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Squad Watch: Week 8. Dawid Janczyk Rescues His Career At Lokeren.

May 4th, 2009 | By: tomasz | 26 Comments »

Now we can surely say that Dawid Janczyk’s loan move from CSKA Moscow to Lokeren was a blessing. The Polish starlet scored his fifth goal in the eleventh outing proving the doubters (including myself) that it was too early to write him off. Is he ready to become a part of the national team or is he just a 2012 prospect?

Goalkeepers:

Artur Boruc (Celtic Glasgow)- 90 minutes against Aberdeen
Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal London)- 90 minutes against Portsmouth
Wojciech Kowalewski (Iraklis Thessaloniki)- the Greek league didn’t play
Tomasz Kuszczak (ManUtd)- on the bench against Middlesbrough
Sebastian Przyrowski (Polonia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against Cracovia, note 5
Lukasz Zaluska (Dundee United)- 90 minutes and an assist against Hibernian

Defenders:

Barosz Bosacki (Lech Poznan)- 64 minutes against Ruch, note 6
Dariusz Dudka (AJ Auxerre)- 90 minutes against Monaco
Seweryn Gancarczyk (Metalist Kharkiv)- 90 minutes against Arsenal
Pawel Golanski (Steaua Bucharest)- 90 minutes against Otelul
Tomasz Jodlowiec (Polonia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against Cracovia, note 5
Adam Kokoszka (Empoli F.C.)- match today
Marcin Komorowski (Legia Warsaw)- on the bench against LKS Lodz
Marcin Kowalczyk (Dinamo Moscow)- 90 minutes against Spartak
Michal Pazdan (Gornik Zabrze)- 90 minutes against Lechia., note 6
Piotr Polczak (Cracovia Krakow)- 90 minutes against Polonia, note 6
Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht)- 90 minutes and a goal against Tubize
Jakub Wawrzyniak (Panathinaikos)- the Greek league didn’t play
Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznan)- not in the squad against Ruch, injury
Michal Zewlakow (Olympiakos Pireus)- on the bench against AEK in the Greek Cup final

Midfielders:

Tomasz Bandrowski (Lech Poznan)- 78 minutes against Ruch, note 5
Rafal Boguski (Wisla Krakow)-90 minutes against Piast, note 5
Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund)- 67 minutes against Eintracht
Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against LKS Lodz, note 5
Jacek Krzynowek (Hannover 96)- 74 minutes and an assist against Bochum
Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk)- 90 minutes against Kryvbas
Wojciech Lobodzinski (Wisla Krakow)- 45 minutes against Piast, note 4
Radoslaw Majewski (Polonia Warsaw)- 86 minutes against Cracovia, note 5
Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan)- 90 minutes against Ruch, note 5
Szymon Pawlowski (Zaglebie Lubin)- 90 minutes against Wisla Plock, note 4
Sławomir Peszko (Lech Poznan)-90 minutes and an assist against Ruch, note 6
Bartosz Salamon (Brescia)- on the bench against Albinoleffe
Lukasz Tralka (Polonia Warsaw)- 90 minutes against Cracovia, note 5
Jakub Wilk (Lech Poznan)- 90 minutes against Ruch, note 5

Attackers:

Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow)- 90 minutes against Piast, note 4
Dawid Janczyk (Lokeren)- 75 minutes and a goal against Club Brugge
Michal Janota (Feyenoord Rotterdam)- not in the squad against Utrecht
Ireneusz Jelen (AJ Auxerre)- 84 minutes against Monaco
Robert Lewandowski (Lech Poznan)- 90 minutes and a goal against Ruch, note 6
Lukasz Piszczek (Hertha Berlin)- 90 minutes against HSV
Grzegorz Rasiak (Watford)- 90 minutes and two goals against Derby
Marek Saganowski (Southampton)- not in the squad against Nottingham Forest, injury
Ebi Smolarek (Bolton Wanderers)- on the bench against Wigan
Lukasz Sosin (Anorthosis Famagusta)- 90 minutes against Omonia
Artur Wichniarek (Arminia Bielefeld)- not in the squad against Stuttgart, injury
Tomasz Zahorski (Gornik Zabrze)- not in the squad against Lechia, injury
Maciej Zurawski (Larissa)- the Greek league didn’t play

