Our unbeaten run comes to an end as we are beaten 1-0 at Leeds. Lets have all your Post Match thoughts on the game below.
I knew that would happen. Nigerian voodoo has worn off because we was unbeaten in the league until Nigeria was beaten we got beat.
One word from me I'm afraid.
"GARBAGE" ::tongue::
I wouldn't have voted for anyone as MOTM. Shocking performance, weird tactics IMO. Should have been 4 or 5 nil.
Go next.
It's wild how rattled we looked all game. Did not look in sync at all. Raul needs a rest. He's putting in great effort but I think a game or two off would be appreciated.
That was a Farkeing awful display
one of the worst performances of the year
Sadly Marco messed with a winning formula for some reason and after a bright opening 20 we did absolutely nothing beyond that.
Leeds deserved the points, they worked hard and chased, albeit they weren't exactly very high in quality themselves.
In the end its a tough loss to take given the run we've been on. But on we go. Very grateful to know we have Iwobi and Chuk back to bolster this attack cos my god did it look knackered today.
ESR the only one to come out with any credit for me today. Cuenca has been good in most of the recent run but probably hasn't grabbed it enough to not have Bassey walk back in after a star turn at AFCON. Iwobi walks back in at the 8. Chuk starts on the left next game.
What a shame to not get points today and concede late YET again. Marco should never have messed around with the starting 11 in the end. Keep it simple.
Very poor FFC effort. No one really stood out as having good game. Disjointed, out of sync the whole game. Very disappointing outcome, would have welcomed a draw in this game. But, Leeds deserved the points.
That was the worst performance in a long while. But I knew this day was coming, we were due a loss but to yet again be touching distance of Europe but sh*t the bed, that's the Fulham way.
and concede late YET again - exactly.
In fairness, this result was coming. We'd had a fair bit of good fortune in our unbeaten run and the performances hadn't all been great (or even all that good). Thank god we're getting the AFCON guys back. They're needed (even more so now with what looks like a few new injuries). A lot of poor performances today but I'm going to focus on Sess. He obviously wasn't good but I also blame Marco for playing him. He's just not a PL level starting winger! I don't care whether it's on the left or the right, he can't beat his man. Throw him out there as a late game sub when he can run against tired legs, but don't start him there when you have other options.
Thought it was destined for a 0-0. Marco settled for a point and brought on Diop to form a 5. Only Leeds tried to win this game. We showed some solidity but nothing going forward at all. Good to get some players back soon. Especially looking forward to Iwobi, Chuk and Tete returning, and Muniz next month too. Gutted to lose it so late but we have conceded late a few times now this season. With the chances Leeds were creating it wasn't unexpected.
Up there as worst performance of the season since Everton away
That was terrible - Why did Sess start ahead of Kevin? King looked way off it too when he came on.
We seemed to pick poor passes throughout. Receivers under pressure time after time.
Just really poor all round.
Also, Since the very early season, King has looked increasingly ineffective on the ball and lightweight on it whenever he's played.
Today's not his fault but just saying!
Nobody better than a 3/10, Marco gets a 1. Shite tactics and subs too late and never made it look like we wanted to win. He needs to stop arguing with officials pointlessly because on days where he loses his head like that the team collectively seems to have a meltdown. Performances like this will stop him getting a top job because he didn't look like he had any idea how to change the game. Hopefully the Naija boys being back for next week gives us a lift, we need to buy a CM though who can give us more impetus in the middle of the pitch alongside bringing TC on for extra control
Quote from: bill taylors apprentice on January 17, 2026, 05:07:16 PMJust really poor all round.
Also, Since the very early season, King has looked increasingly ineffective on the ball and lightweight on it whenever he's played.
Today's not his fault but just saying!
He seems to have lost his confidence.
Worst perfomance of the season. Marco, who I love to bits, messed up big tme with a ridiculous team selection.
Wilso returns to hios more normal poor form. He was also very selfish how he played, his last shot of the game was stupid leading to a Leeds breakaway.
Nobody had a good game but Berge and Lukic as a central pivot was what really killed us. They are neither good enough at this level. A bit better when tom came on but really poor all round.
I do think the lack of a new faces helps us underachieve, if theKhans were serious about us kicking on, we would have brought in a new face or two to freshen it up and to attempt improve our league standing. I am sure when it comes to renew season tickets they will be full of the nonsensical platitudes and words of ambition. I would prefer a bit of honesty, just happy to survive on a shoestring.
That is my opinion.
Today was a shambles.
it was like watching two disabled raccoons fighting over a rotting apple. terrible advert for the league
What a load of horse 💩.
Quote from: SG on January 17, 2026, 05:03:44 PMand concede late YET again - exactly.
I think we fall asleep in added on time.
No control in midfield all match. They're wasn't one five minutes period when we dominated the ball. As a result, we were unable to build and it was disjointed with an inability to string together more than two passes. Worse performance of the season by a long way.
Quote from: bill taylors apprentice on January 17, 2026, 05:07:16 PMJust really poor all round.
Also, Since the very early season, King has looked increasingly ineffective on the ball and lightweight on it whenever he's played.
Today's not his fault but just saying!
I think like most young players, teams see enough of them that they start to figure them out. King is struggling to adjust and seems to be pressing.
Quote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 05:12:26 PMNo control in midfield all match. They're wasn't one five minutes period when we dominated the ball. As a result, we were unable to build and it was disjointed with an inability to string together more than two passes. Worse performance of the season by a long way.
Totally agree. The game was lost in the midfield. Just didn't win the 50/50 challenges and looked timid all game. Combine that with a horrific performance on the left side of the pitch and this is what you get. The goal was an encapsulation of this.
Sess on right wing a disaster. He tried to take every ball with his left foot and lost out every time. A fish out of water. Berge was like a statue. When we got the ball we passed it backwards much of the time. Wilson in the middle has never worked. Leeds worked hard and deserved the points.
I think the Berge-Lukic pairing is pretty fragile. It can work, but when it doesn't it fails spectacularly.
Quote from: hongkongfulham on January 17, 2026, 05:10:22 PMit was like watching two disabled raccoons fighting over a rotting apple. terrible advert for the league
The rotting apple represented our European ambitions....
