Jol, who it seems has yet to go off on his hols or as some pundits suggest is spending his free time advising Dembele on his (Dembele's) new hotel project, has given this interview to a local paper - http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2012/05/25/82029-31037574/
From what i can remember from the matches between Fulham and FC Twente was that in September the Fulham side looked fresh, active and eager. In December they were the opposite of that. Mostly defending, not willing to attack even though they had to win to be certain to progress to the next round. I watched the game between Fulham and Swansea earlier this year(1-3 loss if i recall correctly, Vorm stopped a penalty), and what surprised me was that the bench players didn't make an impact once subbed, in fact they pulled the rest of the team down. I haven't seen any other games of Fulham but i know they had a good streak towards the end of the season. How did Bryan Ruiz fare in the last, lets say, 10 games of the season?
He didn't play most of them, as he was injured. He had a good spell over Christmas but tailed off just before he got injured.
Wasn't Ruiz your most expensive transfer of last summer? Anyways, time for a big overhaul on the defense part? I remember Hangeland and Riise were dreadfull in the second game against FC Twente and Swansea.
Yes. No. Hangeland hasn't been as imperious as he has in the past but is still class, Riise improved hugely in the run-in. We need a right-back and possibly a partner for Brede (depending on Jol's plans long term), but no overhaul required. Perhaps you should base you opinions on our players on more than two games? Not being passive aggressive, it's a genuine suggestion.
It's what stood out in those three games mate,and i checked the age of Hangeland and Riisi, 30 and 31, so i thought it could be time to start thinking about replacements. Still you admit a RB is needed, what do you think of this player: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedryck_Boyata On loan for a year...
Cove As Bidley has said, if you'd watched more than 2 games you would know both Hangeland and Riise have had pretty good seasons, Riise especially picked up after Christmas and became one of our best players, although before Christmas he was most certainly a liability. Hangeland improved to no extent once Hughes came in alongside him, partnering Senderos gives him extra workload unfortunately. Defenders usually peak around 30-31 so I wouldn't think Jol has any plans to replace the two players you mentioned anytime soon. Both could easily play their part for FFC for another 5 years. On the topic of right back, I'd prefer either Gunter, Naughton or Simpson to be honest. But if Kelly can continue his impressive form then I'd be more than pleased to see him stay there.
I take your point there, but like Bandit said, replacements for them aren't at the forefront quite yet. We have young Dan Burn who could yet replace Hangeland in the future. Not sure about Boyata.
Read report of Switzerland v Germany report,it appeared that Senderes had a good game, but the real star of the show was Eren Derdiyok,who received rave reports,it appears that he would love to try his luck in the prem He is a 23yo winger, c/f, could be a better punt at 4/5mil,than the 8+mil that is being suggested for Huddersfields Rhodes. It said that scouts from the top 5 English clubs were in attendance.
Let's hope Senderos, Frei and Kasami have a word with him! Couldn't believe that Germany conceded five!
Yeah, real shocker of a result, I had Germany as favourites. Rhodes will be even harder to sign now that Huddersfield are in the Championship.
I made that statement a while back but one poster on here said it didn't matter whether he was in League One or the Championship when infact is matters a great deal. If Huddersfield are to survive in the Championship next season, keeping hold of Rhodes will be essential, therefore increasing his asking price to interested parties.
Well I suppose it won't matter to Jordan Rhodes all that much - the PL is a higher level than League 1 and the Championship - but yeah, we had a much better chance if they hadn't gone up.
That was me Bandit, and I stand by what I said. He isn't more expensive because they got promoted. He either wants to leave or he doesn't; we are still a team in a higher division and will be appealing to him if he moves. Huddersfield will not sell until Rhodes indicates to them that he wants to move, so the price is immaterial (i.e. much higher than he is worth). If he wants to play in the Premiership, Huddersfield being in the Championship will make no difference either to his availability or his price.
Going back to the Germany match, I understand it was Germany minus Bayern players which would weaken them quite severely - far more than England minus Chelsea players, so I don't think we need read too much into it. They'll still be there or thereabouts come the closing stages of the Euro's. Unfortunately.