Friends of Fulham

What mark would you give the window out of ten.

Let us know why we may well are likely to discuss this on the next FoFcast

I went for 6 as I still feel we are a cb and striker short but it's ok we can play 6 wingers!
I can't help but feel Slav must be fuming as from his comments he'll clearly be disappointed with losing Aluko and only time will tell if mollo or Graham are an upgrade but we had the opportunity to really push the squad forward and challenge for automatic and I think we've come up short. We've added much needed depth to the squad but bar Fonte have not improved the starting 11. We also can't be far off making a profit this window which doesn't really fit with the doing what it takes to back Slav line that Tony the stat man Khan was rolling out.

Our token chase of an unrealistic target on deadline day though is getting rather boring. If we really did have around 15 million to spend on a striker then atleast half of that was available pre aluko sale so why yet again mess around on the last day.

I went with a 6 as there wasnt a 6.5 option. I said esterday i thought it was a 7 that was with 2/3 hours ago still hoping for another through the door to push us forward. Feel like we didnt adress the defensive issue most believe we needed and, without having a go at the 2 forwards who I think are good, felt we needed the guy up front who wis going to score 20-25 goals that would really push us into the top 2. Now we may have that and I hope to be proved wrong.

So for those reasons I went with a 6

Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

5 - Could have been worse, could have been much better.

Have we built a team capable of automatic promotion? No.

Could we make the playoffs? Possibly.

We can't say we have not upgraded Aluko until we see a good number of games from Mollo, Graham and Ojo.  Could one of these players be better than Aluko, quite possibly.  People would be happy if we had paid big money for Ojo and or Graham who are both very highly rated.

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

3....for the simple reason I've never heard of any of them before they signed,and doubt will hear anything of them in a couple of years time... :022:
Coyw.

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

We haven't got a top 2 side. Using last seasons results as a comparison isn't worthwhile as teams that finished around us and below us have all strengthened, we have largely the same starting 11 as we did last season. To say a side that scraped the playoffs is now expected to challenge for top 2 isn't right and will put unnecessary pressure on the players and manager.

Being realistic, with this squad we should be between 5th and 10th, obviously hoping for playoffs but to expect anymore is completely unfair.

Quote from: Mince n Tatties on September 01, 2017, 07:51:44 AM
3....for the simple reason I've never heard of any of them before they signed,and doubt will here anything of them in a couple of years time... :022:
Coyw.

+ 1 to the comment but also give a 3 for the business carried out, very disappointing!! Don't think the FFP rules can be blamed this time for the lack of a marquee signing. Did we really make bids for Gayle, Forestieri and Jota?? Bony at 12million would have been a bargain, forget the wage bill (lol).

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

Agree it should be our aim, but i do think we will end up 3-6 sadly.

Top 6 would be acceptable again, I think there are quite a few stronger squads in the league than we have.

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 08:15:24 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

Agree it should be our aim, but i do think we will end up 3-6 sadly.

well I predicted 4th before the season so we agree on that.

Quote from: Chutney on September 01, 2017, 07:57:30 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

We haven't got a top 2 side. Using last seasons results as a comparison isn't worthwhile as teams that finished around us and below us have all strengthened, we have largely the same starting 11 as we did last season. To say a side that scraped the playoffs is now expected to challenge for top 2 isn't right and will put unnecessary pressure on the players and manager.

Being realistic, with this squad we should be between 5th and 10th, obviously hoping for playoffs but to expect anymore is completely unfair.

but you can't deny with almost the same team as you say, we were the best team in the league for half a season.? So clearly we have a team that's capable of that.

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 08:19:19 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 08:15:24 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

Agree it should be our aim, but i do think we will end up 3-6 sadly.

well I predicted 4th before the season so we agree on that.

yes we do

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

What MJG says makes sense.

Obviously  no one can say definitely that we will  play and do as well as at the second half of last season, but the team is much the same and may even be improved - certainly the squad is. If we fail to do well, the club's transfer policy will be blamed, but we could  have made a  big name signing and him not impressing, and still fall short.

You never  know - one or more of the new players may come to be new Fulham heroes, as several recent signings, eg -Johannsson, McDonald, Aluko, Ayite, Malone, criticised at the time, have.

