I don't think we are too far off of it.
I don't think so but that's just my view , but bournemouth possibly are - as much as it hurts .
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
At the moment yes, but if we go up I don't think we will need a total squad rebuild and 7 loanees like previous seasons. I have lots of faith in Silva too, especially as he knows that level.
I think we would struggle badly, dont see us being that much (if at all) better than the current Norwich squad in all honesty. But I do think we have more of the core building blocks though than previous attempts, 3/4 premier league starters perhaps and enough in the squad to give depth. But I do think we would need to recruit a fair bit in the summer if we go up.
I certainly think we are playing better than the bottom three in the prem
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
We are no lower than 18th at the moment in my opinion.
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Quote from: bobbo on November 01, 2021, 12:59:57 PM
I don't think so but that's just my view , but bournemouth possibly are - as much as it hurts .
Bournemouth are performing as a mid table Championship team with regards to how many chances they're creating. Put them in the PL and they would be dead last, they're winning games by scoring a single goal and against the odds keeping themselves ahead. We've already seen how Parker operates in a league where his team are a small fish in a big pond, you score barely any goals and occasionally nick a single goal victory. He's top with the second most expensive squad in the league and got promoted via the play-offs with the most expensive team last time around, he's carried by the virtue of having better quality players at this level and doesn't know how to coach an inferior team to beat a superior one
I certainly think this season's team is playing better and more attractive football than anything seen for quite a while at Craven Cottage but perhaps last season was too low a bar to set. I believe surviving in the PL is as much about attitude and spirit as it is about quality and last season I just feel we gave up the ghost much too soon. Who's to blame really doesn't matter any more.
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Agree totally, although playing a very high standard for championship football, we are a long way off Premier league standard. This will always be our concern until we strengthen the squad in all areas.
To put things into perspective, and only a single game admittedly, but Norwich put 6 past Bournemouth at the start of the season!
Then again Brentford have made an excellent start despite going up via the playoffs so who knows!
Let's just hope the club management at all levels has really earnt lessons from recent years. At least we have a manager who has actually managed at Premiership and a squad with Premiership experience.
As good as we've been in the championship, this defence would be destroyed in the premiership and our attack is too reliant on one player to succeed at the top level.
I'm all for positivity, and I'm delighted with how things are going, but a does of realism is needed methinks...
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 01:53:32 PM
As good as we've been in the championship, this defence would be destroyed in the premiership and our attack is too reliant on one player to succeed at the top level.
I'm all for positivity, and I'm delighted with how things are going, but a does of realism is needed methinks...
3 out of the 4 defenders starting regularly for us also played regularly last season and they didn't get "destroyed" at any point? That's without considering they're all now more experienced and we'd get a least one CB in to partner Tosin to make the team stronger
Quote from: Deeping_white on November 01, 2021, 02:00:52 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 01:53:32 PM
As good as we've been in the championship, this defence would be destroyed in the premiership and our attack is too reliant on one player to succeed at the top level.
I'm all for positivity, and I'm delighted with how things are going, but a does of realism is needed methinks...
3 out of the 4 defenders starting regularly for us also played regularly last season and they didn't get "destroyed" at any point? That's without considering they're all now more experienced and we'd get a least one CB in to partner Tosin to make the team stronger
We had Areola too and he was outstanding.
We can play some great stuff but some of our defending leaves a lot to be desired. I think this side would be in the bottom three of the Premier League at present. Previous experiences of the top flight should be enough to keep us grounded.
Quote from: WestSussexWhite on November 01, 2021, 01:05:19 PM
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
At the moment yes, but if we go up I don't think we will need a total squad rebuild and 7 loanees like previous seasons. I have lots of faith in Silva too, especially as he knows that level.
CB, arguably the most important position in the PL is a still a big problem. Ream isn't a PL CB so once again we need to find a CB who has to hit the ground running and gel with Tosin
It's interesting... our defence isn't that different to last seasons, which admittedly is without Andersen and Areola. I'm feeling increasingly as though we're unlikely to see either of them back here which is obviously a shame.