Terrible game - 30% possession and 80% of the passes backwards , as soon as Leeds made the ball bounce and bobble we left the pitch and went home . No idea what Silva's game plan was
Awful performance. Deserved to lose. Players thought they had earned a day off. Mentality midgets
Disappointing, stand out's where getting into mess from passing out from the back half a dozen passes, then losing possession. One paced too many touches going forward. Didn't really bring Kevin into the game. Hopefully a couple of new faces
Silva got it so right against Liverpool and Chelsea and today he got it so wrong. Why revert to Lukic / Berge ?we know that doesn't it work . Sticking Sess out on the right was utterly bizarre . Best crosser of the ball at the club , let's remove that threat from his game . Hopefully that's the last time Lukic / Berge is deployed .
Unfortunately this is why we're always in the also ran group of the PL. Unless you have a ridiculous amount of luck, an amazing recruitment team or find financial loopholes to jump through and avoid being called cheats (or even cheat and it takes years to be found out, then just keep fighting it until hopefully one day it's all forgotten about) we'll always endure regular disappointments like today.
Would have rather seen Sess LB with Jedi inside of him. Stick Kevin on the LW and that could have been a dangerous attack.
Quote from: bahay18 on January 17, 2026, 05:32:57 PMBest crosser of the ball at the club , let's remove that threat from his game .
Assuming for the sake of argument he is our best crosser, playing him on on the left wing really doesn't help matters because when deployed as a winger he really can't beat his man to deliver those crosses. He's a wingback or fullback or a late game attacking sub if chasing a goal.
More good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
The transfer window is open :Khan_you_fix_it:
Come on!!
In my opinion watching from a cold Elland Road, we should never have started two DMs against a team in 16th, we lost all creativity.
ESR should have had one of them spots and Kevin start, particularly coming off his first goal.
Silva is just too cautious and hasn't got it in him to risk it for a Euro spot
Quote from: FFC007 on January 17, 2026, 05:43:41 PMThe transfer window is open :Khan_you_fix_it:
Come on!!
I mean, anyone we get won't start until the last game of the season.
Quote from: hongkongfulham on January 17, 2026, 05:10:22 PMit was like watching two disabled raccoons fighting over a rotting apple. terrible advert for the league
That actually sounds interesting, unlike the 90 minutes of my life I just lost.
This tactic of shoring up the defence and trying to hold in to a point has been a complete failure every time. Conceded late against, Newcastle, Liverpool ( got lucky with the wonder strike) now Leeds. It's understandable when we're leading. But a level game is there to be won and a positive, attacking change puts the other team on the defensive, makes them think twice about committing too much. You're probably more likely to get your point than sitting back , handing them the initiative and momentum.
I didn't listen to the game today, pleased I didn't!
We have to be honest with ourselves, in the last 6/7 games we have had some very close results that could have gone either way.
I think the hope of a Europe place was beginning to raise, but we do need at least 2 signings and the Nigerian players back.
We have done well so far considering the injuries and AFCON tbf, but today would appear a reality check reading what's said on this thread.
Quote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Quote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
We'll just have Iwobi walk straight in with TC there off the bench. I'm not sure it will hurry anything else along.
The build up to the Leeds goal summed up everything they wanted it more than us today, probably evens it out over the 2 games against Leeds this season.
Quote from: jayffc on January 17, 2026, 06:09:00 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
We'll just have Iwobi walk straight in with TC there off the bench. I'm not sure it will hurry anything else along.
We'll have no spare DM given Reed is about as much use as a chocolate teapot and Silva clearly doesn't trust him 90% of the time so I think it might do given we already clearly wanted one in
We don't need to sign players necessarily, we just need to play better.
Quote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:38:04 PMQuote from: bahay18 on January 17, 2026, 05:32:57 PMBest crosser of the ball at the club , let's remove that threat from his game .
Assuming for the sake of argument he is our best crosser, playing him on on the left wing really doesn't help matters because when deployed as a winger he really can't beat his man to deliver those crosses. He's a wingback or fullback or a late game attacking sub if chasing a goal.
Have to disagree with you. His crossing ability and his eye for goal plus an excellent football brain all tell me he's effective getting forward down the left. No idea why Marco played him out on the right, completely nullified his strengths.
Quote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
Quote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
With our recruitment? You must be joking! Tony's probably eyeing up the next Hulk Hogan.
Quote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 06:22:55 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
If you're trying to be disparaging about Berge, I suggest you look at Silva first given that's how he's instructing him to play
With so much uncertainty about our manager next season and a few players out of contract I'm just going to enjoy this season for what it is
Quote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:42:50 PMQuote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 06:22:55 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
If you're trying to be disparaging about Berge, I suggest you look at Silva first given that's how he's instructing him to play
I don't believe he instructs him to put an opposition player between the player he's just passed to and himself to take yet another breather. I don't believe he's instructed him to jog around the pitch like it's a dads' Sunday football game in a local park. I don't believe he's instructed him never to shoot because if he does he'll get a nosebleed. I don't believe he's instructed him never to make a crunching tackle. I don't believe he's instructed him to be slower than a sloth or to stand around like a lamppost. I do believe he's not good enough.
Quote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 07:00:09 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:42:50 PMQuote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 06:22:55 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
If you're trying to be disparaging about Berge, I suggest you look at Silva first given that's how he's instructing him to play
I don't believe he instructs him to put an opposition player between the player he's just passed to and himself to take yet another breather. I don't believe he's instructed him to jog around the pitch like it's a dads' Sunday football game in a local park. I don't believe he's instructed him never to shoot because if he does he'll get a nosebleed. I don't believe he's instructed him never to make a crunching tackle. I don't believe he's instructed him to be slower than a sloth or to stand around like a lamppost. I do believe he's not good enough.
If you're going to be emotive about today's game when he was nowhere near the worst player on the pitch then fair enough you're entitled to that opinion, but he's one of the most consistent players in the team and vital to the way that Silva wants the team to operate, especially in possession, so lets agree to disagree
Quote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:42:50 PMQuote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 06:22:55 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
If you're trying to be disparaging about Berge, I suggest you look at Silva first given that's how he's instructing him to play
1 How do you know?
2 What are those instructions?
Quote from: Twig on January 17, 2026, 06:16:09 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:38:04 PMQuote from: bahay18 on January 17, 2026, 05:32:57 PMBest crosser of the ball at the club , let's remove that threat from his game .
Assuming for the sake of argument he is our best crosser, playing him on on the left wing really doesn't help matters because when deployed as a winger he really can't beat his man to deliver those crosses. He's a wingback or fullback or a late game attacking sub if chasing a goal.
