Friends of Fulham

Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

You're correct. However, I would be much more worried about facing us as fans of those teams, than I am about facing them. Lets hope we can keep up the form we have shown so far.

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

Yes a scary thought when Marco is clearly going for the 'Triple' this season.

Do we as Fulham fans ever get carried away?What is noticeable this year is people who support other clubs telling mere are going to piss it.

Quote from: Sgt Fulham on September 01, 2021, 07:04:37 AM
You're correct. However, I would be much more worried about facing us as fans of those teams, than I am about facing them. Lets hope we can keep up the form we have shown so far.

I agree but would hate to think we ever became as arrogant as Arsenal fans...

It's not the end result that we need to feel most proud of.It is the way we are set up and the way we are playing.

Parker had no idea how to get the best out of the squad, he couldn't change a game and his subbing was awful. All of that is forgotten as Silva  sets us up correctly and encourages fast attacking football. That is the greatest thing now about watching our team. Enjoy it.

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

Ye of little faith. Also, currently we are invincible.

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

We will beat all three.

Already teams are using 'foul' means to disrupt our play, so early in the season. That says a lot. We haven't faced Preston yet.

Quote from: clarkey on September 01, 2021, 07:45:06 AM
It's not the end result that we need to feel most proud of.It is the way we are set up and the way we are playing.

Parker had no idea how to get the best out of the squad, he couldn't change a game and his subbing was awful. All of that is forgotten as Silva  sets us up correctly and encourages fast attacking football. That is the greatest thing now about watching our team. Enjoy it.

Exactly the point. We are a joy to watch again. My enthusiasm and positivity for my club has been rejuvenated again. Long may it last

I am sure most in professional sport know that true character most often appears in adversity.  Thus far injuries/suspensions have been met head on with good spirit and great character on the playing surface.  There is enjoyment at work and joined up thinking.   Long may it continue in this vein because it has been sorely missed for far too long.

Nobody is invincible, for sure. I think I'm just enjoying seeing a Fulham team take the game to the opposition. We are quite useful - and the new additions should help.

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious. We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

So what. There are 120 points available, even if we don't get any points against WBA, QPR, and Bournemouth.

The first 90 minutes + are the most important, in the same way the first 46 League matches are the most important.

Can't say I'm shaking in my boots at the prospect of facing QPR. Bournemouth will be tough to beat and will no doubt dominate possession in their own 18-yard area, but I really think the only team that can live with us will be WBA. Given there are 2 automatic promotion slots up for grabs, I'm certainly quite comfortable with that

With the funds, squad and momentum we have. It's our position 1st place to lose.

Quote from: fulhamfever on September 01, 2021, 09:45:18 AM
With the funds, squad and momentum we have. It's our position 1st place to lose.

We definitely should end up first, only we probably will drop points and end up losing a game or two or more. 

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on September 01, 2021, 09:37:19 AM
The first 90 minutes + are the most important, in the same way the first 46 League matches are the most important.

Fulham had 32 points after the "first 90 minutes" last season, let's play "90 minutes plus stoppage time" this season.

During the season we'll probably lose to someone like Blackpool!

I started supporting Fulham because of the style of play. Parker made going to games a chore and frankly not enjoyable.

I'm happier about the style of play than all the wins as I want to go to games again. I'm not complaining about the points, the fact Mitro has scored as many goals in August as he did last season or the fact we have scored two thirds of the home goals as we did last season in three games

I can see us Beating Bournemouth, our players will be out to prove to their  new boss, he was wrong to drop them last year! 
Think WBA and QPR will be harder games but still think we will overcome them, as for the rest I think with our new man in charge we are losing that Fulhamish type of result by the looks of it, last week against Hull is a prime example, we always seemed to struggle against them at home.
Yes maybe getting carried away, but why not, long time since we have had a team like this that play exciting football. It reminds reminds me of Tigana days!

Even Tigana's team had bad days. I admit to being a little uncomfortable with some of the bragging going on, as we have not won anything yet. However, I do recall the "We'll never play you again!" refrain from 2000-1, which did get to a fair few of our opposition fans that season, so maybe I'm just getting curmudgeonly in my old age.

Quote from: Rupert on September 01, 2021, 10:55:42 AM
Even Tigana's team had bad days. I admit to being a little uncomfortable with some of the bragging going on, as we have not won anything yet. However, I do recall the "We'll never play you again!" refrain from 2000-1, which did get to a fair few of our opposition fans that season, so maybe I'm just getting curmudgeonly in my old age.

Why not just enjoy what we are seeing and not worry about what others think Mr Rupert?

Quote from: Max Headroom on September 01, 2021, 10:16:46 AM
I started supporting Fulham because of the style of play. Parker made going to games a chore and frankly not enjoyable.

I'm happier about the style of play than all the wins as I want to go to games again. I'm not complaining about the points, the fact Mitro has scored as many goals in August as he did last season or the fact we have scored two thirds of the home goals as we did last season in three games

I hate the Parker bashing, he had the best squad in the league, but Leeds, WBA and Brentford had been working on teamwork and beating the championship for longer.

Parker got us promoted, which is like a professional golfer going around on golf course at par (ie not good and not bad). So far, Marco Silva has got the team playing well again after Parker's season colapse, but the wheels will fall off the bus at some point and the real test is can he get us going again.

Good start, can hardly have hoped it would be this good.
Hopefully we will keep going in the same manner but obviously we will have a few poor performances and that is par for the course BUT the worry is that silva has a bit of a reputation for starting brilliantly then things start to tail off a bit.

