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Squad Watch: Week 5. Lech Poznan Draws With Wisla Krakow At The Top Of The Polish Ekstraklasa.

April 6th, 2009 | By: tomasz | 41 Comments »

The fight for the Polish championship is not yet over. The most interesting match of the weekend ended in a 1-1 draw between Lech Poznan and Wisla Krakow. Apart from the aforementioned teams Legia Warsaw and Polonia Warsaw also compete for the champions’ crown.

Not much to cheer about in Poles’ post qualifying performances:

Goalkeepers:

Artur Boruc (Celtic Glasgow)- 90 minutes against Hamilton
Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal London)- on the bench against Manchester City
Wojciech Kowalewski (Iraklis Thessaloniki)- 90 minutes against Thrasivoulos
Tomasz Kuszczak (ManUtd)- not in the squad against Aston Villa
Sebastian Przyrowski (Polonia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against Polonia Bytom, note 6
Lukasz Zaluska (Dundee United)- 90 minutes against Hibernian

Defenders:

Barosz Bosacki (Lech Poznan)- 90 minutes against Wisla, note 6
Dariusz Dudka (AJ Auxerre)- 90 minutes against Valenciennes
Seweryn Gancarczyk (Metalist Kharkiv)- 90 minutes against Dnipro
Pawel Golanski (Steaua Bucharest)- 76 minutes against Gloria
Adam Kokoszka (Empoli F.C.)- 90 minutes against Frosinone
Marcin Komorowski (Legia Warsaw)- not in the squad against Arka, injury
Marcin Kowalczyk (Dinamo Moscow)- not in the squad against Terek, injury
Tomasz Jodlowiec (Polonia Warsaw)- not in the squad against Polonia Bytom, red card ban
Michal Pazdan (Gornik Zabrze)- 90 minutes against Piast, note 4
Piotr Polczak (Cracovia Krakow)- not in the squad against Ruch, injury
Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht)- 90 minutes against Lokeren
Jakub Wawrzyniak (Panathinaikos)- 90 minutes against Skoda
Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznan)- not in the squad against Wisla, injury
Michal Zewlakow (Olympiakos Pireus)- on the bench against Levadiakos

Midfielders:

Tomasz Bandrowski (Lech Poznan)- 90 minutes against Wisla, note 5
Rafal Boguski (Wisla Krakow)-90 minutes against Lech, note 5
Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund)- 76 minutes against Hertha
Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against Arka, note 6
Jacek Krzynowek (Hannover 96)- 32 minutes and a goal against Werder
Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk)- 24 minutes against Metalurg Z.
Wojciech Lobodzinski (Wisla Krakow)- 6 minutes against Lech
Radoslaw Majewski (Polonia Warsaw)- 55 minutes against Polonia Bytom, note 4
Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan)- not in the squad against Wisla, injury
Szymon Pawlowski (Zaglebie Lubin)- 90 minutes against Podbeskidzie, note 5
Sławomir Peszko (Lech Poznan)-90 minutes against Wisla, note 7
Bartosz Salamon (Brescia)- 61 minutes against Piacenza
Lukasz Tralka (Polonia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against Polonia Bytom, note 5
Jakub Wilk (Lech Poznan)- 68 minutes against Wisla, note 5

Attackers:

Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow)- not in the squad against Lech, injury
Dawid Janczyk (Lokeren)- 64 minutes against Anderlecht
Michal Janota (Feyenoord Rotterdam)- not in the squad against Volendam
Ireneusz Jelen (AJ Auxerre)- 90 minutes against Valenciennes
Robert Lewandowski (Lech Poznan)- 90 minutes against Wisla, note 6
Lukasz Piszczek (Hertha Berlin)- not in the squad against Dortmund, injury
Grzegorz Rasiak (Watford)- not in the squad against Doncaster, injury
Marek Saganowski (Southampton)- 90 minutes against Charlton
Ebi Smolarek (Bolton Wanderers)- on the bench against Middlesbrough
Lukasz Sosin (Anorthosis Famagusta)- 13 minutes against AEL Limassol
Artur Wichniarek (Arminia Bielefeld)- 90 minutes against Schalke
Tomasz Zahorski (Gornik Zabrze)- 90 minutes against Piast, note 3
Maciej Zurawski (Larissa)- not in the squad against Panionios

