Garra Dembélé on trial at AGF The young talented French forward Garra Dembélé has been handed a trial at AGF this week on recommendation from FC København. The 21-yo now former French U18, U19 and U20 international impressed while being on trial at the Danish Champions earlier this summer, but FCK chose to sign a contract with the more experienced Morten Nordstrand who finished 2nd on the Superliga topscorers list last season. Dembélé was last season on trial at Newcastle, Leeds and Barnsley and has also been linked to Bolton and Charlton. Jeremiah White was the Danish/English/French interpreter for Dembélé at training and for the Danish newspapers at yesterdays training sessions.... FCK's Michael Gravgaard praises French AGF trialist : http://stiften.dk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070821/STIFTEN/108210916/1273/STIFTEN You can translate by using this tool: http://visl.dk/trs/ .
Btw, if you wonder why FCK would recommend a player to another Superliga team, then it could have something to do with the fact that the FCK management want the Superliga to be more competitive so they themself can become stronger in Europe. Financially no Scandinavian club is able to get even close to FCK, but it is no secret that they see Brøndby and AGF as the two Danish clubs with the biggest potential, so they probably would like to help AGF back on track. .
Just noticed that I totally forgot to write that White made a secondary assist by the long throw-in that Budtz flicked on to Tullberg, who then scored the winning goal... and an excellent goal it was btw : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flLh3CiaoNk .
Mike Tullberg to Reggina ? According to Denmarks most realiable newspaper, Politiken, and also the local Aarhus newspaper, then the Italian Serie A side Reggina has now made a $1.35 million (€1 million) offer in hope of getting AGF's 21-yo forward Mike Tullberg. The two clubs are still negotiating, but the Italians seem keen on getting Tullberg straight away, which ofcause leaves AGF with some problems finding his replacement before the transfer window close next week. According to the Aarhus newspaper, Reggina were having a close look at Tullberg in the Superliga games vs. FCK, AaB and Brøndby and they write that it was probably his goal against Brøndby that made them decide to make an offer. If Tullberg moves to Italy this weekend, then AGF hope to be able to get Morten "Duncan" Rasmussen back from Brøndby, as his replacement. Brøndby are in a bit of a crisis and the former U21 International is serving a match ban because of some disciplinary problems at the club, so they may want to let him go. Otherwise AGF could also chose to sign the young French forward Garra Dembélé. .
I've made a translation of this article : http://jp.dk/indland/aar/agf/article1056619.ece ...using the http://visl.dk/trs/ tool and then adding a quick "polish" : AGF's American winger patiently waits for his chance. Jeremiah White could actually have an offended expression in his face, just as his words could contain curses. But the, by the way, religious American has armed himself with patience. From the bench he has among other things been able to watch his direct rival to a place in the starting 11, the Norwegian Alex Valencia, deliver unstable performances in the season's first games. At the same time Jeremiah White has shown his forces, latest when he came on against Brøndby and added some speed in wing position. But White has chosen the mild path. "This week I intend to run a bit for myself besides training. Training is one thing, while games is someting different. I need to do my best in order to get on the team, and then it's up to the coach to decide whether I am good enough", says Jeremiah White, who has started the past six games in a row on the bench. "I have to be ready, if they want to use me for 15 or 45 minutes. It's all about being a professional", says the American. Already in the next match White may be used from the first whistle, since Alex Valencia has some problems with his legs. But otherwise AGF-coach Ove Pedersen is aware of White. "He is getting closer. From the start of this season it has been important to make the new team work and I have had to choose between White and Valencia, who both lack a bit of the basics. But White's time will come. In the sping I didn't quite know what to expect, when he was playing. But after the past few games I now know what I get. There are still some things he need to improve, but in the long run you can't keep him out of the starting 11" says Ove Pedersen, who constantly is working to get Jeremiah White to be in the right places on the pitch. "This he can easily learn, because this is what he has shown so far this season. Sometimes it may be an advantage for a player to get a break and get the possibility to watch things a little from the outside", emphasises the AGF-coach, who doesn't see Alex Valencia and Jeremiah White exclusively as competitors in right wing position. "In the long run it can easily be so that we use them both at the same time in each of the wing positions", Ove Pedersen says. ----- As expected, all new players need to adjust and even more so if you move from one country to another and to a league with a much different tactical approach. like it has been the case with Jeremiah, who I suspect has lacked some proper tactical coaching playing 2nd level soccer in Greece and France. I guess coach Pedersen was thinking that Valencia seemed more experienced at top-flight level, though he also need to adjust to another style of play. .