The proof of the pudding will come in Novemberand december IMO, let's see what happens when teams shut up shop against on horrible days in horrible places.

But being optimistic, so far so very good way better than I expected.

A good day for me - is my cab starting first time.....rough or smooth, Fulham is always there..... Let's enjoy the ride

As people used to say when times were tough and looking bleak, take it one game at a time. Each win gets us closer so without presuming we'll be unbeatable, or assuming we'll get automatic promotion, I'll simply look at the next game and hope we get those delicious 3 points that makes Tuesday evenings/weekends so much more pleasurable than recent times.

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

I believe your list omits the most skilful opposition the players will come up against: Fulham 1st XI v Fulham 2nd XI at Motspur Park on Friday mornings.

Have we lost no, therefore we are invincible. Let's enjoy it why we can after 2 years of dower looking not to lose football

At the very least we are all including the Khans, the Manager, the team & the fans are looking forward to the next match

Another 22 / 23 game unbeaten run anyone?

I think many of us are too long in the tooth to get carried away - but nice just to enjoy the football (& goals!) that are being served up at present, and the transfer window was a positive one, too. So very happy, very content & looking forward to continue to reside on the crest of a wave as the season unfolds!! All good, at present.

Nothing lasts. The longer we live the more likely it is we will suffer horrible illness.

But how we play each game or live each day is down to us. Some people like to think we are immortal. We are not but let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

Just looked at the table though and two of our games so far have been against 4th place Huddersfield and 5th placed stoke where we've scored 8 goals and conceded just 1.

Whilst invincible seasons are very unlikely and rare and it requires a lot of competitive good fortune (eg no injuries and few suspensions), if there ever was a season it could be doable, given the squad we have, this would be it.

Quote from: General on September 01, 2021, 12:57:16 PM

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

Just looked at the table though and two of our games so far have been against 4th place Huddersfield and 5th placed stoke where we've scored 8 goals and conceded just 1.

Whilst invincible seasons are very unlikely and rare and it requires a lot of competitive good fortune (eg no injuries and few suspensions), if there ever was a season it could be doable, given the squad we have, this would be it.

Huddersfield have smashed a couple of teams and we absolutely destroyed them, even  with 10 men

Bit uncomfortable reading all these plaudits it don't normally go this smoothly supporting FFC you always feel there is going to be a blip along the way.Admit it's a great watch atm.

Can we beat the record set by Tigana 12 ( first 11 we won) games in the league unbeaten at the start of the season?
By Xmas that year we won 19 and only 1 defeat! Then smashed Watford 5-1 on Boxing Day who were our only contenders according to everyone!
That's something we should be all pleased if we do!

I am just enjoying us playing football again.

I'm still slightly concerned about our options at CB but we have a squad that looks strong enough for promotion. It's still to early to make any predictions though and we can easily end up in the playoffs which is a lottery of course.

No matter what happens it looks like it will be a very enjoyable season. This is so much more exciting that Parkerball!

Our form is bound to dip but the main thing for me is we are playing lovely football, such a change from under Parker.

Quote from: MartyFFC on September 01, 2021, 09:39:57 AM
Can't say I'm shaking in my boots at the prospect of facing QPR. Bournemouth will be tough to beat and will no doubt dominate possession in their own 18-yard area, but I really think the only team that can live with us will be WBA. Given there are 2 automatic promotion slots up for grabs, I'm certainly quite comfortable with that

Looking forward to playing Bournemouth and Parkerball.  Let them do all that possession in their own end.  FFC can and will pressure them into errors and opportunities.  Our players have all been good coming back to help on defense so even if Bournemouth can break out forward, their slow buildup just makes it that much easier for our lads to defend.  I think we should match up very well against a possession team like that and all their holding the ball and sideways/backwards passing.  COYW!

I think we are Invincible....There I' Said it.

And yes, regards thread topic, way way way too too too much Puffy Talk for my liking.  Still very early days..........

Bournemouth 🤣
That's very funny

It's not just being top of the Championship, nor the fact we have a better goal difference of any club in the four English Leagues and three Scottish  leagues but we're there with a manager whose hardly had time to unpack his bags. Young players from the academy are getting games and the ball goes mostly forward and at pace.
We haven't seen that since Tigana. What a wonderful start to live football.
Yes it probably won't last but we're good at moaning on here, we can do that in our sleep. So this is a bonus, like a sunny day in a beer garden with mates. Let's just bask in that for a while.

I've supported The Whites for nearly 60 of my years so I understand not to get carried away. Of course we aren't invincible, no team is. However I'm so enjoying our football now, I tried to cut Parker some slack, hoped he'd learn and improve with experience, tried to understand that he didn't have the ideal squad etc. etc. But OMG what a transformation and I plan to enjoy every damned minute!

Quote from: 3 Cherries on September 01, 2021, 07:01:46 AM
Sorry to state the obvious

We still have to meet the likes of WBA, QPR and Bournemouth!

Don't forget Barnsley ,with Cauley Woodrow, who took six points from us when they were in a relegation position the last time we met.

Every game in this division is tough, we have to stay in focus for another 41 matches. It is early days yet and there will be banana skins along the way.

The thing to bear in mind is that Marco has had a 'flyer' we are top, in Joka's first 9 / 10 matches we were in the group of bottom 8 / 9 clubs. Had we had a 'flyer', we would have got automatic promotion.

Quote from: rebel on September 01, 2021, 07:03:53 PM
The thing to bear in mind is that Marco has had a 'flyer' we are top, in Joka's first 9 / 10 matches we were in the group of bottom 8 / 9 clubs. Had we had a 'flyer', we would have got automatic promotion.

