So after a summer of hope and expectation Fulham managed to produce a really poor performance against, lets face it, not a good Villa side.
The same problems that were glaringly obvious in the European games are still (unsurprisingly) there:
- Etuhu should not be in the side. End of story. He offers absolutely nothing to the team, gives the ball away constantly.
- Murphy needs to start actually performing. The CM today was terrible. Too slow.
- Hughes is not fast enough to play RB, and Senderos isnt as good as Hughes at CB.
- Zamora has started the season poorly. I'm one of his biggest fans, but he's been poor in Europe and was poor again today.
We played far too many loose passes. Distribution from pretty much everyone was dreadful, mainly Brede and Dickson though. We looked to lack urgency and ideas.
If Etuhu plays in the week......
Quote from: Ordar on August 13, 2011, 04:59:39 PM
So after a summer of hope and expectation Fulham managed to produce a really poor performance against, lets face it, not a good Villa side.
The same problems that were glaringly obvious in the European games are still (unsurprisingly) there:
- Etuhu should not be in the side. End of story. He offers absolutely nothing to the team, gives the ball away constantly.
- Murphy needs to start actually performing. The CM today was terrible. Too slow.
- Hughes is not fast enough to play RB, and Senderos isnt as good as Hughes at CB.
- Zamora has started the season poorly. I'm one of his biggest fans, but he's been poor in Europe and was poor again today.
We played far too many loose passes. Distribution from pretty much everyone was dreadful, mainly Brede and Dickson though. We looked to lack urgency and ideas.
If Etuhu plays in the week......
That just about sums up today's performance, the sooner we get a right back and put Hughes back in the middle the better. Or in the meantime put Baird at right back.
Walking back from game and you know what I cant argue with single word of that. Spot bloody on.
So we need a right back and a forward target player. Hey just as we predicted before a ball was kicked. Etuhu not great? Just as predicted before a ball is kicked. Poor we are still in this position at the start of the season.
Quote from: Lighthouse on August 13, 2011, 05:16:53 PM
So we need a right back and a forward target player. Hey just as we predicted before a ball was kicked. Etuhu not great? Just as predicted before a ball is kicked. Poor we are still in this position at the start of the season.
We fix the midfield we go from poor to exceptional.
Quote from: Lighthouse on August 13, 2011, 05:16:53 PM
So we need a right back and a forward target player. Hey just as we predicted before a ball was kicked. Etuhu not great? Just as predicted before a ball is kicked. Poor we are still in this position at the start of the season.
Yes and that is what most Fulham supporters have been saying all pre season, so obviously it's been proved right. Let's hope Jol sorts that out with the 2 weeks left in the transfer window.
Somebody please remind me how many goals we let in?
We may have problems at the RB, but we can't score in a brothel again.
Lets fix the real problems.
I appreciate that we kept a clean sheet. That was mainly because Villa were poor. I would be seriously depressed if we had Emile Heskey up front!
The main problem is the centre midfield. Both Etuhu and Murphy need replacing. After todays performance, I fail to see how any two from Sidwell/Gecov/Kasami could perform any worse in those positions. In fact you can add Baird to that equation. Maybe even stick Dempsey inside and actually play more balanced with Dembele out wide.
Barely any creativity currently. In fact Riise looked our player most likely to create anything
Some simple swaps will solve the problem.
1) Sidwell for etuhu.
2)Baird for senderos.
3)Dembele for AJ.
Simple.
Quote from: finnster01 on August 13, 2011, 05:27:56 PM
Somebody please remind me how many goals we let in?
We may have problems at the RB, but we can't score in a brothel again.
Lets fix the real problems.
Spot on! :clap_hands:
Quote from: zzamora on August 13, 2011, 05:36:59 PM
Some simple swaps will solve the problem.
1) Sidwell for etuhu.
2)Baird for senderos.
3)Dembele for AJ.
Simple.
I had absolutely no problems with AJ today.
