Back from the game (Fulham)

[leon]

Fulham are good going forward but as soon as you attack them they have absolutely no bollocks. That's why they're where they are in the league. They're a shitty little side.

That's how it played out today until we gave them a way back.

Even then they offered nothing after that and we should have wrapped it up. Ola John shooting near post when giving it to the Cannibal would have got us the points.

We've given those shitty smug cnuts 4 points this season. I really hope they go down.

[marlowuk]

This was a game we could and should have won with the chances we had in the second half. Fulham started strongly and deserved their one goal lead. Dembele was a problem for us all game and I'll be surprised if Fulham can hang on to him for next season. The penalty, given away needlessly by Amorebieta got us back into the game and then we went ahead with a glorious goal. The midfield have been consistently missing runs by our frontmen for ages but this time Hector saw the run of Ola John and his pass split their defence brilliantly and John's centre was converted by the diving header of HRK.

So, an even first half saw us go into the break a goal up. Fulham were not great but did not look like relegation fodder. Fredericks on their right wing was very quick although Obita, who had a good game, kept him fairly quiet even though he couldn't match him for pace. But, after about 10 minutes of the second half, Fredericks was free on the right against Cooper and the academy graduate was well beaten for pace and clumsily brought him down conceding the penalty and the team's lead.

We had plenty of opportunities to score thereafter but Fulham seemed to be content to defend the draw. McCleary had been brought on for the injured HRK and he was OK only. Rakels was brought on for Quinn (I'd have brought on Williams for Norwood who had another poor game) but his (Rakels) diving was embarrassing!

We made too many basic mistakes with simple passes going astray. We lacked energy and urgency. Our defence - particularly Gunter and Ferdinand - is too slow to move the ball forwards and there is too little movement up front to to give them and the midfield passing options. Energy is what Williams gives us and I think we are a better unit with him on the pitch. Ola John was involved so often in this game and I would put him as MOTM just ahead of Hector. HRK looks to be 50-50 for Friday and Vydra also doubtful and that is a worry. Presumably Brian will rest several others in the Tuesday match to maximise the chance of another visit to Wembley. Here's hoping!!!

[Snowball136]

This was a game we could and should have won with the chances we had in the second half. Fulham started strongly and deserved their one goal lead. Dembele was a problem for us all game and I'll be surprised if Fulham can hang on to him for next season. The penalty, given away needlessly by Amorebieta got us back into the game and then we went ahead with a glorious goal. The midfield have been consistently missing runs by our frontmen for ages but this time Hector saw the run of Ola John and his pass split their defence brilliantly and John's centre was converted by the diving header of HRK.

!

Watching the highlights last night, I hadn't realised that John had won the ball to feed Hector
and then moved quickly for the Hector pass before feeding HRK. Classy!

A tad worrying though that all three players may well be gone in the summer.

[taipairoyal]

Played well in patches. So did they.2 soft pens.2-2 about fair.


Rakels can stop diving now please

You lot beginning to get the picture yet??????????????

he will cost us dear, get rid.

[paddy20]

Rakels will be our star player next year if we play 2 up front

[Snowball136]

Rakels will be our star player next year if we play 2 up front

Totally agree

[paultheroyal]

Fulham are good going forward but as soon as you attack them they have absolutely no bollocks. That's why they're where they are in the league. They're a shitty little side.

That's how it played out today until we gave them a way back.

Even then they offered nothing after that and we should have wrapped it up. Ola John shooting near post when giving it to the Cannibal would have got us the points.

We've given those shitty smug cnuts 4 points this season. I really hope they go down.

Agree with all this.

Decent run of the mill match really. Plenty to be more optimistic about. Coopers lack of pace does worry and that's what has led to us conceding a number of goals recently. Like to see Ferdinand and Mcshane on Friday.

I expect multiple changes on Tuesday and can see the likes of Bond, Taylor, Fernandez, Williams, Evans, Rakels all starting.

[CountryRoyal]

A tad worrying though that all three players may well be gone in the summer.

