During pre-season I was rather warming to the idea of having Andranik in our midfield. He had always struck me as a classy member of Bolton’s midfield and moving for him in the summer looked like a smart piece of business from Roy Hodgson. He looked more than useful in the friendlies that I managed to watch and wasn’t limited to just being a stopper – he had good awarness and looked cultured with the ball at his feet.
But Andranik’s fall from grace was rather alarming. He spent the first few weeks of the season on the fringes of the first team squad without actually getting a look in. He came on for the last ten mminutes or so against Arsenal and promptly lost the ball and had to haul down his man. The less said about a forgettable performance at Burnley the better (he was by no means the only man to disappear in Lancashire that night.
With very little fanfare, he was sent out on loan to Barnsley. He promptly got into an argument with a teammate about who would take a crucial penalty, lost it and the spot-kick was missed. He’s had a run in the Tykes team but, rather like Eddie Johnson, you aren’t really sure what to make of a Championship loanee.
The Iranian wants another chance at Fulham and, getting ahead of ourselves for a bit, he might well come in handy should our squad be stretched by European competition next year. Equally, he’d be open to offers.
When I joined Barnsley, my aim was getting playing time, since Fulham had obtained excellent results and it was difficult to make it into the first team. I am pleased that I have played in more than ten matches for Barnsley, except in the last one when I had caught a cold.
My contract (with Fulham) runs out next year and I would like to return to Fulham. Meanwhile, the contract allows me a transfer to a different club if I have an offer. I would consider other offers in case I am not included in Fulham’s main squad.
Make of that what you will.
