I was thinking the same, Captain. I'm guessing Berbatov will be starting on the bench for a while, and will probably act as a plan B.
This will sound strange, but I've always thought Berbatov was too good, and that's why he never fully accepted by Sir Alex and some ManU fans. Let's face it, Fergusen and the ManU faithful love hustle and all-out effort - hyperactive Carlos Tevez was worshipped by fans. But Berbatov is silky smooth and relaxed with a Bergkamp-like touch, so even when he's working hard, he didn't appear to be giving it 100%. If Berbatov will drop his wages from a million pounds a minute down to something Fulham can afford, I'd say yes to the deal. He's certainly well rested.
I presume the attacking line-up will be as follows: ---------------Berbatov----------------- Petric----------Ruiz-------------Duff/Kaca --------Diarra--------new signing---------
Maybe move Petric into the middle (has he played wide before? My knowledge of him pre-us consists of that goal for Hamburg at the Cottage), with Ruiz right and Duff/Kaca left? Would playing Petric in a wide position - or, for that matter, Ruiz - lead us to fall back to the Dempsey days of lacking width due to a 'winger' who constantly cuts inside? Isn't it good to have tactical conundrums to ponder again, rather than just contractual ones!
I'm pretty sure Petric has played left wing for Hamburg, but I would rather Ruiz stayed in his position as he has looked impressive so far this season, but if Ruiz is going to be out for a while with his injury then Petric into the middle and Duff and Kaca on the wings.
Seems like Frei and Rodallega have been given the elbow to the bench then I'd rather have Petric up front with Frei in midfield
Perhaps - ---------Petric------------- ---Ruiz---------Berbatov--- Kaca----Diarra--------Duff for home games against weaker teams.
I like that, silkship. It allows for a lot of interchange which is what I believe Jol wants - the opposition getting pulled wide, not sure who to mark and so on. Kaca will always be on the left and Jol has the option of mixing and matching him with Frei. As Captain says, what a nice change to to be able to debate team formation. And who said 'one man doesn't make a team' ?
Rodallega hasn't moved from the bench and Kaca was never going to start every game this season, same with Frei, they are impact players. To the other formation, absolutely not, leaves Diarra much too isolated in midfield as he's playing alongside two wingers who would drift out wide.
If Berbatov does come to you guys I think he'll do really nicely for a few seasons. As a poster mentioned earlier, he doesn't rely on his pace or high energy levels so I can him playing well into his thirties. I've been a big fan of his (unlike many of my fellow United fans, although our board here are pretty supportive of him to be fair), and I would think that if he does really choose Fulham over the foreign clubs then it is because of first team action and the will to prove himself. He was really despondent about not being used in the CL final and in the league during the past 12 to 18 months. If he does join Fulham he's going straight into my fantasy league team...
I'd be tempted but I've banned myself from signing any Fulham strikers: I single-handedly stopped the goalscoring runs of both Zamora and Pog last season, and I'm not doing it again with Petric or Berbatov!
Haha, yeah I put Rooney in my team and look what happened! So I've decided to put Tevez, Torres, Silva and Yaya Toure in my team, if United win the league this year it's all down to me!
Never go for any Fulham strikers. Hangeland usually makes an appearance in my team, FFC don't concede too many and he (usually) pops up with a few goals a season from corners. Would have put Dempsey in but due to his lack of fitness/exile from team that would have been a waste.
