The striker situation seems a bit odd

[Wearethewhites]

We seem to be targeting a few more midfielders, possibly another CB, but there doesn't seem to be the same urgency for any strikers. Dembele has gone, Ross 99.9%, so who exactly are we targeting, and will will start the season with one, any?

[Rhys Lightning 63]

We seem to be targeting a few more midfielders, possibly another CB, but there doesn't seem to be the same urgency for any strikers. Dembele has gone, Ross 99.9%, so who exactly are we targeting, and will will start the season with one, any?

If we are to assume that Ross leaves, then we'll have:
Woodrow, Smith, Aluko, Humphrys (yes he may be young, but I think he's shown enough in pre-season to at least get a look in)

So that is four forwards playing for either one or two spots (depending on what formation we're gonna play). Personally, I think that's fine, if you have too many then some people will get barely any game time and be unhappy

[Wearethewhites]

We seem to be targeting a few more midfielders, possibly another CB, but there doesn't seem to be the same urgency for any strikers. Dembele has gone, Ross 99.9%, so who exactly are we targeting, and will will start the season with one, any?

If we are to assume that Ross leaves, then we'll have:
Woodrow, Smith, Aluko, Humphrys (yes he may be young, but I think he's shown enough in pre-season to at least get a look in)

So that is four forwards playing for either one or two spots (depending on what formation we're gonna play). Personally, I think that's fine, if you have too many then some people will get barely any game time and be unhappy

Trust me, this isn't fine.

[Rhys Lightning 63]

We seem to be targeting a few more midfielders, possibly another CB, but there doesn't seem to be the same urgency for any strikers. Dembele has gone, Ross 99.9%, so who exactly are we targeting, and will will start the season with one, any?

If we are to assume that Ross leaves, then we'll have:
Woodrow, Smith, Aluko, Humphrys (yes he may be young, but I think he's shown enough in pre-season to at least get a look in)

So that is four forwards playing for either one or two spots (depending on what formation we're gonna play). Personally, I think that's fine, if you have too many then some people will get barely any game time and be unhappy

Trust me, this isn't fine.

I'm strictly talking numbers, rather than personnel, just so long as we keep a 'one in, one out' policy the number of strikers available will be fine

[Lighthouse]

A striker will be coming even if Ross stays IMO.

[rogerpbackinMidEastUS]

There is no indication that Ross is going, apart from virtual silence from the club and mutterings about "offers and negotiations" from potential suitors.
In previous years we used to run through the 'injuries situation' pre-match but haven't been doing it recently, so Ross IS PROBABLY INJURED and they are fed up with press releases and statements saying this or  'circumstances' with any of the players.
You know how closed shop we are particularly with transfers.

No news is good news ....................I hope  (and think)
Why move to Norwich when you're on a good screw in West London unless his wife reads
Delia's Cook Books and is a groupie.

[Snibbo]

There is no indication that Ross is going, apart from virtual silence from the club and mutterings about "offers and negotiations" from potential suitors.
In previous years we used to run through the 'injuries situation' pre-match but haven't been doing it recently, so Ross IS PROBABLY INJURED and they are fed up with press releases and statements saying this or  'circumstances' with any of the players.
You know how closed shop we are particularly with transfers.

No news is good news ....................I hope  (and think)
Why move to Norwich when you're on a good screw in West London unless his wife reads
Delia's Cook Books and is a groupie.

Norwich is a very nice town. Just saying.

[Carborundum]

There is no indication that Ross is going, apart from virtual silence from the club and mutterings about "offers and negotiations" from potential suitors.
In previous years we used to run through the 'injuries situation' pre-match but haven't been doing it recently, so Ross IS PROBABLY INJURED and they are fed up with press releases and statements saying this or  'circumstances' with any of the players.
You know how closed shop we are particularly with transfers.

No news is good news ....................I hope  (and think)
Why move to Norwich when you're on a good screw in West London unless his wife reads
Delia's Cook Books and is a groupie.

However much the siren call of Norfolk may attract, there's something that really puzzles me about the alleged interest in RMcC shown by Norwich.  Six months ago that team paid £8m for Steven Naismith.  A player who is about as similar to RMcC as it seems possible to be.  For the Scottish national team it's generally a case of either \ or and generally Naismith was preferred.  Two players wanting to do the same job rarely goes well on a football pitch, so I'm struggling to see the footballing wisdom.  Perhaps the plan is to sell Naismith, but that all seems like one step forward, another backwards.  Just a bit puzzled really.

[Wolf]

2 league one strikers, an injury prone winger, and someone from the youth team? Oh ok then we'll be fine. Let me know when the play-off final tickets go on sale

Precisely that. Humphreys is not currently (and may never be) a fourth choice Championship striker. Loans in League 2/Conference are more realistic.

Woodrow and Smith instead of McCormack and Dembele - I think we'd be looking at a very hefty reduction in goals scored

The thing about selling McCormack is that its the hardest position to replace. We get £12m then that is pretty much all going on one player who might, just might, be somewhere near as effective.

[H4usuallysitting]

If another club meet our £12m valuation of Ross - then surely we have another striker already lined up...or isn't the club that organised

[westcliff white]

it seems we do in Mounie, however some fee structuring to be done, so we have an idea and have had permission to talk and do a medical but now its down to how we pay the money

[toshes mate]

For what it's worth my take on the Ross situation is that unless and until the magic number is reached, whatever that magic number is, he'll remain a Fulham player.  The problem we all have, Ross, the Club, and us, is whether or not someone bids the magic number before transfer deadline.  Norwich could have settled it by bidding the magic number or somewhere very near and they must at least have an idea of what the kind of figure Fulham want is.  It certainly doesn't seem £10m is good enough for anyone except Norwich and so why persist?  In the meantime the media have been speculating about bids which probably never happened.   

