Borussia Mönchengladbach
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So, it looks like I was wrong. I’d been unconvinced of Micheal Frontzeck’s abilities as manager, and I was right there. What I was wrong on, was the effect that Swiss Mister Lucien Favre could have on a team firmly rooting to the bottom of 1. Bundesliga. Throw around a few victories toward the end of last season, and a dramatic final day that put Die Fohlen in the play-off spot, and he most definitely had a positive effect.
For that, I apologize.
Lets move past my failings (and the fact that I’ve not blogged in n months, ahem) and onto this season.
Look! The Billygoats are flying!
Look! 3rd! Champions league spots! Admittedly, the deep rooted pessimism in me is ingrained enough to say that there is still plenty of time to slip 15 places down the table.
Last year was...not good.
The difference this season is immense. Gladbach have 26 points from 13 games this year. Compare that to 36 points total from the whole 34 games. At the mid winter break, Borussia had a grand total of 18 points last year, we had that within 8 games this year. I’m flabbergasted at the turnaround(flabbergasted is a word that needs to be used more often in the English language, I think.)
Should Gladbach proceed at this pace and qualify for the Champions League next season, I cant see the domestic season doing anything other than suffering until the inevitable knock-out in 4th from the group. Or, the miracle that is the Europa League parachute spot.
I’ll try to be back sooner than 6 months later, but I promise nothing.
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For those who dont know, thats German for How Could This Happen? Read the rest of this entry »
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It was something that we all saw coming. I’d done the mathematics for him, he just had to put them into effect. Read the rest of this entry »
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I think I know where this one went wrong. First though, a few minutes to bask in the glory of the goal.
A loose back pass from a St Pauli player was pounced upon by Hanke, who managed to cut back for De Camargo who burst a lung to get on the end of it and had enough composure to put the ball in the back of the net. So far so good.
Swiftly followed was an attack from St Pauli that was heroically defended by a normally dubious defence/goalkeeper combination. The ball stayed out. So far, so good. Read the rest of this entry »
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Is how the the post should read. Instead, there was a 45 minute victory, followed swiftly by the usual lack of defending and the inevitable defeat.
2-0 up at half time is quite difficult to over come, as Die Fohlen know from experience, so how they managed to lose 3-2 after 90 minutes is beyond me. Playing well for 45 minutes is ok, provided its the 2nd half and you’re already winning, but its crucial to try and play well for the full amount.
It is recommended in sports that to win, you have to give it your best efforts for the entire length of the competition. Somewhere along the lines, Borussia Monchengladbach missed that memo, steadfastly refusing to do anything beyond 45 minutes work per week.
I had hope, last week, that there was light at the end of the tunnel. For the rest of the season, Bob Bradley’s nepotism project has become Aston Villa’s problem, and I had begun to think that without that particular gibbon getting in the way, Gladbach may make a bit of a push.
Readers of my previous post will notice how it had suddenly become mathematically possible to not play in the 2. Bundesliga. Obviously, Frontzeck isnt interested in my calculations, and seems to be determined to prove he is a good 2nd division manager, rather than a poor top flight one. Its always nice to now your level.
It was a simple run in, against teams not in the top half of the table, so theoretically, it was completely possible to crawl up the table. Especially without Mr. Nepotism running around the grass.
Actually, hang on. I think I’ve figured it out.
die Fohlen are obviously, cunningly, determined to go down, and are intent on fooling everyone with it.
Being 2-0 up at the half shows there is a quality there. Hidden though it may be, its reared its ugly head a few times to keep Frontzeck in the office for another week at least. Once half time showed up, they remembered that their job this year is to the official 1. Bundesliga Whipping Boys(tm) and so had to drop 3 goals through their lace curtain defence. Its impressive, and takes a lot of talent to be able to hide your actual abilities. Even without He Who Went To Villa To Suck For Houllier.
I put it to you, ladies and gentlemen of the internet, that Borussia Monchengladbach have drawn the short straw for the season and have been cast as the Wooden Spoon recipients for this year.
Next year, we win 2. Bundesliga at a canter, come a close 2nd, or scrape through into 3rd and then lose the play off and spend the next 7 years in 2. Bundesliga.
Oh well, next time’s the charm.
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Goodness me, I’m giddy with excitement. Frankfurt are 9 places above Gladbach in the league, and the chaps on the field run about with the requisite amount of gusto to actually post another 3 points. With a little bit of work, and possibly more luck than credible judgement, there is still hope yet. Read the rest of this entry »
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14th August 2010, FC Erzgebirge 1-3 Borussia Monchengladbach
Round 1 complete, advance to round 2.
