Fulham 2012/2013-Consistently Inconsistent. A season review.

[valdeingruo]

Fulham 2012/2013-Consistently Inconsistent.    
         Seeing as the lads have taken it upon themselves to go on holiday after achieving 40 points, it brings me no harm to begin a season review with one match remaining, given the fact that we are safe (barely) thanks to Wigan Athletic.

   Fulham headed into the2012-2013 season having seemed to figure out what playing style fit best with the squad at the time and as Martin Jol as gaffer. As any supporter of the beautiful game will tell you after a while, particularly for those whose clubs are not at the top, oh how one season can change your mind on a lot of things involving football.

   With the close season contracts were not renewed (sound familiar?) and Fulham had a high turnaround of players. The outstanding Grygera looked to retirement.  At one point the squad had no senior strikers and had lost its Captain, while still great for starting, was clearly beginning the twilight of his career, that others had said began when he made his way to Fulham (did he prove them wrong) Aside losing a few other squad members, Fulham looked to be in good shape to begin Pre-Season.

   Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodellga signed for Fulham and a relatively unknown Reither headed to Germany as the Whites began to play various clubs in preparation for the upcoming league campaign. It was promising and with a few memorable finishes, i.e. Petric's stunner, preseason closed rather flatly at Charlton.

   Opening day rolled around and Fulham kicked off in earnest, there were reasonably high hopes as the season began. The usual mid table finish with hope of a good cup run hopefully ending in silverware were only buoyed by a brilliant opening day display with Norwich coming to the forefront of a display of passing and finishing all students of the game hope to emulate. (It's amazing how much twelve years in the topflight changes expectations  How sad it is, looking back that opening day was one of the best results of what turned out to be a rather turgid campaign.

   A narrow loss at eventual league winners Manchester United and a head scratching loss to West Ham the day after losing Dembele and Dempsey to Tottenham Hotspurs began in earnest a rather flat season for the Whites.  (Ending a long ordeal in the Liverpool, Dempsey saga)

   It was a busier ending transfer window as always for the Whites. More than a few eyebrows were raised when a certain Dimitar Berbatov held up the number 9 kit of Fulham. Along with Berbatov, Dejagah, Richardson was soon to follow and the old Greek Karagounis signed a few days later on a free. A tidy bit of business, however would these be good enough to replace those who had left?

   Days later, then high flying West Brom were to fall to Fulham and the Fortress on the Thames. Fulham sat in a decent position in the table and played a good brand of football. A win at ill-fated Wigan Athletic helped boot Fulham's points tally. The defending Champions came to Fulham and ultimately defeated them.

   Three successive draws were to follow with Reading, Everton and Arsenal witnessing the Whites play some attractive football, however only to let a lead slip due to a whole catalogue of errors. However most supporters can look upon those times fondly as Fulham still decided getting points on the board was a good idea.   
   
   November followed with two defeats and a draw, but it wasn't worrying. Fulham usually began to perform well after Christmas. A home defeat to Tottenham Hotspurs began to see even more mortar and bricks fall from the wall of Fortress Fulham and those with ill will towards the manager began to be more vocal, after all one of our best managers was appointed in this time frame.  A home win against Newcastle began to calm some before Fulham began the first of its off and on terrible runs.
   
   The first of these runs began at Loftus Road, many supporters have happy memories there, welcoming Rangers back to the League with a 6-0, however this was not the case. Fulham began to look clueless and abject with no sense of purpose. Passing the ball into the final third only for it to be passed back to midfield and then back to the defense from there. Liverpool, Southampton and Swansea all were witness to Fulham's new style of play. It was hard to watch. However as always there are bright spots and the little right back from Germany was steadily becoming a fan favorite.

   January was rather typical for Fulham in regards to expected wins losses and draws. Fulham gained maximum points from West Brom (the only Club we did the double on this year.) A point against Wigan and a loss to Manchester City were not anything different than someone on the outside might expect.  A cup run ended by Manchester United also was on the cards. January also brought new faces, though most on loan. Frimpong, Emmanulsen, Manolev and Enoh all came in to plug the gaps in Fulham's squad.
   February came and went as Ashkan Dejagah decided it would be a good time to go from squad player to mainstay in the side. His performance down the wing in conjunction with Reither was a key part of Fulham's success in this time period. During this time period a draw was turned into a loss at the hands of Rooney, we drew with Norwich and Berbatov hit that stunner against Stoke.

   Fulham came into March for their two matches.  A draw away to Sunderland with Reither grabbing a deserved goal came first. An escape from White Hart Lane with three points followed. Fulham had 39 points with 8 games to play.

   April came with the Whites avenging a loss to Qpr. This however came after almost blowing a three goal lead, the trend of the season.  This however was minor news when it came to light that Ashkan Dejagah was out for the season.  A last gasp loss to Newcastle again highlighted the story of season followed by a point at Aston Villa. Fulham did it, reached the magical 40 points; supporters could let out a sigh of relief. Let's face it, who didn't? After the way Fulham played at points of the season it was a good feeling.

