We haven`t started brightly, yet again failing in the second half. But what annoys me more is the pre-season mess.
I was convinced after last season that Elliot Omozusi would be Fulham’s no.1 right back, apparently not. So we go down the road to the Premier League’s underachieving / overachieving West Ham to sign possibly their two worst players all last season. (I rate Zamora, Paintsil just looks like he could be the next Bramble).To add to this we ship out Omozusi on loan! Then we sell the loyal Moritz Volz and bring in a relatively unknown quantity in Fredrik Stoor.
I was slightly bemused. However I have never thought that right back is our troubled spot, I more of a believer that Paul Konchesky and before him Frank Quedrue have been our biggest problem for a long, long time. Both have no right foot both are prone to mistakes, Konchesky you don`t see his mistakes as much but if you watch carefully we conceded a bag load of goals down the right wing last year and that`s no coincidence.
There have been some class left backs hanging around; take the £2m for Konchesky Roy! And go buy someone. I would be interested also just to see another youngster get a chance at left back. I have no comment on the centre halves as I think they`re very steady and good Premier League players. Hangeland in particular at times looks very classy.
Besides all this Hodgson did buy well Gera (forget yesterday had a good pre-season) the goalkeepers and in particular Stockdale looks to have something special.
The midfield is changed week in week out at Fulham so its hard to comment but what I can say is Gera is a right winger and so is Davies. Yesterday Gera has chances with his left foot and he squanders them. Hmmm why didn`t we sign a left winger? Seoul the only left sided winger in the team?
I also came back from holiday to find Danny Murphy had been made captain!!! What the hell is that about, Murphy great passer, scores goals – can`t defend and isn`t fit enough nor big enough if you play him with Bullard it won`t work. I wanted to see Steven Davis albeit he is small but a great defensive and attacking player, why do we let him go!! Regardless of whether he wants to go or not.
Another signing I marvelled at was Roy Keane`s signing of Steed Malbranque, in pains me to say it but he`s the best player that we have had in a long, long time and he`s gone to SUNDERLAND!
Christ almighty I would pay £6 million for him any day of the week. Okay it`s irrelevant we had already signed Gera and my previous point about Right wingers, but Steed had a left foot! Also Teemu Tainio one of Hodgson`s Finns! How did he let him slip through the net – Fulham wanting – Big Central midfielder, needs to be good passer and tackler – preferably with previous experience of Roy Hodgson. He would have fitted the bill perfectly don`t you think. I know not everyone will agree with what I`m trying to say but you have to think of it from many perspectives.
Finally I think Roy pulled of a real deal signing Zamora the big man and Andy Johnson the little whippet. Neither player you can question their desire and are both sure to end the season with goals. I leave you with one question who was the last striker to score 20 goals in the top flight for Fulham?
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