Friends of Fulham

I'm not having anyone, and I mean anyone, enjoys watching us under Parker. He makes weird team selections, and even weirder subs. We look disjointed even in the majority of matches we win. He hasnt improved the defence at all. Midfield looks crap, and even manages to make our attack look crap in the majority of matches. Bristol and Preston both deserved to beat us, and we only ever start to get going once the game is already lost. It's just a tedious, boring chore watching us now. Don't care if the new manager doesn't even make the play offs, I just want some excitement back at the club

Unfortunately he is very tactically inept, without Mitrovic he would already be gone

Oh please bring back joke he would get this team playing again please mr Khan

Oops ment joka

I can see two defences, both of which I disagree with -

(1) Losing away to a top 6 team isn't the end of the world. And in isolation, no it's not. But when you've already lost numerous games you should easily have won (Forest, Bristol, Barnsley, Stoke etc) you cannot afford to lose these games as well.

(2) We have loads of injuries. True, but there's still no way that was the only/best way to set us up tonight.   

I can honestly say I spent most of the game fiddling on my phone or looking at the FOF site instead of watching the match.  It was just complete and utter garbage but I was expecting nothing less tonight after Saturday.

Let's get in Benitez pay him what he wants he would sort this mess out once and for all

Quote from: Allestree andy on December 10, 2019, 09:59:37 PM
Let's get in Benitez pay him what he wants he would sort this mess out once and for all

Won't happen but if we did, we would win the league, irrespective of the 11 pt gap there currently

shame to say it but I have not been to a game
since he took over and I wont be going until he is gone,
we are just a bunch of individuals hoping for something to happen

Third feels like a false position . Preston are poor ( David Nugent for heavens sake ) . The signs are there this could unravel . Only thing that protects Parker is the injuries it was very makeshift the starting 11 .

He's taken the team as far as he can. This side has so much more potential, I have no confidence in Parker finding it.

You do realize that we were without Cairney, Arter, Reid, Reed, Sess, MLM & a half fit Bryan. What other team selection could SP have made. What guarantee of promotion would there be in replacing SP now. There is no one available out there that I would want. It would be a backward step. New manager, coaches, tactics unrest in the squad. No thanks.

I feel we need promotion at any cost this season. Otherwise, i think it will be another 2+ seasons in the championship to rebuild and challenge again after this team inevitably breaks apart following a failed promotion push. (I would be gutted to see mitro leave)

Having said that, this team would probably be destroyed in the premier league so maybe we do need to start again.

Quote from: Statto on December 10, 2019, 10:00:42 PM

Quote from: Allestree andy on December 10, 2019, 09:59:37 PM
Let's get in Benitez pay him what he wants he would sort this mess out once and for all

Won't happen but if we did, we would win the league, irrespective of the 11 pt gap there currently

Considering the managers the Khans have tried to hire I'd imagine that the money wouldn't be an issue, we could do worse than try and get him

We just don't look very good even when we were winning, getting beat happens but it's the manner we get beat. We are purely too easy too play against!

But but but we won 4 on the bounce guys!? Remember? Don't jump the gun or have a go at a guy in his apprenticeship. He could be the best bobby! Whatever happens for rest of season, we'll always remember the time we won 4 in a row with Parker at the helm.

Bristol were decent but Preston were very poor. No idea how they're anywhere near the top, but then again we are. The league is very weak this season bar 2 teams who are solid if not outstanding. This squad has talent in the bucketload at the Championship level. I can tell the difference between a team that lacks quality and a team where something is stopping them from fulfilling their potential. Some of our plays make it clear that we could destroy teams at this level, as we should given our roster. But it's not happening under Parker, and let's be honest, it's not going to happen. No idea where we go from here as I can't see him getting sacked.

The biggest sign is my growing indifference. We have (again) lost our identity. I don't really like half of our players, nor connect with them. Those that I do like were here 2 years ago. I don't really know what I am saying anymore, but what a shame.

Quote from: fulhamben on December 10, 2019, 09:53:09 PM
I'm not having anyone, and I mean anyone, enjoys watching us under Parker. He makes weird team selections, and even weirder subs. We look disjointed even in the majority of matches we win. He hasnt improved the defence at all. Midfield looks crap, and even manages to make our attack look crap in the majority of matches. Bristol and Preston both deserved to beat us, and we only ever start to get going once the game is already lost. It's just a tedious, boring chore watching us now. Don't care if the new manager doesn't even make the play offs, I just want some excitement back at the club

that's very very bold Ben.

I wanted to say something very similar just didn't have the guts to. We were creating zilch until the chips were down.

The only mitigation he gets for today's performance is that he's without his best 5 midfielders and the senior winger he should be able to rely on was truly atrocious. Added to Odoi's brainfart it really screwed us. Other than that we should be battering them 10v10 because the space available was unreal.

