Plucky Felix Magath still convinced Fulham will stay up
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You certainly have to like Felix Magath’s optimism, which can be more easily swallowed after a good result today. Yes, it would have been much better for the debuting manager had Fulham held on and took all three points at the Hawthorns.
Still, a point at West Brom (in a 1-1 draw) isn’t an awful outcome for Fulham’s increasingly desperate doings.
Magath says he is certain the last-place Cottagers – a team so close to so many American hearts due to all the U.S. internationals who have passed happily through Craven Cottage over the last 10 or so years – will remain in the Premier League.
He said so before Saturday’s match and refused to come off that stance afterward.
“I was sure before the game and I am sure now,” he said after Saturday’s draw. “We were close to winning against West Brom and the next game we will win. It is only against Chelsea!”
Plucky fellow, eh?
Here’s the issue: Magath will have to instill that kind of genuine, unbending confidence in his charges, because the schedule gets harder before it starts softening a bit. The Cottagers finish with matches at home in the last five weeks against Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace – all contests in which supporters of the West London side can arrive with realistic hopes of Ws.
But the toughies are lined up ahead of what will surely be a late, gripping dash to the wire; there are plenty of matches that would ring the bell of “big upset” if Fulham can take a point or three.
Here is what Fulham’s final 11 matches look like:
vs. Chelsea
at Cardiff
vs. Newcastle
at Manchester City
vs. Everton
at Aston Villa
vs. Norwich
at Tottenham
vs. Hull
at Stoke City
vs. Crystal Palace
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West Bromwich Albion 1 - 1 Fulham: Matej Vydra's late strike denies Felix Magath from a winning start
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West Bromwich Albion hosted Fulham in a relegation six pointer in the first match of Felix Magath as the manager of the London team. With Pepe Mel still waiting for his first win as the manager of West Bromwich Albion, the game had the potential to have a severe impact on the season of both teams, not to mention that it was very interesting to take a look at what kind of strategy and tactics Felix Magath was going to employ.
he formations
West Bromwich Albion started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Thievy Bifouma started as the striker with Berahino playing behind him. Mulumbu and Morrison started in central midfield, as Claudio Yacob was injured.
Fulham started in a 4-4-1-1 formation. The ex-Wolfsburg pair of Sascha Riether and Ashkan Dejagah started on the right wing. Hugo Rodallega started as the lone striker, interestingly neither Darren Bent, nor Clint Dempsey was named amongst the substitutions. Fernando Amorebieta started at left-back, with Heitinga and Hangeland playing together for the first time in the Premier League.
Fulham's aggressive first half display
Fulham started the game very differently compared to what they were used to under the previous two managers. The most visible difference in their defending was the way they pressured the ball right away when they have lost it. Under the previous two managers they were more keen to stand back and invite the opponent onto themselves.
In attack the biggest difference was the inclusion and effect of Rodallega and Dejagah. They searched for Rodallega with long balls straight away when the ball was won. However the Ecuadorian have won only 29% of his aerial duels - 4 out of 14. He was more successful when he could get the ball in front of the defence, but behind the West Brom midfield. He put Richardson through before the first goal, and let go of a powerful shot from such a position.
Rodallega made runs towards the goal right away when Fulham have won the ball, the West Brom central defenders dropped deep with him. It is fair to say that Fulham were transitioning into attack quickly. Their first goal was scored after winning the ball, quickly transitioning and finishing the attack in the 29th minute.
Most of Fulham's attacks involved Dejagah and Riether on the right. In fact 48% of Fulham's attacks in the first half came from the right side. The Iranian winger beat Ridgewell with ease to put in crosses from the right. Sidwell missed a chance only yards out from a Dejagah cross.
The Fulham FC Miscellany
Fulham struggle with playing out of the back
Fulham were struggling when it came to organic, short passing build-up play. Richardson often came to the middle, to play as a third midfielder, so Amorebieta pushed pretty high up, but playing forward is not his strongest feature, as he is a centre-back by trade. He was forced to play the ball backwards, or if he tried to play it forward, most of the time the ball didn't reach its intended target.
Fulham found it hard to involve Holtby in their attacks. They were looking to play it long to Rodallega right away when they have won the ball, but Rodallega couldn't head those balls back to Holtby running into space.
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The aerial duels Hugo Rodallega was involved in. He won only 4 out of 14 duels, a success rate of 29%.
Image from Squawka.com
Bifouma's runs
Fulham's defenders pushed pretty high in possession. West Brom's best chances came from through balls played to Thievy Bifouma, who made runs between the full-back and the central defender. However there was no presence inside the Fulham box, so there was no one to play a final ball to, who could finish the attack.
It didn't help Fulham that the defence struggled to keep a straight line. The Fulham defence have never played with this personnel before. In fact, this was the 14th different combination that the Fulham defence have played in this season. It is no wonder that the team lacks the defensive solidity and discipline needed to keep clean sheets.
Anichebe's introduction
West Bromwich added a central figure to their attacks when Anichebe came on for the injured Billy Jones a minute before half-time. Gera came on for Thievy at half-time. Amalfitano moved to right-back, while Gera played ahead of him on the right wing.
