Oh Magath, Hamback to the Nord

[Imparator]

Hamburger SV

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I've been playing a save with Fenerbahce SK, but I wanted something a little more interesting with a non-dominant team. I've been considering a German save for a while and was inspired by 'coolmcool's thread, the Wolfsburg German Youth Challenge.

After reading through his story I was tossing up the idea of playing with Wolfsburg, having originally considered Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. However, I chose the team which had been on the back of my mind throughout. Hamburg.

There were a few reasons for this choice. The most obvious is the history. For those who are unaware, current Fulham manager Felix Magath (yes, the pun in the title makes sense now) was part of the historic HSV squad who lifted the European Champion's Cup and Cup Winner's Cup, as well as the domestic title.

Hamburg are also the only team to have played in every season of the Bundesliga, and have maintained that record after winning their play-off relegation fixture at the end of last season. So I figured it would be a good challenge to get this team back to its former glory.

Hamburg SV Information

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Although the team does hold quite a strong market value, it is riddled with debt. Felix Magath and Manfred Kaltz are club legends, so I'm hoping the new batch of youngsters in the squad will be able to emulate them and lift the UCL.

Facilities

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As previously mentioned, a well established club, however what's probably hurt them the most is the lack of youth development, with only one or two players coming through in the last couple of seasons who have been exceptional. So the first order of business was to approach the board and ask for improvements to youth facilities. It took a bit of persuading, but we've got improvements coming in for the start of the 2014 season, which will be good for our youth intake at the end of the season.

Squad Overview and Tactics

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Not the greatest youth in Germany by a margin, but there is a lot of promise, and a lot of great advanced midfielders. So I opted to play a 4-2-3-1, which is not a formation I've used too often, so I was hoping it would work out and it has done well so far. At this current stage I'm hoping for consolidation. The media predicted us to finish 6th, but I'll be happy with anything in the top half of the table, and if we can push for Europa League qualification that would be extraordinary. I've decided to play Calhanoglu instead of Rafael van der Vaart because he's one of the better youth player coming through the ranks, and I'm trying to offload the latter as he's on 105k/wk!

Important Players

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Hakan Calhanoglu

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Jonathan Tah

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Maximilian Beister

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Rene Adler

I've already mentioned Hakan Calhanoglu and my reason for including him in the first team. Maximilian Beister is another player who looks to be fairly promising. Rene Adler will be captain once we can offload van der Vaart and he's influence over the backline will be what makes or breaks us come the end of the season. Jonathan Tah is the most promising youth prospect in the squad by a country mile. He's 17, so he's eligible to play in the Bundesliga and is already at a stage where he can compete for that first team spot, and has proven himself in pre-season so far. Hoping for really big things from him.

Preseason

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A really good start the season. A few shaky fixtures against the Latin teams but a fine start nevertheless with the aim being to get the players running and playing, and getting everyone used to the formation and slowly easing players into the roles I want them playing.

No surprises with Beister playing really well. Other good performers have been Marcell Jansen, Jon Tah, Milan Badelj and Rene Adler. Jacques Zoua was originally brought in as cover for the injured loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga but 13 goals in 9 appearances, including a match-winner against Celtic and 4 goals in the first half against Sporting Lisbon have definitely cemented his place in the starting 11 for the start of the season. I hope he can carry his fine form into the DFB and Bundesliga.
​

 

[Imparator]

Hamburger SV

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August in Review

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We kicked off the DFB and Bundesliga in August, and I really wasn't expecting too much from us in the league with games away to Wolfsburg and Schalke and Bayern at home. However, we put in some good performances, and were quite unlucky not to do better against Wolfsburg and Nurnberg, although it was always going to be a challenge with Beister on the sidelines. I'm happy with our result in the Domestic Cup though, and hopefully we'll have a good journey.

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We're sitting around mid-table, and it's still early in the season so I'm not too disappointed. The win against Schalke really helped us.

