In praise of Rodrigo Muniz

[john dempsey]

No point being on or around the penalty spot when our crosses
go anywhere but the penalty spot.
Must be a no fly zone in the penalty box for Fulham.

[Arthur]

Garcia must be frustrated at the opportunities his team mates spurn to present him with a decent goalscoring chance.

This, for instance, on Saturday: Running on to this ball, Robinson only has to pass it first-time to Garcia to set him up with a gilt-edged finish.



Instead, Robinson carries the ball to here and a defender sticks out a leg and blocks the cross.



I'm hoping the goals start to flow for Garcia. Muniz is a decent back-up striker, in my opinion, but not good enough to be our first choice. If, therefore, Garcia also turns out not to be good enough, we're back to square one, so to speak, in terms of our search for a number 9. For this reason I believe we should persist with Garcia in P.L. games while the team try to adapt to Arbeloa's tactics and style of play.

[irishfulham]

Also noticed this crossing oppurtunity with robinson couldnt believe it he didnt hit that first time so frustrating

[epsomraver]

People are going to shoot me down for this but, if after 5 years Muniz still can't cut the mustard he should be gone from the club. I'm sure he's a lovely bloke and his heart is in the right place, but please get a striker who can do what strikers do.

what like 6 goals in 7? scored a cracker leaving Van Dyke like a statue, That Muniz,out long term with an injury blows your stats,  given a run in the team he will come good but he isnt a favourite of the manager like Garcia and that's what the closed dressing room talk was about

[JoeS]

Muniz does what centre forwards should. He challenges for high balls, physically imposes himself and scores with his head (in both games he's started this season). 

As with all supporters I hope Garcia comes good but at the moment IMO Muniz is the better option.

Except he doesn't score

Unlike Garcia 😟

Garcia has only been here three months. Let's get behind him.
Muniz has had five years. How much more time should he be given ? Look, I'm not knocking Muniz but I can't see him ever being more than a back up striker.

Garcia has started 8 games in a row, maybe one of the statistician's on here could tell us the last time Rodrigo was able to start 8 consecutive league games in a row.

Interesting point. I looked back to the end of last season and Muniz started 6 of the final 8 league games (Raul started the win over Villa and the defeat at Arsenal). That was mid-April onwards after the final international break of the season, and worth pointing out he had only returned from his long-term injury in mid-February. I personally find his all-round game quite clunky and frustrating to watch, and in the 6-game spell I mentioned above at the end of last season, I recall him being toothless in comparison with Raul. That being said, his cameo at Coventry was very promising.

I think Wednesday is a big game for Muniz and he can win back a starting spot in the league with a positive performance.

Whoever starts at Villa and beyond, it would be very good news for us as a club if we have multiple valid options to lead the line, especially when we are finding goals so hard to come by!

[cwindsor]

The difference is that the club has invested a lot of money in Garcia and a pittance in Muniz. It's only natural that they're going to give him time to settle into the Premier League.

Also, as many have pointed out, it's hard to be a centre forward if you're not fed the ball. Mitrovic would have struggled to score given the service that Garcia has had.

[Jim©]

A decent service from the midfielders and decent crosses,
would be nice and helpful. for either of them.

The best cross in the world at the moment would be totally wasted on Garcia as he wouldn't be on or around the penalty spot to receive it,
Until
Until he starts playing like a traditional number 9, if he's capable of that, things are very unlikely to improve,
He just doesn't give the centre backs a tough time does he ?

I'd argue that he's not really getting the service. Look at the image above, how annoyed must he have been for Robinson to inexplicably take another touch.
V Hull, he nodded a ball down perfectly from a cross onto Iwobi's foot to slot home, and reached for a header that went onto the bar. We've got to get the fella a few chances before we write him off.

Also as an ageing CB, I would have much preferred a CF to play against who was giving me a tough time by backing into me and being physical rather than one who was off making decent runs all the time. Way easier to defend.

[RaySmith]

CG's received quite a few balls to head and feet - he is very mobile and hard working and good at finding space for through balls, but then  so often frustratingly fails to control the ball and gives it away.
 
He also does get on the end of crosses, but fails to make the most of them, as in the great chance v Hull.
But I believe he has  potential, and  could come good, and  begin to score for us. He seems to lack confidence, and is not used to the pace of the Prem.

I do feel for Muniz though, who can hold the ball up, and provides physical strength that we lack up front.

I suppose the manager wants to keep faith  with CG after the money paid for him on his recommendation.
Whatever, we urgently need a striker who can score goals.

[Hugh Janus]

I am convinced Robinson's crossing would be a lot better if he slowed down a touch when carrying the ball.

