I think one of the issues with this team the entire season is there wasnt an identity on both ends of the pitch that worked together.
If you play expansive football (Leeds and Wolves have shown you can) then you have to commit to it. We tried a few years ago and it failed, but we tried. This year we have no identity to start the season and were between two minds all year. Eventually we sorted out the defense to be competent, but it was already too late, because the players you need on offense to compliment that defense arent available.
If/when we come back up we really need to pick a style of play. If we want to play tight in the back like we mostly did the last 2/3 of the season, that is fine. But we better either have blazing pace to compliment it (counter attack is the style), or a team that can disrupt and cross/finish (think Burnley). Our crossing was woeful all season so we we stuck in the middle. If we want to play a little more silky, that is good, but you better have a winger with pace or that can skin guys 1v1 to create havoc. We had neither. If we want to go fully wide open, high press, thats fine too. But commit to it and buy the players.
We ended up with a box to box team with a solid backline and goalie, but our front 3-4 were only above Sheffield in quality. Going side to side all day doesnt do it. Commit to a style and build the team.
I agree with the sentiment of your post but that identity is difficult to achieve with the Fulham recruitment model which has become too reliant on the loan system. We need a core group of permanent players that we can build on and add to every season to create that identity, with one or two loan players at most.
Quote from: Whitestone on May 10, 2021, 11:10:21 PM
I agree with the sentiment of your post but that identity is difficult to achieve with the Fulham recruitment model which has become too reliant on the loan system. We need a core group of permanent players that we can build on and add to every season to create that identity, with one or two loan players at most.
That's more like it.
Quote from: fancyfeet4 on May 10, 2021, 10:42:15 PM
I think one of the issues with this team the entire season is there wasnt an identity on both ends of the pitch that worked together.
If you play expansive football (Leeds and Wolves have shown you can) then you have to commit to it. We tried a few years ago and it failed, but we tried. This year we have no identity to start the season and were between two minds all year. Eventually we sorted out the defense to be competent, but it was already too late, because the players you need on offense to compliment that defense arent available.
If/when we come back up we really need to pick a style of play. If we want to play tight in the back like we mostly did the last 2/3 of the season, that is fine. But we better either have blazing pace to compliment it (counter attack is the style), or a team that can disrupt and cross/finish (think Burnley). Our crossing was woeful all season so we we stuck in the middle. If we want to play a little more silky, that is good, but you better have a winger with pace or that can skin guys 1v1 to create havoc. We had neither. If we want to go fully wide open, high press, thats fine too. But commit to it and buy the players.
We ended up with a box to box team with a solid backline and goalie, but our front 3-4 were only above Sheffield in quality. Going side to side all day doesnt do it. Commit to a style and build the team.
SP said he was gonna give us an identity when he took over. Where is it?
I absolutely agree. Our playing philosophy needs to be agreed at the top level, certainly TK needs to understand and buy into it as well as the manager and the coaching staff. Then we must recruit against that agreed approach. We need to release players who don't fit and build a cohesive squad that can play as a unit. We were far, far from that this year.
Quote from: Blawarmy on May 10, 2021, 11:16:26 PM
Quote from: fancyfeet4 on May 10, 2021, 10:42:15 PM
I think one of the issues with this team the entire season is there wasnt an identity on both ends of the pitch that worked together.
If you play expansive football (Leeds and Wolves have shown you can) then you have to commit to it. We tried a few years ago and it failed, but we tried. This year we have no identity to start the season and were between two minds all year. Eventually we sorted out the defense to be competent, but it was already too late, because the players you need on offense to compliment that defense arent available.
If/when we come back up we really need to pick a style of play. If we want to play tight in the back like we mostly did the last 2/3 of the season, that is fine. But we better either have blazing pace to compliment it (counter attack is the style), or a team that can disrupt and cross/finish (think Burnley). Our crossing was woeful all season so we we stuck in the middle. If we want to play a little more silky, that is good, but you better have a winger with pace or that can skin guys 1v1 to create havoc. We had neither. If we want to go fully wide open, high press, thats fine too. But commit to it and buy the players.
We ended up with a box to box team with a solid backline and goalie, but our front 3-4 were only above Sheffield in quality. Going side to side all day doesnt do it. Commit to a style and build the team.
SP said he was gonna give us an identity when he took over. Where is it?
Its possession keep ball that's his style