FC Schalke 04: Don’t you dare bail on Markus Schubert

David Wagner has indicated that Alexander Nubel will remain the FC Schalke 04 No. 1 keeper “until further notice.” How can you bail on Markus Schubert?

Fun fact: I hate when teams continue to play guys that are leaving. I get the practicality of it, and I get that the situation sometimes necessitates it, but as for FC Schalke 04‘s situation, all I can say is that it does not necessitate sticking with Alexander Nubel when Markus Schubert is back healthy.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what David Wagner intends to do. Far be it from me to criticize Wagner, who is a veritable genius who I’d love to go bowling with, but let’s talk about the Hertha Berlin match vs the Bayern Munich match and why these are being used as decision points.

First off, Bayern. Sure, Schubert made some awful decisions when tracking balls into the box. He had a very hit and miss day. Some fantastic saves, some woeful blunders. But if you look at his prior matches, there was no sign of any red flags to come. He was as solid as, oh I don’t know, Alexander Nubel. Especially against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Meanwhile, Nubel made his return against Hertha Berlin. My player rating of Nubal said very succinctly (and accurately)—”Could have taken a nap.”

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He had nothing to do. When called off his line, he fumbled a few balls too, same as Markus Schubert did. The big difference is that Hertha Berlin do not punish like prime Bayern Munich punish.

Before the Hertha match, David Wagner made things very clear:

"“Everyone knows who was in goal during the first half of the season, and I think everyone knows how we should continue. And that’s how it’ll be until further notice. [As for when Alex leaves] I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”"

That’s the thing though… I’m not part of the everyone who should know “how we should continue.” Because I would start Schubert in every single match between now and when Nubel is walking his happy derrière out the Veltins for the last time. Sorry that I’m not sorry. He’s picked his allegiance and we need to show ours.

I don’t think this will leave any long term ill-feelings in Schubert. He’s young, he’s adaptable, he’ll use this as a learning experience. But come on. What’s a better learning experience, watching from the bench after your mistakes or getting right back up on the horse and giddying the hell up? Even taking Nubel out of the equation, the best thing for Schubert is to get back in there.

Thankfully, he gets to turn right around and get into the thick of it again when FC Schalke 04 get back into action in the DFB-Pokal. Show us that Wagner is having one of his rare wrong moments Markus Schubert! I’ll be watching.