VfB Stuttgart - Pushing for Europe, 08/09 Season Thread Part III (R)

[footyfan1]

Of course, but that's the way we've always done thing and that's got us to where we are. We need to buy a bit more to move up in the world.

Yes, you do, but at this moment, not Berg.

But hey, if you get him, I hope he proves me wrong.

[footyfan1]

Do any of you remember when I brought up Arsenal in the Huntelaar discussion and said if they sell Adebayor, I thought Arsenal would be Stuttgart's chief competition for Huntelaar?

Well, the speculation has started on the German side:


Stuttgart: Konkurrenz aus England
Huntelaar: VfB muss warten


http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/711561/180x135_e6BFZAAHmH.jpeg


Eigentlich wollte sich Klaas-Jan Huntelaar noch in dieser Woche entscheiden, ob er das Angebot des VfB Stuttgart akzeptiert. Doch nun nimmt sich der Niederländer bis Montag Zeit, um seine Zukunft zu klären. Die Konkurrenten Stuttgarts um die Dienste des Angreifers kommen vor allem von der Insel: Neben Tottenham soll nun der FC Arsenal Interesse haben.


Click here (http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/artikel/511552/) for the rest of the story at kicker.de.

[Rainer24]

Do any of you remember when I brought up Arsenal in the Huntelaar discussion and said if they sell Adebayor, I thought Arsenal would be Stuttgart's chief competition for Huntelaar?

Well, the speculation has started on the German side:


Stuttgart: Konkurrenz aus England
Huntelaar: VfB muss warten


http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/711561/180x135_e6BFZAAHmH.jpeg


Eigentlich wollte sich Klaas-Jan Huntelaar noch in dieser Woche entscheiden, ob er das Angebot des VfB Stuttgart akzeptiert. Doch nun nimmt sich der Niederländer bis Montag Zeit, um seine Zukunft zu klären. Die Konkurrenten Stuttgarts um die Dienste des Angreifers kommen vor allem von der Insel: Neben Tottenham soll nun der FC Arsenal Interesse haben.


Click here (http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/artikel/511552/) for the rest of the story at kicker.de.


Well, not surprising if it turns out to be true. Wonder what his relation with RVP is like. Arsenal is a bit tight fisted with their wages, and that new tax structure won't help, but I'm sure it's a sexier destination in his eyes.


Why aren't we looking Negredo? Guy has scored plenty of goals in La Liga now and Madrid seem willing to let him go. Would probably be cheaper than Huntelaar or Love or some of these other names. He seems strong, very good finisher.

[footyfan1]

Why aren't we looking Negredo? Guy has scored plenty of goals in La Liga now and Madrid seem willing to let him go. Would probably be cheaper than Huntelaar or Love or some of these other names. He seems strong, very good finisher.


All the Negredo stuff has been mostly media speculation. I think most are assuming Real is ready to drop him because they loaned him out last season.

I think they are fully prepared to keep him as no one knows the "Real" situation with RvN's knee.

That is, unless Real is still in for Villa. It was reported that Barca were in the lead for him, but now they seem to have signed Ibrahimovic.

Isn't it interesting how all this somehow ties in together?? ;) :D

[Rainer24]

All the Negredo stuff has been mostly media speculation. I think most are assuming Real is ready to drop him because they loaned him out last season.

I think they are fully prepared to keep him as no one knows the "Real" situation with RvN's knee.

That is, unless Real is still in for Villa. It was reported that Barca were in the lead for him, but now they seem to have signed Ibrahimovic.

Isn't it interesting how all this somehow ties in together?? ;) :D


Yeah, it is really like musical chairs. Selling Adebayor has possibly freed up the money for Arsenal to come in for Huntelaar, this team can only buy this guy if they can sell this one, etc.

I wish we would just drop all the Gomez money and some more if necessary on a couple of players that could really help us. Van der Vaart is available, knows the league. Why not go for him and play a 4-2-3-1? There are lots of permutations that could work, but we seem fixated on just one guy and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I am getting way too pessimistic about this whole transfer window.

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

I've been pessimistic about it since the day we lost the striker.

And what have I seen?

About 6-7 major transfer FAILURES.

So i'm just going to stay pessimistic until we actually get our new striker. The fact it's even taken this long is a total joke, REGARDLESS of who we'll actually buy it's been unprofessional and inexcusable.

On an important note though for whoever's interest:
tomorrow we'll be playing Schalke in Gelsenkirchen at the T-Online Cup semifinal. It's our first real test, the first sign of where we really stand against our competitiors. And for whoever's in Germany, the game will be broadcast live on Sat1. I'll definitely be watching.

