(http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2526-ManUtd-H.png)
Craven Cottage 15:00Craven Cottage 16:30
(https://images.webapi.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/1400x1400/d8dd5bb0-7f67-11f0-aa6b-a143f5b65fac.jpg)
(https://scontent.flba1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/537626526_1320125719485092_5163964345711955285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=MfGAvmMOLA8Q7kNvwHzS0rF&_nc_oc=AdmNIPyOy3-5GpRP3kf_t8dCTXlYU1d3kkjuwA9lGtOrVHY4HJ0pv1CMr-XUOpJ1FrVKdEKb4dhGZu4LWU3IH5BJ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.flba1-1.fna&_nc_gid=7IEBFeqMqWdiCff-WNA9fg&oh=00_AfWJvEDzgEmx79CakYzkXxdX3Vg9Vs3-88DnCBJAboeg6A&oe=68B0E6E0)
Not a fixture I like at all this one. Those last 3 late defeats were sucker punches, and we've lost 8 in a row at CC to them.
Last team left that we have a bit of a hoodoo with. Adding Cunha and Mbeumo who both have good records against us too.
I'm expecting a big performance from us today though. Gonna go for a narrow win for us today.
This game is on at 1:30am Melbourne time ::scarf::
Had a nice nap earlier, hopefully I go back to sleep with a smile on my face before the work week
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GzH1g-vXYAAeDrd?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Interesting to see Castagne in at LB with Bassey back partnering Joa.
Nice to have Jedi back on the bench, hopefully he's good for 15 minutes or so
ESR is such an expensive bench warmer.
He'll be on and will make a difference like last week
We had better get to grips with this game
Two shots by Cunha in two mins, one hit the post. We're going to get rinsed.
Couple of early wake up calls.
We look all over the place.
Castagne at RW. Wtf? 🤷🏻�♂️
Frightening start
Wbhy is Sess at LB and what the hell is going on with our right side?
Yep we're on the ropes earlier than usual this week.
What is Silva doing? Has he gone insane? Why is Castagne at RW?
Can't quote in this thread for some reason (again), but maybe he's making the point that we need to sign another winger :)
Seems almost a back 5
Castagne isn't playing rw. We are playing 5 at the back with sess and Castagne as wingbacks. Tete as the third centreback.
So he's going to throw an entire game to make that point?
It was a joke, but as others have said it isn't quite Castagne at RW.
When Leno is doing his FK, we're shaped normally so definitely not 5 at the back
Looking at the other results so far I'd say we have a realistic chance of actually going down this season
Bring off Castagna and put on Traore. Zero threat from Castagna.
What on earth is Silva doing trialling Castagna right wing having never played him there before ??
If this was something he wanted to try why not try it in pre season when there were plenty of opportunities.
Bizarre.
Casemiro is a weasel
What is Silva doing?
The way to get at United is through the middle of the pitch - should be playing the standard 4231
Absolutely stupid starting with this team line up in this system
Making a point?
Superb from Leno there
King 1 vs 1 but saved by keeper
Oh boy this isn't going to end well is it.
Can't let Cunha get the ball this much - he's too good.
Cunha's had 3 solid chances already.
Castagna off for Traore urgently.
The eye test from what I'm seeing is a very traditional flat back four.
We are utter crap, honestly I hope the khans are happy with what they see and Marco is happy with his reasons for having Tim C at right mid who offers nothing.
Great effort from Iwobi!
Maybe we're going to do to them what they do to us, jammy late winner when it's absolutely not deserved
Much better
Both defences are pretty crap today so I think it's going to be a big scoring game
3-4-3 plenty of space for wingers with pace to run into, ours are on the bench
Still irritated by Castagna RW.
We've got one striker, they've got three at least.
Have to agree on the Castagne front, it's very strange.
nullCastagna off for Traore urgently.[/quote]
that will be the 60th minute
Who is Castagna?
Mbuemo is a very unstable man, spends a lot of time on the deck. It must be debilitating for a professional athlete.
Nice cross from Castagne
Baffles me why MS didnt just opt for Castagne at LB, Sess at LW and iwobi at RW
Nothing against the idea of Castagna at RW.
BUT it has to be trialled and practiced. He can't just whip it out against Man U when there were plenty of minutes against eg Frankfurt and other teams to trial such tactics in pre season.
Miffed.
Checking for a pen - hold by Bassey on that last United set piece
This is being checked for several mins now
The refs are desperate for United to win this. Crikey they didn't even appeal and they're checking it?
This seems like a foul against us? Why are they looking at VAR for potential penalty?
So mount grabs hold of bassey, bassey gets free and pen to Man u will be the outcome
There's a foul on muniz at the same time,
What happens there?
He's going to give it isn'tbhe
It should be a penalty though. Stupid and needless from Bassey
Of course it's given. Kavanagh is a joke
WHAT
knew that was coming.
Guarantee we would never get this pen
I think I'm going to give up on football. How's that a pen?