The worrying thing about buying replacements for the players who have gone or may be going is the risk they'll not fit the bill which is why Fulham may be reluctant to overbid for players who may not be any or much better than what we already have in terms of playing style and formation.  Defoe would have been a lower risk but not at the ridiculous money being demanded.   I tend to the view that Slavisa is not replacing like with like.

It is not an ideal situation for anyone coming of the back of a poor season and losing young strikers to bigger clubs, but it doesn't mean it is a disaster.     

[cmg]

I'm in total agreement that finding a suitable replacement for McCormack would be extremely difficult indeed.
However I don't think it impossible that Woodrow could replace Dembele's scoring effort.
Although very different in style, they had almost identical (and very impressive) scoring rates up through the ranks. Although based on quite a small sample (total 1370 minutes), Woodrow's scoring rate in the Championship is rather better than that of Dembele (1/196', 1/246').

I'd say we need to see more of what Woodrow can do.

[Two Ton Ted]

I think Woodrow is very undervalued and I think he could have a good season given a long run in the first team.

However Smith is Div 3 quality at best, Aluko hasn't a good scoring record and Humphreys is too younf to have that sort of pressure placed on him.

If we lose McCormack and don't replace him like for like then we are in very big trouble.

[Apprentice to the Maestro]

I do not understand these references to 'replacement' and particularly 'like for like'.

McCormack's scoring record is excellent but he does not play like any other forward I can recall or think of.

He does not lead the line, he is rarely in the six yard box, he is not known for his heading, he does not hold up play and lay off the ball well, he drifts wide and deep, he doesn't have much pace, he does not play in any consistent role in any standard formation, etc..

If posters just mean we need someone to score 15+ goals then, of course, we need that sort of replacement but the effort to find someone who plays in the style of McCormack is unrealistic and undesirable and there may not be another in our lifetimes.

[Mince n Tatties]

I think Woodrow is very undervalued and I think he could have a good season given a long run in the first team.

However Smith is Div 3 quality at best, Aluko hasn't a good scoring record and Humphreys is too younf to have that sort of pressure placed on him.

If we lose McCormack and don't replace him like for like then we are in very big trouble.

Smith div 3........What a ridiculous statement

[fulhamben]

I think Woodrow is very undervalued and I think he could have a good season given a long run in the first team.

However Smith is Div 3 quality at best, Aluko hasn't a good scoring record and Humphreys is too younf to have that sort of pressure placed on him.

If we lose McCormack and don't replace him like for like then we are in very big trouble.

Smith div 3........What a ridiculous statement

ridiculous how? Smith has a great scoring record in what would be the old 3Rd division and lower. It's not very good at championship level.

[J]

I think Woodrow is very undervalued and I think he could have a good season given a long run in the first team.

However Smith is Div 3 quality at best, Aluko hasn't a good scoring record and Humphreys is too younf to have that sort of pressure placed on him.

If we lose McCormack and don't replace him like for like then we are in very big trouble.

Smith div 3........What a ridiculous statement

ridiculous how? Smith has a great scoring record in what would be the old 3Rd division and lower. It's not very good at championship level.

He would probably be good enough to play in the old division 1

[toshes mate]

I do not understand these references to 'replacement' and particularly 'like for like'.

All players are unique and so like for like means the role anticipated by the coaching staff.  Fulham for example purchased MS with RM because of the similar partnership enjoyed at Leeds but it wasn't successful.  That is what team building, formations and styles are about.  Some players can adapt but others are not very comfortable out of what they feel is their best role.  Hodgson developed a 'striking' partnership between Zamora and Johnson using the formers ability to hold the ball up and the latters ability to find space quickly, with both players benefitting but Zamora in particular as Johnson already had a good track record.   That potency was a distinctive mark of Hodgson's ability to get players to improve beyond their former level.   As Slavisa develops his team and his style we may see more partnerships developing particularly in defence and midfield and any and all of these will help the team play much much better.   I hoping we will see a tighter and more resilient formation this season with less goals being conceded and scored but with the latter exceeding the former by a very comfortable amount.  Being hard to break down is a very proven way of making a team win more often than they lose.  It may not be pretty to start with but it is a means to an end in achieving success on the pitch.   We are due a better season and I believe that is what we will see.  Whether it is good enough for promotion remains to be seen but I think we will see the best of Jokanovic in the next few months.

[The Rock]

For what it's worth my take on the Ross situation is that unless and until the magic number is reached, whatever that magic number is, he'll remain a Fulham player.  The problem we all have, Ross, the Club, and us, is whether or not someone bids the magic number before transfer deadline.  Norwich could have settled it by bidding the magic number or somewhere very near and they must at least have an idea of what the kind of figure Fulham want is.  It certainly doesn't seem £10m is good enough for anyone except Norwich and so why persist?  In the meantime the media have been speculating about bids which probably never happened.   

The worrying thing about buying replacements for the players who have gone or may be going is the risk they'll not fit the bill which is why Fulham may be reluctant to overbid for players who may not be any or much better than what we already have in terms of playing style and formation.  Defoe would have been a lower risk but not at the ridiculous money being demanded.   I tend to the view that Slavisa is not replacing like with like.

It is not an ideal situation for anyone coming of the back of a poor season and losing young strikers to bigger clubs, but it doesn't mean it is a disaster.   

This is where a proper gaffer makes the difference.

This is also where a galavanting want away owner makes a difference.

It starts at top, and it's clear that you already know more than a khan about the situation.

Sigh... Not even a smiley for that.