Obviously,  it's a bit disappointing not to get a proven Championship striker, and maybe defender, to  ensure Prem status - but we seem to have  reasonable cover now in most positions. The club seems to be trying to build a good squad anyway. We do have a number of quality players, and believe  we will again score goals, while hopefully keeping them out at the other end.

Disappointing. Possible play off place, but if we don't go up this year it looks like a total rebuild will be needed next summer as our best players, and maybe the manager, lose patience and go. It could have been so much better.

I gave it a 5 based on us managing to keep hold of Cairney & Sessegnon. That was great business by us - I fully expected to lose at least one of those 2.

If I was basing on new business alone I would have marked it a 2. We're a worse team after allowing 2 of our more creative & regular first team players from last season to leave in Aluko & Malone.

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 08:21:31 AM

Quote from: Chutney on September 01, 2017, 07:57:30 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

We haven't got a top 2 side. Using last seasons results as a comparison isn't worthwhile as teams that finished around us and below us have all strengthened, we have largely the same starting 11 as we did last season. To say a side that scraped the playoffs is now expected to challenge for top 2 isn't right and will put unnecessary pressure on the players and manager.

Being realistic, with this squad we should be between 5th and 10th, obviously hoping for playoffs but to expect anymore is completely unfair.

but you can't deny with almost the same team as you say, we were the best team in the league for half a season.? So clearly we have a team that's capable of that.

That is only true if others have not improved. Sadly I think that a number of clubs have strengthened markedly so we could end up being 7th - 10th. Opportunity missed yet again - ever since our Europa final this has occurred

Graded it a 7.

Pros: 
Kalas returns
Like the look of both strikers and Woodrow is still on our books.
Sessegnon and Cairney contracts.  Telling premier league clubs to get knotted brings a certain satisfaction, albeit probably temporary.
Midfield no longer hangs on the thread of three players staying fit
New wingers should be hungry to succeed and are talented

Cons:
Every successful squad I can remember has a decent centre back of 6'4" available as an option and whilst we do now have one, he's unproven
Letting LVC go - that lad can play
Deadline day a bit of a damp squib.  Birmingham may yet have a poor season, but Harry and his chairman have given them some fun.

I gave a 7. The important factor is not who we signed but that we retained our key players. I don´t regard Aluko as a key player.
I don´t believe we were in for Gayle, Jota & Foresteri. Not at the silly money they were on offer for.
Let Wolves, Brum, Boro bankrupt themselves. I prefer the sensible approach from our owner.
I can´t think of another instance where a player signed on a free was sold 12 months later for a huge fee.

Quote from: grandad on September 01, 2017, 08:46:36 AM
I gave a 7. The important factor is not who we signed but that we retained our key players. I don´t regard Aluko as a key player.
I don´t believe we were in for Gayle, Jota & Foresteri. Not at the silly money they were on offer for.
Let Wolves, Brum, Boro bankrupt themselves. I prefer the sensible approach from our owner.
I can´t think of another instance where a player signed on a free was sold 12 months later for a huge fee.

Wolves, Brum and Boro won't bankrupt themselves.

Smalling may have been with us for a little more than 12 months but he fits the bill.

Just voted 7, interestingly the vote is mainly 7-8 for the majority!

I think the squad is stronger overall with more cover. Some on here are questioning the unknown new players which I find puzzling as Malone and Aluko weren't exactly well known either when they came.

We could finish anywhere in the top ten in this league as it is a very tough league and it's not a given that you have to spend tons of money to be successful!

Would agree a Centre Back of quality would have been good but Ream and Kallas seem to have sorted out a decent partnership, and who would have thought Odoi would have covered so well at CB.

Time to be the twelfth man now and get behind the team.

COYW

Yes MJG it is interesting only 10 out of 44 voted below 7 which is a small minority yet on this thread it is the negates who are posting.
Yes we lost Aluko and Malone but we put 11 million profit in the bank which is good business.  I'm reserving my judgement until I see the new guys play, and hear what the manager thinks.

I would give our sales a 9:
*We didn't sell Cairney or Sess
*almost 1m for Sterman
*3m for Jozabed
*7m for Aluko
*4m for Malone
*Not aware of the fee for Sigurdsson but atleast his salary is of the books and he might join the Russian after the season.
All of the below are very good value IMO.

