What is really disappointing about today's game is that it seems we have undone all the positive steps we have taken since Liverpool. Fullham were really poor today but we were even worse! For the start of the game Fullham were creaking allright; we scored a goal from nothing with a fortuitous deflection and their defence looked really shaky. But rather than press home the advantage we just sat off Fullham so much and never put men in the box and ultimately paid the price. How many times did we have a great chance but nobody there to take it; think of Elmander getting past Stockdale with nobody to pass to or the handfull of times the otherwise dreadful Nathan Redmond put in an inviting ball and nobody gambled on it. The referee was also awful today giving Fullham every 50/50 decision such as the massive reprieve when Elmander got the better of their defender by IMO legal means. But then Fullham started to get into the game and because WE let them. We should honestly have gone on to win by 3 or 4 goals from the lucky opener. But first John Ruddy created trouble for himself, gave the ball to Johnson who had nothing else to do but send it back and luckily it hit the hand of Parker and not anywhere else. Moments later we give away a needless free-kick which somehow goes underneath a flimsy wall and from then in we never looked like getting back into the game. There was no late barrage of chances from us. It looked destined to be the most mediocre of 1 - 1 draw one could envisage until a half clearance fell to Scott Parker late on and he produced a decent finish to give Fullham a win they didn't deserve (although in a strange way we didn't deserve a point either!). We play like a crossing team but don't put men in the box and fail to press against a team that looked like it could be a productive tactic. Ruddy wasn't really at fault for either of the goals and didn't really have much to do all game. He kept trying to pass short between Fullham players and on one occasion was nearly caught out. 5. Whittaker was really poor today. He didn't exactly excel defensively against a mediocre attacking outfit and was getting in the way more than he was helping when we tried to attack. Looked way short of the pace but he wasn't the other one. 4. Turner was one of very few players who can look back on the game and be actually quite happy with how he played. He was frequently left exposed by Whittaker's shortcomings but concentration and superb reading of the game with good positioning meant he was able to nullify anything that came at him. Only question mark is if it was his fault the free-kick got underneath him rather than a collective failing of the wall? 8. (and player of the season thus far) Bassong looked a bit shaky at the back today, for every time I found myself thinking 'good defending' there was a time I would be thinking 'Bassong, what are you doing?!?' but really his concentration seems to have been an issue this whole season anyway. 5. Olsson was a spectator much of the game. Most of Fullham's play came down their left flank meaning he was rarely required to do any defending whilst whenever he made a run he was ignored by Redmond so barely got on the ball in a crossing position. 5. Snodgrass was one of very few outlets we had this game but for some reason we seemed to always try to play through Redmond instead. His set-pieces were of a decent standard all game and yielded a few good chances for Leroy Fer and co. From open play he didn't really get the ball in positions he wanted it but he retained the ball well and kept teammates involved. I was perplexed to see him subbed and we looked much worse with him gone nowhere more than on set-pieces. 7. Fer just had his worst game in a City shirt. For the first half an hour he was utterly anonymous and from then on he was actually worse than anonymous. He constantly gave away petty fouls and lost the ball and didn't really offer anything in an attacking sense at all. The only positive note is that he twice came close to scoring on corners. 3. Johnson was ok today but looked alot worse because he is a defensive player and therefore depends on others around him to play well so the team can play through them because he is not a playmaker. Broke up the Fullham play frequently and actually had, by his standards, decent ball retention. Gave away a few silly fouls as always and one of two woeful mishits from distance but I really think if the rest of the team had performed I would be saying he had a good game. 6. Redmond put in a few inviting balls today but don't be fooled he was utterly appalling. There were at least three occasions when he put in a very good pass but nobody was there to finish it. But if you give any player the ball that often you would expect this. Every time he is passed to he either admittedly beats his marker and a) cuts inside and shoots and doesn't really look like he is going to score or b) goes outside the winger and crosses straight into the 'keepers gloves. I cannot remember a player we have had more greedy than Redmond. One of the scarce things I agree with Carrabuh on is that he MUST learn to pass because it is embarrassing watching him waste the ball. I know he is young but he seems to think he can do everything himself when he isn't that good. Lack of competition due to injuries it unquestionably a problem here. 4. Elmander tried really hard today but sadly the mediocrity behind him meant that he wasn't on a winning side today. A constant nuisance chasing lost causes and winning them and I really hope he is not injured for next game. If the rest of the team played to the max of their ability like he does we would be a top half side. Sadly he was drawn out wide too often just to keep us playing which meant he couldn't be in the box when we needed him. 7. Hooper was anonymous today but that is completely due to lack of service. He scored a goal and created a chance himself out of nothing but shot wide. He is a goalscorer but we can't get him the service. Only thing I would say for him is that he should have been in the box more often and closing down the opposition all the time. 6. All of our substitutions were completely ineffective. The last 30 minutes of the game we were so poor it was heartbreaking to watch; some supporters have probably been screaming to see Hooper and van Wolfswinkel up front and Hoolahan behind them, and now your know it wasn't pretty. Rant over. Hughton GET IT SORTED! OTBC, Dangerous Marsupial out.
