In his premier press conference at lunchtime today, Senior Coach Stuart Gray said that, for the moment he is in charge on a game-to-game basis. Adding all the usual clichés of “great reaction from the players”, “trained well this week”, and so on and so forth. Gray is Grey Enough of the snidy bits. He was also realistic in saying the team lacked confidence at present and acknowledging where improvement was needed. Yup, in defence - "We've worked very hard this week on defending set-plays. The players know the most important thing is getting it right in both boxes." He expects Dembele to be back but that was it so far as team news is concerned. We obviously know about Tunnicliffe’s injury, so he’s out. And Husband goes back to ‘Boro on Monday, so he’ll be in. Other than that and Gray’s preference for 4-4-2 .. hmm. Think I’ll wait for the local ‘exclusive’ paper to spill the beans on player availability before suggesting a line-up.
I couldn't possibly breach confidentiality and reveal my source. Anyway, I'm told we have three players in the physio room. What is less clear is whether they are the long term casualties (Tunnicliffe, Bettinelli and Lonergan) or lesser tweaks (like Richards, LVC and Matilla). Taking a punt on availability and inclining to Gray's favoured 4-4-2 the line up could be: .............................Lewis.............. ..Fredericks...Stearman..Hutchinson..Husband ......Cairney.....Ream.....O'Hara...Pringle.. ................Dembele...McCormack.... ..
OK, I'll tell mine if you tell me yours Mine is Cottager58 Your turn!.................... That isn't going to work, is it.
It seems we are going back to the Magath days when we don't know who's going to get picked or even who is available. .............................Lewis.............. ..Fredericks...Stearman...Burn....Ream..Husband ..............Cairney...O'Hara......Williams.... ................Dembele...McCormack.... Kick towards the Hammersmith in 1st half.....
Preparing for the off and just noticed we have another uncertainty in the middle - Mr Coote. please log in to view this image He's done 13 games this season so far and has clocked up 51 yellows and 2 reds. We've seen him once before when he ref'd our game at theirs in November 2014. Marcus played a blinder but they snitched the winner in stoppage time. Let's hope for at least a reversal of that today and a nice, calm Coote.
Yup, sure is some boy that Tarkowski - super header against the wind and then blown away by Moussa Dembele. Two great goals for Fulham. The Brentford goals? Well, the penalty was for a perfectly good tackle outside the box and the other was .. from a corner! But football as we all know, wouldn't be football if it was only about the goals. Indeed not, for it was worth every penny to just see the second half run .. nutmeg .. run .. dribble .. run .. of Richard Stearman. Such a pity he didn't just have a whack at the end of it all. Can't of course leave without a mention of our Senior Coach. His original team selection showed up all of our weaknesses in one fell swoop (and a pretty awful first half). However, fair play to the supposedly defensive minded Gray for being gung ho and playing four 'strikers' in the last ten minutes or so. And with a bit of luck 'non-striker', Kaca, could have got the winner.
Three changes in coaching and I haven't seen any improvement or any change in the way we play, slow movement out of defense allowing the opposition to get back and defend in numbers, the same old inability to pass a ball properly to a team mate, keeping possesion in our own half getting nowhere fast, allowing teams to hit us on the break when we lose possession, coupled that with an inept Referee and it was a poor game. Lonergan pulled off some good saves and I would have to give him MOTM, but that is only because I wasn't impressed by any of our other players.
I think Cairney had a good game and I'd give him MOTM. Fair result I thought, exciting game and I enjoyed it.
Tarzan run very good. Next time Tarzan shoot. Was an entertaining game and looks like Gray will be trying to keep the fans onside as a priority, as evidenced by the four strikers and all out attack at the end. Lonergan looked good and Moussa took his goal, although I thought his first touch was going to be too heavy. He almost scored a beauty although don't know if it was a cheeky flick to set himself or a complete miscontrol. Was disappointed by the policing and logistics post match. There must have been almost 100 riot police on local streets with no one telling the crowd that the gate to bishop Park was shut. We had to walk around the outside adding about 30 mins to the journey. I bet hardly no police were in the park, seems to be a bit of a gap as to who should be in there. If they are worried about fights that's where it's going to happen. Also don't understand the need for so many horses, aside from a vantage point why else do they use them?
Know it’s not de rigueur to comment favourably on the opposition. However, I’m a wee bit surprised nobody has mentioned Bidwell. He “won” their penalty, took the corner which they scored their second from and his block on Dembele’s shot at the end was just incredible … a definite match saver! Come On You Bidley
I took the first gate into the park and took my normal journey home but this gate seemed to be the only gate to the park open. Plenty of police in the park too. All was very civilised. I had to walk round last so when I saw the gate open I went for it. Agree on Bidwell but highlight for me was Stearman's run. Reminded me of a Hangeland run a few years ago. Wish he'd taken a shot.
Sorry guys, I’m with what SuperBri said in his post before yours. The game was patchy and chaotic, which in part may have been down to the wind but surely professional players can get to grips with it within 94 minutes. And surely at least one player should have had the nous to take advantage and shoot! Just on that it’s beyond me how we’re leading goalscorers (4 more than the rest) in the Championship, yet seem reluctant to shoot. “For goodness sake have a go, you might even get a deflection or something” was a polite version of a frequent comment around me yesterday. Back to SuperBri’s post. All the ‘poor’ aspects of our play that he mentions were on display yesterday. But hey, despite that it’s a while since we actually looked capable of winning a game at the Cottage. And Gray has only had 5 days and one game so I’m happy to give him time. Hopefully though, he’s learned that Parker and O’Hara together doesn’t work; nor does Cairney stuck out on the wing. Above all he needs to get us working as a team – we still look like a bunch of individuals. PS Cairney was okay COYW but not MOTM, that has to be Lonergan by a mile. Excellent to see him back by the way.
On the subject of MOTM, I thought O'Hara had a good game and may have edged it. Certainly, 2 cracking saves from Lonergan did keep us in the game. As to the rest of the game, it was a pity to go behind, which did not help the remainder of the scrappy first half, but we deserved the equaliser. Good to see chances being made in the second half, including a cracking 2nd goal to take the lead. Hopefully, a settled coach will help shore-up the team. COYW!
