Pepi….

[Jeroen]

I'm sure he will make me eat my words at some point, but the first 2 games I haven't seen anything that makes me think he would have been worth the money we were talking about in January.

I know different systems and all, but just not sure

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Forget Pepi, Malik Tillman is who we need. Give Leverkusen a bell Tone!

[Trusty Steed]

You think we will Bid again for Pepi?
Was he a Marco signing? Or a Tony?

[AJW48361]

Pepi is a player pace energy and movement we should go in again.

[demeant0r]

TK suggested we're not going to bid for him again

[JimmyConway]

I'm sure he will make me eat my words at some point, but the first 2 games I haven't seen anything that makes me think he would have been worth the money we were talking about in January.

I know different systems and all, but just not sure

On the evidence of their first two games then you would have to have a reservation? Saying that International football is not always the barometer if a player is not as effective than his club form. He looks to me as if he would be more suited being centrally positioned as opposed to playing off Balogun?

[3 pigs]

Pepi probably the worst of their attack.  McKennie or Balogun would appear better punts.

[iansthailand]

TK suggested we're not going to bid for him again

Something on the medical.

[junior white]

TK suggested we're not going to bid for him again

Something on the medical.

Yes he said after the medical neither he, Marco or the medical team (?) were happy to spen as much as the outlay was.

He has been bang average so far at the WC, appreciate it's different to premier league football but then so is the eredivisie.

[Deuce]

They say that you should never buy a player based on their performance at a major tournament. I guess that goes both ways and we shouldnt judge him based on this WC. Balogun is clearly the spearhead, which I think Pepi probably needs to be (?)

[BarryP]

On the evidence of their first two games then you would have to have a reservation? Saying that International football is not always the barometer if a player is not as effective than his club form. He looks to me as if he would be more suited being centrally positioned as opposed to playing off Balogun?

Pepi typically plays the same position as Balogun and I think it showed yesterday. Personally, I was a little surprised one of the other wide players didn't start but it's hard to argue with a win.

[Trusty Steed]

I think Pepi only played because Pulisic was out

[Super Mick]

Who are these players going to be playing under? I hope we don't sign anyone until the next manager is in place

[cmg]

Big disappointment so far.

Although not as disappointing as the fact that Duncan Ferguson hasn't punched anybody yet.
Hopefully he's saving it up for Roy Keane. Now that would be something to grace the White House lawn.
At least Big Dunc's not likely to be worried about his house being burgled while he's away.

[WolverineFFC]

In fairness to Pepi he's not going to look great in this USA high pressing set up. He's limited athletically compared to Balogun and honestly Haji Wright who is the 3rd striker. His real strength is how clinical he is and he's a natural striker movement wise. He's the player right on Burgess's shoulder for the own goal against Australia waiting to tap it in.

It's the reason I'm not a big fan of signing him for the price tag, especially now that Marco is gone. I don't think he profiles well to the Premier League due to the pace. Not sure he is going to create many of his own chances either.

[WindyCity]

Whew!!....Think we dodged a bullet and poor decision to purchase this player.  Concentrated on watching him in the Australia game.  A big nothing-burger for me.  I really didn't see anything of value in his performance.  His earlier show in the previous WC game he featured also not much to see there, though just a cameo.  I don't know, but hope we take a pass on this player and spend available funds in a better way.  I know it appears ownership not interested in pursuing this player, but ya never know, just hope they look elsewhere.  Of course, getting a new head coach settled would be good start and obtaining players he wants.  The thing about Pepi is there was a highlight video posted about a month ago in the forum, and he really looked good, lots of goals scored, seemed to have a nose for the net.  At that time I thought let's get him.  But maybe those highlights are a reflection of playing against a certain level of competition.  Playing in the Prem any player will be tested, and I just don't see what the hype/interest in this player is.  Hoping we look elsewhere.....

[jayffc]

Whew!!....Think we dodged a bullet and poor decision to purchase this player.  Concentrated on watching him in the Australia game.  A big nothing-burger for me.  I really didn't see anything of value in his performance.  His earlier show in the previous WC game he featured also not much to see there, though just a cameo.  I don't know, but hope we take a pass on this player and spend available funds in a better way.  I know it appears ownership not interested in pursuing this player, but ya never know, just hope they look elsewhere.  Of course, getting a new head coach settled would be good start and obtaining players he wants.  The thing about Pepi is there was a highlight video posted about a month ago in the forum, and he really looked good, lots of goals scored, seemed to have a nose for the net.  At that time I thought let's get him.  But maybe those highlights are a reflection of playing against a certain level of competition.  Playing in the Prem any player will be tested, and I just don't see what the hype/interest in this player is.  Hoping we look elsewhere.....

