Fulham at Stoke

Aha! No Stekelenburg.

Apparently Hugo's OK, just not named. The translation from his fb status is goofy, but you get the gist: "On the way to the stadium that has not happened but I respect the decisions FulhamFC will force @ 100% with you guys. Win-win."

 

Well that's that then. Out with a whimper. I said in the chat, I'd be perfectly happy to see Kit lead the U21's out for the finale v Palace. Why not?

Otherwise, hoping for a massive clear out in the summer and a new beginning.

 

Balls.

 

Hopefully a quick bounce back up.

 

Welcome to the Championship.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Well, it's been a fun 8 or so years following this team, but I've grown quite ready to move on to other things with my time and energy.

Hope this team bounces back, but the statistics aren't great on that happening.

And even if they do get promoted at some far off time, we'll be having these same discussions some other time. Things don't change in this sport. Like Brian Phillips wrote two years ago:

Guess I'm now in the former

 

Of last 21 teams relegated from PL, only 7 have managed to return. The notion of the "yo-yo" club is going the way of the buffalo, with increased squads and ever growing economic discrepancies. There's a 30% chance Fulham will be in League One by this time next season.

Beyond a basic cogency level; I don't think it takes a clue as if it's some big secret. Like with baseball, it takes a lot of money and luck. (QPR aside, thankfully, who are a whole other kettle of fish). Assuming we shed the bloat, there's still financial clout with Khan that should both buoy the youth setup and overpower our recently relegated brethren.

Finally, beyond the "ever present 7" (United, Pool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, Everton & Spurs) ; Fulham had the longest run in the top flight at 13 years. That's quite the accomplishment.

 

The longer you are in the Premier League, the harder it should be to relegate you. However, changes in ownership or management and mismanagement can erode that advantage, as we've seen. Timmy's right, Fulham having the longest run in the top flight outside of the top 7 is an accomplishment.

That Brian Phillips article could just as easily apply to baseball. For me as an O's fan, making the playoffs is like Fulham making Europe. Most of the time they're playing for 3rd behind the Yanks and Sawks. So with English football, I fall in the latter because I enjoy watching the game, even as a neutral. But with baseball I'm in the former category as I find it long, arduous and boring anymore. Plus, I can watch two football matches in the time it takes to watch 1 baseball game (well, almost).

I agree with Don that Magath needs to go. I disagree on the replacement options. Holloway can't coach in the Prem because he has shown no clue in how to setup a defense. Still not sure on McKay and Hughton b/c they seem to struggle with offense. All 3 can get clubs out of the Championship, but you'd better have a plan B once you've attained promotion. Eddie Howe would be my first choice. Others would be Hughton, Zola, Kenny Jackett and Nigel Pearson. I'd still kick around the idea of Kit Symons as well. There's a lot of continuity there for the Academy kids and he's had success at that level. They play an attractive, effective style that can translate to the first team. Can he do it at the next level? I have no idea, but the folks at the club would have an idea having seen him work and talking to him.

While I agree, you don't need to be familiar with English football, it certainly helps. A manager can always watch tape on teams to prepare, but it would appear our current gaffer can't be bothered (based on questionable selections since he's been here and his own comments).

 

After a bit of grieving on my part, I think Ag made a brilliant point. Query, how many hours of tape does a pointy-football or basketball coach view per week in preparation? Hours upon hours upon hours... While I know not one way or the other if Magath viewed tape, or even had his assistants view and summarize, it's a depressing thought. Know your enemy.

Hello Championship and away trips to Leeds!

COYW

 

I think with the adoption of analytics, that's the way the game is going. Look at a guy like Brendan Rodgers. He practically lives at Liverpool during the season and they've outperformed teams that have outspent them (Chel, Arse, ManU). Pochettino at Southampton is another who has out performed higher spending, more established Premier League clubs.

My fear is that the old breed of good to very good managers, like Magath, are going to find the game pass them by. It happened in US football and I think it's on the cusp of happening in England. There will be exceptions. Some clubs have a floor they really can't drop below due to the amount they spend. They can simply outclass most of their opposition. I suspect this is what's been happening with Wenger at Arsenal. And then there are some who are just that damn good, like SAF. What he did in his last year at Man U was ridiculous and, statistically, highly improbable, regardless of their wage bill.