#9 Luca Toni ~ Offered new contract

[unitedfan]

I've always thought it best to let existing players keep their squad numbers when a new player comes in. Just a slight assurance that their position is not lost, or handed to someone else. I don't think anyone likes a new guy coming in and changing team affairs straight away, and although it's only a number on the shirt, it's still nice to boost a players esteem like that.

How would you go about fitting Toni, Podolski and Klose, into the same system? Some sort of spear-head 4-3-3? But then that leaves out Sweinsteiger and any other winger. Sure there's rotation, but those with 3 players that big?

[YaFCBoy]

Originally Posted by BlackNess

Podolski is #11 and Klose prefers #11 ..
who should be the # 11 in your opinion ??

Klose is the veteran... isn't it just a matter of whether Podolski is willing to give #11 up?

In the U.S. players give gifts to those who are giving up their numbers.
For example, a player who wanted #17 put a down payment on a house for the one who was giving it up.

Is that how it works in Europe too? Or at least do they pay cash for it?


Regardless... I think we could see Klose taking #11 and Poldi taking #20

[Trim]

Numbers don't mean anything honestly.

Anyway. Klose may prefer whatever he wants, but Poldi holds the #11, so Klose would have to choose another number. At Bayern, there was never a case where an existing player was forced to give his number to a new arrival. It won't happen ever...

[YaFCBoy]

Originally Posted by unitedfan

I've always thought it best to let existing players keep their squad numbers when a new player comes in. Just a slight assurance that their position is not lost, or handed to someone else. I don't think anyone likes a new guy coming in and changing team affairs straight away, and although it's only a number on the shirt, it's still nice to boost a players esteem like that.

How would you go about fitting Toni, Podolski and Klose, into the same system? Some sort of spear-head 4-3-3? But then that leaves out Sweinsteiger and any other winger. Sure there's rotation, but those with 3 players that big?

I'm thinking the exact same thing... TOO MUCH talent???

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by unitedfan

I've always thought it best to let existing players keep their squad numbers when a new player comes in. Just a slight assurance that their position is not lost, or handed to someone else. I don't think anyone likes a new guy coming in and changing team affairs straight away, and although it's only a number on the shirt, it's still nice to boost a players esteem like that.

How would you go about fitting Toni, Podolski and Klose, into the same system? Some sort of spear-head 4-3-3? But then that leaves out Sweinsteiger and any other winger. Sure there's rotation, but those with 3 players that big?

Podolski is out until October, so Hitzfeld has time to think about that. If Klose continues his shit performances, he'll be benched when Poldi returns. Plus, we aren't sure that Toni will adapt quickly. But if all 3 have good seasons, why not:

...Sosa...van Bommel...Schweini
..................Podolski
...........Klose......Toni

[BlackNess]

yeah ...
Oliver_Kahn you always find a good solution ...
yeah that -> ..................Podolski
...............Klose......Toni
thing would be fantastic

[Forza_Roma]

Then Toni will take #9 then....i'm sure of it as that's his number from Palermo and Italy.

[YaFCBoy]

Originally Posted by BlackNess

thing would be fantastic

You mean INTIMIDATING AS HELL

[BlackNess]

looool

[unitedfan]

Schlaudraff is joining you as well, no? Not to mention top scorer Makaay. I guess the Dutchman is linked with a move away, and Toni, Klose, Podolski and Schlaudraff givesyou 4 top quality strikers, although I'm still wondering over your solution to that. Kahn's looks good - I was thinking more along the lines of:

-----Klose-----Podolski----
------------Toni--------------

With Schlaudraff as backup/rotary to any of the 3. But I was wondering, what with Toni being so good in the air, you wouldn't want any more than 2 upfront, so as to give you the wingers needed to get crosses in. With Ze Roberto looking like coming back home to you too, you've got a good crosser on your hands, with links being made between Bayern and other wingers, too. So fitting them all in would be a tough one, if you're looking for a constant system to stick with that keeps Toni's supply line coming from the wings.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by unitedfan

Schlaudraff is joining you as well, no? Not to mention top scorer Makaay. I guess the Dutchman is linked with a move away, and Toni, Klose, Podolski and Schlaudraff givesyou 4 top quality strikers, although I'm still wondering over your solution to that. Kahn's looks good - I was thinking more along the lines of:

-----Klose-----Podolski----
------------Toni--------------

With Schlaudraff as backup/rotary to any of the 3. But I was wondering, what with Toni being so good in the air, you wouldn't want any more than 2 upfront, so as to give you the wingers needed to get crosses in. With Ze Roberto looking like coming back home to you too, you've got a good crosser on your hands, with links being made between Bayern and other wingers, too. So fitting them all in would be a tough one, if you're looking for a constant system to stick with that keeps Toni's supply line coming from the wings.

Schlaudraff is more of a second striker, rather than someone like Toni and Klose, who like to play inside the box.
Makaay seems to be heading to PSV, so he doesn't count anymore.

It will indeed be tough to pick an XI and a formation, as we now have 4 quality wingers, in Schweini, Altintop, Sosa and Ribery, plus 4 good centre mids in Ottl, van Bommel, Ze Roberto and Schlaudraff and 3 class strikers in Podolski, Klose and Toni. Plus, there's the very promising Toni Kroos (who is an AM) waiting for a chance to shine.

[BlackNess]

yeah he is used to play behind the strikers
......Schlaudraff.....
...Podolski..Toni....

[unitedfan]

I'm guessing you'll rotate your strikers, with 2 up front at a time - which isn't alien to you, as Podolski and Santa Cruz (whether that's because of injury or whatever, I don't know, I haven't followed Bayern as much as I'd like, I just know their appearances are on the same kind of par) have rotated, oh and Pizzaro - no idea how many he's played.

That's 3 strikers last season (Makaay being the 3rd and constant starter), and Schlaudraff being thrown into the mix, with Toni and Klose taking roles of Makaay and Santa Cruz, it just leaves the rotating to step up to accomodate 1 extra player. And then, of course, you could use one of those 3-forward systems that Kahn and I posted in lesser games to keep the appearances leveled out. It would take some intellegent rotating and good man-management from Hitzfield, but it could work.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by unitedfan

I'm guessing you'll rotate your strikers, with 2 up front at a time - which isn't alien to you, as Podolski and Santa Cruz (whether that's because of injury or whatever, I don't know, I haven't followed Bayern as much as I'd like, I just know their appearances are on the same kind of par) have rotated, oh and Pizzaro - no idea how many he's played.

That's 3 strikers last season (Makaay being the 3rd and constant starter), and Schlaudraff being thrown into the mix, with Toni and Klose taking roles of Makaay and Santa Cruz, it just leaves the rotating to step up to accomodate 1 extra player. And then, of course, you could use one of those 3-forward systems that Kahn and I posted in lesser games to keep the appearances leveled out. It would take some intellegent rotating and good man-management from Hitzfield, but it could work.

Luca Toni will probably start more as he is exactly what we didn't have last season, a target man. Klose and Podolski will be our "second strikers" and will rotate during the season. Schlaudraff could take what was Scholl's role at Bayern last season, being our joker that can change a match at anytime when we are losing.

Hitzfeld knows his stuff so he'll find a way to keep all the players happy and motivated to play. He is a legend, shame he is retiring after this season is over...

[barracuda]

I guess there are a few strikers leaving this summer then. Toni, Klose and Lukas should steal 90% of the wind next season.