With a name like Skywalker you should know that everyone at FFC should have high expectations. To start another season with the accepted opinion that if we are not relegated we have done well is nonsense.

We have some decent individuals. Getting them to respect each other and play as a team is the way forward. Hodgson saw that and it worked. I haven't seen that in any recent manager at FFC.

Teamwork builds confidence. Once we have that, the sky really is the limit. Only teams like that get to European Finals.
COYW
posted by willie2B - Saturday 25th May 2013, 6:57 PM There is never any point if you don't aim that bit higher than you already are.

I think we should look at a club like Everton and try and match them, then go from there.
posted by Al (Guest) - Sunday 26th May 2013, 12:41 AM

Does anybody really know why Lambert turned his back on one of the EPL's top strikers?

I reckon it goes deeper than 'Benteke is a better player' (even though he probably is).

It's interesting that quite a few youngsters have come in and done well but after one season they fade a little. The EPL defenders have been doing their homework during the close season.

Bent for less than £5 million would be a good buy. Will FFC spend that much (again) on a 30 year old?
posted by willie2B - Saturday 25th May 2013, 6:37 PM I have a feeling Bent would be a good buy. He was class before and you don't just lose that, I suspect he didn't get on with the manager is all. Lets face it, he has to be better than Rodellaga or Petric hasn't he? I would like to see him sign for Fulham.
posted by Hints - Sunday 26th May 2013, 7:58 AM

On a recent guided tour of the ground visitors were told that the development had been postponed until further notice. No reason has been given, though when I posted this before there was some speculation that M. Al Fayed would rather have 'a ground with planning permission' to sell than a 'ground without'. But that was a quite groundless speculation and anything might happen. (Groundless - get it?)
posted by peterjeremy - Friday 24th May 2013, 12:52 PM PJ your a poet and you dont know it. Nice one
posted by GEZZER - Friday 24th May 2013, 5:35 PM Thanks for the info - at least we know that it is not going to be for next season.
posted by Cliff (Guest) - Saturday 25th May 2013, 9:18 AM Everythings sorted with Hammersmith council but two local sailing clubs reckon we made a deal with them to recompense them for affecting the wind shift on the Thames. The money's peanuts but I guess the lawyers are in for their cut.
posted by Al (Guest) - Saturday 25th May 2013, 1:48 PM 3000 seats will effect the wind ratio on the thames for half dozen rowing boats;;; well I suggest you row the other end of the thames. what next viz jackets to get in the hammy end? you cant make it up and they say los angeles is la -la land coyw forever.
posted by mr keef (Guest) - Saturday 25th May 2013, 6:26 PM I know nothing about sailing but it is 33 metres long I think, and projecting out over the water. The two clubs are quite big and have clubhouses on the banks. However, the main point is that they claim that Fulham offered them some compensation, around 25000 or so each I think and now they think Fulham are welshing on the deal.
It would be a pity if Fulham allowed a delay to occur just because of that.
posted by Al (Guest) - Sunday 26th May 2013, 12:49 AM

Berba will be in Monaco before long unfortunately ....
posted by Phil74 - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 9:13 PM If at the beginning of last season Berba devised a tactic of advertising himself, reminding everyone of his above average skills in an average team whilst looking more than a little discontented and ready to move, then he couldn't have done a better job than spend the last season at Fulham and behave as he has.
posted by peterjeremy - Friday 24th May 2013, 1:01 PM I thought that little wave from him at SWANSEA was saying goodbye
posted by GEZZER - Friday 24th May 2013, 5:29 PM Berabtov's constant moaning and negative slumped body posture might be enough to put plenty of clubs off, but sadly there will probably be a club somewhere that will pay him a heap of money to net a dozen goals for them.
posted by Scrawnee (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 6:46 PM

More paper talk.
Now, based on our experience with the man, does anyone believe that a club like Hamburg would take him back?
Still, it is a funny old game.
posted by willie2B - Saturday 25th May 2013, 6:40 PM

I believe Watford, sometimes played Briggs as a centre back. That maybe his position, like Hudson who we played as fullback and plays centre back.
posted by martinwatson (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 7:06 PM I'd like to see Briggs played at Centre back, with his pace would make a good pacing centre half, only problem is I don't know he has the maturity or discipline required.
posted by Timmy! - Friday 24th May 2013, 12:31 AM Macdonald played for Old Cheyneans at left back before being picked up by Fulham.

I have this vague recollection of him being moved to centre forward for a midweek match against Leeds at the Cottage.
posted by Al (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 12:41 AM MacDonald was even made to play in goal for a couple of reserve games such was the vision at the time
posted by Keetch54 - Friday 24th May 2013, 10:48 AM who were the old cheyneans? were McDonald played, don't recall them in local Fulham leagues, believe he went to henrys holiday camp as did I and cohen and linford Christie later period, brigg did start as center back with accadamy
posted by mr keef (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 12:24 PM The Old Cheynians are old boys from the now closed Sloane Grammar School (Hortensia Road, Chelsea). They had a home ground at Barnes and were closed sometime in the early 70's . Malcolm was a year below me at the school and my claim to fame is that I kept him out of the school first XI (or so I say).However he did play for the first XI at cricket.
posted by jambo (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 2:42 PM thanks for that jambo know hortensia rd well,i think was that the one in the alley of new kings rd? must have been wrong about mac going to henries, know Christie did in later years trained with him at Melcolme gym before famous him not me;;opp Fulham hospital .
posted by mr keef (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 3:20 PM When I went to Sloane we played at the ground on Doverhouse rd,between Upper Richmond rd and Roehampton common,that was 1850-56,the groumds are still there but I dont know who owns them now.
posted by Nobby (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 4:22 PM Sorry! 1951-56,must be getting old.
posted by Nobby (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 4:24 PM Spot on Nobby I got confused between Barnes and Roehampton and couldn't remember Doverhouse Road when I wrote my bit. Don't know if you are interested but a guy name Mark Foulsham has created a site all about Sloane school and it's history. It is a really good site and well worth joining. There is a picture of Malcolm in the school first XI cricket team on the site.I joined Sloane in 1958 until 1965 so just missed you. You may know that the Labour MP Alan Johnson is also an old boy of about my time but I can't say that I remember him.
posted by Jambo (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 7:45 PM Cheyneans played in the London Old Boys League. At one time the biggest league in the world with about 26 divisions.
posted by Al (Guest) - Saturday 25th May 2013, 9:45 AM

