http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_2692150,00.html Im all for this! Knight is a pretty abysmal defender, and as shaky as Bocanegra is, the difference between the two is night and day IMO, so i am glad to finally see this off. Shame Villa are gonna get torn apart now though on D. and i want to see what this new Aussie guy Leijer is about back there. Seems like he is next in line, could be plugged in this weekend. Who else does Fulham have back there at center back?
im not sure but maybe moritz volz can play center back..last year he was brilliant im not sure why he hasnt played much this year.
Steven Cohen's comment on Fox Football Fone-In tonight was that Fulham could probably be mid-table without Zat. I think he was joking (a little). Do they have room for Gooch now? Maybe this is why Boswell hasn't been playing much lately.
im a gooch fan, but i know that pairing would be a calamity. Those two are not a good pairing together. Not really sure if there are any EPL teams who would make a move for Gooch right now, unfortunately. His fom at newcastle really put that to rest Im thinking he signs on with a French league team, if he signs anywhere. Marseille, Tolouse, Bordeaux, Sochaux, Lille, Monaco, etc. And yes....Marseille even after their recent signings, still need help at CB. Thats a big team that needs help in the back that might look. but anyways, no more Zat Knight wooo!
Chris Baird, Ian Pearce, Philippe Christanval and Aaron Hughes can all play in the center-right. Baird's been playing on the right and Hughes was injured and is just returning. Pearce and Cristanval are more of a back-up quality. As was Knight ... which is what he'll be for Villa.
Boswell can't get a work permit. Gooch could be an option I guess, but that would just be too many Americans now wouldn't it. Perhaps the Jay Demerit rumor could be re-ignited. By the way, Zat Knight has been improving over the last year and a half. People have been judging him a lot on reputation, and not performances. He's at least better than Titus Bramble
Fulham to rival Rangers for Stefanovic signature Although, as a left-footer, he is more straight Boca competition than a Knight replacement.
I really don't understand this move on Villa's part. Are they that desperate for a defender? Knight just scored an own goal this weekend WHILE PLAYING AGAINST VILLA. And it was a horrendous OG.
I think scouts fall in love with Knight's physical attributes and ignore his obvious failings as a defender. The same can be said of Onyewu. The only difference is Knight is British, and will therefore get many more chances to succeed than Onyewu.
I'd take Knight over Onyewu personally. I very much doubt it's got anything to do with him being British, which would tend to make his transfer fee higher than most clubs would pay. Otoh, very odd move by O'Neil, who I have always been impressed with as a judge of talent. I can only presume that he wants squad cover and that Knight was anxious to move back to the Midlands.
Mellberg wants out and Laursen is often injured. Knight can either rotate, back-up or fill-in. Villa has money to spend and £3M doesn't make one a starting quality. Whereas £3M is the top-of-the-pops for Fulham - a team of "£3M or lower" buys.
Knight's been heand-and-shoulders Fulhams best CB for last season and the few matches played trhis season, though I'm not sure that's saying much given that last season Fulham had the worst defensive record in the league. I am slightly suprised by the £3M tag, but then again he has been fairly steadily improving.
I am a big Parkhurst fan, I am sure he will not be the replacement but I would love it if he was, Boca is a pretty decent enough strong defender, parkhursts smarts and skills may mesh will with boca, he could get a work permit to I believe. Demerit would also be a pretty good choice, I would like Onyewu to go back to the EPL but not playing along side Boca that just doesn't work very well, and will get him out of the EPL for good probably.
Mellberg doesn't want out. Knight will be 4th choice at best behind Laursen, Mellberg and Cahill. I'm not a big fan of his so hopefully he doesn't have to play a lot. The thing that had kept Villa mid-table in recent history has been Doug Ellis but he's gone. Now Martin O'Neill has Lerner's money but he is making some questionable decisions.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/default.stm I believe Mellberg's deal is expiring after thsi season. He may re-sign or he may not. Now, Martin's got cover in either case. I happen to like his moves. I think he is assembling a very good team at Villa Park.
Fulham's depth at center back is pretty thin, so this move surprised me. And for the record, I think Zat Knight has been much more solid thus far this season than Bocanegra has, and I'm a Bocanegra fan.
i agree also surprised me, they must really like this australian is my best guess. good news for Bocanegra though nonetheless, less competition, and i think it will ultimately be better for Sanchez's squad
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=458398&cc=5901 Ah ha ha ha. I know it's not really funny, but hey it kinda is. Right?