As many of you will know I have been very firmly in the "Give Jol Time" camp.
Based on a conversation with someone linked with the club last night I now find myself in a bit of a dilemma.
Allegedly, the team are in revolt against the tactics that Jol is looking to introduce. So against QPR for example it was the player's decision to go 4-4-2, and this was against Jol's wishes. Murphy and Jol are barely on speaking terms, BZ wants away, etc. etc. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes issues at the moment.
So, the dilemma is:
1. Do you back Jol, and his right to manage the first team as he sees fit? Even if this means some of the squad almost certainly end up leaving?
2. Do you back the team to play in the way in which they are most suited to? Even if this will end in tears?
All of a sudden my half-full glass is looking a bit precarious. My backing of Jol was on the basis that over time he would sort things out. But without the support of the team this may be difficult to achieve...
If true then i was right about the 442 against QPR and the senior players wanting that. Yes it worked in that game but what about the next game?
That group of senior players do not have a right to pick the team even if we do like a lot of them. They are getting older and will soon move on, in the end the manager should call shots or you have a mess.you can't have a group of players running the club.
Im not surprised by what you have heard because i also have been told about the problems.
I'm firmly in the back the boss and move trouble makers on.
Players know how well they can perform in a certain system. So the players must have some input. A manager must be allowed to put forward his ideas. If a workforce is unhappy then the manager is the one who usually gets the chop. But Jol isn't going anywhere so the players will probably move on.
My feeling is if Jols ideas were working so far there would no be a revolt. No good ridding ourselves of players if Jol still cannot make things work. Equally players must learn to adapt.
Putting it another way. I have no idea. Sack em all. 086.gif
I have to say I really wanted us to get Jol instead of MH last season, however now I am not so sure. I hadn't really followed his career that closely, but it seems that wherever he is there seems to be some discontent with the players. No player or manager is bigger than a club so it will need to get sorted sooner rather than later in my opinion.
To back the players or Jol, I guess we don't really know enough in detail to make an informed decision, but my gut tells me for some reason to go with the players.
That would then raise the question of who would replace Jol?
It is difficult times but as has been said a million times we have an ageing team and are sitting on a bit of ticking bomb unless we address in next two years. Providing we dont go down this season i think we will come out this situation stronger.
For this reason we have to back Jol (although I have issues with his arrogance) as Murphy, Duff, Johnson etc are not going to be central to this club in 2 years time so we cant let them call the shots now.
...I also heard much the same rumour, and not from a source that is given to exaggeration.
It may all be rubbish, but if it is true then perhaps Jol should ease the team via a gradual transition into his style(?) just as Hughes did in combining the better parts of Hodgson's tactics with his own.
Good players have not become poor overnight...
8 of the team on the pitch at stoke have been here three to four years, the majority are 30 plus. Changes need to happen, its not a bloody Sunday team where mates have known each other for years and the team picks its self.
Time to move on and get a younger pacy look to the team.
Yes have been having similar thoughts to some of the above:
Jol has the right to manage, and players have to fall in to line with that.
Its a case of "FIFO". If you don't like it, the door is over there...
And given the age of some of the key members of the squad we should be starting to look at replenishment / renewal.
I feel I have to back Jol. I wouldn't want to be seen to be like the Liverpool fans that ran Roy out of town.
Saying all that, I really hope they can sort it all out, all it needs is a bit of give and take between Jol and the players.
It's all a bit worrying and depressing as far as I'm concerned and I don't like it a bit.
if what you say is true, and the boys ignored jol's formation, than i'm shocked
If the 4-4-2 played against QPR was the players choice then that shows that far from being arrogant Jol is prepared to take the players opinions on board.
I take all of this with a pinch of salt no matter how reliable informants are said to be.
I mentioned at the time of the QPR & Stoke game that we seem to have fallen into a 442 more by luck than judgement. And its interesting that last week AJ moved to wide right of the 3 behind the striker and did not look happy. Yesterday he was given that role from the start. Maybe Jol has won that battle and the players are at least staying in that formation.
I dont for a minute think we lined up in the QPR game with one formation and as soon as the players went on the pitch they did something else. its would have been after talking with Jol, but its clear he wants that 4-2-3-1 formation and its either his way or the highway.
get rid of him.
I don't think BZ wants away (Why would he?) but I think there's a lot of truth in the Murphy/Jol-story. But I think Jol is pretty aware of the fact that he HAS TO replace Murphy. I think Danny knows it as well, but obviously it's hard to take. It seems that Jol tried to sign Wout Brama, so Smurf knows that his days are numbered. And an angry skipper is definitely not good for the team climate.