I'd like to think if we had Silva last year we might have stayed up. This current squad may be able to stay up as is, IF Silva can adapt and adjust to more difficult teams. SJ sadly didn't change his style when we got promoted and he was off. Other teams sussed Parker's tactics as well. Time will tell and hopefully Silva will get his chance next year.

Quote from: The Rock on September 01, 2021, 07:34:48 PM

Quote from: rebel on September 01, 2021, 07:03:53 PM
The thing to bear in mind is that Marco has had a 'flyer' we are top, in Joka's first 9 / 10 matches we were in the group of bottom 8 / 9 clubs. Had we had a 'flyer', we would have got automatic promotion.

I'd like to think if we had Silva last year we might have stayed up. This current squad may be able to stay up as is, IF Silva can adapt and adjust to more difficult teams. SJ sadly didn't change his style when we got promoted and he was off. Other teams sussed Parker's tactics as well. Time will tell and hopefully Silva will get his chance next year.

Joka was actually getting it right, he sacked after the Liverpool match, we had some bad luck in that match, if things had gone our way, he would of gone from strength to strength. Joka always uses the first part of the season to see what is what.

I don't think our squad would finish last in this year's PL, relegation yes but not 20th place...

Quote from: Twig on September 01, 2021, 06:09:31 PM
I've supported The Whites for nearly 60 of my years so I understand not to get carried away. Of course we aren't invincible, no team is. However I'm so enjoying our football now, I tried to cut Parker some slack, hoped he'd learn and improve with experience, tried to understand that he didn't have the ideal squad etc. etc. But OMG what a transformation and I plan to enjoy every damned minute!

Spot on. I've been supporting Fulham for 66 years and what kept me away from the lodgers was a forward line of Stevens (then Leggat), Robson, Jezzard, Haynes, and Mitten (then Tosh). Those lads played with joy in their hearts (even when Robson moved on we had Jimmy Hill!). Our frailties in defence cost us a lot of games - our wing-halves pushed forward at every chance - but football at the Cottage was fun. It's like that now - enjoy!

Quote from: LittleErn on September 01, 2021, 08:18:56 PM

Quote from: Twig on September 01, 2021, 06:09:31 PM
I've supported The Whites for nearly 60 of my years so I understand not to get carried away. Of course we aren't invincible, no team is. However I'm so enjoying our football now, I tried to cut Parker some slack, hoped he'd learn and improve with experience, tried to understand that he didn't have the ideal squad etc. etc. But OMG what a transformation and I plan to enjoy every damned minute!

Spot on. I've been supporting Fulham for 66 years and what kept me away from the lodgers was a forward line of Stevens (then Leggat), Robson, Jezzard, Haynes, and Mitten (then Tosh). Those lads played with joy in their hearts (even when Robson moved on we had Jimmy Hill!). Our frailties in defence cost us a lot of games - our wing-halves pushed forward at every chance - but football at the Cottage was fun. It's like that now - enjoy!

Yes, they were great days. I didn't see Robson or Mitten but remember all those others. If we had been blessed with a more solid defence we would have been right up there.

Agree OP. We haven't really done anything yet.  Hopefully we will.

Sent from my SM-T307U using Tapatalk

Quote from: Twig on September 01, 2021, 10:15:21 PM

Quote from: LittleErn on September 01, 2021, 08:18:56 PM

Quote from: Twig on September 01, 2021, 06:09:31 PM
I've supported The Whites for nearly 60 of my years so I understand not to get carried away. Of course we aren't invincible, no team is. However I'm so enjoying our football now, I tried to cut Parker some slack, hoped he'd learn and improve with experience, tried to understand that he didn't have the ideal squad etc. etc. But OMG what a transformation and I plan to enjoy every damned minute!

Spot on. I've been supporting Fulham for 66 years and what kept me away from the lodgers was a forward line of Stevens (then Leggat), Robson, Jezzard, Haynes, and Mitten (then Tosh). Those lads played with joy in their hearts (even when Robson moved on we had Jimmy Hill!). Our frailties in defence cost us a lot of games - our wing-halves pushed forward at every chance - but football at the Cottage was fun. It's like that now - enjoy!

Yes, they were great days. I didn't see Robson or Mitten but remember all those others. If we had been blessed with a more solid defence we would have been right up there.

Too right Twig. I'm much sketchier on the defenders of the time, which says a lot about the impact they didn't have! I remember John Chenhall at right back - a barrel chested old fashioned kick em in the air defender and Robin Lawlor at left back. He could run as fast backwards as forwards, which was his main method of defending - rarely tackled. We improved when Roy Bentley came from the lodgers. He'd been their centre-forward in 1955 when they won the old 1st Division but played centre half for us! Eddie Lowe was a good attacking wing half but not so solid in defence. Happy days!

Quote from: somerset cockernee on September 01, 2021, 04:54:30 PM
I think we are Invincible....There I' Said it.

I think we are invincible, but then I remember we have only won four of our last 15 league games.

Invincible as defined in the English, Oxford, Collins Dictionary is defined as..........
Too powerful to be defeated or overcome or conquered.
Not sure about that quite yet.

Quote from: The Rational Fan on September 02, 2021, 04:51:40 AM

Quote from: somerset cockernee on September 01, 2021, 04:54:30 PM
I think we are Invincible....There I' Said it.

I think we are invincible, but then I remember we have only won four of our last 15 league games.