Summary: Back to the Squad Watch then, the Polish national team won’t play till June. I watched yesterday the game between Lech Poznan and Wisla Krakow in the Polish Ekstraklasa. Both teams were lacking their best strikers: Hernan Rengifo on the Poznan side and Pawel Brozek on the Krakow side. The tempo of the game was very high, but I was a little bit disappointed with the tactical awareness of the players. It seems that the Polish club teams are afraid to exchange more than three or four passes. The passion was definitely there, but both teams lacked a player who would control the game in the middle of the field. Both goals were scored by foreigners: Peter Singlar for Wisla and Semir Stilic for Lech after a Ronaldinho like free kick (if you remember Barca’s game against Werder in the CL). The game proved how important Rafal Murawski is for the Poznan team, without him there was no midfielder who would aid Semir Stilic and Robert Lewandowski in Lech’s offense.

Tomasz Bandrowski didn’t entirely recover from the horror at Windsor Park as he had a rather average game. Of course, he didn’t lose possession as many times as a week ago, but there were many situations for which he would be punished on an international stage. Unfortunately, the Polish Ekstraklasa doesn’t put such high demands on the players. Slawomir Peszko was very active on the right wing; maybe his dribbles are not very sophisticated, but he certainly is very fast. He is far behind Kuba Blaszczykowski and Irek Jelen in terms of pure skills, nevertheless I think he may be quite useful for the national team. His natural drive forward and speed is what the Bialo Czerwoni may need in the last fifteen minutes of our games. I consider Peszko a player who, in good form, may come from the bench and change the way the game looks like. Bartosz Bosacki had a usual steady performance in the centre of the defense. Jakub Wilk played in the centre of the midfield; in terms of the national team he’s useless on this position, he tends to disappear in the games. It’s a shame Smuda doesn’t play Wilk on the left back position, but it’s understandable since he’s got the reliable Ivan Djurdjevic to cover it. Robert Lewandowski fought against Arkadiusz Glowacki throughout the whole ninety minutes; I saw better games from the young Lewy. I know that there is much hype surrounding this player (partly predicted by this blog if you remember my note on who may play for the Bialo Czerwoni after Euros), but if I’m to comment on it it’s a bit too early for a transfer abroad. On the other hand, it depends on what kind of team would come knocking. I think Lewy should refrain from moving to the top four\five leagues at the moment; he needs another year of international football, both for Lech and the Bialo Czerwoni. However, if a good team from the Dutch league (like AZ, Heerenveen, maybe even Ajax) or the Portuguese one (the big three) comes with an offer I would seriously consider it. What Lewy needs is an offensive team (like Lech) in an offensive minded league.

As for Wisla players, it wasn’t a perfect game for Rafal Boguski. The ball spent too much time in the air for him to make a huge impact. I’ve watched Boguski for more than a year now in terms of the national team and, as useful as he can be, I have serious doubts if he’s able to achieve the level of Pawel Brozek or Maciej Zurawski from three years ago. Still, being a player he is, he definitely is good enough to play for the Bialo Czerwoni, I just don’t know if he’s ever going to be one of our leaders. Does it even make sense to mention Wojciech Lobodzinski in the Squad Watch? The highest paid Wisla player spends this part of the season entirely on the bench. What’s positive about it? He’s been replaced by the twenty year old Patryk Malecki in the starting eleven. Those who watched the Youth World Cup in Canada in 2007 should remember this player very well. There was a time when he was not needed by Wisla and I was afraid he’ll end up as another wasted talent. Fortunately, this season Maciej Skorza brings out the best from Malecki. He can play on both flanks, is very dynamic and I can say that he’s been working hard on his crosses. Malecki is also a player who scored twice in our U-21’s last friendly against Latvia. I can bet that we’ll see him wearing the white and red in the next couple of years.

