Let me begin by saying that I was offered a choice yesterday, to continue supporting Fulham or switch to another club. This came from my daughter no less, who is a fan of R Madrid. Hmmm let's see...
I've "only" supported Fulham for 15+ years since promotion to the 1st division, it really hasn't been that long...
I'm an American with no geographical or familial ties to the club, and no Americans on the roster to root for (save the on loan Dempsey who seems is past it, sadly)
No one will care (or even detect it) if I switch my allegiance to another club
I don't have a season ticket to give up and would probably enjoy watching my new club more of real TV vs the Internet with the feed from Kazakhstan.
I told myself I'd sleep on the decision and today I woke up still a Fulham fan, in the winter of my discontent like everyone else of this board. Life can suck at times.
My two cents.
We have no one at the helm like Roy who will right this ship the remainder of the season. Team morale and leadership ( read Danny Murphy, McBride et al) are gone and the veterans on the club do not possess the leadership skills to unite their team mates in a common purpose like staying up. It's each professional to himself, I'm sure there's a scramble to line up next years employment with their agents.
Coaching and management right now are whistling through the graveyard, not one of them possess the type of experience, resourcefulness and objectivity that Roy had when he arrived to save us. Relegation this time is inevitable. Magical thinking replaced common sense a while back in the front office and with Jol. This club has always been a little closer to the sows ear than the silk purse and no one in a leadership position recognized that simple fact. MAF may have said we were the Man U of the South but these clowns actually thought they could convert their fantasy league dreams into some sort of reality at Craven Cottage.
The present owner is a jerk. He is proof that success in the auto parts industry is not a guarantee of success in owning a professional sports team. This is the same guy who is touting his teams QB pick prior to the 2014 NFL draft which is something good owners don't do. His GM's got to be cringing. My guess is that Kahn is going to ditch the Jacksonville market (small by NFL standards) and move the team to London which is a market the NFL covets. However Fulham FC plays into this, be assured that it would be a sideshow not he main event.
Question to the Fulham faithful, could Kahn easily sell off Craven Cottage and build a new stadium elsewhere in the London area? Maybe a "multi-use" stadium? I dread this possibility.
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:00:40 PM
Let me begin by saying that I was offered a choice yesterday, to continue supporting Fulham or switch to another club. This came from my daughter no less, who is a fan of R Madrid. Hmmm let's see...
I've "only" supported Fulham for 15+ years since promotion to the 1st division, it really hasn't been that long...
I'm an American with no geographical or familial ties to the club, and no Americans on the roster to root for (save the on loan Dempsey who seems is past it, sadly)
No one will care (or even detect it) if I switch my allegiance to another club
I don't have a season ticket to give up and would probably enjoy watching my new club more of real TV vs the Internet with the feed from Kazakhstan.
I told myself I'd sleep on the decision and today I woke up still a Fulham fan, in the winter of my discontent like everyone else of this board. Life can suck at times.
My two cents.
We have no one at the helm like Roy who will right this ship the remainder of the season. Team morale and leadership ( read Danny Murphy, McBride et al) are gone and the veterans on the club do not possess the leadership skills to unite their team mates in a common purpose like staying up. It's each professional to himself, I'm sure there's a scramble to line up next years employment with their agents.
Coaching and management right now are whistling through the graveyard, not one of them possess the type of experience, resourcefulness and objectivity that Roy had when he arrived to save us. Relegation this time is inevitable. Magical thinking replaced common sense a while back in the front office and with Jol. This club has always been a little closer to the sows ear than the silk purse and no one in a leadership position recognized that simple fact. MAF may have said we were the Man U of the South but these clowns actually thought they could convert their fantasy league dreams into some sort of reality at Craven Cottage.
The present owner is a jerk. He is proof that success in the auto parts industry is not a guarantee of success in owning a professional sports team. This is the same guy who is touting his teams QB pick prior to the 2014 NFL draft which is something good owners don't do. His GM's got to be cringing. My guess is that Kahn is going to ditch the Jacksonville market (small by NFL standards) and move the team to London which is a market the NFL covets. However Fulham FC plays into this, be assured that it would be a sideshow not he main event.