You can't really use that as a reasonable stat, its a bit like comparing apples with oranges. Different team (as in rejuvenated Mitro, new keeper, Wilson, youth getting a proper chance), different manger, different division. You could just as well say we have won x games in our last 250. No comparison from this season to last season.

If you can't get carried away (a little at least) now when can you?

Quote from: Twig on September 01, 2021, 06:09:31 PM
I've supported The Whites for nearly 60 of my years so I understand not to get carried away. Of course we aren't invincible, no team is. However I'm so enjoying our football now, I tried to cut Parker some slack, hoped he'd learn and improve with experience, tried to understand that he didn't have the ideal squad etc. etc. But OMG what a transformation and I plan to enjoy every damned minute!

Spot on for me too. 64 years of support but with this standard of football I'm like a little kid looking forward to every game with excitement.

Quote from: WindyCity on September 01, 2021, 04:51:45 PM

Quote from: MartyFFC on September 01, 2021, 09:39:57 AM
Can't say I'm shaking in my boots at the prospect of facing QPR. Bournemouth will be tough to beat and will no doubt dominate possession in their own 18-yard area, but I really think the only team that can live with us will be WBA. Given there are 2 automatic promotion slots up for grabs, I'm certainly quite comfortable with that

Looking forward to playing Bournemouth and Parkerball.  Let them do all that possession in their own end.  FFC can and will pressure them into errors and opportunities.  Our players have all been good coming back to help on defense so even if Bournemouth can break out forward, their slow buildup just makes it that much easier for our lads to defend.  I think we should match up very well against a possession team like that and all their holding the ball and sideways/backwards passing.  COYW!

From the Bournemouth forum:

SP left Fulham for AFCB for a reason, and I think Max has backed him to give us a squad that, on paper at least, now looks ridiculously strong for the Championship. Its now up to SP to mould all of the individual parts into an entertaining and winning football team. Exciting times ahead!

Looks similar to our sentiment around Silva and the team...

Quote from: MJG on September 02, 2021, 08:24:01 AM
If you can't get carried away (a little at least) now when can you?

When we're 20 games in with a substantial lead in the top 2 and unbeaten I'd say.

Talk like this will see us return from Blackpool with our tails between our legs. The first goal is promotion. The second goal is winning the league. Only after the first two are secured should we allow our minds to wander into record-breaking territory. Besides - we could draw every game from now on and end the season "invincible". But we would not have achieved any of our goals.

What's the earliest a league has ever been won? Anyone know?

Quote from: humussapiens on September 02, 2021, 09:50:17 AM

Quote from: WindyCity on September 01, 2021, 04:51:45 PM

Quote from: MartyFFC on September 01, 2021, 09:39:57 AM
Can't say I'm shaking in my boots at the prospect of facing QPR. Bournemouth will be tough to beat and will no doubt dominate possession in their own 18-yard area, but I really think the only team that can live with us will be WBA. Given there are 2 automatic promotion slots up for grabs, I'm certainly quite comfortable with that

Looking forward to playing Bournemouth and Parkerball.  Let them do all that possession in their own end.  FFC can and will pressure them into errors and opportunities.  Our players have all been good coming back to help on defense so even if Bournemouth can break out forward, their slow buildup just makes it that much easier for our lads to defend.  I think we should match up very well against a possession team like that and all their holding the ball and sideways/backwards passing.  COYW!

From the Bournemouth forum:

SP left Fulham for AFCB for a reason, and I think Max has backed him to give us a squad that, on paper at least, now looks ridiculously strong for the Championship. Its now up to SP to mould all of the individual parts into an entertaining and winning football team. Exciting times ahead!

Looks similar to our sentiment around Silva and the team...

Bournemouth certainly signed exciting players in Christie and Lowe to go with those they already had.
It will be interesting to see how SP uses them in his squad.
In the meantime we need to keep at least one foot on the ground.

One at the back and one at the back lol

Quote from: humussapiens on September 02, 2021, 09:50:17 AM

Quote from: WindyCity on September 01, 2021, 04:51:45 PM

Quote from: MartyFFC on September 01, 2021, 09:39:57 AM
Can't say I'm shaking in my boots at the prospect of facing QPR. Bournemouth will be tough to beat and will no doubt dominate possession in their own 18-yard area, but I really think the only team that can live with us will be WBA. Given there are 2 automatic promotion slots up for grabs, I'm certainly quite comfortable with that

Looking forward to playing Bournemouth and Parkerball.  Let them do all that possession in their own end.  FFC can and will pressure them into errors and opportunities.  Our players have all been good coming back to help on defense so even if Bournemouth can break out forward, their slow buildup just makes it that much easier for our lads to defend.  I think we should match up very well against a possession team like that and all their holding the ball and sideways/backwards passing.  COYW!

From the Bournemouth forum:

SP left Fulham for AFCB for a reason, and I think Max has backed him to give us a squad that, on paper at least, now looks ridiculously strong for the Championship. Its now up to SP to mould all of the individual parts into an entertaining and winning football team. Exciting times ahead!

Looks similar to our sentiment around Silva and the team...

Difference is that Silva has moulded Fulham into an entertaining and winning team already, while they're hoping that Parker will do it.

Just took a quick look and if you sum up the results of our opposition, excluding their games against us, they have 9 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses. Seems like not only are we performing well, but are also performing well against good opposition. Exciting times!

I will get as carried away as I desire after last seasons embarrassment.