Early in the second half Felix Magath made a change as well. Riise came on for Amorebieta. Thanks to West Brom's changes, they had a very active right wing in the second half, with two wingers combining on that wing in Gera and Amalfitano.
Fulham's lack of presence in front of their own box
Sidwell and Parker were drifting towards the sides when West Brom had possession near the byline, to form three against two situations on the wings. West Brom have clearly moved to a crossing game instead of the through ball game that was dominant in their play in the first half. West Brom played only 9 crosses (2 successful) in the first half, whereas they attempted 27 crosses in the second half (7 successful).
Fulham were playing deeper and deeper, with the defenders forced to defend very deep. This combined with the drifting of their central midfielders towards the wings meant that West Brom had shots outside of the area if they could collect clearances, or receive the ball in the hole between the midfield and defence.
Anichebe's movement to the right wing, and the late changes
Anichebe could get on the ball more and more on the right side. Gera moved a bit deeper, forcing Riise to step up as well. Anichebe was alone against Hangeland first, then Burn after the introduction of the young centre-back. Anichebe relished the one-on-one physical battle against Burn. When the ball was played to him, he turned towards the wing - the space behind Riise - and played the ball into the box. Matej Vydra equalised after Anichebe made one of these moves in the 86th minute
Felix Magath took off Kieran Richardson and put on Dan Burn. Fulham switched to a 4-5-1 formation, with Lewis Holtby moving to the left wing. Interestingly Sascha Riether played as a third midfielder alongside Steve Sidwell and Scott Parker. Johnny Heitinga played in the right full-back position, which meant that Fulham played with three centre-backs once again, and in a combination they have never used before.
Matej Vydra came on with fifteen minutes to go in place of Berahino. This meant that West Brom had another striker in the box, even when Anichebe moved towards the right wing in the scenario mentioned above – playing on the shoulder of the centre-back, and drifting into the space behind Riise.
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Anichebe's passes. He drifted towards the right side, playing off the shoulder of Hangeland first, then Dan Burn. Image from Squawka.com
Conclusion
West Bromwich Albion have been poor in the first half. They lacked presence in the final third, while they could not deal with Fulham's quick transitions into attack. Dejagah won most of his duels - two out of two - against Liam Ridgewell in the final third. The introduction of Anichebe gave them presence in the final third, which enabled West Brom to play crosses from the right through the partnership of Gera and Amalfitano.
Fulham had a very different strategy compared to how they have played in previous weeks. They counter-attacked through long balls, and failed to involve Lewis Holtby in their attacks, whereas in previous weeks everything went through Holtby. The backline of Fulham have looked shaky, however they have played in a new combination once again.
All in all this was a relegation six pointer, that both teams would have wanted to win. A point is certainly better than nothing, however the weaknesses of the teams were visible, and with Pepe Mel still awaiting his first win with the Baggies, and Fulham coming into the end of a roller coaster season, both have a real chance of finding themselves in the Championship next season.
http://www.footballstatsandtactics.com/2014/02/west-bromwich-albion-1-1-fulham-matej.html?m=0 (http://www.footballstatsandtactics.com/2014/02/west-bromwich-albion-1-1-fulham-matej.html?m=0)
Felix Magath: How new Fulham boss came through his first test
By Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns
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We were promised the Demon Headmaster, but new Fulham head coach Felix Magath spent most of Saturday acting more like a supply teacher trying to make a good impression at his new school.
The 60-year-old German is known as a tough guy and a tyrant, but, despite being denied a debut victory by a late West Brom equaliser, he responded by mixing polite smiles with whispered words of encouragement to his players and then the press.
It is true he yelled so hard at one point during the game that his chewing gum flew out of his mouth, but Magath's entrance into English football was generally much quieter than expected.
If this maverick coach was angry with his team for letting two points slip from their grasp, he certainly did not show it in public.
But perhaps the "dictator" was just being diplomatic, and Magath merely chooses when, where and how he does his shouting.
After all, he had made plenty of noise when he talked up this clash with one of his side's chief relegation rivals before kick-off, calling it "the biggest game in Fulham's history".
And he also showed he meant business as he marched off the team bus upon his arrival at The Hawthorns.
Maybe because time, or the lack of it, is so important to a man whose team were bottom of the table with 12 games of the season remaining when he took over, he was clearly in a hurry to get his day going.
First off the bus, at almost the instant that the doors opened, he acknowledged the cheers of a small group of Fulham fans who had waited patiently for his arrival but had no time for autographs or any niceties as he strode into the stadium, eventually followed by his players.
Without speaking a word, the message was clear: he may be Fulham's third manager of the season but this is his team now, and he is leading from the front.
But would there be a similar sort of statement when the game got going? Nobody knew for sure. We have read much of Magath's methods - but what of his tactics?
West Brom manager Pepe Mel had admitted before kick-off he did not know what to expect either. After all, Magath had only been in charge since Valentine's Day.
Yes, he had called extra training last weekend - of course he had. But what effect could any man - even Magath - have on the worst team, not to mention leakiest defence, in the top flight in just eight days in the job?
