I'm quite worried about next season,
I feel the quality of teams coming up from the championship is higher, Leicester have a good squad and ipswich coming straight up from league one will have room to spend, Leeds and or Southampton in the lay offs both have good squads too, let's hope for a shock by west brom or norwich!
That's without looking at ourselves, currently only above everton because of their points deduction and that leaves only 3 teams who will be in the prem next year and then you look at ourselves, we managed to get through a tough summer but you would say we've digressed a little and this summer isn't shaping up positively yet. We do have a lot of work to do and our thin squad can't dilly dally this year.
If clubs below us and clubs coming up get their summers right and quickly then we will start slipping.
Blimey.
Let's at least finish this season before the doom mongering starts.
Personally think Leicester superior to last seasons Champs Burnley, but not by a lot, and they'll start with a points deduction. Ipswich perhaps better than Sheff U, but after successive promotions they'll need to replace half their squad. Ipswich will perhaps be more like Luton this season. And the PO winners, well if its Southampton or Leeds they'll be competitive but not aiming for much more than 17th. I can't see Norwich or WBA staying up.
My worry is our squad is one of the oldest in the Prem, slight echoes with Jol's last season.
I think with the results we've had this season against some of the top teams, shows that we should be pushing on next season.
It's the dropped points like Saturday's game that has affected us this season- plus Burnley H/A, Sheff Utd A etc. I'll look back on this season and genuinely think we should have been much closer to Europe (hence we should be looking up NOT down).
Ipswich are only Ted Phillips and Ray Crawford short of winning the Prem next season....
So history won't repeat itself with three consecutive seasons as it did in the 'sixties.....?
Ipswich won't be able to spend that much? Their PSR rolling 3 year window will have two league 1 seasons and a championship season will it not? Our B team also comfortably dispached half their A team in the Carabao cup. Leicester have shown that under pressure they've not got much bottle either, which is something they'll face a lot of next season. Southampton/Leeds were rubbish last time around as well and they'll have budget constraints, not sure why the OP is so negative when the current season isn't even done yet
Pros for next season.
- Established premier league level striker in Muniz from the start of the season
- fullbacks on long term deals
- Bassey is outstanding, diop is more than capable. Can play well together from the start.
- Palhinha's stock has dropped a bit and on a longer contract. His yellow cards have shown we can play well without him.
- Silva is commited to Fulham, and Fulham back Silva.
- basically no massive rebuilt is needed.
Of course Bayern could come and get Silva and Palhinha. they also need a new left back.
If we didn't have Mitro not wanting to play and waiting for Raul and Muniz to find their shooting boots in cupboard under the stairs of the cottage, we should be 8-12 points better off this season....
I personally think the gulf is getting bigger all the time between Premier league and Championship. Remember Leicester will start with points deduction and no disrespect to Ipswich but don't see anything other than a struggle for them.
Leeds have all the potential to succeed. Of the others much of a muchness unlikely any of them will do what we did and what Forest did and go on a wild shopping spree. Ideally Norwich come up and we should see a repeat of this season with at least three teams worse than us.
Quote from: Deeping_white on May 07, 2024, 11:22:06 AMIpswich won't be able to spend that much? Their PSR rolling 3 year window will have two league 1 seasons and a championship season will it not? Our B team also comfortably dispached half their A team in the Carabao cup. Leicester have shown that under pressure they've not got much bottle either, which is something they'll face a lot of next season. Southampton/Leeds were rubbish last time around as well and they'll have budget constraints, not sure why the OP is so negative when the current season isn't even done yet
I think, but not 100%sure, that Ipswich will have one of each, Div 1, Champ and PL allowances. A great disadvantage but they have Kieran McKenna as Coach and he is way better than any of the relegated manager/coaches.
Quote from: Willham on May 07, 2024, 10:54:35 AMI'm quite worried about next season,
I feel the quality of teams coming up from the championship is higher, Leicester have a good squad and ipswich coming straight up from league one will have room to spend, Leeds and or Southampton in the lay offs both have good squads too, let's hope for a shock by west brom or norwich!
That's without looking at ourselves, currently only above everton because of their points deduction and that leaves only 3 teams who will be in the prem next year and then you look at ourselves, we managed to get through a tough summer but you would say we've digressed a little and this summer isn't shaping up positively yet. We do have a lot of work to do and our thin squad can't dilly dally this year.
If clubs below us and clubs coming up get their summers right and quickly then we will start slipping.
Short memory? Leicester, Southampton (and Leeds) were relegated from the PL. What makes you think they've improved?