I don't believe we are invincible but we are going to be difficult to beat as well as difficult to draw against. That to me says we have every chance of promotion

I don't think people are getting carried away as such. It's just that logically when you look at the insane depth we have coupled with an outstanding first XI at this level being coached by a manager that has an idea of how he wants us to play attractive, attacking football, it all points to what should be a theoretically positive season for us. Obviously football is an unpredictable sport as we all know, but presently there's so much to be positive about with a team that looks like it wants to really go and comprehensively beat teams, and going into an international break top of the table and unbeaten is only going to improve morale for players and supporters alike.

We are yet to go behind in a game this season. Long may it continue, but when it inevitably does happen, that will be a good test of the team's mettle and we will learn a lot from it.

Quote from: bencher on September 03, 2021, 12:14:09 PM
We are yet to go behind in a game this season. Long may it continue, but when it inevitably does happen, that will be a good test of the team's mettle and we will learn a lot from it.

We have conceded a couple of goals though, especially at Millwall, where last season I could have easily seen us wobble and throw away the points.

Quote from: Deeping_white on September 03, 2021, 11:31:43 AM
I don't think people are getting carried away as such.

Sure they are.  There are a handful of threads out there in recent days whose topic is the assumption of first place and automatic promotion.  I think there is quite a bit of being carried away, now after only 5 games into a lengthy campaign.  Just sayin'.....

Quote from: WindyCity on September 03, 2021, 04:13:12 PM

Quote from: Deeping_white on September 03, 2021, 11:31:43 AM
I don't think people are getting carried away as such.

Sure they are.  There are a handful of threads out there in recent days whose topic is the assumption of first place and automatic promotion.  I think there is quite a bit of being carried away, now after only 5 games into a lengthy campaign.  Just sayin'.....

A bit like you coming on here after the Middlesbrough game saying we're crap and that we need to temper expectations and that you expect us to be in a relegation battle?

Quote from: Deeping_white on September 03, 2021, 04:50:12 PM

Quote from: WindyCity on September 03, 2021, 04:13:12 PM

Quote from: Deeping_white on September 03, 2021, 11:31:43 AM
I don't think people are getting carried away as such.

Sure they are.  There are a handful of threads out there in recent days whose topic is the assumption of first place and automatic promotion.  I think there is quite a bit of being carried away, now after only 5 games into a lengthy campaign.  Just sayin'.....

A bit like you coming on here after the Middlesbrough game saying we're crap and that we need to temper expectations and that you expect us to be in a relegation battle?

First off, I never said FFC was crap.  Yes, I was very disappointed in having dropped two points in a game we dominated for the first 75 minutes.  And I wasn't the only one in this forum who felt the same way.

Yes, guilty as charged. Before the season started, I saw FFC as a mid table team, and any mid table side can have a bad run and find themselves in possible relegation scenario.  Based on what we saw the past two seasons, with players leaving, with ownership recent history of underachievement in bringing in new players and also possibly a new gaffer, all added up to me as a team that might struggle. At that time I was thinking maybe 2-3 years before another good chance at promotion.  And again, I don't think I was alone in this forum thinking such.

Extremely pleased to see the nice, positive start to this season.  Hoping it can continue.  And in my case, I will continue to temper expectations until we have played more games.  COYW!

This is the Championship, with opponents often resorting to mugging better skilled opponents.  We've got the skills, pace, and a good manager the men respond to.  So, what I worry most about are injuries--at least until we build up a significant points lead to buy time to recover from any key injuries.  When you play a team like Stoke for instance...

I'm so happy, I'm going to use some Radford's in my pipe & smoke it

Quote from: H4usuallysitting on September 03, 2021, 07:56:31 PM
I'm so happy, I'm going to use some Radford's in my pipe & smoke it

Quote from: H4usuallysitting on September 03, 2021, 07:56:31 PM
I'm so happy, I'm going to use some Radford's in my pipe & smoke it

Bong

Quote from: General on September 02, 2021, 02:13:22 PM
What's the earliest a league has ever been won? Anyone know?

Not win but we could guarantee an automatic promotion spot on the 22nd of Jan against Stoke if we win every game between now and then and this season equals previous seasons lowest points totals for 2nd spot (79)
If this season matches high point 2nd spots (93) it will be 19th Feb against Huddersfield.
Wouldn't that be something lol.
Info from Wiki.

Bookies have us at 13/8 to win the division, so it looks like a few people fancy us already.

Quote from: Blawarmy on September 03, 2021, 09:39:55 PM
Bookies have us at 13/8 to win the division, so it looks like a few people fancy us already.

Before someone comes on and starts having a moan. Yes the chances of it happening are slim. It's a long season etc etc but don't we go to a football match thinking we might win? This is just an extension of that, a flight of fancy in what might be a very brief purple patch (now I'm miserable). There again we might win the league (I've cheered up).

Quote from: I Ronic on September 03, 2021, 10:16:24 PM

Quote from: Blawarmy on September 03, 2021, 09:39:55 PM
Bookies have us at 13/8 to win the division, so it looks like a few people fancy us already.

Before someone comes on and starts having a moan. Yes the chances of it happening are slim. It's a long season etc etc but don't we go to a football match thinking we might win? This is just an extension of that, a flight of fancy in what might be a very brief purple patch (now I'm miserable). There again we might win the league (I've cheered up).

I completely agree with what you say, For me the issue is some of our colleagues have been playing up to the crowd, bragging that we are going to run away with the league. Now, it is possible that we may do just that, and I would love it if we did. However, if by some freak chance, we lose a match or two, we could have a lot of flak from rival fans, laughing at us for thinking we would easily dominate them. I, and others, are merely pointing out that we do not all hold that view. Not yet.

