The Official FOF Silly Season Summer Transfer Thread 2017-18

[Roberty]

How many fullbacks in this division are good going forward and defending? Fredericks is a very good fullback for this division and a decent enough defender. If you are complaining about him and ream then you are just looking for something to complain about.

No I'm not. I'm happy with Fredericks in the defense but I'm sorry Ream just isn't good enough. If we are to allow Fred to go forward then we need a good RCB covering, same at LCB to cover Sess.

Ream was a standout as the season drew to a close as you've suggested. Who would you realistically get in to replace him? (who isn't Kalas). Easy to say Ream isn't good enough but where's the replacement?

I haven't got a clue, and that's why I'm not the one paid to find out.

So much "quoting" that we can get from the top of the page to the bottom with just 8 lines of new comment
Thankfully we are not using paper or the New Forest would have gone already

[Chutney]

So, any new links at all?

[Roberty]

There is so little going on at the moment - even Sky have resorted to repeating a piece from last week about Michu retiring at age 31 because of persistent and recurring injuries

[Marcel_Gecov]

It honestly is beyond me - our player recruitment .... or rather non-recruitment. With such a good manager in-situ I'd have thought that the rookies in charge would do all they can to satisfy him, particularly after January & what he achieved with a reduced squad. Pretty obvious, his feelings, which are echoed by many of us. Where are we now - 25th July & the new season imminent? Not SJ's fault we are ill-equipped for a promotion push from day one. Perplexing & frustrating.

think everyone needs to be more realistic. Top 12 will be a good year for us. We haven't pushed on so don't expect our position too.

It's July...

Surely it is squad depth that has to be the major concern rather than simply the 11 we will start with, which in all reality will be reasonably strong. At present, with 11 days until the league season begins, we have only 17 players in the first team.

This is a poor and disorganised way to prepare for a season and far from sustainable.

It's a core 17 though. We have only lost Malone and Kalas from our starting 11 and one of those could come back. I dont dispute that we need to add 3-4 players (CB. LB, 2x ST and perhaps another CM) but my point is that this constant panic is crazy. Newcastle lost their first two games last season and went up as champions.

You say 'oh we lost Malone and Kalas' as if it's nothing but without Kalas our defense is useless. Come on, we all know this. As it stands, with Madl apparently injured, we have from Ream, Sigurdsson and Djalo to pick from for the central pairing, all of whom I don't think are good enough, at least not for a team with ambition. We have Fredericks at RB, who also can barely defend and then one of Odoi, Edun or Sessegnon at LB. The defence needs a revamp quick or we are going to be conceding minimum 2 goals a match.

How can you say Ream isn't good enough? Was definitely on par if not better than Kalas for the last quarter of the season.
How can you criticise Fredericks? Easily in the top 5 best Right backs in the leauge if not the best.

Ream was average most of the year. Sure, he was okay when Kalas was playing and granted towards the end of the season he was good but we still conceded a lot during that period and we were relying on our attack to offset the deficit. Fredericks is a good attacker but not a great defender.

How many fullbacks in this division are good going forward and defending? Fredericks is a very good fullback for this division and a decent enough defender. If you are complaining about him and ream then you are just looking for something to complain about.

No I'm not. I'm happy with Fredericks in the defense but I'm sorry Ream just isn't good enough. If we are to allow Fred to go forward then we need a good RCB covering, same at LCB to cover Sess.

Ream was a standout as the season drew to a close as you've suggested. Who would you realistically get in to replace him? (who isn't Kalas). Easy to say Ream isn't good enough but where's the replacement?

I haven't got a clue, and that's why I'm not the one paid to find out.

Great point well made...

[Hoppus]

Any transfer news? :-)

[@jolslover]

How can you say Ream isn't good enough. What are you expecting. He is one of the best CBs in the league and was a top player for us during the second half of last season. Composure and Ball skills are vital in our system and not something the majority of CBs have.
How can you say he did well because of Kalas when he outshone Kalas in the final stages of the season.

[F(f)CUK]

How can you say Ream isn't good enough. What are you expecting. He is one of the best CBs in the league and was a top player for us during the second half of last season. Composure and Ball skills are vital in our system and not something the majority of CBs have.
How can you say he did well because of Kalas when he outshone Kalas in the final stages of the season.

We saw with Hughes and Hangeland that a central defensive pairing work best when they complement each other.  Our fullbacks will push on and be a key attacking threat but this means that we occasionally lack cover.  Our defence only worked when Kalas was involved as he was quick enough and savvy enough to recover.  Ream played well, but not when he was next to Sig or Madl.  This is my concern as we conceded on average 1 more goal per game when Kalas was not playing.

