Would anyone have dickson etuhu back?

[dannyboi-ffc]

First of all let me say I was never a fan, murphy made him look like a passenger but it seemed to work. He knew his role and was quite consistent with it. His ability let him down, he was very limited but his physique more than made up for it in those 50/50 midfield duels. For me he was a poor man's diop.

But he is a free agent I think, hasnt played hardly at all at blackburn since he left but if his body is still the same I would consider it. We are a bit light in the middle and he's the type that would allow the more gifted players the freedom to express themselves. Im convinced parker will be in the side and the captain but maybe im wrong and the dickson of old would fit like a glove in that diamond we seem to be playing.

Question is, is his body still up to it and is it worth going back? Im not sure but hes 32 and I think its something worth considering.

[sunburywhite]

Johnathan Greening is free as well

Would make a great pairing

[Craven Mad]

Nope. Nope. Nope.

I would seriously rather Danny came out of retirement and played for us. As you say, Dickson wasn't great when he played for us in his prime, why would we want him now? Plus his game heavily relies on athleticism - unlike Murphy - which will be all-but-gone at his age and after injury.

[PeterFFC]

First of all let me say I was never a fan, murphy made him look like a passenger but it seemed to work. He knew his role and was quite consistent with it. His ability let him down, he was very limited but his physique more than made up for it in those 50/50 midfield duels. For me he was a poor man's diop.

But he is a free agent I think, hasnt played hardly at all at blackburn since he left but if his body is still the same I would consider it. We are a bit light in the middle and he's the type that would allow the more gifted players the freedom to express themselves. Im convinced parker will be in the side and the captain but maybe im wrong and the dickson of old would fit like a glove in that diamond we seem to be playing.

Question is, is his body still up to it and is it worth going back? Im not sure but hes 32 and I think its something worth considering.

Probably a good reason he didn't play much at Blackburn.

[dannyboi-ffc]

Nope. Nope. Nope.

I would seriously rather Danny came out of retirement and played for us. As you say, Dickson wasn't great when he played for us in his prime, why would we want him now? Plus his game heavily relies on athleticism - unlike Murphy - which will be all-but-gone at his age and after injury.

I didnt say I wanted him and if it came down to it I wouldnt want him but whem you hear someones on a free, sometimes it crosses your mind.

Your right if his body is packing up then he isnt a footballer anymore. Never had a brain or talent, just the muscle and build to hold his own. I think someone like him in his prime would be a decent addition even if just for the numbers. We seem very short

[Craven Mad]

Nope. Nope. Nope.

I would seriously rather Danny came out of retirement and played for us. As you say, Dickson wasn't great when he played for us in his prime, why would we want him now? Plus his game heavily relies on athleticism - unlike Murphy - which will be all-but-gone at his age and after injury.

I didnt say I wanted him and if it came down to it I wouldnt want him but whem you hear someones on a free, sometimes it crosses your mind.

Your right if his body is packing up then he isnt a footballer anymore. Never had a brain or talent, just the muscle and build to hold his own. I think someone like him in his prime would be a decent addition even if just for the numbers. We seem very short

I agree, someone like him - but younger - could be a real asset.

One thing to remember about "free transfers" is that the club tends to pay a much higher salary for the player than they otherwise would; hence why Hugo is on crazy-money!

[Apprentice to the Maestro]

If we were to get anyone back the player who most fits our needs now would be Diarra. He reads the game well and would provide the protection for the back four at the rear of the diamond.

Injured and aging but a classy player.

[DLTOOFIF]

Didn't help Danny that while he was generally the fulcrum of team and tactical approach, Blackburn (at least whenever I saw them) by-passed the midfield altogether.

[Craven Mad]

If we were to get anyone back the player who most fits our needs now would be Diarra. He reads the game well and would provide the protection for the back four at the rear of the diamond.

Classy player.

Agreed.

I was surprised that we let go of both Kara and Diarra. Admittedly, both are old and struggle to last a full 90, but their ability and influence is still there. Just seemed a shame to let both go.. On a pay-as-you-play contract both could have been helpful - particularly as it's not like we've brought in anyone else!

[SouthfieldWhite]

If you wouldn't want him, why would you consider it ???

There probably a reason why he's a free agent and he hasn't played much, so if he's not good enough for Blackburn, why would we want him

[Apprentice to the Maestro]

If we were to get anyone back the player who most fits our needs now would be Diarra. He reads the game well and would provide the protection for the back four at the rear of the diamond.

Classy player.

