Friends of Fulham

I feel that the first half lacked excitement, with more forced substitutions than goal attempts. Praying that Kevin's foot injury is not severe, although he appeared to be in considerable discomfort.

Raul delivered another excellent header, complemented by a well-executed penalty kick. I don't understand what Sess's was thinking that resulted in conceding the penalty.  Thank goodness Iwobi's third goal provided added security, allowing Fulham to maintain their lead and secure the victory. This win and the accompanying three points were much needed.

Up The Fulham!  ::wine::  ::scarf::  ::wine::

A win by more than 1 goal!!  ::scarf::

Great win against a team that hasn't lost all season at home. The first half was entirely boring and we barely got any decisions going our way but the second was much improved in terms of attacking. It was great to see Raul increase his 100% penalty taking. Some things that worry me is our inability to keep clean sheets as well as the injury to Kevin - we have four players injured now (Chuk, Jedi and Lukic included) so are we heading into another mini injury crisis?

Oh, and according to the commentators - eighth should be enough for Europe again so we're only one point away from that.

Obvious choice is Jimenez for the MOTM.

Fantastic result and keeps the season well and truly alive. 8th gets conference league if a team in top 5 win fa cup

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:08:47 PMGreat win against a team that hasn't lost all season at home.

Eh, this is their second consecutive league loss at home.

Raul for me, handled the ref winding him up.

Hard fought victory on a difficult pitch. A pleasing double.

Takes us nicely into some key fixtures.

Quote from: Chi_FFC on February 22, 2026, 04:09:44 PM

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:08:47 PMGreat win against a team that hasn't lost all season at home.

Eh, this is their second consecutive league loss at home.

Huh? I remember the commentator saying specifically Sunderland hasn't lost all season at home?

Edit: Oh, he probably meant they hadn't lost at home until this month.

Tete my MOTM. Singlehandedly saved us at least 2 times in the second half. Made some nice forward passes too.

That being said, almost everyone played well. Shame about Kevin, I actually thought he was our best player before he got injured.

Wilson for me on the defensive contribution and assist.

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:08:47 PMKevin - we have four players injured now (Chuk, Jedi and Lukic included) so are we heading into another mini injury crisis?

According to Marco, Lukic is training with the squad. I suspect he'll be back for the next match. From Marco's comments, it seems lile Chukwueze's injury isn't serious, and I expect him to be back if not for the next match, for the one after that. Robinson wasn't even mentioned as someone who has a problem, so I guess it's not serious either. With Kevin though, who knows?

Funnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Tete, Iwobi, Wilson and Bassey honourable mentions... But Raul gets it from me - what a signing he's been for the club

Quote from: SerbianLad on February 22, 2026, 04:15:08 PM

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:08:47 PMKevin - we have four players injured now (Chuk, Jedi and Lukic included) so are we heading into another mini injury crisis?

According to Marco, Lukic is training with the squad. I suspect he'll be back for the next match. From Marco's comments, it seems lile Chukwueze's injury isn't serious, and I expect him to be back if not for the next match, for the one after that. Robinson wasn't even mentioned as someone who has a problem, so I guess it's not serious either. With Kevin though, who knows?

Ah, that makes feel a bit better then. From the looks of Kevin, it didn't even look that bad from the replays but who knows if he pulled something

Iwobi for me...he was everywhere - unbelievable energy & to top it off with a very well taken goal ...he reminds me of me

Iwobi.... no contest.  Never stopped working.

with 2 away goals, it has to be...
 

Wilson for performing any number of brilliant hooked clearances from our penalty area in the first half which would put many defenders to shame. Oh and a great assist.

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:11:10 PM

Quote from: Chi_FFC on February 22, 2026, 04:09:44 PM

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:08:47 PMGreat win against a team that hasn't lost all season at home.

Eh, this is their second consecutive league loss at home.

Huh? I remember the commentator saying specifically Sunderland hasn't lost all season at home?

Edit: Oh, he probably meant they hadn't lost at home until this month.

They lost at home to Liverpool just eleven days ago,

Well played Fulham. They kept the legendary home crowd even after they scored. Good to hear out supporters doing the ole's!  :claping20hands:  ::scarf::   

Keeping the tradition going afterwards a pundit called us Sunderland.  ::tongue::   

Interesting to see many thought we played well. I thought the performance was fine but not super impressive. Kevin did look really good before going off.

Absolutely delighted with the result, and Bassey's best game in a long time.

Really shows the importance of set pieces, it was a real turning point along with the Mundle miss.

Quote from: Twig on February 22, 2026, 04:31:35 PM

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:11:10 PM

Quote from: Chi_FFC on February 22, 2026, 04:09:44 PM

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 04:08:47 PMGreat win against a team that hasn't lost all season at home.

Eh, this is their second consecutive league loss at home.

Huh? I remember the commentator saying specifically Sunderland hasn't lost all season at home?

