STIPE PLETIKOSA BACK IN TRAINING
Stipe Pletikosa has returned to training after a knee injury sidelined the former Croatian #1 keeper for over a year. He recently trained at Hajduk’s Poljud Stadion and looked to have all his mobility back. Croatian manager Slaven Bilić has put the 31 year-old Pletikosa on the roster for the three upcoming friendlies in May.
This will be huge for Pletikosa as he tries to get back into Croatia’s starting XI while auditioning for a new club job. Right before Pletikosa sustained torn ligaments in his knee during training last year, it was rumored that Tottenham was interested in the services of the Croatian keeper. We’ll find out where Stipe stands in the next few weeks as the summer transfer window opens.
Thanks to Tom in WPG for the video. Who’s the sound editor for Hajduk.hr anyways? He can’t be serious.
Unless, those guy you mentioned will receive greater offers than what they are making now or could make with another team, I just dont see them making the move to dinamo.
I assume these guys are smart and realize the talent around them at Dinamo would not carry them into the Europa league knock out stages. If that is the case, they will go to the highest bidder. Dinamo will again be trying to hit the jackpot with a signing, and in all probablitty will end up with another player the like the greek or blind pussy.
Right now, I could care less if the croatian league is quality. As long as the national team is good, the league can stay like crap. It has for the last 10 years. We produce individual talent and that is the best we can hope for at this point.
As I said many times before the idea is not to from a C standard team to become a A standard team. We need to become a B standard team first.
So what the basic idea is is to sign better than what we currently have. Nobody can say that any fan of a Croatian club team expects European glory. If any team reached even as far as the knock stage after the group stage of Europa liga they'd be happiness. My opinion is that is all we should aim for.
If we got to the Champions League it purely have financial benefits as those teams are too big for us. Europa Liga is where we need to make our mark.
As for that we won't attract players i do not believe that. That is a very general way of looking at things. Football is more specific and requires more intelligence than that. You have the world to search and you find your players. Arsenal didn't pay millions to build there team.
Dinamo is a big name especially for Croatian players. Of course Dinamo can improve the contracts given by Asteras Tripolis and Slovan Liberec for Keric and Cesarec. These guys are an improvement on the current squad. I don't believe top money is need to get them. Also people like Bjelanovic for example are different to guys like Sokota and Balaban. Sokota and Balaban have had big moves then a lot of sitting around on benches. Bjelanovic has had to work move around and has a great number of matches under his belt. I think it depends who you go for. Someone like Bjelanovic will consider lesser wages than a guy who played in Benfica or was Club Bruges star and are use to more money in there pocket. Bjelanovic has played with smaller clubs but has proven he has great longievity and fitness that some of the oldies we bought before.
When Dinamo sign i would hope they look this time and a track record and history of a player. We seem to over pay for names. We don't look at what the player brings to them team. If as appear Leko signs for us in my opinion he's always stayed fit and healthy and you can build a side around him. If you pair him with Vrdoljak you may see a better Vrdoljak and there is two of them doing the work in the middle and it allows the wide guys Morales and Badelj to express themselves. You got to sign real players. There are guys out there. There are guys of promise in Bundesliga 2, in Czech league, in Denmark, in Greece that are Croat. Just need to pick off the right players.
REALISTIC MARKET:
JERKO LEKO – FREE
STIVEN RIVIC – ENERGIE COTTBUS
DANIEL CESAREC – FREE
ANDREJ KERIC – LIBEREC
BOSTJAN CESAR – GRENOBLE
SASA BJELANOVIC – VICENZA
GORDAN SCHILDENFELD – BESIKTAS
KRISTJAN IPSA – MITYDLLAND
MLADEN BARTULOVIC – DNIPRO
GORAN LJUBOJEVIC – ZAGREB
AMBITIOUS MARKET:
IGOR BUDAN – PALERMO
MATO JAJALO – SIENA
SPLASHING OUT MARKET:
SRDJAN LAKIC – KAISERSLAUTERN
ERMIN ZEC – SIBENIK
GORAN BUNOZA – KARLOVAC
MEHMAD ALISPAHIC – SIBENIK
BESART – ZAGREB
In my opinion if you see all these names above there is enough out there that can be signed which IMPROVES THE TEAM. To say we need to over pay or can't get players is too defeatest. My question is has Dinamo actually looked and targetted the right players. I mean if we look at it there as a lot of slow guys well passed there prime who've been linked with both Dinamo and Hajduk.
When i think of how Dinamo needs to sign i think of TWO players. OGNJEN VUKOJEVIC signed from Lierse and then sold for 5m. Tomislav Mikulic signed from Racing Genk and then sold for 2m to Standard Liege. Those are the type of moves we need to make. At present all we're doing is signing rubbish from Zapresic just to give them money for Mamic to send his players or we signed very very old player who are only recognised names and that's it.
