Great game last night, as we all know. Words fail ... As I was watching it from my couch last night, Fulham's present evolution came more clearly into focus for me: Fulham's a team that's finally changing away from the methods and structure forged by Roy Hodgson and is now taking on a new character in terms of offense and ball movement. Hodgson, whom I love, took a team of limited talent and strength and imposed structure and discipline, particularly on defense. Hodgson's Fulham was a very hard team to beat because we conceded so few goals. Hodgson's team was safety first, passing and offense second; "stay in your lanes, lads, and pressure the ball. Keep your opponent in front of you..." I imagine him telling the players. But last night's second-half display, I think, illustrated the evolution of the team under Jol's command -- Fulham outpassed Arsenal. With confidence, pace and dexterity, Fulham out-played Arsenal at Arsenal's game, and I just can't imagine saying that six months or two years ago. The swirling ball movement and dribbling runs from Dembele, Ruiz and Dempsey, plus the entreprising passing of Hangeland and Senderos up the middle, overwhelmed Arsenal even before its full back was rightly sent off. Zamora slammed home the final goal last night, and credit to him for his effort on the night, but I saw our second-half performance last night as the culmination of Jol's efforts and trades. At times it's been painful watching the team's reluctant movement away from Hodgson's static but effective system, but I think we've turned a corner and I like what I see.
DR, good article. Think you are right we are seeing glimpses of the future for Fulham. Think that's what the management of the team has in mind. The only problem is how to maintain that consistency and calibre of players. If players like Dembele, Ruiz, Dempsey and even young Frei continue to play like this will be difficult to hold unless we get to a top 6-8 team which is the long term target. The vision is there for a sustainable Fulham. Stadium expansion, wage structure, Platini's formula on debt, Fulham foundation. All these are slowly taking place and MAF is the one to thank for his patience. Also us fans who have to swallow the bitter pill of ticket prices!
Largely agree with these comments. However, in addition to what has been said, I think we could take this new style of play to a new level with some more attacking full back play. While Kelly and Riise did their best last night, though I don't see them as the long term future and when you look at say Man City's more attacking style this season, a lot is down to how well Richards and Clichy have played. As good as our creative players can be eg Dempsey, Frei, Ruiz, Dembele, they all tend to cut inside on their stronger feet, which in theory should allowed greater space for expansive fullback play. Although we haven't seen much of him lately, Briggs should allow us to do this in future. This just leaves a quality right back needed, as we may not see Grygera play for us again with injuries and all. Sometimes our attacks can still be quite anti-climatic, with neat build up then fading out, so having stronger and quicker full backs could reversee this trend a bit.
Agreement all round from me. This is what the pro-Jol lobby on this board have been getting at for most of the season - we're on our way somewhere and the process needs to be given time. I don't think we'll see the full flowering of it until next season, so we have to be patient. Robes makes an excellent point about full backs. I see we've been linked with Chris Gunter at Forest recently. Does anyone know if he is the type of player Robes is talking about?
Gunter's been dropped from Forest's starting line up for poor form this season, & a bit hit & miss according to my N'ham Forest mate (well, he said "when he's good, he's very good, but....") A young fast RB to go with Briggs would be a nice addition.
Nice article DR (and follow up comments). Still early days, but we are definitely moving in the right direction.
Good article DR. I think MJ has finally got a formation and line up that works well with the players we have. I believe MJ is a right fit for Fulham and yes he's made a couple of errors but all in all I think the future is going to be good.
I agree with Robes. I think you have hit the nail on the head. And to follow up on my postings about Jol - I said I didn't think much of him as a manager and wanted him out but during my discussions with Bidley said I was willing to be pursuaded that he was the man for the job - well, he is pursuading me. I'll probably never hold the guy in the esteem that I hold Sir Roy, but he is winning me round. Not by the fact that he is winning more matches but by the fact that what he is doing there now seems to have a clear direction and that it has been effectively communicated to the players. I still don't always agree with his substitution timings but then I didn't always agree with Roy's negative tactics away from home. Credit where it is due - and I'm willing to admit it looks like I was wrong about the guy.
Fair play to you mate, I admit I was beginning to think you'd gone quiet because we were beginning to improve more substantially. COYW!! I don't think any of us will, to be totally honest.
Just to say, I am still very skeptical with Jol's defensive tactics. Especially from Set plays and crosses. I think with the attacking qualities we possess it's difficult not to look a threat.
Thanks Jim. Sounds like he'd be a worry if we took him on then. I agree a fast, young 'un is exactly what we need. Kelly seems to be fitting in with Jol's system quite nicely, but I think he's a decent back up to a better player, rather than the long-term answer.
FFC4L I see your point and there are times that our defense looks disorganised! But think is the lack of midfield pressing much. It will be sorted out I want to believe.
The thing that grates me with Jol, is that in every press conference after a game he spots the problems I have been suggesting for ages. And we don't see to improve on it either. For example, closing down Norwich to stop them crossing and playing a ridiculous zonal game from Arsenal set pieces and crosses. It appears Jol tells the team to do one thing and then backtracks in the press conference to save face.
Would you rather he didn't then? I'd rather he admitted what went wrong rather than reeling off a load of excuses.
But it's things you'd expect to be prepped before the game. Things like Norwich's aerial strength, and therefore the need to stop crosses coming in. Yet he was telling us to stand off. Things like the fact zonal marking is the cause of our set piece weakness. He mentions it in the presser, and I am thinking that I could have told them not to do that before the game. We've been doing it all season. It's baffling. Thankfully Ruiz, Dembele, Zamora, Sidders and Dempsey were all in fine form to save a bad situation. We really have a great squad this season, I feel Jol is holding us back.
I just don't see that at all. The fine form of Ruiz, Dembele and Dempsey that you refer to comes from their part in Jol's system. We've seen a lot more from Dembele (in particular) recently than we did last season, and that is surely down to the way he's being used this year.
Did I mis hear Jol in the press conference, I thought he said he changed the zonal system at half time. Give him some credit and the players for being able to switch. Perhaps the message Jol has been trying to get over to them is sinking in and the squad is more versatile for it? Just a thought.
