FoF MOTM Fulham 1 v 1 Man United and post match thread =ESR

[Moussa Dembele the 3rd]

We have a good squad. Sess was awesome today. 

We do but imagine if we had brought in new players that improved us early, we could've been at least 2 points better off.

However, as it is. The results are a lot better than I expected. I was expected zero points from the first three matches.

I still don't understand this sentiment. Who is getting benched for the new players? Who in the current squad do you feel isn't good enough and needs to be replaced?

[demeant0r]

We have a good squad. Sess was awesome today. 

We do but imagine if we had brought in new players that improved us early, we could've been at least 2 points better off.

However, as it is. The results are a lot better than I expected. I was expected zero points from the first three matches.

I still don't understand this sentiment. Who is getting benched for the new players? Who in the current squad do you feel isn't good enough and needs to be replaced?

Before today's game: Iwobi.

[OZ-WHITE]

Berge and Lukic solid again with Lukic more central as we loaded the midfield , we broke up Man U's rhythm and slowed them down . Had some chances with overlaps but some loose passing stopped out momentum several times . Overall undefeated start to the season despite a Manager seething over a so far unproductive transfer window but to be fair to the Team today who put in a solid effort,  where would new players fit in - looks like Pereira has gone missing, so who knows , at least a backup left back to release Sess to play on the wing

[Tabby]

Berge and Lukic solid again with Lukic more central as we loaded the midfield , we broke up Man U's rhythm and slowed them down . Had some chances with overlaps but some loose passing stopped out momentum several times . Overall undefeated start to the season despite a Manager seething over a so far unproductive transfer window but to be fair to the Team today who put in a solid effort,  where would new players fit in - looks like Pereira has gone missing, so who knows , at least a backup left back to release Sess to play on the wing

Would be nice if Lukic or Berge could take a shot every now and then. A couple of times when they had a clear sight at goal from outside the box and decided to pass it sideways. Looking at the Garner goal reminded me of how rare it is for our midfielders to take a shot on from a distance.

Pereira has to be off unless he was injured. If he wasn't and can't make the bench ahead of Cairney and Reed we should sell him in any case.

[Tabby]

We have a good squad. Sess was awesome today. 

We do but imagine if we had brought in new players that improved us early, we could've been at least 2 points better off.

However, as it is. The results are a lot better than I expected. I was expected zero points from the first three matches.

I still don't understand this sentiment. Who is getting benched for the new players? Who in the current squad do you feel isn't good enough and needs to be replaced?

I don't think Berge did all that well. Some good interceptions but also some sloppy passing and he seems hopeless at defensive headers. We need someone to put some fire under Lukic and Berge.

[iansthailand]

Hell of a lot of good performances today. Went for Iwobi mainly because of the improvement over recent months (since Christmas actually). All much of a muchness (7's & 8's)

[Milo]

Mid table performance from a mid table team.

Silva and the team keeping up appearances.

Time for the board to invest a bit to let us kick on.

[LC]

ESR obviously got the crucial goal but I thought Sess had the best overall game so he's my MOTM. I was surprised to see him go off but it's great to see Robinson back who will be a big help to us. 

I think it's clear now, if ever it was in doubt, that Sess must play further up the pitch.

[Fulham Tup North]

 
I went for LENO too ...
He made some great stops and was wrong-footed with the goal ...
I like that he is doing well this season so far
COYW

[wback100]

Thought we killed Utd's momentum, both in the game and in the season. It's clear that their new front three are pretty mid-quality, and there's no midfield or wide play to supply them. The optimism they took out of the last game and carried into the first 15 minutes disappeared, as we worked them out and largely held them off. Penalty was dodgy. Their goal equally dodgy and perhaps 1-2 of the times Kenny got free at the end might have resulted in a better ball and a winner. ESR broke late into the box at least twice, scored once, and that's really what we want from him. When he's "bad" it's because he's trying to play Iwobi's role and they get in each other's way and are too far from goal. When he's more progressive he's good to have. Wilson was adequate coming on, nearly managed to get his left free for a trademark shot on one occasion. We'll see Adama as a sub in the Chelsea game I imagine, as that'll be a game where we have much less possession.

Absolutely fine start to the season. Optimistically, I could see us going unbeaten for a good number of games, although with a lot of draws.

[AshfordFFC]

I went for LENO too ...
He made some great stops and was wrong-footed with the goal ...
I like that he is doing well this season so far
COYW

me too 

[Deuce]

I think we looked better today than against Brighton. We moved the ball around a lot more but we seemed to refuse to take any shots outside the box, and instead limited us to taking our chances from inside the six years box. Frustrating.

Raúl still looked poor coming on but Wilson and ESR (ofc) looked lively. It gets more complicated for Silva now as it will be harder to keep ESR out of the starting XI, whilst King still shows encouraging signs

We are a decent, solid side but we really need to get 2-3 more attacking minded and creative players in to kick on.

United on the other hand, deary me. Chucking another 200 mil on that side and they struggle at the cottage. They are limited to playing with a formation that enhances the weaknesses of Bruno and Casemiro, and putting a lot of responsibility on two very average wingbacks. They struggled to transport the ball up the pitch so they just started hoofing it.

Sesko doesnt look like he has settled into the side tactically at all, which is something of a pattern we see with Amorim now. Dont think he is at United come xmas tbh

[perry geyton]

Sasa for me

[Woolly Mammoth]

As I mentioned earlier at halftime, Fulham were physically stronger, taller and more powerful than the team from Manchester and you have to be. Both in open play and at set pieces.
We were intimidating them and beating them up, and by doing so we softened them up.
As usual Sky and their presenters and commentary stuffed with ex manure having their usual love in with the Manx.
Also once again the referee was their best player.
Nevertheless despite that they still could not beat us.

[Volz]

I thought we were excellent in the second half, we were controlling play in their half. Should have had a second!

I went with Tete as MOTM because of his two-way play with ESR just behind.

Same. I've always been of the opinion that both him and Castagne are of very similar quality, but today Tete's composure, ability and just all around presence was immense. Castagne had a very good game as well though. I think everyone came out of this well, and i was very pessimistic going in.

[Milo]

Leno
Tete
Lukic
Sess

...

[McBrideOfFrankenstein]

It's clear that their new front three are pretty mid-quality

I rate Cunha and Mbuemo very highly and I think both will start scoring. Bigger problems are their woeful midfield outside of Bruno, comical keepers, and shallow defensive bench.

[Woolly Mammoth]

I thought Sess had a very good game and made an impact whilst he was on the pitch.
But many others also did, there were many men of the match all through the team.
They all had their moments and most punched their weight.
A good alround fighting team performance to warm the heart, which deservedly won us a point and should have been three.
Today had to be good for morale and confidence for the players.
Something to build on and unbeaten home and away.

[Colton F.C.]

Sasa for me

Ditto Lukic always in the thick of it.  If only he (and many others) would have a shot.

[Tabby]

It's clear that their new front three are pretty mid-quality

I rate Cunha and Mbuemo very highly and I think both will start scoring. Bigger problems are their woeful midfield outside of Bruno, comical keepers, and shallow defensive bench.

Cunha and Mbuemo did well I thought. I thought Bruno was terrible, especially after the penalty miss.

They have very weak wingbacks for a system that is reliant on them.