What about Poles playing abroad? Four goals (FIFA ultimately ruled out the own goal) against San Marino didn’t help Ebi Smolarek to leave Bolton’s bench. His team won, but I wonder what Ebi has to do to receive a fair chance. For me it’s a crime not to use a guy who scored four times in his last game, but it’s Gary Megson who’s Bolton’s manager, not me. Kuba Blaszczykowski played his first game in the starting lineup for Dortmund since the winter break. Hopefully, there will be enough time for him to return to his usual highs. Artur Boruc can be confident of his place in Celtic’s goal, even after such detrimental performances as against Northern Ireland. Maybe he’ll finally find his peace in Glasgow. Jacek Krzynowek started the game on the bench, but came on in the second half and scored a beautiful goal with his, surprise surprise, right foot!!! Ironically, Krzyniu can win the Bundesliga title and get relegated in one single season; I don’t think he’d be too boastful about the title, however. Przeglad Sportowy reported that Sunderland were scouting Sebastian Przyrowski in the game against Polonia Bytom. Well, they didn’t choose a good occasion since the Bytom team didn’t create many chances to test Przyrowski. A transfer to Sunderland? Isn’t it the club that paid huge money for Craig Gordon some time ago? Maybe they’re looking for a backup keeper.

Highlights: Krzynowek’s nice goal against Werder

Lech Poznan-Wisla Krakow 1:1

Tags: Bandrowski, Blaszczykowski, Boguski, boruc, Bosacki, Group A, Krzynowek, Lech, Lobodzinski, Malecki, Peszko, Poland, Przyrowski, Robert Lewandowski, Skorza, Smolarek, Smuda, Squad Watch, Wilk, Wisla

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 41 comments.

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By Alek | April 10th, 2009 at 3:40 am

I know that the rankings are based on history but even after tournaments which are multiple games which also have an added weight to the outcome, the points that are given are completely biased. Take for instance the African Cup of Nations 2008 in Ghana. Ghana gained the most points of any nation even tough they played at home and finished third. Cameroon then took the second largest amount for second which is perfect. But the winners Egypt only took the third largest amount of points. I honestly could care less about the African Cup of Nations but I remember this in so much detail because that’s when I had proof of the shit that is the FIFA ranking.

On another note. Apparently Avram Grant says that if Beenhakker is fired he would love to take over. I would like to keep Leo, and if not then I’d like to see Smuda, Urban, or Skorza take over but chances of that are really slim because i don’t see them leaving their clubs. So overall if the PZPN are dumb enough to fire Leo, lets take Avram.

http://sport.onet.pl/74318,1248685,1950554,,byly_menedzer_chelsea_jak_polska_bedzie_potrzebowala_trenera_-_dzwoncie,wiadomosc.html

By witold | April 10th, 2009 at 11:59 am

I lost my confidence in Leo, we are on a downslope with him. But I don’t want anyone other than Smuda to replace him, so I wish that PZPN will enough bright to keep Leo as long as Smuda will be not available. But I agree that if Leo is fired Avram will be a good choice

By paradowski | April 10th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

I think we all know that Poland hasn’t played to their true potential, and with the occasional brilliance of play we should be optimistic, if only they could play with all their heart and as a team for a whole game on a consistent basis. A lower ranking based on recent matches seems reasonable. But they are not far in skill from a much higher rank than where they just came from.

Posted from United States

By adas | April 10th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

Also, 41 out of like 200 isn’t that bad. They’re among the top quarter of the teams in the world. I have a feeling they struggle mostly because of the region they are in. I’m not saying they would openly dominate all other regions, but when you’re sandwiched by countries like Germany, Russia, and when they’re on their game, the Czech Republic, its hard to feel confident all the time. Also, it seems like a lot of teams are getting better. Put that all together with Italy, France, Spain, etc., and its easy to see why confidence could be lacking. The major thing is the last game showed they care. I’m dying for them to qualify for South Africa, and then they need to win the first game. Bad starts in big tournaments have killed them. And waiting for 2012 doesn’t seem like a good idea either. I know that hosts usually do well, but remember what happened to Austria and Switzerland. If Poland can’t play well during qualifiers, how are they going to play well in meaningless friendlies that will count as warm-up games. They need to work hard now, or things can only get worse. Perhaps embarassing.

