Have we ever had it so good?

[ffcthereligion]

I think there is a strong case to be made that this is the best we've ever had it as Fulham fans.

In last few seasons we have had a 'normal' of;

1) More points than ever before in the top division
2) More goals than ever before in the top division
3) More away wins than ever before in the top division
4) Countless stoppage time winners (I think most ever in a season - Ludlow?!)
5) Beaten all of the 'big 6' bar City
6) Ended countless generational losing records (Burnley, Chelsea, Wolves)
7) 2nd division league title
8) New stand built for us
9) Owners who continue to convert hundreds of millions of pounds of debt into equity

It seems we are about to sign a couple of new players for 60m or so, including one talent from City who we managed to beat Dortmund to signing.

This just before we go to Man Utd 7th in the league to all intents and purposes on an even footing.

Sure, we may lose, and im sure if we do the comments will be 'Silva is to blame today' etc, but in context, is this not as good as we've ever had it, aside from one cup run under Roy?

[jayffc]

Other than the europa season

No

This is easily in the top 5% most successful periods in the clubs history. Indeed frustrating that given the final table, last season winning more games than ever before still felt like an under achievement for some, which says slot for how far we've come since promotion

If one can't enjoy this period through all the ups and downs, one will probably struggle in life being a Fulham fan 😅

[SuffolkWhite]

Silva out 

[Sgt Fulham]

It will be very hard to top that Europa season. Those nights against Shakhtar, Juve, Wolfsburg and Hamburg were simply magic.

That notwithstanding, we've never had it so good in the league. Not only results wise, but some of the football we're capable of playing is ridiculous. The goals we're being treated to on a weekly basis are top class (take a bow Harry Wilson).

Great reminder that we're in the good times.

[Cambridge Away]

"This just before we go to Man Utd 7th in the league to all intents and purposes on an even footing."
Well, apart from the fact we will probably lose on this occasion, it is incredible that it's like this now.

During our 13 years in the Premier League (01-14) i used to say to people that it was a bit depressing because we were probably further away from making the champions league in that time than we were when we were in the basement (and local business man Jack Walker's millions could win the league for Blackburn), with how rich the top clubs had grown during our own rise (Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea). To bridge that gap in 01-14 would probably require an extra £500m of investment. That isn't the case now for mid table Premier league clubs and an extra £50m could possibly get you into the Champions league. Look at Brentford and how they are doing it from clever trading.

As much as i loved being in the Premier league and the theatre and entertainment, those 13 years (other than Hodgson) i will always look back on as being a little stale. The years of success (getting promotion, or cup semi finals or finals) were what i remember more than anything. Getting to Europe is like winning a cup for us

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

It will be very hard to top that Europa season. Those nights against Shakhtar, Juve, Wolfsburg and Hamburg were simply magic.

That notwithstanding, we've never had it so good in the league. Not only results wise, but some of the football we're capable of playing is ridiculous. The goals we're being treated to on a weekly basis are top class (take a bow Harry Wilson).

Great reminder that we're in the good times.

I still reckon that Shakhtar side played some of the best football I've ever seen live. They felt untouchable at times, and I remember well the crowd chanting "get into 'em" repeatedly... 

[General]

Other than the europa season

No

This is easily in the top 5% most successful periods in the clubs history. Indeed frustrating that given the final table, last season winning more games than ever before still felt like an under achievement for some, which says slot for how far we've come since promotion

If one can't enjoy this period through all the ups and downs, one will probably struggle in life being a Fulham fan 😅

Agreed, but it seems so on edge at the moment with so many key uncertainties - most notably around Marco's contract - he's key for us to keep.

[Twig]

I absolutely loved the Europa season: the travel, beating some of the cream of Europe, a run that stirred the emotions making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
But in terms of the Prem this probably is as good as it's ever been. We have excellent owners who seem to be in it for the long term, a terrific team with some good depth, a smattering of upcoming youngsters and a great manager. Sign up Marco to another three years and I can relax!

[jayffc]

Other than the europa season

No

This is easily in the top 5% most successful periods in the clubs history. Indeed frustrating that given the final table, last season winning more games than ever before still felt like an under achievement for some, which says slot for how far we've come since promotion

If one can't enjoy this period through all the ups and downs, one will probably struggle in life being a Fulham fan 😅

Agreed, but it seems so on edge at the moment with so many key uncertainties - most notably around Marco's contract - he's key for us to keep.

Yeh it certainly can go south easily. The project alongside Marco has been a big transition. And he's definately been key to that.

He will eventually move on one day though whatever happens, 5 years is already a longer stint than most managers have at a club these days. Can only hope we can bring in a similarly high caliber suitor once he departs. Given the cyclical nature of football, we will of course drift at some point. All the more reason to enjoy the moment we're in.

For now, would love another couple years for him to try and see us finally break into Europe or somehow win a cup.

[ffcthereligion]

I forgot to add!

10) competing in the latter stages of cup competitions in every season

[YankeeJim]

I think there is a strong case to be made that this is the best we've ever had it as Fulham fans.

In last few seasons we have had a 'normal' of;

1) More points than ever before in the top division
2) More goals than ever before in the top division
3) More away wins than ever before in the top division
4) Countless stoppage time winners (I think most ever in a season - Ludlow?!)
5) Beaten all of the 'big 6' bar City
6) Ended countless generational losing records (Burnley, Chelsea, Wolves)
7) 2nd division league title
8) New stand built for us
9) Owners who continue to convert hundreds of millions of pounds of debt into equity

It seems we are about to sign a couple of new players for 60m or so, including one talent from City who we managed to beat Dortmund to signing.

