When we played USA in the World Cup I watched in an American sports bar and told the guys there that Donovan was the only US player who would have a hope of making the England squad and that was only because we have struggled to find a left-winger since they used tapes for goalposts. But watching Dempsey this season I would have to add him. He seems to be getting better and better.
I think we all appreciate your side turning out in strength, Bidley - cheers. Just got off the phone to my Swindon contact - he said he sat in his seat for ten minutes afterwards absolutely exhausted. Apparently Swindon matched them all game. Despite what the BBC text commentary said, Benson didn't know much about the goal, but he was a threat throughout and deserved to get the last touch. Even given Wigan's ghastly season so far, a remarkable result.
I watched the Swindon game and they fully deserved to win. Although their winner was very lucky. It just hit Benson and went past the keeper..... and he was blatantly offside.
It's a strange thing about American players, eddie. They turn out a string of World-class goalkeepers but an endless procession of none too brilliant outfield players - Beasley, Moore, Spector etc. When you think of the two outstanding American players here of recent years, McBride and Dempsey, it's remarkable that Fulham have had them both. Mind you, an American once asked me to name any UK born and raised players who'd appeared in the NFL/AFC - I could only think of John Smith and Mick Luckhurst - both specialist placekickers. As for Donovan, I've got no doubt that he's got the ability, but will he ever stay here long enough to show it?
10/10 for atmosphere in the away end - Charlton fans in great voice, never moaned once, no racist chanting (that I heard anyway), lots of bouncy bouncy. Made me proud to be a Charlton fan Solly coped very well with Frei, and had a very good game overall. Pritchard linked up impressively in midfield and more than deserves to keep his place. BWP played much better this week and was unlucky with his chances. Jackson still looks a little sluggish although he's still feeling his way back in. Evina looked poor in his cameo, their fourth came from him giving the ball away. Overall - no reason to be downhearted, 4-0 flattered Fulham and if we play like that for the rest of the season we will get promotion.
Really good performance from us, we worked hard, could say they were lucky, first goal was stupidly lucky, 4th deflected, 3rd looked good but was a bit lucky cos big man morro was pushed off it and fell over 3rd, assume it was a clear pen lol. Solly MoM despite everything from them (until Duff came on) coming down our right Solly was solid, granted chances came down but if he had been off form so many more would have happened. Taylor had a better game then Morro imo, was solid and a threat at the set pieces Kermo- Played alright, somehow won a header off Hangalaand despite being 4 foot short then him. BWP- He gets a goal and he will start banging them in again. NOW IT'S A RANT TIME! Ref- Was stupidly Bias towards fulham, Not saying we didn't do fouls, but every 50/50 went their way, Hangalaand was pushed off the ball by BWP and apparently it's a foul, Simply didn't give us anything, Fulham persistant fouling, no booking, green first foul a yellow AND Whatever d!ckhead got himself dragged out by like 20 police he is a ****** and could cost us a fine, was stupid we'd be great all game and gets kicked out...******ed all i can say Fulham also need to get some fans who sing, noise only came from 1 end even when we were 4-0 down BUT Good team performance guys, score line is kind to Fulham and like it's been said play like that and we will go up with ease... proud to be a charlton fan and proud of the performance
Perhaps because American Football and Basketball are major sports there so kids might get used to handling big balls (if you pardon the expression). Also I meant "tapes for crossbars". I don't think tapes for goalposts would work very well unless you used loads of starch.
Was a really, really great atmosphere. Sullivan- kicking was poor but pulled off some good saves. Back four as a whole looked reasonably solid on the whole, Fulham were just very clinical with their chances. Pritchard was by far in my opinion the best player on our team, looked at some points to me as though he might've fitted in that Fulham team. Murphy appeared to stop taking corners in the first half after some stick from our end. The referee was extremely biased towards the home side. In fact I noticed in the program we haven't won any of our last 6 matches Phil Dowd has refereed.
Our midfield should be "Pritchard and who else", because he's becoming an extremely effective player. I really like the way he's always available.
Back from the match and agree with what has been said above, Charlton played pretty well and should certainly not feel ashamed of the performance. Losing to a Premier League first 11 who have just come off a great win against Arsenal is no disgrace for any team in the championship or League 1. I felt that between the first and second goals Charlton looked more like the PL team than Fulham, passed to feet with good movement. Sadly, the fulham defence were all built like brickhouses! How the ref can even comprehend BWP out muscling one of them unfairly is beyond me! I think we are some way off having a team that could compete anywhere near that level due to the difference in fitness and strength, but we are certainly on the right tracks, no doubt about that! My MoM was Solly, excellent performance yet again, his side did seem to be attacked the most but he didnt let much get past him. As for the fans, anyone who was there will tell you the away stand was quite literally rocking for 90mins, with only slight pauses for the goals before drowning out the home support within a few minutes. I hardly heard the Fulham fans! 4-0 up and nope, they still wouldnt sing!
Pritchard could become my favourite player too. It's quite a long time since we had a CM player with his appetite for the ball, and who covered as much ground as he does. Now who could I be thinking of?
Thanks, been reading these forums for a while and keep meaning to join in. As I was one of the 7000 today, thought today was as good a day as any to put my two penniesworth in! Just hope the lads take pride in how they played today and look forward to the next two massive games, 6 points from those and we'll be well on the way!! Im a season ticket holder, West Upper, Block K.
