A strong reserve team beat an equally strong Villa team 3-2 at Motspur Park this afternoon, in what by all accounts was a cracking game. Fulham took the lead after 15mins through a Trotta goal after a great run and pass by Mesca. Villa equalised after 27 mins and probably finished the better in the first half. Almost straight from the restart Trotta got his second from another Mesca assist but within 2 mins Villa again equalised. The Fulham winner was scored by Christensen on 82mins. The young Dane who signed in January had come on as sub in the 72nd min for Minkiwitz. The Fulham star however was keeper Bettinelli who saved a penalty on 30mins and had a number of excellent saves. The best probably in the 89th min. The full line up was - http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/ReservesFaceVilla.aspx Well done lads.
It was another closed door affair unfortunately. I followed it on, believe it or not, the Villa site commentary. Also, my apologies it was Donegan (great to see him back after that injury) and not Christensen who got the winner. Here is the Club report - http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/DevSquad3-2Villa.aspx
Cottager, Roscafre and anyone else who watches the reserves, how close is Donegan to getting game time in the firsts, do you think? Or would he do better with a loan spell somewhere next season?
I'm looking forward to buomesca tue na bangna coming thru. I seen playing for Chelski and by god he has some skills. He's strong and dont mind putting a shift him.
Yeah, Craven, Mesca is the one I would see most likely to hit the first team. He has just recently been given his squad number and Jol obviously rates him - if you recall the Jol artcle in the last Fultime he really wrote him up. Tom Donnegan certainly shows a certain Scouse grittiness and he was close Captain, but he now needs playing time to get over that nasty injury. Obviously that's not going to happen immediately so I'd give hime some game time in pre-season friendlies. Who is in and who is out (Etuhu, Sidwell, Baird ?) over the summer could make a difference also. If what I'll call the 'midfield back up' go, and if he can get back to his earlier form, I'd keep him within the Development squad.
I personally would like to see Donnegan spending the summer with us building himself up, following his injury, then being loaned out to a championship side, The others I feel will be ready,within a season or two is B T N Bangna, Burn,Tankovic, Jaronen, Bettinelli, the last 2 being goalkeepers. Our C/F problems could be solved by Trotta,who i hope gets some more game time next season.
I think the quality in depth at Fulham is very exciting. We have a good scout network it appears, although not quite good enough to spot Cisse mind
