a forward short of a win

[hovewhite]

If TK hadnt not been sat on his hands all summer we wouldnt have stood a chance of coming close to a point tonight. The fact he brought in 8 fantastic players this summer (Areola, Tete, Aina, Anderson, Tosin, Robinson Lemina and Reed)  plus kept hold of Anguissa (our best player in years). Literally the only potentiall "dud" so far is RLC who shows glimmers of promise here and there and may yet go on to turn it around.

That's an alarmingly good window... but people are still moaning that hes not done enough or acted early enough for their liking....like hes deliberately swanning about unaware that we might need a striker and telling teams that hes enquired with not to bother rushing through the sales of their players as wed rather just wait till the last day of the window ya know,  just cos .

No credit given to him for the fact he absolutely smashed the summer window out the ball park. 8 out of 9 signings an overwhelming success- 1 that could still come good so could yet be9 out of 9!How often do playoff promoted clubs make that sort of level of consistancy in their signings. 

We are 2 points off safety with 2 games in hand and then game against the team above us coming up, give it a rest man.
The club knows we need a striker, they're not thick and I've no doubt they'll be mid enquiries and offers with a number of targets. I'm confident well get one come the end of the window...but for now were competing really well against top teams, no need to rush and buy our 6th or 7th choice target when we could land someone much more likely to do what we need whi may not be available till late in the window- and if the summers anything to go by well be doing our best to make sure it's one on the level of those we have already signed.

Congrats to the board, they have assembled a team more than capable of staying up, now they just need to add the final piece or 2, Rome wasnt built in a day. And congrats to Scott Parker who'm I had doubted for a while given the many underwhelming performances wed seen last year...the team look in good shape, finally have a semblance of fight and quality about them,and our defence is extremely solid,...Also we have the best keeper weve had since Van Der Sar and just drew with Spurs away and all you got to say is.....Bloody Tony Khan .... beggars belief

+1 very well put

:plus one:

100%

[rebel]

Let's be real....in the summer our main priority and talking point was not conceding goals and revamping the defence. It was the number 1 target to not repeat last prem seasons mistakes. We did that, unequivocally. We also added an extremely good attacking player in Lookman and another who looked a great option on paper (RLC) who many of us thought would do more then he has.

At that point we still had Mitro to lead the line who has been such a big player for us, and  was still scoring well at international level. In the summer most of us were saying we should get a backup striker and were disappointed we didnt. Now with hindsight we are all 1000% sure we should have signed a starting striker. Fact is it's not always a breeze to assemble a complete squad in 1 window. What we did was nothing short of remarkable in terms of success rate, and we did it on a tight budget which means hopefully now have enough left over to improve even further and solidly the full starting 11.

Again, yes, we are in the bottom 3, but with everything in our hands....2 points off, playing well, 2 games in hand...then a game against Brighton the team above us. There is no reason with this team as it is, that we cant be above them by the time our match with them is over.

If in that time we manage to find a top striker then fantastic. But I'm confident enough in what I'm seeing from this team that I'd sooner not rush buy a striker were not so hot on, and instead stick to our main targets that we think give us the best chance of winning games and laying the foundation for next season. I trust this team enough that they can win a number of games in the latter part of the season if we bring in the right forwards this window. But it needs to.be the right forward and reality is, as stated over and over by agents, managers and dof's alike...often those deals go to the wire. Like it or not.
Just try to enjoy the moment...we just earned a great point away from home at a top club...
Well done to everyone at the the club

Our priority was all over the pitch. There were lots of posts about 'we need a striker' in the summer, the fans were aware. The club has known for some time. No doubt they tried to get a striker / strikers in during the Summer, but couldn't for what ever reason.  Time is against us, almost half the season has gone, we have the only recognized striker on the bench or absent for whatever reason.   

[toshes mate]

Firstly I don't think TK has the nous to do anything by design, like many in the recruitment game he has to play pot luck, keep all his digits crossed, and this season he has struck lucky.  There is a good team in this current Fulham squad, even a very good team, but it takes time and energy to turn recruits into substance and my hat is raised to Scott Parker who is currently proving to be a real thorn in the side of all his many critics, and is really motivating his charges to deliver the quality we are beginning to see.  I am pretty sure that Jokanovic is nodding his approval of what he sees of the guy who once assisted him.