Plus I think the team, which contains some high-profile long-term Premiership players like Murphy, AJ and Bobby, is wrong. 4-4-2 isn't the best system for the team. It might well be the best system for these players, but they should realize that they are 30+ and that Jol is the manager.
So they should shut up and let Jol do what Jol wants to do, whatever that is.
Quote from: TonyGilroy on October 30, 2011, 12:51:22 PM
If the 4-4-2 played against QPR was the players choice then that shows that far from being arrogant Jol is prepared to take the players opinions on board.
I take all of this with a pinch of salt no matter how reliable informants are said to be.
There have been rumours of discontent in the press (e.g. Kidd) which I did take with a pinch of salt right through to the conversation I had last night.
Something will have to give if there is indeed such a split. I just hope it doesn't end our premier league status come the end of the season.
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
its clear he wants that 4-2-3-1 formation
And rightly so! It's the perfect formation for our younger players. Only problem it that it would automatically throw either BZ or AJ out of the formation. And they're two of the "team leaders". And, as we all know, it's always a problem to throw out older players who have a big reputation. Chelsea have the same problem with Lampard, Liverpool with Carragher and Gerrard and ManUtd with Ferdinand and Berbatov. That's a tricky potential banana skin for every manager, especially when he's new in the job. But eventually we will have to replace BZ, AJ, Duff, Murphy and Hughes.
Still backing Jol,if Zamora and the like don't like it they can go-simple as
if player power wins what happens when these players leave in 3 seasons??????
back Jol,get rid off the ringleaders in Jan
I'm happy to write off Europe, ditch the trouble makers and stay in the Premier league and start afresh :clap_hands: :clap_hands:
Quote from: Mr Fulham on October 30, 2011, 01:02:51 PM
I don't think BZ wants away (Why would he?) but I think there's a lot of truth in the Murphy/Jol-story. But I think Jol is pretty aware of the fact that he HAS TO replace Murphy. I think Danny knows it as well, but obviously it's hard to take. It seems that Jol tried to sign Wout Brama, so Smurf knows that his days are numbered. And an angry skipper is definitely not good for the team climate.
Plus I think the team, which contains some high-profile long-term Premiership players like Murphy, AJ and Bobby, is wrong. 4-4-2 isn't the best system for the team. It might well be the best system for these players, but they should realize that they are 30+ and that Jol is the manager.
So they should shut up and let Jol do what Jol wants to do, whatever that is.
:54:
Mo has said that Jol was the man he wanted. So going against Jol would be a really dumb thing to do but footballers aren't known for their high IQs. Not getting playing time or extended contracts would naturally produce an amount of discontent. Which all clubs must have to deal with. My guess would be that someone, agent or the like is stirring the situation to suit their own ends. Plus anybody who knows anybody at the club is pressing them for info on the "unrest" and people being people they're giving their account true or otherwise.
So far all of Jol's buys we've seen seem to be ok. The youth setup seems to be doing well and he's giving youth a bit of a chance. I'll stick with Jol at the moment.
The trouble is we & the team know they can play a certain formation. When happy, we can give any team a run for their money! (Well at home anyway!)
I can't see wholesale changes working without time. Time we don't have at this level.
Jol should make an effort to a slow transition. There's that old saying, you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
So Jol should go with what the team know, until he can work in any new players with a new system.
Quote from: FFCSteve on October 30, 2011, 02:13:45 PM
The trouble is we & the team know they can play a certain formation. When happy, we can give any team a run for their money! (Well at home anyway!)
There's that old saying, you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
time to get new dogs then!
in 2 seasons time two thirds of the team we have now will be gone anyway so I'd start getting shut now to be honest,the only thing that matters is that we stay in the Prem,not the bruised ego of a few ageing footballers :clap_hands: :clap_hands:
Change to 442 until the window opens. It is important to get as many points as possible and if the current team will win more games with that formation so be it. Then ship out the rebels in January and bring in new blood.
Quote from: Rambling_Syd_Rumpo on October 30, 2011, 02:26:16 PM
Quote from: FFCSteve on October 30, 2011, 02:13:45 PM
The trouble is we & the team know they can play a certain formation. When happy, we can give any team a run for their money! (Well at home anyway!)
