Comments on CROATIAN SOCCER REPORT: KRIŽANAC SCORES BEAUTY FOR ZENIT VICTORY

A big name foreign manager will want big time mone...

2009-07-29T11:52:21.253-07:00

A big name foreign manager will want big time money...and that is something the savez cant afford.

@Ziva Istina If Croatia go into Minsk with the me...

2009-07-29T11:11:34.116-07:00

@Ziva Istina

If Croatia go into Minsk with the mentality that they just have to show up, then they are in for a surprise. However, I see a 1-0 victory in the books with Croatia getting a scare in the end.

@Tom

RE: "If Krizanac starts and Kovac is on the bench, we can have BORAT in goal and still register a shutout."

Ante, too funny!I had to paste your remark up here so it wouldn't go unappreciated:)

This was me, Denis.. haha

Great point on Robbie. No room for him on Croatia with a healthy fit squad.

@Dinamofan:)

"I don't believe for one second we've seen the last of Robert Kovac, Drpic or Vejic."

sad, but true.

"Playing Kalinic during his HNL goalscoring drought when he didn't deserve it."

Kalinic has only played twice for the national team. Once in a meaningless game at Euro 2008, and the other against Moldova. In my opinion, both great times to test the unproven prospect.

However, Kalinic has done nothing since and doesnt deserve a call up. Good luck to him if and when he gets transfered.

Dino drpic is the highest paid footballer in division 2 Bundesliga. Im surprised Karlsruhe can afford him.

"Bilic hasn't given me confidence since the Euro ended.. i think him and Stimac are close and believe that they are part of what is negative in Croatian football. They we're on the board at Hajduk and seem associated with agents, money and transfers and tend to exploit the national team in order to make money for certain people."

Excellent, excellent point. How do you feel about a foreign manager? Lets bring in a big boy something in the range of Capello, Hiddink, etc.. Not only will they bring discipline(Which Croatia has always lacked) more importantly, will get rid of the politics in Croatian football.

I don't believe for one second we've seen the last...

2009-07-28T14:01:51.581-07:00

I don't believe for one second we've seen the last of Robert Kovac, Drpic or Vejic. Kovac at least was a quality player in his day, but i think Bilic who is not a innovative coach does not believe in the untried and young guys like Mikulic and Lovren. He'll prob keep Kovac in squad till the end of the qualifying. He may however give Sablic a try out.

I've got to be honest I don't believe in Bilic. He ignores a lot of players when they play well. He also seems to get involved in transfers i.e talking up Srna for a move to Bayern when its none of his business. Playing Kalinic during his HNL goalscoring drought when he didn't deserve it. And also Drpic's attitude problems at Karlsrhure is prob down to Bilic telling him to get top flight football to get in national team when really he has no business being there. He just seems obsessed with a handful of favorites which is not how a coach should manage. I don't particularly expect him to recognise Galinovic and Sharbini even now. He's capable of missing them. I hope Blazevic's courting of Sharbini for Bosnia will enlighten Bilic into his qualities.

Bilic hasn't given me confidence since the Euro ended.. i think him and Stimac are close and believe that they are part of what is negative in Croatian football. They we're on the board at Hajduk and seem associated with agents, money and transfers and tend to exploit the national team in order to make money for certain people.

RE: "If Krizanac starts and Kovac is on the bench,...

2009-07-28T12:57:10.689-07:00

RE: "If Krizanac starts and Kovac is on the bench, we can have BORAT in goal and still register a shutout."

Ante, too funny!I had to paste your remark up here so it wouldn't go unappreciated:)

On a serious note, I too am hopeful we have seen the last of Robert Kovac. I hate to dis' the guy, as he has been a warrior for all these years but the fact is he is well past his prime.

An out of shape Pletikosa is better than a fit Run...

2009-07-28T11:27:18.381-07:00

An out of shape Pletikosa is better than a fit Runje, judging by the last Ukraine game. Bilic needs to tell Pleti to run some laps because he's going to start the next game. Pleti goes for the ball while it's in the air while Runje watches it go by and into the net.

I am not so confident.. Belarus will not be a walk...

2009-07-28T11:19:48.914-07:00

I am not so confident.. Belarus will not be a walkover judging by the way we have played in the qualifiers.

Their best club team, BATE, made the champs league last year and they are filled with national team players.

I base my judgment more on how we have played than how velarus can play. If we play to fll potential then we win, but we have not seen that form since the Turkey game ended at the Euros.

I have always been a Runje supporter on this site ...

2009-07-28T10:55:34.261-07:00

I have always been a Runje supporter on this site and won't jump ship just yet.

No way Pletikosa starts Belarus without action in months. Once again, question remains:

1) Start Runje

or

2) Give Galinovic almost a first cap in a must win away game.

Realistically speaking, we don't have options.

@Ziva istina

"Runjoe or Pletikosa....neither gives me confidence."

If Krizanac starts and Kovac is on the bench, we can have Borat in goal and still register a shutout.

Runjoe or Pletikosa....neither gives me confidence...

2009-07-14T09:28:08.088-07:00

Runjoe or Pletikosa....neither gives me confidence. Doesn't help if Kovac is walking in the back line either.

I wish Plet was active, but as it remains Runje sh...

2009-07-13T19:56:39.797-07:00

I wish Plet was active, but as it remains Runje should be the keeper. I still haven't lost hope, like the poster above said the defense was extremely suspect.

Plete hasn't played in months. Runje is the more ...

2009-07-13T08:40:10.102-07:00

Plete hasn't played in months. Runje is the more steady keeper, and he was not at fault for any of the goals last game, rather a weak defence led by Robert Kovac.

If Krizanac doesn't start ahead of Kovac, this will be the greatest crime against humanity since Srebrenica, and Bilic should be tried for treason, especially after already being massively out-witted against England and Ukraine (both at home!).

Pozz iz Toronta

Pletikosa or Runje? after last match I would have ...

2009-07-13T01:47:06.163-07:00

Pletikosa or Runje?
after last match I would have Pletikosa