Zoltan Gera could return to Albion
Friday 27th May 2011, 12:00PM BST.
Former Albion hero Zoltan Gera could make an emotional return to the Hawthorns – with the Baggies also chasing Championship top scorer Danny Graham.
Albion are in pole position to re-sign Gera, who is a free agent following three years away with Fulham.
And the Baggies are also set to hit Watford with a second bid for Geordie striker Graham, after having an offer of around £2.5million turned down.
The 25-year-old is also a target for Premier League new-boys Queens Park Rangers, after hitting 27 goals in all competitions for the Hornets last season.
But it is the potential return of Gera that will most excite Baggies supporters, with reports from his native Hungary claiming the former national team captain is keen on a second spell in the West Midlands.
Fulham have also opened talks with the 32-year-old over a new deal at Craven Cottage, but a lack of first-team football towards the end of the season has reportedly convinced him to move on.
Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is an admirer of Gera, having taken him to Fulham from the Hawthorns in 2008 and making him a regular in the Cottagers side. The release of Giles Barnes earlier this week leaves a vacancy for an attacking midfielder.
Gera remains a hugely popular figure with fans and staff at Albion, where he spent four years and made 155 appearances.
The Hungary international left Albion in search of regularPremier League football but is now keen to strike a deal to return, after Hodgson helped secure a second successive season of top-flight action for the club.
The Baggies are also likely to increase their offer for 25-year-old Graham, after the Hornets knocked back their initial £2.5million bid.
QPR had a similar bid rejected last week, with Graham’s prolific season establishing the 6ft 1in tall forward as one of the hottest properties outside the top flight.
The forward began his career as a trainee with Middlesbrough, before loan spells at Darlington, Derby County, Leeds and Blackpool.
But he built his reputation with Carlisle, for whom he hit 40 goals in 113 appearances between 2007 and 2009.
Graham joined Watford on a free transfer at the end of his contract in Cumbria and has since scored 41 goals in 98 Hornets games.
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Quite frankly, i dont see any mileage in bringing Zoltan back to the Albion, he will remain one of my favourites, but a huge torrent has passed under the bridge from when he last graced our shirt.
His percieved reasons for wanting to leave Fulham……Lack of appearances, we have improved imeasureably in the last year, can anyone see him being a regular in our starting eleven ?
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Six years ago, Gera was a revelation. However, he wasn’t the same player after a lengthy injury and, three years on, I’m afraid we don’t need him now. We have Dorrans, Thomas, Mulumbu, Brunt, Scharner, Tchoi and Morrison. Thats looks pretty impressive. Gera had three years on good money so I don’t think he will feel his move to Fulham was a wasted one.
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I think Danny Graham would be an excellent signing. Finished as the Championships top scorer in a mid table team. I think a partnership could flourish with him and Odemwingie up front next season as opposed to Fortune or Miller.
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Not sure about this one, depends on what Gera we get. The Gera that played out of his skin towards the end of his Albion contract or the Gera that was quite happy to sit on the bench doing nowt for a large percentage of his time with us. Personally if its just a case of him taking Barnes place in the squad then i have no problem, but i don’t think he is good enough to be a first choice starter in our current midfield. In Roy we trust…
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Zoltan’s time is up. He’s 32 and never really established himself at Fulham. Also, he was willing to take their £35,000 a week at a point when we really needed his talents at The Hawthorns.
When it comes to strikers, don’t rule out the fast-improving Coxy. Did you see his goal for Ireland? And he was Man of the Match. He’s just 24 and has a high-energy, non-stop game. That guy is going to develop in to a sharp, mature, top-quality striker.
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I like the idea of Graham.
Gera – No chance.He is a free agent and at 32 years old will be looking for a big pay day.We won’t be paying the money he wants.
Not sure I want him back anyway.I would rather remember the Zolly who gave his all.
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Gotta say I don’t think Zoltan should return – he will always be remembered as a top player here and a return could damage that – plus as others have said, we don’t really need him now as we have decent wide midfielders already – and he aint a winger.
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Can’t believe any of the negative Gera comments, He would be an excellent addition to our squad he is quick, good in the air, can cross a ball, retains posession and scores goals from wide areas? I personally think for a free transfer would represent excellent business and are keeping everything crossed that we convince him to come back he would be another quality free transfer.
GERA, GERA, GERA, GERA!!!!!
As for Graham not sure a good idea going after Championship Strikers? Is he pacey enough for the Prem? Jury is out for me on that one.
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Romsley,
I think good memories are clouding you judgement son!
Adéu
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If he does come back lets hope he has a better second term than Fortune has had so far, its always a risk for both player and club.