I would rate our purchases at 7:
*Kalas, Soares and Djalo at the back - Could have done with one more in the centre but we don't have worse players than last season and they should benefit from having played more games together.
*Norwood and Cisse in midfield - much closer to the quality of the starting players compares to the subs we had last season.
*I believe Fonte will do a good job for us as the central striker. Both depth and quality through Ojo, Kamara, Mollo and Graham. The attack looks better than last season. 
 
All and all an 8, we kept our best players, have added a few to the starting 11 and will have a much stronger bench compared to last season.

An established GK, Central Defender and Striker would have made it a 10 but I am very please with the window, in which I think we have strengthened the team while more or less breaking even financially. 

7. Pros - kept Sess, Cairney and most of our other key players and brought in some good acquisitions. Cons - lost Malone and Aluko.

Quite a ,lot of consensus on here!

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 08:21:31 AM

Quote from: Chutney on September 01, 2017, 07:57:30 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:50:07 AM

Quote from: westcliff white on September 01, 2017, 07:44:45 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
Interesting that given the shouting by many that it's not been a good window, looking at polls on here & twitter that vast majority pretty happy. Seven plus I'd say is happy with results.

6-7 for me is average window (ye syou can say out of ten 5 is average), 7.5 and above is good to excellent dependng whre.

I was underwhelemd in the end, yes we have added to the squad and on paper it is probably a little stronger than last season which is good, but we didnt push on with signings to take us into the top 2 in my opinion. Happy with the squad and i hope whats on paper translates to the field as games are not won on paper.

It is a play off sqaud but think we all wanted a little more.

for half a season last year we really a top two side. In fact we were the top side. We have not made that many changes and improved overall I believe, so top two is still a target we should aim for and also believe we have the ability to be there as well.

We haven't got a top 2 side. Using last seasons results as a comparison isn't worthwhile as teams that finished around us and below us have all strengthened, we have largely the same starting 11 as we did last season. To say a side that scraped the playoffs is now expected to challenge for top 2 isn't right and will put unnecessary pressure on the players and manager.

Being realistic, with this squad we should be between 5th and 10th, obviously hoping for playoffs but to expect anymore is completely unfair.

but you can't deny with almost the same team as you say, we were the best team in the league for half a season.? So clearly we have a team that's capable of that.

Last season yes, its a much stronger league this season. Being the best team in the league for half a season isn't good enough if we want to challenge for promotion, last year we literally scraped in to the play offs, this year the league is tougher, opponents are looking stronger and we have made minimal progress. Its not fair to expect it again, and I hope we don't get on the managers/players backs should they start to struggle.

It was a 7 for me it would have been an 8 but not knowing too much about some of the signings leaves a bit of an unknow quality hence the 7,obviously hanging onto Sess and Tom was 1st class business, Soares I am sure will prove himself a more than capable LB, midfield is stronger in depth than last year, and Mollo and Graham have great skill and a lot to prove thats the way I like new signings to be,Ojo I believe will be able to cover the loss of Sone and Fonte is a quality we have not seen for quite a while ,I suppose it is in the CB position we are all a bit dissapointed but with Ream discovering some cracking form,Odoi as capable cover and retaining Madl it's hardly bare bones material, overall a better squad than last season so onwards and upwards come on you whites!!!

For me it was a very good window. We did our business early doors. We have Kalas back, we have the left back Soares from Porto, Ojo from Liverpool, Piazon when fit again, Kamara, Fonte, Graham, Mollo(These 2 wingers I think will be a very good asset) Djalo. And we kept Sessegnon and Carirney. I think we have strengthed and not weakened so we haven't gone backwards. I think we have one of the strongest squads in the league and feel that we are still a top 2 said come May.

It was solid, heading toward good. Nothing spectacular, but certainly nothing to complain about.

The carry on yesterday was mostly drummed up by supporters getting carried away, and not created by the club so I will not take any of that into account and say that most of our stuff was done early (something else that was being whinged about when the window opened) and that we have out house in order.

It is exactly what we needed, I think.

This whole thread is misery after misery. Just because most of you haven't heard of the player, you write off them before they've played a game. Does it surprise you there are other leagues out there?

This window has been a success. Gave new contracts to Cairney and Sessegnon early on. Bought in a wealth of talents across all positions. And sold Malone and Aluko because £5m and £7.5m is good money for Championship players.

The pressure is on Jokanovic now. For one, I am tired of his constant moaning of the board and transfers. He signed the contract, he knew this was the case. If he doesn't get results, I'd have no qualms in his departure. There is a reason he's managing in the Championship.

