Dynamo Dresden - Player Review - JOHANNES FLUM

ST PAULI - Dynamo Dresden

 - PLAYER REVIEW

- Johannes Flum

With St Pauli's imminent change in form since the winter break, I decided to see how much of that was down to recent signing Johannes Flum. The 6' 3" Ex-Frankfurt and Freiburg midfielder arrived in Hamburg during the January window on a free transfer. with St Pauli struggling to gain frequent possession, it seemed to me a worthy addition. I felt that previous to Flum's signing St Pauli were struggling to run the midfield, sitting too deep and allowing pressure from most teams it was if they were enticing a constant attack. I was hoping Flum would work in cohesion with Nehrig to ensure the second ball was won, something which I believed was costing the Boys in Brown to lose momentum in the poor run of form earlier in the season. A game against Dresden was always going to be hard but following the Braunschweig game and how much of a change in performance it was, I couldn't predict anything. With Dresden sat in 6th place but not finding consistency in their recent matches it needed either of the teams to really claim the 3 points which were on offer.

Originally, St Pauli took a step back and allowed Dresden to progress forward. Nothing really formed and on occasion Flum intervened, nothing too intense. Eventually, the Millerntor started to wake, seemingly after remembering last weeks' success on their travels. Flum and Nehrig often switching duties with one sitting back and the other offering their services to the likes of Sahin, Choi and Sobota. Around the 25 minute mark a foul drawn in my Sobiech a few yards from the corner flag gave Flum his first real chance since joining in early January. A nicely swept ball from Sobota wasn't dealt with efficiently by Dresden as the ball fell to the goal-scarce 29 year old. A scramble of players blocked his chance to make his mark for his new club as the ball deflected, Nehrig, his partner in the middle of the park had a chance but couldn't gather his composure to convert from the around penalty spot. Both players posing a threat early on in the game. Moments later the first goal of the game appeared from nowhere as Choi was gifted the ball courtesy of a loose pass from the Dresden midfield. A smart and calm finish from one of St Pauli's most gifted technicians, taking it into the box and slotting it out of reach of an understandably frustrated Marvin Schwäbe. After the goal Flum continued in balancing out the Hamburg outfits' dominance in the centre of the pitch. Frequently you would find him floating around the edge of St Pauli's box, tracking threats and hunting down any sniff of a loose ball. I found his presence alone in this area enough to deter Dresden from getting into a potentially dangerous area. The first half was reasonably tame for St Pauli, the home fans encouraging them to unnerve Dresden, who resulted a lot of the time to passing around the back. Flum had a comfortable half with no major influence on the game, at the same time neither did he have much to attend to.

Flum was to be partnered with Buchtmann in the second half as Nehrig was replaced. Buchtmann with a fresh pair of legs to accompany Flum who had a reasonably comfortable first 45 minutes. The Millerntor turf was fairly well churned up coming into the game and with every minute it was only getting worse. Both teams struggling to find the benefits in playing to feet, however St Pauli seemed to have the advantage in the dawn of the second half. The second goal of the game came after Dresden failed to clear their lines at about 60 minutes in. Missing their window of opportunity to remove the threat, Sobota applied pressure to the away team's flaky defence. Gathering the ball on the edge of the box the Polish attacker knocked a loose ball onto a waiting Bouhaddouz, who spotted a lurking Sahin, surprisingly left free in the box. Dresden had left the man in form unattended with the ball, as he instinctively tucked it in the bottom right corner, easily past Marvin Schwäbe, who was left rather unimpressed with his back line.

The new signing didn't have a lot to participate in during the last 30 minutes. A lot of his duty was to stay-put and remain just in front of Hornschuh and Sobiech who were equally having, a fantastic game. On a handful of occasions Flum did have the ball at his feet, he showed good composure and control. The game was dying out and the visitors became desperate, at times Flum did look tired and a tad stretched. Considering the little amount of game time he has had over the last year I think it would be harsh to criticise him. However, due to the fact that Dresden appeared lethargic and sloppy as the final whistle came nearer, St Pauli fan's had little to worry about. As the game came to a close, the home fans cheered with complete appraisal for their teams' solid performance. A surprisingly comfortable victory, with the hosts coming out 2 goals to nil.