By kacinski | April 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am

i hate avraam grant. he is arguably one of the worst coaches! he had chelsea, the best team in all of europe, and with that team he did not bring home even 1 miserable trophy, not champions league, english cup etc… I think you guys are forgetting what Leo has done for us in the past couple years. We qualified for the euros, beat the czechs twice, beat portugal, and tied portugal when we were away. We even played well against germany during the euro 2008, even though we did end up losing. Although the national team has been facing recent setbacks, its not neecessarily his faults, its the players’ fault. Its been the players who haven’t shown any motivation, or desire. The coach only influences tactics, he doesn’t control them when they get onto that pitch

Posted from United States

By paradowski | April 11th, 2009 at 9:11 am

^ agreed (kacinski) I’m surprised that Beenhakker is not embraced by more fans, all the players, and the PZPN. I’m was very happy to hear the fans got behind Leo during the San Marino game.

Posted from United States

By Witold | April 11th, 2009 at 11:11 am

The tactics of Leo the last year were very questionable, and if all the team hasn’t shown any motivation, or desire, sorry but in my book it is the fault of a coach. And with Leo we wasn’t better than with the formers coachs, we did the worldcup 2002 and the worldcup 2006 without him. I don’t understand why we think that Leo did better than Jerzy Engel or Pawel Janas? Is it because he is a stranger? I don’t think that Leo is a very bad coach, but…
Anyways we have no choice, we have to try to participate to the Worldcup with him, I just wish that all the good players which were heroes became zeros under his coaching. We are 41st, is not that bad, but we were 17th in 2005, 16th in 2007… I still think that we have a very good players like Boruc, Fabianski, Kusczak, Wichniarek, Jelen, Kokoszka, Kuba, Smolarek,Janczyk, Lewandowski, Brozek, etc..but we can’t make them play together.
The first place that we need to improve is not the strikers or the goalkeepers, it is the defence, we have a very very bad defence, with that kind of defence we never win. In the next friendlies Leo has to put the focus maximum on this position and try other players there, I can’t believe that among all Polish players we don’t have better ones than these one

By adas | April 11th, 2009 at 11:58 am

Its not that Leo is better than Engel or Janas. He just has more confidence than either one of them. I remember watching the other two guys coach at the world cup, and they did look intimidated to be there. Leo doesn’t look worried. He’s confident, even if Poland is outmatched.

By paradowski | April 11th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

yep – there should be better defenders available in Poland. The young d-backs should condition themselves physically and mentality because there is the opportunity there for better Ds on the NT. We need someone to step up as the Ramos of Polska. I’m watching Wisła v Jagiellonia now. Defense is not too bad in this game, but definitely looks like these guys could be better conditioned; why wouldn’t they work their asses off more since it is their profession.

Posted from United States

By adas | April 11th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

There’s no real glory in being a defender. Everyone wants to score goals.

By paradowski | April 12th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Happy Easter! …taking a little break here after coloring eggs with my daughter and wife.

^ adas, plus – It is not easy to shine as a defender since you are always trying to stop the fastest and best players (why D requires a lot of focus all game). Even the best defenders (like Spain’s Sergio Ramos) get beat sometimes and that’s why I think D also need to be mentally strong and have best chance to succeed when in their best physical condition.

Cheers

Posted from United States

By adas | April 12th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

Happy Easter. paradowski, I totally agree with you. Everyone wants to be the star of the team, and good defenders can sometimes be under-appreciated. If you score the winning goal, the fans remember. If you make a great tackle that prevents a goal, most people won’t recognize the accomplish. They’ll forget about it. Unfortunately that’s how it is in most sports.

By Hieronim | April 12th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

Happy Easter.

By MarcinO | April 13th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

Kazmierczak scored for Derby County from a free kick today. I wonder what the future hold for him once his load deal expires.

By Nick | April 15th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Great game from Fabianski – the youngster is maturing pretty quickly, that much has to be said.

Posted from United States

By drewsky | April 16th, 2009 at 7:10 am

I agree Nick it does look like the lad is growing up (and what better place than in the champions league)he now has the task of trying to knock off the mighty Man United.This is real good stuff.

