Okay, I'm sure we're all still buzzing form that 2nd half performance on Saturday and the hat trick for Clint. What a player! Also, it must be said for the excellent substitutions from Big Mart. Here's where we are so far compared to the last couple of seasons. I've even looked at the hallowed 2008/09 season. Still work to do on that score though. All played 22 games. 2011/12 - 26 points F28 A31 2010/11 - 23 points F23 A25 2009/10 - 24 points F27 A27 2008/09 - 29 points F22 A19 Arguably we have had a similar amount of games if you include Euro games compared with 2009/10. 31 goals against, not sure if this is good or bad compared to others but could be better. This is my only criticism if I'm honest and I'm not sure if this is down to Stockdale, Senderos or the lack of Hughes in the centre? We're on the right track and plenty more Jamaica games please boys, no more Brixton! LOL
Despite being the embodiment of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season, this is good reading. It would look even better if not for that 5-0 bashing we got from Man United. I think the chopping and changing of the backline at the beginning of the season (including goalkeeper recently) has a lot to do with the higher goal concession.
Agreed. I think Schwarzer would have stopped a couple going in, particularly at Blackburn. Having said that Stockers has done really well.
It's true that it would look better if we airbrushed out the Man Utd game, but equally it would look a lot worse if we omitted the QPR game. We're not doing badly - certainly a lot better than some were suggesting a couple of months ago - but we're not the finished article yet. I think we've suffered from a second successive season with a new manager trying new ideas. We need to kick on this season and then look to make real progress built on continuity of manager in the next couple of years (and hopefully more after that!) Incidentally, there was an article in the Independent today tipping us as a good dark horse bet for the FA cup. People are starting to notice us - it's amazing what five goals will do.
Agree with all comments. The defense has been through many changes as well as the midfield. Could have been worse Just one point regarding yesterday's game... Is that Plan B formation? Classic 4-4-2? Think it is and Jol will be using it more depending on the opponent...
No doubt - points-wise though, we're still up, and those are what matter! Couldn't agree more. We look very much like a team in transition, and one which will only improve with time and a couple of shrewd signings.
Indeed FFCM, I also believe he knows what to play when Dembele isn't playing. We would have bossed the midfield in the first half with him there. He's the outlet and add balance for Ruiz too. Bit disappointed with Brian yesterday but I think the way we were set up meant he had to do things he wasn't used to.
Asking Ruiz to hold down the middle was a reach. Dembele and Dempsey, maybe, but Ruiz is still getting up to speed. He's improved immensely over the last few months, and from the wing he's a solid contributor. But middle midfielders have about 2 seconds to receive and get rid of the ball before they're smothered, and that's what happened to Ruiz on Saturday. Caulk it up to a learning experience for him. I found it interesting that Saturday's second-half rampage was brought to you by "classic" Fulham, not the Jol's "new" Fulham configuration. The second half on Saturday also showed the importance of having Johnson and Zamora up front, not Zamora alone and the Ruiz-Dempsey-Dembele roulette wheel spinning nearby. Zamora and Johnson have a nice partnership for which we've yet to find a good alternative. Perhaps we should just play that way ...
Think it really depends on the opposition DR, the roulette has worked in other games very well, particularly bolton and arsenal at home, with the likes of frei and kasami (when ready) able to further contribute to this. However I'd consider going back to 'classic fulham' away from home, particularly considering how many of the 2nd half goals were from counter attacks. Maybe AJ's pace could be more useful away from home than the technicality of ruiz and dembele?
Robespriere, spot on. I think we now have a squad that can play different systems and formations depending on the opponent.
I really do agree FFC_M but does Jol? He did on Saturday but not for most of the rest of the season. However I'll go with the positive and look to Saturday as the turning point.
