Friends of Fulham

Seen a lot of murmurings of Europe on the board in recent days so thought why not take a poll to assess the mood. We are currently playing very well and are just 4 points off 8th place, which is likely to ensure European football next season due to the changes in FIFA rules. What do you think?

I think we have every chance of finishing 8th given our current form and fit squad going in to the International break.

Have to hope no key starters pick up an injury whilst away representing their country.

If we hang on to all our players bar  Tosin who looks likely to leave (really hope Tete re-signs and would love Bobby to also but believe Stansfield can cover him next season if necessary), with a couple more additions during the summer I believe we have a squad that could compete in the PL and in Europe.

I want to believe and so I shall - 8th.

It sounds like within the club, Europe is the ambition...so - why not

I don't think so.

A couple of teams too many in the way.

I'd rather have a strong summer and rebuild for a tilt at the Europa or Conference League next season

I think the thing that makes it possible is non of the teams immediately ahead of us are performing that great. Wolves are the only ones to win three out of their last five matches.

Would love to see us qualify for the conference league (and of course Europa) as I see it a perfect stepping stone to get European experience and build on the team. Unfortunately being the team that we are, the bigger teams are coming in like vultures for our best players who I also feel might not thrive in other environments as they have at Fulham under Marco. This being said, for the 1st time since I can remember, we have started demanding (and even achieving) proper transfer fees for our players. If they come in for Robinson at 35+ million, we can use that to our advantage and look for players that Marco wants and feels he can develop. If Muniz scores another 5+ goals in the remaining matches, it could cause problems for us holding on to him, he´s 22 and showing massive potential in the league, I hope his buyout clause is high enough. Overall, I trust in Marco, however, if we sell Paliñha, Robinson and and any others (god forbid Muniz), my main concern is getting the new players to gel together in time for the start of the new season. Overall, our current trajectory is very positive under Marco and definitely increasing our profile for beating bigger teams, developing quality players and getting fair and sizeable transfer fees for our players. Long may it last!!
 

Quote from: Thailand Mick on March 20, 2024, 11:11:59 AMI think the thing that makes it possible is non of the teams immediately ahead of us are performing that great. Wolves are the only ones to win three out of their last five matches.

Don't you mean lucky Wolves

Might help keep a couple of players and the manager......

Hmmm funnily enough I got told on here a few days the Europe talk was "non-existent" and I was making it up.

We'll need an absolute minimum of 5 wins, probably 6 wins, from 9 remaining games even to make 8th. We'd need to be playing like a top 3 team for the rest of the season, in other words. Just not gonna happen unfortunately.

52 pts (last season's tally) is Marco's stated objective for the remainder of this season.

Quote from: Angus Telford on March 20, 2024, 01:17:24 PMWe'll need an absolute minimum of 5 wins, probably 6 wins, from 9 remaining games even to make 8th. We'd need to be playing like a top 3 team for the rest of the season, in other words. Just not gonna happen unfortunately.

That's probably right, and for context, means we'd have to have a better finish than in the great escape of 07/08

Lots of teams ahead of us who are all still picking up wins (on and off), and all have at least one game in hand over us

Miracles happen though!

No left it too late I reckon. If we had had the full squad available for the whole season then we would already be up there, though.

No, sorry, that is too big an ask. To finish above Chelsea and in the top half of the premier league would be a great achievement

As the old joke goes, we will be in Europe next year...



...if there's a war.

Quote from: filham on March 20, 2024, 02:36:07 PMTo finish above Chelsea and in the top half of the premier league would be a great achievement

That would make me a very happy camper.......

If all the teams above us continue their form from the last five games until the end of the season this will be their points total.
7th  Wolves    59
8th  West Ham  58
9th  Brighton  56
10th Chelsea   56
11th Fulham    54
12th Newcastle 54

Wolves have to play Villa, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, West Ham.
West Ham have to play Newcastle, Spurs, Wolves, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Fulham.
Brighton have to play Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, Newcastle, Man Utd.

Can't see it happening this season, but would be amazing.

