An interesting discussion by 3 journalists - http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/laptv/fulham-the-premier-leagues-overachievers/
Good article. I believe this summer will be make or break for FFC. We are likely going to be losing our two best players in dempsey and Dembele but it is the signings we make to replace them and other players that will define our season. People predicted Newcastle would struggle when they sold Barton, Nolan and Carroll, but brought in Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Cisse and Ba which obviously proved to be fantastic business. If we can make similar signings then we can look toward top six next season, if they aren't replaced by the right players then it could be a long hard season.
I think, in a sense, we're overachievers. We're not a huge club with a big, money-making stadium to fund the operation. We're probably one of the most efficient and well-managed outfits (which the author cites) and that's what's kept us on firm ground these last few years. But like Bandiit says, we'll see how things pan out if we lose people like Dembele and Dempsey to the market and don't fill with like-quality people.
I think the idea that we're overachieving is a bit of a myth, or at least it's based on where we were a few seasons ago rather than where we are now. 7th place under Roy, when I think we finished above Spurs, was overachieving as was reaching the Europa final, but over the last couple of seasons I'd argue that we're roughly where we should be. Someone - either Cottager58 or Captain Morgan - posted a link a while ago to an article comparing the financial clout of the 20 premier league clubs. That showed that our wage bill and transfer budget roughly reflect our final league position over the last couple of seasons. Looking down the table for the season just gone, the only club that should be doing significantly better is Villa. The others - Swansea, Norwich, WBA, Stoke etc we probably should be finishing above with our resources. The notion that we're over achievers probably also has something to do with the fact that we don't have the biggest ground, but it's usually full and although MAF doesn't pump the sort of money in that allows us to compete at the top of the table he invests consistently on players year on year to keep us competitive. Not that I'm complaining about 8th & 9th place at all - but comparing our resources to those of the clubs below us I think top 10 finishes are a reasonable expectation for Fulham.
All in all, Fulham are a great club to support. I don't echo Bandits belief that next season is make or break. With everything that the club has in place I think we're in a great position to solidify our position in the EPL (for our American supporters!). Even if Dembele and Dempsey leave there is enough experience at the club to sort replacements or indeed have faith in the emergence of our younger players coming through. I think it's really exciting. COYW
I don't think it's make or break either. We can't possibly expect to lose two key players and buy two more and have them be just as influential immediately, it's not realistic. Yeah, Newcastle managed it but that was one in a million. If the D's go we can expect another transitional season.
Bids, why can't we expect them to be influential immediately? It's not as if we're signing a bunch of bricklayers and training them to be footballers. The replacements will hopefully have been playing top level football for a number of seasons. I understand that Ruiz's impact may have lowered your expectations for new signings coming in but I would be disappointed if the new signings did not make an instant impact. There is no point making signings and not expecting them to deliver until 12 months down the line, as Jol did with Ruiz.
And as the club did with Dembele? This time last year lots of us were expressing our doubts about him. I don't think any of us expected what he delivered this year. Signings, particularly ones from other countries, take time to settle. Give Ruiz a break! You were even criticising him on another thread (that I just read) for how he scored one of his goal of the season contenders!
This sums up modern football. That's not what I said, I said "as influential" as Demps and Dembele. So by your reckoning, if they (whatever new signings) haven't been amazing after one game, they should be shipped out? My expectations aren't low - they're realistic.
