Summer '08: Ins and Outs

What about Otis Nixon from the mid-90's Atlanta Braves?

Or Popeye Jones from the Dallas Mavericks? I read the funniest line about him -- "He has a face that looks like it was made from spare parts"

 

I had not yet heard that rumor. It would sadden me greatly if it were true. It seems to be rather unsubstantiated in any case.

For what it's worth, the (unlinked) article that was pasted into TFI said the following:

I was under the impression that Gera was out of contract this summer and that he'd be a free signing like Schwarzer was, though I might be mistaken; if that's the case, Roy wouldn't need to be selling players (especially fan favorites) to fund his signing.

 

HAVE SOME OF THAT!

http://www.fulhamusa.com/modules.php?op ... =0&thold=0

 

Gera is an excellent signing. I have liked him since the last time West Brom was in the Premier League. He is creative and can score goals from the midfield. He will definitely help us out. I just hope this does not mean Jimmy is on his way out. I would love to see a midfield of Bullard and Gera in the center of the park. That would be nice.

 

I'll take Woy at his word that Bully is here for next year -- who would you believe, Woy or some bored British tabloid writers looking to stir something up?

 

Hodgson: Bullard Is Key

He must feel pretty strongly about this to actually make a statement about it; if managers refuted every unfounded rumor that got reported by the tabloids, they'd have little time left to actually manage.

Mike, am I right that Gera will be a free transfer? I'd be intrigued to see the results of Fulham playing a 4-3-3/4-5-1 with Andreasen behind Bullard and Murphy/Gera in central midfield.

 

Yep, Gera is a free. WBA's official site has confirmed that he has signed with Fulham, though ours hasn't said so yet. Probably pending a physical, so I'd expect it to be announced tomorrow. Lineup guess:

-------------------Schwarzer-------------------
--Omozusi--Hughes--Hangeland--Konchesky
-------------Dempsey--Andreasen------------
--------Davies------Bullard------Gera---------
-----------(please let this be Cisse)-----------

 

Dempsey as a defensive midfielder? I'm not sure that's such a great idea.

 

Statistically, he's actually quite good as far as making tackles, clearances, interceptions, blocks, etc. His passing has improved considerably since Roy took over too. He can do everything you would expect out of a defensive mid, but he just hasn't really been tried there.

And not to get all Chris Coleman on you guys and suggest changing everybody's position, but I also think Seol would make a decent fullback.

 

I can't wait till next season!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox77H6N1MEU

 

From our boy Barra:

Gera will sign pending final medical detail

Bouazza may be going to Charlton on loan for a season or as part of a deal to sign Zeng Zhi(spelling?)

Hull and Leeds both want David Healy.
Hull still want Niemi

Season tickets sales have been excellent and are well up on last season at this stage.

The neutral end will be judhed game to game as the club were well happy with how the fans responded at the end of the season with the neutral section averaging 74% Fulham for the last 6 home games.

BARRA
FTID
DSTM

 

Bouazza to Charlton . . I hate when we loan out or sell players I really like.

Hull can have Niemi. Dude is shellshocked, he's damaged goods, I never want to see him in a Fulham shirt again.

If David Healy went to Leeds, I'll bet you he scores a shitload of goals next season. He needs to stay with us and show what he's worth, damnit.

 

Gotta concur w/sublicon on Healy. Yes, he needs the right strike partner, but a very useful squad player (especially for cup matches), from the sounds a team-first attitude, and when given time on the pitch will chip in w/goals. Unless someone makes an offer that can't be refused, keep him.

 

What, in League One? Well, sure, but so would EJ or Nevland or Kamara. I think we discovered early on this past season that success at a lower level doesn't guarantee success in the Premier League.

I don't know anything about Zheng Zhi but from reading up, seems like he plays central midfield or as a withdrawn forward for Charlton. 12 goals in 41 appearances for China, 8 in 54 for Charlton between the past two seasons. FourFourTwo rated him the fifth-best player playing in England below the Premier League this past season, ahead of Gera (10th) and Jay DeMerit (19th). Might be a good pickup, but swapping Bouazza for him doesn't seem to make a ton of sense in that he's not really a prospect (28 in August) and doesn't seem like he'd be a significant upgrade (if he'd be on at all) over Bullard or Murphy or Gera (if/when he's officially signed) or Andreasen or Davis (if he comes back from his loan) or Smertin (if he stays around).

 

that's a lot of "or".

 

Gera signing announced on the offal.

I thought it was interesting that Hodgson said he was a versitile midfielder who could also play striker. Maybe Roy is finding his striking options so poor he is planning on playing a 4-3-3 with all midfielders upfront:


Schwartzer

?-Hughes_Hangeland_PK

Davies_Andreason_Dempsey

Gera_Bullard_Kamara

Nah, I didn't really think so either.

 

I'm in celebration mode. Gera was a player I wanted Fulham to go after.

We not only gained ourselves an extremely skilled talent, but we also took away the most vital cog in West Brom's squad. Machiavelli would be proud.

He was the man most responsible for keeping West Brom up and the guy they missed the most when they were relegated. He is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. After losing McBride, we needed that kind of addition to the squad.

I've seen some health concerns expressed in other areas. But Gera has played over 40 matches per season for the last two years. Considering the physical style of the Championship, I think we have every reason to believe he can stay healthy for us.

Can't wait to see who Roy can bring in next. The signings he's made so far are the kind that can keep us from having heart palpitations in late April.

 

Very much so. All I'm waiting for now is for Schwartzer to admit that the ball crossed the line last year. Apologies if that crack was already made.