1st half was decent but felt like what it was a newly promoted team hanging in there with an established PL team looking to go through the gears. Whilst we certainly didn't play badly I thought if all our games were going to be like this we were in for a tough season. The difference in quality of opposition we faced since last season is massive. However we were superb 2nd half and that performance really gives us great encouragement that we can have a decent season. I felt we controlled the 2nd half and it was much more like how we played in the Championship. I'd say Fulham at the end looked pretty happy cling on for a draw and looked quite rattled at times 2nd half. In terms of players, so far as other have also commented I don't see why we've bought Muric, I thought it was for his distribution but it was terrible today. His decision making was also poor in terms of knowing when to come off his line. I'd chuck Walton back in in a heart beat on current viewing. I thought the 2 Cbs were outstanding Woolfenden in particular, his reading of the game is superb. Our weakness again came down the flanks but to be fair that is often because we weren't able to double up. I thought Morsy was MoM, second half in particular he was outstanding, he started to dominate midfield which gave us control of the match. I thought Tuanzebe had a good game and has really grown since last season, only criticism is sometimes he does outstanding things well then other times a simple pass he misses. Davis was more of a presence going forwards than in the previous games but he did get beaten a couple of times down his side although he has been up against some very good players and in some instances probably could've been helped out a bit more. I thought Phillips started off looking rusty, his position was a bit off and he was beaten far too many times in midfield but I thought he grew into the game was being more solid defensively and started spraying some lovely passes around. Ogbene was relatively quiet but he brings a lot of the traits we miss when Burns isn't in the team in terms of the runs he makes and the positions he takes up which is positive because it provides options on the ball and creates space for others. Hutchinson was outstanding in some of his play but particularly first half I felt he could've protected the ball a little better on recieved it was a little too easy to knock off the ball. Also some of his shots/passing were not quite of the level he was at at the end of last season, if they were it probably would've resulted in a goal. Szmodics was great particularly off the ball, in pressing the defence. He got in a couple of times down the left towards the byline with good runs and you could see its probably not his most comfortable position, he'd much rather try to cut inside. Delap was outstanding and really for me the pick of the new signings, he's fitted in very quickly where others have looked like they'll need a bit more time to fit in. The concern is if he gets injured I'm not sure Al Hamadi is up to starting in the PL. But with a fully fit Hirst and Delap, it's a great option to have for McKenna, they're similar but different, it feels Delap is better at running at the defence from deep where Hirst is better holding a higher line getting in behind. There may be occasions McKenna puts them both in as Delap can also play on the right. Clarke is probably the other player in terms of new signings who's looked the part so far in his brief appearances. I think it'll be a real challenge for McKenna to pick a favoured front 4 when everyone is fit.
Great summary ptc! I think I would start with Walton too. That said, maybe our goalie coach can work on his obvious weaknesses.
No way should we start with Walton. Like many of the others, Muric will improve with a little time Fulham could have had an hatful before half time from our inability to stop crosses so we were lucky to get away with a point. There were signs in the second half of us taking our identity to the Premier League. We are going to have to show more skill and composure in the final third though. Opposition defences are much faster and sharper and would snuff out many of the chances we scored last season. The goalkeepers are stronger too. Our build up play was excellent but we don’t have enough to get in behind and threaten the goal often enough yet.
Before you all start having a go at me cos I'm from the Leeds board, I come here with a genuine question. You guys were probably thinking Fulham at home is an ideal opportunity to get a win on the board given your home form the last few years. Are you surprised at the difference in standards from the Championship to the PL? When we were up there it was quite depressing going in to some games thinking that if we kept the score down to 2 or 3 then we'd had a good game. Anyway, thoughts?
No, nobody is surprised. We know there are no easy games. We have to compete by working on our own brand of football. If we wait to try to beat the weaker sides or be satisfied with not picking up points against the top sides that's exactly the mentality that would see us not pick up enough points and get us relegated. The next game is Brighton and the players will try to win the game and whether they do or not they will keep learning and improving.
To be fair, most of us predicted a draw. And we are not surprised at the different level. We have just shelled out a record £100m plus on new experienced players. I for one am pleased at our rapid learning curve, how we are gelling and am quietly confident that we will surprise many this season. And we have Kieran McKenna.
No, expected a harder game against Fulham tbh. We should have beat them. Liverpool and Man City were as expected, hoping it will be closer second time around when our new players have bedded in!!
Anyone answer this though, how has Morsy spent the majority of his career in League 1? What a player he is
The way he picked up yet another booking answers the question. I think he will be dropped soon. He won’t be able to meet the bar set by Phillips and Cajuste.
I suspect KM will usually pick skipper Morsy to start as he has been pivotal for the team's performances and how we play. He has many leadership qualities too.
Several Fulham players got away with worse fouls than the one Morsy was booked for.He's KMc's brain on the pitch and continues to impress me with the way he adapts to each step up in standard. I'll accept in the longer term his age will count against him but I can see it being a long transition.
He was the best midfielder on the pitch yesterday. Took a card to stop the player getting past him, unfortunately at that point I thought Phillips couldve learnt something from that whilst although he grew into the game at that point defensively he was letting players go past him too easily.
I thought the Fulham home match was an ideal opportunity to get points on the board, but I thought it'd be a draw (as did a few of us). I've watched a lot of Premier League football over the years, so the difference in standards haven't surprised me. I've gone into this season with my eyes very much open and acknowledge it would be a success if we manage to avoid relegation. I'm still slightly pessimistic about our chances staying up, but the performance against Fulham surprised me in the way we seem to be adapting to Premier League football. I think part of that is down to our recruitment, but the main factor is Kieran McKenna and his coaching staff. Will there be three teams worse than us this season? Possibly. I think we've got to hope Leicester will be hit with this long-awaited points deduction, Everton continue to get stuck in the mire, and Southampton fail to turn things around. Teams like Wolves will struggle this season too.
I'm really hoping that Everton finally succumb to relegation this season. Leicester SHOULD be hit with a big points deduction but most teams seem to get away with minimal deductions. If you can get the home form rocking then I can see you staying up. I hope you do. I enjoyed watching Ipswich last season. There were always goals.
I disagree. The card had no justification. Phillips took a while to warm up but showed what he’s capable of and Cajuste immediately had an impact and started breaking the lines. In the interest of fairness, Cajuste did make a Casemiro-type error that nearly cost us the game. It’s only a matter of time before Morsy drops to the bench.
