David Stockdale has been reported in the local Suffolk press as being very happy with Ipswich and if they win promotion would considering staying. He said - "I know it sounds bad but I'm not thinking about (Fulham) too much. I want them to do well of course, but I'm an Ipswich player until told otherwise. "Don't get me wrong, theirs is the first result I look for, but I'm not thinking about them every day. "I really like it here. The coaching staff are great, the squad is good and I'm totally settled and happy." Early days of course but the young man, who has weekly mentoring by an FFC person (can't remember which of the backroom lot), will be well where aware his best England ambitions lie.
I wouldn't be too worried. The key elements above are 'the local Suffolk press' and 'if they win promotion'. He's telling the Ipswich faithful what they want to hear and if Ipswich don't get promoted I'd be amazed if he thought twice about a permanent move. From a professional focus point of view, it's fair enough that he's concentrating on the job in hand. I don't read this in any way as disloyalty to Fulham. He's just keeping his options open. And he's on a decent length contract, so the only way I can see him leaving us is if the club decides to go with another year of Schwarzer as number 1. I'm almost 100% certain he'll be at Fulham next season, and fairly (but less) confident that Stockdale will be our first choice. The only way that doesn't happen is if Jol (or, just to satisfy his naysayers, whoever is in charge next year) decides to go with another year of Schwarzer as first choice.
Agreed Captain - I'd like to see Stocky taking over as number 1 next year - maybe a phased transition, guess it partly depends on what Schwarzer wants/expects
I'm not sure it should matter what Schwarzer wants or expects. The manager picks the team and if Stockdale is ready to be number one, then Schwarzer will have to either move on or put up with it, the same as any other player. And I say this as a big Schwarzer fan who defended him when some on the old 606 board were critical over him wanting a move to Arsenal last year. I had - and have - nothing but respect and admiration for Schwarzer, but when Stockdale is ready to be number 1, Mark will have to step aside.
