Last night's performance by Kara makes me doubt Magath! If a 37 yo can play under these conditions for 75 mins why could he play ahead of Parker or Diarra?
I'm glad you got a good reaction from him, Cottagecravens. Simon Morgan's autobiography gave the impression that Brazil was a bit disenchanted with Fulham fans for all the stick he used to get. He was another of those love him or hate him players who divided opinion. On his day he could be superb, but it wasn't always his day. I liked him, overall, but I still like Ruiz overall (with reservations), which I know isn't the most popular view around these parts! I once took a mate along to watch us play Luton Town (I think) in an early round of the league cup. It was a second leg and in the last minute of extra time, we were awarded a penalty. My mate, loyally supporting Fulham for the night, was going nuts with excitement and I remember looking at him and thinking, 'you poor fool. Do you really expect Gary Brazil to score a match-winning penalty in the 120th minute?' Sure enough, GB failed to score. To give him credit, he then had the self-confidence to take (and score) a penalty in the shoot out a few minutes later. Plenty of players would have cried off and passed the responsibility to others.
Obviously everybody is aware of the Suarez incident by now and has their own views on it, but I read this article about him and found myself agreeing with every bit of it, surprisingly. It was written by a guy called Dónal Ãg Cusack who is an ex inter-county hurler (Hurling is a native Irish sport, followed religiously here) so knows what it's like to perform at an elite level, albeit a far smaller stage than the World Cup. He became Ireland's first elite sportsman to come out as openly gay and has suffered his fair share of abuse so he knows what it is like to be ridiculed. Here is the article, I found it a very good read anyway: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/donal-og-cusack/donal-og-cusack-suarez-is-just-another-crazy-mixed-up-kid-not-a-bad-person-273535.html
Thanks FI. Really good take on the situation and problems facing Suarez. As it happens we were talking about him this afternoon. My wife, who knows more about football than she admits and even more about children. observed that he had acted like a 2 year old who, in a temper tantrum, does something irrational out of frustration.
Oh My! Bryan with a side foot scliffer sends the Greeks the wrong way - [video]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/09B4A77A071095141882792767488_219a6126869.0.4.1478 3574662030119797.mp4?versionId=SZX045HjMCWZekee_Mp pbv5481TTRP.w[/video]
Was not impressed with our C/F, thought he missed a couple of sitters, hope he has not got himself injured. On the positive side our transfer stock value seems to be rising.
Can't be bad, the Captain of each side tonight coming from little old Fulham. And well done to both. please log in to view this image Link to pic https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrU3dyyIYAA8Xt4.jpg I'm glad the Costas won but really feel for Kara. Not least for going the whole 120 minutes. What's the mileage in giving him another year at the Cottage ... in some role?
I'd take Kara back in a heartbeat. I love watching him play. Mitroglou looks every bit how Hangeland described him. Overweight, slow, lazy. Should have won it for them too. He did take a decent penalty though. Was very impressed with Joel Campbell today.
3 players (I realise Kara has been released but is an honourary player!) From Fulham in the same game of a world cup! Who'd of thunked it?
I was thinking about trying to get Joel Campbell on loan from Arsenal and partner him with Ruiz. But I doubt whether we will be keeping Ruiz. My mantra is always to get partnerships to gel all over the pitch Strikers, RB-RW CB's etc. Shame we couldn't get Karagounis to sign a play and pay contract, you know you are going to get a shift out of him, but it's true he can't last 90 minutes anymore at that energy level, and this can led to him being a liability on the pitch if he isn't managed/subbed properly. Still haven't seen enough of Mitroglou to have an opinion how he would shape up in the Championship. Again I'm guessing he will leave us.
If ever my life has to depend on a penalty shoot-out and the Germans aren't available, can I have Costa Rica? I can't remember a better set of five pens. The first three Greek ones were just as good.
Amazing turnaround - Rafik Halliche is the Algerian captain tonight. please log in to view this image Link to pic: http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608029646901218315&pid=15.1 Equally amazing that 4 "Fulham" players have now captained their National side in the World Cup last 16.
I don't have time to do the research, but I can't image that there's another team the size of Fulham that's better represented in the WC. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munchen and ... Fulham? We also have Carlos Bocanegra doing commentary for Yahoo and ESPN.
Top quote of the World Cup: "I keep forgetting Clint isn't in a Fulham shirt and I get excited for him"
I love that Danny doesn't hide his loyalties, but equally isn't blinded by them. In the same match the commentator made reference to Dempsey's loan spell this season, to which Danny immediately snapped back with, 'That didn't work.' I really hope that in the BBC's new post-Hanson post so-much Lawro era, there will be a large place for our Danny.
