I think the khans are very poor

[Fulham Seaxe]

'I think the Khans are poor.'

Nah! They've got a few quid.

Not to mention a load of 💲

[sunburywhite]

They will be at this rate

[Ruislip White]

Ultimately it is their club.  They bought it and they own it.  They are not 'custodians' or 'guardians' but owners.  It is their personal family money.  Not many people have the means to buy Fulham FC, and not many would want to buy a football club full stop, given it is generally a thankless and costly task.
They're not profiteering (although a riverside ticket price for Man U at home seems to be the only metric some fans judge this by).
They've invested in the stadium, academy, players and community.
A mistake was made with hiring Arbeloa (IMO), and making Tony sporting director (who may one day own the club outright, so will be able to do what he judges to be correct with his club).

Let's put this all into context.  They are better than most owners, and despite the moaning, not many would have the means or desire to put up their own funds to buy Fulham.

I really hope they don't follow the trend of other wealthy families and pull their investment - because they feel it's not worth the hassle.  That would leave us in a materially worse position.

[Whitestone]

Ultimately it is their club.  They bought it and they own it.  They are not 'custodians' or 'guardians' but owners.  It is their personal family money.  Not many people have the means to buy Fulham FC, and not many would want to buy a football club full stop, given it is generally a thankless and costly task.
They're not profiteering (although a riverside ticket price for Man U at home seems to be the only metric some fans judge this by).
They've invested in the stadium, academy, players and community.
A mistake was made with hiring Arbeloa (IMO), and making Tony sporting director (who may one day own the club outright, so will be able to do what he judges to be correct with his club).

Let's put this all into context.  They are better than most owners, and despite the moaning, not many would have the means or desire to put up their own funds to buy Fulham.

I really hope they don't follow the trend of other wealthy families and pull their investment - because they feel it's not worth the hassle.  That would leave us in a materially worse position.

When they took the club over they were clear that they were 'custodians'.They said as much. Not that it makes much difference but I think it shows that they understand their position as owners.

[ffcthereligion]

From a footballing perspective, in the 13 years of their ownership, my opinion is the Khans got two decisions right - hiring Slav and hiring Marco. They both dragged us to success and were excellent appointments

All other managers were frankly disastrous and the big decisions when it came to transfers have been disastrous too. That goes for their selling (or lack of) and buying, which has consistently come too late. Managers of course must take some responsibility for that too.

My experience as a supporter is that many of our fans, particularly the older lot, are content with mediocrity and actually quite enjoy reminding younger fans who want to see us succeed of what they weren't born to see and why they are wrong/should be grateful. And in some ways they're right, we are lucky they have put lots of money in and built the new stand. I am immensely grateful for that.

But well run? I'm sorry, no

[sunburywhite]

Ultimately it is their club.  They bought it and they own it.  They are not 'custodians' or 'guardians' but owners.  It is their personal family money.  Not many people have the means to buy Fulham FC, and not many would want to buy a football club full stop, given it is generally a thankless and costly task.
They're not profiteering (although a riverside ticket price for Man U at home seems to be the only metric some fans judge this by).
They've invested in the stadium, academy, players and community.
A mistake was made with hiring Arbeloa (IMO), and making Tony sporting director (who may one day own the club outright, so will be able to do what he judges to be correct with his club).

Let's put this all into context.  They are better than most owners, and despite the moaning, not many would have the means or desire to put up their own funds to buy Fulham.

I really hope they don't follow the trend of other wealthy families and pull their investment - because they feel it's not worth the hassle.  That would leave us in a materially worse position.

They are a hell of a lot more honourable than some of the owners of clubs in Manchester and Nottingham as an example

While people knock TK, and people question them because they are from the USA , I think they are genuine people

Lets not forget our old owner has been shown to be in bad light lately and we all loved him when he was alive but glossed over issues refgarding arms dealing etc

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Ultimately it is their club.  They bought it and they own it.  They are not 'custodians' or 'guardians' but owners.  It is their personal family money.  Not many people have the means to buy Fulham FC, and not many would want to buy a football club full stop, given it is generally a thankless and costly task.
They're not profiteering (although a riverside ticket price for Man U at home seems to be the only metric some fans judge this by).
They've invested in the stadium, academy, players and community.
A mistake was made with hiring Arbeloa (IMO), and making Tony sporting director (who may one day own the club outright, so will be able to do what he judges to be correct with his club).

