The Tank's move to AZ has been confirmed. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrDjt2FCMAABKjV.jpg There's no mention of a fee or 'compensation' in any of the blurb. One source: http://www.az.nl/nieuws/az-versterkt-zich-met-tankovic/1?catid=
I have a strong suspicion that as the transfer is international, we are likely to get screwed on thw the compensation.
Stephen Athurworrey has signed a one year contract extension which keeps him at the club for, well just this season. I still don't understand the club's policy on contracts.
And, Lyle Della Verde has signed a one year deal with the option of another year. Yeah, contract policy!? I've voiced my concern/confusion about this a number of times in the past. So far as the U21s go, at the moment the "strategy" seems to be to do enough to keep them 'alive' and performing (note: performing not, competing) in the Elite League. It certainly doesn't feel like a 'Development Squad' any more.
A lad that's been at Fulham since he was 10 who is at the age where they haven't quite made it yet, I highly doubt they only want a one year deal. This is definitely coming from the club. Possibly only giving him a year and making him earn a new contract.
Rosc's favourite Jesse Joronen has signed a new two year deal at Fulham, taking him to the summer of 2016. please log in to view this image Link to pic: http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.607995265679428403&pid=15.1
I think we are now set at striker, with McCormack joining Hugo, Woodrow & Taggart (with Dembele also coming through). Our squad is now taking shape and it is younger and fitter. However, at a minimum I'd also want to see: - Kasami, Ruiz, Mitroglou & Trotta gone. - 1 full back (preferably a first choice left back), to add competition for Voser & Zverotic. - Either 1 centre back or 1 full back, depending on whether we see Hoogland as a RB or a CB, to add competition. - 1 central midfielder, to add some depth behind Parker, Tunnicliffe & David (I'd love to see Handyman start to come through, but it's way too early to be honest). - Stekelenburg gone and a new back up brought in (not because Stek is bad, but because he does not want to be here).
I know there were strong rumours, but the club have not confirmed anything yet. They have been quite good at releasing news/updates so far this summer too.
No doubt there will still be some movement, but here's an update on the current personnel, including ages (and a rather pleasant makeover that is): please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsC2bseCUAAACfh.jpg
Well 52 now that Kasami has gone, and the list doesn't include Scholars. But that’s really not a lot of ‘contracted‘ players. Last year across the three teams the number was broadly - 1st team notionally 25; U21 Elite squad of 20 players; and U18 a similar group of 20 players. We'll scale down on that this season so around 50 - 55 is probably about right. The age of the players is what’s particularly interesting. Not just that the average has shot down but it means there will be a lot more fluidity across the three teams. I’d expect the first team to have a core of maybe 15 with players from the U21 and U18 age groups slotting in on a regular basis. The U21 team looks more like it’s going to be U19 and very competitive for places. The U18 side will be even younger than before because a fair number of the regulars will be Scholars. What I think I’m trying to say is that the boundaries that have existed in the past won’t exist as such and a player won’t be tagged as a 1st team or an U21 or U18 ’squaddie’. For instance Pat Roberts could turn out for the U18s one week, the 1st team the next and the U21s in a Cup game the week after. If the Club Management handle things correctly, it could be very exciting. The other thing that player ages show, is that we are terribly inexperienced in midfield and as said elsewhere and by others we really need to bolster that area in the first team.
