I have got a bit fed up on telegram today about people moaning. I am all for us having different opinions and debating, but it seems to me a certain %, and I suspect relatively low % are just constantly looking at the negative. By the way, I have been going to games at the cottage for 65 years and it’s never been this good on the pitch.
Now, regarding your piece about lack of club strategy. I have posted many times on different forums including telegram, my conversation with a board member of FFC about what our plan is for the close season. It was a chance meeting in a pub before Man City last game of the season and resulted in a very open and good chat for about 15 minutes between the both of us. We both go back a long way and we did a few minutes of reminiscing before my question, ‘what are we going to do in the transfer window’. I was told very clearly that the strategy was as follows. 1. keep the squad together esp the real talent that we all know we have. 2. Marco has a long list of players he would like and that is a key start point for recruitment. 3. Strengthen in key positions where it’s felt we need to upgrade, namely: 2 x wingers, a striker, a midfield player and if Tete doesn’t sign as right back. 4. Get ESR fit and able to go 90 minutes. 5. TC is likely to sign and is not going to Wrexham who could not afford him. Overall, there would not be a lot of movement in the market as the club feel our squad is decent but we want to progress and will upgrade in key positions. I asked would we buy Nelson and he said that whilst Marco would like him, they thought his injury risk was too much. That’s the truth, you can believe me or not but I promise you that’s what I was told.
So looking back at what I was told, that is close to being 90% true to what has happened with only the lack of midfield player missing.
IF THAT IS NOT HAVING A STRATEGY, I DONT KNOW WHAT IS. In fact, it’s incredible to me, that we have achieved so close to our targets as we have given we are up against a really tough set of stupid bloody rules with FFP and SCR coming in next season. If you don’t understand them, I suggest you try too as they are fundamental to what we can do and why it’s essential we look for as much value as possible, even if it means doing things late and frustrating the hell out of all of us. As long as we CONTINUE to build as stronger squad as we can then that’s what we will do.
If you know anything about American culture (I lived there for 4 years 1998-2002, then you will know that are not happy to be mediocre, a multi billionaire most certainly will not be.
So, I do get fed up with people bashing the club, especially our own fans. I agree that the ticket prices are too high and I think the club could do much much better with its communications, poor club communications cause a lot of these frustrations. I am certainly not a fan of Mackintosh and feel his leadership style is weak, especially to us the fans, but I don’t know this as I don’t have inside knowledge of that. He could be a brilliant leader but doesn’t allow us to judge that by his lack of transparency.
We have a team that took 4 points from Liverpool last year. The only reason we're not in Europe is because Marco couldn't solve the low block. We were never looking for an overhaul and I don't see how refusing to accept poor deals is a bad thing.
I totally agree with everything said here. I’ve supported Fulham for over 60 years and I actually feel we will be fighting relegation all season. The transfer farce continues with owners who have no clue and Tony Khan should never be allowed near this club. Marco is great needs proper support not crumbs and after our achievements last year, it’s an insult just to see no strategy or ambition.
Why are they here for their ego and circus WWE. All other clubs have strengthened way above our level so no easy games and starting 3rd from bottom regardless of only 3 games spells real trouble. Smith Rowe should have been sold and we needed a creative midfield player, Nilsson from Arsenal was a fantastic player yet we let him go. Who wants to join a club who feels like just avoid relegation is an achievement. Mr Khan net worth only around £14 billion, it’s pocket
Money spent over 5 years . He does not deserve our great club.
Absolutely appreciate and respect your passion and candor Drew. I don’t agree with all of your conclusions, but that’s an excellent thought provoking article. Cheers and thanks!
I’d probably disagree. The last years have been about a building a solid competitive squad, which we have. Fulham targeted specific positions in - defence and midfield. The recruitment strategy now turns to attack and youth- both bringing in and retaining academy talent. 2 draws and a dodgy defeat in a very tough start is actually ok. Does Marco want more? Yes. Do we want more? Yes. The focus in the window was mostly right just executed riskily. I’d give it a C. But I think we’re competitive with some exciting young talent. I think we’ll push on.
Your piece is passionate and thought-provoking, and its clear many Fulham fans share your frustration. But I think some of the conclusions in your piece might overstate the case and overlook a few key developments that suggest some strategy, even if it’s not being stated up-front. For example, turning down €40M for Muniz, especially with only a year left on his contract, is not the behaviour of a club with no plan. That was an early, firm decision to back a player who is clearly central to Silva’s system and shows the club willing to prioritise footballing continuity over short-term gain.