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Kev in Mallorca,
Have you got sunstroke? On what grounds do you base your thoughts? Under Hodgson at Fulham a virtual ever present, scored goals all over Europe and was a big part in their rise up the Prem and scored some important goals on the way to the Europa League final? I think back to back seasons in the Prem has deluded many of our fans into thinking we are Man Utd or something? Gera is an excellent player, Question….. coming off the bench, Miller or Gera?
By the way Cheers Dad!
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I really hope he comes back. What an excellent playmaker he is and covers every blade of the pitch.
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I agree with one of the earlier posts, Gera left when we needed him most. Fulham waved a big 35k a week under his nose and he jumped at it! We don’t need him!
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In January I was suggesting bringing in Danny Graham. Still think he would be useful. Watford obviously will sell and are trying to start an Auction by disclosing information. I think that he will be well sought after.
I also have said I don’t think we truely know Roy’s preferred tactical formation but I suspect that it will not be the same as towards the end of last season. Despite using Meite 10 times he has shown him the door. A sure sign that he has got the best mileage out of the materials he has had to work with but perhaps has a better opinion of what he wants to have and which tactics will be using term. I expect that this will be an interesting summer. Also remember Roy only wanting players who want to be here. I’m pretty sure he will do good business for us this year.
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As for Gera; we took Fortune back to our cost I think. Time to learn a lesson from that. Not sure at 32 Gera represents value for money. Sure good in the air etc etc, but I wouldn’t guarantee him a starting berth and also there is no such thing as a free transfer these days with Agents taking a huge cut and sign on fees. Thanks for the memories Zoltan and good luck at Upton Park or wherever you end up.
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Romsley
If you dont mind me saying….That is a rather unfair and loaded question.
I have more pertinent question`s for you.
Gera to start ? Coming of the bench Gera or Dorrans ?
What i can see, the reason Zolly wants to leave Fulham for regular starts, i cannot see he would get them nowadays.
I have already stated that i loved the guy when he was here before, but i do think that we have moved on.
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I suppose there is always a temptation for a manager to return to a former club for players he knows and respects.
When all our players are fit we are spoiled for choice but we did fall short in midfield in certain games when Brunt and Scharner were out. He may be a valuable squad player but at 32 it is not risk free. Zoltan received a warm reception on his return to the Hawthorns last year and I think would be welcomed back by most fans despite some negative reaction here. We must however satisfy ourselves as to his fitness as he spent a lot time sidelined at Fulham last season. At 32 those injuries could become more frequent.
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Have we not learned our lesson from the Fortune saga?
Player and half when he was here, but lets not look back. Shame about SuperKev being released, I hope he finds a club if he wishes to continue.
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Slightly off topic, but here’s one for the JP critics and ‘Where’s the money gone?’ brigade…….
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/league-tables/1992-to-2011.html
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On Gera, as has been said, there’s a question mark on his age. Would he command a first-team place? Probably not. Does he want first-team football? Probably. That said, as Offside (no.4) says, if you’re releasing someone like Barnes and taking Gera, then the squad has improved if Gera is happy with a bit-part role off the bench.
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Personally I have mixed feelings on both Gera returning and Graham joining us. Firstly Gera – Yes he was fantastic when he first came to the Albion but as 1 or 2 posters have pointed out he wasnt the same player after his lay off with injuries and I must question
A – Would he be the same player now as he was then &
B – Would he really offer us anything when we now have so much quality in midfiled. I rated him highly and was sorry to see him leave but maybe second time around isnt meant to be.
As for Graham well he may have been top scorer in the Championship but surely now that we appear to be establishing ourselves as a Premiership side we need to look at already proven premiership players or at least overseas equivalents.
I admire Cox and his spirit, and he has scored some great goals for us, but he also set the world on fire at a lower level yet hasnt really done the same at prem level.
£2.5 million may be a good investment but I hope the club are thinking that this kid could be one a a number of new front men for the Albion and not just the only one!
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19) Thats an eye opener, specially given the fact that massive club down the road, for all its sugar daddies, debts written off etc, has spent each season £155,000 more, probably not far of what we take in pie sales each game!
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And he missed a penalty against the Wolves!
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Post 19 Warren
There are quite a few of our “followers” and some supporters who are very quick to criticise the business acumen and decision making of our board. Yet we are the 2nd best run club in the Prem and the table that prob shows the last 4 years transfers says volumes.
http://www.transferleague.co.uk/league-tables/2006-2011.html
The aim of the transfer market is to steadily improve our squad so we can compete at the highest level that our finances and our support dictates. I Live in Scotland and went to every home game this season but I did note that the home support was not sold out.
Its about time that our native supporters started supporting the club, and supporting the decisions that have got us where we are today.
