Evening all To use a tired cliche, that really was a game of two halves. Even though Newcastle were the better team in the first half, only Colocini's shot at Stockdale was the only time I thought we were really threatened. The saves Stocky made were routine, from distance and hit very low. Ruiz was incredibly poor even before he was moved to central midfield in place of Sidwell, I'm glad Jol admitted his mistake by bringing on Baird for Ruiz though. Second half? Where to start. We took the chances which came our way, it's that simple. We have played worse than we did today and lost games (Tottenham, Everton) but that's the way football works sometimes. Taking you back to the West Brom deal for Odemwingie which involved Duff and Baird going the other way, I hope those who said the deal was credible saw the performances of both players today, Baird in particular was outstanding and should retain his place next week with AJ also coming into the side to replace both Sidwell and Ruiz. Went for a look on the Newcastle forum and the ignorance really does speak volumes. 'Fulham were lucky' 'Fulham play boring football' 'Penalties weren't penalties'. To be honest I'd be pretty fuming if a striker whose only goals in the league this season came against QPR at home tore my team a new one today too.
We are fuming, and the first penalty was very soft. You can understand why we are frustrated, dominated the first half but because shola ameobi is worse at football than my nan after a few cherrys and a general all round lazy ****, we didn't create enough clear cut chances. With ba in the side we should have wrapped it up by half time. Credit to fulham , but we have a right to be pissed off when we should be much, much better than we were.
Was loosing heart at half time and thinking was is Jol doing? But have to say AJ's and Baird's coming into the second half with a classic 4-4-2 tore Newcastle apart. Don't care about soft penalty and all that. He got on the wrong side and was inevitable. A few points to comment: 1. BZ lazy in the first half, caught so many times offside. Improved immensely in the second. 2. Chris Baird. What a soldier. Whenever is called is doing his best. Glued the midfield together and helped Danny to control the middle of the park. 3. Master stroke by Jol to take off Ruiz. He was nit present exposing Kelly to all sort of trouble. Also AJ was a super sub. Got on running their defense from the first minute. They are lucky to finish the first half with 11 players. Overall a game of two halves which is the story of our lives this season. As for Newcastle nothing impressive. Maybe Ba would have made a difference maybe not. Till the next time farewell.
Morning Bandy. As one of those who said the Odemwingie/Baird+Duff deal was credible, I'd like to remind you I never said that we should get rid of those two, or that they had nothing to contribute. I simply pointed out that neither of them seem central to Jol's plans, short or long term. My position is unchanged - I don't want them to go, but I would understand Jol's reasoning if they did. As for the penalties, they were soft. The Duff one was outside the box and the foul was debatable even if it was inside. AJ's one could have gone either way. Credit to AJ, a player with a reputation for going down easily, for not going down under the first challenge though. That adds credibility to his appeal for the second challenge. That said, if either pen was given against us I think I would have felt agrieved. But (apologies to Newcastle fans), who cares? A brilliant result, made all the sweeter by the difference between the woeful first and the sublime second half. If Newcastle fans are saying we play boring football, then I agree with you Bandy that they're completely wrong on that. Maybe give them the benefit of the doubt and put it down to frustration rather than rational observation though.
The half-time change to bring on Baird was critical. Ruiz was leaving us exposed, e.g. he gave the ball the ball away for the first half goal. Our midfield was not working until Chris Baird came on - He was the glue that held us together, as Madness says. We had been playing below par first half, and Newcastle deserved their lead - Although not enough chances to be worth being ought-of-sight. The first penaly was soft, so we got the rub-of-the-green, which we've failed to get on other occasions, so I'm not complaining. Whether or not Newcastle should have been down to 10 men when AJ went down after the second foul just before the break could be debatable - it's a matter of Referee's judgement on a number of factors, but MOTD did not bother to show it. And yes, too many offsides in the first half and the through balls did not work, but that changed at half-time. Apart from tightening up in midfield, the upped commitment of our Zamora/Johnson/Dempsey trio opening them up, plus some good play from Duff/Kelly, and was supurb to watch for a Fulham supporter. The Geordies should not complain about us being boring, but they should be far more worried about their woeful performance in the second half - Irrespective of a doubtful penalty to equalise (it's not as if the dodgy decision put them behind) a club with Top-6 pretensions should not FOLD (although they are not the only ones to have done so this season) - some lessons for Newcastle to act on. Well done Fulham!
It was quite an extraordinary game. At half time I was thinking this is the worst we have played this season. We were giving the ball away easily and Newcastle were defending and playing well. The whole team bar Duff were woeful. The introduction of the old guard Baird and Johnson made an unbelievable difference. Zamora cheered up and suddenly we were Fulham of old. I'll take 5 but we could have had more - quite unbelievable change around. As for Geordie fans - well the ones at the game were at least gracious. To witness that collapse must have been awful. They mixed back in with the home support for the walk home without the sometimes bitterness you get. Nice lot of fans I thought.
Having watched Fulham for over 50yrs, for me Clint Demsey,is in the top10 best players Fulham have ever had. Long may he continue scoring and playing for FFC. We are certainly turning out to be a Jeykle & Hyde team,its time now to have more Jeykle and less Hyde.
