I think they need to keep the three musketeers Lucio, Demichelis and Van Buyten for the C-League run next year. While Lucio might be a bit slow, we need his strength and heading ability when we go against the top teams. Van Buyten we’ll need for his conservative play and positioning skill, and Demichelis because he can basically do everything, and do it all pretty damn well. This importance is magnified by the fact that we’ll probably have a green GK.

I do think a change of scenery would help Schweini. I’m not sure Effenberg was trying to criticize him, but to suggest that players are sometimes helped by switching teams. Nothing personal. His game might not be cut out for the Bundesliga. I bet he’d be a stronger player in La Liga, but perhaps he can regain his form under Klinsmann. It’s a tough choice, but Schweini needs to think about it and not be afraid to take a risk to be the best player he can.

I try not to put too much stock in the transfer rumors until they become conrete. Nothing is concrete until an offer is officially made and a contract signed.

I’m with you on Schweini too… I just haven’t seen the kind of performance that we know he’s capable of. He needs to improve and drastically, but there are people who are far more willing to work harder for it.

I may have to post your contest

I was able to watch the match online. It was very typical of the type of home match Bayern ordinarily plays against a mid-table opponent; generally slow pace, not a ton of chances created, but slowly and surely breaking down the defense. There were some big chances early, but it settled into a scoreless, but one-sided affair through the first half. Actually, the first goal was really the result of some sloppy touches by Wolfsburg in their own end. The second more deserved, Klose just cleaning up on a rebound from another Podolski miss. Personally I felt Demichelis’s return really stabilized the defense; he was superb in back, and the most encouraging sign there was that Grafite was really a non-factor (and he’s about the hottest player in the league at the moment I would argue). Podolski was sub-par, with some terrible missed chances. An entirely satisfactory performance.

I don’t buy all these Lucio rumors. Of course, things could get unpredictable under the Klinsmann regime, but selling him doesn’t really make sense. I suppose, if they think they’re getting Mertesacker, that changes the calculation quite a bit. But, I’m trying not to worry about that right now. After all, we’re not 4th in the table now are we?

I hope we’re not relying on Podolski to advise the team on transfer matters. After all, he would have advised the team to sign him! And what a great decision that was! Maybe if Köln gets promoted, we can sell him back! Personally, I would be comfortable with Rensing. But, I feel like they need a battle-tested veteran on the bench behind him. No, that doesn’t mean I think Lehmann should go to Bayern!

Well there are a lot of things Schweini doesn’t understand, so why should this be any different? I think he needs to go. I really *really* think he needs to go. I think it would be a good contest to finish the sentence “Watching Bastian Schweinsteiger take a corner is like…

Ok, that’s enough for the halftime show, back to Frankfurt-Cottbus, another Bundesliga thriller!