As Parker has told us last night was really a gamble with players who have had no realistic training for ten days and he got a result despite that and could claim to be unfortunate not to have won the game.  Let's marginalise TK and just focus on this team because they are a truly welcome sight to my eyes.

[Southcoastffc]

Firstly I don't think TK has the nous to do anything by design, like many in the recruitment game he has to play pot luck, keep all his digits crossed, and this season he has struck lucky.  There is a good team in this current Fulham squad, even a very good team, but it takes time and energy to turn recruits into substance and my hat is raised to Scott Parker who is currently proving to be a real thorn in the side of all his many critics, and is really motivating his charges to deliver the quality we are beginning to see.  I am pretty sure that Jokanovic is nodding his approval of what he sees of the guy who once assisted him.

As Parker has told us last night was really a gamble with players who have had no realistic training for ten days and he got a result despite that and could claim to be unfortunate not to have won the game.  Let's marginalise TK and just focus on this team because they are a truly welcome sight to my eyes.

So you think that this team and squad exists without any involvement of TK?

[Arthur]

Let's marginalise TK and just focus on this team because they are a truly welcome sight to my eyes.

A fair point.

All the while the O.P., on what seems a weekly basis, starts another new thread with the exact same criticism of T.K., I can't see that happening.

[toshes mate]

Firstly I don't think TK has the nous to do anything by design, like many in the recruitment game he has to play pot luck, keep all his digits crossed, and this season he has struck lucky.  There is a good team in this current Fulham squad, even a very good team, but it takes time and energy to turn recruits into substance and my hat is raised to Scott Parker who is currently proving to be a real thorn in the side of all his many critics, and is really motivating his charges to deliver the quality we are beginning to see.  I am pretty sure that Jokanovic is nodding his approval of what he sees of the guy who once assisted him.

As Parker has told us last night was really a gamble with players who have had no realistic training for ten days and he got a result despite that and could claim to be unfortunate not to have won the game.  Let's marginalise TK and just focus on this team because they are a truly welcome sight to my eyes.

So you think that this team and squad exists without any involvement of TK?

Did you not read my first sentence? My analogy would be someone who goes to an auction to bid for the top lots, is outbid by more experienced bidders, and has to settle for lesser lots among which are items that appear more valuable than other 'experts' thought they were.  But Parker is the one who needs all the credit because, like Jokanovic, he has found a way of putting it all together, getting it performing well and yet still improving.  And yes, the Khans (eventually) recruited Parker but not until after having soured everything they had done coach wise in the previous four years.

[Southcoastffc]

Firstly I don't think TK has the nous to do anything by design, like many in the recruitment game he has to play pot luck, keep all his digits crossed, and this season he has struck lucky.  There is a good team in this current Fulham squad, even a very good team, but it takes time and energy to turn recruits into substance and my hat is raised to Scott Parker who is currently proving to be a real thorn in the side of all his many critics, and is really motivating his charges to deliver the quality we are beginning to see.  I am pretty sure that Jokanovic is nodding his approval of what he sees of the guy who once assisted him.

As Parker has told us last night was really a gamble with players who have had no realistic training for ten days and he got a result despite that and could claim to be unfortunate not to have won the game.  Let's marginalise TK and just focus on this team because they are a truly welcome sight to my eyes.

So you think that this team and squad exists without any involvement of TK?

Did you not read my first sentence? My analogy would be someone who goes to an auction to bid for the top lots, is outbid by more experienced bidders, and has to settle for lesser lots among which are items that appear more valuable than other 'experts' thought they were.  But Parker is the one who needs all the credit because, like Jokanovic, he has found a way of putting it all together, getting it performing well and yet still improving.  And yes, the Khans (eventually) recruited Parker but not until after having soured everything they had done coach wise in the previous four years.

Yes I did, and I discounted it. The notion that you are in a position to able to assess TK's ability strikes me as unlikely. And your last sentence re 'marginalising' him is strange - what do you mean by that?  Ignore what he says?  Ostracise him in some way? He is an integral and important part of Fulham FC.

