[Wotan]

On one of the other threads- someone mentioned that a thread on German strikers should be started. So- here it is.

I was wondering if Klinsi would carrry 4 or 5 strikers. I think having Ballack on the attack- Germany could get by w carrying 4 strikers.

My choice: 1) Podolski 2) Klose 3) Neuville 4) Hanke or Kiessling (I've seen a few peole mention Thurk)---Anyway----who do you think will be selected. ?

[Psychosis hsv]

poldi, klose, neuville and Asamoah will be chosen.

its alright because asamoah will warm the bench. but he too can score .

i would have liked to see thurk

[poorvi]

I guess Klinsmann will go with
Klose, Podolski, Asamoah, Kuranyi and Neuville

but I would prefer Hanke or Kiessling over Kuranyi.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Ballack being a forward would be a complete waste of time and we would be definitely be gone in the first round.

1) Klose
2) Podolski
3) Kuranyi
4) Neuville

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Originally Posted by poorvi

I guess Klinsmann will go with
Klose, Podolski, Asamoah, Kuranyi and Neuville

but I would prefer Hanke or Kiessling over Kuranyi.

Hanke out first 2 games, and has actually played worse than Kuranyi. But I will give you that Hanke has less support in Wolfsburg.

Kiessling....has done well. But I think Vittek and Schroth have done better as a tandem for FCN. I think we should also save him for U21 championships.

[Jaison]

Klinsi's said that he's taking 5 forwards to the WC.

Article Link

According to the article, Klose, Podolski, Kuranyi and Asamoah are the top 4 picks up front, with Neuville and Hanke battling for the 5th place. IMO, Neuville shouldn't even have to battle with Hanke for the 5th place.

My 5 would be: (* denotes starters)

Klose*
Poldi*
Kuranyi
Neuville
Asamoah

Overall I don't mind this 5-some. Kuranyi as a backup to Klose (which hopefully shouldn't have to requiring "backing up". Neuville and Asamoah can add their presence as 2nd half subs. Asamoah is also versatile enough to play as a right sided midfielder should the oppurtunity have to arise, which makes him a nice addition IMO.

Kuranyi's poor form is worrying (as it had been for us Schalke fans as well), but he has a good record in the NT (he scored 10 goals for us in 2004), and honestly is not as bad as many here are making him out to be. Hanke is in just as poor of form as Kuranyi (if not worse), and would miss the first 2 games anyways. In terms of Kiessling, he's untested at the international level, and I think many people are somewhat overrating his performances this year. He's spent the majority of the 2nd half of the season as a subsitute as well. I agree with TOLH, that Kiessling should be saved for the U21s (as should Trochowski and Fathi).

[Wotan]

Originally Posted by Jaison

Klinsi's said that he's taking 5 forwards to the WC.

Article Link

According to the article, Klose, Podolski, Kuranyi and Asamoah are the top 4 picks up front, with Neuville and Hanke battling for the 5th place. IMO, Neuville shouldn't even have to battle with Hanke for the 5th place.

My 5 would be: (* denotes starters)

Klose*
Poldi*
Kuranyi
Neuville
Asamoah

Overall I don't mind this 5-some. Kuranyi as a backup to Klose (which hopefully shouldn't have to requiring "backing up". Neuville and Asamoah can add their presence as 2nd half subs. Asamoah is also versatile enough to play as a right sided midfielder should the oppurtunity have to arise, which makes him a nice addition IMO.

Kuranyi's poor form is worrying (as it had been for us Schalke fans as well), but he has a good record in the NT (he scored 10 goals for us in 2004), and honestly is not as bad as many here are making him out to be. Hanke is in just as poor of form as Kuranyi (if not worse), and would miss the first 2 games anyways. In terms of Kiessling, he's untested at the international level, and I think many people are somewhat overrating his performances this year. He's spent the majority of the 2nd half of the season as a subsitute as well. I agree with TOLH, that Kiessling should be saved for the U21s (as should Trochowski and Fathi).

I agree w your list w one exception. I'd replace Asamoah with Hanke.

[ForeverRed]

This is tough and I'm sure Klinsman will surprise a few of us with his selection but here is what I would like to see, keeping in mind how much each of these players can actually contribute to our team:

1. Klose
2. Podolski
3. Neuville
4. Hanke

I don't think we will need a fourth striker in the opening two games and Hanke is a player with some flare and spirit that also has a strikers instinct, two qualities combined whereas Asamoah and Kuranyi each own one of those qualities only.

Hanke is a risk though because he is young and free sprited on the pitch in a sense, while being fearless and experimental, he could also prove lackluster in workrate and overall contribution to the team effort.

[Wotan]

Originally Posted by ForeverRed

This is tough and I'm sure Klinsman will surprise a few of us with his selection but here is what I would like to see, keeping in mind how much each of these players can actually contribute to our team:

1. Klose
2. Podolski
3. Neuville
4. Hanke

I don't think we will need a fourth striker in the opening two games and Hanke is a player with some flare and spirit that also has a strikers instinct, two qualities combined whereas Asamoah and Kuranyi each own one of those qualities only.

Hanke is a risk though because he is young and free sprited on the pitch in a sense, while being fearless and experimental, he could also prove lackluster in workrate and overall contribution to the team effort.

Excellent insight, ForeverRed ! Hanke DOES have "strikers instinct"! German NT needs that. I, too, feel that Klinsi will surprise w his selection of strikers. ---------AND..........whatever happened to Martin Max?

[pizarro_boy]

for me
------
1)Podolski
2)Klose
3)Lauth
4)Neuville
5)Kiessling

NO kuranie NO Asamoah