It is and it isn't. A few weeks/months ago and this is what everyone would have wanted anyway. This squad has class there has, some of us have argued, never been any doubt about that. The problem is that they couldn't and still can't consistently perform to their level and there are definite mental fragilities about them. It would be a shame to lose Vydra, John, Hector and on current showing HRK but not so long ago people were crying out to "send them back" or get rid. McDermott has come in and wether or not you think he's the right man for the job he needs a summer window to get his own players (lol) in and shape his team, get the right characters in and hopefully with our bit of financial backing some with ability too.

Don't get the love for HRK though, he's playing well and that's fantastic, but he's playing for a contract and with the euros coming up he's building up his stock. He's pants for every other year of his contract so we'd do well to not renew (if we had a chance/wanted to anyway).

I also think there's a fairly strong chance Hector could well be here next season. Think he'll piss off to Chelsea for pre season and they'll be like "nahhhh".

[Dr_Hfuhruhurr]

Agree with most of this thread.

Hector made it look easy, and Ola John gave one of the more exciting performances we've seen for quite a while.
At the other end of the scale AAH is going to need some more Brian encouragement - he looks like a high maintenance player.


But the last 15 minutes was a mess. Leon is right, Fulham are spineless - and we could have easily rolled them over at the end. But McLeary doesn't know what to do in this formation, and Rakkels gave a performance that reminded me of Paul Brayson - lots of running around. and never looked dangerous. There are an awful lot of defences in this division that will deal with him easily if he doesn't raise his game. Is Piazon injured? Maybe we should take consolation that the game didn't really matter, but less consolation that if we take the loanees away, this squad is starting to look a bit weak.

[Snowball136]

I also think there's a fairly strong chance Hector could well be here next season. Think he'll piss off to Chelsea for pre season and they'll be like "nahhhh".

I think Arsenal would nick him then, but as DM not CB


But, yeah, there's a small chance we could borrow him for another year. They are unlikely to say they made a mistake, though, so I suspect if he isn't good enough to make the Chelsea squad, he'll go out on loan to a different championship team

[RoyalBlue]

Can't understand the criticism of Norwood. He played some absolutely brilliant passes when his teammates made themselves available for them. One example was the fantastic ball that picked out OIa's run (dropped right into it from some distance) through the middle which saw Ola's shot pushed away and Kermorgant prevented from burying the loose ball by a great last ditch challenge by a defender.

Norwood also produced some great tackles when he dropped deeper later in the game.

If any midfielder isn't working out at present I would say it is Quinn. Not really his fault, more the role it looks as though he is being asked to play.

[Ian Royal]

A tad worrying though that all three players may well be gone in the summer.

Don't get the love for HRK though, he's playing well and that's fantastic, but he's playing for a contract and with the euros coming up he's building up his stock. He's pants for every other year of his contract so we'd do well to not renew (if we had a chance/wanted to anyway).

I also think there's a fairly strong chance Hector could well be here next season. Think he'll piss off to Chelsea for pre season and they'll be like "nahhhh".

The thing for me about HRK is that he seems to have found his position as a right forward / winger. Previously he's been used a lot as a more conventional left winger and he's really not about beating a man, hitting the byline and crossing. He's also been played as a striker, which is fine for Wales when he has Bale and Ramsey to remove any pressure from him, but doesn't work when he actually needs to achieve something himself.

His last good spell in the PL, he was also used a fair amount on the right iirc. I think there's a good chance that if he stays in this position he'll continue to perform. Given McCleary seems irretrievably broken now losing HRK when we're likely to lose so many other players and are already light up front and on the flanks is a worry for me.

Agree on Hector.

[Victor Meldrew]

Thinking in terms of our biggest match of the season (so far) coming up on Friday I believe that Palace's weakness is in the two full-back positions so I hope that Brian goes with McCleary and John as the two starters out wide-I don't think McCleary is that good as an impact sub (as we saw yesterday) whereas John showed that he is now fit enough to play 90 minutes and he does make things happen.

Our greatest concerns will probably be Palace's own 2 wingers against our defensively frail full-backs so the game could be some kind of wingfest.
The other concern is Danns and Delaney at set-pieces and for the umpteenth time yesterday we give a goal way with defenders pointing at each other and nobody taking responsibility.

Our best chance IMHO is for us to give it a go so hopefully will start on the front foot.
As for yesterday's game Hector was brilliant in the tackle but his passing was dire in the first half but much improved in the second-not sure why we need a defensive midfielder at home to a side like Fulham though.
Dembele looks a real prospect but Fulham are bad defensively and you can see why they are where they are in the league.

