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Post Transfer Window Squad Breakdown

As we are well aware, there has been massive squad turnover at Fulham. The transfer window slammed shut late Thursday night and here is who the Whites will have at their disposal until January.

Harry Engels

-- Goalkeepers (3) --

Gabor Kiraly: Added just a few days ago to provide experience and help mentor our young crop of keepers, it is yet to be seen if Kiraly and his magical pajama pants will be a constant between the sticks or if the youngsters will maintain the job for now. Regardless, it is mildly comforting to know that a more experienced head is there if need be. Unfortunately, the Stockdale move still is a head scratcher given this was the best we were able to come up with.

Marcus Bettinelli: Impressing during our recent league cup tie at Brentford, the young 22 year old seemingly has a hold on the starting spot for now. After the international break we could see Kiraly take his place, but Bettinelli hasn't done anything to deserve losing the spot just yet. I expect him to maintain that position for the time being.

Jesse Joronen: He began the season as the starter, but was somewhat shaky in recent matches. As of now I think he's third in the pecking order.

-- Defenders (9) --

Nikolay Bodurov: Arguably our best defender thus far in the season, Bodurov (pending more Felix shock lineup decisions) will be an important cog in the center of Fulham's defense.

Dan Burn: After a man of the match performance in the league cup fixture against Brentford, our towering center back saw himself named to the starting eleven in league action against Cardiff. I see Mr. Burn maintaining this position unless he sees a dip in his performances (ask Mr. Hutchinson).

Fernando Amorebieta: "La Grulla" has been one of the players that have been frozen out of Magath's squad so far, but with the deadline passing and no news about him moving, he could begin to make his way back into the side. It would be irresponsible for Felix to not use him as he was an effective player for us in the latter parts of last season. Our center back depth is one of our strong points and Amorebieta also brings versatility with the ability to play left back.

Kay Voser: Voser has seen a nice run of playing time having appeared in the last two matches at right back. Mostly due to the fact that Hoogland has found himself playing further up the pitch at defensive mid, Voser has been serviceable, but nothing special.

Elsad Zverotic: Zverotic's role seems to be to provide depth, and that's basically what he's done. He hasn't featured yet this season, and will only do so if fitness levels are low due to our demanding schedule or if injuries do occur. Not much else to mention here.

Shaun Hutchinson: After a disaster start to the season at Ipswich, Hutchinson has only seen the field once since then. He was fine in that showing in the League Cup, but he is currently not one of the two first choice center backs in the squad. That being said, he does have the potential to gain that back at some point.

Cameron Burgess: Burgess may have been thrust into duty a bit too early, but as an eighteen year old he held his own quite well. I believe there are better options right now at center back but he provides some nice depth at the position.

Konstantinos Stafylidis: Stafylidis has been a polarizing figure so far in SW6. Some I've spoken with love the attacking tendencies that the young Greek brings while others believe that his is a slight liability to our defensive efforts. He had a huge preseason, but has settled down as of late. The left back job is seemingly his to lose, although Felix has experimented with him at left mid recently. Personally, I hope he stays on the the left side of defense.

Tiago Casasola: The newest addition to this group, Casasola joined Fulham on August 22nd from Boca Juniors of Argentina. He represents Argentina at the U-20 level and comes with much praise and expectations. It is yet to be seen what the 19 year old can provide or how he will fit into the squad, but a valuable signing nonetheless even if just for the future.

-- Midfielders (9) --

Scott Parker: Our captain has enjoyed a great start to the season, being arguably the best player on the pitch for the Whites so far. Barring any injuries, Scotty will solidify the midfield for Fulham for the entirety of the season.

Tim Hoogland: A right back recently turned defensive midfielder, Hoogland has transitioned nicely into his new role. He nodded in the only goal for Fulham in the match against Cardiff and I would like to see him continue to be named to the starting eleven in that capacity.

Thomas Eisfeld: Eisfeld hasn't been great but he's been decent so far this season in the attacking mid role. It looks as though Chris David now has the upper hand at the position but the young German provides depth and a quality option off the bench in the later parts of matches.

Emerson Hyndman: Hymdman has been one of the pleasant surprises for Fulham so far, oozing with confidence and composure on the ball. His passing has been rather impressive, something Fulham has lacked for some time. His performance has not gone unnoticed either. Emerson was called into the American squad by Jurgen Klinsmann for their September 3rd friendly against the Czech Republic. I hope he continues to see himself named to the starting XI as I believe his presence helps us control the midfield and possession much more effectively.

Chris David: For awhile there he was on the outside looking in, which was baffling to many fans, but Chris David has found himself in the starting XI for the past two matches and has shown why he deserves to be in that attacking mid role. I think (and hope!) that we will be seeing much more of our skilled dutchman from here on out.