The biggest problem for me is the disconnect between attack and defence, we never seem to transition from front to back quick enough to catch teams out anymore, and we also don't seem to work the keeper enough

Quote from: grandad on December 10, 2019, 10:04:05 PM
You do realize that we were without Cairney, Arter, Reid, Reed, Sess, MLM & a half fit Bryan. What other team selection could SP have made. What guarantee of promotion would there be in replacing SP now. There is no one available out there that I would want. It would be a backward step. New manager, coaches, tactics unrest in the squad. No thanks.

😂 are you proclaiming we were better when they were fit? Cairney and Bryan played against Bristol we were crap. Mlm and sess have played for us but shouldn't have and I'm a big sess fan but he isn't better than odoi or dare I say it Christie at the moment. Yes bobby is a big miss but Parker has only just started starting him. Arter has been hit and miss and reed has been decent but we have still thrown up some turds even when he did play

Not sure about injuries but that starting line up of Mitro/Kamara/Knockhart and Cav unbalanced. But with the sending off taking Cav off rather than either Kamara or Knockhart seemed to me an inept call. Mawson was dire - Rodak and Stefjo put in a sterling effort. Really should have got Kebano on earlier. Overall the quality of our passing even simple passing was poor let alone our crossing. Unfortunately Kamara regressed to last years form pointless shooting from way out at least Mitro has earned the right to do that. Clearly not going to be a top two team but the play offs are still achievable

Quote from: grandad on December 10, 2019, 10:04:05 PM
You do realize that we were without Cairney, Arter, Reid, Reed, Sess, MLM & a half fit Bryan. What other team selection could SP have made. What guarantee of promotion would there be in replacing SP now. There is no one available out there that I would want. It would be a backward step. New manager, coaches, tactics unrest in the squad. No thanks.

We did have Mitro, AK, Knockers,Carvalio,SJ,Ream,Mawson, Odoi, Bryan and Kebano available though.
Any manager worth his wage should be able to get a tune out of that bunch.
Instead we got this.

Need to pull out a performance on Saturday. The away end at Brentford can be very unforgiving for a manager (and players) trudging into the tunnel after a stinker.

Poll up! Parker in or out after tonight.

I'm afraid i've gone for out. Believe he has taken us as far as he can and seems like he will not change the style of play. Defeat to Brentford would be the final nail in the coffin.

c'mon fellas ....

Get rid of SP now and you might lose the squad and some decent members of the team in January. We are aiming for top 6 now, it is what it is however disappointing. Roll on the next game.

Quote from: SuffolkWhite on December 10, 2019, 11:25:08 PM
Get rid of SP now and you might lose the squad and some decent members of the team in January. We are aiming for top 6 now, it is what it is however disappointing. Roll on the next game.

we thought that when joka left too, turns out the khans are persuasive. And isn't it just as likely that we lose top talent due to the fact that we can't compete for automatic promotion

What bothers me is that we are all upset and we are 3rd. The reason is that we should be running away with this division and we would be if Joka was running the show. It is so frustrating and I just hope that this isn't a season lost

Two new chances to wipe our slate clean ...... We are gonna get spanked in each.

Wonder if Scotty can come up with a plan to combat each/either?

Parker out is abit harsh.  Yes, he is frustrating me with picking Onomah but agree with Grandad, slim pickings on the bench due to illness, injuries and oh yeah...now we got odoi to thank   :doh:   

I don't see the logic in getting rid of SP, does anyone really expect that a manager who is out there available is going to improve our position. There is not enough players in the squad good enough to take us into the Premier, far too many unforced errors, and a back line in the main is powder puff and without any leader to Marshall the defence. We have a thin squad that is already stretched. Still plenty of games to go to turn it around, if we can bring in some reinforcements, but the evidence so far is that the team is too milky and a soft touch, that there is no doubt, and too many loans undermines the the teams appetite and desire. We can still make the play offs, but that's about as far as we will go, but sacking SP will serve no purpose but to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. If we were down in the bottom half I could understand some anger, but a manager is only as good as the players he has under his command.
Take away the cheque book from a lot of successful managers, and suddenly they are not immortal after all, bringing in another manager will compound the problem not solve it. There is no quick fix.

Parker in!

Been underwhelmed by Parker since day 1. Would get rid and genuinely dont believe he's the sort of manager to drag a team through the playoffs. Anyone who keeps picking Knockaert and Onomah isnt seeing what most people are.

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 11, 2019, 05:03:08 AM
I don't see the logic in getting rid of SP, does anyone really expect that a manager who is out there available is going to improve our position. There is not enough players in the squad good enough to take us into the Premier, far too many unforced errors, and a back line in the main is powder puff and without any leader to Marshall the defence. We have a thin squad that is already stretched. Still plenty of games to go to turn it around, if we can bring in some reinforcements, but the evidence so far is that the team is too milky and a soft touch, that there is no doubt, and too many loans undermines the the teams appetite and desire. We can still make the play offs, but that's about as far as we will go, but sacking SP will serve no purpose but to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. If we were down in the bottom half I could understand some anger, but a manager is only as good as the players he has under his command.
Take away the cheque book from a lot of successful managers, and suddenly they are not immortal after all, bringing in another manager will compound the problem not solve it. There is no quick fix.

