3, great, big, dirty, needed, points..
Wasn't very pretty, but lets have all your post Nottingham Forest thoughts below.
The game is won by a single Raul penalty on 45+5 minutes.
::scarf::
#ffc
Winning ugly: the mark of champions.
::merryXmas::
Professionally done. Wasn't a pretty or exciting match but the 3 points is the most important thing right now. Tete gets the MotM for me. Also a big plus is a clean sheet, for once.
It's nice to feel confident that our penalty will be converted. Never felt that with Mitro. Last one I reckon was Berbatov.
That was dreadful. :slap:
But we were less dreadful than they were and so its a deserved win in my book.
Whingers whinge, of course.
Btw, we actually ended up with more xG in the second half too. We weren't great in the second half, but I think tiredness kicked in. We defended well though and I don't remember them creating any clear cut chances
Not a great game,but 3 valuable points.Coyw.
In-form Fulham continue revival
22:13 GMT
FT: Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Since the start of November, only Manchester City (21), Aston Villa (21) and Arsenal (17) have earned more points in the Premier League than Fulham (15).
Fulham have also won four of their last six Premier League games (lost two), as many victories as they enjoyed in their previous 15 games (drawn two, lost nine).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c208dd38q41t?post=asset%3A2074d2cb-faca-4bb1-9552-500abf25d0cf#post (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c208dd38q41t?post=asset%3A2074d2cb-faca-4bb1-9552-500abf25d0cf#post)
Still don't understand why marco doesn't give asare at least 20 minutes. It would help the kid develop and help raul recover
No pictures on a scorecard. It was a grind, but I would argue still better than the 3 points we got vs Leeds.
I thought TC was great and dropped deep to get the ball and play out a bit. TC still has a role on this team and sees the game a bit clearer than Lukic/Berge. People slam Silva for subs frequently, but he got it right and when he came on, the game settled down. I love TC's passing and how he finds space and doesnt rush the game.
Two other notes. Jiminez on penalties is as good as it gets. Love the patience. Tete is a bulldog. An absolute pain for the other team to play against and sets the tone in a lot of ways.
We deserved the win more or less.
Give JKA 20-30 minutes and we might even kill off some games earlier as again I thought he showed himself plenty capable again in another far too brief Cameo.
Credit to Marco for the TC sub and indeed Tom, a decision which alot of us will have questioned. It settled us down and put us in control again. Better subs today from him.
A stinker of a game but we toughed it out against an in form Forest. Tete and Anderson very good.
Cuena was good, TC made a difference, Josh looked lively and we kept a clean sheet for once. ::scarf:: :claping20hands:
Thank you and good night.
We Out Dyched Sean Dyche.
Raul could and probably should have got a hat trick, those 2 headers he just just not quite on it for them, they were both very good chances.
10.points clear of the bottom 3 now, just 6 point off 4th place
job done.
The first 20 mins of the second half was up there with the worst we've played.
Was not pretty tonight. But least it was 3 points.
3 points players missing, Cuenca was excellent Happy Christmas
It was all about the zero. Too many goals being conceded recently. Solid and professional performance. Need to repeat on Saturday.
If we got to Europe or won the league with narrow wins I'd take it, and whilst some may complain, there'd be many who'd appreciate the positives of winning ugly, or not ugly but narrowly - being tough to breakdown, competitive, able to go toe to toe with everyone, still being able to score goals and not let many in.
Well done team and Marco. We lost three of our more productive first team players, and the squad has stepped up when needed and is grinding out results in what has been a tougher season than expected.
You can only beat what's in front of you, and tonight, we did
I thought Anderson was good too ::merryXmas::
Forest have also lost 3 of their last 11, so that's something to bare in mind too. Including a draw vs man utd, a win vs Liverpool, and their recent 3-0 win vs spurs
Quote from: Snibbo on December 22, 2025, 10:11:14 PMIt's nice to feel confident that our penalty will be converted. Never felt that with Mitro. Last one I reckon was Berbatov.
Don't forget Danny.
