You highlighted McKenna's weakness is defence, and that is an area we are already quite poor in. For me, his appointment would be a massive risk and a guaranateed relegation scrap as we lose a bundle of games 3-2 - classic 'plucky' but frail Fulham. I'm not as bothered about individual player development, as I am about team solidity, especially as any rising stars will quickly get poached anyway. McKenna is not the answer.
Without reinforcements across the backline - no manager is going to hugely improve our defence. I see KM as least likely to disrupt what's working there where all the other current candidates adapting style and in many cases formation - things woukd often get worse before they get better.
I guess this depends if you believe that Marco set up a trajectory worthwhile in someone continuing? or if a brand new identity is required. Agreed there's little stats to back this up as it stands, this is my thoughts based on tactical fit primarily.
Ipswich would cost 8 million. Glasner may go to acmilan but have to persuade him that Italy doesn’t produce World Cup players, stay in England…or have to persuade Thomas Frank to start now…wouldn’t choose anyone else…slot said no but has fallouts with people.amorin didn’t get the best out of Marcus another fall out..lamps is not a prem..Ange didn’t work well at Forest and put spurs near to relegation.
McKenna does seem to be a good candidate [ as does fellow Championship Tonda Eckert ].
Although €8million ought to entice more seasoned pros - one would think. The post World Cup will have plenty of offerings - perhaps a pause in final selection might be warranted ??
Eckert went hugely down in my estimation following spygate - he clearly knew of the methods being explored by the analysts, and that is not the kind of personality or morality I think the club needs.
I could do a whole new article on the deals missed within the first month of the transfer window. Players want their futures sorted in a lot of cases and will push agents accordingly. Delaying the managerial search could be catastrophi for next season and beyond.
I think only way I'd be happy to wait is if Poch is already working on a plan behind the scenes with our owners.
Maybe but . . . The Khans have traditionally waited until well into the transfer window for players - that probably won't change.; AC Milan have made offers to the USMNT's agent; Silva's histrionics towards referring was not exactly the kind of personality and morality one expects yet we hired him for 5 years. But then throwing someone in gaol for a parking ticket is OK only in the EFL!
My focus was on the McKenna option as the best of the lot - still 'plenty of good fish' out there. No need to panic.
Oh for sure no assuming here. I expect if agents agree on a meeting then there is a joint presentation of aims and objectives. It's very possible for instance that a manager (e.g Amorim) would see our squad and say "no thanks" based on its likely transformation requirement for his system without serious investment and time for it to settle.
Excellent piece - the most thoughtful I’ve read yet on new manager speculation. A good reminder that so much of the ‘right answer’ is about a managerial approach that is suited to the new Squad to Cost Ratio rules as that will be the biggest limitation on the club’s ability to source new talent (and presumably is the main reason for the change of approach from seasoned players who have underperformed to young talent with potential resale value). That probably points to McKenna again and definitely not a system that requires an expensive wholesale change in personnel like Amorim.
Thank you Simon. Worth considering that whilst not a true monetary cost, every day the club delay in this decision is hampering any of the options I've outlined. Any of these could in theory succeed - with the right plan.
In terms of King. I think he’s more natural as an 8 that could box crash. I don’t think he can only thrive in the top end of the pitch. If ESR was to leave, his trajectory certainly changes.
I worry that King might be a bit small to play that role, at least at this age? Maybe I am dimmer on ESR’s prospects than you are, but to me it would make sense to prioritize King in the number 10 role and try to move on from ESR.
Honesty I think it's agiltiy. A back three can easily get torn to pieces without it. You've seen on the occasions that its been employed by top clubs - they often struggle without speed. He could playing the centre of it, but I'd still have a concern over his recovery pace.
My hope is that if they were to willing to offer Marco £8mil a year reportedly, there is some wiggle room in a release clause if the candidate is the right fit and into the project.
You highlighted McKenna's weakness is defence, and that is an area we are already quite poor in. For me, his appointment would be a massive risk and a guaranateed relegation scrap as we lose a bundle of games 3-2 - classic 'plucky' but frail Fulham. I'm not as bothered about individual player development, as I am about team solidity, especially as any rising stars will quickly get poached anyway. McKenna is not the answer.
