Frank Smuda is using this match against Bosnia and Herzegovina as an opportunity to test Ekstraklasa players out that have not yet had a chance or have yet to convince the coach that they deserve a spot on the national team.
Goalkeepers: Smuda already announced earlier that Grzegorz Sandomierski will make his Polish national team debut in this match. The young keeper is playing really well for Jagiellonia Bialystok. Rumors are flying around in Spain that Malaga are interested in Sandomierski. Smuda also called up Bartosz Kaniecki from Widzew Lodz. The 22-year old keeper only played three Ekstraklasa matches this season. Its really hard to find a good keeper in Ekstraklsa.
Defenders: The defense does not include any surprise names. Smuda only called up two new defenders to the NT. The first is Piotr Celeban from Slask Wroclaw. He already made his NT debut in 2008 under Leo Beenhakker. The second player is Marcin Kikut from Lech Poznan. I really think Kikut deserves a call up than any other defender that was called up. The rest of the defense is the same for the last call up.
Midfielders: Maciej Rybus returns to the national team after not being called up to the last grouping. Rybus is struggling this season for Legia Warszawa. Ariel Borysiuk and Adrian Mierzejewski were expected to get a call up. We already know Smuda really likes Mierzejewski and will continue to call him up. Two surprises on the list were Szymon Pawlowski and Cezary Wilk. I really didn't expect Wilk to get called up. I rather take Jacek Kielb over Wilk. I don't see Wilk or Pawlowski get another called up from Smuda.
Forwards: Artur Sobiech returns to the NT after a long lay-off. Sobiech has really impressed this season in the Ekstraklsa. The young forward has six goals and six assists for Polonia Warszawa. He needs to get more minutes at the NT level. During the Finland-Serbia-Spain friendlies, Sobiech only played the last couple of seconds. Without a surprise, Pawel Brozek and Kamil Grosicki are back. Dawid Nowak has also been called up. Nowak is a player who has been called-up for Poland numerous times with an injury always preventing him from playing. He is on fire now for GKS Belchatow and is ready to help Smuda's NT. Also its nice see that Tomasz Kupisz will get a chance. Kupisz has really impressed this season for Jagiellonia Bialystok and he deserves a call up. Not surprised that Ebi Smolarek wasn't called up. Lately hes been a bum for Polonia Warszawa.
My starting lineup against Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Sandomierski - Kikut, Jodlowiec, Wojtkowiak, Sadlok - Rybus, Borysiuk, Mierzejewski, Grosicki - Brozek, Nowak
What is it with a guy still so young like Ebi? A few years back, he was the great red and white hope.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Wondolowski given a shot if for no other reason than that he is proud to be of Polish heritage and actually wants to play for the Polish NT.
And before the razzing starts coming about the low quality of the MLS, I really have my doubts that any Polish-born player could now lead the MLS in goals like Wondolowski did.
Anonymous Al
I wouldnt mind seeing this Wondolowski.
ReplyDeleteBut really. We only play with 1 out and out striker and then Obraniak & Blaszczykowski either side of him.
I like that formation quite a lot.
I dont know that Wondolowski is better than Lewandowski who is improving, a fit Ireneusz Jelen. Also Admittadly i am a big fan of Grosicki's talents. He was very close to joing Aris before the season. But if his remains playing well, Aston Villa have been tracking him. They would be my 3 sttrikers fighting for that position.
I would rather see Roger back in the squad after finding his feet, first team place and form back again in Greece.