[Cambridge Pete]

Well said JayFFC. TK is learning and has provided what we all agreed was needed, a defence. Was he to know that Mitro would lose form? Mitro will come back and score goals. As for a new striker of course it would be great . However, lots of sides want a good striker so competition is fierce. Then comes the question of money. The Khan's are not a bottomless well of cash, they are businessmen. Apart from any FFP problems we have to factor in the fact that globally the automotive market is about 45% down, which means their main concern will also be a similar figure down. £20mill for a good striker added to calls to sign both Lookman and Anderson taking the figure well north of £60 mill is a huge call. Do they lay off loyal workers in the States so we can sign some new players. If they feel they can afford it then great but if not we should appreciate what they have and continue to do. COYW

[filham]

Yes , we need a new striker but it has to be one better than Reid, Kamara ,Cav and Kebano and one prepared to face a relegation battle with us as well as not to demand top six club wages . Of course the transfer fee must not be excessive and he must be fit, premier league proven and ready to hit the ground running.
I wonder how many players we have on our short list that meets our requirements and whether these players have not been identified by other clubs.

It is not easy and when you remember some of the big money failures we have had in transfer dealing there is always a risk involved.
Make no mistake it is best to make certain that you hold on to your top players, replacing them is not easy No way do we want to lose Mitro, we just couldn't replace him.

[Southcoastffc]

Well said JayFFC. TK is learning and has provided what we all agreed was needed, a defence. Was he to know that Mitro would lose form? Mitro will come back and score goals. As for a new striker of course it would be great . However, lots of sides want a good striker so competition is fierce. Then comes the question of money. The Khan's are not a bottomless well of cash, they are businessmen. Apart from any FFP problems we have to factor in the fact that globally the automotive market is about 45% down, which means their main concern will also be a similar figure down. £20mill for a good striker added to calls to sign both Lookman and Anderson taking the figure well north of £60 mill is a huge call. Do they lay off loyal workers in the States so we can sign some new players. If they feel they can afford it then great but if not we should appreciate what they have and continue to do. COYW

:plus one:

[Lordedmundo]

I honestly wouldn't swap our our first choice back five or midfield for any other in the Premier League at the moment. They are organised, motivated, confident and working brilliantly as a unit.  If they hold that form and we avoid too many injuries then I don't think we will any problem staying up - provided we bring in a decent striker.

[ALG01]

Let's marginalise TK and just focus on this team because they are a truly welcome sight to my eyes.

A fair point.

All the while the O.P., on what seems a weekly basis, starts another new thread with the exact same criticism of T.K., I can't see that happening.

I have said all over the place how well we are playing and ebven this thread is the same. We are playing brilliantly.

What I also said was that it was clear as we got the unexpected promotion that we needed forwards every bit as much as defenders before the season started. Last night and the four previous draws absolutely highlited that issue. we are a forward short of being substantially further up the table. the back 3 have really clicked, the midfield looks pretty decent and then nothing at the front unfortunately. It was and is totally obvious. the transfer window is open, Parker has said we need a forward so far no action.

We arethrowing points away in games we could and should be winning. for the lack of a forward. If we get poeple and they dod not work out I will cope, but to get nobody? I do start threads on the subject and join in, less than I used to, with other people's because there is no apparent movement and I am sure if we get anyone at all it will be at the very last moment and that means more games will pass us by.

At the moment we should be in a brilliant place to attract talent because we have clearly turned a corner, now we need to take advantage of that.

[toshes mate]

Yes I did, and I discounted it. The notion that you are in a position to able to assess TK's ability strikes me as unlikely. And your last sentence re 'marginalising' him is strange - what do you mean by that?  Ignore what he says?  Ostracise him in some way? He is an integral and important part of Fulham FC.

Then the questions you ask of me are for you to answer and resolve for yourself. It is your choice to discount anything but that means to me that you do not wish to engage with me in a sensible dialogue.

[St. Andrews White]

If TK hadnt not been sat on his hands all summer we wouldnt have stood a chance of coming close to a point tonight. The fact he brought in 8 fantastic players this summer (Areola, Tete, Aina, Anderson, Tosin, Robinson Lemina and Reed)  plus kept hold of Anguissa (our best player in years). Literally the only potentiall "dud" so far is RLC who shows glimmers of promise here and there and may yet go on to turn it around.