We've been excellent at winning games that we should be winning on paper this season. Hopefully we continue that against West Ham. If only we had done the same last season we probably would have finished top 4 lol
Got most of our best attacking threats out in Chuckwuaze, Iwobi and Muniz. Had to grind it out. Thought the defence were all immense. Leno barely had anything to do. JKA looks way better than 5 mins from the tiny samples we've seen.
Quote from: General on December 22, 2025, 10:29:49 PMForest have also lost 3 of their last 11, so that's something to bare in mind too. Including a draw vs man utd, a win vs Liverpool, and their recent 3-0 win vs spurs
Exactly, they've been good since Dyche became their manager.
They've also had way more rest then us, because they had no midweek game. We on the other hand, played the exact same 10 outfield players that we played in that cup game. I think the second half drop off was largely due to tiredness. That's also why we got a boost after every sub we made and we had a good period where we were on top as soon as we made a sub.
Quote from: fancyfeet4 on December 22, 2025, 10:15:24 PMJiminez on penalties is as good as it gets.
42 of 44 in his career according to Transfermarkt. Last time he was unsuccessful was almost 5.5 years ago. One of the best in the world.
Quote from: Grassy Noel on December 22, 2025, 10:30:35 PMQuote from: Snibbo on December 22, 2025, 10:11:14 PMIt's nice to feel confident that our penalty will be converted. Never felt that with Mitro. Last one I reckon was Berbatov.
Don't forget Danny.
Or McCormack in the Championship.
I am usually unenthusistic about Lukic but he did a lot of good harassment to prevent Forest getting comfortable on the ball
Leno had a couple of shots to deal with. But their keeper never touched the ball. I mean not once, in the whole match did we force him to save anything. Apart from the penalty, which Kevin won, running away from goal. I think that might be the most negative 1-0, in Premier League history.
Rauls pen was great and he is simply 1st class at taking a pen, i never feel worried on that front, not like when Mitro rocked up
Quote from: Grassy Noel on December 22, 2025, 10:39:01 PMI am usually unenthusistic about Lukic but he did a lot of good harassment to prevent Forest getting comfortable on the ball
He won a lot of duels, especially in the second half. And more importantly, I don't think he made a foul in the second half(he did make one or two in the first). He got his timing spot on in the second half.
Some superb, slick touches combined with some bumbling ineptitude made for fascinating, although not always comfortable, viewing. Anxiety not improved by the odd decision not to turn up for the 20 minutes after half-time.
Can't do better than 3 points.
Tete continues to impress.
Quote from: KentFulham on December 22, 2025, 10:40:54 PMRauls pen was great and he is simply 1st class at taking a pen, i never feel worried on that front, not like when Mitro rocked up
Penalties have really been Mitro's achilles heel throughout his career.
A bit chaotic, a bit frantic , a bit all over the place like cellulite on a rollercoaster . Up to 13th but could be 11th with better goal difference - important 3 points and 2 wins on the bounce ::scarf::
Quote from: andyk on December 22, 2025, 10:40:19 PMLeno had a couple of shots to deal with. But their keeper never touched the ball. I mean not once, in the whole match did we force him to save anything. Apart from the penalty, which Kevin won, running away from goal. I think that might be the most negative 1-0, in Premier League history.
Leno didn't have anything to do either. 2 speculative shots from an extremely long distance is something I'd expect a youth keeper to deal with comfortably. We had way better chances but thwy were all off target. Raul had two great chances, Lukic had a decent chance, Kwvin had chances to shoot but held on the ball way too long and ended up not even taking a shot, TC had a good effort (which I still think their keeper actually saved and we should have had a corner).
Tete probably the best player on the pitch tonight.
Quote from: KentFulham on December 22, 2025, 10:46:11 PMTete probably the best player on the pitch tonight.
My MOTM too
Quote from: SerbianLad on December 22, 2025, 10:46:01 PMQuote from: andyk on December 22, 2025, 10:40:19 PMLeno had a couple of shots to deal with. But their keeper never touched the ball. I mean not once, in the whole match did we force him to save anything. Apart from the penalty, which Kevin won, running away from goal. I think that might be the most negative 1-0, in Premier League history.
