Fulham’s 2016/17 squad numbers, what can we glean?

Fulham have released the squad numbers for the 2016/17 season. Some might see this as just a list of numbers and players. That’s probably the correct way of looking at it. Of course, it’s much more fun to try to figure out the hidden meaning in the assignments.

Goalkeepers

Marcus Bettinelli keeps his number one shirt. Does this mean he’s going to be the number one keeper? Probably not, as David Button is wearing 27, the same number he wore at Brentford. Jesse Joronen and Marek Rodack will wear 41 and 42 respectively.

Defense

Ryan Fredricks has taken the number two jersey from the departed Jazz Richards. This might just settle any controversy on who the first choice right back is (not that there was much). Tim Ream (13), Richard Stearman (5), and Michael Madl (15) continue on unchanged.

New addition Denis Odoi takes number four, while Scott Malone grabs the number three shirt previously held by Luke Garbutt. Does Malone taking the three shirt mean anything? Probably not as Odoi has often been wearing the number four. Tomas Kalas wears the 26 shirt, the same shirt he wore for Middlesbrough.

The most interesting number given to a defender is probably Ryan Sessegnon who takes number 30. Just a few months past his 16th birthday, could the young starlet see playing time this year?

Midfield

Tom Cairney (10), Scott Parker (8), Lasse Vigen Christensen (21), and Ryan Tunnicliffe (19) all go into this season with the same number.

Kevin McDonald takes the six shirt. He had previously worn 11 with Wolves. Does putting him in the traditional number for the defensive midfielder mean that is what we can expect his role to be?

Forwards

Matt Smith (9), Cauley Woodrow (16), and Ross McCormack (44) carry on unchanged. Sone Aluko takes number 24, the number he has prefered in his career. While Floyd Ayite dons 11, the traditional number for a left winger.

What’s missing

Fulham only have 22 shirts assigned. They only have 18 outfield players. One of those players is expected to leave. There are plenty of low numbers for new signings (7, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29). There are also some noticeable absences. Jack Grimmer, who previously wore 26 is not listed. Sakiri Matilla, last seen in 14, doesn’t appear to have a number anymore. Sean Kavanagh (32) is conspicuously absent as well. Are those players on the way out? Can we expect to see some more signings to fill out the squad? Or are we just reading way to much into it.

Full List

1. Marcus Bettinelli
2. Ryan Fredericks
3. Scott Malone
4. Denis Odoi
5. Richard Stearman
6. Kevin McDonald
8. Scott Parker
9. Matt Smith
10. Tom Cairney
11.Floyd Ayité
13. Tim Ream
15. Michael Madl
16. Cauley Woodrow
19. Ryan Tunnicliffe
21. Lasse Vigen Christensen
24. Sone Aluko
26. Tomas Kalas
27. David Button
30. Ryan Sessegnon
41. Jesse Joronen
42. Marek Rodak
44. Ross McCormack