Gera would be a good addition to our current squad with the finances we have. Who would the fans prefer instead. Gerard maybe? or Lampard? Dream on it is not going to happen.
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Romley
I try to keep out the sun, son.
My reasons are the same as others mentioned on here and it was a couple of yrs ago when he was playing regular under Roy, now at 32 I think the money he would cost could be better spent on a younger squad player and although I liked him when he played for us, I didn’t like that after we signed him,yes he played well for us but then after nursing him through a long injury he left for money pure and simple.
Adéu
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Wbaforever, how is my question of Gera or Miller coming off the bench either an unfair or loaded question? I believe we need Gera to start on the right hand side of midfield and this would strengthen our team Chris Brunt to refer back to the left?
There is only one question to answer in all this, Would Zoltan Gera improve our squad? And the answer is yes whether he starts or comes off the bench, that im afraid will be down to Roy. If he is playing well and fitting in the system then yes if not he would be warming the bench. That is if he does decide to come back all i know is Gera is 32 yes but still looks fit and a couple of years contract wouldn’t be a risk if he passes a medical.
I think Roy knows best. I trust him.
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I think everyone is missing the point here.Would Gera improve and strengthen our squad?Without doubt.Two year deal thank you very much.I can see it now, Brunt crosses and Gera is there at the back post popping it in the back of the net.He was quoted as saying only last month he has never felt as physically fit as he is now.On the subject of age we let Kevin Phillips go at 35.Do i have to say anymore!
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23) yes, but be fair, he also scored the goal against Wolves in 2008, that won the game, sent us top, and put an end to Wolves promotion hopes that season.
Back to you!
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Romsley
by unfair and loaded, i meant you cherry picked a name, that in all probability will not be at the club next term.
Plus the fact as if by comparison, Gera and Miller is like comparing Apples to Bannanas.
Yes, i think he would enhance the squad, as it stands today, right now, but i reitterate, i understand he wants to be a regular starter, it is only my opinion, but he would not start even with the current squad without any potential additions.
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MoorHallBaggie
I agree with much of what you’ve written, every word in fact, except for the loose comparison with Phillips. Phillips as a goal poacher didn’t necessarily have to rely on energy and agility, especially playing with another striker, just nouse, positioning and finishing. Gera however will lose a lot more from his game as he gets older as he’s much more energetic. However if you say he reckons he’s fit, then I’d go with that and like you, think he’s improve the squad.
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Gutted if Itay Shechter doesn’t sign for us cos thats the end of my “Itay Shechter – who is it then” joke….. boo !
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Wbaforever,
Cherry picked a name? Hasn’t Miller been on the bench the last few games? Doesn’t he have at least a couple of years on his current contract? Alright then Fortune then? The point is he is a better attacking option than some of the current crop of players hence improving the squad.
Warren,
You are assuming Gera would play wide as i probably am. At Fulham under Hodgson he played wide and behind a striker he may play behind Odemwingie? Just a thought.
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Itay no good worrying abaht it ‘Appy’, Itay gonna ‘appen !
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Blimey, when Villa clean house, they clean house, ten out!
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p.s. Carew who? who’s sorry now!
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It’s not even the end of May yet and the window is open to the end of August. The way speculation is already,I wager that we will have been linked with in excess of 100 players once it shuts.
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Not sure what “Zolly” brings us if he comes back – loves the baggies though, so maybe a good squad player?
Also, why do we wnat Brad Freidel – isnt he past it now? Would prefer Kusack back if poss?
Anyway, Roy absolutely knows what hes doing, so in him we trust!
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dont tell me, i need to learn to spell?
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Gera!, I like to remember him scoring at the Custard-Bowl for e,g, when we beat wolves four times in one season. Roy wouldn’t guarantee him a first team berth. I myself would rather see George Thorne come off the bench.
Danny Graham, why not, we only have to look at the way Simon Cox is developing, he can now cover in midfield, besides score sweet goals. I repeat, why not?.
Carew, Why not join Walsall, son.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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I’ve always been a fully paid up member of the Gera fan club. Too old? I’d leave that question to Roy Hodgson who probably knows a lot more than we do.
One thing know one else has mentioned. Nowhere in this article does it state that Roy or anyone at the Albion has said we’re interested. As far as I can see it’s all a bit of media kite flying because Roy took him to Fulham.
I’d be surprised if Dan Ashworth hasn’t got his eye on the next 24 year old Zoltan Gera.
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Dont wana say i told you so, but i told you so.
Dig around for them old shirts boys. His names bound to be on the back of one of em.