Edit: Oh, he probably meant they hadn't lost at home until this month.

They lost at home to Liverpool just eleven days ago,

So unlike Sky to forget a Liverpool success.

Quote from: bencher on February 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Looked like the Sunderland player landed on top of the end of Kevin's foot. He was in agony so could be broken metatarsal. If so possibly out for rest of season.

For large parts I thought Sunderland played like a Championship team, all energy and hustle but lacking quality. They have a formula that often works, especially at home, but we've played them twice and made them look ordinary twice.

Quote from: sarnian on February 22, 2026, 04:42:33 PM

Quote from: bencher on February 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Looked like the Sunderland player landed on top of the end of Kevin's foot. He was in agony so could be broken metatarsal. If so possibly out for rest of season.

Yeah he really looked in massive pain. I'm fearing the worst, horrible timing as he had really begun to find his feet.

Great win. Was worried when Sess gave the penalty away but that tremendous wilson run and iwobi finish sealed it for us.

Quote from: hopper on February 22, 2026, 04:47:20 PM

Quote from: sarnian on February 22, 2026, 04:42:33 PM

Quote from: bencher on February 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Looked like the Sunderland player landed on top of the end of Kevin's foot. He was in agony so could be broken metatarsal. If so possibly out for rest of season.

Yeah he really looked in massive pain. I'm fearing the worst, horrible timing as he had really begun to find his feet.

Gonna need chukwueze back asap. Thank god we brought in Bobb too

Marco said Kevin's injury looks bad. Robinson's injury isn't serious on the other hand.

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:57:27 PM

Quote from: hopper on February 22, 2026, 04:47:20 PM

Quote from: sarnian on February 22, 2026, 04:42:33 PM

Quote from: bencher on February 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Looked like the Sunderland player landed on top of the end of Kevin's foot. He was in agony so could be broken metatarsal. If so possibly out for rest of season.

Yeah he really looked in massive pain. I'm fearing the worst, horrible timing as he had really begun to find his feet.

Gonna need chukwueze back asap. Thank god we brought in Bobb too

Yeah it is, I think may be a while til we see best of Bobb. Good player for sure but not left much impression yet (for me at least), which is unsurprising given how little he's played for a while.

Reckon King will get some more minutes than he has been as well.

Quote from: SerbianLad on February 22, 2026, 05:00:26 PMMarco said Kevin's injury looks bad. Robinson's injury isn't serious on the other hand.

Oof, looks like we'll definitely need Chuk back or Bobb fitter.

Has to be Raul.

Must confess I didn't see any significant contact for the Kevin injury so assumed he had turned his ankle. That could still be the case, but it increasingly sounds as if I was wrong and that there was direct contact resulting in a nasty injury. Hope my original assessment was right but I fear I was wrong!

Quote from: bog on February 22, 2026, 04:32:34 PMWell played Fulham. They kept the legendary home crowd even after they scored. Good to hear out supporters doing the ole's!  :claping20hands:  ::scarf::   

Keeping the tradition going afterwards a pundit called us Sunderland.  ::tongue::   

Last week we were called Wolves

Quote from: H4usuallysitting on February 22, 2026, 04:19:37 PMIwobi for me...he was everywhere - unbelievable energy & to top it off with a very well taken goal ...he reminds me of me

I've heard you remind him of him.

Quote from: H4usuallysitting on February 22, 2026, 05:37:55 PM

Quote from: bog on February 22, 2026, 04:32:34 PMWell played Fulham. They kept the legendary home crowd even after they scored. Good to hear out supporters doing the ole's!  :claping20hands:  ::scarf::   

Keeping the tradition going afterwards a pundit called us Sunderland.  ::tongue::   

Last week we were called Wolves

Next we'll be called Spurs

Calvin Bassey so comprehensively won his battle with Mr Brobbey, that he just about deserves it.  Others were good too.

Looked to me as the Sunderland player landed on the front of Kev's foot, toes. No intent but it looked as though it could be bad. I hope not, he was starting to look as though he was worth the hype.

Weirdly I don't think that it was that great a performance but Sunderland were definitely worse and I will take that result for sure. I always thought that they would run out of steam at some point and although they are safe this season, I expect them to tumble and for next season to be more of a challenge for them.

Additionally, it is always a shame to see the self styled  'greatest fans in the world' emptying out of the stadium with twenty minutes to go too. It has always been the same, even at Roker Park.

Still enough about them, onwards and upwards now eh?  No more stupid threads about relegation if a result doesn't go our way lads.  Even Filham would be content with this position.

Quote from: The Old Count on February 22, 2026, 05:39:43 PM

Quote from: H4usuallysitting on February 22, 2026, 04:19:37 PMIwobi for me...he was everywhere - unbelievable energy & to top it off with a very well taken goal ...he reminds me of me

I've heard you remind him of him.