Leno didn't have anything to do either. 2 speculative shots from an extremely long distance is something I'd expect a youth keeper to deal with comfortably. We had way better chances but thwy were all off target. Raul had two great chances, Lukic had a decent chance, Kwvin had chances to shoot but held on the ball way too long and ended up not even taking a shot, TC had a good effort (which I still think their keeper actually saved and we should have had a corner).
Lukic will look back on that one and wonder how he missed the target, not sure if Kevin's attempt to flick it somewhere put him off
Quote from: SerbianLad on December 22, 2025, 10:46:01 PMQuote from: andyk on December 22, 2025, 10:40:19 PMLeno had a couple of shots to deal with. But their keeper never touched the ball. I mean not once, in the whole match did we force him to save anything. Apart from the penalty, which Kevin won, running away from goal. I think that might be the most negative 1-0, in Premier League history.
Leno didn't have anything to do either. 2 speculative shots from an extremely long distance is something I'd expect a youth keeper to deal with comfortably. We had way better chances but thwy were all off target. Raul had two great chances, Lukic had a decent chance, Kwvin had chances to shoot but held on the ball way too long and ended up not even taking a shot, TC had a good effort (which I still think their keeper actually saved and we should have had a corner).
Well, we were the home team, against a,struggling side. Take the lead and... Hardly any real positive football in the second half. Park the bus, not against a Man City, or Arsenal. But relegation candidates. I'll take the win, but I thought we were better than that.
Anyone watching from home have an opinion about King getting flattened late in the second half? Forest player never made any attempt to play the ball and just took King out, the ball was well past and I thought he would have been through on goal.
Quote from: KentFulham on December 22, 2025, 10:47:31 PMLukic will look back on that one and wonder how he missed the target, not sure if Kevin's attempt to flick it somewhere put him off
In his defense, it was on his weak foot, but tbh I still think he should hit the target at least. However nice to see him get in to more forward positions recently which resulted in his two goals in the Newcastle games and with some other chances like the one today. He's been making good runs more frequently recently.
Quote from: andyk on December 22, 2025, 10:53:42 PMWell, we were the home team, against a,struggling side. Take the lead and... Hardly any real positive football in the second half. Park the bus, not against a Man City, or Arsenal. But relegation candidates. I'll take the win, but I thought we were better than that.
They've actually been pretty good since Dyche came in. Not sure about the exact place, but I'm pretty sure they were in an European spot in a table that showed results since Dyche came in. And as I've already said in multiple posts, they've had a lot of rest, while we started all 10 of our starters from today against Newcastle in midweek too.
Quote from: SerbianLad on December 22, 2025, 10:56:36 PMQuote from: KentFulham on December 22, 2025, 10:47:31 PMLukic will look back on that one and wonder how he missed the target, not sure if Kevin's attempt to flick it somewhere put him off
In his defense, it was on his weak foot, but tbh I still think he should hit the target at least. However nice to see him get in to more forward positions recently which resulted in his two goals in the Newcastle games and with some other chances like the one today. He's been making good runs more frequently recently.
Yeah seems like Lukic is playing more advanced atm and offering a lot more going forward which has been good to see.
Good to get the three points, soft penalty but about time, opposition was poor, second half bit worrying until TC and Josh came on. Hopefully West Ham will be as bad as Forest.
Wish we could play teams like Forest and Burnley every week.
6-7 errors from us but so disciplined and it would be tea time tomorrow before they'd have another shot on goal.
Reading these comments it feels like one of those rare games we all saw it exactly the same. Something of a collector's item that. I usually love this thread because proper football people point out things a different pair of eyes can't see. This game was a totally open book.
I'm just happy we head to Christmas with three points, no serious worries, plenty to fret about naturally, that's football after all, but in decent shape.
