Scanning the headlines Our hotel is going to get a clean bill of health from the inspectors. It's been announced that tests of the water system in hotel came back negative for the bacteria. Our send-off against Hungary is officially sold out, although some of it is corporate tickets which may be returned and sold for general admission. We had a good crowd in Austria for the Israel match, sold out the (very small stadium), but it looked to be entirely Czech fans. Rosický is in good shape, but will be held out against Hungary so as not to risk any re-injury, but he is expected to start against Russia. The speculation on starting lineup for Hungary from one article is (formation prediction based on the players listed): -------------------Čech------------------------ Gebre Selassie - Sivok - Kadlec (?) - Limberský --------------------Jiráček-------------------- ------------- Plašil -------- Kolář---------------- -Rezek---------------------------------- Pilař- ----------------------Baroš----------------- Not really sure about that projection, but it seemed to be based off some staff comments (although I saw a similar projection for the Israel match that wound up a little off). The backline is my main question mark, but I suppose since Pudil played the full match at LB against Israel (and is no longer on the squad) they have to test out Limberský as the backup and give Kadlec a proper warmup, but still I prefer Kadlec play outside from the start (my guess is he would shift out left at halftime with Hubnik or Suchý coming on at CB). Kolář obviously playing the roll of Rosický. Rezek played great against Ireland, and actually usually does pretty well in a Czech jersey, but still seems to be the player with the most fragile hold on a projected starting position.
I do agree about Ukraine, they have some major political issues that have kind of blown up in UEFA's face with the boycott threats. I would say that Poland is a perfectly good place to host (and actually big enough to host a tournament on its own). Our hotel issues aside, they have the resources to throw an excellent tournament. The only racial incidents I've heard of there are confined to some dumb-ass neofascist hooligans at league matches, which, sadly, can still be a problem many places in Europe (including the next host, France, and the other option for 2012, Italy). I doubt this small minority of idiots will have any impact on fans traveling to Poland. The problem seems a fair bit larger in Ukraine and I can understand countries issuing cautionary travel warnings for non-white fans there. Although, I think the neo-nazism/racism problem in Russia is significantly worse, and they have a lot of work to do on this problem before they host the World Cup (although, I think with Russia's financial resources and desire to project a good image that they can do it).
I'd like to try Perkhart up top with Baros. I don't think Baros can do it all on his own especially with no Rosicky. Almost tempted just to put Plasil at RM and have Kadlec at LM so they can whip in some crosses to Pekhart. I think we try to play too cute at times. We don't have the players to play like Spain, France and Italy. We need two strikers in my opinion and I think Pekhart is a pretty decent one. He may not have set the bundesliga on fire with his goals, but he average a goal every 3 games which isn't bad for his first season in a top league. -------------------Čech------------------------ Gebre Selassie - Sivok - Hubnik - Kadlec -----------------Plasil---Jiráček--------------------- ---Rezek------------------------------------Pilař- ----------------Pekhart-----Baroš----------------- That's what I wanna see. Might as well try it out. It is a friendly after all. Will Rosicky be completely held out or be a sub?
It sounded like Rosický would be held out completely. I also wouldn't be opposed to trying that lineup with two strikers.
I knew he was hurt, but didn't realize he has been pretty much out of commission for weeks. what's the word on pekhart?
You mean in general? I haven't heard of him having any injury issues. He's 23, kind of a big striker (I think 6'4"), came up in Slavia and Tottenham youth systems, but never really made it to first team in EPL (although he played a few matches on loan at Southampton). Had a breakout season at Jablonec a couple of seasons ago, and has been a Nurnberg this season. From what relatively little I've seen of him there - he's very good in the air, is okay at hold up play, but seems to get a little wide-eyed in front of goal at times so finishing is erratic.
Kadlec at CB, he's done it before, but still, I'd rather have plugged Suchy in and kept him out left. kde domov můj...
