http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_4547_club-focus-à (http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_4547_club-focus-%C3%83)¢Â€Â"-fulham-â€Â"-attack-out-of-focus-could-david-elm-be-the-answer.html
Club Focus – Fulham – Attack out of focus, could David Elm be the answer?
By Matt Domm
Tuesday 28 September 2010
With just one recognised striker from 22 players on the field in Saturday's fixture at Craven Cottage, there was little surprise the match ended goalless. Mark Hughes' more direct, attacking style of play was once again evident, but without Bobby Zamora's ability to pull balls out of the air or Moussa Dembele's talent at taking balls into his feet towards the opposition goal, the Whites were, as was feared after Dembele's injury, sorely lacking up front.
Zoltan Gera, for all his industry and enthusiasm, needs a target man to play off, and Clint Dempsey, despite his ability to adapt to a number of positions, is not that man. So, ultimately, the Dempsey-Gera partnership failed to produce the goods. Dempsey spent much of the game on the floor under challenges that Zamora would stand up to, and in doing so highlighted the lack of a striker who can play with his back to goal. Gera - the perfect partner for Zamora in the Europa League last season - could do nothing with the scraps the Everton defence provided him with as they successfully dealt with his striker partner. As a result, Fulham ended up with little of the possession, and even less in the way of clear-cut chances, as the forwards' inability to keep the ball at their feet or bring it down ended attacks before they had got going.
Hughes' willingness to change things that are npt working has been a positive factor in this early stage of the season. He was not afraid to replace John Pantsil at half-time after the Ghanaian was run ragged by Wolves, and on Saturday, despite Gera being one of the better players in the first half, recognised the need to alter things up front. He again brought on Eddie Johnson, who was effective at first, but was successfully marshalled by the Everton defence as the half wore on. Johnson undeniably brings another dimension to the Fulham attack - the natural pace he possesses forces defenders to play deeper, thus creating more space for the midfield to operate. Initially he caused some worry, but raw pace was not the answer to the Whites' attacking problems at the weekend, as Johnson is also not in the mould of Zamora - he too is often unable to hold the ball and create chances, and instead relies on the support of a stronger partner. So, as Dempsey and Johnson between them struggled to carve out openings for each other, a player who might well have made all the difference was forced to watch from the stands.
There are, of course, no players in the squad who are capable of fulfilling exactly the role Zamora plays, indeed there are few in the league better at what he does. But if it is a big man, who is strong in the air and has the ability to shield the ball from defenders who is required at this current time, then Hughes could do a lot worse than try his final remaining option - David Elm. Very much a peripheral figure in his time at the club, he has, in this writer's opinion, shown enough in his few appearances for the Whites to suggest he could do a decent enough job in the Zamora role, at least until the goal-scoring threat of Dembele is back in action. The Swede performed well in one of his only starts last season against Burnley – setting up one for Danny Murphy and tapping in the second himself. It is exactly that kind of player - unselfish and strong - that Fulham were very much in need of on Saturday. The difference could well have been one flick-on to any one of Gera, Dempsey or Diomansy Kamara - all capable finishers - that made the difference between one or three points.
In truth, it was a point gained against the Toffees as, while the majority of outfield players did little to impress, Mark Schwarzer appeared back to his best after a somewhat shaky start. Recently Schwarzer has crumbled under the pressure of balls being lumped into the box and challenged for, but on Saturday his command of his defence and shot-stopping ability were back to their best. Claims from some quarters that his head has been turned by Arsenal's summer pursuit will have died down somewhat after the Australian's performance at the weekend, as he twice saved brilliantly to win his side a point.
The big decisions for Hughes, however, remain in the forward department, as he looks to reignite his side's attacking threat.
No.
My first reaction an un-reserved no. However, Elm's a big guy, if he can use his physical presence and strength to hold the ball up to bring others into play that may make up for his lack off pace and benefit the team.
Is Elm the answer though? I doubt it.
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on September 28, 2010, 10:52:12 PM
No.
He's got to be worth a punt, no?
Quote from: FulhamFan2 on September 28, 2010, 11:06:51 PM
Is Elm the answer though? I doubt it.
I doubt it too but see initial response... :49: :032: :49:
Elm vs. Eddie Johnson
Eddie Johnson vs. Elm
Pass!
Granted, I've seen much more of David Elm over the years but if both fully fit I'd chose Elm over EJ every day of the week.
Not saying he's the answer though!
Why not give him a go cant but help having two forwards rather than one .He needs minutes on the pitch.
Elm should be given the chance, he is big and strong and can hold the ball up and has scored for us in the prem, don't understand the knockers, got to be a better bet than EJ and an unfit Kamara anyday, like most forwards he needs service and a couple of times he got none in a game when BZ would have struggled
Elm is no more the answer than is EJ. However, any combination of Elm, EJ, and Kamara in terms of two real forwards up front may be. I would like to see Elm + Kamara to start with EJ coming on for Kamara at around 60 min.
What was the question?
yes
Quote from: epsomraver on September 29, 2010, 09:46:48 AM
Elm should be given the chance, he is big and strong and can hold the ball up and has scored for us in the prem, don't understand the knockers, got to be a better bet than EJ and an unfit Kamara anyday, like most forwards he needs service and a couple of times he got none in a game when BZ would have struggled
Agree 100%. I like him and would have had him in there already.
I think he did pretty well for the time that he was in the games last season. He might not be he answer, but I'd like to see him get a chance. He plays the Zamora role and now is the time to see, if he's ready to step up. I'm sure the gaffer is taking a long hard look at him and he's probably playing that role in the behind the scenes matches along side AJ.
I am with anybody.
Elm is training now after injury. So may be considered.