Our attack has improved and I think silva knows how to get the most out of mitro and appreciates what he offers re his all round game, which is important.
I think currently if we went back up, we'd need 1 top CB, 1 top GK (less important than CB), two strong premiership quality CMs and at the very least 1 top winger.. don't know how he'd do a couple of years later, but If you got for instance babel back and one other winger of similar quality with our defence plus one or two additions then we'd be in a much better place.
We need a better balanced squad and I think that includes a makelele type DM as replacement for Anguissa. Seri has done well and has shown his quality at this level, which you'd hope spurs him on in the prem.
What we do need though, and it may be difficult to do, is bring in players who have proven themselves at premiership level or similar level (andersen at Lyon and champions league).. aina.. Areola..
Wish we had stayed up last season but got rid of Parker earlier.
Apart from Newcastle, Brentford twice (home & away), Norwich & Burnley....who else could we currently beat
I disagree on the defending front- bar Bournemouth and West Brom, we have conceded the least shots on target in the division- all this whilst playing a fairly expansive game. Bournemouth have conceded 37 shots on target, W Brom 39 and us 41. Goals conceded are 8, 14 and 14 respectively. You could argue on that basis that B'Mth are lucky to have conceded so few (I've watched 4 of their games and thought them reasonably lucky each time). What's different to last season is that we're not playing to defend, or stay in games- we're going after opponents and scoring in bucket loads as we go after them again and again (as proved by having 78 shots more than B'Mth so far).
The big step up for me is the taking of chances- for instance the attempt that Livermore had on Saturday (2nd half) when the ball fizzed across and he put it over the bar, that's a nailed on 100% goal every day in the Prem. You simply cannot give chances away in the Prem and expect to stay in games, it won't happen- so we're heading in the right direction.
Personally I think we're some way off at the moment- but a settled squad would increase our chances of staying up.
Quote from: WestSussexWhite on November 01, 2021, 01:05:19 PM
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
At the moment yes, but if we go up I don't think we will need a total squad rebuild and 7 loanees like previous seasons. I have lots of faith in Silva too, especially as he knows that level.
Almost a rebuild, we will need another goalkeeper, right-back, center-back, defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and left-winger, then we will need to extend (or replace) the contracts of Hector, Seri, and Fabio.
No - if ourselves and Bournemouth were put in this seasons Premier League we would probably be battling it out for 17th place. I would put us above Norwich and Newcastle as it stands. Leeds and Villa are definitely poorer than last season, but I think we would still need players of the calibre of Areola, Andersen and one or two more to finish above them....
The squad is OK for this division but way off the quality needed for the prem. we would need major surgery to guarantee success.
The problems that faced slav remain in that our defence is not good enough (eg look how many chances WBA and notts forrest squandered against us that would have been put away in the prem) our central midfield not physical enough and our only goalscorer is mitro and we have no back up (muniz looks way to raw ffor the championship at the moment IMO let alone the prem) and cav (original) BDR, kebano and a host of others that are just not good enough.
Rodak is the right standard but we need to have top class centre backs.. I hope Tosin matures but he needs a reliable and fit partner.
I certainly hope we get to see us go up and try to get ir right this time. As parker said,m we cannot just go on making the same miustakes over and over, and letting silva lead transfwes seems to be a step in the right direction.
No.
Bring back Areola and Andersen and then one top attacking player and the I think we could avoid premier league relegation.
Those three of course would cost a lot of millions and would need to be here for a full pre season.
Our current defence is far too lightweight to even consider that we would survive in the Premier League let alone flourish.
The positives are that going forward we can play some quality stuff which is qualified by the punters on TV who to a man and woman confirms that we are a footballing team that embraces the ethos of the beautiful game and how football should be played in a perfect world.