Id say writing someone off based off of one world cup game playing out of position also isn't advisable, just as watching a highlights clip wouldn't be useful in isolation for making any wider judgement

Guys scored a ton for PSV despite the injuries, one is the highest goals per minute ratio in Europe ,and took that rate over to the top champs league too. Judging players on limited minutes in major tournaments isn't always the most advisable strategy

Anyway, aside from that, were not going back in for him anyway due to what came up in his medical so will be up to the new coach to have a say in who our next main striker will be

[WindyCity]

Whew!!....Think we dodged a bullet and poor decision to purchase this player.  Concentrated on watching him in the Australia game.  A big nothing-burger for me.  I really didn't see anything of value in his performance.  His earlier show in the previous WC game he featured also not much to see there, though just a cameo.  I don't know, but hope we take a pass on this player and spend available funds in a better way.  I know it appears ownership not interested in pursuing this player, but ya never know, just hope they look elsewhere.  Of course, getting a new head coach settled would be good start and obtaining players he wants.  The thing about Pepi is there was a highlight video posted about a month ago in the forum, and he really looked good, lots of goals scored, seemed to have a nose for the net.  At that time I thought let's get him.  But maybe those highlights are a reflection of playing against a certain level of competition.  Playing in the Prem any player will be tested, and I just don't see what the hype/interest in this player is.  Hoping we look elsewhere.....

Id say writing someone off based off of one world cup game playing out of position also isn't advisable, just as watching a highlights clip wouldn't be useful in isolation for making any wider judgement

Guys scored a ton for PSV despite the injuries, one is the highest goals per minute ratio in Europe ,and took that rate over to the top champs league too. Judging players on limited minutes in major tournaments isn't always the most advisable strategy

Anyway, aside from that, were not going back in for him anyway due to what came up in his medical so will be up to the new coach to have a say in who our next main striker will be

Thank you for your critique, point well taken.  You're right.  Still, I'd take a pass on him.  If, for some reason, he did make it into a FFC shirt, of course, I would support and cheer him on.  But for now, I guess we await manager appointment......

[love4ffc]

In fairness to Pepi he's not going to look great in this USA high pressing set up. He's limited athletically compared to Balogun and honestly Haji Wright who is the 3rd striker. His real strength is how clinical he is and he's a natural striker movement wise. He's the player right on Burgess's shoulder for the own goal against Australia waiting to tap it in.

It's the reason I'm not a big fan of signing him for the price tag, especially now that Marco is gone. I don't think he profiles well to the Premier League due to the pace. Not sure he is going to create many of his own chances either.

As an American who will always want an American in the Fulham first team, I don't think Pepi is the player for us. I agree with WolverineFFC. Pepi plays better as a second striker who picks up the scraps or mistakes and finishes clinically. Yes, he tries hard and runs nonstop, but that doesn't equate to goals.

Personally, I would prefer it if Fulham could get Haji Wright from Coventry. I think he would be a better pick for a good price. 

[DadCreature]

Interesting takes.  Some above talking about the USA midfielders (Tillman and McKinney) who are excellent players and would be interesting additions.  Cannot say if they would be good because I have no idea how we will play next season.  Tillman would be a disaster under Silva (Malik's best skill is high press, something Marco did not have us do much).  Wes would find a way to be excellent for us no matter what - it's what he does (yet is never the best player on the team).  Anyway, neither of them solve our problem up top.

We had a chance to bid for Flo when he left Arsenal.   Google it.  We didn't pony up, and now he will cost a lot more.  He's a very good player and might get better.  He gets into position amazingly well, but is a little below average (so far) in his finishing %. 

I'm not sure if Pepi would be good for us . . . because I don't know how we will play!  As noted, he's not the most mobile and I don't think he will create a lot of chances for himself.  But he's a top class finisher.  Once you figure out exactly how we will be set up and playing, we can figure out if Pepi fits.

Also, while Pepi didn't look great in the last match, both Thierry Henry and Zlatan gave the two forward formation credit for destabilizing the Australian backline and opening up space for the first goal and keeping Australia on the back foot.