Weekend Preview Feb 4

Another international break over which makes projections difficult but at least I don't have to stress about the KNT who qualified for the World Cup after some laborious victories. We don't look a team that will go far but all it takes is a good run..

Day	Time	Player	Club	Opponent	TV
Friday	2:30 PM	Lee Dong Jun	Hertha Berlin	Bochum	ESPN+
Saturday	9:30 AM	Jeong Woo Yeong	Freiburg	@Cologne	ESPN+
Saturday	9:30 AM	Lee Jae Sung	Mainz	Hoffenheim	ESPN+
Saturday	10:00 AM	Hwang Hee Chan	Wolverhampton	Norwich (Cup)	ESPN+
Saturday	10:15 AM	Lee Kang In	Mallorca	Cadiz	ESPN+
Saturday	3:00 PM	Son Heung Min	Tottenham	Brighton (Cup)	ESPN+
Sunday	9:00 AM	Hwang Ui Jo	Bordeaux	@Reims	BeIN Play
Sunday	9:00 AM	Suk Hyun Jun	Troyes	Metz	BeIN Play

Lee Dong Jun-- A lot of travel right after signing with Hertha and ahead of an early kickoff will make his debut hard to predict though one might hope for an appearance late though even that feels a bit hopeful given complete lack of integration time.


Jeong Woo Yeong-- Given minutes Tuesday and travel, I suspect he will be on the bench given decent couple of offensive showings for starting XIs without him.


Lee Jae Sung-- A decent chance of starting though he had a lot of minutes with KNT.


Hwang Hee Chan-- I don't see him in training pictures so not quite so close yet.


Lee Kang In-- Started and was one of the later subs off. LKI started off well with some good dribbles and a nice chipped throughball that was scored by an offside player, but soon looked a bit off in terms of energy and synchronization with his teammates. As a result, he only had sporadic positive moments between long periods of being on the margins. And continuing concern is the reluctance to have Kubo and LKI on the pitch at the same time which could put minutes at risk. As a result, suspect a bench role with short turnaround.


Son Heung Min-- Returned to training but given a cup match, may be saved on the bench for midweek where he's likely to get some minutes either way.


Hwang Ui Jo-- Should start given extra day of rest and lack of alternatives.


Suk Hyun Jun-- I don't know whats going on with him with no news.

Midweek Preview Feb 2nd and Weekend Recap Jan 22

I've had this in my drafts for a week now. Oops. In better news, we have a new addition to the lineup with Lee Dong Jun moving to Hertha Berlin who are struggling.

Wednesday

Lee Kang In -- Mallorca go to Rayo Vallecano for quarterfinals of Copa del Rey at 2pm ET on ESPN+. Came on with thirty to go but Mallorca was not competing well and going down another goal and a man completely took anything out of the match. Decent chance to start I imagine but not sure who is gone for international duty.

Recap

Jeong Woo Yeong -- Came on as a sub and almost scored right away with an open header with a cross just a tad behind that was just over the cross bar. The rest I don't recall so I assume his play was unmemorable as Freiburg had a comfortable lead.


Lee Jae Sung -- A wasteful and disjointed first half saw Mainz lose to bottom of the table Fürth. LJS struggled to get touches with some attributable to poor positioning and work rate from him. Nonetheless there were a few good moments and helped craft some of Mainz' chances with good playmaking from wider and deeper areas.


Hwang Hee Chan -- Still out injured.


Hwang Ui Jo -- I slept in expecting another Bordeaux train wreck but Hwang Ui Jo had a superb match with a hat trick, with the second goal a particular beauty: he received the ball in isolation, made a few cuts and launched a left-footed shot from way out with an immense amount of curl to beat the GK. Bordeaux somehow managed to almost throw away the lead but HUJ's third, which would have been a pretty nice goal had he not scored one so much better, gave them a critical three points.


Suk Hyun Jun -- Pictured returning to some sort of training and rumored to be told to find a new club, Suk still with Troyes who bought a new striker so we'll see how this plays out, with Suk's military issues in Korea perhaps complicating factors.


Son Heung Min -- Still out injured.

Weekend Preview Jan 22 and Recap Jan 14-19

I generally don't miss posts accidentally but I got busy with work  and also over-checked out this past weekend. Also missed a bit on the weekend from that checking out (and turns out didn't miss much so didn't watch replays).

