The Parker Conundrum

[davew]

Parker has one major reason for being kept on in charge - he knows the players!!  Another Raneiri or Tinkerman could require half a season before he knows his best squad.

He does but how many will still be here next season, probably not the top players? Most Fulham fans reckon (including me) that this seson we would probably finish mid table and certainly higher than Cardiff, as apparently we should have done last season, but we haven't and we didn't! Will we finish above them next season, if we lose Babel (which we will), Mitro (who we probably will), Sess (maybe), Cairney (hope not based on recent performances), Vietto (already agreed to leave), TFM (a loss but not  great loss) and Cardiff retain their squad, I hate to suggest that they might again finish above us, with both teams ending up mid table! The current sides fighting for the play off places will be there again next season and on matches I have seen in the Championship this season and I have watched many, I can really see us struggling to finish in the top 6.

[Statto]

wins are fun and good for morale now, but 1. haven't done much for next season, in that we're playing players who won't be here

Which players are you referring to that won't be here next year that should be replaced by youth?

Babel and Chambers?   I think both will be replaced with loan players next season.

And dropping those two today would likely have resulted in a dispiriting home defeat that wouldn't have done any of those playing any good

[filham]

Let us wait until the season is over until we consider the matter so that we have as many facts as possible at hand.
Right now though Parker has won more games this season for us than either Ranieri or Jocanovic.

[ALG01]

On the logic of experience...
Macdonald and adams would not have been appointed and they got us instant promotions.

Experienced managers we have had... branfoot, mckay, dicks, ranieri, buckingham, to name a few that were dreadful.

Parker would be a risk but other than getting slav back i do not see anyone else i like the look of better. And he has clearly focused his mind on a style and 11 that suit. Currently my instinct is give him the job.

[One Martin Thomas]

Like Utd, we need to do some weeding and rebuild from the back  ! Unless Parker is given a summer and the opportunity to build his own team we'll never know what he's capable of ! With parachute payments what they are, I think it's worth a go ! Why not a 12 month deal ?

[Woolly Mammoth]

The next game is the most important, which happens to be Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Scott will no doubt pick a team that will give him the best chance of winning the match.
I would do the same, he has to enhance his record as much as he can to be considered for the job on a permanent basis.
Plus supporters want to see Fulham play well and win games, as well as finishing with a flourish, perhaps with an unbeaten run, would be great feel good factor.
We can dissect this matter until the cows come home, but it's all about winning the next game, because if you do not, it could cost some people their job.
There has to be a winning mentality at this club from The Tea Lady downwards.
Something SP seems have gone some way to restoring.
Let's not underestimate what he has achieved here so far with what was clearly a divided dressing room, and a fractured club.
Remember it's a simple game, and the object of the exercise is to score more goals than the opposition.
It's statisticians and pundits on TV who make it sound complicated to justify their jobs.
Money helps clubs win Trophies these days.       

[F(f)CUK]

Irrespective of 3 wins, the most notable thing Parker has brought is the 3 clean sheets. This is a defence with le Marchand and Ream at its heart. The performances across the pitch have had energy and passion. It is a no brainer that we should employ Parker as the permanent manager.

[The Rational Fan]

On the logic of experience...
Macdonald and adams would not have been appointed and they got us instant promotions.

Experienced managers we have had... branfoot, mckay, dicks, ranieri, buckingham, to name a few that were dreadful.

Parker would be a risk but other than getting slav back i do not see anyone else i like the look of better. And he has clearly focused his mind on a style and 11 that suit. Currently my instinct is give him the job.

Macdonald and Adams were risky decisions, but these managers were largely limited to free transfers, so how many mistakes could they make. Malcolm McDonald bought a washed up 20 year old called Ray Houghton for £0. Both Managers took risks because it was there only option and had the wye got great free transfers.

[Andy S]

There is no need to make a decision now. Being a manager is a lot more the picking the team on Saturday. We have no idea what he is like at the other stuff. I wouldn't make any decision until May or June the I would see how far he has progressed. If the answer is positive I would give him 10 games. Then what? I guess  sack him....... Who knows

[The Rational Fan]

There is no need to make a decision now. Being a manager is a lot more the picking the team on Saturday. We have no idea what he is like at the other stuff. I wouldn't make any decision until May or June the I would see how far he has progressed. If the answer is positive I would give him 10 games. Then what? I guess  sack him....... Who knows

People want to make Scott Parker permanent, but without loans of Rico, Chambers and Babel we would still struggle against Aston Villa and Leeds. Scott Parker has a long-term contract as assistant manager and coach, he can continue on that for a while.

