Summer '08: Ins and Outs

this is a good observation by Lyle. It would appear that Roy covets mids that have versatility to move around. As I think back to some of our performances at the end of the year, I think about Simon, and Deuce, and Jimmy, and their movement all over the pitch. Gera fits this mold and I've even seen Teymourian (butchered the spelling probably) play in different spots. All I can say is I'm really, really confident in Roy and I'm itching for the new season to start! In Roy We Trust!

 

Yay for more Bosmans out of nowhere! From what I gather, Bolton fans were mostly upset when he was released, so that's a good sign. I don't recall seeing him play much, but the descriptions I've read he sounds like he could be like a younger Alexey Smertin.

 

So, for those of us that are football knowledge challenged. If Bolton would let him go, WHY do we need him? I read depth. Did he not fit into Megson system or is he a CCC player or were they loaded at mid? I would love to know. I guess I am trusting Roy has his reasons. Thanks for keeping this post going.

 

Thanks Don, I missed the season up until late November when the addiction began.

Loading up on midfielders does make sense given what you said......I wonder though if he is looking at getting rid of A player. We have Gera and this new kid, along with Duece, Bullard, Murphy, Andreasen, Davies, I am probably missing one. I don't know....is 7 about what you need given the length of the season and injury protection?

 

As of this moment we have 11 midfielders on the first team per the offal:

Bullard, Dempsey, Davies, Murphy, Gera, Andreason, Andranik, Seol, Smertin, Cook, Bouazza.

I am guessing the last four are either going to be loaned out or sold leaving us seven which would seem a little on the thin side to me. I still expect Roy will be picking up at least one if not two left sided wingers.

Interestingly Steven Davis is listed as "On Loan". I thought his loan deal had officially ended. I may be reading to much into this but I think Roy has decided Mr. Davis will not be returning to Fulham.

 

Agreed, depth is your friend.

I have to figure Roy will bring in one or two new real left-sided players if he lets one or both of Cook and Bouazza go.

Regarding Davis, it looks like a move is on the cards. Seems like a mistake if you ask me; if he's good enough to play for Rangers, he's good enough to play for us. Plus, he's younger than just about all of the other midfielders on that list.

 

Another status-quo signing. Of course Bolton fans were excited, I mean have you seen them play. I bet they'd be excited if freaking Healy was in open space! Anybody that can even dribble the ball at pace is exciting to those lot. The truth is that this guy will not improve our team, only keep us where we are. Give me an honest answer here. Do you really think he's any better than what we already have? The answer is no and he's probably worse than our current midfield crop.

 

Might've been someone Allardyce was trying to bring along slowly. Then the chaos hit Bolton and it certainly seems as if Andranik was left out in the cold during the Megson transition.

Worth taking a risk on. There is always a chance he can develop into more than cover. Part of the problem with Sanchez, in hindsight, was that we were taking too many risks and not balancing that with proven experience in the top flight.

 

I'll tell you, there are some damn smart folks on this site.

My next question would be, apologize if this has been discussed already, who do we want on the left side to complement Davies? Type of player and/or anyone specifically that we would have a shot at getting.

 

I want a player with good pace and good skill on the ball. A player like Arda Turan would be nice, but he'd be too expensive. Olivier Kapo is a decent choice, but he's injured alot. I like Damarcus Beasely. Many people have a problem with him, but he'd be cheap and would be an attacking force, but is also one of those rare wingers that likes to track back and defend.

 

Damn dude, dial back the pessimism a little. You need to have depth too, and at least he's younger than some of what's already on the books.

 

Beasely heh? Haven't seen him play much, sound like you have. I like he is another American and it looks like, based on career stats, he can score a goal here and there. Can he pass and cross? Looks like he didn't play much at the Rangers last year due to injury. Would Rangers let him be part of the Steven Davis transfer signing?

 

DMB is a good dude, but I don't think Rangers would sell him.

 

Doubtful, as he actually scored a few goals for that boring, ineffective, and impotent unit from the wrong side of Glasgow.

 

There's no reason whatsoever for DeMarcus Beasley to want to come to Fulham. It'd be foolish for him to leave Rangers.