The Real Reboot Thread: Road to WC22

Now Flick has to find a way to make Germany's attack function when playing together.

 

Let’s hope Fulkrug is a late starter for the NT juts like Bierhoff and scores the winning trophy goal for us

 

Leading goal scorer now - German player mhhhhh

 

Well if would not know who can turn our team around or give it that extra bit to influence the whole team to play better .

I think Werner should play last 20 minutes of a game for Sane as LF ….

Not sure how Adeyemi will progress . But Flick did not give Nmecha enough time and not sure if Fulkrug will have time to integrate into the team …. But if he keeps scoring goals in the next few weeks then hey why not take him and play him against Japan ..

 

Fulkurg has the skill and physicality for a focal #9. I can see Flick dropping Nmecha and taking Fulkurg to the WC.

 

The problem for Nmecha, (and Fullkrug too if he gets called up) is that Flick doesn’t seem willing to give playing time to any other CF options other then Werner & Havertz. It’s difficult to make an impression without getting some proper minutes with the NT to build up an understanding with new teammates and adapt to international football in general.

What should have happened v Hungary and England is Nmecha start one match and play 90 mins, and Fullkrug start the other and play 90 mins.

If Fullkrug keeps scoring I think he could well make the squad though, definitely provides a different type of option and is in great form. Whether he would actually be used much in Qatar is questionable though.

 

If Fullkrug maintains his form then he should be in the squad as a point of difference . Better to have variety in the attack. Also he's right in the peak of his powers who could be a real asset.

 

Key is for him to get a call up. Flick would not plan to playing him much. However, if attack struggles and he comes on and makes an impact, Flicks' usage of him will change. His presence will create space for Sane, Gnabry, Mueller, Werner to do their thing...

 

Whats with the insistance to play Havertz or Werner as sole CF? I totally don't get it.

Havertz strength is technique, control, passing and vision. He should play behind CF as he is not the type to win battle against strong CB with brawl and strength. And Werner had show time and again his strength best utilized in 2 striker formation like his past tandem with Poulsen and nowadays with Nkunku. He could become dangerous as single striker if we already take a lead as our opponent try to push forward to equalize and Werner with his blistering pace could do serious damage during counter attack. But he is not the type to beat CB in low block and bunkering by our opponent, and will performed even worse than Havertz in that context.

Having someone like Fullkrug is something beneficial with little downside (experience to name a few) since we really need CF that could hold the ball with his back against the goal and annoy the opposing CB to give way for our AM and winger to score.

We don't always need superhuman like Haaland to win game, Italy managed to win Euro by having the likes of Immobile and Berardi as CF. As long as we equipped with high discipline, correct tactic and personnel, we could win the whole thing by having someone like Fullkrug as CF. And he doesn't have to become a top scorer in WC.

Actually I have more concern with our squad in our MF department. Having Kimmich and Gundogan is a bit redundant. Of course its good to have 2 world class midfield, but I still scratch my head that Flick doesn't see a need to have a strong defensive midfield to protect and shore up our defence. Kimmich and Gundogan more concern in passing the ball forward rather than winning the ball or so it seems. While Goretzka tried too hard to emulate Michael Ballack by focusing too much to venture into enemy box.

We need a no-nonsense steely midfielder that focus solely on protecting the back four. Someone with energy, tenacity, stamina and press resistance as well, to make sure our midfield shouldn't be bypass easily like knife through butter. Who the man could be? Stach? Weigl? Dorsch? Andrich? Kramer? Emre Can? I'm not sure myself but calling up plethora of winger cum AM cum CF will not win anything without balance of those who play behind those offensive position.

 

All this talk about CFs made me remember Salvatore Schilacci, who wasn't in anybody's radar, yet served his purpose in the 1990 World Cup. Maybe Flick should take a gamble do something similar with Füllkrug.

 

Totally agree, France winning 98 WC with a CF Stephane Guivarch that was so super uber bad that he could make Kevin Kuranyi looks like Gabriel Batistuta. But from backline to AM and winger, the squad choke full with quality player and goal scorer.

Neuhaus I don't think fit into destroyer type midfielder. Janelt maybe. Honestly I am not a fan of Geiger, whenever I saw him play (maybe small sample) he looks mediocre. On the other hand, I am a big fan of Stiller. I hope Stiller could regain his position in starting XI after the injury. In my eyes Stiller is the modern DM that we need badly. Good on ball, press resistant, excellent passing, strong and defensive minded.

 

I used to follow Füllkrug when he was 20 years old. He was showing glimpses of huge potential. He had very good technical ability, good hold up play and could dribble very well at times. He was inconsistent but the talent was there. I was hoping that he would be at a Champions league club by the time he is 24. Obviously it has taken him much longer to fulfill his potential. I believe that he has what it takes to cut it at the highest level( the WC). He is not as limited as Terrode or Modeste. Flick should give him a chance.

 

It sounds like you are describing Stiller.

From the players you mentioned, none of them are good enough. I would take Andrich out of those but even he is not an ideal option. Neuhaus and Geiger are not destroyers. Does Janelt play in a proactive team? I doubt it. It is different(and easier) being a DM in a defensive-minded team. Plus, he has no Champions league experience. He needs to move to a bigger club and prove himself.