Season shape-up - Fulham

We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campaign

Last updated: 17th July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Season shape-up - Fulham

Hodgson: Fight for survival

FULHAM TRANSFER ACTIVITY

INS: Mark Schwarzer (free from Middlesbrough), David Stockdale (undisclosed fee from Darlington), Zoltan Gera (free from West Brom), Andranik (free from Bolton).

OUTS: None

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To say Fulham survived last season in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth would be somewhat of an understatement. In the latest of our Shaping up for the Season feature, Peter Fraser looks at what Roy Hodgson needs to do in order to avoid a repeat performance.

What's happened so far

Fashionable West London is often the scene of lavish and spectacular spending but that has not been the case at Craven Cottage so far this summer, despite a narrow escape from the threat of relegation last term.

Manager Hodgson has already secured five close-season arrivals, but he has only tested the spine of his 2008/09 chequebook on one occasion to suggest it could be more Bargain Bin than Deli Counter on Fulham's shopping list.

Out-of-contract goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer made the difficult decision to swap Teesside for England's capital as he ended his 11-year spell at Middlesbrough, while Zoltan Gera has also arrived without troubling Fulham's accountants after leaving West Brom.

In Fulham's other thrifty transfer activities, Iranian midfielder Andranik Teymourian has been welcomed from Bolton in a free deal, while Finland international defender Toni Kallio's loan move from Swiss club Young Boys has been made permanent.

The only official purchase has been that of former Darlington goalkeeper David Stockdale as an undisclosed amount was paid to the Quakers indicating that Hodgson was clearly keen for reinforcements between the sticks.

Fulham flirted with the drop before a victory over Portsmouth on the final day of the last campaign and Hodgson - who succeeded Lawrie Sanchez in December 2007 - has indicated that he was unimpressed by some of those players who underachieved.

Hodgson released a host of fringe squad members in May as Bjorn Runstrom, Michael Timlin, Ian Pearce, Philippe Christanval, Jari Litmanen, Corrin Brooks-Meade and Tony Warner departed.

Veteran striker Brian McBride has opted not to renew his contract and USA international Carlos Bocanegra has joined Rennes in a free transfer, while Charlton have reportedly made and offer for Hameur Bouazza.

And, as a Facebook announcement suggests, 'Ashley-Paul Robinson is goin Fulham. im on dis ting!!!'. The young Crystal Palace winger has had a trial at Craven Cottage, with his current club's status; unimpressed and unlikely to stand in the way.

What they need

In comparison with Kings Road rivals Chelsea, who are likely to shell out on a few spectacular acquisitions, Fulham can be seen to require a little bit of everything.

The necessity for top-flight survival is an ability of keep cleansheets and after leaking 31 goals at home on the banks of the Thames last term - the third worst record in the league - a defender or two is in order.

Hertha Berlin centre-back Josip Simunic, who impressed with Croatia at Euro 2008, has been mentioned, while Middlesbrough's Luke Young and Paris Saint Germain's Bernard Mendy - who spent a period on loan at Bolton - could offer Premier League experience at full-back.

Having only arrived at the turn of the year, it was expected that Hodgson would make sweeping changes to his inherited squad this summer but, having handed substantial funds to Sanchez, Fulham appear to be opting for a more economic approach as the Cottagers bide their time before entering the transfer market with an eye on value for money.

Hodgson will be desperate to keep hold of influential midfielders Jimmy Bullard and Simon Davies, but James Harper could offer competition for places and the Reading man is keen for a return to the Premier League.

In attack, London-loving Everton forward Andy Johnson could be offered a cure to his reported homesickness as Fulham prepare to start the season without Diomansy Kamara, who is facing six months out after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery.

Reading striker Dave Kitson and Aston Villa's Marlon Harewood would also provide the targetman Fulham will be missing following McBride's departure.

What they'll get

While Fulham supporters will be eager for familiar faces and Premier League names, it appears more likely that Hodgson will demonstrate his undoubted knowledge of European football.

The former Internazionale, Switzerland, Viking FK and Finland boss brought in a number of players from his past to help steady the ship in January and, with an apparent shoestring budget, it looks like their could be a few more prudent investments as the new season approaches.

Steven Davis is likely to be sold to Rangers, after catching the eye while on loan at Ibrox last season, and this could free funds for the arrival of Rosenborg full-back Fredrik Stoor and Simunic.