[Rainer24]

I've been pessimistic about it since the day we lost the striker.

And what have I seen?

About 6-7 major transfer FAILURES.

So i'm just going to stay pessimistic until we actually get our new striker. The fact it's even taken this long is a total joke, REGARDLESS of who we'll actually buy it's been unprofessional and inexcusable.

On an important note though for whoever's interest:
tomorrow we'll be playing Schalke in Gelsenkirchen at the T-Online Cup semifinal. It's our first real test, the first sign of where we really stand against our competitiors. And for whoever's in Germany, the game will be broadcast live on Sat1. I'll definitely be watching.


Yes! Finally something worth watching again! I didn't really pay attention to those other friendlies. Clubbing baby seals doesn't really prove your're a hunter in my book. Now we'll see what's up.

[benztown]

Kickoff is now

Here's our line-up

--------------------Lehmann-------------------
Träsch-----Tasci------Boulahrouz----Celozzi
------------Lanig------Hitzlsperger-----------
Gebhart----------------------------------Rudy
---------------Marica-----Schieber-----------


Will be interesting to see how we're doing with this young team...

[benztown]

15 minutes played and we're the better team, more creative, but no real chances up to now. Schalke had a small one after a free kick and so did we after a counter attack. Best player so far is Hitzlsperger with a couple of nice passes.

If I understood the commentator correctly, one half will only be 30 minutes. Also, Bert van Marwijk is watching the game and the Cannibal seems to be very motivated, Farfan just got to feel his tackling...both still need treatment...yeah, Boula off, Niedermeier on, Farfan can go on.

[Rainer24]

Dislocated shoulder for Boulahrouz.

[Rainer24]

Well, commentator says Marwijk thinks a good fit for Huntelaar. Hopefully that means something to the player.

[benztown]

Kuranyi with the goal, but the ref saw his hand in play, no goal and a yellow for Kuranyi...lucky for us, hard to tell if he actually used his hand, but I'd think that he didn't...now Bordon on the ground...after the first 10 minutes, the game has somewhat lost some of the tempo...Schalke now the better team...

[benztown]

Half time. A couple of observations:

1) We so desperately need a striker. Schieber is just not ready yet and Marica probably never will be. Babbel said that he wants to play with the same team for the full 60 minutes, but I hope to see Riedle getting some time...

2) Rudy has started out pretty well, but has somewhat disappeared after 15 minutes, but so did the entire team. Overall a promising performance by him so far though.

3) Gebhart and Celozzi still look somewhat shaky. They definitely need to improve.

4) Träsch and Hitz are probably our best players so far, although it was Träsch who let Kuranyi score the goal that got disallowed.

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

I'm pleased with the lineup Babbel is using for this game - giving Rudy and Schieber a shot in the first 11 and playing Celozzi at leftback.

Neither Rudy or Schieber have been active enough so far though, they haven't been integrated in the game well enough as of yet. Marica has been much more active than Schieber, even if he hasn't played particularly well.

It's been interesting to watch Celozzi, first time we get to see him play live for the club. He's been decent, not as good as Traesch going forward but has been solid enough at the back. No mistakes yet. Indeed our defence has generally been strong, i'm sorry for Boulahrouz as he had been playing well and covering Farfan flawlessly up until he had to go off. Hope he's OK, though i'm guessing a dislocated shoulder is no real big deal.

I think the goal was correctly not given, but can't say for sure. Traesch has imo been our best player by far up until now, he's been comfrotable and strong at rightback and has been going forward well too. Gebhart has also been active on the right side.

It's nice to watch some football again :)

[benztown]

Rudy 1-0!!!

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

RUDY RUDY RUDY RUDY! wooooooooahhhhhh :D


Nice goal!

Great cross by Traesch, Rudy heads in well!

[benztown]

Babbel said that he wants to play with the same team for the full 60 minutes, but I hope to see Riedle getting some time...


I got my wish...Riedle on for Schieber. :D

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

Riedle on for Schieber.

Schieber played better in the second half, had a good shot and laid off a chance for Marica who finished poorly.

7 minutes and we'll be in our first final of the season :D

Hitzlsperger almost just made it 2-0. He's played a very, very good game by the way.

[benztown]

Big chance right now...Hitz with a shot, the goalie can only deflect it, Marica misses and Lanig's shot goes wide...

[benztown]

Kuranyi just got a 100% chance on a silver platter, courtesy to the VfB defense...but Lehman was there...