Day	Time	Player	Club	Opponent	TV
Saturday	9:30 AM	Jeong Woo Yeong	Freiburg	Stuttgart	ESPN+
Saturday	9:30 AM	Lee Jae Sung	Mainz	@Fuerth	ESPN+
Saturday	10:00 AM	Hwang Hee Chan	Wolverhampton	@Brentford	Peacock
Saturday	10:15 AM	Lee Kang In	Mallorca	@Villarreal	ESPN+
Sunday	9:00 AM	Hwang Ui Jo	Bordeaux	Strasbourg	BeIN Xtra
Sunday	9:00 AM	Suk Hyun Jun	Troyes	@Angers	BeIN Play
Sunday	11:30 AM	Son Heung Min	Tottenham	@Chelsea	Peacock

Jeong Woo Yeong-- Played 45 last weekend but it was a blowout the other way so I didn't watch assuming that Freiburg didn't see much of the ball. Midweek, he only came on for twenty minutes in the cup with Freiburg having more or less won the match. On the weekend, good chance of starting due to freshness but Streich may want to reward some of the good performances midweek.


Lee Jae Sung-- LJS started both matches but the cup loss wasn't visible though it sounded like he had a few chances to score that didn't go his way. On the weekend, he looked strong with some good work particularly in the middle third but when it came to the final bit, things didn't quite click. The worst of those moments was a great chance to score but the ball was a hair behind and his shot a bit awkward, but should have been put in goal regardless. Should start this weekend I think but I couldn't see if midweek might impact that between form or fatigue.


Hwang Hee Chan-- Still a bit out but apparently doing light training.


Lee Kang In-- Came on as a sub late with Mallorca clinging onto a thin lead and had a few mistakes, potentially from a bit of rust, but also had a great shot with his weaker foot almost score and did some good work to keep the action going.


Hwang Ui Jo-- Played most of the match but apparently everything was so awful as the six goal deficit might imply so not going to take too much from it. Should start.


Suk Hyun Jun-- Not sure if injury or working through potential transfer or what but he's been out of the squad and seems unlikely to return in January.


Son Heung Min-- Still out though Conte said that he's progressing well so decent chance post international break.

Week Preview Jan 12-16 and Weekend Recap Jan 7

Cut it close knowing that Son wasn't playing midweek.

Day	Time	Player	Club	Opponent	TV
Wednesday	2:45 PM	Son Heung Min	Tottenham	Chelsea (Cup)	ESPN+
Friday	2:30 PM	Jeong Woo Yeong	Freiburg	@Dortmund	ESPN+
Saturday	9:30 AM	Lee Jae Sung	Mainz	Bochum	ESPN+
Saturday	10:00 AM	Lee Kang In	Mallorca	Espanyol (Cup)	ESPN+
Saturday	10:00 AM	Hwang Hee Chan	Wolverhampton	Southampton	Peacock
Sunday	7:00 AM	Hwang Ui Jo	Bordeaux	@Rennes	BeIN
Sunday	11:05 AM	Suk Hyun Jun	Troyes	Lyon	BeIN
Sunday	11:30 AM	Son Heung Min	Tottenham	Arsenal	Peacock

Son Heung Min-- No positive news as he still likely remains out until February.


Jeong Woo Yeong-- It looked to be another day of end product problems at 15' when Jeong hit the crossbar despite having nearly all of the goal to shoot at. But Jeong kept working and was rewarded at the start of the second half with a very nice headed goal. Jeong also had a number of near chances which were a result of bad luck more than his skill, with the opposition GK making some miraculous saves. The goal seemed to pick up Jeong's confidence though even then he still had a few passes that were too cute. But a strong performance to start off the year and enough to get the transfer rumor mill going despite his new contract and should start again.


Lee Jae Sung-- The rest appeared to have helped LJS as he had good energy and was one of the stronger players on a difficult day playing with 10 men against a revitalized Leipzig side. Despite suggestions that he might play in a more advanced role, LJS played as a wide central midfielder. His defending remains more scrap than stone wall (with a pretty sloppy tackle leading to a yellow), but certainly scrap was needed on the day. LJS was rewarded with a goal that looked to have put Mainz back in contention, with a nice first time pass to setup teammate who lost his moment but found LJS for a return pass, and LJS shot against the underside of the crossbar into goal. Unfortunately, Leipzig rebounded with two goals shortly after and all the drama from the match was gone. Should start again this weekend.


Lee Kang In-- In case you missed the update, LKI reportedly tested positive with no update on his return as of yet. Hard to project given circumstances.


Hwang Hee Chan-- Remains out injured.


Hwang Ui Jo-- Apparently had a rough day in a loss with a lot of discord in the dressing room as well. A messy situation though he should start and hoping for a move or some improvement in team around him.


Suk Hyun Jun-- An unused sub as transfer rumors start to pick up with a loan to Paris FC suggested who are a couple points from top of Ligue 2 table. Likely similar this weekend unless he moves.

Weekend Recap Jan 7 and Midweek Recap Jan 5

For the German players coming back, can be hard to forecast after lengthy hiatus and it's similarly challenging given cup action across the remainder not to mention COVID outbreaks.