Had we just escaped relegation I would tend to be a bit nervous. But to be fair and despite an awful end to the season. We have been fairly comfortable in the end. It all depends on who stays for us and who goes and who we can recruit. Not about the teams that are coming up but about what we do.
Not worried about the teams coming up, think Maresca has a lot to prove before I see Leicester as a serious threat. People were raving about Burnley last season as the fashionable attacking side that would take the prem by storm, and that went like it did.
They have potential to stay up, but there isn't much to suggest that they're better than last seasons batch.
Quote from: Tabby on May 07, 2024, 02:09:22 PMNot worried about the teams coming up, think Maresca has a lot to prove before I see Leicester as a serious threat. People were raving about Burnley last season as the fashionable attacking side that would take the prem by storm, and that went like it did.
They have potential to stay up, but there isn't much to suggest that they're better than last seasons batch.
Norwich is doing quite well at the moment. If they get promoted and manage to keep their best players (Borja Sainz, Gabriel Sara, Jonathan Rowe and Josh Sargent) then they'll do a lot better than Luton and Burnley have this season. Rowe and Sara are PL ready players.
I want a younger squad where we also score from allover the park with a sprinkling of academy players i watch a few of them games to keep myself upto date on their progress,well they no how to disappoint.3 1st year boys have caught my eye but many hav"nt.Scouts have told me if you have a load of developement players 21 in the side its failed they need to be ready at 19 t0 20 to go on loan which i might add this year after 15 years.They need to play against men with no reserve league it doesn't bare well.We have 2 next season with 1 more year taking them to 23, and mcavoy had a serious injury but has a contract till 25,its good if you can get it,its a shame but hes not tall enough for a centre back.And we must be the only club to have a anglo brazillian who struggles at 20 to21 to play anything like a brazilian,they the coaches say he could make the 1st team in my eyes the only way he will get near the 1st team is driving the 1st team coach.
I expect us to add some quality to the squad in the earlier part of the summer transfer window and finish top half next season.
Quote from: Hugh Janus on May 07, 2024, 11:16:57 PMI expect us to add some quality to the squad in the earlier part of the summer transfer window and finish top half next season.
Expect or hope?
We definitely need to focus on bringing down the average age of the squad. As was previously said, this is what happened during the end of Jol's tenure and ultimately lead to relegation.
On the plus side, we should have quite a bit of room to spend, just need to be smart.
We definitely need a couple of wingers and a centre back. Probably a CM even if Palhinha stays
Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Diop, Tosin, Iwobi, Willian, Palhinha, Cairney, Muniz, Pereira, Traore, Jimenez, Lukic, Wilson, D-Reid, have all scored premiership goals this season. You don't have to be that young to score goals from all over the park!!
Quote from: Twig on May 08, 2024, 01:29:11 PMQuote from: Hugh Janus on May 07, 2024, 11:16:57 PMI expect us to add some quality to the squad in the earlier part of the summer transfer window and finish top half next season.
Expect or hope?
Exactly. (There speaks a Fulham fan)
Quote from: Willham on May 07, 2024, 10:54:35 AMI'm quite worried about next season,
I feel the quality of teams coming up from the championship is higher, Leicester have a good squad and ipswich coming straight up from league one will have room to spend, Leeds and or Southampton in the lay offs both have good squads too, let's hope for a shock by west brom or norwich!
That's without looking at ourselves, currently only above everton because of their points deduction and that leaves only 3 teams who will be in the prem next year and then you look at ourselves, we managed to get through a tough summer but you would say we've digressed a little and this summer isn't shaping up positively yet. We do have a lot of work to do and our thin squad can't dilly dally this year.
If clubs below us and clubs coming up get their summers right and quickly then we will start slipping.
That's the spirit! Never look up when looking down is so much easier. We need more fans like this.
Now, who would like to start the annual "everyone is leaving and I am worried" thread?
What is our 'guaranteed' squad for the start of next season, if none of our in contract players left?
I have BDR, Tete, Tosin, Willian, Broja, FBT all out of contract with us.
BDR and Willian are the two players who've made the biggest difference throughout the season and Tosin has started a fair few games too.
We know that Marco wants to keep Willian and the club is in contract talks with BDR and Willian..
We've got an idea that Willian is open to moving on and Tosin does look like he's off.
Replacing Willian will be a tough act, he's got that touch of class when he plays and technically he's great, it makes a big difference to the fluency of our attacking play, which in turn makes a big difference to how teams defend against us.. plus he scores goals and assists and is well liked in the dressing room..
We really need to keep our starting 11 as much in tact as possible and a fair few of our squad players and still strengthen significantly in the window.