Have to disagree with you. His crossing ability and his eye for goal plus an excellent football brain all tell me he's effective getting forward down the left.
When he's playing in defense and can overlap with a pacy/skilled winger in front of him. But when he's the winger he just can't get by defenders, whether he's on the right or left. I realize Sess is a favorite of many around here because of his history with the club, but when we're healthy (or relatively healthy) he has no business starting.
Must be a day of rubbish performances today. Wasn't at game to know how bad it was but watched Man City who were awful as were Spurs and Arsenal pretty inaffective tonight.
Quote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 07:17:45 PMQuote from: Twig on January 17, 2026, 06:16:09 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:38:04 PMQuote from: bahay18 on January 17, 2026, 05:32:57 PMBest crosser of the ball at the club , let's remove that threat from his game .
Assuming for the sake of argument he is our best crosser, playing him on on the left wing really doesn't help matters because when deployed as a winger he really can't beat his man to deliver those crosses. He's a wingback or fullback or a late game attacking sub if chasing a goal.
Have to disagree with you. His crossing ability and his eye for goal plus an excellent football brain all tell me he's effective getting forward down the left.
When he's playing in defense and can overlap with a pacy/skilled winger in front of him. But when he's the winger he just can't get by defenders, whether he's on the right or left. I realize Sess is a favorite of many around here because of his history with the club, but when we're healthy (or relatively healthy) he has no business starting.
Ok well we will just have to disagree. It's all a matter of opinion at the end of the day.
Quote from: LittleErn on January 17, 2026, 07:08:47 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:42:50 PMQuote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 06:22:55 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
If you're trying to be disparaging about Berge, I suggest you look at Silva first given that's how he's instructing him to play
1 How do you know?
2 What are those instructions?
Great strawman argument - of course all the players do their own thing for 90 mins and don't follow the tactics set by the manager. He is quite clearly instructed to be the deepest midfielder when we're on the ball and screen the back four, given he will come short for the CB's and FB's as a passing option to move the ball forward and/or from left to right; the fact he does it every week is clearly a tactical decision on the part of Silva because otherwise he'd be telling him not to do it or drop him from the starting XI. If you'd like to see how Berge plays outside of Fulham, you can go and watch highlights of Norway's recent matches, where he is given more freedom to get forward.
Quote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 07:31:36 PMQuote from: LittleErn on January 17, 2026, 07:08:47 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:42:50 PMQuote from: Fulham 1879 on January 17, 2026, 06:22:55 PMQuote from: Deeping_white on January 17, 2026, 06:08:06 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 17, 2026, 05:39:04 PMMore good news.
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012577982833934593?s=20
Potentially a blessing in disguise. We needed a CM anyway so this probably speeds things up
Unfortunately, wrong DM to get injured. If you had to pick one then it would be Pass the Parcel.
If you're trying to be disparaging about Berge, I suggest you look at Silva first given that's how he's instructing him to play
1 How do you know?
2 What are those instructions?
Great strawman argument - of course all the players do their own thing for 90 mins and don't follow the tactics set by the manager. He is quite clearly instructed to be the deepest midfielder when we're on the ball and screen the back four, given he will come short for the CB's and FB's as a passing option to move the ball forward and/or from left to right; the fact he does it every week is clearly a tactical decision on the part of Silva because otherwise he'd be telling him not to do it or drop him from the starting XI. If you'd like to see how Berge plays outside of Fulham, you can go and watch highlights of Norway's recent matches, where he is given more freedom to get forward.
In 23-24 with Burnley Berge took 25 shots in 3000 PL minutes. Last season for us he took 3 in 2200. This season he's taken 5 in 1700.
Just a real shite game of football today with awful performances from both sides. Neither team deserved the win but it is what it is. That performance was coming. Hopefully its out of our system now. We move on.
I think these comments about Berge are very harsh.
Also, I see a pattern, whenever we play Berge and Lukic together and we lose that's always the reason we lost, and when they play together and we win, pretty much everyone is quiet, they get no credit.
To those saying we looked better with TC on, how? We created no chances and we conceded a lot of excellent chances. Leno made a terrific save to prevents us from losing by 2 goals. Even if you look at stats, with Berge-Lukic together, Leeds had 7 shots, with TC on pitch (he came on in the 66th minute) Leeds also had 7 shots. So same amount of shots in less than half of the minutes. Also 4/5 of their shots on target happened during that period. Going forwards is the same thing. Our only shot on target was in first half(Lukic). xG of our chances before TC came in was 0.30 and we only created 0.09 after. In the first half we also had some good attacks that died after misplaced passes that could have been goal chances(e.g. when Raul almost put it on a plate for Wilson only for it to be intercepted).
I don't think either one of them were amazing (but who was), but subs didn't help at all either and the midfield that started was the right choice, considering the physicality of their midfield.
But I guess it's always easy to blame Berge and/or Lukic for our losses. Neither one was one of our top 4-5 worst performers today.
Also this wasn't our worst performance. Our worst performance was Everton. This was a 0-0 game before we conceded. They then had another good chance afterwards, so they deserved to win overall. Everton game was terrible from the beginning to the end and Everton actually played really well that day, especially in the first half, unlike Leeds today.
Quote from: Rightwhite on January 17, 2026, 07:37:44 PMJust a real shite game of football today with awful performances from both sides. Neither team deserved the win but it is what it is. That performance was coming. Hopefully its out of our system now. We move on.
All I'm seeing are Leeds fans saying how sh1t we are. They need a good hammering from someone soon.
last 6 games Form table Fulham in 4th place.
last 10 games Fulham in 8th place.
bad day at the office today, not our first
sure won't be our last.
Quote from: john dempsey on January 17, 2026, 07:49:19 PMlast 6 games Form table Fulham in 4th place.
last 10 games Fulham in 8th place.
bad day at the office today, not our first
sure won't be our last.
Our unbeaten run was bound to end. Let's hope we can start another unbeaten run now, especially as we play teans that are close to us in the table in the next 3 matches.
Berge was excellent against Chelsea , played much higher up the pitch and was a threat .both in that game and Liverpool there was rotation in central midfield with both players ( whatever combination ) getting forward . The formation wasn't helpful but to be honest , none of the players were at it today . Last seasons ESR returned , Wilson back to his normal level , Jedi didn't find a pass or make a tackle . Raul was everywhere but upfront . Etc
I guess a drop off was inevitable after a run of good performances . It's the hope that gets you !
https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2012579271512883393
This doesn't sound good. Will we ever have less than 4-5 players missing?