If we think more intelligently we can improve the side. At present i see more potential in Hajduk squad than Dinamo's so we HAVE to recruit.
That's true. Especially now.Which decent player wants to come to a team with no team system, most players lacking motivation, playing in empty stadiums,etc…
the problem for dinamo is they will have to overpay to bring in any payers that can help them in europe and those type of players wont come to dinamo.
Biscan therefore at least has intelligence. If he hadn't done this he would have been humiliated like all those guys at Hajduk. Biscan is wise enough to know that another team will prob not want him. Whereas at Dinamo he can at least ensure he gets games considering Kovac will go.
No problem with keeping Jurcic. That's fine. I doubt we'd keep all the players though. I'd expect us to have a clear out. I expect Biscan to stay for a year and why let Vrdoljak and Etto go.
It will not take much to get Sivonjic and Chago out on loan. Primorac, Tomic and Butina are out of contract so there is some room for manouevre in the market. I think he should sell Mandzo and Slepicka still.
Also biscan agreed to take a 180,000 euros paycut.Second dinamo player to do so since cufre.
Just read an article where mamic says he is sticking with the same coach and same players.If that happens that means dinamo will have the same results…kicked out of euro qualifications after 3rd round.
i agree Etto and Ibanez are nothing special but i think considering we need a centre back, a central midfielder and at least 2 forward we won't have to finances or time to buy full backs as well. I personally think we need to sell Mandzo in order to fund the revamping of the side and so we actually need 3 forwards. Etto is alright as a place. Definitely good enough as a squad player. He's not the player he used to be when we signed him, but i think he's good enough. We have to build slow. I think Etto is good for one more season and Ibanez needs a full season to see if he improves as is still young.
We can't clear out too much as Mamic doesn't actually know how to sign decent players or where to look, so i'm happy for average guys like Vrdoljak and Barbaric to stay. If we alter the tactics say like if we get Leko and team him up with Vrdoljak that strengthens us in midfield as in Europe Badelj is not powerful enough in there and Vrdoljaks not good enough on his own. Badelj can play from the left side.
If we get a partnership like Keric and Cesarec, we'd have pace and movement with a little bit of knowhow. Bjelanovic will back them up from the bench and give us plenty of goals. Also these guys have had experience abroad so they won't be scared like Sivonjic and other guys are who have never played outside HNL1.
I've got to be honest we have to get extremely busy moving guys in and out. With Mandzo we should not wait. We should sell immediately. The first bid that comes he should go and we should ignore other bids for Badelj and Morales and focus on clearing out and signing. If we do sell Badelj we'll need to look for another midfielder maybe Alispahic, Banovic or Rivic.
I agree with most of what your saying dinamofan.Like the lineup. I personally don't think etto is nothing special.Also the same thing for ibanez.Every time he has the ball he just does long balls and it only reaches are forwards on target 2/10 times. Although he has a pretty hard shot of some free kicks he has taken.
As much as i think of Vuga, he's best off helping another side. Rijeka for example could easily take Vuga back.
The only player worth signing of that nature is Sasa Bjelanovic on a 2 year deal.
When Hull got Hesslink instead of us i was glad last season. He's slower than Slepicka and that's saying something. He's well passed it and is only good for a mid table Dutch side these days.
If the sign a Croatian forward aged 20-30 from abroad who is at a smaller club firstly they'll have fire in their bellys and be keen to fight for honours. These guys like Keric, Cesarec and Bjelanovic are so obviously.
To me it seems we only shop in 2 markets. The really bargain basement HNL1 market i.e Sivonjic, Primorac, Dodo or we sign some over the hill player in their mid 30's that is injury prone.
Why can't we aim somewhere in the middle which is a talented player aged 20-30. We should aim to build a long term side, not sign guys for short periods of time. you have to have experience as well. Srdjan Andric for example has been inspiration to Hajduk these last two seasons. You have to get guys like that who have a little left in the tank.
If i could get hold of Dinamo i'd make our side
Loncaric
Tomecak/ Etto, Barbaric, Cesar, Ibanez
Morales, Vrdoljak, Leko, Badelj
Cesarec, Keric/ Bjelanovic
Subs
Kramaric, Callelo, Simic, Biscan, Sammir, Vrsaljko, Turina, Pivaric
SELL – Slepicka, Mandzo,
RELEASE – Tomic, Dodo, Sivonjic, Chago, Butina, Kovac, Cufre
I can't see why Dinamo can't make those moves to reorganise the squad. It fits with Dinamo's budget, keeps us in profit and improves the age and fitness of the players available to Jurcic. Also the pace, movement and know how of the team improves.
The only over the hill player i would sign is Vugrinec…if that even.