[Victor Meldrew]

Thinking in terms of our biggest match of the season (so far) coming up on Friday I believe that Palace's weakness is in the two full-back positions so I hope that Brian goes with McCleary and John as the two starters out wide-I don't think McCleary is that good as an impact sub (as we saw yesterday) whereas John showed that he is now fit enough to play 90 minutes and he does make things happen.

Our greatest concerns will probably be Palace's own 2 wingers against our defensively frail full-backs so the game could be some kind of wingfest.
The other concern is Danns and Delaney at set-pieces and for the umpteenth time yesterday we give a goal way with defenders pointing at each other and nobody taking responsibility.

Our best chance IMHO is for us to give it a go so hopefully will start on the front foot.
As for yesterday's game Hector was brilliant in the tackle but his passing was dire in the first half but much improved in the second-not sure why we need a defensive midfielder at home to a side like Fulham though.
Dembele looks a real prospect but Fulham are bad defensively and you can see why they are where they are in the league.

Had forgotten we have a game on Tuesday-play the reserves and kids.

[AthleticoSpizz]

.........really?

A game where another 3 points keeps us vaguely interested in the play-offs

Unbeaten in 6......play the players.....keep the momentum going

[marlowuk]

Thinking in terms of our biggest match of the season (so far) coming up on Friday I believe that Palace's weakness is in the two full-back positions so I hope that Brian goes with McCleary and John as the two starters out wide-I don't think McCleary is that good as an impact sub (as we saw yesterday) whereas John showed that he is now fit enough to play 90 minutes and he does make things happen.

Palace haven't won a league game since before Christmas!! They are now only 9 points above the drop zone so maybe that will weigh on their minds? Nice to see McCarthy giving us a hand in this regard by gifting Liverpool a goal today!! I don't know what is wrong with their No 1 keeper, Hennessey, but it may be McCarthy in goal for them on Friday. If so we will know to pressurise him when he has the ball at his feet!!

[AthleticoSpizz]

What have they done with Speroni?

.....always been decent enough

[bcubed]

Can't understand the criticism of Norwood. He played some absolutely brilliant passes when his teammates made themselves available for them. One example was the fantastic ball that picked out OIa's run (dropped right into it from some distance) through the middle which saw Ola's shot pushed away and Kermorgant prevented from burying the loose ball by a great last ditch challenge by a defender.

Norwood also produced some great tackles when he dropped deeper later in the game.

If any midfielder isn't working out at present I would say it is Quinn. Not really his fault, more the role it looks as though he is being asked to play.

Yeh, thought he was pretty good too.
Not as influential as some games but still intercepting and tackling well, only outshone by Hector
His last home game was below par but otherwise he's still consistently one of our better players

[Royal Ginger]

Thinking in terms of our biggest match of the season (so far) coming up on Friday I believe that Palace's weakness is in the two full-back positions so I hope that Brian goes with McCleary and John as the two starters out wide-I don't think McCleary is that good as an impact sub (as we saw yesterday) whereas John showed that he is now fit enough to play 90 minutes and he does make things happen.

Palace haven't won a league game since before Christmas!! They are now only 9 points above the drop zone so maybe that will weigh on their minds? Nice to see McCarthy giving us a hand in this regard by gifting Liverpool a goal today!! I don't know what is wrong with their No 1 keeper, Hennessey, but it may be McCarthy in goal for them on Friday. If so we will know to pressurise him when he has the ball at his feet!!

Alternatively you could say that 9 points with 9 to go is almost certainly more than enough, and that the FA cup is a priority for them now so they'll be more up for it.

Realistically, we'te still just a banana skin to them, if they show up they're quite capable of giving us a good hiding, we're still very much the underdog.

[wingnut]

Not a gr8 game really despite the goals. We still look rather ponderous and pedestrian in possession whereas Fulham looked more lively and incisive, particularly in the first half. We probably had done enough to win it but a draw wasn't an outrageous injustice.
Hal and Ola looked decent, Yann should've put his chance early in the second half away and Denis's tumble for the attempted penalty marked his card with the ref for the rest of the game.