Next week I'll be similar to whoever scores

I thought we showed quality and a streak of ruthlessness, and bullied Sunderland with our physicality.
All important ingredients in a fine away win.
We took no prisoners today.
I was also pleased for all our loyal travelling away supporters.
My man of the match ?
I thought it was an all round team
performance with some unsung heroes.
Nevertheless, I feel Raul for me, a sublime header and a penalty kick second to none were the icing on the cake. But what a luxury to have a player of his quality leading the line.
Winning 3 1 away anywhere in the English Premier League is never to be underestimated, and is a result to saviour and be grateful.

Raul is my vote.  The result is amazing, but the performance is average. Kevin's injury is terrible news; he was just beginning to showcase his potential. What disappointing news!

Quote from: Somerset Fulham on February 22, 2026, 06:08:55 PMWeirdly I don't think that it was that great a performance but Sunderland were definitely worse and I will take that result for sure.

Nothing weird at all about what you're saying. You're right, we weren't great but fortunately Sunderland weren't either. As for MOTM, a lot of decent performances, but not many really stand out. I gave it to Iwobi, an assist (that was a well placed corner) and a really nicely taken goal (that was not an easy finish especially on his weaker foot). He was also involved in a few of our other chances (pass to Kevin in 17th minute, involved in the build up for the Sess chance in the 25th). 

I wonder if the larger pitch at the SoL suits our style of play?

Quote from: Somerset Fulham on February 22, 2026, 06:08:55 PMLooked to me as the Sunderland player landed on the front of Kev's foot, toes. No intent but it looked as though it could be bad. I hope not, he was starting to look as though he was worth the hype.

Weirdly I don't think that it was that great a performance but Sunderland were definitely worse and I will take that result for sure. I always thought that they would run out of steam at some point and although they are safe this season, I expect them to tumble and for next season to be more of a challenge for them.

Additionally, it is always a shame to see the self styled  'greatest fans in the world' emptying out of the stadium with twenty minutes to go too. It has always been the same, even at Roker Park.

Still enough about them, onwards and upwards now eh?  No more stupid threads about relegation if a result doesn't go our way lads.  Even Filham would be content with this position.

Dont forget they had two guilt edge chances they should have taken

It would have been a lot different if they had

Regards Kevin, the Sunderland player stood on the end of his foot. My feeling is that it was deliberate

Quote from: LPNCanadian on February 22, 2026, 06:32:22 PMRaul is my vote.  The result is amazing, but the performance is average. Kevin's injury is terrible news; he was just beginning to showcase his potential. What disappointing news!

Spot on. Raul for me with Bassey a close second. Iwobi was good in the attack, but I thought he and Berge were pretty poor in the defensive midfield, so I couldn't justify the vote for him.

I'll never complain about a road win in this league, but Sunderland seem to be finding their true level. Not sure this type of defensive performance will net wins in many of the league games moving forward.

Quote from: sunburywhite on February 22, 2026, 06:52:47 PM

Quote from: Somerset Fulham on February 22, 2026, 06:08:55 PMLooked to me as the Sunderland player landed on the front of Kev's foot, toes. No intent but it looked as though it could be bad. I hope not, he was starting to look as though he was worth the hype.

Weirdly I don't think that it was that great a performance but Sunderland were definitely worse and I will take that result for sure. I always thought that they would run out of steam at some point and although they are safe this season, I expect them to tumble and for next season to be more of a challenge for them.

Additionally, it is always a shame to see the self styled  'greatest fans in the world' emptying out of the stadium with twenty minutes to go too. It has always been the same, even at Roker Park.

Still enough about them, onwards and upwards now eh?  No more stupid threads about relegation if a result doesn't go our way lads.  Even Filham would be content with this position.

Dont forget they had two guilt edge chances they should have taken

It would have been a lot different if they had

Regards Kevin, the Sunderland player stood on the end of his foot. My feeling is that it was deliberate

Seen the replay and to be fair to the Sunderland player at no point does he look down at Kevin's foot and stamp, just looks like he planted his stride on his toes.

I'll take that thank you

We get 2 - 0 up away @ Roker Park & manage to close out the game scoring a third after Sunderland respond

For the older supporters -

Jimmy (aka "pull your pants down away @ Sunderland" Dunne will be laughing & smiling - Fulham & Ireland win!!

Well done Marco & the lads - now, onward & upwards, some important matches coming up   

Good to see ESR continuing his good form of late. Whilst not stand-out, his contributions were vital to the team. King Kenny,Iwobi, Bassey, Kevin and Raul all good too.Kev and Sess link up so well together. Such a shame about Kevins injury.
Opening things up over the next few matches, for Oscar and the return of Chuk.

Berge is still a bit of a conundrum to me?

Not a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

I gave it to Iwobi, although I thought it was a very good all round performance from the whole team...not without faults, but a well deserved victory against a team who have been formidable at home but were made to look very ordinary today. I was tempted to give to Raul, who took his two goals excellently...but I think Iwobi is growing into his central midfield role...his running, his passing and his positioning were all very good...and he had an assist and then, after 85 minutes of running, he bust a gut to get up the pitch to keep up with Wilson, and slotted home his goal with calm assurance. Capped a really good display.

