Kit's 'Quote of the Day' "There is a fragilty within the group, brought on by a long time of not having success. To be successful in the Championship you need to assemble a squad which can compete in the Championship and that's what we need to do. There will be changes in the summer, definitely." Source: http://www.football365.com/fulham/9766212/- That’s them well motivated then!
From London24: After relegation from the Premier League, Felix Magath added 14 new players to his squad, with only three of them having ever played in England’s second tier. Magath also allowed more than 20 players to leave in a complete overhaul of the Fulham squad and the club are paying for that now. Six points clear of the drop zone, Fulham will only stay up because there a three teams worse than them, not on merit, and Symons knows what the issues are. The under-pressure Cottage hero has vowed to make major changes in the summer should he still be there and knows last summer’s dealings was not what was needed. “To be successful in the Championship you need to assemble a squad for the Championship,” Symons said. “That is what I would look to do and what the club need to do this summer. “There will be changes in the summer definitely. “I took over with one point from 21, that is not what is needed. “Things picked up but it has always been a little bit fragile. “That is not easy to change. We do a lot of work at training and we play some good stuff, create good chances but it is isolated incidents which cost you dearly which is the case this season.”
And it's sister paper Get West London said: "Up to 11 players face the Axe Kay Voser, Adil Chihi, and Chris David are as good as gone. Fulham will try to sell Maarten Stekelenburg, Kostas Mitroglou and Thomas Eisfeld, while Bryan Ruiz is set to walk at the end of his contract. There is unlikely to be further deals for Tim Hoogland and Gabor Kiraly. Kostas Stafylidis is also set to return to Bayer Leverkusen after his loan spell, and the jury is out on centre back Nioklay Bodurov. Three other loanees, Jazz Richards, Michael Turner and Seko Fofana, will more than likely return to their parent clubs."
Think they might have got most of that right. I'd say others to go, Rodallega, Parker, Kacaniklic, Tunnicliffe, Amorebieta, Burgess, Hutchinson, Taggart. Some suggestions for replacements. OUT IN Stekelenberg- Cech (Chelsea) Stafylidis - Byren (Swindon) Richards - ------- Voser - Schafer (Wolfsburg) Burgess - Flint (Bristol City) Hutchinson - Turner (Norwich) Amorebieta - Scott Dann (Palace) Parker - Brown (Celtic) Fofana - Pringle (Rotherham) Tunnicliffe - Flamini (Arsenal) Kacaniklic - Commons (Celtic) David - Inui (E.Frankfurt) Chihi - ------- Ruiz - Rosicky34?(Arsenal) Rodallega - ------- Mitroglou - ------- Taggart - ------- I wouldn't get rid of Eisfeld, Hoogland or Bodurov.
Agree with most of that SuperBri but I think some of the targets are overly ambitious (Cech and Rosicky still have something to offer at a much higher level and their wages would be astronomical). I think I'd definitely hang on to Burgess, he was thrown in to the starting 11 way too early and then got an unfortunate injury when he went on loan. He still has something to offer and a big future I think. Also I'd keep Hutchinson and possibly Taggart. Hutch has been poor at times but has potential and as I remember seeing Motherwell fans saying when we signed him "would run through brick walls for you". I still have hope for him and Taggart has been like a mini Mitroglou - came with a good reputation but was never fit enough to impress. If he is over his injuries at last then he could have something to offer us, potentially after a loan spell.
Would you believe that Rosicky is going to be 35 in October? Cech would be a loan to keep him match fit, and we could do the same for Bettinelli in loaning him out to keep him match fit, should Cech have to go back. My theory is we need that level of keeper to strengthen the defense. Hutchinson has had a few good games, but for me when he gets the ball he is too nervous, lacks concentration (like most of our backs) and his distribution is poor.
Rosicky will probably be off to America or far east for a final pay day. Cech I still think is unrealistic but I do understand the need for someone experienced. I think the likes of Given or Lindegaard would be more likely. I agree with you on Hutchinson's shortcomings but I'm putting that down to the complete lack of defensive nous shown by the whole team & coaching staff. I think in a settled defence with good defensive tactics along side a player like Turner he would flourish. His distribution definitely needs improving as he's the main culprit of lumping the ball up to the strikers but again that could be down to the lack of real passing options in midfield. He's still only 24 and if we put this season down to settling in then we can expect a better Shaun Hutchinson next year.
It's quite sad to think about some of these departures. With so much young talent I hoped for a lot more this season. Management sadly has let a lot of these players down. There's just not the organisation and discipline in any of the teams put out. Confidence must be at a low for some of these guys. Have to say though that Wednesday was unbelievable - how you can lose a match 3 nil having had 28 shots to 8 or so, goal ruled out offside, hit post twice and have their goalie named man of the match - when things aren't going your way then you never seem to get any luck.
Blaming young players for Kit's failure is just laughable! The guy is close to Jol and mad-Max in blaming others! Hutchinson for me must stay. Stafylifis can be a good left back if he has cover. Bodurov can be s squad player. Eisfield not sure as we haven't seen him playing... Burgess was not a failure, just too young. Richards showed good signs but again failed by the diamond formation. Fofana can be a good player for us. He is young and needs development.
