http://www.rokerreport.com/2013/6/18/4440892/reports-fletcher-likely-fit-for-preseason Having picked up an injury whilst away on international duty with Scotland, Steven Fletcher looks set to be available for the first time under Paolo Di Canio as he nears recovery from a damaged ankle ligament. Mark Douglas in The Journal today indicates that Fletcher visited a specialist last week to get an update on his recovery, having delayed his summer holidays in order to recover fully from the injury. It's understood that the specialist has given Fletcher the green-light to go away on holiday for a while so long as he takes things easy and rests up. The striker will remain touch-and-go for the Barclay's Asia Trophy held in Hong Kong in late July, but could still make the trip on a camaraderie basis at the very least, and will almost certainly be fit to take part in the later preseason games. Those games are still to be confirmed, but it's reported there will be games against Harrogate Town and Grimsby Town this summer, although the level of squad put out against these relative minnows could mean Fletcher only takes part in the more high-profile games. It's good news for everyone though that Fletcher is back. We badly missed him towards the end of last season and with a lack of credible striker links around at the moment, it's imperative we get our main man back in the fold.
great news, love fletch me like, check out the highlights of last season to see how important he was for us [video=youtube;z3cC-NcRSG0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3cC-NcRSG0[/video]
Hopefully we can add some quality to the attack and get fletch a decent partner to help shoulder the burden
Heard this earlier today and its fantastic news. Fletcher would have scored closer to 18 goals imo if he had not missed the final 10 games. There were some teams there he'd have netted against for sure. I'm backing him to get well over 15 next term easily and closer to 20 in a more attacking team creating more chances.
Will he be under the 2kg limit tho. he's been out a while now. Will PDC give him some leeway? Personally think with an injury free season and the attack minded team PDC says he wants Fletch will get 20+ goals. Hoping so.
Was excited the second we were linked with Fletcher and me and Pecs had been harping on about him for a good 12 to 18 months prior. The lad is a class act and is a model pro. He is coming into his peak 3 or 4 years imo and we if he stays here for the next 6 seasons, he will become as big a legend as SKP imo with a hatful of goals to his name imo. Top, top lad and a cracking striker and footballer.
I have to admit I was sceptical, esp with the price. But after the first couple of games I was completely sold. So glad he's back in time for the start of the new season because he deserves to defend his place in the team from any new strikers. Would have been a shame for him to drop down a pecking order just through injury. He's been sorely missed.
Can't wait to welcome Fletch back into the team!He was well-missed after his injury,but he will return a better player under PDC!!
He will not get 20 league goals next season (but then not many will, 4 maybe, but fletch wont be one of them), if he gets 15 i will be surprised.
Not for the first time kidda I disagree. With the amount of paltry chances we gave him last season, he still managed 11 goals in his 28 games. We set up with a very defensive formation and tactical plan and yet through all that, he managed to score almost 1 in 2.5. With a far better attacking manager and players, I think he is well capable to score nearer 20 or more.
Do you think as fans we get hung up too much on the idea of a 20 goal a season striker? Statistics from the Premier League era are quite interesting: http://hitrowz.com/2013/07/14/the-myth-of-the-20-goal-a-season-forward/
Great article, thanks for posting, got to take your hat off to shearer, he might wear a ****ers hat but thats some record
I've been saying this since Bent left. Its not that common for strikers to get 20+ league goals. The top sides have them purely because of the chances they get and service. When you look at chance conversion rates over the past 3 seasons we have one of the very best in Europe, Steven Fletcher. If he was playing for Man Utd he'd break 20 goals in my opinion.
for a team like us i think 2 10+ players would be an achievement. 20 goal strikers are like rocking horse ****
the players who have scored 30 or more in a season in the PREMIERSHIP (i.e.1992/93 onwards) are: Andrew Cole (1993/94): Alan Shearer (1993/94: 1994/95 and 1995/96): Kevin Phillips (1999/2000) and Thierry Henry (2003/04)