Let's put this all into context.  They are better than most owners, and despite the moaning, not many would have the means or desire to put up their own funds to buy Fulham.

I really hope they don't follow the trend of other wealthy families and pull their investment - because they feel it's not worth the hassle.  That would leave us in a materially worse position.

When they took the club over they were clear that they were 'custodians'.They said as much. Not that it makes much difference but I think it shows that they understand their position as owners.

Lip service

[Twig]

For me this is a quite nuanced issue, although there are a few rather trenchant opinions on both sides. Shad Khan (and as I understand it he is technically the owner rather than the Khans and it is very much his money) has invested heavily in the club's infrastructure. The new Riverside isn't my personal cup of tea but it's impossible to argue that, along with the pier, it isn't a massive enhancement.  The training ground facilities are also a huge bonus, things were looking dated, barely adequate and well below Prem standards.

I have always been a critic of the nepotistic appointment of TK as DoF, it was a dreadful idea and one that falls at the feet of SK (you can't really blame TK for taking up the opportunity). I honestly think we need a football man in this job not just to steer managerial appointments and player transfers but to define and inculcate a Fulham FC football philosophy. I think it's so important that a single, consistent, long term football philosophy permeates every part and every level of the club - the first team, the scouting and transfer teams, the under 21s and the junior levels, the entire coaching staff. Everyone should be singing off the same hymn sheet and the fact I  haven't seen this is something I lay squarely at the feet of our amateur DoF.

SK has certainly sunk big bucks into player transfers to his credit, but I'm not sure he has seen a good return on his transfer investments to date. Again, I think we have to accept that having a part time amateur DoF in charge hasn't helped in this regard.

Managerial appointments have certainly been mixed but I think you can see why several of the appointments were made, they just didn't work out.

Communications with the supporters have been risible and the treatment of the FST dismissive. This area definitely needs to improve. Ticket pricing strategy has sometimes been misguided but to be fair the same criticisms have been levelled at many of the Prem clubs.

So overall I think SK gets a B- from me. Based on his results TK would get a much lower score but it's his father's fault he's in position. Would I like to see SK sell up? No, for all the faults I think there are far worse prospective owners out there and I still think/hope that they are slowly learning so I do see things gradually getting better in the long term.

[Somerset Fulham]

However when we were confirmed with this nonsense I think I am more than entitled to voice my astonished concern more vociferously... They really have learned nothing from experience.

You are absolutely entitiled to your opinion, I am not questioning that. I was merely mentioning that the number of these threads come out of the woodwork every time we have a bad run.

You are of course, welcome to disagree.

[Andrew]

However when we were confirmed with this nonsense I think I am more than entitled to voice my astonished concern more vociferously... They really have learned nothing from experience.

You are absolutely entitiled to your opinion, I am not questioning that. I was merely mentioning that the number of these threads come out of the woodwork every time we have a bad run.

You are of course, welcome to disagree.

Actually, I agree with you. It is too true what you said, it's just When things are going a bit better, we all feel better anyway but I do tend to get shouted down so keep a lid on my concerns.

But I 100% agree with you. 

[Andrew]

For me this is a quite nuanced issue, although there are a few rather trenchant opinions on both sides. Shad Khan (and as I understand it he is technically the owner rather than the Khans and it is very much his money) has invested heavily in the club's infrastructure. The new Riverside isn't my personal cup of tea but it's impossible to argue that, along with the pier, it isn't a massive enhancement.  The training ground facilities are also a huge bonus, things were looking dated, barely adequate and well below Prem standards.

I have always been a critic of the nepotistic appointment of TK as DoF, it was a dreadful idea and one that falls at the feet of SK (you can't really blame TK for taking up the opportunity). I honestly think we need a football man in this job not just to steer managerial appointments and player transfers but to define and inculcate a Fulham FC football philosophy. I think it's so important that a single, consistent, long term football philosophy permeates every part and every level of the club - the first team, the scouting and transfer teams, the under 21s and the junior levels, the entire coaching staff. Everyone should be singing off the same hymn sheet and the fact I  haven't seen this is something I lay squarely at the feet of our amateur DoF.

SK has certainly sunk big bucks into player transfers to his credit, but I'm not sure he has seen a good return on his transfer investments to date. Again, I think we have to accept that having a part time amateur DoF in charge hasn't helped in this regard.