On the plus side, at 34 he is just comming into his prime. ( for a heavyweight boxer )
This is textbook/ old manager running out of ideas and trying to recreate his last sniff of sucsess ( although the record book will say it was failure ) by surrounding his husk with familiar OLD faces.
Expect more of the same.
Casting me mind back, couldnt zoltan wait to escape for more money and held you to ransome so he could escape ?
New song for next season ? Marching backwards on together.
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Pls Pls No, Gera had his time with us.
Decided the grass was greener.
Never believe in players returning, it’s never the same the next time round.
Well said 5, when Coxy first came I could see Superkev in him,spin on a tanner.
Sure he’ll be a gem with another couple of seasons.
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I have one abiding memory of Zoltan Gera. Home to Blues in the 04/05 season, chasing a lost cause, kept the ball in and won a corner. From the corner Clement headed home and we go on to win 2-0.
He scores goals, can play up front or in midfield and would represent a risk free aquisition. Worth a punt I reckon.
Boing Boing!!
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Good point about Villa and Carew. Another one that got away was James Beattie. And where is Djemba Djemba. In fact these three were in the rumour mill last summer and in Eric’s case even at the Hawthorns. It’s a sign of how much progress has been made and expectation we have now that all of us, even those who considered the benefits of these players in our squad, would not consider these three at all now. Onwards and upwards.
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40 Lonely.
Oh dear, oh dear. You’re really speaking from the heart here aren’t you? Remind us all, has Mick signed anyone not Irish or ex-Sunderland yet?
Do I get the feeling you’d love to have Gera at the Moulinex but know it won’t happen?
Never mind, always feel free to share your concerns with us on here. We love hearing them.
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Just picked up this interesting statistic from the Mick McCarthy interview on the dark side.
‘There are lies, damn lies and statistics, of course, but according to the numbers, only relegated and goal-shy Birmingham – 314 shots, 121 on target – carried a weaker threat to the opposition than Wolves’ seasonal output of 327 shots on goal, of which 139 were on target. It certainly pales alongside neighbours Albion’s ratio of 446-182.’
I say interesting because I thought the difference would be much higher.
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41 Lonely-
you obviously frown on,and mock the idea of, bringing old players back that’s ‘past their sell by date’.
That being the case,why were so many wolves fans desperately pleading for Robbie Keane to return to the old custard bowl last season?
I heard the ‘ammers were paying him 70k a week to help send them down by missing sitters 2 yards out.
But you don’t need to bring old players back,when you can give the likes of Craddock new contracts.
And I’m sure he can remember when the original Mol. was being built.
And when he used to play next to Billy Wright.
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(41)
Odd Fellow,
Wolves don’t have to dig out old shirts as they already wear them. One player is too old even to be a “PRIZE FIGHTER”. One of your keepers and a striker, make Santa Claus look young. Don’t preach to us about going back to a club for players, Have a go at Mick.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Cantello, I’m all for taunting poor old Lone because he’s into flagellation big-time, but please mate, don’t mention Craddock in the same breath as Billy Wright. It’s like comparing deFreitas with Jeff Astle or Ronnie Allen. Or swearing in Church. On the Gera topic. Let’s say he was on £10K per week with us at that time. Let’s say Fulham offered him £30K.
Hands up all the liars who wouldn’t take it.
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Definitely give Gera a chance. Nobody should be guarenteed a starting place in the team, but he would be extra Premier league quality player for the squad. There will be injuries, suspensions and players off form next season and Gera will be needed. He is an inspirational player and that can lift the crowd and then the team. He can raise the tempo, has a good through pass and unlike some midfielders, has a decent shot and will bag 8 or so goals.
I don’t blame him for bettering himself financially. Look at Lee Hughes who actually stood on the terraces, but that didn’t stop him leaving to join Cov. He still has a soft spot for Albion and he would give the club a boost.
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Pleased to see some backing for Cox on here. At times over the past year or so, ive been on my own it seems in praising the potential this lad shows. Quite a few posts have gone along the “not up to Prem level” line, ignoring the fact this is a young lad learning his trade from League 1 football to bit-part player in a promotion winning Championship side, now playing either as a out and out forward or mostly as a deeper sitting striker/midfielder in a Prem side. Going to be a top player for sure, hope it’s with us! Has done remarkably well considering the few chances he has had!
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51.boyfrom. Heyup mate, there’s been a group of us singing Cox’s praises a while now. We like what we see and have said as much. Frequently.
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Fair enough.
As im no spring chicken meself, perhaps i shouldnt be having a go at Gers’s age.
Me and a few mates who are the same age as me are thinking about starting our own exotic dance troop for ladies only.
Were thinking of calling our-selves,,,
THE PLASTIC-HIP’N'-DALES
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