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McKenna returns to Cottbus


ditty

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quote:Originally posted by ditty

Kicker is reporting that Kevin McKenna has returned to Energie Cottbus, signing a two year contract.

Here's the news from the Cottbus website (return of the prodigal son?):

"Ebenfalls am Mittwoch holte der FC Energie einen „verlorenen Sohn“ nach Cottbus zurück. Kevin McKenna kommt ablösefrei vom schottischen Erstligisten Heart of Midlothian in die Lausitz. Der 25-Jährige erhielt einen Zwei-Jahres-Vertrag. Der 1,90m große Innenverteidiger spielte bereits von 1998 bis 2001 für den FC Energie Cottbus. Der kanadische Nationalspieler wurde in der schottischen Premier League zuletzt auch im Angriff eingesetzt."

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Odds of seeing Big Kev on the television have now sunk to roughly zero.

Can't hurt. The move that is. Hearts have been all off field politics this season and it's shown on the field and will in the season to come.

Not disappointed at all. Sort of gotten into the habit of watching German footie. Not that I'll get to see The Guz or Diesel next fall, but with a little luck maybe next year my man McKenna will be back in top flight football.

Hope he'll settled into a target forward role. Given a decent system and a good foil at Cottbus I think the German game might suit him as a striker.

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I think it is a good move for McKenna. He needs to earn a spot as a regular starter at whatever position. He will probably have a better chance to do this at Cottbus without going down a level in quality of play as when Celtic and Rangers are taken out, the SPL is about the quality of the 2nd BL. There is also far more to compete for as a possible spot in the 1st BL is more desirable than the chance to make it through a couple of early rounds in the UEFA Cup in a good year.

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quote:Originally posted by Ed

Here's the news from the Cottbus website (return of the prodigal son?):

"Ebenfalls am Mittwoch holte der FC Energie einen „verlorenen Sohn“ nach Cottbus zurück. Kevin McKenna kommt ablösefrei vom schottischen Erstligisten Heart of Midlothian in die Lausitz. Der 25-Jährige erhielt einen Zwei-Jahres-Vertrag. Der 1,90m große Innenverteidiger spielte bereits von 1998 bis 2001 für den FC Energie Cottbus. Der kanadische Nationalspieler wurde in der schottischen Premier League zuletzt auch im Angriff eingesetzt."

I'll never forget how Thomas Niendorf was interviewed once about players adapting overseas. He was saying how a lot of kids simply didn't like it or couldn't adjust to life in Cottbus, except for Kevin McKenna who loved it right from the start. I remember McKenna saying how the older players would always cheat in training and take the piss out of the younger guys and he seemed to love that kind of thing that would intimidate most kids from Canada.

McKenna has always seemed like a Cottbus product to me; gritty, tough, plays with an edge, overachieves. I hope it works out for him. He's the soccer equivalent of a gym rat, he's built his career on his work rate, desire and love of the game.

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Well change is good in some cases and in Kevin's case it couldn't come quickly enough. This year seems to have been a complete waste for him. He gets a fresh start where he's a welcome addition so he has a chance to make the most of it. However, it could still turn out very badly as Sunday's last Bundesliga 2 round has Energie Cottbus potentially facing relegation which would be disastrous. I'll have a preview up shortly.

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quote:Originally posted by Ed

Well change is good in some cases and in Kevin's case it couldn't come quickly enough. This year seems to have been a complete waste for him. He gets a fresh start where he's a welcome addition so he has a chance to make the most of it. However, it could still turn out very badly as Sunday's last Bundesliga 2 round has Energie Cottbus potentially facing relegation which would be disastrous. I'll have a preview up shortly.

You wouldn't think Ahlen will win away to 1860, with the Lions eyeing promotion? Then again, this is Germany where the dumbest and most improbable things always happen on the last day. Maybe the contract McKenna signed is contingent upon 2nd division status.

Love the drama.

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How is this a good move?

There had to have been a top flight opportunity available for him, even if it was with a weaker club. Would he not have fit in with a club like West Brom, or Wigan?

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The German 2.Liga is a highly competitive league. Good players play there ie, Lukas Podolski, Roman Tyce, Francisco Copado and Erik Meijer.

It would be a good fit and a nice change of cenery for McKenna. Cottbus sold thier best offensive weapon, Michale Thurk, in the January transfer window. This would open up a spot for McKenna to become the number one forward on the team, thus giving him plenty of playing time!

Good move in my eyes!

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