please log in to view this image Bryan can be so annoying but he was my MOTM tonight. Canât believe I said that -. better go and lie down before making any other rash comments.
I shall tell my youngest you said that, Cottager. He'll be delighted. He's never wavered in his devotion to Bryan.
Just returned from the match, my only regret is that I did not savour the atmosphere from the Hammy end. What a transformation from the off, it was one touch football, precise and accurate and more important we were going forward when in possession. Confidence in their play, with a calm but animated Kit orchestrating events from the touchline. This was a team that not only played for each other but knew where to find them, bringing Ruiz back into the first team was defiantly a piece of inspired selection, and bringing on Roberts totally demoralised Bolton with his tantalising runs and clever ball play Difficult to pick a M O T M. but for me Hoogland slightly shaded it. The result a great tonic for the to long depressed fan.
So pleased - really good performance .. but Bolton were really bad. Confidence and a settled side sets us up nicely for Middlesborough which will be a better test on how much we have improved.
Who'd have thought that playing your best players in a settled line up would bring results, eh? I'll spend today enjoying yesterday's result, but the next two games will give a much better idea of where we are now. 3 goals in 4 league games now from Hugo. He could be prolific at this level.
Agree with other comments about 'Boro being a bit of a litmus paper. Whilst I'd love us to win, I don't think a defeat would be terrible. It will allow us to take stock against a good side and see what else we need to do to improve overall. Then Norwich, who we usually beat will be the test of any lessons we have learnt from 'Boro. I actually think we will get a draw at 'Boro.
Morning everyone. Well, what a night at the cottage. I couldn't make the game but did listen to Gentleman Jim purr away over the internet. This type of result, for me, has been a long time coming. Finally a game where we have played the full 90! From the commentary I thought Ruiz had a great game and I'm delighted for him too. He still made a few dodgy passes but he is class and contributed for 3 of the goals. Bolton were poor but you can only play whomis in front of you and to be honest I'm just glad of the 3 points. The icing on the cake was the one touch passing, the desire from the players to play for Kit and the desire to play for the fans who were there. Middlesborough is going to be difficult but I feel like ive got my team back. COYW
The feel good factor is back! Ruiz looked good doing more positive things than negative - Parker a driving force, happy times! Bolton wwere awful though! Our form compounded it but they had nothing
Ruiz has played well in three games out of the four since Symons hasn't taken over, some will say its because the opposition are poorer, some it's luck, some it's a new manager who is giving him some love! For pro Ruiz fans like myself we have always maintained he has never never had a run of games in his actual position, Central just behind a main striker thus was due to signing Berbatov. Ruiz was always sub, when he did get a run of games he was pushed out wide! The guy has class is technically above anybody in this division, he will have quiet games flair players always do but if he gives us three good games out of every four we will be fine.
I've only one word to say about him - solid. He was very good in fact; lots of running, tackling and attempts on goal. A few dodgy passes especially in the first half but always positive. Definitely the best game for us so far. And I think he underlines the stability Kit has brought, enabling a settled side gain consistency and above all confidence.
Sidwell = class act. Stoke City midfielder Steve Sidwell, 31, paid a visit to former club Fulham, tweeting his delight (external) as the Cottagers beat Bolton 4-0. "Great team performance and brilliant reception towards Kit. Cottage back rocking again"
The 2 Minute Show: [video=youtube;kj-UQMU-N5o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kj-UQMU-N5o[/video] Impossible to say from where I was sitting but looking at this replay, a few times, McCormack looks very unlucky to be ruled offside for what would have been our opening goal. That's now five times he's had goals struck off for offside and, while it's clear that his contribution in games far exceeds that of 'scorer', it can only be a matter of time before they start flowing legitimately.
The Blackburn match, Kit's first, was the first where I saw a balanced side - a pity the eleven had not played together before, so it would take time - and the sending-off ruined our chances. Consistency then saw us win matches 2, 3 & 4. OK, three swallows don't make a summer, but it makes me even more upset at Felix. Thanks C58. I could not go so listened to Gentleman Jim, but even from your 2 minute clip, the contribution of Ruiz contribution was clearly noticeable, and maybe he's starting to bring out the best in McCormack. The latter may play close to offside, so is bound to be caught sometimes (but not like Diomansy Kamara fortuantely). COYW !
A slightly longer version from Bolton TV (they probably won't be watching it). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ipmgG3PJjc&feature=youtu.be
So who's for sending this Opta assessment to our last manager? "A slick Fulham display saw them emerge 4-0 victors over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday evening, and the Opta statistics reinforce how the Whites dominated all over the pitch. Kit Symons stated after the game how satisfied he was with his team’s attacking endeavours, with the stats confirming that Fulham had double the amount of efforts managed by Bolton (16 compared to their eight). In fact, the visitors failed to test Marcus Bettinelli at all in terms of forcing him to make a save, with each of their efforts missing the target. The closest they came was when former Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley’s volley skimmed the crossbar in the first half. The Whites hit the woodwork themselves when Kostas Stafylidis’ vicious strike deflected onto the far post, while several of the efforts that missed the target were very close, too. Bryan Ruiz’s bent shot in the first half and Ross McCormack’s attempted chip in the second spring to mind in particular. Symons also expressed his pleasure at the solidity his team showed throughout the game, praising “the defensive display.” The Whites made more than two-and-a-half times as many tackles as Bolton, with a better success rate (78 per cent), too, while they also won 11 more duels, and intercepted 21 balls to Bolton’s 13. Fulham were dominant in possession of the ball, making 437 passes in comparison to the visitors’ 378, 300 of which were deemed to be attacking, and 14 key. There was also an assist claimed for each of the four goals. Patrick Roberts was given a run-out at the end of the game to give the weary Bolton defence another headache, and he sparkled in his cameo. Despite his brief time on the pitch, he went on three successful dribbles, more than anyone else that evening. He also boasted a 90 per cent pass accuracy, won the ball four times and played two key passes. Not bad for 10 minutes work. The Whites busiest individual, though, was Ruiz. The playmaker was given 90 minutes for the first time since our 4-1 win at Crystal Palace just under a year ago, and he was in sparkling form. His 100 touches of the ball demonstrated his influence, with his passing ability carving Wanderers open time after time. He almost opened the scoring with a fine volley in the opening minutes of the game only to be denied by away goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, while his other shot whistled marginally wide of the far post. In addition to claiming an assist with a delightful free-kick that Fernando Amorebieta headed in, he also played a major role in the killer third goal when his vision and execution released Hugo Rodallega down the right who put the ball on a plate for Lasse Vigen Christensen to fire home in front of the Hammersmith End. Another moment of genius that had the crowd purring was when his back-heeled through ball evaded two Bolton defenders to set up the aforementioned McCormack chance. Bryan Ruiz: Minutes played 90; Touches 100; Shots 2; Possession won 4; Interceptions 3; Successful dribbles 2; Key passes 3; Assists 1; Pass accuracy 87%"
