FOF MOTM Liverpool v Fulham and Post Match Thread = Affengruber

[Rj Fulham]

Affengruber for me. Making his debut away against Liverpool with all the pressure surrounding the team and its defensive  output, and he handled it brilliantly. Also looks to have a good eye for a pass as well.

[OZ-WHITE]

High energy pressing in the 1st half broke up any potential Liverpool rhythm , their fullbacks were cooked by 1/2 time with the the workrate they had to get through, they created a few chances and we could have scored from ours. 2nd half we dropped back to a mid press and positioned in a more compact shape, not many chances for both sides and the Anfield crowd never really found their voice. Not surprised that Liverpool made subs earlier to try to break open the game, Mr AA was more sensible with his subs which injected some energy. Key stats - Liverpool didn't really dominate possession or bully the game - 14 shots 3 on target for them Vs 10 shots 4 on target for us and once again we had more touches in the opposition box 24 to their 18 . Very solid debut for Affengruber - neat and tidy, Iwobi effective as the linking player, King thriving with more game time, Garcia lots of energy and kept their defence busy trying to track his runs, Berge and Charles really anchored the midfield

[McBrideOfFrankenstein]

Charles with Affengruber just behind. What a composed performance and an excellent result. A word for Kevin who tracked back well defensively several times.

[love4ffc]

Sorry, but I'm one of those people who thought it was a big improvement. I think that came down to several things.
•    A change in formation while maintaining high intensity and pressure in attack.
•    No more wide-open space between the center-backs.
•    Palacios was moved to the bench, although I think he should have been left out entirely, with Sess named among the substitutes.
•    Andersen was moved to the bench, with Affengruber brought in.
•    The players are beginning to understand each other's movement and style of play, producing some excellent passing combinations while also reading and intercepting the opposition's passes.

I can't help but think that if we had played like that in our first games, our point tally would be a lot higher. 

[Twig]

I think the difference is that Andersen couldn't be a scapegoat today.

He hasn't been scapegoated, people have simple been pointing out that he looks very uncomfortable in the AA set up and that seems to have negatively impacted his form.

To scapegoat means; "to blame a person for a mistake, failure or bad situation caused by someone(s) else". I honestly do not think that has been the case except perhaps by just a tiny minority of one or two.

Anyway delighted about today; the performance, AA's flexibility, some of our new signings. A point against Man U and things will start to look a lot better.

[bill taylors apprentice]

I didn't see or listen to the game but simply because he was the main change and we kept a clean sheet, I went for Affengruber!

Robinson will never improve his delivery and King needs to improve his shooting! 
Only half serious, but someone has to say something negative 

[Bobsffc]

I gave it to Leno...he has made mistakes recently, no doubt about it, but today he did everything that was asked of him more than competently. I'm glad for him....and for us too.

Of course, he didn't have a particularly busy day...which is a reflection of how well the team, and especially the defence played.

[iansthailand]

I went for Affengruber with Charles a miilimetre away. decision based on debut, at Anfield and only been here a relative short time. Someone mentioned Aaron Hughes no greater compliment.

Talking of Aaron. Loupalo Bi scored again for Fleetwood.

[Thailand Mick]

What a great debut from Affengruber and the more he plays with Bassey the better the understanding will be but on this occasion Shea Charles was my MOM. Can anyone remember him giving the ball away in the entire match because I can't. So comfortable in tight spaces surrounded by players and seems to turn with ease when facing his own goal to progress the ball forward. Many great performances throughout the team.

[Bassey the warrior]

What a great debut from Affengruber and the more he plays with Bassey the better the understanding will be but on this occasion Shea Charles was my MOM. Can anyone remember him giving the ball away in the entire match because I can't. So comfortable in tight spaces surrounded by players and seems to turn with ease when facing his own goal to progress the ball forward. Many great performances throughout the team.

Charles played a lovely through ball down the left wing at one point, he's done that a few times since joining. Looking like such a great signing so far.

[Matt10]

I think the difference is that Andersen couldn't be a scapegoat today.

He hasn't been scapegoated, people have simple been pointing out that he looks very uncomfortable in the AA set up and that seems to have negatively impacted his form.

To scapegoat means; "to blame a person for a mistake, failure or bad situation caused by someone(s) else". I honestly do not think that has been the case except perhaps by just a tiny minority of one or two.

Anyway delighted about today; the performance, AA's flexibility, some of our new signings. A point against Man U and things will start to look a lot better.

I will say that Andersen would've done just fine in this match as well, because his teammates didn't leave Affengruber on islands with over-aggressive play like they've done this season. Wingers tracked, fullbacks stayed disciplined, and Bassey was a lot more calm off the ball. Jedi was the only one who seemed to be over-aggressive at times, but that was more towards the end of the match, and Tete was well supported by Castagne to double the right flank where there could be some afforded aggression.

Liverpool's chances didn't come from lack of pace from our defenders either. We just looked much calmer and collected - and I am very happy that AA brought in players that hadn't got to experience that such as ESR, Kevin and Muniz. Dare I say it was almost too casual at times by some players - but not in an apathetic kind of way, more so just genuinely trying to not rise too high for the moment so nothing rash could happen. Like I said, Robinson had his moments though which gave flashbacks of Man City away. 

I hope more of the same, because this approach is much more sustainable than the over-aggressive indecisive pressing that led to defensive mishaps and 0 pts. We've got the point now, time to continue to build AA's Fulham.

[SerbianLad]

Went with Affenbruger, even if Charles had a "more polished" performance,as Affengruber gave away the ball 2 times in very dangerous areas. I won't take that against him though, I'll put it down to nerves and lack of understanding that always happen with a debut. He was a rock otherwise and made some excellent passes too.

[FFC007]

Andersen is a dead duck as long as Affengruber is fit.

Charles gives that midfield composure and that bit of bite if necessary.

Positive signs from Macedo too..

[cookieg]

I gave it to Leno...he has made mistakes recently, no doubt about it, but today he did everything that was asked of him more than competently. I'm glad for him....and for us too.

Of course, he didn't have a particularly busy day...which is a reflection of how well the team, and especially the defence played.

For me this is it. It's a team game and if you defend how we defend then you stop the shots and crosses and what Leno has to do is kept to a minimum. I know there are stats which will show Leno in decline but the team needs to be in it as well.

[andyk]

Great, solid away performance. Very controlled from Berge and Charles.
Only negative was Garcia. I don't doubt his effort, but he looks,a bit out of his depth. Missed a good chance after rounding the keeper, and lacked the pace to take advantage of a second half through ball. The only time he's really sparkled was against a tired, defeated lower league team. Early days, but I think Muniz deserves a start soon.

[alfie]

I look forward to the 500 twitter articles this week about how we were a a huge improvement

More like how Liverpool didn't get the luck, nothing to do with us.

[Cowperc]

I gave it to King but could have been talked into Affengruber or Bassey. Great job all around. Bobb was the only obvious weak link, but even he had a few bright spots.

[Pock]

Excellent performance all round, some good game management. Slight demerit for the less than clinical finishing. Could it be that we have actually signed a real coach who can adapt and learn from his mistakes?

[sunburywhite]

Carpenters
Mr Gruber

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O_eCGnGYT4

[sunburywhite]

What a great debut from Affengruber and the more he plays with Bassey the better the understanding will be but on this occasion Shea Charles was my MOM. Can anyone remember him giving the ball away in the entire match because I can't. So comfortable in tight spaces surrounded by players and seems to turn with ease when facing his own goal to progress the ball forward. Many great performances throughout the team.

He reminds me of Bobby Moore the way he has extra time on the ball