Could be worse, we could be called QPR....4-0 I think. 064.gif
Today was one of those "I want my money back" games. At least we didn't lose which would have been truly Fulhamish.
When we played football on the ground and in our possession we were the better team. But we wasted so much.
Unimpressed with Senderos today.
Couldn't see the point of Dembele subbing for Bobby and then sitting in the middle - our threat reduced. Oh well...
Quote from: jarv on August 13, 2011, 05:47:53 PM
Could be worse, we could be called QPR....4-0 I think. 064.gif
Today was one of those "I want my money back" games. At least we didn't lose which would have been truly Fulhamish.
That was the problem villa were worse than us, we were at home and we failed to take advantage, we started the second half and it was surely a matter of time before we scored. Then 20 minutes later we are playing the same as we were in the first half. It's been said before but today Murphy and Etuhu were not at the races, Brede couldn't pass to a Fulham player. As far as I'm concerned that was definitely two points dropped, but equally it could have so easily been all 3.
Yes, we were not good enough today but please, before we go into woe is me mode, lets remember last season, most of you had Hughes sacked before Christmas.
Quote from: Peabody on August 13, 2011, 06:19:42 PM
Yes, we were not good enough today but please, before we go into woe is me mode, lets remember last season, most of you had Hughes sacked before Christmas.
Well I don't think everyone is going into a total season doom and gloom, but how else could you comment on today's display. It was Crap end of.
I have to disagree with most here. I think the back line will be a strength. Aaron will get better and the marriage between the two big boys in the middle will also get better.
As to the two center mids, Sidders for Dixon and light a fire under Danny.
What concerned me was the substitution of Bobby. We seemed to come apart at that point. I fail to see what AJ brought today. He should have been pulled instead of Bobby and Dempsey moved up top and Sipwell's brother at left mid.
Really, rather boring match.
Interesting how people see the same game. That is the joy of MBs. Although this is our SEVENTH game under JOL. The problems that appeared in his first game are still apparent today.
Quote from: YankeeJim on August 13, 2011, 06:40:26 PM
I have to disagree with most here. I think the back line will be a strength. Aaron will get better and the marriage between the two big boys in the middle will also get better.
As to the two center mids, Sidders for Dixon and light a fire under Danny.
What concerned me was the substitution of Bobby. We seemed to come apart at that point. I fail to see what AJ brought today. He should have been pulled instead of Bobby and Dempsey moved up top and Sipwell's brother at left mid.
Really, rather boring match.
why should Aaron have to get better when him and Hangeland were the best defensive team outside the top 4. Aaron is not a right back and doesn't deserve to be dumped there to let Senderos get a game. I have no problems with Senderos apart from I definitely think Hughes would have done better there today. (next to Hangeland) might have even made Hangeland pass the ball better.
Quote from: FFCcravencottage on August 13, 2011, 06:50:28 PM
Quote from: YankeeJim on August 13, 2011, 06:40:26 PM
I have to disagree with most here. I think the back line will be a strength. Aaron will get better and the marriage between the two big boys in the middle will also get better.
As to the two center mids, Sidders for Dixon and light a fire under Danny.
What concerned me was the substitution of Bobby. We seemed to come apart at that point. I fail to see what AJ brought today. He should have been pulled instead of Bobby and Dempsey moved up top and Sipwell's brother at left mid.
Really, rather boring match.
why should Aaron have to get better when him and Hangeland were the best defensive team outside the top 4. Aaron is not a right back and doesn't deserve to be dumped there to let Senderos get a game. I have no problems with Senderos apart from I definitely think Hughes would have done better there today. (next to Hangeland) might have even made Hangeland pass the ball better.
beat me to it I was going to write almost the same about Hughes and the back line. At the moment we are weaker as a back four with Baird not at RB. Yes its good to have three CB's who could start but its not about the best players its the best team.
Miserable performance, miserable game. We looked like Stoke, could barely string a few passes together and just spent most of the day hoofing longballs.
