What do we need?

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Bidley

Bidley

Well-Known Member
Apr 8, 2011
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Cambridgeshire
So I've not been managing to actually watch many games recently for various reasons. It seems as though we're far from struggling for goals, but the defence is a touch porous.

Therefore can I ask for a condensed thesis on what/who we need in various positions? Bring me up to speed chaps!
 
Might as well start with a reminder of our current squad.

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If we can keep the majority of this squad together then with a few good additions we could have a very good squad. Like most teams this time of year theres some dead wood in there but id say the majority have a part to play.

We definitely need centre defenders, hoping we can get Kalas but if not then we need 2 new CB's imo. Ream done well towards the end of the season but hes not my cup of tea, and the others mainly Madl and Sigurdsson don't seem to be favoured by the gaffer.

Midfield is where we are quite strong, perhaps we just need one or two squad players to cover injuries and suspensions, particularly a defensive midfielder to cover McDonald. Nothing too drastic needed here, unless god forbid we lose a few of our better players.

Definitely need strikers!! As mentioned we haven't struggled for goals but the need for a good quality striker is still there for us. We create so many chances in games we just need that quality striker in there to convert the chances into goals.

Thats my two bobs worth anyway.
 
Agree with your two bobs, Fab. However, I'd add a goalie.

Button had just too many bloopers; Villa and Derby to mention the obvious but there were so many heart stopping moments. Also, there is his reluctance to come off his line.

Bettinelli came in for the last eight or so games and the confidence level rose - don't think it's a coincidence that from pretty much that point on Ream actually looked very decent. And, to use Bidley's phrase, we became less porous. But his distribution is awful. And he ditthers too much before kicking the ball. I had to laugh at the flack he got from Norwich fans about "time wasting" - little did they realise that was Marcus at his "normal".

I like Marcus and feel sure young Joronen will make it (with us or not dependent on his contract talks). But to push on next season a new, experienced (?) goalkeeper is essential.
 
Good to have you back Bidley. Starting from the back.
I'd like to see us go for a respected experienced keeper (eg.Petr Cech) someone to give the defence more confidence and make the opposition think even if they get past the defence they still have to beat this keeper.
Full Backs are catered for, both sides Odio, Fredericks, and Malone Sessegnon, as long as no one leaves can all play as wing backs althoygh I'd like them to be coached on their defensive skills.

Central Defence, Both Stearman and Sigurdsson have been huge disappointments for me, I thought they'd do the business but have come up short for me. We will probably lose Kalas. Ream although he has recently stepped up his consistency I still think he lacks concentration for a whole game. May be look at the Bundesliga players who are good technical players but who defend well. We need height for corners.

Defensive Midfield we need to find a McDonald Mark II as Back up (may be Madl could do the job). The same goes for Johansen, need a backup (maybe Adeniran), if we can keep LVC and get him to play that type of box to box role that could be the answer.

Attacking Midfield we seem to be catered for here, with players who score, keeping hold of Cairney as the midfield pivot is crucial, if he goes then you have to bring in someone of the same quality.

Striker required, someone in the ilk of Saha, quick, mobile, good in the air, and can occupy both opposition Centre Backs ,and someone who can score penalties.

My mantra is 'All I ask of Fulham is to have a team who can compete with the top teams' the rest is in the Lap of the 'Refs' and Lady Luck :emoticon-0143-smirk
 
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Super Brian McBride said:
I'd like to see us go for a respected experienced keeper (eg.Petr Cech) someone to give the defence more confidence and make the opposition think even if they get past the defence they still have to beat this keeper.
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Cech would be such a bonus but there would have to be quite a bit of money juggling on wages I'd suspect. Alternatives could be Shay Given (41) or John Ruddy (30)? Both have been released by their clubs - Stoke and Norwich.
 
Cottager58 said:
Alternatives could be Shay Given (41) or John Ruddy (30)? Both have been released by their clubs - Stoke and Norwich.
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Cottager, not seeing why we would consider 41 year old version of Given (a brilliant EPL keeper in his day) or Ruddy who isn't up to playing for Norwich. I'd say we already have better than both of these; Cech is a different story.

Had we of acquired our striker/s in January, I think we would be in the EPL next season. If we can get Kalas and Piazon from the Dark Side, we have an excellent foundation going forward as long as we can get the striker we want and reinforce the squad for injuries and suspensions as mentioned above, we will do very well. Refs and luck and penalty taking being kind, again as mentioned previously would be a bonus.
 
2whitestripes said:
Cottager, not seeing why we would consider 41 year old version of Given (a brilliant EPL keeper in his day) or Ruddy who isn't up to playing for Norwich. I'd say we already have better than both of these; Cech is a different story.
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Simply put forward as possibles based on their "experience" 2whites. And 41 is not 'old' for a keeper. Ruddy I think has had behind the scene issues rather than playing ones.
 
Interesting, thanks gents.

It's a shame we couldn't keep the fella from Coldplay, he seemed to be doing the business up front. Not sure why he went back to Derby but fair play.
 
The fact that we don't actually need all that much is testament to how well our 2016 summer recruitment went. We are looking for upgrades in a few positions (centre-back, keeper, striker), but we actually only need a new striker. We certainly don't need to repeat the 8 new starters we got last summer.
 
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I ve heard rumours Stickdale is off to Chelsea to be number 2! I think I'm one of the few that is more than happy with Betts and Button as number 2, thought Bettinelli looked improved when he came in last season and at his age he should improve more each season.
 
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Surlyc said:
The fact that we don't actually need all that much is testament to how well our 2016 summer recruitment went. We are looking for upgrades in a few positions (centre-back, keeper, striker), but we actually only need a new striker. We certainly don't need to repeat the 8 new starters we got last summer.
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Spot on Surlyc
 
Cottager58 said:
What about a recall for David Stockdale then?

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He's rejected Brighton's offer of a new contract and is about to become a 'free' agent.
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Stockdale has only gone and signed for Birmingham City. 'Arry 'aint wasting any time!


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