That's an alarmingly good window... but people are still moaning that hes not done enough or acted early enough for their liking....like hes deliberately swanning about unaware that we might need a striker and telling teams that hes enquired with not to bother rushing through the sales of their players as wed rather just wait till the last day of the window ya know,  just cos .

No credit given to him for the fact he absolutely smashed the summer window out the ball park. 8 out of 9 signings an overwhelming success- 1 that could still come good so could yet be9 out of 9!How often do playoff promoted clubs make that sort of level of consistancy in their signings. 

We are 2 points off safety with 2 games in hand and then game against the team above us coming up, give it a rest man.
The club knows we need a striker, they're not thick and I've no doubt they'll be mid enquiries and offers with a number of targets. I'm confident well get one come the end of the window...but for now were competing really well against top teams, no need to rush and buy our 6th or 7th choice target when we could land someone much more likely to do what we need whi may not be available till late in the window- and if the summers anything to go by well be doing our best to make sure it's one on the level of those we have already signed.

Congrats to the board, they have assembled a team more than capable of staying up, now they just need to add the final piece or 2, Rome wasnt built in a day. And congrats to Scott Parker who'm I had doubted for a while given the many underwhelming performances wed seen last year...the team look in good shape, finally have a semblance of fight and quality about them,and our defence is extremely solid,...Also we have the best keeper weve had since Van Der Sar and just drew with Spurs away and all you got to say is.....Bloody Tony Khan .... beggars belief

+1

And now to follow up on that with a forward, then I don't see how anyone can complain!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[jayffc]

Yes I did, and I discounted it. The notion that you are in a position to able to assess TK's ability strikes me as unlikely. And your last sentence re 'marginalising' him is strange - what do you mean by that?  Ignore what he says?  Ostracise him in some way? He is an integral and important part of Fulham FC.

Then the questions you ask of me are for you to answer and resolve for yourself. It is your choice to discount anything but that means to me that you do not wish to engage with me in a sensible dialogue.

Or that we believe that sensible dialogue doesn't start with outright giving zero credit to, and "marginalizing" the man who, along with his 3 tick system, LITERALLY assembled this team in the first place. Seems an utterly wild place to start. Right, let's give no credit to the person who identified, bidded for, and signed this team of players, but assign all credit to the manager instead who's job it is to work with the players at his disposal? That, for many, is a completely unsensible place to begin a dialogue. Surely sensible is to admit that it takes many elements to succeed. The manager needs enough talent to work with, and the board needs a manager capable of getting the best from the tools they provide and the club needs to hope that the players perform to the level we can reasonably expect from them given what they've shown in their careers to this point. People engaging in sensible dialogue were criticizing Parker when over a sustained period we were underperforming, but now are capable, and willing to acknowledge the improvements he has made and the good work he is currently doing. And actively celebrate and support his achievements even if they are surprising to us given the earlier indications.

Last year pretty much unanimously we agreed during the summer TK had given Parker a great set of players on paper with whom he should be more than capable of achieving promotion. We did. No credit there either? All Parkers sole work again? Maybe he could have done the same with a pile of rubble and some fairy dust instead, it would have been cheaper.

as for this- "My analogy would be someone who goes to an auction to bid for the top lots, is outbid by more experienced bidders, and has to settle for lesser lots among which are items that appear more valuable than other 'experts' thought they were.:

Que?? On what basis is this evidenced by our Summer signings? We brought in some really highly rated players? Joachim Anderson was a record signing for Lyon that had fallen out of favour for one season, Tete a well established top league player and Dutch international, Robinson was courted by AC Milan before seeing his transfer fall through due to medical reasons, Man City fans were universally gutted about losing Tosin who had a cracking season as Blackburn, Areola has a huge CV with Champions league experience. Never mind the fact that at a club like Fulham, having been promoted via the playoffs -HAS to look to players with potential (lesser lots) or that may have gone off the boil slightly at their current club. Of course we can not always compete for the same players (top lots) as the european clubs, of course, its hard even to compete against more established mid-table teams (your West Hams and Evertons etc) As we statistically have a higher chance of being relegated. What kind of summary is this..... It's a pretty simple concept to understand and not particularly suprising. A better summary for our first window back in the prem is, look a the teams we got promoted with and who do we think did a better job in the market than us. Honestly even Leeds I wouldn't swap our squad with, I would rather have the team we have, and add a striker + ideally a RW to the mix.