There's that old saying, you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
time to get new dogs then!
in 2 seasons time two thirds of the team we have now will be gone anyway so I'd start getting shut now to be honest,the only thing that matters is that we stay in the Prem,not the bruised ego of a few ageing footballers :clap_hands: :clap_hands:
I agree, my point was not to change the way the CURRENT team know how to play!
Quote from: Mr Fulham on October 30, 2011, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
its clear he wants that 4-2-3-1 formation
And rightly so! It's the perfect formation for our younger players. Only problem it that it would automatically throw either BZ or AJ out of the formation. And they're two of the "team leaders". And, as we all know, it's always a problem to throw out older players who have a big reputation. Chelsea have the same problem with Lampard, Liverpool with Carragher and Gerrard and ManUtd with Ferdinand and Berbatov. That's a tricky potential banana skin for every manager, especially when he's new in the job. But eventually we will have to replace BZ, AJ, Duff, Murphy and Hughes.
Where is the evidence to suggest 4-2-3-1 is best for our young players. It's pretty clear that we play our best when we play 4-4-2, Wigan dominated most the play yesterday because we played some kind of 4-5-1 and Bobby was isolated most the match. The fact is we still have these players and we've got to play to our strengths to stay in this division, no point in changing until these players have moved on or had there place in the team taken.
Quote from: Mr Fulham on October 30, 2011, 01:02:51 PM
I don't think BZ wants away (Why would he?) but I think there's a lot of truth in the Murphy/Jol-story. But I think Jol is pretty aware of the fact that he HAS TO replace Murphy. I think Danny knows it as well, but obviously it's hard to take. It seems that Jol tried to sign Wout Brama, so Smurf knows that his days are numbered. And an angry skipper is definitely not good for the team climate.
Plus I think the team, which contains some high-profile long-term Premiership players like Murphy, AJ and Bobby, is wrong. 4-4-2 isn't the best system for the team. It might well be the best system for these players, but they should realize that they are 30+ and that Jol is the manager.
So they should shut up and let Jol do what Jol wants to do, whatever that is.
Couldn't agree more.
Quote from: Rambling_Syd_Rumpo on October 30, 2011, 02:26:16 PM
Quote from: FFCSteve on October 30, 2011, 02:13:45 PM
The trouble is we & the team know they can play a certain formation. When happy, we can give any team a run for their money! (Well at home anyway!)
There's that old saying, you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
time to get new dogs then!
in 2 seasons time two thirds of the team we have now will be gone anyway so I'd start getting shut now to be honest,the only thing that matters is that we stay in the Prem,not the bruised ego of a few ageing footballers :clap_hands: :clap_hands:
Fully agree. It is time to get behind the manager and to stop lamenting him for everything that happens. We are in the midst of change, and no matter how painful it may be, it had to happen. Jol has been playing the same basic team we have had, for the most part, over the past three seasons and some of OUR, supposed, professional players are not adjusting well, their job is to learn the new system, embrace it and adapt....but remember (and this has been said elsewhere on this board) this same group struggled with Hodgson, then with Hughes and now with Jol. Why should we expect anything different with Jol? As supporters, we are a like a broken record each time a new manager is brought it.
The 4-2-3-1 should work best with the younger squad we have due to the fact we have more attacking midfield players than natural strikers.
Apart from AJ and BZ the only other real striker we have is Sa.
Kasami , Ruiz , Dempsey, Dembele, Duff and Frei.Perm any three from that list to play behind a main striker, who it could be argued may be Dempsey.
I still think we are a couple of players short of what Jol wants and they will be to replace AJ and Duff i think. Pretty sure he would want to keep bobby but if he is causing trouble the bye bye.
If the players dont want to give it their best, then they can go, :59: .Ship out the poison in jan.
Quote from: Jack Fulham on October 30, 2011, 02:48:11 PM
Quote from: Mr Fulham on October 30, 2011, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
its clear he wants that 4-2-3-1 formation
And rightly so! It's the perfect formation for our younger players. Only problem it that it would automatically throw either BZ or AJ out of the formation. And they're two of the "team leaders". And, as we all know, it's always a problem to throw out older players who have a big reputation. Chelsea have the same problem with Lampard, Liverpool with Carragher and Gerrard and ManUtd with Ferdinand and Berbatov. That's a tricky potential banana skin for every manager, especially when he's new in the job. But eventually we will have to replace BZ, AJ, Duff, Murphy and Hughes.