Also, does anybody know what we have done as a club to piss on Don Goodman's chips so much?

He seems to revel in commentating on our games and spending 90 minutes telling everybody how crap we are.  This isn't a knee jerk, I've been noticing this over the years.

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Raul, what a gift he is to us. He was clearly disappointed to be withdrawn when on a hat-trick but he took it for the team.

Not MOTM was the famed Roker Roar leaving well before the final whistle. No doubt there were trains to catch, children playing up and an urge to get on the keyboards to troll the team. Possibly only surpassed by ourselves at the Citeh game as goals rained in at the Cottage. Support your team in sickness and health!

Anyway a great day for us with the team now booked in the Premier League for next season and just maybe more excitement to come.  ::scarf::

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

Also
Worth noting on the Berge front (though I thought he wasn't at his best today) that it was his headed clearance to Wilson that resulted in the last goal.

Edit oop missed that this was commented on above, clearly agree.

Jiminez, for the dichotomy of being shocking/liability/lazy as per the match day thread, yet winning us the game with his goals.

Some on the Sunderland forum fearing relegation but I think they'll be safe this season.

Quote from: SP on February 22, 2026, 10:08:56 PMSome on the Sunderland forum fearing relegation but I think they'll be safe this season.

Total hyperbole from them in my opinion. Only one point behind us, and 11 points above the relegation zone with a lot of teams between them.

I thought at the time that the extent to which they flew out of the blocks was going to be massive for them as a dip was inevitable. Had they had lets say 2 less wins even then they might be in a bit of trouble, but surely they're all good.

Quote from: hopper on February 22, 2026, 10:13:04 PM

Quote from: SP on February 22, 2026, 10:08:56 PMSome on the Sunderland forum fearing relegation but I think they'll be safe this season.

Total hyperbole from them in my opinion. Only one point behind us, and 11 points above the relegation zone with a lot of teams between them.

I thought at the time that the extent to which they flew out of the blocks was going to be massive for them as a dip was inevitable. Had they had lets say 2 less wins even then they might be in a bit of trouble, but surely they're all good.

Well at least it isn't just this board that has the same knee jerk negative silliness that goes on anytime the team drops out the top 10.

They're 11 points clear of relegation and 4 off 40points. They'll be absolutely fine.

Quote from: sarnian on February 22, 2026, 04:42:33 PM

Quote from: bencher on February 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal. I thought exactly that sarnian , he was in so much pain he couldn't put his foot to the ground .

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Looked like the Sunderland player landed on top of the end of Kevin's foot. He was in agony so could be broken metatarsal. If so possibly out for rest of season.

Quote from: sarnian on February 22, 2026, 04:42:33 PM

Quote from: bencher on February 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: jayffc on February 22, 2026, 04:16:31 PMFunnily enough I thought raul was poor outside of the one corner header and taking the penalty which he is undoubtedly a master of.

Generally team played well Iwobi much better, Tete very good defensively , bassey did well, Wilson with a lovely pass for Alex's goal.

No one really stood out clearly above all others to me.

Sums it up for me, perhaps a mention for Kevin who looked dangerous until he got injured

Looked like the Sunderland player landed on top of the end of Kevin's foot. He was in agony so could be broken metatarsal. If so possibly out for rest of season.

I thought exactly that also sarnian he was in so much pain couldn't put his foot to the floor.

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 08:55:28 PM

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

I can't get on board with the Berge praise. I don't expect him to be Pirlo or Scholes, or even Palhinha. But players got past him with a little bits of skill too easily, and he had some miskicks or poor touches in very dangerous areas that could easily have led to goals, never mind his tentative approach when in attacking positions. I know he can be much better than he has played recently and I think he needs a rest but that won't be possible until Lukic is fit.

I thought we looked very dodgy defensively again. Muniz I thought was dreadful when he came on. I honestly don't see what others do when it comes to Muniz.

Mundle apparently got racially abused. Vermin.

Quote from: bencher on February 23, 2026, 07:26:24 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 08:55:28 PM

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

I can't get on board with the Berge praise. I don't expect him to be Pirlo or Scholes, or even Palhinha. But players got past him with a little bits of skill too easily, and he had some miskicks or poor touches in very dangerous areas that could easily have led to goals, never mind his tentative approach when in attacking positions. I know he can be much better than he has played recently and I think he needs a rest but that won't be possible until Lukic is fit.

I know people's opinions won't change - but I think one player in Enzo Le Fee was the only one who actually got past him, which even then Berge fouled or tackled him. The one miss-kick Berge had was in the very first couple minutes with the sun in his face trying to volley a clearance in his own box. You can tell his teammates trust him with the ball the most because they played the ball back to him several times when pressure was immediately upon him.