Bring bent shelvey fringpong and downing don't can't do any worse than what we got we need someone that can ping balls left right and centre if we get them all on a free does this mean we will still have money spare
posted by Till I die (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 12:52 PM I too think Shelvey would be a great signing, not sold on Downing as I believe he will play as a winger and not left back. But that being said I would take him. Bent would also be great. How about Faurlin from QPR? or Granero? or Huddlestone? I think any of these guys would make the midfield much improved. The weakest part of Fulham this season was the midfield by far.

Left back is a big concern also, but I cant think of any left backs Fulham could afford. Who played left back for Wigan?
posted by Caliyank (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 3:37 PM Beausejour plays left back for Wigan . dont think we need a left back though Riise BrIggs and Richardson are competing for that postion also some talk about Downing not sure we need another winger we have Frei Kacaniklic Dejagha Duff Smith . Sevely will be too expensive don't need Dunne or Givens would take Enoh permanently plenty of potential but definintely need creative midfielder and really fast partner for Berbetov then I think we are complete ?
posted by FFC SUPPORTER (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 3:50 PM freepong????? he never got one game all season ,or since jan so why would jol want him he cant know what he is capable of. even wenger must be wondering jol said he needed some mid-f injan get one from arsn never gets a game the others did sweet nothing.
posted by mr keef (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 3:57 PM Poor young Frimpong has had knee surgery, after picking up an injury during our Swansea victory. Get well soon.
posted by martinwatson (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 7:02 PM I think Espinosa plays left back for Wigan and would make a very good signing.
posted by Hints (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 11:00 PM Espinosa looked good in the final game for Wigan. I think he would be a good, cheap signing. I was also thinking about Jermaine Jenas too, he would cost next to nothing and be a good squad addition for the midfield.
posted by Caliyank (Guest) - Friday 24th May 2013, 4:24 PM We don'y need MORE midfielders, we nee the right midfielder (singular).

We don't need MORE wingers, we might want one more who is better than all the ones we've got.
posted by Al (Guest) - Saturday 25th May 2013, 9:49 AM I agree. Look at the players profiles and see - we are OVERLOADED WITH MIDFIELDERS. There's not a lot of talent there either.
So, we do not need more - just different.

Wingers - Dejagah and Kaka should both feature next season. Back up (Frei) and/or better is the only requirement. Note also that Riether can cross a ball like a winger.

We need someone in the middle who can do something with the crosses.
posted by willie2B - Saturday 25th May 2013, 6:47 PM

Am I wrong in saying that both Frei and Kaca are LM and Kaca has proved himself in that spot which he will soon dominate. We still have Duff and Dejagah challenging for RM and Richardson as a backup for LM so Frei is good to have on board but not really going to make a mark unless he can show he's made of sterner stuff and bulk up a bit
posted by stammers (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 1:13 PM Frei has completely failed to progress since he first broke into the first team. Still tries to cut in every time and fails to use the ball well. I'd sell him this summer if we can get some decent money
posted by fortressfulham - Friday 24th May 2013, 12:20 PM

Good strong player I wouldn't mind him neither how about bentner he could also come on a free and frimgpong
posted by Til I die (Guest) - Wednesday 22nd May 2013, 11:31 PM Really I always thought he was crap! Just me?
posted by Cbffc (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 7:20 AM I agree. I wouldn't want Bendtner nor Shelvey - we have too many payers that find it difficult to put the ball in the net now - why buy more?
posted by MST (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 8:35 AM I agree also that Shelvey and Bentner are both rubbish, don't want either of those at Fulham, also I hope we don't go for Bent or Cole because they are not quality players either !
posted by Cliff (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 11:19 AM I'd take Shelvey if the price was good. Definitely wouldn't have Bentner or Cole
posted by fortressfulham - Friday 24th May 2013, 12:22 PM

I'm not sure if 28 is an oldie ! Anyway it looks a good start now we need a creatIve midfielder a fast forward and make sure Schwarzer signs up for another couple of years
posted by FFC SUPPORTER (Guest) - Wednesday 22nd May 2013, 7:03 PM At least it shows that jol had a plan these quick deals must of been in the pipe line.
posted by Cbffc (Guest) - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 7:23 AM I agree (Cbffc) for so may years we have waited until the last week before the season to make changes. Perhaps last year's debacle losing D & D at the last minute has spurred the club to get in quick and have the opportunity to let the new players get to know their teammates and surroundings before the big kick off in August. Personally I would rather have some signings early that pick up scraps at the last knocking like we did last year. I hope it signals a new resolve by M & M to push us up the league without falling back on loanees. I'm not holding my breath, but just quietly please ATM!
posted by Hints - Thursday 23rd May 2013, 7:32 AM