To be honest I'm not surprised that Orlando Sa's contract has been terminated. He did well enough in his few first team games but I don't think he was quite up to the robustness or speed of the Premiership. At the 'Open Day' in April he as much as admitted this when chatting to fans and comparing the game in Portugal to the one here. He came over as a thoroughly pleasant and decent young man. Unfortunately it didn't work out for him and I can only wish him the very best of luck.
I'm quite shocked about this, I didn't think he did that badly, and we're not exactly overloaded with strikers. Oh well, good luck to him, I hope he does well elsewhere.
Perhaps Jol has been inspired by Spain's striker-free formations. I hope not! If I was Marcello Trotta I would be: a) seeing an opportunity to break into the first team b) a lot slimmer than I actually am
I'm rather shocked by this despite the fact I didn't rate him highly at all. Like Bidley, I'm shocked because we have already allowed two strikers to leave, and with Sa gone this only leaves Trotta up front who isn't exactly ready to lead the line just yet. We've allowed three strikers to leave for nothing, so replacing them all is going to be costly.
Is Petric an out and out goalscorer? I know his record is impressive but I always assumed he played in the Dempsey role? I wonder what the odds are on Sa joining QPR? Or him 'snubbing' a new contract to sigh for Reading?
I was under the impression Petric was a striker, not sure what flavour though. And Sa wouldn't sign for QPR, he's only 24!
Interesting, like everyone else I didn't see that one coming. Sa hadn't really settled in, due to the limited game time he had. Had showed some promise, but nothing great. I thought Dalla Valle might have gone before Sa, as his time at Dundee Utd and Exeter didn't see him progress. As people have said an opening for Trotta to show what he can do.
Agreed. Such a shame that the moment he will probably be remembered for is his participation in the home draw against Odense which knocked us out of the Europa League.
All I remember him for is that great goal against Norwich. I presume this means either Jol is planning on bringing through more youngsters or bringing in more signings. Ether way it looks good.
Would agree that he's no loss. Should think that with virtually all our strikers gone and Danny off as well we have freed up quite a bit in wages which could mean we might be able to bring in a big name striker (maybe - and big name is relative, obviously - it wouldn't be Balotelli big).
I must admit his performance during that game did impact on my opinion of him as a player. It is a shame as I think a lot of fans feel the same. His performance in that game was due to one thing though... He's not very good. I don't feel any bitterness to him and hope is a success wherever he goes. It doesn't work out for all players when they move clubs and unfortunately it didn't work out for SA. I don't think he is PL standard, I'm sure in a different league he will do a good job for someone. I hope you are right... I've love an Aaron Ramsey big
Like everyone else I'm not that surprised to see Sa go as (nice guy that he appeared to be) he just didn't seem up to premiership standard. Having said that, I am surprised that we've let another striker go when it's out lightest department. I really do think that this means that Jol MUST be bringing in others, hopefully bigger (figuratively, although extra height is always welcome!) and better. *crosses fingers for the entire duration of transfer window*
I think will be playing more of a fluid system up front without a big man as in the past with BZ. Sa was not fast enough to play in such a system and had to go. Jol is forming a team that will be playing the passing game until we all fall asleep!!!
I see Sa's signed a 3 year deal with AEL Limassol in Cyprus. I’m surprised he going to be playing in Cyprus, after playing in the Portuguese league I would have thought he would go to a stronger league. As I said earlier in this thread I never really rated him but hope he is a success there. Good luck Orlando
It's a gamble, but he should be a success in Cyprus. A ton of goals in Cyprus would buy him a return to a more recognised league (maybe the Bundesliga?)
Thanks for this TMHAL. I'm pleased he's got himself fixed. He was an excellent characcter but unfortunately not strong enough for the premier league. Let's hope this move works for him. Here's a little cameo video that of his time at Fulham tha Orlando himself posted - http://vimeo.com/45259535