Summer Transfer Window

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We had no transfer budget to play around with and wages were in the red until a deadline day loan offer came through for Mancienne. Inter Milan showed interest in van der Vaart but we couldn't agree on a price so I've decided to keep him and work him into the starting 11. He's experience will come in handy against the bigger teams if he can start firing. If not, I'll offload him in January.

Player of the Month

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Hamburg's youngest ever player, Jonathan Tah, was my pick for player of the month. He's contributions in defence helped keep clean sheets against Nurnberg and Schalke, and he wasn't to blame for the errors which led to the goals conceded against Wolfsburg or Munchen. He also had a solid game against Karlsruhe in the cup.

Hakan Calhanoglu was a close 2nd, with impressive displays at the end of the month but he just wasn't doing it against Wolfsburg. Zoua, the other debutant, finally got his first goal in the Bundesliga with a late consolation against Bayern. Lassoga should be back from injury to provide depth and Beister should return to give us the much needed attacking firepower.
​

 

[coolmcool]

Come on Wolfsburg! Thats a pretty decent first month considering you faced 3 of the top 5 teams and some of the lower teams in the German league are proper pants.

 

[Imparator]

Come on Wolfsburg! Thats a pretty decent first month considering you faced 3 of the top 5 teams and some of the lower teams in the German league are proper pants.

Yeah mate, just played through September, was a really good month, albeit not a lot of fixtures in September or October. Mainz have been the real surprise package, and I remember from your story they were quite annoying. Wolfsburg also doing fairly well.

 

[AndySams10]

Nice start mate. Layout is easy to read and informative. Keep up the good work.

 

[Imparator]

Hamburger SV

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September in Review

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The players were refreshed after the international break and we had a few come back from injury, including Max Beister. We failed to capitalise on our opportunities against Hertha Berlin, which made it 2 draws and a loss at home. A win against Braunschweig meant we secured our place in the middle of the table. Jonathan Tah became the youngest goalscorer with a good header, and what turned out to be the match winner, against Division 3 side Regensburg. Drew Dusseldorf in the next round, with a few Bundesliga 1 sides, including Bayern getting eliminated (to Dortmund). A good finish to the month with our first win at the Imtech Arena aginst Bremen who were sitting just below us. We move into the top half of the table with games coming up against 3 teams who have been struggling for consistency.

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Mainz have been the surprise package so far, with Bayern failing to win against Bremen away. That being said, the big two are pulling away, although we're right up there with Nurnberg and Wolfsburg. So our only 2 losses of the campaign so far have come against teams sitting above us, which is reassuring.

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As you would expect, we haven't been a dominant side, and therefore don't feature all that much in the stats. Lewandowski has been on fire as always, and Sidney Sam's performances have been the only real standouts in an otherwise bleak start to the campaign for Leverkusen. Dennis Diekmeier is the hardest running player in the league, and Jonathan Tah has all but cemented his place in the starting 11, playing a huge role in our defensive success.

Player of the Month

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Tah putting in a splendid run of games, averaging 7.6 in September (the 6.4 is the Bayern game at the end of August). Definitely proving his worth, and has already shot up in value, hopefully it spurs him on to keep up the great performances and motivates the older players around him. He also scored his first professional goal against Regensburg in the DFB, writing his name into the record books.

Although not playing the best football since returning from injury, Beister has been pivotal in our attack, especially as without him we can't play the wide game. Calhanoglu has been fantastic yet again, and is already a threat from set pieces, sitting on 3 DFK goals in all competitions.

A lot of positives to come out the performances in September, despite not really hammering anyone and what some would consider a scrappy win against a smaller team in the cup. But I'm happy with the results so far and hope they can continue.

​

 

[Imparator]

Nice start mate. Layout is easy to read and informative. Keep up the good work.

Thanks mate, although I have to give credit to all the people who have used this layout before me. Their stories seem to the most popular, and the bigger the following, the more motivated I will be to keep playing the save, even when I go through rough patches.