Romanian midfielder Paul Codrea has also been suggested as a possible option, if Serie A side Siena can be persuaded to part with the 27-year-old.

What do you think of Fulham's transfer progress so far? Let us know using the form below.

Comments (16)

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Mike Noyes says...

Fulham Fan: When the ball hits the head of the bloke in row Z , thats Zamora !!!!!!!!! What is Hodgeson thinking about .The blokes useless. 30 goals in 130 games is appauling for a striker.I think he found his mark in the lower divisions with Brighton. £6m what!!!! For £4m more he could buy AJ from Everton who is looking to return to London. £6m spent on Kamara amongst others last season was wasted by Sanchez. Lets have someone who knows where the net is and has proven ability in the Premiership.

Posted 12:27 15th July 2008

Alan Potter (Fulham fan) says...

Let's face it . . . . . . Hodgson cannot do any worse then Lawrie " I haven't got a clue what I'm doing" Sanchez. Hodgson has already done a fantastic job at the Cottager and I think that will motivate the team into this season. I don't think we'll be great but certainly not bottom six ???? I will say about 10th this season.

Posted 05:11 15th July 2008

They call me... Kozar (Fulham fan) says...

egads! Zamora? Kitson? Harewood? All are unproven and overpriced and Hodgson would have been wiser to pick up someone like Klasnic (free) or go for Niculae, Mutu (maybe too much $$$) or Pavlyuchenko ... E.Europe players are skilled, cheaper, and tough enough for the Premiership climate... or look at bringing in JD tomasson or someone proven with expereince... With 3 clean sheet in the last 5 games, I think Roy is onto something with the defence... and Stoor will definitely help adding strength and confindence

Posted 22:36 14th July 2008

Mack D (Fulham fan) says...

Gera on a free, superb business! very happy with that i think he is quality. Seems Zamora is on the cards, not a bad signing but if the rumours of 7 million are true then we have paid a LOT of money for a player who hasnt by any means been prolific in the premiership. (yet! but heres hoping!!!) The swedish lad Stoor seems like he would be a good addition if we can land him, but im still crossing my fingers that Andrew Johnson will join the mighty whites. (looks unlikely with the addition of Zamora but heres hoping!) but the absolute key is keeping Bullard. Murphy and Dempsey i like... but jimmy is another level, quality. Good luck Brian Mcbride a gent and as good in the air as anyone, wish we signed him a few years earlier then we did. come on you Whites!!!

Posted 20:34 14th July 2008

Ell K (Fulham fan) says...

With regards to Zamora, im not to happy about this. The reason we have struggled in the past 2 seasons is because we haven't had a decent goalscorer, someone who will guarentee goals, and knows how to put the ball in the net, im not sure Zamora is the answer, besides the reported figure of 6m is an absolute joke. Clubs like us can't afford to go out and spend this amount of money on mediocre players and we despretely need to find a replacement for McBride. Despite this im pretty happy with Roy's transfer dealings so far, Gera, Andranik, Kallio and Schwarzer will add some much needed depth to the squad and all were free transfers. Stockdale will probably be back-up to Schwarzer in Goal. I still think we need to add some more quality to the side before the start of the season, perhaps Stoor, Andy Johnson, O'Hara?. While i don't think we will be flirting with relegation again this season, I think the best we can hope for is a mid-table finish 13-14th place, anything above that would be a great achievment.

Posted 19:58 14th July 2008

Yaki Kadafi (Fulham fan) says...

Fulham only just managed to avoid the drop last season and its clear funds need to be available if we are looking to improve as a side. I believe it will be a long hard season but as there are weak teams such as stoke and hull not much will be needed to keep out of the bottom 3. Next season will we be starting off with a much better manager than sanchez and also will have jimmy bullard hopefully fit, shame about the news of Kamara. Stoor and Sumunic look to be positive targets and im sure would improve the team. Zamora should be no more than 1 million and we require a better number one striker than him. Bernard Mendy would be a good choice for the defence and think a left midfielder is needed. I cant see us spending too much and i predict 13th final position...