Where is the evidence to suggest 4-2-3-1 is best for our young players. It's pretty clear that we play our best when we play 4-4-2, Wigan dominated most the play yesterday because we played some kind of 4-5-1 and Bobby was isolated most the match. The fact is we still have these players and we've got to play to our strengths to stay in this division, no point in changing until these players have moved on or had there place in the team taken.
We play well in 442 because the team is comfortable in that formation, not necessarily because it is the best formation moving forward. They have been drilled in it for the past 3.5 seasons so they know how to play it. This team must change due to its age and because the manager feels a 4231 is a better formation to build off of so why no let him make those changes? The team needs to learn the new system by playing in it, and struggling, until they "get it". 442 would only be good in the short term and if we were only concerned about the 'here and the now' and weren't also working on the future. Players will have to leave as a result.
To your point, if we want results RIGHT now, 442 is the better choice but I don't think it is if it is not part of his re-building strategy.
We would likely be jeopardizing the future if we didn't start making changes now so I think we suffer a bit now to, hopefully, better position the squad and the whole system.
Quote from: RidgeRider on October 30, 2011, 03:02:34 PM
Quote from: Jack Fulham on October 30, 2011, 02:48:11 PM
Quote from: Mr Fulham on October 30, 2011, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
its clear he wants that 4-2-3-1 formation
And rightly so! It's the perfect formation for our younger players. Only problem it that it would automatically throw either BZ or AJ out of the formation. And they're two of the "team leaders". And, as we all know, it's always a problem to throw out older players who have a big reputation. Chelsea have the same problem with Lampard, Liverpool with Carragher and Gerrard and ManUtd with Ferdinand and Berbatov. That's a tricky potential banana skin for every manager, especially when he's new in the job. But eventually we will have to replace BZ, AJ, Duff, Murphy and Hughes.
Where is the evidence to suggest 4-2-3-1 is best for our young players. It's pretty clear that we play our best when we play 4-4-2, Wigan dominated most the play yesterday because we played some kind of 4-5-1 and Bobby was isolated most the match. The fact is we still have these players and we've got to play to our strengths to stay in this division, no point in changing until these players have moved on or had there place in the team taken.
We play well in 442 because the team is comfortable in that formation, not necessarily because it is the best formation moving forward. They have been drilled in it for the past 3.5 seasons so they know how to play it. This team must change due to its age and because the manager feels a 4231 is a better formation to build off of so why no let him make those changes? The team needs to learn the new system by playing in it, and struggling, until they "get it". 442 would only be good in the short term and if we were only concerned about the 'here and the now' and weren't also working on the future. Players will have to leave as a result.
To your point, if we want results RIGHT now, 442 is the better choice but I don't think it is if it is not part of his re-building strategy.
We would likely be jeopardizing the future if we didn't start making changes now so I think we suffer a bit now to, hopefully, better position the squad and the whole system.
We're jeopardizing the future by making changes now. I don't see the point in playing 1 upfront when none our strikers look capable of playing as a lone man effectively. I'm all for changing the system if it isn't working but now it seems we've changed from a more effective one to a less effective. We should delay 4-2-3-1 until next season so Jol can change the squad to suit it.
Quote from: Jack Fulham on October 30, 2011, 03:54:27 PM
Quote from: RidgeRider on October 30, 2011, 03:02:34 PM
Quote from: Jack Fulham on October 30, 2011, 02:48:11 PM
Quote from: Mr Fulham on October 30, 2011, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 12:57:59 PM
its clear he wants that 4-2-3-1 formation
And rightly so! It's the perfect formation for our younger players. Only problem it that it would automatically throw either BZ or AJ out of the formation. And they're two of the "team leaders". And, as we all know, it's always a problem to throw out older players who have a big reputation. Chelsea have the same problem with Lampard, Liverpool with Carragher and Gerrard and ManUtd with Ferdinand and Berbatov. That's a tricky potential banana skin for every manager, especially when he's new in the job. But eventually we will have to replace BZ, AJ, Duff, Murphy and Hughes.
Where is the evidence to suggest 4-2-3-1 is best for our young players. It's pretty clear that we play our best when we play 4-4-2, Wigan dominated most the play yesterday because we played some kind of 4-5-1 and Bobby was isolated most the match. The fact is we still have these players and we've got to play to our strengths to stay in this division, no point in changing until these players have moved on or had there place in the team taken.