Think he's saying Lukic injury is bad,ESR doesn't know yet.
Unless I have missed something I can't see where anyone has laid blame for the goal, which is most unusual as someone is always to blame.
Quote from: SimonDaviesEnjoyer on January 17, 2026, 04:59:41 PMI wouldn't have voted for anyone as MOTM. Shocking performance, weird tactics IMO. Should have been 4 or 5 nil.
Go next.
Thought Leno was outstanding,but the remainder of the performance very tired looking.
Quote from: alfie on January 17, 2026, 09:15:38 PMUnless I have missed something I can't see where anyone has laid blame for the goal, which is most unusual as someone is always to blame.
Adama perhaps?
Quote from: alfie on January 17, 2026, 09:15:38 PMUnless I have missed something I can't see where anyone has laid blame for the goal, which is most unusual as someone is always to blame.
I blame the tea lady for the goal
Quote from: Fernhurst on January 17, 2026, 09:21:35 PMQuote from: SimonDaviesEnjoyer on January 17, 2026, 04:59:41 PMI wouldn't have voted for anyone as MOTM. Shocking performance, weird tactics IMO. Should have been 4 or 5 nil.
Go next.
Thought Leno was outstanding,but the remainder of the performance very tired looking.
Leno almost gifted them a goal at the moment he beginning of the match and then there was also a cross not long after that he didn't deal with well. He did make an excellent save to stop them scoring the second goal. I thought ESR was probably our best player.
Quote from: Coastwalker on January 17, 2026, 09:04:59 PMThink he's saying Lukic injury is bad,ESR doesn't know yet.
But who's the other player then in the quote I posted? "We probably lost another
two players this afternoon".
Quote from: alfie on January 17, 2026, 09:15:38 PMUnless I have missed something I can't see where anyone has laid blame for the goal, which is most unusual as someone is always to blame.
From memory, Castagne was the main culprit. He didn't track his man at all. Andersen and Diop stood still and Cuenca was a bit late to cover Robinson who shouldn't have been that far forward, and our midfield got bypassed quite easily in the buildup. Poor moments from multiple players, in short.
Quote from: SerbianLad on January 17, 2026, 07:45:00 PMI think these comments about Berge are very harsh.
Also, I see a pattern, whenever we play Berge and Lukic together and we lose that's always the reason we lost, and when they play together and we win, pretty much everyone is quiet, they get no credit.
To those saying we looked better with TC on, how? We created no chances and we conceded a lot of excellent chances. Leno made a terrific save to prevents us from losing by 2 goals. Even if you look at stats, with Berge-Lukic together, Leeds had 7 shots, with TC on pitch (he came on in the 66th minute) Leeds also had 7 shots. So same amount of shots in less than half of the minutes. Also 4/5 of their shots on target happened during that period. Going forwards is the same thing. Our only shot on target was in first half(Lukic). xG of our chances before TC came in was 0.30 and we only created 0.09 after. In the first half we also had some good attacks that died after misplaced passes that could have been goal chances(e.g. when Raul almost put it on a plate for Wilson only for it to be intercepted).
I don't think either one of them were amazing (but who was), but subs didn't help at all either and the midfield that started was the right choice, considering the physicality of their midfield.
But I guess it's always easy to blame Berge and/or Lukic for our losses. Neither one was one of our top 4-5 worst performers today.
For me winning or losing it isn't the right setup, winning or losing isnt a reason to make the change, the change needs to happen because it stifled creativity outside playing the top 4
Quote from: SerbianLad on January 17, 2026, 09:36:58 PMQuote from: Coastwalker on January 17, 2026, 09:04:59 PMThink he's saying Lukic injury is bad,ESR doesn't know yet.
But who's the other player then in the quote I posted? "We probably lost another two players this afternoon".
ESR.
Quote from: Rightwhite on January 17, 2026, 07:37:44 PMJust a real shite game of football today with awful performances from both sides. Neither team deserved the win but it is what it is. That performance was coming. Hopefully its out of our system now. We move on.
Not sure what match you watched, only 1 side deserved to win and it wasn't us. Leeds made us look really bad and over the match were worth the win.
Wilson out wide is a waste.
Why have him picking the ball up on the right hand touchline at the halfway line?
Push him upfront alongside Raul for godsake.
Quote from: Milo on January 17, 2026, 10:10:16 PMWilson out wide is a waste.
Why have him picking the ball up on the right hand touchline at the halfway line?
Push him upfront alongside Raul for godsake.
Wilson played in the middle today. Sess was on the right.
Quote from: Super Mick on January 17, 2026, 07:47:34 PMQuote from: Rightwhite on January 17, 2026, 07:37:44 PMJust a real shite game of football today with awful performances from both sides. Neither team deserved the win but it is what it is. That performance was coming. Hopefully its out of our system now. We move on.
All I'm seeing are Leeds fans saying how sh1t we are. They need a good hammering from someone soon.
Let's ben honest, Leeds could be bottom, 30 pts adrift from safety, and their fans would could Man City sh1t after a 10-0 hammering. Entitled, horrible fans, who think their club are the biggest, best club in the world. If they don't go down this season, they will next.
To be fair to Leeds fans, they are only saying what Everton fans said after we failed to turn up there last autumn.
Yeah to be fair, they saw the worst version of Fulham today so no suprise they think that.
. No idea what Marco was thinking with all the tinkering of a winning side.
Hopefully we have a fuller squad and can absolutely batter them next time we see them.
Quote from: alfie on January 17, 2026, 09:15:38 PMUnless I have missed something I can't see where anyone has laid blame for the goal, which is most unusual as someone is always to blame.
You could blame all 5 players before they put the cross in.
Just clear the bloody BALL !!
Row z would've been handy how many attempts did have to clear before they scored?
Quote from: AJW48361 on January 18, 2026, 03:03:59 AMRow z would've been handy how many attempts did have to clear before they scored?
100% so frustrating
Only one point lost. Never looked like winning the game. Onwards and upwards, who is next?
Quote from: jarv on January 18, 2026, 09:15:51 AMOnly one point lost. Never looked like winning the game. Onwards and upwards, who is next?