Goalkeepers Iam actually happy with Betts and think he has been pretty good this season with a poor defence in front of him, we also have a few good young up and coming keepers Joronen is an ok back up. Out - Kiraly Keep - Bettinelli, Joronen Possible in - Al Habsi, Vorm Defenders This is the part if the team that does require an absolute overhaul, a couple of quality full backs are a must and a decent centre back Out - Voser, Amorebieta, Stafylidis, Richards, Bodurov, Turner, Hoogland Keep - Burn, Hutchison, Grimmer, Kavanagh Possible In - Turner, Lowton, Moore, Mings, Odujabo Midfield This area needs attention put not massive one or two good additions in front of a much improved defence could be all that is required although some wide players are required Out - Chihi, Williams, Fofana, Ruiz Keep - Parker, LVC, Roberts, Hyndman, Tunnicliffe. Kaca Possible Ins - Pritchard, Fofana, McCleary, Mowatt Forwards I'm actually happy with this part of the team in that I think we are strong enough with the players we have but Kit hasn't managed to get the best partnership tactics yet Out - Hugo Keep- McCormack, Smith, Woodrow, Dembele, Taggert
A few other names I like Dunk - centre back at Brighton Cotterill - Winger Birmingham When back to fitness he will be down the pecking order so how's about a loan bid for right back John Flanagan at Liverpool
Eunan O'Kane (midfield playmaker, age 24) has fallen down the pecking order at Bournemouth. When I saw him last season he gave one of the best midfield displays I've seen outside of the Premier League, and Bournemouth fans told me it wasn't a one-off. He's little, but tough and not afraid of a tackle. If Bournemouth go up and look to strengthen, he might end up further away from their starting eleven and be keen to move to get playing time.
Watched him play a few times as I fancied him getting into the Ireland squad in the future but the form of Harry Arter seems to have kept him out of the team. I'd welcome him with open arms.
It’s not only the main squad players that are set to be culled in the summer. Although no specific names have been given out by the Club, Peter Grant said in an video interview following the U21s 2-1 win over Norwich, “Some of the lads out there got the bad news today that the club would not be keeping them on” Haven’t posted the actual video since Grant doesn’t say much more but here’s a link to the page if you want to see/hear the full thing http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/22/grant-reaction Could guess at Ryan Williams and Mesca as two leaving but hard to say who the others might be since most have only just moved up from the U18s and had little chance to properly settle in. And elsewhere Kit was talking about “needing to protect the likes of Pat Roberts” in the rough and tumble of the Championship. Alluding also to the possibility of a new 4 year contract for the young man. Link to story: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor...ws/fulham-sensation-spared-crash-bang-8903902 Don’t be surprised if Pat is one of those joining the exodus. Frankly, since Jol’s time the Club’s policy and handling of the youth set up has been awful. There has been no proper, planned integration of the youngsters into the main squad for the last 3 years. We’ve gone from Jol‘s “ignore and they‘ll go away”, to Felix’s “big bang” and almost a full circle back under Kit‘s “in out, in out“ approach. During which time we lost quite a number of talented young players without showing any return on our investment - Muamer Tankovic being one example. The current state of our Academy deserves a thread in it’s own right; suffice to repeat here the fact that a significant number of the current youth players have already been released
Why do you think Pat might be on his way, Cottager? Kit's remarks suggest that we very much want to keep him and that he'll get more chance as he gets physically stronger (at least, that's how I read them). As for the numbers being released, I suspect that's par for the course in all clubs. The percentage of footballers who make it through from talented hopeful in their early teens to actual professional player is tiny. The process is one that produces an awful lot of 'rejects'. The fact that this season has seen Christianson, Hyndman, Kavanagh, Grimmer, Woodrow, Williams and Betinelli all play significant roles in the first team suggests that things aren't as disastrous as all that. Even if you don't also include the likes of Roberts, Dembele, Joronen and Burgess who have also featured in the first team, It's a much better success rate than most clubs can point to.
Although these players may not want drop down a division I would love us to show some ambition and get Flanagan, Lowton and Naismith
Nothing specific Captain. Thought the article was based on an 'inspired question' allowing Kit to either invite enquiries about Pat or stave them off. Either way, the young man is not happy at the Club right now. So, I just have that sinking feeling that's he's on his way .. and that the Club will gladly take the money! I'd agree, normally. Thing is, with that particular U21 team (excepting probably only two players) most are barely19, and some not even that. Guess better wait and see the list, but Grant's comment doesn't sit well with development of the Academy players and ensuring that we retain Elite status.
Suspect C58 is right and Roberts will move on. There is a story in there I reckon, maybe Kit feels he's gotten too big for his boots or his attitude has been off. It's nothing to do with his size, I'm certain of that. Kav plays when he is fit and he is the same build and, more importantly, fills a role where size is more important. Along with everything being a complete shambles, not seeing Roberts get a go has been a real disappointment. I did notice one match, in the half time period, Roberts and Dembele were hardly exerting themselves and Pat wouldn't chase down loose balls, although admittedly Moussa was hitting a lot of them. Personally think a more experience manager would have got more from him and changed the shape to accommodate. Kit says about nurturing him, I'd say the opposite has happened and we've got a disillusioned young man on our hands.