 

[AndySams10]

Thanks mate, although I have to give credit to all the people who have used this layout before me. Their stories seem to the most popular, and the bigger the following, the more motivated I will be to keep playing the save, even when I go through rough patches.

Yeah fair shout, it's how I set mine out some times too, though haven't had a story on here for a while. But always good to see what works as it keeps you motivated. Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[simoo88]

This story and coolmcool's, and the 7-1 drubbing of Brazil last night has inspired me to do my own German challenge. Any suggestions on a team, I was thinking Schalke?

 

[Imparator]

This story and coolmcool's, and the 7-1 drubbing of Brazil last night has inspired me to do my own German challenge. Any suggestions on a team, I was thinking Schalke?

Schalke have a lot of very promising youth, including Max Meyer and Julian Draxler. If you want it to be a bit of a challenge, probably better off steering clear of Schalke, but if you just want it for the fun factor and to build a team that can drub Bayern Munich, Schalke are probably your best bet in terms of cost efficiency if you can hold onto those wonderkids.

 

[Imparator]

Hamburger SV

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October in Review

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I was fairly confident we'd continue our unbeaten run in October, although Leverkusen made me a little nervous with some strong performances at the end of September. I was disappointed that we couldn't hold on to win against Gladbach and Hannover, but a lot of teams in the middle of the table also struggled during October.

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Tied for points with Freiburg and Augsburg, and the top four are slowly drifting away. I wonder how much longer Mainz and Wolfsburg will be able to keep up with the giants. The one positive for me is that we've now played against a lot of the quality mid-table opposition and have only lost against two of the top four. We just need to hang on to those early leads we get.

November is going to be another slow month, and hopefully we can finish off with a couple of wins. Not expecting anything from the Dortmund game as Lewandowski has been in fine form for them.

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14 goals and 4 assists in 10 games, what a freak he is. Jon Tah is tied for key tackles made, with Djourou making an appearance as well. Diekmeier continues to be the hardest running player in the league.

Player of the Month

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Despite it being a quiet month and only 3 games being played, the standout performer was once again a centre back. This time the Swiss loanee from Arsenal, Johan Djourou. Tah had a slight dip in form against Gladbach and Hannover and it was Djourou who kept us in the lead for long periods throughout those games. Might make a bid for him at the end of the season if Arsenal don't want too much, as he slowly finds his feet.​

 

[simoo88]

Schalke have a lot of very promising youth, including Max Meyer and Julian Draxler. If you want it to be a bit of a challenge, probably better off steering clear of Schalke, but if you just want it for the fun factor and to build a team that can drub Bayern Munich, Schalke are probably your best bet in terms of cost efficiency if you can hold onto those wonderkids.

Thanks shall take a look into this tonight.

 

[Imparator]

Finished the first season and started the second, was just really tired last night waiting for the WC game and couldn't be bothered posting updates. A lot of updates will be coming through today.

 

[Imparator]

Hamburg SV

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November in Review


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Lost to Dortmund as expected. Disappointed at how little competition we provided them with. A great 2nd half against bottom-table Hoffenheim and a woeful 2nd half against Augsburg meant we finished the month with 4 points from the 3 fixtures.

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Sitting in 8th place. Just can't seem to hold onto leads and are dropping a lot of points, lack of a marquee striker is hurting us.

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As you can see from the stats, we've had a great defensive work rate, the back four of Jansen, Tah, Djourou and Diekmeier really gelling together.

Player of the Month

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No real standouts and it was hard to judge but Calhanoglu did really well in the games against Hoffenheim and Augsburg, so he's our first attacking player to win the award.​

 

[Imparator]

Hamburg SV

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December in Review

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A woeful month, as we fail to win 5 on the trot, including a loss to Bundesliga 2 outfit Dusseldorf in the cup, hopefully we'll do better next season. A very hard-fought victory against bottom of the table Stuttgart gave us something to smile about going into the winter break.
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Still in 8th despite getting only 5 points in 4 games. However, Wolfsburg had a game in hand to move a little further away as the bottom half teams bridged the gap.

