Rafa Soares will make his first appearance in a Fulham jersey when the U23s take on Blackburn Rovers tonight in PL2.
The 22-year-old, who joined on a season-long loan from Porto, has been unavailable to play since signing for the club as a result of an ankle injury but has recently returned to training with the U23 side.
(From Get West London)
Well that is good news. If no further set backs then we may see him in first team by mid October
After the international break was always the target I recall
Can't wait....... so well regarded in Portugal - Let's hope he will be more Jim Langley and less Luke Garbutt
So, that means he could be available for three quarters of the season, bet we have paid for a season long loan.
I wonder if he'd get in over Sess. If so... does Sess get in over Ayite/Kebano?
Good problem to have
Quote from: JoelH5 on September 25, 2017, 04:36:54 PM
I wonder if he'd get in over Sess. If so... does Sess get in over Ayite/Kebano?
Good problem to have
Hopefully yes and yes .
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Very much looking forward to seeing what he has to offer. If he's up to the hype, then he'll be the best LB in the league.
How did he get on ?
Quote from: Benny on September 25, 2017, 10:22:14 PM
How did he get on ?
Substituted after 60 mins,and we got lumped 4-0
Both above posted at 10-22 and 14 secs...Spooky.
would imagine his sub at 60' was planned from the start. any news how he played within those 60 minutes?
From TIFF:
Soares played the first hour in a 4-0 defeat. It is safe to say he is a very attacking full back. He spent more time in their box than in our own. He showed a couple of nice touches and was also involved our best move of the first half. Overall it was an exercise in getting fit and not getting injured against a very physical Blackburn team. I think him and Sess could wreak havoc down the left hand side, but hard to judge too much on tonight.
The PL2 team doesn't seem to be doing that great. One win, one tie in seven matches. Not a great start to the season.
Quote from: Southcoastffc on September 25, 2017, 10:46:49 PM
From TIFF:
Soares played the first hour in a 4-0 defeat. It is safe to say he is a very attacking full back. He spent more time in their box than in our own. He showed a couple of nice touches and was also involved our best move of the first half. Overall it was an exercise in getting fit and not getting injured against a very physical Blackburn team. I think him and Sess could wreak havoc down the left hand side, but hard to judge too much on tonight.
this sounds very promising.
Sounds as if neither would be good at defending. Plenty of crosses and still nobody to actually put them away.
WE shouldn't expect miracles from him immediately.
He needs a chance to acclimatise.
Quote from: love4ffc on September 25, 2017, 10:51:58 PM
The PL2 team doesn't seem to be doing that great. One win, one tie in seven matches. Not a great start to the season.
The problem with the PL2 league is that squads (especially ours) get decimated by players going out on loan/places made available for first teamers coming back from injury/ Academy players/ late withdrawals to support the first team squad, meaning that teams put out are a collection of players rather than a team (our "squad" last night at Blackburn is a good example). The "U23" label is irrelevant and misleading. The consequent problem is that those consistently playing for the U23s in a jumbled up squad (such as ours) get into a losing mentality. One escape route is, perhaps, the much maligned Checkatrade trophy where we can preserve an "U23" squad and see how they get on in a more competitive environment...but how up and coming players get proper playing experience is still an issue for all clubs, not just ours.
A really sensible comment from 'res' just above me. As for Soares then let's see him fit and available for first team duty before making rash judgements - any which way.
On the few occasions I have watched PL2, its been much less physical than first team football (and the ref's really make sure it is), however it is fast and skillful
The PL2 is a great tool for bringing players through, generating fitness and improving movement and ball skills.
That said, I think the jump to up to 1st team football is a very big one.
Quote from: Luka on September 26, 2017, 10:48:58 AM
On the few occasions I have watched PL2, its been much less physical than first team football (and the ref's really make sure it is), however it is fast and skillful
The PL2 is a great tool for bringing players through, generating fitness and improving movement and ball skills.
That said, I think the jump to up to 1st team football is a very big one.
Agreed, it's why being knocked out of the cup early is such a shame (to me) as it gives players like Edun, DLT, O'Riley, etc chances to start for the first team at a young age.
Also a shame thatvthe PL2 games have fallen onv dates where we have not been able to send a couple of first team subs that could use the gametime. Madl, Djalo, Graham , Mollo etc.
Quote from: mlangstrom on September 26, 2017, 11:37:52 AM
Also a shame thatvthe PL2 games have fallen onv dates where we have not been able to send a couple of first team subs that could use the gametime. Madl, Djalo, Graham , Mollo etc.
Agreed
I thought that was the point of the PL2 .
Madl , Djalo and Graham esp need game time .
Mollo I hope we are going to see more of in the 1st team.
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Quote from: Lighthouse on September 25, 2017, 10:55:18 PM
Sounds as if neither would be good at defending. Plenty of crosses and still nobody to actually put them away.
[/quoteI was going to say it will be good to see youg Sess reived of duties at left back but in view of the above I am wondering if Soares at left back with Sess in front of him will be sound from a defensive point of view.
Quote from: res on September 26, 2017, 09:49:53 AM
Quote from: love4ffc on September 25, 2017, 10:51:58 PM
The PL2 team doesn't seem to be doing that great. One win, one tie in seven matches. Not a great start to the season.
The problem with the PL2 league is that squads (especially ours) get decimated by players going out on loan/places made available for first teamers coming back from injury/ Academy players/ late withdrawals to support the first team squad, meaning that teams put out are a collection of players rather than a team (our "squad" last night at Blackburn is a good example). The "U23" label is irrelevant and misleading. The consequent problem is that those consistently playing for the U23s in a jumbled up squad (such as ours) get into a losing mentality. One escape route is, perhaps, the much maligned Checkatrade trophy where we can preserve an "U23" squad and see how they get on in a more competitive environment...but how up and coming players get proper playing experience is still an issue for all clubs, not just ours.
Agreed, perhaps the FA and Football League should consider bringing back proper reserve team football, perhaps Nth and Sth divs to reduce travel costs/time?
