Jacek Krzynowek Is the Latest Player To Become Poland’s Starting Left Back.

October 9th, 2008 | By: tomasz | 17 Comments »

In what’s looking like a move caused by sheer desperation on Leo Beenhakker’s behalf, Jacek Krzynowek is likely to be the next player tested on the left back position in Polish national team. Surely this must work; after all a left winger, a position that Krzynowek played all his life, is just like a left back. Only a tiny bit more offensive.

I’ll write a preview of the Czech game on Saturday; today I just wanted to share the rumours that are surrounding our starting lineup. There are still some mysteries, but most of the positions are covered. Here’s how we may start against the Czechs:

Fabianski (Boruc)-Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Dudka, Krzynowek- M.Lewandowski, Murawski- Blaszczykowski, Roger, Smolarek- Sosin (Brozek)

As expected, the nr 1 blouse will be allocated at the last moment. From what I’ve read, there’s strong, but fair rivalry between Boruc and Fabianski, with both keepers wanting to impress the manager. The Holy Goalie is openly expressing his will to start against the Czechs in the interviews; he’s not, however, giving any ultimatums or acting like a primadonna. I don’t think we should worry about our goalies, regardless of who starts.

The biggest surprise in defence may be Jacek Krzynowek as a left back. Just imagine, a left winger who doesn’t even make a bench for his club is to start out of position in what may prove to be our most important game of the campaign. It’s just pure science fiction. On the other hand, when you look at his possible replacements (Wawrzyniak, Wojtkowiak) you quickly realise that the idea is not as sick as it looks. At least we’ll get some more offensive runs than usual. At the same time, if this doesn’t work Leo will be slaughtered by the journalists. As expected, Dariusz Dudka will most likely feature in the central defence.

No surprises in midfield, we’ll put out the best we have at the moment. All eyes will be on Kuba Blaszczykowski, but we should also expect a good performance from other midfielders, maybe apart from M.Lewandowski. Murawski, Roger and Smolarek all constitute enough offensive power to threaten the Czechs, provided it’s their day. Finally, Lukasz Sosin is seriously threatening Pawel Brozek’s place in the starting lineup. I think Leo always wanted to have a tall lone striker, but there just wasn’t anyone around (Rasiak and the late Matusiak failed him). If Sosin really doesn’t look out of depth in training he may as well start on Saturday. Still, I’d prefer to see Pawel Brozek, who I rate as a player of bigger potential.

Other news: I won’t really comment extensively on how the war between PZPN and the Polish government ended. You’re probably as disappointed as I am. There’s no need to lose more time and nerves on this farse. The Leśne Dziadki monuments proved to be irremovable. Let’s hope that wasn’t the last attempt to change the status quo in Polish football.



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Comments
Username By adas | October 9th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
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What if Poland forgets about the leftback? In that case, why not forget all non defensive positions and just stick ten men plus the goal keeper in the box. I’ll take a scoreless draw with the Czechs over a loss any day. What’s the next solution gonna be? A contest for fans to see if anyone in the country can fill in that gap?

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Username By Brian | October 9th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
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@adas

i think it will take a full 11 with fight just to get a scoreless draw, this match will be very difficult regardless

Posted from United States United States

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Username By adas | October 9th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
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Can we start two goal keepers in lieu of a left back? that might help.

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Username By nick | October 9th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
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i’d prefer wawryzniak at lb

Posted from New Zealand New Zealand

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Username By MarcinO | October 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
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How about M.Lewandowski in defence. I don’t see him as a midfielder. In Fifa 08 if you put Lewandowski anywhere on defence his rating goes up. LoL.

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Username By Alek | October 10th, 2008 at 1:32 am
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I would ask prefer Wawrzyniak as LB, and Marcin0 really? FIFA 08 says hes better so we should put him there? well thats because he did play as a CB. But anyway if your going to base anything off of a game base it off football manager 08, the FIFA series hates Poles.

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Username By PRS | October 10th, 2008 at 4:08 am
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Desperate and tactical play by Leo. Krzynowek is a proud guy and there will be an opportunity to do well and we’ll see how he does. Personally, I think it’s a great move.