This just before we go to Man Utd 7th in the league to all intents and purposes on an even footing.

Sure, we may lose, and im sure if we do the comments will be 'Silva is to blame today' etc, but in context, is this not as good as we've ever had it, aside from one cup run under Roy?

I would be careful with talk like this. We have so many negative people on here that they might expel you from here. Especially since you tossed a compliment towards ownership. 

[perry geyton]

Nope it's never been better

Under Roy we were good but currently we always compete against all the big teams

I don't remember that over previous years, we were abysmal away from home,

I get so irritated when I come on here and read stuff about people complaining about our fantastic current owners like spoilt ungrateful brats

Long may it continue

Big up the Khans

[I Ronic]

As well as Marco and his squad. I have to say  has to get a bit of credit as well.
Would you swap him for any of the other owners in the league?

[Andrew]

away to carlisle was a big occasion along with that season.. that was great fun in the face of adversity. I prefer this but all a bit too serious at times.

[Angus Telford]

The Khans presided over probably the second worst period of our history (the unravelling of our PL status in comic fashion from 2013-15) so I think people are entitled to caveat praise with that.

I also think a lot of stats (the PL points record etc) are a bit misleading, and frankly pale into insignificance against genuinely great memories like a European cup final, or even the Micky Adams promotion season (inc Carlisle away, as mentioned above).

I do however, as i said on another thread, feel we're finally now on the cusp of having our best ever squad, in terms of the balance of quality, flair and youth across all positions, and the general consequential outlook for the club and future.

An attacking selection of Kevin, Chukuweze, Bobb, Wilson, ESR, King, Pepi, Muniz and Jiminez, replete with quality with an average age around 24-25, for example.

[_Putney_]

It is a great time and feels... thought i'm not certain... feels like it's being built sustainably.

[acji]

Yes it is OK in the Premiership, but come back to me on this when we have another date for a European cup final of some sort or another.

[jayffc]

The Khans presided over probably the second worst period of our history (the unravelling of our PL status in comic fashion from 2013-15) so I think people are entitled to caveat praise with that.

I also think a lot of stats (the PL points record etc) are a bit misleading, and frankly pale into insignificance against genuinely great memories like a European cup final, or even the Micky Adams promotion season.

I do however, as i said on another thread, feel we're finally now on the cusp of having our best ever squad, in terms of the balance of quality, flair and youth across all positions, and the general consequential outlook for the club and future.

An attacking selection of Kevin, Chukuweze, Bobb, Wilson, ESR, King, Pepi, Muniz and Jiminez, replete with quality with an average age around 24-25, for example.

Agree they had a rough patch initially. Some mistakes made along the way and took some time to steady the ship for sure.

However if we're wanting to provide Caveats, it would be fair to also caveat that initial period with the fact that people like Danny Murphy, who worked at the club during this period, were saying the following at the time:

https://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/danny-murphy-saw-signs-of-rot-two-years-ago.aspx

"While Murphy was among those pleased to see the back of Magath, the retired midfielder says there was trouble afoot when he was released two years ago. Fulham, then under the ownership of Mohamed Fayed and with Martin Jol as manager, had finished ninth in the Premier League but a summer exodus sparked a freefall.

"It goes back a lot further than Felix Magath," Murphy said. "He's taken a hammering, and rightly so, because what he's done has been ludicrous but the problems started the summer I left."

"The way they treated us was not far off a disgrace."


There's more detail in the article but it's clear from Danny Murphys own words that the Khans inherited alot of unhappy staff from how it was run towards the end of AF tenure.

As I say, I think it's ok to accept that both things are true and that the context of the state of the club internally at the point of the takeover is important to consider.

As for the rest, how people perceive the enjoyment of stats like fulham winning more games than they ever have, is of course subjective. You weren't particuarly moved, evidentally. That's a shame but that's your experience of it ultimately. Personally I massively enjoyed last season, whilst also being gutted we couldn't quite get over the line in the end. Mostly because the results of the games were better than they've ever been in the Prem. I genuinely don't recall in my lifetime a time when I sincerely felt Fulham could take their own identity of football and challenge any team in the league every game.
Again that's a personal experience though so appreciate you felt differently.

Ultimately glad that you're enjoying things currently though. As mentioned yesterday, the plan alongside marco has steadily been playing out and hopefully we can sustain this push with more exciting talent in the years to come.

On we move

[Pie n Mash]

Fayed years for me, not even close, quality of football was far superior, entertaining, attacking with both Keegan and Tigana.

[jayffc]

Fayed years for me, not even close, quality of football was far superior, entertaining, attacking with both Keegan and Tigana.

Fayed promotion years were incredibly exciting, and helps that we were coming from playing grimbsy to flying up the leagues. But I think this is a bit rose-tinted from being a younger and happier time to suggest Keegan or Tiganas era were far superior and attacking than Marco Silvas record breaking season.

106 goals. Highest ever for the championship. (16 goals more than Tiganas champ winners!)
Mitrovic with 43 goals...43!!
We won 7-0 THREE times!

Sorry mate, I LOVED the Tigana/Saha/Boa era as much as anyone, but that Silva season was the most potent attacking team in championship history.
Tiganas was also brilliant and absolutely dominant but the leagues more competitive now than it was then.

Also - Tigana never did what Silva has in the prem. We've never had it this good in the league.