Not sure I can see it as 1 poi t lost, we went into a game against a team in 16th with a defensive setup. We should be going out to win those games 2, 3 nil
Quote from: SerbianLad on January 17, 2026, 07:45:00 PMI think these comments about Berge are very harsh.
Also, I see a pattern, whenever we play Berge and Lukic together and we lose that's always the reason we lost, and when they play together and we win, pretty much everyone is quiet, they get no credit.
To those saying we looked better with TC on, how? We created no chances and we conceded a lot of excellent chances. Leno made a terrific save to prevents us from losing by 2 goals. Even if you look at stats, with Berge-Lukic together, Leeds had 7 shots, with TC on pitch (he came on in the 66th minute) Leeds also had 7 shots. So same amount of shots in less than half of the minutes. Also 4/5 of their shots on target happened during that period. Going forwards is the same thing. Our only shot on target was in first half(Lukic). xG of our chances before TC came in was 0.30 and we only created 0.09 after. In the first half we also had some good attacks that died after misplaced passes that could have been goal chances(e.g. when Raul almost put it on a plate for Wilson only for it to be intercepted).
I don't think either one of them were amazing (but who was), but subs didn't help at all either and the midfield that started was the right choice, considering the physicality of their midfield.
But I guess it's always easy to blame Berge and/or Lukic for our losses. Neither one was one of our top 4-5 worst performers today.
You need to be careful. The TC police will be after you.
Quote from: cookieg on January 18, 2026, 11:03:45 AMQuote from: SerbianLad on January 17, 2026, 07:45:00 PMI think these comments about Berge are very harsh.
Also, I see a pattern, whenever we play Berge and Lukic together and we lose that's always the reason we lost, and when they play together and we win, pretty much everyone is quiet, they get no credit.
To those saying we looked better with TC on, how? We created no chances and we conceded a lot of excellent chances. Leno made a terrific save to prevents us from losing by 2 goals. Even if you look at stats, with Berge-Lukic together, Leeds had 7 shots, with TC on pitch (he came on in the 66th minute) Leeds also had 7 shots. So same amount of shots in less than half of the minutes. Also 4/5 of their shots on target happened during that period. Going forwards is the same thing. Our only shot on target was in first half(Lukic). xG of our chances before TC came in was 0.30 and we only created 0.09 after. In the first half we also had some good attacks that died after misplaced passes that could have been goal chances(e.g. when Raul almost put it on a plate for Wilson only for it to be intercepted).
I don't think either one of them were amazing (but who was), but subs didn't help at all either and the midfield that started was the right choice, considering the physicality of their midfield.
But I guess it's always easy to blame Berge and/or Lukic for our losses. Neither one was one of our top 4-5 worst performers today.
You need to be careful. The TC police will be after you.
We looked better when Tom came on because he picked up the ball and played it better. The other players responded to that and then the centre backs reverted to hoofing it up the filed cutting him out, and that dies not help. Further there was zero movement in front of him so unable to pick a pass to create danger.
If we would have started with him and Berge and put wilson on the right and sess on the left we may have stood a chance.
Quote from: SerbianLad on January 17, 2026, 07:45:00 PMI think these comments about Berge are very harsh.
Also, I see a pattern, whenever we play Berge and Lukic together and we lose that's always the reason we lost, and when they play together and we win, pretty much everyone is quiet, they get no credit.
To those saying we looked better with TC on, how? We created no chances and we conceded a lot of excellent chances. Leno made a terrific save to prevents us from losing by 2 goals. Even if you look at stats, with Berge-Lukic together, Leeds had 7 shots, with TC on pitch (he came on in the 66th minute) Leeds also had 7 shots. So same amount of shots in less than half of the minutes. Also 4/5 of their shots on target happened during that period. Going forwards is the same thing. Our only shot on target was in first half(Lukic). xG of our chances before TC came in was 0.30 and we only created 0.09 after. In the first half we also had some good attacks that died after misplaced passes that could have been goal chances(e.g. when Raul almost put it on a plate for Wilson only for it to be intercepted).
I don't think either one of them were amazing (but who was), but subs didn't help at all either and the midfield that started was the right choice, considering the physicality of their midfield.
But I guess it's always easy to blame Berge and/or Lukic for our losses. Neither one was one of our top 4-5 worst performers today.
I think that when TC came on was the first time that it looked like we even had a clue on how to get past the half way line with some sort of control of the ball. That's how I think we looked better with TC. Not that anything of note really came from it.
Didn't help much overall though, since basically all players (maybe with the exception of ESR) had subpar performances. Dreadful game (from both teams, one might add), with some players (Jedi, Raul for example) looking like they were playing with an American football, and had never met any of their teammates before.
Just my two cents.
Quote from: KentFulham on January 18, 2026, 09:22:10 AMQuote from: jarv on January 18, 2026, 09:15:51 AMOnly one point lost. Never looked like winning the game. Onwards and upwards, who is next?
Not sure I can see it as 1 poi t lost, we went into a game against a team in 16th with a defensive setup. We should be going out to win those games 2, 3 nil
underestimating the opposition,
Quote from: KentFulham on January 18, 2026, 09:22:10 AMQuote from: jarv on January 18, 2026, 09:15:51 AMOnly one point lost. Never looked like winning the game. Onwards and upwards, who is next?
Not sure I can see it as 1 poi t lost, we went into a game against a team in 16th with a defensive setup. We should be going out to win those games 2, 3 nil
Any side thinking they could just rock up and
win 2-3 nil is silly.
is just stupid and usually ends
up badly.
Quote from: KentFulham on January 18, 2026, 09:22:10 AMQuote from: jarv on January 18, 2026, 09:15:51 AMOnly one point lost. Never looked like winning the game. Onwards and upwards, who is next?
Not sure I can see it as 1 poi t lost, we went into a game against a team in 16th with a defensive setup. We should be going out to win those games 2, 3 nil
An unearned arrogant comment. We're Fulham not Real Madrid, and every win in this league is a scrap for us. Remember that Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all struggled against this Leeds side. They're not crap, just slightly below the mid table bunch.
Not saying we shouldn't expect to win, but we cant expect to just turn up and batter them.
@cookieg @Sting of the North so we "looked better" despite creating less chances and conceding more. Sure, that makes perfect sense. There's no denying his importance in the Liverpool and Chelsea performances or the vital part he played in the Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough matches, but yesterday he really didn't have any sort of impact, objectively. That sub didn't improve us, if anything we got worse.
