FAN EXPECTATIONS
Have we the fans got carried away with last season's position, and expected a leap up to the next stage? I think every fan has the right to be optimistic, but we were the surprise team last season, coming from what looked like mid-table to snatch a play-off spot, playing the best football in the division. So, have we been over optimistic ? I don't think so. Every fan expects their team to push on from last season, and with the best coach in the division, those expectations should be realistic. But, we the fans, need to remember that it is a long, 46 game season, and we are only eight games in. The last thing we should do, is start getting on the players' backs. There is much more to this than, the players not performing, and the coach not having a plan B.
So, let's look at this in depth.
The defence
This is one area where there seems to have been an improvement, considering our goals against column of last season. Kalas is, probably, the best CB in the division, and Ream has improved massively. Fredericks is a magnificent RB/RWB, and although he can be a little rash defensively, his attacking forays more than make up for that. Whatever Odoi's true position is, he has been immense when covering at CB. Where we look weak is at LB, because it is obvious, the hugely talented Sessegnon is not a LB. He is not good as a defender positionally, and maybe when he matures he will be, but we sorely miss Malone. Forget Aluko, selling Malone was the worst bit of business the board did all summer. We haven't replaced him, and Soares (on loan) is an unknown quantity, and he is injured as well. Even with Soares, we have little natural cover in that position. Djalo and Madl provide cover, but Djalo hasn't convinced so far.
Midfield
Still the best midfield in the division. Norwood is quality even though he hasn't adapted to our style yet. Kevin Mc is class, and provides good cover along with his range of passing. Johansen hasn't started well, but I think he is excellent, which I will cover a little later. Kebano and Ayite (not a striker) both have enough about them to worry most defences. Ojo is difficult to judge so early, but he doesn't look like a starting player for me. Cisse is a lump, but I am not sure he can match Kevin Mc in the passing department. Mollo is a conundrum, looking powerful and tricky, but his over eagerness makes him look like a "red card waiting to happen". Jordan Graham is highly rated, and given some game time I think he may be the surprise star of the season. And then there is Tom Cairney, who I will cover in a separate section.
Strikers
I am tempted to say "strikers, what strikers?". Here I am talking about natural strikers, not Ojo, Ayite or Piazon. Fonte is clearly the best one, but he has just arrived and this is the Championship not the Portuguese league, where only 2 or 3 teams have realistic chances of winning the title. I think he has goals in him, but it may take a while before he gets used to English football. Kamara is our only other out and out striker, and he looks like he may have something about him, but he will also need time to acclimatise. So where is the cover? Do we play the small Ayite up front, or do we give Humphreys a chance? For me, we needed to buy a player who knows what the Championship is all about, if we are to make a serious attempt at automatic promotion.
The TOM CAIRNEY factor
This, surely, has to be our Achilles' heel, because without TC we only look half the side compared to when he is playing. Everything goes through TC, even when the ball is not played to him. He is the focal point, and the one that the opposition is watching, allowing more space on the flanks. He is so good at finding space, turning and linking up play, it causes massive headaches for the opposition. TC, naturally, finds the gaps between the opposition lines, drawing players to him, and leaving more space for our wingers to exploit. Not to mention the goals he adds to the team. Which brings me on to Johansen (see above). Johansen needs TC, because when TC receives the ball it opens up space for him to run into. Without TC the opposition don't get drawn out of position, leaving them time to pick up the runs of Johansen. If you think I am talking nonsense, then just watch how Johansen ghosts into positions when TC becomes the focal point. Put simply, he has more space when TC is playing. All of this is a problem, be cause the plain fact is that we have nobody who can try and play in the same style as TC. I am certain that Slavisa is working on this in training, but for the whole of last season we did not have to do without the main man. I hate to say it, but we are a one man team, or only half a team without him.
Slavisa Jokanovic
Simply, the best coach we have had in a long while, and playing the "Fulham way". I am not going to bang on about how much I rate the man as a coach, and how I believe he can take us forward. People say he has no plan B, and that may be true, but I will defend him in saying we don't have the squad or players to change our style too much.
The opposition
Basically, they have sussed us out. On our day, the opposition can do all the homework, on us, that they want, and we will still beat them. But, a lot of teams are pressing us higher now, and know what we are going to do, so when we are not at our best we become easier to play against.
Transfer policy
I have discussed my opinion in an earlier blog, and I still believe that Slavisa should have more say on who he wants. Khan Jr. and Kline's obsession with stats is surely holding the coach back, and I am not a fan of so many loan signings (yes I do understand the bit about FFP). We need to sort the transfer policy out, or Slav will leave.
S0, what is wrong with Fulham FC?
After 8 games it is too early to panic. Our biggest problem is that we miss TC. We need a solution at LB. We need a proven Championship striker. We are no longer a surprise, as we are now a big threat. But let's not panic yet. TC will be back soon. Soares may stay injury free and be as good as is expected. Fonte, or Kamara, may prove to be stars and score bundles of goals. And, our mediocre start may make teams think about us as not so much of a threat.
I, personally, think we will be alright and we will make the play-offs, but if not I will be there next season full of optimism and belief.
P.S. These are only my humble opinions
P.P.S. On a less serious note, me and my mate AS want Cyriac back.
Join our facebook group at- https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFC.Ambition/
IN SLAVISA WE TRUST
COYWs
© Nic Smith
