Re: FoF MOTM Sunderland 1 V 3 Fulham and post match thread = Raul

[Chi_FFC]

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.

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). 

[SP]

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

[sunburywhite]

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.

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

[WolverineFFC]

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!

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.

[KentFulham]

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.

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.

[AnotherVicHalomLoveChild]

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   

[Fulhamight]

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?

[Matt10]

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.

[Bobsffc]

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.

[Somerset Fulham]

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.

[Volz]

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.

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.

[Colton F.C.]

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. 

[Matt10]

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.

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.

[jayffc]

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.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

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

[SP]

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

[hopper]

Some 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.

[jayffc]

Some 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.

[bobbo]

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. 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.

[bobbo]

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.

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.