Harry came to us after a long and bright career with Leeds United and Liverpool, winning the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 in Istanbul. However his career was blighted with injuries that hampered his playing time. He fell out of favor at Liverpool and eventually moved to his new home with us on a free transfer.

I predicted that Harry would find peace and comfort with Galatasaray and that he would be very successful. In a career riddled with injuries, Harry has come through for us suffering only one minor injury towards the end of the first half which was taken care of. He shows that he has the desire to win trophies with Galatasaray, and the fans have paid it back with their support.

Recently Harry starred in a commercial for Galatasaray’s new cell phone service, GSMobile;

“It is such a privilege to be a part of Galatasaray” Well said Harry. There is always room on this team for whoever understands how important that Yellow-Red jersey is.

And a taste of his goals:

Let’s see some more of those goals Harry, let’s win those trophies that we know you want so bad!

So how did the players do?

Goalkeepers

Orkun Usak: 8/10

Orkun’s has seen the least amount of goals in his net and has the most clean sheets in the league. If a goalkeepers not eating goals, then hes good.

Aykut Ercetin: 6/10

Many people expected Aykut to take over after Mondragon’s departure. Unfortunantly Feldkamp had other plans. Aykur only played three matches, and saw three goals in his net which resulted in one win and two draws.

Firat Koroglu: ?/10

Hasn’t even been on the bench really. Not fair to rate him

Defense

Rigobert Song: 10/10

God bless you Song. You’re the best player we’ve got and perhaps the best overall player in the entire league (yes better then that Roberto Carlos) Song has played in 16 out of 17 matches this first half and has been a consistent rock in our defense. He never makes a mistake, is strong enough to challenge his opponents, and always looks sexy with the ball. My pick for player of the year so far.

Servet Cetin: 8.5/10

Another great performer. Started off shaky but has now gotten used to playing for a big team instead the other small teams he played for before cough Fenerbahce cough. Keep it up man, and you’ll see the trophy I know you want so bad.

Ugur Ucar: 8/10

Ugur is 20 yrs old and hes become first choice right back for us. His level of play has vastly increased over the past months. He has that hirs, that desire that can only be found in Turkish youth. We’ve never had a good Turkish rightback before, relying on Popescu or Capone in the glory days. Let’s hope Ugur can break that curse.

Volkan Yaman: 6.5/10

The left-back started off good, then declined, then went back up again, then back down, now hes on the bench. I can see talent but i don’t see consistency. Nothing kills talent like laziness.

Hakan Balta: 7/10

Another left back that may not have the same talent as Volkan, but still shows consistency, and that’s what we need now. Loves to go forward to help in the attack but still knows how to get back and do his job. After he scored against Besiktas, the fans have loved him.

Ismael Bouzid: 4/10

What a disappointment. Hes not even the good sub I wanted him to be. He recklessly plunges into challanges and has given away two needless penalties. There was talk of sending him, but nothing materialized.

Semih Kaya: ?/10

Just wanted to mention this guy. At the age of 17 he sat on the bench for one game. Didn’t play but there is talk of a future star.

Midfield

Lincoln: 7/10

Considering a player of his status, i’d consider him a disappointment. I mean he started off great but after the 8th week he just started to go down. Although it is worth mentioning that the oppostion treated with a level of ferocity never before seen in the history of professional football. And yet the referee watched and laughed. No joke. It was revealed that he played through an injury in his left thigh msot of the season. Hopefully he’ll make a comeback.

Tobias Jan Hakan Linderoth: 8/10

Tobias was great. He played as a defensive midfielder and was excellent at that. He played with a level of discipline and roughness that I love. However six weeks ago he was injured. Now we’re hearing reports that he’ll be gone for 8 months. Unbelievable. Just when we get a star, we lose him. Hopefully he’ll make a comeback.