We play well in 442 because the team is comfortable in that formation, not necessarily because it is the best formation moving forward. They have been drilled in it for the past 3.5 seasons so they know how to play it. This team must change due to its age and because the manager feels a 4231 is a better formation to build off of so why no let him make those changes? The team needs to learn the new system by playing in it, and struggling, until they "get it". 442 would only be good in the short term and if we were only concerned about the 'here and the now' and weren't also working on the future. Players will have to leave as a result.
To your point, if we want results RIGHT now, 442 is the better choice but I don't think it is if it is not part of his re-building strategy.
We would likely be jeopardizing the future if we didn't start making changes now so I think we suffer a bit now to, hopefully, better position the squad and the whole system.
We're jeopardizing the future by making changes now. I don't see the point in playing 1 upfront when none our strikers look capable of playing as a lone man effectively. I'm all for changing the system if it isn't working but now it seems we've changed from a more effective one to a less effective. We should delay 4-2-3-1 until next season so Jol can change the squad to suit it.
That's exactly what I was alluding to jack, but you've put it more eloquently than I!
Our best season pretty much came from Bobby playing on his own with Gera playing behind so im sure he can play that role with three players supporting him.
Trouble is he wants his mate AJ next to him and that has been mainly miss rather than hit over the years.
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 04:05:13 PM
Our best season pretty much came from Bobby playing on his own with Gera playing behind so im sure he can play that role with three players supporting him.
Trouble is he wants his mate AJ next to him and that has been mainly miss rather than hit over the years.
True, with Hodgson, we were basically playing a 41311 moving forward, so Bobby has been very successful playing upfront by himself, in fact he was amazing laying the ball off, holding things up for the other 4 to get into positions
I am not too sure
Sent from either side of my fence
Quote from: RidgeRider on October 30, 2011, 04:20:33 PM
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 04:05:13 PM
Our best season pretty much came from Bobby playing on his own with Gera playing behind so im sure he can play that role with three players supporting him.
Trouble is he wants his mate AJ next to him and that has been mainly miss rather than hit over the years.
True, with Hodgson, we were basically playing a 41311 moving forward, so Bobby has been very successful playing upfront by himself, in fact he was amazing laying the ball off, holding things up for the other 4 to get into positions
Which is exactly what is NOT happening now RR. Until we get back to that way of playing, BZ wont be seen to the best of his game. There is no room for both AJ and BZ in the team, they are two completely different strikers that do not IMHO compliment each other.
Yesterday, yet again and especially for the first 30 minutes, I saw players in white shirts that were making it obvious they didn't want to play, for whatever reason. I can understand that some players don't get on with the manager, that's to be expected, but something else should be expected also, and that is some level of professionalism.
To see senior players doing the equivalent of a 'go slow' or 'work to rule' is not on. The club and the fans pay their wages, and whether they like, dislike or are ambivalent towards Jol, I don't give a monkeys. Just because I fall out with my manager at work, doesn't mean I withdraw my labour, or fail to do my job properly, and I don't earn in one year what most of these players are on weekly! So what else is the difference? I have pride in my work and company, something those players have not.
So, to the likes of Bobby, Smurph and others that don't want to play under Jol, please don't let the door hit you on the way out, you don't want to play for my club, then I don't want to see you representing my belief and love for my club, however good you might, or think you might, be.
Watching yesterdays match, and last week, it came to mind I was so much happier when we were a struggling club, in the lower divisions, that had players who WANTED to wear the badge and played with passion for the fans, not for the pay packet.
Like many of you on here, I have seen us go from the top division down to depths and I have never had my faith wavered. Yesterday I almost turned the TV off after 30 minutes, and as those that know me, I have never even considered that before in my life.
One of the intriguing things about management is when to call the top of a players career and to know when to ship them out for the good of the squad.
Wenger used to be very good at it and our managers in recent times have judged it pretty well. Most of us wanted at least one of the players who departed this Summer to be kept on for a while longer but none seem to have prospered away from Craven Cottage. In fact we seem to have improved on them in almost all cases but until our present team become at least as good as the sum of their individual parts we are unlikely to feel that we have greatly benefited. I think Craven Cottage Newsround (apologies if it was someone else) broke the squad down into those members who were yet to reach their peak, those at it and those past it. However a squad needs all sorts of players to prosper and they can't all play 40 games a season.
I think a manager needs about 3 transfer windows to be able to call a squad their own. So, come next Summer who do you think Jol will want to have moved on?
