Bournemouth? Watford? Southampton? Swansea? These are teams that were all slated for relegation before the season began in past seasons. It has happened loads of times. I think this is where the big fallacy lies. People look at managers who have spent the season battling or pulling away from relegation and they are called specialists. Its rubbish because it ignores those fancied for relegation who didn't get involved. I mean both attacking and defensive also. You only have to look at Dyche. Its all about successful coaching. There simply is no magic formula. I get why people are bewildered at the thought of attacking. The fear of a thumping and the moral hit is real. However so is the teams who score goals and win games as opposed to drawing them. You could very much argue its why Pardew was a lot more successful than following managers in terms of final league positions. In the seasons between 2011-15 we lost a mammoth 68 games. We took some batterings because we set up to attack. We won 55 games. We only drew 29 games. Our league positions were 5th, 16th (5 points clear of relegation), 10th, 15th (3 points clear of relegation). We were only in massive danger once in his reign - his final season. He bought attacking type players and played to their strengths. We got some mullerings but we always did enough.
They passed around the back 4 for minutes on end and that is somehow fast exciting football? I guarantee if that was played at SJP our fans woukd piss and moan like they always do. Itvalso needs to be said that the other team put almost no pressure on the ball and gave Fulham so much space. We didn't ever get teams sitting off us like that last year and certainly not this year in a vastly superior league.
No, the point I was making was the tempo of the passing regardless of where on the pitch. Nobody “sat” on the ball, it was kept moving. If you want to create space you have to get the other team moved out of their pre-set defensive positions. It is easier to achieve that if the ball is moved quickly around the pitch thereby giving the defending team less time to think rather than at the pace we tend to do it. Not sure if it’s partly the point you’re making but I do get sick fed up of any fans who just want the ball lumped forward and start whinging if the first player doesn’t do that never mind the second or third. In fairness this has to be counter balanced by a team just passing the ball around the back without speed thereby not shifting the defenders around and then just lump it forward. Ultimately it’s a question of balance between passing, retaining possession and creating space in the “final third” of the pitch. One man’s I’rn Bru is another’s strong lager. For me I prefer “passing” teams as opposed to “direct” teams but only if they are passing with a purpose.
I counted around 10 passes in the oppositions half, the rest of it was tippy tappy stuff across their back 4 (and the keeper). Sheffield Utd were hardly applying a great deal of pressure either. You just don't score goals like that against premier league opposition, unless you're Barcelona perhaps! I like Jokanovic, don't get me wrong...and if you believe certain news rags this morning Chelsea might be sniffing him out as a replacement for Conte. It's a massive step up for a relatively unknown manager and probably the wrong club for him to have his first crack at managing in the premiership but I have no doubt he would do ok with Fulham if they manage to get up. I wouldn't be unhappy if he replaced Benitez in all honesty, but we all know how cut-throat the premier league is. Any sign of relegation and you're out as has been proven many times this season with West Ham, WBA etc. Rafa is still here cos he's Rafa and possibly because Amanada Staveley is waiting patiently for our PL status to be confirmed either way.
Probably one of the best goals we have scored in a long time. That cross field pass from Shelvey to Dummett is just pure class. If that had been Barcelona it would have been all over the internet
Fist of all thanks for all of the replies to my original post. In the case of General Lees comments,and without getting involved too much in semantics, the time that the play was in our half was not 4 minutes but 65 seconds. In our opponents half up to, and including the goal, 35 seconds. Secondly I am obliged to the poster who offered your goal v Ipswich. Out of interest I timed the passage of play- and in the Newcastle half it was 36 seconds, in your opponents half,up to and including the goal, 21 seconds. In both of the VT clips not one of opposing players attempted a meaningful challenge - and in our game every Fulham player touched the ball at least once. Is GL really suggesting that the SJP faithful do not appreciate this type of football shown on the VT clips? I cannot accept that. This kind of build up play discombobulates the opposition, especially when the play switches from side to side - enjoy it when it happens! Now to the subject of Mitrovic and his volatility. On Saturday we play PNE - a game I fully expect us to lose.They are a side whose game is built on intimidation,a format that we struggle to adapt to. Their disciplinary record is appalling- three players in their side have accumulated 14,10,and 9 yellow cards respectively. This game will stretch Mitro's temperament to the limit,which at the moment, is a work in progress. To date he has drawn two bookings in back to back games. Against Derby it can be filed under the heading of 'taking one for the team' Not so the booking against Sheffield. This comes under the heading of dissent. After a challenge that was borderline yellow, and despite the ref giving him the benefit of the doubt, he continued to harangue the official, at which point SJ correctly hooked him. I have looked at his dismissal, and I still cannot work out what he was thinking of. On Saturday it will go one of two ways,either he will have a stormer - or he will get a straight red. I hope it is the former!
Mitrovic double Armstrong double Toney goal Yes they may have "found their level" but i hope they are given a chance at the club
If we get relegated they will all be at the same level as the club. Its a piss easy league apparently .......... so we should walk it again next season.
The boy is doing amazing. The Fulham fans love him. We could lose him you know he knows when he is wanted. His scoring record is ****ing amazing at any level for them.
Been out today but: Wow he scored again. Imagine if he could grab another, surely not He ****ing did!!
It’s a lazy thing to say for me. They may have. Or they may have found a manager who trusts them and knows how to use them. I’m not convinced with Toney but the other two look useful to me and should be here contributing. I don’t think Arma is any worse than Perez. Mitrovic would be the best striker we have. Slimani may be better but it’s hard to say. I think you have to be pleased for all concerned. They just want to play and have been given a chance. I don’t think any are world beaters but two of them have the potential to play at PL level in the right environment.
Good championship performance Fromm mitro yestersay. Only just realised he scored as I was too busy watching Kenedy tear Saints a new one yesterday in the prem..
Andy Carroll did it for us when we first went down under Ashley's tenure. Had a good half season (11 goals if I remember rightly) back in the Prem before we rinsed the bin dippers for £35million. Not saying that could happen again, but i think we really should look a lot closer to home for our striking options next year regardless of what league we're in before we start looking at bringing in new players. Arma and Mitro up top could do quite a bit of damage in my opinion. Both know where the goal is, Mitro is strong and really good in the air and at holding the ball up, Arma is quick and dynamic. I'd have a lot more confidence with those two on the pitch than Gayle/Perez, Joselu/Perez, Joselu/Gayle.
Freddie Woodman looks to be impressing up North of the Border. 2 clean sheets in 4 games and a hattrick of penalty saves last night - video below. Can't remember the last time we had so many youngsters out impressing at their temporary clubs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43400575