But it's when we have not got the ball that worries me. That is when it sinks in that we need the Cavalry.
So on that basis, build on what we have achieved so far this season and keep it ticking over by ensuring we are promoted in style, that in itself will be a visual display of intent to many quality players who fancy playing for a Premier League club in the Capital of England and all the advantages that go with that.
Brentford weren't but are doing well
There's no way I wanna go up then replace half the team again, bring in a few additions and make them earn their place
Also there's no way Bongo I wanna see Angusssa in a Fulham shirt again,
Quote from: filham on November 01, 2021, 03:31:50 PM
Those three of course would cost a lot of millions and would need to be here for a full pre season.
This, I think, is one of the most overlooked aspects of last season. The pre-season, or in our case the complete lack of it. We had a month to prepare for life back in the top flight. We must be in the record books for the shortest time in the top flight between promotion (4th August 2020) and the end of the following season (23rd May 2021). Give us a full pre-season, and a chance to prepare properly for the step up from the Championship, and we could be on to a decent chance of surviving, with just a few reinforcements to the current squad. I can not see us pulling up trees like Brentford have done (so far, anyway), but a 16th or 17th place finish should not be impossible.
Of course, we still have the minor detail of actually having to get there first.
We would get regulated with our current team in the PL no question.
If we go up we'll need our current players to step up and add 4/5 starters to our 11, plus another 2 capable of breaking into the 11.
If we go up we need, GK, CB, CM, LWF, and CF. You could argue against GK and CM but I've added them there based on what I saw last season (I want AA back).
I would agree with those that suggest FFC would be bottom three with club as it is presently situated. Would also need to bring in some impact players to help all around....up front, mid, and backline. Mitrovic, Rodak, Tosin likely considered Prem ready. Wilson and Carvalho are close? To be solid Prem side would need to add some significant help......
I think we have the following players in our squad who are at a level where they could play a role in or around a first XI which is capable of survival.
Tosin: Looked mostly comfortable alongside Andersen (although obviously had a bit of a form wobble towards the back end of the season with some high profile mistakes), and will have a bit more age, wisdom and experience next time around. Probably the junior partner in a back two, so a big marquee CB signing needed.
Seri: Under Slav we tried to use him as a creative / attacking player, and it didnt really work, he has been largely absent since. Now reborn as a ball controlling CDM / '6' I think he might be able to cut it in the premier league. Maybe.
Anguissa: Splits opinions clearly, but I do think he is premier league quality, and given we lack that, we will need him. I also suspect we have to sell him for FFP reasons (and I doubt he wants to play for us) so probably not really an option.
Tete: Bit injury prone, two serious muscle tears with us so far. But seems to be a top-tier level full back.
Mitro: An enigma, is he mobile enough to play in a team which will struggle for possession and rely on counter-attacks. I look at it this way, in the right system he can be effective, and for Fulham to survive in the prem, we need a system that plays to this mans strengths. It is not good enough to say he does not fit the team's system, the system must be built around him, then I think he can succeed as a lower level premier league striker! We cant survive without a striker, and Mitro needs to play a certain way. So lets do that
Wilson: Has looked ok, I think, in the prem before. I think he is just about a level where he is not out of place in the premier league. With maybe some room to improve and be 'decent'.
Carvalho: Completely unproven, but its more a case that for us to survive, we need him to step up and thrive in the premier league, so Im going to assume he can!
Reed: I think looked fine to good in the CDM role in the premier league.
As for others: Cairney can do a job if fit, Rodak is probably fine (but we have been spoiled by some excellent keepers in our recent premier league attempts and still failed). I think Robinson & Bryan are decent back ups, ditto Mawson. BDR probably has a general squad role / utility man. I still dont really know if Muniz is good.
So I guess I think we have 5-7 starters ready for the prem (who are could enough to avoid relegation if surrounded by players of similar quality), another 5-7 players who are decent squad/depth players.