Question to the Fulham faithful, could Kahn easily sell off Craven Cottage and build a new stadium elsewhere in the London area? Maybe a "multi-use" stadium? I dread this possibility.
I'm curious why you've chosen to personally attack Mr. Khan. Do you know him?
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
Once a fan always a fan, through thick or thin. To be able to swap allegiance I believe does say something about individuals.
So you consider switching allegiances at the first sign of trouble at the club, and you're calling the owner a jerk? OK then.
Quote from: Denver Fulham on February 05, 2014, 03:22:52 PM
So you consider switching allegiances at the first sign of trouble at the club, and you're calling the owner a jerk? OK then.
:plus one:
Quote from: Denver Fulham on February 05, 2014, 03:22:52 PM
So you consider switching allegiances at the first sign of trouble at the club, and you're calling the owner a jerk? OK then.
Does Sanchez count?
Quote from: Berserker on February 05, 2014, 03:14:38 PM
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
If change comes and it's for the good I will sing his praises.
Actually think mr khan is great for Jacksonville, as I have said before he went out and bought a massive tv for the stadium. I know that sounds stupid but he wouldn't have spent that kind of money to put in a stadium to then close it down. He has also spent a lot of money on new faculties at the stadium and training ground and has bought new state of the art locker rooms which has been ranked as some of the best in the nfl. Jacksonville will only trade there first round pick if they can get a great deal for it but you can argue about the Oakland raiders for doing that they are commonly trading there first round picks away, take last year for example. I think you should do a bit more research. My opionion on me khan is that I think al fayed sold him this big dream about how easy it is about running a football club and when he has got down to it he probably couldn't believe how hard it is. But to be fair to him he has bought one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment and we convinced him to drop champions league for us. So khan must be doing something right. I respect you for keeping the faith it's never easy (especially at the moment) and the fact you live so far away.
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:31:52 PM
Quote from: Berserker on February 05, 2014, 03:14:38 PM
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
If change comes and it's for the good I will sing his praises.
Still curious why you took such a personal tone with Mr. Khan. I think it's safe to say you don't know him now.
What is it that he's done so far that warrants your attack? Or is it all down to your playing on the paranoia that has been generated by the possibility of the NFL investing in London.
Quote from: Danitar on February 05, 2014, 03:33:19 PM
Actually think mr khan is great for Jacksonville, as I have said before he went out and bought a massive tv for the stadium. I know that sounds stupid but he wouldn't have spent that kind of money to put in a stadium to then close it down. He has also spent a lot of money on new faculties at the stadium and training ground and has bought new state of the art locker rooms which has been ranked as some of the best in the nfl. Jacksonville will only trade there first round pick if they can get a great deal for it but you can argue about the Oakland raiders for doing that they are commonly trading there first round picks away, take last year for example. I think you should do a bit more research. My opionion on me khan is that I think al fayed sold him this big dream about how easy it is about running a football club and when he has got down to it he probably couldn't believe how hard it is. But to be fair to him he has bought one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment and we convinced him to drop champions league for us. So khan must be doing something right. I respect you for keeping the faith it's never easy (especially at the moment) and the fact you live so far away.
I remodeled my kitchen right before I sold my house.
Oakland is a troubled franchise since the golden years of Al Davis.
I hope that you are right and Mr Kahn will help Fulham succeed in the long run.
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on February 05, 2014, 03:37:33 PM
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:31:52 PM
Quote from: Berserker on February 05, 2014, 03:14:38 PM
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
If change comes and it's for the good I will sing his praises.
Still curious why you took such a personal tone with Mr. Khan. I think it's safe to say you don't know him now.
What is it that he's done so far that warrants your attack? Or is it all down to your playing on the paranoia that has been generated by the possibility of the NFL investing in London.
Is there paranoia about the NFL investing in London?
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:59:59 PM
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on February 05, 2014, 03:37:33 PM
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:31:52 PM
Quote from: Berserker on February 05, 2014, 03:14:38 PM
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
If change comes and it's for the good I will sing his praises.