You mentioned concerns about blocking youth development, but Josh King has started the first three matches of the season and even scored what should have been a goal at Chelsea. That moment aside, it shows faith in the academy, albeit belatedly, and in King in particular, who’s been trusted in high-pressure games from day one. Also, the club tied down promising youth talents like Seth Ridgeon and King himself, losing only Callum Osman to Celtic, due to what appears to be Silva decision.
Yes, Fulham made several late moves again, and that’s frustrating. But the idea that this is unique to us isn’t accurate. Most mid-table Premier League clubs now do significant business late in the window, largely because of the financial regulations (PSR), agent dynamics, and the reality that sellers often hold firm until the final days. It’s far from ideal, but it’s also the market reality now, not just Fulham dithering.
I’d much rather see us hold onto our key players, develop talent, and build sensibly than panic-buy for the sake of noise. A bit more transparency would help fans buy into that, but it doesn’t mean the whole system is broken.
I totally get the frustration, but I’d argue this window, while not thrilling, showed more restraint and structure than it’s getting credit for. Happy to be proved wrong over the course of the season, but let’s at least acknowledge the signs of long-term thinking that are beginning to surface. It would help, of course, if the window closed before the season started!
I think some lessons have been learned in terms of getting our housekeeping done, and they did the right things at more or less the right time with Cairney, Tete, King and Ridgeon. Also they have staved off losing key players, Muniz being the key case in point. But agree there should still have been proactive delivery against a plan agreed back in May, and it probably speaks to TKs part time DoF role. I think get a full time DoF in (and who isn't an egotistical showboater playing with Daddy's toy) and most of the issues would be solved.
I agree with Ian. I feel sometimes our writers are looking for negatives due to an underlying frustration with the club’s owners and bias is starting to creep into these articles.
With respect, this is an opinion piece. I don't present anything as fact. My frustrations have always been made clear. I also welcome opposing positions!
I have got a bit fed up on telegram today about people moaning. I am all for us having different opinions and debating, but it seems to me a certain %, and I suspect relatively low % are just constantly looking at the negative. By the way, I have been going to games at the cottage for 65 years and it’s never been this good on the pitch.
Now, regarding your piece about lack of club strategy. I have posted many times on different forums including telegram, my conversation with a board member of FFC about what our plan is for the close season. It was a chance meeting in a pub before Man City last game of the season and resulted in a very open and good chat for about 15 minutes between the both of us. We both go back a long way and we did a few minutes of reminiscing before my question, ‘what are we going to do in the transfer window’. I was told very clearly that the strategy was as follows. 1. keep the squad together esp the real talent that we all know we have. 2. Marco has a long list of players he would like and that is a key start point for recruitment. 3. Strengthen in key positions where it’s felt we need to upgrade, namely: 2 x wingers, a striker, a midfield player and if Tete doesn’t sign as right back. 4. Get ESR fit and able to go 90 minutes. 5. TC is likely to sign and is not going to Wrexham who could not afford him. Overall, there would not be a lot of movement in the market as the club feel our squad is decent but we want to progress and will upgrade in key positions. I asked would we buy Nelson and he said that whilst Marco would like him, they thought his injury risk was too much. That’s the truth, you can believe me or not but I promise you that’s what I was told.
So looking back at what I was told, that is close to being 90% true to what has happened with only the lack of midfield player missing.
IF THAT IS NOT HAVING A STRATEGY, I DONT KNOW WHAT IS. In fact, it’s incredible to me, that we have achieved so close to our targets as we have given we are up against a really tough set of stupid bloody rules with FFP and SCR coming in next season. If you don’t understand them, I suggest you try too as they are fundamental to what we can do and why it’s essential we look for as much value as possible, even if it means doing things late and frustrating the hell out of all of us. As long as we CONTINUE to build as stronger squad as we can then that’s what we will do.
If you know anything about American culture (I lived there for 4 years 1998-2002, then you will know that are not happy to be mediocre, a multi billionaire most certainly will not be.
So, I do get fed up with people bashing the club, especially our own fans. I agree that the ticket prices are too high and I think the club could do much much better with its communications, poor club communications cause a lot of these frustrations. I am certainly not a fan of Mackintosh and feel his leadership style is weak, especially to us the fans, but I don’t know this as I don’t have inside knowledge of that. He could be a brilliant leader but doesn’t allow us to judge that by his lack of transparency.
