The Clint Loan was also in the Guardian. Apparently from January 1st for 2 months - as good as done according to them. Be good if it came off, would prefer it if it was for the rest of the season, mind. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/15/clint-dempsey-fulham-usa
I'm still keen on signing Burnley's Danny Ings. A magnificent striker and probably the nicest man in the world (see pic)...
I don't see where Dempsey fits in to our current system. In his last full season, where he was on fire, he played in a roving role. He's not an out and out striker, neither is he a left winger - I think he thrives with a system accommodating his freedom (sound like any of our other players?) With Rene currently employing one striker, two genuine wingers playing on the side of their good foot and three central midfielders it's not obvious where Clint could play effectively. I'd rather keep on with our system and bring in players to suit than go back to the old system. No blame at his door whatsoever - he was brilliant, but our moves to start accommodating him was the beginning of a systematic unpicking of Roy's rigid system. Rene seems to bringing in his own way, which is a little more fluid but not quite the Hughes/Jol do whatever the f**k you want style. Maybe it could work and he ends up being our savior. If he does come back the cheers that will undoubtedly greet him will show the fickle nature of fans (myself included). Cue an exclusive with one of the papers where Dempsey lays bare the breakdown of his relationship with Jol - the bogeyman - and emphasises his commitment to, and love of, the Fulham fans.
In many ways I'd welcome him back with open arms, but as others have said I'm not convinced he would be a round peg in a round hole at Fulham anymore. The point of the move for him will be to get playing time, and if we're talking about him as an impact sub that isn't going to be the rule that he is looking for. I hold no grudges against him for the manner of his departure, but I'd be wary about him coming back. I'm not saying it would be a bad move, simply that it's not clear cut as a good one.
Bidders, you can't have enough midfielders! It does rangle with me in as much as Spurs take the guy away from us and then get rid after a few games. It wasnt the massive pay day, the end of career Brucey Bonus that was hoped for. He wouldn't have earned as much with us but he would have played and probably would still be with us.
I would take Demps back,we all know it would be a short term fix,but he could play for the whole 90min. look what happens to us after 75min with our present squad
SkyBet has us as favourites to sign Ashley Young in the January window. Guess the Man United link makes this kind of thing inevitable. Whether he's a suitable fit for Fulham and whether he'd be interested is debatable. That wages would be a big issue is not. Nah, leave the ducking and diving to 'Arry please log in to view this image
Wouldn't be too happy with Ashley Young, too inconsistent and not a Fulham player in my eyes - a loan deal until the end of the season is the only arrangement I'd be comfortable with. I can't think of many players I'd take from the UTD squad, unrealistic buys like RVP excepted.
Even though he has only just signed a new 4 year deal with Ipswich, the Mirror say, "Creswell, 24 years of age, is rated in the £4 million bracket and his possible availability is confirmed by a remark made by the Ipswich Town manager, Mick McCarthy, "If it`s the right deal for everybody, it`s very hard to stop." The paper doesn't say who the "deal" might be with however.
We are rumoured to be homing in on a new CB, Nicolas Isimit-Mirin, presumably because of concerns about the fitness of our current trio. He’s 6’2”, strong in the air and .. right footed. A French U21. please log in to view this image ”Monaco defender Nicolas Isimat-Mirin has emerged as a January target for Fulham, according to France Football. Rene Meulensteen's relegation-threatened side have conceded 30 goals this term - the joint-highest figure in the top flight - and the Dutchman is expected to strengthen his squad when the transfer window re-opens in just over two weeks' time. And it is believed he is on the trail of Frenchman Isimat-Mirin, who has barely featured for Monaco since a £3.5m move from Valenciennes in the summer. The 22-year-old has managed only one substitute appearance in the league - and Fulham feel they might be able persuade him to move to Craven Cottage with the lure of first-team football.”
Young no, Kaca is better. Cresswell yes, definitely and that young French lad I don't know anything about him but he sounds good: young, big, strong and right footed.
I'd take Dempsey back in a minute, and I think he's slot right in without too much fuss. Dempsey may be a lot of things (lazy on defence, for instance), but he has in spades the characteristic that seems most lacking in this team: competitiveness. We have some players were glitzy CVs, caps for England, and dazzling skills on the ball, but these candya$$es haven't got a competitive bone in their bodies. I remember Dempsey running his tail off for Laurie Sanchez during games that a blind man could see were utterly hopepless. Quit isn't in the man.
Under different circumstances I would wholeheartedly agree, but we would have to change the system to accommodate him and I think Roy's tenure demonstrated than a good system with the right players playing each position is more effective than a team of good players not playing with much coherence. I can't see where Dempsey fits in. If he is on the left we lose all of our width and pace that Kaca currently provides (although as I've said before I'd like to see us bring in a similar type player but with better composure - since I made those posts he's managed to get two very soft penalties that were essentially him throwing himself under a defender - any more and he'll get a reputation for diving and given his lightweight frame I think that could seriously work against him (but I digress)). Dempsey on the left means, in essence, no-one on the left because he floats and ghosts around the middle. Riise isn't fit enough to provide a constant overlap and cover defensive responsibilities, if we've got Dejegah and Reither on one side working the flanks we need to have a similar style on the left, to provide an alternative and give the midfielders more options for passing. Dempsey isn't a striker and I don't think he would be effective playing in the Berbatov position. Dejegah, for me, is one of the first names on the sheet because of his relationship with Reither. Having two genuine wingers playing on the side of their natural foot is a great system and allows us to play with pace, something that's been lacking for a long time. I want to see us stick with this and bring in flying wingers rather than adapt for a club hero for two months. If this is the style Rene intends to use long term then it might be worth widening our pitch, if it's in anyway possible. If he's willing to come in as a super-sub then I'm for it, otherwise the money required for his wages could be better invested elsewhere.
Temporarily moving off the Dempsey topic. News that might put a smile in Captain's face...Will Hughes is 10/1 3rd favourite to join us in the Jan transfer window. The perfect replacement for our ageing Greek warhorse that is Kara? Plus Hughes would make a fantastic midfield pairing with Parker.