Will be a big summer again. Let's hope the club move fast and have their targets lined up. Its what Marco wants and what we'd all like.. though experience has suggested we'll drag our feet.
Quote from: Twig on May 08, 2024, 01:29:11 PMQuote from: Hugh Janus on May 07, 2024, 11:16:57 PMI expect us to add some quality to the squad in the earlier part of the summer transfer window and finish top half next season.
Expect or hope?
Expect
Regarding next seasons promoted teams, there's nothing to worry about.
Having said that, it wasn't a stroll to beat them this season.
I think we now have a team/squad that can take a knock if we lose a highly regarded player such as Palhinha, Tosin or Willian.
Would be nice to keep 2 of the 3 but not essential to a mid table finish as long as they are replaced well.
As much as I like Palhinha I believe finding a player who has the discipline to sit, read the game and is strong in the tackle can be achieved.
I think I'll save my blood pressure till we start seeing movements in the squad over the summer.
Scored goals in League 1
Scored goals in the Championship (& in a crap team too)
Time to give Stansfield a chance.
Quote from: Hugh Janus on May 07, 2024, 11:16:57 PMI expect us to add some quality to the squad in the earlier part of the summer transfer window and finish top half next season.
You may have expectations of good signings in the early summer window but the fact is that other than Tosin leaving we have no idea of how the ins and outs will turn out.
We have to wait until the end of the summer window to make meaningful predictions about next season.
Quote from: filham on May 10, 2024, 12:31:54 PMQuote from: Hugh Janus on May 07, 2024, 11:16:57 PMI expect us to add some quality to the squad in the earlier part of the summer transfer window and finish top half next season.
You may have expectations of good signings in the early summer window but the fact is that other than Tosin leaving we have no idea of how the ins and outs will turn out.
We have to wait until the end of the summer window to make meaningful predictions about next season.
I suspect the club will have a pretty good idea. Much as people seem to like a moan we have had two seasons now in the league and were nowhere near relegation for either of them. None of this FFP stuff has been an issue. And we have a new stand.
I think the club deserve a lot of credit. Other than the occasional curve ball like Mitrovic they will know who they want and who they will have. We need to enjoy this. It won't last forever.
JP and Willian possibly leaving will be hard to replace, Cairney's getting less and less game time, Robinson May debate a move, Lukic imo isn't good enough, Adama might be getting irritated at his amount of game time and Raul too
Gonna have to make some signings that's for sure
Not worried, yet, but the end to this season is feeling like the last under Al Fayed.
That summer he sold, we did not invest & were relegated the season after.
Hopefully, :Khan_you_fix_it: remembers that, listens to Marco & gets some new players in.
I'm not worried. We have a squad that comfortably stayed up this season. There's always a bit of churn in the close season so I expect several new faces and of course we have Marco Silva and 'he's a genius'
Not understanding why, as we have no idea who will be going/coming.
This time last season we were full of hope and felt we could build on a good season. But Mitro left, we nearly lost our best midfielder.
So a bad finish to the season may actually help us. The powers that be will see we need investment on the field. No doubt we will see players go and players stay and hopefully bring in better replacements for those that leave.
I presume the fact we still have Silva means he is hopeful of a better Summer.
Let's over spend and lose 2 pts , we can get 30 points next season :slap:
Quote from: Huxley on May 07, 2024, 11:26:17 AMPros for next season.
- Established premier league level striker in Muniz from the start of the season
- fullbacks on long term deals
- Bassey is outstanding, diop is more than capable. Can play well together from the start.
- Palhinha's stock has dropped a bit and on a longer contract. His yellow cards have shown we can play well without him.
- Silva is commited to Fulham, and Fulham back Silva.
- basically no massive rebuilt is needed.
Of course Bayern could come and get Silva and Palhinha. they also need a new left back.
If we didn't have Mitro not wanting to play and waiting for Raul and Muniz to find their shooting boots in cupboard under the stairs of the cottage, we should be 8-12 points better off this season....
I thought Pailhina had a good game today against a very good team. Bassey looked a bit wild at times, gave the ball away, and out of position too often. But I agree that he has been impressive overall this season.
Will worry if we don't start positively next season.
Will worry if we lose JP and Willian
Will worry if we lose silva
If none of those happen and we strengthen will a few quality additions like last summer with bassey & iwobi.
Thinks we will be fine.
Personally I'm quite positive for next season. Of course there will be some changes in the playing staff - some in, some out. That's in the nature of things. Stansfield presumably comes back and will be an upgrade on a leaving BDR. Tosin leaves. Tete might wish to move on. If we can back up the full back positions, find a good replacement for Tosin and the odd unexpected new face I think we will be fine.
