While this is expected to become a weekly column, I have decided to hand out the first Weekly XI based on the cumulative efforts of the first three weeks.  I will use a 3-4-3 formation for my picks. Schober (S04) Westermann (S04) Subotic (BVB) Friedrich (HBS) Kuba (BVB) Marin (MON) Schweinsteiger (FCB) Dejegah (WLF) Wichniarek (AB) Helmes (BL) Ibisevic (TSG) GK: Mathias Schober (Schalke 04) - The [. Click to continue reading...

Schalke, currently sitting at the top of the Bundesliga, have surged ahead to the peak of another, less prestigious table - the goalkeeper injury table. First choice keeper Manuel Neuer has yet to make an appearance this season, having broken his fifth metatarsal during a pre-season friendly against SpVgg Erkenschwick (currently playing in the [. Click to continue reading...

This week we make the short trip west on the A40 from Dortmund past Bochum to Gelsenkirchen, home to Schalke 04 and their new coach, Fred Rutten. Much like his new Ruhr rival, Jürgen Klopp, Rutten has been a one club man for almost his entire 30-year playing and coaching career, all with FC Twente [. Click to continue reading...