I also see people blaming Berge, or Raul or whoever and for some reason very few people blame Sess who was our worst player by a country mile. I think it's good that people aren't being overly critical of Sess, but some people are being very hypocritical, as they'd absolutely murder pretty much every other player if they played like that.
It seems like you can't say anything negative about e.g. TC and Sess. And I wasn't even being critical of TC. He did fine, I just don't think that change helped us improve, like some people do.
Watching Leeds this year, they have an admirable and sensible survival plan. Win the battle of midfield through energy and organisation because winning that battle leads to good overall outcomes. It compensates for shortfalls in quality and it makes other players blossom - witness DCL. They will stay up and Farke is doing a great job there.
So we turned up, in full knowledge of how Leeds go about games, with a midfield pair of Lukic and Berge who, whatever their individual merits, spent much of calendar year 2025 losing the battle of midfield when played as a pair.
We lost and the takeaway that they just don't work as a pair was so already apparent that one wonders if the penny will ever drop.
Quote from: Sgt Fulham on January 18, 2026, 12:58:53 PMQuote from: KentFulham on January 18, 2026, 09:22:10 AMQuote from: jarv on January 18, 2026, 09:15:51 AMOnly one point lost. Never looked like winning the game. Onwards and upwards, who is next?
Not sure I can see it as 1 poi t lost, we went into a game against a team in 16th with a defensive setup. We should be going out to win those games 2, 3 nil
An unearned arrogant comment. We're Fulham not Real Madrid, and every win in this league is a scrap for us. Remember that Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all struggled against this Leeds side. They're not crap, just slightly below the mid table bunch.
Not saying we shouldn't expect to win, but we cant expect to just turn up and batter them.
You say that, but when did Real Madrid ever beat us eh! ::scarf::
I just don't understand why, after an unbeaten run with nice results, MS would switch which side wingers would play on. Wilson has had a nice run recently, always on the right side. Why move him over to the other side? And even with Sessegnon, who has collaborated in the past, though limited pairings, with Robinson on the left, have looked dangerous, and then move Sessegnon opposite side of Robinson?
I'd just like to know if there might have been some specific reasoning as to why MS made these changes? FFC on nice run, a winning formula, and this whole Leeds tilt looked way off, disjointed and out of sorts.
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMI just don't understand why, after an unbeaten run with nice results, MS would switch which side wingers would play on. Wilson has had a nice run recently, always on the right side. Why move him over to the other side?
He didn't move him to the "other side". HW played centrally.
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMAnd even with Sessegnon, who has collaborated in the past, though limited pairings, with Robinson on the left
When exactly has that happened? Sess has never started at LW for Fulham.
Quote from: Chi_FFC on January 18, 2026, 03:51:29 PMQuote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMI just don't understand why, after an unbeaten run with nice results, MS would switch which side wingers would play on. Wilson has had a nice run recently, always on the right side. Why move him over to the other side?
He didn't move him to the "other side". HW played centrally.
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMAnd even with Sessegnon, who has collaborated in the past, though limited pairings, with Robinson on the left
When exactly has that happened? Sess has never started at LW for Fulham.
I did post 'limited pairings'. I just seem to recall several times? when they both played moving forward positions on the left. Maybe I'm wrong? And I do think Sessegnon has played LW at FFC. Again, I could be wrong. Also, not sure Sessegnon has ever played down the right side....
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 04:14:42 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 18, 2026, 03:51:29 PMQuote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMI just don't understand why, after an unbeaten run with nice results, MS would switch which side wingers would play on. Wilson has had a nice run recently, always on the right side. Why move him over to the other side?
He didn't move him to the "other side". HW played centrally.
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMAnd even with Sessegnon, who has collaborated in the past, though limited pairings, with Robinson on the left
When exactly has that happened? Sess has never started at LW for Fulham.
I did post 'limited pairings'. I just seem to recall several times? when they both played moving forward positions on the left. Maybe I'm wrong? And I do think Sessegnon has played LW at FFC. Again, I could be wrong. Also, not sure Sessegnon has ever played down the right side....
He played RW multiple times last season
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 04:14:42 PMQuote from: Chi_FFC on January 18, 2026, 03:51:29 PMQuote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMI just don't understand why, after an unbeaten run with nice results, MS would switch which side wingers would play on. Wilson has had a nice run recently, always on the right side. Why move him over to the other side?
He didn't move him to the "other side". HW played centrally.
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 03:29:48 PMAnd even with Sessegnon, who has collaborated in the past, though limited pairings, with Robinson on the left
When exactly has that happened? Sess has never started at LW for Fulham.
I did post 'limited pairings'. I just seem to recall several times? when they both played moving forward positions on the left. Maybe I'm wrong? And I do think Sessegnon has played LW at FFC.
He's literally spent at most ~20 minutes in ~4 short late game sub appearances on the LW for Fulham. Can you actually point to a time in those appearances where Sess looked "dangerous" with Robinson?
Quote from: WindyCity on January 18, 2026, 04:14:42 PMAlso, not sure Sessegnon has ever played down the right side....
He's actually started 4 times for us at RW prior to yesterday (playing ~280 minutes including our win against Liverpool last season in which he scored).
Quote from: Carborundum on January 18, 2026, 01:59:05 PMWatching Leeds this year, they have an admirable and sensible survival plan. Win the battle of midfield through energy and organisation because winning that battle leads to good overall outcomes. It compensates for shortfalls in quality and it makes other players blossom - witness DCL. They will stay up and Farke is doing a great job there.
So we turned up, in full knowledge of how Leeds go about games, with a midfield pair of Lukic and Berge who, whatever their individual merits, spent much of calendar year 2025 losing the battle of midfield when played as a pair.
We lost and the takeaway that they just don't work as a pair was so already apparent that one wonders if the penny will ever drop.
I mean, look, I understand the bandwagon hate that those two are getting - but at the same time I just went through the entire match and found ZERO moments where those two were being run off the pitch. Leeds have an extremely wide formation with 5 midfielders. Our pressure to the attacking midfielders was met all the way up by Andersen and Cuenca, while Berge dropped in the gap/zone for Aaronson's runs while Lukic stuck with Ampadu.
Has anyone criticizing them actually provided a specific moment or sequence? I'd love to review it, because I just don't feel like I'm watching the same game.
