Summer Transfer Window 2015

Sounds like Fredericks can play some RM as well, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him play there given our lack of true wingers.

Rumor is that we're going to pass on Bakary Kone once we tie up Stearman (even though Kone is in London for a medical according to reports) and sign Hooper on loan.

 

The inflated January window is likely to produce a better fee. It's unfortunate for Emerson & by extension US Soccer, but it's only 4 months.

The article is wrong in one sense, he won't leave on a free. Because he counts as a product of the Academy, anyone who were to sign him this summer would still have to compensate the club. That won't compare to the fees we should be able to get, but it does give the club some leverage as compared to a veteran player in the final year of his contract.

I guess there's still a chance Emerson changes his mind and signs an extension but there haven't been any hints of that.

 

I don't follow any other football clubs, but it seems like we have as many problems with paperwork as we do with defending set-pieces. I think the front office may need a details person.

EDIT: Okay, maybe this isn't just a Fulham thing. At least we didn't have £29million involved: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34108093

 

It's been an interesting day for paperwork and other things....like this

 

This article is exactly the kind of thing I'd like to read about a player we are bringing in (hopefully): http://www.expressandstar.com/sport...ard-stearman-sale-raises-questions-at-wolves/

It has nothing but good things to say about Stearman and essentially asks of the Wolves organization "What the hell are you thinking?!" The poll on the page has 82% of people saying it is a bad idea for the Wolves - and I'm guessing the other 18% were curious Fulham fans like me.

This quote summarizes it best:

 

Stearman looks like a Bond villain. Perfect for a defender.

 

Body language speaks volumes. This and Heather's brief post earlier tells me this guy is passionate about football. I think the Cottage will LOVE him! Wonder how many red cards he's gotten? Hmm, appears to be only 3. Not bad for a guy with his emotions.

 

Sarah Brookes ‏@sarahbrookes1 23s24 seconds ago
Ladies and gentlemen, our business is done for the day. #transferdeadlineday

So no striker. Shame, but a good window nonetheless and we've plugged more holes and improved depth better than I thought we would going in.

 

Shame we couldn't get a striker in. I'm not sure there's enough goals in this squad to make the playoffs. It will take a banner year from McCormack or a big step up for Dembele or Woodrow (or both).

Defensively we should be solid, especially once Garbutt comes back.

 

Larnell Cole went off to Shrews on loan. I follow a couple of lower league clubs (Peterborough & Shrewsbury) rather loosely. Shrews have been one of the best lower league sides at developing talent in the last 10 years. Cole will come back to us better than he's departed. I don't really have a feel for Cole's ceiling, but I'm optimistic about him again seeing this move.

Thought I saw talk of Bodurov leaving. Did that happen?

 

Very good window (really liked signing productive players from competing teams, thereby hurting them and helping Fulham). Now it's up to Kit and the staff, and just importantly the leadership in the locker room to get everyone rowing in the same direction. Call me overly optimistic, but this squad is capable of contending for 6th place if it can all come together.

 

I think you're overly optimistic and here's why. I (like others) don't think we have enough goals in the side. Further, we still lack pace & width, so it will likely continue to be too easy for opposing teams to stymie our attack. I'm especially concerned about this once Smith returns.

Last year, we only managed the double against 1 team, so in essence every team in the league found us beatable. I do think we've improved the side enough that fewer teams will be able to stymie us effectively. We've improved the defense quite a bit so we shouldn't concede as much, thus making it easier to pick up points.

However, it will take time for so many new signings to gel & for Kit to adapt to them. Which brings us to the other question of if he can. The jury is still out on that one.

I think there are at least 8-10 teams that are better than us and who can shut us down. As such I'm hoping for a midtable finish & will be pleased with anything 10th or better.

 

And you are overly pragmatic my friend. While (as usual) you have a well reasoned (especially about Kit) and a more than likely correct view of the upcoming season, it's not written anywhere that we as fans can't hope for the best. I will say there better be a first team squad filled with guys whose lone goal is to compete for a playoff spot.

The only thing I might take issue with is your thought that there are 8-10 better than us. Do you honestly know this division that well? It's been a year+ and I still know next to nothing about these teams. It isn't like the stratified Prem, where you knew where you stood all the time. Looking at last year's table the 5th thru 8th place teams finished within 1 point of each other, if this team surprises you and gets in the top 10, they will be competing for 6th….we both will be right.