I love his attitude. Be professional, don't whine, and when you get your chance take it. Good luck Jeremiah.
Well, I guess it also has something to do with Jeremiah feeling that he is getting the right kind of support from the coach, unlike at his stay in France. ... and then Mike Tullberg is a very good example of the fact that when your playing in Denmark you can go from being a 2nd team talent, promoted to be a first-team bench sitter, playing a few Superliga games and then getting sold to an Italian top-flight side, all within 6 month time. Now it seems Tullberg is playing his last Superliga match against Lyngby on monday and then join Reggina on tuesday. This should also inspire Jeremiah and the rest of the AGF players to belive that if you got talent and work hard, then you'll also get your chance to move to one of the top leagues. .
AGF Aarhus v Lyngby 0-0 (0-0) Attendance: 10,268 Other matchfacts: http://www.netsuperligaen.dk/kampref.php?ID=3091 AGF lineup (4-4-2): ................................. Steffen Rasmussen (24) U. Lindkvist (26).. O. Budtz (28).. Kim Madsen (28).. M. Lumb (19) Jeremiah White (25).. J. Lucena (27).. K. Árnason (24).. L. Pleidrup (25) ................. Mike Tullberg (21)... Peter Graulund (30) Subs: Pleidrup / Jens Gjesing (83') --- A slow paced and rather poorly played match without all that many open chances and most of the action being a messy fight in central midfield, with the two teams not leaving much space for the opponent. Lyngby were good at picking up on the small AGF mistakes in the first 45 minutes but too inefficient to create much danger. AGF also had trouble breaking through a tight looking Lyngby defense, but did look more and more on top as the match progressed and Lyngby got more and more tired in the 2nd half. Jeremiah White played from start and did well. He worked hard all over the pitch in this match, but he still has trouble scoring goals when he gets the opportunity. This time he missed the target a few times and as you can see in the short highlights below he also saw a good free kick saved by the Lyngby keeper in the 28th minute. Only 6 minutes later he saved a Lyngby attempt right on the AGF goal-line, so he also showed his worth in the defensive play. At the end of the first 45 minutes he earned himself a yellow card for kicking the Lyngby keeper when they both were trying to get to the ball. AGF's young forward Mike Tullberg came close to scoring his last goal for the club when he hit the woodwork in the 55th minute. he also shed some tears after the match when he said a last goodbye to his team-mates and the AGF supporters, before making the move to Italy and Reggina. AGF have had trouble scoring goals so far this season with team Captain and topscorer Peter Graulund having a bit of a scoring crisis, while his team-mates are not all too sharp looking either. So AGF are now in need of a classy looking forward to replace Tullberg. AGF coach Ove Pedersen has said that the young French trialist Garra Dembélé does not seem quite ready to play top-flight soccer in Denmark, so it would be too much of a gamble to sign him as a replacement for Tullberg. The AGF Sporting Director Brian Steen Nielsen was not at the Lyngby match, but is reported to be in Sweden, most likely to finalize a deal with a forward. Highlights : Link or Link 2 --- Code: [b]Danish Superliga 2007/08 (7 of 33 games):[/b] [b] Club G W D L Gf-Ga P[/b] 1 Randers FC 7 4 2 1 16-5 14 2 FC Midtjylland 7 4 2 1 13-6 14 3 OB Odense 7 3 4 0 12-6 13 4 FC København 7 3 3 1 10-5 12 5 AC Horsens 7 3 3 1 13-10 12 6 Esbjerg fB 7 3 1 3 18-13 10 7 FC Nordsjælland 7 2 3 2 9-8 9 8 AaB Aalborg 7 2 2 3 9-13 8 9 Lyngby BK 7 1 3 3 3-13 6 10 AGF Aarhus 7 1 2 4 4-9 5 ------------------------------------------- 11 Brøndby IF 7 1 2 4 8-14 5 12 Viborg FF 7 1 1 5 4-17 4 Danish Superliga 2007/08 fixtures : http://www.bolddk.com/statistik/tabel.php?liga=1&saeson=42&program=fuldt#kampprogram .
