SchalkeUK

0-1 at the end and one or two positive things from this game - basically a poor performance, but with Kolasinac having gone to arsenal we are short of a left back - or we were!  Uchida has played most - if not all - of his games for 04 on the right, but this was a class, solid performance at left back and may well solve the problem. Bentaleb was poor - again - but Hamit and Wright look good on this performance and deserve to be with Goretzka and Meyer and then we might see some chances being created and finished off.  Not a game for too many positive decisions, but something for the new coach to consider and at least it proved that one or two of last season's failures are still not good enough for BL1

Lot of changes after 10 minutes and Harit is one of them - already showing a different approach and more attacking in the next 5 minutes than the whole of the first half.  Wright is also looking dangerous and with service from Geis things are looking better!

half-time and only 0-1.  The 04 defence is a total shambles - Naldo is the only one seems to be trying - and the attack is nowhere as we do not appear to anyone in mid-field with any idea what to do.  Good job this is a pre-season friendly - against BVB or Bayern we would have been 6-1 down at least, and Paderborn are looking far and away the better side.  I trust there will be changes at half time although we knew in advance that the German International boys were not going to play today!  Decent coverage from WDR and in HD too! Free to air on Astra 19E for those looking for it in the UK

If you are thinking of banning the English posters on kristo's perhaps I can stay on here.  Anyway after 20 minutes we are 1-0 up in Paderborn and great to see a big crowd there for a friendly match.  Konoplyanka seems on form again already and great to see Uchida running and tackling well.

Ah well - back to the game!

I stay away for 24 hours and come back to find I've missed all this stuff!  I wish I could send Veltins to you all, but I can't even get it for myself in this strange country so I listen to all your preferences and take note and , out of respect, refuse to diss any of your tastes as I know that in a few weeks time we shall all be back to talking footy and the thread will be back to sanity.  Meantime, the local flights to Paderborn are totally rubbish so I will have to sit and watch tomorrow's game from here.  No one seems to want to spend time in Berlin or join in a get together this summer so I will wait for nudge to come home and perhaps - for the first time - Tsubs and I can meet up with her for whatever she fancies out of a can, bottle or pump - I promise to buy the first few!  Meantime if you want to see what real quality looks like - try and find some pictures of Kevin and Michele's wedding last week - most of his Belgian team-mates made it and it was not as noisy as the one in the Las Vegas the week before!  A few Stellas went down that day!

So come on then, who's buying who and has Aube left BVB yet?

OK so I know it was against and lower side, but the first pre-season match saw a 9-1 win for S04.  Great to see Uchida back in action and his two goals were a nice start after all the injury problems. Our new American guy, Haji Wright got 4 and also joins the three of us with a b-day on 27 March, Manu, Arsuto and moi. With Amin Harit joining us from Nantes it is becoming interesting - maybe plans are afoot to cover space left if both Leon and Max depart.  With Embolo now fit again it will be inter4esting to see the line up which will develop in China later, but this weekend  we have a short trip down the road to Paderborn so we will see what happens.  New boss Domenico Tedesco seems to be paying things calm and has already have great comments from players about his training sessions.  With the warm weather, the warm feelings around Gelesenkirchen seem to be returning.  Anybody want to join me in berlin at the beginning of August?

There are examples which disprove that idea - that was one of the reasons why Schalke were so bad last season - Max was subbed as the easiest option as the coach was scared to upset the others.  Look at Brazil - the final - who was still running and scored at the end to give the BL boys a chance - and in that heat!  He is small and rarely lays down after some of the tackles he takes - he misses fewer games than most other mid-fielders (his proper position) and , as a kid, what he lost in size he made up for with his running and finding space all the time to be available.  Not his problem that players like Choupo -M have no vision to see that!  Last night's approach to the penalty sums up his game - it was the most clinical and exact spot kick in such pressure we have seen for a while - Max is ready for someone who will let him play his natural game - his link-up play with Leroy and Leon has seriously to be watched at times and that corner which gave Germany the goal in the earlier match was a 'Beckham-like' piece of accuracy not often seen!  As a kid he looked like a young David and given a proper role he can do it!  My wish would be to go to Madrid and play alongside Modric to learn from him like Mesut learned from Diego at Bremen - other than that the care and attention he would get from Kloppy would make him as sought after as any player around.  He has  great future - but sadly it looks like being away from Gelsenkirchen! - One final point - I am old enough to remember a little guy named Alan Ball - try and find another wrinkly who will tell you about him and then think of Max!

Was away in Spain and missed Eid with my local friends here, but another party tonight will make up for that!  Bring on the Coke and Sprite!

Be Nice!

Possible signing of replacement for Max - I did say some time ago that young Max will leave this summer - after the crap he endured last season it is no surprise. My hope is that he will join up with Kloppy at Liverpool, but Spurs are also keen after this showing in the U-21 games.  Sadly the AGM was a waste of time - full of platitudes and no one prepared to take responsibility for last season's poor decisions. Let's hope the new coach will sort out the rubbish he has inherited and clear the decks for the young obvious talent that is still there (until some one comes for Leon!) At possibly 17.5m for Max it's the bargain of the close season!