Do I believe that Flum was influential in this victory? Not directly, but I do believe that he certainly added something to the team which they have recently been absent of, a precise and composed midfielder. Flum did well, and so far has settled the ongoing issue in the middle, where St Pauli previously had a void. A lot of possession was lost in the middle where the team couldn't hold the ball. The forwards were not getting the service they needed, and the defensive line were not allowed any rest from surges of pressure from recent encounters. I hope Flum becomes the anchor required, but after only 2 games it's easy to get carried away. I can say, if the team continue this run of form or at least this style of play, it will be a great transformation to the unplanned suffering pre-winter.

I would like to add before finishing that Sobiech performed valiantly. The Dresden forwards won next to no aerial duels against the captain and he was even better delivering his clean tackles. Hornschuh also partnering at centre-half gave 110% to reward themselves with only the teams' third clean sheet of the campaign. Sahin, as well stood out against the rest. Another goal for the young Turk, but more importantly a superb showcase of his efforts on both the attacking front and chasing down of everything he sniffed. Much similar to the Braunschweig game, a now frequent performer for the Boys in Brown. 

My Story with FC St. Pauli

From Plymouth To Hamburg

It's fairly uncommon to find a lot of St. Pauli fans in rural Devon. One of the United Kingdom's largest counties, the rolling hills of Devon aren't exactly flowering with the finest quality of football. I followed my Dad as a young lad to a 'local' club called Plymouth Argyle, only the 2 hour drive from a small town where we lived. Over the years it became commonplace to find myself with two hands of the finest Cornish Pasty and a less than comfortable plastic seat in the family section of Home Park. Eventually as many will relate to, my small group of friends would travel on the train every now-and-then to home games. We made a day of it, lucky if we had seen a goal or two and even luckier if they went Argyle's way. However, when the realisation hit us that at the age of 18 years young we were now having to pay an wallet-emptying £20 ticket plus travel and other expenses to watch our beloved team play, I personally felt slightly cheated. It wasn't a dislike towards the club, and certainly not a lost love, but more a disappointment. We were playing fourth tier football, on the cusp of losing everything. It was the all so familiar heartache that far too many football fans had felt, from the furthest south to the seemingly so distant North, the absence of money throughout the club. I had collected match tickets where I used to (and still do to this day) scribble down on the back both the score and goalscorers of that game, if there was one. Those tickets for a few months became non-existent due to the club not having enough money to print them. Fortunately, my club averted the crises and eventually escaped a near collapse. They weren't dark times for me, but a real eye opener to the harsh reality of financial struggles within the 'beautiful game'.

I will never stop loving my Argyle, but going back to the expense of physically supporting the club, it wasn't easy for me, I was a young lad, without a job. Even when I found myself luckily earning, I bitterly couldn't approve of the costs. A lot of people would say that if I really supported my club, I'd be there. Many of my friends travel as far as Ipswich to see their team and I truly applaud them for the commitment to their own club. It became hard to justify spending at least £40-50 as well as the relentlessly poor train service courtesy of First Great Western. Enjoying the memories was all I was receiving in return. Goals, quality on the pitch and a cup of tea for under £2.50 were all becoming scarce at Home Park.

Personally, I cant really specifically say how, where or when St. Pauli became a part of my life. I do remember slouching on my bed engrossed in discovering the warmth that St. Pauli fans and members of the club shown whilst watching a documentary on Youtube. Shortly it became evident to me that at the Hamburg club there was more than just a game being played. The communal spirit, hardcore fans and notably positive support was evident in the hours of supporter footage and blogs I had discovered online. It was such an intriguing club, one with such authentic history involving a complete escape from the dark days of the sport. As I became aware of the anti-establishment movement and punk ethos which the club had embraced it drawn me closer and closer. I was raised on the likes of The Sex Pistols and always appreciated the 'different'. Now in my early 20's current affairs are now becoming rapidly more relevant in my life and it amazes me how only a few clubs have seriously erased discrimination, corruption and allowing their franchise to be abused by investors. St. Pauli has a wide following in the UK and with links in particular to the Celtic fan-base, I found myself connecting with fans of which some, like me have never been to the Millerntor Stadion or even Hamburg, but that was almost besides the point as to me as the distance between the cold, miserable England and the cold, less-miserable Germany meant nothing.