We all know we aren't going up via the autos. We have enough quality in the squad to get in the playoffs. But with Parker in charge, we have no chance of winning them.

It's not about the immediate success, it's about Parker taking the team as far as he could, and we need better.

This squad is carrying him, hence why we're 3rd and have barely played well all season.

I find it odd given I'm no fan of his, but I still won't bring myself to asking for a manager who is sitting in 3rd/4th to be sacked, especially when I saw nothing more than playoffs anyway.
Although with Brentford and Leeds coming up he could be looking at 4 losses in a row if he doesn't get something going, one loss away from my 5 losses in a row flag in the ground where managers really need to be sacked or a bloody good explanation given.

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 11, 2019, 05:03:08 AM
I don't see the logic in getting rid of SP, does anyone really expect that a manager who is out there available is going to improve our position. There is not enough players in the squad good enough to take us into the Premier, far too many unforced errors, and a back line in the main is powder puff and without any leader to Marshall the defence. We have a thin squad that is already stretched. Still plenty of games to go to turn it around, if we can bring in some reinforcements, but the evidence so far is that the team is too milky and a soft touch, that there is no doubt, and too many loans undermines the the teams appetite and desire. We can still make the play offs, but that's about as far as we will go, but sacking SP will serve no purpose but to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. If we were down in the bottom half I could understand some anger, but a manager is only as good as the players he has under his command.
Take away the cheque book from a lot of successful managers, and suddenly they are not immortal after all, bringing in another manager will compound the problem not solve it. There is no quick fix.

did you read my post fully woolly? I said it's not about position but more the fact that it's a chore to watch us nowadays. Can you honestly say you enjoy watching a Parker team? If your answers no, then how can you defend him

Quote from: fulhamben on December 11, 2019, 07:32:16 AM

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 11, 2019, 05:03:08 AM
I don't see the logic in getting rid of SP, does anyone really expect that a manager who is out there available is going to improve our position. There is not enough players in the squad good enough to take us into the Premier, far too many unforced errors, and a back line in the main is powder puff and without any leader to Marshall the defence. We have a thin squad that is already stretched. Still plenty of games to go to turn it around, if we can bring in some reinforcements, but the evidence so far is that the team is too milky and a soft touch, that there is no doubt, and too many loans undermines the the teams appetite and desire. We can still make the play offs, but that's about as far as we will go, but sacking SP will serve no purpose but to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. If we were down in the bottom half I could understand some anger, but a manager is only as good as the players he has under his command.
Take away the cheque book from a lot of successful managers, and suddenly they are not immortal after all, bringing in another manager will compound the problem not solve it. There is no quick fix.

did you read my post fully woolly? I said it's not about position but more the fact that it's a chore to watch us nowadays. Can you honestly say you enjoy watching a Parker team? If your answers no, then how can you defend him

I understand your point Ben but what if fulham were top and as dull as dishwater? many say results are all that matter, hes getting them to a point so far this season.

I remember how astonished many were when Birmingham sacked Rowett and they were seventh at the time.  That worked out well for them.  There are no stand-out teams in the chasing pack but at least we are there. 

Out. Millwall, Derby and Reading aside, I think we've been terribly underwhelming all season. The team seldom looks in any kind of form, even through our 4 game winning run. We're yet to beat a side in the current top 9 and so many talented individuals are playing within themselves. Performances are often monotonous, ineffective and predictable, but we win games due to moments of individual brilliance from Mitrovic, Cairney etc. A great manager truly makes a difference at this level; see Leeds and WBA who are now streets ahead of us. Parker's simply miles off the required standard. Granted, he's a rookie learning the ropes and will make mistakes. However, we, as a club chasing automatic promotion to the PL need better. Our manager has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal which he is failing to utilise effectively.

Quote from: MJG on December 11, 2019, 07:38:08 AM

Quote from: fulhamben on December 11, 2019, 07:32:16 AM

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 11, 2019, 05:03:08 AM
I don't see the logic in getting rid of SP, does anyone really expect that a manager who is out there available is going to improve our position. There is not enough players in the squad good enough to take us into the Premier, far too many unforced errors, and a back line in the main is powder puff and without any leader to Marshall the defence. We have a thin squad that is already stretched. Still plenty of games to go to turn it around, if we can bring in some reinforcements, but the evidence so far is that the team is too milky and a soft touch, that there is no doubt, and too many loans undermines the the teams appetite and desire. We can still make the play offs, but that's about as far as we will go, but sacking SP will serve no purpose but to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. If we were down in the bottom half I could understand some anger, but a manager is only as good as the players he has under his command.
Take away the cheque book from a lot of successful managers, and suddenly they are not immortal after all, bringing in another manager will compound the problem not solve it. There is no quick fix.

