FFC's survival blueprint by Phil Mison

[LBNo11]

...to all those critical of the title 'fulhamphil' - the author of the piece has already stated in this very same thread the following:-

The system at ESPN changed over the summer - for the worst. I can no longer go straight to publish, being subject to sub-editor approval in the U.S. I am unable to select my own images. Blogs can sit in the system quite some time before going up. Interference with copy, as with the corrupted headline to the current piece, written as "Where FFC have gone backwards," is a major irritant, and out of my hands. Please read the piece as a comparative of where the club finished in May 2011 (qualifying for the Europa League) and then argue we have made progress under Martin, if you can.

Hopefully this misleading post title is now cleared up.

Irrespective of the style and tone, there are statements of concern about progress and  proceedings at the playing level, and like any long article there will be points I don't agree with and others I strongly agree with. I happen to agree with a lot of what Phil has written, we don't have all the facts and we can only speculate about what is going on behind the scenes, but as humble supporters all we can do is interpret the results we see on the pitch. Of course we all see things differently, but apart from the clinically ecstatic, few would say that the team are performing regularly to the best of their abilities, and if we cannot express our views on a message board we may as well wrap this all up.

PS: Welcome to FoF Phil...

[MJG]

I think this is an interesting thread and an insightful piece from Phil Mison, although not addressing the topic title! The Oxford dictionary defines blueprint as: "something which acts as a plan, model, or template for others..."

The 'Jol blueprint' appears to be based on survival planning and short term objectives - plugging gaps and building an ageing squad built around one and two year player contracts, loan signings of out of contract / injury prone / out of favour players linked to Jol's past and the Eredivisie. In my view, this situation has blocked the progress of our young players, and contributed to the lack of 1st team consistency in performances, team structure, and cohesion.

My 'blueprint for success and future development' would be based on:
•   Nurturing youth talent through and into the 1st team squad – not looking for every opportunity to loan out (like Frei, to sit on the bench at Cardiff!) or "blocking progress"  of our young players
•   Building a sound, secure 'spine' to the team -  with reliable goalkeeper, strong centre back, leadership in central midfield, 'regular' goal scorer (McBride, as an example); all on secure contracts
•   Achieving balance of youth and experience throughout the team – to provide pace, enthusiasm and invention
•   Using loans more strategically for specific positions - which have cover provided by young players who are  being developed in a process of succession
•   Providing longer term (at least 3 year) contracts to key players - the 'spine', most talented and youth elements of the team

Sorry but that all makes for too much sense.

[Berserker]

I think this is an interesting thread and an insightful piece from Phil Mison, although not addressing the topic title! The Oxford dictionary defines blueprint as: "something which acts as a plan, model, or template for others..."

The 'Jol blueprint' appears to be based on survival planning and short term objectives - plugging gaps and building an ageing squad built around one and two year player contracts, loan signings of out of contract / injury prone / out of favour players linked to Jol's past and the Eredivisie. In my view, this situation has blocked the progress of our young players, and contributed to the lack of 1st team consistency in performances, team structure, and cohesion.

My 'blueprint for success and future development' would be based on:
•   Nurturing youth talent through and into the 1st team squad – not looking for every opportunity to loan out (like Frei, to sit on the bench at Cardiff!) or "blocking progress"  of our young players
•   Building a sound, secure 'spine' to the team -  with reliable goalkeeper, strong centre back, leadership in central midfield, 'regular' goal scorer (McBride, as an example); all on secure contracts
•   Achieving balance of youth and experience throughout the team – to provide pace, enthusiasm and invention
•   Using loans more strategically for specific positions - which have cover provided by young players who are  being developed in a process of succession
•   Providing longer term (at least 3 year) contracts to key players - the 'spine', most talented and youth elements of the team

Sorry but that all makes for too much sense.

When has sense ever had to do with anything  :005:

[TonyGilroy]

It's a good business plan but it's also stating the obvious.

Jol and Mackintosh would agree with every word - it's the implementation that is the problem and the associated cost.

[RaySmith]

Agree with Tony Gilroy.

I'm sure Jol and Mackintosh have the long term, as well as the short term, interest of the club as their priority.

Well - why wouldn't they? they have years of experience between them, and it is in their own interest that Fulham are successful- to continue in the Prem and build on the recent high league placings and Europa success - it is their careers and reputations involved.

But we just do not know what constraints they are working under.

Fulham is is a success story over the last 10 plus years, since MAF took over, and I'm sure everyone nvolved withe club wants it to continue to be so.

[Lighthouse]

Please explain why the so called pessimists are the ones who want Fulham to do as well as a club with thirteen years established in the Prem and have at best wasted this season. Yet the so called optimists have no trouble watching a club struggle and not shoot and have talented players poorly used. It all sounds very Fulhamish.

Also beware when the optimists criticise thread titles. The last argument of a defeated poster.

My dear tall beam of light, you are not a glass half full type as much as a glass empty fellow. BUT, it certainly is Fulhamish. LOL

I am supposed to have a glass?  :Get Coat gif:

[Berserker]

Please explain why the so called pessimists are the ones who want Fulham to do as well as a club with thirteen years established in the Prem and have at best wasted this season. Yet the so called optimists have no trouble watching a club struggle and not shoot and have talented players poorly used. It all sounds very Fulhamish.

Also beware when the optimists criticise thread titles. The last argument of a defeated poster.

My dear tall beam of light, you are not a glass half full type as much as a glass empty fellow. BUT, it certainly is Fulhamish. LOL

I am supposed to have a glass?  :Get Coat gif:

Remember you are the light in the darkness Mr Lighthouse, guiding us all to safety

[fulhamphil]

My thanks to those who have welcomed me to the Forum. Seems churlish not to post again. Not wishing to stir up another hornets nest of controversy, but am working up my next blog on the character of the current side for taking on a relegation scrap, should it come down to the wire. It's not a cheery prognosis.

We have three groups of players - those signed by Jol, who you might expect to show loyalty to the gaffer, the seasoned old guard who've also played under Hodgson and Hughes and are at the end of their contracts, and the loanees on short deals, who probably couldn't care less where Fulham finish in May. Make you own minds up as to whether you think that constitutes a healthy mix...

[TonyGilroy]

The loanees are presumably playing for their futures. I don't think we should assume anything about players' attitudes - all that matters is their performances.

FWIW I'm by no means convinced that we'll stay up. We probably will but it'll be tight and serious squad improvements are necessary in the summer.

[RaySmith]

Yes, I think loanees are desperate to impress their home clubs or the marketplace. Emmanuelson has said his future is at Roma, and wants to show them what he can do, and I think Frimpong said something similar.

Obviously it is far better to have  players contracted to the club, butyou could turn it round and say isn't it good that Jol managed to reinforce the squad when he obviously wasn't able to get his targets  in the Jan window mainly because of money.

Agree that we could go down , but our win over West Ham and performance against Man U were encouraging - and even our away point and clean sheet at Norwich!

As supporters , frustrated as we are about things, I think  about the only power we have to influence matters is to really get behind the team during matches.

[Forever Fulham]

Phil, as an ESPN reporter/blogger and lifelong Fulham fan, what is your take on the departure of Dempsey?  He's been defended, vilified, his accomplishments and contributions trivialized--you've probably been reading the posts, yes?  Just curious if you have any insights that haven't been aired thus far. 

[fulhamphil]

That's a big topic and deserves its own thread. I have a big file on Deuce, I'll get round to posting something but don't expect any revelations. Model pro in my book.