but does anyone else think we could be the dark horses for the race for the top 4? everyone in the media talks about Everton and them challenging for the top 4.... our only problem has been our away form, we've got quite a underrated team, goals from everywhere and our home record against everyone is very good even Chelscum also Man United... but like i said we fix our away form we could really challenge for Europe, anyone think i'm deluded or maybe if you think about it, i've got a point?
if we keep up a good form and get some good results and decent points from the first 10-12 games we'll certainly have the possibility to do it
question is if we can keep such a solid form throughout the whole season?
No chance.Night.
Don't have the depth, we may of won away but it was against Wigan who haven't beaten us in 12 games now. We have some challenging fixtures coming up, November will be particularly tough. It's far too early to say what will happen.
Let's not get carried away. Great start but City is a massive test on Saturday.
I wonder what BetFair is offering on this one, maybe 100-1?
This is the sort of comment that people (QPA fans perhaps) would use as evidence of Fulham fans becoming disproportionally confident and slightly delusional. Some have us as relegation contenders. There is absolutely no way we will finish top 4. Arsenal, ManU, Chels, ManCity, Tottenham... All of those squads are stronger than ours, by a long way.
I don't think its deluded as much as it highlights we have come a long way and our talent is solid and getting better each year. The fact that even one of our fans thinks we have some outside shot at 4th or Europe says a lot about our start and our prospects. I do think if we continue to play the way he have and gets some more guys healthy and playing together more, we could sneak in a 6th or 7th. I think we are that good.
Quote from: DiegoFulham on September 25, 2012, 12:24:55 AM
but does anyone else think we could be the dark horses for the race for the top 4? everyone in the media talks about Everton and them challenging for the top 4.... our only problem has been our away form, we've got quite a underrated team, goals from everywhere and our home record against everyone is very good even Chelscum also Man United... but like i said we fix our away form we could really challenge for Europe, anyone think i'm deluded or maybe if you think about it, i've got a point?
Well,but if it doesn't happened /fixing the away form/ there is always the possibilities to be top 4 from the bottom up... 064.gif
That's a pretty dark horse. But hey, is is an optimism thread.
I prefer realism...
The City game will be defining. If you win that one, you can start dreaming, yes
an amazing season would see us finish 6th/7th max i believe. Beyond that i really dont see how it could be possible in any circumstance. im trying to get on board but naa i cant. love the optimism though. Top 10 would be stellar, with 1 or 2 landmark CM/CB coming in before next season then we can reevaluate
if we have 40 points by Xmas...! haha
That sounds deluded and I don't agree :dft011:
Loving the optimism though :54:
Fulham are usually next door to Everton at the finish.
I think this season looks a bit brighter for us because we have started well, we are usually in the bottom 6 till Christmas.
Moyes has done good business in the transfer window this summer and all is looking rosy with much more depth in the squad, boosted by some much needed players to fill the weak positions.
The first thing to enter my head every season is to avoid relegation, then the second thing is to finish ahead of our shitty neighbours, if we get both of those i would consider it a very good season.
To finish 4th is still a very tough call. The two Manchester Clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal must still be favourites, 5th or 6th is up for grabs and i fancy us to pip Spurs, Newcastle, and Fulham, but you never know in football, "its a funny old game".
Bill.
PS... the lads who joined my fantasy footy comps can see the updated leagues at .... www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com (http://www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com)
I think the vast majority are correct; we simply do not have a large enough squad/enough depth to our squad.
I think we will be comfortably midtable again but I really would like to see Jol play a strong team in the FA Cup and really take that competition seriously. Along with the League Cup (tho obv not this season) it is realistically our only chance of a trophy.
Quote from: RidgeRider on September 25, 2012, 02:35:51 AM
I don't think its deluded as much as it highlights we have come a long way and our talent is solid and getting better each year. The fact that even one of our fans thinks we have some outside shot at 4th or Europe says a lot about our start and our prospects. I do think if we continue to play the way he have and gets some more guys healthy and playing together more, we could sneak in a 6th or 7th. I think we are that good.
I kinda agree with you there. If Richardson shows the same form as he did at Sunderland and Dejagah lives up to his promise,both will give us good options in Midfield and allow other players like Duff to be rested in the last 20 minutes of a game keeping them fresh. We have back ups up front with Petric, Frei and Kaclinic. I see no reason why we can't beat last seasons points haul and set a new record for Fulham
I have to agree; sounds deluded...
The best I think we can hope for is a good first half of the season where we are about 5th at Xmas. Then we should attract some decent players in he jan window. 6th would be amazing and is a stretch but could be possible. I'd very much doubt is getting higher then that.
