Winter Transfer Window

This transfer window will be interesting because it is Kit Symons first chance to have a say on who's on the roster besides making some loan moves. Fulham is clearly a different team since Kit took over. Despite three disappointing matches, we are still in a far better place than under Magath. I looked at how Kit modified the roster since taking over and there were four clear winners:

1. Bryan Ruiz: started 0% of matches under Magath and 85% under Symons
2. Lasse Vigen Christensen: started 12.5% of matches under Magath and 90% under Symons
3. Hugo Rodallega: started 25% of matches under Magath and 90% under Symons
4. Marcus Bettinelli: started 25% of matches under Magath and 90% under Symons

There were fewer clear "losers" since Magath's lineups were so inconsistent, but there were a few:

1. Chris David: started 50% of matches under Magath and 0% under Symons
2. Cameron Burgess: started 50% of matches under Magath and 0% under Symons
3. Cauley Woodrow: started 50% of matches under Magath and 10% under Symons
4. Kay Voser: started 37% of matches under Magath and 0% under Symons

Of the winners it seems like Ruiz is a good bet to leave. He's the only person who has won more than 50% of the matches he has started this season. I wonder how Kit will replace him - a different shape or a 1-to-1 swap. I'm more worried about those Aston Villa rumors regarding Christensen - and his health. Losing him would be significant. Rodallega will hopefully stick around and I can't imagine Bettinelli going anywhere.

Our best form was when we had Stafylidis on the left mid-field rather than defense. With Amorebieta out, Stafylidis is back on defense with Williams or Fofana playing the left mid-field. I don't know if that means we need another back for the left side so Stafylidis can move up again or if we need some new options for the left mid-field. And how does Kacaniklic fit into this equation?

Hopefully Kit can use this window to clear out some of the cruft brought in by Magath, keep some of the talent he's found, and shore up our weak spots.

 

I honestly don't know how I feel about Ruiz. On the one hand, the results have been obvious since he's been reinserted by Kit into the starting lineup. On the other, I think his game's too soft for English football. In the long run, I suppose it's better if he goes during this window.
Christensen is another matter. We basically discovered and developed him, so I would hate to lose him.
He's easily been our most impressive, improved player this season.
It will certainly be interesting to see what the braintrust comes up with this month. I hope they find more than a couple of hidden jewels that can help us at least move up the table, if not challenge for a playoff spot. I think bringing back Kacanicklic early from loan is the first move. Stafylidis is better further up the pitch. Defenders? Depends on how quickly Amorebieta and Hoogland get well. I think we miss them more than anything.

 

Ruiz should move along on age alone. I just hope we can replace that creativity as well as upgrade the central midfield. That's been our Achilles heel for far too long.

 

Ruiz will most likely go, the question is what will the price be? And will it be enough to reinvest?

 

For you? No. For a player on a Championship team that is likely to be stuck in that division for at least another year? Yeah, especially given his reputation and sale value. So I'd hold off on investing in a wheel chair. Besides, a scooter looks like more fun.

 

I'm dead.

But, I think a sell-on for Ruiz when some value can be obtained and more importantly, when a quality replacement can be inserted, cannot be underestimated. On the contrary, the club could just keep him and let him wind up his career at Fulham. I'm not opposed to such thinking...but in general, I don't think much.

 

Trotta has gone back home:

Can't remember him doing much of anything, but I guess that's because I don't follow Brentford - OMG! According to Wikipedia he went against his manager's wishes and took the PK that he missed and thus cost automatic promotion.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/09/trotta-departs

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30642789

Moussa Dembele: Fulham forward extends contract until 2016

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30834570

Ross County have signed Fulham central defender Cameron Burgess on loan until the end of the season.

 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30836835

Fulham youngster George Williams has signed an extension to his contract with the Championship club.

 

Good to see us signing our youngsters long term. There's a nice piece on HammyEnd about the importance of holding on to our young players and allowing them to develop in the Championship. Since promotion is very unlikely, we need to give our youngsters as many minutes as we can. Maybe sign a couple more experienced players to fill in the gaps in the squad.

 

Fotheringham is gone. Contract terminated by mutual consent. Bringing this guy in, along with Kiraly, we're about the most head-scratching deals we've made in my ten or so years supporting the club. Thanks Magath... go rub some cheese on it.

 

Not a done deal yet, but almost. Amazing none of the big clubs or ones in contention in a big league don't want him. I guess they were the only team to come close to what we were asking. http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/31/bryan-ruiz-statement

 

Just looked it up. They're currently 19th in La Liga. Joy.

 

We have always been terrible at selling players. Looks like that hasn't changed. Bullard to Hull was probably our last coup.

 

So Fulham are going to save the cost of Ruiz's wages? Sometimes I truly wonder what drives certain decisions at Fulham.

 

I've got no problem dumping Ruiz at this point. I'd rather get something for him now than nothing in 6 months. This transfer window has clearly been about lessening the squad size (and wage bill), and signing our youngsters long-term. Definitely not sexy, but I think it makes a lot of sense. As a fan I'd love to see a big signing, but there isn't typically much to be had in January, and anyone who is available is usually overpriced. At this point I can't see us bringing in anyone of note. The players we've been linked with aren't coming to Fulham: Huth is off the Leicester, Dorrans to Burnley or Norwich.

We aren't going up or down this season, so give our young players a chance to develop and save our cash for improving the squad this summer.

 

Not sure I'd class loaning Ruiz out for 5 months as getting something for him, but according to rumors, he wanted out, so the move was inevitable. I have concerns about losing his creativity if we don't bring someone else in or go to a style with more width & crossing. We should still stay up though...should.