did you read my post fully woolly? I said it's not about position but more the fact that it's a chore to watch us nowadays. Can you honestly say you enjoy watching a Parker team? If your answers no, then how can you defend him

I understand your point Ben but what if fulham were top and as dull as dishwater? many say results are all that matter, hes getting them to a point so far this season.

honestly I'm not sure if I could tolerate it or not if we were actually in contention, and sadly I will never know now. But after last season, enjoyment of the match day experience is far more important to me than what league we are in. I had more fun back in the old fourth division than I am now, hell I've even sent the missus with the kids to watch us most of the times this season as I just can't bring myself to sit through it anymore

Who are these embarrassment of riches, where is the evidence to show we have an embarrassment of riches.  What are we rich in then exactly. We are not going to storm this Division because we have not got an embarrassment of riches. We may flatter to deceive at times but we have a defence that can be an embarrassment, but not particularly rich. We should be good enough to hold onto a place in the play offs if we can keep down the error count, but too many players go missing too often when the going gets tough. The manager was not responsible for Odoi getting sent off once again. There are still 75 points to play for, plenty of time to get our act together, and plenty of opportunities next month to improve the squad, but an embarrassment of riches is not how I would describe it. Because we would not have lost to Barnsley and Stoke if we had.

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 11, 2019, 08:30:06 AM
Who are these embarrassment of riches, where is the evidence to show we have an embarrassment of riches.  What are we rich in then exactly. We are not going to storm this Division because we have not got an embarrassment of riches. We may flatter to deceive at times but we have a defence that can be an embarrassment, but not particularly rich. We should be good enough to hold onto a place in the play offs if we can keep down the error count, but too many players go missing too often when the going gets tough. The manager was not responsible for Odoi getting sent off once again. There are still 75 points to play for, plenty of time to get our act together, and plenty of opportunities next month to improve the squad, but an embarrassment of riches is not how I would describe it. Because we would not have lost to Barnsley and Stoke if we had.

again are you actually reading these threads? No one as far as I can see has mentioned an embarrassment of riches. And I'll ask again, do you enjoy watching a Parker team

The fact is we have a squad with talent enough to be top 3 ... we are ... just but an absolute mile off the 2 above us. The 4 match winning run papered over cracks, Brum away was an awful scrappy game & we created little, we could have been dead and buried after 15 mins vs QPR, Derby performance was decent but against a side who were dreadful, Swansea outplayed us for long periods. Similarly having the best striker in the squad had papered over cracks as Mitro's class at this  level has dug us out of games that we would have lost with a lesser man leading the line. Our style is not fluid, it's slow and lacks end  product & is generally dull as the Wilkins & Bracewell sides to watch (2 squads that went on to smash their respective divisions under decent attacking managers in the following seasons) - opposed to the "I see no reason to sack Parker" argument - I personally see little compelling reasons to keep him, other than the players generally "like" him (as opposed to respect and buy into his tactically approach) - I'm sure the players "liked" Bracewell & Wilkins, that latter (RIP) who was well known as a really lovely fella.

IF we make the playoffs (not certain, but what is 95% certain is that the auto's have gone as early as pre Xmas) - then Parker isn't the dogged, gritty type of manager to fight through to success. We would be better off bringing in someone else now to give us a fighting chance in the playoffs and even if we fail to go up, we start the building process for the future under a manager who has the quality to take us forward - I genuinely believe Parker is way off that pre-requisite. Not only his style and lack of cutting edge in this painful possession with not enough end result is a problem but now he seems unable to pick a balanced and decent  side. Knockaert has been a liability for about 2 months now, I've no idea how he's getting games - he's been a massive disappointment amongst those players to arrive. Onomah ... I do not see what he offers in any sense. Yes we have had injuries in central midfield but surely Matt O'Riley has more about him than Onomah, even a now past it & painfully slow KMac would offer more.

I can easily see us taking this 2 match losing run to a 4 match one with Brentford & Leeds up next .... personally wouldn't even give Parker those matches to put us back out of the playoff places, but surely lose those and even the stubborn Tony Khan must act to sack Parker. With Hector coming into the reckoning from 1st Jan, maybe some hope remains for the defence if we pair the least terrible of Ream / Mawson with him.  Personally am thinking the former - as we have seen he can be a decent player at this level, Mawson was abysmal last night & I've seen nothing of the player who was allegedly on the fringe of an England call up at Swansea. Get Harrison Reed back fit an in that midfield, Kamara or Kebano in for Knockaert (Can we not cancel his loan?) and let's have a run at it for the rest of the season under a new man.

