Ream Bashers

[Jim©]

The problem is there were so few individuals that stood out as positive the last time we were in the PL. The only way this guys will ever start becoming PL quality to supporters is by having them play within context of this management team under Scott Parker. It's a clean slate for everyone imho. That's how our players need to think, and hopefully that's how our management thinks. If individuals like Tim Ream get their chance, I hope he takes it and proves the doubters wrong. At the end of the day, we're all Fulham and I doubt any of us are truly wishing poor performance by anyone willing wear the shirt.

Couldn't agree more. Trying to say our last period in the prem is a yardstick for this one means that not a single player from last time is good enough. However, systemmand coaching is as important as personnel, I've said it for years and the reason teams like Burnley, Sheff Utd, and even wolves have done so well.

[keithh]

My sole porpoise is not to be koi but to buri this crappie about bream. Discus or mullet it over - as a ruff sweeper he floundered and got morwong than right. Let minnow if this is tenuis or get orfe. I took a shiner to him in the playoffs as he got betta and did elver a job but did carp about him earlier.

[filham]

Yes of course we need a new centre back of quality but for those that have no faith in Ream just stop and think what it would be like if we fail to sign a new player and Ream is injured for the Arsenal game.
Then a back four without Ream against a top team and we have reason for concern.

[Whitestone]

Yes of course we need a new centre back of quality but for those that have no faith in Ream just stop and think what it would be like if we fail to sign a new player and Ream is injured for the Arsenal game.
Then a back four without Ream against a top team and we have reason for concern.

We have Alfie Mawson if the circumstances you describe were to occur. Alfie is proven at Premier League level and IMO a better player than Ream.

[filham]

Yes of course we need a new centre back of quality but for those that have no faith in Ream just stop and think what it would be like if we fail to sign a new player and Ream is injured for the Arsenal game.
Then a back four without Ream against a top team and we have reason for concern.

We have Alfie Mawson if the circumstances you describe were to occur. Alfie is proven at Premier League level and IMO a better player than Ream.

Which relegation season do you think Mawson proved himself in, the one with Fulham or his previous one.
Sorry Mawson is on the list of failed centre backs we have signed in recent years.

[Whitestone]

Yes of course we need a new centre back of quality but for those that have no faith in Ream just stop and think what it would be like if we fail to sign a new player and Ream is injured for the Arsenal game.
Then a back four without Ream against a top team and we have reason for concern.

We have Alfie Mawson if the circumstances you describe were to occur. Alfie is proven at Premier League level and IMO a better player than Ream.

Which relegation season do you think Mawson proved himself in, the one with Fulham or his previous one.
Sorry Mawson is on the list of failed centre backs we have signed in recent years.

Mawson was called up for England duties whilst at Swansea. Injuries have blighted his time at Fulham. More often than not when he has played it's been out of position next to Ream. IF Mawson was able to show the qualities that Gareth Southgate clearly saw there is no doubt in my mind that he would be a significant upgrade on Ream. A big IF I know but he has demonstrated the ability at the top level. That's why we signed him in the first place. I guess the question we would all like answered is has he still got it. As I said injuries and being played out of position have hindered his progress at Fulham.

[Twig]

Ream is nowhere near good enough for the Premier League. He wasn't good enough 2 years ago and he isn't a better player now. Of course there were many other problems with our last PL squad but that doesn't mean our current squad will dominate games in the PL and take some pressure off our defence. That's just not going to happen.

Personally I think Ream has only been good for us in two relatively short periods: Our unbeaten run and post lock down. Apart from that he has been mostly poor IMO. I also personally think his sudden improvement was more about the entire team performing better (he didn't have to do as much actual defending) but he made some horrible mistakes even then.

We won't dominate games in the PL. Starting Ream will be a disaster. He is too slow, not strong enough in the air, makes too many mistakes when trying to hold onto the ball for too long and his great passing stats are misleading. Most of those passes are just short sideways passes to the other CB. When he finally makes the forward pass it's often too late. His teammates are under pressure and we lose the ball in the next move. Any half-decent CB will get great passing stats for us in the Championship. Even Kalas had exceptional passing stats when playing for us but most of those passes were to Ream of course...

LCB is out weakest position by far and should be TKs number one priority. We also desperately need a RB and a DM but LCB is the most critical. Unless we strengthen this position I personally think we will be relegated. We need to strengthen this position ASAP. We have several "must win" games against other relegation candidates in September/October. Signing a new LCB on deadline day will be far too late.

Sorry, I just don't think Ream is good enough for the PL. In fact, I would have wanted a new LCB even if we weren't promoted.

Ok so ther is the odd Ream basher.

[Statto]

Yes of course we need a new centre back of quality but for those that have no faith in Ream just stop and think what it would be like if we fail to sign a new player and Ream is injured for the Arsenal game.
Then a back four without Ream against a top team and we have reason for concern.