Quote from: licker on September 25, 2012, 07:35:49 AM
Fulham are usually next door to Everton at the finish.
I think this season looks a bit brighter for us because we have started well, we are usually in the bottom 6 till Christmas.
Moyes has done good business in the transfer window this summer and all is looking rosy with much more depth in the squad, boosted by some much needed players to fill the weak positions.
The first thing to enter my head every season is to avoid relegation, then the second thing is to finish ahead of our shitty neighbours, if we get both of those i would consider it a very good season.
To finish 4th is still a very tough call. The two Manchester Clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal must still be favourites, 5th or 6th is up for grabs and i fancy us to pip Spurs, Newcastle, and Fulham, but you never know in football, "its a funny old game".
Bill.
PS... the lads who joined my fantasy footy comps can see the updated leagues at .... www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com (http://www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com)
I assume you meant Everton there Bill? Cos if we pip ourselves it certainly is a "funny old game" :wink:
(http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/425AirportFlyingPigs.jpg)
How many of you guessed Newcastle would finish 5th last season? Don't rule anything out in football
Quote from: MrFFC on September 25, 2012, 08:44:11 AM
How many of you guessed Newcastle would finish 5th last season? Don't rule anything out in football
They didnt qualify for CL football though.
They are also a significantly bigger club than us.
Last week we were in relegation trouble from some people, this week is CL football. I suspect we will end up somewhere in between these two views.
Last season and the season before I suggested we could 'push on'. We could build on the squad we had and make a play for the top 4. I was met with mostly negative responses. We are just too small etc etc. Well sadly after the last transfer window I have to now agree with the doubters.
Fulham will always be a selling club. We will at best replace with over the hill players or young kids who if they ever become any good we will sell on. So no not now or ever.
I truly believed for a few seasons we were heading in the right direction. Now the club and most of its fans have accepted survival as our best option. Which is fine.
Quote from: AlFayedsChequebook on September 25, 2012, 08:51:30 AM
Quote from: MrFFC on September 25, 2012, 08:44:11 AM
How many of you guessed Newcastle would finish 5th last season? Don't rule anything out in football
They didnt qualify for CL football though.
They are also a significantly bigger club than us.
They just have a bigger stadium
No.
Quote from: AmericanJames on September 25, 2012, 09:52:42 AM
Quote from: AlFayedsChequebook on September 25, 2012, 08:51:30 AM
Quote from: MrFFC on September 25, 2012, 08:44:11 AM
How many of you guessed Newcastle would finish 5th last season? Don't rule anything out in football
They didnt qualify for CL football though.
They are also a significantly bigger club than us.
They just have a bigger stadium
And a bigger fan base. They are a one-team city and they have got a history of winning trophies. NUFC is a way of life in Newcastle, the support is obsessive and hugely widespread. In many ways Newcastle are a 'bigger' club than us. They certainly have the capability of running on a more sustainably bigger budget than us.
On 5 Live last night they were talking about Everton having a chance of 4th place - and I was bit miffed that they didn't mention Fulham at all - only to point out how unrealistic the table is at the moment.
But I'm glad really that the media isn't bigging us up -I'm superstitious,and do think it unlikely we will finish 4th. Obviously, anywhere in the top 10 would be good. i think we will have a good season, though -hopefully!
Quote from: DiegoFulham on September 25, 2012, 12:24:55 AM
but does anyone else think we could be the dark horses for the race for the top 4? everyone in the media talks about Everton and them challenging for the top 4.... our only problem has been our away form, we've got quite a underrated team, goals from everywhere and our home record against everyone is very good even Chelscum also Man United... but like i said we fix our away form we could really challenge for Europe, anyone think i'm deluded or maybe if you think about it, i've got a point?
I'll have some of what you're smoking please mate.
City will definitely show how well Fulham can play vs. the top teams. Imho, if the away form gets significantly better than anything is possible.
No way.
I think we are top 10 for sure the only problem we have is
Our goalkeepers and strikers are top 6 quality wise our defence is top 10 but our midfield is not top 10 imo but with Duff in the form he is in and with Frei Dejagah Richardson and Karagounis to come in we can push midfield to top 10
Quote from: BestOfBrede on September 25, 2012, 08:23:56 AM
Quote from: licker on September 25, 2012, 07:35:49 AM
Fulham are usually next door to Everton at the finish.
I think this season looks a bit brighter for us because we have started well, we are usually in the bottom 6 till Christmas.
Moyes has done good business in the transfer window this summer and all is looking rosy with much more depth in the squad, boosted by some much needed players to fill the weak positions.
