The End Of Zimmerman

[Maltesecanary 19]

Thanks For your Service If True 

Good luck 💪 👍 💓 

[TeemuVanBasten 3,327]

If true...

Zimmermann should go down as a cult hero for his bravery, professionalism and commitment to the cause. Credit to himself for repaying Farke's faith and breaking into a side at this level, and to Farke for giving him the confidence and belief to do that.

I'd like to think that both parties can look back at his time here with fondness. We've taken him to levels that he wouldn't have expected to reach, and he's admitted himself he was preparing for a life outside of football.

Sadly he was never quite the same after injury and just isn't quite good enough for us now, and it could be argued that even if he didn't suffer those injuries would still be somebody who isn't quite good enough as a footballer for a team of our calibre.

But if Timm Klose can still get paid to play Championship football then you'd expect Zimmermann to be able to do a job for somebody down the other end of the league, a Birmingham City or a Blackpool or somebody, or one of the smaller Bundesliga 2 teams. He's still got something to offer somebody.

Good luck Zimmermann! 

Edited July 19, 2022 by TeemuVanBasten

[rock bus 851]

4 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said:

Zimmermann should go down as a cult hero for his bravery, professionalism and commitment to the cause. Credit to himself for repaying Farke's faith and breaking into a side at this level, and to Farke for giving him the confidence and belief to do that.

Totally agree, never forget that moment when he was lying on the ground and just threw his body at the ball to get his head in the way.

Great guy

[Robert N. LiM 4,338]

One of the reasons that we loved DF's team so much was that it was filled with such interesting characters, many with interesting backstories: Onel, Tim, Timm, Marco and, possibly above all, Christoph. Wishing him all the best.

[Feedthewolf 4,846]

A shame if true, I think he'd still be a decent backup at Championship level but can't blame him if he'd rather return home and play regularly for a German side as has been reported. A real gent... a lovely and intelligent man (met him a couple of times and he came across as an exemplary character), always the first to volunteer to do charity stuff, and a loyal and dependable defender. Not bad for a 'nobody' who we got from the German fourth division, eh? 🙂

This does raise the question of whether another defender will be coming in, or whether we think Tomkinson has got what it takes to act as backup.

 

[TeemuVanBasten 3,327]

2 minutes ago, Feedthewolf said:

This does raise the question of whether another defender will be coming in, or whether we think Tomkinson has got what it takes to act as backup.

Or whether Smith and Shakespeare think that Byram has a future moving inside. A lot of right full backs do that if they are tall enough to extend their careers (still scared by Russell Martin's attempt to become a centre back, but plenty of more successful examples available, Jamie Carragher for one).

Jacob Sorenson could also be 4th choice centre back I suppose, although you'd like to think that it would mean another DM arriving as I'm sure we're all fed up with being short of those.

Edited July 19, 2022 by TeemuVanBasten

[cambridgeshire canary 6,715]

Started from the bottom and made it all the way to the top, and all while being a model pro. Good luck to him.

[Feedthewolf 4,846]

6 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said:

Or whether Smith and Shakespeare think that Byram has a future moving inside. A lot of right full backs do that if they are tall enough to extend their careers (still scared by Russell Martin's attempt to become a centre back, but plenty of more successful examples available, Jamie Carragher for one).

Yeah possibly, you'd expect Aarons to start most games so perhaps Byram could cover RB and CB. He's a six-footer, and didn't look particularly out of place when he covered there last season (i.e. he was no more sh*te than the rest of them!). And if we switch to a back three, I think Lungi could cover too (he played as one of three CBs last season a couple of times IIRC).

[AJ 1,218]

Have been expecting this for the last couple of seasons. Become an absolute legend at the club during his time here, he's never given less than 100% and his rise to the top like many others here under Farke was part of a spine of a team that played some fabulous football. Sadly he's not quite been the same since his injury in the PL and since then the arrivals of new players and emergence of Omobomadiele has meant he is probably 4th choice - with Smith happy to play Byram or Lungi there as well it does mean his playing time is going to be sincerely limited. Wish him all the best if he does go

[paddycanary 539]

15 minutes ago, Feedthewolf said:

A shame if true, I think he'd still be a decent backup at Championship level but can't blame him if he'd rather return home and play regularly for a German side as has been reported. A real gent... a lovely and intelligent man (met him a couple of times and he came across as an exemplary character), always the first to volunteer to do charity stuff, and a loyal and dependable defender. Not bad for a 'nobody' who we got from the German fourth division, eh? 🙂

This does raise the question of whether another defender will be coming in, or whether we think Tomkinson has got what it takes to act as backup.

 

Indeed, I had a chat with him (trying out my rusty Deutsch!) at a pre-season friendly and he came across as an intelligent & courteous guy. Niggling injuries seem to have robbed him of some of his best years here. A departure probably the best outcome for both club & player at this juncture but he will always be fondly remembered. It does have a bit of an "end of an era" feel to it though.

Schönen Dank Christoph und viel Glück!

[Pyro Pete 1,893]

Good luck to Zimbo. He played a major role in Farke's first promotion season, for which he can be proud.

Does leave us slightly light at the back, unless there are incomings.

[Branston Pickle 3,656]

Good luck to the guy if he goes; I’ve said all along I thought he might be on his way and we were looking for a cb….

[hogesar 9,658]

Intelligent, genuine guy who's given his all and certainly surpassed his personal expectation in terms of playing in the Premier League and a Championship Title winning side - wasn't he close to giving up and moving to teaching instead?

It's a shame regarding his injuries over the past couple seasons - suspect if that weren't the case he'd be much more likely to stay here.