JW with the goal line clearance! Nice to see hustle out of him there. That was a game saver. Shows some great pace to get to that ball too. So he was playing wide right in this match? The coach kicking the sideline is funny. Also, think that Herbalife pays Lyngby the same amount of money to be technical sponsor as they do the the Beckham Boys in LA??? Ha.
http://www.morethanaclub.dk/infusions/vurdering/vurdering.php 8 Jeremiah White : "A mixed performance by White" : http://stiften.dk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070828/STIFTEN/108281065/1189/STIFTEN Nah... He was selected as Man-of-the-Match by the sponsors, while the supporters and Danish TV2 Sport picked AGF keeper Steffen Rasmussen.. Evaluations of White so far this season (by the supporters) : http://www.morethanaclub.dk/playerprofile.php?lookup=21 .
"8" is not bad ... as I recall from memory, Heath Pearce averaged in the high "7's" in the 05-06 season from some Danish paper. Are there any bigger publications/newspapers/sports magazines, besides the fan sites, that do this type of rating (a la Der Kicker)?
Danish Cup, Round 2 : Tåsinge fB (6th level) v AGF Aarhus 0-1 (0-0) 0-1 Jens Gjesing (79') Attendance: 987 (All-time record) AGF lineup (4-4-2): ................................. Steffen Rasmussen (24) U. Lindkvist (26).. Ole Budtz (28).. Kim Madsen (28).. M. Lumb (19) Abdul Razak Salifu (18).. J. Lucena (27).. J. Gjesing (21).. L. Pleidrup (25) ................. Jeremiah White (25)... Peter Graulund (30) Subs: Pleidrup / Dennis Høegh (Debut, 57') Salifu / Frederik Krabbe (74') Lucena / Kári Árnason (79') --- One goal in 90 minutes against a 6th level team ... We simply need a classy forward right now... Fortunately the 22-yo Liberian international Dioh Williams arrived from Sweden today, to pass a medic and sign a contract ...The transfer fee is said to be around $1.4 million (€1 million).. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioh_Williams
On the last day of the transfer window, AGF also chose to sign a contract for the rest of this season, with the young French forward Garra Dembélé So the final AGF summer transfers look like this : IN: 27-yo Central midfielder, Jerry Lucena, Danish League NT, 2 caps (Esbjerg, free) 22-yo forward, Dioh Williams, Liberia, 2 caps, 1 goal (BK Häcken, $1 million) 27-yo right winger, Alex Valencia, Norway, 5 caps (IK Start, $500k) 29-yo central defender/right back, Kim Madsen (Hansa Rostock, free) 26-yo left/right back/midfielder, Ulrik Lindkvist (FC Midtjylland, fee $50k) 21-yo forward, Garra Dembélé, France (Istres, free) 31-yo goalkeeper, Henrik Bundgaard (back from loan to AC Horsens) 18-yo left winger, Emil Lyng (own youth, 4-year contract) 35-yo Assistent coach, Peter Sand, League NT: 2 caps, 1 goal (own ranks) Youth Academy: 16-yo goalkeeper, Esben Højmark, Den U16 NT (3-year youth contract) 16-yo midfielder, Gudlaugur Victor Pálsson, Iceland U17 NT (Fylkir) 15-yo midfielder talent, Nikolaj Jakobsen, (Næsby BK) OUT: 21-yo striker, Mike Tullberg (Reggina, fee $1.4 million) 26-yo midfielder, Svenne Poulsen (free transfer, Hobro) 20-yo Defensive midfielder, Navid Dayyani (retired) 26-yo forward, Rasmus Katholm (FC Fredericia) 33-yo central defender, Jacob Rasmussen (retired) 34-yo Defender/midfielder, Jesper Sørensen (retired) 21-yo forward, Anders Kaagh (back from loan to Mandalskameraterne, now on free transfer to Thróttur, Iceland) --- Stig Tøfting praise Dioh Williams Randers FC assistent coach and former AGF Star player and Danish international Stig Tøfting think AGF have made an absolute scoop by signing the young Liberian forward Dioh Williams who he think is a 'diamond in the rough' and compare him with a younger version of Thierry Henry. Read the whole translated article : http://gramtrans.com/gt/url/?url=ht...1/STIFTEN/108310967/1284/STIFTEN&pair=dan2eng The Gramtrans website can be a bit slow so give it some time to work.. .
