Honestly, I think Petric was signed to replace Pog. I prefer to think that the Dempsey saga gave us Berbatov, as a sort of karma. It makes me feel better about something that was quite painful at the time.
I think Dembele's sudden departure gave us Berbs. We'd already learned to cope without Demps, but losing Dembele rocked us and Berbs gave us something to smile about again.
Absolutely. Spot on Bidley. Jol could tell that the atmosphere before and after the West Ham capitulation was at an all time low. Much of this was due to Dembele's departure. There were some funny albeit saddening moments in the West Ham game, where Sidwell would be in midfield with the ball, looking to pass to Dembele, realised he wasn't there and just ended up hoofing it/passing it backwards. It was quite sad to watch. Jol knew that FFC fans needed a player to inspire confidence after losing arguably our best two players, Berbatov did that. If you'd have told FFC fans that we wouldn't sign ONE central midfielder on deadline day, there would have been outrage, but the Berbatov signing sort of made people gloss over that.
It's a shame Davies isn't available still as he would offer a good balance with Diarra. You can't fault Sidwell for his effort, but he isn't quite good enough to be starting. He would fit in well at Stoke or West Ham, where the play is more direct- but his tendency to launch the ball doesn't match what the others are trying to do. I'm not a fan of Richardson- again he is not a bad player, but both of them have come to us from the subs bench at a mid-lower level club. I think Baird can fill in well as DM which then makes Diarra take on some of the creative responsibility. Although it's not his natural role, I'd rather see he him in it than any of the other options currently available. I though Dejegah looked good last saturday- he's got a powerful strike on him. Hoping to see him at some point today, his stats are decent- 1 Bundesliga title 1 Euro u21 Championship 50 Caps & 15 goals across every age level from 17 to 21 for Germany 190 games ¦ 21 goals ¦ 25 assists for Hertha BSC and Wolfsbury
Team: Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland (c), Riise; Duff, Baird, Diarra, Richardson; Berbatov, Rodallega. Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Sidwell, Petric, Ruiz, Karagounis, Dejagah. Shame no Kaca! C O Y W
Yup, how frustrating. The starting line up didn't help either. Apparently Berbatov damaged a rib in the first half and played on after a half time injection. So many plus points to him, although he's now doubtful for next week as will be Chris Baird. In honesty it was as well Bairdhino scored (again) because apart from a decent first 15 minutes or so he was a bit lacking. As were Hugo (who missed at least two easy chances and was never in the game) and Richardson (why on earth did he start !). There have to be a few questions about Brede as well. Enough negative. The star was Bryan. Some of his link play with Berba was mesmerising (unfortunately some of the time Fulham players never mind Reading couldn't keep up with the pair of them). And of course his goal. What I liked best about him though was the way he created space by taking defenders away and/or made himself available. Dejagah looked zippy and will be a real threat when he settles in (if only he and Duff weren't challenging for the same position !?). Sure it was again 2 points thrown away, but this season nobody can say "we didn't turn up". Got to be seen as progress - the way we're rattling in goals we might even get to be second on MOTD !! COYW
Agreed. Both Hugo and Richardson are walking a very thin line at the moment, neither of them are doing nearly enough to remain in the team. Rodallega's misses could have cost us dear today had Bryan not come on and given us a masterclass. Either Petric or Ruiz should have started in place of Hugo and either Kaca or Dejagah in place of Richardson. Hopefully neither will be anywhere near the first team for the Everton game.
I think Jol is trying to ease our injured players back into the team and to be honest I don't have a problem with that. I'm sure we'd all love to play our best team every game but sometimes that just isn't going to happen. I'd rather have Richardson for these games than start Dejagah/Kaca and then see them out for the next few weeks. Hopefully we will see Kaca back next week though, his replacements have not done particularly well. I am however certainly starting to think that our best team has Bryan and Berba up front. It's nice to be positive about Bryan finally!
