All too often we get talked about as pushing for Europe, we get ourselves into a fighting chance an we bottle it.
I'm not sure if there isn't enough "winners" in the team or we lack a leader who can get the team by the scruff.
It's so annoying to watch and this west game summed it up, as did the Everton.
We just seem to self-sabotage. We NEED to replace Leno next season, he's had too many nightmare games this season
YES!!!
Shocking performance all round.
Predictable result.
As to the bigger question.. I don't know what's wrong with this team. This sort of game time and time again.. just when we can push up the table.. we come out with a flat performance and lose against relegation opposition.
We couldn't string a pass tonight.. it was embarrassing at times.
Silva needs to come up with the answer in his press conference as to why this is happening. Otherwise, how can we confident we will put it right? I don't want 5 mins of waffle about a lack of decisions going for us by the referee as per usual.
We are completely set on self sabotage. Everytime we have got into a position in the table where we could push on we don't. We end up going on horrible losing runs and there is a legitimate question to be asked whether silva has the state of mind to take us further.
There is a mentality problem for sure.
Silva also just completely implodes when we are up against it. If plan A doesn't work there is nothing else.
If we don't have a winning mentality then it comes from Marco. Unnecessary changes cost us tonight.
Every season we implode with about 10 games to go and at this point you can't say it's a one off, it's looking potentially like it'll be four seasons running if we don't get past Southampton in the cup. At this point you have to look at the manager as he's been the one constant in that time; start strong, look promising going into the new year and fully fall apart as spring is round the corner.
100% ::thumb::
Slow motion football,Any stats on how many times the ball went back to Leno. Only benefit it may help Spurs go down.
Yes
when you don't have strong leaders, winning means to much and losing doesn't hurt enough
It's leadership for me!
I sat behind the dugout today.
As soon as we conceded Marco went and sat down.
One of our biggest problems for quite some time has been scoring when on top, if we scored first it might've been a different game.
That being said we'd need to score multiple goals as we're guaranteed to concede.
I also feel we are too reluctant to play the long switch to the wing, West Ham did this very effectively tonight and both Cairney and Berge have it in their locker.
Can't help feeling it's the psychological 40 point mark. We've hit it and for whatever reason the team's edge has gone.
Yes. The PL is so deep right now and the margins between teams are razor thin so it takes something more to get ahead.
I think this is the most talented, deepest team Fulham have ever had, but they are missing that little something to push them over the edge.
I do wonder if the culture of Fulham combined with a manager like Silva has something to do with it. Fulham isnt exactly known as a club culture rooted in winning and passion and Silva has seemed to reach his limits in the past with how far he can take a club. Do those small things matter in creating an atmosphere that can find a way to grind out the 6-7 points a year to get to another level? I think so.
Club and managerial culture matter and its hard to break it. On one hand this club is in a great spot (relatively speaking) but is just missing a little bit to get to another level.
Agree to a degree but think that on the contrary MS has changed us from being little Fulham to a team who compete in just about any game .Of course we are missing something ! to me its that central midfielder that Marco has wanted and mot been supplied with . (and we didn't replace Perrerra)
Last night (with Cairney and Berge) showed that we are far too pedestrian in midfield when we are the ones needing to up the pace of the game . Without Iwobi in the middle our dynamism was gone . If we can upgrade our depth and quality in central midfield that will be a huge step forward .
Quote from: cookieg on March 04, 2026, 09:36:28 PMIf we don't have a winning mentality then it comes from Marco. Unnecessary changes cost us tonight.
We can't possibly know that the changes were not necessary . He mentioned a few players having knocks. If we had won (which we probably should have done with that eleven ) it would have looked like. shrewd piece of squad frustration. What it did show is that we are short in central midfield and that both Robinson and Muniz have a long way to go to get back to their pre injury form /physical status.
We need a true leader on and off the pitch, someone who has been there and done it.
Sunderland got it right with Xhaka, feel he was such a pivotal signing for them this season.
Quote from: Colinwhite on March 05, 2026, 07:51:34 AMQuote from: cookieg on March 04, 2026, 09:36:28 PMIf we don't have a winning mentality then it comes from Marco. Unnecessary changes cost us tonight.
We can't possibly know that the changes were not necessary . He mentioned a few players having knocks. If we had won (which we probably should have done with that eleven ) it would have looked like. shrewd piece of squad frustration. What it did show is that we are short in central midfield and that both Robinson and Muniz have a long way to go to get back to their pre injury form /physical status.