Lasse Vigen Christensen: LVC has seen the pitch for only one match this season and was subbed out at halftime in a rather pedestrian showing. He's lower down the list of midfielders, but with minimal center mid depth, he could very well see more time if something like an injury were to occur.

Mark Fotheringham: Not trying to knock the guy but I'm surprised we've seen Fotheringham as much as we have. He's just not up to the standards of the Championship in my opinion and I think, like Zeverotic at right back, he should be a player that provides depth. That being said, Felix seems to favor him for some reason so it is hard to tell how much we will see him going forward.

Adil Chihi: The Moroccan made his season debut as a sub against Cardiff. He wasn't brilliant by any means but he did a alright job on the right flank for Fulham in the second half. I actually would like to see Chihi a bit more in order to see if he can offer anything for us, but strictly in a substitution role.

Dino Fazlic: I honestly don't know much about Fazlic other than he last played for Swiss club Grasshopper's second team two seasons ago. Before that he was a part of Bolton's U-21 squad and also a member of the Werder Bremen youth system. He was signed by Fulham after a successful trial this preseason. I doubt we'll see much of him this season.

-- Forwards (9) --

Ross McCormack: By now we all know who Ross McCormack is. He is supposed to take us back to the promised land, that being the Premier League, but Ross has encountered a slow start to the season. He bagged his first goal for the club against Brentford and we can all hope that it is the beginning of something truly special. McCormack will be featured in as many games as his fitness allows himself.

Cauley Woodrow: I had high hopes for Cauley coming into this season but he's been slightly disappointing so far. There are a bevy of strikers Felix can choose from so I wouldn't be surprised if we find he's been demoted to the bench after the international break.

Matt Smith: Fulham's newest and only signing on deadline day, Smith provides something that Fulham previously didn't have: a true target man. Towering at 6 foot 6 inches and 180 pounds/82 kilograms/12 stones & 12 pounds (can you tell I have no idea how the English measure body weight?), I picture Smith as a poor man's Peter Crouch, if that's even possible. Smith is a great arial threat and if we could somehow provide some decent service into the box, he could be very effective. It should also be mentioned that this was Ross McCormack's main strike partner at Leeds last season so there is some chemistry already between the two. Hopefully this means they will hit the ground running.

Moussa Dembele: Dembele has been pretty average thus far, but you can't discredit his knack for being great at positioning himself in the right spots around goal. He should have scored one in the first match against Ipswich, but his time will eventually come. He's a nice player off the bench, but with so many strikers to choose from it is hard to say how much playing time he will get at this point.

Hugo Rodallega: Hugo has been another player on the outside looking in as of late. It was rumored he was on his way out on deadline day, but no news came and he is part of the squad. I like Hugo because he seems to really give it his all when given the chance. I hope he can find some nice form as he did at the end of last season and break into the lineup every now and then.

Patrick Roberts: After desperately wanting to see Roberts start after his brief cameo in the first match of the season, I think it is safe to say that he is better suited as an impact sub to bring on in the early stages of the second half, much like Dejagah last season. The young starlet has tekkers that makes the best of them crumble when taken on 1v1, and with defenders who are beginning to feel late match fatigue, Roberts is the perfect player to exploit that weakness. I think he deserves a consistent spot on the bench given how talented he is and I wouldn't mind handing him a start here and there.

Bryan Ruiz: Wait, we still have Bryan? Yes, after all the rumors flying about in recent weeks, Captain Costa Rica is still at Fulham. We've always know him to be a talent but it's been rare to see it translated onto the pitch. I desperately hope Felix gives Bryan the chance because with his abilities when he's on his game, he could rip people to shreds in the Championship. One question mark is Ruiz's ability to deal with the physicality of the league, but if he can manage that I think that he could become a huge asset for this team, who is in need of establishing a formidable attacking threat.

George Williams: The Welsh international at only nineteen years of age has appeared once so far this season, but with Magath's more narrow tactical approach it is somewhat hard to find a spot for young Georgie. I can't see where he will find consistent playing time as of now, but he's definitely a man for the future.

Adam Taggart: Our new signing from down under has missed the beginning of the season due to injury, and when he is to return, I am not quite sure as to how he will fit into Felix's plans. As of right now it is mostly a wait and see situation.

-- Summary --

There you have it. A brief, yet in-depth analysis of the squad that Fulham will have to work with for the next four months. Something to keep in mind, and new to us now that we are in the Championship, is the ability to loan in players starting on September 8th and running through November 25th. So, there could be more additions in the works during that time, but as of now this is who we have at our disposal. If you feel so inclined, let us know what you think of the squad in the comments section. Is it enough to get the job done or are we still missing players at certain positions? As always, COYW.