Mehmet Topal: 8.5/10

Another gem thats been discovered in the abscence of Linderoth. He also plays as a defensive midfielder and plays quite well. So well in fact that I think he can cover for Linderoth. Loves to take shots from a distance and plays very calmly and with control. And perhaps most importantly, he comes from the city of Malatya, a city that holds a very important meaning to me.

Arda Turan: 7/10

Hey golden boy guess what? I didn’t like your performance this half! Are you gonna cry now? Are you gonna say there’s a conspiracy against you? Are you gonna say a couple of big phrases that you yourself don’t understand?

I expected more from Arda. Yea I guess since he’s only 20 yrs old I should be a little less rough, but I know what kind of potential he has, when hes not lazy and actually wants to win. Let’s hope hes not a goner and that’ll he’ll return in style.

Hasan Sas: 8.5/10

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; when Hasan is calm and collected, he’s the best player in the league. When he’s not, it’s like playing with ten men. No joke, he’s seen two red cards already for completely unecessary things, arguing with the referee, cursing at other players. However when he does play, he’s amazing. His crosses are pinpoint and he never gives up the fight.

Baris Ozbek: 8/10

Full of youth and desire to win. Pretty good young player who’s learning the trade of the right midfield pretty well. Let’s hope he continues.

Forwards

Hakan Sukur: 7.5/10

Despite being 37, Hakan is still scoring. He is now the all time leading scorer in the Turkish super league, and hes still scoring. Im gonna say it: I love you Hakan. I love you for everything you’ve done for this club. I don’t care how many times you may miss scoring into an empty net. You’re still the great captain you always were and you always give the all important big-brother morale and hope to the team.

Shabani Nonda: 8/10

Anaconda Nonda has been great as well. Save for a poor performance against Fenerbahce, hes scoring the crucial goals, and I love his stone cold penalties. Hes gonna miss one day and I’m gonna curse at him as loud as I can, but still its all good. Hes slowly getting used to Turkey and the way things are done over there. Keep it up.

Umit Karan: Im not gonna give a score

The fact that Feldkamp dosen’t play Umit make me pissed off. In my opinion, he’s the best player in the league and should always play. And yet he can’t. Despite recieving several offers from Fenerbahce and Besiktas, hes stated that “he’d rather sit on the bench at Galatasaray then play and score for the scum of the Earth”. That’s class.

Serkan Calik: 8/10

He still needs to bloom for his true potential to show, but hes scored crucial goals including a great long distance effort from midfield against Trabzonspor. I hope he keeps it up.

Coaches

Herr Karl-Heinz Feldkamp (A.K.A Himmler from the dead): 8/10

He’s a genius really when hes on the pitch. He knows who to play at what time of the match. He’s single handedly turned bad times around and has reconstructed Galatasaray from the shame of last year. However there is only one problem; the unecessary cruel discipline that many people claim is the reason for Lincoln’s poor form and the consistent injuries. He has no qualms at yelling at Hakan Sukur in the dressing room in front of all the youngsters. That’s a big no no. If we lose the title, he’s out of here. Theres no reason why we can’t be champions.

Ahmet Akcan: 5/10

Assistant who took over the last two matches when Feldkamp was sick. Both ended draws. Bad luck? Maybe.

Team

Galatasaray: 8/10

We’re on the good path but there’s definitly room for improvement. The team was riddled with injuries, and the younger players we’re getting tired towards the end of the half. However i’m sure we will become champions. I’m 100 % sure.

Goalkeepers

Orkun Usak (6.5/10) Age:26 Country of origin: Turkey

Orkun is a new transfer from relegated K.Erciyesspor. He seems to have the potential to be good, but is it good enough for Galatasaray? Feldkamp seems to think hes good enough but im not all that convonced yet. Hes pretty smart and a good shoot stopper, but he seems to be too energized and is a massive accident waiting to happen.

Aykut Ercetin (6/10) Age: 25 Country of origin: Turkey (Born in Germany)

Aykut has long been a second goalkeeper behind last years fist choice Faryd Mondragon. However since Mondragons departure many people expected him to take over, only to learn that Feldkamp has had other plans. Hes very agile and possess great reflexes, however his great lack of experience and his relatively small stature may hurt his plans to take over the goal posts.