Quote from: grandad on December 10, 2019, 10:04:05 PM
You do realize that we were without Cairney, Arter, Reid, Reed, Sess, MLM & a half fit Bryan. What other team selection could SP have made. What guarantee of promotion would there be in replacing SP now. There is no one available out there that I would want. It would be a backward step. New manager, coaches, tactics unrest in the squad. No thanks.

Totally agree no team in this league would cope with the loss of a total mid field and to call for Parkers head is a joke and remember the same team that beat us on Saturday lost last night at home to Millwall a team we stuffed when all of our key players were fit!
Take a reality check and get behind the team instead of bloody whinging all the time!
We are after all in the toughest league to get out off in ti's Country

We have a squad packed with players who are absolutely proven top Championship quality.  Mitro, Cairney, Cav, Knock, Reid, Arter, add to that really solid players like Reed, StefJo, Bryan....   however coaching them is a totally unproven individual in his first ever managers role...

Seems a bit odd ?    Ask yourself would we have better results with the WBA or Leeds coach in charge ?  Would a proven coach like Houghton or Big Sam have got more points on the board ?   I think I know the answer.

Why have we spent so big on the squad but risked it all on the man in charge ?

Quote from: KJS on December 11, 2019, 08:40:16 AM

Quote from: grandad on December 10, 2019, 10:04:05 PM
You do realize that we were without Cairney, Arter, Reid, Reed, Sess, MLM & a half fit Bryan. What other team selection could SP have made. What guarantee of promotion would there be in replacing SP now. There is no one available out there that I would want. It would be a backward step. New manager, coaches, tactics unrest in the squad. No thanks.

Totally agree no team in this league would cope with the loss of a total mid field and to call for Parkers head is a joke and remember the same team that beat us on Saturday lost last night at home to Millwall a team we stuffed when all of our key players were fit!
Take a reality check and get behind the team instead of bloody whinging all the time!
We are after all in the toughest league to get out off in ti's Country

Preston had worse injury problems and a thinner squad than us - it's no excuse. Why the talented Matt O'Riley hasn't been given a chance over the non entity which is Onomah is beyond me - as is selecting Knockaert ahead of Kebano/Kamara based on form & then not subbing him last night when he was beyond appalling.

If Parker stays we will probably lose Mitro at the end of the season, If we bring someone in, he may or may not do as well as Parker, If that person gets us up we will be lost again in the premiership. This team is a long way from Premiership standard, if someone with more Knowledge than me can list the current players who are ready for that step I can only think of two, and one of them is a goal keeper. I say stick with Parker for the moment, the season will be written off in a couple of months and start looking for someone more long term when there is no chance that we can go up. We are a physically weak team, I imagine that's why Parker continues with Onomah. To get out of this division your team needs skill or strength or a mixture, My personal opinion is we lack both. We need some changes of staff both on and off the pitch, there are players in this division who could do a job for us under a new manager, just not yet.

We are third!

Quote from: Southdowns White on December 11, 2019, 09:08:46 AM
If Parker stays we will probably lose Mitro at the end of the season, If we bring someone in, he may or may not do as well as Parker, If that person gets us up we will be lost again in the premiership. This team is a long way from Premiership standard, if someone with more Knowledge than me can list the current players who are ready for that step I can only think of two, and one of them is a goal keeper. I say stick with Parker for the moment, the season will be written off in a couple of months and start looking for someone more long term when there is no chance that we can go up. We are a physically weak team, I imagine that's why Parker continues with Onomah. To get out of this division your team needs skill or strength or a mixture, My personal opinion is we lack both. We need some changes of staff both on and off the pitch, there are players in this division who could do a job for us under a new manager, just not yet.

I agree with a number of points in your post but would say that Mitrovic & AK47 are anything but physically weak, Matt O'Riley is 6'2" and a long way from weak and surely better than Onomah, Harrrison Reed, Harry Arter, Stef Jo aren't weaklings either – where we are physically weak is in the wrong area – defence, and particularly the CB's get bullied every week. Agree that this squad isn't good enough for the premier but would say Mitrovic certainly good enough, Rodak potentially good enough, Cairney technically good enough, but it's maintaining balance to fit him in that's the challenge for us as a side who will be relegation battlers at that level. Harrison Reed I believe is good enough, young enough & hungry enough should we sign him permanently to make it there. Cav I think would be fine at that level in a more fluid side that attack with greater incision & pace than we do under Parker. However certainly a re-build of the defensive unit badly needed. Sheff Utd have proven you don't need a stunning array of talent in the squad to survive & prosper there. Ollie Norwood is a star for them and was a squad backup player for us. A team spirit and solid foundation are musts though & I don't see Parker as a manager who will instil those qualities – so I find it pointless to allow him to continue, when he's clearly not the man to take us forward, the board should at very least be actively looking for his replacement right now.

Quote from: Robbie on December 11, 2019, 09:21:00 AM
We are third!

A mile off the auto's and we won't be 3rd after the Brentford & Leeds games!!