I would think that to survive we would need a premier league level: centre back, left back, winger (or two), goalkeeper (maybe), right back (as cover) and a central midfielder. So another 6-8 really good players (probably some loans).
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Absolutely agree sadly. As I keep saying we need to strengthen in the January transfer window to have any hope of survival if we get promoted.
We will need three or four players, but if brentford can do it, I'm darned well sure we can. And no Piri I don't want anguissa back either.
We're way below mid-table Prem standard.
On the current roster, how many players would start for a team that survives relegation next season? Being generous, I would have Tete, Tosin, Wilson, maybe Reed. Others (Robinson, Mitrovic, Seri?, BDR??, Carvalho????) could play a role, but would you feel great about our chances if they started 30+ matches?
The good news is the mistakes of 2018-19 shouldn't hinder us nearly as much next season if we go up, but we're going to need like 5-6 new starters between some smart loans and some good purchases.
Quote from: Deeping_white on November 01, 2021, 02:00:52 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 01:53:32 PM
As good as we've been in the championship, this defence would be destroyed in the premiership and our attack is too reliant on one player to succeed at the top level.
I'm all for positivity, and I'm delighted with how things are going, but a does of realism is needed methinks...
3 out of the 4 defenders starting regularly for us also played regularly last season and they didn't get "destroyed" at any point? That's without considering they're all now more experienced and we'd get a least one CB in to partner Tosin to make the team stronger
Oh yes, thank you for reminding me of the resounding success that was last season! As others have said, we've lost Areola, Andersen and Aina since then.
Also, it's not just about the personnel, it's about how we're lined up. Silva has us playing in a more exciting way, but that's putting more pressure on defenders and, as we've seen many times already this season, Tosin/Ream are pivoting too much, with one pushing high to press, and that's leaving huge gaps, which teams are already able to expose (and Prem teams will be far more adept at punishing us for this).
We're getting away with it this season, in part because we have probably the best striker that this league has ever seen, but we'll need to be much better next season (presuming we get promoted).
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 06:20:41 PM
Quote from: Deeping_white on November 01, 2021, 02:00:52 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 01:53:32 PM
As good as we've been in the championship, this defence would be destroyed in the premiership and our attack is too reliant on one player to succeed at the top level.
I'm all for positivity, and I'm delighted with how things are going, but a does of realism is needed methinks...
3 out of the 4 defenders starting regularly for us also played regularly last season and they didn't get "destroyed" at any point? That's without considering they're all now more experienced and we'd get a least one CB in to partner Tosin to make the team stronger
Also, it's not just about the personnel, it's about how we're lined up. Silva has us playing in a more exciting way, but that's putting more pressure on defenders and, as we've seen many times already this season, Tosin/Ream are pivoting too much, with one pushing high to press, and that's leaving huge gaps, which teams are already able to expose (and Prem teams will be far more adept at punishing us for this).
We've literally had the third lowest amount of shots on target against, that's hardly putting more pressure on our defenders is it? I'm all for balanced arguments but you're just coming out with hyperbole.
We are playing well no doubt. However, we are in the Championship. The Premier League is a huge step up in terms of quality. I really hope we can go up and survive next season but let's concentrate on getting promotion first!
Quote from: Deeping_white on November 01, 2021, 06:42:17 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 06:20:41 PM
Quote from: Deeping_white on November 01, 2021, 02:00:52 PM
Quote from: Craven Mad on November 01, 2021, 01:53:32 PM
As good as we've been in the championship, this defence would be destroyed in the premiership and our attack is too reliant on one player to succeed at the top level.
I'm all for positivity, and I'm delighted with how things are going, but a does of realism is needed methinks...
3 out of the 4 defenders starting regularly for us also played regularly last season and they didn't get "destroyed" at any point? That's without considering they're all now more experienced and we'd get a least one CB in to partner Tosin to make the team stronger
Also, it's not just about the personnel, it's about how we're lined up. Silva has us playing in a more exciting way, but that's putting more pressure on defenders and, as we've seen many times already this season, Tosin/Ream are pivoting too much, with one pushing high to press, and that's leaving huge gaps, which teams are already able to expose (and Prem teams will be far more adept at punishing us for this).