Summary: Dawid Janczyk was the star of Polish youth teams both in 2006 European Championships and 2007 World Cup. After the 2006 tournament there were rumours about his move to England, after 2007 even Atletico Madrid was mentioned as a possible destination. After all, Janczyk landed in CSKA Moscow for what was supposed to be the highest transfer fee paid for a player from the Polish league (something around 3M, similar to the price for Zurawski and Fabianski). Till this day I can’t really understand why the Russians purchased him. At best, Janczyk came on the field in the dying minutes of the games with the coach reluctant to give him a proper chance. He spent most of his year and a half in Moscow on the bench, in the stands or in the B team. Provided playing time, he scored once in a while, but it was visible that he’s very low in CSKA pecking order. I saw Janczyk twice during this time, at the beginning of 2008 in U-21 game against England and at the end of 2008 when he earned his first cap against Serbia. To my surprise, I saw progress in Janczyk’s game. In Polish league he was still a raw material, unable to turn with the ball or hold it and wait for midfielders. His first touch left much to be desired. In the games I saw in 2008 he emerged as a more mature player, he used his physique well to cover the ball, ran at defenders, but cooperated with teammates when needed. What he always had was his powerful shot. After the Serbia game I thought that this is the time when Janczyk has to start playing regularly or he will be lost for the Polish football. First, there were rumours about a loan move to Anderlecht. A horrible choice in my opinion as such a big club, fighting for championship, would be reluctant to give playing time to an inexperienced Polish youngster. After all, Janczyk landed in Belgium, but Lokeren was his choice (or just a club that wanted him). It took some time for Cygan to regain fitness, but when Lokeren’s top striker Maazou was sold to CSKA the Polish wonderkid didn’t give his place in the team away. Five goals (five different games) in eleven matches is a great result, especially considering the fact that he didn’t start all of them. Janczyk showed in Lokeren (judging on highlights) what he’s best known for: powerful shot, physical presence in the box and speed. Sounds like a perfect striker, right? From what I read, he’ll stay at Lokeren for next season. That’s a good idea, he should establish a strong position in the Belgian league before moving forward. Return to CSKA? Only as a star. Preferably, Janczyk would get a good offer from countries like Holland or Germany. If everything goes according to plan, imagine our choice of strikers in 2012. Jelen? Brozek? Robert Lewandowski? Janczyk? Piszczek? Hell, maybe even Janota becomes a candidate in three years time.

Will there be any surprises in our squad for the South African friendlies? Yes, according to Przeglad Sportowy. As both games are scheduled during official FIFA dates, the best possible squad will be at Leo’s disposal. Nevertheless, some new faces are expected to be seen. Dawid Nowak is extremely close to a call up as it is his great form that made GKS Belchatow a serious title contender in Poland (only four points behind the leaders). The Belchatow striker has been called up four times already, but fitness problems prevented him from playing on three occasions. He’s one of the fastest Polish strikers and lately he started to keep his composure in front of goal. He certainly deserves a closer look. Another big name in Poland is currently Kamil Grosicki. It seems like he finally battled his mental problems as he’s one of the best Ekstraklasa players in 2009. Leo was always his big fan and should give a hand to the Jagiellonia right winger\striker. Another players mentioned as possible surprises are Kamil Glik, Adam Banas, Jaroslaw Fojut, Krzysztof Krol and Kamil Wilczek. Glik is a former member of Real Madrid youth team and currently one of the most praised central defenders in Ekstraklasa (HSV is supposed to be interested). Banas is rock solid in Gornik Zabrze’s defence, but his relatively old age (27) may act as an disadvantage. Fojut returned to Poland from Bolton and is a regular for Slask Wroclaw, though he made a laughing stock of himself in the last game against Arka (an own goal and an “assist” for Arka’s goal). Krol is a left back well known from our youth teams (he played with Janczyk and Fojut), who after a tough start at Jagiellonia is one of the most promising wing backs in Poland (though, ironically, he slipped on the ball in the last game and provided Odra Wodzislaw strikers with a goal). I can’t say much about Wilczek since I don’t watch Piast Gliwice and have never seen him play. He’s a central midfielder and a member of our youth team. Interesting candidates, I hope to see some new faces in at least one South African friendly. Who in your opinion should get a chance?

Highlights: Marcin Wasilewski keeps Anderlecht title dreams alive

Dawid Janczyk’s fifth of the season

Krzynowek’s assist

Zaluska’s performance against Hibernian (including an assist)

2009.05.02 Hibernian – Dundee Utd. Zaluska
Załadowane przez: roland_c

I can’t find Grzegorz Rasiak’s goals.

Robert Lewandowski scores against Ruch.

Goals from future Bialo Czerwoni, Dawid Nowak here and Kamil Grosicki here

Tags: Banas, Beenhakker, Fojut, Glik, Grosicki, Group A, Janczyk, Krol, Nowak, Poland, Robert Lewandowski, Wasilewski, Wilczek, Zaluska

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.