Surely it is the job of a DOF of a newly promoted club like ours to think outside the box and identify targets we think can do a better job than others do. Just look at Brentford who so many of us fawn over all the time for their scouting...that's literally their whole schtick!

I'm all up for sensible dialogue....I'm just clearly, along with apparently many in this thread, not seeing much of it. Is it really so hard to just say - he did a great job with the players he brought in in the summer - were a different team - now carry on the transformation and bring in the final pieces of the jigsaw....and be done with it. You don't need to fall at TK's feet, I'm certainly not suggesting he's perfect or does everything right, and I too want him to add the final pieces of the puzzle. But following his success rate in the last window, I'm all ears to see who we end up bringing in, in what is a tough window (Brexit and Covid issues abound according to many football folk)

[jayffc]

If TK hadnt not been sat on his hands all summer we wouldnt have stood a chance of coming close to a point tonight. The fact he brought in 8 fantastic players this summer (Areola, Tete, Aina, Anderson, Tosin, Robinson Lemina and Reed)  plus kept hold of Anguissa (our best player in years). Literally the only potentiall "dud" so far is RLC who shows glimmers of promise here and there and may yet go on to turn it around.

That's an alarmingly good window... but people are still moaning that hes not done enough or acted early enough for their liking....like hes deliberately swanning about unaware that we might need a striker and telling teams that hes enquired with not to bother rushing through the sales of their players as wed rather just wait till the last day of the window ya know,  just cos .

No credit given to him for the fact he absolutely smashed the summer window out the ball park. 8 out of 9 signings an overwhelming success- 1 that could still come good so could yet be9 out of 9!How often do playoff promoted clubs make that sort of level of consistancy in their signings. 

We are 2 points off safety with 2 games in hand and then game against the team above us coming up, give it a rest man.
The club knows we need a striker, they're not thick and I've no doubt they'll be mid enquiries and offers with a number of targets. I'm confident well get one come the end of the window...but for now were competing really well against top teams, no need to rush and buy our 6th or 7th choice target when we could land someone much more likely to do what we need whi may not be available till late in the window- and if the summers anything to go by well be doing our best to make sure it's one on the level of those we have already signed.

Congrats to the board, they have assembled a team more than capable of staying up, now they just need to add the final piece or 2, Rome wasnt built in a day. And congrats to Scott Parker who'm I had doubted for a while given the many underwhelming performances wed seen last year...the team look in good shape, finally have a semblance of fight and quality about them,and our defence is extremely solid,...Also we have the best keeper weve had since Van Der Sar and just drew with Spurs away and all you got to say is.....Bloody Tony Khan .... beggars belief

+1

And now to follow up on that with a forward, then I don't see how anyone can complain!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

This, I sincerely hope, as all of us probably do, that we address this issue this window. I don't think the club would have released official interviews like Parkers suggesting we need to address our forward options this window, if they werent aware, or actively trying to do that.
I am not of the opinion from our current level of play (unbeaten in 5 and against some very good teams) that it will be too late come the end of the window. I'd like for it to be sooner if it's possible, but if it isn't I'm not losing sleep over it just yet and if leaving it laters means we can get targets higher up our list due to the nature of these things, so be it.

As ever can't wait for this window to be over so we can just get on with it and see what we've brought in. Fingers crossed

[Southcoastffc]

Yes I did, and I discounted it. The notion that you are in a position to able to assess TK's ability strikes me as unlikely. And your last sentence re 'marginalising' him is strange - what do you mean by that?  Ignore what he says?  Ostracise him in some way? He is an integral and important part of Fulham FC.

Then the questions you ask of me are for you to answer and resolve for yourself. It is your choice to discount anything but that means to me that you do not wish to engage with me in a sensible dialogue.

Well, I shall not attack you personally, beyond acknowledging not for the first time that you are adept at criticising others with (almost) cleverly disguised snide remarks.  I reiterate that I don't see how you are in any position to assess TK's abilities.

