Gedo can be 'crown jewel', but Hull City loanees need time to find form
STEVE Bruce has warned expectant Hull City supporters it may take time before they see the best of new signings Gedo and Ahmed Fathi.
The Tigers' deadline-day arrivals, signed on loan from Egyptian side Al Ahly, are due to land in England this week to join up with their new team-mates ahead of City's televised trip to Brighton on Saturday.
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Prolific Egyptian striker Gedo. Picture via Flickr: ahmed_elmoon2020 http://www.flickr.com/photos/57904033@N03/
Both Gedo (pictured) and Fathi will have their fitness assessed before a decision is made over their involvement at the Amex Stadium but both are expected to arrive short of match sharpness.
The suspension of the Egyptian Premier League in the wake of the Port Said tragedy last January has limited both players' action over the last 12 months, though a chance to hone their match fitness could come with a run-out in Egypt's friendly against Chile in Madrid tomorrow evening.
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Bruce has no doubts Gedo and Fathi arrive in English football with undoubted potential but knows City may need to be patient before it is realised.
"I hope they walk straight through the door and hit the ground running but it may take time," Bruce told the Mail.
"The big thing is that their league has not been playing. How physically ready they are will be the big question but certainly for ability they'll have no problems.
"If they'd have been playing every week back in Egypt then I don't think there would be any kind of problem.
"They play in a hostile environment and handle huge pressures every time they play. There'll always be a question mark over how a foreign player will adapt, but they're used to how physical it can be."
Although domestic football in Egypt was put on ice until last weekend, Gedo and Fathi were both involved in Al Ahly's African Champions League victory in November as well as a tilt at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan before Christmas. International football with Egypt also provided welcome opportunities during 2012.
Signed last Thursday on loan until the end of the season, Gedo and Fathi will arrive looking to follow the lead of team-mate Ahmed Elmohamady in making their mark at the KC.
Gedo, comfortable as a striker or playing in behind, will hope to spice up City's attack, while the versatile Fathi may be earmarked for a holding midfield role.
Joining a side hindered by a lack of potency this term, Gedo will court most attention from the terraces and Bruce added: "He's got a prolific record but he needs to take his chance of playing in England.
"He wants to prove himself here and he could be the crown jewel we're looking for. It's a gamble, but he's certainly got potential.
"I've always been intrigued by the Egyptian market. People would go all over Africa to get players, but Egypt are always one of the strongest traditionally in Africa.
"If they're in good physical shape, they'll be terrific acquisitions.
"Al Ahly is the Manchester United of Africa. To get two of their players is remarkable."
(Picture via Flickr: ahmed_elmoon2020)
29 Comments
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by Bucksphil
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 1:14PM
“Blenda1 and Strummer 1961:
I was at the 1973 match as well and you are right that Houghton scored the only goal. However I thought it was neither a header nor a 30 yarder, more a side-footed one on one under the goalie from about 10 yards. Any other fading recollections?
BucksPhil”
by strummer1961
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 8:01AM
“Blenda1/Cockney Tiger.
I remember being at that game,West Ham were one of the top-clubs back then.I'm almost certain Houghton scored with a header.”
by Youssef
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 5:20AM
“Jack... Yes i know all about amr zaki at wigan, we were all very dissapointed here in egypt, especiall because he had a very good start.
zaki and Mido, (mido played for tottenham, wigan, midllesbrough, barnsley) are Al-Zamalek made players and are well known in Egypt for their lack of respect to managers, most Al-zamalek players are.
On the other hand gedo and fathi (al-ahly made players) are two, very respctfull players, i assure you that you wont see any of the zaki attitude from the duo, i cant tell you how much the two of them wanted to play for hull when they heard about the transfer offer, our manager completely refused but they convinced him.
unlike zaki... gedo and fathi love and respect the teams they play for, i am very optimistic about the rest of hull's season, hope they help you promote to the PL”
by CockneyTiger
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 12:23AM
“Well actually you can stick Rooney.”
by CockneyTiger
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 12:22AM
“Blenda1
Did Ken Houghton score the winner from 30 yards. Think I was there too. 1-0.”
by Jack_Russell2
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 10:29PM
“Youssef......One thing for certain, Gedo & Fahti will get every oppotunity and a fair deal with Steve Bruce. Back in 2008, Steve Bruce was the Manager at Wigan when Amr Zaki gave him a lot of problems by turning up late and going missing. After that,you would think he would avoid taking on another Egyptian player....but nothing of the kind, he now has 3 of them.I am sure he will do his level best to get them to settle in quickly because lets face it, we have to crack on in this promotion chase....”
by Blenda1
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 10:25PM
“Off topic: went to City v West Ham, February 3rd, 1973. 40 years ago last week, 40 mofo years ago. I've seen fire and I've seen rain.
Get over yourselves boys......get in it for the long game.
It still makes me "twitch"
Happy 50th birthday Steve Power, lots of Tiger love to Gallen & Steve Broadbent, all the best Flash Tiger”
by stantheman
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 8:57PM
“Youseff.
You must understand that we have sad people in Hull masquerading as City fans who would moan if City signed Robin van Percy and Wayne Rooney.
Every true Tigers fan welcomes the two Egyptian players and look forward to seeing them play in the famous black an amber.”
by HullChef
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 5:38PM
“Thanks for the post Youssef and welcome. I'm not sure how much you know about Hull or the way we've been playing lately but I'm fairly certain you're used to watching some class football week-in week-out. Elmo's been a revaluation this season (cannot fathom why Sunderland seem reluctant to play him) and to be fair to him, the clips I've seen of Fathi on YouTube make him seem an even more exciting prospect. The thought of both of them and Brady delivering crosses like that every match onto the heads of Gedo and Prossy backed up by a little fancy footwork and precision passes from Aluko is enough to give any tiger a warm feeling inside. I've a good feeling about this and am looking forward to spending the grand I'll win for having a little faith when we were 11-1 at the start of the season. I just wish I'd had the balls to take advantage of the 33-1 auto promo bet. Come on city.”
by Youssef
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 5:06PM
“dont know whats wrong with the third link in my previous post
try this link instead for the third video of Gedo scoring off an assist from Fathi
http://tinyurl.com/bd9r9gm”