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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Spirit of 2000 on November 09, 2018, 08:34:34 AM

Title: Last season vs This season
Post by: Spirit of 2000 on November 09, 2018, 08:34:34 AM
Taking Mitrovic out as it would be unfair to bless either side with him and taking into consideration team spirit or lack of it – who would win this match (considering no injuries apply)?

Betts, Fredericks, Targett, Odoi, Ream, KMac, Cairney, Stef Jo, Sessegnon, Ayite (or Kebano), Kamara

Rico, Fosu Mensah, Bryan,  Mawson, Chambers, Le Marchand (latter 2 have both played DM before so 1 slots in there), Anguissa, Seri, Schurrle, Christie & Vietto (central as he mostly played before coming here)
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: toshes mate on November 09, 2018, 08:55:14 AM
Interesting.  Perhaps even Fonte as a striker in last season's eleven would have been odds-on for a hat trick.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: The Old Count on November 09, 2018, 09:24:20 AM
Well we're playing worse than Hull did last season and our Championship side beat them.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Spirit of 2000 on November 09, 2018, 09:43:02 AM
Quote from: The Old Count on November 09, 2018, 09:24:20 AM
Well we're playing worse than Hull did last season and our Championship side beat them.

Exactly - seems we've spent £100 million and gone backwards.

The two fullbacks I know we were powerless with & tried to retain both. There's no evidence as yet that Bryan will not be the equal of Targett and his injury is very unfortunate. Fredericks we didn't replace properly and are paying the price. The rest shows you what a committed side with team spirit in abundance can do and how poor any team lacking cohesion, spirit, fight, passion etc are - no matter how technically great Seri can be or Schurrle etc etc.

Apart from another centre back, a decent right back proven in the English game is essential in January if we're to have any hope. The lack of team spirit & passion is a little harder to replicate and until the new signings can show they're willing and able to give that - our best chance of scrapping our way to 17th would be using a large portion of the old guard.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: @jolslover on November 09, 2018, 09:49:07 AM
Quote from: Spirit of 2000 on November 09, 2018, 09:43:02 AM
Quote from: The Old Count on November 09, 2018, 09:24:20 AM
Well we're playing worse than Hull did last season and our Championship side beat them.

Exactly - seems we've spent £100 million and gone backwards.

The two fullbacks I know we were powerless with & tried to retain both. There's no evidence as yet that Bryan will not be the equal of Targett and his injury is very unfortunate. Fredericks we didn't replace properly and are paying the price. The rest shows you what a committed side with team spirit in abundance can do and how poor any team lacking cohesion, spirit, fight, passion etc are - no matter how technically great Seri can be or Schurrle etc etc.

Apart from another centre back, a decent right back proven in the English game is essential in January if we're to have any hope. The lack of team spirit & passion is a little harder to replicate and until the new signings can show they're willing and able to give that - our best chance of scrapping our way to 17th would be using a large portion of the old guard.

Why do people think this. Sess and Mitro are the only players from the old guard that look close to prem level.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Woolly Mammoth on November 09, 2018, 10:22:55 AM
Currently most of the current team have no balls, most of them couldn't tackle a boiled egg, or foul a footpath, head a search party, or pass water, they couldn't beat a carpet.
No heart, no appetite, no pride, no confidence and far far too fragile, they are not fit to wear the shirt.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: SuffolkWhite on November 09, 2018, 10:25:57 AM
Maybe joka should have started the season with the old School and given them a chance to sink or swim and then introduce the new players gradually......Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Lighthouse on November 09, 2018, 10:30:42 AM
This time last season were we not still poor to watch? Or had we turned it around by now? Point is even at our poorest we never look as clueless as we do now. So I have no problem or doubt in saying last years team would beat this years team.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Spirit of 2000 on November 09, 2018, 10:35:56 AM
You need to scrap and battle your way out of trouble. You need commitment and leadership. There's more fight in a Saga holiday group than there is Seri, Vietto & Schurrle (plus more defensive nous than in Chambers & Fosu Mensah)