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By Alek | May 4th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

As far as some young defenders go, I’d like to also see Rzezniczak get a call up, he is in good form and should get to play in a friendly.

By Peter | May 4th, 2009 at 11:04 pm

Kazmierczak can help this team out in the short run and would be an upgrade over Lewandowski who plays with an inflated ego which is not good for a defensive type of midfielder.

By MarcinO | May 4th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

I wonder if Seweryn Gancarczyk will ever get another chance. I also really like Marcin Kowalczyk. Either of them could replace Zewlakow at this point, even Paweł Golański would be a better choice. Both are fairly young and capable of filling in. Defenders need to play together as many times as possible to get accustomed to each other. Cohesion is vital for them to communicate effectively and understand each others habits as well as strengths and weaknesses.

I am really glad that things are working out for Kamil Grosicki. He is playing extremely well. If he keeps it up, he will make Beenhakker decision to call him very easy. He needs to keep working hard and good things will happen.

By zaraza | May 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am

Kazmierczak hasn’t played regularly for his club in over two years, so I’m not sure he’d really be an improvement over Lewandowski.

Gancarczyk could be useful, Beenhakker has called him up a few times but for some reason never plays him. I think it had something to do with his conditioning.

We really need to find a replacement for Wasilewski but there are so few options… I’m not convinced Wojtkowiak is good enough, and as for Rzezniczak, Legia fans say good matches are few and far between, most of the time he plays horrible.

Posted from Canada

By zaraza | May 5th, 2009 at 7:12 am

Patryk Malecki is being touted by the Polish media but I’m not sure there’s any room for him since he plays on the right wing, and we already have Blaszczykowski, Piszczek and Grosicki for that position.

Posted from Canada

By Rydzynski | May 5th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Didn’t Malecki play left wing on the u-20 world cup team? and isn’t he a left footed player? Just throwing this out there because I thought I remember him playing on the left…

By Hieronim | May 5th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Lewandowski with an inflated ego!? He’s easily one of the hardest workers on the pitch every game and he’s a beast. He is slow, but he can hit fabulous long balls and usually makes good decisions. And what is this nonsense about Wasilewski? Honestly, he is the best defender on the Polish NT. Zewlakow needs to go, not him. If Warzyniak develops in Greece, I think we will be set at the wing-back positions in defense for a while. Krzynowek could even play left back, look at the success Zhirkov has had w/ Russia. Dudka needs a partner in the central defense, but he would really prefer if he could play a defensive midfield position. Above all right now Leo needs to get on someone’s ass and get LUDOVIC OBRANIAK. We could really put a team together if all this falls into place.

By Paradowski | May 5th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

@ Hieronim – good to see your comment.

I’ve been wanting to stick up for Lew (Wielki Lew; Mariusz Lewandowski) since I read the negative comment this morning. He is one of my favorites because of his hard work and air of confidence. People really should appreciate him much more. He’s so cool he needs a nickname — Welki Lew seems to fit.

I also strongly support Wasilewski. Additional good D-backs would be great, of course; but I think Wasil will be a tough one to beat out of the line up.

Posted from United States

By Pawel | May 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

Wasilewski is an awful defender. He has no speed. If you’re going to push forward like he does, you need speed to get back on D. He is exploited almost every single game.

Posted from Canada

By Wejher | May 6th, 2009 at 4:17 am

Pawel i completely agree with you, he is terrible and your comment sums it up completely also he seems to be more interested in out muscling the guy he is marking than he is in actually trying to play the ball.

Posted from Poland

By Paradowski | May 6th, 2009 at 10:22 am

If a D-back pushes up, someone has to back-up. That’s a problem with any defender up near the oppositions goal or box. Even Arboleda cannot outrun a kicked ball or long pass counter attack.

Posted from United States

By MarcinO | May 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am

Wasilewski’s speed can be a problem at times. He uses his strength to keep attackers in check but that leads to unnecessary fouls. He is probably instructed to push forward to deliver crosses, which is why he gets caught out of position. That is why they need to communicate better. If Mariusz Lewandowski concentrated more on defending the net, we would not have so many defensive breakdowns. Considering Wasilewski’s age, it is most likely he will play in the Euro2012. He will be one of our most experienced players there. He proved he can be very dangerous from set pieces. I have seen an interview with Beenhakker recently where he talks about how much better Wasilewski has become technically since he arrived at Anderlecht.

Does anyone know how serious Golanski’s injury is?

By robski | May 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

i heard its not that bad, Golanski is said to start training again and he will play

By robski | May 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

i heard its not that bad, Golanski is said to start training again and he will play

By zaraza | May 6th, 2009 at 5:34 pm

I thought Golanski was out of favor at Steau?