As to the game, two players stand out. Kenny Tete, for his indomitable will to win. Kevin for doing exactly what we bought him for - creating the devilment in the box that no other outfield player of either side could muster. He's infuriating in the sense that with his particular gifts he could have scored or set up a couple more tonight. But he's sucked Luiz into a mistake that's won us three precious points.
Final thought. I started the evening worrying Neco Williams might have learned how to defend. Perhaps he has, but he's also completely forgotten how to attack. Playing for Sean Dyche can to that to a full back.
A random bit of praise, but well done Berge for getting that yellow. Only Lukic seems to be making fouls like that. Berge, TC and Iwobi(when he plays in the middle) usually don't make a foul like that in those situations. When the whole team isn't positioned well because we made a huge passing mistake, it's better to take one for the team and get booked than to let the opposition have a great chance to score. ESR made a mistake, the whole team was out of position and Berge made an excellent foul. Got booked, but at least they didn't have a chance to score there.
Quote from: Bill2 on December 22, 2025, 10:56:25 PMAnyone watching from home have an opinion about King getting flattened late in the second half? Forest player never made any attempt to play the ball and just took King out, the ball was well past and I thought he would have been through on goal.
Also at the game but if referring to the incident on the touchline, then this is one of the most ridiculous refereeing decisions I can imagine. Why would King throw his whole body into the hoardings to con the ref into a free kick when he is going past the player? Or is Taylor going to argue this is "shoulder-to-shoulder"? Then our new tactic should be to get Traore to run around at top speed barging shoulder-to-shoulder anyone within 5, maybe even 10, yards of the ball ... Btw - didn't like some in the crowd booing when Traore came on. We should absolutely not do that to our own player.
MOTM Jiminez for me, works hard week in, week out, one of those consistent 8/10 players.
Thought we were otherwise pretty crap, saved by the fact Forest were woeful.
Subs were better - King, JKA and Cairney all very good IMO.
Quote from: Whitesideup on December 23, 2025, 12:04:04 AMQuote from: Bill2 on December 22, 2025, 10:56:25 PMAnyone watching from home have an opinion about King getting flattened late in the second half? Forest player never made any attempt to play the ball and just took King out, the ball was well past and I thought he would have been through on goal.
Also at the game but if referring to the incident on the touchline, then this is one of the most ridiculous refereeing decisions I can imagine. Why would King throw his whole body into the hoardings to con the ref into a free kick when he is going past the player? Or is Taylor going to argue this is "shoulder-to-shoulder"? Then our new tactic should be to get Traore to run around at top speed barging shoulder-to-shoulder anyone within 5, maybe even 10, yards of the ball ... Btw - didn't like some in the crowd booing when Traore came on. We should absolutely not do that to our own player.
Agreed IF true. Adama really has not even been bad for us on the whole. Guy literally had the Second most assists last year (7) in a season where the team achieved the highest ever points they've ever scored in the prem.
We Got him for nothing and he seems a nice guy who the team like and who puts in plenty effort. Has been less effective this year than last having fallen down the squad list, but people go way overboard on Adama for reasons I don't really understand tbh. Fine that he's not the most clinical and sometimes inconsistent when in and out the team, but has proven useful many times in his time here. What does booing our own player, who we need as an option with chuk and Iwobi away even achieve? Morons.
To boo such a player, especially with the teams winning.... Some people really are 1. Spoilt and 2. @rseholes, quite frankly.
Quote from: SerbianLad on December 22, 2025, 11:49:07 PMA random bit of praise, but well done Berge for getting that yellow. Only Lukic seems to be making fouls like that. Berge, TC and Iwobi(when he plays in the middle) usually don't make a foul like that in those situations. When the whole team isn't positioned well because we made a huge passing mistake, it's better to take one for the team and get booked than to let the opposition have a great chance to score. ESR made a mistake, the whole team was out of position and Berge made an excellent foul. Got booked, but at least they didn't have a chance to score there.
Yes, when he did that my immediate thought was 'Stefjo lives on!'