Whilst they won't set the premiership alight at least Odoi, KMac, StefJo etc will put a shift in and look like they care, undeniably we need re-enforcements in January to stand an earthly but in the meantime we need to get some semblance of organisation and fight to get to the point where we're competitive.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 10:50:48 AM
Quote from: SuffolkWhite on November 09, 2018, 10:25:57 AM
Maybe joka should have started the season with the old School and given them a chance to sink or swim and then introduce the new players gradually......Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Good point. Brighton have followed that trend, to more success than us.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: MJG on November 09, 2018, 10:53:10 AM
Quote from: Spirit of 2000 on November 09, 2018, 10:35:56 AM
You need to scrap and battle your way out of trouble. You need commitment and leadership. There's more fight in a Saga holiday group than there is Seri, Vietto & Schurrle (plus more defensive nous than in Chambers & Fosu Mensah)

Whilst they won't set the premiership alight at least Odoi, KMac, StefJo etc will put a shift in and look like they care, undeniably we need re-enforcements in January to stand an earthly but in the meantime we need to get some semblance of organisation and fight to get to the point where we're competitive.
We had a Saga Holiday team in 2013/14 and that didnt help either
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: hovewhite on November 09, 2018, 10:59:44 AM
Last seasons team were a far better unit than this seasons motley Crew this lot no fight, togetherness,no passion and look like they  don't want be on the pitch.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Chutney on November 09, 2018, 12:36:09 PM
This sums it up, we had an awful summer, our squad is worse despite the £100mil spent. Somebody has to be held to account for this.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: gerrys on November 09, 2018, 12:42:13 PM
Quote from: Lighthouse on November 09, 2018, 10:30:42 AM
This time last season were we not still poor to watch? Or had we turned it around by now? Point is even at our poorest we never look as clueless as we do now. So I have no problem or doubt in saying last years team would beat this years team.
We turned it around after losing to Sunderland who had not won a game in a year. That was in the middle of December. I thought that we might replicate it after Cardiff but Huddersfield is a lower point still........maybe now we can start the run  :023:
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: nose returns on November 09, 2018, 12:46:56 PM
last seasons team would win comfortably IMO
BUT
Last seasons team were not good enough for the prem, maybe we would have scrapped enough points but the squad needed much attention and that is what we have done exept the new guys are completely wrong! There is not a single addition I wouldn't willing replace with an alternative more sensible choice. even seri is a disapointment.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Pieter A’dam on November 09, 2018, 12:52:18 PM
biggest mistake in my opinion is not replacing Targett and Fredericks adequately. Because of this centre backs are nervous, and can't pressure and pass the ball, and this leads to an unstable midfield (Kmac-TC-Stef was a well oiled machine). the whole thing is so unbalanced ... No wonder that Ream/ Odoi and the new boys are struggling. Last year Sess was sensational with Targett behind him. At the moment we don't have fullbacks that can solve this problem; MLM-christie-Fosu not good enough to play in this system (or in the PL at all !!). By the time we get this fixed will be too late if we keep playing in Slav's system.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: toshes mate on November 09, 2018, 01:06:53 PM
Quote from: Pieter A'dam on November 09, 2018, 12:52:18 PM
biggest mistake in my opinion is not replacing Targett and Fredericks adequately.
IMO this is at the root of the problem.  When we sold Scott Malone and didn't replace him we were literally forced to play RS at left back generating consternation on here about SJ playing him out of position.  Coupled with Odoi's usefulness as a CB which remained much of a mystery until Kalas couldn't play the team was consistently unbalanced resulting in inconsistency in defence, midfield and attack. We then fail to secure Frederick's signature because an option clause was left out of his existing contract, and Targett because apparently the mony was needed elsewhere for the 'ambitious' midfield players. Naturally enough we are now lopsided on both flanks simply because neither playing fullbacks are 'better or as good as' what we have lost.  Bryan may be the answer on the left but that still leaves the right and I believe Christie is better in midfield although perhaps not a 'strong' PL player by all accounts.