Quote from: Free Elvis Hammond on March 20, 2024, 02:02:40 PM

Quote from: Angus Telford on March 20, 2024, 01:17:24 PMWe'll need an absolute minimum of 5 wins, probably 6 wins, from 9 remaining games even to make 8th. We'd need to be playing like a top 3 team for the rest of the season, in other words. Just not gonna happen unfortunately.

That's probably right, and for context, means we'd have to have a better finish than in the great escape of 07/08

Lots of teams ahead of us who are all still picking up wins (on and off), and all have at least one game in hand over us

Miracles happen though!

Our last 6 form has us in 4th place behind Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal.Our last 10 form has us behind those three plus Man Utd and Wolves- two teams that we've played very recently.

So, on paper we're already up there performance wise, but think we'll miss out purely because of that horrible 15 minute spell we had against Wolves. How we lost that game, I will never know.

Quote from: Jim© on March 20, 2024, 03:35:24 PMHow we lost that (Wolves) game, I will never know.

I'm still scratching my head and disappointed about how we dropped two games v Chelsea.  We didn't even score a goal in the set.  I just don't think Chelsea is a very good team this season, thought we should have done much better.......

Four points back, nine to play and they all have a game in hand, Not gonna happen.

Sadly I can't see that happening. But if we avoid injuries/suspensions and Muniz keeps scoring goals at his current rate... who knows?

Unfortunately a good run often ends after an international break and Sheff U is the kind of game we often make a mess of... If we win that one convincingly and Muniz has another great game we will at least have something to fight for over the next couple of weeks. But I honestly think 8th may be a bit too optimistic.

We really need at least 7 from our next 3 to have any realistic sort of chance and 3 of those need to be from Newcastle. All 3 are winnable so if we come out like we have for the last month then we have a shot. Do that and I'll really start believing. The teams in front of us haven't been in great form and have a lot of tough matches in the run in but we need to take care of business first.

I did vote for 8th place (ever the optimist!) - but it will be tough!

We would almost certainly need to beat Newcastle and West Ham.

Plus also most (if not all) of: Sheffield United, Forest, Palace, Brentford, Luton

Winning all those would give us 59 points - which was enough for 7th place in 2021-22, but only 9th place last season (when 60 points was needed for 8th)

Fulham are perfectly capable of qualifying for the Europa League. We have 38 points to West Ham's 44 in 7th place. I was chuffed when Villa held them to a draw recenly and when we play them, it's a 6-pointer!

I regard the Hammers in a false position and the teams below them or not much better. It's possible our arch-rivals Chelsea will pick up points with the most penalties awarded to them this season they are receiving a lot of help. but name any other team that has beaten Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham and thrashed two others 5-0 and that tells the true story of our chances.

Fulham are on form and the BEST we've ever been!

As I said in the Sheffield United thread, if we win both of our next matches I'd be pretty confident of us reaching Europe (providing that the 8th place gives Europe which is almost certain, but I doubt we can get 7th place, so if Enlgland doesn't secure that 8th spot we have 0 chance).

After that we'd probably need 3 or 4 more wins. No disrespect to Luton, Crystal Palace or Brentford, but looking at this season we should be winning those matches, especially as the best of those three teams this season (Palace) is a home match. I think we'll win 2 of those 3 matches at least. If we do that + win those first two matches that means we'd likely need 1 or 2 more wins.

West Ham is a team we've outplayed all three times we've played since Marco Silva joined. We were blatantly robbed in the first two and we beat them 5-0 in the third. I believe we can beat them again.

If we win those first to matches, the Newcastle game would be somewhat similar to the Spurs game, i.e. we would be in great form and playing against a side we normally struggle against at home. Maybe we could break that hoodoo too, buoyed by the 3 wins in a row streak.

Finally the last two games I haven't given a comment yet, Liverpool and Man City, both at home. We always seem to play really well against Liverpool and we got a draw against them in each of our last three home games I believe (the Parker season, opening game last season and cup game this season). Definitely a game in which we stand a chance. Machester City... I don't know. Considering we play them in the penultimate game of the season I think it will be a tough ask to get anything, unless Liverpool and Arsenal get in very good form and Man City secure title before our game against them.