The first half was miserable - not just the worst this season but the worst in the last 10 years. I don't know but there was a strange atmosphere around the ground even before the start. I know we are not the most vocal but it felt well, completely flat. Not that that or the weather can be offerred as an excuse for our woeful display in that first 45. Agree about Duff and Stockdale did what was needed of him. But I would give Riise (unlike me eh?) a little credit - at least he looked as though he was trying. Ah, but the second half. Full credit to Jol; acknowledging the huge gaps, lack of urgency in pressing their very high line etc. etc. Bringing on Baird and reverting to 4-4-2 gave the team the balance needed. Okay the foul that gave the first penalty was outside the box but the intention wasn't and that's the risk the defender took - arguably the last man too. Whatever, that calmed the nerves and from then on we were clinical. Something like 7 attempts and 5 scored. My MOTM? Nearly Riise for giving 95 minute; nearly Baird for an all round supberb contribution (tackling, in the air, having a go); nearly BZ for his assists ( but just can't after a horrid first half - he should stop reading the fan's posts!); nearly Demps (£50m if a penny). However, I humbly give it to AJ - what a performance.
Alright guys fair play yesterday you performed well and deserve your victory. I see that a few of you have given some of the lads on our forum abit of pelters because of they're moaning but I hope you understand we were all just so frustrated. First half we were so dominant and in so much control. Based on that 1st half you were the worst team I'd seen us play this year(even worse than Bolton who were awful) and could only see one result, so you can probably understand how frustrated, and surprised we all were really at the second half. I knew you were abit of a Jekyll and Hyde team but Jesus!! Yer the 1st goal wasn't a pen, but there was no excuses about they way we crumbled after that, you can't do it in this league or you get punished, simple as. Johnson changed the game, and ran us riot, and Dempsey's just class. Don't read too much into us after yesterday that second half was just a freak show. I know a few of you have said fairly it may have made a difference if we had Ba, which is true, but Tiote for me was an even bigger miss for us yesterday.He just would not have given your CM's a bit of time and space. Anyways good luck for the rest of the season, and try and join us in the top half
Well, it really was the most extraordinary game and I can't add a lot to what everyone else (from both sides) have said. In my view the 2nd penalty definitely was a pen. AJ was clattered by the defender and then by Krul - he really deserved 2 penalties. My concern for us is that we're not now just wildly inconsistent between games (beat arsenal, lose to Blackburn etc) but we're wildly inconsistent within a game itself. I was so depressed at half time that I ate a large chocolate muffin and resigned myself to 1-1 at best. The second half was one of the best we've played for ages against, albeit we took Newcastle by surprise, and we looked like a top 6, never mind a top 10, side. Obviously I wouldnt be without the thrill of the roller coaster ride but a bit more consistency is needed. As for Newcastle I think they've been excellent this season and we were lucky to play them without their top players. I also like to think that where they are now is where we could be next season after longer with Jol in charge and a few more quality players Anyway, it was a brilliant game and from now on I'll be eating a chocolate muffin at half time every week.
Possibly one of the best things I've read on here. I know that not all Newcastle fans are like the ones I saw on their board, and I know that in the heat of the moment the last thing you want to do is credit your opposition, but to insult them purely for exposing your weak backline? Nonsense.
Best (if slightly dubious) quote of the day - by Jol: "The first half was sort of Brixton, the second half was a holiday in Jamaica. It was an unbelievable difference."
Agree with penalty comments - Krul was lucky not to get a red, Guthrie had already fouled AJ so may have got benefit of doubt. That's why Guthrie was subbed - so he didn't get sent off for a yellow for his next foul. First pen was definitely a foul. In or out? borderline - could have gone either way. As it was Santon (again) he was lucky not to get a second yellow (instead of the red he should have had in the first half for hauling down AJ when through). AJ, Bobby and Deuce were running riot with their defence in the second half - they looked really FAST. I think that just indicates that their centre halfs are very slow - Bob and Deuce are moderate pace, AJ has good acceleration and short burst speed, but none of them are flying machines. It was sad to lose Siddy to a knee in the ribs from Shola (just clumsy, not malicious) - I bet he's out for a couple of weeks. I think we are back to being a second half team (remeber the Arsenal game). This is a good indication of improvement in mental toughness and of BMJ being able to make good tactical changes as he gets to develop/know his squad. Whilst there were excuses around formation and available personnel - I was very disappointed with Ruiz (who I have supported). He was responsible for the first half goal, we had been hanging on (just) until then. Stocky, generally did well, I thought he should have been closer to Ben Arfa's near post shot, but, to be fair, the power of it may still have beaten him - a good goal for them. No Doubt about MoM = Deuce Dempsey - well done man, eclipses even Big Brian McBride for me, just, both superheroes. Thanks and admiration to you both. SUPERB players, Fulhamish through and through.
Don't know if anyone else noticed it but at some point I could hear Danny shouting and was trying to get the team going... Really a captain theft will miss. But also supports the comment about a flat atmosphere!
Zamora cupping his ear again? Was this old BZ or the fact the old ground was a touch quiet. I get the feeling this was the old BZ again.
Think some of our fans reactions was a shell shocked, pissed off reaction. I bet they would say differently now. We were just pissed off at how our team collapsed, first time this season that has happened. So well done to you lot. How much do you want for Dempsey?
