Evening all, I have just been watching some old footage of the 2007/2008 season where we were on the brink of relegation, but for the expert tactics of Roy. What stands out though is the impact that 2 players had on our team. Mcbride was immense, his ability to score gaols with his head was incredible. What was hard to watch though was just how good Jimmy Bullard was and how influential he was. His free kicks were invaluable in the second part of the season and his overall performances were brilliant. I say hard to watch because it is a shame that we did not have him in the Europa League Final and the seasons thereafter. As much as he pis.ed everyone off with the way in which he left, I still remember him as a superbly talented player that would have slotted into our current system perfectly. Such a shame that he threw away his Fulham career and is now plying his trade in the Championship.
Evening Froggy! Yes, it is funny when you look back of the final survival run-in, and how brilliant Roy was once he'd established a proper work ethic and appropriate tactics for each match. Brian McB lead the line so well, putting himself on-the-line for the team. I was really sorry to see him go. At least he still has fond memories of us. Jimmy Bullard was an enigma - really good at times, but his need for everything to run through him was a bit one-dimensional, so I'm not sure if he would have fitted in more recently. Indeed, we only saw the best of Danny Murphy (apart from THAT goal at Pompey) after Jimmy left us - And I know which of the two I prefer in midfield. Jimmy will not have been the only person to leave FFC to further his career and go backwards. Taking your point a bit further, if Dio Kamara hadn't suddenly turned on the form on the run-in (just remembering Man.City away) we'd have been relegated well before Pompey. And thereafter he was a waste of space (I recollect Arsenal away as a particularly disappointing performance 2 years ago). As for Jimmy in the Europa League, for me Simon Davies and Zoltan Gera epitomised our long adventure, and one of them would have been dropped if Jimmy had stayed. Would I have still had the memories of my greatest Fulham night ever - against Hamburg? Portsmouth away, Hamburg at home (pity I missed Carlisle away) are all part of Fulhamish folklore (as are also, unfortunately, defeats to Torquay). Here endeth the ramblings late on a Friday...... 3 points tomorrow - or at least 1 C O Y W
Froggie agree about Bullards ability and enthusiasm,but unfortunately he had within him a self destruct button, and i think Roy was well aware of this when he did not hesitate in selling him. For the good of the club it was probably best when he left,as a prima dona, we could not afford, and may have ended up like Hull City.
I went to the Fulham vs Everton game with my Dad thinking it would be the last time we'd see Fulham in the Prem. I had you guys down as relegation certs I'm afraid to say. It was a magnificent escape, to think you were relegated at half time vs Man City
Bullard is currently suspended by Ipswich and was fined two weeks wages for turning up to training drunk with Michael Chopra. Safe to say that's now three sets of fans that can't stand the sight of the guy.
The McBride goals against Everton, Reading and Birmingham helped us in that run in. My memory of the Reading away game, was the times we hit the crossbar, beating Reading that day was part of making Reading one of the teams we needed to put below us on the last day to beat Portsmouth. That McBride Thunderous volley from outside the penalty area that hit the crossbar lives in my memory, as I think it would have been in my top 3 Fulham goals if it had gone in. I had a problem with Bullards style of play, because I thought he wanted to be the center of everything in the team and the team suffered for it, and I think Roy thought so too, as many a time he disrupted the rhythm of the team by wanting to take the ball off other players. Bullard wanted to be everywhere, getting in peoples way and I think Roy's thought that he just disrupted his tactics too much. I admit his introduction back into the team gave everyone a boost including the fans. The free-kicks he scored in the run in again played their part in our survival, and of course that delivery to Murphy against Portsmouth. His ego just took over after the England call up, and look where it has got him, a record transfer to Hull City.
Totally agreed with all the above points. Gera, too true about Simoan Davies and Zolly as well. They were both outstanding in the Europa League. Roy definately did the right thing moving Jimmy on, it was as said the best thing for the team. I remember hearing that Brede basically told Bullard to not mess about with him and look where they both are now. Still cannot help but feel how sad it is that such a talent went to waste. I seem to remember he was called up to England squad as well. Just goes to show how much money has influenced the game, it he could have knuckled down and changed his ways a bit, his career could have been so different. Anyway, I am sure the local pubs of Ipswich are pleased he went the way he did !!!
If we're talking about people who played a major part in keeping us up, let's not forget Simon Davies. He was one of the few consistently good performers in the first half of the season, although others caught up with his standards once Roy took over. I seem to recall he was voted our player of the season that year. He rarely gets the credit he deserves, but it wasn't just the Europa run that he shone in.
Aye Captain! Simon Davies has been a critical player, certainly before Europa League. I hear that he's made it back to playing in the reserves, so I look forward to seeing him in the first team squad again.
Here's a guy that is often overlooked in helping us stay up: Kasey Keller. When he came to us from Borussia Monchengladbach (spelling?) I was a little hesitant but it was clear Niemi hadn't been the same ever since his horrendous injury that almost broke his neck, Keller did a fine job in-between the sticks. Paul Stalteri (whatever happened to him?!) also deserves an honorable mention. Dejan Stefanovic however deserves a piano falling on his head.
No doubt about Simon's contribution and my mate Eric. Oh, and the odd goal by Clint. Here are some highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyHf0rzadj4 PS Preferred the strips.
That second Kamara goal at City... that's a moment I'll never forget. Worth £6m just for those two goals!
Great shout on Stalteri, Bandy. It's amazing to think just how reviled Chris Baird was back then - he's the living proof that we are sometimes too quick to write players off. As for Simon Davies, I have a nagging suspicion that he might be on his way in the summer. I hope not, but I suspect that he just won't get the game time to keep him here. I think Etuhu and possibly Baird might be in the same boat.
Davies remains my favorite FFC player so to see him rotting in the reserves is quite saddening. I think there are a few players we could sip out before we consider Davies's future such as Riise the younger, Halliche and Etuhu but I agree that he is likely to be on his way come the end of the season. I could really see him tearing up the Championship next season with a side like Hull or Notts Forest.
I agree with you Bandy (!) that I'd keep Davies ahead of those three, but like you I suspect they might all be on their way.
