How about Alessandro Del Piero and Bobby Zamora up front. problem is Alessandro Del Piero is 37 but wants to play Premier football, could he cope ? Bit more real could be bids for full backs such as Nedum Onuoha of Manchester City, seems to have been frozen out since the dispute with his mother (agent). Plus they bought Clichy and have Bridges, Kolarov Phil Bardsley who hasn't always been Bruces first pick at Sunderland this season. Bosingwa seems to be getting blamed for things by Chelsea fans (when really it's that old man Terry who's the problem). or there is Ferreira.
Agreed about th Spurs game, FFC_M, but he was injured, again. How much can we rely on him being regularly available? Annoyingly he (or his agent) have given an interview to the Sunday Mirror in which he said - "They have made me an offer to stay and I donât feel itâs *appropriate to go into the *details of that offer. But I have to take into *account many things before I can commit my future to the club and I feel the contract should reflect my worth. It will be the last big *contract of my career and *primarily I have to do what is right by my family. And if that contract doesnât reflect that then I will weigh up my options." He then went on (ironically) to talk about his knee injury, not mentioning how the club has been picking up the tab. At nearly £1m a goal not brilliant and, as I said, annoying that he's again gone public attempting to hold the club to ransome because he's hit a little run of decent form. Not against so called big teams though. I say call his bluff to see if he does it against Arsenal and Man U.
C58, agree with what you are saying. Is he going to become another Bullard? Both players were sidelined for long periods and they have gone for the money... There is no loyalty these days. I think AJ believes the fans will push for his case but he is mistaken.... We are club fans not player fans...
Dembele. Might as well get it over with - yes, the media as always twisted his words, in an interview during his international stint. A local rag printed this statement : “Yes, I was asked about the links with Spurs, and I did respond that I was flattered by interest in me, because it means I am playing well, nothing more,” the 24-year-old told Fulham’s official website. “However, I am happy at Fulham and I am under contract here. I am making progress under Martin Jol and adding further dimensions to my game, so I’m happy playing here. “I want to assure the manager, the fans and of course the Chairman, I am fully committed to the Club and that any links with other clubs are nothing but speculation, and something I am not even thinking about at this time.” Not to say he won't go of course. He's in 'Arry's price range - evidenced by the £100k they are offering Modric if Spurs get 4th place. Certainly looks as though said 'Arry will do some dumping in January. Apart from some enthusiasm for Defoe (not shared by me) can't see anyone they are likely to offload to tempt us. Better the money and spend it on a couple of young English strikers with a bit of form.
C58 I would not mind Pavluchenko to replace AJ should he leaves! A few millions and Roman would be a good business for Dembele. Plus a few millions offloading AJ. We can then spend it on young players as you rightfully say.
Watched some of the Holland vs Scotland under 21 game and 2 players looked outstanding: Dutch centre back Virgil Van Dijk, 21 year old plying his trade at FC Groningen. A great centre back but with an excellent passing range. Scottish winger, James Forrest, currently at Celtic, another 21 year old. Great strength and serious pace, very exciting player. Both would be well a punt on last night's performances. COYW
QPR boss Neil Warnock will be handed a transfer kitty of £15m and has earmarked £6m for Fulham striker Andy Johnson and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong. Wow! How much is Bassong valued at ? Spurs paid £8m for him in 2009 but he's hardly played for them since we walloped them 4-0 in the cup.
In the eyes of some regulars on this board (morning Val!), Bassong must be valued at about £10million to make that combined total with AJ!
Captain ,good morning. It appears that AJ is holding us to ransom,while not knowing the full facts,it appeared from the gossip columns that Fulham offered 18mths,he wanted 2yrs, the latest it seems he wants 3yrs.This in my opinion, he wants away on a free in the summer,and then can negotiate,a good deal. Agreed he has turned in some good Europa performances,but apart from the QPR game what has he given us for his 10m fee and his 2m per year salery.
Several good performances (without goals) in league matches, both last season and this. In Roy's last season, it looked to me as if he was finding a nice run of form and was likely to have a really good season before getting injured in the pre-group stages of the Europa. I think you're too harsh on him. That said, something that concerns me is that, the second Wisla Krakow match apart, most of his goals haven't been great finishes. It's not that he's scoring against weaker keepers, it's that most of his shots haven't looked to me as if they would beat a better keeper. I feel that he does a great job in general play for us, but I don't see him being a prolific goalscorer at premier league level any more (he was with Palace and at first with Everton, but he isn't now). That's why I'd be happy for us to let him go rather than continue to pay big wages for someone who isn't likely to be a first team regular. That said, I don't feel he's holding us to ransom. As someone else suggested, his media comments may well be aimed at getting a deal from Fulham rather than agitating for a move - it's all part of the negotiation process these days. He's at an age where this is probably his last chance at getting a decent contract and, understandably, he wants to do the best that he can for himself and his family, with us or elsewhere. While players at his level can never plead poverty, I don't blame anyone for looking to maximise their earnings. As long as he continues to give 100% on the pitch - which I haven't heard anyone accuse him of not doing - I don't mind the contract noise. I think you and I agree that he isn't the future for Fulham, and that we'd rather see someone other than him in a regular starting place. Given the sqaud we currently have, I think he's certainly worth a place in the squad - sometimes as a starter, sometimes not (we may disagree on that bit!) but as Jol brings in his players, I think AJ is going to get fewer opportunities and therefore we would be as well to cash in on him in January if a replacement can be brought in or promoted from the youngsters.
AJ saga continues today... For £2m I would sell as we can get a couple of good youngsters on £20k each per week to replace him... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/8897624/Queens-Park-Rangers-ready-to-strike-with-2m-raid-for-in-form-Fulham-forward-Andrew-Johnson.html
If you want the real deal go local. The Fulham Chronicle's 'man at Motspur Park' has it straight from the horses mouth - Dembele is not going; Johnson is not going; Zamora is not going !! Good on Jol. I like a manager who knows his mind and makes sure that others know it too. Not short of a deadline the intrepid reporter had time to note that Etuhu has declared that he will go if he doesn't get more game time; and reminding us that at 29 time is what he hasn't got. The series of articles are here - http://http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/
