http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/29/fulha...onal-but-is-certainly-necessary-3901228/Still, all things remain quiet at Craven Cottage. No first team player has signed for Fulham since early June and though weâre hardly panicking, news is scarce. What does add to the worry, however, is impending legal action from RC Lens over the signing of 18 year-old midfielder Ange-Freddy Plumain. The French club remain adamant that the youngster is still under contract, and that Fulham have breached some quite serious laws in signing their man. If there is any substance in the claims, a transfer embargo could well await. Perhaps, then, itâs worth showing our hand over potential transfer targets before anything metaphorically hits the fan. Signing Bardsley seems so risk-free that not making a move appears more ludicrous than doing so One of those targets is Phil Bardsley, of casino, and Sunderland, fame. Hardly inspirational, I hear you say. And yes, youâre right. A move for the full back certainly wonât have a meteoric affect on our up-and-coming season, but there is no shame in signing squad players. Sascha Riether is now our only out-and-out right back after the sale of Stephen Kelly in January and the loss of Chris Baird this summer. Riether is well capable of holding fort, of course, and certainly doesnât require the pressure of an understudy to maintain a high level of performance. But injuries can strike at any moment and thatâs what the most astute managers prepare for. Bardsley is no world-beater but possesses all the attributes youâd want in a solid, reliable defender. Heâs not a man that will roam the wings and overlap for fun, but, defensively at least, heâs a sound component to have. Solid in the tackle and capable of the odd wonder-goal, he could prove a valuable asset in a defence that is already brimming with strength and versatility. He can cover at centre back if the requirement is desperate, and is well adept at filling in at left back. The prospect of signing the 28 year-old is understandably strengthened by Paolo Di Canioâs insistence that he wonât make the first eleven ever again. It means the Sunderland valuation will be low, while Bardsleyâs wages will never break the bank. Newcastle United and Blackburn are supposedly pursuing him too, but many media outlets have us down as the distinct favourites for his signature. There are more pressing areas of the Fulham team that need strengthening, of that we can be certain. Signing Bardsley, though, seems so risk-free that not making a move appears more ludicrous than doing so. And, with a transfer embargo potentially around the corner, where is the harm in moving in right away? Now yes they are after Bardo, best of luck to them etc Interesting that they could get a transfer embargoâ¦i seriously doubt it as i imagine they will get a small fine, the other team shall get compensation move on and so forth But if they were to get itâ¦Fulham would definitely be a team to consider to go down this year!
I still wish they could patch up their differences and Bardo could stay and be part of this new look team. I still maintain that he hasn't committed a major crime here and I am at loss as to how this has descended so quickly to this point. Bardo would be a valuable member of the squad imo.
If he gets back to the season before lasts form then I'd keep him in a heart beat but, going on last season where he looked totally uninterested (for whatever reasons) then I'd let him go. The fact we are looking a bit desperate for LB/RB may decide it for us instead.
Even if you take the 'casino incident' out of the equation his wages does not reflect his ability or what would be his squad status. He'd need to take a massive pay cut on his new contract to represent any kind value for the club. We can't carry 35k a week squad players, we just can't.
There's previous for this though, I'm sure Chelsea did indeed get a transfer embargo over the deal for the French kid, who turned out to be pony anyway.
Yeah, I think they did, was only one window, but I think they did. What was he called man Gael ...... driving me nuts. Began with a L I think. edit Kakuta, that's the ****er! By the power of Google, they settled out of court free ban.
Well, right now he is still the best RB at the club and he is way better than Gardner imo. e had a bad year coming back from injury but Gardner is a poor RB imo. If we do get another RB in and he struggles, our only alternative is .......Gardner? I really think PDC has thrown out the baby, the bathwater and the rest of the bathroom with this one and a totally OTT stance. I hope it doesn't cost us over a long hard season.
Can`t see PDC allowing that to happen tbh. I expect there to be lots going on behind the scenes. Bardsley was one of the first casualties so it`s not as if it came as a surprise.
I'm backing Di Canio on this one. Bardo overpaid. Bardo screwed up and who knows if it was an isolated incident? Clearly PDC has seen enough of bardo in training to know his ability. Great fullbacks are not easy to come by as we effectively have none. We all know the club are working hard on this. I'm sure by Christmas we'll all forget bardo as we will have a world class right back :/
I don't think either of them are good rbs and apart from shooting and work rate, i don't think Gards is a good enough cm. Both amongst the club's top earners too. I think it's the weakest point in the squad, lb a close second cm the 3rd. We can't clear out everybody at once unfortunately. Both would have to play out of this world this season and take a 15k a week pay cut to have any chance of getting a contract off me. Neither are anywhere near as good as their wage they command.
His "crime" was giving Di Canio the nonchalant shrug when he was pulled for late nights and coming into work "blurry" as Di Canio described it in his press conference after the Spurs game. Di Canio was concerned that his attitude would be copied by kids in the development squad and he would send out the wrong message to them. Got to agree with Di Canio on this one. One rotten apple and all that.
