1899 Hoffenheim 08/09 thread [R]

[Rainer24]

I was not at the game when Hoffenheim were thrashing Dortmund in Mannheim a while back, but I was near and could here the cheering from a half mile out. They have quickly built a following. I'm sure some of it is your classic glory hunting, but for quite some time the Ludwigshafen-Mannheim-Heidelberg corridor has been a big population center with no team to really get behind, so I won't begrudge them the allegiance too much. It'll be interesting to see how many butts are in that new 30,000 seat stadium if/when they pull an FCK and experience a very poor season next year.


Hoffenheim hasn't spent that much money to get where they are. Certainly not the kind you would expect for the results and league position they are experiencing. They've got a good manager who seems to be getting the most out of a group of players that often weren't doing the job at their previous clubs.

[footyfan1]

I was not at the game when Hoffenheim were thrashing Dortmund in Mannheim a while back, but I was near and could here the cheering from a half mile out. They have quickly built a following. I'm sure some of it is your classic glory hunting, but for quite some time the Ludwigshafen-Mannheim-Heidelberg corridor has been a big population center with no team to really get behind, so I won't begrudge them the allegiance too much. It'll be interesting to see how many butts are in that new 30,000 seat stadium if/when they pull an FCK and experience a very poor season next year.


That will be interesting to see. Having lived in the Ludwigshafen-Mannheim-Heidelberg corridor for a couple of years myself, I can tell you that you can find supporters of many clubs in that region. Not just the local ones. Clubs outside that region who enjoy/enjoyed tremendous support in that area are Bayern, Dortmund, Schalke, Bremen, Gladbach, and HSV.

I would have included Kaiserslautern and Frankfurt, but they are so close, I consider them part of the "region" along with VfB and KSC.


Hoffenheim hasn't spent that much money to get where they are. Certainly not the kind you would expect for the results and league position they are experiencing. They've got a good manager who seems to be getting the most out of a group of players that often weren't doing the job at their previous clubs.


I think I made this case quite well earlier in this thread. However, I don't know that I'd say the group of players "weren't getting the job done at their previous clubs."

Perhaps the players' former clubs failed them and the reason they are doing so much better at Hoffenheim is because they receive better support and instruction at Hoffenheim.

Couldn't that be a possibility?? :o

[Rainer24]

That will be interesting to see. Having lived in the Ludwigshafen-Mannheim-Heidelberg corridor for a couple of years myself, I can tell you that you can find supporters of many clubs in that region. Not just the local ones. Clubs outside that region who enjoy/enjoyed tremendous support in that area are Bayern, Dortmund, Schalke, Bremen, Gladbach, and HSV.

I would have included Kaiserslautern and Frankfurt, but they are so close, I consider them part of the "region" along with VfB and KSC.





I think I made this case quite well earlier in this thread. However, I don't know that I'd say the group of players "weren't getting the job done at their previous clubs."

Perhaps the players' former clubs failed them and the reason they are doing so much better at Hoffenheim is because they receive better support and instruction at Hoffenheim.

Couldn't that be a possibility?? :o


I suppose I was mostly thinking of Ibisevic, who they say was being held back by attitude as much as anything. Mostly, I think they've gone out and found good young players who were being overlooked by the top-level clubs. Rangnick is a good coach and I for one can only be impressed at how they have built that club up like they have.

[LoewenBoy]

Well, Uli doesn't accept any "friends" that could become dangerous to himself. :-)
I cannot remember what former player/coach said it, but I believe the quote was, "If you are pissing off Uli Hoeness you must be doing something right.":cool:

[footyfan1]

I cannot remember what former player/coach said it, but I believe the quote was, "If you are pissing off Uli Hoeness you must be doing something right.":cool:


LMAO!! Like I said earlier, I'm down with anyone who makes Uli Hoeness squirm! LOL!! :cool:

[Rainer24]

LMAO!! Like I said earlier, I'm down with anyone who makes Uli Hoeness squirm! LOL!! :cool:


I will also throw my support behind that sentiment.