We have Alfie Mawson if the circumstances you describe were to occur. Alfie is proven at Premier League level and IMO a better player than Ream.

Agreed

[Statto]

Ream is nowhere near good enough for the Premier League. He wasn't good enough 2 years ago and he isn't a better player now. Of course there were many other problems with our last PL squad but that doesn't mean our current squad will dominate games in the PL and take some pressure off our defence. That's just not going to happen.

Personally I think Ream has only been good for us in two relatively short periods: Our unbeaten run and post lock down. Apart from that he has been mostly poor IMO. I also personally think his sudden improvement was more about the entire team performing better (he didn't have to do as much actual defending) but he made some horrible mistakes even then.

We won't dominate games in the PL. Starting Ream will be a disaster. He is too slow, not strong enough in the air, makes too many mistakes when trying to hold onto the ball for too long and his great passing stats are misleading. Most of those passes are just short sideways passes to the other CB. When he finally makes the forward pass it's often too late. His teammates are under pressure and we lose the ball in the next move. Any half-decent CB will get great passing stats for us in the Championship. Even Kalas had exceptional passing stats when playing for us but most of those passes were to Ream of course...

LCB is out weakest position by far and should be TKs number one priority. We also desperately need a RB and a DM but LCB is the most critical. Unless we strengthen this position I personally think we will be relegated. We need to strengthen this position ASAP. We have several "must win" games against other relegation candidates in September/October. Signing a new LCB on deadline day will be far too late.

Sorry, I just don't think Ream is good enough for the PL. In fact, I would have wanted a new LCB even if we weren't promoted.

Ok so ther is the odd Ream basher.

Make that two because I agree with him

[Arthur]

I think it was pretty telling that after Kongolo was signed on loan in the winter window he stepped in ahead of Ream as soon as he was available.

Whether Kongolo, had he not suffered his season-ending injury, would have stepped in ahead of Ream eventually is a matter of opinion. He was, however, a substitute at both Charlton and Blackburn when Ream was in the starting XI. In between was the cup-tie against Manchester City, which both players started.

[FFCFOREVER]

I don't really see much 'Ream Bashing' as described in the OP. Just the opinion that he is not good enough in the Prem as was proven last time we were there. And I have to agree with that. We need more pace and he does not have that for Prem level.

[fulhamben]

Ream is nowhere near good enough for the Premier League. He wasn't good enough 2 years ago and he isn't a better player now. Of course there were many other problems with our last PL squad but that doesn't mean our current squad will dominate games in the PL and take some pressure off our defence. That's just not going to happen.

Personally I think Ream has only been good for us in two relatively short periods: Our unbeaten run and post lock down. Apart from that he has been mostly poor IMO. I also personally think his sudden improvement was more about the entire team performing better (he didn't have to do as much actual defending) but he made some horrible mistakes even then.

We won't dominate games in the PL. Starting Ream will be a disaster. He is too slow, not strong enough in the air, makes too many mistakes when trying to hold onto the ball for too long and his great passing stats are misleading. Most of those passes are just short sideways passes to the other CB. When he finally makes the forward pass it's often too late. His teammates are under pressure and we lose the ball in the next move. Any half-decent CB will get great passing stats for us in the Championship. Even Kalas had exceptional passing stats when playing for us but most of those passes were to Ream of course...

LCB is out weakest position by far and should be TKs number one priority. We also desperately need a RB and a DM but LCB is the most critical. Unless we strengthen this position I personally think we will be relegated. We need to strengthen this position ASAP. We have several "must win" games against other relegation candidates in September/October. Signing a new LCB on deadline day will be far too late.

Sorry, I just don't think Ream is good enough for the PL. In fact, I would have wanted a new LCB even if we weren't promoted.

Ok so ther is the odd Ream basher.

if wanting an upgrade in one of your weakest positions makes you ream basher, then I'll hold my hands up, I'm a ream basher. If our object is to just hope for the best with the squad we have and try and yo-yo for a few season in the hope we get it right, then so be it. but if we want a realistic, chance of staying up then we can not, be going with a back four of Bryan ream hector and Christie

[Fulhamfan666]

no its his son.

hahahahaha if that's true; biased much?

[Andy S]

I agree with wooly and a lot of others on here. Ream has had his day but at his age well into his 30's it would be wrong to expect him to still be at the top of his game. I would hope that the management would sit him down and see whether he wants to be a fringe player with us or a regular  with a lower club. Whatever he wants we should assist him with his last pay day

[Sting of the North]

I agree with wooly and a lot of others on here. Ream has had his day but at his age well into his 30's it would be wrong to expect him to still be at the top of his game. I would hope that the management would sit him down and see whether he wants to be a fringe player with us or a regular  with a lower club. Whatever he wants we should assist him with his last pay day

Seems a bit premature since as of today he is probably a starter, whether or not you agree with it.