The first thing to enter my head every season is to avoid relegation, then the second thing is to finish ahead of our shitty neighbours, if we get both of those i would consider it a very good season.
To finish 4th is still a very tough call. The two Manchester Clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal must still be favourites, 5th or 6th is up for grabs and i fancy us to pip Spurs, Newcastle, and Fulham, but you never know in football, "its a funny old game".
Bill.
PS... the lads who joined my fantasy footy comps can see the updated leagues at .... www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com (http://www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com)
I assume you meant Everton there Bill? Cos if we pip ourselves it certainly is a "funny old game" :wink:
No, i was talking about EVERTON pipping Fulham, being as i am an Everton fan. :dft012:
Quote from: RaySmith on September 25, 2012, 10:23:48 AM
On 5 Live last night they were talking about Everton having a chance of 4th place - and I was bit miffed that they didn't mention Fulham at all - only to point out how unrealistic the table is at the moment.
Everton have a far stronger squad than us this season, they really do look good
Love the optimism, keep up the fight against the grain my friend :) But realistically yes if all those things come together we can do it, but asking a team to over excel in every department consistently is another thing all together. Like I said love the optimism but I'll stick to odds and say it won't happen.
Quote from: licker on September 25, 2012, 12:24:48 PM
Quote from: BestOfBrede on September 25, 2012, 08:23:56 AM
Quote from: licker on September 25, 2012, 07:35:49 AM
Fulham are usually next door to Everton at the finish.
I think this season looks a bit brighter for us because we have started well, we are usually in the bottom 6 till Christmas.
Moyes has done good business in the transfer window this summer and all is looking rosy with much more depth in the squad, boosted by some much needed players to fill the weak positions.
The first thing to enter my head every season is to avoid relegation, then the second thing is to finish ahead of our shitty neighbours, if we get both of those i would consider it a very good season.
To finish 4th is still a very tough call. The two Manchester Clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal must still be favourites, 5th or 6th is up for grabs and i fancy us to pip Spurs, Newcastle, and Fulham, but you never know in football, "its a funny old game".
Bill.
PS... the lads who joined my fantasy footy comps can see the updated leagues at .... www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com (http://www.bills-footyforum.proboards.com)
I assume you meant Everton there Bill? Cos if we pip ourselves it certainly is a "funny old game" :wink:
No, i was talking about EVERTON pipping Fulham, being as i am an Everton fan. :dft012:
Ah, that explains it, Bill! - I think both teams have it in them to do very well, but top 4 is a little too far for either at the mo. I like this optimistic thread, though. Good luck for the rest of the season (except against the Whites, of course) and lets hope that we are both above your neighbours and ours at the end!
Question to many of you, how many of us thought Blackpool would go up when Newcastle went up in the 09/10, they were relegation candidates..... i know i'm being very optimistic with us challenging for the Top 4 but a few years ago when Liverpool won the CL in 05 being 3-0 down against the best team in the world at the time and what happened? did anyone see us beating Juv 4-1 at the cottage after being 1-0 after 2 mins? and even the QPR fans would admit, they looked certain for relegation last season but somehow beat all the big teams in the process to sent Wanderers down.... listen the premier league is a race at the end of the day and there will be a massive challenge on our hands to complete with the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle, Everton ect... but if we continue to start well then maybe just maybe, we could possibly snatch at the chance, i was also thinking about the players we brought in, Petric (Hamburg Legend), Berbatov(won 2 Premier League titles), Hugo is a very underrated player even at Wigan. I agree we're missing something major in the midfield after losing Murphy. One of the major reasons i've come to this concision even if it seems very unlikely, even deluded because of last seasons form after Christmas, I remember seeing a SSN article about the season we finished 3rd behind City and United that's if you take away the first part of the season and left it as just after christmas, if we somehow are there or thereabouts after Christmas then who knows? look at newcastle last season or Everton in the 04/05 season..... even less so tottenham on many occasions.... Football is a weird game.... and as we say at this football club.... STILL BELIEVE COYW's
Saturday will be the real test if we beat City the media who largely ignore us will have to take notice. To get into the top four you have to be very lucky with injuries or have a very strong squad. We have an impressive lot of youngsters who can help, but we are desperately short in midfield, if Baird and Sidwell got suspended or injured we would be in trouble. Jol realises this but I am not sure any of the players available on frees are the answer.
To conclude, we do have a chance of a top four place but need buckets of luck.
we are also dark horses for the drop. i will say this is the first time in years that we have had a pretty good start to the season. the schedule was about as easy as they come though.
top 4 = cloud9
but sadly not going to happen. if we would have kept moussa, possibly top 6. as it stands, 8th or 9th place.