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Lewandowski's fine form continues. Our defensive work rate improving as Tah and Djourou become more and more familiar with each other. Hoping to sign Djourou at the end of the season but I imagine he'll want ridiculous wages so we'll see what happens on that front come June.

Player of the Month

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In a sense I guess this just goes to show how bad our month has been. Nobody really did well, not even on an individual level, although Jacques Zoua scored some important goals to stop us dropping all 3 points in 2 important league fixtures. Not the most convincing displays, but much deserved.​

 

[Imparator]

Hamburg SV

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January in Review

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We managed to find our winning ways. I used the break and friendlies as an opportunity to introduce a more possession oriented tactic, with a DLF. Diouf came into the team for a reasonably low price and bagged 2 in 2 games.

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4 points in 2 games, including that win over Nurnberg helped us move up to 7th position, level on points with them and Wolfsburg, although Wolfsburg still had the game in hand. Mainz, Braunschweig and Hertha Berlin all performing above expectations, and the top 3 don't look like budging.

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Diouf bags 2 in 2 games to move his tally to 7 goals in the league, and if he keeps going like this he will break into the top of the goal scoring charts. Our defensive workrate has again been wonderful, and Jonathan Tah goes from strength to strength.

Winter Transfer Window

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Diouf comes in for 1.3m + 1.5m in clauses, while Slobodan Rajkovic departs for 1m to free up the wage bill.

Player of the Month

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Only 2 competitive fixtures for January but Diouf already making an impact and proving to be worth every cent paid for him. Hoping for big things and a push for European qualification with him.
​

 

[Imparator]

Hamburg SV

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February in Review

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Conceded an early goal to Schalke but got one back moments later and failed to capitalise on our opportunities in the 2nd half to end all level. Our performances at the Imtech Arena have been terrible, with a bulk of our points coming in away games. We need to turn it into a fortress if we are to have any chance against Dortmund and Munich in the future.

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New formation being tested.

The highlight of the month was a Diouf inspired second half comeback against Munich. We were down 2 to zip at half time, but went for broke, pushing everyone higher up the field and increasing the intensity. Bayern didn't know what hit them, and we managed to hang on for a draw, becoming only the 4th team to take points off Bayern.

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Diouf wins Player of the Week

A narrow victory over Braunschweig, and two big wins over Berlin and Werder Bremen helped us move up the table, and Diouf established himself as one of the best in the league, picking up the Bundesliga 'Player of the Week' award.

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Great form, and unbeaten in the new year. Jumping up to 4th. I don't think we'll be able to maintain it, and my original aim was Europa League qualification but if we can hang on to qualify for the UCL, that would be an amazing first season, and the money wouldn't be too bad either. Frankfurt also in fine form, climbing up the tables with 5 straight wins.

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Mame Diouf has been in great form, and finally moves into the top of the goal scorer charts. Lewandowski has amassed a huge lead though, and closing it down won't be easy.

Player(s) of the Month

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7 goals in 5 games, and a total of 9 in 7 starts meant Diouf was the clear choice for Player of the Month again, however I felt Deikmeier contributed a lot to our defence, and performed a vital role in both stopping goals and scoring them, so he gets a mention too.

​

 

[JasonM]

I'm surprised you don't have more comments mate, definitely a good start to the story. I've played several saves with HSV before and they're an interesting team so I'm following

 

[the beast in carnate]

would love too see HSV back in the champions league , good luck.

 

[Imparator]

I'm surprised you don't have more comments mate, definitely a good start to the story. I've played several saves with HSV before and they're an interesting team so I'm following

Thanks mate, it's alright, I'm sure it'll catch on soon. This is the first proper story I've written up so just a matter of getting more people reading. Not too concerned about that, just want to have fun. Glad to hear you're enjoying it though.

would love too see HSV back in the champions league , good luck.

Cheers, we'll be needing all the luck we can get in the 2nd season, all the big teams with some solid transfers.