Mariusz Lewandowski Wins The Uefa Cup. Can He Win The Fans’ Respect?

“only a DEFENSIVE midfielder” ? “only” ? as if that is not really that important. I think it is one of the most important positions in which a dominate player there can have one of the biggest impacts for a team. It was great to see the positive article, since Lewy is often under appreciated, but why bring him down after all.

I also don’t agree that only offensive players are and can be “creative”. I know it is a widely held view. It is my biggest disappointment with football and the lack of respect for the defensive and d-mid skills. Service and assists often require as much change in direction, instinctive reaction, and especially precision, but they will never be appreciated as much as even a striker that may simply provide redirection like a bumper on a pool table. An interesting experiment would be to put guys like Roger and Kuba on defense and watch what happens to a team. Defenders also need great mental strength; a rarity among football players.

Respectfully

Posted from  United States

Kuba strikes again! He just equalized for Dortmund against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

I understood it as ‘only’ as in ‘exclusively’ as opposed to ‘only’ as in a disrespectful term. And i think i agree. That is precisely what he has been doing with Shaktar, and he has been very successful with that role. But to say that a defensive midfielder somehow affects the run of play less then a striker is narrow minded. Any team that employs tactics correctly and does not simply hoof the ball up the field builds from the back, and Lewy, in a defensive midfield position, can read the field in a broader way then a winger or attacking midfielder. It’s just a matter of whether he makes the correct decisions that will determine if he is as successful for our NT as he has been (recently) for Shaktar.

I shit on him because I see what he is capable of and expect a lot of him.

I do understand the “only” in the context of article and Lewy on his club and the nt. It’s just that you would never hear a striker position discussed in that manner, like: He is only a striker, or he can only play striker. No, you would hear: He is a natural striker; he is a pure striker (extremely positive). And, I’m sensitive to idea that the offensive players have a monopoly on, and only they possess, ‘creativity’ on the pitch. To me, it is just a different skill set that is equally as important. Also, It doesn’t help that i just watched “The Art of Soccer, with John Cleese” – very enjoyable commentary and comedy of soccer. But they do the same thing about offensive creativity — pisses me off really. In the segment about defense, they hardly give it its due. Anyway, …knew i would spark some comments. Best Regards.

Posted from  United States

(I probably should spend more time speaking-out against more important things that piss me off in the world)

‘ was able see parts of the Polonia v Lech Poznan game, too bad for Lech on the tie game. The top five at least of Ekstraklasa are strong teams. Wish they could get more teams in Europe cup competitions, as others here have pointed out.

Posted from  United States

Good day for Poland, Jelen, Kuba and Wichniarek have scored today

Unfortunately, Paradowski, offense is the beauty queen of any sport. Defense is given certain dues, but you’ll never see a prima donna defender. Generally Offense is where the names are made. I hate it, but your casual fan will remember who scored the amazing goal, or the winning goal. And the big saves are made by goalkeepers. So, a defender who makes a brilliant stop or tackle is hardly noticed and quickly forgotten. If I could ever play on a team, I’d pick to play a defensive position. Because, to play hard and not get the credit must be taxing. And yet, the best defenders do it day in day out. And this is a soccer forum, so its o.k. for you to speak out against the soccer related things that piss you off.

Mariusz is a huge part of our team and people don’t appreciate the dirty work and simple things that have to be done on the field, winning headers, making big tackles, constantly trying to disrupt the opposing team’s offence. When it come to attacking, he is not a huge part of if but that’s why he is call a holding midfielder. When he does get involved he plays great diagonal balls lays of simple passes to his teammates and the fact that he is always an option in the midfield. This position is crucial to our formation but all people look at is who scored and assisted and the only time they some thing about the defense is when we give up goals. But congrats to Mariusz on winning the trophy he finally has something to show for after so many years at Shaktar.

Yeah, your right (re: adas and Mateusz, and thanks adas!) defense and guys like Mariusz will always have a more thankless job. I will also greatly appreciate these positions regardless of the mass appeal for goal scorers. Though, I don’t think the tough work in d-middle are simple things, it is a more difficult job IMO, when you combine the defending, with the battling, with the possession maintenance, with initiating attacks and counter attacks — that was kind of my point. I’ll chill and can’t wait to see the goal scoring highlights: Wow, Jelen again! and great for Kuba!

and for sure: Congratulations Mariusz Lewandowski on winning the final UEFA cup with Shaktar!

Posted from  United States

Great game for Kuszczak today, 3 good saves against Hull, clean sheet.

i love this bold headed like myself looking dude. He always plays within himself and always is at the right place at the right time ie The cup final and agaisnt Porutgal with a big goal for us over there helping us tie and eventually winning the group.

Posted from  United States