Quote from: jayffc on December 23, 2025, 12:12:23 AMQuote from: Whitesideup on December 23, 2025, 12:04:04 AMQuote from: Bill2 on December 22, 2025, 10:56:25 PMAnyone watching from home have an opinion about King getting flattened late in the second half? Forest player never made any attempt to play the ball and just took King out, the ball was well past and I thought he would have been through on goal.
Also at the game but if referring to the incident on the touchline, then this is one of the most ridiculous refereeing decisions I can imagine. Why would King throw his whole body into the hoardings to con the ref into a free kick when he is going past the player? Or is Taylor going to argue this is "shoulder-to-shoulder"? Then our new tactic should be to get Traore to run around at top speed barging shoulder-to-shoulder anyone within 5, maybe even 10, yards of the ball ... Btw - didn't like some in the crowd booing when Traore came on. We should absolutely not do that to our own player.
Agreed IF true. Adama really has not even been bad for us on the whole. Guy literally had the Second most assists last year (7) in a season where the team achieved the highest ever points they've ever scored in the prem.
We Got him for nothing and he seems a nice guy who the team like and who puts in plenty effort. Has been less effective this year than last having fallen down the squad list, but people go way overboard on Adama for reasons I don't really understand tbh. Fine that he's not the most clinical and sometimes inconsistent when in and out the team, but has proven useful many times in his time here. What does booing our own player, who we need as an option with chuk and Iwobi away even achieve? Morons.
To boo such a player, especially with the teams winning.... Some people really are 1. Spoilt and 2. @rseholes, quite frankly.
I'm not in Hammy End, but I definitely think the booing would have been related to the Taylor non call for the foul on King. the players seemed pretty incensed with that too.
There was a lot of animosity to Taylor throughout.
Our passing was so sloppy for long periods but a great win nonetheless.
Actually thought ESR was really good first half but totally faded after the sloppy back pass. He did the same against Burnley but thankfully neither costed us. So pleased to see he has turned a corner for us overall though and heartening to see him try and affect games more often.
Tete MOM for me - immense defending second half particularly.
TC coming on definitely helped us regain a foothold and wrestle control back of the midfield after we started getting way to passive and nervy from second half KO. He's definitely still a horse for certain courses in the PL, but conditions do need to suit.
Cuenca's defending was good and liked his forward run first half, but his distribution was particularly sloppy for his standards, especially second half. Hopefully the regular game time will sharpen him up, same as Kevin.
Actually thought Raul looked better tonight - get the feeling he's been playing with a knock for a while now but he won a lot of battles against 2 absolute bruisers of a CB pairing and some of his flicks came off. Probably should've scored at least one of the 2 headers but he did well. JKA definitely shows flashes of quality and agree with those who say he should get more minutes, which may also help Raul manage his fitness better as he fades badly after 70 mins normally.
Thanks for not ruining Christmas Fulham!
Quote from: Sgt Fulham on December 22, 2025, 10:33:31 PMQuote from: Grassy Noel on December 22, 2025, 10:30:35 PMQuote from: Snibbo on December 22, 2025, 10:11:14 PMIt's nice to feel confident that our penalty will be converted. Never felt that with Mitro. Last one I reckon was Berbatov.
Don't forget Danny.
Or McCormack in the Championship.
Or Jimmy Langley. Mind you he did miss one for England when he hit the post.
Quote from: Count Flapula on December 23, 2025, 01:02:43 AMOur passing was so sloppy for long periods but a great win nonetheless.
Actually thought ESR was really good first half but totally faded after the sloppy back pass. He did the same against Burnley but thankfully neither costed us. So pleased to see he has turned a corner for us overall though and heartening to see him try and affect games more often.
Tete MOM for me - immense defending second half particularly.
TC coming on definitely helped us regain a foothold and wrestle control back of the midfield after we started getting way to passive and nervy from second half KO. He's definitely still a horse for certain courses in the PL, but conditions do need to suit.
Cuenca's defending was good and liked his forward run first half, but his distribution was particularly sloppy for his standards, especially second half. Hopefully the regular game time will sharpen him up, same as Kevin.
