Looking on facebook a fair amount of panic is starting to set in, amongst our fans. I dismissed it at first, but now the season is only 2 and a half weeks away, I am also starting to wonder "what's going on?". It is clear the squad needs strengthening, but what have we got so far. Djalo, who is a bit of an unknown quantity, Cisse who is clearly a lump and looks like he may be a good buy, and the returning Piazon, who in my opinion was a bit hot and cold. The Rolan saga goes on and on, ad nauseum, and Kalas apparently wants to come back to FFC. Players sold are many, but only Malone was a regular. The worry is that we need a Kalas at the back, and two strikers, along with a keeper. The young lad from Portugal will only be an under 23 for the foreseeable future, so we only have Betts, and Reading want Button.
Slavisa, rightly or wrongly, likes new signings to learn the system, so any new player will probably not get a look in for some time. In the case of a striker and GK it is easier to start them with less integration, where as a defender or midfielder needs time to learn our system. That is why, I believe, the Kalas rumours may be true , and he will return on loan. Kalas knows the system and therefore there will be a natural understanding. Fulham are fine in midfield and with Cisse already here, he is getting much valuable experience of how we play. If Button stays, I think we can cope with just him and Betts for the start of the season. Left back could be a worry if we don't find a replacement for Malone, as Sess is clearly much more suited to being a wing back or left midfield. Odoi can play there, but that would leave us short of cover at right back. The striker situation is the most worrying and we need a proven striker fast, and also another to back him up. Much as we all love Cauley, for me he isn't quite there yet, and Steven Humphries is too young.
I am certain deals are on the table, but getting them across the line is appearing to be a problem. Even my patience is being tested by the club regarding new signings. The squad is way too thin on the ground, as one or two injuries and we will be fielding players with too little experience to give us a push for promotion. There is no Newcastle in the Championship this year, so with a strong squad, this may be our best chance for years. As the man said "Don't panic, Mr, Fulham".
On a final note, Reading can do one and stop sniffing around our players, and let's hope we will be singing "Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again" on many occasions this season.
© Nic Smith
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