I don't understand why you would break up the Hangeland-Hughes partnership. Senderos has a bizarre lack of aerial ability for a guy that big. He was losing flick ons consistently to Darren Bent and rarely marked anyone on corners.
Interestingly I dont think we have conceded with the Hughes-Senderos-Hangeland partnership
I think Senderos is a cracking player - a crafty centre half who is comfortable on the ball.
Quote from: AlFayedsChequebook on August 13, 2011, 07:15:56 PM
Interestingly I dont think we have conceded with the Hughes-Senderos-Hangeland partnership
I think Senderos is a cracking player - a crafty centre half who is comfortable on the ball.
I don't think anyone really has a problem with Senderos, I just don't understand or see the value in breaking up H&H to accommodate him into the side.
The back line will improve as they get to know their rolls. That is what I mean by Aaron getting better. I believe that being the pro that he is, Aaron will solidify the right side and Senderos will be solid in the middle. We will be a better defensive back line. The problem today was a gapping hole in the middle of the pitch. Dixon was poor and Danny was abysmal. Z & AJ had little service from the middle of the field. AND, why did Bobby come off rather then AJ. As I said before, we came apart for the first ten minutes after. We were looking the stronger side and it might have been better to pull Danny and bring on Sidders rather then change the front line.
First half Murphy and Etuhu were outplayed in central midfield because we played a rigid 4-4-2 and they were outnumbered.
Second half Duff and Dempsey moved inside, we were more fluid and we pushed forward.
All the goal threat came from us with Villa offering very little.
I like the fact that Jol changed things at half time. I think we'll see gradual improvement over the next few weeks.
We had no threat when Bobby came off. Hughes at RB is still just a project for me - he does okayish but Baird would do better with Hughes inside him as before. Not convinced by Senderos: maybe Jol sees something in training that we aren't seeing. AJ did nothing wrong. Dembele didn't look fit and apart from a couple of aimless runs didn't really do anything.
As for Etuhu: I like the guy but I don't see how he can start when Sidwell can do everything he does better, and get forward as well.
Zamora can only have been taken off because of injury or perhaps medical advice as to how long he should play with his broken wrist.
Quote from: TonyGilroy on August 13, 2011, 07:44:25 PM
Zamora can only have been taken off because of injury or perhaps medical advice as to how long he should play with his broken wrist.
Or maybe with Mo in the crowd he wanted to show that we definitely need a new striker!
We've been here before: great approach play from Bobby and AJ, no-one in the box and the keeper picks up the loose ball. Surely Jol knows this from a few seasons ago? He said in the post match interview that we didn't use the left flank enough, yet Briggs and Riise made it their own in Europe. Hangeland/Hughes /Baird, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Bobby up front with Dempsey playing off of him, AJ taking the Nevland role and coming on with 20 mins to go...against this Villa side...2-0 home win at least, I think. MARTIN JOL'S BLACK AND WHITE ARMY! COYW!
Quote from: YankeeJim on August 13, 2011, 07:24:04 PM
The back line will improve as they get to know their rolls. That is what I mean by Aaron getting better. I believe that being the pro that he is, Aaron will solidify the right side and Senderos will be solid in the middle. We will be a better defensive back line. The problem today was a gapping hole in the middle of the pitch. Dixon was poor and Danny was abysmal. Z & AJ had little service from the middle of the field. AND, why did Bobby come off rather then AJ. As I said before, we came apart for the first ten minutes after. We were looking the stronger side and it might have been better to pull Danny and bring on Sidders rather then change the front line.
But why would we need to do that when for the last couple of seasons Hughes and Hangeland have been the best pairing outside the top 4, Baird Hughes Hangeland Riise Ok I'm not saying don't buy a Right back, but Baird had done adequate in that position when used there. Why is there any need to break up Hughes and Hangeland is my question.
Quote from: Lighthouse on August 13, 2011, 06:46:15 PM
Interesting how people see the same game. That is the joy of MBs. Although this is our SEVENTH game under JOL. The problems that appeared in his first game are still apparent today.