Wilson was the only player injured. I think Marco took this game too lightly and we got punished.
Quote from: cookieg on March 05, 2026, 07:58:59 AMQuote from: Colinwhite on March 05, 2026, 07:51:34 AMQuote from: cookieg on March 04, 2026, 09:36:28 PMIf we don't have a winning mentality then it comes from Marco. Unnecessary changes cost us tonight.
We can't possibly know that the changes were not necessary . He mentioned a few players having knocks. If we had won (which we probably should have done with that eleven ) it would have looked like. shrewd piece of squad frustration. What it did show is that we are short in central midfield and that both Robinson and Muniz have a long way to go to get back to their pre injury form /physical status.
Wilson was the only player injured. I think Marco took this game too lightly and we got punished.
Agree.Just crazy tinkering
I was a bit surprised when I saw the lineup. Personally, I would have kept the same team barring Wilson. While spurs are a truly awful team, I do think that we played decent with some really nice combinations; it just seemed to me to be a bit unnecessary to change the team substantially given we have a cup game on Sunday, albeit a big one. As others have said, that team on the pitch still had the quality to beat west ham, but from the first minute you could tell which team were up for it, with west ham pressing really high and aggressive in the duels. After a few early misplaced passes from Berge and others, our composure evaporated and players all over the pitch began to hide.
If i'm being honest, i did say to my brother before the game that I thought we would lose tonight, not because West ham are a particularly good team, but because a) this game meant a lot more to west ham, and b), we just don't seem to have the mentality for these kind of dogfights.
Still plenty to play for and to be excited for in both the league and in the cup! If anything, we do seem to bounce back really well, so expecting a strong performance against southampton. Against Forest? Hmm a bit nervous about that one as well, especially after the city result ::scarf::
Anyway, if it's any consolation, it does make tonight's game really interesting :slap: and spurs might actually go down
Quote from: southwest6 on March 05, 2026, 08:17:29 AMI was a bit surprised when I saw the lineup. Personally, I would have kept the same team barring Wilson. While spurs are a truly awful team, I do think that we played decent with some really nice combinations; it just seemed to me to be a bit unnecessary to change the team substantially given we have a cup game on Sunday, albeit a big one. As others have said, that team on the pitch still had the quality to beat west ham, but from the first minute you could tell which team was up for it, with west ham pressing really high and aggressive in the duels. After a few early misplaced passes from Berge and others, our composure evaporated and players all over the pitch began to hide.
If i'm being honest, i did say to my brother before the game that I thought we would lose tonight, not because West ham are a particularly good team, but because a) this game meant a lot more to west ham, and b), we just don't seem to have the mentality for these kind of dogfights.
Still plenty to play for and to be excited for in both the league and in the cup! If anything, we do seem to bounce back really well, so expecting a strong performance against southampton. Against Forest? Hmm a bit nervous about that one as well, especially after the city result ::scarf::
Anyway, if it's any consolation, it does make tonight's game really interesting :slap: and spurs might actually go down
I was a bit surprised when I saw the lineup. Personally, I would have kept the same team barring Wilson. While spurs are a truly awful team, I do think that we played decent with some really nice combinations; it just seemed to me to be a bit unnecessary to change the team substantially given we have a cup game on Sunday, albeit a big one. As others have said, however, that team on the pitch still had the quality to beat west ham, but from the first minute you could tell which team was up for it, with west ham pressing really high and aggressive in the duels. After a few early misplaced passes from Berge and others, our composure evaporated and players all over the pitch began to hide.
If i'm being honest, i did say to my brother before the game that I thought we would lose tonight, not because West ham are a particularly good team, but because a) this game meant a lot more to west ham, and b), we just don't seem to have the mentality for these kind of dogfights.
Still plenty to play for and to be excited for in both the league and in the cup! If anything, we do seem to bounce back really well, so expecting a strong performance against southampton. Against Forest? Hmm a bit nervous about that one as well, especially after the city result ::scarf::
Anyway, if it's any consolation, it does make tonight's game really interesting :slap: and spurs might actually go down
Said it last season and again this season. We have too many players who cannot score a goal. Apart from Harry with 11 the next beat is Raul with 9, Emile and Alex with 5 a piece and they are not all Premier League goals. Sander Berge has the same amount as last season none and Lukic two, a woeful return. The fans in row Z have more to fear from their shots than opposition keepers. Looking at last night's game I appreciate Berge has a problem with controlling the ball and his first touch was terrible but next time he is shooting perhaps he should aim for the corner flag and he may just get one on target.