Quote from: hovewhite on May 12, 2024, 08:20:57 AMWill worry if we don't start positively next season.
Will worry if we lose JP and Willian
Will worry if we lose silva
If none of those happen and we strengthen will a few quality additions like last summer with bassey & iwobi.
Thinks we will be fine.
This ...
and let's face it our league position wouldn't be as good as it is without the points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Quote from: HV71 on May 12, 2024, 08:59:48 AMQuote from: hovewhite on May 12, 2024, 08:20:57 AMWill worry if we don't start positively next season.
Will worry if we lose JP and Willian
Will worry if we lose silva
If none of those happen and we strengthen will a few quality additions like last summer with bassey & iwobi.
Thinks we will be fine.
This ...
and let's face it our league position wouldn't be as good as it is without the points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Forest would still be way behind. Everton would be a few points in front. We would still have been nowhere near relegation. Hasn't really affected us I think.
To be honest it's not something I worry about, it's not going to change my life, it's just a game of football.
Of course to some it's everything, so fair enough for them.
Do not panic Mr Mannering.
Nevertheless we cannot sit on our hands though, because if you stand still you will get overtaken.
Everyone including Fulham will start with a clean sheet.
But everyone else will be looking to freshen up their team as well.
We have to read the warning signs, because you have to win, and if you cannot win, it is important you learn.
Fulham need surgery no matter who leaves,let us hope it is not major surgery.
Starting with the defence including a leader who can marshal the back line.
Midfield most certainly, starting with a creative player, a genuine play maker.
We need power and pace on the wings.
Up front i prefer to see more than one toiling away waiting for service he never gets.
A partnership of Stansfield and Muniz has been discussed and why not.
But we need another decent striker, yes they cost money, but we are in the English Premier League, not the Mongolian 2nd Division, so we have to pay the going rate.
If you want to accumulate you have to speculate.
Having said that, i expect our crack recruitment unit are beavering away looking for gems that can save us a lot of money in the long term.
They need to look nearer to home, they would be surprised how many they can find under their noses.
Rather than go the other side of the planet to find a player that may or not speak English and may or may not settle due to the players failure to integrate.
As the pace of English football is a great deal higher.
I also feel Silva can reflect on his own system of play, and maybe he will tinker around more in preseason to create a system that will play to the strength of the players under his command.
We need to increase our tempo, press higher up the pitch and not be so predictable with slow boring build ups.
Opponents know exactly how Fulham play and prepare accordingly.
Silva has to be more proactive not reactive.
The team have to be more consistent if they wish to build on the first two seasons back in the Premier League.
That is down to Silva and the players with the backing from the club.
The owner has to invest on the field of play because we have to step up a gear as everyone else will that is most certain.
In fact Fulham must step up two gears to gain an edge.
Also how many players have worn the Captains arm band this season, too many, and not one real Captain material and certainly not a leader.
So we need strong leadership on the pitch as well, with plenty of Lieutenants to support the Captain.
Because once that whistle blows its down to the players on the pitch.
However just as important off the pitch is Silvas game management, which i feel has room for improvement.
I am saying this in a constructive manner as substitutions these days are an important part of a game and he can use them earlier to make an impact.
Bringing a striker on in the last ten minutes to try and salvage a draw or seek a winner, as if Siva feels he is that good to be capable of scoring a goal in the dying minutes.
Then why not give him more time and start him and give him 90, or at least bring him on and give him 30, he might score more than one that way if he is as good as Silva thinks he is.
Plenty to chew over from the Directors to the Management to the Players.
Believe me the English Premier League will be at least as strong as last year, and everyone will be after each others scalp.
As for Fulham we have to turn them into a team that nobody wants to play, because they fear what damage we are capable of doing.
Not just look upon us as a nice little team who try and play football to please the perfectionists and conosuirs with a cute little ground where away supporters can swan in knowing they can turn Craven Cottage into a home game, and only have to talk loud to drown out what little noise comes from the home supporters.
As i say, lots to chew over from top to bottom, and we have the best part of three months to prepare and organise to face the challenges ahead and that includes stability.
On a foot note, i would not be too quick to write off players that have not attracted attention for all the right reasons.
Whether it be age or very little game time.
Be careful what you wish for as we will once again need all hands on deck.
Better to have the devil you know than the devil you don't.
Also home grown talent in the Academy is a must to consider, and instead of loaning them out for others to benefit from, use them ourselves as other teams tend to do.
Always room for improvement.
I'm only worried if silva goes. Anything else is replaceable.
