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Any hope of signing Brazilian striker Jo to a deal at Fulham is dead. Everton renewed its' loan for the 22-year old on Friday ending speculation that he might be on his way to Craven Cottage.
While I was hoping Fulham would snap up Jo, I figured it was a long shot for Roy Hodgson to reel him in. He showed in his loan spell at Everton last season that he has what it takes to play in the Premier League. Unfortunately, he will not be plying that trade at Fulham in the upcoming season.
What I have gathered in reading blogs, websites and other such sources is that Fulham will likely not be making a huge splash this summer by signing any big name players. Perhaps I will be wrong and Peter Crouch will join the team but from what I see, this summer is all about signing reinforcements to add depth to the squad.
It looks as though Roy Hodgson is happy with the team he has and only wants to bring in role players who can start here and there and came come off the bench to provide adequate backup for the starters week in and week out.
Names like Keith Andrews, Neil Kilkenny, Jonathan Greening, Jozy Altidore and Paul Scharner have been mentioned throughout the summer as players who could be coming to Craven Cottage. Of those names, Paul Scharner is the only I feel could start on a weekly basis for the Cottagers. The other players will likely start from time to time and be given plenty of opportunities off the bench. These players are not bad players but I do not feel any one of them can replace any of the current starters barring the fact that none of the regulars get hurt.
When competing in a European competition and playing the extra games, it is very important to have depth in all positions so the team does not wear down as the season progresses. What we have to keep in mind is while the Europa League is going to be an exciting adventure for the club, the Premier League still has to be the main priority.
While I would love to see Fulham win the Europa League I would be just as excited to see them repeat last season's league performance of 7th place.
That being said, where do you stand on that issue? Would you rather see Fulham do well in the Europa League or the Premier League if you had to choose between the two?
Finally, the latest word on Simon Davies is that he might miss the first few matches of the regular season while recovering from knee surgery this summer. That would be a blow, but this is where the aforementioned depth will come into play.
Comments
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Posted by Nordy on 07/11/2009
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Posted by James on 07/11/2009
As long as Fulham Advances to the Group Stage of the Europa League, I'll see it as a successful campaign. Considering that Fulham will play either a team from Malta or Israel in the Third qualifying round, it seems like we have a very good chance to make it to the Play-off round, at which point it looks like the quality of opponent will be on pretty equal terms to us. All this would take place before the first kick in the Premier League, and from there we could simply roll with the momentum and see where Europa League takes us, but focus more on the Premiership.
As a side note, I read someplace that Fulham was preparing to offer Peter Crouch 75,000 pounds a week, while balking at offering Clint Dempsey more than 30,000 in a new contract. While these numbers may be estimates, I offer you a question. Which would you rather have, Lock up Dempsey to a long term deal, or bring in Peter Crouch at that price? I'd vote Dempsey, but then again, I'm an American.
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Posted by RH on 07/11/2009
I don't agree with the sentiment that we should be happy with a similar position this term. 7th was achieved, and Europe being a platform to cement some pride and ambition, a league finish loftier than one managed last term ought to be the real focus.
We get overawed by all that cash being splashed about by the fat cats, but there is absolutely no reason why astute management and a realistic shopping list shouldn't see to a higher finish - even 5th.
I posted here in earlier weeks explicitly stating the likes of Jo were not realistic targets with our present stature/wage structure etc, but as Wolfsburg have shown in Germany, being small need not be a hindrance.
Concentrating on the few spots requiring overhaul/reinforcement should be priority. For example, Maniche, former CL winner with Porto and a regular in Europe with Inter and Atletico, is available on a free and would fancy another crack at England. Must keep BH and CD, get Scharner and Rosina or Krancjar plus a striker: Petric?
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Posted by RH on 07/11/2009
re Nordy's question:
I am NOT American but Dempsey, hands down. Proven performer who, frankly, makes us tick. Considering he's only contracted for another year and would want to move on (lets not fool ourselves), its a toss-up between dangling better terms or finishing higher than last season (achievable, given transfer money spent judiciously) to make him stay. I reckon a better, stronger squad and higher finish should persuade him to sign on. Some might cackle but it can be done.
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Posted by Chicago on 07/13/2009
I agree with the sentiment to keep Dempsey over signing Crouch. Why not do both, though? I wonder if Hodgson is thinking that it's going to be tough to keep Dempsey long term anyway, so why raise his wages now. I am American and I love Fulham, so it's nice having some Yanks on the team, but for the good of Fulham, I trust Hodgson to do what's right.
As for Europa vs. Premier League . . . I think the Cottagers will have a tough time repeating 7th place. Tottenham and Man City are going to be improved. West Ham will be good, too. Obviously, Fulham are not going to pass the big four, and Everton are pretty well established as a Europa team. Therefore, if I had to choose between 7th place and a run (is a victory hoping for too much?) in the Europa, I'd rather have the latter.
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Posted by Theodore Bennett on 07/13/2009
How about Oba Martins of Newcastle last year? He makes things happen and could be better with better players around him...
I think, for the most part, you have to play each match as it is your last. Thus, I think the clubs suffer who do not put their best foot forward each match. For examples, Aston Villa in the UEFA Cup and Manchester United in the FA Cup. Villa would have done better in the League had they played to win in the Ukraine and Man U may have won the Champions League as well as FA Cup had they put the best foot forward.
I do not think it necessarily be an OR situation but an AND situation. Teams need to find AND maintain momentum. And that is found in the moment. Sir Roy will know what to do, given about four more quality players, in both Europe and the League.
Mahalo!
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Posted by Daniel on 07/16/2009
@James
How do you know Fulham are playing a club from Malta or Israel? You must mean the winner of Sliema Wanderers and Maccabi Netanya but I'm not sure how you would know that, that match doesn't line up with Fulham in the list of seeds...
Posted by Theodore Bennett on 07/22/2009
What happened? Did our blog bog??? Dale Johnson had an interesting best of three case scenario re: Peter Crouch. Much of Fulham's attack depends on headers near and far post and in between.
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Phil Mison is a lifelong follower of Fulham FC. As a broadcaster, writer and sports producer he has supplied past club videos and numerous articles on FFC. LBC Radio's Fulham correspondent 1988-1993 and Sky Sports’ reporter for the 1996-97 promotion season. Professionally Phil delivers football content to the highest level both overseas and across the UK via TV, radio and mobile.
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