Alas we have a number of games in quick succession where the opposition is going to fighting hard for progress in the cup or three vital points, Forest and Burnley. God forbid we put up a similar 'fight' against Burnley.
Completely agree.
There is a fundamental problem with this group of players that they can get into a position to kick on, but then lose every time.
Whenever they have a chance to be something more and punch above their weight they flop.
The Crystal Palace QF last season summed it up.
Europe is there for the taking this year and I fear we will fall short.
We have a lot of talented players who like to play with a smile on their face - and that's not a bad thing. However we do lack the older head that is vocal and capable of rallying those around him . We need a Kev Mac or Ream type of player to sort things out on the pitch- I don't see anyone like that - there is no one commanding enough.
Some of it is mentality, but a lot of it is tactics. Like others have said, the amount of times we pass back to Leno and back across the line, into midfield,back to Leno. Its all so slow and predictable. I'd like us to be more forward thinking, on the front foot. We do so many short goal kicks and free kicks backwards. West Ham loved it as they just pressed us into giving away throws and losing possession in our own half.
Especially at home against a team in the bottom 3. We didn't really affect them in behind their back line at all yesterday. So static. Kings turn and shot was one of the only times.
Quote from: HV71 on March 05, 2026, 03:29:39 PMWe have a lot of talented players who like to play with a smile on their face - and that's not a bad thing. However we do lack the older head that is vocal and capable of rallying those around him . We need a Kev Mac or Ream type of player to sort things out on the pitch- I don't see anyone like that - there is no one commanding enough.
Absolutely this, we've lost quite a few of these players. Even AP could rally and lead his teammates in difficult games, no one out there was doing that yesterday, and it's a bit of a vacuum in the squad.
I think its just a mixture of lacking consistency, and pressure. Lacking consistency is frustrating but happens to everyone. Buckling to pressure is where I just can;t get on with this side and struggled with it for years under Silva. They just have a knack of completely imploding in potentially key fixtures be it quarter finals, or league standings when a result against say Westham propels us into European spots but we just find a way to turn it into a difficult situation.
Quote from: HV71 on March 05, 2026, 03:29:39 PMWe have a lot of talented players who like to play with a smile on their face - and that's not a bad thing. However we do lack the older head that is vocal and capable of rallying those around him . We need a Kev Mac or Ream type of player to sort things out on the pitch- I don't see anyone like that - there is no one commanding enough.
I think it's less about older, veteran heads out there and more about the "niceness" factor you describe. I think Tete and JA are the only 2 starters who have any of that necessary bite to their play or personality. I don't want a bunch of unsportsmanlike jerks out there, but the club needs a bit more grit in the roster to take the next step. It's why Joao was so immediately revered when he arrived. The supporters recognize this too.
Quote from: WolverineFFC on March 05, 2026, 05:41:42 PMQuote from: HV71 on March 05, 2026, 03:29:39 PMWe have a lot of talented players who like to play with a smile on their face - and that's not a bad thing. However we do lack the older head that is vocal and capable of rallying those around him . We need a Kev Mac or Ream type of player to sort things out on the pitch- I don't see anyone like that - there is no one commanding enough.
I think it's less about older, veteran heads out there and more about the "niceness" factor you describe. I think Tete and JA are the only 2 starters who have any of that necessary bite to their play or personality. I don't want a bunch of unsportsmanlike jerks out there, but the club needs a bit more grit in the roster to take the next step. It's why Joao was so immediately revered when he arrived. The supporters recognize this too.
Yep and Mitro too, he was quite uncharacteristic for us in that sense. AP a bit as well.
We could have used these guys out there yesterday.
There has been some good commentary in this discussion. Could be that the shortcomings converge on both players mentality and MS. While it's true that MS has been the constant in the team recently, I do think it mostly lies on the players to go out and put a shift in. These recent losses to Everton and WHU just can't happen for a team looking to move up the table. It's becoming a pattern now for several seasons, and most times the chance to move up comes with poor showings v weaker opposition, or at least teams that we should be beating. And some blame does fall on MS, he picks the team and the subs. Not getting it right in these critical games for some reason. Anyway, let's hope FFC can rebound from these disappointing outings and put a late season run of better shows. Still a chance for top half, but this table is really getting clogged up in the middle. Hoping the lads and MS can straighten things out.
