Our 2 full backs once again abysmal, most of the regular supporters know this but does Kit. Must agree with SBMcB,Hutchinson just shaded it as MOTM. Betts improving with every game, but if he can improve on his handling and positional skills will be an international for sure. Fredie Plumain has played at full back,and in the U21 team always gets good ratings, my tip as one for the future,could well be worth a try.
I think that's harsh on Grimmer I thought he did ok, I can see how it may look like he was being skinned as 5 or 6 times they got in behind him but on all the occasions it looked to me like he was on a 1 v 2 situation I don't ever remember him getting beaten one on one and he got forward a few time! Stafylidis on the hand needs to work on his positioning, in possession he looks good but whenever the right winger gets the ball he is always 10 yards away given them plenty of time to take a touch a then pick a cross
Having seen the footage of Bettinelli's own goal, it's noticeable how many of his team mates go to offer a consoling/encouraging word immediately afterwards. That speaks well of the team spirit that we've got at the moment, even if it is a slight silver lining in an otherwise disappointing night.
As I could not get a stream and the match was not on TV, I could only listen to the radio. The gist from that is that we had more possession but did little in the way of creating scoring opportunities, which is about par of the course this season. We are all hoping that bringing in Defoe is the catalyst to more goals. From what I gather we should have cleared for your goal and your keeper had one howler for our first. If the ref was in our favour, that would be a first, atm Marriner and Friend are absolutely awful for us..we can almost guarantee a loss if they are the man in the middle and unlike manure we cannot prevent them officiating. The game up at our place was awful, it was hard to judge who was worse...we can put in dire performances. At least the game last night sounded more entertaining and we both move on. I used to live in West London and often went to Fulham and QPRs games..never liked Chavski, lets hope you get back into the Premiership soon.
The problem with the full backs is with the tactics Symons uses they are left exposed. The two backups for the fullbacks yesterday were Kacaniklic, and Fofana. We all know from previous that Kaca' is not the best at tracking back or tackling, and Fofana is running all over the place and was often out of position. This left both fullbacks exposed to 2 v 1, and both being young and a bit inexperienced were done when balls were push behind their backs and they have to turn and chase, this is were their backups should be tracking the second player. It not a new problem, when we had Riise, Kacaniklic never tracked back, meaning Hangeland had to go over to the left exposing Senderos to having to look after 2 center-forwards. and many a goal was scored. On the other side we had Riether and Dejagh working well in tandem most of the time.
Don't think the ref done much wrong and probably favoured Fulham with most decisions. Sour grapes seems to be on the menu on here..
Two hands in someone's face is a 'slam dunk' red in anyones' book. Except Mr Tierney, of course. Just an example. As a matter of interest, were you actually at the game RAW?
