Would we need fullbacks had Uncle Woy stayed? I don't know but we certainly do now and so does he apparently - he's chasing the young Chelsea left back Ryan Bertrand. In a sense I'm glad it's not my choice, Ben Gordon, he's after, or the Captain's choice Rhoys Wiggins of Bournemouth (I owe you at least one plug Captain) and I see in another thread that there's a paper report of interest in the Young Boys defender (although I believe he's more central than fullback). What it adds up to however, is that there are fullbacks out there to be got. Where are our scouts/agents/whatever they're called???
Have you seen the training photos on the Official web site? Some including players I don't recognise - pointers welcome. Howevert, the point of this post is to draw attention to the prominence of what appears to be our only two recognised fullbacks; Kelly and Briggs (forget Salcido even if only because he's abroad). I have it from a very good source who has an in at the training sessions, that big Maarty has these two as givens on the team sheet. He's already highlighted Kelly in one of his first press releases and we know they were buddies at Spurs. Unfortunately I don't rate the guy ( mainly for poor positional play, doesn't read the game and rash tackles). For what it's worth, Hughes obviously didn'T rate him either. Matthew will come good and I suggest all he needs is experience - he got a rough deal last year in that he was thrown in at the deep end agaainst Chelsea and Arsenal - the only games he played in the first team. But I'm not sure his best side is left. If, as seems, this is Jol's plan Aaron and Brede are in for a torrid time. I'm assuming with the Jol penchant for "nice, attacking football" the midfield won't be much help. Here though is a Plan B for the big guy. Reading Fultime earlier I was saddened at the news that Mike Pentecost had passed away. Interestingly the obit mentioned that Mike was a midfielder converted to fullback. Now there's a thought. HOW ABOUT GREENING AT LEFT BACK AND YOUNG mATTHEW ON THE RIGHT?
Bidley, I don't think it's as straightforward as that. If we'd made a move for O'Shea, I doubt united would have insisted he went to Sunderland unless they were offering a bigger fee. In any case, to answer Cottager's point, I'm not sure that O'Shea is another one that we missed so much as one that we chose not to pursue. He's 30, so doesn't really fit the profile of player that we need to be bringing in - I think we should be looking at the 22-26 age bracket, who are likely to have lower wage demands, more of their career in front of them and less likely to start developing niggly hard-to-shake-off injuries. Invincibles, isn't that the same Eboue who Arsenal fans ridiculed not so long ago? What makes him a decent signing for us if he was so poor for you?
Take your points Captain - especially about the wage bill. Emm, Eboue - I know he started out as a right back but has he actually played there in the last 5 years?
Sorry, Bidley, I seem to recall that this isn't the first time I've failed to pick up on your wry humour. My bad. I can very rarely bring myself to use the emoticons myself, even when they help as a pointer to tone. Incidentally, on the subject of Steve Bruce, I read some time ago someone who pointed out that the older he gets, the more he begins to resemble a school dinner lady. It made me laugh at the time, and I think of it every single time I see him.
Jol will do what Jol will do, but I can't help searching on his behalf. The latest find is England under 19 and Chelsea fullback Aziz Deen-Conteh. He is returning to the club on 6th July 'for talks'. Chelsea are keen to put him out on loan to get first team experience. He fits the boss's strategy of bringing in youngsters, although not sure he would be 'guaranteed' regular first team games. However ... the long haul and probability (a la Woy) of the early Europe team being different from the Prem team ???
Haha, no worries mate, a lot gets lost in translation with this forum malarky. And that is so true. I remember I used to snigger when my mate's mum used to pick my mate up from school as she looked just like him
Dont worry boys i wasn't being serious - although if big Martin wants him - i'm sure we could be pursuaded into doing business
Fair play, Invincibles. It's a shame we've already released Eddie Johnson, or we could have sold him on to you boys. Do you fancy Carlos Salcido to replace Clichy?
Maybe we could get Nedum Onuoha from Manchester City he was on loan to Sunderland last season and did well. Or even Sunderlands Phil Bardsley would be a good Right Back if they get Onuoha.
Latest - Arne 'Who's his Mummy's Boy' Riise. As you will recall he almost joined us before but bottled out on his mother's insistance. He has 1 year left on his Roma contracr.
My recollection is that he admitted afterwards that he was always using Fulham's interest to try to force Liverpool's hand, which is a little different to your account, Cottager. While it's not nice to be used like that - as we all thought Jol did to us last summer - to be honest, I can't blame Riise for choosing Liverpool ahead of us back then. Not that this means I think he'd be the right signing now. As I've said before, I think we need younger, hungrier players who are likely to have lower wage demands.
