Anyone else feel flat this morning ?

[Woolly Mammoth]

There are managers out there worthy of the job, it's a case of giving them the opportunity to prove it.
When Ferguson joined Man U, he had a slow start and they almost sacked him. But it was delayed and suddenly he turned it around, and the rest is history.
Reading some posts you would think there had been a death in the family.
It's football, and not as good as it use to be either.
So speculation won't make any difference.
Either the Khans are beavering away behind the scenes or they are cruising on their boat and have just dropped anchor somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle.
Either way I won't lose any sleep.
Just wait to see who gets the job.

[SuperFreeman]

Ordinarily change and the prospect of a new dawn can bring optimism and excitement. I feel none of that this morning.

I was very much hoping that Marco would stay but it imperative that if he did, he still maintained the same passion and desire for the role that he once showed. Sadly that Marco oomph had diminished to some extent the last 6 months and I was hoping that it was just a blip. 

Sadly that change in body language was indeed a signal that perhaps his journey at Fulham had run its course. For what it's worth I think he may well be the best manager in my lifetime (aged 53), with only the Tigana playbook/swagger and the Hodgson European adventure ranking in equal merit.

Our team over the last 5 years has strived to play attacking football, recruitment whilst not perfect has sought players with high levels of  technical ability and our league position has been strong with some great results against the big teams along the way. Even our performances in the cups has shown a consistency that we have not seen before.

Also don't underestimate the cohesion of the dressing room. Players seem happy at Fulham, the socials and my own on field observations have led me to believe that Marco helped create a very positive working environment.

So as I awake this morning, forgive me for being subdued but I fear the future may not match the enjoyment/success of the last 5 years.

This appointment feels absolutely critical. We have created premier league stability and feel on the verge of possibly pushing for Europe. Equally a bad appointment, an incorrect change in playing style / atmosphere and we are on the cusp of decline, player dissatisfaction and a very difficult season.

I implore the Khans to speak to the global football world (in a similar fashion to that of Al Fayad) and genuinely find a coach who can build on what Marco has achieved and bring an excitement and optismisn to the fan base that right now is feeling deflated...

Five years at a Premier League club for a manager is a decent stint and Silva had done his best with limited resources. I think most Fulham fans had had enough of his pragmatic but EFFECTIVE style of football. The problem for the club is that many think Fulham should be challenging for a trophy every season. I know I sound like the voice of doom, but I am merely a realist.

Fulham are a small fish in the Premier League and just surviving and competing in the world's toughest and most elite league is enough for me. Many are not satisfied with this, seemingly under some delusion that we can compete say, in the Champions League or even have a go for the title itself!

Silva had had enough and the Benfica job couldn't have come soon enough for him.

He is going to be hard to replace. Look at the mess Chelsea got themselves and still are in. A club with so much money. Look at West Ham with their huge stadium and 60,000 capacity crowds- not enough to save them from relegation.

A manager like Eddie Howe would be great. But Newcastle are sticking with him and again, even if they did sack him, it's unlikely Howe would want to come to the Cottage.

So this is the dilemma Fulham faces. I don't think many realise that we have just lost a damn good manager. Maybe if he had been shown some gratitude and support from the fanbase instead of the continual carping and moaning (and not playing gung-ho football which undid Bielsa at Leeds during his time) he might have changed his mind and stayed. 

Fulham finished 11th, three points more than Newcastle on 52, the same as Chelsea.

We should remind ourselves of that and be grateful for the good work Marco Silva did during his time at SW6.

[SP]

Not as flat as the Brighton fans potentially losing last year of contract players to Spurs. Spurs!

[MickTheBeard]

If we do get the type of manager we need I doubt the club will buy any players without his approval because he   Needs to start with type of players he needs especially going on the offensive or else they or he won't sign.

[Eton White]

If we do get the type of manager we need I doubt the club will buy any players without his approval because he   Needs to start with type of players he needs especially going on the offensive or else they or he won't sign.

I'm curious as to the sort of manager you think we might sign if it's going to be a "they or he". Very forward thinking of you, Mick, albeit a little "undersided".

[cookieg]

The thought of watching Frank on the touchline chewing gum with his mouth open (like a 1950's Teddy Boy) fills me with a much disgust as Pep spitting every few seconds

It must have horrified you watching Tirana chew on a cocktail stick then?