I like what I've seen from Baroš as far as using his strength the last two games. In fact, he's drawn a penalty two straight matches just by initiating contact. He may have a bit of a rep for diving, but he's very physical and puts himself in the position to draw fouls. We havesome good possession players, so we attack pretty well, but our CBs are shaky (or maybe more accurately, slow) at best, which makes playing this adventurous style is very nerve racking if the other team gets a chance to counter. We really need to keep at least one FB back in at least a kind of DM position instead of send both forward every time.
Hungary's goal was kind of cheaply given away, at most a very soft foul, but it did give us a lesson on the increasingly popular quick taken free kick. All started with a lazy give away by Plašil, who had an otherwise solid though unspectacular half. They had one other really good opportunity on that backpost header that went wide. The play to set up the disallowed Rezek goal is what we need more of, great ball from Jiráček and run from Pilař. Seemed most of our attack was building down the left side, Rezek was pretty quiet except for that disallowed goal, and most any wing play on the right was Selassie, who had a pretty average half.
Bilek is a manager with no ideas. We possess the ball well, we have fine players, but there is no plan in the attack. We just kick the ball around in the opposing third for most of the match with only a couple of players trying to create space for attack. Any success we have will be despite our management. The only spot where the problem is just poor players is the CB. Oh well, a successful tournament was always going to be get to the quarterfinals and hope some of our up-and-comers show enough to get a good transfer.
A close win, and a loss, yet it really felt like we controlled the majority of both games. I can't believe they gave that idiot an extension.
That was an interesting match. Silly first goal. Gotta play attention cause that goal was the difference between a draw and a loss. I don't know why Rezek's goal didn't count. Watched the replay a few times and couldn't see anything. The main ref didn't even call anything. The pk was well deserved by Baros and Kadlec got lucky. We play very good football. Good passing but we need to shoot the ball!!! No one is willing to shoot. I hope with Rosicky, we will be able to split open defenses a little easier. Pilar did well on the wing. He attack the defenders well but his crossing is poor. I think we can do very well if shoot more. How many shots did we take? I can remember like 2 chances all game. Hopefully Rosicky and Plasil will be able to work their magic in the Euros. We clearly need them to do the hardwork and create. That final goal was horrid. Everyone pretty much gave up in the end. Saw it coming right when they got the counter attack going. Great finish though.
The whole match I was thinking: "I can't wait until he gets to Germany next year," a lot of raw ability and attacking attitude, but he does need some refining and competition that forces him to make quicker decisions.
Yeah he will be a good player. He is quick and he likes to attack the defense. Germany will teach him how to become even better. Liking our youth I must say.
I was going to do full player ratings, but think I'll hold off for now. I haven't found a full stat sheet, so I'm not sure how many shots we had, but I read in a post match interview that we won possession 79%-21%.
That doesn't surprise me. We dominated that match but nothing came of it. We need to be a little bit more courageous in front of net. Baros needs to shoot and we need to stop playing so passive.
No big news, teams in Wroclaw training and getting ready for Russia. Saw this qualifying montage on one of the sport sites, it seems like much smoother journey when you only show our highlights: I think this moment was the highlight of the whole process. What a goal...
Baroš is looking questionable to start for the Russia match, he tore a muscle in training yesterday and if he is unable to practice tomorrow will most likely be held out. Not good news, even if Baroš hasn't been in great form for awhile. In our last 3 friendlies he's been directly involved in 3 goals despite the criticism he receives. No early hint as to who would start at forward against Russia if he can't go, but: Pekhart continues to look invisible in a national team jersey, Necid didn't look up to speed, and Lafata's skill set is pretty limited to run + shoot, so would rather have him as a late sub. If called upon, one of those three really has to make the most of the opportunity. Otherwise, it looks like we will probably use the Hungary lineup but with Rosický instead of Kolář.
Was gone for a few days but made sure to get back in time for the Czech match today. Pretty excited. So baros is out I assume?
Actually, he completed full training yesterday and has the go ahead from the physios, so it sounds like he may start.
Looks like we'll be using this lineup: edit: except we'll probably have a goal keeper... though you never know with Bilek...