Well that's it, a clear relegation on the cards, worst defence, worst number of goals scored, lowest shots, lowest passes, no decent goal scorer, we might as well just slit our wrists now and save the pain.

Quote from: snarks on December 11, 2019, 09:37:20 AM
Well that's it, a clear relegation on the cards, worst defence, worst number of goals scored, lowest shots, lowest passes, no decent goal scorer, we might as well just slit our wrists now and save the pain.

:005: 0001.jpeg Fans do need to vent somewhere though so it might as well be on fof.

All the posts saying we are 3rd, within 2 games I think its highly likely we will be out of the top 6. The chasing pack are in good form, Brentford, Sheff Weds and Cardiff. I think we could see within 3/4 games a swing where we are 3/4 points away from the top 6. At this stage TK will have no choice but to part with Parker in my opinion.

The supporters seem to be fairly evenly split on the manager.  I don't think the squad is all that bad.  The problem is the style of play and the team selection.  Like many others on this forum I find the team this year simply boring.  There is almost nothing which excites me to watch them.  We are slow and obvious in our build up and porous at the back.  Add to that the fixation of playing Onomah and Kamara, neither of whom are anywhere near the required standard, and we have the tedium of the last two matches.

It may be better with Hector, Reid and Reed but it may not be.  Kebano has been excellent when he comes on.  Why so late?  Ayite has been missed.  SJ has been the standout performer. 

I would give the manager more time to try to sort it out but I would like to see some signs soon that he realises the mess and does something to correct it.  Otherwise I, and I suspect many other long term season ticket holders will simply cease bothering to attend.

Quote from: St Eve on December 11, 2019, 12:54:12 AM
What bothers me is that we are all upset and we are 3rd. The reason is that we should be running away with this division and we would be if Joka was running the show. It is so frustrating and I just hope that this isn't a season lost

We shouldn't be running away with the division, we've got a good squad, but it isn't Wolves 2 years ago.

But we should be doing a lot better than we are and properly challenging Leeds and West Brom. 3rd place doesn't tell the story of how poor we've been playing at time.

I'd like to get someone better in, but also think that if he doesn't win at least one of the next 2 he has to go.

Is it the managers fault if individuals don't make the most of their ability?
In isolation probably not but there's a pattern and even when we win the problems still exist!

The injuries are not helpful but sloppy defending and wasteful use of the ball in attack time and again is the real problem, for want of a better word, there's a ruthlessness missing when both defending and in attack.

The buck stops with the manager when it comes to creating a winning mentality and this team doesn't have it!

I was there, and didn't think there was much between the  two teams last night, except  Preston looked that bit quicker and faster to the ball in the attacking third, and kept opening us up, despite the  best efforts of our defence, with  both Ream and Mawsome putting in good shifts.

But we  still keep losing possession in critical areas - giving the ball away. We made them look good, but they do have some quick, skilful players.


Odoi getting sent off didn't help obviously.

We huffed and puffed, but lacked that incisive clinical edge, that  could have turned our efforts into goals.

Well done to  my fellow Fulham fans for turning out in appalling weather - this was the epitome of a midweek game 'oop North, in a torrential rain soaked,  gale force wind blown,, deserted and hard to get to Preston, and  keeping up a great noise all night.

Quote from: FulhamStu on December 11, 2019, 08:41:07 AM
Why have we spent so big on the squad but risked it all on the man in charge ?

Really good question. I can only assume the Khans just thought that since almost every approach they've tried concerning managerial hires has failed, why not try this, the organic approach

Quote from: MJG on December 11, 2019, 07:19:05 AM
Although with Brentford and Leeds coming up he could be looking at 4 losses in a row if he doesn't get something going, one loss away from my 5 losses in a row flag in the ground where managers really need to be sacked or a bloody good explanation given.

Good analysis

Quote from: Statto on December 11, 2019, 10:16:53 AM

Quote from: FulhamStu on December 11, 2019, 08:41:07 AM
Why have we spent so big on the squad but risked it all on the man in charge ?

Really good question. I can only assume the Khans just thought that since almost every approach they've tried concerning managerial hires has failed, why not try this, the organic approach

If they had not backed him the knives would have been out saying the board hadnt backed him. Its the Kobayashi Maru scenario.

Quote from: MJG on December 11, 2019, 10:59:15 AM

Quote from: Statto on December 11, 2019, 10:16:53 AM

Quote from: FulhamStu on December 11, 2019, 08:41:07 AM
Why have we spent so big on the squad but risked it all on the man in charge ?

Really good question. I can only assume the Khans just thought that since almost every approach they've tried concerning managerial hires has failed, why not try this, the organic approach

If they had not backed him the knives would have been out saying the board hadnt backed him. Its the Kobayashi Maru scenario.

it isn't really, because there is a winning scenario, back the manger with signings 👍 play entertaining football ❌ or challenge for automatic promotion ❌.