I understand you want to say tentative approach, but that again is just a misunderstanding to me. If you look at the majority of our attacks, it starts with a 1-2 touch moment from Berge to someone else that then sends the ball into the areas for the attack. If he doesn't time those passes correctly, such as hesitate or opt to go direct, that counter against us can happen just as fast.

Kevin's wayward shot in the first half for example is where we win the ball in their attacking third, Tete's shot is deflected. If Berge had been up in the box like people want him to be - he wouldn't be there to collect the deflection and protect the back line that is deep into the opponent's half. Because Berge is there to collect the deflection, he plays a simple pass to Iwobi, who draws in the defenders and finds Kevin to shoot on goal.

Another example of what looks tentative is when he's sitting between the two center backs where he positions himself to allow our rotations to happen: Sessegnon tucked in and central, Iwobi from right to central. Again, instead of a direct pass to Sess or ESR central, he lets Iwobi come into view and plays it to him. Iwobi breaks the lines with a pass to ESR, who then finds Sess - who takes the shot with his right just too high.

Berge's role is to set the tempo in the build up. If he's the one who is to be playing direct passes and shooting, how would that work out for our other midfielders? What about the counter? A lower pass % equals a higher % of a counter. We have plenty of creative midfielders to play that role, and it's not Berge. He supplies them, they supply the attacking outlets. It's a formula that works for Silva. It's even what Pep Guardiola designed for Man City where he believes in shorter high % passes because he can position his players to be prepared for counter attacks should they lose possession.

Silva's project in converting Berge from a box-to-box 8 to a tempo setting playmaking 6 is quite remarkable. I just can't understand how so many don't see how valuable this is. I do think Silva will have to decide what to do with Lukic because Iwobi is settling into that 8 role quite well now because he and Berge are starting to develop more of an understanding.

Quote from: Matt10 on February 23, 2026, 08:02:56 AM

Quote from: bencher on February 23, 2026, 07:26:24 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 08:55:28 PM

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

I can't get on board with the Berge praise. I don't expect him to be Pirlo or Scholes, or even Palhinha. But players got past him with a little bits of skill too easily, and he had some miskicks or poor touches in very dangerous areas that could easily have led to goals, never mind his tentative approach when in attacking positions. I know he can be much better than he has played recently and I think he needs a rest but that won't be possible until Lukic is fit.

I know people's opinions won't change - but I think one player in Enzo Le Fee was the only one who actually got past him, which even then Berge fouled or tackled him. The one miss-kick Berge had was in the very first couple minutes with the sun in his face trying to volley a clearance in his own box. You can tell his teammates trust him with the ball the most because they played the ball back to him several times when pressure was immediately upon him.

I understand you want to say tentative approach, but that again is just a misunderstanding to me. If you look at the majority of our attacks, it starts with a 1-2 touch moment from Berge to someone else that then sends the ball into the areas for the attack. If he doesn't time those passes correctly, such as hesitate or opt to go direct, that counter against us can happen just as fast.

Kevin's wayward shot in the first half for example is where we win the ball in their attacking third, Tete's shot is deflected. If Berge had been up in the box like people want him to be - he wouldn't be there to collect the deflection and protect the back line that is deep into the opponent's half. Because Berge is there to collect the deflection, he plays a simple pass to Iwobi, who draws in the defenders and finds Kevin to shoot on goal.

Another example of what looks tentative is when he's sitting between the two center backs where he positions himself to allow our rotations to happen: Sessegnon tucked in and central, Iwobi from right to central. Again, instead of a direct pass to Sess or ESR central, he lets Iwobi come into view and plays it to him. Iwobi breaks the lines with a pass to ESR, who then finds Sess - who takes the shot with his right just too high.

Berge's role is to set the tempo in the build up. If he's the one who is to be playing direct passes and shooting, how would that work out for our other midfielders? What about the counter? A lower pass % equals a higher % of a counter. We have plenty of creative midfielders to play that role, and it's not Berge. He supplies them, they supply the attacking outlets. It's a formula that works for Silva. It's even what Pep Guardiola designed for Man City where he believes in shorter high % passes because he can position his players to be prepared for counter attacks should they lose possession.

Silva's project in converting Berge from a box-to-box 8 to a tempo setting playmaking 6 is quite remarkable. I just can't understand how so many don't see how valuable this is. I do think Silva will have to decide what to do with Lukic because Iwobi is settling into that 8 role quite well now because he and Berge are starting to develop more of an understanding.

You've deliberately commented mostly on the attacking output. That was not my main point, just a minor comment. I can forgive him being conservative and you're right that he shouldn't always be up there, as long as he is reliable in defensive areas. He gives the ball away sloppily on the edge of the box that leads to a clear cut chance for Angulo who really should have scored from about 15 yards out. His awful header against Man City leads to their opening goal. The miskick - come on, sun in his eyes? His forward play was fine overall. He is not playing well in his defensive work -  I know he can, but he isn't.