DM - I only read the post title (sorry, didn't want to be reminded about anything else) - and I agree
Stopped reading after this point, the first few lines are enough to see where this drivel is going. Should have won by three or four? Name me a half decent chance you had in the ENTIRE game apart from the header Riether cleared off the line? Stockdale didn't have a save to make and there weren't many off target shots from you to go along with that. Ruddy denied Kasami on multiple occasions, Duff should have buried a chance at the far post, Taarabt had a few efforts, and we scored two. Didn't deserve the win? I know you must be reeling after having been so confident on your prediction thread (only one poster out of 25+ posts predicted less than a home win (0-0 draw)) The 'awful' referee disallowed two goals for us that could easily have been given. You really have no right to moan about his performance.
That was truly dreadful. It sums up the £26 million pounds worth of strengthening ( allegedly) the team when Bradley Johnson gets man of the match. Right back into the relegation scrap now.
Goodness knows how anyone deserved MotM - the ENTIRE team was dreadful. Why didn't we try for a 2nd goal, instead of letting Fulham attack us. AS for the referee ............!!!!! I'm taking a break for a few days. Happy New Year to everyone on Not606!!!!
Turner I thought played well.... Hooper....erm.... Wes made a couple of good passes when he came on..... the bloke who fell over in the zorb thing.... no we weren't very good were we!
We have some really top drawer players at our club, Hooper, RvW, Howson, Snodgrass, Bassong, Ruddy, Fer etc. but Hughton's tactics stifle them time after time IMO. We could do worse than try to get Hoddle I reckon he could really get the best out of them, just saying
At no point did we look like winning by 3 or 4, we were very bad. Turner, however, was excellent and should not be grouped with his colleagues when describing his performance. If I were McNally I'd give Hughton the United game. If we get spanked he can go for all I care.
Bit miffed they have have got rid of the cross bar challenge as it was the most attacking goal mouth action we have seen in recent games.
We may have improved but the division is stronger Today we were rubbish, think we were in a relegation fight from day1 and never expected anything else But today we saw a lack of fight desire and concentration that is really worrying Bassong is not a leader but is a great player that was a bad call by CH Can only think today we saw the start of the end of CH McNally won't be slow I'm sure
It was our home form that saved us last season. Before today, we'd only lost at home (in the league) under Hughton to Chelsea (twice), Villa (twice), Man. City and Liverpool. If we start losing to distinctly average teams at Carrow Road then it is a worry. I, like many, have said that if our home form goes we are truly doomed.
We miss Howson he gives the rest of the players the freedom to do what they want to do. These injuries are costing us, I can't wait for Tettey, Pilkington and Bennett to all return to the fold too.
yes we were ****e and have been ****e in other games but we are still picking up points: does anyone else care that we are 14th and not bottom, When I red these threads it is as if we are bottom by a long way. I'm not actually defending CH, just would love a wee bit of perspective.
Agreed, we're 14 ffs, our major issue at the moment is injuries, when we bet Pilkington and Howson back we will see an improvement. Reminds me of: [video=youtube_share;9EH1G4EwljM]http://youtu.be/9EH1G4EwljM[/video]
