I have to imagine this is good for Clint, considering the praise Sanchez bestowed upon him: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=429337&cc=5901
Guess the Healy to Fulham rumors can pick up. In semi-related news, Clint Dempsey apparently wants to play soccer rather than watch it. Makes sense to me. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=429257&cc=5901
Well, I spose this is good news for Clint, and hopefully good news for Fulham (I think Lawrie will do well with some actual prep time).....although bad news for Northern Ireland....unless they can find a solid replacement, their Euro 2008 dreams may fall apart....
There are quite a few rumors regarding players coming (Healy) or going (Knight) at this moment. Fulham needs remodeling.
He could pull a Stuart Pearce and pull double duty. On second thought, look where it has landed Pearce and Citeh! Lawrie did wonders at Wycome and has revolutionized the Northern Irish national team and I think (fingers crossed) he will de a bit of fresh air for Fulham.
Why neutral for Boca? Because he's now seen as a starter and should continue to be, or becuase he'll continue to be in and out? As an old Reading man, i root for him. But he's going to be up against it, and I see Sanchez having a very difficult year. He's never built a team at this level (sorry wycombe), and he's heading into one of the trully tough prem seasons, with both the expanded cash meaning folks are loaded, and two of the teams coming up being significantly bigger than fulham. Fulham will be odds on for relegation, and not sure I'd want a prem novice in charge. I hope I'm wrong.
This was posted on Football Rumours (which seems to have accuracy in the low teens) but, as usual, it's a decent blueprint for possible activities. Nw, I happen to think that Gordon and Nakamura rumors are rubbish because they'd serve to replace Fulham's best players in Niemi (when he's not injured) and Bullard (ditto). Plus, they can get offers from other clubs. However, getting rid of Knight and bringing in a vet like Hyppia and a young but talented defender like Pique will probably be the road Fulham will take. Getting Bendtner on loan would also be super cool, though not as likely.
what you said. they have needs all over the pitch, and not anywhere close to enough money to fill them with what the market will command next season. they dodged a bullet this year but next season will be very tough. here's to hoping that McBride has another season left in him, that Dempsey sparkles and that Sanchez can find 1 or 2 diamonds in the rough.
He (just) did, I think--my understanding was that he was still technically in charge of NI while acting as caretaker of Fulham, even though NI's next major fixture isn't until like August or something. It's an odd decision, in some ways, since you might say he had a good thing going with NI, in that he had already exceeded expectations--they may end up not qualifying, but Sanchez at least had them on a run of form that belied years of struggling. I'm not sure Fulham is the most stable of situations for a first-time Prem manager, but I bet the money's pretty good.
i know this isn't the place for this question but why would he leave NI when they're on a sensational and historic run? i guess i just don't understand coaches sometimes...
Personality-wise, I think Dempsey would fit great with Bullard. On a formation, anyone have an idea how that works? Don't they play a similar position? I would almost rather see Bullard on right midfield, and Clint tucked in behind the strikers than other way around. I'm not convinced of Clint on the right, but I think he could really create/score in center of pitch- allowed to roam left or right (with fewer defensive responsibilities)
It's funny, I see it as the exact opposite. There are gonna be, as I see it, 2 dubious teams that survive, Fulham and either Wigan or Sheffield United. (Maybe 3.) Promoted teams are always dicey, especially the playoff winner. Newcastle and Man City ended the season as wrecks. Who knows if that will carry over. I am not convinced Southgate is up to the job; if Woodgate gets hurt, look out. Bolton is an old club getting a new manager; you've got to think there's a decent chance that they collapse next year. Reading look very solid, and I think Coppell is smarter than Jewell and Pardew, the two guys who led the clubs who were last year's Readings, but you have to acknowledge the reality of the sophomore slump. I was just thinking about this today, because 2 of the 3 teams I predicted would relegate are the two already down, and I was thinking about next year. At this moment, I see about half the Prem as clubs you could make a pretty good case for as relegation candidates. As a guy who roots for Fulham's Yanks, that helps their chances. (I'd still pick them to relegate at this moment. I'm just saying that I see alot of questionable teams going into next season.)
West Ham and Wigan thought the same thing before the season. Interim managers who become full time managers don't always work in the long run. And with so many good teams and players entering the premiership it's a harder for a team like Fulham that doesn't spend a lot to survive.
They thought the Prem was going to have alot of crap teams this year? Really? Well, they were right then...look at some of the teams that are going to survive. Newcastle "we can't score at home" United, Fulham "let's win one game in the last 2 months of the season" Football Club, and West "we were dead and buried before our illegal player carried us to a tremendous hot streak" Ham.
It's amazing that, at this level and with so much money involved, that footballing decisionmakers are so hoodwinked by a little international run of form. Truly.