Very good performance and unfair result. We deserved at least a point. 4-1-4-1 which gave us solid defence and width. Much better!
Didn't see the game (got in from work about an hour ago), but I'm generally happier to see Karagounis in the team. Steve Sidwell just isn't actually good at anything in particular. He's just kinda alright in several areas. We desperately need to find someone to play that midfield role alongside Parker.
I was at the game,yes some improvement,but we cannot continue in this vein as the 3 or 4 teams above us are not only gaining points but confidance. Now is the time to introduce some youthfull elements into the side,ok we may still go down but surely its time to ditch 2 or 3 of our deatbeats who whatever the outcome will be gone at the seasons end.
The best I've seen all season (although that's not not much to compare to admittedly) with a lot more willingness to work as a team (again given the weaknesses). Spurs did look dangerous at times, but Fulham had quite a few good chances: 6 on-target out of 16, vs Spurs 5 out of 18. We deserved a point from the game for sure. Hitting the post in extra time was just a pity. Starting with Kara and Kaca was refreshing: Kara went off on the hour - Knackered and also having drawn many of Totteham's 16 fouls (they only got one yellow - at times it felt the game like a Wolves or Stoke); Kaca ran the Walker et al ragged. Stekelenburg made a couple of fine saves; Senderos coped well; Berbatov had some good touches and nearly scored; and a highly motivated Bryan worked hard in his 6 minute cameo at the end - nearly getting us the equaliser. The team would have appreciated the overall support tonight - Crowd reaction was good, even at the end having lost. I'll end this brief late-night ramble by saying it was a good run-out in a match which many of us expected us to get no points - an important confidendence boost for a very necessary 3 points on Sunday. C O Y W!
Gera sums it up well. The important thing tonight was that we got a performance and we did. Good team effort, unlucky to lose and if we play like this on Sunday we'll be ok. Parker played till he dropped even Berbatov was up for it. The whole team put in 100%. Ruiz was so close to scoring at the end and that would have done his confidence the world of good. Didn't expect any points tonight but feel a bit aggrieved after such effort. Crowd were excellent and fully behind the team to the end. C O Y W!
Except from an excellent assist Berbatov was very poor and highlighted our need for a striker who will chase things down. Rodalegga, although unlikely to score or create much, is the better option I think- once he is fit. It's a tough decision, a maverick with sublime technical ability or a horse who will run all day, but I don't think we can afford to accommodate him. The service to him could have been better but he didn't show much attacking or defending wise in the first half, although in the second he did manage to complete more passes. I think, on the whole, we will get more goals if we are more reliant on opposition defensive mistakes under pressure than moments of genius. Ruiz looked hungry when he came on and atleast got himself in position for the final chance. From where I was sat he should have scored. I thought Parker was great and Karagounis put a good shift in. I liked the new formation with Parker playing in his actual position and two midfielders, one holding and one with some freedom. Karagounis and Kasami will do until January but I think we need another option to come in during the transfer window. I'd prefer to see Kasami more advanced - maybe in a similar role to Dempsey. He was poor tonight. Sidwell a strange person to bring on given the score and time - Boateng was the better option and could have dropped back with Parker to leave Kasami with more licence to go forward. Overall it was a heartening performance and the team did enjoy spells of pressure and possession. We certainly looked more coherent and with better channels to move the ball from defence to attack. Much last like last time at home the post denied us a goal but I left much more optimistic about the rest of the season today than on the weekend.
Their 2nd goal was just like the Shelveys Swansea goal we didn't close down and Parker just let him go past. It was scored at almost the same time as Shelveys. Just got in to see a recording of the highlights and Defoe was in an offside position when he jumped over the ball, and in my opinion was interfering with play. Good to see the shots on goal. Some decent saves by both keepers in a good entertaining game, which we were unlucky to lose. Senderos was my MOTM, he gave very little to Defoe, and put in some important tackles. Kacaniklic had a good game, it was nice to see him put in a few tackles, Dejagah had a good game and it was good to see Riether in at right back. Berbatov played a lot better than recently, but can still frustrate you. Second half we began to sit back too deep, and allow Spurs time to create openings, in the first half they were reduced to hitting us on the break. Defending corners seemed a lot better. I too would have preferred to see Boateng come on instead of Sidwell.
RM reckons Berbatov was phenomenal last night and led the line well. He sounded to be more involved in the game but was he really that good?
RM talking like a desperate man in my eyes re Berbatov and sounds like Jol - but what can he say. He was better but not phenomenal.However, lets face it we and Rene need to keep him past January. Or at the very least keep him interested. We have no other options. The bench looks so week and nothing to suggest it will / can change a game. Reminds me of 3 years ago. We were unlucky and I believe deserved a point. Spurs have played better this season and missed some glorious chances. We on the other had met a very good Spurs keeper. His saves on Berbatov and Ruiz were top draw. We lost again to a wonder goal...how many have we seen this season and late on in the last 10 mins? Defensively better, get rid of Fernando and Richardson both poor defenders in my view. A mention goes to Dejagah and Kaca who created width and we pushed their fullbacks. Riise was an interesting inclusion, he ran out of steam on 60 mins - which is an issue because you cant go changing a LB because he's knackered. Personally i'd have Bent (an option) on the bench to face his old club. The reaction from the players was better, the fans were behind the team. Some new faces in Jan market..its going to be very close again. I'm already casting one eye on the run in. Rene has a huge job on here. Villa is a must win. Anything else would be devastating.
I for one have been very critical of him. Yesterday he was much better. Leading the line, had a few chances to score, marking, encouraging the others. Overall I left the ground in positive mood. I wish we have kept at least a point but on Sunday we can turn it on its head. I am frustrated that it is the third time we loose in this manner at home, similar to Sawnsea, Cardiff and now spurs. But I think the problem is fitness which if it improves will get us much better. In any case, well done to the boys for the performance. COYW
My first positive is that the first half seemed to flash past, which I guess meant that I enjoyed watching our play. My second positive is that on another day, with another keeper, we would have got something from the game. Broadly I agree with what everything everyone else has said. We were organised, held our shape (although I will come back to that) and were aggressive. It’s a cliché to talk about new manager syndrome but I get the impression that Rene has a rapport with the players that Jol lacked (of late anyway) and gets his message over better. On specific players. Pleasing that more than one could be picked out as our best - Kaca for his first half; Dejagah, well for everything you’d want from a wing forward; Senderos for his determination; Berbatov, for very intelligent play in making himself available, especially in the second half; Stekelenburg for his three superb saves; and Giorgis - if you're old enough, you’re good enough - Karagounis was just terrific. And speaking of Kara is where I have some criticism. I agree with silky that it was too early to take him off and Sidwell was the wrong replacement. We almost immediately reverted to the old ’backing off’ style of play and gave Spurs too much room - Holtby’s goal was pretty much a replica of the Shelvey one. I’m sorry but for all his endeavour Sidwell is our main weak link. Enough, enough - at last the Cottage was buzzing. The team (and the Head Coach) got the appreciation from the fans at the end of the game that they deserved. PS It was pleasing to see the subs doing ’proper’ practice during the warm up before the game and to see Jack Grimmer among them.
Spot on, I lost my voice shouting for them to push up and stop giving space. The two lines were effectively reduced to one who led to the second goal... Kara was holding the line somewhere in the middle in front of Parker. Once Sidwell came in he moved it very close to Parker thus making us loose the width and space.
