Thomas Konrad's New Club

[Rumple]

I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but Konrad has signed a one year contract with FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein. That's a much better gig than it sounds. Vaduz play in the Swiss set-up. They're currently in the top division (the Super League), and they're pretty much guaranteed a place in the Europa League every season as Liechtenstein's representatives. They're already out this season. Nae luck Tam. You'll just have to earn an extension. He did well for us, and it's good to see him getting a club at a good level.

Konrad's given an interesting interview to the local paper in Vaduz, titled "Konrad talks about crazy derbies, mail from fans and the weather". He is extremely diplomatic. He says the Swiss Super League will be a step up, more tactical and less of a battle than Scottish football, which is probably fair enough and sensible. It's what the locals would want to hear. He's very complimentary about his time in Dundee. The derbies were crazy, the atmosphere was breathtaking and you couldn't even hear yourself speak during games. He liked the way he could move about the city without people hassling him, even the Arabs were friendly. He was complimentary about the Dundee support too, and how fans wished him well when he left. "They don't forget you there". It's a very positive piece. Oh, the weather is better in Liechtenstein."I can get used to the weather here. I'm used to much worse in Scotland (laughs)". He may have a point there!

[dblair]

Here, here. I think he got some unfair critisim last year but always thought he read the game very well. Playing alomgside a more agressive CH he would be at his best. Great to see him getting fixed up and with a quality team also.

[Double Blue]

I didn't realise he had the nickname "The Emperor" at Dens. Missed that one.

[Rumple]

6 minutes ago, Double Blue said:

I didn't realise he had the nickname "The Emperor" at Dens. Missed that one.

That's what agents are for.

[TheDarkBlues]

3 minutes ago, rumple said:

That's what agents are for.

lol I thought his nickname was 'the wee man at the back'...... strange, I must have missed that as well lol

[WeighorstsWang]

Good luck, Emperor Tam.

[dblair]

The full interview, translated by google 

 

Vaduz - The derby against St. Gallen (2: 0) has followed from the stands Thomas Konrad. On Saturday, he could but come to his debut at FC Vaduz. Before that however, the new center-back told a few anecdotes from his time in Scotland - and it explains why him of FCV was impressed from the start.

or a little more than two years was Thomas Konrad still poised to turn his back on professional football. For Eintracht Trier in the regional league it did not go as desired, and in terms of future suddenly a degree in computer science in space. That he still deserves his today bun with kicking, he owes the much-quoted "fast-paced world of football". Suddenly the young man from Karlsruhe had present an offer from the Scottish Premiership. The Dundee FC showed interest and made so that the school bench press for now there was no option more.
He promptly maturing in the upper house of Scotland to starting players, was a fixture in Dundee. From the passionate fans, he received due to his rest on the ball the nickname "The Emperor".

However, it was after two years final. Despite many inserts his contract was not renewed at the end of last season. For Konrad, this meant a new beginning. He was only Test player at FC St. Gallen, but a change to the aspens were not reached. But it worked with FC Vaduz, for which he also denied a friendly match (mid-August against Augsburg / 0: 0).
In an interview with the "Volksblatt" Thomas Konrad praises the infrastructure in Vaduz - and he talks about the derby in Dundee, which is now famous all over Europe because of its particular circumstances.

"Volksblatt": Thomas Konrad, what you have gained a first impression of the FC Vaduz?
Thomas Konrad: "I immediately realized that working here very professional - in all areas This can be seen only need to consider that we have breakfast together and have lunch And the Soccer conditioning in Vaduz is not to be compared with those who.. I had in Scotland I feel comfortable here -.. the weather is great "

Since it appears to remain so for the rest of the week ...
"... Because I can get used to. Honestly, from Scotland I am used to much worse weather." (Laughs)

But they have certainly changed not only because of the milder climate to Vaduz. They have played in Scotland many times - and now dared to switch to the Super League. How do you assess this career move?
"I would describe it as a step up in Scotland is played at a high level, but football is different -. Much fight pronounced in the Super League you will playfully demanded even more, I felt alone in the first days of training here in. . Vaduz also tactically the Swiss league is better - I look forward to this new task ".

The chance to show themselves in a competitive match in FCV-Dress, he already gets perhaps on Saturday in Sion (20 clock, live ticker on "Volksblatt.li») - depending on how the situation looks to the center-back positions. The Vaduz responsible brought the 26-year-old German also in order to avoid bottlenecks in said position in the future as much as possible. Recently had coach Giorgio Contini with Simone Grippo only a nominal central defender available because Mario Bühler and Matthias Strohmaier failed simultaneously and because Daniel Kaufmann had borrowed in the Challenge League at Chiasso.

That Konrad has the makings of a regular player, he has impressively demonstrated in Scotland. In two years, he maintained 69 appearances for Dundee Football Club. Particular highlights were not only the duels with top club Celtic Glasgow, but also the derby against city rivals Dundee United. Funny fact: The stages of the clubs are located just 50 meters away from each other - the visiting team in the Derby has the shortest arrival at an away game in professional football ever (!).

Thomas Konrad, as you have experienced this city derbies in Dundee?
"It was really crazy. The whole town lives football. Everyone recognizes you in the street and everyone is eagerly awaiting the derby. The atmosphere in the stadium is always breathtaking, you can not hear yourself speak. Before I came, had my team won eleven years no more Derby. But then we have the series broken and won three times. the fans have subsequently celebrated us really gross. even when I announced my transfer to FC Vaduz, they have me written and wished good luck. the forgotten a not up there. "

The Derby in Dundee is so special that even the ARD reported on it. The TV channel has referred to it as "peaceful SUPREME Derby». Can you agree with that?
. "Yes, absolutely, the fans run since crisscross - often they are even in the same family taunts are there, but no more go after even together in the bar or it can also happen that you a United... responsive fan in the restaurant: "Hello Thomas Konrad, good luck for the season." people have a very special relationship because the football I have never experienced violence during my two years in Scotland. ".

[JoeCovenant]

I want *my* today bun with kicking !

[Double Blue]

2 minutes ago, dblair said:

The full interview, translated by google 

Why didn't you send it to Tankulic for a proper translation?

[dblair]

3 minutes ago, JoeCovenant said:

I want *my* today bun with kicking !

 

It certainly brightened up my day having a read of how that translated! 

9 minutes ago, dblair said:

Much fight pronounced in the Super League you will playfully demanded even more

[Rumple]

Higher German gubs Google.

[Rumple]

3 hours ago, dblair said:

 

It certainly brightened up my day having a read of how that translated! 

He doesn't deserve his bun through kicking - he puts food on the table playing football.

The stuff about being playfully demanded should have been translated. "In Scotland football is played at a high level, but it's different, tougher. In the Super League Iyou have to play football more".

I like the translation that the celebrations after the derby wins were gross. He just said in German that there were great celebrations, but maybe Google Translate actually got to the nub of the matter.