Bandit, my hesitation is that he's playing (very well) at League one level. Some players in his situation take to a step up like a duck to water, while others - probably most - take time to adapt. I think 23 is a good age for someone to move up to our level, and he's one who might make the transition. I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's a cert to make it, but he's got a chance - which is what I meant by a prospect. Not necessarily, ros. There are examples of top players - a minority, admittedly, but a significant one - who make it at the top level without playing for a league club until the age Arter joined Bournemouth. Stuart Pearce and Ian Wright are two high profile ones, and closer to home Geoff Horsfield and Barry Hayles. When Hayles was Harry Arter's age, he was only a year into his spell at Stevenage Borough, so he was even further back that Arter and he did all right for us, didn't he? My point is it's easy to dismiss players who start in non-league or who play in the lower divisions, but some of them are more than capable of higher things. If Arter was 29, I'd say his time to step up had passed him b,y but at 23 he's got a chance.
The Sundays are saying that, to secure their signings, we would be prepared to loan back for the rest of the season John Stones (Barnsley) and Jack Buttland (Birmingham). Both are excellent long term prospects and that sounds like a plan.
Absolutely not. Both players would cost a combined total of £8m at least. So most of our budget. We need players now 58, as well as in the summer. If we get Stecklenberg and Butland then I'd be fine for us to loan the latter back to Birmingham for the rest of the season, but I don't see us getting them both. We need a replacement for Schwarzer now really.
Have to agree with Bandit - it's pointless buying people for next season when we actually need an injection of talent now.
I've always believed in building a spine of a team with experienced players. Once you have your spine then you gather good quality young players around them. At present we need to replace the backbone for next season. Schwarzer needs replacing (he's still good but too many mistakes are creeping in more often) Hughes and Hangeland need replacing (they've been a good partnership but lack of speed is being exploited). Dembele and Murphy need replacing (Our midfield are lacking their Creativity) Berbatov may need replacing (Can't see him staying next season). I think it will be hard to get players with the experience and quality required for the spine, so I think it will be loan deals that are made in this transfer period to fill the holes around the old guard, but not long term.
Good points SBM. I'd like to add some. A new LB, depending on how Richardson fares until the end of the season, or if indeed he will be fit enough to play enough games for us to form an impression of him. I don't see either Briggs or Riise as a short or long term option really. I think our priority positions we need filling are GK, LB, CBx2, CMx2, CF. We will be lucky if even two of those are covered in January.
Latest name being linked to us: Greek international defender (a right back, I think, but he can also play right wing) Vasilis Torosidis. According to the BBC he's out of contract in the summer and we're looking to pay a massive £500,000 for him. Steady there, Ali Mac, don't blow our whole kitty in one go! He's 27 with 50+caps so he certainly comes into the experienced category. According to Wikipedia he's known for his "dynamic forward runs, accurate delivery from the flanks and powerful shooting from distance" and also for his versatility as a "full back, defensive midfielder or right winger." This isn't the signing that would transform our season (and I'm sure no one at the club is seeing it that way), but it sounds like it would be a decent addition to the squad. I only hope signing a new right back doesn't mean that someone has already decided that Reither won't be staying beyond his current loan period.
This guys credentials look fairly decent. I think he will be a straight replacement for Kelly, not sure he will get in ahead of Reither, who has been arguably our most consistent player this year. That siad if he can play at left back or defensive midfield there may be possibilities there. It seems tht Kragounis may be earning some influence in the squad. For 500,000 he could be a solid buy.
Torosidis is a very good footballer and versatile. Has been playing for Olympiacos at all levels and very experienced. He is solid defensively and scores the odd goal. I think we are trying to save our season!
Ludovic Sylvestre "Sky Sports understands Fulham are eyeing a move for Blackpool midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre. Craven Cottage boss Martin Jol is keen to bolster his midfield options and Sylvestre has emerged on his radar. Sylvestre impressed Jol during Fulham's FA Cup clashes with Blackpool, with the midfielder scoring in last week's replay at Bloomfield Road." Source: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8421329/ No disrespect but no comment.
Dutch TV-program Voetbal International director Johan Derksen stated this evening that Fulham are interested in FC Utrecht centre back Dave Bulthuis. The 21 year old defender had a great first half of this season and has drawn interest from Stoke City as well.
Sounds interesting and probably £1m top whack. Plays left back as well. please log in to view this image However, heâs apparently posted on the Utrecht site that he wants to stay. "The contract of fullback runs until mid-2014. Since he made his debut on 15 May 2011, in the home match against AZ Alkmaar, he is impossible to imagine the starting line of coach Jan Wouters. Dave Bulthuis leave a comment fcutrecht.net to know that he was flattered by the interest of the English middle motors, but has the intention to remain faithful to FC Utrecht." Source: http://www.utregfanatic.nl/index.php/fulham-en-stoke-city-hebben-interesse-in-bulthuis/
'The English middle motors'? Ah, the joys of online translation services! Something tells me that's a phrase that isn't quite going to catch on as a way of describing football teams. Love it.
Rubin Kazan's bid for M'Vila is accepted, but he wants a move to England - I'm sure those Russian millions will persuade him. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21143027 Also lots of reports coming in about Sylvestre, Huddlestone and Livermore on loan.
Reports from Italy this lunchtime that Roma, who almost signed Torosidis in the summer, have had a £2m offer accepted and are willing to give the player a 5 year deal.
