I reckon with Berba, and this is partially based on Fergie's comments in his book, that he's had his agent put rumours out simply because he wants to know someone wants him out there. Rene's then come out to say he wants him and its satisfied him. For all the cool arrogance I think he is actually a very insecure guy who needs to constantly be told he is great and the best. If Rene is willing to indulge him then we might get our reward on the pitch. He is a maverick child in mans body.
Yes it's the 'Mirror Group' but the author, Dave Jones, is a Fulham fan and generally acknowledged as "being in the know". "Fulham want to find a buyer for £10.5million flop Bryan Ruiz in January, writes the Sunday People's Dave Jones. After the loan capture of old boy Clint Dempsey, Craven Cottageboss Rene Meulensteen needs to make room in his 25-man squad for more new recruits in the transfer window. The Dutchman has backed the struggling Costa Rica forward, but after more than two years in West London, Ruiz, 28, has failed to adapt to the Premier League and the club will let him go if they receive an offer of around £5m. Ruiz’s failure to live up to what was expected of him played a part in the downfall of previous manager Martin Jol, who was not allowed to spend so lavishly again." Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...sfer-news-cottagers-put-2951605#ixzz2oDPoy6Ly
Hard to disagree with this, on two fronts. Jol was not given much money at all after Ruiz and that eroded the quality of our squad as everyone aged. Secondly, Jol's insistence on trying to blend Ruiz and Berbatov into the same team was a big part of his tactical failure. I still like Ruiz as a player, but I can't deny his role in Jol's eventual departure.
Just one of a growing line of players who dazzle in the Dutch League only to fizzle out in England. Remember Alves - 45 goals in 39 games, £12 million move to Middlesborough and relegated the next season after scoring only 10 goals across 2 seasons (3 of them were in one game and another 2 were scored against Barrow Town in the cup). Oddly he made his debut against us.
Media in Columbia are saying that Hugo Rodallega could be heading 'home' in January. The reports say that Colombian side Millionarios are in pole position to secure his signature in January on either loan or permanent but he may need to reduce his current Fulham salary. In addition to Millionarios, Hugo told a local news outlet that Deportivo Cali, Alteltico Junior and Independiente Santa Fe have also shown interest in signing him.
Here's a link to a display of Bryan's contribution against Hull yesterday: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2013/matches/695085/player-stats/37084/OVERALL_02#tabs-wrapper-anchor Having watched the game, I have to admit it is better than expected but nontheless, pathetic. There can only be one direction for hiim in January and that is out. In another thread Fulhaman posted that no new money will be available in January so the only way to raise cash will be to sell and hopefully Bryan would bring in £4-5m.
An almost certain 'Out' a few weeks ago, JAR has made a bit of a come back and is now fighting (well, sqawking at least) to stay: John Arne Riise has told the Evening Standard he is keen to sign a new deal at Fulham. The Norwegian, 33, was expected to leave the club when out of favour under former Whites boss Martin Jol but was recalled following the appointment of René Meulensteen. Riise said: “Rene has been brilliant for me. As soon as he came in, I said to myself that he is my type of coach. The way he takes training and the way he talks to the players, I knew that he was good. He has given me the confidence that I need from a manager to perform to my highest level. He put me back in the team and I have been in there since." “I have always been committed to the club, even when I was not playing. The reason I wanted to leave is because I was not playing and I had to think of my career. I am at the age where I need to play. “The Fulham board know I want to stay. Hopefully we can talk about a new deal because if Rene wants to keep me on, then I want to stay.”
He has been playing better recently, both going forward and defending. If a new deal is given he needs to understand that a youngster needs to brought forward to replace him within the next 12 months...
Even though he has improved under Rene (most have) I'm still not in favour of giving JAR a new contract. Next season he will be a year older and a year slower. What he offers is attacking ability, but after another year, that will begin to disintegrate. I'd also bet he's earning nice wages too, and for the wages he's being paid, we could bring in at least one LB younger to do just as good a job.
Yes, I saw that in the paper yesterday. Says something that after chasing him for so long we are willing to let him out on loan after half a season. Our scouting must be rubbish.
Players can change alot in 2 years, especially if they are not getting good quality game time at their clubs. Wait, were we talking about Boateng or Dempsey?
Loads of paper reports about Berba going back to Spurs (via a ckeeky low bid by Levy) and Senderos to Lazio. Perhaps we're trying to raise some money for Danny Ings??
I'd be happy enough to go into the final third of the season with Hangeland, Burn, Amorebieta & Hughes as our CB options. That's dependent on Hangeland's health though.
