Podolski disappointed with form

Posted Wednesday, November 04, 2009 by PA

Cologne striker Lukas Podolski has accepted some of the blame for his side's poor start to the season.

The Germany international arrived in the summer from Bayern Munich for a club record 10 million euros, prompting hopes he could fire them back into Europe.

But with just one goal in the first 11 games of the season, Podolski has been unable to live up to expectations and the fans are beginning to lose patience.

Boos were heard during last weekend's 1-0 defeat at home to Hannover, a result which leaves Cologne lodged precariously above the bottom three only on goal difference.

And Podolski admits he had imagined his return home to be somewhat different.

"We played rubbish and when you have the worst attack in the league then obviously you start to ask yourself questions," he said. "I knew before the season that it would be difficult, but not this difficult. Right now I am very disappointed."

Podolski returned to his home-town club in July looking to put three difficult years in Bavaria behind him.

But while his major gripe in Munich was that he spent too long on the bench, he is now unhappy about the way he is being used by Cologne coach Zvonimir Soldo.

"It is a situation which hurts me," he told the Bild newspaper. "This is not the way I had imagined myself or Cologne playing.

"My favourite position is in the centre behind the strikers and everybody knows that is where my strength lies."