Quote from: White Noise on October 30, 2011, 05:09:06 PM
One of the intriguing things about management is when to call the top of a players career and to know when to ship them out for the good of the squad.
Wenger used to be very good at it and our managers in recent times have judged it pretty well. Most of us wanted at least one of the players who departed this Summer to be kept on for a while longer but none seem to have prospered away from Craven Cottage. In fact we seem to have improved on them in almost all cases but until our present team become at least as good as the sum of their individual parts we are unlikely to feel that we have greatly benefited. I think Craven Cottage Newsround (apologies if it was someone else) broke the squad down into those members who were yet to reach their peak, those at it and those past it. However a squad needs all sorts of players to prosper and they can't all play 40 games a season.
I think a manager needs about 3 transfer windows to be able to call a squad their own. So, come next Summer who do you think Jol will want to have moved on?
Zamora or AJ, Duff, Murphy, Hughes, and Halliche would be my guess.
Quote from: Blingo on October 30, 2011, 04:39:25 PM
Quote from: RidgeRider on October 30, 2011, 04:20:33 PM
Quote from: MJG on October 30, 2011, 04:05:13 PM
Our best season pretty much came from Bobby playing on his own with Gera playing behind so im sure he can play that role with three players supporting him.
Trouble is he wants his mate AJ next to him and that has been mainly miss rather than hit over the years.
True, with Hodgson, we were basically playing a 41311 moving forward, so Bobby has been very successful playing upfront by himself, in fact he was amazing laying the ball off, holding things up for the other 4 to get into positions
Which is exactly what is NOT happening now RR. Until we get back to that way of playing, BZ wont be seen to the best of his game. There is no room for both AJ and BZ in the team, they are two completely different strikers that do not IMHO compliment each other.
Why not have Zamora as our single striker in Prem games and AJ in Europa and Cup matches? One could sub for the other if they are fatigued or have a stinker. Just an idea....may not be a good one but it may give each pitch time in positions where they seem to excel.
Well the other end of the rumour is that Jol might need to (e.g. has been asked to) cash in on some of his saleable assets while they still have value. So January might be interesting.
Quote from: Jack Fulham on October 30, 2011, 03:54:27 PM
We're jeopardizing the future by making changes now.
Sorry, but that really is way over the top.
We are definitely not in imminent risk to go down. There are so many teams who are worse than us this season.
The changes are needed and have been postponed way too often. During the last two seasons, we lacked a successor for Danny Murphy, who again and again had off matches. Jamie O'Hara was on the market for a substantial period of time and I think it was a big, big mistake not to go in for him. What a player he turns out to be at Wolves. Oh what he could do here!
Our average age is still one of the highest in the league. Yes, we always had a pretty oldish squad, but Mark Hughes and Martin Jol finally realized that we have to lower it, to save money and to build a team for the future.
This season is perfect to make some very important changes for the future. We should aim to get Brama in January and/or Jamie O'Hara next summer. One or two Murphy-successors are needed now, as well as one or two strikers, depends on AJ's contract discussions. Kyle Naughton would be a decent signing as well, and I can see us going for another winger. My agency mate told me we were in advanced talks with Max Gradel but eventually lost out. We lacked pace and urgency over the past few weeks.
Gignac
Brama
Naughton/Clyne
Winger
That would be my January transfer window.
Jol has got the backing of Mo and if anyone was in any doubt, his open letter the other day reinforces that.
The players are employed by the club to play football and be professional, they should stop belly aching
and get on with it. I would bet (fit or not ) Simon Davies is not one of the ( supposed) rebels,
I am sure Jol has hit the start button on his washing machine, and there are a few who fear they will be rinsed !!!
Fulham don't wash their linen in public .... .... or have they going Dutch ???
Tbh for me, AJ can just leave in january. Yes he works hard and so on, but he does not score anymore and hasen`t done for years. Would like to see Jols formation with this lineup
MS
CB AH BH JAR
SS DM
MD CD BR
BZ
Given time I think this would be much better in the long run. And ofcurse, Murphy need to
be replaced soon. January maybe.
Maybe I'm wrong (and if I am then I'm sure someone will tell me), but wasn't there rumoured to be similar sort of troubles this time last year? I thought the players were supposed to have gone to Hughes and asked for a change in tactics. Also remember the disagreements early on in Woy's first full season with Bullard being moved on and Gera moaning that he was being played out wide rather than centrally. I'm sure there is often these sorts of arguments at clubs with players not in the side expressing discontent because they are not playing regularly.