We have never started this well in the top division of English football that is the difference.
If we had not started so badly against Man U and had not forgotten how to defend dead ball situations against Waste Spam we would be top now.
Quote from: horse1031 on September 25, 2012, 02:48:45 PM
we are also dark horses for the drop. i will say this is the first time in years that we have had a pretty good start to the season. the schedule was about as easy as they come though.
top 4 = cloud9
but sadly not going to happen. if we would have kept moussa, possibly top 6. as it stands, 8th or 9th place.
Our start was as easy as they come? What a statement. Away to Westham, Utd and Wigan and Home to Norwich and to an in form west Brom? I'd say 9 points from that is VERY good and not an easy feat for a club of our stature coming off the back of a semi poor transfer window.
Quote from: A Humble Man on September 25, 2012, 02:52:01 PM
We have never started this well in the top division of English football that is the difference.
If we had not started so badly against Man U and had not forgotten how to defend dead ball situations against Waste Spam we would be top now.
See this is another reason to support the claim? a few top players to come in, in January then who knows?
Quote from: FFC1987 on September 25, 2012, 02:55:54 PM
Quote from: horse1031 on September 25, 2012, 02:48:45 PM
we are also dark horses for the drop. i will say this is the first time in years that we have had a pretty good start to the season. the schedule was about as easy as they come though.
top 4 = cloud9
but sadly not going to happen. if we would have kept moussa, possibly top 6. as it stands, 8th or 9th place.
Our start was as easy as they come? What a statement. Away to Westham, Utd and Wigan and Home to Norwich and to an in form west Brom? I'd say 9 points from that is VERY good and not an easy feat for a club of our stature coming off the back of a semi poor transfer window.
I think you could argue that, that statement is a little unfair due to Liverpool spending these Millions on rubbish also QPR spending it on rubbish too, compared to ourselves and Everton in recent years, Dembele bought for 5 million, sold for 15, berbatov signed by Man united for 30 million , we paid 4 Million. Petric one of the better strikers in the German top flight a few years ago on a free..... Money does play a factor in the PL like it has for Chelscum and City but at the end of the day it's how to spend it, so we don't have to pay Millions for class..... we had a good window tbh without spending a stupid amount like Queens Park Rangers or Liverpool
Quote from: DiegoFulham on September 25, 2012, 03:01:59 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on September 25, 2012, 02:55:54 PM
Quote from: horse1031 on September 25, 2012, 02:48:45 PM
we are also dark horses for the drop. i will say this is the first time in years that we have had a pretty good start to the season. the schedule was about as easy as they come though.
top 4 = cloud9
but sadly not going to happen. if we would have kept moussa, possibly top 6. as it stands, 8th or 9th place.
Our start was as easy as they come? What a statement. Away to Westham, Utd and Wigan and Home to Norwich and to an in form west Brom? I'd say 9 points from that is VERY good and not an easy feat for a club of our stature coming off the back of a semi poor transfer window.
I think you could argue that, that statement is a little unfair due to Liverpool spending these Millions on rubbish also QPR spending it on rubbish too, compared to ourselves and Everton in recent years, Dembele bought for 5 million, sold for 15, berbatov signed by Man united for 30 million , we paid 4 Million. Petric one of the better strikers in the German top flight a few years ago on a free..... Money does play a factor in the PL like it has for Chelscum and City but at the end of the day it's how to spend it, so we don't have to pay Millions for class..... we had a good window tbh without spending a stupid amount like Queens Park Rangers or Liverpool
We had a good window? We lost demps and Dembele. We failed to buy any desired midfield, thats a fact which is the basis of my point. I even described it as semi poor because we lack depth. So I'm fully justifed in stating that.
If we had a standout defensive center mid who could distribute the ball well, and if our starters don't get hurt, then, yes, we could make a run up the table for sure. But -- and this is just my opinion, mind you--we don't have a good bench. We can't afford injuries. Good thing we aren't in Europa now. I'm a little worried about the wear and tear of international call up duties. Who is likely to be tapped for internationals?
Quote from: FFC1987 on September 25, 2012, 02:55:54 PM
Quote from: horse1031 on September 25, 2012, 02:48:45 PM
we are also dark horses for the drop. i will say this is the first time in years that we have had a pretty good start to the season. the schedule was about as easy as they come though.
top 4 = cloud9
but sadly not going to happen. if we would have kept moussa, possibly top 6. as it stands, 8th or 9th place.
Our start was as easy as they come? What a statement. Away to Westham, Utd and Wigan and Home to Norwich and to an in form west Brom? I'd say 9 points from that is VERY good and not an easy feat for a club of our stature coming off the back of a semi poor transfer window.