Hopefully the Faithful enjoyed the game, but I could not go. We ought to have won this match, but you have to take 3-3. I am really pleased to hear about Bryan Ruiz turning it on - He did well against Norwich and I look forward to seeing him again against Everton. Hopefully Berbatov will be ok. And thanks to Baird going for a near-post goal from a corner. C O Y W
Absolutely. A point is a point away from home - and in the past we might have lost this game. Three points would have put us fourth for a brief while and it would have been nice to dream, but hey, we've done well away from home again. You never know - keep this up and Lawro might even start to tip us to draw away from home in future. Well done lads.
Can't stand Garth Crooks. He's mainly the reason I refuse to watch Final Score, well him, Gabby Logan, Steve Claridge and Martin Keown.
Ruiz goal was top notch - first time ive said that but he was. You just knew Berbatov was going to score, his celebration was superb, he loved it and you can see he's running the show. Richardson and Hugo poor. However Richardson came into the game in the second half. We have a problem at the back, no doubt about it. Get ready for Senderos - im just saying you cannot concede 3 without a change - i would, just not with Senderos. Mark Schwarzer - suspect distribution all game i'm afraid. I like a keeper to clear his lines. The 3rd i felt he was guilty of not coming to command his box. Although i need another look at it later as was at the other end. Fulham fans in fine voice today....you're going down with the Rangers was the best. What a game, so many ups and downs did my heart no favors. 66% of the possesion we domanated at times and had them camped in their half. We deserved our leads both times but credit to Reading for having a real go. However 2 points lost - just like Southampton.
Did you hear Reading's manager describe us as playing like the Harlem Globetrotters once Ruiz came on? Hahahaha.
Will take a draw but quite frustrating again to concede from a winning position again in the last minute. Missed the first 15 minutes due to crowd problems but apears I did not miss much. Ruiz as C58 says was the game changer, so pleased to be able to say that. I'm still not sure about Richardson and Rodallega. I seem to think those two are our weak links and probably squad players (IMO) - and out defence needs sorting out. Great well taken goals by Berb and Ruiz. Looking forward to seeing them again on MOTD. We might even have a chance of being second on ! Great day and eventful day out.
We're actually on first! Linekar tweets the running order every Saturday evening and we have ousted every other game. Probably because the City and Arsenal games only had a solitary goal in them. Just like to point out that Captain may well have called Rodallega correctly. I was quite excited when he came here and even after a few dodgy performances was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after two GLARING misses from him today, both about six yards out and unmarked, he's playing his way into my bad books. I can't say it's too important as we now have goals all across the team in Berbatov, Petric, Duff, Kaca and Ruiz, but he is taking up a spot in the team, under-performing in a role which could be given to someone who could and probably would do a lot better.
First half we were shocking, really poor. And deserved to be 1-0 down. We continued poorly early in the second half until Ruiz came on. I’ve been critical of him in the past but his introduction really did turn it around for us. I was impressed with Dejagah when he came on too. Ruiz goal was pure quality, it was nice to see him score a goal that wasn’t a chip over the goalkeeper as his two goals at the cottage have been. I really was really impressed with his performance today. Berbatov was quite until Ruiz came on and he started getting a decent level of service. His goal too was top class and it great to see him run over to us and celebrate right in front of the fans. You could tell the goal meant something to him. Defensively though we were poor and I fell gutted that we twice game away the lead in the last 5 min. I think we will definitely improve as a side when Ruiz and Dejagah are match fit. We looked like a different side when they came on. Richardson was poor today and seems to lack confidence. Even his short 5 year passes were going astray. I think due to the variety of positions he can play he is a valuable squad player however cannot see him as a regular starter for us. Rodallega again was absolutely useless. Why we start with him over Petric is beyond be. Today (as he has been everytime I have seen him this season) he was useless. I’d rather see big Maart play himself up front, he may lack the pace of Rodallega but I think he would probably do a better job. One thing I found strange was the reception the Pog got. Most fans booed him which I thought was harsh. He didn’t have a particularly good game (but was still head and shoulders above Rodallega).
