Here's one for you guys: This time last year, after 16 games, we were on 15 points! Please can everyone get right behind the boys and Big Mart over the festive period. I really think MJ's strategy formation is taking shape and the players are finding some form. COYW's IMJWT - a new acronym from me!
Interesting one - and we had also scored 16 and conceded 20, compared with 18 for and 18 against at the same stage this season. Of course what those stats don't show is that our 16th league game last season was our 18th competitive fixture, compared with the 31st on Saturday so we're doing ok. Quite agree about backing the team and manager. Performances and results in 4 matches against the top 6 so far have been good - with a bit more luck against Spurs it would have been 1 win and 3 draws. We won't win every game over Christmas, but we've nothing to fear either.
I agree that obviously this year we are better off points wise, (only by three mind), its just the stories you are hearing about JOL and the players that is most worrying and makes me think this season we will end up worse off than last. BZ was not in the starting line up or on the subs bench against BOLTON and that to me clearly states one thing; JOL doesn't want him and BZ will be off in Jan, no matter what story comes out of FULHAM about failing a last minute fitness test. What with AJ also looking for a move, JOL has managed to destabilise two of our best strikers and make them want to leave FULHAM and, as I'm sure most will agree, we are not a club that can afford to do that as we haven't got the back ups or unlimited funds to replace them. JOL has come in and thrown his weight around and from what I am hearing completely ruined the morale around the place. From listening to journalists on the TV and radio, some are viewing FULHAM as a ticking time bomb, just waiting for JOL to go that one step too far and bring our Premier League success crashing down around us. We will see after the Christmas period how well we are doing, (my guess is we will have no more than 22 points), but without wishing to sound negative I think we will have nowhere near the momentum that pushed us on last year after Christmas to an 8th place finish....
Blimey, someone pass me the tranquiliser gun! I disagree about AJ, he doesn't look unmotivated at all, BZ does for sure but my reason for this is that the style of play Jol likes doesn't fit with BZ. 67RD, I take your point ol' son but experience should tell us that what you may hear or interpret in the media is a far cry from reality - most times. JOl is definitely going to do a better job than Hughes, I hope. Don't forget we only had 19 points after Xmas and New Year, including the 02 Jan match against Spurs. We've got the following fixtures: Man U - home Chelsea - Away Norwich - Away Arsenal - home I reckon we could get 4 points from those games. We did well against Man City and Arsenal already.
Sorry RD, but I'm with Craving on this one. We can't go back to the Good Old Days under Roy (as if they would have lasted to today) and must back MJ. Churning managers is only asking for trouble. I'm not complacent, but the current outlook for others looks worse that ours. And that is even if we getjust one pointover the next 4 games instead of Craving's 4 points. Not that I'm lacking ambition for Fulham - which is why I support MJ. On the players.... I have always supported BZ, even during his early-days when others did not, but he has not looked the part recently. Maybe it is due to MJ being challenging, but BZ can use above it IF HE WANTS. AJ (who has also had his detractors) is playing like a man refreshed, notwithstanding any suspected backroom disturbances
Cravingawin, if I am more optimistic think we can manage between 4 and 7 points out of these games... None of the teams is what they used to be. Man U and Chelsea are struggling defensively and both Norwich and Arsenal are within our ability. As for the time ticking bomb... who is willing to push the button? The performance of BZ has been analysed many times. I am glad to see that the team can play without a target man (e.g. Bolton). And with Ruiz, Dembele and Demspey inclusive AJ we can do that now. As for the bench we have Frei, Kasami and Duff... We were never as strong as we are now. Davies and Sidwell are to get back.
I don't know about Man Utd struggling defensively, Madness. I think they've tightened up in the last month or so. In the league they've got 5 clean sheets in the last 7 games. If you discount the one aberation of letting in 6 against Man City (I know, it's a big aberation to overlook!), they've only let in more than 1 goal on one other occasion, and that was when they were busy scoring 8 at the other end. I think Arsenal are better defensively now than they were earlier in season as well. None of that is to say that I don't think we can get something out of the 3 matches with the big boys.
I'm confident we can nick a draw against United on Wednesday. Obviously we got a good result in this fixture last year and an incredible win this time 2 years ago. They will likely line up with Jones and Carrick in midfield, which I think we can contain. Dickson just needs to follow Jones' runs and when Carrick is well pressed his passing can go astray. Going forward, I quite fancy our front 4 from saturday against Ferdinand and Evans, who frankly are not United class at the moment.
67RDHO6. In answer to the points you have made,although I am neither for or against Jol,I must firstly state that in his defence any business does not have the tail wagging the dog. Aj,he was offered a 1year contract,but wants 2,at the age of 31,a prolific goalscorer,never,a run of the mill player on 4mil per year. ? BZ his head has been turned by being included in the England squad,but what has he acheived for Fulham this season sweet FA. There will be a clear out in Jan for sure,and I will not be sorry to see the above pair go,for what 6/8mil,and a saving of 9mil wages. I am sure that with that sort of money in the kitty we can attract a decent player who is also a team man.
Captain, I don't think their defense is as good as it seems. Definitely our forwards can do it!! Roscafe,very valid pints all and in total agreement. Jol does not offer more than 1-2 year contracts to players over 30. AJ has done a great job over the last few games but no end product. In favour of clear-out to save wages and bring young player who want to play football.
I'm more concerned about Norwich and what our attitude will be to that game. So far as Wednesday goes the key may well be whether Murphy is fit after he got another knock on his bad ankle.
I honestly think we are more likely to win the game against Utd than they are. Fergie doesn't seem to like coming to CC, probably due to the changing room size Saying that if someone offered me a draw right now I would take it hands down.