Agreed.

I was surprised that we let go of both Kara and Diarra. Admittedly, both are old and struggle to last a full 90, but their ability and influence is still there. Just seemed a shame to let both go.. On a pay-as-you-play contract both could have been helpful - particularly as it's not like we've brought in anyone else!

I greatly enjoyed watching both Karagounis and Diarra, players of quality and experience. It would have been good to keep them but I suppose that Magath wanted a completely fresh start.

[Craven Mad]

If we were to get anyone back the player who most fits our needs now would be Diarra. He reads the game well and would provide the protection for the back four at the rear of the diamond.

Classy player.

Agreed.

I was surprised that we let go of both Kara and Diarra. Admittedly, both are old and struggle to last a full 90, but their ability and influence is still there. Just seemed a shame to let both go.. On a pay-as-you-play contract both could have been helpful - particularly as it's not like we've brought in anyone else!

I greatly enjoyed watching both Karagounis and Diarra, players of quality and experience. It would have been good to keep them but I suppose that Magath wanted a completely fresh start.

My thoughts too. I can't blame Felix for making that decision, but I'll definitely miss KaraG, in particular.

[dannyboi-ffc]

If people are concerned by parker lasting 90mins then felix couldnt condsider keeping diarra. I loved kara and diarra, both class players but we needed to let them go.

As for etuhu, I considered it because I dont know what his physical condition is. I wouldnt of paid him silly money like we did with hugo, I saw he was a free and I thought maybe he could do a job. BUT if it came down to it, I doubt I would of wanted him. Freebies seem more appealing somehow but like has been said, if blackburn dont want him then why should we.

It was just a suggestion about a player I completely forgot existed until I saw his name. Oh and good luck trying to find a younger diarra for the championship, your better off looking for a younger etuhu cos anyone anywhere near diarras level will not come to us at a good age

[MasterHaynes]

Kara would be the perfect player ti vie with Parker for the 'experienced player in midfield role and at £500k a season(if correct0 then its a no brainer

[Apprentice to the Maestro]

I don't think Etuhu was mobile enough even when with us or reads the game well enough to play as a lone central defensive midfielder.

Yes, we will not get anyone with as much experience or current quality as Diarra but we need someone more in his style.

[dannyboi-ffc]

I don't think Etuhu was mobile enough even when with us or reads the game well enough to play as a lone central defensive midfielder.

Yes, we will not get anyone with as much experience or current quality as Diarra but we need someone more in his style.

I got what you were saying but my point was diarra type midfielders dont exist in the championship. I have never seen a promoted side have a diarra type player. They are all physical or grafters in the holding role. If you are talented enough to read the game like diarra and have the quality on the ball, then you will not be playing in the 2nd tier. Like you said its a specialist position that not many can do well. A good etuhu is easier to find at that level but I agree they would need to be more mobile.

we have parker who is old but will do a job at the holding role, tunnicliffe is the legs, david and eisfeld are the ballers. So I think either a diarra(if lucky) or a younger etuhu would balance it out. Not sure about hyndman yet, a bit young for me

[Apprentice to the Maestro]

I think that we might have identified an issue with the diamond formation in contrast with 4-4-2: the extra responsibilty placed on the defensive midfielder.

International sides and top league clubs can probably find that experienced, mobile defensive player but the pickings probably get a bit thin at Championship level.

I think Magath will start with Parker but he tested out Hoogland in that role probably for backup.

[cheerupjimmyhill]

Never understood how etuhu was critisised so much.

The guy did his job very well which was to break up play whether by tackling or positioning and then give the ball to the best passer in the team.

Oh and he was a central part of arguably our best ever team. By no means a great player but a very effective player just by doing the job he was asked to do very well.

[Forever Fulham]

I was a big fan of Etuhu.  His weakness was in trying to do a little bit too much.  He would complicate simple plays, simple demands made upon him.  He'd win the ball away and then proceed up field, and I remember countless times saying to myself,"Pass it now, Dickson... pass it now, in the name of god pass it now."  But he'd hang on to it a little too long, try to do something too-clever, and then screw up.  You can't do that playing in the back.  I thought he had more technical ability than he's being given credit for on this thread.  His problem was in split second choices made.  It's probably way too late to unlock that kind of mindset from between his ears. 

[fulhamben]

Not for me. I got used to Parker and Sidwell playing thousands of 5 yard passes to each other. It would break my heart to watch Dickson put a 5 yard pass into touch every time. Plus he slagged us off big time when he left