We need an update on SV Waldhof please

[ivansneck]

As above

[liampie]

??

[Joe Jones]

Can you link me to the original post pls @ivansneck?

[DangerousSausage]

This is last season's thread @Joe Jones: http://prideofnottingham.co.uk/community/topic/4349-sv-waldhof-are-top-of-the-league/

This could be a long post. A LOT has happened.

Waldhof definitely drew the short straw during the play-offs - their opponent, Sportfreunde Lotte, are now top of the third division. If only the draw had been different...

After the play-off defeat the manager Kenan Kocak went on holiday and on his return signed an extended contract. Two weeks later he had joined second division SV Sandhausen, in the middle of pre-season. After three excellent years no-one begrudges him the opportunity, but the timing was dodgy to say the least. He was swiftly replaced by Gerd Dais, a former Waldhof favourite and the manager who got Sandhausen into the second division in the first place. A very quiet, modest, calm man, in contrast to the sometimes overly emotional Kocak.

Then there were the shenanigans behind the scenes. The association of sponsors who had been backing the club withdrew when they realised that the club's board wouldn't step down and allow them to run the club instead. Cue lots of muck-raking in the media. The club is still receiving money from existing contracts, but the shirts are still sponsorless.

One of Kocak's last actions was the attempted signing of Brazilian World Cup winner Lucio, whose daughter has come to study in Heidelberg. The club agreed terms with him, but he was unable to get a work permit. Maybe that's a blessing in disguise, it might have turned into a bit of a circus. Apart from Balitsch and injured midfield playmaker di Gregorio, last season's team has remained intact, however.

So after all the turbulence the team started the season with modest expectations and a very difficult run of fixtures, starting at relegated Stuttgarter Kickers away. That was won 3-2 after racing into a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes. Due to bangers being thrown onto the pitch during the play-off, only seated season ticket holders were allowed to attend the first home game (a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim II). A couple of useful signings and a new tactical setup (4-4-2 and a less possession-based style) seemed to give the team new impetus. After seven games Waldhof were top of the league with 17 points, but over the last four games things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse, with only two points (and lucky ones at that). The next match is away to the terrifically named Wormatia Worms.

So now the Blau-Schwarzen find themselves under pressure: if this run goes on any longer, Elversberg and Saarbrücken could open up a gap at the top. Off the field, the members have agreed to found a limited company for the first team (previously it was run by the registered sports club) and an investor has been found to finance it and hopefully provide sponsorship. We live in interesting times.

The video is from August's clash against Elversberg, who were second last season and also failed in the play-offs. Goals are at 2.20 and 3.57

 

 

 

[DangerousSausage]

With over half the season played, Waldhof are very much in business, coming out of their poor sequence with a run of five consecutive wins, including a 2-1 win away to Hoffenheim II, who fielded a number of first team players. Waldhof are now fourth, but only because the last home game against Stuttgarter Kickers was postponed. A point in that game will be enough to take them into the top two. I'm starting to believe in a play-off spot again...

Next game is away to leaders Elversberg, who have lost only once all season - to Waldhof...

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/regionalliga/rlsw/regionalliga-suedwest-2012/2016-17/spieltag.html

[ivansneck]

Good luck to SVW!

I see there are some big clubs struggling this year OFC Kickers (don't laugh!) and their Stuttgart cousins, whcih to an old traditionalist like me is sad. On the other hand I'd like FC Saarbruecken, and Hessen Kassel to get some success. I remember being at FCS when they were in the Bundesliga, mainly because it was an away game that Gladbach actually won! But secondly because Franz Beckenbauer's brother was playing for FCS.

[DangerousSausage]

Kickers Offenbach went into administration three years ago, resulting in their relegation. Since then they have simply carried on in the same manner and again notified the league that they would be starting insolvency proceedings in the summer. They averted this by begging for more money from supporters, but the nine points are still gone and the best they can hope for is survival. Personally I really like the matches against OFC, proper derbies - there's always a five-figure crowd and a cracking atmosphere. The 4-0 away win last season wasn't half bad either.

Stuttgarter Kackers were well-fancied this season and made some good signings, but they have virtually a completely new squad, which doesn't necessarily help. They have a virtually identical home record to Notts, but are one of the strongest away teams in the league.

I'm most shocked by Eintracht Trier, who were top at this stage last season. After losing to Waldhof in a top two clash after last season's winter break the manager absolutely laid into his players, something he made a habit of. He's been sacked now but the team are in real trouble, especially when up to six teams could go down.

[ivansneck]

OFC seem to be very badly run

[DangerousSausage]

I thought I'd remind you all that football can be fun.

Goals at 1.05, 1.47, 2,50, 4.22 (sort of), 5.46 and 6.48. And some nice scenes at the end. Winter in a promotion spot - very nice.

 

 

[ivansneck]

Excellent. Incredible now to think tThat FC Homburg used to be in the Bundesliga.


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