Yes a 6 from me. For reasons very much as others have said. We certainly haven't improved the first team greatly if at all. We have brought in one starter in Fonte. We have kept most of the team from last year bar Malone and Aluko, a player highlighted by the manager as somebody he didn't want to lose. We have lost a very talented youngster to Everton. But we have brought in wingers and a few wingers plus the odd wide player. Oh and let's not forget the wingers.

Cover is bare up front except for wingers  and our defence is very iffy. Still we have what we have and it isn't a promotion side. A side that may stagger again into the playoffs. Still it could have been worse. Which isn't really what I wanted to say at the start of a season we needed to push on for promotion.

We didn't lose a player to Everton. If we did then its on the website or Everton's so don't think that happened if im honest.

Quote from: Tooting legend on September 01, 2017, 10:09:04 AM
We didn't lose a player to Everton. If we did then its on the website or Everton's so don't think that happened if im honest.

Everton have signed Dennis Adeniran on a four-year contract from Fulham. Undisclosed fee. (Source: @Everton)

Gave it an 8, I think retaining Sessegnon and Cairney as well as all our best players was huge.

We now have 2 or more good players in each position which we didn't last year. To be able to bring on Cisse and Norwood is a huge improvement on last year.

I for one am really excited by Soares and Fonte. These are players we are lucky to have based on their records. Soares has Champions League pedigree, without having seen him play I am expecting him to be an upgrade on Malone.

Fonte has looked very good in his 2 games and already is a big upgrade on Martin and our CF options last year. Could be the key.

Am very surprised at the quantity of wingers we now have, but Ojo, Mollo and Graham all come with good reputations. If they can prove to have more end product than Aluko did last year it will be an improvement. Importantly competition for places should ensure good performances.

I think the strength in depth will mean no players can rest on their laurels and we should be hugely competitive.

My only criticisms would be not addressing CB and the quantity of loans and how this gives the nature of our squad a somewhat impermanent and fragile foundation, as should these players perform well we may be priced out of a move.

Quote from: hopper on September 01, 2017, 10:45:48 AM
Gave it an 8, I think retaining Sessegnon and Cairney as well as all our best players was huge.

We now have 2 or more good players in each position which we didn't last year. To be able to bring on Cisse and Norwood is a huge improvement on last year.

I for one am really excited by Soares and Fonte. These are players we are lucky to have based on their records. Soares has Champions League pedigree, without having seen him play I am expecting him to be an upgrade on Malone.

Fonte has looked very good in his 2 games and already is a big upgrade on Martin and our CF options last year. Could be the key.

Am very surprised at the quantity of wingers we now have, but Ojo, Mollo and Graham all come with good reputations. If they can prove to have more end product than Aluko did last year it will be an improvement. Importantly competition for places should ensure good performances.

I think the strength in depth will mean no players can rest on their laurels and we should be hugely competitive.

My only criticisms would be not addressing CB and the quantity of loans and how this gives the nature of our squad a somewhat impermanent and fragile foundation, as should these players perform well we may be priced out of a move.

We won't be priced out of any moves, we've made a tidy profit from this window.

I make out we may have broken about even as Fonte, Kamara and Cisse would have been similar outgoing to Malone, Aluko and Jozabed. So maybe a small profit potentially.

Quote from: MrD1879 on September 01, 2017, 06:39:25 AM
I went for 6 as I still feel we are a cb and striker short but it's ok we can play 6 wingers!
I can't help but feel Slav must be fuming as from his comments he'll clearly be disappointed with losing Aluko and only time will tell if mollo or Graham are an upgrade but we had the opportunity to really push the squad forward and challenge for automatic and I think we've come up short. We've added much needed depth to the squad but bar Fonte have not improved the starting 11. We also can't be far off making a profit this window which doesn't really fit with the doing what it takes to back Slav line that Tony the stat man Khan was rolling out.

Our token chase of an unrealistic target on deadline day though is getting rather boring. If we really did have around 15 million to spend on a striker then atleast half of that was available pre aluko sale so why yet again mess around on the last day.

No intent to put down your feeling about the situation but, it occurred to me today that there might be another way to look at Slav's comment....and that he might not be so angry at the sale of Aluko after all. I think we could all agree that Sone was looking for more money from the club. I think most of us can agree that, despite his obvious positive qualities he lacked a bit of final product that would have made anyone agree that he would deserved an improved deal just one season into his contract with us.

