Sunday Fulham Stuff (16/08/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal 1 Fulham: but the low crowd suggests cost of entry isn't the issue

Last night Arsenal under 21s beat Fulham 1-0 at the Emirates.  It was a terrific game full of the most amazing skills from incredibly talented players; an absolute joy to watch.  It was one of those games where right up to the 86th minute when Zelalem scored there was a doubt if Arsenal would make the break through.

Entry was free to members (all members, red, silver, gold), and there was the catering facilities in the ground.

And yet under 2000 turned up.

OK, each to his own, but I couldn't help thinking that some of the people who moan about the high price of entry, about not being able to get tickets to Arsenal matches, about being priced out of football and all that, are really more interested in moaning and knocking Arsenal rather than actually watching football.

Now I fully admit I don't get to many under 21 games.  In the days when they or the reserves played in games in minor stadia across the Midlands (where I live) I would always go, but these days, with the 190 odd mile round trip, to London, and few under 21 games open to the public (and even fewer in the Midlands) I don't go so much – given that I go to all the first team games at home, and a handful away.

But for a person who is struggling to afford the first team, seeing the under 21s at the Emirates is a brilliant experience.  Indeed for anyone who really doesn't want to support the club by being a member, and who can't afford the £31 for the lowest price non-member ticket into the ground, an under 21 game like this surely would be a must.

What we saw last night was a Fulham side that parked the bus, and an Arsenal team that tried every possible move to get around them – and finally did.   It was skill – skill – skill – very few nasty tackles from the Fulham defenders, and the few there were, were dealt with, through a solid bit of headmasterly like talking by the ref.  Quite a different experience from the Premier League.

In fact, no one set out to maim the more skilful side which made for the speed and enthusiasm of many of the players.

We didn't have any over age players in the line ups, as far as I know, but we certainly did have some players who absolutely caught the eye.  Krystian Bielik at number 5, part of what was for much of the game a three men defensive back line, was superb, and you can see at once why Arsenal ventured into the market for him.  Unless something goes seriously wrong, he must be vying for a first team centre back position.  You can see why he is counted as a first team squad member.

Tafari Moore, unmistakeable in what I believe the younger generation call "dread locks" was amazingly composed at right back and also ready ready to step up (although my ability to call such progress is notoriously inept).

And they knew that ahead of them they had Gedion Zelalem in a central position in midfield, pushing and probing endlessly, with Ben Sheaf, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Alex Iwobi all ready to pounce on anything.  Yassin Fortune (the young man who joined us in the package that brought Jeff Reine Adelaide) also made an entrance as a sub and looked impressive.

After the game Zelalem was interviewed by Arsenal.com and said, "My goal came because I watch the first team a lot and they like to play quick one-twos on the edge of the box. Us youth-team players aspire to be like them so we try to play like them. It worked against Fulham and hopefully the fans enjoyed the goal."



We did indeed, despite the smallness of the crowd (at least we were all in the East Lower so managed to get a bit of togetherness out of the occasion).


http://untold-arsenal.com/archives/45611?

[WhiteJC]

 
PALACE SET TO RECEIVE BUMPER £10 MILLION BID FOR THEIR TOP GOALSCORER

Following on from the news that Bristol City had seen a bid of £8 million accepted for Dwight Gayle, Fulham are reportedly set to offer the same sum, plus add-ons for the former Peterborough man.

Alan Pardew revealed yesterday that Gayle himself had spoken to him over the possibility of a move away at the start of the summer, having grown frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at Selhurst Park, but with only Bristol City having shown serious interest in him prior to the boss' pre-Arsenal press conference, it looked as though the striker was set to stay put.

Reluctant to drop down to the Championship having proven himself to be a more than capable finisher at Premier League level, Gayle may feel the same way about Fulham as he did over a possible switch to Ashton Gate, but with the Cottagers possessing a far greater pedigree within the game than the West Country outfit, he could be persuaded to make such a move.

Whilst there are a large number of Palace fans who are understandably reluctant to part with Gayle, given his genuinely impressive scoring record in a red and blue shirt, we could all benefit from taking a moment or two to put ourselves in Dwight's shoes. Clearly keen to play regularly, he appears to have come to terms with the fact that Alan Pardew's tactical plans don't revolve around him and has subsequently asked to leave; a request which we have readily granted.

As part of that arrangement, we are now close to receiving two sizeable bids to take him off our hands, which if accepted, will leave the ball firmly in Gayle's court. Looking at it without red and blue tinted spectacles, I would suggest that the frontman will plump for a move to Putney, bringing to an end a love affair that burned brightly in patches but for the most-part proved to be an unworkable match for both parties.

We should be thankful that Gayle's best performances have brought bids of such size and wish him well if indeed he does decide to leave, rather than berating the club for allowing it to happen. In this particular case, it feels as though Gayle was the right player at the wrong time for Crystal Palace, and that is no one's fault.


http://www.hltco.org/2015/08/15/palace-set-to-receive-bumper-10-million-bid-for-their-top-goalscorer/?

[WhiteJC]

 
USMNT center back Tim Ream makes U-turn, "highly likely" to sign for Fulham over QPR

After Queens Park Rangers had a bid of around $2.5 million accepted for U.S. international defender Tim Ream on Thusday, the Bolton Wanderers defender looked set to sign at Loftus Road.

