Tag Archives: Kerim Frei

The View from South Texas — Fulham FC v. Reading

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by Hatter Don

Fortress Fulham is No More

Today, Fulham played the least talented side in the Premier League and lost to them 2-4. Questionable team selection, early lethargy, late disorganization, and the abject failure of fan favorite players to play well all contributed to Reading winning only its second road match of the season, and its first three points anywhere in at least three months.

Fulham began brightly with Damien Duff giving Reading LB Stephen Kelly a quick lesson in how to play out of position. Twice within the first 90 seconds, Duff mastered the Reading left side and, on the second occasion, whipped in a cross that Bryan Ruiz met with a hard volley. It was well saved by Reading’s 23 year old Irish keeper McCarthy – a continuing theme throughout the day. Immediately after, Jol had Duff swap wings with Emanuelson and Fulham’s early pressure was relieved.

For the next 10 minutes or so, Fulham did their best imitation of 11 guys strolling around on a green expanse with little or no understanding why. At that point John Arne Riise attempted a routine clearance which, instead, only cleared the ankle of Hal Robson-Kanu. Robson-Kanu – who we’ve been told repeatedly is not good enough to play for Fulham – coolly converted as Reading assumed a lead it would never relinquish. Fulham seemed content with that lead and continued to loll around in the almost summer almost sunshine.

Until Martin Jol made a significant change in the 26th minute, that is. On came Hugo Rodallega at the expense of Giorgos Karagounis, who had been doing a fine imitation of a statue on loan from the Parthenon. Immediately, Fulham began to gel and, for the rest of the half showed their superiority in both talent and tactical nous. Unfortunately, Reading was the only side to have come out of the dressing room and were soon bossing the ball. In the 62nd minute, Robson-Kanu scored again.

And then the match became fun to watch – for a neutral observer. Fulham gained control and Ruiz scored to reduce the deficit to 1-2. Then substitute Adam Le Fondre made it 1-3. Some superb attacking play by Fulham resulted in a sweet cross from the right by substitute Alex Kacaniklic that resulted in a headed [?] goal by Fulham’s Costa Rican barely two minutes later. At this point, it was 2-3 and Fulham looked the side most likely. There were a few chances by each side before Rodallega nearly shattered the crossbar with as clean a connection as you’ll see in a long time.

The game was in the balance when Brede Hangeland nodded the ball to Reading midfielder Jem Karacan, who immediately slotted home his first ever Premier League goal. Some more excitement followed, but that was that. Fulham demonstrated once again that they can be easily unsettled by teams that press on defense and attack wide … even teams as weak as Reading … even at the Cottage.

And now the inevitable comments. I thought that the match day squad was a bit strange. Special K had played Fulham’s best football at Everton but was relegated to the bench. Kerim Frei didn’t even make the bench. Whatever Jol was thinking at the time was a mystery, but it must be said that the substitutions of Rodallega and Kacaniklic contributed mightily to Fulham’s attack.

As for the players, thank you very much Mr. Emanuelson. I sincerely hope we don’t see you in a Fulham kit again. Mr. Enoh, today’s performance made me wish not only for Emmanuel Frimpong, but also for Dickson Etuhu. Mr. Karagounis, feel free to start your summer holidays Sunday morning. And, Mr. Schwarzer? Well, you deserve your own paragraph.

On the day when Fulham’s on loan keeper David Stockdale saw his now [and future?] club Hull promoted to the Premier League, Tha Big Aussie showed us all why Stockers should have  been Fulham’s #1 all season. Not content with just distributing poorly and slowing down our counter-attacks – something we’ve seen all this season, and most of last – Schwarzer showed no positioning sense, collided with his own players, flapped his arms for no apparent reason more than even Dimitar Berbatov, and unsettled his back four to the point where mistakes were inevitable. There’s no way to sugar coat it from my point of view. Schwarzer was god awful today, and the lack of quality in his performance was highlighted by the calm, sure performance of the opposing goalkeeper in his first top-flight season at nearly half our Australian’s age.

On the bright side, I think we saw what Hugo Rodallega can do when paired with Berbatov today. He was great. He laid off the ball well, ran into and created space, passed accurately and wasn’t afraid to take a crack at goal. He could easily have had three goals today. Once the disappearance of Karagounis allowed Ruiz to take up the attacking center mid role, he performed well. He was much more of an attacking presence in this position than he has been most of the season playing just off Berbatov’s shoulder. And, to be fair, Jol’s substitutions and tactical adjustments made the match more entertaining and close. Because, face it, any Premier League side whose best striker is NOT Pavel Pogrebnyak would have toasted us today.

