[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[jonam]

Originally Posted by footyfan1

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.