[flyingfish]

Garcia has been unconvincing so far but it's very early days. Muniz has had 5 seasons. He hasn't scored a Premier League goal since early August 2025. He won the corner yesterday by putting a very poor keeper under pressure but I still think he is no where near Premier League level. I wish that wasn't the case.

Can't say he has had great service from crosses.

I disagree with this. GG has had loads of chances which add up to a whacking great XG but has underperformed on all. The fact that he has had high quality chances and failed to convert them cannot logically be the fault of his team mates.

[Grassy Noel]

I am convinced Robinson's crossing would be a lot better if he slowed down a touch when carrying the ball.

That would then require better ball control with his working foot.

[Kimbleman]

Also noticed this crossing oppurtunity with robinson couldnt believe it he didnt hit that first time so frustrating

I like Robinson and he's been a good servant to the club, but I think he just doesn't have that instinctive ability and 'football' brain' (speed of thought possibly) to spot the killer pass. He needs to look up more, but at nearly thirty years it might be too old to change his ways.

[bahay18]

Garcia has missed a number of great openings . When we talk about it would be nice to have some crosses , he couldnt have had a better one vs Hull and he some how hit the bar . The fella gives 100% , runs around loads but not normally in the place you want your centre forward . First touch is suspect for a centre forward as well

I really dont think muniz can be any worse and he has proved can finish in the starting line up when fully fit , which has probably been over a year . Brings players into the game well and his physical threat and just being in the box caused the keeper to concede the corner that led to the goal .

If you back at his goals there is some high quality finishing .

Hopefully garcia wil come good but we are struggling for goals and we dont have the luxury to allow him to keep missing . Our xG attacking is high and we are underperforming big time in front of goal

[Bassey the warrior]

Garcia must be frustrated at the opportunities his team mates spurn to present him with a decent goalscoring chance.

This, for instance, on Saturday: Running on to this ball, Robinson only has to pass it first-time to Garcia to set him up with a gilt-edged finish.



Instead, Robinson carries the ball to here and a defender sticks out a leg and blocks the cross.



I'm hoping the goals start to flow for Garcia. Muniz is a decent back-up striker, in my opinion, but not good enough to be our first choice. If, therefore, Garcia also turns out not to be good enough, we're back to square one, so to speak, in terms of our search for a number 9. For this reason I believe we should persist with Garcia in P.L. games while the team try to adapt to Arbeloa's tactics and style of play.

That move really frustrated me as well, Robinson had the ball under control so really should've played it first time.

[Bassey the warrior]

I am convinced Robinson's crossing would be a lot better if he slowed down a touch when carrying the ball.

People have been saying this for years, he's not going to change now.

[Bassey the warrior]

Garcia has missed a number of great openings . When we talk about it would be nice to have some crosses , he couldnt have had a better one vs Hull and he some how hit the bar . The fella gives 100% , runs around loads but not normally in the place you want your centre forward . First touch is suspect for a centre forward as well

I really dont think muniz can be any worse and he has proved can finish in the starting line up when fully fit , which has probably been over a year . Brings players into the game well and his physical threat and just being in the box caused the keeper to concede the corner that led to the goal .

If you back at his goals there is some high quality finishing .

Hopefully garcia wil come good but we are struggling for goals and we dont have the luxury to allow him to keep missing . Our xG attacking is high and we are underperforming big time in front of goal

To be fair Muniz and Jiménez have been guilty of missing even better chances.

[Rodge]

Let's face it we want both strikers scoring freely and for me the best case scenario would be Garcia coming good and Muniz pushing him all the way for a starting berth.

I was at the Coventry game and Garcia had a poor game and is clearly lacking in confidence. I know the fans who have made the trip and paid good money are entitled to moan when it's not going well but chanting for Muniz every time Garcia made a mistake is hardly going to boost the young man's confidence.

I might be old-fashioned but I think we should get behind and encourage all the players on the pitch in a Fulham shirt and save chanting the names of our subs until they come on.

[C Block]

Here's one for you all, a tea time teaser , in all the games we've played so far, how many times has Garcia had a shot that has forced a save from the opposition keeper?
I don't know the answer but im willing to bet it's a low number.

[Baszab]

Whatever the answer is, it's definitely not
Muniz !!

I thought it was 42?

This also the angle of refraction that produces a rainbow

And by the way, I  was at Coventry and Muniz made a big difference just running around and putting pressure on their defence = Garcia not up to it yet

[cwindsor]

Whatever the answer is, it's definitely not
Muniz !!

Muniz wasn't even the answer when Jimenez was around. And he was no prize. He was only saved by his penalty kicking prowess, which was pretty flawless.