If you recall the 2000-2001 season, we were doing rather well, and we faced Blackburn towards the end of the season. We were top, they were seven points behind, both of us had more or less guaranteed promotion. There was a kerfuffle raised when, rather than accepting the two best teams were clashing in what would probably be a good, competitive match, Blackburn's manager, Souness, started banging on about how his team were clearly superior to us. His reasoning went along the lines that they had struggled until October, when they were 15th, but had then gone on a fantastic run, while we had wobbled after Cookie Coleman had his car crash.
Suddenly, there was a lot more riding on the game. The desire was to ram Sourpuss' words back down his throat. We started poorly, went 1-0 down, then Rufus got sent off. I was there and recall a sinking feeling, that even if we won the league, bloody Sourpuss would still claim his lot were superior. Still, we persevered, and just on halftime Steve Finnan floated a hopeful ball into their area, their goalie and a defender got in each others way, and Saha scored.
The second half was torture, 45 minutes of unrelenting pressure, all down the opposite end of their stadium. They fired in shot after shot. Some missed, some were blocked, some were saved. 45 minutes were up, the fourth official held up his board, three minutes added on. I turned to whoever was sitting next to me and demanded to know where the hell they got three extra minutes from, when we suddenly broke upfield, and Sean Davies slammed the ball into the Blackburn net. Cue pandemonium in the away end, and the other three stands more or less emptied instantly. We held on to win 2-1, and afterwards their stadium screen started to broadcast a post match interview with Sourpuss, who still claimed his team were superior, despite losing to our ten men, but the derision directed at him by us persuaded them to cut the feed.

By his bragging, his arrogance, the Blackburn manager turned a victory into a triumph. We have never been an arrogant team. People like us for that. We give credit to the opposition when appropriate. People respect that. Opposition fans have problems laughing at us, because we are usually the ones providing the punchline and laughing at ourselves first.
The problem is, we stopped being that type of club twenty five years ago. Any of our fans under the age of thirty have no memories of Trinder's Fulham, Clay's Fulham, Hill's Fulham. Many of those fans are the current group of keyboard warriors, and to my older eyes, these people do not understand Fulham, my Fulham. I read things like "We belong in the Premiership" and shudder. We do not belong there. We belong wherever we have earned our place. This season we belong in the Championship. I recall when we belonged in Division Three, and did our best to belong in the Conference. I would not wish that experience on our younger fans (if for no more reason that I would have to endure it too, once was enough), but I do wonder if we old farts are not better off for going through it. We appreciate our astonishing good fortune all the more for not regarding it as some sort of birthright.

I like being a Fulham fan. I like us being a friendly club. I like people respecting us. I like people not thinking of us as arrogant, because I certainly am not. I hope this explains why I, and others of my ilk, get concerned when we have fans telling all and sundry that we are going to p*** the league. We will crow as loudly as anyone if we do go on to do it, but that would be because we have done it. Until then, please keep your powder dry.

Let's be happy - at long last we're witnessing some decent footie....win or lose - keep this up, and we'll be in the mix for promotion

Quote from: Rupert on September 04, 2021, 08:42:09 AM

Quote from: I Ronic on September 03, 2021, 10:16:24 PM

Quote from: Blawarmy on September 03, 2021, 09:39:55 PM
Bookies have us at 13/8 to win the division, so it looks like a few people fancy us already.

Before someone comes on and starts having a moan. Yes the chances of it happening are slim. It's a long season etc etc but don't we go to a football match thinking we might win? This is just an extension of that, a flight of fancy in what might be a very brief purple patch (now I'm miserable). There again we might win the league (I've cheered up).

I completely agree with what you say, For me the issue is some of our colleagues have been playing up to the crowd, bragging that we are going to run away with the league. Now, it is possible that we may do just that, and I would love it if we did. However, if by some freak chance, we lose a match or two, we could have a lot of flak from rival fans, laughing at us for thinking we would easily dominate them. I, and others, are merely pointing out that we do not all hold that view. Not yet.

If you recall the 2000-2001 season, we were doing rather well, and we faced Blackburn towards the end of the season. We were top, they were seven points behind, both of us had more or less guaranteed promotion. There was a kerfuffle raised when, rather than accepting the two best teams were clashing in what would probably be a good, competitive match, Blackburn's manager, Souness, started banging on about how his team were clearly superior to us. His reasoning went along the lines that they had struggled until October, when they were 15th, but had then gone on a fantastic run, while we had wobbled after Cookie Coleman had his car crash.
Suddenly, there was a lot more riding on the game. The desire was to ram Sourpuss' words back down his throat. We started poorly, went 1-0 down, then Rufus got sent off. I was there and recall a sinking feeling, that even if we won the league, bloody Sourpuss would still claim his lot were superior. Still, we persevered, and just on halftime Steve Finnan floated a hopeful ball into their area, their goalie and a defender got in each others way, and Saha scored.
The second half was torture, 45 minutes of unrelenting pressure, all down the opposite end of their stadium. They fired in shot after shot. Some missed, some were blocked, some were saved. 45 minutes were up, the fourth official held up his board, three minutes added on. I turned to whoever was sitting next to me and demanded to know where the hell they got three extra minutes from, when we suddenly broke upfield, and Sean Davies slammed the ball into the Blackburn net. Cue pandemonium in the away end, and the other three stands more or less emptied instantly. We held on to win 2-1, and afterwards their stadium screen started to broadcast a post match interview with Sourpuss, who still claimed his team were superior, despite losing to our ten men, but the derision directed at him by us persuaded them to cut the feed.