We've literally had the third lowest amount of shots on target against, that's hardly putting more pressure on our defenders is it? I'm all for balanced arguments but you're just coming out with hyperbole.
It's a forward looking statement - I never said we are currently getting destroyed.
My post started in acknowledgment of the current success of the team; the reality, however, is there's a big step up to the next level and things that work in this league are necessarily suited to the league above.
I don't think so. That's more to do with the gulf between the prem and championship rather than a reflection on us.
We just couldn't get away with the mistakes we make in possession at this level in the prem, for example losing possession a few times in each game in our own third. We'd also need more pace up front to be able to play on the counter when are backs are against the wall against decent teams.
I do think we have a solid foundation though, with a number of players that have PL experience and have played together for some time. We also have a manager with experience at that level (assuming he stays, given his previous length of tenures). A few well considered additions and it feels like we'll have a better chance than in the last 2 campaigns.
Quote from: Fulham 442 on November 01, 2021, 05:28:50 PM
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Absolutely agree sadly. As I keep saying we need to strengthen in the January transfer window to have any hope of survival if we get promoted.
The problem being that we won't be able to strengthen in January without player sales due to the FFP position.
Quote from: paulbrookersmazydribbles on November 01, 2021, 08:00:52 PM
Quote from: Fulham 442 on November 01, 2021, 05:28:50 PM
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Absolutely agree sadly. As I keep saying we need to strengthen in the January transfer window to have any hope of survival if we get promoted.
The problem being that we won't be able to strengthen in January without player sales due to the FFP position.
Surely there will be some outgoings? Anguissa for one?
So I think in defence, we are close...for me Tete Tosin and Robinson are certainly prem level, if Kongolo can get properly fit with Mawson aas backup we are close. I would say Rodak is Prem level the more years he get under his belt the better keeper he will be.
In midfield, Reed is just about ok, Seri likewise and I would like to see how good Chalobah is.. in the 10, Carvalho could be prem ready but clearly untested.
Up front Mitro is playing at another level than previously under Parker, so much fitter and motivated, I would say him and Wilson may not be at the Liverpool end of the scale but certainly are at the Palace level.
All this would leave us needing a few more, esp one more in all 3 areas defence midfield and up front but we are not a millions miles away.
Quote from: FulhamStu on November 01, 2021, 09:44:25 PM
So I think in defence, we are close...for me Tete Tosin and Robinson are certainly prem level, if Kongolo can get properly fit with Mawson aas backup we are close. I would say Rodak is Prem level the more years he get under his belt the better keeper he will be.
In midfield, Reed is just about ok, Seri likewise and I would like to see how good Chalobah is.. in the 10, Carvalho could be prem ready but clearly untested.
Up front Mitro is playing at another level than previously under Parker, so much fitter and motivated, I would say him and Wilson may not be at the Liverpool end of the scale but certainly are at the Palace level.
All this would leave us needing a few more, esp one more in all 3 areas defence midfield and up front but we are not a millions miles away.
Carvahlo played a few times in the prem and impressed, scored a goal if I remember right
Ream is also more then capable with the right players around him, he played some crackers last season, Man Utd being a stand out, speeed maybe his only concern
This present team fighting Relegation imho.
Such a gap between the Prem and top Championship teams - based on wealth.
I think we could possibly have a chance of survival this time, with some astute acquisitions, who need to fit into the team.
Carvalho did well in the games he played in the Prem, as said, but will he still be with us?
We were lucky last time, that Andersen , Tosin, Tete, Lemina and Areola were able to come straight in and do a good job - and they gave us a fighting chance, at one stage anyway, when we'd looked doomed to get a record low number of points.
