Is the lack of news about (proper) pre-season games something of a concern? The Steven Davis thread makes me wonder if, at this rate, the only opposition team available will be Club 12
Looks like the 'prod' earlier this morning has worked. Not yet confirmed officially but indications are that we might be doing a wee tour of Germany with the first game being against Lokomotive Leipzig on 18th July. As you know the squad all report back for pre-season triaining on th July.
One more pre-season game announced - MK Dons on 7th August http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/July/FixtureAnnouncement.aspx Hopefully some 1st team games will be arranged soon.
This article takes the micky about us being the only PL club not to be travelling abroad for pre-season games - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2169086/Premier-League-clubs-pre-season-tours-cover-190-000-miles.html Actually I'm quite pleased we're not covering two continents but the absence of any games at all for the first team squad is a worry (the 3 games announced are surely going to be for 'other' squad/reserve players). We pulled out of the competition in China because financial guarantees couldn't be given. However that was 3 weeks ago. There was a rumour that the Club would set up a training base in Switzerland and play a few games from there (hence the supposed one against Leipzig on 18th July). Now that's all gone quiet too - well not so much as quiet, more total silence. The only known facts are that full training starts on 9th July and that there is a game against Wycombe on 28th July. Apart from any commercial/PR advantages of tour games, one has to assume that Jol would want games to instill whatever style/format he wants us to play. Indeed he said in his Fultime article that it was essential that we go into the new season "running". What on earth are the Club playing at ??
Hurray - at long last some 1st team pre-season games have ben announced (in Germany) : http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/July/PreSeasonMatches.aspx All we need now is one decent game early August at the Cottage.
Well, that'll be good news for Dempsey's Revenge. Do you think you'll be able to get to any of these and give us all a detailed report, DR?
The squad are safely off to Germany. First match tomorrow - July 14 HB Koge (Stadion der Freundschaft, Grimma) 1pm
Health Warning - To Avoid Any Speculation Before you look at the Link NOTE: The 1st Team Coach has confirmed that not all of the players given extra time off, because of International duties, have joined the squad in Germany yet. So, here is a random set of pics as our happy band arrive at their training camp - http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/July/TourCommences.aspx
The Academy beat Millwall 2-0. George Williams and Patrick Roberts got the goals. The U16s also won 4-0 v Millwall. Wesley McDonald, who was recently called up by England U16s, getting a hatrick. Great start of the New Year.
The Club have put out some snaps of our heroes at their training camp before tomorrow's game. And guess who has just arrived ... http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/July/TrainingGallery.aspx
It was nice to see Trotta,who is one of my favourites,and how he has slimmed down, this should make him a little speedier,would love to see him get a run for a few games.
I'd like to see Trotta getting his chance too, Roscafre. However, if I'm reading the colours of the bibs in those photos correctly (a big if), he seems to have been assigned a place with the non-first choices in that session. Of course, there's always a certain amount of mixing up that goes on in pre-season games, but perhaps Jol isn't ready to pitch him in with the first eleven.
I think he'll get much more of a chance overall this season though. I don't think he'll be going out on loan, I should think we'll see a lot of him coming off the bench, like Frei last season.
With Demps at the training camp and also Rodders (I think, although he hasn't got his work permit yet), and assuming Jol puts out his strongest team, what do you think the starting line up will be in the match today? My guess is - -------------Schwarzer --Reither--Huges--Hangeland---Riise ---------Diarra----Dembele ----Dempsey---Petric-----Frei ----------- Rodallega
If it's the strongest line up, Jol will start Ruiz on the right. Dempsey might not start, as he's only just joined up with the squad and started training. If he doesn't it could be either Frei or Kacaniklic on the left. Also, I'm still not sure whether Petric has been signed to be the main striker or a Dempsey replacement. If he starts up front, Rodellega might have to wait on the bench.
Jol has in fact gone for youth and some possibly in the 'shop window'. The starting line up is - Schwarzer (c), Brister, Halliche, Baird, Briggs; Davies, Gecov, Etuhu, Kacaniklic; Trotta, Dalla Valle
Glad to see Bairdinho at centre back (if I'm reading the line up rightly). I still think he should be right up there with Hughes and Senderos fighting to be first choice to partner Brede. Let's hope he plays an absolute blinder and forces himself into Jol's thinking. Also, Kacaniklic's selection seems to suggest that Frei is ahead of him in the pecking order.
