I know there was a thread about this but since then we have had about 15 players leave and three or four in so I thought it would be a good chance to have a new fresher version I'm going to to assume the following players are still to leave - Ruiz, Stekelenberg, Mitroglu, Kasami, Riether I'm going to assume that we are signing Davidson at left back I know the football league doesn't have a 25 player rule but I think it's a good number to work with so here we are Keepers Stockdale Joroen Defenders Hoogland, Grimmer Amorebieta, Burn, Hutchinson, ? Davidson, ? Midfielders Dejagah, Roberts Parker, David Richardson, Williams Tunnicliffe, Cole Kacanicklic Forwards Woodrow, Dembele, Rodellega, Taggert, ?
If we were to replace the 3 question marks with three good established top championship players I would be quite happy with that squad for next season.
Even if the 25 player rule was in effect, that squad would only count for 13 players against it! I think we would need another central midfielder as well, as a bare minimum. Beyond that the squad looks okay, if very thin. Considering that squad includes all our youngsters, we would not be able to rely on them also as injury cover - we would need a deeper squad if we want to last the season.
I think we have to include the youngsters especially the ones we think are good enough because if we put 25 players I front of them they won't get the chances and we will likely lose them
Wouldn't mind seeing Jordy Evans as our back up left-back, especially if Richardson stays (I know we all agree he's better as a LM but he can cover LB). This article suggests that Ruiz will be staying and playing for us next year: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-plan-surprise-world-cup-7324001 I assume that's if nobody meets our valuation of him. I also reckon there'll be a few more youngsters in and around the first team squad. The likes of Plumain, LVC, Donnelly, Mesca and Passley could all see game time. I also think Zverotic will hang around and be used as a utility man.
Very interesting. Felix may be laying down the law. My only worry is how dedicated to the cause they would be if they both wanted to be off.
That article says not only Ruiz but Mitroglou will be staying and it's title is spot on not only for them but I suspect most on this Board - a surprise. However, I'm not quite sure how this comment in the atricle stacks up: "The Whites believe both players would be huge assets in recovering a minimum £70million a year in Prem League revenue, even if Ruiz was to walk away for nothing in summer, 2015.” Seems a contraction in terms and like you suggest, FI it feels more like the Club putting out a message that neither will be let go on the cheap.
Cottager might well be right, this could be part of the club making sure we don't sell them cheaply. Even so, I'm pleased at the idea of Mitroglou staying - he can't be injured forever, can he? - and am probably less disturbed than most at the thought of Ruiz staying. I've said all along that in the right role and with a hard working centre forward, Bryan could be brilliant for us. My reservations about the idea are: 1. Too much water has gone under the bridge. I can see him getting lots of stick from the fans, and I suspect he's not the type of player to thrive on that. I understand how strongly some people feel about him, but if we get on his back it will be self-defeating. 2. I've got high hopes for Pat Roberts this season, and I suspect that Ruiz leaving would mean a lot more gametime for him, either behind the striker or out wide. Either way, Ruiz and him are competing for similar roles in the team. But Mitroglou? We all thought he'd flourish in the Premier League last season. If he gets fit, he could be devastating in the Championship. Him staying would be good news.
They can't both stay.... I agree with Captain that Ruiz is a top player and played as a number 10 with a mobile forward ahead of him we would see this, I also agree that if fit Mitroglu could easily be a 20 goal season man in the championship but Mitroglu isnt the mobile forward that Ruiz needs. To be honest I can't see either of them here next season!
It's unfortunate that Mitroglou is still away on international duty, what he needs is a tough Felix pre-season to whip him into shape. He'll get a couple of weeks off after the World Cup and then needs more time than most to get 'match fit'. I can imagine the start of next season being the same as last - wondering will we see Mitroglou this week, or next, or the one after.
Team starting to take place for next season Stockdale Hoogerland. Hutchinson. Amorebieta. Voser Dejagah. Tunnicliffe. David. Kacanicklic Woodrow. McCormack Subs Joronen Burn Parker Taggert Roberts Rodellega Williams Dembele Think one more centre midfielder should do it ( Lansbury????) Plus a few out Mitroglu, Ruiz, Stekelenburg, Kasami, Trotta
I think we need 2 more centre midfielders. 1 creative midfielder and 1 ball winning midfielder. Lansbury would fit the bill of creative midfielder perfectly. He'd be my number one target. I don't think Parker or Tunnicliffe are good enough as a ball winning midfielder. The only player in that mould in our squad is Solomon Sambou but he's not ready for first team football yet. A player like Eyong Enoh would be nice.
I would like to see Cameron Burgess added to the sub line up, had a great last season 19 in a couple of months time. reads the game well, and at 6ft 4in is not only big but fast.
While I agree with you that he had a great season rosc, he was very much nurtured by Liam Donnelly. In my view he now needs to show that extra level of consistency in the new year before thinking about stepping up.
Couldn't agree more FI, especially if Felix goes for a 3-5-2 formation. Also, anybody believe it's crucial that we hang on to Dejagah?
Think we could be looking be looking at 3-5-2 this season, Voser and Stifylidis both look like wing back type players and Hoogerland could be the third centre half. Dejagah would be massive if he stays and I have a feeling he might although I think Richardson will leave which will be a shame as he would be good for us.
I'm happy with the transfer window so far and if I woke up tomorrow to the news that Dejagah and Richardson are staying then then I would be confident of a good season up and around the top six with what we have now. I still expect Mitroglu Ruiz Stekelenburg Trotta and Kasami to leave which would comfortably with financial fair play
Well Richardson is definitely with the squad in Scotland, hopefully there was a genuinely innocent reason for leaving him out of the East Fife game (same goes for Chris David). I'd love to have him on the left and Dejagah on the right next year.
And here he is chaperoning the youngsters with Scotty Parker in Rascals Bar - watching tonight's WC semi final: please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsDSSUGCUAAKFLm.jpg
