Contract Status - Just for discussion

What are your thoughts on who will be back beyond the end of the season? These contract dates may or may not be entirely accurate.

17 players under contact beyond 2013 or unknown

Goalkeepers
13 David Stockdale - Summer 2015 - At least one of Stockdale or Ethridge will not return. The other may not as well.
38 Neil Etheridge - ? - At least one of Stockdale or Ethridge will not return. The other may not as well.

Defenders
3 John Arne Riise - Summer 2014 - Leaves only if a direct replacement if found.
4 Philippe Senderos - Summer 2014 - In the squad.
18 Aaron Hughes - Summer 2014 - Depends on Hughes desire to be favored for a starting position and the clubs desire to move for a younger defender.
5 Brede Hangeland - Summer 2015 - In the squad.
17 Matthew Briggs - ? - It may be time for Briggs to seek work elsewhere.

Midfielders
7 Steve Sidwell - Summer 2014 - In the squad.
16 Damien Duff - Summer 2014 - In the squad.
31 Alexander Kačaniklić - Summer 2014 - There is a small chance that either Frei of Kaca will be sold.
8 Pajtim Kasami - Summer 2015 - In the squad.
15 Kieran Richardson - Summer 2015 - In the squad.
21 Kerim Frei - Summer 2015 - There is a small chance that either Frei of Kaca will be sold.
24 Ashkan Dejagah - Summer 2015 - In the squad.

Forwards
9 Dimitar Berbatov - Summer 2014 - In the squad.
11 Bryan Ruiz - Summer 2015 - In the squad.
20 Hugo Rodallega - Summer 2015 - More likely than Berba or Ruiz but I think the odds are slim.

12 players with contacts ending in 2013 with or without an option

Goalkeepers1 Mark Schwarzer Mark Schwarzer - Summer 2013 - More likely than not to return. Flip a coin.
22 Csaba Somogyi - Summer 2013 - If he wants to play he will leave.

Defenders
27 Sascha Riether - Summer 2013 - Probability to return is very high.
6 Chris Baird - Summer 2013 - Expect a replacement.
25 Stanislav Manolev - Summer 2013 - Entirely up to the club. Fulham may be looking for a new left back and Manolev could be the roster spot if it is not a midfielder.

Midfielders
12 Emmanuel Frimpong - Summer 2013 - Jol seems to like him. Frimpong won't want to come off the bench. I am skeptical.
14 Giorgos Karagounis - Summer 2013 - I think the club will offer one year.
19 Mahamadou Diarra - Summer 2013 - Expect a replacement.
28 Urby Emanuelson - Summer 2013 - Expect a replacement.
29 Simon Davies - Summer 2013 - Expect a replacement.
33 Eyong Enoh - Summer 2013 - With the number of midfielders needed I am guessing this option will be exercised for numbers.

Forwards
10 Mladen Petrić - Summer 2013 - Expect a replacement. I like Petric but I doubt he will want to sit behind Berbatov.

 

:clap: Great stuff Barry;

GKs: Hull looking at worst to make promotion playoffs (sitting in automatic 2nd place), and if they get promoted Stockers will be purchased by them.

Defenders: Think the club will loan out Briggs again, The question is will Hughes want to be cover, and given Senderos' injury history it might be wise to stay, The bigger issue is Sacha, the POY for me and a must buy permanently.

Mids: Kasami was dealt but for a technicality, so he'll be one of the first to go. I hope Frei and Kaca are given the chance to compete for places.

Forwards: Concur about Petric

 

Regarding Manolev I have some inside info from Bulgarian media
They are saying that if he does not play for Fulham these few games he could very well be send back to PSV because as of right now he is on loan to us.

 

Please ignore my brainfart re Stockdale - and I agree, if Hull go up, he's going with them.

Apparently, Enoh was solid against Newcastle. What's his story? (as i'm too lazy to use the google machine).

Spurs miss out on CL and Demps is loaned back. (I can hope, right?)

 

Kasami was a cut and paste error on my part. Good catch because I think you are right and he will be gone.

Nev - Enoh is around 26, has previously played for Jol and is on loan from Ajax (I think). I believe Fulham have an option to sign him over the summer.

 

Without knowing our budget for next year, it's really hard to say. If it's a small budget, I think we'll likely see more of the over 30 crowd return. If Jol has some money to spend to upgrade positions, players like Diarra, Karagounis, Baird & Petric etc may not be back. Of course, that'll also come down to what they want and their willingness to be bench players. The forward slot is going to be the toughest to fill if Petric goes b/c unless Berbatov gets hurt, that player isn't seeing time.

I really can't get a read on the goalkeeping situation. I'd thought earlier in the year that this was definitely going to be Schwarzer's swan song with us. Now, we may just be looking for a backup. Maybe not though if the Mihaylov or Begovic rumors have any legs.

Of the loanees, I think it's imperative we retain Reither. Beyond that, I don't think we have enough info on Enoh or Frimpong to say. Enoh appears to be the more ready product and his age would indicate that as well, but there are question marks with both players. I also wouldn't read too much into the Newcastle game as they didn't play under the same set of circumstances. We have no option to retain Emanuelson, so he's gone.

Of the youngsters, I wouldn't throw any of them out unless they want out. I don't think we've seen enough of any of them to say they're ready, but they're also very young and I dont' really understand why our fans seem to have this impatient mindset that they've got to be in the starting 11 now or we have to ship them. Some may just have to spend some more time on the bench (or on loan) before they're ready. This happens in football and other sports the world over.