RUMOUR - Joseph Akpala

[Millsy]

Thanks for the info Michael, much appreciated.

It sounds like he may have some promise.

[Norfolk Royal]

Thanks for the info Michael, much appreciated.

It sounds like he may have some promise.

That's remarkably magnanimous given your username.

[maffff]

[PistolPete]

Can't believe you have a new coach now at Werder, Thomas Schaaf has been there for years - Longer than Otto Rehhagel?

Nearly the same time, for 14 years, but Schaaf was at Werder since 1972. Yes, it's hard to believe and everyone was struggling with himself in this matter, because he's a true legend, great and reasonable guy, but on the other hand he, let's say, obviously missed some developments which made many other teams doubling us. Strange days at Werder. Many years of Champions League and then three years of struggles to stay in Bundesliga. Was a hard clash which strained the nerves of many supporters. Last semi-season was the worst in whole club-history, so they decided to go on with a new coach. Important was that his alter ego, Klaus Allofs, dismissed the club for wasting VWs-money at Wolfsburg half a year before. Last weekend we said goodbye to Thomas with biggest choreographie in club's history (from 2:33 on): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stj1xcTvS2k

That is quality!

Vielen dank Micheal, die Akpala information ist sehr interessant

Hoffentlich konnen wir Akpala einkaufen!

[michael78]

You're welcome. Some Bremen online-newspaper write, that our manager expects already a first feedback of your staff today and that he's optimistic that Akpala will convince here. We'll see...

[Agent Balti]

Akpan and Akpala...the only two players (probably) with remotely close surnames could be playing in the same team!

But thanks to Michael for his insights on Akpala, it's good to have some quality input from the continent. Vielen Danke!

[TBM]

You're welcome. Some Bremen online-newspaper write, that our manager expects already a first feedback of your staff today and that he's optimistic that Akpala will convince here. We'll see...

does that mean you're just dangling a carrot in front of our face?!

[exileinleeds]

Having read a bit of that German forum, you might think they were taking the piss....a bit like we might have done if someone had come in looking to spend a couple of million on Church...

[Reading4eva]

Is the general concensus on the german forum that he is crap?

[maffff]

Is the general concensus on the german forum that he is crap?

why don't you sign up and find out for yourself? oxf*rd off over there and don't come back.

[Royalclapper]

Their forum seems to be like most others, some decent posts and a lot of piss taking. The general themes seem to be that he could be a very useful addition to the right team i.e. he has potential that needs harnessing and is very quick - too quick for their current side which struggles to make the most of his attributes. Not sure about the Drogba comparisons though, could be some notable sarcasm at work there.

Nice to see the Anglo/German rivalry is alive and well though 'Inselaffe = Island Monkey' and fish and chips both get honorary mentions

[Hup Holland Hup]

Having read a bit of that German forum, you might think they were taking the piss....a bit like we might have done if someone had come in looking to spend a couple of million on Church...

I suspect you may be right

[LightwaterRoyal]

Akpan and Akpala...the only two players (probably) with remotely close surnames could be playing in the same team!

But thanks to Michael for his insights on Akpala, it's good to have some quality input from the continent. Vielen Danke!

Akpom, Agyemany?

[genome]

He has good physical stats on FM2013 - sign him up.

[michael78]

Akpala was at the wrong time in the wrong place. We played with one central striker (Petersen) 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and Akpala often was send on the pitch when we were one, two goals behind, not to replace him, but as second striker, which made not that much sense, since I'd see him in the center as single striker. Hiss skills are still speed, power and single-touch-striking, but not playing on the wings or midfield or doing technical demanding things. Petersen is by the way a similar type actually. Our manager said two days ago, that Akpala has the skills to be in 18-player-squad, but that he prefers to give his place in the squad to our promising newcomers : http://www.kreiszeitung.de/sport/werder ... 61989.html

Joseph could be part of the 18-player-squad, but then we would have to dismiss our young players (Yildirim, Füllkrug). That's not our philosophy.

[Millsy]

Thanks for the info Michael, much appreciated.

It sounds like he may have some promise.

That's remarkably magnanimous given your username.

Nothing against the krauts, just proud of our history.

I've many German friends and get on with them well. Just DMTW... :p

[NewCorkSeth]

Anybody know how his trial is going?

[JC]

Anybody know how his trial is going?

Pleaded not guilty

[Norfolk Royal]

Anybody know how his trial is going?

The judge is summing up.

[NewCorkSeth]

Judge Drenthe?