Managerial appointments have certainly been mixed but I think you can see why several of the appointments were made, they just didn't work out.

Communications with the supporters have been risible and the treatment of the FST dismissive. This area definitely needs to improve. Ticket pricing strategy has sometimes been misguided but to be fair the same criticisms have been levelled at many of the Prem clubs.

So overall I think SK gets a B- from me. Based on his results TK would get a much lower score but it's his father's fault he's in position. Would I like to see SK sell up? No, for all the faults I think there are far worse prospective owners out there and I still think/hope that they are slowly learning so I do see things gradually getting better in the long term.

Well said and you said it better than me. My only point of issue is a B for the owner, That sticks in my throat as I think, and it's busy a difference of opinion, a D is in order because he is allowing the team, the fundamental matter in hand, to be run badly.

I don't want him to move on yet, I want him to improve and learn and clearly that involves getting a top professional to run football matters.

[Twig]

For me this is a quite nuanced issue, although there are a few rather trenchant opinions on both sides. Shad Khan (and as I understand it he is technically the owner rather than the Khans and it is very much his money) has invested heavily in the club's infrastructure. The new Riverside isn't my personal cup of tea but it's impossible to argue that, along with the pier, it isn't a massive enhancement.  The training ground facilities are also a huge bonus, things were looking dated, barely adequate and well below Prem standards.

I have always been a critic of the nepotistic appointment of TK as DoF, it was a dreadful idea and one that falls at the feet of SK (you can't really blame TK for taking up the opportunity). I honestly think we need a football man in this job not just to steer managerial appointments and player transfers but to define and inculcate a Fulham FC football philosophy. I think it's so important that a single, consistent, long term football philosophy permeates every part and every level of the club - the first team, the scouting and transfer teams, the under 21s and the junior levels, the entire coaching staff. Everyone should be singing off the same hymn sheet and the fact I  haven't seen this is something I lay squarely at the feet of our amateur DoF.

SK has certainly sunk big bucks into player transfers to his credit, but I'm not sure he has seen a good return on his transfer investments to date. Again, I think we have to accept that having a part time amateur DoF in charge hasn't helped in this regard.

Managerial appointments have certainly been mixed but I think you can see why several of the appointments were made, they just didn't work out.

Communications with the supporters have been risible and the treatment of the FST dismissive. This area definitely needs to improve. Ticket pricing strategy has sometimes been misguided but to be fair the same criticisms have been levelled at many of the Prem clubs.

So overall I think SK gets a B- from me. Based on his results TK would get a much lower score but it's his father's fault he's in position. Would I like to see SK sell up? No, for all the faults I think there are far worse prospective owners out there and I still think/hope that they are slowly learning so I do see things gradually getting better in the long term.

Well said and you said it better than me. My only point of issue is a B for the owner, That sticks in my throat as I think, and it's busy a difference of opinion, a D is in order because he is allowing the team, the fundamental matter in hand, to be run badly.

I don't want him to move on yet, I want him to improve and learn and clearly that involves getting a top professional to run football matters.

It's the DoF position that maddens me most. I know I bang on about it but rather than focus on this bad transfer or that good one, I dearly want to see a Fulham football philosophy that runs through our club like the words in a stick of rock. At last then we will have ongoing consistency from top to bottom. TK is never going to deliver that.

[Jim©]

I never seem to recall these threads appearing when we are doing well.

Well we've not been this terrible since our last relegation even in our winless streaks under Marco, so these threads are understandable.

I'd actually say that "terrible" really only relates to the points gained.
We've played ok. We've lost all our games by 1 goal, we beat top of the table west ham with our 2nd 11. I don't think we've been terrible at all. There's been moments where you just shake your head, but in general we haven't been terrible at all.
For all those that think we've been terrible, would you still say the same if we'd hung on for 6 points v Ipswich & Man Utd?

Jim
Westham team was not there strongest and you would expect our second string to win but over the whole game deserved the win. Sunderland though losing by just one goal we were abject and that's being kind.
Utd we were fortunate to get a point even though there equaliser was fortunate? Ipswich was a bit of a dog with fleas game and showed our managers inexperience in game management.
I see your point on If? but those two performances have not convinced me we deserved anything other than what we came away with perhaps a point at Ipswich might have been fair. We certainly have not deserved to win any of those games. Fine margins in football of course but you have to make your luck at times and Arbeloa game management has not looked like getting lucky in league fixtures thus far?