Quote from: Matt10 on February 23, 2026, 08:02:56 AM

Quote from: bencher on February 23, 2026, 07:26:24 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 08:55:28 PM

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

I can't get on board with the Berge praise. I don't expect him to be Pirlo or Scholes, or even Palhinha. But players got past him with a little bits of skill too easily, and he had some miskicks or poor touches in very dangerous areas that could easily have led to goals, never mind his tentative approach when in attacking positions. I know he can be much better than he has played recently and I think he needs a rest but that won't be possible until Lukic is fit.

I know people's opinions won't change - but I think one player in Enzo Le Fee was the only one who actually got past him, which even then Berge fouled or tackled him. The one miss-kick Berge had was in the very first couple minutes with the sun in his face trying to volley a clearance in his own box. You can tell his teammates trust him with the ball the most because they played the ball back to him several times when pressure was immediately upon him.

I understand you want to say tentative approach, but that again is just a misunderstanding to me. If you look at the majority of our attacks, it starts with a 1-2 touch moment from Berge to someone else that then sends the ball into the areas for the attack. If he doesn't time those passes correctly, such as hesitate or opt to go direct, that counter against us can happen just as fast.

Kevin's wayward shot in the first half for example is where we win the ball in their attacking third, Tete's shot is deflected. If Berge had been up in the box like people want him to be - he wouldn't be there to collect the deflection and protect the back line that is deep into the opponent's half. Because Berge is there to collect the deflection, he plays a simple pass to Iwobi, who draws in the defenders and finds Kevin to shoot on goal.

Another example of what looks tentative is when he's sitting between the two center backs where he positions himself to allow our rotations to happen: Sessegnon tucked in and central, Iwobi from right to central. Again, instead of a direct pass to Sess or ESR central, he lets Iwobi come into view and plays it to him. Iwobi breaks the lines with a pass to ESR, who then finds Sess - who takes the shot with his right just too high.

Berge's role is to set the tempo in the build up. If he's the one who is to be playing direct passes and shooting, how would that work out for our other midfielders? What about the counter? A lower pass % equals a higher % of a counter. We have plenty of creative midfielders to play that role, and it's not Berge. He supplies them, they supply the attacking outlets. It's a formula that works for Silva. It's even what Pep Guardiola designed for Man City where he believes in shorter high % passes because he can position his players to be prepared for counter attacks should they lose possession.

Silva's project in converting Berge from a box-to-box 8 to a tempo setting playmaking 6 is quite remarkable. I just can't understand how so many don't see how valuable this is. I do think Silva will have to decide what to do with Lukic because Iwobi is settling into that 8 role quite well now because he and Berge are starting to develop more of an understanding.

This all gets quite technical but I think I get most of it Matt and thanks for taking the time to explain. I just wanted to add that in my book, because a) we don't play a pressing style and b) we do play a high line, then Berge's role becomes extremely important to our style and set up (you have probably said that better than I can in your posts!). Personally I think he fulfils this role well (yes he could shoot a bit more often), others may disagree but expecting him to significantly change what he does strikes me as counter productive.

This is the analysis we get from BBC after the match (about Raul):

"Jimenez's double took his tally to 11 for club and county in 36 appearances this season."

County? I didn't know Raul was eligible to play for London FC?

Quote from: demeant0r on February 23, 2026, 09:00:02 AMThis is the analysis we get from BBC after the match (about Raul):

"Jimenez's double took his tally to 11 for club and county in 36 appearances this season."

County? I didn't know Raul was eligible to play for London FC?

Small typo, who cares?

Quote from: hopper on February 23, 2026, 09:08:05 AM

Quote from: demeant0r on February 23, 2026, 09:00:02 AMThis is the analysis we get from BBC after the match (about Raul):

"Jimenez's double took his tally to 11 for club and county in 36 appearances this season."

County? I didn't know Raul was eligible to play for London FC?

Small typo, who cares?

I mean professional journalists should be reading back their work at least once. Especially journalists that are paid by public funds or TV license.

I thought we played well. For his two goals and hold up play, like when he set up Alex for his blocked shot, I gave MotM to Raul.  ::thumb::   

Quote from: demeant0r on February 22, 2026, 05:42:45 PM

Quote from: H4usuallysitting on February 22, 2026, 05:37:55 PM

Quote from: bog on February 22, 2026, 04:32:34 PMWell played Fulham. They kept the legendary home crowd even after they scored. Good to hear out supporters doing the ole's!  :claping20hands:  ::scarf::   

Keeping the tradition going afterwards a pundit called us Sunderland.  ::tongue::   

Last week we were called Wolves

Next we'll be called Spurs

No we cannot sink that low.

Quote from: demeant0r on February 23, 2026, 09:00:02 AMThis is the analysis we get from BBC after the match (about Raul):

"Jimenez's double took his tally to 11 for club and county in 36 appearances this season."

