Based on some of the recent interviews by Jol, Malden Petric could be on his way. This is a typical report: Jol indicated veteran forward Mladen Petric could be among those who move on. "Petric is one who could make his mind up himself because as long as (Dimitar) Berbatov was here, there is not a big role for him to play," the Fulham boss said. "However, if you see his minutes, he is very productive." "The only thing he has said is that he needs to play which is what they all say, and if he needs to play, I am not sure he will stay here." It was clear in the Arsenal game that Mladen was way off match fitness but with Jol's preference to play one up front (Berbatov) he's not going to get a run of games. Part of the reason Petric didn't get a run of games early on was of course the fact that he was prone to injury 'niggles' and I think that legislates against him as much as anything. Would be very surprised if he was retained.
He also hasn't found the net as often as Jol would have liked I would guess. His (offside) scoop over the bar when almost standing on the line being a perfect example. It also gave me pause for thought about his football brain. Surely he knew he was beyond everyone on the pitch and touching the ball on it's way in would have nullified the goal anyway. And if he didn't know, why not?
He's one that I wouldn't mind either way if he was released or retained, we can certainly do a lot better for a back up striker, but then again we could and have done a lot worse. Due to his age I would rather see him find another club and get a young hungry Championship striker as back up to Berba (Charlie Austin, Rhodes, Vydra etc) or possibly Hooper from Celtic.
He's one that I wouldn't mind either way if he was released or retained, we can certainly do a lot better for a back up striker, but then again we could and have done a lot worse. Due to his age I would rather see him find another club and get a young hungry Championship striker as back up to Berba (Charlie Austin, Rhodes, Vydra etc) or possibly Hooper from Celtic.
My worry is not if Petric stays or goes. But if we find a game plan that fits both Ruiz and Berba. Also as Bandit said we can potentially get a back up striker with more hunger and fitter. Against Chelsea he was lazy and against Arsenal out of the game. Don't know what he did today...