I agree, though I tend to think that Jol used the first 6 to give some players a rest and others a try out.
I wasn't too impressed today, and it's not just down to tutu (with the ever-decreasing Smurph as partner) but there seemed to be little innovation up front, 5-yard passing in midfield to nobody, and Hughes who was so out of position I felt sorry for him. It seems with senderos appearing, that we now have three in the center of defence, and no RB.
Riise did a good job coming forward, and Duff and Demps played their usual games.
The AJ/BZ partnership has not quite warmed up to where it once was (a number of times lay-offs completely missed their mark) and so the overall level of the Fulham gameplay was less than we should have expected both at home, and against a Villa side that, apart from the few forays forward, would have struggled against the Crusaders.
Opponents have spotted that everything comes through Murphy, smother him out of the game and we are lost! Today Heskey dropped back and stuck to Murphy like glue- we need to have sidders on for Etuhu for those forward runs and take the pressure off Danny. I agree with Hughes being the best partner for Hangers and hope a right back is coming in soon.
OK, not a great game but the difference these days is that we are a solid mid table team. 3 years ago, 2 points dropped at home to a poor team would be gloom and doom. Fulham have beetter players available than several other teams in the division. No worries.
Also, look at the other results. Liverpool 2 points dropped already. newcastle Arsenal, was like a replay of the Fulham game, mistakes all over the field, misplaced passes. I think the Fulham game was actually a better match.
On reflection, Fulham were better than Villa and should have won.
i have to say there this was not the best performance and i think we should have gotten more than just a point but it seems everyone is way to focused on the negatives.
Despite the occasional misplayed passes, we did have more possession and had 9 shots on target, and villa only had 1. Most of our shots were garbage but a few years ago if you told me we would have 9 times as many shots on target than villa id say your out of your mind. Some better finishing and maybe some luck this game could have been 2 or 3 to 0 easily and no one would be complaining.
that being said, Sidwell needs to play and Hughes and Hangeland need to be in the center.
I like the idea of a 3-5-2, weird but bear with me ill explain
------------Hughes-------Hangeland---------Senderos-------------
Duff ------------Murphy-------------------Sidwell------------------Riise
--------------------------Dembele------------------------
----------------Zamora--------------------Dempsey----------
Where dempsey is not a true striker, but given more freedom to drop back or make runs forward
When we have the ball riise and duff push up the wings to provide width
Without the ball they drop way back to make a temporary 5 man back line (a temporary 5-3-2)
This means hughes would have the speed of duff to help with pacy wingers and he could remain more central, and would allow riise more freedom up the left side where dempsey usually drifts towards the middle
the only problems i can think of is being exposed on the wings to a counter attack but with hughes, hangeland, and senderos all back i think they could handle it
I've not seen any of the match today but from what I've read on here it sounds as if we were awful and the usual criticisms about Aj, Murphy and Etuhu are being levelled.
Contrast this to the BBC report and it sounds like we would have won if it wasn't for Given.
I would be a lot more upset/worried if I was a Liverpool/arsenal/Rangers fan. The only expectations of Fulham are our own- we are our hardest critic so as it's the first league match let's all take a deep breath and hope that we put in a better performance on Thursday.
Think people are panicking a bit early, we didn't get into gear with Hughes until after Christmas, i just hope we don't have to wait as long under Jol. I would say bring back Baird though because we certainly lacked attacking threat on the right hand side today. As of Hangeland/Hughes/Senderos situation, I am unconcerned, I believe all partnerships are capable of playing well together. I personally am not bothered by breaking up the Hughes and Hangeland partnership as Senderos has proved more than adequate when called upon, I still think Hughes is a great player though. I am also unconcerned about the result, we were playing an ALEX MCLEISH side who usually sets his sides out to be more defensive than offensive, Villa also have some decent players so I'm happy with a point although we were capable of getting all three. Etuhu needs to be dropped for Sidwell and maybe Dembele and Zamora start against Wolves and we should be victorious.
