Smuda vs. Wojciechowski: This Is War!

February 3rd, 2011 | by: tomasz |

z6899376X,Micha-Listkiewicz--Franciszek-Smuda-i-Jozef-Wojciechowski Contrary to previous arrangements Polonia Warsaw players (Sobiech, Sadlok, Jodłowiec and Mierzejewski) won’t play in the friendlies against Moldova and Norway. This shows a total disregard for the interest of the national team from the Polonia owner Józef Wojciechowski and basic communication problems between him and PZPN. Mostly, however, the absence of Polonia players is caused by the clash of egos between Smuda and Wojciechowski. It’s a shame that players will have to pay the price for it.

I treated the game against Moldova as a huge chance for Artur Sobiech to show whether he’s capable of becoming a rightful Polish international. This was an opportunity for him to finally get some minutes from Smuda and prove himself on the international level. As it stands, we’ll have to count on Dawid Nowak or Michał Kucharczyk to score against Moldova; neither of them I have high hopes for, the former doesn’t have the proper character whereas the latter hasn’t shown enough so far to validate hopes of him progressing immediately to the international level. Now, after the argument between Polonia and Smuda, it will be hard to find another game for Sobiech where he would be given a proper, at least one half on the pitch chance. Due to this decision, Smuda will also have to use Dariusz Dudka on the left side of our defence against Norway. The Auxerre defender shouldn’t be a change for the worse when compared to Sadlok, but he’s definitely no improvement. Plus I really hoped that I won’t have to watch Dudka in Poland’s starting lineup ever again. However, the most important player for the team that will be unavailable because of the row is Adrian Mierzejewski. He’d be a strong candidate for the best newcomer prize in 2010 if I remembered to carry out Poland World Cup Blog Awards. He hasn’t made a great impression in the national team so far, but the last game against Bosnia was a step in the right direction for Mierzej, it was when he showed how much more skillful he is when compared to the majority of Ekstraklasa players. Now the Polonia winger will have to work really hard to reclaim his position in the national team. In my opinion Smuda should call someone up in his place (Majewski? Cywka?), but most likely he’ll prolong the stay of one of the players from the first game (Bandrowski or Borysiuk).

This quarrel between Smuda and Wojciechowski creates a worrying precedent. I can understand that Polonia has got a new coach (Theo Bos) who wants to have a closer look at the players and have them available for the whole pre-season training camp. Wojciechowski spends a lot of money on Polonia and wants to see the effects of his expenditure. Still, they’re not the only club that has to let their players go for international duty; Legia and Dortmund have to release three players and Zagłębie Lubin two. Not to mention Polonia’s rival in Polish cup quarter final, Lech Poznań, which has to leave as many as five players to Smuda’s disposal (plus three others, Krivets, Rudnevs and Injac, to play for their countries). This whole case shows basic communication problems and lack of diplomatic skills from Franz Smuda. Just as before, when he could have dealt better with problems he had with Boruc, Żewłakow, Iwański or Peszko. The role of the national team coach is to cooperate with the club owners and coaches, it’s to find an understanding with them that will work to the benefit of both sides. Pride can’t get the better of you in those circumstances. When egos clash there are always some casualties. In this case, Wojciechowski got what he wanted and Smuda is left without four important players. Franz ought to be wiser.

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Comments

By bigcmos | February 3rd, 2011 at 7:15 pm

I love Smuda’s passion and hard work ethic he demands out of our players. But, you cannot overlook his horrid communication skills. Moreover, his way of dealing with players, coaches and media is a mess. Arent there people out there that specialize in this type of behaviour modification.

Don’t get me wrong I still love the guy he says it how it is…but sometimes its just stupid. Kicking players off the team cause of incidents instead of dealing with them inhouse. It just pisses me off!

Boruc who is our number 1 keeper and should be for 2012 is in good form and will probably not get a shot becuase Smuda holds a grudge. Its sad but I guess thats life.

Come to think of it..I really wonder how Smuda approached Koscielny about trying out for our team.
Maybe it went something like this “Laurent you have no chance to play for France, come try out for us!”
hahahha fuck Koscielny hes a bitch for not giving us atleast the interview…but hes got his wish just calle up for France.

