When I glanced at the squad numbers for the new season I was interested to see that there is no number 9 on the list. I was also interested to see that Bobby Zamora, who wore that number last year, has been bumped all the way down to number 25 (not normal for a starting striker). I wonder … does this little piece of information mean that we are close to sealing the signing of another striker?
Hodgson has obviously been in the market for a striker but has missed out on Marcus Berg, Peter Crouch and Jozy Altidore. Although the partnership between Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora has been good, I can’t deny that if we are to progress we need to score a few more goals than last year. Overall the arrival of a new striker would be welcomed because the increased competition for places it would bring and the pressure it would place on our current forwards to impress.
I think that Hodgson might be saving the number 9 shirt for Nigeria and Almeria striker Kalu Uche. As Dan’s earlier article says, the 26 year-old has apparently rejected a contract renewal and wants to leave Almeria and states that he “…has several offers to consider.” Sky Sports say that Fulham are going back with an offer of around £2.1m for him.
After checking him out on Youtube I would be glad if this happens. He looks sharp and could be very useful for us.
Never rely on what you see on Utube. They only concentrate on perhaps the one thing in a match, the player does right.
As he comes from Nigeria, he also comes with the burden of going away with the National Side for the African Cup, from which they seem reluctant to return.
Zamora is a bit of a superstition freak it seems, and the only reason he’s got 25 is because he feels he scores more goals with that number. Like at West Spam I believe. Just a hunch though…
Nothing much to see here, it’s just Zamora’s favourite number and now it’s free
I accept that Zamora’s a bit superstitious and wanted his lucky number back, but we could have given the number 9 to another striker couldn’t we? And we are allowed to speculate/dream, right?
Good first article Lydia – hope to have the next one soon.
Thanks Dan!
Exactly, why didn’t we give the number to Johnson or someone else? Still, I’ll be very pleased if Uche comes.
I think it’s quite interesting that Bobby’s decided to change number. I reckon it’s his choice. I think, if memory serves, he trained wearing numer 25 last pre-season as well but obviously was convinced to accept the more prestigious number 9 slot. Clearly he’s decided he needs all the help he can get and so far it seems to be paying dividends. Speaking as someone who is stupidly supersticious about football I reckon he’s welcome to try whatever he wants.
I agree with Lydia as well that the number 9 shirt may well be filled by a player we’ll see stake a claim for a starting position. Uche could well fit the bill. Exciting times.
And, judging by his stroke of good fortune at Fratton Park on Saturday, the change seems to have worked.
I’m really excited about this season – more so than at the start of any season since we came back to the Premier League. We’ve got a great manager, who’s skilled and sensible, and the club’s an attractive proposition for players. There’s European football at the Cottage – a prospect that makes me like an excited schoolboy – and seeing whether the players that Roy’s bought can develop. Should be good fun.
Agreed! I’m very excited and hopefully at some stage I will make the trip and go to the Cottage for the first time in my life- a prospect that excites me very much! I love being a fulham fan!
Good article Lydia. Nice to see a lady’s perspective on football on one of the main Fulham sites. Hope you get to the Cottage soon – it’s a great place to spend an afternoon/evening!
haha I know what you mean. These men think they own the place 🙂
i don’t know why they let women talk about football… zamora loves the number 25 he has worn it since his brighton days… as we haven’t signed anyone other than a right back and a right mid knowone is going to want to change to number 9 and OF COURSE we are going to sign a new striker roy wants depth in the squad
Nice bit of the old-fashioned attitude there.
If we’re going to sign a new striker, then I make Lydia pretty much spot on. Plus the squad numbers always spark some speculation.
Nice one Lydia, and welcome onboard the HammyEnd.com cruiser 🙂
Thanks Nick! Hopefully I’ll right more soon!