Quote from: St Eve on December 11, 2019, 12:54:12 AM
What bothers me is that we are all upset and we are 3rd. The reason is that we should be running away with this division and we would be if Joka was running the show. It is so frustrating and I just hope that this isn't a season lost

It's not even we should be running away from the division, its that we should be competing at a higher level than 10+ points away from Leeds and WestBrom. Speak to their fans and they'll say the same as us pessimists are. Our squad/team is at the very least en par with them and we aren't en par with them in terms of results.

I think it hurts more now, because we just dropped to teams who have been struggling and are competitors. Its embarrassing. Last night, was embarrassing. Work mates come in and just laughed at how bad we were. they empathised but couldn't believe how really, really poor we were.

How many of the present squad do you really think are up to this division, and how many would be good enough to take us forward should we gain promotion?. I reckon about 3 , and why do we keep raving on about our youngsters when Parker never give them a look in. Something is wrong with the coaching and the buck stops at the top.

Quote from: Woodlawn on December 11, 2019, 12:03:10 PM
How many of the present squad do you really think are up to this division... I reckon about 3

Lol, WUM!!!!

Frustratingly boring tactics and shambolic game management thats becoming more and more difficult to watch.
The players wont take it much longer and then he will have a problem not just with the fans.
Promotion is doubtful, relegation is not on the horizon and mid table is very probabal so now is as good a time for a change as any.
Out for me.....It'll spice things up again.

Quote from: fulhamben on December 10, 2019, 09:53:09 PM
I'm not having anyone, and I mean anyone, enjoys watching us under Parker. He makes weird team selections, and even weirder subs. We look disjointed even in the majority of matches we win. He hasnt improved the defence at all. Midfield looks crap, and even manages to make our attack look crap in the majority of matches. Bristol and Preston both deserved to beat us, and we only ever start to get going once the game is already lost. It's just a tedious, boring chore watching us now. Don't care if the new manager doesn't even make the play offs, I just want some excitement back at the club

If the premise is that we are not going to get promoted under Parker then the Khans' demands have not been met but how can they reach such an extraordinary conclusion now simply because, on the basis of two games going against rather than for us, Parker teams cannot play attractive football?  It simply beggars belief to think this is the moment to declare that Parker is unfit for purpose when there are still plenty of points on offer and he now knows, perhaps for the first time as a coach, real pressure. 

Parker has now either been found out by two superior managers on the bounce, or he knows his current selection methods are appallingly lacking in the necessary intelligence, advice, or acumen.  In my opinion he needed roughing up a bit because to be honest what I have seen from him has been far too casual for a guy still learning the job.  The weekend and last night were classic examples of how things can go against you just when you hoped you had turned things around - more by luck than judgement.   Let's see how he applies himself for the next game and what impact that has upon the side.

And just out of courtesy my patience with Parker is wearing thin because I don't see a guy one hundred percent applying himself to his job, but then I haven't see it in him at anytime this season.  He has a lot to prove but I cannot see a virtue in changing managers now in the hopes that promotion will be obtained by the end of the season.  The squad is simply not all it is cracked up to be, and it will not be so until Parker learns his lessons.  Let's hope he's a quick learner when the chips are really down.   

All the people that are saying that we have a great squad ,which should be top of the league, are also the ones calling for a change of style and less possession football. The players we have are best suited to possession football ,in fact we are set up for it. Fed up with lots of things at the moment ,not least people just looking for faults even in our 4 game winning run, just because they have a gripe with parker and want to be proved right.

Quote from: Luka on December 11, 2019, 12:08:35 PM
Frustratingly boring tactics and shambolic game management thats becoming more and more difficult to watch.
The players wont take it much longer and then he will have a problem not just with the fans.
Promotion is doubtful, relegation is not on the horizon and mid table is very probabal so now is as good a time for a change as any.
Out for me.....It'll spice things up again.

👍

Quote from: Statto on December 11, 2019, 12:07:07 PM

Quote from: Woodlawn on December 11, 2019, 12:03:10 PM
How many of the present squad do you really think are up to this division... I reckon about 3

Lol, WUM!!!!

This isn't a wind-up. There are very, very few players on this roster good enough to be in the first XI of a Premier League team that can stay up. The entire spine of this team -- really, including Mitrovic -- would need to be upgraded, imo. Maybe if you markedly upgraded around you, Mitro could be your top striker, but dunno. The overall lack of speed on the roster is absolute death in the top division.

Anyway, back to the thread topic: Parker stinks.

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 11, 2019, 08:30:06 AM
Who are these embarrassment of riches, where is the evidence to show we have an embarrassment of riches.  What are we rich in then exactly. We are not going to storm this Division because we have not got an embarrassment of riches. We may flatter to deceive at times but we have a defence that can be an embarrassment, but not particularly rich. We should be good enough to hold onto a place in the play offs if we can keep down the error count, but too many players go missing too often when the going gets tough. The manager was not responsible for Odoi getting sent off once again. There are still 75 points to play for, plenty of time to get our act together, and plenty of opportunities next month to improve the squad, but an embarrassment of riches is not how I would describe it. Because we would not have lost to Barnsley and Stoke if we had.