Actually thought Raul looked better tonight - get the feeling he's been playing with a knock for a while now but he won a lot of battles against 2 absolute bruisers of a CB pairing and some of his flicks came off. Probably should've scored at least one of the 2 headers but he did well. JKA definitely shows flashes of quality and agree with those who say he should get more minutes, which may also help Raul manage his fitness better as he fades badly after 70 mins normally.
Thanks for not ruining Christmas Fulham!
Very good summary.
I was watching from home and was shocked that there was no reaction from the ref to Josh King getting wiped out. I also felt very confused about some of the yellows particularly the Raul yellow for trying to block the throw, is this not allowed? I just hope the number of yellows issued in that game is not indicative of a theme i.e. give the middle teams lots of yellows to undermine their choice of players late in the season as the yellow cards just seem to build and don't appear to 'run out' unless I'm wrong which I may well be ::wink::
Quote from: andyk on December 22, 2025, 10:40:19 PMLeno had a couple of shots to deal with. But their keeper never touched the ball. I mean not once, in the whole match did we force him to save anything. Apart from the penalty, which Kevin won, running away from goal. I think that might be the most negative 1-0, in Premier League history.
Well that's not true, finger tip save that the ref gave as goal kick.
Looking forward to reading Terry's View From having been told by one of their fans that we should be singing in the park after the game.
Think they should also consider dropping the abusive songs about the referee, it really is crazy when he's making the key decisions.
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2025/december/22/marco-s-forest-reaction/
Marco summed it up well. Same as what I said, they created nothing, we created somw very good chances. Not our best performance at all but the win was very much a result we deserved. Mentions other thing I and a few others have mentioned, like the fact that Forest is a pretty good team or the fact that they had rest why we were fatigued from the midweek game.
I think our game plan and buildup wasn't that negative, it was was more a matter of making the exact wrong choice a shocking number of times in their final third after a promising move. Kevin especially — if he hadn't won the pen I think we'd be saying more about his repeated tendency to shoot into the legs of two defenders when there is an obvious pass.
Quote from: McBrideOfFrankenstein on December 23, 2025, 03:51:15 PMI think we didn't play as negatively as some are saying. It was more a matter of making the exact wrong choice a shocking number of times in their final third after a promising buildup. Kevin especially — if he hadn't won the pen I think we'd be saying more about his repeated tendency to shoot into the legs of a defender when there is an obvious pass.
First half we were clearly the more positive team. The only way they created their chances in the first half (and pretty much in the second too) was when we made silly passing mistakes. We were well on top of them in the first half. We didn't play our best game obviously but I'm very surprised with the criticism.
Really difficult game to watch, the second half was like going to the dentist. Great result. As others have posted, winning ugly is what 'good' teams do, but I'm not so sure just how 'good' FFC really is. Last two games, just terrible really, against two of the worst teams in the league.
Back four much much better than v Burnley. Well done to them.
I look at table and scratch my head, 13th? ALL the wayward passes, easy giveaways, passing directly to the opponent, I don't know how we haven't been punished much more. Both v Burnley and now Forest had we been playing v better clubs (almost any other club) in the league methinks 4-5 goals against. FFC is just giving the ball up much too easily and much too frequently. This can't/won't produce three point results forever. Very frustrating to watch. But again, can't be disappointed in the result.
Interesting post over on TFI, I'd forgotten about Stuart's Forest link:
Stuart Gray -- WayneKerrins
Had a drink with him in the Riverside when back for Forest. Lovely fella.
I said to him (in hindsight somewhat naively) must be mixed loyalties tonight. He smiled and took out his phone and quickly found a photo of himself in his kit on the night Forest won the European Cup. I said fair enough mate, stupid question.
Gets up to quite a few games and is doing some stuff with the LMA.
Said Marco is very data driven and the Portuguese guy he is always talking to is his key man. Rates Shad as an owner. Said Iwobi is a class act. He's one of those players you go to bed on a Friday night with no concerns over. Absorbs everything and trains 100% every day, very complimentary on Sess too says he's watched and learned and can now defend in the Prem.