Firat Kocaoglu (?/10) Age: 19 Country of origin: Turkey

Well we can’t really say much about Firat. Never saw him play and he just came up from the youth acadamy. Wouldn’t be fair to rate him.

Defense

Rigobert song (8.5/10) Age: 31 Country of origin: Cameroons

Rigo is without a doubt one of the best defenders to arrive to Galatasaray in a long time. His sheer strength, intelligence, and cold blooded moves make him a true lion for our defense. He had problems with ex coach Gerets last year, but Feldkamp has repeatedly stated that Song is not going anywhere.

Servet Cetin (6/10) Age: 28 Country of origin: Turkey

I’ll just come out and say it, he came from Fenerbahce…. He left them on a one year loan at Sivasspor last year, bu tdecided to move on a bosman transer to us. Smart idea, but you gotta earn it my friend. Hes pretty tall and is very strong, but his lack of agility and repeated inability to read the game properly may hurt his game in the long run.

Volkan Yaman (7/10) Age: 24 Country of origin: Turkey (born in Germany)

I really like Volkan, I really see talent and ability in him and maybe he can reach his potential with us. Anotehr new transfer from relegated side Antalyaspor. He plays on the left but can also move up to the left midfield if needed. His free kicks have been impressing many and his stamina is something to applaud.

Ugur Ucar (7.5/10) Age:20 Country of origin: Turkey

This kid, with the proper training and care, can become a future star. His highly accurate passing, amazing vision, and yet again, unending stamina, makes Ugur Galatasaray’s first choice right back. Keep your eye on this kid.

Ismail Bouzid (6.5/10) Age: 24 Country of origin: Algeria

New guy Bouzid hasn’t gotten much chances to show his stuff but from what I have seen, I cant really complain that much. Not our first choice, but a good sub when you need him.

Hakan Balta (7/10) Age: 24 Country of origin: Turkey (born in Germany)

We signed Hakan on the very last day of the window (and on the same day as our match against his old team incidentally). He, like volkan plays on the left back and left midfiled. Hes like Volkan in many ways but I see something slightly more in Hakan. Hakan and Volkan are going to have to fight for that jersey.

Midfield

Tobias Jan Linderoth (8.5/10) Age:28 Country of origin: Sweden

The captain of the Swedish national side is a new transfer for us and perhaps the most beneficial. He plays in the middle of the midfield and works like a horse through the match. His great passes, accurate shots, well timed tackles, and his never ceasing work ethic make him one of, if not the, most important players for us.

Arda Turan (8/10) Age: 20 Country of origin: Turkey

Young boy Arda has become a love of all Galatasaray fans. A product of Galatasaray youth system, Arda is the most gifted young Turkish player in the world right now. He plays in the attacking midfielder postion on the left, right and middle and has great tricks and passes. His small size may be his own true weakness but hes still young. This is one kid that must be watched for the future.

Ayhan Akman (7/10) Age: 30 Country of origin: Turkey

Ayhan arrived to Galatasaray way back and has become an important member of the squad, even if he may sit on the bench at times. He plays on the left and can always be counted upon.

Cassio de Souza Soares Lincoln (9/10) Age: 28 Country of origin: Brazil

Lincoln is just incredible. Just when you think hes gonna shoot, he passes. When you think hes gonna pass, he tries a trick. When you think hes gonna try a trick, he shoots. We paid a good amount of cash to lure him away from Schalke and it looks like its gonna be worth it.

Hasan Sas (7/10) Age: 31 Country of origin: Turkey

Everyone remembers Hasan for his goal against Brazil in the 2002 world cup in Japan. Galatasaray’s fans remember him for his incredible anger and desire to win, no matter what the cost. His glory days are starting to flee him but I think hes got some juice in him left for 2 years.