Congrats and great results.  Hope you spotted my start of another get together. your face and the others in Duisburg adorns my wall still and it would be great to meet up again.  The 'trialists' on here really should stay in touch after all these years!

Finally moved into the new home and my neighbour has given me access to his Wifi (nice fella) so although a bit late I can send TN my bestest wishes for another sad year passing!  I know how he feels and after the past two days I wanted BVB really to win last night.  Monaco can be silly at home so it's not yet over and tonight Ajax will get whatever my team lets them have - best selection and that could be nothing! Normal selection and well.....  Easter is nearly here so to all who have a holiday have a very happy one while I and Mrs P unpack...

Sad K - should read Sead Kolaniac who is ready to leave in June/July having been messed about - neither a winger nor a back as far as the coach is concerned.  In the temperatures of Rio the young German Olympics Captain lasted a full game and scored the only goal when others were wilting.  OInly the Schalke coach refuses to play him for 90 minutes - not even Lowe does that as often for the National side.  And when Leon started the season he was an attacking mid-fielder - what's his position now?  As long as there is space for Choupo and Nastasic and the other 'old men' look out Timo you're next.  Please supply answers on a small piece of white paper and send to whoever at Gelsenkirchen wants to listen!  Benny has always been 04 since a kid, but he must wonder what is going on!  Who does he play with alongside him next game?  How on earth can the defence be solid when it is different for almost every match?  Sorry, I am now moving home and will be without the internet until 18 April - time enough for non-believers to smile and watch whilst we all suffer - me , in silence.  A defeat today against a poor Wolfsburg side will just about sort out the rest of the season and a fight against the rest for third bottom!

Interesting and more interesting.  Not only do we have Sad K and Max M talking to UK managers, now Leon Goretzka is doing the same with Arsenal leading the discussions.

The coach is certainly getting the best players fed up with his lack of respect and professionalism and we will be left with a team of cast-offs and has-beens led by the No 1 Merecenary in the BL.  Shades of Magrat all over again!  I wonder if the present guy is on a similar % of sales?

Sport 1 have the usual pre-match guess at the team line-up.  I hope Choupo-Mercenary has not recovered from getting injured sitting on the aircraft and the dick-head in charge starts with Max (or maybe he is determined to get Max to ask for a transfer rather than just sell him) and if our best wing back is fit enough for Hannover why is he still sidelined for the BL?  This is getting sillier match by match! Who's your money on to get Kolasinac?  I know Benny is trying to persuade him to stay, but under the present leader - no chance.

Hey True man

You should talk to Nudge.  When Slomka fell our with his dad and he moved to Werder he was lucky to be paired with Diego and had to work hard to get where he is now.  That's still in him if it's worth it, but when only Sanchez seems to find space for him to aim at it's not much fun.  He will provide for anyone willing to work with him.  Put with Aube or Modeste or even Muller and then you'll see!

Hi all - nice to see an RL section on here.  part of my life was spent looking after one of the UK's greatest clubs - my best time - Wembley in 79 and signing up Wally Lewis and his bro Scott to play for us - worst recently - funerals of David Topliss, Derek Turner, Tony Dean and Roger Millward as well as dear Harry from Leeds - he was the exception as all the others were younger than me.  The game has changed so much but it still has the edge over the 15 man version.  Was in Huddersfield yesterday and looked in the old George for a half and a think!  At least for me and you - life goes on.

Look forward to reading your posts!

One that ATL seems to have missed!

Not to worry as on the old TFF I started this thread anyway back in the dim and distant past and usually only Thea (liverbird) and I often kept it going with nice comments from our BVB friend - and for those who are new, forget Man U and Liverpool and Celtic and Rangers - BVB and 04 can be real rivals as you will see this weekend, but the respect that we have for each other on here is unbreakable and as solid as you can get. We all have a sneaking jealousy of the Munchkins down south, but that's really down to their money and the way they tend to 'steal' our best guys - they are happy this season due to both goalkeeper and striker - one from each of us so we have to watch them as we remain true to our original young players.  So what's the thinking about Saturday - another draw????

Thanks for the messages guys and gal!  Just getting over another birthday which again was shared with Manuel and Atsuto.  not sure how they celebrated it, but very busy here as I am finally downsizing and moving home after 48 years in one house.  Visit to NC to see No 1 daughter at the end of April and then over to the Ruhr and a few Veltins. New from the Ozil household says they are trying to persuade him to move again - nice if someone in the BL can find the money to bring him home.  Anyone any other news of movements being planned?  There are rumours that Herr Klopp is planning and assault on the BL this summer - could be interesting to Thomas......

Now I know where you have all gone.  Not sure I should re-instate young Max as my picture as he is likely to be leaving this summer.  The present coach seems determined to ruin his confidence and get rid (a bit like Magrat) and I am losing a little of my desire to stay after 68 years as a supporter. Anyway, nice to see you are all well and 'fighting fit'