After a decade in the top flight and the most memorable achievement in the club's long history, pushing Atletico Madrid to the limit last May, the question for all Fulham fans now has to be, where do we go from here? The appointment of Roy's successor is imminent, summer transfer activity has been quiet. Are we really London's 'smallest' Prem club, mid-table safety the limit of our ambition?
A new blogger for this site and a new dawn for the club I've watched across all four divisions since the days of Johnny Haynes. I was there last May in Hamburg, right behind that goal as the dastardly Diego toe-poked home to break our hearts. But what a thrilling ride the club gave us en route to a major European final, the famous names of football forced to bend the knee to humble little Fulham. Success has cost us our manager, and the smart money says Martin Jol is next in line to progress the club even further.
What do you think? Will we ever have another season like it? Or are you happy to claim a few famous scalps at the Cottage along the way while steering clear of the relegation scrum? Some of us might settle simply for another win on the road! It's been a year since the last one after all. Liverpool fans please note, Roy's ultra-cautious approach to away matches - don't say we didn't warn you.
In the countdown to the big kick-off we'll be assessing the new manager, scrutinising the club's transfer dealings, bringing you lots of informed feedback from inside the club, talking to the players, filing match reports - and generally looking to cover anything and everything that encapsulates the Superwhites.
Much as I love Fulham FC and our lovely compact ground down by the Thames, I do also have a competitive streak in me when it comes to games and life in general. So as we celebrate 10 years at the top, I pose this question to the Fulham family. What can we realistically expect to achieve this season? Are most of us happy just to follow the friendliest club in London regardless of results? Is the Premiership in fact in danger of devaluing itself with the Champions likely to come only from two or three clubs at most?
Comments
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Posted by Seth on 07/18/2010
Very worried about this year. the season starts in a few weeks and we don't seem organized. People forget that the points at the beginning of the season are worth just as much as the points at the end of the season!
This year the relegation battle will be tight as the teams coming up are not as weak as last years 3. I don't see any clear favorites for the bottom 3; which leads to to think that we might be there.
Not in love with Jol, although non of us loved Hodgson when he was first appointed. Overall, a pretty good signing and I am very thankful it wasn't Bradley he isn't up to the task and the others who were being mentioned were no where as good as Jol.
Our beloved Fulham is getting a little long in the tooth (Murphy, Schwartzer, Hughes) so I hope we see some signings of younger players.
Anyone know what happened to Johnson? Is Zamora healthy (row Z watch out if he is not!)
We need to sure up our midfield and add a reliable striker--too many shut outs last year.
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Posted by Jeff Facer on 07/18/2010
My hopes for this season are 3
1. Challange Villa & Everton for the 6th/7th places. Which had we not been involved in the latter stages last year of Europe a place I think we could have acheived with ease.
2. Reach a Final. Realisticly League Cup but last game of the season would be nice.
3. Win 3 away games, an acheivment that we have not done since God knows when ( If you discount the great escape)
Martin Jol could be an inspired choice he took an average Spurs side to 5th 2 years on the trot & but for a dodgy meal would have surely rolled West Ham.
BIGGEST RELIEF OF THE YEAR
We don´t have to go to Burnley WOOPEE!
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Posted by steven on 07/19/2010
I don't believe that Fulham are disorganized this preseason. In fact, my sense is that the players are geared up for a great push this season up the table, and to show well in cup games. As the team is fairly intact (as of now), I think there is a collective pride to follow up a great season with another great season. The disappointing loss in the Europa final will fuel a charge to show we are not done yet.
Of course, a new manager can help this. First by filling in some gaps in the squad, and second by bringing a new approach to away games.
Maybe this year will be the year that other EPL teams will face the Whites with a little more wariness, and a little less superiority. As we know, confidence is everything (almost).
Or maybe not.
Welcome to Phil. I look forward to your posts.
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