So all in all, if we beat Sheffield and Forest, I could see us doing something like this:
Wins:Sheffield United,Forest, Newcastle,West Ham, 2 or 3 of Palace/Brentford/Luton = 18 or 21 points
Draw:Liverpool = 1 point
Losses:none or 1 of Palace/Brentford/Luton, Man City

Points total:57 or 60 points.

Even if we lose to Liverpool (again if we win those first two matches which is the key imo), I think we can get 56 to 59 points.

57 points was enough for an 8th place finish in the last 7/10 seasons. 60 was enough in 9/10.

Tough ask definitely, but with 2 wins out of the first two matches, I'd be confident we could do it.

Quote from: SerbianLad on March 20, 2024, 06:11:10 PMAs I said in the Sheffield United thread, if we win both of our next matches I'd be pretty confident of us reaching Europe (providing that the 8th place gives Europe which is almost certain, but I doubt we can get 7th place, so if Enlgland doesn't secure that 8th spot we have 0 chance).

After that we'd probably need 3 or 4 more wins. No disrespect to Luton, Crystal Palace or Brentford, but looking at this season we should be winning those matches, especially as the best of those three teams this season (Palace) is a home match. I think we'll win 2 of those 3 matches at least. If we do that + win those first two matches that means we'd likely need 1 or 2 more wins.

West Ham is a team we've outplayed all three times we've played since Marco Silva joined. We were blatantly robbed in the first two and we beat them 5-0 in the third. I believe we can beat them again.

If we win those first to matches, the Newcastle game would be somewhat similar to the Spurs game, i.e. we would be in great form and playing against a side we normally struggle against at home. Maybe we could break that hoodoo too, buoyed by the 3 wins in a row streak.

Finally the last two games I haven't given a comment yet, Liverpool and Man City, both at home. We always seem to play really well against Liverpool and we got a draw against them in each of our last three home games I believe (the Parker season, opening game last season and cup game this season). Definitely a game in which we stand a chance. Machester City... I don't know. Considering we play them in the penultimate game of the season I think it will be a tough ask to get anything, unless Liverpool and Arsenal get in very good form and Man City secure title before our game against them.

So all in all, if we beat Sheffield and Forest, I could see us doing something like this:
Wins:Sheffield United,Forest, Newcastle,West Ham, 2 or 3 of Palace/Brentford/Luton = 18 or 21 points
Draw:Liverpool = 1 point
Losses:none or 1 of Palace/Brentford/Luton, Man City

Points total:57 or 60 points.

Even if we lose to Liverpool (again if we win those first two matches which is the key imo), I think we can get 56 to 59 points.

57 points was enough for an 8th place finish in the last 7/10 seasons. 60 was enough in 9/10.

Tough ask definitely, but with 2 wins out of the first two matches, I'd be confident we could do it.

Careful...you're making me believe with that breakdown!

 ::scarf::

As you say the next two are absolutely crucial to have any chance for me. If we win them both we are right in there with a chance and my no vote will turn to a very cautious yes. If we get even close to it we have had a brilliant and exciting end to the season. Bring it on!

Would be absolutely brilliant but I feel we have not been consistent enough. We absolutely destroy Spurs yet could not put Wolves away. Top half requires better.
I hope I'm wrong (I frequently am). Either way, should be a fun watch.

It's not inconceivable if we avoid any major injuries but it's a bit of a long shot.

Quote from: hongkongfulham on March 20, 2024, 11:01:21 AMI want to believe and so I shall - 8th.

I don't think we will... but in similar optimism I went for 8th. I think 7th is expecting too much. I think 8th is also unrealistic, but most likely of the two.

Quote from: SerbianLad on March 20, 2024, 06:11:10 PMAs I said in the Sheffield United thread, if we win both of our next matches I'd be pretty confident of us reaching Europe (providing that the 8th place gives Europe which is almost certain, but I doubt we can get 7th place, so if Enlgland doesn't secure that 8th spot we have 0 chance).

After that we'd probably need 3 or 4 more wins. No disrespect to Luton, Crystal Palace or Brentford, but looking at this season we should be winning those matches, especially as the best of those three teams this season (Palace) is a home match. I think we'll win 2 of those 3 matches at least. If we do that + win those first two matches that means we'd likely need 1 or 2 more wins.