[Roberty]

There is no need to make a decision now. Being a manager is a lot more the picking the team on Saturday. We have no idea what he is like at the other stuff. I wouldn't make any decision until May or June the I would see how far he has progressed. If the answer is positive I would give him 10 games. Then what? I guess  sack him....... Who knows

People want to make Scott Parker permanent, but without loans of Rico, Chambers and Babel we would still struggle against Aston Villa and Leeds. Scott Parker has a long-term contract as assistant manager and coach, he can continue on that for a while.

Is a new manager going to accept SP being imposed upon him - these days managers seen to come with a complete entourage

When Wroy went to Liverpool he had the disruptive effect of "King Kenny" in the background telling everyone he would love to be the manager - would SP be like that if he was imposed on a new manager

Im his favour SP has worked with some of his generations top manager and has hopefully been bright enough to have learnt something

[SuffolkWhite]

Is SP the next Howe, a young Manager who does well?

[clarkey]

It is obviously the best thing to stick with Parker. Continuity is vital. The backroom staff are having a positive effect. Ream and Co are gelling again.

Scott has changed the playing formation, reverted to 4 at the back, we are not shipping goals. The individual mistakes are drying up.

Next season will be the Championship, the best long term solution is to stay with Scotty and then add a wise older head, who helps with the transfers in and recruitment. A Fulham director of Football, someone like Bobby Robson basically with ties to the club but international clout. Quite who not sure but NOT Pardew or Curbs, someone like Hodgson who must be close to retiring from Palace surely ?He would be perfect, he knows the World game brilliantly.

We need a good fullback to replace Christie, and then at least one covering centre back as Mawson is always injured. We need a box to box midfielder if we can't keep Chambers.  We need two strikers if Mitro goes, just cover for him otherwise.We need to get rid of a few, and get a couple of the kids into the squad. Keep Sess please.And Cairney.And Serri ideally.

By this time next year Scotty will be an experienced manager and the D of F will aid with the recruitment. This is not rocket science.

[Twig]

There is no need to make a decision now. Being a manager is a lot more the picking the team on Saturday. We have no idea what he is like at the other stuff. I wouldn't make any decision until May or June the I would see how far he has progressed. If the answer is positive I would give him 10 games. Then what? I guess  sack him....... Who knows

People want to make Scott Parker permanent, but without loans of Rico, Chambers and Babel we would still struggle against Aston Villa and Leeds. Scott Parker has a long-term contract as assistant manager and coach, he can continue on that for a while.

I don't quite understand what your point is regards the loans of Rico, Chambers & Babel.  (I agree that the latter 2 have made a difference but if Betts were fit I don't see he'd struggle vs a Leeds or Villa).
However my main point is; what makes you think SP would want to stick around as assistant to a new manager?  We potentially have a choice, appoint him as manager or lose him to another club.  I think FFC have to get off the pot by end of season and make a decision. 

[Oakeshott]

For me it is self-evident that we should appoint SP for the 2019/20 season, for the reasons Clarkey nicely summarises in the first two lines of his post. Having seen the change around in the five defeats and now three wins, it is a no-brainer, especially given the kind of names being mentioned by way of alternatives.

[hovewhite]

Scotty the next permanent manager for me,also some of the names in the frame all have something in common there not winners and are on the same merry go round.
Also I would get brede involved on the coaching side as well.

[toshes mate]

There is no need to make a decision now. Being a manager is a lot more the picking the team on Saturday. We have no idea what he is like at the other stuff. I wouldn't make any decision until May or June the I would see how far he has progressed. If the answer is positive I would give him 10 games. Then what? I guess  sack him....... Who knows

People want to make Scott Parker permanent, but without loans of Rico, Chambers and Babel we would still struggle against Aston Villa and Leeds. Scott Parker has a long-term contract as assistant manager and coach, he can continue on that for a while.

I don't quite understand what your point is regards the loans of Rico, Chambers & Babel.  (I agree that the latter 2 have made a difference but if Betts were fit I don't see he'd struggle vs a Leeds or Villa).
However my main point is; what makes you think SP would want to stick around as assistant to a new manager?  We potentially have a choice, appoint him as manager or lose him to another club.  I think FFC have to get off the pot by end of season and make a decision. 

The sooner FFC make a decision about permanency in the manager/head coach role then the sooner players will know what the future playing squad will most likely appear to be, and what the cloud over Motspur Park will signify.  Changing managers is not just about results - it is also sending a message to players about the future most especially pertinent if the call doesn't suit any of them.  The Khans need to stop knee jerking and start to operate much more wisely, thoughtfully, and patiently.