He probably can't remember much beyond yesterday! I've only watched the highlights, but we looked good. The Holtby strike deserved a goal, the linkup play and understanding shown leading up to it was superb. You can't argue with goal-line tech, but that must be the closest you can get without getting a goal. I initially thought it was harsh to drop Stecky, but Stocky has come in and done a fine job. He looks like a 'keeper who's got a manager who believes in him.
I just watched MOTD on record having just come back from the game and a few detours to various pubs - one the being the Craven in Birimingham (folloing he Cottage pub in Cardiff) - Savage doesn't like Fulham and I can't believe he's predicted Cardiff, Sunderland and Norwich as the ones to go down down. I agree with him but it just shows how little he follows the teams lower down in the league. One result and he's changed his mind after weeks of slagging us off. Norwich is now an even more massive game. Regarding the game - good decision to take off Woodrow and Kasami at half time. It made the difference and more likely to score a goal. Rodellega was there to make a point and was sharp. Dejagah was a danger in the Villa half and I felt was close to a goal whenever he got the ball. Fans were excellent. Very proud to be there. A steward said to me as I left the ground that she was looking forward to a easy day as Fulham normally only bring 500-600 "and then until you lot turned up"
I'm away next weekend, visiting Mrs Captain's family... who all support Norwich. Could be a bit awkward. I think whoever loses is probably down. I just hope it's me and the boys trying to be sensitive, not the other way round!
Captain I think you need to prepare the boys... The team is on fire! And now on our "new" keeper. We have all been critical of Stocky. I think what is the difference this time round and discussing yesterday is that he was not called when someone was injured but was called when number 1 is available. Massive boost for him. Well done Magath!
Now that was an emotional game from Highs to lows to high again. Great atmosphere. The goals were good, but the highlight for me was the save from Stockdale that kept us in the game. It's what we needed at that time in the game when Villa were on top. Diarra was a great midfield general, allowing Sidwell a more attacking role. Richardson and Dejagah stretched their defense more in the second half. Birmingham city center is still a nightmare around the station. It seems to me years that they've been doing construction around the station.
Player power: Magath said: âYou can imagine now how the players in the locker room are happy, happy and they forced me to give them two days off, so I have. They deserved it today.â Sounds like a Team together.
Am I correct in thinking we played 3 at the back (Heitinga, Hangeland and Amorebieta) for most of the game yesterday?
Congrats on the big win, I really think you should be staying up but it's a tough task at this stage. Great to see Holtby playing regularly and showing his ability. He's still a bit rough around the edges but he's capable of brilliant moments and I'm hoping our next manager appreciates what he can do. If not I hope he stays in the Premier League, he's a great player to watch and comes across as a great guy too. Most players who get to the level he's at become arrogant or take everything a bit too seriously but with Holtby you can see he's living the dream we all had as a kid. He just loves every minute he's out on the pitch, every chant he gets and works his arse off because of it. There's not enough players like him imo.
What it meant was that Reither could naturally play more advanced without leaving us open to the counter on the right. Spot on tactics.
That's quality Bidley. We were in the top tier above and the atmosphere was equally amazing. I thought it couldn't get better than that; but it went electric when Hugo came back at the end and threw his shirt in. I haven't seen celebrations like that since our Europa days! I take it you're not the Fulham fan in that corner that stormed the pitch when Hugo scored, then got wrestled back by a steward? If so, well played - I can't blame you/him!
Not sure how to describe Riether's expression at the end of the game - please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bkf6FdqCMAAP5RM.jpg
We made it again?? Actually Riether had a big smiled and winked when taking one of the throws in the last few minutes. He is a character!
Richardson is in Garth Crook's team of the week. I was never too keen on Richardson but lately he's really stepped up and deserves praise.
Yup, and recently has looked leaner and meaner. In a Club post he said, âIt was a massive win at Villa,â he continued. âAll week weâd been building up to it in training. The magnitude of the game had been drummed into us and we knew we had to go to Villa and win, and we did." Link to article: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/08/kieran-i-got-shivers