COYW.
Well, we don't have a right back do we? Perhaps the thinking is that we have Senderos and if Aaron can play outside & we can use the money saved to anti up for a partner for Bobby. AJ is like a middle weight boxer fighting a heavy weight. He runs around, jabs a lot but doesn't do any damage. Some gaffers like bulls at center back. Aaron is not a particularly big man.
I don't know. We are all doing what we yanks call Monday morning quarterbacking. as I've said before, the problen today was Danny & Dixon. Aaron and Senderos did fine.
Baird is a right back.
Only issue is that Baird got torn apart by Bale a few years back when we drew 3-3 with Spurs and Kamara scored equalising overhead kick. Probably why Jol doesn't rate him.
What I saw of Murphy on MOTD was he setting up two of our best chances.
No.
Schwarzer-Good game, looked solid
Riise-Looked good, calm, probably shoudlve scored
Hangeland-solid, calm, good performance.
Senderos-solid,calm, shackled bent well, lack of communication at times but can pass it.
Hughes-ok, out done for pace at times, but worked hard and can cross it.
Duff-hard working, good performance
Murphy- lost the ball a bit but looked ok, and set up some great chances
etuhu-one word-useless. Lost the ball, past it backwards.
Demps-good, hard working, unlucky not to get more ball
Zamora-did ok, probably shoudlve scored tbh. worked hard.
AJ- again ok, still hitting it in the air to him, use his pace!
dembele-looked ok, but tired. still got the spark
The point is that we are Fulham. We are not that little club who should be proud to be in this division. We are here by right. So we have players that should have done better than some of the ones picked today.
The same could be said for Villa. Look at the money spent, the talented players they have. Yet they were clearly second best in the second half. What was the Villa tactic of making no effort to push the ball forward in the last five minutes all about?
We are a good side and can play better. Much better. Our problems are the ones we have had for some time. The players bought by Jol are clearly just squad players, BAR RIISE. Otherwise why not bring on one and at least name the other. Kelly and Baird both on the subs bench. Why was that?
The team was poor without being let down by players. Except Etuhu who is not playing well. His defensive duties are poor. Fouls given away, short passes and allows players to pass him, often on the wrong side of players. Murtphy has to work twice as hard with Etuhu by his side.
So no not as bad as awful. Not as good as we should have been.
Quote from: Jimpav on August 13, 2011, 11:12:12 PM
I've not seen any of the match today but from what I've read on here it sounds as if we were awful and the usual criticisms about Aj, Murphy and Etuhu are being levelled.
Contrast this to the BBC report and it sounds like we would have won if it wasn't for Given.
I would be a lot more upset/worried if I was a Liverpool/arsenal/Rangers fan. The only expectations of Fulham are our own- we are our hardest critic so as it's the first league match let's all take a deep breath and hope that we put in a better performance on Thursday.
Jimpav I just finished watching the match and though I have not read the other game threads, we were not bad at all. We created plenty of chances, AJ had a pretty decent match and yes Given did stop a couple of good shots.
Villa stayed resilient and have much better personal than I thought going into the season and even without Young, the addition of Given will make them tough to beat.
Would have like to win but we controlled the ball for good parts of the match and even showed a bit of skill a teeny bit of flair on a couple of occasions. No panic here though I am sure when I read the other threads there will be some moaning.
If it helps the Villa fans I walked back to the station with were close to jumping off the bridge.
Maybe the negative reaction is because Villa were actually pretty bad. We should have put them to the sword, and didn't. Riise was good but there were a few occasions when he was caught upfield and we were suddenly 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 to a counterattack. Do that against Man U or Chelsea etc. and we will get thumped.
As it is... Villa on that showing have more to worry about. But we have cause to worry too. As usual.
Quote from: BarryP on August 13, 2011, 05:39:36 PM
Quote from: zzamora on August 13, 2011, 05:36:59 PM
Some simple swaps will solve the problem.
1) Sidwell for etuhu.
2)Baird for senderos.