Misadventure, bad admin or bad planning?  Who can tell?
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Mickeyboro on November 09, 2018, 01:11:29 PM
Bryan could still be a diamond, injury permitting. Fosu Mensah for Fred is an entirely different matter!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Sgt Fulham on November 09, 2018, 03:22:19 PM
Last year's playoff final team would beat our current team. The way we play requires confidence and understanding and the difference between those aspects of both teams is huge.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 03:51:30 PM
Quote from: Chutney on November 09, 2018, 12:36:09 PM
This sums it up, we had an awful summer, our squad is worse despite the £100mil spent. Somebody has to be held to account for this.

It is not worse. Ridiculous comment.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: filham on November 09, 2018, 06:33:14 PM
Quote from: Pieter A'dam on November 09, 2018, 12:52:18 PM
biggest mistake in my opinion is not replacing Targett and Fredericks adequately. Because of this centre backs are nervous, and can't pressure and pass the ball, and this leads to an unstable midfield (Kmac-TC-Stef was a well oiled machine). the whole thing is so unbalanced ... No wonder that Ream/ Odoi and the new boys are struggling. Last year Sess was sensational with Targett behind him. At the moment we don't have fullbacks that can solve this problem; MLM-christie-Fosu not good enough to play in this system (or in the PL at all !!). By the time we get this fixed will be too late if we keep playing in Slav's system.
I agree the main summer failure was in replacing the quality full backs we lost which means our back four is inferior to last season.
In midfield we are waiting for Seri and Anguissa to perform and until they do last season's engine room of Cairney, McDonald and Johanson was vastly superior.


The only player of value we seemed to have got from the 100m spend is Mitrovic.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Statto on November 09, 2018, 08:04:53 PM
Quote from: Sgt Fulham on November 09, 2018, 03:22:19 PM
Last year's playoff final team would beat our current team. The way we play requires confidence and understanding and the difference between those aspects of both teams is huge.

I'd say Rico and Schurrle are upgrades, both full-backs are downgrades, so it depends whether you think Anguissa and Seri are better than KMac and Johansen. Either way where oh where did that £100m go???

Bettinelli vs. Rico - BETTER
Fredericks vs. Fosu-Mensah/Christie - WORSE
Odoi vs. Odoi - NO CHANGE
Ream vs. MLM - NO CHANGE
Targett vs. Sessegnon - WORSE
KMac vs. Anguissa - controversial, Id say BETT ER
Johansen vs. Seri - again controversial but I'd say BETTER
Cairney vs. Cairney - NO CHANGE
Sessegnon vs. Vietto - NO CHANGE
Kamara vs. Schurrle - BETTER
Mitrovic vs. Mitrovic - NO CHANGE
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: @jolslover on November 09, 2018, 08:46:10 PM
Quote from: Statto on November 09, 2018, 08:04:53 PM
Quote from: Sgt Fulham on November 09, 2018, 03:22:19 PM
Last year's playoff final team would beat our current team. The way we play requires confidence and understanding and the difference between those aspects of both teams is huge.

I'd say Rico and Schurrle are upgrades, both full-backs are downgrades, so it depends whether you think Anguissa and Seri are better than KMac and Johansen. Either way where oh where did that £100m go???

Bettinelli vs. Rico - BETTER
Fredericks vs. Fosu-Mensah/Christie - WORSE
Odoi vs. Odoi - NO CHANGE
Ream vs. MLM - NO CHANGE
Targett vs. Sessegnon - WORSE
KMac vs. Anguissa - controversial, Id say BETT ER
Johansen vs. Seri - again controversial but I'd say BETTER
Cairney vs. Cairney - NO CHANGE
Sessegnon vs. Vietto - NO CHANGE
Kamara vs. Schurrle - BETTER
Mitrovic vs. Mitrovic - NO CHANGE


Agree with all your summaries. Better on both CMs.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: AnOldBrownie on November 09, 2018, 09:51:57 PM
Quote from: Statto on November 09, 2018, 08:04:53 PM
Quote from: Sgt Fulham on November 09, 2018, 03:22:19 PM
Last year's playoff final team would beat our current team. The way we play requires confidence and understanding and the difference between those aspects of both teams is huge.

I'd say Rico and Schurrle are upgrades, both full-backs are downgrades, so it depends whether you think Anguissa and Seri are better than KMac and Johansen. Either way where oh where did that £100m go???