Continuing with the hate popularity, this game needed someone to drag their wide midfielders, and Sessegnon wasn't that man, neither was Wilson when he moved over - that's because Gudmundsson absolutely dominated both of them. This is where it would've made more sense for someone like Traore to take a crack. I know the boo birds don't want him to put the shirt on ever again, but that's just ridiculous. He would be able to receive the ball, stop it, and draw in their defenders - much like he did vs Boro. I think that would've been a much better option than throwing Josh King into the mix - not that I'm not a fan of the kid, but we needed something different.
Funny that, after a good run, with the league so tight, a bad result yesterday, and many around us getting decent results (including, it seems, Everton), we might end the weekend 12th. Which is about where we were when the decent run started.
It's a bit frustrating, because that's where we always are, and though we've not been amazing this season, there are so many examples of "a minute of better concentration here" and "a VAR decision there", we could be 7-10 points better off and in a truly unbelievable position.
Hopefully we don't slack off like we normally do once "safe" and, with a basically full squad, end up in Europe.
I don't think too much to worry about yesterday, it was a disappointing performance but Leeds did well at stopping us from building our play. I felt that the players struggled a bit with the atmosphere and there was a slight hot potato effect where nobody from our team could really get a grip on it. The changes didn't seem to make any difference either.
Chalk it down to one of those days. The big downside is that sounds as though Lukic is going to be out for quite a while and ESR also may have had a knock.
Not a lot of positives to really report but I'm not really that concerned. First time at Elland road, terrible away end (not the fans but the enclosure) but a great atmosphere, really impressed with the home support.
Quote from: hopper on January 18, 2026, 06:37:10 PMI don't think too much to worry about yesterday, it was a disappointing performance but Leeds did well at stopping us from building our play. I felt that the players struggled a bit with the atmosphere and there was a slight hot potato effect where nobody from our team could really get a grip on it. The changes didn't seem to make any difference either.
Chalk it down to one of those days. The big downside is that sounds as though Lukic is going to be out for quite a while and ESR also may have had a knock.
Not a lot of positives to really report but I'm not really that concerned. First time at Elland road, terrible away end (not the fans but the enclosure) but a great atmosphere, really impressed with the home support.
Leeds uspport was very good. Luckic being out will force Silva's hand in moving away from the ultra defensive setup of late.
and to round off a very disappointing weekend for us Everton win & jump above us ::angry:: ::angry::
Quote from: AnotherVicHalomLoveChild on January 18, 2026, 08:04:34 PMand to round off a very disappointing weekend for us Everton win & jump above us ::angry:: ::angry::
Disappointing but the previous six games were not. I don't think Sess playing on the right was the correct move but he's played several games before on the right where he was magnificent. I think the biggest gripe was playing the Berge/Lukic double pivot again vs a team we were expecting to dominate.
Quote from: Matt10 on January 18, 2026, 05:42:59 PMThis is where it would've made more sense for someone like Traore to take a crack... He would be able to receive the ball, stop it, and draw in their defenders - much like he did vs Boro.
I didn't see the game but the thoroughness of your analysis is there for all to see. I assume your call for Traore's introduction is on the basis his drawing two-or-three defenders towards him would have afforded his team-mates more time and space on the ball. This, however, would only have worked had he been able to get the ball to one of them - something he often failed to do against Boro.
When I saw the line up I was bitterly dissapointed, why mess with a winning formula , after being up all night with the worst flu ever, coughing my guts up all night then having to endure that Horrible game , everyone was off especially Harry and Ryan
Oh well
I hate Leeds "supporters" but I do like they're manager I must admit, happy for him cos he deserves it
Quote from: Arthur on January 18, 2026, 11:06:55 PMQuote from: Matt10 on January 18, 2026, 05:42:59 PMThis is where it would've made more sense for someone like Traore to take a crack... He would be able to receive the ball, stop it, and draw in their defenders - much like he did vs Boro.
I didn't see the game but the thoroughness of your analysis is there for all to see. I assume your call for Traore's introduction is on the basis his drawing two-or-three defenders towards him would have afforded his team-mates more time and space on the ball. This, however, would only have worked had he been able to get the ball to one of them - something he often failed to do against Boro.
I think that's a bit more of bandwagon mentality because I made a post here in a deleted thread (I think?) about Traore's match vs Boro. He had a bad moment or two, but before that I went by each of his sequences - 3 of which we could've found the back of the net from his play. There's no question he found his teammates by drawing 2-3 defenders to his side. If he'd play RW vs Leeds, he'd force Gudmundsson to stay further back or even an adjustment to Leeds tactics completely considering they play with two right wingbacks with Bogle and Justin.
It's all hindsight though and who knows what version of Traore we'd see. That's the main issue with him for me, not sure what to expect from him anymore so all I can do is assume he'd be the threat he was vs Boro. I just figure someone who is going to demand more defensive focus would've been Traore, which should've given more space for someone like Wilson playing central as a result.
Quote from: Matt10 on January 19, 2026, 01:55:46 AMI think that's a bit more of bandwagon mentality because I made a post here in a deleted thread (I think?) about Traore's match vs Boro. He had a bad moment or two, but before that I went by each of his sequences - 3 of which we could've found the back of the net from his play. There's no question he found his teammates by drawing 2-3 defenders to his side.
I am surprised at your suggestion my criticism of Traore's use of the ball against Boro is 'bandwagon mentality'. While I recognise that a recording affords the opportunity to focus solely upon one player's involvement, I was at the game and I am capable of forming my own opinion; I respect many others' views but I don't need to read this forum to make up my mind.
In my opinion, Traore started the game against Boro confidently, but the longer it went on, the less effective was his performance. If I were to watch a recording, I agree there would be a couple of occasions when he uses his pace to gain a yard of space on the full back and deliver a dangerous cross. But I think I would see more than just 'a bad moment or two'. There would be instances in which, in my view, having drawn opposition players to him, he held on to the ball too long to no positive end and other instances in which he misplaced passes or lost possession, sloppily at times. I expect I would come to the same conclusion I drew at the time: Overall, Traore's performance was too error-ridden and indecisive to merit acclaim.
Quote from: SerbianLad on January 18, 2026, 01:47:09 PM@cookieg @Sting of the North so we "looked better" despite creating less chances and conceding more. Sure, that makes perfect sense. There's no denying his importance in the Liverpool and Chelsea performances or the vital part he played in the Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough matches, but yesterday he really didn't have any sort of impact, objectively. That sub didn't improve us, if anything we got worse.