By paradowski | February 4th, 2011 at 12:43 am

Wojciechowski is wayyyyyy out of line to deny these players the opportunity to play for their country — there is no excuse for that. Couldn’t this seriously effect the moral of these guys trying to play for this joker? how could they feel good enough to play their best for this team, when your international playing hopes are so easily squashed. Don’t the fans like when their team consists of national team players? Don’t they become stronger fans toward their national team players from their club? Wojciechowski is making a big mistake. Wojciechowski is a weasel.

Posted from United States

By paradowski | February 4th, 2011 at 12:54 am

^ morale*

Posted from United States

By Jean-François | February 4th, 2011 at 3:31 am

Laurent Koscielny accepted a call up from Laurent Blanc today… It’s kind of sad to me because he would have a much better career with Poland for sure. With France he will have to compete with very many other players… It wouldn’t surprise me if he retires with 5 or so caps. It will take a lot to get a starting spot with les bleus. Wasted talent… by the way, looking forward to seeing France/Poland friendly in June.

By Casimir | February 4th, 2011 at 5:47 pm

I agree with you Jean. Even his starting days at Arsenal are numbered. Next season when Vermaleen is healthy, he is obviously the starter ahead of him. And right now, I feel more confident in Djourou than Koscielny. What happens if next year Arsenal does continue to chase Jagielka or someone like Mertersacker? Koscielny will only be a back up or rotating player then, and I can’t imagine that being enough to qualify for a call-up by the French national team.

By kuba m | February 4th, 2011 at 8:25 pm

strong performance by kuba and piszczek today in the schalke dortmund derby. kuba had two excellent chances to score but both shots were saved by neuer.
piszczek in my opinion was best on ground. he was very solid in defence and linked up well with kuba down the right side. lewy also had some good touches after coming off the bench. it was a 0-0 draw though dortmund were the far superior team

Posted from Australia

By Timmy | February 4th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Just a heads up, all 3 of the polish players for BVB played amazing today, especially Piszczek who everyone in the forum on goal.com says he should have gotten man of the match as he was so influential today, Kuba was everywhere and won all his challenges, Lewy came on in the 73rd minute but played really well and made a wonderful chip to Barrios but Neuer managed to save it.

About Koscielny I’ll have to agree with Jean-Francois here, he will most likely end up with 5 or 6 caps to his name as France have so many quality defenders and in all honestly Koscielny hasn’t really had a good season for Arsenal, he’s only playing regularly because Arsenal have an injury crisis going on now. As soon as Vermalen gets back and Arsenal get a quality Centerback in the summer (they will) then Koscielny will be no more than a sub for the Gunners. I think going from a below average to of Lorient in Ligue 1 to one of the biggest clubs in the world and playing in the hectic schedule that they have is affecting his performance. He should have either stayed at Loreint and matured or move to a club of a higher calibre but not as big as Arsenal. I dont know if Koscielny joining wouldve helped Poland had he chose to come play for us, but he seriously needs to think about the long term for himself as what I’m seeing now isnt looking good, it looks good now, playing regularly and getting a call up for France but who knows what could happen in a couple years?

haha yes i cant wait for the friendly between Poland and France, should be an entertaining game

By Radek | February 5th, 2011 at 10:05 am

I watched the BVB match yesterday and I agree with the above comments, excellent performance by Kuba and Piszczek, though goal.com seems to think Lewy was just average : http://www.goal.com/en/match/48151/borussia-vs-schalke-04/lineup-stats

By Radek | February 5th, 2011 at 10:37 am

This is getting frustrating, atdhe.me is now gone too.

But there is another option, atdhenet.tv Lets hope this one doesn’t get seized! lol

By Timmy | February 5th, 2011 at 12:01 pm

i am speechless about the arsenal game….winning 4-0 then fucking blowing it and newcastle comes back to make it 4-4 unbelievable. Szczesny wasnt at fault for any of the goals, newcastle got 2 penalties awarded to them which is how they got 2 goals….

By Hieronim | February 5th, 2011 at 3:57 pm

saw the highlights from the Arsenal game… that was unbelievable. Absolutely stunning.

Posted from United States

By Radek | February 6th, 2011 at 1:37 pm

I stopped watching at 4-0,should have continued in hindsight, LOL!

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