I've gone all green, you lucky chaps. Have a block busting day and add a few shouts for us at home. COYW
I don't think it's arrogance Bidley, but I can see how it would come across that way. St Mary's has become something of a fortress for Saints in the lower leagues, and while it may not produce the same atmosphere of The Dell, it's still a formidable place to go to. They have to look at these games and target three points, so I don't blame them for being a little more than confident, we do only have one fit striker after all. I still think it will be close with a lot of goals. I made a bet with my Dad last night that we would be second on MoTD despite Liverpool/Spurs and Utd playing today! Hoping for a great game and an even better result! The away pub is Yates, my old hunting ground, so enjoy Cap!
Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Kacaniklic, Ruiz, Baird, Sidwell, Duff, Rodallega. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Senderos, Kasami, Karagounis, Richardson, Briggs No Berbs or Petric, but Kaca and Ruiz start so it's not all bad. COYW!
Okay with that, given Chrissy Baird is fit and the other obvious injuries. Ramirez and Clyne out for Southampton (both have 'dead legs' !!) so it kind of evens things up. COYW
Oooops! 1-0 in 4 minutes. Still that's a couple of minutes better than against West Ham so we are improving slowly. And 86 minutes is a long time to get back into it.
I'd like to wait for Captain's comments before making any substanstive ones myself - was there a problem with the pitch Captain ?? You can't tell watching on a PC link but the ball seemed to bobble around an awful lot and I've never seen Fulham make so many bad passes or unable to control the ball in many a long time. They looked technically inept for most of the game and that is just not Fulham. Oh, I'm starting to rant and I said I'd wait. Just one final point for now - BRYAN !!!!
First half was up there with the first 45 minutes we had against West Ham, absolutely awful. Southampton could and probably should have increased their early advantage through several Lambert chances. Second half however, we were by far the better team and well worth at least a point (should have held on for three). Hangeland's form seems to have dropped off a cliff this season, he struggled all afternoon. Could the pressure of being Captain be getting to him? Thought Ruiz and Rodallega were inconsistent today, looked good in patches but overall probably not on of either's better days. We sorely missed both Berbatov and Petric. Considering our away form and abject first half display, has to be seen as a point gained. Onwards and upwards.
I would've taken this result before kick-off. I didn't watch it but when he came on was Richardson playing centre mid?
First half there was some poor passing by Fulham and Southampton closed us down well. Second half Fulham had some really good spells of passing and control. Southampton's first, everyone got pulled to the near post from a corner and no one was on the far post, Hughes tried to jump to head off the line, but didn't get there. Riise did well for the first goal but I think his shot was going wide before the Southampton defender put his foot out and deflected in. A long ball from Hangeland found Riether over lapping and he pulled it back from the goal line to Richardson who was rushing in. I thought Hangeland was being held down for their second as he didn't seem to get any height in his jump.
I've posted a lengthy reflection on the game on the other thread. To answer Cottager's question, I didn't see anything wrong with the pitch. I think we were just very sloppy with our passing in the first half. I didn't notice any Southampton players suffering the same problems. I have to say, I was impressed with St. Mary's, and despite the appaling first half and the throwing away of a late lead, we had a good day out. I told my eldest that after the first half he now knows what it was like for me every week in the early 90s!
A draw was probably the right result in what was not a good performance by most of the team. A few positives though - Duff I thought was as hard working as ever and led the comeback in the second half. I was dubious about Richardson coming on for Kaca but he was lively and clearly enjoyed his first goal for Fulham. Karagounis I thought played quite well. I'd have taken a point before the game but would have been nice to have an undeserved 3 points for once. Quite liked St Marys - easy to get to and quite a nice cornish pastie.
I can only say from watching a link Bidley, so obviously it's a limited observation. He was a straight replacement for Kaca and worked primarily on the left wing. However when we had the ball on the right in their half he tended to move more central - intelligently reading the play and of course was there to get his goal.
C58 - that's exactly right. Kaca didn't do too bad and as someone said on this board some time ago he just needs more match practice and I think he will become very good. Richardson when he came on was more direct and was in the perfect position for his goal. He didn't have a good game aginst WH and then picked up his injury. This goal will give him great confidence - and he actually played well.
Agreed with the above. Richardson took Kaca's place on the left wing, but wandered into the centre more than young Alex did, which also gave Riise more room to attack on the flank. It was a less exciting performance than Kaca, but possibly a more telling one. Apart from the goal, he had a couple of other chances in positions that Kaca wasn't getting into. To balance that appraisal, Kaca dribbled into some good positions that Richardson didn't get. They both have something to offer in that position, I think. And let's not forget that Karim Frei is coming back to fitness and may well have something to say about the left of our midfield.
Here are video highlights of the game - http://www.footytube.com/video/southampton-fulham-oct07-134652 PS Posted this version of the highlights (MOTD) just for Bidley.