County? I didn't know Raul was eligible to play for London FC?

Sorry but, so what?

Quote from: bencher on February 23, 2026, 08:43:43 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 23, 2026, 08:02:56 AM

Quote from: bencher on February 23, 2026, 07:26:24 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 08:55:28 PM

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

I can't get on board with the Berge praise. I don't expect him to be Pirlo or Scholes, or even Palhinha. But players got past him with a little bits of skill too easily, and he had some miskicks or poor touches in very dangerous areas that could easily have led to goals, never mind his tentative approach when in attacking positions. I know he can be much better than he has played recently and I think he needs a rest but that won't be possible until Lukic is fit.

I know people's opinions won't change - but I think one player in Enzo Le Fee was the only one who actually got past him, which even then Berge fouled or tackled him. The one miss-kick Berge had was in the very first couple minutes with the sun in his face trying to volley a clearance in his own box. You can tell his teammates trust him with the ball the most because they played the ball back to him several times when pressure was immediately upon him.

I understand you want to say tentative approach, but that again is just a misunderstanding to me. If you look at the majority of our attacks, it starts with a 1-2 touch moment from Berge to someone else that then sends the ball into the areas for the attack. If he doesn't time those passes correctly, such as hesitate or opt to go direct, that counter against us can happen just as fast.

Kevin's wayward shot in the first half for example is where we win the ball in their attacking third, Tete's shot is deflected. If Berge had been up in the box like people want him to be - he wouldn't be there to collect the deflection and protect the back line that is deep into the opponent's half. Because Berge is there to collect the deflection, he plays a simple pass to Iwobi, who draws in the defenders and finds Kevin to shoot on goal.

Another example of what looks tentative is when he's sitting between the two center backs where he positions himself to allow our rotations to happen: Sessegnon tucked in and central, Iwobi from right to central. Again, instead of a direct pass to Sess or ESR central, he lets Iwobi come into view and plays it to him. Iwobi breaks the lines with a pass to ESR, who then finds Sess - who takes the shot with his right just too high.

Berge's role is to set the tempo in the build up. If he's the one who is to be playing direct passes and shooting, how would that work out for our other midfielders? What about the counter? A lower pass % equals a higher % of a counter. We have plenty of creative midfielders to play that role, and it's not Berge. He supplies them, they supply the attacking outlets. It's a formula that works for Silva. It's even what Pep Guardiola designed for Man City where he believes in shorter high % passes because he can position his players to be prepared for counter attacks should they lose possession.

Silva's project in converting Berge from a box-to-box 8 to a tempo setting playmaking 6 is quite remarkable. I just can't understand how so many don't see how valuable this is. I do think Silva will have to decide what to do with Lukic because Iwobi is settling into that 8 role quite well now because he and Berge are starting to develop more of an understanding.

You've deliberately commented mostly on the attacking output. That was not my main point, just a minor comment. I can forgive him being conservative and you're right that he shouldn't always be up there, as long as he is reliable in defensive areas. He gives the ball away sloppily on the edge of the box that leads to a clear cut chance for Angulo who really should have scored from about 15 yards out. His awful header against Man City leads to their opening goal. The miskick - come on, sun in his eyes? His forward play was fine overall. He is not playing well in his defensive work -  I know he can, but he isn't.

I didn't deliberately do anything. You had one sentence about his defensive prowess regarding players getting past him too easily. I replied that Le Fee was one that got past him, but even then he fouled or tackled him. I didn't mention the Angulo chance again because I already covered it in my previous post where I saw for the first time in a while that he lost the ball in his possession. I concede on a rewatch that his attempted half volley in like the first 5 minutes was wild in our own box.

Overall, I think the majority of what he does in the attack and defense outweighs what mistakes he makes in other moments. I'm not going to bring up other matches and their specific moments, but cherry picking mistakes relative to goals conceded is low hanging fruit because it takes out the context of the majority. By that logic every player should get criticized and would never make a first team.   

Quote from: Twig on February 23, 2026, 08:49:26 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 23, 2026, 08:02:56 AM

Quote from: bencher on February 23, 2026, 07:26:24 AM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 08:55:28 PM

Quote from: Volz on February 22, 2026, 08:35:57 PM

Quote from: Matt10 on February 22, 2026, 07:35:45 PMNot a lot of teams have won there, so I wouldn't call the performance average at all. It was actually brilliant. We showed a lot of quality, but the final ball just wasn't there early on. We contained their high press and had to resort to send more passes into space than what we're used to. Very little build up from the back, so Iwobi and Berge's roles had to be a bit different. They both switched the side they were playing on, and had good understanding when to drop/cover and when to progress.

