Tale of two halves

[JimmyConway]

Thought we started well last night and were quite bright. The goal and the timing of it absolutely took the wind out of our sail. Second half we lacked idea creativity and in general a tad flat. We had a couple of flurries but never led to much. I do think this is what being in the Premier league is! Everything going along swimmingly and then for no reason you suddenly have a run of 3 or 4 straight league losses which you never saw coming. I am not saying this is the case before we have even played Chelsea but like the 3 victories over the festive period when our form was perhaps not the best the roles have reversed slightly. Overall our last 2 performances have been quite good. It could be with the World Cup, this season will get more unpredictable? Listened to a couple of fellow supporters walking back last night after the game and being of a similar age to these fella's found myself chuckling along as it was along the lines of is this the start of the slump? Chelsea up next Forest are in form! It's what being a Fulham supporter is about especially if your of the age of 40+ Should we lose to Sunderland probably more rumblings of "Here we go" ??

Back to last night and as mentioned prior I do think the goal took the stuffing out of us and we just never got going in the second half. Certainly we lacked quality in the final third and never moved there back line around enough let alone test a fragile goalie currently. Willian just had one of those games and wonder if conditions last night a factor as it was a bit tatters in the mould but still has plenty to offer this season but last night a quiet one for him and less influential. BDR been Mr Reliable this season but when it's not happening can become predictable. Reed another reliable player though has a couple of goals this season is not a big threat from an attacking prospective generally but often we see him in the penalty box a lot more than say Pereira? Will we get enough goals from Pereira this season in that position? Substitutions and the time of them last night? apart from Cairney did Marco leave it to late for a more positive outcome?

We move on and the likelihood the fringe players have enough to get past Sunderland. Should still be able to put out a decent team out and a great opportunity to possibly go long in tournament this season?

[Black and White Blood]

Jimmy Conway- pretty good post.
Regarding substitutions, this is my one criticism
of Marco, ' In game management '.
We were very dominant for the first 30 mins but
Spurs were obviously playing their way into
the game.  Be proactive not reactive.  I was calling for
TC on 35 minutes to see us through to half time.
Tom is too good to stay on the Bench for over 65 minutes.

[Stoneleigh Loyalist]

Part of our problem is that Pereira Willian and Cairney are all seventy minute players and it has shown in recent matches.

[hovewhite]

It's shows up more against the big teams like spurs,gunners,etc

[Thames Bank 1]

Apart from West Ham, we have only lost to top six teams, we are well and truly holding our own, a good couple of signings in defence, midfield and forward and push on, we have done more than anyone would have thought up to now.

[SerbianLad]

Apart from West Ham, we have only lost to top six teams, we are well and truly holding our own, a good couple of signings in defence, midfield and forward and push on, we have done more than anyone would have thought up to now.

And that West Ham loss was without Mitro and tge 3 goals they scored were one from a harsh penalty and two after clear handballs before the goals.

[Thames Bank 1]

That's true, but with Mitro taking another knock on the ankle, feel we may need another forward to push on to carry on how well we have done up to now

[SerbianLad]

That's true, but with Mitro taking another knock on the ankle, feel we may need another forward to push on to carry on how well we have done up to now

I quite liked what I saw from Vinicis in recent games. I wouldn't mind if he was given until the end of the season to prove himself considering we're highly unlikely to be anywhere near going down.