Match and player review v Sunderland

[Toby Ward-Smith]

Ultimately it was a poor display all round from the Fulham line up and many will agree the ref. Many will also agree that the 4-1 scoreline slightly flattered Sunderland. The first goal was a display of why diving needs to dealt with. The free kick brilliant but probably should of been kept out. The second another poor reffing decision. John O'shea told the free kick taker what to do exactly just before he took it and we fell for it. The third which we conceded was just what happens when you are chasing a game. You are stretched at the back and are caught on the counter. Stockdale probably should of done better with the shot. The 4th once again a counter attack which resulted in a clumsy challenge and a penalty. Then we were finished.

For me the looking at the line up I didn't think it was right. The line up was; Stockdale, Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise, Duff, Parker, Sidwell, Dempsey, Taarabt and Berbatov. For me there were a few mistakes from there from Rene; firstly the decision of the center backs, for me Dan Burn showed why he deserves to stay at this club last weekend in the fa cup and should of replaced Senderos. And if Hangeland was fit replace Amorebieta but he wasn't quite. Then the decision to play Duff. Dejagah has constantly shown that he is class with Riether, whereas Duff is too old and not sharp enough. The next decision was to play Dempsey; Clint was played out wide and for me that was a horrific decision. He doesn't have the skill or pace to play on the wing. He should play where Taarabt plays, through the middle.

Now lets look at the individual players:

David Stockdale
David had a very disappointing game today. I believed that he was at fault for the first goal. He got two hands to the ball and therefore he should keep it out. The second goal he could do nothing about; the ball bounced about and he had no chance. The third however for me he should of kept out. It went through his legs at the near post. The way in which he tried to save the goal was not natural. He tried to save it almost like a slide tackle, why is he wearing gloves then. The penalty I can't complain about Stockdale on this. It is just a penalty. However Stockdale was not only at fault for the goals but made a few mistakes, for example dropping a cross which we just about got away with. Stockdale had a poor day at the office and for me we need Stek back or a new keeper in. Schwarzer was a big loss. 3/10

Sascha Riether
Sascha was a very quiet player today. I don't have much to say about him. However he made a few mistakes or didn't look quite awake. He once again was an attacking threat but needs Dejagah to play at his best. 5/10

Phillipe Senderos
Clumsy to say the least on a few occasions however for me he gets more grief than he deserves. Yes was very clumsy for the penalty but wasn't at fault for any of the other goals and for me couldn't really of done much more. 6/10

Fernando Amorebieta
Fernando for me doesn't look set for the premier league at the moment. The quicker Hangeland gets back the better. He doesn't look sharp enough but on the other hand he plays some brilliant attacking passes. 4/10

John Arne Riise
John Arne had one of his very poor days today. I thought today would be the day when he gets that goal however he looked tired and asleep at points. He was caught out of position for the third goal and his only shot was horrific. 3/10

Damien Duff
Duff was once again poor today. Duff hasn't been up to it for a while now. He doesn't look sharp enough or fast enough; constantly slowing play down by cutting inside to cross every time. Why he is keeping Dejagah out I do not know. It is ludicrous! 4/10

Scott Parker
The man of the match today for me. He once again put in a solid captain display however the players around him didn't support him enough. He was unlucky to be on the losing side, he didn't deserve to. Like so many times this season. 8/10

Steve Sidwell
Sidwell was almost as good as Scott today however made a few mistakes, for example creating the opportunity for the free kick to score from. He got another goal making him our highest scorer. special one Iniesta has had a good season and same as Scott he didn't deserve to play for the losing team. 7/10

Clint Dempsey
Clint didn't look premier league match fit today however did his best at that's what we ask. For me Meulensteen made a big mistake playing Clint out wide. He is a natural central goalscorer. He needs to play either upfront or behind the striker, where he will get chances and not take players on with skill and pace, which he doesn't have. 5/10

Adel Taarabt
Another sharp display from Taarabt however it turns into nothing. He just doesn't seem to be getting the luck of the green at the moment, goal wise. Adel looked like he could create something and was unlucky not to score when Mannone saved at the near post, however he wasn't able to create much today and that is what we needed him to do. 6/10

Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar didn't do much today and will be disappointed with not taking the good chances he had like when Riether squared it to him and he touch was horrific. He ran a lot more today but was ineffective. 4/10

Subs

Patjim Kasami
This change woke us up slightly but it was to late, the damage was done. 6/10

Ashkan Dejagah
When Ashkan came on he gave us a much better dimension then Duff did. 6/10