I agree that based upon Slav's comments about losing Aluko, it would be easy to conclude that he's upset right about now. Slav is pretty blunt generally when speaking to the press. But could it be that he's used that reputation to our advantage...stating Aluko's importance to the club, knowing that a new contract wasn't coming, in order to maintain a high market value for a want-away player who was never going to stay. He's a smart man. I wouldn't put such past him. Just a thought.

I gave the club a 7. We kept 11 core players from last season with loads of experience in this league and in Slav's system. We've added quality to thin positions with central defense being a debatable exception.

Quote from: MrD1879 on September 01, 2017, 06:39:25 AM

I can't help but feel Slav must be fuming as from his comments he'll clearly be disappointed with losing Aluko

Those comments were about a month ago before other players such as Fonte had arrived. Selling Aluko at time would have left us very short and i agreed with his views then. The last month the situation has changed.

Quote from: hopper on September 01, 2017, 11:00:55 AM
I make out we may have broken about even as Fonte, Kamara and Cisse would have been similar outgoing to Malone, Aluko and Jozabed. So maybe a small profit potentially.

+4mil for adeniran, 1.5mil for LVC and a few other smaller fees, we made a nice profit for sure

I gave it a 7 as I was feeling generous at the time. But time will tell where this leads us. I cannot understand why we never got another quality centre back in. Too many loans for my liking. But it is what it is. I have to admit I am slightly underwhelmed.
I cannot see us getting top two with the current squad, if we do, I shall consider jumping off Putney Bridge wearing a Suit of Armour.
So unless I have misjudged, it's a scramble for top six, which shows we are no better off than last season, and then if we achieve the play offs, it's 3 to 1 against getting third.
You cannot beat automatic promotion, nothing less will suffice.
If this team/squad plus any additions in January finish top two I may consider jumping off Putney Bridge in a Suit of Armour, but only with mince & tattees  on my shoulders stark naked smoking a pipe.

A solid 7 from me.

The main objectives for this window was:
1. Don't lose our manager.
2. Hang on to our best players.
3. Bring in some newbies who will make us better than last season.

1. Mission accomplished. I must admit, I thought Joka was going to go...
2. Mission accomplished (for the most part). Aluko and Malone apart, we didn't get decimated and hung on to Cairney.
3. Will Soares, Fonte, Mollo, Graham et al take us forward? Time will tell. But it feels we do have a bit more depth.

So not disappointed by any stretch, and looking forward to the next 41 fixtures!

I gave a high mark.

If Rui Fonte scores goals and Kalas and Ream work out then we can be top 2.  We need to score goals

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 02:46:32 PM

Quote from: MrD1879 on September 01, 2017, 06:39:25 AM

I can't help but feel Slav must be fuming as from his comments he'll clearly be disappointed with losing Aluko

Those comments were about a month ago before other players such as Fonte had arrived. Selling Aluko at time would have left us very short and i agreed with his views then. The last month the situation has changed.

I to hope that is the case just felt he was stressing Alukos importance to the team on an individual basis and to me he affirmed that by making him captain. He certainly can't say that people haven't been bought in to cover his position.

I have a mate who is an ST for Wolves and they seem a bit shocked that they have let Graham go on loan as they all rate him very highly

An 8 from me,
How people can't see that the likes of Soares, Ojo, Graham and Fonte are not a massive improvement on the likes of Aluko, Martin and Malone is beyond me, totally baffling, I think that some of you are in for a pleasant surprise,
Our forward options are stronger, our midfield options are stronger, and the signing of one central defender would have taken my score to 9 or 10,
Are there six better squads in the division than ours ? I don't think so ! Slavisa would have failed if he doesn't get this squad in to the play offs,
Where we messed up last season was in January, we should have backed the manager then, if we're there or there abouts come January 2018, I seriously hope we go all in to get across the line,
There is nobody in this division for Fulham Football Club to fear, but we MUST improve our home form and that's down to the manager, I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about our home leg against Reading , we were awful and Slavisa got it all wrong.

Quote from: mlangstrom on September 01, 2017, 09:13:33 AM
I would give our sales a 9:
*We didn't sell Cairney or Sess
*almost 1m for Sterman
*3m for Jozabed
*7m for Aluko
*4m for Malone
*Not aware of the fee for Sigurdsson but atleast his salary is of the books and he might join the Russian after the season.
All of the below are very good value IMO.