That’s all I’m going to say positive about our gaffer, though. Regardless of what we do against Liverpool next week, we have lost more matches at the Cottage this season than at any time since we began a season with Lawrie Sanchez as our manager. We’re still abysmal at erasing leads, and – after two full seasons – I still can’t figure out what Martin Jol’s preferred playing style is. One thing is for certain: the days of Fortress Fulham are over. Our “hard to beat at home” performances that have kept us in the Prem are becoming a faint memory. While some believe that this is all down to the presence of Philippe Senderos on the pitch, some of us believe that the boss has to take some responsibility somewhere.

So, we’re now 12th, and I expect that victories by AstonVilla and Wigan are going to make some folks even more concerned that Fulham aren’t safe on 40 points. I still firmly believe that no team will be relegated with as many as 39 points. If there’s anyone around to challenge Wigan for 18th, it’s certainly Newcastle, Sunderland, or Norwich.

Finally, I don’t usually award a Man of the Match when we lose by two goals at home, but I’m going to make an exception forHugo Rodallega. He had a hell of a match today and almost turned Fulham around enough to gain points.

COYW

The View from South Texas — Fulham FC v. Arsenal

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by HatterDon

Brave, Strong, Resilient, and Defeated

On the whole, I’d rather we played poorly and got the three points, but an undermanned Fulham showed Arsenal and much of the football world how to play for 80 minutes with only 10 men. I can’t remember a time this season when I have been more proud of the mighty Whites. The final score was 0-1, but this was a million miles away from a boring match.

If there was any doubt who would come out on top when the opening whistle sounded, the mystery essentially ended in the 12th minute when Steve Sidwell, fresh from a three match suspension for a straight red card, earned another with a reckless, two-footed, over-the-ball tackle. There were chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” aimed at referee Andre Marriner from the Hammersmith End, but if there ever was a clear red, this was it. It’s a shame that Sidwell will end his very best season in the Black and White with only 12 minutes of play sandwiched between six days of suspension.

Despite the fact that Arsenal were in complete control of the ball inside the first 10 minutes, Fulham could have actually been ahead well before Sidwell left the field of play. After some very good work on the right wing by makeshift RB Stanislav Manolev, Urby Emanuelson missed a clear opportunity to play in a wide open Dimitar Berbatov for what would have been his easiest goal of the season.

To get the details out of the way, Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker got the only goal of the match when Bryan Ruiz fell asleep while marking Lauren Koscielny on a free kick. Arsenal had two other shots on target, and Berbatov, Emanuelson, Ruiz, and Kieran Richardson all had creditable efforts repelled. Arsenal found themselves down to 10 men in the 90th minute when Olivier Giroud autographed Manolev’s ankle.

Okay, Hatter, what exactly was it that made you so proud in losing the match? Didn’t you notice that Arsenal had more than ¾ of possession? Yes, I did notice that. I also noticed that we counter-attacked with gusto – and, for perhaps the first time this season – with pace from the wings. Kacaniklic started on the left and ran at and turned defenders with aplomb. Emanuelson played on the right wing and bedeviled Arsenal’s Monreal the entire match. Richardson was put in to counter the pace of Arsenal’s right-sided attack and did well, while still managing to get forward on occasion. Manolev had the most difficult job on the pitch, that of replacing Fulham’s player of the season, Sascha Riether. Not only was his defense excellent, but he slipped into Riether’s role of primary attacker quite seamlessly. He even put the ball into the net late in the match, but he was one of two players who were in offsides position at the time.

As the match went on, Fulham became more aggressive in their counter-attacks using both wings and excessive speed – all this while maintaining good defensive shape and organization. Arsenal’s defense was not happy, and resorted to fouling to slow Fulham down as they continued to wonder why they couldn’t score against what should have been a depleted and dispirited team. When Martin Jol finally got around to resting his exhausted warriors, the two substitutions – Mladen Petrić and Kerim Frei – didn’t miss a beat in pressuring the Gunners. And the spirit! For me, Fulham’s attitude was exemplified by the much maligned Philippe Senderos in the right winger’s position[!], crossing into the penalty area and winning a corner, and then taking up his attacking position with a roar and a pump of that giant left fist.

I have a few moans, but none of them were the cause of anything that determined the points distribution. Once Sidwell left his mark on Mikel Arteta and the match, the points were essentially decided. If there was one player who disappointed me it was Berbatov. If he expended as much effort in moving his legs as he did waving his arms in disgust at his teammates, he might not have been caught offsides so much. At times it looked as if he wanted to be known as the Bulgarian Collins John.