Stupid from Bassey. What a muppet.
Unbelievable
I'm angrier at VAR there.
Everytime,you gotta laugh.
If I was neutral I'd be glad that was given provided the refs are consistent which of course they won't be
Imagine how different Neville's comments would have been if it'd been given against United.
Ahahahahahhahaba
Yea but at the same time it can very well be given as a foul against muniz
So if two fouls happen at the exact same instance, just let the game continue imo
Justice served
BF might be the most unlikeable guy in the league.
There's a foul on muniz at the same time, shouldn't it be a free kick to us?
Also mount runs into bassey, who just uses his strength.
Total farce this reffing!
Glad he missed. ::thumb::
Wow, you don't see that from Bruno often
Hahahaha
Justice. Now let's win.
Yeeeees
WOW
I think BF felt bad for us lol
Hahahaha Fernandes.
What a :slap:
The curse of Kavanagh strikes again...
Right off comes Castagna and on comes Traore please for the love of God.
I live it when someone misses a totally none foul penalty.
Thank god for utd being crap.
These refs will do their best to give them another one though!
Im beginning to despise football with these referees!
The weighting of Sess's passing today has been perfect.
As a matter of interest do they add back all the time we were playing while VAR were reviewing
Absolutely!
Why bring back the game for that but ignore the exact same foul on a Fulham player.
The world of football these days is ridiculous!
It's becoming like rugby where no body understands the rules!
So close from Muniz!
Why not book Mount for dissent? Thought they were "cracking down" on that as well.
Would love to Muniz score. The roof would blow off the place (as they say).
How have we not scored that header at the back post, have to do better
Encouraging signs now honestly. A bit of fire.
Sess best player for us this half.
Damn!!
I don't get why only 2 minutes
Agree that Sess has been our best player this half. We've really missed him last week.
Unscathed in the first half, I'll take it.
Whatever the wisdom of the Castagne decision he has done all he can do and a little bit more.
I think this game is there for the winning. Just need someone to produce a moment.
I'm not going to say this Castagne decision has worked because we should be behind but we're actually matching them in everything except xG.
Cant get the Slagging off of Castagne.
Done OK in my book.
I agree. Adama will rip their defence to pieces
Game for the taking.
Nothing against Castagna.. but can't whip it out without practicing against Man U at home in the Prem. Sorry.
Bring him off, put on Traore. All these friendlies pre season shouldn't just be a box ticking exercise. If you have an idea it should be exercised in the summer and not just on the back of a beer mat the night before.
Terrible beginning of the match, but we grew into the game and overall I think we were the better team overall. Penalty decision is a joke, as exactly the same things happen moments before when Shaw wrestles Muniz to the ground but that is not given as a foul but Basseyvs pull is, that being said I expected nothing less from Kavanagh.
I don't get why somw think it's a back 4, it's a clear back 5. Tete just has more freedom to join the attack than Bassey as he's up against Mount and not Mbuemo.
Additional notes:
-Andersen is too slow for Cunha
-some good corner kicks from Lukic today
-Iwobi much better than against Brighton
-Muniz looks motivated.
Yeah, thought it was fairly obvious that it was a 5 atb formation to match United. Started poorly but got a bit more into shape after a while though.
Worried about Andersen against Cunha.
@demeant0r their xG is highly inflated by the penalty. Penalty aside, we created better chances too.
Good so far. SR and Wilson late on. Just not Traore.
Watching that Muniz chance.. should've scored! Sort of chance he should be putting away if he sends his agent to negotiate himself a new contract with feigned interest from Atlanta etc.
Kavanagh fouled Bruno! How can Sky top that?
Bassey was clumsy, no way around it and that type of action will always be risky. Despite that Shaw also fouled Muniz, but I guess that Basseys 'challenge' overtook that.
Good half from us. King is great, but he clearly needs creative team mates around him. We cant rely our attacking sense on the shoulders of an 18 yr old christ sake.
We could really use a Kevin or similar who can really take players on rather than just pass the ball around. Traore is too one dimensional and while that works out well sometimes, we need flair and not just raw pace
We most definitely have grown into the game. Here's hoping that the comedy penalty miss just before halftime gives us a boost after a nervy start.
I get the call for Wilson and not Traore.. I'm just thinking if you want 45 mins and not 15 mins then you want more width with Traore. But either will be fine.
Fulham are physically stronger and more powerful than the team from Manchester, both in open play and at set pieces.
We are beating them up.
So we have softened them up.
As usual Sky and their presenters and commentary stuffed with ex manure having their usual love in with the Manx.
Complete sky bias never a pen shaw dragged Muniz down they respond after the initial foul which is complete 🐂💩. Our central midfield is toilet getting the run around and they both keep passing to the opposition
@SerbianLad yeah I know that, but we matched them in pretty much everything.
I don't know if we should be going back to 4-2-3-1 in the second half but we should be being in quicker players to get in behind their defence.