Viborg FF v AGF Aarhus 2-0 (1-0) 1-0 Christian Muomaife (37) 2-0 Srdjan Radonjic (82) Attendance: 4,563 AGF lineup (4-4-2): ................................. Steffen Rasmussen (24) U. Lindkvist (26).. O. Budtz (28).. Kim Madsen (28).. M. Lumb (19) Alex Valencia (27).. J. Lucena (27).. K. Árnason (24).. L. Pleidrup (25) ................. Jeremiah White (25)... Peter Graulund (30) Subs: Valencia / Peter Sand (62') Lumb / Jens Gjesing (70') --- Horrible match by AGF against a very weak looking Viborg FF team. The only AGF players who looked good was keeper Steffen Rasmussen and defenders Budtz and Michael Lumb. Unfortunately their good performance was of no use because the rest of the team played poorly and central defender Kim Madsen made several huge personal mistakes, also leading directly to the first goal to Viborg. Jeremiah White played as forward the first 62 minutes until Peter Sand replaced a poorly playing Alex Valencia. Then White was moved to right wing position. Not that it did all that much of a difference in this match. It seemed like the AGF coach and players from start did not really belive that their forwards would be able to score any goals on their own, so they were mainly trying to stand solid in defense and then kick some hopeless long ball to the two small forwards White and Graulund in hope that Viborg would make a defensive mistake or two that would give AGF a small 1-0 win. Unfortunately for AGF, it was Kim Madsen making the personal mistakes that got Viborg started, while AGF didnt produce anything even remotely dangerous in the first 45 minutes, mainly because the cental midfielders Lucena and Árnason did not see much of the ball. In the 2nd half AGF ofcause were forced to keep the ball on the ground and push forward, but it was still like the players lacked the needed confidense and did not really belive they could score the needed goals to turn this match around, so the much possession in midfield in the last 45 minutes did not really lead to all that much. It also shows how desperately we need a classy forward, when coach Pedersen feel forced to use his 35-yo out of shape assistent coach Peter Sand the last 30 minutes of this match. Viborg on the other hand got more and more confident as the match progressed and then their last minute signing Srdjan Radonjic got to score a goal in his debut for Viborg. The former Partizan Belgrade and Serbian league topscorer moved to Viborg from Danish Cup winners OB Odense in the last day of the transfer window, on a loan deal for the rest of this season. On the positive side, then AGF is hopefully soon going to get a work permit for their two new forwards Dioh Williams and Garra Dembélé. The AGF management belive the paperwork will be in order for the two forwards to get their debut in the next Superliga match against Randers FC. AGF had almost no time to prepare for this season after they got promoted, but except for the personal mistakes by Kim Madsen, then the defense now seem very solid and especially young Michael Lumb keep impressing as left back for AGF, so much that he now has been promoted to the Danish U21 NT. AGF will also be able to reinforce the central defense when their former Swedish international Olof Persson has fully recovered from his long-term injury and should the central midfield need some 'new blood', then AGF got the highly talented Danish U21 International Jens Gjesing sitting on the bench, ready to take over as holding midfielder instead of Árnason or Lucena. So all-in-all AGF do have the players needed to raise the level as this season progress, just like it was the case last season, when they also seemed to be in a bit of trouble, but then turned it all around after the winter break and secured promotion. .