Baris Ozbek (7.5/10) Age: 20 Country of origin: Turkey (Born in Germany and is only eligible to play for Germany, not Turkey)

Baris is another new transfer who shows great promise for the future. He plays on the right side and takes pretty good shots and make highly accurate passes. Shows plenty of talent and im sure Feldkamp will unlock it.

Sabri Sarioglu (6/10) Age: 24 Country of origin: Turkey

There is no one on this team that I crticize as much as Sabri. He runs miles in a match and never gives up, and yet he still cant make a decent cross into the penalty area. A classic example of talent thats being slowly wasted.

Okan Buruk (6/10) Age: 33 Country of origin: Turkey

Okan is a great veteran of the old days, playing in Inter for years before moving back to Istanbul. He is pretty much neutral on the topic of actually playing but he is someone who can fill in case of an emergancy.

Mehmet Topal (6/10) Age: 21 Country of origin: Turkey

Mehmet suffers from the lack of playing time but he can serve as an emergancy central midfielder.

Marcelo Carrusca (6.5/10) Age: 22 Country of origin: Argentina

Marcelo came to us last years from estudiantes but has struggled to find a place on the first team squad. He plays on the left and is without a doubt talented, but is unable to really showcase that talent for us.

Forwards

Hakan Sukur (1/10 or 10/10) Age: 37 (yup) Country of Origin: Turkey

Where can i start with Hakan? He is the all time leading scorer in the Turkish League and the Turkish national team as well as being instrumental in our victories in the past. He is without a doubt my favorite player of all time. However times have changed. At 37 years old Hakan is subject of much controversy. He is a master of heading the ball into the net, and yet at times he cant even PASS the ball into the back of the net. He is unbelievably great in some matches, and unbelievably terrible in some. He is a great leader though and a great inspiration to the younger players. I personally dont have that big a problem with his playing but if he plays bad, hes gotta take a seat.

Umit Karan (8.5/10) Age: 31 Country of origin: Turkey (Born in Germany)

Umit is a great player and a master at manipulating chnaces into goals. Has become a great love of the fans for aesthetic goals with his bicycle kicks, not to mention a Van Basten like goal a year ago. If hes available, hes gotta play, its as simple as that. Has 140 goals in the league in only 9 years playing. Pretty good if u ask me.

Shabani Nonda (7.5/10) Age: 31 Country of origin: DR Congo

Little bit of trivia for you: back in 2001 at the Galatasaray-Monaco match, Nonda scored two goals agaisnt us at our Ali Sami Yen stadium. (We won that match 3-2 by the way) Nonda came to us from Roma and has so far been satisfactory, with an important goal against our arch rivals Besiktas. He claims to be trying to find his old form and i think hes got what it takes. Time will tell how this new transfer will turn out.

Ozcan Ozgurcan (7/10) Age: 20 Country of Origin: Turkey

Many people have good views on young Ozcan. Hakan Sukur himself likens him to be his successor. Will this be the year for Ozcan? We will see…..

Serkan Calik (7/10) Age: 19 Country of Origin: Turkey (Born in Germany)

Serkan came with other starlet Baris Ozbek this year from Germany. While he has yet to make it to the first 11, he does have some great qualities to him such as his shooting and great one on one moves. Yet another potential star to keep your eye on.

And heres a small clip with pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Overall, this squad is not so bad, however there are glaring problems. For one, i dont like the defense. We sent away long time companion Stjepan Tomas, and replaced him with Servet. Servet cannot amoun to even half of Tomas. Secondly, despite all the assurances from Feldkamp, I think we have a Goalkeeper problem. Aykut and Orkun are not players who give me confidence. Finally, im kinda worried by the lack of really good forwards. Sure Nonda and Umit and even Hakan can play, but i dont think Ozcan and Serkan can easily fill in their places in case of an emergency.

My choice for the line up would be something like this:

Nonda—Umit
Lincoln
Arda—Linderoth—Hasan
Volkan—Servet—Song—Ugur
Orkun