Posted from United States United States

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Username By Wejher | October 10th, 2008 at 8:53 am
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How about we put Boniak or Lato at l/b and maybe see if we can get professor Stephen Hawkins a polish passport quickly intime for him to play as r/b instead of Wasilewski. He would have about the same physical capabilities as Wasilewski but also has intelligence on his side.
If the L/B position cannot be filled why not revert to a 3-5-2 flood the midfield with players of ability rather than put in somebody inadequate or out of position as a desperate measure, this makes no sense. The Czech republic are not the team they were 5 years ago and yes it will be a good result if we get a draw but to go there expecting to lose is pointless no body expects Poland to win this game not even the coaching staff, but why concede defeat already? why not play a more positive formation and at least show some passion and make an effort. Put it this way would you play a 3-4-3 if you only had 2 attackers? no, you would’nt play a defender there just to play a 3-4-3 you’d change formation. Even an 11 year old kid would do that on a computer game so why cant a former manager of real madrid do it?

Posted from Poland Poland

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Username By MarcinO | October 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am
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If you want to talk sarcasm, I got a better one for you. Why not play Wojtek Wolski at striker? He scored yesterday.

But seriously, Krzynowek should not be playing at all. You’re right, Fifa is a biased when it comes to Poland. They even got the Lech Poznan logo wrong.

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Username By dezerter | October 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am
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I think this is some kind of bad joke by Leo. Krzynowek does not even look like typical wing. He was always more offensive minded and he never played much defence when on the pitch. I don’t like that move at all and I think that Wejher is absolutly right. Just play 3-5-2 if you think that all polish left defenders are shit but I can’t belive he can’t find someone decent.
We will see. If Czech players score from left wing because of Krzynowek poor play Leo will be under fire from Media and Fans and that maybe decide his future.

Posted from United States United States

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Username By adas | October 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
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seriously though, if this is Leo’s tactic then it seems stupid. If he were to try this out for a friendly, I’d say o.k. But if he’s gonna go up against the toughest team in the group with a “hunch”, then its ridiculous. If it actually works, he’ll be a hero again, but Poland needs a defensive unit that can play well together. I don’t think the defense is bad simply because there’s no left back. Also, if they could score loads of goals, the pressure would come off of the defense. So maybe for the short term the focus should be on adding some forwards to the mix rather than sticking with a lone striker.

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Username By M. Zurawski | October 10th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
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Yes, we could lose, but we could also WIN. It’s shameful to think we cannot compete with a smaller neighbor to the south, despite them being a better side. This is not a game that is written in the context of any certainty, look at Hull in the EPL. And yes, despite it having been a friendly, we BEAT this side less then half a year ago. To go into games as fatalists, we might as well quit already. I refuse to believe we cannot (and should not) have a win against every side in that qualification group. Realistically, we won’t. But even with the problems we have, if the coach does what he is paid to do, and the players play with a bit of heart, then yes, we can win.

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Username By adas | October 10th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
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Its hard to think positive when the coach doesn’t seem to be making very confident decisions. I haven’t seen Poland play since Euro 08, so I have no idea how they look. If things are as bad as some on this blog seem, then a draw is something to look forward to. By no means does that mean that I am not hoping for a Polish victory. It just seems that every other country is doing much better than Poland when it comes to soccer. San Marino didn’t train for six months, and Poland was lucky to win 2-0. it could have been 2-1. They have to play much better to beat Czech Rep. I’m not sure they want to.

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Username By kizak | October 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
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Must be a dutch thing putting those midfielders or wingers in the leftback. Worked great for Guus Hiddink when he played Zhirkov there in the Euros. But I don’t think Krzynowek is as fast or has as much skill with the ball at his feet as Yuri did. Let’s hope he holds his side and doesn’t overlap so much looking for those long strikes which after he connected one in Portugal has he made one since, plus I have zero faith in Marcin’s side of the back, if these can’t hold it will be a long match for us.

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Username By Paradowski | October 11th, 2008 at 3:55 am
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Awesome blog tomasz — it is so cool to know about this site and to get any kind of update and information about the Bialo-Czervoni. So, thank you also to all those adding comments. Internet access in relatively new in my home. I would like to find more than YouTube highlights to watch and see more/some games. (I could watched Euro 2008 games at local pub.)

Regarding Krzynowek, in my limited observations I think he works hard to play well and plays with a lot of heart. He really ‘gets after it’. And I noticed that his right foot, as well as his left, as much power. If he can bring his ‘lion heat’ and hard work with added discipline and focus (all needed for good D) then I think he can turn the Czech right side away and maybe even hurt their necks as they watch the ball go behind them. Anyway, I wish them all for Poland and Leo good luck and a great game!

Posted from United States United States

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Username By Paradowski | October 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am
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Sorry for few typos in my above message. Suppose to say: …bring his “lion heart”

Thank you tomasz, this is the best world cup team site!!!

Posted from United States United States

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Username By M. Zurawski | October 12th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
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I agree. :)

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