3)Dembele for AJ.
Simple.
I had absolutely no problems with AJ today.
Me either. I'm starting to think the AJ bashing is just a habitual thing. I thought he played pretty decent we just didn't score however service was decent on the wings and ok up the middle. I thought we created chances but couldn't put them away partially due to good keeper play by Given. Wasn't a bad performance at all.
Personally, I dont see what AJ offers. Dont get me wrong, he works bloody hard every week, but, he has very little pace left, cant hold the ball up or beat a man and so of his shots on goal are tame to say the least...
The best of BZ came when he was The Man. He was the target man and he either held up the ball for the reinforcements or had a pop. The BZ/AJ pairing only works in short flashes and thats not enough. The three consecutive long,high balls up to AJ who was being marked by Dunne summed up our inabilty to learn as the game unfolds. Murph used to do that.
Possession
Fulham 55% ~~ Aston Villa 45%
Attempts on target
Fulham 9 ~~ Aston Villa 1
Attempts off target
Fulham 5 ~~ Aston Villa 6
Corners
Fulham 2 ~~ Aston Villa 3
Fouls
Fulham 10 ~~ Aston Villa 18
Those look like the stats of a team in top to me.
me too. Not sure what all the moaning is about. Would have been great to nick a goal but we played a decent match nonetheless
Quote from: TonyGilroy on August 13, 2011, 07:30:15 PM
First half Murphy and Etuhu were outplayed in central midfield because we played a rigid 4-4-2 and they were outnumbered.
Second half Duff and Dempsey moved inside, we were more fluid and we pushed forward.
All the goal threat came from us with Villa offering very little.
I like the fact that Jol changed things at half time. I think we'll see gradual improvement over the next few weeks.
Pretty much my reading of it.
Murphy and Etuhu looked poor first half, but then they would do - so much pressure they're bound to make mistakes. Second half they played fine for me.
Had Given had an off day today we'd probably be looking at 1 or 2 nil and we wouldn't all be so hysterical.
Not the best £30 I've ever spent sure, but I'm not going to panic yet. Besides, this is like what, the 10th draw of the last 12 meetings between us*? Fulham vs Villa IS a draw. The gamblers amongst us that didn't have money on it should be ashamed.
*9th draw of the last 13 meetings, apparently.
...I get seriously cheesed off when people say people are 'moaning' - not everyone sees the best in everything, and not everyone beleives stats show the full picture, for example, AJ's powder puff attempt on goal WAS on target but was never going to hit the net.
If by saying I am not happy with certain players' contributions constitutes moaning then yes I am moaning - personally I feel am just stating my point of view having watched a very disappointing game with a distinct lack of a cutting edge...
Quote from: LBNo11 on August 14, 2011, 01:35:04 AM
...I get seriously cheesed off when people say people are 'moaning' - not everyone sees the best in everything, and not everyone beleives stats show the full picture, for example, AJ's powder puff attempt on goal WAS on target but was never going to hit the net.
If by saying I am not happy with certain players' contributions constitutes moaning then yes I am moaning - personally I feel am just stating my point of view having watched a very disappointing game with a distinct lack of a cutting edge...
6 of one and a box of eggs the other and all that. (I get cheesed off about people moaning about moaning about moaning...).
Wasn't a great game (obviously - I was as bored as the rest of us) but it wasn't a disaster either. I'd merely argue that it wasn't such a poor game that with a wee bit of improvement, it couldn't be turned into a 1 or 2 goal win. Besides, although no one was deemed worthy of a stand out performance, the Beeb and Guardian write ups hint that Given probably had one of the better performances of the match, which says a little something at least.
PLUS, I'm trying to learn from last season, when by the time I'd learnt to admire Hughes, he'd resigned. Managers take time to bed in.
I moan at the sky be it cloudy or fair
I moan at my life and my life is still there.
I moan at the hate that comes out of where?
I am glad I still moan, it means I still care.
that bad no.... could have been miles better, you betcha.
