Good workmanlike job tonight. Good pressure in first half meant a deserved half-time lead and after the third we it was hardly surprising that we backed-off. A few dodgy moments later on, but it was pleasing to see the lads keep the all-important clean-sheet. A good word for Kasami - I saw him for the first time tonight and have to say he looked pretty good. Hopeful for the second leg, and the league stage!
Agree Gera, good workman like performance indeed. It was my first game watching us under Jol. Great atmosphere to start with, brilliant to see so many people turn out. We did play very well at times, but I have to say that they were pretty awful defensively and only really gave us problems for 10 mins in the first half and late on i the second half. A few things that I noticed though from tonight: Kasami looks god but he is not a winger. His positional play in the first half was questionable. One minute he was on the right, then on the left, then up front. At times BZ was having to cover for him. He should be playing in the hole, but we have a lot of players for that spot. Danny Murphy was misplacing short passes, but running the game in midfield. When he went off we were a completely different team, Etuhu and Sidders did not really create, that said it was late in the game. Martin Jol is some way from knowing his best eleven. We started with Demps behind Bobby, then Duffers behind Bobby, then Kasami behind Bobby, back to Demps and so on. Dembele was on the right and somewhat lost. Whilst we dominated the game there is still work to be done. Bring on the group stages.
Kasami,learning,much as Briggs did last year,the relief felt by myself and those around me when AJ was not playing,BZ seemed more confident. I only hope another great performance by "Demps"does not put him in the transfer window, and if the improvement shown by Briggs continues we may have trouble hanging on to him next season
Go along with all these points. Playing to a 4-3-2-1 system which the players were comfortable with certainly made a difference. But I would say that wouldn't I. Seriously, the movement off the ball was just so much better. Would add that the Hughes/Hangeland pairing inspired a confidence of those around them, from the outset. Briggs was storming. Occasionally could have taken a bit more time to look up before delivering the ball, but that will come and he'll be immense. Well done all round.
I thought briggs was terrific, some of his runs were reminiscent of that of Gareth Bale last year though I might be getting carried away. He will certainly give riise a run for his money for that left back spot. Thought kelly looked out of his depth in the 1st half but grew into the game in the 2nd, bairdinho was conspicuous by his absence from both the 1st XI and the bench. Only point I disagree on is with others a bit is that I was very concerned by zamora's performance, looked frankly lazy at times, control was as it could and was particularly disappointed to see him get a yellow for backchatting to the ref. Bad example in front of the likes of kasami and briggs. May sound a tad controversial but I have thus far this season been more impressed by AJ than zamora and would like to him and dembele back in the team on sunday, possibly at bobby's expense.
Good performance and well played. Only point I disagree is with Frogman comment regarding the starting 11. Yesterday I think Jol showed why he is good. The system was 4-4-1-1 with the player behind Zamora interchanging between Demps, Duff and Kasami. That tore Dnipro apart. The movement and changing of positions was very good.
Was out last night and didn't find out the result until this morning. Very pleased obviously and from the BBC website they said Briggs was outstanding and Riise might have a job getting his place back - is that a true staement or journalistic license? If true that seems very encouraging.
Morning all, I know what you mean Robes, BZ was at times a bit lacklustre. In his defence though he was getting fairly battered by there centre backs. For me he has not been playing in that role under Jol, as the lone front man, so just needs to get readjust. I was gutted he missed his 2 chances in the second half, a goal would be exactly what he needs. As for dropping BZ, phew, big call. AJ has impressed thus far and last night may be he would have got on the score sheet. If we can get Dembele firing in the " defence splitting " passes then may be him and AJ could be very effective, but then again Bobby looked great with Dembele in that position as well. FFC, if the interchanging was a tactical ploy then, let's see more of it. When Jol turned up at Fulham he mentioned " total football " being played at the Cottage. I guess this would be part of that tactic. I agree it worked well. I still think that Duff is most effective on the right wing and that Kasami needs to be given a fairly free role behind the striker. Qestion though, how are we going to fit in ll these players that play off the striker ? Dembele, Zamora, Dempsey, Kasami, assuming AJ or another sriker comes in ?
Sorry forgot to give huge credit to Briggs. He has an endless supply of energy and his defensive qualities were excellent last night. Please could we see him and JA Riise play together with Briggs left wing.
Fair point Frogman, but I see us this year playing a rotation team with different system depending on the opponent. The team needs to adjust and can see there are some players that need more time than others. For example Etuhu is not used to the movement, he was great under Roy with a standard formation but finds it difficult to pick up players in constant move. Our bench last night looked strong with many options. And we have players like Baird, Davies and Riise junior who were not even on the bench.
Another good performance by the defense. Sidwell and Kasami had good games. Shame Zamora missed the chance to make it 4-0. If Fulham can get an away goal that would mean Dnipro would have to score 5 to win, so even though they pressed us hard in the last 15 minutes for their away goal, I think unless they can play better at home and put our defense under more pressure we should get through barring a epic performance by them.
I would like to say that i was srong and i am eating my words, i said that it will be a hard game and that we will not win 3-0 as quoted by someone, im glad im wrong tho so its a love hate situation
When I said yesterday afternoon that I was hoping we would win 3-0 it really was only a hope. I was very pleased that my hope was fulfilled and in such good style. I felt that a lot of the negatives we saw against Villa (lack of players in the box for example) had been addressed although, as others have said, there is still room for improvement. Largely agree with what others have said but my comments on a few individuals:- Aaron Hughes - back in the centre of defence where he belongs - played really well and scored a great goal. Really liked the idea of him getting forward while Kelly stayed back Clint - back to goal scoring form which can only bode well. His disregard for his personal safety in pursuit of goals astonishes me - crashing into the barrier at full speed trying to score a third Bobby- looking fitter but, perhaps goaded by the fact Clint had scored 2, went into his trying too hard mode which never works. He was even taking thrown-ins towards the end which, frankly, other people do better even when he doesn't have an injured hand! However, a Bobby wanting goals is a good thing Kasami - if he's the future of Fulham then I think the future looks bright. Agree he was a bit lost in the first half but was excellent in the 2nd, particularly his superb free kick which no one got on the end of. Was also pleased to see him as one of the first to come up to the crown clapping at the end - hopefully he's happy with us and plans to stay for a long time I'm still smiling about our victory. Bring on the Wolves. And the group stage.
The summary of last night's game is that is shaping up to be another expensive year following European games!!!
