Midseason Analysis- How did the players rate up, how did the team in general do, and what lies in store?

By: Musab | January 3rd, 2008

The 2007 part of the season has been very interesting indeed. For the first 10 weeks Galatasaray was kicking ass. 5-1 against FC Sion, 6-0 against Konyaspor, 4-0 against Rizespor, all very resounding and impressive victories. More importantly, the team was playing great football. And so we were 7 points ahead of Besiktas and 8 ahead of Fenerbahce (Sivasspor was always right behind us but they’re not really in the championship race). However things started to stagnate and then finally go down. Now were back a point from the Fenerli’s. In my opinion, a major disaster. You’re on top of the charts week in week out and yet you end the first half a point behind.

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.