I also see people blaming Berge, or Raul or whoever and for some reason very few people blame Sess who was our worst player by a country mile. I think it's good that people aren't being overly critical of Sess, but some people are being very hypocritical, as they'd absolutely murder pretty much every other player if they played like that.
It seems like you can't say anything negative about e.g. TC and Sess. And I wasn't even being critical of TC. He did fine, I just don't think that change helped us improve, like some people do.
Loads of posters has pointed out how poor a game Sess had.
Instead of using stats (that basically just shows that we created almost nothing at all during 90 minutes+), you could just have stated that in your opinion the midfield was better before TC came on.
TC was one part of the puzzle, involving 21 other players. I think you overestimate one players contribution to the overall stats, for a very, very small sample size (I like stats a lot, but they are almost useless unless the sample sizes are quite large, in my opinion). Personally I preferred to watch the game and at least very briefly enjoy that we had someone that dared picking up the ball from the defenders, and actually had the skill and confidence to at least try to use it for something that resembled constructive purposes. Haven't rewatched it (because it was a horrible game of football), and maybe I was just happy to see anything that wasn't more of the same.
I didn't say that it was wrong to start Berge and Lukic, neither did I state that TC was fantastic or above critique.
@Sting of the North Since it's a long post I won't quote it.
I really don't think the reaction to Sess' performance was comparable to that of any other player after a similar level of performance. Again, I prefer it that way, I just wish other players weren't abused after they have poor performances. I also still think that, from what I've seen online, more people are blaming Berge-Lukic partnership or even someone like Raul for the loss, when clearly they weren't as poor as Sess was.
I did state that our midfield was better. And we might not have created much before either, but it was more than 3 times the xG and also we had some openings that didn't end up with a shot (like the time Raul misplaced the pass to Wilson that would have seen him one on one with their keeper). On the other side, they bypassed our midfield with ease when Lukic came off injured. I don't think it's insignificant that they had the same amount of shot in less than half the time. The criticism I often see of Berge-Lukic partnership is the one thing I don't think they can be criticised for, and that's losing the midfield battle. I think that since last season they lost the midfield battle maybe 2 or 3 times in total. They usually physically dominate the opponents and therefore most of the danger comes from the wings. The biggest downside of them playing together is that we are more reliant on creativity of our front 4.
I don't think I overestimate the effect a sub can have. When TC comes on it changes the game, everyone (including me) say how he changed the match. Again, I don't think he was poor today. I have a problem with people saying how he was one of the positives and helped changed the match and how we briefly played better, which I think is completely made up, based on both subjective opinion and objective things like stats.
As for the last bit, you might not have said that, but a lot of fans have said it. A lot have even blamed the loss on the two of them starting.
P.S. And this isn't aimed at you at all, how is the lineup against Leeds more defensive then the ones against Liverpool or Chelsea? We had 4 defenders compared to 5,and we had 4 attacking players compared to 3.
Quote from: SerbianLad on January 19, 2026, 09:54:11 AM@Sting of the North Since it's a long post I won't quote it.
I really don't think the reaction to Sess' performance was comparable to that of any other player after a similar level of performance. Again, I prefer it that way, I just wish other players weren't abused after they have poor performances. I also still think that, from what I've seen online, more people are blaming Berge-Lukic partnership or even someone like Raul for the loss, when clearly they weren't as poor as Sess was.
I did state that our midfield was better. And we might not have created much before either, but it was more than 3 times the xG and also we had some openings that didn't end up with a shot (like the time Raul misplaced the pass to Wilson that would have seen him one on one with their keeper). On the other side, they bypassed our midfield with ease when Lukic came off injured. I don't think it's insignificant that they had the same amount of shot in less than half the time. The criticism I often see of Berge-Lukic partnership is the one thing I don't think they can be criticised for, and that's losing the midfield battle. I think that since last season they lost the midfield battle maybe 2 or 3 times in total. They usually physically dominate the opponents and therefore most of the danger comes from the wings. The biggest downside of them playing together is that we are more reliant on creativity of our front 4.
I don't think I overestimate the effect a sub can have. When TC comes on it changes the game, everyone (including me) say how he changed the match. Again, I don't think he was poor today. I have a problem with people saying how he was one of the positives and helped changed the match and how we briefly played better, which I think is completely made up, based on both subjective opinion and objective things like stats.
As for the last bit, you might not have said that, but a lot of fans have said it. A lot have even blamed the loss on the two of them starting.
P.S. And this isn't aimed at you at all, how is the lineup against Leeds more defensive then the ones against Liverpool or Chelsea? We had 4 defenders compared to 5,and we had 4 attacking players compared to 3.
On your last point, I dont think it is more defensive than Liverpool/Chelsea, it was equally. However, we dont need to be equally defensive against Leeds.
On Lukic I would say it went downhill for the partnership on the Yellow card rather than when he went off. The yellow was needless given he threw a tackle in on the turn without even looking at the ball/player, Lukic on a yellow is a very innefective player. I like both Berge and Lukic, just not together. To your point we become reliant on the front 4 for creativity, when I would prefer a 5th creative player in the middle
Quote from: KentFulham on January 19, 2026, 10:17:30 AMOn your last point, I dont think it is more defensive than Liverpool/Chelsea, it was equally. However, we dont need to be equally defensive against Leeds.
On Lukic I would say it went downhill for the partnership on the Yellow card rather than when he went off. The yellow was needless given he threw a tackle in on the turn without even looking at the ball/player, Lukic on a yellow is a very innefective player. I like both Berge and Lukic, just not together. To your point we become reliant on the front 4 for creativity, when I would prefer a 5th creative player in the middle
I think it's more offensive personally.
I do agree that the yellow hampered us a bit. However, even after the yellow he played well. He had that superb run that ended up being our only shot on target. He also set up Sess late on in the firat half and then he had a good run in to box where he almost had another header, but it went for a corner.
I also agree it was needless, however, in typical Kavanagh fashion he was as inconsistent as ever. There were worse fouls that didn't result in a booking. It was literally his first and only foul.
I think against certain opponents and when our attackers are in top form, the Berge-Lukic partnership works perfectly. They dominate the middle and we therefore concede very few chances and if our attackers are in good form we create enough chances to score multiple goals. Brentford match from this season is a perfect example. King gifted them a goal, but apart from that we defended superbly, particularly because of the Berge-Lukic partnership. Our attack was as fluid as it has been this season in that match too.