Happy New Year Full Time: West Brom 1 Fulham 2 Terrific win and what a confidence booster. Here is a video clip of the winning goal - http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-young-swede-alexander-kacaniklic-puts-fulham-2-1-up-v-west-brom/ They all played their part and none more so than Berba. Yes, he slowed our attacks down, but in the second hslf it was exactly what we needed and frustrated Albion so much. Others were Kaca who found some great positions and Aaron Hughes who had a great last half hour. Kara continued to find space as he did in the first half and was outstanding for the hour and a bit he was on the field. As I said though, they all deserve plaudits. Even the Chickens - 6 out 7 correct I think. And our first double of the season !! COYW Edit: Just to put our goals in the same place here is a repeat video clip of the first premiership goal in 2013 - http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-dimitar-berbatov-scores-the-1st-premier-league-goal-of-2013-v-west-brom/
I thought we played really well. There was a real team ethic about the play today, we had an interesting combination of guile and toughness. Berbatov was brilliant in patches but at times you just want to shake him to carry on running. When he misses the first tactic he rarely attaemts to get the second in. That said he is so relaxed on the ball and is a pleasure to watch. Very well taken goal from Kaka, but what impressed me the most was the centre midfield pairing. I should take back what I have said that Sidders and Baird being the only combo we have, Karagounis looked excellent today alongside Sidders. They ran the midfield in the first half and Sidders closed the oppo down so quickly. Hughes was quietly brilliant in defence, but agree that Lukaka gace us some problems. He is a quality player. All together a fantastic result and one that was very much deserved. If we continue to play like that we will get the results we need. COYW
much needed, in all honesty it was a fulhamish performance, i thought we would get something, dont know why
"My midfield sepremo". says Jol of Bryan his post match interview - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20883728
Have we stopped the rot? Hopefully yes based on the performances against Swansea and today. Finally it seems that we are finding a formation that can work. Karagkounis and Sidwell are working well. Kara is similar to Murphy but older and slower due to his age and he makes himself available creating more space while finding some passes forward. Briggs seems to provide more cover defensively than Riise although not moving so much forward. Come on Fulham!!
Just got back and am absolutely delighted to bring you all back the 3 points. West Brom were not at their best and the atmosphere in the ground was very quiet apart from when they scored. It was a continuation of the good performance on Saturday but this time fortune favoured us and I think we were good for our win. Bar 20 minute 2nd half pressure we dominated the field though Lukaka was always a seceond half threat. Glad Stockdale was given the opportunity to make amends. I thought he should have worn a cap 1st half as the sun was in his eyes and he flapped a few times on crosses which gave me heart problems but was better 2nd half and his performance should give him more confidence for the next game. Ruiz did not have as good a game as Saturday but he still created openings and movement that we have missed while he was out. We now have two winnable games to come which will hopefully put our past bad run beyond us. At full time I watched Hangeland drop to his knees, punch the air in delight and then go round and congratulate the whole team. I don't know but he didn't seem a player that was about to leave - I hope I am right.
I missed the game as I was asleep having stumbled into bed at 8am after my New Year's celebrations... so these comments are based on the Swansea game. The improvement in Karagounis reminds me of Diarra. We have to remember why these players were available on a free and the time it takes to get them match fit. It seems to have taken them both about 3 months to get up to speed. However my point is this: something changed in Karagounis after our goal against Swansea. In the first half he looked lost, hacked down a Swan (lucky to stay on the pitch) and looked like he was avoiding the ball. Then we scored and he ran the length of the pitch gesturing to the Haynes Stand to make more noise. Thereafter he was a different player, tenacious and hard working. He put several good balls into the box and was available for the pass (something Baird and Sidwell had become very poor at). Spaces opened up and we got the ball forward. We actually looked like a team of 11 with 2 players in the middle. This change in Karagounis seems to have changed the engine in our Fulham machine. I don't doubt we'll lose more games this year and be outplayed at times, but Karagounis seems to bring out the better side of Sidwell and gives some essential intent in the middle of the park. COYW
I will admit that both Karagounis and Sidwell did a very good job today against an in form West Brom side, but they are not the long term solution. Karagounis, for all his creativity, lacks pace and energy, and often finds himself floored by somewhat routine challenges. I wouldn't be adverse to having him on the bench for the last 20-30 minutes but another CM in January does remain the priority.
That is all true. I waxed a little more lyrical on him there than I had intended. However, his emergence has shown the good side of Sidwell and makes me feel better that we only -need- one CM in January (I'd still like two). CM is still undoubtedly and unreservedly our number one priority for January.
Agreed, the 'emergence' of Sidwell and to an extent Karagounis, means that off the bench they would be a decent option to have and when Diarra comes back, we will only need one CM to slot in beside him rather than getting a few of them in as cover. I'd like Derek Boateng to come here but my head is telling me to target someone younger as the Ghanaian is 31 I think?
Brilliant Fulham COYW. As was this - And his 'love-in' with Stockdale just as the whistle went - please log in to view this image
