why all the negatives?

tonight was poor, but it wasnt a game we had 'prioritised' for 3 points. fulham have looked good in recent weeks, and we should write off this game (as we have with the bolton away, west brom away etc).
currently we are still in the top half, and 6 points of relegation zone. at the time being our position is comfortable, and if we look at it game by game we should be fine. we are good enough to pull of the unexpected, and if we go into every game thinking we can win, we will have a chance. remember that despite west ham winning, other teams are beginning to show poor form (most notably west brom, atm).

ok we dont have a lot of striking options, but in a game against arsenal we arent going to create a lot of chances, or even play a lot of football. any goals we get may be a tap in, or a GK deflection - im confident that leon best could convert this kind of chance. long shots + corners from barton etc could create the chances.
PLUS the man of steele is back, tiote. he adds a lot to the side, and will hopefully bring us a bit of agression, and composure to the midfield - giving nolan the chance to push on and get into the positions he thrives upon.

come on guys lets be positive- like we were before carroll left. we have some outstanding individuals, and i for one am confident they have the ability to win us games. lets keep the faith, and get a full stadium behind the lads on saturday!
HWTL

 

well said

 

Im just nervous. Squad seems a bit lost without AC.

As you said 6 points above relegation zone, but teams below us are winning.

Of course with more match play the like of Best, Ranger and Lovenkrands hopefully we will look better.

 

Fulham was always going to be a tough away fixture especially as they have got most of their key players back from injury etc, in the end it was a rare mistake from Jose that gave Duff the chance, I feel for Ranger as he has to do his growing up in a much tougher environment than Carroll, he is 2 years younger facing the best defenses and with Shola out for probably 6 weeks Pardew will have to throw him in. He will be stronger and as he builds his experience I actually think he will be more of a hand full especially as he has real pace to boot, it was disappointing tonight but if we are 10th at the end of the season I don't think anyone will be complaining........too much.

 

Carroll hasn't played since 28th December and probably won't for 4 more weeks because of injury, a team can't be about one player and as they have shown before this team has the character to pick themselves up and be strong, we have some very good players who will make a difference.

 

Anywhere above the relegation zone and i would be happy.
I would have taken that at the beginning of the season, and i'll defo take it now.

I know Carroll hasn't played in a while, was just thinking that they looked a bit dismayed.

 

oh and bravo to the fans, they were brilliant.

 

Wasn't enrique's fault Williamson had dropped far too deep and played him onside the rest of the back four were 5 yards further up

 

i dont think the squad are willing to step up the mantle
they all seem disillusioned and their motivation for last night must be questioned
at least 8 men went hiding

 

i dont think the squad are willing to step up the mantle
they all seem disillusioned and their motivation for last night must be questioned
at least 8 men went hiding

very true we were absolutely clueless long ball banged straight down the middle i cant remember one Ranger knock on reach his man and given that Hangelands such a big lad why did we persist with the same tactic
ive had a £20 with a mate that our 4 strikers now reduced to 3 will not get a dozen goals between them from now til the end of the season on last nights performance my money looks safe

 

No as much as you want to blame Williamson not his fault, all down to Jose, he let Duff get the better of him.

 

I agree, Jose could have just hacked the tatty houcker down, he would have been sent off but it may have got us a draw. I can only assume he thought Harps was going to block the shot!!!

 

Not sure how Jose getting sent off would have been a good thing..... I thought he did well not to take him down! 1-0 down with 25 minutes still to go is not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. But to have our only left back banned and have Walcott running at Perch on Saturday doesn't bare thinking about.

 

I don't think we should be too disheartened! We have to remember the opposition were a decent team who's form has picked up of late.
I remember the game at SJP when we had a full quota and it was 0-0 then!

 

I'm pretty sure Jose had a seconds thought about it but kept his head well, I wonder if that had been Steven Taylor the result would have been a sending off and a weakened defense conceeding the lead anyway.