West Ham is a team we've outplayed all three times we've played since Marco Silva joined. We were blatantly robbed in the first two and we beat them 5-0 in the third. I believe we can beat them again.

If we win those first to matches, the Newcastle game would be somewhat similar to the Spurs game, i.e. we would be in great form and playing against a side we normally struggle against at home. Maybe we could break that hoodoo too, buoyed by the 3 wins in a row streak.

Finally the last two games I haven't given a comment yet, Liverpool and Man City, both at home. We always seem to play really well against Liverpool and we got a draw against them in each of our last three home games I believe (the Parker season, opening game last season and cup game this season). Definitely a game in which we stand a chance. Machester City... I don't know. Considering we play them in the penultimate game of the season I think it will be a tough ask to get anything, unless Liverpool and Arsenal get in very good form and Man City secure title before our game against them.

So all in all, if we beat Sheffield and Forest, I could see us doing something like this:
Wins:Sheffield United,Forest, Newcastle,West Ham, 2 or 3 of Palace/Brentford/Luton = 18 or 21 points
Draw:Liverpool = 1 point
Losses:none or 1 of Palace/Brentford/Luton, Man City

Points total:57 or 60 points.

Even if we lose to Liverpool (again if we win those first two matches which is the key imo), I think we can get 56 to 59 points.

57 points was enough for an 8th place finish in the last 7/10 seasons. 60 was enough in 9/10.

Tough ask definitely, but with 2 wins out of the first two matches, I'd be confident we could do it.

Quote from: SerbianLad on March 20, 2024, 06:11:10 PMAs I said in the Sheffield United thread, if we win both of our next matches I'd be pretty confident of us reaching Europe (providing that the 8th place gives Europe which is almost certain, but I doubt we can get 7th place, so if Enlgland doesn't secure that 8th spot we have 0 chance).

After that we'd probably need 3 or 4 more wins. No disrespect to Luton, Crystal Palace or Brentford, but looking at this season we should be winning those matches, especially as the best of those three teams this season (Palace) is a home match. I think we'll win 2 of those 3 matches at least. If we do that + win those first two matches that means we'd likely need 1 or 2 more wins.

West Ham is a team we've outplayed all three times we've played since Marco Silva joined. We were blatantly robbed in the first two and we beat them 5-0 in the third. I believe we can beat them again.

If we win those first to matches, the Newcastle game would be somewhat similar to the Spurs game, i.e. we would be in great form and playing against a side we normally struggle against at home. Maybe we could break that hoodoo too, buoyed by the 3 wins in a row streak.

Finally the last two games I haven't given a comment yet, Liverpool and Man City, both at home. We always seem to play really well against Liverpool and we got a draw against them in each of our last three home games I believe (the Parker season, opening game last season and cup game this season). Definitely a game in which we stand a chance. Machester City... I don't know. Considering we play them in the penultimate game of the season I think it will be a tough ask to get anything, unless Liverpool and Arsenal get in very good form and Man City secure title before our game against them.

So all in all, if we beat Sheffield and Forest, I could see us doing something like this:
Wins:Sheffield United,Forest, Newcastle,West Ham, 2 or 3 of Palace/Brentford/Luton = 18 or 21 points
Draw:Liverpool = 1 point
Losses:none or 1 of Palace/Brentford/Luton, Man City

Points total:57 or 60 points.

Even if we lose to Liverpool (again if we win those first two matches which is the key imo), I think we can get 56 to 59 points.

57 points was enough for an 8th place finish in the last 7/10 seasons. 60 was enough in 9/10.

Tough ask definitely, but with 2 wins out of the first two matches, I'd be confident we could do it.

my take is slightly different for the next four games, if we can win three which includes beating Newcastle and West Ham which I have always said we probably need to do then I think we have a chance. I don't think we need to win all four on the trot although that would be fantastic.I believe Chelsea will be 7th looking at their fixtures.

Points deductions could be a factor. There are several clubs who have to face the beak.

Keep playing to win every game, which I'm sure Marco and the players fully intend, and see how it pans out at the end of the season.

Quote from: Roberty on March 21, 2024, 05:25:36 AMPoints deductions could be a factor. There are several clubs who have to face the beak.

Only Everton still face a points reduction this season. Anyone else would be next year.