Forgive me chaps, I'm out of the loop... ... results suggest we're having a decent season (albeit very early days). Am I right to feel a little bit positive?
Hi Bidley, good to hear from you. Yup, things have been distinctly on the up - right from the first game against Newcastle. The primary difference is that we're organised; playing as a team, with people knowing their job rather than, as last year, just a group of individuals. McDonald (signed from Wolves) has made a huge difference with his composure, reading of the game and protecting the back four. But I would say that!. The two CBs, Kalas (on loan from Chelsea) and Madl (signed permanently after being on loan last year) seem a perfect match. Up front, new boys Ayite and Aluko have added pace - unfortunately Ayite did a hamstring on Saturday and is likely to join Ryan Fredericks on the long term injury list. What we are lacking though is the ability to kill teams off. Smith has done well up front but he (and our only other 'striker' Woodrow) simply aren't natural goal scorers at this level. Off the field there have been tensions about the lack of new signings, especially for a striker. And not using the £12m we got for McCormack. At the weekend it really hit the fan when Jokanovic went public blaming the analytics - Khan Jr and his college buddy Craig Kline. Suggest you go to the "A Jokanovic Day" thread to get the story on that one. Basically the Club, having spent 40 days getting the manager they wanted, now seem hell bent on shooting themselves in the foot. Hope all is well with you and we get to hear some of your old cynicism (emm, humour) soon.
Good to hear from you again, Bidley. It's a bit soon to get excited, but (whisper it) the signs are that it just might be a good season with the chance of promotion at the end. We'll have a better idea when the transfer window closes. At present we've got a good team, but not necessarily a good enough (deep enough) squad. I agree with Cottager's assessment, though I'd add that Odoi looks like the best right back we've had since Reither's first season, and he biggest character in that position since John Pantsil. How's everything going with you? Is your band still a going concern?
Welcome back Bidders. As above but for me being totally fulhamish, good for promotion but just slip up with no decent striker.
Agree with the above - think McCormack moving on will prove to be a good thing with Cairney being largely played in a more central advanced free role, along with having the captains armband. He is a good man to build around and an early tip for player of the year. Defence looks more solid and we've got much better pace on the flanks. Smith could do quite well in the system but we need one more forward to put the ball in the net and maybe another winger if Ayite is going to be out long term. Making Joka smile again is the first priority.
Don't believe silky about Cairney being the player of the year, Bidders. McDonald's your man. Have a look at this link for your proof: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/august/22/man-of-the-match-result Agree totally with him about needing to get the Gaffer smiling though.
We have added width and pace, we have addressed the dire full back situation and brought in a good centre midfielder in Macdonald add this to the fact we seem to have a manager who has got the squad organised and playing to a system and we have looked very good. We need a Striker who can put the ball in the net 20 times this season and if we do that we could have a very good season! In all honestly I currently have us in the 8th - 12th position but the teams in those positions only need that little bit of luck or that one good run and could find themselves in the play offs!!!
Well I'm late, but thanks for the info and tidings, chums. I trust you're all well? @Captain Morgan yeah, my old band split, and I've now found myself in two acoustic duos. I'm a busy boy these days! Also had a nasty run-in with the 'Black Dog', which took a long while to get around; needless to say football and the state we were in wasn't doing that much good! I'll get my arse in gear and get myself back in the mix more. COYW!
Sorry to hear about the Black Dog, and glad that it sounds like things are better. It's not really understood by everyone, and I know how hard it can be - good on you for coming through it. The acoustic duos sound more like my cup of tea than your previous stuff. Anything on YouTube, etc that we could sample?
