New signings - where do they fit in?

[rusty shackleford]

The worst thing about Sidwell is he often gets booked early leaving us to sweat for an hour or so. A few times this year he could have walked

[fulhamking]

The worst thing about Sidwell is he often gets booked early leaving us to sweat for an hour or so. A few times this year he could have walked

The worst thing? Really Rusty? Not his passing, vision, deffesive play..?

[Pure football]

Manolev can actually also play as right midfield and he frequntly does. So, he is an option at both right back and midfield. Likes to bomb forward on the wing and also scores goals.

Interesting - so would he be a contender for the first team ahead of the players we have?

Possibly, especially if Jol decides to try him in the middle right. I don't really expect that anyone would replace Riether the way he has been playing in his position.

[rusty shackleford]

The worst thing about Sidwell is he often gets booked early leaving us to sweat for an hour or so. A few times this year he could have walked

The worst thing? Really Rusty? Not his passing, vision, deffesive play..?

he is a good player otherwise

[fulhamking]

The worst thing about Sidwell is he often gets booked early leaving us to sweat for an hour or so. A few times this year he could have walked

The worst thing? Really Rusty? Not his passing, vision, deffesive play..?

he is a good player otherwise

Good player for what? Working his socks off and not being effective is not what Fulham needs, unless Fulham's only ambition is to remain in Premier. The most Sidwell could contribute is in Cup games, and not against strong sides mind.
Please, dont understand me wrong. I have nothing personally against Sidwell, or Baird. However, their best performances this season should not be satisfaction for any Fulham supporter, simply because were not good enough (to say it in a nice way ;)

[MasterHaynes]

I must say our central midfield is a bit of a mess with no stand out player (except for Diarra, but I doubt he'll play for Fulham again).

I was thinking the same thing Jol bought him knowing Diarra had retired from internationals,bigged him up, he then plays for Mali gets injured and despite being injured and predicted to just recover for ACN went against Jol wishes and said he wanted to play in ACN. I do wonder if Jol has given up on him and has decided to not play him unless absolutely necessary and not re-new his contract in the summer.

[jmh]

Jol comment that we have no chance of a permanent signing of an AC Milan players is a little concerning.  We are still a long way from being a big player as you cannot survive with players you have for six months at a time.

I mentioned in another thread - I believe Milan's policy is to have a lot of players on the books and loan them out rather than selling them.  They have 32 guys loaned out to clubs around Europe.  In other words I think what Jol said was a reflection on Milan's transfer policy rather than Fulham's capabilities.  (I mean, we were on the verge of signing the goalkeeper for the Dutch national team from one of the five biggest clubs in Italy.)

[Riverside]

I must say our central midfield is a bit of a mess with no stand out player (except for Diarra, but I doubt he'll play for Fulham again).

I was thinking the same thing Jol bought him knowing Diarra had retired from internationals,bigged him up, he then plays for Mali gets injured and despite being injured and predicted to just recover for ACN went against Jol wishes and said he wanted to play in ACN. I do wonder if Jol has given up on him and has decided to not play him unless absolutely necessary and not re-new his contract in the summer.

True cannot see him staying.
But if he gets fully fit again he can and should still play
Unless of course Enoch and Frimpong both prove to be better - what joy would that be

[BarryP]

Just reading the odd comment on Sidwell being for the chop... I've got to say that during our lean spell he has been one of the few players who has given a damn, and has actually been putting in decent shifts. He may not be blessed with silky skills, but he runs his socks off, shores up the midfield, gives us an extra edge, etc.

Burt, I admire the way Sidwell has stepped up and been one of the more consistent Fulham performers this season but when we had better talent last season he rarely got minutes.  If he keeps his place in the side because of the way he is performing I will not moan.  On the flip side, if better talent has been brought in to replace him I will not moan about that either.