Welcome to the first Schwarz und Weiß World Cup video blog. Nothing spectacular, no bells and whistles, no snazzy editing and fades to black, just something simple recorded using the iPhone in the bedroom. OK, I will probably use the proper HD camcorder for the next one.
In this opening six-minute piece I discuss the final squad cut and the 2-2 draw with Cameroon in Mönchengladbach. I also manage to shoehorn “Maharishi Jogi” into the narrative.
Before anybody asks, I will be wearing a different Nationaltrikot for each piece. Today, I start with everybody’s favourite from 1990. Enjoy.
The final squad cut, Cameroon and the Maharishi Jogi.
I missed the Cameroon match unfortunately, but I am happy to hear that Durm has done a good job. I always liked this lad, and thought that he deserves to be wearing the National Trikot. I was hoping Low will take him. I have seen him leave his position open at time in Dortmund, just needs a bit of experience. The team needs players like Muller, Gruesskreutz, Neuer, Schwieni, Lahm, to be starters. These players leave their hearts out on the field every time they play. Compare that to Ozil and Podolski, well, no comments. Ozil should be a second half substitute in the team, he is just not aggressive enough to be playing all the time. he can provide a bit of creativity if needed.
Agreed. I was secretly hoping that Schmelzer would not be fully fit and Durm would grab that left-back spot, as I have always thought that Schmelzer has been a liability for the national team.
I also agree on the type of players the side needs – those with “Eier”. I am really, really not a fan of Großkreutz but I agree that he does have this “Kämpferisch” mentality. Just compare this team with that of 1990 for example – not everyone in that team was gifted with natural talent, but all of them shared that same mental strength.
Özil definitely needs to be benched, and Götze given the playmaker’s role. This is what Götze is, and this is the perfect opportunity to allow him to play rather than putting him out on the flanks or asking him to be Gerd Müller.
I disagree slightly about Podolski. He can be a bit of a blunderbuss at times, but I don’t think it’s through lack of effort. he may send a fair few shots high into the stands with that left foot of his, but there’s heart and commitment there.
I am just wondering what would happen if Klose gets injured now. It is not totally unlikely given his condition this season. Wouldn’t it have been better to have someone like Kiesling or Lasogga in the team. Even if he’s planning to replace Klose by Muller or Schurrle, it’s going to be a black box because he has not really experimented enough with this idea. False nine just doesn’t work with this team.
Podolski: For me the only place that Podolski would fit it is the number 9 striker. If he plays on the wing he is going to be a huge defensive liability. I cannot count the number of times we have conceded crucial goals because of Podolski’s unwillingness to run and defend.
I did ask this question in the video, but due to the lack of evidence that any given alternative works effectively – as you rightly point out – the test will come in the tournament itself against Portugal.
I would have taken Kießling, but then his absence is a matter for Jogi Löw. As far as I know nobody else has any problem with him, just the coach. Lasogga was just coming back to full fitness hence his being overtaken for selection by Volland, and I really expected the latter to get a slot in the squad in place of Draxler who has been in poor form this season and is unlikely to add anything to the team dynamic.
If Klose doesn’t last the distance – and frankly nobody is expecting that he will – I would hope that the “9” position is filled by Müller or Schürrle, or Podolski as you suggest. But somehow I think Löw will persist in using Götze in this position. This has failed almost every time I have seen it, but hey.
“Black Box”… That sums things up pretty accurately I think.
Hi Der Chef, I haven’t commented on this site for a while now. I have not been as pessimistic as now any tournament before. Between all the injuries, the Pep effect on the team, and the unexplainable decisions of Jogi Low, I think we are being setup for a disaster. and For me a disaster is not reaching the semi final. The effect that Pep Guardiola had on Bayern and the National Mannschaft has been catastrophic. Bayern and Die Mannschaft do not have a Messi to create a moment of brilliance after all the passing has bored the other team to death and distracted them. It just doesn’t work with this team.
Thanks for the comments Samer.
I think this pessimism is infectious. Many I have spoken to feel pretty much the same.