2011/12 Gotoku Sakai @ VfB Stuttgart (GER) Thread [R]

Also a good time to lock him in for the JNT. He still eligible to play for Germany and USA. Although im not even sure if they are watching him or even considering.

 

Still a mystery why he was not starting for Tokunaga in the Olympics... He was an integral part of Stuttgarts late season run at the Europa League spot. When he arrived, Stuttgart suddenly became unbeatable and it was no coincidence that it happened the same time as Gotoku's arrival and insertion into the starting lineup. He's quick, strong, can cross, can dribble and can play on both sides. And it gets better...hes the youngest!

 

But he did, its plain to see Gotoku is better than Tokunaga. But you cant blame a coach for sticking with the players he trusts. Hindsight is 20/20 but giving the 27 year old(with no NT value) experience and playing time over the 21 year old will still continue to mystify me. If you ask me Tokunaga was the lucky one, he was the sole overage player after all.

 

If Gotoku hadn't been crap when he was given a shot he would have started, it's really no more complex than that. Sekizuka wants to win as much as anybody.

 

I guess one 'bad' performance means Gotoku is a bad player...Tokunaga was not all that convincing himself, just the safer pick in Sekizuka's eyes. I guess its consensus that Tokunaga is better than Gotoku, I'm just saying kill two birds with one stone...play Gotoku who is probably the better player than Tokunaga, judging by where he plays and his success there and while your at it give the guy some experience. Whats done is done.

I cant wait to see Gotoku in the Europa League and see if Stuttgart can pick up where they left off from last year.

 

Hmmmm :
http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten....and.940d0d49-4298-4d7e-87ca-7254ae2ea6c1.html

 

Fantastic

 

is he injured and is resting?

 

No. He has missed almost all of preseason, that's why.

 

He's waiting for Jorgi or Zach to phone him but it's not coming and his heart is broken, he cannot wait anymore, he's already 21

 

You know, not everyone is like Yuto, who sees only the bright side and being a person for who every new day is a bonus.

Last year Shinji was pretty depressed. There was an article in Tokyo Sports that I posted about him and how bad he was feeling because of all the criticism he's got at the start of the new season. It was neglected by some people due to the source but it turned out later that was true and he openly spoke about those hard times in interviews later. It made him stronger and now he won't crumble like he did back then.

Now Gotoku is in similar situation, he knows that he's behind others in Labbadia's notebook. He feels bitter as he's sure it all happened due to him wasting time for NT duties where he haven't seen much time on the pitch. Getting back his starting position in Stuttgart might take time and now he's sure that's all because of NT. That's pure frustration. He will get over it with time. Many players wouldn't have said that to the press. Surely, not your typical Japanese way of dealing with such things

 

Surely not the way universally, I don't think Zach likes to be threatened. We whined because he was called up for nothing but he also has to be mature, swallow it and be patient. He'll probably be back in the team next week but unfortunately his words won't disappear.

That's not really comparable to Shinji's case, Gotoku isn't questioned. He just wants everything too fast.


(if he really said that and we know that some journos don't hesitate making up when it comes to writing a good story)

 

like i said he probably just said in some vague way when they asked him about his call up...

something along the lines of I dont know perhaps or could be leaving his options open and the press just went on and wrote that he is willing to play for Germany ******** Japan and god knows what.

untill you do not hear it from his lips or it is 100% true it is not only wrong but stupid to judge. We are not 10 years old . I think we all know football and press to the degree that we dont believe anything until proven, cause mostly words are twisted and stories made up to make up a better overall story.

Not saying that is the case here, but until we know, it is as if it didn't happen or we speak about it as it is a rumor