[RaySmith]

Whatever  people might say about his Prem suitability, Ream has been an integral part of the team that have got us  back into the Prem first time of asking.

And as Sting says, he holds that cb position at the moment, and would probably be one of our cb's if the Prem season started this week.

Whatever his faults, and you could equally discuss his strengths, to say he is suddenly past it and should put out to grass, when just weeks ago he was so solid defensively, and important in our playing it out from the back style, along with Hector,  in the  play-offs, seems ludicrous, as well as treating human beings as if they were like  robots, mere pawns in our game.

I'm sure the management are making every effort to prepare us for the difficult season ahead, and looking to sign new players, especially in defence perhaps, but at the moment Ream is  one of our cb's, a position in which he has recently so impressed, as well as his years of service to the club.

[YankeeJim]

I've never understood the Ream bashing, and be sure there is a lot. He is and has been a player with a good head, good on the ball with little pace or jumping ability. He looked bad the last time around in the Prem because what was next to him. MLM isn't good enough for the Championship. Mawson came  (like Segerson) with a reputation but no delivery and Mawson with a constant stream of injuries. I doubt that he will ever be fit or capable of being a decent sub much less a starter. Kongolo also came with a reputation but we never got the chance to see if he was the real deal. He like Mawson was a good defender on a bad team. I always wonder if they look good because they are or because what is around them is so bad.
We need a replacement for Ream because of age and a lack of pace. Unless we bring in a quality CB, Ream will be the starter and available for abuse all season.

[The Rational Fan]

I don't post very often because I read some posts and think there are posters supposedly Fulham supporters or possibly other club fans trying to stir the pot. I've read so many negative comments about how Tim Ream has performed over the past season. I see it so differently about how he initiates our attacks from defence as the manager and our style of play dictates. I understand that a mistake or two has materialised but I believe his calmness and passing qualities has been enormous in our gaining promotion. If anyone wishes to rewatch our playoff finals at Wembley on both occasions Tim was outstanding; nullify opposition attackers but calmness in distribution. There is obviously areas for improvement but I loathe the number of messages criticising Tim and other players after such a successful season. I'm not from across the pond but a season ticket holder living in Wandsworth and reading some of the posts on this site which picks on specific players really deflates me. Lets support our players rather than look to criticize them at every opportunity.
Just to add I'd like to comment how lucky we are to have the owners that we do; a new Riverside stand soon to open, continued investment in the playing squad and open discussion/communication with the club supporters.

I think ream gets way to much critical attention and is a far better player than people realise. I do happen to think he may be a half a yard to slow for the prem but we would not let us down if the other three in the vback four and our midfield perform.

i am less inclined to the love in with the owners. they obviously are not afraid of investing and TK clearly loves the club but he remains an amateur in a position that needs a professional. he is sort of doing better but he is way off the required standard. if we keep seri and anguissa that will be a bad thing. the khans simply make too many unforced errors with the squad.

in what world would keeping Anguissa be a bad thing. I'd bet my house on him being our best player this season. The bloke is class

i look forward to receipt of the keys of your house.
anguissa was lazy, that will not change. in that world where you need all yourt players to put in maximum effort all the time and never give up on chading lost causes... that world.
anguissa is class indeed, third class.

Anguissa has succeeded in leagues just below premier league in standard (such as Championship, La Liga and Ligue Un) like Rodak, Hector, Reed, Cairney and Knockaert. If you consider Anguissa third class may I ask what player apart from Mitrovic is even second-class in this squad, and do you think a second-class player would even be available for us to but anyway.

[General]

I appreciate the responses and further discussion - my main point was how we too quickly criticise most of our players even after success. We can assume that SP will want to play out from the back and wondering with budget options what will be best options for LCB. Tim Ream in my opinion has been pivotal in our 'playing out from the back' style before and from Parker managerial appointment. Tim's defending within our defensive organisation has pinpointed areas for improvement (whether this is individual or group defence is open to further debate), however is Kongolo a better option to replace Tim? What is Kongolo's or AN Other replacement playing out from the back capabilities versus the defensive strengths/requirements.  The value of a top centre back is substantial whilst Chris Smalling would be a good acquisition he would cost a considerable transfer fee plus significant wages. Who else is available better than Tim at a reasonable fee and overall value? We saw last season on occasions that after bringing in MLM at a cost and he's nowhere near being able to play a playing out from the back role.

Success is relative. There was a 13 year gap where we were a premier league team, had a couple of top 10 finishes and got into Europe three times and one final. I don't see success as getting out of the championship twice in three years.

[Andy S]

Well it has to be regarded as such. You can only play the teams that are there