People say Berge played poorly, and this to me is again a lack of understanding of what his role is. He's not Palhinha, he's not set up to be Palhinha - people need to get over that. Today was actually the first time he looked to be more of an enforcer, but he also found himself protecting the back-line's half space (between CB and RB) and even had to cover for Tete who had drifted too far inside. In the end, Berge had 80% passing, didn't miss a tackle, and broke up what he could - even if it was causing fouls - something he doesn't do very often since Lukic has been out. He lost the ball for the first time in I'm not sure how many games, when Brobbey bodied him off as he had received the ball from ESR in a dangerous position (counter-attack, and ESR passes back into trouble). I said in the match thread that Berge and Iwobi kept Brobbey off the ball because they clogged the middle so well. Even Le Fee' couldn't get anything going until he was forced to drift well wide of where he likes to operate. Yes, Berge should shoot more often, and I'm sure he's hearing that from his teammates as well.

All of this. You do know your footie, mate. Time and time and time again i see people here complaining about Berge. And every single time I feel it is really a complaint about the type of player he is, and the fact that many do not see how vital his positioning, break-up play, and vision are. Most just want a classic, two straight feet in,  no nonsense bruiser of a tackler. They don't see Berge do just that and that must equal Berge doing nothing at all. It's like complaining we don't play with a dedicated sweeper just because a couple of decades ago that was my favourite type of player. There are other ways to play football in 2026.

Thanks - ah been at it for a while as a player and coach, but even then I just feel the need to protect players that get a bad rap unnecessarily. Sander Berge is constantly a target, and it's things like how he played today that goes unnoticed. It was him cleaning up in the box when Raul was nut-megged. Berge again sending a 30 yard ball to Wilson for a counter. Berge's critical header that found Wilson perfectly to set up the 3v2 counter-attack that led to Iwobi's goal.

I expect ironic cheers when he does score his goal for us. I think maybe a goal is what is going to get people off his back.

I can't get on board with the Berge praise. I don't expect him to be Pirlo or Scholes, or even Palhinha. But players got past him with a little bits of skill too easily, and he had some miskicks or poor touches in very dangerous areas that could easily have led to goals, never mind his tentative approach when in attacking positions. I know he can be much better than he has played recently and I think he needs a rest but that won't be possible until Lukic is fit.

I know people's opinions won't change - but I think one player in Enzo Le Fee was the only one who actually got past him, which even then Berge fouled or tackled him. The one miss-kick Berge had was in the very first couple minutes with the sun in his face trying to volley a clearance in his own box. You can tell his teammates trust him with the ball the most because they played the ball back to him several times when pressure was immediately upon him.

I understand you want to say tentative approach, but that again is just a misunderstanding to me. If you look at the majority of our attacks, it starts with a 1-2 touch moment from Berge to someone else that then sends the ball into the areas for the attack. If he doesn't time those passes correctly, such as hesitate or opt to go direct, that counter against us can happen just as fast.

Kevin's wayward shot in the first half for example is where we win the ball in their attacking third, Tete's shot is deflected. If Berge had been up in the box like people want him to be - he wouldn't be there to collect the deflection and protect the back line that is deep into the opponent's half. Because Berge is there to collect the deflection, he plays a simple pass to Iwobi, who draws in the defenders and finds Kevin to shoot on goal.

Another example of what looks tentative is when he's sitting between the two center backs where he positions himself to allow our rotations to happen: Sessegnon tucked in and central, Iwobi from right to central. Again, instead of a direct pass to Sess or ESR central, he lets Iwobi come into view and plays it to him. Iwobi breaks the lines with a pass to ESR, who then finds Sess - who takes the shot with his right just too high.

Berge's role is to set the tempo in the build up. If he's the one who is to be playing direct passes and shooting, how would that work out for our other midfielders? What about the counter? A lower pass % equals a higher % of a counter. We have plenty of creative midfielders to play that role, and it's not Berge. He supplies them, they supply the attacking outlets. It's a formula that works for Silva. It's even what Pep Guardiola designed for Man City where he believes in shorter high % passes because he can position his players to be prepared for counter attacks should they lose possession.

Silva's project in converting Berge from a box-to-box 8 to a tempo setting playmaking 6 is quite remarkable. I just can't understand how so many don't see how valuable this is. I do think Silva will have to decide what to do with Lukic because Iwobi is settling into that 8 role quite well now because he and Berge are starting to develop more of an understanding.

This all gets quite technical but I think I get most of it Matt and thanks for taking the time to explain. I just wanted to add that in my book, because a) we don't play a pressing style and b) we do play a high line, then Berge's role becomes extremely important to our style and set up (you have probably said that better than I can in your posts!). Personally I think he fulfils this role well (yes he could shoot a bit more often), others may disagree but expecting him to significantly change what he does strikes me as counter productive.

This is what I like about Silva. He has a core system, but he adjusts it based on the player roles that fit that individual player. I've enjoyed seeing the progression of players and the freedom they're given. Sess going central worked a lot of the time yesterday, or Iwobi and Berge switching sides to get Sunderland's man marking out of sorts.