Management used to be really bad like that. It's better now, thankfully. TEAMS: #WHUFC Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins, Collins, Potts, Nolan, Kouyate, Poyet, Fanimo, C.Cole, Downing, Schalke: Giefer; Höger, Friedrich, Matip, Kolasinac Boateng, Neustädter, Fuchs, Barnetta, Multhaup Choupo-Moting Hmm. Only three starters in there.
Tough match to analyze considering half the lineup was youth players, and most regulars not present. But focusing on the penalty shootout, Giefer was bad. Just seemed like he wasn't focused, guessing wrong corners and poor reaction. Fährmann is by far a much more complete keeper.
Agreed. Geifer was terrible in the PK shootout. The squad we had out there just wasn't telling. Fuchs, Santana, and Barnetta are guys we're trying to get rid of. They won't be playing much, if at all with the senior squad. The rest of the team was mostly reserves and U19s. A couple more things... - Multhaup looked good at right back, perhaps better than Itter. I think Keller is on to something. - Sobottka looked great again. If he stays with the reserves it will be a waste. He's ready for the next level. - Boateng shouldn't play as a number 10, but we already knew he's better in the double pivot. Hopefully he doesn't put up a stink. Meyer and Draxler are better number 10s anyway. - EMCM is very solid. Great addition. I don't know if he'll be a starter, but he'll play a ton of minutes this year.
Draxler working extra hard in preparation of the new season. He's put in his own request to be part of training early and will join the team on Tuesday, Aug 5. Update on Leroy Sane, injury is improving and set to resume training in 1-2 weeks.
We were missing a total of 12 players this past weekend [all the injuries]. Looks like we'll be getting most players back pretty soon. http://www.derwesten.de/sport/auf-schalke-geht-s-schon-im-training-zur-sache-id9667917.html Jan Kirchhoff (ligament strain): Full training this week Christian Clemens (hamstring): Strength training. Chinedu Obasi (groin strain): Return to full training this week. Sidney Sam (calf strain): Should return by the end of this week or early next week. Atsuto Uchida (patellar tendon irritation): Strength workouts. Leroy Sane (muscle problems): Should be back soon. Leon Goretzka (muscle): Healing well, but no specific forecast. Jefferson Farfan (knee surgery): A few months. Tranquillo Barnetta (muscle tightness): Precautionary. Back in training.
Totally forgot that we have game against Bochum in an hour. By the way, I think someone might want to tell the person in charge of Schalke's twitter that this tweet could be taken the wrong way The Hunter is getting pumped for the new season! RT @KJ_Huntelaar: #refueling my #battery pic.twitter.com/ASoYJCHt2n— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) August 5, 2014
We tied Bochum today 1-1. We used mostly reserves again, much like this past weekend against Newscastle and West Ham. We were missing 16 players today, 14 to injury or lack of fitness. We've got to get this squad healthy.
http://www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung....at-Schalke-so-viele-Verletzte;art1278,1360643 Interesting article about all the injuries. To sum it up: - We had a few medical staff changes after all the injuries last season - It didn't help, because we have more than a dozen players battling some sort of injury right now - Draxler publicly said he's worried about the situation - Draxler called for more discipline off the field (implying perhaps that players aren't taking good care of themselves) - The team physician echoed this sentiment, saying that the med staff can only do so much. If the players aren't eating a good diet and resting, then injuries will happen. - Clemens echoed Draxler's sentiments - The pre-season schedule has been questioned - Some people think there hasn't been enough rest, while others say there have been too many games - The first game was too soon, there wasn't enough preparatory fitness - Matip and Kirchoff are now injured as well
So our game tomorrow against Tottenham at 12:30 EDT is on beIN sports in the US. You also might be able to watch it legally online here: http://www.servustv.com/at/Live
I'm not sure you can do much to prevent ligament injuries but all the muscle stuff sounds bad and intolarable.
Sam, Goretzka, Kirchhoff, Giefer, Uchida, Obasi, Farfan and Sane are out injured. Draxler, Hoewedes, and Huntelaar just resumed training and won't travel. Can we just start Avdijaj this weekend? We're missing our best 4 wingers, so why not play EMCM out wide and Avdijaj up front? I'd rather see that than Aogo and Boateng in attacking roles where they're not very good.
Injuries have been an unfortunate issue throughout the league, especially in the development of young players. Hopefully there can be reforms made in upcoming years to gradually improve upon this situation, at least from the preparation and conditioning aspect.
After all the injuries in the pre-season, it looks like we'll only be missing 5 or 6 players for our DFB Cup game.
http://www.sportal.de/neue-regeln-bei-schalke-04-wegen-verletzungen-1-2014081341043300000 The staff, including Heldt, Keller, and medical personnel, have implemented new mandatory procedures to minimize muscle injuries. It includes required regular visits to the dentist and other specialists to ensure the body is in peak condition. I assume it also includes dietary restrictions and sleep requirements. Some sources indicate that our players now have a list of restricted beverages to which they must adhere. There's also something about ensuring proper amino acid intake. Also, during lunch breaks, players are required to take nap time in the nearby hotel. Hopefully this takes care of the problem. I'm glad the club is being proactive.
Have you seen this site already? The guys from the fanzine "Schalke Unser" are worth a visit too. They have a cafe/pub somewhere (can't find the address).
This is going to be an important season for Draxler in terms of development and growth. Last campaign was a challenge with injuries affecting his overall performance. He needs to return to the form of two seasons ago and continue working towards that progression. Especially with Farfan out a few months, the team needs Draxler to assert more in being an impact player. He's regained his fitness and importantly winning the WC should give him even greater motivation. Meyer has worked on building more strength so we'll see steady improvements in his game. The additions of Sam and Choupo-Moting creates more depth in attacking wing players. This should also prompt Goretzka to resume playing his natural position in central midfield where he thrives. I like Clemens, he has good work rate and can fill in as a utilityman covering RM and RB. Sane and Avdijaj are other options who'll be gradually integrated in the rotation. Ayhan and Kirchhoff should be featured ahead of Santana at CB.
I won't profess to know what's going on at the moment ..doesn't help that I can only find streams in German (no idea what the commentators are saying). BUT, Boateng looked slow - I think it was he who got absolutely burnt down the right for Hannover's first goal - and somewhat disinterested, or perhaps down on confidence. Please correct me if I am wrong, or am blaming the wrong player. Awesome turnout, supporter wise. I think they said 8000 (acht something..)
I don't like the Boateng/Neu pairing. I never have. Ayhan was pretty bad out wide, but he didn't have much support. We had similar issues to last year where our double pivot just can't cover the necessary distances to properly defend counter attacks. I'm not sure what it is or why it happens, but it always does. I honestly think it's time to let go of Keller. Coaches have figured out how to exploit his simple tactics. This roster is too damn good to play this poorly. Time for a change; someone new for the rest of the year. I think Heldt should go at the end of the year as well. Then we should pay up for Tuchel.