As it turns out, the effect was instant, but limited. Fulham were impressive in the first half and took the game to their hosts.
Backed up by Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell in the centre of midfield, Lewis Holtby, in a roaming role, and Ashkan Dejagah, on the right, saw lots of the ball, teased the Baggies defence and supplied plenty of crosses into the box.
Magath seldom rose from his seat but, when he did, it was Holtby, who played under him at Schalke between 2009 and 2013, who he sought out.
Again, the primary purpose seemed to be to communicate with his team. Holtby speaks German and English fluently, and was frequently used by his manager to pass on instructions to his team-mates.
The most telling time he did that was during the mass celebrations in the Fulham technical area following Dejagah's goal, when Magath all but ignored the scorer and went straight to Holtby, to talk more into his ear.
But was Magath also trying to get more out of that particular player?
He did not really clear it up when he spoke about the on-loan Tottenham star at the final whistle but, if former Liverpool striker Sean Dundee was right when he said Magath only picked on players that he cared about, then he must love Holtby - he hardly left him alone all game.
It was the 23-year-old's tenacity and skill on the ball that stood out when Fulham were in the ascendancy but, perhaps unsurprisingly, Magath picked out another aspect of his play to praise.
"Lewis was busy," Magath explained. "He was running a lot, running over the whole field."
On this evidence, there is a lot more to Holtby and to Fulham than just the ability to run. At The Hawthorns they created enough opportunities to be further ahead at half-time, and it is their attacking ability that gives them genuine hope of staying up.
But is also clear that Magath, a lover of hard work from his players, has much of that to do himself to turn Fulham's season around, especially at the back.
After half-time, their energy faded and they fell back into old habits. With Fulham defending deep and not particularly well, it was a surprise that it took until the 86th minute for the Baggies to equalise.
Magath was offered plenty of bait by the media in his post-match press conference but refused to blame either his keeper Maarten Stekelenburg for the error that led to the goal - "it can happen" was his reaction - or goal-line technology for the fact it was given. "It makes it easier to accept," he said.
Instead he kept smiling and chose to focus on the positives from his first game, boldly adding he was certain he would keep the Cottagers up despite having to revise his survival target of six wins from 12 games to six from 11.
Overall, it was not the reaction most people anticipated from a man with his fearsome reputation but, after the many tales that have followed him to these shores, it is possible that was the entire point.
Whether he will be so forgiving of any future mistakes remains to be seen. But then we are sure to learn a lot more about Magath over the next 11 weeks as Fulham's Premier League fate is decided.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26310604? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26310604?)
Back The Boys!
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The team needs your support more than ever as we enter the final stretch of the season. You got behind Felix Magath and the boys in huge numbers at West Bromwich Albion, and we want the same again for our next trip to the Midlands on Saturday 5th April.
The noise that you made at The Hawthorns was magnificent, and it truly does make a difference. After the game, Steve Sidwell took to Twitter to praise the fans' contributions, while John Heitinga described the away support as 'immense.'
Your support is so important, and that's why the Club will be heavily subsidising tickets for our match at Aston Villa in April. We want as many of you to make the trip as possible.
To make it as convenient and affordable for Fulham supporters, we are offering fans £10 tickets – a £29 saving on the regular price – for our crucial clash with Villa, which includes your match ticket and coach travel to the game. Concessions (over-65s, under-21s, students, armed forces) can attend the game for £8, while under-16s’ tickets are priced at just £5.
Please be aware, though, that coach places are strictly based on a first come, first served basis, and bookings must be made when the match ticket is purchased. Additionally, as with all away matches this season, Junior Season Ticket Holders and Members can attend for free, provided their ticket is bought in conjunction with an adult ticket.
Of course, there are alternative travel arrangements to get to Villa Park. Train tickets from London Euston to Birmingham New Street can be purchased from thetrainline.com for as little £6 each way if bought far enough in advance. Witton (Villa Park’s nearest train station) is then just a 10-minute connection away.
Fans preferring to get a coach from London Victoria can travel with Megabus for approximately £9 for the round-trip, while National Express can offer shorter travel times but for around double the price.
We’re keen to see as many of the travelling Fulham faithful at the game as possible as the 12th man really can make a huge difference. In his first interview with Fulham TV, Magath said: “If the fans support us 100 per cent, the players will give 100 per cent.” So get behind the boys and snap up one of the significantly subsidised tickets before they sell out!
Tickets will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders from 10am on Monday and will be available for Members to purchase on Thursday 27th February. Any remaining tickets will go on General Sale on Tuesday 4th March.
COYW!
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Chelsea Tickets
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Make sure you’re at Craven Cottage this coming Saturday 1st March (3pm) when we face Chelsea in the SW6 derby.
Tickets for this match are currently on sale to Season Ticket Holders and Members (maximum two per person), with prices starting from £49 adults and £25 juniors.
Season Ticket Holders and Members can secure tickets by calling 0843 208 1234, in person (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or buy online at fulhamfc.com now.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/23/chelsea-tickets? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/23/chelsea-tickets?)