FANTASTIC news: Schuster targets BALLACK

Yes, the EPL is more physical than other leagues or international football because the refs allow a lot more, still it doesn't mean that Ballack will not be able to cope with it because he is too weak physically, that's nonsense. Ballack is a good tackler, he has proven that in umpteen matches during his career, you can't hand pick a few of his less convincing matches (in a generally disappointing season, for various reasons discussed already) and make a claim like that.

Sorry, but the Bundesliga is not exactly a paradise for the less physical players either. A lot of fouls, a lot of bullying around, nasty tackles and injuries. There is a reason why Bundesliga players usually adopt well to the EPL when they move there, because the 'roughness' is similar, the refs just don't allow as much. It used to be different not so long ago, but the refs have adjusted to the international standard (which some, e.g. Magath, actually criticise).

blutgraetsche wrote:Yes, the EPL is more physical than other leagues or international football because the refs allow a lot more, still it doesn't mean that Ballack will not be able to cope with it because he is too weak physically, that's nonsense. Ballack is a good tackler, he has proven that in umpteen matches during his career, you can't hand pick a few of his less convincing matches (in a generally disappointing season, for various reasons discussed already) and make a claim like that.

Sorry, but the Bundesliga is not exactly a paradise for the less physical players either. A lot of fouls, a lot of bullying around, nasty tackles and injuries. There is a reason why Bundesliga players usually adopt well to the EPL when they move there, because the 'roughness' is similar, the refs just don't allow as much. It used to be different not so long ago, but the refs have adjusted to the international standard (which some, e.g. Magath, actually criticise).

No, the argument here isnt that Ballack is TOO WEAK, the argument is that in the toughest physical league IN EUROPE (to appease Herr DD) he's so far "done a Heskey" (Doing a Heskey = to appear physically strong and powerful, but to not make full use of those attributes).

In other words, I and others expect him to be more physically intimidating than he has been so far in this league - and at this point what he has done in the past in the Bundesliga and Internationally dont really make a difference because the EPL is clearly on a different plane to both in terms of pace and physical power.

I expect we will see a far more aggressive Michael Ballack this season; if not, then I think he will definitely struggle again

He didn't struggle because he was not "aggressive" enough, that actually was not his job playing at the head of the diamond anyway. He did struggle because he often lacked form, and because he was playing in a midfield that lacked balance completely, for various reasons discussed already.

Play him in the defensive midfield, and you'll see how aggressive he can be.

blutgraetsche wrote:He didn't struggle because he was not "aggressive" enough, that actually was not his job playing at the head of the diamond anyway. He did struggle because he often lacked form, and because he was playing in a midfield that lacked balance completely, for various reasons discussed already.

Play him in the defensive midfield, and you'll see how aggressive he can be.

yeah yeah whatever- I'd kick his ass

No you wouldn't, you wimp.

Everytime I'm in England, I look like a bloody giant compared to the people there (even the flashy ginger hair does not make up for it...), and I'm not even tall (1.84m, 6 foot something). I blame the food. Or the weather. Or both.

English food & weather is great

You must be short then, would explain your love for midgets....

golsud wrote:English food & weather is great

Lies

blutgraetsche wrote:No you wouldn't, you wimp.

Everytime I'm in England, I look like a bloody giant compared to the people there (even the flashy ginger hair does not make up for it...), and I'm not even tall (1.84m, 6 foot something). I blame the food. Or the weather. Or both.

Thats because you visit London, and London is predominantly made up of foreigners, particularly Asians and Chinese.

Im 6 foot 1 and Im pretty average from where Im from. English are far taller in general than , say, Eastern Europeans. Perhaps not as tall as the Nordics/Sacandanavians, but certainly Peter Crouch proves there's nothing wrong with the English food or weather

Dutchies are the tallest people in the world!!! ( Even though Midget is Dutch) and we get the oldest as well!!!

And according to a BRITISH study...we are the smartest as well....with the Germans in 2nd place...like always:Ale:

I am Mum-Ra wrote: Peter Crouch's WAG proves there's nothing wrong with the English food or weather

How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

I am Mum-Ra wrote:
Thats because you visit London, and London is predominantly made up of foreigners, particularly Asians and Chinese.