Quote from: RidgeRider on August 14, 2011, 01:24:29 AM
me too. Not sure what all the moaning is about. Would have been great to nick a goal but we played a decent match nonetheless
Well, for starters, we are the home team. Then, we have a stronger squad. THEN we were the only side looking for a positive result.
That's certainly something to moan about, I would have thought.
Quote from: zzamora on August 13, 2011, 05:36:59 PM
Some simple swaps will solve the problem.
1) Sidwell for etuhu.
2)Baird for senderos.
3)Dembele for ZAMORA.
Simple.
Thats closer to the truth!
Quote from: FulhamFan2 on August 14, 2011, 01:04:28 AM
Personally, I dont see what AJ offers. Dont get me wrong, he works bloody hard every week, but, he has very little pace left, cant hold the ball up or beat a man and so of his shots on goal are tame to say the least...
My opinion exactly. As it has been since he signed!! He might be ok as an impact player when defenders are tired but i think he upsets our team play. I agree with every point you made about AJ but you missed the bit that AJ spends most of his time wide or by the corner flag (where, as you say, can't beat the defender to get out) and not enough in the box. Bobby is twice the striker when AJ isn't around. Surely Jol needs to look at the bigger picture, not just 'AJ's a good player'?
A wasted opportunity but given it's early days yet and other teams were drawing, as someone else said of us last season, like Rolf Harris on acid, we can't get too despondent about the result. And if it serves as a wake up call ahead of Dnipro then that's exactly what we need.
But looking to the rest of the seasons I can't see how Etuhu is being picked ahead of Sidwell. And AJ, well, I'm going to take some convincing.
Quote from: ImperialWhite on August 14, 2011, 01:26:12 AM
Quote from: TonyGilroy on August 13, 2011, 07:30:15 PM
First half Murphy and Etuhu were outplayed in central midfield because we played a rigid 4-4-2 and they were outnumbered.
Second half Duff and Dempsey moved inside, we were more fluid and we pushed forward.
All the goal threat came from us with Villa offering very little.
I like the fact that Jol changed things at half time. I think we'll see gradual improvement over the next few weeks.
Pretty much my reading of it.
Murphy and Etuhu looked poor first half, but then they would do - so much pressure they're bound to make mistakes. Second half they played fine for me.
Had Given had an off day today we'd probably be looking at 1 or 2 nil and we wouldn't all be so hysterical.
We had a few chances, we didn't take them. They had a few and they didn't take them. Neither side really dominated, but neither side looked awful either. I think it turned out about fair, and it's not like Aston Villa is a bad team. To say that we're about even with them seems about right. More importantly, we IMPROVED in the second half, whereas they got worse. I'd rather be in our shoes than in theirs...
It's certainly come a long way since the first time I saw Fulham play Villa. The match was at Loftus Road in 2004, Boa scored an exciting goal in the first minute but we proceeded to stink it up for the rest of the game and lose 2-1. The most exciting player for us on the pitch was Bobby Petta which is a pretty dismal state of affairs. I brought my Shef United fan friend who said to me at the end of the match "you guys really are s#$% aren't you?" And truth be told that season post-Saha we were.
So I guess my point is that we've come a long way (and for some of y'all you've seen the team come a lot further than that). Not that you can't criticize the team, but I guess I'm saying that if a few years ago you had told me that we would be as good as Villa and consistently drawing with them (three draws in a row, I believe) I would have said "oh that's great, cuz that's a lot better than THIS." :dft012:
Wasn't Great wasn't disasterous, Villa at Home is always a toughie and wehn Murphy and Etuhu fail to turn up its even harder, but looking at the results from other games the whole set of fixtures produced some pretty average performances even from teams that have spen a Kings Ransom on players.
Expect to see 2 signings this week, Striker and Defender and either Murphy or Etuhu replaced as a starter
:003:
For whatever reason (as many have been given), experience has shown us that Zamora & AJ don't seem to pair well. Those two together up front can't get it done.