Day	Time	Player	Club	Opponent	TV
Friday	3:00 PM	Hwang Ui Jo	Bordeaux	Marseille	BeIN
Saturday	8:00 AM	Lee Kang In	Mallorca	@Levante	ESPN+
Saturday	9:30 AM	Jeong Woo Yeong	Freiburg	Arminia Bielefeld	ESPN+
Saturday	9:30 AM	Lee Jae Sung	Mainz	@Leipzig	ESPN+
Sunday	9:00 AM	Son Heung Min	Tottenham	Morecambe (Cup)	ESPN+
Sunday	9:00 AM	Suk Hyun Jun	Troyes	@Montpellier	BeIN
Sunday	9:00 AM	Hwang Hee Chan	Wolverhampton	Sheffield Utd (Cup)	ESPN+

Hwang Ui Jo-- Should start. Hopefully a stronger side.


Lee Kang In-- Was left out of midweek cup squad for rest I assume so should start. UPDATE: LKI apparently tested positive and is out for the weekend.


Jeong Woo Yeong-- With his new extension over the winter break, strong chance for Jeong to start.


Lee Jae Sung-- I think that given upward trajectory until he ran out of gas late that he should start.


Son Heung Min-- An unpleasant day that was more about Chelsea dominating possession with their pressing more so than Tottenham's attacking approach as in prior weeks. Adding Ndombele helped a bit but the damage had been done and Son was soon taken off, though it felt a bit premature to throw in the towel on the match IMO. I expect Son to be rested here ahead of second leg of cup next week, but with the subbing off, a chance that Son starts. UPDATE: Son out with an injury until February and seems on course to miss WCQ.


Suk Hyun Jun-- I'm assuming will continue backup forward role unless they get someone in winter window but with a new manager, we'll see if there are other changes.


Hwang Hee Chan-- Still out injured.

Midweek Preview Jan 5 and Weekend Recap Jan 2

 Nearing the return of the full schedule so enjoying the shorter responsibility list while I got it.

Wednesday

Son Heung Min - Tottenham go to Chelsea for 1st leg of League Cup Semis at 2:45 PM on ESPN+ - Continuing story of Son being fairly marginal due to tactical setup, with the wingbacks being responsible for most of the "playmaking", with very poor quality of crosses and decision-making from them. Son struggled when he did have the ball as he does often with KNT with a packed box and little room for his shooting. But he still showed his class at times, almost scoring a goal on a first time volley and of course when he served up the winner with a tight angle free kick curling hard right for Davinson Sanchez to head in. Given that its FA Cup weekend, pretty strong chance of Son starting given chance for hardware against Conte's former club.

Lee Kang In - Mallorca go to Eibar for Copa del Rey at 10 AM on ESPN+ - Lee Kang In struggled vs Barcelona with a mix of poor decisions and sloppy first touches negating much of his usual positives with the ball. At times in the second half, LKI dropped quite deep to help defend which wasn't all that helpful given his defensive shortcomings. Not a great display but given circumstances, not too surprising. LKI was not in traveling squad midweek where I assume he's rested for league but given newness as of posting time, not sure if other factors at play.

Recap

Hwang Ui Jo - With a young squad due to lack of available first teamers due to COVID, HUJ played 90 in an expected loss. Would have been hard to judge even if I had watched given caliber of team. 

Weekend Preview Jan 1 and Midweek Recap Dec 28

Happy New Year everyone! 

Seasons look to restart on the continent though information is a bit hazy between reporters on vacation and news of some Omicron outbreaks in the squads.

Day	Time	Player	Club	Opponent	TV
Saturday	10:00 AM	Son Heung Min	Tottenham	@Watford	USA
Sunday	7:45 AM	Hwang Ui Jo	Bordeaux	@Brest (Cup)	BeIN
Sunday	3:00 PM	Lee Kang In	Mallorca	Barcelona	ESPN+
Monday	12:30 PM	Hwang Hee Chan	Wolverhampton	@Man Utd	USA
Off		Suk Hyun Jun	Troyes
Winter Break		Jeong Woo Yeong	Freiburg
Winter Break		Lee Jae Sung	Mainz

Son Heung Min-- While the prior match revolved around the offense flowing through the opposite side, this time it was due to a problematic midfield that struggled to get the ball forward until Southampton went down to 10 men... due to Son earning a PK running onto a through ball and a defender clumsily taking him down. After that, it was a problem of Son being not an effective enough playmaker and conversely, not being the type of player to breakdown 10 men in the box which made it a fairly frustrating day for Son. Should start and will hope for better this weekend.


Hwang Ui Jo-- Not much news coming out of winter break so for now will assume he starts.


Lee Kang In-- Same as HUJ, I will assume he starts but not much clarity on whats going on yet.


Hwang Hee Chan-- Out with hamstring injury until February says the club. Pretty disappointing.


Jeong Woo Yeong-- Just posting on here in case you don't follow my Twitter as he signed an extension with the club which is good news.