27th October 2010, Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (0-0 after 90 minutes, 1-1 after extra time, Borussia win 5-4 on penalties)
Round 2 complete, advance to round 3.
21st December 2010 FC Hoffenheim 2-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
Round 3 complete, advance to Quart…hang on. Lets take another look. 2-0? What happened, Die Fohlen? It was all going so well. I understand that in the league you’ve chosen to play in the 2. Bundesliga next year, but you could at least go out all guns blazing, surely? You did so well to beat Leverkusen, a team who beat you less than a week ago. Where did it all go wrong?
Indeed, avid readers, time for another round of the DFB-Pokal, a competition a mere 6 rounds long spread over the course of the season. One which, even for a group of men as intent on not really doing much for a year as Gladbach, is fairly easy to win.
FC Hoffenheim, who seemingly found a way through the “rock-solid” Borussia defences twice, have tonight been defeated by a single goal by Energie Cottbus. I know that I’m new to German football, but I suspect that my local team(AFC Wimbledon for those who are interested in stalking me) could have put up a half decent fight against a team who sound more like some kind of hybrid mode of transport.
2 wins in the first two rounds is impressive. Obviously, its the same as every other team who made it as far as round 3, but for the team curretly clutching the wooden spoon and refusing to give it up, it really doesnt bode well.
So, 2 wins in the cup, 5 wins in total in this season, and only 1 of those coming at home is not very good. I’m playing an old version of Football Manager at the minute(for those interested, its the 08 version. A fine vintage, I’m sure you’ll agree) and the Gladbach team I’m playing as are currently in the 2011-2012 season as the current holders of the Bundesliga. Due to this, I’ve decided that I’m more than qualified to take over from Micheal Frontzeck as the first team coach. I may not speak German, but I’m sure the club would be willing to pay for a translator.
I’ve decided that next season, I’m going to play a Gladbach team concurrently with the actual games going on and compare the fortunes of the computer against those of the squad in the 2. Bundesliga, which I’m already resigned to happening.
Until I’m chosen by the board to bring in good fortunes for the team, I think I’ll prefer the fantasy, but I’ll still be following reality with a heavy heart and a sad look on my face.
Ah well, maybe in reality, Martin Jol will take over and get those magical 12 points to haul us away from the 2 Bundesliga.
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Borussia Monchengladbach
Once again, Borussia Monchengladbach have opted for the “lets-make-the-opposition-look-better-than-us” way of playing football. For reasons known only to the players, management, and backroom staff, they chose not to listen to my requests to turn Borussia Park into a fortress and a ground that is feared. Nice one, lads. Read the rest of this entry »
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On the 23rd of January, M’Gladbach face Bayer Leverkusen in a game which could possibly make or break the season. Read the rest of this entry »
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Borussia Monchengladbach
Rooted squarely to the bottom of the league table in a proud 18th place (someone has to be there, why not M’Gladbach?), Borussia Monchengladbach have recorded only their third away win of the season. Somewhat tragically, it was also the third win of the season due to an abysmal record at Borussia-Park.
13 points in 18 games is a terrible record at any level, let alone the 1. Bundesliga. 3 wins and 4 draws does not a championship winning season make. 3 points in a tight lower half of the league will be vital, and its only a few points to safety. Can M’Gladbach start to turn things around at last? 18th spot to 12th place is covered by 9 points, in a table as unpredictable as the Bundesliga, surely safety can be achieved. Throw together a run of 4 or 5 more wins before the end of the season and not only will the points be there, but the squad will start to lift and that morale boost will help to create better results.
Taking the scalp of Nuremberg, thanks to an 8th minute goal from Roman Neustadter, could potentially be the catalyst for a turn around and a minor miracle to escape relegation. As it is now, only 4 points stand between Borussia and the safety of avoiding the play-off for relegation. This can only be a good thing. The way that I’m told the team have been playing this year(and the tables speak for themselves) making 15th would be a godsend and scraping through might galvanise the players into performing a little bit better next year.
Nobody wants a West Brom situation where the same team yo-yos between the divisions year after year. It gets dull, makes for an uninteresting game and slowly starts to put people off. All I’m asking from the team is to pull their socks up, get some heart and stop under-achieving. Start winning and make it to the promised land in 15th place, or better. Its not that hard. They’ve all played the game before, its nothing new to them, and frankly, they get paid an obscene amount of money to do something that they should enjoy. Why not make it something enjoyable to watch too? I’m sure the fans that turn up at Borussia-Park for each game are sick of seeing their team capitulate time, and time again.
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