That story of course coming from Sports Direct, owned by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Maybe he's trying to scare off the competition.
You may recall that I posted about Chris David on the 'Academy Who's Who' thread. Well... Reports in Turkish papers today say that Galatasaray are interested in signing the 20 year old. [A wee recap on Chris: He joined Fulham last January from FC Twente after a summer move failed due to an injury. His signing was considered a major coup after we beat Ajax to his signature and he'd made an impact at youth level for the Dutch national teams. Martin Jol was delighted with the signing and had this to say at the time "He is 19 years of age, player of the year of all the academies in Holland. He is an exciting talent but he will need at least six months to a year to adapt, but hopefully he will do it quicker. He is a very, very good talent." After some very promising performances for the U21's last season, he appeared in the 1st team in this years pre season which led many to believe he could become integrated into the 1st team squad. Unfortunately, he hasn't made the step up yet to the senior squad but has also disappeared off the radar for the U21's which has led to the question why.] The reports from Turkey say that Galatasaray hope to sign him in January for a relatively low fee and that discussions with Fulham are ongoing which perhaps explains why he has disappeared from all of Fulham's senior and Academy squads.
Rene has played down the speculation about Bryan moving (on loan?): “Sometimes players go through bad patches and it does not go very well for them. That was the case a little bit with Bryan,” he told the Fulham Chronicle. ”It is confidence that drives players on and sometimes you need to protect them a little bit. Bryan is another very creative, attacking player. He is a game-changer. There are so many games to come and all the players will have a role to play.”
Ruiz is technically quality, over the last few years he has been near the top of our assist stats all while being in and out of the team and more importantly never being given a run in the team in his actual position. Until we use him properly we should all lay off him a bit. If we played Hangeland consistently at left back and he didn't perform we would all be screaming at the manager not the player! Ruiz is a out and out number 10 unfortunately with Berba in the squad he will never get to play there! The one question mark for me is his work rate could be better but Meulensteen seems to convinced all the players they need to up the work rate if he can do this with Ruiz as well we may have a top player to use! Outs in January - Duff, Briggs, Senderos Outs in the summer - Riise, Richardson, Bent Tarabt
I agree on Ruiz's ability, but I do think he is unsuited to our new style of play and the English league in general. It's happened before with foreign players coming over. I'd say he'll end up going for about £4/5m to a Spanish club and go back to being a highly regarded player quite quickly.
I do think Bryan will go, and instigated by himself because he needs regular game time before the World Cup. Cookie, Senderos will be needed because of injuries/fatigue and son among the current CBs. Damien has so many other irons in the fire that he'll happily see his time out at Fulham and can't see anybody coming in for Briggs while he's still injured. I'd be quite content if we could bring your summer suggestions forward and get Buttner in at left back.
I have watched Ruiz in all home games played over the last year and a few away ones. ok there has been accasional flashes,but the concensus amongst most regulars is that he is a luxury we can ill aford. Me sell in the summer, ok we will take a hit on his re sale fee but the 4/5mil we should get could be added to a team grafter,something BR is not.
If Berba stays for the rest of the season, and plays as in the last 3 matches, I'll be pleased. C O Y W
If you look at the statistics that Fantasy Football gives, you will find that despite not playing many games that Ruiz (classed as a Striker) is overall joint 4th Highest in assists this season probably from corners, and that even he ranks higher than some good midfield players. I also remember him coming on as sub hitting the crossbar in one game, another sub he hit the post, and against Tottenham just recently Lloris had to pull off a save to stop him scoring. Kancaniklic has played slightly less minutes then him has 2 assists and both of those are the penalties recently. Kasami has played more minutes then him hasn't any assists. Obviously the FFL gives assists as the last person to touch the ball before the scorer. But it's food for thought, as it seems certain players are given leeway while others are targeted, sometimes unfairly.
There we go again... Ruiz the messiah he is not. Same debate as Jol the last 4 months. If delivering a corner is an assist then I rest my case. When he decides to run, track, mark and put a tackle in then I might change my opinion. Other than that he is useless. One footed, can't run, too slow, doesn't fit in our team. No wonder he is not playing, Rene is just trying to keep his value up.
You realise the only one harping on about Ruiz being "the messiah" is you? Every opportunity you get, as well. Give it a rest.
I agree that in our current relegation fight Ruiz is probably a luxury we cannot afford, but if we just replace all our luxury players with grafters and we stay up we are shooting ourselves in the foot as a squad of pure grafters will not get you up the table they will just go from relegation fight to relegation fight! We cannot afford Ruiz and Berbatov in the same team both are massive luxury players and most fans seem to want to keep Berba and sell Ruiz, I think there is a strong argument to keep Ruiz and sell Berba..... Berba is on £90000 a week he is out of contract in the summer and will almost def leave for free! It's interesting that Berba has done no more than Ruiz this season other than score a couple of pens, he's just as lazy often doesn't look bothered and can drive fans mad, yet he gets more minutes on the pitch gets to play in his correct position at the expense of Ruiz and yet Ruiz gets at least five times the amount of stick that Berbatov get!
I've been one of Ruiz's main defenders over the last year or so, and I still think he has something to offer. That said, if Mule wants to play the way we've set out the last couple of games, I don't think Ruiz could take Berba's role and it is hard to see where he would fit in. But that's just with that particular formation. If we are going to be use other formations, including 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1, then Ruiz could thrive in the hole behind the main striker, particularly if the main striker has the appetite for hard work that neither Bryan or Berba (or Bent) seem to have (Danny Ings was always a good worker at Bournemouth, by the way). Even Ii Berba stays in January, it looks likely that he'll go in the summer. If that's the case there's an argument for keeping Bryan with an eye to next season. I know that won't go down well with the Bryan-haters, but it seems that Mule doesn't share their view that Bryan is public enemy number 1.
Monty pythons? Bryan the messiah? Is only a joke. Hope is the last to die... Keep hoping and wishing that he will prove me wrong. When this happens I will be the first to admit I was wrong.