[Marcel_Gecov]

How can you say Ream isn't good enough. What are you expecting. He is one of the best CBs in the league and was a top player for us during the second half of last season. Composure and Ball skills are vital in our system and not something the majority of CBs have.
How can you say he did well because of Kalas when he outshone Kalas in the final stages of the season.

I know, it's baffling. Then when you ask who's better and available we don't get an answer. Pointless.

[Deeping_white]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

[f321ffc]

Any transfer news? :-)

Afraid not by the looks of things, the amount of real transfer news in the last week or so wouldn't fill one page but the pages keep stacking up with either fake news or non news.
Think I might give this thread a miss for a few days, but being the glass half full type I'll probably be back in half an hour full of hope and expectancy. 079.gif

[PokerMatt]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

Thanks for sharing. I hope they decide to sell him.. It's not loss to them is it?

[Marcel_Gecov]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

Positive, let's see. However how can they not be sure? The queue ahead of Kalas is huge. Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, etc

[TXWhite]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

Positive, let's see. However how can they not be sure? The queue ahead of Kalas is huge. Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, etc

The way they run that club with youngsters is not far shy of human trafficking. Fingers crossed they free him, though.

[wheelerdeeler]

I just saw on Sky Sports News that Norwood's passed his medical, so if everything goes to plan we'll probably announce him tomorrow or Thursday.

[mkras99]

11:20
NORWOOD PASSES MEDICAL

Brighton midfielder Oliver Norwood has passed his medical ahead of season-long loan move to Fulham, Sky sources understand.

The Northern Ireland international, 26, made 24 appearances for the Seagulls last season after joining from Reading.

[Arthur]

The idea that we have to improve because we were only 6th last season doesn't take into account our form from February onwards.

That form earned us 40 points from the final 19 games of the season (12 wins, 4 draws, 3 defeats). If sustained over the course of a whole season, it would yield 96 points - easily good enough for automatic promotion.

What is required, therefore, is not an improvement to, but a replication of, our previous form.

Moreover, that we cannot field as strong a team as at the end of last season is not yet as important, to my mind, as some want us to believe. If the start of the season were only a day-or-so away, this would be a valid point. In the next 10 days, however, it's well within the realms of possibility that we shall add a centre-back and a striker to our ranks.

Nor is the likelihood that we shall sign players between the opening game and the end of the window necessarily going to make our start to the season any more difficult either. To listen to some, the rest could be forgiven for thinking that we are the only club in this league that is looking to further strengthen its squad. Surely the reality is that, if not all, then almost all Championship clubs are still working to bring in new players. We won't be in the minority when it comes to integrating a new player-or-two once the season is underway.

Although it is evident to all that the squad, as it is, does not meet the requirements of that of a table-topping side over a 46-game season - and none of us welcome the uncertainty of not knowing whom our new centre-back and striker will be - the notion that we are already destined for a finish below that of last season seems an over-dramatic response to a problem which has yet to reach the point at which our chances of success are irretrievable.

[Count Flapula]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

Thanks for sharing. Wasn't sure why Kalas signed a new contract at first but makes sense for Chelski as they paid a reported £5.2m for him so want to protect their chances of a return on that investment at least. Plus Kalas at 24 doesn't want to spend a year in the reserves so signed to increase playing time options on loan. my guess is that if this snippet is accurate, we want to buy him but Chelsea quoting above the £5.2m to make some profit - which maybe we have now agreed to pay. Chelsea possibly waiting for other offers to maximise their profit? I hate their business model as others have said but they certainly have a clear idea of what they want to do and it generally works for them. Doesn't make it right though!

Anyway, hope we do sign him on a permanent rather than a loan, but will take either at this stage!

[Deeping_white]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

Positive, let's see. However how can they not be sure? The queue ahead of Kalas is huge. Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, etc

Depends if Conte changes his system this year - if he goes 3-4-3 he'll need more cover than if he plays a normal 4 man defence, but yes I agree that he is miles down the pecking order and there should be no reason why they don't agree to the sale.

[mkras99]

Lyall Thomas‏Verified account @SkySportsLyall  1m1 minute ago
More
Norwood has passed his #FulhamFC medical #FFC (via @skysportspaulg)

[hovewhite]

So a snippet of information that I've been told around Kalas - we've agreed a fee but apparently it's now down to Chelsea as to whether they sell him to us as they're not sure. I can't verify this 100% myself but it's something that was passed onto me by someone reliable so make of it what you will.

Positive, let's see. However how can they not be sure? The queue ahead of Kalas is huge. Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, etc

All fulham can do is agree the fee,if thats the case why are chels crap hummin n harrin!