Still curious why you took such a personal tone with Mr. Khan. I think it's safe to say you don't know him now.
What is it that he's done so far that warrants your attack? Or is it all down to your playing on the paranoia that has been generated by the possibility of the NFL investing in London.
Is there paranoia about the NFL investing in London?
Within our fanbase there sure seems to have been plenty, if our little forum is indicative of the overall fanbase. You yourself exemplified that in your original post.
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:53:15 PM
Quote from: Danitar on February 05, 2014, 03:33:19 PM
Actually think mr khan is great for Jacksonville, as I have said before he went out and bought a massive tv for the stadium. I know that sounds stupid but he wouldn't have spent that kind of money to put in a stadium to then close it down. He has also spent a lot of money on new faculties at the stadium and training ground and has bought new state of the art locker rooms which has been ranked as some of the best in the nfl. Jacksonville will only trade there first round pick if they can get a great deal for it but you can argue about the Oakland raiders for doing that they are commonly trading there first round picks away, take last year for example. I think you should do a bit more research. My opionion on me khan is that I think al fayed sold him this big dream about how easy it is about running a football club and when he has got down to it he probably couldn't believe how hard it is. But to be fair to him he has bought one of the best strikers in Europe at the moment and we convinced him to drop champions league for us. So khan must be doing something right. I respect you for keeping the faith it's never easy (especially at the moment) and the fact you live so far away.
I remodeled my kitchen right before I sold my house.
Oakland is a troubled franchise since the golden years of Al Davis.
I hope that you are right and Mr Kahn will help Fulham succeed in the long run.
I think he will become a great owner. He has put $20 million to revamp the stadium so he's not afraid to spend money. Ok I wouldn't want him to rip the cottage down or take any character out of the stadium. But this shows he has intent to spend.
A lot easier to swap a spouse than a football team. A football team is for life.
I don't know what more Khan can have done. The present mess is worse than any of us anticipated. The new management team is failing and we haven't yet seen the new players.
The big test will come on relegation. Serious research will be needed to get in the right manager and the squad must then be gutted and rebuilt.
The test of Khan will be how that pans out.
All together now -
Gloom, gloom, gloom and despondency
Down at the old Cottage ground
LA LA LA LA LA
:drums:
Quote from: David Allen Crankshaw on February 05, 2014, 04:47:31 PM
A lot easier to swap a spouse than a football team. A football team is for life.
True. However, it's more expensive to dump a wife. :58:
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on February 05, 2014, 04:16:02 PM
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:59:59 PM
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on February 05, 2014, 03:37:33 PM
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:31:52 PM
Quote from: Berserker on February 05, 2014, 03:14:38 PM
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
If change comes and it's for the good I will sing his praises.
Still curious why you took such a personal tone with Mr. Khan. I think it's safe to say you don't know him now.
What is it that he's done so far that warrants your attack? Or is it all down to your playing on the paranoia that has been generated by the possibility of the NFL investing in London.
Is there paranoia about the NFL investing in London?
Within our fanbase there sure seems to have been plenty, if our little forum is indicative of the overall fanbase. You yourself exemplified that in your original post.
I apologize for calling Mr Kahn a "jerk" on this board, as you pointed out I do not know the man. I did not like his comments in the American press recently regarding the Jags taking a QB with their 1st round draft pick. It could be mis-direction on his part as they may have other motives, but I think owners should leave that to their GM's and HC. If you know American football I don't like Jerry Jones for that reason. It tends to hamstring the management in any sport. BTW I could care less if the NFL has a team in London as long as it's not the Giants. Ok, so Mr Kahn gets a pass. We will compare notes in a year or two.
Anyone who has been watching this club knows that our problems began about 18 months ago. Curiously (though not necessarily related) when Hangers took over as captain. The real reason is we lost the spine of the team, became too focused on Berbatov's "brilliance" and seemed to lose team spirit.
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 06:43:37 PM
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on February 05, 2014, 04:16:02 PM
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:59:59 PM
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on February 05, 2014, 03:37:33 PM
Quote from: aconnecticutyankee on February 05, 2014, 03:31:52 PM
Quote from: Berserker on February 05, 2014, 03:14:38 PM
Yes seems a tad unfair. I think he will re-organise in the summer, inc the management
If change comes and it's for the good I will sing his praises.