Sorry for such a big response.
We have a team that took 4 points from Liverpool last year. The only reason we're not in Europe is because Marco couldn't solve the low block. We were never looking for an overhaul and I don't see how refusing to accept poor deals is a bad thing.
I totally agree with everything said here. I’ve supported Fulham for over 60 years and I actually feel we will be fighting relegation all season. The transfer farce continues with owners who have no clue and Tony Khan should never be allowed near this club. Marco is great needs proper support not crumbs and after our achievements last year, it’s an insult just to see no strategy or ambition.
Why are they here for their ego and circus WWE. All other clubs have strengthened way above our level so no easy games and starting 3rd from bottom regardless of only 3 games spells real trouble. Smith Rowe should have been sold and we needed a creative midfield player, Nilsson from Arsenal was a fantastic player yet we let him go. Who wants to join a club who feels like just avoid relegation is an achievement. Mr Khan net worth only around £14 billion, it’s pocket
Money spent over 5 years . He does not deserve our great club.
🫣
Absolutely appreciate and respect your passion and candor Drew. I don’t agree with all of your conclusions, but that’s an excellent thought provoking article. Cheers and thanks!
Appreciate it, Vinny! TBH I'm sure I'll calm down in the coming days, haha!
I’d probably disagree. The last years have been about a building a solid competitive squad, which we have. Fulham targeted specific positions in - defence and midfield. The recruitment strategy now turns to attack and youth- both bringing in and retaining academy talent. 2 draws and a dodgy defeat in a very tough start is actually ok. Does Marco want more? Yes. Do we want more? Yes. The focus in the window was mostly right just executed riskily. I’d give it a C. But I think we’re competitive with some exciting young talent. I think we’ll push on.
Your piece is passionate and thought-provoking, and its clear many Fulham fans share your frustration. But I think some of the conclusions in your piece might overstate the case and overlook a few key developments that suggest some strategy, even if it’s not being stated up-front. For example, turning down €40M for Muniz, especially with only a year left on his contract, is not the behaviour of a club with no plan. That was an early, firm decision to back a player who is clearly central to Silva’s system and shows the club willing to prioritise footballing continuity over short-term gain.
You mentioned concerns about blocking youth development, but Josh King has started the first three matches of the season and even scored what should have been a goal at Chelsea. That moment aside, it shows faith in the academy, albeit belatedly, and in King in particular, who’s been trusted in high-pressure games from day one. Also, the club tied down promising youth talents like Seth Ridgeon and King himself, losing only Callum Osman to Celtic, due to what appears to be Silva decision.
Yes, Fulham made several late moves again, and that’s frustrating. But the idea that this is unique to us isn’t accurate. Most mid-table Premier League clubs now do significant business late in the window, largely because of the financial regulations (PSR), agent dynamics, and the reality that sellers often hold firm until the final days. It’s far from ideal, but it’s also the market reality now, not just Fulham dithering.
I’d much rather see us hold onto our key players, develop talent, and build sensibly than panic-buy for the sake of noise. A bit more transparency would help fans buy into that, but it doesn’t mean the whole system is broken.
I totally get the frustration, but I’d argue this window, while not thrilling, showed more restraint and structure than it’s getting credit for. Happy to be proved wrong over the course of the season, but let’s at least acknowledge the signs of long-term thinking that are beginning to surface. It would help, of course, if the window closed before the season started!
I think some lessons have been learned in terms of getting our housekeeping done, and they did the right things at more or less the right time with Cairney, Tete, King and Ridgeon. Also they have staved off losing key players, Muniz being the key case in point. But agree there should still have been proactive delivery against a plan agreed back in May, and it probably speaks to TKs part time DoF role. I think get a full time DoF in (and who isn't an egotistical showboater playing with Daddy's toy) and most of the issues would be solved.
I agree with Ian. I feel sometimes our writers are looking for negatives due to an underlying frustration with the club’s owners and bias is starting to creep into these articles.
With respect, this is an opinion piece. I don't present anything as fact. My frustrations have always been made clear. I also welcome opposing positions!
Genuine question. Is the finger in front of the lens in the article photo a subtle choice or a missed oversight? :))
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