Bettinelli vs. Rico - BETTER
Fredericks vs. Fosu-Mensah/Christie - WORSE
Odoi vs. Odoi - NO CHANGE
Ream vs. MLM - NO CHANGE
Targett vs. Sessegnon - WORSE
KMac vs. Anguissa - controversial, Id say BETT ER
Johansen vs. Seri - again controversial but I'd say BETTER
Cairney vs. Cairney - NO CHANGE
Sessegnon vs. Vietto - NO CHANGE
Kamara vs. Schurrle - BETTER
Mitrovic vs. Mitrovic - NO CHANGE

I wish the team did use Schurrle sparingly like they did AK47 last year.    He's a better player...yes, but as a STARTER who must play with MITRO...other than shooting he's been poor, and football is a team sport.

To be fair to Andre...I think he'd flourish more because I think Ryan Fredericks would try to overlap with him more than Fosu does.

Unfortunately...that would dry up when Ryan realized Andre' had no intention of passing the ball to him on the overlap.

Oh well.

Last years team ended up being more cohesive than this team currently is.    More effort as well.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Twig on November 09, 2018, 09:57:36 PM
Quote from: nose on November 09, 2018, 12:46:56 PM
last seasons team would win comfortably IMO
BUT
Last seasons team were not good enough for the prem, maybe we would have scrapped enough points but the squad needed much attention and that is what we have done exept the new guys are completely wrong! There is not a single addition I wouldn't willing replace with an alternative more sensible choice. even seri is a disapointment.

Got it on the nail Nose.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Twig on November 09, 2018, 10:01:26 PM
Quote from: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 03:51:30 PM
Quote from: Chutney on November 09, 2018, 12:36:09 PM
This sums it up, we had an awful summer, our squad is worse despite the £100mil spent. Somebody has to be held to account for this.

It is not worse. Ridiculous comment.

So you think the current team would beat last season's as per the OP? It's not a ridiculous comment at all.  With the possible exception of Rico where else are we demonstrably stronger (leaving out the signing of Mitro who was already with us)?
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 10:11:58 PM
Quote from: Twig on November 09, 2018, 10:01:26 PM
Quote from: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 03:51:30 PM
Quote from: Chutney on November 09, 2018, 12:36:09 PM
This sums it up, we had an awful summer, our squad is worse despite the £100mil spent. Somebody has to be held to account for this.

It is not worse. Ridiculous comment.

So you think the current team would beat last season's as per the OP? It's not a ridiculous comment at all.  With the possible exception of Rico where else are we demonstrably stronger (leaving out the signing of Mitro who was already with us)?

Not related to my post.

Saying that the squad is worse is ridiculous. The squad itself is significantly stronger, be it not playing well.
Title: Re: Last season vs This season
Post by: Twig on November 10, 2018, 11:15:49 AM
Quote from: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 10:11:58 PM
Quote from: Twig on November 09, 2018, 10:01:26 PM
Quote from: Facts Not Fiction on November 09, 2018, 03:51:30 PM
Quote from: Chutney on November 09, 2018, 12:36:09 PM
This sums it up, we had an awful summer, our squad is worse despite the £100mil spent. Somebody has to be held to account for this.

It is not worse. Ridiculous comment.

So you think the current team would beat last season's as per the OP? It's not a ridiculous comment at all.  With the possible exception of Rico where else are we demonstrably stronger (leaving out the signing of Mitro who was already with us)?

Not related to my post.

Saying that the squad is worse is ridiculous. The squad itself is significantly stronger, be it not playing well.


If they are not playing well (which is self evident) on what evidence can you say they are significantly stronger?  You and I have had this sort of discussion before and I just don't get what criteria you are using or how you conclude the are significantly stronger when very few have shown us a performance; Chambers rubbish, Mawson recovered from an injury but little appearance time since, Fabri laughable, Seri started okish but has gone rapidly backwards, Zambo consistently ineffective, Rico decent, Bryan waiting to see, MLM shows promise, TFM very error prone, Vietto lightweight and a defensive liability, Schurrle decent going forward but an even greater defensive liability.

I am not writing all these players off, but as yet few have shown us actual evidence of their alleged ability and that is why I don't see how you can say the squad is significantly stronger.