No idea Surly. He didn't play v Sheffield Wednesday because of 'a slight knock' and in his pre-match interview on Friday Jol said that Petric had been taken off against West Ham at half time because "he had a little problem". There were no reports immediately before yesterday's match that he was injured, nor have there been any this morning. The only clue is that Jol also said post-match, that 9 players were on the injured list - 7 have been openly reported (Senderos, Diarra, Richardson, Davies, Frei, Dajagah, Ruiz) so possibly the other 2 were Petric and Grygera ?
We have 9 players out injured?! We really should be struggling with those numbers, especially considering at least 7 of them are realistically first teamers!
According to the Club Petric has been injured (unspecified) but is expected to be back in training this week. The other (of the 'other two') in fact is Mesca. I'm not sure where things are with Grygera. The match day programme on Saturday had him as having left the Club "out of contract". However so far as I'm aware he's still 'registered' with us.
I think that means he's officially a free agent, and if he agrees a contract with another team we have no hold on him. However, he may well still be training with us as he rebuilds fitness, and we have retained his registration (until such time as someone else wants him) and are open to the idea of offering him a contract as and when he proves his fitness. Retaining his registration while not contracting him keeps our options open - we can play him if we need to (although not in the firsts if he isn't in our Premier League 25) without restricting his in any meaningful way. I think that's how it works.
What's up with Kerim Frei? I thought he was heir-apparent for Dempsey's spot on the pitch. Kaca's very good, don't get me wrong, but I thought Frei would at least be in the running (pardon the pun) for that position.
Frei's injured at the mo, DR. Long term, once he fills out a bit, I think Karim might be more like the heir apparent to Dembele.
I think we should let Grygera go to be honest. We need to get the average age of the squad down and we already have Kelly, Riether and Baird who can play at RB.
I think so, I think he also played in the reserve match V. Oman http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/07/fulham-xi-31-oman-a
And he played (very well I hasten to add) in tonight's U21 game v Middlesborough - I've posted about the game on the other thread. Don't agree Bandit - "never mind the width feel the quality" - if he continues to prove his fitness he'll be an asset.
The local rag have obviously picked up that he played (again) last night and queried his position with Jol. As the article says, no decision yet but one expected soon. http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/18/82029-31855596/ As mentioned in the other post, he was playing CB last night and looked fit; also was using both legs/feet in tackles and distibuting the ball. He and Karagounis have been having extra training sessions at Motspur Park - Grygera presumably to check if there is any reaction and Kara simply to get him up to scratch (the Club say that's probably a couple of weeks away).
58 If Riether hadn't turned out to be such a gem of a signing, I'd be all for signing up Grygera, in-fact I'd be anticipating his return from injury. However, he must now realise he is at best, third choice right back and at best fourth choice centre back. I think he is just taking up space in the squad, unless our defence has a bout of food poisoning, then I can't see him getting game time. Just my opinion.
And a respected opinion it is Bandit, cos I see where your coming from. Although I might beg to differ as to where he is in the pecking order. To be honest I'd be happy if he stayed and only played as the 'additional' U21. Unlike the other squad players who when occasionally chosen give nothing to that team (see rosc and my own comments about last night's game), Grygera's experience helps enormously. He marshalled the back four who unlike the previous game against Crystal Palace were solid. You could see the difference with Dan Burn, who I think is going to be a goodun for us but can be a bit rash in lunging in and can get drawn out of position - not last night. He's more than decent cover for the RB and CB spots but as I say helping youngsters to be more savvie and ready earlier for the step up could be a great asset.
Agree with you Cottager. If he hadn't got injured last season, he would probably have played ahead of Kelly for much of the season, so there's no reason to assume he wouldn't be second choice at right back this year. As for helping the youngsters, I seem to recall that when Coleman signed Billy McKinley he said it was with a view to his influence playing regularly in the reserves and helping younger players through. That worked out fairly well!
Couldn't you also argue that Grygera being here is pushing youngsters like Dan Burn further down the pecking order? Won't their progress be in danger of stagnating?
I don't think Gryggers, if he signs, is going to be around beyond next summer. For the short term, he can only be a sturdy addition to the squad. Don't forget we have less than the alloted 25 men in our squad, there is room for him.
They're not ready yet - trust me Bandit I've watched them. Smith at the moment is the exception; others like Burn, Williams (G) and Minki will make it but need more time to understand that the game isn't just about energy. The U21 league will be a good test for them, it's very competitive and they are coming up against some quality players.
That could happen, Bandit, but it could also be that playing alongside an experienced old head in the reserve sides will help Dan Burn to develop faster, if Burn keeps his eyes and ears open and learns from Grygera. And if we get injuries in the first team, Jol doesn't have to play Grygera ahead of Burn. I think it's all good to have him around.
To add a bit of spice to those competing for a CB spot, Jol has confirmed that Senderos need to spend some time with the U21s (or the 'reserves' as he calls them). http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/19/82029-31865803/ With only 8 months left on his contract I'm sure Big Phil will want to up and running quickly to prove that he's worthy of an extension.