I was about to say Ante B is being slightly negative about Dinamo until i read that Dinamo is interested in another over the hill play Vennegor of Hesselink. Sorry but i despair. What a joke. Signs Croatians who understand what the club means and who have appetite for playing in the league and for Dinamo.
Sasa Bjelanovic – Vicenza DOABLE
Daniel Cesarec – Asteras FREE TRANSFER and DOABLE
Andrej Keric – little transfer fee, but if swapped with Slepicka will bring fee down and has potential for sell on
This is all doable. If Mamic signs Hesselink i'm losing interest next season. Give me Kezman and any mujo any day of this pile of crap. We keep signing joke players.
We are crying out for a signing to give us some cheer. If Jerko comes that's good. We need a solid player. I see something of Ibricic in Mehmad Alispahic. If we can get him that'd be far more positive.
I think what we have here is a failure to communicate. I suggest we all agree to disagree on this one.
ziva, soccer is a sport where if a player is not performing (weather on the field or by not playing at all) it is only a metter of time before he disappears. on the other hand, players who are coasting to retirement in their last couple of seasons can sit on the bench and take it easy. eduardo and pletikosa are not near retirement-especially eduardo. most of these players you listed are close to retiring.
anyways, to say the bench is where a player is guaranteed to make money no matter what is naive. it's only a matter of time before their value drops and then eventually they are out. you think they can just make it to the big team and wait it out on the bench and retire. i'm saying a player who plays ends up making more money than a bench warmer in the long run and maybe even in the short run. the logic (or lack thereof) you're using is hiding behind an assumed long contract the player has.
Speaking of money… it seems we'll have to wait at least another couple of weeks for an answer from Marko Livaju. I wonder if the extra time is designed to see how much cash Hajduk can raise from player sales? When will the transfers officially begin?
really???? no player wants to be on the bench. Of course they do not want to be on the bench, everyone wants to play, but they are more than willing to take the big time money for a spot on the bench and with the realization they will not play as much.
I'll just give you some croatian players who are doing that right now or have done it…..
Don't believe me…..How about how Davor Suker and how he ended up his career on the bench with Arsenal, West Ham, and 1860 Munich. He gladly accepted sitting the bench
Jarni at Panathinakos. Need more evidence, well, ok…here you go….
Dario Simic with Monaco and Milan. Simic could have opted out, but we valued the money.
Fine, you might say all those guys were older and past their prime…..Ok, how about the following….
Marko Babic with Betis, Hertha Berlin and Zaragoza.
What about some of the current players at Hajduk who refuse to abandon their contracts and file an agreement to terminate their contracts.
need more evidence, well, OK….
Jurica Vranjes looks very content sitting the bench in germany even though he had offers to leave. Why did he stay, because nobody would give him the kinf of money he is making now.
Need some more names….How about Jerko Leko.
I think I'll stop at this point.
sinko, next time you make a comment, be prepared to back it up.
ziva that's bullshit. no player wants to be on the bench.
@ barbicSP said…
ok so your saying if all are startersfor the cro team were all benched but making money that would be good ? so how are you going to challenge yourself to play when u do get called to play honestly if you want to win title you need to play not ride the bench!
I am referring to the role player who is not good enough to be on the national team or borderline sub on the team. Some of you guys have this romantic view how you need to "challenge" yourself. Screw that, you need to get paid.
Everyone wants to play, I have never met a player who wanted to sit on the bench. But, lets be realistic. Sitting on the becnh and making serious cash is better than making half that money at probably a lesser club. Some of these guys have a certain lifestyle that want to keep up and maintain, so they rather sit the bench and collect their checks.
I've heard this about Ticinovic too. I think he says if they give him chances then he will stay.
I can't see why Hajduk can't let Ticinovic come in in place of Ibricic as Ticinovic did well at the end of the season. I can't see why there would be no spot for him. Vukusic and Cop can be benched and they can play Ticinovic alongside a striker who they need to sign. As for Livaja, will they get money for him. If so let him go. See how he does.
ok so your saying if all are startersfor the cro team were all benched but making money that would be good ? so how are you going to challenge yourself to play when u do get called to play honestly if you want to win title you need to play not ride the bench!
Spaco was a short-term solution and always has been and will be in the future. Reja really did enjoy his time in Split, so I guess its up to him.
I have not talked to my guys down there since the cup game, so I dont have a clue what they are thinking.
They have bgger issues right now. They are trying to hold on to Livaja (junior player) and hope he changes his mind about a move to Inter Milan. Ticinovic wants out as well or a heavy pay increase.
Ziva,
What is the likelihood that Reja could actually return to coach Hajduk? Apparenatly Surjak is in favour of this. What do your sources say? Or is Spaco safe?
Dario Simic, Jerko Leko, Marko Babic and Jurica Vranjes all done the taking the money schema. It looks awful though to be honest when a guys sitting there and not wanted and blatantly won't go.