Well it wasn't far off their strongest team, they'd only made a few changes.
You must have been watching a different game to me V man utd, xg of 1.57 compared to theirs of 1.59.
Ipswich we deserved the win, too many good chances missed.

Agree on in game management. Thing is the bloke can't win with some. He brings on Andersen v Man U and gets roundly criticised for sittin
g back and not going for the killer goal. Doesn't bring him on v Ipswich and gets panned for not protecting the lead. Too many of the posts I read are based on one thing only- the result. For instance, no doubt Coventry fans will be delighted with beating Newcastle 4-1. Truth is they were abysmal, with the lowest pass completion % i've ever seen in the premier. We've had none of that luck going our way, none at all.
Watched the Palace v Forest game and how Palace weren't 3 or 4 down at half time is beyond me. Again, we've had none of that luck going our way- yet.

It is fine margins, but almost every metric you look at, we should have more points on the board. Conversely, Hull are overperforming every stat.

[Thailand Mick]

I never seem to recall these threads appearing when we are doing well.

Well we've not been this terrible since our last relegation even in our winless streaks under Marco, so these threads are understandable.

we literally went 9 games last season scoring just 2 single goals.

[JimmyConway]

I never seem to recall these threads appearing when we are doing well.

Well we've not been this terrible since our last relegation even in our winless streaks under Marco, so these threads are understandable.

I'd actually say that "terrible" really only relates to the points gained.
We've played ok. We've lost all our games by 1 goal, we beat top of the table west ham with our 2nd 11. I don't think we've been terrible at all. There's been moments where you just shake your head, but in general we haven't been terrible at all.
For all those that think we've been terrible, would you still say the same if we'd hung on for 6 points v Ipswich & Man Utd?

Jim
Westham team was not there strongest and you would expect our second string to win but over the whole game deserved the win. Sunderland though losing by just one goal we were abject and that's being kind.
Utd we were fortunate to get a point even though there equaliser was fortunate? Ipswich was a bit of a dog with fleas game and showed our managers inexperience in game management.
I see your point on If? but those two performances have not convinced me we deserved anything other than what we came away with perhaps a point at Ipswich might have been fair. We certainly have not deserved to win any of those games. Fine margins in football of course but you have to make your luck at times and Arbeloa game management has not looked like getting lucky in league fixtures thus far?

Well it wasn't far off their strongest team, they'd only made a few changes.
You must have been watching a different game to me V man utd, xg of 1.57 compared to theirs of 1.59.
Ipswich we deserved the win, too many good chances missed.

Agree on in game management. Thing is the bloke can't win with some. He brings on Andersen v Man U and gets roundly criticised for sittin
g back and not going for the killer goal. Doesn't bring him on v Ipswich and gets panned for not protecting the lead. Too many of the posts I read are based on one thing only- the result. For instance, no doubt Coventry fans will be delighted with beating Newcastle 4-1. Truth is they were abysmal, with the lowest pass completion % i've ever seen in the premier. We've had none of that luck going our way, none at all.
Watched the Palace v Forest game and how Palace weren't 3 or 4 down at half time is beyond me. Again, we've had none of that luck going our way- yet.

It is fine margins, but almost every metric you look at, we should have more points on the board. Conversely, Hull are overperforming every stat.

Jim I was at United game and not bothered about XG as I've never seen a stat take a corner? my eyes can tell me how that game played out and we were unlucky with their goal but not unlucky with the result.
I understand fine margins but that is football. Arbeloa is making self inflicted decisions so unlikely to get much luck ?

[Moussa Dembele the 3rd]

When I saw the pro shop full of Jacksonville Jaguars swag back in 2012 I knew we were in trouble. They didn't have a clue. I like SK and feel like he means well for Fulham, but at the end of the day we're more a play thing than a priority.

[Jim©]

Jim I was at United game and not bothered about XG as I've never seen a stat take a corner?

So was I and i saw Man Utd taking a load of pot shots from outside the area.
 

[Andrew]

I never seem to recall these threads appearing when we are doing well.

Well we've not been this terrible since our last relegation even in our winless streaks under Marco, so these threads are understandable.

