I think Heskey would do a job for us… working as a steward (he’s a big lad) or possibly working in burger vans or bars at half time. As long as he’s not on the pitch! I think the more serious issue is with the Ds. Personally I think it’s a given we will lose MD this close season. He is real quality and I’d absolutely love it if he stays but think he is destined for bigger things that he can realistically achieve with us. I think it’s a case of how much we can get for him rather than if he stays or not. I don’t think the situation with CD it’s as simple. Whereas MD has his best years ahead of him CD is at his peak now and I’m hopeful he will say. I think he’s a superb player but can’t see him playing week in week out at a top 4 club. Also as he is 29 he’s not really a long term option as MD is so think that may limit is options. I’ve heard Everton are interested but personally (and I know I’m biased) couldn’t see Everton offering anything more than we would. I know they are a bigger club but I think he has as much chance as silverware staying with us than if he headed to Everton. I hope they both stay but think we have more chance of hanging on to CD and little chance of hanging on to MD. That being said I’ve really been impressed with the way MJ has conducted things this season and I think whatever happens I’m confident he will bring in suitable replacements.
Strangely, the respective ages of Moussa and Clint make me think the opposite to you, TMH. His age means that if a bigger club does come in for him, it will be now-or-never. If he signs a new contract with us, he won't expect to get another opportunity to step up to a Champions League club. If Moussa signs a new contract, he'll still be a marketable commodity once that contract starts running down. That said, I have a horrible feeling that we might lose both of them. Not like me to be pessimistic, but that's my gut feeling on this one.
I have my reservations about the POG next season,i would hate to see him playing week in week out and not scoring, thus I feel we will need some one in that position. I dont know if any fans saw that Trotta fineshed up the second highest scorer,in the Barclays premium reserve league. 15 goals the winner getting 16,and remember he was out on loan from mid Nov untill Jan. Well worth a few starting line ups next season. Our priority must still be a couple of quality defenders,
The Pog has troubled me in recent weeks, he looks so isolated up front on his own but Jol doesn't want to play two up top. The point of having a target man is for him to lay off the ball to the attacking midfielder behind him aka Dembele, but Dembele hasn't exactly got the scoring boots on at the moment. Zamora and Gera did this perfectly.
I see your point of view with regards to CD and MD ages. As good a Dempsey i really can't see him playing week in week out at a Champions League club unless he goes over seas. At Fulham he is the star and the first name on the team sheet so i'm hoping he will stay, well both will stay. I went to Spurs away yesterday and we really missed him. Without him our only real attacking presence (with the exception of Duff in a 10 min spell or so) was MD. To loose them both would be a huge loss. Like you i fear they may both go in the summer then I'd be interested to see who big Maartin brings in. As good as Kerim Frei and Pajtim Kasami I don't think they're good enough to play week in week out yet.
Not that I'd want to offend your gut Captain but I'm hoping its got this one wrong with regards to a double D exit.
I agree he had a flying start and generally when he gets a chance he puts it away the last few games though he hasn't really had that may chances and does look isolated up front a lot of the time. Provided his wage demands aren't too high i think he is worth signing up. I too would like to see Trotta given time time next season too. He had a hell of a load spell at Wycombe. I remember when he went to Waford I was telling a load of my Girlfriends mates (she's from Watford originally) what a hit he would be there but sadly he never got going there, well i don't think he was given a chance really.
It will be an interesting transfer period. At the moment is all talk. The Euro will play a significant role on the transfer market. Jol is prob planning for all cases, some youngsters will have to step up. A challenging season is awaiting.
If we sell Dempsey then I can see all the top clubs showing some interest. If Man City were sniffing about then I would love to see James Milner plus cash as an option. Seem to be some rumours circulating that we are interested in Chamach from Arsenal as well.
Saw several articles today,saying that Graig Brown has agreed to sell Frazer Fyvie to Fulham the deal expected to be completed shortly. Any fans know anything about this lad,who Jol has reported to have said this lad is an excellent prospect.
I know that he's 19, a central midfielder and has been described as 'a prodigy'. Craig Brown values him at £5m, but we're likely to get him for a fraction of that as his contract is coming to an end. He played for Aberdeen's first team at 16 and broke the record for the youngest goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League. I have no idea what type of midfielder he is, but as you say he does seem to be very highly regarded.
We had a reported £1m offer for him turned down in January. Here is a 'local' interview with him - http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20120410/fraser-fyvie-redmatchday-interview-_2212158_2729580
Great find, Cottager. This bit caught my eye: 'there's no question that he's what's known in the game as a "player's player". He's the kind of player who sits in the centre of the park and does the nuts and bolts work in a game, breaking down the opposition's moves, playing it simple, keeping the wheels turning for his own team. It's not the eye catching stuff necessarily, but it's the crucial oiling of the machine that team mates - and former players - all appreciate. That ability, and that desire to contribute to the team rather than to his ego, comes from years of playing and loving the game.' If he can add a killer pass to that, he could become Danny Murphy in time, or am I damning the lad with too much expectation? Either way, he sounds like someone who would fit right into Jol's midfield structure.
The thing now days when entering the transfer market for untried,talented youngsters is the clauses the selling club imposes, ~ and in my opinion quite rightly so. An example i was told was Ryan Williams,the 17y old lad we acquired from Portamouth. Signining on fee 500/600thou, 20 1st team appearances 1mil international appearance ( first 5, 25 thou per game ) = 125 thou 20% of future selling on fees. This makes smaller clubs selling to the likes of us, very attractive, and in many ways good business all round.
Few other bits of transfer gossip on Fulham - all from online sources so make of them what you will: Andriy Arshavin could be reunited with Pavel Pogrebnyak at Fulham next season according to clubcall. The same source has the club keeping an eye on 23 year old Solvenian striker Etien Velikonja of Maribor, who has scored 15 goals in 20 appearances for the club this season. Meanwhile, Dutch winger Luciano Narsingh says he was just in London sight-seeing and is not about to move to the Cottage (goal.com).
I seen the Arshavin story too. I know Arsenal want rid of him to free up wages for new players. I imagine he would be a fairly reasonable price but his wages may be an issue as I imagine he is on a fair wack at Arsenal. Also he's almost 32 so not really an ideal age. On the plus side I could see him playing well behind the Pog.
