2015/16 Player Profiles: Richard Stearman, Fernando Amorebieta, Matt Smith

So, we have finally reached offseason, which means it's time for us to give some player profiles towards our (fairly bad) squad.

Richard Stearman

Rank: 19 | Age: 28 | Starts: 2 | Appearances: 29 | Minutes: 2,521

Player Profile

Stearman joined us from Wolves towards the start of the 2015-16 season. He seemed to be our golden boy in terms of defence, being versatile, meaning he can play any back three position as required. His radar below shows what kind of player he is. Not perfect, but useful.

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

Season Review

With 31 appearances over the season, he's definitely shown his ability to play well, with over 2,600 minutes played on the team. He's created chances, completing successful crosses and also racking up some yellows (and a red), showing that he's a man of his word when it comes to defending by any means necessary.

2016/17 Best Case

In terms of where he goes after summer, I think he'll stay with us. He's definitely one of, if not, the best defender we've had for a while.

Fernando Amorebieta

Rank: 18 | Age: 31 | Starts:  | Appearances: 14  | Minutes: 1,224

Player Profile

31 year-old Fernando Amorebieta has been with us since the 2013/14 season, however, after a pretty good season - one in which he became the first Venezuelan to score in the Premier League (and also the first Venezuelan to score for a team that got relegated from the Premier League?) things have been slippery for the robust defender, having been loaned to Middlesbrough for half of last season, after a mere eight appearances. He has a reputation for being foul prone and sometimes making rash decisions. His passing is a little weak, and he can be beaten on the dribble. He's a beast in the air. The radar shows, that he's probably best used as a center back rather than at the left back position where he's often been deployed.

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

Season Review

He's had a good time with Boro, returning to them on loan for most of this season before coming back to us in February. He played over 2200 minutes split between the two teams. He was brought back because frankly, Fulham were willing to try anything on defense. He wasn't the answer on defense, but he did seem less rash in this go around than before. He was only committing 1.6 fouls a game, and only received two yellows in his fourteen appearances, and the one red card I'm still not sure was actually a handball (you can judge for yourself).

2016/17 Best Case

He still has years remaining on his contract. He's still on a high wage. The team doesn't seem sure he's the answer in defense. He's been loaned to Middlesbrough twice, so you never know. He might join them again on loan, maybe even join the club permanently, or perhaps Fulham buy him out and left him walk away on a free.

Matt Smith

Rank: 17 | Age: 26 | Starts: 5 | Appearances: 20  | Minutes: 589 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2

Player Profile

The youngest of the three, Matt Smith joined us on summer transfer deadline day 2014, for a total of three years with an additional year provided he wants it, from Leeds United, along with his friend Ross McCormack. In this time with us, he's appeared 21 times, scoring two goals, which is pretty shoddy in comparison to the rest of our forwards. It's unfortunate as he's been subbed on 16 times this season, giving him opportunities to shine in terms of scoring and being able to play in the front three, but he hasn't been able to capitalise on this, creating more chances than actually being the one to score, which is pretty admirable.

Season Review

His season started strong with a start and a goal in Fulham's first match of the season. Remember how much hope this goal gave us?

After this though, he was mainly used as a late game sub and in garbage time. he managed to rack up two assists when Birmingham destroyed Fulham 5-2, and scored the lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest.

2016/17 Best Case

Seeing as he has another two years left on his contract, he'll more than likely stay with us next season, but could possibly be loaned off if his appearance to goal ratio doesn't improve.