5 games and probably playing only 1 team in the top 10 this year. Seems like a favorable schedule to me. Wigan and Norwich are legit relegation candidates. Not saying Brom or Wet Spam couldnt crack top 10 but not likely.
I am not saying that 9 points isnt good and I am very pleased because we still had to win those games. Just stating that the starting schedule has been tougher in previous years.
Quote from: horse1031 on September 25, 2012, 04:14:16 PM
Quote from: FFC1987 on September 25, 2012, 02:55:54 PM
Quote from: horse1031 on September 25, 2012, 02:48:45 PM
we are also dark horses for the drop. i will say this is the first time in years that we have had a pretty good start to the season. the schedule was about as easy as they come though.
top 4 = cloud9
but sadly not going to happen. if we would have kept moussa, possibly top 6. as it stands, 8th or 9th place.
Our start was as easy as they come? What a statement. Away to Westham, Utd and Wigan and Home to Norwich and to an in form west Brom? I'd say 9 points from that is VERY good and not an easy feat for a club of our stature coming off the back of a semi poor transfer window.
5 games and probably playing only 1 team in the top 10 this year. Seems like a favorable schedule to me. Wigan and Norwich are legit relegation candidates. Not saying Brom or Wet Spam couldnt crack top 10 but not likely.
I am not saying that 9 points isnt good and I am very pleased because we still had to win those games. Just stating that the starting schedule has been tougher in previous years.
That I agree with, but I'm not certain about all this relegation talk yet. think there might be a few surprises and Wigan have started brightly as well so I still think I've seen worser run in's in the first 5 but I've also seen a lot easier!!! Rehardless 9 points and we sat 4th in the league saturday, great times for FFC.
Not. a. chance. in. the. world.
Still chuckling my nuts off, talk about blind faith :$
No chance
As has been said, with a bit more depth, I think we could be challenging for top 6 or 7, but if we get a few injuries, things could start looking a bit tricky.
Let's hope we get one or two quality signings in the January window. Then, who knows? :yay:
Someone posted earlier about always thinking that "next season we could push on", I'm exactly the same however, as long as we remain a selling club and due to our size thats what we are we have to accept that finishing 7th is probably as good as it gets. A side that included Berbatov, Dempsey and Dembele.... different story but unfortunately we have become used to selling our prized assets that we had hoped to build on to others only to have to start again. Give me 7th and a place in Europe and I'm over the moon.
We've realistically got more chance of getting relegated than finishing 4th.
Both scenarios are unlikely but you only need to look at Hull in their debut season to see how quickly a good start can unravel.
The important thing is that we have won the matches expected of us. Norwich and WBA would always be on my list of home bankers and if you were to pick an away win it would be Wigan.
Equally Old Trafford and Upton Park are bogey grounds to rival Goodison so are two losses don't necessarily equate to points squandered.
A point or more against Citeh and the same from the Saints may just put us on course for a ground breaking 6th place but I won't dare to dream until April.
I fully understand your excitement and optimism. I too am hopeful for great things this year and am starting to believe it possible. BUT by great things, I mean a finish somewhere between 6th and 9th place. I can't see us doing any better than that. Things look promising right now, but one critical injury and look out. It's nice to dream, though. Mine is that we sneak into the last spot in Europe by edging out Spurs and show Clint he would've better off sticking with us!
It's a most unusual table if you look at it but it's only after 5 games.
With our midfield now threadbare I'll be happy for us to keep out of the relegation scrap. Top 10 would be nice, anything else would be a bonus!
Since Fulham's highest-ever league position is 7th, shouldn't we "just" dream to break the record? :dft002:
Quote from: farfouille on September 25, 2012, 10:59:16 PM
Since Fulham's highest-ever league position is 7th, shouldn't we "just" dream to break the record? :dft002:
I agree with that but there again we broke that with a poorer side... we've got much better talent, as many of you still believe we are still 'little' Fulham who can't challenge, didn't 'little' Fulham get to the europa league final against Spain's 3rd biggest traditional club? we sell out 99.5% of the home games, we don't sell out away due to our away form as QPR are currently going through. we're getting a bigger stand to increase the stadium size, we've been in the Premier League for 10+ years, we've got two big derbies(even if that doesn't make any difference) lets not over spend our means but look at the players we have, I saw a comment about us being a selling club, Dempsey had one year left and refused to play whereas Dembele has a clause in his contract that released him for 15 million, look at the players we brought in for the money we spent....
Hard to see it happening - unless, Fulham receive the benefit of assorted financial shenanigans by the clubs placed above...
COYW