By his bragging, his arrogance, the Blackburn manager turned a victory into a triumph. We have never been an arrogant team. People like us for that. We give credit to the opposition when appropriate. People respect that. Opposition fans have problems laughing at us, because we are usually the ones providing the punchline and laughing at ourselves first.
The problem is, we stopped being that type of club twenty five years ago. Any of our fans under the age of thirty have no memories of Trinder's Fulham, Clay's Fulham, Hill's Fulham. Many of those fans are the current group of keyboard warriors, and to my older eyes, these people do not understand Fulham, my Fulham. I read things like "We belong in the Premiership" and shudder. We do not belong there. We belong wherever we have earned our place. This season we belong in the Championship. I recall when we belonged in Division Three, and did our best to belong in the Conference. I would not wish that experience on our younger fans (if for no more reason that I would have to endure it too, once was enough), but I do wonder if we old farts are not better off for going through it. We appreciate our astonishing good fortune all the more for not regarding it as some sort of birthright.

I like being a Fulham fan. I like us being a friendly club. I like people respecting us. I like people not thinking of us as arrogant, because I certainly am not. I hope this explains why I, and others of my ilk, get concerned when we have fans telling all and sundry that we are going to p*** the league. We will crow as loudly as anyone if we do go on to do it, but that would be because we have done it. Until then, please keep your powder dry.

A rational, balanced and Judicious response Rupert and I agree with your analogy.
As a side note, are you aware of the fact you have the same middle name as Attila The Hun.

How very well put, Rupert.  :54:

Quote from: Rupert on September 04, 2021, 08:42:09 AM

Quote from: I Ronic on September 03, 2021, 10:16:24 PM

Quote from: Blawarmy on September 03, 2021, 09:39:55 PM
Bookies have us at 13/8 to win the division, so it looks like a few people fancy us already.

Before someone comes on and starts having a moan. Yes the chances of it happening are slim. It's a long season etc etc but don't we go to a football match thinking we might win? This is just an extension of that, a flight of fancy in what might be a very brief purple patch (now I'm miserable). There again we might win the league (I've cheered up).

I completely agree with what you say, For me the issue is some of our colleagues have been playing up to the crowd, bragging that we are going to run away with the league. Now, it is possible that we may do just that, and I would love it if we did. However, if by some freak chance, we lose a match or two, we could have a lot of flak from rival fans, laughing at us for thinking we would easily dominate them. I, and others, are merely pointing out that we do not all hold that view. Not yet.

If you recall the 2000-2001 season, we were doing rather well, and we faced Blackburn towards the end of the season. We were top, they were seven points behind, both of us had more or less guaranteed promotion. There was a kerfuffle raised when, rather than accepting the two best teams were clashing in what would probably be a good, competitive match, Blackburn's manager, Souness, started banging on about how his team were clearly superior to us. His reasoning went along the lines that they had struggled until October, when they were 15th, but had then gone on a fantastic run, while we had wobbled after Cookie Coleman had his car crash.
Suddenly, there was a lot more riding on the game. The desire was to ram Sourpuss' words back down his throat. We started poorly, went 1-0 down, then Rufus got sent off. I was there and recall a sinking feeling, that even if we won the league, bloody Sourpuss would still claim his lot were superior. Still, we persevered, and just on halftime Steve Finnan floated a hopeful ball into their area, their goalie and a defender got in each others way, and Saha scored.
The second half was torture, 45 minutes of unrelenting pressure, all down the opposite end of their stadium. They fired in shot after shot. Some missed, some were blocked, some were saved. 45 minutes were up, the fourth official held up his board, three minutes added on. I turned to whoever was sitting next to me and demanded to know where the hell they got three extra minutes from, when we suddenly broke upfield, and Sean Davies slammed the ball into the Blackburn net. Cue pandemonium in the away end, and the other three stands more or less emptied instantly. We held on to win 2-1, and afterwards their stadium screen started to broadcast a post match interview with Sourpuss, who still claimed his team were superior, despite losing to our ten men, but the derision directed at him by us persuaded them to cut the feed.

By his bragging, his arrogance, the Blackburn manager turned a victory into a triumph. We have never been an arrogant team. People like us for that. We give credit to the opposition when appropriate. People respect that. Opposition fans have problems laughing at us, because we are usually the ones providing the punchline and laughing at ourselves first.
The problem is, we stopped being that type of club twenty five years ago. Any of our fans under the age of thirty have no memories of Trinder's Fulham, Clay's Fulham, Hill's Fulham. Many of those fans are the current group of keyboard warriors, and to my older eyes, these people do not understand Fulham, my Fulham. I read things like "We belong in the Premiership" and shudder. We do not belong there. We belong wherever we have earned our place. This season we belong in the Championship. I recall when we belonged in Division Three, and did our best to belong in the Conference. I would not wish that experience on our younger fans (if for no more reason that I would have to endure it too, once was enough), but I do wonder if we old farts are not better off for going through it. We appreciate our astonishing good fortune all the more for not regarding it as some sort of birthright.

I like being a Fulham fan. I like us being a friendly club. I like people respecting us. I like people not thinking of us as arrogant, because I certainly am not. I hope this explains why I, and others of my ilk, get concerned when we have fans telling all and sundry that we are going to p*** the league. We will crow as loudly as anyone if we do go on to do it, but that would be because we have done it. Until then, please keep your powder dry.

A great post and sums up well how I think and feel as a Fulham fan.  PS  I have just watched the highlights of the added time in that Blackburn game.  Fabulous!

