Here we are on the fourth Sunday of advent in Berlin with carols on the radio and milky skies above. I really hope the weather for the last match of the Hinrunde doesn't turn out like it did yesterday. At one point there was thunder and lightning accompanied by hail falling like we were being strafed by an invisible aircraft!
I'm not quite sure how thunder, lightning and hail works in late December. I'm sure I remember hearing on some weather documentary that you don't get hail in winter. If so I think I need to take more water with it!
It is notable today looking at the team sheet that Johnny Heitinga is not in the squad again and I suspect Salomon Kalou will be starting on the bench again. Kalou has been speaking to the press saying what a good player he is and how he should be playing and it has been reported he has picked up a 5,000 EUR fine from the club for his trouble. I cant say that I have that much sympathy for him in that if he is such a big player he should be playing really well shouldn't he? In my humble opinion he hasn't come up with the goods as yet and has not earned the trust of the manager. Play well, score goals, earn trust - problem solved. Speaking to the press hasn't helped him or raised my opinion of him - even as an ex-Chelsea player.
As for Johnny Heitinga I had such high hopes of him when he arrived in Berlin. I even had a chat with him on one of his first training sessions here offering him a welcome to the city and wishing him good luck for the new season. Perhaps my wishing him good luck was the kiss of death! Since 12. Spieltag Jos Luhukay has been trying a new, stronger defensive formation using Jay Brooks and midfielder Hegeler. For the most part this has worked much better although there was a bit of a disaster against Frankfurt during the week. Jay Brooks did particularly well against Dortmund and was starting to take command pulling people back to bolster the defence. This is the role I was hoping Johnny would take but so far at least it has not happened for him. Perhaps the language as made barriers for him in taking command on the field? I really don't know the reasons but it is early days perhaps he will come through in the end and make Hertha a stronger, deeper team. Only time will tell.
As for Johnny Heitinga I had such high hopes of him when he arrived in Berlin. I even had a chat with him on one of his first training sessions here offering him a welcome to the city and wishing him good luck for the new season. Perhaps my wishing him good luck was the kiss of death! Since 12. Spieltag Jos Luhukay has been trying a new, stronger defensive formation using Jay Brooks and midfielder Hegeler. For the most part this has worked much better although there was a bit of a disaster against Frankfurt during the week. Jay Brooks did particularly well against Dortmund and was starting to take command pulling people back to bolster the defence. This is the role I was hoping Johnny would take but so far at least it has not happened for him. Perhaps the language as made barriers for him in taking command on the field? I really don't know the reasons but it is early days perhaps he will come through in the end and make Hertha a stronger, deeper team. Only time will tell.
I was going to add to this post this evening after the game but, after todays catastrophe I'm not sure I have the strength! The last 110 minutes I have watched have been a bit of a nightmare to be honest although the second of the two penalties given given against Schulz was at best suspect. The one saving grace was the level of support given for the first 70 minutes or so today. Given the circumstances it was superb - a video clip of the Ostkurve before the game.
More later when my nerves have settled - in the meanwhile . . some photos of the day . .
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