Penalty incident aside, I wish everyone played with the heart and desire of Bassey. Not knocking the other players here in case it comes across that way but love watching Bassey all over the pitch.
Sess is having a blinder
Started the 2nd half well.
Important we carve out a proper chance or 2 and capitalise.
The longer it stays 0-0, the more inevitable a rubbish United goal becomes
Almost from King
Lacking that spark in the final third..
Man U look sloppy at the back, really need to press this now whilst on top.
I can smell blood here.
And there we go..... ::angry::
Ffs...
Classic
Surely that's a foul
::angry::
Yup.
That's a foul on Bassey actually...
Piss poor defending and keeping there
Why now VAR for the shove on Bassey?
Why does Leno have no presence on corners
Good old Muniz. Orchestrating a new contract with fake interest from abroad then scores an own goal.
We've looked threatening from so many corners with Altay looking extremely uncomfortable.
Of course they score one
Of course the push is not punished, it's united
Your nose was right, just on the wrong end
Is that not a clear obvious team bias?
Ignore the defender fouled during the penalty,
Then ignore the defender being pushed during the goal.
What is happening to football 🙁
How's that not a foul on Berge!!!
Why is VAR not getting involved. Terrible decision not to give a foul.
Absolute disgrace. How was that not a foul on Bassey. Since when can you push a player in the back
@LC when you're United you can get away from anything
Again, I hate criticising officials but this feels corrupt.
Finally we are going back to a 4-2-3-1
VAR (Darren England) & Kavanagh both equally horrible and awfully suspect
ffS Marco youve taken off one of the players that was doing something
I'd love to have the job security of kavanaugh
Mistake after mistake but still keeps his job
Like it or not we have been very poor in the final third again
Silva makes decisions to make a point rather than to win games. Personally, if he goes, I won't miss him.
We need pace on this pitch and this game is clearly showing our need for another forward
I just don't get it. It wasn't even checked by VAR!
I rest my case.
Even Gary Neville said Yoro was lucky to get away with the two-handed push on Bassey.
I give up on VAR
Time for ESR and Adama for Iwobi and King, imo
So Iwobi off for... ??
I would like to know why Sess came off as one of our best players.
At this rate I'd give my left arm for a draw
Sorry, meant ESR and Adama to come on
Time for the reinforcements to be brought on.
I have a much bigger issue with VAR today than I do with Kav.
King has played well. Would look to take Iwobi off for ESR
Please no ESR... I would like to win.
Looks like ESR and Raul are warming up
Something needs changing. We look very flat in the final 1/3. Muniz has proved he lacks quality to start. This should be a 0-3 game
Yes, they replace King and Muniz
Yes!!!
Get in Emile!!!
First cross no one there, second ESR, very good goal and finally someone in the middle
Oh yes
Get in get in!!!!
ESR!!!!
Gooaall
@Milo he read your post before coming on :guitar-playHDs:
I'm an idiot. Please re post my prior comments and I'll retire from posting.
:welcome1: EMILE
ESR delivers finally... ::scarf:: ::scarf::
Yeeeees
Our atmosphere is shockingly bad
see what var disallow it for
See, this is what happens when you play the formation you're used to
I'm a muppet
You were saying. ::wink::
Surprised VAR didn't disallow it for using a foot to score...
Justice!
No worries, Milo. Sometimes it's good to be wrong.👍
Their defence is absolutely awful, this game is there to be had!
Get up Dorgu
I'm wrong every week!
Just shoot!!!
Keep your foot on the gas. Come on, boys!
We're all over them. Hopefully we can make it count.
Ah. Robinson right foot ends a delightful move.
Come on lads get the winner,send all their fans home to East Anglia crying.
How did we not shoot!!!!
Ahhh that was a lovely move from Tete and Wilson...
We need a Mitrovic up there to smash it in...
Ah, the inevitable Lukic yellow. At least that one was there
They're there for the taking - we just need to push
I love Robinson but he is a final ball from being world class. Leno needs to start making himself known on corners
We've had a few chances but trying to be too cute.
@KentFulham I think it's just rust. His delivery was good last season.
How's that not a yellow for Dorgu?
Should have been a yellow for sure.
ESR looking good
Not a horrible result. Good job.
Ill take the point.shaky start but credible performance
Well. Their goal shouldn't have counted, so we should have won that.
Will take a draw but we need to sort the firepower
ESR will be big this year...
Need the ammunition, need to be more progressive from the start. I'd go all out for Nuno from Forest right now, attacking manager who would have a lot of fun with our squad, rather than sitting in as Marco wants until the last 20. We are a hard watch.
Makes it hard to set time aside for games.
Thought Shaw fouled Muniz when the pen was awarded.
Bassey definitely fouled Mount
Bassey was fouled by Yoro on their goal,
Thought Iwobi had his best game since Xmas.
Battling performance,
Interesting 7/8 days re Transfers.
0048 hrs bedtime.