Superliga round 9 : Randers FC v AGF Aarhus 0-1 (0-1) 0-1 Dioh Williams (23') Attendance: 11,053 (all-time record) The 22-yo newly signed AGF forward Dioh Williams was recommended to Randers manager Colin Todd by assistent coach Stig Tøfting, but the Randers management did not feel they could afford so sign the young forward, so Stig Tøfting instead chose to recommend Williams to his former club AGF and I'm sure they now very much regret this at Randers FC after his excellent debut for AGF at Essex Park, not only scoring the game-winning goal, but also being selected as man-of-the-match. It was an absolutely impressive performance by the young Liberian international (2 caps, 1 goal), who may or may not be a new "George Weah", but no doubt seem like a scoop, judging by this altogether fantastic debut performance. He is quick, dynamic and very technical strong, but also seem to be very clever playing and already seem to fit in very well at AGF and in this match worked especially well together with Graulund and Jeremiah White. After the match Williams seemed pleased with the more attacking minded short passing style of play in compare with the much long ball and defensive minded opponents he was used to in Sweden. AGF surprised Randers by being very agressive and attacking minded from start, so while it was AGF dominating in midfield and also creating opportunities, then it took the home team around 30 minutes before they managed to create their first dangerous attempt. AGF hit the breaks a bit after Williams had scored the goal, which gave Randers the opportunity to see more of the ball and also create a few very big chances, but you still had the feeling that it was AGF being in control and in the last 45 minutes it was also AGF that came closer to a 2nd goal. AGF keeper Steffen Rasmussen looked good the few times he was put to the test and also Budtz (as usual) and Lindkvist looked very good in defense, while the AGF central midfield also worked well, despite the fact that Kári Árnason has spend the past week or so abroad, playing some tough Euro-08 qualifiers for Iceland against Spain and N-Ireland. Right winger Jeremiah White not only made some excellent moves and an assist but, as written, seemed to work especially well together with Williams.. The same could be said about the always hard working Peter Graulund, but unfortunately he still seem to be in a bit of a scoring crisis. On the negative side was Kim Madsen who keep making stupid personal mistakes and was replaced in the 2nd half. But all-in-all a very entertaing match and a deserved away win to AGF. Jeremiah White played from start and was replaced by Alex Valencia in the 65th minute, but Valencia did not impress in this match either, so I'm sure White now is the regular starter in right wing position for AGF. Highlights : Link or Link 2 AGF lineup (4-4-2): ................................. Steffen Rasmussen (24) U. Lindkvist (26).. O. Budtz (28).. Kim Madsen (28).. M. Lumb (19) Jeremiah White (25).. J. Lucena (27).. K. Árnason (24).. J. Gjesing (21) ................. Dioh Williams (22)... Peter Graulund (30) Subs: Gjesing / Lars Pleidrup (59') Jeremiah White / Alex Valencia (65') Kim Madsen / Anders Kure (70') --- Superliga standings : http://www.bold.dk/statistik/tabel.php?liga=1 .
Nice run and pass/assist on the goal by Jerry. Is Williams saying that SAS is faster than Allsvenskan?
What he mean to say is that you got more time and space to play the ball around in the Superliga, because Swedish soccer is more about standing solid in defense, not taking too many risks and kicking a long ball to the forward(s)... So he is not used to spending this much time actually playing the ball around.. and then he was very often the lone forward at Häcken, while AGF are playing more attacking minded and with two forwards, which ofcause also makes his job easier, not having to handle a whole defense on his own.. .