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2015/16 Player Profiles: Jamie O’Hara and Ryan Fredericks

We’re nearing in on the top five.

Fulham v Burnley - Sky Bet Championship Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Ryan Fredericks

Rank: 7 | Age: 23 | Starts: 23 | Appearances: 32 | Minutes: 2016

Player Profile

Ryan Fredericks ranks at 7th in our team rankings after a strange summer for the defender. Ryan originally joined Bristol City last summer, but only stayed at the club for 26 days before he agreed terms with Fulham on a three-year deal. A roller-coaster year has preceded him, with battling for the right-back spot with Jazz Richards while struggling with an ongoing battle with injuries.

Created by Ben Lutz, Data from whoscored.com, Methodology by Ted Knutson via statsbomb.com

Season Review

There's no doubting that Ryan has the ability and skill-set to become a very strong right-back for the club. Possessing lightning pace and the tenacity to be do a job in both ends of the pitch, Ryan could secure the right-back spot at the club for the next few years. Unfortunately, Ryan has suffered with hamstring injuries which has limited his playing time this season and has often seen himself struggle to finish a full 90 minutes. The former Spurs defender did excel in the 5-3-2 system implemented by Jokanovic and seemed a natural choice when utilised as a full-back. By no means the worse performing defender this term, but due to his injuries his inconsistency in the side slowed the development he wished to gain this year.

2016/17 Best Case

Should Ryan surpass pre-season at Fulham without any injuries, next season could be a massive year for the defender. Arguably, one of the fastest players in the league, Fulham can recruit quality players around him, Ryan will be able to have a free role down the right hand side to support attacks in the final third. Should the right defensive recruits enter the club this season, their leadership will help coach Fredericks into a stronger player defensively too. Without a doubt, Ryan has the capabilities to really succeed at the football club, but must work hard in pre-season to be in the best physical shape before the opening game of the season.

Jamie O'Hara

Rank: 6 | Age: 29 | Starts: 34 | Appearances: 37 | Minutes: 2699 |Goals: 1 | Assists: 3

Player Profile

Jamie O'Hara ranks at 6th in our team rankings after joining the club in the summer of 2015. Jamie O'Hara requested the club to take him on a trial during that summer, cancelling his own summer holiday to impress the coaching staff at Fulham. After a successful pre-season and trial, Fulham offered the former Blackpool & Wolves midfielder a one-year deal at the Craven Cottage.

Created by Ben Lutz, Data from whoscored.com, Methodology by Ted Knutson via statsbomb.com

Season Review

During the first few months at the club, Jamie O’Hara collected a number of Man of the Match awards and filled that deep-lying playmaker role perfectly. Sadly, Kit Symon’s 4-1-3-2 tactic was found out early, and with O’Hara not providing the traditional defensive cover, our defensive fragilities became clear. Away to Charlton Jamie O'Hara formed a strong partnership with Ryan Tunnicliffe and the pairing were dominating the game. It was only until, Symons subbed O'Hara towards the end of the game that Charlton began to pile on the pressure. Unfortunately for O'Hara, Symons left Fulham and the coaches that followed used the midfielder sparingly or as a back-up option. If Symons would have seen the season out, would O'Hara have had his contract extended? Possibly. There's no doubting O'Hara's passing ability and range, but with the midfielder ageing and his lack to cover enough ground, his midfield roles for the future are limited.

2016/17 Best Case

With O'Hara being released this week, the former Spurs & Wolves midfielder will be looking to prove he can still deliver at the highest possible level he can. With some off the field issues distracting him from his on-field duties, O'Hara may struggle to find the right match for him. I do expect the midfielder to join a newly promoted Championship side or test the waters of League One for next season.