what sort of start we make. I just hope I'm wrong.


I agree with you. Especially as in recent memory, when we've not done well in our warm-ups to the second half of the season, we've had difficulties.

[footyfan1]

I'm just worried about the current state of striker possibilities...

Ebi has been MASSIVE and nobody can take that away, but Odonkor andsGambino as striking partners for Ebi just won't cut it against the top 5-6 clubs in the league (and isn't Ebi more of an attacking midfielder by trade anyway?). And unless Odonkor and Gambino can develop a bit quicker with their technical ability in front of the net, I think reinforcements have to be brought in.


Ebi was massive for a few weeks. When the opposing defenses finally clamped down on him, he didn't do squat. Just as I predicted when the guys on our list were proclaiming Ebi the next great BVB striker.

I do agree that we need more from others, but not so much Odonkor or Gambino. I think what we are missing is a serious contribution from Delron Buckley! That's what we bought him for. To provide scoring from the wing. He looked to be close near the end of the first round, but fell back again in the final three matches.

If we can get some scoring from him, that will free up Smolarek once again. I think we could also use a few goals apiece from Rosicky and Sahin.



As for the form during the Winter Break--As long as it doesn't carry over into the season I don't care. I hate looking at Pre-season/winter break games because you'll find things that look encouraging and never transfer into the season, or bad things that don't carry over. The aggravation's just not worth it to me...


The bad thing is, recently, when we've been bad in the warm-up to the second half of the season, we've usually been bad in the second half of the season. At least the start of it. So yes, according to recent history, it does mean something.



I do know one thing...I can't WAIT for the season to commence!!!

We don't have long to wait now.......

[footyfan1]

Again, Frei would be an amazing signing, but I doubt that BVB will want to pony up that amount of cash what with the financial issues already in place.




I think Frei is overrated. I wouldn't spend a bunch of money on him. I'd rather the club take a chance on Benjamin Auer of Mainz. He's not my favorite, but he's a young German striker who still has loads of untapped potential. I'd say the same for Nando Rafael of Hertha BSC Berlin. Well, Rafael isn't really "German" but he played for Germany's U-21s last year and will fight for a national team spot in the future.


Both players I named are currently available on free transfers at the end of the season..........

[footyfan1]

gambino played well in turkey, i think gambino instead of buckley would be better


Me too, but Buckley is a guy we need to really keep giving a chance to. Buckley has done the business in the Bundesliga before and I don't think it's unfathomable to believe he'll do it again.

We need to know before thinking of cutting him loose. I think it's even important enough to make Gambino wait for a shot.

"jonam", any word on what they will do with van der Gun next season? I thought he was starting to play well before he got hurt........

[Arlo]

well both players could play 45 mins. per match

[footyfan1]

well both players could play 45 mins. per match


Not a good idea. Neither one would be very consistent with just 45 minutes per match. That's what these warm-up matches are for.

[Arlo]

i don't get it. they allow gambino to play in warm-up matches he scores goals (hat-trick againts galasataray) and in league games we see scoreless buckley, they COULD let gambino try to score in league and it would be better for BVB. atleast that's what i think

[Arlo]

i don't get it. they allow gambino to play in warm-up matches he scores goals (hat-trick againts galasataray) and in league games we see scoreless buckley, they COULD let gambino try to score in league and it would be better for BVB. atleast that's what i think

[footyfan1]

i don't get it. they allow gambino to play in warm-up matches he scores goals (hat-trick againts galasataray) and in league games we see scoreless buckley, they COULD let gambino try to score in league and it would be better for BVB. atleast that's what i think


Dude, Gambino has done it in practice matches before. He then gets into Bundesliga matches and does nothing.

At least Buckley HAS done it at the Bundesliga level before.

That's why the club won't give up on Buckley so easily.

[Arlo]

i'm not telling to give up on him, i'm just telling to give gambino a few chances