I'd actually say that "terrible" really only relates to the points gained.
We've played ok. We've lost all our games by 1 goal, we beat top of the table west ham with our 2nd 11. I don't think we've been terrible at all. There's been moments where you just shake your head, but in general we haven't been terrible at all.
For all those that think we've been terrible, would you still say the same if we'd hung on for 6 points v Ipswich & Man Utd?

Jim
Westham team was not there strongest and you would expect our second string to win but over the whole game deserved the win. Sunderland though losing by just one goal we were abject and that's being kind.
Utd we were fortunate to get a point even though there equaliser was fortunate? Ipswich was a bit of a dog with fleas game and showed our managers inexperience in game management.
I see your point on If? but those two performances have not convinced me we deserved anything other than what we came away with perhaps a point at Ipswich might have been fair. We certainly have not deserved to win any of those games. Fine margins in football of course but you have to make your luck at times and Arbeloa game management has not looked like getting lucky in league fixtures thus far?

Well it wasn't far off their strongest team, they'd only made a few changes.
You must have been watching a different game to me V man utd, xg of 1.57 compared to theirs of 1.59.
Ipswich we deserved the win, too many good chances missed.

Agree on in game management. Thing is the bloke can't win with some. He brings on Andersen v Man U and gets roundly criticised for sittin
g back and not going for the killer goal. Doesn't bring him on v Ipswich and gets panned for not protecting the lead. Too many of the posts I read are based on one thing only- the result. For instance, no doubt Coventry fans will be delighted with beating Newcastle 4-1. Truth is they were abysmal, with the lowest pass completion % i've ever seen in the premier. We've had none of that luck going our way, none at all.
Watched the Palace v Forest game and how Palace weren't 3 or 4 down at half time is beyond me. Again, we've had none of that luck going our way- yet.

It is fine margins, but almost every metric you look at, we should have more points on the board. Conversely, Hull are overperforming every stat.

I had been waiting for your comments and pleased you bring some balance to my opposite view.

Hpowever, from 65ish years of supporting Fulham I can say IMO AA is aong the most dreadful choices I have seen and let's face it I have seen quite a few dreadful managers! We haven't been unlucky at all, he has been responsible for the poor results and watching each obvious and avoidable error he makes is a source of great concern. Just taking the last game angel was so pathetic a substitution, not fair on the supporters and not fair on the youngster. He was out of his depth and hadn't a clue... the other changes made us worse.  As far as anderson was concerned, we needed to push on in that game and we invited pressure that we could have avoided... perhaps at Ipswich Anderson in the last 10 might have been worth a go but not once he made the other changes.

If you do not think he is awful and just unlucky then you would have said the same about Sanchez being unlucky because on the stat league table at 80 minutes (or was it 75?), sanchez was a genius.  Also if you think it will come good, I am impressed by your optimism but I can't see that because he makes totally avoidable errors that a school child wouldn't make.

AA was a big mistake in my opinion and can't possibly last. The Khans have made a mistake, again, they need to correct it. They also need to get proper full time professional people in to run the club because that is not what we have. The Khans should set the budget and the framework, then they should let the hired hands get on with it, not waiting until too late to bring in the obviously wrong squad players.

I am honestly glad you bring an alternative point of view, I just do not understand what you are seeing that makes you confident in this appointment.

[JimmyConway]

Jim I was at United game and not bothered about XG as I've never seen a stat take a corner?

So was I and i saw Man Utd taking a load of pot shots from outside the area.
 

Jim forgive my age but did Utd hit the woodwork twice ? Did Leno bring off 2 or 3 top drawer saves? I might have dreamt that though? Old age comes to us all eventually!

[hopper]

When I saw the pro shop full of Jacksonville Jaguars swag back in 2012 I knew we were in trouble. They didn't have a clue. I like SK and feel like he means well for Fulham, but at the end of the day we're more a play thing than a priority.

I remember they put Jaguars themed games in Bishops Park before the ground too. Glad that's stopped, but the foothold in UK to market them seemed transparent.

I think they care about Fulham in as much as Shahid is a businessman and will want to make a profit. He's pumped money in and the money in British football has appreciated considerably. I don't think there's a great deal of long term sporting decision making going on.

Agree this is not a black and white issue as others have said. The investment has been very good and the club is in good health with the new stand. The communication with FST and fans has been pretty abject though, and this doesn't sit well with me. I know it's a business at the end of the day, but you can make a little more effort to make the fans feel appreciated than they have done over a long period of time.