Eduardo will transfer. Arsenal already made it clear that Van Persie, Chamahk, Bendtner and Vela will be the forwards next season. No place for Dudu sadly, but there are other clubs in this big wide world.
Pletikosa to Tottenham is something i can see still happening. He could do with a run in the national team though so people remember who he is.
I know some of these clowns personally and that is how they think after so many years of playing.
Nobody knows what the future will bring to a younger player. He leaves a club for less money and what if he tears his knee or some other injury.
If you think you have enough money where you can risk it for a smaller pay day, then that is their call.
When you are 50 years old and able to sit outside at your villa on one of the islands in Croatia and then get into your nice yacht, you can then look back and say I made the right call.
I have to agree with Ziva on this one. I certainly respect the almost "Olympic-like" ideals that a number of you guys have, e.g. "competing at the highest level," but I tend to believe it's all about the all-mighty dollar, or euro, for the vast majority of these guys. They want to grab as much cash as they can, as fast as they can, and if they have to sit to do it, so be it.
My point is not about playing time, its about the money you make. Most players think short term and will not abandon a lucrative contract for one tthat pays much less… Nor should they.
Some of you guys r mentioning the brazilian born croat going to another club. What makes you think a club like the jewish backed club in london would want an injury prone brazilian born croat.
i also agree with slaven. sure making lots of money is great however as a athlete you are always driven to compete at the highest level. In my opinion if he sits on the bench his taking the easy way out. I would hope that he tries to go to tottenham since he will be pushed harder by gomes. And as you know with injuries occuring frequently in soccer he can be given his time to shine. We all know that Redknapp has had his issues with gomes inconsistent play earlier on and that his not scared to replace goalies if his not happy.
i agree with slaven on this one being paid to sit on a bench is pointless no one is going to want to pick up a player on the bench unless he goes out on a loan. if dudu gets sent to another team that'll be a miracle! mabe he'll see more of the pitch!
I think you're wrong. Again you're confusing an athletes job with a bankers job. Arsenal can keep Eduardo on the bench for another 2 years max before he's tossed out. What club is going to pick up a player who sat on the bench for 5 years? It's not about comfort level. That makes no sense at all.
Don't be a homer????? Please explain that one.
Not really, it all depends on the club you are at. Sitting the bench at a big club or a club that has deep pocketbooks does not mean you are sacrafcing long term wages.
Again, it's all about the money and level of comfort that you want.
Rotting on the bench with a bigger pay results in a shorter career and less overall money. What club is going to pay a player to sit on the bench full time before they drop him and he's left with no offers because he has rusty skills and no fitness?
Every day Eduardo or Pletikosa sit on the bench, their stock value drops. It keeps dropping until they become worthless to clubs. It's not a bank job. It's a sport. Athletes run and chase balls. I'd take $20 million over 12 years playing every game rather than $10 million over 5 years on the bench full time, then forced retirement. Don't be a homer.
He is not going to Hajduk. He is only training with them since the Russian season will be going on break. He has done this in the past and other former Hajduk players have done the same.
Pletikosa, with the exception of the England loss at home and the bad goal he gave up against to Macedonia in Euro 08 qualifying, has always played well for the repka. However, he is not a top notch class keeper and I was puzzled why Tottenham would go after him. Probably as a back up.
As for the comment….A professional soccer player should realise that he is better off starting every game at less pay than sitting on the bench and picking up a bigger pay cheque.
Really???? So, you would give up half a million dollars and possibly millions over the course of a contract. These guys have a very short career and they should do everything they can to make as much money now. When they are done, they usually dont have any skills that translate in the real world and never come close to making the same amount of money.
Its all about the lifestyle that you want. To you want a nice house in one city or a cipy of places. Do you want a 13-meter yacht or do you want a 30-meter yacht. Well, that is the difference by having the extra money on hand. Easy to say you should take less money when you have never been presented with a chance to make serious cash.
A professional soccer player should realise that he is better off starting every game at less pay than sitting on the bench and picking up a bigger pay cheque. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Mossy stones end up retiring early because their stock drops. In the end they're better off playing every game they can. Hajduk is scouted closely by European clubs.
Slaven,
Fair enough but I don't think him being at Hajduk would help him out for a year. Ideally somebody legit will sign him…quick. We need it.
He'd be better off starting in Hajduk than on the bench in Moscow anyways. He's a great keeper so it's a matter of time before he goes to a huge club. He had his bags packed for Croattenham when he hurt his knee. Hopefully he'll get another chance.
Nothing else has been released. It is Stipe's old stomping ground so that's the only reason I could think they would let him train there. But who knows. Maybe Hajduk is trying to reel him in if he doesn't grab a real job this summer.
Do you guys know if he's only training or…?
God forbid if he signs a contract with Hajduk.