My affiliation with St. Pauli is seemingly minuscule in comparison to a lot of the hearty supporters who have set up their own fan-bases here in the U.K. With groups such as the great Yorkshire St. Pauli who have such a unique community, setting up regular charity fund raisers for the less fortunate and in general embracing the solidarity of the club. Derby St. Pauli are another fantastic set of supporters as well who are more than happy to embrace diversity, share memories and celebrate as a collective. There are many more of these not only in the U.K but in Spain, North America and Argentina. This club is growing, and the football world knows it.

Eintracht Braunschweig - Player Review - CENK SAHIN

ST PAULI - Eintracht Braunschweig

 - PLAYER REVIEW

- Cenk Sahin

Having followed the recent form of the young Turk, I decided to write up a player review on one of St Pauli's most energetic and hardworking individuals, Cenk Sahin. With the 22 year old, who is on a one year loan from Istanbul Başakşehir scoring the Goal of the Month for December, with his cheeky chip against Greuther Furth, I thought this would be a perfect time to take note of how he performs. With high-flying Braunschweig taking on our last place St Pauli, it was always going to be a more than difficult battle for the outfit from Hamburg. However, Braunschweig were claiming the league's second highest goalscorer in Domi Kumbela and the Boys in Brown struggling to find the net in general, but desperate to win, it was always going to be an interesting fixture.

Only a couple minutes in Sahin had his first real run with the ball. He flew past Braunschweig's young right back Maximilian Sauer. A nicely whipped ball was offered to anyone lurking in the 6 yard box, but neither Thy or Sobota were quick enough to take up on Sahin's offer. Thy, nonetheless grateful of his efforts as he chases the loose ball manages to a corner following the ball played by Sahin. From the following corner, captain Sobiech lifted himself higher than the rest to collect St Pauli's third away goal of the season. A highly celebrated goal, especially for the travelling fans who hadn't had a lot to cheer about so far this season.

A couple minutes later Sahin impressed again. Another picking up of the ball in his own half this time. Taking on a handful of Braunschweig players, the 5'10'', Turkish u21 international definitely doesn't lack in acceleration and power. Travelling over 50 yards with the ball, he wins his team a corner, once more pushing his team forward.

Numerous times St Pauli's number 22 collected the loose ball and forced the team on the offence. Even if he did lose the ball he ensured that Braunschweig would not benefit from that by applying a constant pressure, chasing the ball he had given away. Frequently swapping wings also allowed him to test out each full back, offering options for new loanee courtesy of Freiburg, Daehli who enjoyed having the availability on both sides of the pitch, the two playing together were a nice collaboration.

The same was happening in the second half, as many times Sahin looked to expose the defence of Braunschweig again. His balance whilst being pushed off the ball was admirable. On occasion his final ball in could have been more threatening. Several times Thy had actually peeled off from the centre halves and Sahin would have only have had to look up to identify the only target. His pressing was great and it helped the defence a lot as any threat from the home team was instantly dismissed by the team as a whole, but Sahin definitely helped by starting further up the pitch.

Not as many notable points for the young talent in the later of the second half other than when the second goal of the day arrived. Much from nowhere, Braunschweig got themselves caught pushing too high and as the away team cleared their lines, they were suddenly on the counter attack. An ambitious ball actually found Sahin on the half way line as a tired and lackluster slide allowed St Pauli's maestro on a free run at goal with only Jasmin Fejzic in the net to beat. Sahin gained his composure and calmly slotted the ball underneath to secure a second for St Pauli. A chance well taken, and a goal which could mean a lot for the struggling St Pauli.

In the dying minutes of the game Sahin was replaced by Neudecker. A great performance by the youngster who is making his mark at the club. The travelling fans applauded a vital performance which could tip the scales and push the Hamburg team towards picking up essential points, hopefully keeping their chances of escaping the relegation battle they're currently snared in. Lets see how the next few games turn out, with players like Daehli and Flum bolstering the middle of the squad. A more than significant appearance from the Turk who really did shine in this tough fight. Hopefully, more to follow.




Hope you all enjoyed the read, Thanks,

Tom Trump