[rebel]

Well said JayFFC. TK is learning and has provided what we all agreed was needed, a defence. Was he to know that Mitro would lose form? Mitro will come back and score goals. As for a new striker of course it would be great . However, lots of sides want a good striker so competition is fierce. Then comes the question of money. The Khan's are not a bottomless well of cash, they are businessmen. Apart from any FFP problems we have to factor in the fact that globally the automotive market is about 45% down, which means their main concern will also be a similar figure down. £20mill for a good striker added to calls to sign both Lookman and Anderson taking the figure well north of £60 mill is a huge call. Do they lay off loyal workers in the States so we can sign some new players. If they feel they can afford it then great but if not we should appreciate what they have and continue to do. COYW

Mitro is our only recognized striker, so Khan Junior has been aware for a long time that we are short in that department. It has nothing to do with Mitro's form. We hardly spent any funds during the Summer transfer window.   

[rebel]

Yes , we need a new striker but it has to be one better than Reid, Kamara ,Cav and Kebano and one prepared to face a relegation battle with us as well as not to demand top six club wages . Of course the transfer fee must not be excessive and he must be fit, premier league proven and ready to hit the ground running.
I wonder how many players we have on our short list that meets our requirements and whether these players have not been identified by other clubs.

It is not easy and when you remember some of the big money failures we have had in transfer dealing there is always a risk involved.
Make no mistake it is best to make certain that you hold on to your top players, replacing them is not easy No way do we want to lose Mitro, we just couldn't replace him.

Yes I did, and I discounted it. The notion that you are in a position to able to assess TK's ability strikes me as unlikely. And your last sentence re 'marginalising' him is strange - what do you mean by that?  Ignore what he says?  Ostracise him in some way? He is an integral and important part of Fulham FC.

Then the questions you ask of me are for you to answer and resolve for yourself. It is your choice to discount anything but that means to me that you do not wish to engage with me in a sensible dialogue.

Well, I shall not attack you personally, beyond acknowledging not for the first time that you are adept at criticising others with (almost) cleverly disguised snide remarks.  I reiterate that I don't see how you are in any position to assess TK's abilities.

I agree. If we lose the next 22 matches and not signed a quality striker in this window, I wonder if his stance will change, that Khan Jr has done a rubbish job.   

[jayffc]

Well said JayFFC. TK is learning and has provided what we all agreed was needed, a defence. Was he to know that Mitro would lose form? Mitro will come back and score goals. As for a new striker of course it would be great . However, lots of sides want a good striker so competition is fierce. Then comes the question of money. The Khan's are not a bottomless well of cash, they are businessmen. Apart from any FFP problems we have to factor in the fact that globally the automotive market is about 45% down, which means their main concern will also be a similar figure down. £20mill for a good striker added to calls to sign both Lookman and Anderson taking the figure well north of £60 mill is a huge call. Do they lay off loyal workers in the States so we can sign some new players. If they feel they can afford it then great but if not we should appreciate what they have and continue to do. COYW

Mitro is our only recognized striker, so Khan Junior has been aware for a long time that we are short in that department. It has nothing to do with Mitro's form. We hardly spent any funds during the Summer transfer window.   

Are you privy to how much we had to spend? Exactly? No me neither so I have no idea what constraints we are working within and see it pointless to speculate. No one's saying we weren't light on attacking options, people are saying they were aware it would have been preferable to bring in another option in the summer. BUT for whatever reasons and there could be many, we didn't manage it in summer. However, I dont think many of us were expecting Mitro to be as redundant as he has been all season (remember he was scoring early on in our first few games as well) ....Had he even contributed a couple more goals (including missed penalties) we could be well out of the drop zone with 2 games in hand.  It is remarkable that the only thing we have to worry about at this point is filling 1 or 2 positions. Thats a good place to be during this Jan window. The team doesn't need an overhaul - due to the overwhelming success of the major changes we made in the summer. (9 of 11 starters are signings brought in this summer) .
Now the task is simple... Striker and if possible a RW. The club has made noises saying they see this as the objective...Let's just see what happens now. Again , if we were stranded bottom and struggling badly I might be more enclined to moan- but we've come along way...now to finish the job