Go Polska

Posted from United States

By a | April 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

I hope Fabianski convinces Wenger that he needs to play regularly to maintain a high level of play.

Kuszczak needs to get out of ManYoo. I keep hearing that other dudes name being tossed around as the future number one. They will do everything for him to succeed, even at the expense of Kuszczak’s development. They see potential in a 25 year old unproven tosser as England number one? Give me a break. Fergie is blowing smoke up Kuszszak’s arse. But Kuszczak ain’t going anywhere anytime soon because he likes the pounds (nothing sexual I hope, just money) from Fergie. He signed a two-year extension which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012. He’s gonna be like a 29 year old single mother. No one will want him.

By Witold | April 16th, 2009 at 9:40 pm

I don’t understand Kuszczak, a shame, he must go.

By Witold | April 16th, 2009 at 10:08 pm

Goal.com has chose Fabianski in the eleven star team of the Champion League. Jean-Charles DANREE told that Fabianski was solid, never in problem, and really well focused on the game
http://www.goal.com/fr/news/163/l-des-champions/2009/04/16/1212074/ligue-des-champions-le-onze-des-quarts-de-finale (in french)

By paradowski | April 16th, 2009 at 11:35 pm

I didn’t get to see the Arsenal game vs Villareal while at work, but it was great to check-in to see the clean sheet for Fabianski. To bad if Kuszczak signed the two year deal. I don’t want to wish anyone to get injured — but maybe he will get will get a chance some time like Fabianski has now.

Posted from United States

By Witold | April 18th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Very bad first half for Fabianski against Chelsea, very unsecure, and was beaten on the near post. He must play more frequently, he is not confident.And he has a very bad move on the second goal… A very bad news for him for the future, he has missed a good chance

By Hieronim | April 18th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

wow Fabianski was shit today in the FA Cup semi. Someone needs to tell him to stay in his goddam box. He probably ruined his chances for overtaking Alumnia.

By Mike Litoris | April 18th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Yeah it was a bad game for Fabianski. He’s a strong kid, he will bounce back.

Let’s just hope that Wenger does not get influenced by the brit press or broadcasters. The dudes who called that match were just terrible. Anything Fabianski did was a mistake in the eyes of those two wankers. They were a little harsh and critical most times he touched the ball. Yeah he let in two shit goals. You got the sense that Fabianski must have killed their dog or something. Then again, the brit commentators are always more critical of foreign players. They favour their boys as if to protect them or something (propaganda). If you just started watching football you would think that Rooney and Lampard are the best footballers on the planet, even better than Ronaldo. Bollocks. They never call the play as it happens. They always overlook the fact that English players do on occasion dive and flop or make silly mistakes. (That ginger disaster Scholes comes to mind where he forgot what sport he was playing and grabber the ball with his hands and not the first time too) They never point that out but are first to acknowledge a foreigner’s mistake. It is as if they don’t want to admit it for fear of punishment by the Queen or something. Sometimes they will name drop a brit and say that he would not have made a mistake in that particular situation. Bollocks. Its getting harder and harder to watch the EPL. How was Lampard the player of the game? Those commentators could not come up with a reason for that one either. Cheerio.

By marco | April 19th, 2009 at 5:57 am

@ mike, I was also very disgusted with the poor level of the calling in that game. I stand by your statement 100% as you read my mind completely. This week in week out over rating of english players along with the rubbishing of foreign talent sets england up for unexpected early exits in world cups, along with not even making euro cup finals.

By Wejher | April 20th, 2009 at 10:27 am

Good shout! hear it all the time… English midfielders being the best in the world …. Rooney best striker in the world, Terry the best Defender in the world …. bla bla blaaa! The fact is the Premier league is the best League in the world but its due to the amount of foreign stars – Cantona, Henry, Ronaldo, Torres, Bergkamp, Viera, Schmiecal (polish mum ;D) Keane (R.O.I not english) even the best managers are from Scotland, Ireland, France etc and the shit (Megson, mowbrey etc) are all english, Like you said its propaganda to sway public oppinion to pressure the managers to play english players and nothing more than that

Posted from Poland