Team v Brighton

Cottager58

Cottager58

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May 2, 2011
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We know Dan Burn is out because of suspension. News about the recent clutch of injuries may give an indication about the shape of the team for Saturday. In today’s lunchtime press conference Kit said that Hoogland, Amorebieta and Jorenen are still out. No mention of Kavanagh or Vozer, although he did say that Adam Taggart is back in light training (with the U21s).

Kit also confirmed that recalled Jack Grimmer is in contention to play.

Well he’s had a full week with everyone together for training - the first since he took over - but I doubt that we’ll see many changes other the enforced ones. The main debate is obviously the back four and how he might bolster our defence. My guess is -


…………………Bettinelli……………
…Grimmer…Bodurov..Hutchinson..Stafylidis..
……Christensen….Parker…Kavanagh…
………………….Ruiz………..
………….Hugo……….McCormack…
 
Bananas in Pyjamas !!...... Had a bit of a start when I read this ....



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... then I remembered I was reading the Evening Standard. Pretty certain the last time they watched one of our games was against Juventus and that wasn't to see Fulham play.
 
After a fairly average first half we started the second well before another lapse in the defence let Bent get his goal. However his stupid celebration seemed to fire the lads up. And step up LVC. What a fantastic dribble to make the first and a sweet score for the second - albeit from a lousy attempt by Bryan.

Thought Hutchinson performed okay and Fofana looked quite impressive when he came on; speedy and decent control going forward. A bit worrying that Grimmer had to come off injured though.

Overall a hard worked and in the end well deserved three points.
 
Despite my best efforts I was unable to get a ticket for today, could somebody who went to the game let us know how Grimmer played, in the summer I was sure he was going to be our right back this season! Also I'm beginning to develop a unfathomable love of Christiansen what a player we have found!!!
 
Thought First half we were poor and some good reaction saves from Bettinelli kept us in the game. Going forward we kept losing the ball on the edge of their area and we never had any threat or shot on goal. Lua Lua was causing us problems until he went off injured after 20 minutes, life became easier for Grimmer playing at right back. He had a good game but nothing outstanding. For me Bodurov held the defense together and Hutchinson had his best game but again nothing outstanding.
The Christensen, Parker, Hyndman combo wasn't clicking in the first half and it was left to Ruiz and McCormack to pick the ball up too deep. They did much better in the 2nd.

At the start of the Second half we kept Brighton waiting on the pitch for a few minutes, wonder if that was deliberate. But we were more energetic and had a few chances before Bent got his goal, why he ran to the halfway line to cup his ear and point at our support only riled the team and fans, well done to Ruiz and Rodallega having words with him. from there Fulham had their best period of play and deserved the first goal, but the 2nd was a bit lucky, but after that the last 10+mins we fell back and tried to defend and hit on the break, were as the reason we'd got in front was because McCormack and Ruiz had started to run at their defense, with Christensen backing them up, maybe Ruiz going off stopped that.

A nice sunny day down at the seaside and a few beers and meeting a few Old Fulham I hadn't seen for while was topped of nicely with 3 points from a fairly average game.
 
Didn't catch the game because of work, but chuffed with an away win!

The most annoying thing was I forgot to stick a score on Bent scoring yesterday...
 
Bidley said:
Didn't catch the game because of work, but chuffed with an away win!

The most annoying thing was I forgot to stick a score on Bent scoring yesterday...
Click to expand...

Same. Been going on about it all week and forgot all about it. Saw Brighton scored and knew straight away it was going to be him. We got the last laugh though.
 
Cottagecravens said:
Bent was 5/1 to score first. The four of us lumped in 20 notes each. Paid for the beers and them some. He's a very unlikeable player.
Click to expand...

Lucky sod!

Yes, Bent doesn't do himself many favours. I just saw his celebration, what is that all about?! What was he trying to prove? He was largely pretty pony last season, which, I'm quite sure, was down to him and him alone.
 
Just watched the replay, Ruiz definitely came off injured. Grimmer looked like he picked up a couple of knocks on the ankles during the game but I think the fact that he was on a yellow and Kit didn't fancy facing the last few minutes a man shy was the reason he came off.
 
Ruiz was fouled just prior to the delicate pass to LVC.

We definitely needed the 3 points and overall we played well. High up the pitch and pressed. The first half was cancelled out really as Brighton played similarly. Grimmer had a decent debut and I'm really pleased for him. Ruiz was ojay defensively, played a lot of poor passes but started making some surging runs, Hugo was great, McCormack was also great. He makes terrific runs to open up space. Hutchinson and Bodurov playe well. Pleased for Hutchinson as he had a torrid time in his last 2 gamed. Bettinelli kept us in the game, great saves. Stafylidid was quite solid. Hyndman tried hard, Fofana looks a player, strong and quick. But I've got to say that LVC was MOM and is just brilliant. I think we've go a potentoal 20 goal a season midfielder on our hands and probably deserves a separate thread!
COYW
 
I'm not kidding Cravens. Alright maybe 15. I'm not going any lower than that!

I think he's that good. I hope we keep him.
 
LVC is becoming our best player. I'll safely go with 15 - so long as we can keep him.

As well as the 3 points on Saturday the other pleasing things I thought was that Grimmer had a good first start. He seems to be able to cross the ball well which is a skill we seem to lack. I'll admit that I was a bit worried about our defence for this game but I needn't have, they were comfortable enough - or no worse than we have had through the season. Didn't see enough of Fofana to judge properly but seemed strong and enthusiastic. He got an earful from McCormack for taking a chance himself but hopefully his stay at Fulham will benefit us both.

Another observation I'd make was at the beginning of the season we relied heavily on Parker mopping up all over the park, and this seems to be diminishing as the season goes on. Not to say he has played badly, just I think the squad is starting to gel and do their jobs a bit better.

Nice to see Stockdale and Hughes getting a good reception from the Fulham fans and at the end they all got together.

.. and some lovely pints in Lewes to top it all off !
 
I think if LVC keeps this up, he'll be warming the bench of a mid-table PL club by next season, possibly even January. He'll be another player we sell to a club that have little intention of playing him.

Call me cynical!
 
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