   Apparently the squad heard those sighs as permission to go on holiday and began to once more produce disjointed and passionless displays. There were players who gave it their all and others who seem to not care anymore. Five straight losses and the supporters have had it. Something has got to happen, whether it's the manager going or players, supporters just want something, anything done to show that next season will be a better one. So here's to hoping Swansea away sees a bit of youth in the squad.




Players:

Mark Schwazer: Shown that he can still be a top keeper, however his skills are beginning to wane even more than they have the past season.

David Stockdale: Looks to be the last season as a White, he's getting regular football at Hull, who could blame him if he left.

Neil Etheredge: Seems to be in line for the number two; however he is young and looks to go on loan next season. Could Fulham be without any of these keepers one way or another next season?

Riise: Definitely not the Liverpool Riise, he can put in a shift but sometimes it just wasn't good enough.

Senderos: Love him or hate him he's been known to start a good attacking run, make a good stop
And then let in an easy goal, still Jol's main choice.

Hangeland: an astute player and our most consistent of the past, however he isn't vocal enough as a captain, said really. He has had an off year.

Baird: the first of the "Lost Ones" he hasn't featured much this year, even though he has 22 appearances (14 starting) it seems we have seen the last of Bairdinho.

Sidwell: Had an amazing year for us that will seriously be blighted by the two consecutive red cards.

Berbatov: Moody, Useless, Brilliant, and a whole list of other words could be used to describe the Bulgarian, his 14 goals have been a help, but did his antics hurt us? If he were running for government he would win, given the results of the POTY.

Petric: Started the season well, has 5 goals to his name. He is a good striker but you have to play to score, not just an occasional sub appearance. He and Berbatov do not play well together.

Ruiz: once again flashes of brilliance but not much more. He has matured as a player in this league and will begin to show his true worth next season. (Much like Dempsey)

Frimpong: 5 starts looked well enough. However more known for his odd phrase of "Dench"

Karagounis: Has scored some memorable goals and generally fits in well in the midfield. He should be given some sort of award for his acting ability as well.

Richardson: Would be first choice left back if he could stay fit, hopefully not AJ incarnate.

Duff: started well and tailed off, he is a good player to have in the squad though.

Hughes: once a huge part of our defense, now a bit part player. Can't see him staying.

Rodellega: has made a few appearances, 14 starts and 14 from the bench. He has pace but seems to have fallen out with Jol

Diarra: great player, however with his injury, we've probably seen the last of him.

Frei: got some time away from Fulham, seemed to do him well. Played very well against Chelsea.

Dejagah: Went from "who?" to a very important member of our squad.

Manolev: a loan has played a few matches with mixed results.

Reither: By far the best player in our squad at the moment. He was consistent most of the season and knows how to cross the ball. If Fulham don't get him on a permanent there is something wrong.

Emmanulsen: seems to be a utility player with a lot of mixed results. A few great games or one like QPR you don't know till the match kicks off with Urby. More than likely set to return to Milan.

Davies: A player we sorely missed this campaign, he may not be the most skilled but he gave it his all every match. If we never see him pull on the White again he will always hold a special place at Fulham.

Kacaniklic: aside from giving commentators a nightmare, Kaca seems to have matured well at Watford. In fact it was a surprise that he got loaned in the first place. Kaca was the best thing Konchesky did for the club.

Enoh: A really tidy midfielder. Hopefully Fulham get this deal done as well.

Final Thoughts.

This is a HUGE summer for Fulham. With all of the contracts expiring be it loan or permanent Fulham have a lot of players to replace. Given the past few years Jol probably won't be given much with the development of the stands going ahead.

Berbatov is class, however sulking around when you aren't getting the service you are used to wont help anything. There are a few players that seem to be on his wavelength at Fulham, however there needs to be more in order to truly get the most out of Berbatov.

Supporter's minds change like the breeze. Many who loved the Berba transfer hate it now. Opinions were already formed on that little right back from a relegated German side with no premiership experience. Karagounis is past it and Emmanulsen was the best thing since sliced bread. Get the picture?

Midfield Midfield Midfield, WE NEED A MIDFIELD and a consistent one at that. Let's hope our not rushing into the January window proves fruitful this time to replace Dembele and Dempsey.

It could be a big close season for Fulham's keepers too. Mark's ending contract and Stockdale getting regular football elsewhere.

Youth is key, we have a great set  up would be nice to see if any of them could make the grade in the coming time.

A Final, final note. I am grateful that one of the worst things in my life is when a result of overpaid men kicking a ball doesn't go my way. There is always worse and I am very fortunate to be where I am at.

As always
Come on You Whites.
Let the summer roll on
THANK GOD this one is almost over.
Could be worse
Could support QPR

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[JackyFulham90]

Good post, I think a couple of proven premier league players in key areas is the way to go as they need no time to settle, with his Spurs connections maybe Huddlestone & Darren Bent would be a good start

[valdeingruo]

Go figure i jump the gun and Fulham wins 3-nill away.