Comments on: We’re in a Crisis! What Crisis? http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/02/01/we%e2%80%99re-in-a-crisis-what-crisis/ Football News, Views, Articles and Discussion Sun, 20 May 2012 13:16:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Adam Topping http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/02/01/we%e2%80%99re-in-a-crisis-what-crisis/#comment-8301 Adam Topping Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:40:53 +0000 http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/02/01/we%e2%80%99re-in-a-crisis-what-crisis/#comment-8301 Well Dave for a start they actually speak the Ukrainian language in Ukraine.. but I suppose it's closely related so maybe he knows a bit more Russian than the 'word or two' I quoted! ;-) Yes I'll be the first to admit Ballack hasn't been exactly what we've all come to expect but he's in a similar boat to the rest of the new signings, still learning the English game. England's such a tough league to come in and conquer straight away but when you are a big name player, and you sign for Chelsea, it's made doublely difficult with the added pressure of the press on your back. I think also Ballack has been outshone by the goalscoring exploits once again this season from Frank Lampard. It's quite similar in a way to what Didier Drogba has been doing over Shevchenko up front. It could so easily be the other way about though! I think the reason why you remember those few games when Ballack was at Leverkusen, Bayern and for Germany where he was totally controlling the game and driving his side forward is that because he was simply the best player in those respective teams at that time, similar to the situation Liverpool find themselves with Steven Gerrard, he’s their only real driving force and gets plaudits left, right and centre for his performances! Oh no no no no no I think deep down you would much rather be paying the huge ridiculous amounts of money we are on Ballack’s wages than what you guys paid on that Michael Carrick fellow in your midfield. As for John Obi Mikel, only time will tell whether he was worth that fortune or not. As I mentioned in my season review, Mourinho reckons he was worth every penny so lets just wait and see. Well Dave for a start they actually speak the Ukrainian language in Ukraine.. but I suppose it’s closely related so maybe he knows a bit more Russian than the ‘word or two’ I quoted! ;-)

Yes I’ll be the first to admit Ballack hasn’t been exactly what we’ve all come to expect but he’s in a similar boat to the rest of the new signings, still learning the English game. England’s such a tough league to come in and conquer straight away but when you are a big name player, and you sign for Chelsea, it’s made doublely difficult with the added pressure of the press on your back.

I think also Ballack has been outshone by the goalscoring exploits once again this season from Frank Lampard. It’s quite similar in a way to what Didier Drogba has been doing over Shevchenko up front. It could so easily be the other way about though!

I think the reason why you remember those few games when Ballack was at Leverkusen, Bayern and for Germany where he was totally controlling the game and driving his side forward is that because he was simply the best player in those respective teams at that time, similar to the situation Liverpool find themselves with Steven Gerrard, he’s their only real driving force and gets plaudits left, right and centre for his performances!

Oh no no no no no I think deep down you would much rather be paying the huge ridiculous amounts of money we are on Ballack’s wages than what you guys paid on that Michael Carrick fellow in your midfield.

As for John Obi Mikel, only time will tell whether he was worth that fortune or not. As I mentioned in my season review, Mourinho reckons he was worth every penny so lets just wait and see.

]]> By: Dave Fox http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/02/01/we%e2%80%99re-in-a-crisis-what-crisis/#comment-8249 Dave Fox Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:43:52 +0000 http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2007/02/01/we%e2%80%99re-in-a-crisis-what-crisis/#comment-8249 To be fair, Adam, Sheva can speak more than 'a word or two' of Russian seeing as that is the language they speak in Ukraine. Do you honestly believe Ballack has been good this season? I do agree that some of the criticism levelled at Sheva has been a bit unfair - he is working quite hard, after all, but Ballack has been playing within himself all season, he doesn't seem to care. I remember having seen a few games at Leverkusen, Bayern and for Germany where he totally controlled the game and drove his side forward, but I haven't seen anything like that from him this year. I was disappointed when you guys signed him over us (Man Utd) but now I'm relieved that you're paying him ridiculous amounts of cash to stroll casually around the pitch and we're not. The same goes for young Mikel to be honest. To be fair, Adam, Sheva can speak more than ‘a word or two’ of Russian seeing as that is the language they speak in Ukraine. Do you honestly believe Ballack has been good this season? I do agree that some of the criticism levelled at Sheva has been a bit unfair – he is working quite hard, after all, but Ballack has been playing within himself all season, he doesn’t seem to care. I remember having seen a few games at Leverkusen, Bayern and for Germany where he totally controlled the game and drove his side forward, but I haven’t seen anything like that from him this year. I was disappointed when you guys signed him over us (Man Utd) but now I’m relieved that you’re paying him ridiculous amounts of cash to stroll casually around the pitch and we’re not. The same goes for young Mikel to be honest.

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