Despite dropping to third in the pecking order at Manchester United, Kuszczak says he has no intention of leaving the club. I think at his age he should be aiming a little higher than the bench but I imagine it’s tough to leave a job where you get paid generously and hardly ever have to work…

Does anyone know if the PZPN have made a final decision on the host city for the Northern Ireland match? It was supposed to be Szczecin but a lot of players were complaining about the stadium/lack of atmosphere.. there were rumors that the game might be moved to Kielce or Chorzow..

Posted from Canada

By Paradowski | May 6th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

Good comments. ^ MarcinO good analyst. Helps me to see everyones point of view. The defensive midfielders definitely need to back-up D-backs that push forward or make a run.

Posted from United States

By chester | May 6th, 2009 at 10:51 pm

My solution would be to play Piszczek as Left Back as he did for Hertha Berlin. Then play Wawrzyniak as a central defender since he is having some success in Greece as one. At least in a friendly. At least the Piszczek idea i mean Dani Alves isnt the best defensive wise but does wonders for the offense. Piszczek has the speed to get back on d.

By zaraza | May 7th, 2009 at 5:34 am

I haven’t seen any mention of Piszczek playing as a left-back, the few times he played in defense, I think it was always on the right. Apparently he did a decent job for someone who’s not a natural defender but he’s not completely comfortable in that role and does make mistakes. I think Beenhakker, like Hertha, will only play him in defense as a last resort, if we’re facing an injury crisis.

According to Rzeczpospolita, Beenhakker will definitely call up Boruc and Zewlakow for the June friendlies.. Personally, I think we should rest these players, and use these matches to give the second-string some experience.

Fakt (pure tabloid) claims that West Ham United, one other Premiership club, Bayer Leverkusen, and Koln have made offers to Sobolewski… Seems absurb, why on earth would these clubs be interested in a 32-year old with no experience in a decent league?

Posted from Canada

By Wejher | May 7th, 2009 at 8:10 am

I think the point about defensive midfielders or the wingers covering for Wasilewski is not really valid, as a winger or defensive midfielder that is part of your duties anyway it stands to reason that they should do this, but what the wingers or defensive midfielders cannot account for is un-intelligent play, the type that Wasilewski produces consistantly. I remember watching the Czech game and thinking if it was’nt for Boruc coming off his line quickly and for Kuba getting back and covering for Wasilewski we could have been punished on a few occasions, when they did eventually get one back where did it come from? Wasilewski. Who was out of position and marking nobody, he then had a rush of blood to the head, ran forward to tackle a guy who was already being marked in the middle of the pitch who then simply passed the ball to the player Wasil was supposed to be marking, he could then pick his cross. Playing with somebody who does’nt give you any confidence is very difficult because the other players are probably always playing in 2 minds not knowing what he is going to do, or wondering where he is, and they cant depend on him to do the simple stuff.
I just think he is a liability to the team – and the worst thing…. he is a friend of a friend :S. Maybe i should give him a dead leg or something?!

Posted from Poland

By Wejher | May 7th, 2009 at 8:17 am

Also i like chesters idea

Posted from Poland

By zaraza | May 7th, 2009 at 9:11 am

Piszczek could perhaps compete with Wasyl for the right-back position but installing him as a left-back seems pretty risky… How often has he played that position?

Posted from Canada

By chester | May 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

I dont know how many times he has, but he played as a left back last weekend. I didnt watch the game so i can say how well he played, but there werent any negative comments about him.

By zaraza | May 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

The Polish media says he played that game as a RB.
http://www.rp.pl/artykul/2,300185.html

Posted from Canada

By chester | May 7th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

uk.yahoo.com had him down as left back maybe a mistake on their part. But i think he could play both sides.

By Hieronim | May 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

@Wejher

I’m glad you bring up the Czech Republic game. I can recall a very vital tackle that Wasilewski made to prevent a Czech from gaining the box with the ball. He also did a great job playing with Kuba and the other midfielders on the right wing. And against Wales it was his pass that let Roger score his chip. The thing you need to realize is that defenders are going to get beat as individuals and that good defenses are ones that recover and cover for each other when that happens. Look at the tape from the Czech game. It started when a poor ball from Murawski was quickly distributed by Cech and their counterattack caught us out. There wouldn’t have been a problem if the defenders in the box had marked properly, and honestly, Boruc should have saved the header. It was nearly right at him and he reacted very poorly. Wasilewski is an enforcer who won’t back down and tackles hard. We need to start utilizing him on set pieces. I think other positions should be a priority. Those being central defence and the left wing. OBRANIAK!!!!

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