We are now entering into the new year,so how does my fellow 606rs,view the season so far and what can be expected. My point of view is that although somewhat erratic,we could be heading in the right direction,we must in the new year cut out some dead wood ( you all know who I want out.)but to summarize . Stockdale ~growing in confidence every game,must command his area more forcefully 2 Full backs ~ we definitely require at least one,and hold on to Briggs Midfield ~ Murphy still a kingpin,but we must buy talented cover. Senderos ~ growing confidence with each game. Hangeland ~ Mr dependable. Fowards Frei, ~ could be one, for our future, Dembele,becoming evermore confident,a classy player, ~ Ruiz now showing touches of class 6months could be the real article. Sa I feel we could loan him out and see if he does develop. Dempsey, definatly our no1 man,was said on several occasions recently by M O T D pundits,there is no better attacking midfielder in the premiership, me, totally agree. So Feb1st,our 2 most expensive,wont do,cant do, OUT Berbatov on loan, very much doubt this one, or buy Zaha from CP. A right back,bought,and a Danny Murphy cover. I think that at the end of his career Fulham could do no wrong in having him on the coaching staff. So happy New year to you all and here is to 2012 and onwards
Season so far: Work in Progress With the new signings and young players still settling in and getting to the pace of the game. I see the rest of the season as a time to try and blend the team into becoming more consistent with their performances. The Zamora situation needs to be resolved. I think it's a case of Jol wanting a striker who faces the goal and runs at them, working the channels, whereas Bobby is a back to goal and muscle his way past, and he feels that has got him into the England squad and doesn't want to change.
So far I would rate our season as a 5/10, hasn't been atrocious yet there hasn't really been a lot to shout about either. Goalkeepers - 8/10 Stockdale was fantastic yesterday and Schwarzer before him. Will be interesting to see who gets the jersey when MS comes back from injury and Australia duty. Defence - 5/10 There hasn't really been a stand out performer for me. Probably down to the fact we have had a lot of injuries and MJ likes to rotate the back four quite a lot. Senderos until recently had been poor. Baird has been a little shaky as shown against Utd. Grygera injured and Hughes dropped. Midfield - 7/10 Murphy is beginning to show why he should only be used sparingly, as Giggs is at Utd. Murphy has the odd game where he rolls back the clock (Chelsea) but his legs are starting to go and we desperately need a replacement. Etuhu has been okay and a sufficient replacement for the injured Sidwell. Dempsey, Dembele, Ruiz and Frei have all been bright sparks. Gecov and Kasami have been underused, and Duff when fit has been disappointing. Can't see either him or Davies getting many games in the new year. Forwards - 3/10 As SBM points out, the Zamora situation needs to be resolved quickly, he wants to go, we want him to go. Hopefully we can get a few bob for him in January that we can reinvest in the form of a replacement, Gignac would be ideal. AJ has been very hit and miss, a great game against QPR and Wisla at home but he doesn't have the finishing ability anymore to be our out and out goalscorer. Sa has been woeful (see Odense at home for details) There are plenty of causes for optimism, Frei, Trotta, Briggs, Ruiz and Gecov all look promising but performances and results need to be improved in the second half of the season, and I am confident they will. Probably the transformation won't be as smooth as Hughes's turnaround last season but I am confident things will improve.
Val, I have to agree with your balanced view. No wholesale clearout required, but some specific additions in January. A real pity about BobbyZ, but let him go if he is not up for it.