The manager is also important, and how we play, and are set up. A fluid, attractive attacking style isn't necessarily the best way for team to survive in the Prem - look at Norwich, and us under Jokanovich.
It will be interesting to see how Parker does in the Prem this time, assuming B'mouth go up.
While Silva has Prem experience.
"Reed is just about ok". What the hell are you smoking????? He was one of if not the best players in the premier league for us. Honestly I think some of you don't actually watch the games
Quote from: Brightster#2 on November 02, 2021, 02:47:13 AM
"Reed is just about ok". What the hell are you smoking????? He was one of if not the best players in the premier league for us. Honestly I think some of you don't actually watch the games
Lifes not that simple. Reed played well in Parkers team and set up that got relegated,in adefensive mid-field role in adefensively set up side,where the emphasis was on hard work and doing your job,not being brave on the ball and daring to create . So I totally agree with Stu. I like HR but think he is a player who looks a lot less at ease in an attacking line when he is expected to hold the ball under pressure. In that type of role the gulf in class between Reed and say Seri or Cairney is huge .
Quote from: Ruislip White on November 01, 2021, 07:55:53 PM
I don't think so. That's more to do with the gulf between the prem and championship rather than a reflection on us.
We just couldn't get away with the mistakes we make in possession at this level in the prem, for example losing possession a few times in each game in our own third. We'd also need more pace up front to be able to play on the counter when are backs are against the wall against decent teams.
I do think we have a solid foundation though, with a number of players that have PL experience and have played together for some time. We also have a manager with experience at that level (assuming he stays, given his previous length of tenures). A few well considered additions and it feels like we'll have a better chance than in the last 2 campaigns.
I agree with this. Not one of our players doesn't have a mistake, bad decision or bad pass in them. But that does not make them unfit for PL football since the PL is full of quality players who all do silly things at times. Its is a team sport and much of what Jokanovic was about was to have players playing at their level best in a team that knew what its uncomplicated gameplan was. Jokanovic was booted far too early given he improves after Xmas. Silva seems to be wanting players to enjoy themselves whilst doing a professional number on opponents. Those are healthier attitudes in any league. It really doesn't matter what people say about what this team would be like if it was playing in the PL because they cannot prove any of it, it is irrelevant, and we are unlikely to keep everyone into next season. My focus is always on the coaches and how they deal with the match to match blemishes and Silva and Company are much better at it that the last lot were.
Quote from: colinwhite on November 02, 2021, 05:45:24 AM
Quote from: Brightster#2 on November 02, 2021, 02:47:13 AM
"Reed is just about ok". What the hell are you smoking????? He was one of if not the best players in the premier league for us. Honestly I think some of you don't actually watch the games
Lifes not that simple. Reed played well in Parkers team and set up that got relegated,in adefensive mid-field role in adefensively set up side,where the emphasis was on hard work and doing your job,not being brave on the ball and daring to create . So I totally agree with Stu. I like HR but think he is ine player who looks a lot less at ease in an attacking line when he is expected to hold the ball under pressure. In that type of role the gulf in class between Reed and say Seri or Cairney is huge .
Think that's a very good point Colin- Parker's team last season was 100% perfect for him to tear around and do the dirty work in a pretty negative team. This season he's clearly being asked to get forward more which doesn't suit him entirely. I like Chalobah and he's played at that level, with some success already.
Take seri as an example. He's killing it in this league. But he is not going to get half as much space and time to think in the premier league. It's a different level and we will need to spend and spend wisely if we get promoted.
Quote from: Slaphead in Qatar on November 02, 2021, 10:56:57 AM
Take seri as an example. He's killing it in this league. But he is not going to get half as much space and time to think in the premier league. It's a different level and we will need to spend and spend wisely if we get promoted.
