"We Can Do This"

[jonam]

"We Can Do This"

(Keith) Despite today’s "less than stellar" second-half performance in the 1-0 victory over 1. FC Köln (Cologne), BVB is now on a path not only back to UEFA Cup competition, but in the eyes of this fan, we can actually move into the Champions’ League qualifying position (third place in the Bundesliga) before the end of the season.


Entire article now on http://www.schwatzgelb.com !

[The Double]

I don't think many people doubt that we can do it, we certainly have the ability. We need some inspiration.

[jri]

Jonam- Whadda reckon the odds are that Casey is back at Dortmund next season? Looking at Dortmund's roster, I'd think one would want to sell Koller (age, perhaps has peaked) first- before Rosicky. Dede- I wouldn't think he'd bring as much as Koller.

With Amoroso coming back (is true?), and Ewerton's good year, I'd think they'd be your 1st option strikers...although Connor could have a chance if he can fill the Koller role. In any event, I'd think Connor is good enough now to be an "off the bench" guy- 3rd option, and given your money troubles/and Amoroso's comeback, I'd think selling Koller is best option? (I just hate the idea of selling someone as young/talented as Rosicky...)

[jri]

Also- how long does Casey's contract run? Is it up this summer? What happens in that case?

[jonam]

BVB's biggest assest is Rosicky. Valued between 15 to 25 Mio Euro.

Koller is on the one hand very important to BVB (solid striker and also with defensive qualities at corners kicks; plus he is a real fighter who gets nearly never injured) but on the other hand he will be 31 in summer and if BVB wants to make some money he is maybe the one (along with Rosicky) to be sold.

If they keep Koller he will ALWAYS be in the starting line-up.


Conor Casey's contract with Karlsruhe expires this summer and AFAIK he has a contract with BVB till summer 2005.

That Conor returns to Dortmund is just a wild guess by me. What I know is that probably Kringe, Achenbach and Krontiris will return. I haven't heard anything about Conor. I'll try to get some informations from the club officials.

[jri]

thanks Jonam- Obviously, I am selfishly looking for the best situation for Conor. I guess I wouldn't have a problem with him playing one year "understudy" to Koller- but I think 2 years is too long. Also, if he were to play the understudy role, he would still need to get some field time, and as you mentioned Koller hardly ever comes off, so I hope a coach (Sammer?) would realize the greater purpose (of developing Casey) and reduce Koller's minutes..Don't see the point of Casey going to Dortmund next year if he only gets in 3-4 games at most. He needs at least 8-10 games.

If the plan is to keep Koller (until his hair falls out...wait a minute, already has...until his wheels fall off), then I guess I don't see any way it makes sense for Conor to go there. They are too similar. Both need to be paired (IMO) with a smaller, speedier forward partner.

Looking at the transfer situation- I would sell the older guy (Koller) simply because his worth is going to fall rapidly in the coming years. Sure, there is risk sticking Casey in there- but with a 25-30m budget gap- there is risk no matter what they do. I'd bring in a couple younger guys (3 maybe too many), and have them battle it out for Koller's position. Casey and someone else (you mentioned Kontirisis? Isn't he big forward type). Anyway, I think it would be passable for Dortmund to have the 2 younger guys fight it out- give them both minutes next year, until one clearly establishes themselves. The other one gets sold (or remains a bench player). In Conor's case(y), that would dovetail nicely with the end of his contract too. I like this solution, since the Brazilians (Ewerthon and Amoroso) are productive, and I think if healthy, could pick up productive slack that first year/2 as Koller's replacement gets "on their feet".

I don't know if you saw on YA thread- but I did some checking. And Conor has had quite a nice strike ratio: 17 goals in 31 games in mostly BL2 (1 goal in BL1 at Hannover). 18 goals if you include the one wrongly disallowed Saturday. So I think one could build a case that Connor could score 8-10 goals over a full season in Dortmund- if he played 80% of time. Would that be enough for Dortmund to start him ?(given, I believe, assumption would be he should get better over time). Koller seems to average between 12-14 goals a year consistently, and I could see a projection getting Conor there within 2 seasons (although I don't know about all/everything else Koller does for the team). Again, all speculation- but one has to "project" non-linear with younger players..its not fair/right to put them on a flat projection.

I don't see as much sense in selling Rosicky right now. Rosicky's worth still has a shot to remain same or grow. Is it really the case that Rosicky is still worth 15-25m Euro? Wow. From the limited data I've seen, looks like he is having an indifferent season, although I know (as of a couple years ago) he was rated a giant talent.

I'd sell Koller and Dede, and make up the difference in salary savings and other cost reductions...

[jri]

I just saw your comments about Dede on another thread. I can see he is a very valuable player in different ways. Maybe not so smart to sell him...

(but if not him, then who else besides Rosicky, Dede, and Koller have real value?)

[jri]

Saw video of Koller in last game. Man, does he ever seem SLOW...

[jonam]

Last match wasn't one of his best (afair, rated 5 by kicker). He lost nearly every ball .

[jri]

Jonam- No respect meant for Koller here, but I'd think he's taken a lot of punishment over the years...and players that tall, don't they often have (earlier than many) problems with ankles/knees/joints etc......since they are abnormally large?

Just a thought. Playing all games every season...that's gotten shorten a career (I'd think) or affect performance. Of course, I have no real idea if that happens to Koller earlier than later, but I wouldn't think it is VERNUENFTIG to plan on Koller being THAT effective after age 33-34. So, 2-3 years max left?