Captain, that is exactly what I was thinking about Demps last weekend. Not sure whether it was because I'd resigned myself to the fact of his going or whether, as you say, there are now more options. Personally, I think the Club were/are looking to Whittingham as his replacement. I highlighted the two above from the others you mentioned because - Sidwell I don't think he's got the awareness to do a Murphy job for us and also because I suspect he may be moving Kasami could be the Demps replacement (the old fashioned N0.10 role for those of us that can remember that far back). He is young and hopefully getting extra experience with his country at the Olympics and it will be interesting to see if Jol will give him enough game time to prove 's up to it. I think he is.
Vincenzo Iaquinta The Italian press say that we are firming up on a bid for this guy - http://www.football-italia.net/21282/fulham%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98concrete%E2%80%99-iaquinta-interest He's obviously getting on a bit but Jol's tactic may be to buy in experience for a year to be back up/help for the youngsters (Trotta and potentially Rhodes).
I would definitely like to see Kasami given an extended run in the first team next season. Whenever I have seen him I have been impressed with him. If (or unfortunately it seems like when) Dempsey moves I’d be happy if Big Maart give Kasami a chance to step up.
Hmmmm, his injury record sounds a worry. As for Sidwell and Kasami. I think Sidwell is a better passer than he's given credit for. He's not Danny Murphy, but he's not Dickson Etuhu either. I liked him when we signed him and he was partnering Danny. He could yet do a job for us. As for Kasami, I'm really hoping that he steps up, but I still don't really know what kind of midfielder he is. I don't know if we're looking at him playing deep and central (in the Murphy position), attacking mid and getting on the end of things (the Dempsey role) or as more creator than finisher, either from centrally or on the wing.
Danny Hoesen The Club have rejected further bids by Venlo - http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/7912631/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter Despite what the article says,I am certain both he and the Club agreed (last month I think) to take up the '1 year option' in his contract tying him till summer 2013.
Nat Clyne His move to Southampton on a 4 year contract has been confirmed - http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7912170/Clyne-seals-Saints-switch He was out of contract but Crystal Palace will have got "compensation" under the Academy Scheme.
No sooner posted than it's claimed that wages are an issue - I believe we were trying to negotiate a 1 year loan - and he's on (allegedly) £60k after tax with Juvo. There's no way we would pay even half of that given his age and as Captain said his injury record. Can only assume we went on a fishing trip and his Agent seized on this to raise interest. Instead, according to this article, we're looking more closely at Yannick Sagbo - there was an earlier post about the Evian striker. He's young and looks useful. Hopefully this is more serious (he's valued about £3.5m). Also in the article is news about Orlando Sa possibly going to Sheffield Wednesday. Can only wish the lad well and hope he gets settled quickly. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2175612/Fulham-talk-Yannick-Sagbo-Vincenzo-Iaquintas-wage-shock.html
Some strange names have come up as possible C/F.We already have Trotta, and Jorden Henderson, is I believe still available.
Fulham and Celtic fan here, one player i would love Fulham to look at would be Gary Hooper. Scores plenty for Celtic and im pretty sure he wouldnt look out of place at Fulham. Hes got a great turn of pace is a real fox in the box, and if this move happened it would be good if Celtic moved for rhoades as i think the spl would be better for his developement, some players get caught in the deep end in the prem and never fully realise their potential. Also I dont really want demps to leave but it would be hard not to take 10mil.
Morning, conzo8. Welcome to the board - nice to have you here. When I lived in Scotland (long time ago) I had a lot of friends who were Celtic fans, so I've always had a soft spot for them. The Celtic player who got the most discussion on this board in the last couple of transfer windows was Anthony Stokes. What do you think of him as a possible Fulham signing? My worry with strikers from the Scottish Premier League is that a lot of the ones who are prolific there turn out to be run-of-the-mill when they come down to England. I know that's not always the case, but it makes it hard to judge them. Hooper's goals per game is impressive, for Celtic and for Scunthorpe, but do you think he could repeat that in the English Premier League? I'm not saying he wouldn't, I just don't feel in a position to make a call on that one. I must admit, having just looked him up on Wikipedia he's younger than I thought he was, which makes me more interested in him as a possible signing. Personally, I'd rather see Jordan Rhodes move to Fulham. It would be a better move for him and for us. If he didn't come to us and I was advising him, I'd encourage him towards another English Premier League club rather than Celtic. I think he would benefit from playing regularly against a higher standard of opposition than the Scottish league would give him. The biggest reason for him to choose Scotland over England is the chance to fill his boots with winners medals. That's nice, but he's more likely to develop as a player in a more competitive league and at 22 he's at the age where he needs to really kick on.
So the rumour mills are going again. This time apparently we are interested in Vincenzo Iaquinta from juventus. He's a really good player good strength and can finish only problem being is his age. (32).
Apparently we're trying to sign Nigel Reo-Coker on a free: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-want-nigel-reo-coker-on-a-free-1148490 I assume this would pave the way for Etuhu to depart.
He could just as much be a signing to allow Sidwell to depart. That said, given the options we've got in central midfield (Diarra, Dembele, Baird, Sidwell, Etuhu, Kasami, Gecov, even Simon Davies potentially) I'm not sure we need to bring someone in before we can let people go. Equally, I'm not sure what we gain from signing Reo-Coker unless Jol sees a place for him ahead of most of the names on the above list. I suspect he's one of those players a bit like Bobby Zamora who isn't highly rated by fans of other clubs, but whose contribution is more notable when he's doing it for your team. Either that or he's just rubbish. All in all, I don't really know what to make of this or whether I think it would be a good thing or bad. Good job I'm not a manager.
Think I'd rather keep Sidwell than replace him with Reo-Coker who always seems to me to be a lazy player. And Sidwell seems to score a few goals from midfield.
Hooper was linked with Southampton last year and they had a bid of around £7m rejected for him. Hooper seems content in the SPL the same as Donovan is in the MLS. Both can do better but seem unwilling to take the risk of moving abroad.
I don't like to be a pedant (you and I both know that's a lie), but Hooper is English. At most he's unwilling to come home from abroad.
Douglas Nobody seems to give him his full name. Acoording to Sky we have tabled a bid (which was quickly followed by who else but West Ham!). Newcastle still have to be the favourites to sign him though. I remember him from the Twente game at the Cottage last year and as well as knowing how to 'put it about', I thought his distribution was good. Also, if the old memory is okay, he wasn't averse to brining the ball out of defense. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/7913533/