So Woolly .. would you say the same about Man City because they lost to  Norwich?  and 2-0 at home to Wolves for God's sake? It's a trite point I know, especially as I actually agree with you, but one of the joys of football is the best team does not always win, and if you cannot describe Man City as a team endowed with an embarrassment of riches, who is?  So perversely, (and I quite enjoy perversely) I agree with you but not simply because we lost to Barnsley and Stoke. I think some of our expensive stars are really not the riches we are paying for  ... Mawson (sorry Statto) and Knockaert (sorry me .. I thought he was the real deal at first sight) ...even Cav has disappointed me a bit.

All this doom n gloom on here,it could be worse

Quote from: Denver Fulham on December 11, 2019, 08:37:30 PM

Quote from: Statto on December 11, 2019, 12:07:07 PM

Quote from: Woodlawn on December 11, 2019, 12:03:10 PM
How many of the present squad do you really think are up to this division... I reckon about 3

Lol, WUM!!!!

This isn't a wind-up. There are very, very few players on this roster good enough to be in the first XI of a Premier League team that can stay up. The entire spine of this team -- really, including Mitrovic -- would need to be upgraded, imo. Maybe if you markedly upgraded around you, Mitro could be your top striker, but dunno. The overall lack of speed on the roster is absolute death in the top division.

Anyway, back to the thread topic: Parker stinks.

Well, the post said "to this division". I would argue most of them. To say none of them could play in the Premier is unrealistic. Look at the Sheffield Utd team. What would you have said about their squad last year?

We have MLM, McDonald, Cisse,  Arter, Reed, Reid, all injured, Sessegnon and Cairney suffering illness. Brian recovering from a back injury, Knockheart suffering from a distinct lack of form and two centre halves who cannot win a crossed ball in the air, how on earth can any manager improve what has happened over the last few matches. Parker has not been dealt the best position in the early stages of his management career and he hopefully will only benefit from it. A bit of good fortune and rub of the green could change our fortunes.

Quote from: Ronnief on December 11, 2019, 09:11:28 PM
We have MLM, McDonald, Cisse,  Arter, Reed, Reid, all injured, Sessegnon and Cairney suffering illness. Brian recovering from a back injury, Knockheart suffering from a distinct lack of form and two centre halves who cannot win a crossed ball in the air, how on earth can any manager improve what has happened over the last few matches. Parker has not been dealt the best position in the early stages of his management career and he hopefully will only benefit from it. A bit of good fortune and rub of the green could change our fortunes.

define change our fortunes? As for me, it's not about league position, wins or losses, but the fact that his decisions are baffling and that I just can't bare to watch the drivel he serves up any more.

I dont want promotion to a league where wagesd and ego are out of the window

Let the FA cut the Premier League adrift to the money men and keep the Championship for supporters of their club who dont eat prawn sandwiches

Please God we dont go up

Quote from: sunburywhite on December 11, 2019, 09:37:06 PM
I dont want promotion to a league where wagesd and ego are out of the window

Let the FA cut the Premier League adrift to the money men and keep the Championship for supporters of their club who dont eat prawn sandwiches

Please God we dont go up

Your dream might become a reality if RM's Florentino Pérez's proposal takes hold!

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/sports/real-madrid-fifa-european-super-league.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/sports/real-madrid-fifa-european-super-league.html)

Well I enjoy watching the football we're playing now, far more than I did under Jol, Meulensteen, Mcgath, Symons and Raneri, indeed I enjoy it as much as I did in the early days of Slav.

I can't recall the last time we have been "bossed" by another team in the championship. Yes we've lost a few we shouldn't have, but it's funny that against Bristol some thought we were poor, statistically we dominated, yet Bristol think it was their best performance of the season. I really don't get the negativity.

We blamed Slav, despite getting promoted and the transfer team downgrading our defence.

We blamed Ranieri, despite the transfer team signing Havard Nodveit as our only defender.

We are now blaming Parker, despite us not signing a single defender over the summer.

When are the real issues at this club going to be discussed. We had the worst defence in Europe last season and our transfer team decided that it didn't need any investment.

We are third in the league with a bottom half defence, that's actually quite impressive.

Quote from: Chutney on December 12, 2019, 12:16:53 PM
We had the worst defence in Europe last season and our transfer team decided that it didn't need any investment.

With Hector next month, we'll have a back four that cost £30m comprising largely or entirely (depending who plays RB) players acquired in the last 18 months. That's more than most Championship clubs have spent on their whole team over that period, and surely more than any of them have spent on their defence. WTF are you on about????