Here is a blog which sets out the question I think we have all been asking: "From hero to zero; that seems to have been the path of the Iranian winger in the eyes of Martin Jol. Having been one of Fulham’s best players last season – although that doesn’t say a huge amount – Ashkan Dejagah has been conspicuous by his absence so far this term. He was allowed 84 minutes in the League Cup tie at Burton a few weeks ago but has failed to make the first team squad on every other occasion. Something is up. In April, Dejagah’s season came to a premature end after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in the game against QPR; maybe he’s struggling to get back to full fitness. Maybe he’ll get more game time in the League Cup game against Everton on Tuesday night. Jol has made it clear that he needs to prove he’s first choice in his position but surely the Dutchman can see that his team is currently totally unbalanced; Dejagah is the answer to his problems. While personnel seem to change with alarming regularity under his leadership, the one constant is Jol’s tactical set-up. Four at the back, two deep holding midfielders, two attacking wide men, someone in the hole between midfield and attack, and a lone striker; it never changes. Yet the attacking wingers need to bring plenty to the party; they need pace for the counter, the ability to drive at the opposition full back and beat them both ways, and the work-rate to get back and provide cover for their respective full backs. Dejagah is the only Fulham player fully capable of ticking all of these boxes. Damian Duff works hard but he hasn’t beaten his man since the mid-2000s; Adel Taarabt is a very talented footballer but he has never been someone to stick to his wing, let alone track back; while Bryan Ruiz is no winger and provides an unhelpful handbrake every time he is used out wide. Only Alex Kacaniklic can maybe claim to perform a similar all-action wide role, although he still has a tendency to drift in and out of games. As an opposition manager facing the Cottagers, you don’t have to be a tactical genius to pinpoint the isolated Fulham full back as our main area of weakness. Dejagah’s right-sided partnership with Sascha Riether was one of the highlights of last season. The Iranian’s drive, hard work and pace caused no end of problems for opposition full backs. But above all, he provided a huge amount of tactical stability to the side; we will struggle until that is resolved. We are in desperate need of balance; we are in desperate need of Dejagah." With thanks to Henry Hoare who wrote the article: http://pickourteam.com/premierleagu.../where-is-ashkan-dejagah/847738#ixzz2fRtH5AD0
This is a curious one. Cannot deny that his ability to attack at pace was really effective for us last season and as the article implies his partnership with Riether was fantastic. I can only assume that he hasn't recovered fully from his injury. Does anyone know if he featured much in the pre season friendlies ?
He's not injured froggy and that has been confirmed by Sarah Brookes our PR person. He took part in the last of the close season games in Costa Rica but on the left wing (Kasami was on the right) and wasn't very impressive. Also started the game against Wolfsburg but from memory that's it until the Burton game mentioned in the Blog. As I said in the other post, he is either disasterously out of favour or form.
Here's Jol's comments.... MARTIN Jol has told Ashkan Dejagah he must fight for his place in Fulham's first-team squad. The Iranian international winger made 24 appearances for the Whites last season before an ankle injury ruled him out for the final two months of the campaign. But Dejagah has featured just once for the Whites this term – in the Capital One Cup win at Burton last month – and is way down the pecking order at Craven Cottage. Bryan Ruiz and Damien Duff are ahead of him in the queue while even rookie Buomesca Tue Na Bangna was preferred to the 27-year-old for Saturday's derby defeat at Chelsea. Dejagah could get a rare chance to impress against Everton tonight, but Jol has demanded more from the the former Wolfsburg star. He said: “I want a number one in every position. On that wing I've got Dejagah, Damien Duff, Bryan Ruiz and Mesca. They have to fight for their place. “The only thing I say to Dejagah is you have to show us that you're the number one, and the same applies to Damien.” Read more: Fulham Chronicle
I might have to stop blaming Ruiz for his awful performances and put it down to Jol... Ruiz a winger? Better than Dejagah? Give us a break Jol!
Jol's comments on Dejagah...very odd. One of our most improved players before the injury. I just don't get it.
Indeed, very odd. And no real explanation why he has been dropped. Is he, like Boateng, being asked to change his style of play and hasn't? He was played on the left in the friendlies against Betis and Parma which was just plain silly. His current form might not be as good as before his injury but it would be difficult to see him doing any worse than those that have played on the right so far in premiership games. Not least because they have inhibited the attacking strengths of Sascha Riether.
I can't remember where, but didn't you post something about him being given extended leave for personal reasons, C58? Any more on that?
A couple of points on this subject. DJ had to undergo an operation on his ankle and it was the first major injury he has ever suffered. As someone who has been cursed by ankle injuries his whole life they are not nice. No matter what your recovery is like it never feels the same again. I wonder whether he is fully confident enough to accelerate as he used to or to run as fast as he could. Psychologically these sort of things can really play on your mind. Add to that the fact that this is his first major injury suggests to me that he is just taking a lot longer to get over the injury that we think. One thing is for certain, if we all saw how good he and Riether played alongside each other, then Martin Jol and his team would have as well. Therefore, it can only be assumed that he is not doing too well in training. I really hope that given time he will return and be capable of emulating his form last year.
Ashkhan played 65 minutes for his country mid-week, but it sounds as though we'll be waiting a bit before seeing him at Fulham. Jol said today, "I’ve got, as I said before, a few options on the flank – especially on that flank – so first he must be 100 per cent fit,” the Dutchman explained. “I told him a couple of weeks ago that I want him to be the number one but, of course, I want Damien Duff to be the number one, I want Bryan Ruiz to be the number one. “They have to compete for their places so, of course, if he’s not fit, 100 per cent fit, he won’t be in contention. As soon as he’s fit, and he wasn’t until now because he had a big injury, then he’ll be back in the squad.”
Same old nonsense then. 'Compete for places', so what exactly have the likes of Duff/Berbatov/Sidwell etc done this season to warrant being selected? Ashkan was our best midfielder last season and now he has to prove himself? What nonsense. Along with Parker, he should be the first name on the team sheet.
Jol is dropping lots of nonsense comments these days which makes me wonder on his mental capability...
