Numberwang in another way

New first team squad numbers are out.

The curse of the ‘proper’ numbers continues, as John Arne Riise vacates the number seven shirt recently not worn by Seol, Andranik, and… who had it last year (ed. Sidwell)?  In any case, such a prestigious number needs an equally prestigious owner, and Fulham simply haven’t come up with one.

Steve Sidwell has John Paintsil’s number four now, which seems untoward.  Not that we could retire it or anything, but as noted earlier in the pre-season, it seems a little off to give it to someone else.  Maybe a year off would have been the right thing to do.

Pajtim ‘Hail’ Kasami has taken the bull by the horns and claimed ’10′.  Good on him – I hope he’s as good as this makes him sound.  Marcel Gecov is safe with his number 15.

Who will wear number nine?

Matt Briggs has 28, Alex Kacaniklic moves into the ‘grown up’ numbers with 19, Barry Frei has 21 and Lauri Dalla Valle 24, all of which suggests some role for them in 2011/12.  Keanu Marsh-Brown has 36, which was Chris Baird’s not so long ago.  How times change.