Posted 19:34 14th July 2008

Tony Hardcastle says...

with regards to roy's spending spree, i think that we maybe having to spend a few bob to bring in some decent quality players but things are looking up for the mighty whites next season, but hopefully big mo will be wielding the cheque book again and give super roy a bit of pocket money to spend, with the likes of johnson, zamora etc linked to the club things are looking positive for us for the season to come, we will be favourites to go down again but i am quite sure that a better finish will be on the cards hopefully a mid to top ten should be a very good result, if the likes of bullard, davies, murphy etc stay at the club we should have a very strong team to build around and with hodgson at the helm we should be in for a strong season and maybe scalp a few of the big teams on the way, i am very sure there will be some negative feed back from supporters of other clubs when they see e-mails coming in from the white faithful but never mind we know who the best club in south london is, so all the ffc faithful out there lets get behind the team this season and do the business, come on you whites , tony ( ffc - up north support )

Posted 15:45 14th July 2008

David Browning (Fulham fan) says...

Roy Hodgson has done really well keeping Fulham up,and now seems to be addressing the problems of the defence,I do not think a team like Fulham can win anything,but we can enjoy playing against the other teams.

Posted 14:51 14th July 2008

Antony Seymour (Sunderland fan) says...

Fulham arent going to set the Prem alight and will be in the bottom six but HULL and Stoke along with West Brom have far less able squads and the three new boys must be favourites to go straight back down. As a Sunderland fan i am not too optimistic neither however i believe Fulham and Sunderland agian will not be in the bottom three.

Posted 14:44 14th July 2008

Tony Fox (Chelsea fan) says...

I think the players that are connected to fulham are decent and will keep fulham up and i can see them becoming a team like boro who buy unknown people but who make a difference

Posted 14:15 14th July 2008

Steve Green (Fulham fan) says...

I think another tough season lies ahead, although I believe we will not struggle like we did last year. The way the players finished last season proves that Hodgson is capable of getting the best out of his team, my biggest worry is lack of strength in depth. If the core players stay fit we could just climb into the top half, if they don't and we can't get the strength in depth we will probably sit somewhere around 12th/13th.

Posted 14:03 14th July 2008

Paul Nicholson (Sutton United fan) says...

Fulham could do worse than to sell everyone bar Bullard and start again such is the lack of finesse on the pitch on matchdays. The last two seasons haven't been pretty and the outlook isn't any rosier. Fulham have needed a miracle to survive the past two seasons and while these miracles have happened they can't keep being repeated. When it comes to miracles, as they say, the lord giveth and the lord taketh away.

Posted 13:29 14th July 2008

Paul Nicholson (Sutton United fan) says...

Fulham could do worse than to sell everyone bar Bullard and start again such is the lack of finesse on the pitch on matchdays. The last two seasons haven't been pretty and the outlook isn't any rosier. Fulham have needed a miracle to survive the past two seasons and while these miracles have happened they can't keep being repeated. When it comes to miracles, as they say, the lord giveth and the lord taketh away.

Posted 13:29 14th July 2008

Paul Cook (Fulham fan) says...

I think we have done some good buisness this time around Gera is a class player and can bring alot to are team plus with Stoor and Suminic probably coming to us we should be all but safe at the back then upfront we have the likes of Nevland who is a good goal scorer plus wouldnt suprise me if Healy starts to find his feet this season. The only real worry is Zamora if we sign him which looks like its going to happen 30 goals in 130 games is not good enough and if we pay anything more than 3 mil for him we have been well and trully ripped off.

Posted 12:20 14th July 2008

Paul Cook (Fulham fan) says...

I think we have done some good buisness this time around Gera is a class player and can bring alot to are team plus with Stoor and Suminic probably coming to us we should be all but safe at the back then upfront we have the likes of Nevland who is a good goal scorer plus wouldnt suprise me if Healy starts to find his feet this season. The only real worry is Zamora if we sign him which looks like its going to happen 30 goals in 130 games is not good enough and if we pay anything more than 3 mil for him we have been well and trully ripped off.

Posted 12:20 14th July 2008

David Ryder (Liverpool fan) says...

If i was a Fulham fan i would want a new player for every position because its quite obvious from Fulham's near relegation experience last year that they lack quality in nearly every position. Having conceded 31 home goals last season its clear they need at least four new defenders. I think Croatia's Josip Simunic and Switzerland's Stephan Lichsteiner would be perfect acquisitions to Fulham's defence as well as Kevin Doyle up front to toughen up their attacking options. If they can buy these players and keep influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard match fit they may find themselves challenging in mid table this season.

Posted 12:04 14th July 2008
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