Our current squad has drifted down the table. In my opinion, if we don't strengthen with additions in defence, midfield and attack, we will be in the bottom six next season - which means we risk being in the midst a relegation battle if Forest and one of the promoted teams do better than might be predicted. If we have the financial leeway to purchase at least three players who can improve our starting XI, it's a risk we shouldn't entertain. I would like there to be 'clear daylight' between ourselves and the team that will be third from bottom; right now, I'm not convinced this would be the case.
Quote from: Sting of the North on May 12, 2024, 09:30:13 AMQuote from: HV71 on May 12, 2024, 08:59:48 AMQuote from: hovewhite on May 12, 2024, 08:20:57 AMWill worry if we don't start positively next season.
Will worry if we lose JP and Willian
Will worry if we lose silva
If none of those happen and we strengthen will a few quality additions like last summer with bassey & iwobi.
Thinks we will be fine.
This ...
and let's face it our league position wouldn't be as good as it is without the points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Forest would still be way behind. Everton would be a few points in front. We would still have been nowhere near relegation. Hasn't really affected us I think.
I totally get what you are saying Sting - but the point I was trying to make is that , given recent results, and responding to Hovewhites's excellent post - the direction of travel isn't that great( and if the points deductions had not happened) then we would be finishing 15thwith Brentford just behind us and Forest that bit closer. After finishing 10th last year and holding onto 12th for a good part of the season, I am a tad disappointed and concerned about how this has unraveled.
From what I've seen of the Championship, I have no worries about next season. The gap grows ever larger.
Would love to see Yaser Asprilla join for next season, another left footed strong option.
I wouldn't mind a punt at Emile Smith-Rowe from Arsenal who is available.
Definitely a striker needed, plus left and right back and a replacement for Adarabioyo.
Dewsbury-Hall has been mentioned, as has Rayan Cherki.
The age has to come down soon, or we will be getting another lower mid table finish to next season.
Why do people think BDR is off? Marco has said that there is an offer on the table.
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on May 12, 2024, 04:15:22 PMWhy do people think BDR is off? Marco has said that there is an offer on the table.
It feels similar to Kebano. Just because there is an offer on the table, it does not mean it's an offer acceptable to the player. In fact given BDR's age, you'd think if the offer was acceptable he'd already have signed it.
True Surlyc, true. He could reject the offer I suppose.
I would be surprised if he did though, as far as we know he doesn't have an offer to go to Saudi like Kebano had. Back to Bristol City, or to his mate Joe Bryan at Millwall? He's still too good for that, I think.
I am not worrisome over next season. Among the 13 teams we can compete with, I think we'll be fine. The top six? Fagetbout it. After viewing the Citi match, I came away with the thought that we have three players(all defenders) that might make Citi's bench. None of our attackers would get a sniff. Robinson can't cross well enough to start. Bassey isn't the quickest around and JP would start until his cards ticked off Guardiola. The league is set up for the top teams. The rest are Doughboys under Marshal Foch, simple cannon fodder.
I actually enjoy the football more when we are in the Championship. Yes, we occasionally ambush someone in the Prem, but for the most part the matches are like yesterday.
Quote from: alfie on May 12, 2024, 09:51:38 AMTo be honest it's not something I worry about, it's not going to change my life, it's just a game of football.
Of course to some it's everything, so fair enough for them.
I agree, it is what it is and my life will go on.
As you say it's just a game of football and at times boring and not worth the admission fee.
Quote from: YankeeJim on May 12, 2024, 10:36:56 PMI am not worrisome over next season. Among the 13 teams we can compete with, I think we'll be fine. The top six? Fagetbout it. After viewing the Citi match, I came away with the thought that we have three players(all defenders) that might make Citi's bench. None of our attackers would get a sniff. Robinson can't cross well enough to start. Bassey isn't the quickest around and JP would start until his cards ticked off Guardiola. The league is set up for the top teams. The rest are Doughboys under Marshal Foch, simple cannon fodder.
I actually enjoy the football more when we are in the Championship. Yes, we occasionally ambush someone in the Prem, but for the most part the matches are like yesterday.
See I disagree on your last point, especially this season. We've actually got some points off the top six for once, so it points to being more competitive than ever. It's the points v Burnley, (home and away), sheff utd (away) that have shaped this season. Saturday was a bit of an anomaly for me, we've rolled over very few times this season.
Fulham is at last in a position that it can focus on bringing in players that improve us in the medium-term and long-term.
I would prioritise getting both a long-term centre-back and a left-winger that is young and improves the squad immediately, then see how much remaining money there is, to see how much we can spend on other transfers and loans.