Locked: Summer 2007 ins and outs

Hmmmm...would rather see Derby stay a weaker side. Sure they will play more attractive football with Earnshaw, but I would rather the points be easier to pick up against them.

 

Oh yeah, we're going to be in direct competition with them... but I want to see some competition. No more Sunderland 15 point seasons. Derby is going to be the worst team though I bet.

 

Derby will probably finish bottom of the table, but Birmingham and Sunderland look to be fairly dangerous sides. They can stop improving at anytime...please.

So now that Hughes is at the side and Davis' deal to be finalized tomorrow...How are most feeling about Fulham's first two signings?

 

Sweet news about Davis. I'll give it a little more time to see how things shake out before I start looking at the starting XI. At least now we actually have 11 guys on the roster.

 

Based off your signature, you are proposing Dempsey partners McBride up top or a 4-4-1-1 approach?

 

Actually I'd like to see Deuce be an apprentice up top for McBride and spell him or start during midweek/cup competitions. But hopefully he can break the starting XI in some capacity, whether that be forward or midfield. I just don't want to see him ride the bench again.

 

Would be a huge mistake, IMO, to leave Dempsey on the bench. He is one of the more creative and talented attacking options in the side. LS needs to incorporate him into the plans.

 

With the current composition of the squad, I don't see any hinderance to Deuce's inclusion in the first XI.

Come on Fulham!

 

I definitely think Dempsey should be starting, but he might ride the bench if he doesn't fit perfectly into Sanchez's system. Not knowing where to play him, or playing him out of position (where he ends up doing poorly) may see him ride the bench.

I have my doubts how successful Dempsey will be at Fulham next year. Steven Davis on the otherhand probably could start all season long, maybe even replacing Jimmy Bullard permanently if he can't come back from his injury.

 

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hli ... or+Braaten

Fulham has showed interest in Norway's Daniel Braaten (a forward).

 

Looks like a deal for Kamara has finally been struck:

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hli ... ball_home&

Its being reported as 6.5m (4m plus helguson)

If he can continue to improve as he has the last few seasons, he'll be a huge threat in the prem and at 26 still has room to improve. I'm concerned about the price buy maybe Lawrie has earned the trust of the board and he has more than we all think.

Now go get those wingers you need son.

 

I like it. It's a lot to pay but Kamara has shown he can score and a lot of clubs were after him. I like HH, but he is expendable. I really think the CCC is more his level.

 

The same can be said about Kamara, probably even moreso. Kamara has had chances in the Premiership and done nothing, at least Helguson has something of a track record at this level. Remember, Helguson also scored 20 goals in the CCC, and he did it playing for a Watford team that finished 18th in the table and had about 2/3 WBA's offensive capabilities. I honestly think Helguson is the better player, so I'm a bit disappointed that we're giving up him AND cash to get Kamara.

 

LS is starting to make good on the number of signings he intends to make. Believe by Monday both Kamara and Davis will be in the side with a few more coming soon.

I for one will be a bit saddened to see Helguson go as he is a tireless worker, but changes need to be made. Fulham was stagnant in attack and very few goals were scored last season. Helguson's main strength is heading the ball and Fulham have McBride, a better header of the ball, to take care of that. Kamara will add a new edge to the attack and he will coming into Fulham attempting to prove he can perform at this level consistently.

 

True, Kamara didn't tear up the EPL the last time around. But it is two years on and hopefully he is an improved player. In the meantime, HH got his shot and did very little with it. He scored a few PK's, picked up some stupid yellow cards, and otherwise was a fairly anonymous squad player. And, as T_of_McB pointed out, HH is a similar player to McBride. Except he is not as good, which, in my mind, makes him expendable.

 

Well said, Martin. I think Kamara is a clear upgrade on Helguson and so far I'm quietly optimistic about these signings. But as Mike said, now it's time for some wingers.

 

Three quality signings IMO. Not disappointed about any of them. Kamara adds a well need edge to the attack, Davis will be a fan favorite and do a great job bossing the midfield and Hughes is a solid utility defender that gives Fulham options at the back. LS is making some wise signings in the transfer market.

 

Seems like a lot to pay for Kamara. I'd rather see Collins John get that playing time; I have a bad feeling that we're going to sell him for a bargain-basement price and he's going to go score a lot of goals for someone else.

 

Don't sell Kamara short just yet. Remember these names of strikers who have made the successful jump from the Championship to the Premiership:

Andy Johnson
Leroy Lita
Darren Bent
Dean Ashton
Kevin Doyle

I am not saying Diomansy Kamara is a sure thing to succeed and the price seems a bit high, but with Brian McBride probably on his way out after this coming season, a striker was desperately needed and at least Kamara has some experience in England and is relatively young at 26.

I have faith and belief that Kamara has figured out what it takes to succeed at this level. I am hoping for 10-20 out of him this season. That is asking a lot, but I think he is capable of that given his pace and experience playing in England.

 

Well having a striker that is not very similar to McBride up front is good news. You can't have two guys who are both better at heading the ball into the net than they are kicking the ball into the net. Kamara is younger and he's demonstrated his ability down in the CCC.