[chicken 2,624]

Zimbo is one of those players who you find yourself loving no matter what ability you think he has.

For me, the more I found out about the chap himself, the more I just couldn't help he became a favourite.

Before his injury he was probably our best all around defender. Very strong, good in the air, reasonable pace and he could ping a ball or two. Maybe not the best with the ball, but then, Godfrey and Gibson excell in those areas.

He even rumouredly caught the eye of Wenger on one occaision.

Such a great character to have in the squad. Great with the youngsters, a model pro, humble, down to earth and philosophical. He's very intelligent, no big ego and is always stressing it is an honour to be able to play football for a living.

I've heard so many first hand stories about him from behind the scenes, they all echo the same thing, he is exactly that person we see in interviews, he shuns the 'hollywood' aspect of football and the big ego's, or at least works hard not to be that himself.

It's hard to see him go if he does, but should be rightly remembered for his strength in passion and becoming the 2nd of "all the Germans" after Farke.

A great pro, but an even greater human being.

[lake district canary 4,531]

Not surprising, but good luck to him, a fabulous character to have at the club and a big part of the Farke story too with his partnership with Godfrey in the first Farke promotion season. At his best a very good CB, a leader and inspirational player to have on your team and as a character, exemplary in every way.  Can't find enough good words to say about him, very much a big part in our sucesses since he has been with us.

[TheGunnShow 5,940]

Not seen anything specific on Kicker.de, but it does look like they've lost two centre-halves due to long-term injuries, so there could be something in this.

EDIT: No, lost one due to long-term injury and another is suspended.

Edited July 19, 2022 by TheGunnShow

[TheGunnShow 5,940]

59 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said:

Or whether Smith and Shakespeare think that Byram has a future moving inside. A lot of right full backs do that if they are tall enough to extend their careers (still scared by Russell Martin's attempt to become a centre back, but plenty of more successful examples available, Jamie Carragher for one).

Jacob Sorenson could also be 4th choice centre back I suppose, although you'd like to think that it would mean another DM arriving as I'm sure we're all fed up with being short of those.

I'd say the best example of a full-back becoming a world-class centre-half would be Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck. Started as a left-back, got moved into the middle, and that partnership with Franz Beckenbauer must have been one of the finest pairings in history.

[Capt. Pants 4,227]

A model pro indeed and was always dependable backup.

I think we need specialist cover as we're very light in that area. Might explain our interest in that Chelsea CB.

[Nuff Said 5,131]

🎶 No more Germans

We’ve no more Germans

They’ve all gone hand in hand

Hand in hand with Daniel

FARKE! 🎶

[ron obvious 1,502]

I'll never forgive Haller for wrecking his career. What an ar$ehole.

Christoph's one of my all time favourites. Lovely guy in every way. Will be so sad if he goes.

[Gibbo 131]

A real shame he never really got the chance to show what he could do in the prem!  Was so looking forward to seeing him do a Grant Holt and bully prem players in a way that nobody outside of Norwich would expect... definitely had that special something during that 1st Farke promotion!  There were the obvious class acts in Pukki / Emi / Max / etc... but he along with Stieperman and Onel just kept on performing greater than the sum of their parts!

Haller tackle was a bad one and frustrating, but I don't get the impression he's a dirty player, these things just happen sometimes.  Hope he gets well soon, as I see he's been diagnosed with cancer 😞

[A Load of Squit 5,161]

Can we set up a fund raiser to get a statue of Zimbo doing his header/tackle against Wolves?

 

[pete 319]

Maybe Haller has some come uppance.  Serious injury just as joined Dortmund as replacement for Halland.

[TeemuVanBasten 3,327]

You'd hope that his top flight football 

28 minutes ago, Nuff Said said:

🎶 No more Germans

We’ve no more Germans

They’ve all gone hand in hand

Hand in hand with Daniel

FARKE! 🎶

I believe Onel has a German passport, so we do still have one!

 

[TeemuVanBasten 3,327]

7 minutes ago, pete said:

Maybe Haller has some come uppance.  Serious injury just as joined Dortmund as replacement for Halland.

Oh maaaaate, its a testicular tumour!! I think your post would have read a lot better if he'd done his ankle or something.

Wouldn't wish upon my own enemy etc, or whatever the saying is.

 

Edited July 19, 2022 by TeemuVanBasten

[Nuff Said 5,131]

55 minutes ago, chicken said:

He even rumouredly caught the eye of Wenger on one occaision.

I think he pulled off one of his “tackles while lying down” tricks on top of a typically resolute performance in an FA (?) cup game against Arsenal. At the end of the game Wenger asked Farke admiringly “where did you find him?”. That’s as I remember it.

[Nuff Said 5,131]

1 minute ago, TeemuVanBasten said:

You'd hope that his top flight football 

I believe Onel has a German passport, so we do still have one!

 

Yeah, “artistic” licence, I consider Onel Cuban for the moment. 😉

[Capt. Pants 4,227]

8 minutes ago, pete said:

Maybe Haller has some come uppance.  Serious injury just as joined Dortmund as replacement for Halland.

You are either unaware of this, or a complete a4seh0le as someone referred him as earlier

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11026099/Borussia-Dortmunds-new-signing-Sebastien-Haller-diagnosed-testicular-tumour.html

[kirku 1,332]

10 minutes ago, pete said:

Maybe Haller has some come uppance.  Serious injury just as joined Dortmund as replacement for Halland.

Err, he's been diagnosed with a tumour

That's not "come uppance"

[Worthy Nigelton 1,044]

All the best to a great servant and a great guy.