I don’t think there is a need to explain the qualities that Jari possesses as a player or the obvious reasons for wanting to bring him to Fulham, and I am delighted that he has agreed to join us for the remaining months of the season. Although he is not entirely match fit at the moment, I have no doubt that he will have a big part to play over the coming months and that we shall benefit as a team from his skill and experience.
-Roy Hodgson-
At the bottom it says we’ve signed Toni Kallio, some giant Finnish defender. That one flew right under the radar.
Wow! Your right. There’s the answer for Roy to get his man to cover for Konch and to give him some competition.
That Kallio announcement was well hidden wasn’t it? I don’t think the BBC have picked up on it yet either. Clearly just a squad player but it feels like Roy is making sure we’ve got all the bases covered to get us through until the summer.
I had heard on some other forums that Kallio had signed a couple of days ago. His previous club had stated it was already a done deal. Nice to know it’s been confirmed, in my opinion, you can’t have too many defenders!
Hail The King! If Litti Litmanen can steer clear of injuries, he will certainly make a contribution. Roy knows what he is doing here. Litmanen is such a super-cool fellow that he can influence the spirit within Fulham even without playing. As for Kallio, Roy stuck to him during Finland’s Euro Champ qualfiers through thick and thin. One great moment for Kallio: he tamed a certain Christiano Ronaldo completely in Finland’s 1-1 draw with Portugal in Helsinki.
PTH
pentti – is Kallo as hard as is being suggested? If so, no more mr nice guys!
not worth its own post but suggestions that David Healy might be going to Rangers.
I definitely see Litmanen as the perfect player to bring off the bench for the last 20 mins. He has a knack for timely goals — sort of the Finnish Bobby Charlton — and his experience (and that of McBride) could be incredibly valuable in what is gradually becoming a very young side.
Good to hear that Kallio has shown that he can play with the best. He obviously won’t be a regular starter. But we are thin on cover for Konchesky, particularly if we want our full-backs to get forward. At 6’4″ he also further adds to our height and strength.
With our new signings and Christanval and McBride back, and the possibility of signing Scharner today, we will have been transformed in a matter of weeks from one of the smallest and weakest teams I’ve ever seen to one not to be messed with, particularly through the spine.
“not worth its own post but suggestions that David Healy might be going to Rangers.”
Good riddance. What a load of rubbish. Certainly not worth his own post. Of the Sanchez failures he and Soeul are the worst. Davis and Baird may get the ire of the fans but at least they have some redeeming qualities that, at their age, could be developed into something useful. Healy and Soeul, on the other hand, are barely football players.
Kallio’s an ok player. He shut Cristiano Ronaldo out quite well in the Euro 2008 Qualifiers. Not the most technical of players and i’m a little worried how he’ll fit in to the fast tempo.
Toni “Köpi” Kallio was actually supposed to move to some Russian Premier League team, but that fell threw on the last minutes.
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/964/353673su9.gif
Forgot to post the picture of you’r new solid rock in the back.
rjbiii, i totally agree on seol but i think you’re being a bit harsh on Healy. he hasn’t been given much time on the pitch, especially compared to how much faith is put in the mis-firing Kamara
Agree Rob. He is a very one dimensional forward and perhaps in the right situation on the right club, he could be very effective at times. He doesn’t have to prove his worth as he has already done that for N. Ireland. He’s a recored setter, right? We had the video right here on CCN. It’s just not what we needed and if McBride had stayed healthy everyone might be singing his praises at this point.
He is far to small in general for a forward in the prem. but he will catch on well somewhere and if he stays with us may just earn us a point or two somewhere along the road.
You’re probably right Rob, it’s just that he, more than anyone, epitomises the Sanchez regime for me (bring in loads of small, sub-par players, especially if they’re Northern Irish). Kamara get’s my faith on the other hand because he, at least, has the right attributes to succeed at the highest level. He just needs to be in a team in which he isn’t the attacking fulcrum in a long-ball strategy.
Well, I hope the Finnish national team is better than the Northern Ireland national team :) Seriously, I’m glad that we’ve brought in some new players but I’m going to hold my excitement in check until I see how they perform. I remember getting excited by Sanchez’s signings too and look where that got us.
wise words, BC. But Andreasen and Hangeland both looked like they could be good the other day. If GAM can adapt quickly up front we might have a team on our hands.
Very true. I hope we do and soon!