Still curious why you took such a personal tone with Mr. Khan. I think it's safe to say you don't know him now.
What is it that he's done so far that warrants your attack? Or is it all down to your playing on the paranoia that has been generated by the possibility of the NFL investing in London.
Is there paranoia about the NFL investing in London?
Within our fanbase there sure seems to have been plenty, if our little forum is indicative of the overall fanbase. You yourself exemplified that in your original post.
I apologize for calling Mr Kahn a "jerk" on this board, as you pointed out I do not know the man. I did not like his comments in the American press recently regarding the Jags taking a QB with their 1st round draft pick. It could be mis-direction on his part as they may have other motives, but I think owners should leave that to their GM's and HC. If you know American football I don't like Jerry Jones for that reason. It tends to hamstring the management in any sport. BTW I could care less if the NFL has a team in London as long as it's not the Giants. Ok, so Mr Kahn gets a pass. We will compare notes in a year or two.
I'm sure most all of us will be judging his impacts for quite some time. I just hope that it will mostly be praise.
With regard to the Jags, has Khan said anything more than the team will likely draft a QB? I pay very little attention to them, but their current options being Henne or Gabbert, would anyone else in football assume otherwise. They cannot improve their prospects going forward without investing in that position as soon as possible. Like you say the QB comments may be a diversion - one that attempts to drive up the value of that #3 pick and allows them to trade down for more picks. Possibly they plan on picking up a veteran in free agency (take a risk on McCown sp? or go with a stop gap like Vick) and then pick up a prospect in the later rounds. They've got lots of needs at several of the skill positions.
I do tend to agree that owners should be owners and let GMs speak to the players/potential players.
Quote from: Robbie on February 05, 2014, 07:14:55 PM
Anyone who has been watching this club knows that our problems began about 18 months ago. Curiously (though not necessarily related) when Hangers took over as captain. The real reason is we lost the spine of the team, became too focused on Berbatov's "brilliance" and seemed to lose team spirit.
I believe our current problems began the day Roy considered leaving. We had an ageing squad capable of continuing to compete in this league while we invested in younger players (not teens and pre-teens) over time and kept the squad healthy. I also believe that Roy knew what every other manager eventually learned - that money for investment in the squad was drying up while MAF prepped the club for sale.
"No one will care (or even detect it) if I switch my allegiance to another club
Actually, many would. 15 years makes you Fulhamish & faithful (I'm up to 51 so I think I can comment)
Stick with it old son and resist those Madrid people,
Quote from: MikeW on February 05, 2014, 07:23:27 PM
"No one will care (or even detect it) if I switch my allegiance to another club
Actually, many would. 15 years makes you Fulhamish & faithful (I'm up to 51 so I think I can comment)
Stick with it old son and resist those Madrid people,
Nobody says Madrid can't be a second club either. Sort of a front-runner choice though. I'd go with a club outside the top two. Might still win a championship one day and the victory would be all the more sweet.
I guess if guaranteed success is your criteria then Fulham have and never will never pass that test. We are a David compared to the Goliaths such as the other lot down Fulham Broadway who have bought success, and yes do have an inspirational manager.
But sometimes in life the bad times are needed to really appreciate the good times - and boy are we in the middle of some bad times.
I vividly recall the Great Escape year when we miserably lost at home to Sunderland, in the rain, after yet another false dawn. That made the experience of Danny Murphy's goal vs Portsmouth in the company of fellow Whites all the much sweeter.
Even the European Tour after the highs of the Ukraine & Basle away, Juventus & Hamburg at home had some bad times - away at Juventus and even the last five minutes of the Final itself (although I felt so proud a hour later after the initial disappointment).
So yes it is all so much crap at the moment - but whenever the next high appears (beating Chelsea at home, the Great Escape Mark II, promotion to the Premiership again, whatever, that next high will be that much greater.
Pheww - I feel a little bit better after getting that off my chest. At least I am not a Leeds supporter at the moment!