Quote from: DevonFFC on March 04, 2026, 09:21:35 PMAll too often we get talked about as pushing for Europe, we get ourselves into a fighting chance an we bottle it.
I'm not sure if there isn't enough "winners" in the team or we lack a leader who can get the team by the scruff.
It's so annoying to watch and this west game summed it up, as did the Everton.
I think we are 3 players short of getting Europe. We have a great squad but not quite good enough. Marco I think rinses every drop he can out of a great team but we are a little shy on that top end quality. I look at Spurs who are about to implode if relegated not to mention the damage Europe has done to Forest, Palace etc. I'm very happy with how we are doing. I think many on here forget our history.
Every season Marco Silva's XI is statistical one of the most consistent lineups, this creates good chemistry among the players (making getting 40 points to avoid relegation easy), but also means players get a little burnt out (making getting 55+ points to quality for Europe hard).
Quote from: The Rational Fan on March 07, 2026, 04:28:44 AMEvery season Marco Silva's XI is statistical one of the most consistent lineups, this creates good chemistry among the players (making getting 40 points to avoid relegation easy), but also means players get a little burnt out (making getting 55+ points to quality for Europe hard).
So it could be said Marco plays it safe and has a ceiling.
Quote from: Hugh Janus on March 06, 2026, 08:52:23 PMQuote from: DevonFFC on March 04, 2026, 09:21:35 PMAll too often we get talked about as pushing for Europe, we get ourselves into a fighting chance an we bottle it.
I'm not sure if there isn't enough "winners" in the team or we lack a leader who can get the team by the scruff.
It's so annoying to watch and this west game summed it up, as did the Everton.
I think we are 3 players short of getting Europe. We have a great squad but not quite good enough. Marco I think rinses every drop he can out of a great team but we are a little shy on that top end quality. I look at Spurs who are about to implode if relegated not to mention the damage Europe has done to Forest, Palace etc. I'm very happy with how we are doing. I think many on here forget our history.
That's ok, let's not try to push on then, just be happy with our lot...
The players can do and need to push on, not rest on their laurels. MS made a **** up against Spam and that loss falls on him for far to much change of a winning side.
The side set out against Spurs if they'd had a bit better finishing would have won at a canter and should have stayed for the next match.
The lack of on the pitch leaders needs to be addressed for next season.
Leadership and winning mentality are all very well, but quality finishers up front are what take us to the next stage.
Quote from: KentFulham on March 07, 2026, 07:15:21 AMQuote from: The Rational Fan on March 07, 2026, 04:28:44 AMEvery season Marco Silva's XI is statistical one of the most consistent lineups, this creates good chemistry among the players (making getting 40 points to avoid relegation easy), but also means players get a little burnt out (making getting 55+ points to quality for Europe hard).
So it could be said Marco plays it safe and has a ceiling.
True that is one explanation, but an alternative explaination is if we want 56+ point and have the FFP budget then we need a little more squad depth to rotate and keep players fresher.
Quote from: Take Me Home on March 05, 2026, 03:24:21 PMThe Crystal Palace QF last season summed it up.
I am honestly sick of this game being referenced. There was no issue at all with our mentality that day. We lost because palace were by far the better team, they were clinical and defended unbelievably well. I would go as far to say that the way they were playing they were one of the most in form teams in world football in the middle of 2025. They didn't just do what they did to us. They did it to Villa (3-0) and city at Wembley. They then went on a 19 match unbeaten run. They had world class players like Eze and Guehi and mateta was on fire. I'm sorry to bite back like this at what you've wrote, it's nothing personal, I just believe it to be completely wrong and based off the heuristic 'it's only palace'.
If you had said we lacked mentality against Liverpool in the semi final of league cup, there I would have agreed with you. We had massive chances to go 2-0 up at anfield and gave them way too much respect at home. Castagne did his usual bottling of a challenge to let Diaz shoot and their team was full of injuries and kids. No Trent, salah, szobozlai, Robertson, tzimikas, Endo or matip for them. Yet nobody goes 'that Liverpool game sums us up' only because we played Liverpool so we were supposed to lose presumably
As Bobby George once said about success at darts: "It's trebles for show, it's doubles for dough...."
Be as commanding as you like in the middle of the park - and with a little less messing about across the back -
..but it's putting the ball away consistently that takes you up the table to the next level. And we don't do that.