Im 6 foot 1 and Im pretty average from where Im from. English are far taller in general than , say, Eastern Europeans. Perhaps not as tall as the Nordics/Sacandanavians, but certainly Peter Crouch proves there's nothing wrong with the English food or weather

I was talking about the whities though, could they all be Polish craftsmen? I don't know, I usually can spot those well.

Peter Crouch is not the best example though. Ok, he is tall, but something went terribly wrong here. It's as if his body used all the energy to grow vertically, and 'forgot' to invest in muscles and other necessary stuff, like bones that are not as sharp as razors because they are so thin...

DD wrote:How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

1.84m so Im quite small as well!!!

I guess I'm the smallest of the Dutch contigent. Only 1.82.

DD wrote:How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

Damn! you're a tall Dutch. I know a lot of you are quite tall.

I'm a tall Peruvian 1.85m that's on the short side in Holland isn't it.

Puro wrote:

DD wrote:How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

Damn! you're a tall Dutch. I know a lot of you are quite tall.

I'm a tall Peruvian 1.85m that's on the short side in Holland isn't it.

Bloody Hell, I'm a tiny Belgian/Englander, only 1.81m

Have not got a kalou wrote:

Puro wrote:

DD wrote:How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

Damn! you're a tall Dutch. I know a lot of you are quite tall.

I'm a tall Peruvian 1.85m that's on the short side in Holland isn't it.

Bloody Hell, I'm a tiny Belgian/Englander, only 1.81m

Midget!

Have not got a kalou wrote:

Puro wrote:

DD wrote:How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

Damn! you're a tall Dutch. I know a lot of you are quite tall.

I'm a tall Peruvian 1.85m that's on the short side in Holland isn't it.

Bloody Hell, I'm a tiny Belgian/Englander, only 1.81m

5'11 is still over the average for the UK.

I am only just taller at 1.83m

Puro wrote:

DD wrote:How tall are you Fey? I'm 1.89m.

Damn! you're a tall Dutch. I know a lot of you are quite tall.

I'm a tall Peruvian 1.85m that's on the short side in Holland isn't it.

Would you believe there are still plenty of times when I feel like a short guy?
There are girls taller than me and plenty of guys too.
I'd consider being tall starts at 1.93m, not sooner.

You crazy foreigners all tlaking in metric metres...!

@Blut,

looks are decieving, Peter Crouch could easily kick Michael Ballacks ass, I'd be willing to put money on it. The "hold their head at arms length and kick em in the shins" technique would have the soft Teuton writhing around on the floor a beaten man.

Wahre F'ing Gesichte ;-)

Reuters, Toronto Star, Jul. 23

The Dutch, already the tallest people on the planet, are still growing. Data collected over the last seven years showed increasing demand for larger clothing sizes in the Netherlands, where the average man is about 185 centimetres (6-foot-1) tall. The Dutch are nearly 10 centimetres taller on average than the British and Americans, and almost 15 centimetres taller than they were four decades ago.

Other studies also rank the Dutch as the tallest people on the planet—and suggest they could grow another 10 entimetres in the next few decades.

Researchers put it down to affluence, a diet rich in dairy products, and good hygiene and health care.

I am Mum-Ra wrote:You crazy foreigners all tlaking in metric metres...!

@Blut,

looks are decieving, Peter Crouch could easily kick Michael Ballacks ass, I'd be willing to put money on it. The "hold their head at arms length and kick em in the shins" technique would have the soft Teuton writhing around on the floor a beaten man.

Wahre F'ing Gesichte ;-)

Crouch couldn't even win a header against Ballack, let alone kick his ass by fair means. Using your razor sharp elbows to impale others is not fair, contrary to popular belief on the island.

I am Mum-Ra wrote: Peter Crouch could easily poke Michael Ballacks ass

very true

Quite funny that we get so tall! Is it because of the good healthy Dutch diet!? Or just to beat the Germans with this as well!

Love of vegetables perhaps?

Doubt that I dont eat that much vegetables....the raw Herring perhaps?

You are not really taller than us, at least not taller than us Northern Germans. We are simply way more people.

Btw. Fey:

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/1330380

Am i right in saying , North Germany is the best area of Germany ?

Even though I'm planning to visit Berlin in the East , Düsseldorf in the West and Nuremberg in the South (saying that my Father will be in Berlin + Nuremberg for a conference next week , he really loves Berlin)