I would rate our purchases at 7:
*Kalas, Soares and Djalo at the back - Could have done with one more in the centre but we don't have worse players than last season and they should benefit from having played more games together.
*Norwood and Cisse in midfield - much closer to the quality of the starting players compares to the subs we had last season.
*I believe Fonte will do a good job for us as the central striker. Both depth and quality through Ojo, Kamara, Mollo and Graham. The attack looks better than last season. 
 
All and all an 8, we kept our best players, have added a few to the starting 11 and will have a much stronger bench compared to last season.

An established GK, Central Defender and Striker would have made it a 10 but I am very please with the window, in which I think we have strengthened the team while more or less breaking even financially. 

Ditto - my thoughts exactly. It's an 8 for me.

The difference is we are (in the main) looking at this squad this year quite confident of a top six finish, this time last year most were expecting relegation.

How can there not have been an improvement?

PROS: Kept the core together which is a tough thing to accomplish in this league. Signed our best 2 players to extensions. Finally got a proper striker with a promising backup to boot. Definitely more depth than last season, especially in central midfield and a nice army of wingers.

CONS: Most of you seem to forget we received notable fees for Aluko, Malone, Jozabed, LVC, Adeniran and even Stearman, as well as getting top earners Parker and (at least partially) Sigurdsson off the books. Mr Khan didn't need to open his wallet much, if at all. Can't fault him for not going all-in yet. Right now we have solid depth but a lot can change until January.

GRADE: INCOMPLETE
Mr Khan must finally show his true colours in January! Another pathetic January window can not be accepted! 051

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 03:58:52 PM
The difference is we are (in the main) looking at this squad this year quite confident of a top six finish, this time last year most were expecting relegation.

How can there not have been an improvement?

most?

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 03:58:52 PM
The difference is we are (in the main) looking at this squad this year quite confident of a top six finish, this time last year most were expecting relegation.

How can there not have been an improvement?

That's based on last season's peformance though as with this time last year the season before was another wonder of disappointment.

I suppose the frustration boils down to (yes it could be paper talk although many credible sources backed it up) we were trying to throw around north of 15 million yesterday on a proven championship goalscorer and goals get you out of this division. That gives me two questions:

1) Atleast half of that pre aluko sale was there before so why did we leave it until the last minute
2) The conspiracy theory that they knew we wouldn't get him so we're just throwing the cash at someone to appease the fans.

It many ways we have improved but the jury is out that 1 / 2 first team improvements will be enough to take us to the next level. Don't get me wrong it's not about the slashing the cash but yesterday said to me that the club feel we are a proven goalscorer short

7. Lots of smart moves. Malone is much better than he's got credit for post transfer and I cringe with the seers who seem to think they can predict a players' high watermark. Brevet improved year after year. But word is that Soares is a coup.
Think we've overpaid for AK but he has something. Otherwise I see positives in all the incomers even Djalo who did well when I saw him v Wycombe reserves.
And all of this was done with no new money from our Owner.

But standing back only Fonte seems a clear upgrade, we hope Soares is and hope one of the serried wingers will be better than Aluko whose work outside the area again seems to be being written out of history.

Squad much stronger apart from CB where I think we are uber exposed if either loses form and fitness.

Given the above and our manager, but noting rivals strengthening,  we'll be in play off mix I'd say 4th or 5th.

In my view Shad could have improved that by 2 or 3 places but chose not to (again).

All the FFP experts could have saved themselves a lot of summertime maths.

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 04:24:05 PM

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 03:58:52 PM
The difference is we are (in the main) looking at this squad this year quite confident of a top six finish, this time last year most were expecting relegation.

How can there not have been an improvement?

most?

A lot, maybe?

The wringing of hands and outcry last season when Dembele and Ross went could be heard down here in the West Country!

6 for me. Think Fonte, AK and Cisse will prove to be very effective for us this season and beyond. The others I don't know a whole lot about yet, but time will tell. Last season I think it's fair to say most of us expected Aluko and Malone to be decent squad players, yet they turned out to be two of our best performers. Slightly frustrated with the sale of both but at least we seem to have made a tidy profit. The importance of retaining Sess, Cairney, Edun and Betts can't be understated in my opinion, which is the main reason for my score. The most disappointing thing for me is the number of loan signings. 11 players in over the summer and 6 of them were loans, none with an option to buy (to my knowledge). I'm not convinced that acquiring so many temporary players is the best route to the EPL.