On the plus side, I really am warming to Eyong Enoh. He was lucky not to get a yellow early in the first half for repeated fouling, but he looks like he’s going to become an excellent central midfielder. I don’t know his contract status, but I think he’s one we should hold on to with a contract longer than one year. Emanuelson also looked very good, but he’s only got four more matches left in our colors. Richardson looked a natural left back today and played with a lot of spirit and heart. As I said before, Manolev played a great game. I hope we keep him as well. Senderos was strong in central defense and partnered well with the man whose name I heard more even than Arsene Wenger’s: Brede Hangeland. His brief two-match slump is over.

The gaffer selected a good squad and starting XI, and the lads did a great job of work today. With special mention to our giant Norwegian Texan, HatterDon’s Man of the Match goes to Martin Emanuelson Manolev Enoh Kacaniklic.

COYW!

The View From South Texas: Fulham FC v. Norwich City

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by HatterDon

I forgot that I had some volunterring to do shortly after the second half started, so this is as quick as I was able to get this report up. MAN, it’s nice to be doing match reports again.

Nice Day for a Stroll

Bathed in warm summer sunshine, Fulham fought off that “at the beach” feeling to demolish a very poor Norwich side 5-0. The goals went to Petrić, Duff, Petrić, Kacaniklic, and Sidwell (penalty). Schwarzer enjoyed his 141st Premier League clean sheet, and if he had an easier one, at his age he probably can’t remember it.

 

How poor were Norwich? Very poor. They were easily bossed around in midfield, toothless in attack, and their chief defensive tactic appeared to be maintaining a high line, and then turning and watching Fulham attackers hare towards goal. If England manager Roy Hodgson came to the Cottage to watch Ruddy and Holt, he certainly went away disappointed. Holt commanded some airspace, but did nothing with it, and Ruddy confirmed the absolute truth of England’s weakness in goal. If he can be capped and considered to be part of England’s future, then England is in serious trouble. I’m sure, by the way, that Hodgson didn’t come to watch Fulham, as there wasn’t an Englishman in sight all day until Sidwell came on – as the third substitute – with about seven minutes left. He didn’t have time to do much, but dispatched his penalty very well.

 

How good were Fulham? Perhaps the better question would be “how aggressive were Fulham.” Fulham took control of the game shortly after kickoff and maintained that control for 90+ minutes. Diarra, Dembélé, and Ruiz commanded the midfield so well that the back four and Tha Big Aussie had very little to do. I think Mark had to make two saves and, in his only action of the first half, fisted away a high cross. There were several players who caught my eye early and never allowed me to look away from them subsequently. Riise screamed down the left wing more in the first half today than he did in any month last season. His aggression and Special K’s trickiness caused Norwich no end of trouble in protecting their right flank. Ruiz still has good feet and a great pass on him, but he’s added something else this season: he is much quicker and is much more difficult to nudge off the ball. I think it’s fair to say that, based on what we saw today, Fulham will lean very heavily on Ruiz and Diarra – the latter playing as close to a perfect game as I’ve seen in many a moon.

 

And then there are the new guys. Petrić looks like the complete forward. He holds the ball well, distributes it well, defends very well in the box, nicks the ball smoothly and very much knows where the goal is. He more than earned his brace, and put more into the side than he took out of it. Riether surprised me early on with his pace. He attacks well up the right and his defensive positioning struck me as disciplined and knowledgeable. I think Kelly edges him defensively, but Riether is more of a complete player. Rodallega didn’t get much of a chance to do anything, coming on as he did in the 67th minute, but he didn’t look slow or indecisive, and that’s a good thing.

 

I was especially pleased to see Pajtim Kasami enter the fray. He didn’t perform as well as the man he replaced, but the man he replaced was Damien Duff, so that’s no shame. Let’s hope he doesn’t get buried again this season. He’s nowhere near the finished product, but he’s getting there. Closer to a finished product is Kacaniklic. He’s a legitimate left winger, a huge upgrade over the very good Kerim Frei, and he’s not afraid to take a crack. I didn’t see anything to criticize in his performance.

 

So, a good day for a walk in the park turned out to be a walk in the park. As usual, I haven’t read any reports or even looked at the other final scores, but I expect we’ll be top of the league at the end of the weekend. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, and today’s result against the side I figure to finish 20th doesn’t make us a behemoth, but we’ve often struggled or seemed to be happy with a 1-0 at home and a 0-0 on the road against teams like this. Today, we went for the throat from the off, and ripped at it time and again. In the last 7 or 8 seasons, I’ve seen Fulham play “the perfect game” twice in the Premier League – that is (1) making no serious mistakes and (2) everything we tried to do worked. This was true at the Cottage at home to QPR last season. It was true today.

 

There were entirely too many stellar performances on the pitch today to award a single player man of the match, so Hatter Don’s Man of the Match goes to the man who chose the squad and put the 14 players out on the pitch. Martin Jol; well done that man.

 

COYW