Without reinforcements across the backline - no manager is going to hugely improve our defence. I see KM as least likely to disrupt what's working there where all the other current candidates adapting style and in many cases formation - things woukd often get worse before they get better.
Also, are we really expecting a guy who's biggest acheivement is finishing 2nd in the Championship to take us to the next level?
I guess this depends if you believe that Marco set up a trajectory worthwhile in someone continuing? or if a brand new identity is required. Agreed there's little stats to back this up as it stands, this is my thoughts based on tactical fit primarily.
Ipswich would cost 8 million. Glasner may go to acmilan but have to persuade him that Italy doesn’t produce World Cup players, stay in England…or have to persuade Thomas Frank to start now…wouldn’t choose anyone else…slot said no but has fallouts with people.amorin didn’t get the best out of Marcus another fall out..lamps is not a prem..Ange didn’t work well at Forest and put spurs near to relegation.
McKenna does seem to be a good candidate [ as does fellow Championship Tonda Eckert ].
Although €8million ought to entice more seasoned pros - one would think. The post World Cup will have plenty of offerings - perhaps a pause in final selection might be warranted ??
Eckert went hugely down in my estimation following spygate - he clearly knew of the methods being explored by the analysts, and that is not the kind of personality or morality I think the club needs.
I could do a whole new article on the deals missed within the first month of the transfer window. Players want their futures sorted in a lot of cases and will push agents accordingly. Delaying the managerial search could be catastrophi for next season and beyond.
I think only way I'd be happy to wait is if Poch is already working on a plan behind the scenes with our owners.
Maybe but . . . The Khans have traditionally waited until well into the transfer window for players - that probably won't change.; AC Milan have made offers to the USMNT's agent; Silva's histrionics towards referring was not exactly the kind of personality and morality one expects yet we hired him for 5 years. But then throwing someone in gaol for a parking ticket is OK only in the EFL!
My focus was on the McKenna option as the best of the lot - still 'plenty of good fish' out there. No need to panic.
You are assuming that any of the managers you have mentioned would want to come to Fulham.
Oh for sure no assuming here. I expect if agents agree on a meeting then there is a joint presentation of aims and objectives. It's very possible for instance that a manager (e.g Amorim) would see our squad and say "no thanks" based on its likely transformation requirement for his system without serious investment and time for it to settle.
we will be lucky to finish outside the bottom three
Excellent piece - the most thoughtful I’ve read yet on new manager speculation. A good reminder that so much of the ‘right answer’ is about a managerial approach that is suited to the new Squad to Cost Ratio rules as that will be the biggest limitation on the club’s ability to source new talent (and presumably is the main reason for the change of approach from seasoned players who have underperformed to young talent with potential resale value). That probably points to McKenna again and definitely not a system that requires an expensive wholesale change in personnel like Amorim.
Thank you Simon. Worth considering that whilst not a true monetary cost, every day the club delay in this decision is hampering any of the options I've outlined. Any of these could in theory succeed - with the right plan.
Interesting article. Are we discounting Hugo Oliveira then?
I expect he is in the running, could be a left field choice if others are unwilling…
Curious why you think Andersen isn’t suited to a back 3? And also whether and why you see King’s future as a CM?
In terms of King. I think he’s more natural as an 8 that could box crash. I don’t think he can only thrive in the top end of the pitch. If ESR was to leave, his trajectory certainly changes.
I worry that King might be a bit small to play that role, at least at this age? Maybe I am dimmer on ESR’s prospects than you are, but to me it would make sense to prioritize King in the number 10 role and try to move on from ESR.
Honesty I think it's agiltiy. A back three can easily get torn to pieces without it. You've seen on the occasions that its been employed by top clubs - they often struggle without speed. He could playing the centre of it, but I'd still have a concern over his recovery pace.
Hope i’m wrong , but cant see Khan parting with 8m to get KM . Could buy a couple of injury prone players for that
My hope is that if they were to willing to offer Marco £8mil a year reportedly, there is some wiggle room in a release clause if the candidate is the right fit and into the project.
Can we crowdfund the £8 million? Good piece.