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 05:15:12 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 04:24:05 PM

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 03:58:52 PM
The difference is we are (in the main) looking at this squad this year quite confident of a top six finish, this time last year most were expecting relegation.

How can there not have been an improvement?

most?

A lot, maybe?

The wringing of hands and outcry last season when Dembele and Ross went could be heard down here in the West Country!

I did a survey last year prior to the season. 631 took part and three said we would get relegated.
33% had us in top six and only about 10% had us in bottom half.
The feeling prior to last season were far from relegation thoughts by most.

Quote from: Statto on September 02, 2017, 12:22:03 AM

Quote from: WayneKerrins on September 01, 2017, 04:58:09 PM
7. Lots of smart moves. Malone is much better than he's got credit for post transfer and I cringe with the seers who seem to think they can predict a players' high watermark. Brevet improved year after year. But word is that Soares is a coup.
Think we've overpaid for AK but he has something. Otherwise I see positives in all the incomers even Djalo who did well when I saw him v Wycombe reserves.
And all of this was done with no new money from our Owner.

But standing back only Fonte seems a clear upgrade, we hope Soares is and hope one of the serried wingers will be better than Aluko whose work outside the area again seems to be being written out of history.

Squad much stronger apart from CB where I think we are uber exposed if either loses form and fitness.

Given the above and our manager, but noting rivals strengthening,  we'll be in play off mix I'd say 4th or 5th.

In my view Shad could have improved that by 2 or 3 places but chose not to (again).

All the FFP experts could have saved themselves a lot of summertime maths.

Well written, agree with you mate

Thanks Statto

I've only read the first page so forgive me if I've missed something. WW Damn right we will be discussing this on the next FOFcast. If you are a 6.5 but there's no option for that you should round up not down. 6.4 you'd round down.

I'm a 7/ 7.5 man but give benefit of the doubt until I see how good the last 2 are. So rounded up to an 8. In the end we did some great work keeping  the group together. We sold for very very good prices and made profit whilst strengthening particularly in midfield and 2 strikers more worthy than fat  Martin & Cyriac.

We were Dwight Gayle & a better CB as competition for Ream away from a 10 out of 10. Deadline was frustrating with all the rumours but overall we've done pretty well.

On the whole I think this has been a reasonable transfer window.
We have obtained some good loan players and those that we have purchased have given us the chance to come in and provide alternative options for SJ.
I am particularly pleased with Rui Fonte. What he has shown us in the short time he has been with us is that he knows where the goal is. Not only that, he
has a brain to take the defence away and create opportunities for others, a little bit like Aluco. I think he will turn out to be an extremely good leader of the line
with the ability to score some 15+ goals a season.
Kamara has shown flashes that he can cause havoc to defences and if SJ can work his majic as he has with Ream,he will be a real asset. At the moment he is
trying is best so time will tell if he has the ability to learn.
Oliver Norwood,Cisse,Ojo,are proving to be other real assets to the team. They, I am sure will come in to give us added power when necessary.
On paper I will look with interest on the newer additions.
The overriding factor that the extensions to contracts of Cairney, and others are real progress that the board intend to give us a great chance of promotion.
Come on Fulham prove me right!!

I think the extensions are as much about protecting assets whose value is likely to appreciate as a statement of ambition. Good husbandry which gives us future finacncial flexibility but by no means pushing the boat out Cottage Industry.

I think Tone and his team have done well but no plaudits due to the top of the house.

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 08:34:08 PM

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 05:15:12 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 01, 2017, 04:24:05 PM

Quote from: Keynsham on September 01, 2017, 03:58:52 PM
The difference is we are (in the main) looking at this squad this year quite confident of a top six finish, this time last year most were expecting relegation.

How can there not have been an improvement?

most?

A lot, maybe?

The wringing of hands and outcry last season when Dembele and Ross went could be heard down here in the West Country!

I did a survey last year prior to the season. 631 took part and three said we would get relegated.
33% had us in top six and only about 10% had us in bottom half.
The feeling prior to last season were far from relegation thoughts by most.

I stand corrected then, maybe it was those doom mongers shouting the loudest again..