Some to do with age some to do with effort and tactics. Let me put my thought for what it worths: 1. Too narrow. Dejagah and Kaca both should have started. Dempsey and Duff only as impact subs. 2. Not sure about JAR. He invited Johnson in the box all the time. 3. Senderos had a good game despite all criticism. The guy at least is fighting and get his foot, head and body in the line. The penalty was never a penalty. 4. Dean was a £&&& of ref. he slaughtered us without being visible. 5. I don't know what Dejagah is as a character but he needs to play. I hope Rene sorts it out as quick as the next game.
Having seen it on MoTD, I think it was one of the clearest penalties I've seen in a while. No attempt to play the ball - he just kicked the guy, almost in the crotch. What else can the ref do? It was a foul, pure and simple.
I will take your view. Going with what I saw and the delay to award the penalty. Probably I am wrong. Any view on the incident before the third goal?
It was a penalty, but Altidore should get an Oscar for his acting performance. Typical performance from us. Only Rieter looked like he belonged on the pitch for us. Stockdale was at fault for the first goal; sorry, but if a 'keeper gets both hands on a ball, he'd got to make a save.
This. Except on the penalty - at the game I was bemused (maybe that should be, amused) at Altidore's leap and swan dive but resigned to it being a penalty. Just on diving they, especially Johnson (remember Chris Baird and the Man City game?) conned us and Mr Dean throughout. Being cynical it was a pre-planned plot to not only gain advantage but to continually stop/disrupt play. A Sunderland player scooped the ball away with his arm inside their penalty box. Presumably adjudged by Mr Dean as unintential because he was so close to the ball when Dejagah (?) thumped it. That said our lads didn't seem to appeal very much. Shell shocked?
Didn't notice anything to be honest - it hit the guy but I couldn't see if it was handball and as C58 said I didn't notice any appeals from our guys. Next thing I knew Johnson was sprinting away from JAR who just gave up the chase and slotted through the goalies legs - who again should have done much better. The first free kick was never a free kick though. As shown on TV last night Johnson took two steps before he decided to fall over in a more central area.
Yep clear pen, I think the ref thought for a minute cos Altidore exaggerated his fall a little, I rate Senderos but putting his leg out like he did was very 'agricultural' he is better than that.
As with the pen it was afoul but I reckon he tried at first to stay up and realised he could get a foul so went over. I hate divers and would red card them if it was obvious. But what about JAR's tackle on Borini? Borini was not touched but if he had not leapt clear he could have been seriously hurt. Personally I would have a TMO review all major decisions as in most other high profile sports. The first half of the season we have been on the wrong side of some very poor decisions, included when we played you first game of the season. Use a TMO..
We are doomed if we play like this for the remainder of the season. It's totally unacceptable that this far in to the season we would be hard pressed to be mid table in the championship. Enoughs enough. There needs to be some serious arse kicking at motspur this week. I am 100% of the belief that the under performers should stay at home and we play the youngsters, they would play with more heart and certainly won't do any worse. Enough is bloody enough. I'm embarrassed to support Fulham at the moment.
I echo your views. Don't think it was the effort yesterday but tactics and ability. The defense is slow and not up to PL standards. We had problems going forward and tracking. I want us to go back to the formation Rene had when he first took over. Where is Kara btw? As for embarrassment, I'm not embarrassed but humiliated. MAF and Jol have left ruins... But COME ON FULHAM. Was debating if I should go on Tuesday. Now I will definitely go as it is needed more than ever to show support.
How can we the fans see what's needed but the coaching staff can't? I'm amazed that the team is lined up the way it is.
A few questions that still remain unasnwered. What is the reason for such a formation and team selection. Why on earth start with Duff? Why bring Kasami as a winger when he can't do that? Why not help Riise by bringing Richardson in? Why pay Taarabt with Berba? (Similar to Ruiz and Berba.) Why is Bent still on the squad and not sent back? Have the new coaching changes unsettled Rene?
I’m feeling really disheartened after the Sunderland game. I’m not sure why we aren’t using Bent more? Why have him sitting on the bench either send him back to Villa or play him more. Personally I’d rather him start over Berbatov at the moment. He has scored goal consistently wherever he has gone hasn’t been given an opportunity yet. If he keeps getting 10min here and there he is never going to get match sharp. Our defense has definitely got to be addressed in the transfer window. I heard that Hangeland may be on the bench on Saturday (not sure where that rumor started) but we desperately need him back and another central defender. I’ve heard us being linked with Lescott but would be amazed if we could manage that. Our defense at the weekend consisted of 3 free transfers and a player who cost as £1mil. In the premier league you get what you pay for and I think that speaks volumes on our current predicament Unfortunately I don’t see 3 worse teams in the PL than us at the moment. Unless Rene brings in some quality in January I think we are going down…
Formation/Selection - God only knows! Kasami - square hole / round peg - Is MJ still around? Richardson - why is Riise still playing / god only knows! Taarabt & Berbatov - God only knows! Bent on squad - purely back up / god only knows! RM unsettled - time will tell / god only knows God only knows! Can he please send a message to all concerned to sort the mess out pronto! Although I am unable to invest too much financially in the club, in terms of games, I invest emotionally in my club and I can see the lack of investment over the the last 18 months is now coming home to roost! COYW
All good questions Madness, but this is the prime one. Prior to AC and BW joining, Rene had settled on a 4-3-3 formation that was taking us forward (in an attacking sense) and players were in positions they were comfortable with. Since then it's been backwards (literally in the football sense) and odd ball selections. I'd also ask the question whether it's a coincidence that since Berbatov's return our football has reverted to slow, stop, back, slow...?
Agree with above, baffling selection really with absolutely no pace. It was working so well with Dejegah on the right - I don't understand how he doesn't start when fit. Rather than save us I think Dempsey will put us back - it's not that he isn't a good player, but he's completely unsuited to the system Rene initially used and got some success from. MOTD on Sat had 37% of viewers tipping us to go down. My good feelings have gone - we need to overachieve in the next 4 games. I've still got faith in Rene, but he should be brave and not play Taraabt or Dempsey together and especially when not when Berba is on the pitch too. Pick one and indulge him, otherwise we should just bring Jol back.
37% think that we will go down and you can't argue much against that but we are one of 10 teams that could go down. We see each week our poor performances but those other 10 teams must see equally poor performances from their teams to be as much in the mix as we are. To be honest we weren't too bad I thought on Saturday but we gave away again silly fouls, some I admit were dubious, in dangerous areas and the ref did us no favours. Riise was caught out of position too many times and generally we were poor defensively. Senderos was ridiculous. Our attack lacks pace and it says something that our goals are coming from the likes of Sidwell and Parker. We must not give up on the belief we can stay up. We have seen the team can play and get results. We have to stay positive. I agree with everything everyone is saying though - the lack of investment is really showing. If Shad Khan bought Fulham to make money he is taking a hell of a risk.