I agree but the jury is out on seri. Its not impossible that he can step up a level.l
Another thing I think is worth mentioning is that we're playing with a completely different style that will suit us better in that under Silva we actually attack in numbers at pace, which is something we were allergic to under Parker. Part of what has made Brentford have some success early on is that they've not been afraid to commit men forward on the counter to try and make the most of any opportunity when they catch teams out, whereas we sat really deep under Parker and advanced so slowly with 1/2 players that teams were never likely to be hurt by us. If we keep the same style of play and add 4/5 quality additions to the squad then I think it's more than viable as a sytem that keeps us up. We've witnessed a slightly suicidal expansive system under Joka and then a uber defensive strategy under Parker in the last two seasons and what we need is a blend of the two (which obviously relies on personnel as much as the system), but as long as we use some sensible tactics supplemented with the right players (and I think we do have a decent core to start with this time around) then there's no reason why we can't be a success next year if we do get promoted.
Quote from: Fulham 442 on November 01, 2021, 05:28:50 PM
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Absolutely agree sadly. As I keep saying we need to strengthen in the January transfer window to have any hope of survival if we get promoted.
Agree with this, one or two signings in January would make a huge difference for next year. But how would we find two players that are ready to start in the PL next year, that we can afford and that will join us in January...
I think people more or less agree that we need 5'ish new starters (+/-1)' GK, CB, CM and two attacking players.
Could we get someone similar to Areola/Andersen/Lemina/Lookman to come in Jan - extremely unlikely and we have strong enough players there to get promoted.
If we cant get great players, dont buy average players in Jan. We have decent squad players but need stars. Strategy for Jan window should be to offload/loan out four or five out of Knockaert, Fabri, Christie, one CB, Quina, Sess and start lining up the signings that we could make early in the summer if we go up...and give Carvalho a better contract offer.
Quote from: We Are Premier League on November 02, 2021, 09:50:14 PM
Quote from: Fulham 442 on November 01, 2021, 05:28:50 PM
Quote from: Whitestone on November 01, 2021, 01:00:37 PM
A bit of realism is needed here. The current squad would almost certainly finish in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Absolutely agree sadly. As I keep saying we need to strengthen in the January transfer window to have any hope of survival if we get promoted.
Agree with this, one or two signings in January would make a huge difference for next year. But how would we find two players that are ready to start in the PL next year, that we can afford and that will join us in January...
I think people more or less agree that we need 5'ish new starters (+/-1)' GK, CB, CM and two attacking players.
Could we get someone similar to Areola/Andersen/Lemina/Lookman to come in Jan - extremely unlikely and we have strong enough players there to get promoted.
If we cant get great players, dont buy average players in Jan. We have decent squad players but need stars. Strategy for Jan window should be to offload/loan out four or five out of Knockaert, Fabri, Christie, one CB, Quina, Sess and start lining up the signings that we could make early in the summer if we go up...and give Carvalho a better contract offer.
I think the key to what you're saying is deals such as those we have struck for Wilson this season (loan payment with balance to follow) and players like Areola and Aina last season (loans with option should we finish 1st or 2nd). There will be some players willing to take that chance- Aina for instance would jump at the chance of coming back.
Be nice if Anderson and Areola would too
Quote from: Lordedmundo on November 01, 2021, 02:57:58 PM
No - if ourselves and Bournemouth were put in this seasons Premier League we would probably be battling it out for 17th place. I would put us above Norwich and Newcastle as it stands. Leeds and Villa are definitely poorer than last season, but I think we would still need players of the calibre of Areola, Andersen and one or two more to finish above them....
Agreed we need to strengthen our squad by quite some way and ensure our new manager has a month to work with them before we kick off.
Huge effort required to stay in first season.
When discussing "PREM READY" players, can't it simply be boiled down to this.....Can these players keep FFC in the top 17 in the PL for one season? Or, for at least two seasons?
Methinks that if we move on to the PL next season, we will likely need around 3-5 new players of PL quality that can help keep FFC from continuing the yo-yo. Could use help in all three major areas....backline, mid, and forward positions.