[Equilibrium]

I suppose I was mostly thinking of Ibisevic, who they say was being held back by attitude as much as anything. Mostly, I think they've gone out and found good young players who were being overlooked by the top-level clubs. Rangnick is a good coach and I for one can only be impressed at how they have built that club up like they have.
True, they have done an amazing job at finding unknown or overlooked talent and buying them. The opposite example would Schalke of late. :p

[LoewenBoy]

LMAO!! Like I said earlier, I'm down with anyone who makes Uli Hoeness squirm! LOL!! :cool:
I hate to say it, but according the guys on the 1860 german fan board it was K-H Wildmoser.:eek:

[footyfan1]

I hate to say it, but according the guys on the 1860 german fan board it was K-H Wildmoser.:eek:


Oh well. Too bad he wound up on his knees before Uli Hoeness...... :D

[LoewenBoy]

Oh well. Too bad he wound up on his knees before Uli Hoeness...... :D
Think Deliverance.:cool:

[footyfan1]

Think Deliverance.:cool:

I was actually only thinking about being at Bayern's mercy financially, but ok....... ;)

[LoewenBoy]

I was actually only thinking about being at Bayern's mercy financially, but ok.......
I think its amusing to think of Hoeness as the German Ned Beatty. :cool:

[LoewenBoy]

Ok, I admit it....the only thing I know about Hoffenheim is its in germany so forgive my inquiry. I see that they are rumored to be after Timo. I get that. What elludes me is how Ozcan lost his job to Haas, and yet, they still continue to win.

Anyone see this as creating an unharmounious atmosphere around the GK position if Timo comes straight in an starts?

[footyfan1]

Ok, I admit it....the only thing I know about Hoffenheim is its in germany so forgive my inquiry. I see that they are rumored to be after Timo. I get that. What elludes me is how Ozcan lost his job to Haas, and yet, they still continue to win.

Anyone see this as creating an unharmounious atmosphere around the GK position if Timo comes straight in an starts?

No. Rangnick has made it clear for weeks that they were going to try to upgrade at the goalkeeper position in January. This was even before Hildebrand got his release from Valencia.

And none of their keepers are experienced or good enough to bitch about getting benched in favor of Timo Hildebrand.

Also, don't forget that it was Rangnick who gave Hildebrand his first shot at Stuttgart.

[LoewenBoy]

And none of their keepers are experienced or good enough to bitch about getting benched in favor of Timo Hildebrand.

Normally I would see this point very clear. But it is hard to argue that TSG is doing really well the the ones they have now. I was wondering what sort of pressure this will put on Timo....who is not really all that good at pressure. Also, wondering if the phrase "dance with the ones who brung ya" does not apply here. Believe me, I get the issue, just wondering deep down if those GKs dont think that they are good enough to handle it....they seem to have done so thus far.:cool:

And go to sleep Keith....you need to be at work in 7 hours.

[panicfc]

They need some leadership in the back - and Timo will provide that, plus he's a better keeper.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

I'm not very impressed with either goalie to be honest. I think Ozcan can be okay though. But isn't he like the 3rd string goalie for freaking Austria?!?

I'm also still not impressed with Compper or Ibertsberger either...

[panicfc]

Ibertsberger did a good job for 89 minutes on Friday. Never saw him play before, but he did well.

Compper - He's okay. I think he's upgradeable.

[footyfan1]

Normally I would see this point very clear. But it is hard to argue that TSG is doing really well the the ones they have now. I was wondering what sort of pressure this will put on Timo....who is not really all that good at pressure. Also, wondering if the phrase "dance with the ones who brung ya" does not apply here. Believe me, I get the issue, just wondering deep down if those GKs dont think that they are good enough to handle it....they seem to have done so thus far.:cool:


They are doing this despite their goalkeeping.



And go to sleep Keith....you need to be at work in 7 hours.

Yeah, I was on pretty late last night. :o

[footyfan1]

Ibertsberger did a good job for 89 minutes on Friday. Never saw him play before, but he did well.

Yep. He only had the one freak play at the end go badly.



Compper - He's okay. I think he's upgradeable.

I think if he stays there with Rangnick, he'll more likely than not develop into Germany regular. He's not the finished product just yet.