Loved Rupert's post and fully agree with it. As another older supporter I loved the fact that we were a club with a bit of humility about us.  It doesn't prevent us enjoying and celebrating success but stops short of arrogance.

Davis winner was sensational, but so was his "promotion jig".

I'm of the belief that it's very early days right now, but I also don't mind anyone getting carried away. Let them do what they want, act how they want. In a world where suffering is constantly a headline, let individuals have their glimpses of joy through their club. It's not about being friendly or arrogant - or even requiring a need to have an identity. It's about being in the moments that lead them towards happiness.

Anyway, here's the highlights I found (made) of that Blackburn match:

ON THIS DAY: 2001 ⚫️⚪️

Graham Souness and his Blackburn side were supposed to show the world that they were the best in the league. Instead, Jean Tigana’s legends won the game with ten men...

Shut it Graham 🤫#FFC | #OnThisDay | #LEGENDS pic.twitter.com/qGEX696Yru

— Fulham Focus (@Fulham_Focus) April 11, 2020

Thanks for posting this Matt.  Thankfully it looks as though we have another good season to look forward to!

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 02, 2021, 10:45:08 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 02, 2021, 08:24:01 AM
If you can't get carried away (a little at least) now when can you?

When we're 20 games in with a substantial lead in the top 2 and unbeaten I'd say.

082.gif
Too many people, especially on social media, being irrationally over confident 5 games into a 40+ game season.

Let's enjoy our strong start and not attempt to write checks our team can't cash.   We don't know how we'll match up against other sides once they've seen how other teams have schemed against us.

On a day where we've been the better side, yet haven't been clinical...yet the other team scores from a set piece...  It's coming.

Quote from: Rupert on September 04, 2021, 08:42:09 AM


By his bragging, his arrogance, the Blackburn manager turned a victory into a triumph. We have never been an arrogant team. People like us for that. We give credit to the opposition when appropriate. People respect that. Opposition fans have problems laughing at us, because we are usually the ones providing the punchline and laughing at ourselves first.
The problem is, we stopped being that type of club twenty five years ago. Any of our fans under the age of thirty have no memories of Trinder's Fulham, Clay's Fulham, Hill's Fulham. Many of those fans are the current group of keyboard warriors, and to my older eyes, these people do not understand Fulham, my Fulham. I read things like "We belong in the Premiership" and shudder. We do not belong there. We belong wherever we have earned our place. This season we belong in the Championship. I recall when we belonged in Division Three, and did our best to belong in the Conference. I would not wish that experience on our younger fans (if for no more reason that I would have to endure it too, once was enough), but I do wonder if we old farts are not better off for going through it. We appreciate our astonishing good fortune all the more for not regarding it as some sort of birthright.

I like being a Fulham fan. I like us being a friendly club. I like people respecting us. I like people not thinking of us as arrogant, because I certainly am not. I hope this explains why I, and others of my ilk, get concerned when we have fans telling all and sundry that we are going to p*** the league. We will crow as loudly as anyone if we do go on to do it, but that would be because we have done it. Until then, please keep your powder dry.

082.gif 082.gif 082.gif 082.gif 082.gif

I want to be a part of YOUR Fulham!

Smashing memory's and to watch it again was marvellous.

Quote from: Matt10 on September 04, 2021, 02:01:50 PM
Davis winner was sensational, but so was his "promotion jig".

I'm of the belief that it's very early days right now, but I also don't mind anyone getting carried away. Let them do what they want, act how they want. In a world where suffering is constantly a headline, let individuals have their glimpses of joy through their club. It's not about being friendly or arrogant - or even requiring a need to have an identity. It's about being in the moments that lead them towards happiness.

Anyway, here's the highlights I found (made) of that Blackburn match:

ON THIS DAY: 2001 ⚫️⚪️

Graham Souness and his Blackburn side were supposed to show the world that they were the best in the league. Instead, Jean Tigana’s legends won the game with ten men...

Shut it Graham 🤫#FFC | #OnThisDay | #LEGENDS pic.twitter.com/qGEX696Yru

— Fulham Focus (@Fulham_Focus) April 11, 2020

I've grown to like Souness on the tv, he speaks a lot of sense.

But this is my all time favourite Fulham thing.  Sean's interview afterwards was brilliant too.

Quote from: Twig on September 04, 2021, 01:40:30 PM
Loved Rupert's post and fully agree with it. As another older supporter I loved the fact that we were a club with a bit of humility about us.  It doesn't prevent us enjoying and celebrating success but stops short of arrogance.

Agree 100%. In think anyone who has supported Fulham for close to 60 yards, as I have, must by definition be endowed with a measure of humility. 

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on September 04, 2021, 11:49:19 AM

A rational, balanced and Judicious response Rupert and I agree with your analogy.
As a side note, are you aware of the fact you have the same middle name as Attila The Hun.

I have several things in common with Attila. I am left handed, he was too. As was Alexander the Great, who I also share a middle name with. Spooky.

Quote from: Rupert on September 04, 2021, 06:42:02 PM

Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on September 04, 2021, 11:49:19 AM

A rational, balanced and Judicious response Rupert and I agree with your analogy.
As a side note, are you aware of the fact you have the same middle name as Attila The Hun.

I have several things in common with Attila. I am left handed, he was too. As was Alexander the Great, who I also share a middle name with. Spooky.

For that I Salute you.

Wow against Blackpool

Our first loss - we looked tired and very much NOT invincible

I knew we were getting carried away with ourselves. This is the championship! It's a long hard season. Manager of the month cursed us and the international break shafted our players fitness and momentum. Hey ho, we've lost now, dust ourselves off and get firing again