Darren Bent
Once again Darren was poor. I don't even remember him touching the ball. He just doesn't work enough. 1/10

The ref (This is what I have put on the premier league facebook page)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1912418-referee-mike-dean-seems-upset-when-swansea-attack-stopped-vs-manchester-united      Mike Dean once again put in the most ridiculous referring display today at the Cottage almost every Fulham fan have made complaints on the fans forums complaining of such a horrific display: 1. for the 2 dives of which got Sunderland two freekicks which they scored from and 2. the decision firstly not to send of Lee Cattermole for a studs up tackle on Parker instead it went against the whites. From the start of the game time after time Mike Dean looked like he was biased for Sunderland and therefore gave Fulham no chance of winning. I'm not saying that this is an excuse for our poor display but it turned the game and gave Sunderland a 2 goal margin of which they didn't deserve. Useless referees are constantly robbing innocent teams of points and the fans the feeling of safety and respect not feeling like the ref was against your own club. It is disgraceful and I talk on behalf of the Fulham fans and possibly many other football fans that poor refs need to be disciplined for example relegation of division or banned from reffing a particular club of which they were biased against. We as fans should be able to sit down when home and be disappointed that we just weren't good enough to win the game not that we had points taken from us because of poor reffing decisions on more than a number of occasions in matches it isn't just the odd mistake. The link shows the display of Mike Dean in the fa cup United against Swansea game in which he looks angry because Swansea lost the ball. This needs to be sorted with. Diving and poor reffing.

Norwich Fa Cup replay

For me on Tuesday Meulensteen needs to put almost the same team out to show to the fans what they can do and get the job done to increase much needed morale. Putting out the youngsters and losing, yes increases experience but destroys the morale more which needs building up with a win. Bring in Dejagah for Duff and Burn and Hughes and swap Dempsey with Taarabt so Dempsey is in the box on the end of crosses. If we are winning by a few goals bring on the youngsters like David, Dembele and so on.

[YankeeJim]

Well written, although I think you were generous with Berbatov, Taarabt, Bent & the ref.

[Pluto]

Dempsey played on the left in the season when he scored 20 goals for us so I don't think you're right about that one. Otherwise spot on. My ratings:

Stockdale 3
Riether 7
Riise 2
Senderos 6
Amorebieta 4
Sidwell 7
Parker 7
Duff 4
Dempsey 4
Taraabt 6
Berbatov 4

None of the subs did enough to even justify rating

[Alan_C]

Dempsey played on the left in the season when he scored 20 goals for us so I don't think you're right about that one?

Not too sure he did. That season he played on the left and up front but his success came from the centre of the park. Arriving in the box at the right time. A great season the best of five here and we won't se anything like that fork in the next two months. We might see some battling performances a few goals but don't expect to much.

So far as Taraabt while his running with the ball did see to give us momentum, it was kore often than not reversed by him losing the ball. Too often after others had run beyond to receive a pas that almost we beyond in the ground would never be forthcoming. We ned to play the percentages, safety first in this situation. If he can't keep to a plan we are better off without him.

Duff, sadly a season too far.

[Bassey the warrior]

Dempsey played on the left in the season when he scored 20 goals for us so I don't think you're right about that one?

Not too sure he did. That season he played on the left and up front but his success came from the centre of the park. Arriving in the box at the right time. A great season the best of five here and we won't se anything like that fork in the next two months. We might see some battling performances a few goals but don't expect to much.

So far as Taraabt while his running with the ball did see to give us momentum, it was kore often than not reversed by him losing the ball. Too often after others had run beyond to receive a pas that almost we beyond in the ground would never be forthcoming. We ned to play the percentages, safety first in this situation. If he can't keep to a plan we are better off without him.

Duff, sadly a season too far.

He did best on the left and drifting in with licence to burst forward. Up front he never really looked comfortable.

[Max Headroom]

I think Riise has had his day. I wish he would close down players and sprint back when out of position. Please bring in a new left back now

[Still believe]

Stockdale	4.5
Riether	6.0
Amorebieta	5.5
Senderos	3.5
Riise	5.0
Duff	5.5
Sidwell	6.0
Parker	5.5
Dempsey	5.5
Taarabt	5.5
Berbatov	4.0
Kasami	5.0
Dejagah	6.0
Bent	3.0
Rene Meulesteen	3.0

[SimpleTactics]

6/10 for Senderos. Are you high?

[kevin]

Its SHOULD HAVE not should of