The Early Season High Is Awesome

By: Abby | March 6th, 2008

That’s really what I have to say about that. After losing to Frankfurt in the opening day of the second half, we’ve bounced back with assured performances both home and away. Duisburg was the most recent victim of this trend- a 2-0 victory where the only criticism was that we didn’t make it a greater one. Raffael and Marko Pantelic are working very well together, just as hoped, and Favre’s system seems to be clicking with the players.

Of course, as mentioned other places, this happened at the beginning of the season, too. In the fall we were even top of the league for a night. We’d had a great victory over Borussia Dortmund (coincidently tomorrow’s opponents) and Dieter Hoeness was saying silly things about Europe. Lucio got injured and the good work done in the first bits of the season started to crumble.

That could still happen, which is why I think it’s premature to talk up Hertha’s chances of getting somewhere (like the UEFA Cup) this season. However, a good run right now would put us solidly mid-table for the end of the season, which gives us something good to build on for next season. Something like proof that Favre’s system can work if the players focus on it, that some of them really do have talent somewhere, and that Lulu (rather than Dieter) should probably be the one listened to where player purchases are concerned. I think that it’s important that Hertha have a solid foundation to build on before thinking about European competition- it can be a problem for a club who isn’t ready for it. Look at Nuremburg.

As far as the Duisburg game goes, I’m very pleased at the result although I haven’t got a chance to watch my download yet. I’ll discuss it more once I do, hopefully (I appear to be in some work vortex right now). But both Raffael and Pante scored, which points to signs of an excellent partnership between them. Yes, beating the second-last team (or maybe they’re completely last now, I forget) in the division doesn’t mean they’re world-beaters, but look at the alternative: not beating the second-last team in the division. I’ll take the beating. Or something.

Anyway, Dortmund is tomorrow and again GolTV in their infinate wisdom has decided to replay a Champions League match. I ranted about this last week and it still stands, although Wednesday’s game is a more exciting game that’s definitely worth re-watching. Still, GolTV has endless hours to fill during the day- why can’t they replay Milan-Arsenal in one of those? Why not show the one live game happening on Friday? Why does this always happen when it’s Hertha’s game?

And, on that note, I should probably get back to work…