But then, there was a twist.

QPR's Championship and London rivals Fulham made a late bid to Bolton for Ream, and the Cottagers now appear to be in the driving seat to sign the central defender according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

A source confirmed to ProSoccerTalk on Saturday that it is now "highly likely" that Ream will sign for Fulham instead of QPR (who were relegated from the Premier League last season) after the second-tier side tabled a comparable bid. Fulham is said to have made a "late push" for Ream, as Kit Symons looks to bolster his defensive options following a disappointing 17th place finish in the Championship last season after their relegation from the PL in 2014.

Both QPR and Fulham are likely to be challenging for promotion back to the Premier League this season, and with Ream battling away in the lower reaches of the Championship since 2012 when Bolton were relegated from the PL just six months after he arrived, the St. Louis native will be eager to get back into England's top-flight.

Joining the Cottagers could give him a better chance of doing so than with cash-strapped Bolton.

Ream has become a bit of a legend for the Trotters, winning the fans' Player of the Year award in each of the last two season's, but now seems like the right time for the 27-year-old to move on.

London will be his next destination, and it seems as though Fulham is his preference over QPR. A deal will likely be wrapped up one way or another by early next week, as the summer transfer window in England slams shut on Sept. 1.


http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/15/usmnt-center-back-tim-ream-makes-u-turn-highly-likely-to-sign-for-fulham-over-qpr/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham agree fee for Bolton's Tim Ream

The 27-year-old is close to sealing a move from Bolton Wanderers to Fulham.

HITC Sport understands Fulham have agreed a fee with Bolton Wanderers for defender Tim Ream.

Fulham are set to beat Queens Park Rangers to sign United States international Ream after matching their bid for the Bolton defender, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Fulham have made central defensive reinforcements one of their main priorities this summer and have been linked with a host of targets.

QPR agreed a fee in the region of £1.4m with Bolton for Ream earlier this week and the player was given permission to hold talks at Loftus Road.

However, Fulham have matched the bid and are set for talks with Ream over the weekend.

Ream is thought to favour a move to Fulham over QPR and the defender is due to have a medical at Craven Cottage.

Ream, who joined Bolton in 2012 from New York Red Bulls, has won Bolton's Player of the Year award for each of the last two seasons.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/15/fulham-agree-fee-for-boltons-tim-ream/?

[WhiteJC]

 
New Deal For Betts

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has signed a new four-year deal, keeping him at the Club until 2019.

The shot-stopper graduated through the Academy to make his First Team debut last season in a 1-0 win at Brentford in the League Cup. He ended the campaign with 45 appearances to his name and was runner-up to Ross McCormack in the Club's 2014/15 Player of the Year poll. He was also named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the Under-21 European Championships in the summer.

Bettinelli told the official website: "I'm absolutely delighted to sign a new deal with the club I've been with for a long time. I always dreamed of wearing the number-one shirt for this Club when I was coming through the Academy. I'm extremely proud to wear it now and hopefully for many more years to come."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/august/15/new-deal-for-betts?

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s Report: Leicester City 2 Fulham 0

Read a full match report from the Barclays U18 Premier League fixture between Leicester City and Fulham at Belvoir Drive on Saturday 15 August, 2015.
- Leicester City record their second consecutive win of the season
- A double from Admiral Muskwe earns the young Foxes all three points
- City host Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend

Leicester City's Under-18s made it two 2015/16 Barclays U18 Premier League wins out of two with a victory against Fulham on Saturday at Belvoir Drive.

Trevor Peake's outfit started well, but a resilient defensive display from the visitors meant the game remained goalless right up until first half stoppage time.

Admiral Muskwe surged into the Fulham box before being fouled in the area - the City forward dispatched the spot-kick to make it 1-0 before the break.

And Muskwe, who impressed throughout, grabbed his second goal of the match on 65 minutes, converting from the edge of the box to double his side's advantage.

The young Foxes started the 2015/16 campaign well, beating Swansea City 2-1 away from home, and they maintained their attacking intent against Fulham.

The lively Josh Eppiah curled City's first attempt of the game just wide on five minutes, before Harvey Barnes fired a free kick over from the edge of the box just moments later.

Fulham replied, first going close through forward Stephen Humphrys' header, while Mattias Kait unleashed a powerful shot into Cameron Yates' side-netting shortly after.

Midfielder Barnes, a threat all game, then went on a fine solo run, skipping past two defenders, only to drag his effort wide of the mark on 17 minutes.

Fulham shot-stopper Marek Rodak would keep the score level with two good pieces of goalkeeping midway through the first period, closing down the inbound Eppiah, before preventing Muskwe from latching onto Barnes' cross from the left.

Maintaining their pressure, the young Foxes took the lead right on the stroke of half-time. Muskwe wriggled through down the right wing before being hauled down in the box. The striker stepped up and slotted in past Rodak to give his side a 1-0 lead at the break.

Fulham came close to equalising just two minutes into the second period when Kait struck Yates' upright with a fearsome effort.

Humphrys then curled just inches wide of the target, but City regained control of the game soon after, and doubled their lead. A swift counter-attack saw Kairo Mitchell lay the ball off Muskwe, who fired a fine effort past Rodak from 18 yards while under pressure.

Alex Pascanu made a good run down the right flank on 69 minutes, setting up Barnes, who couldn't connect with the ball at the front post.

A late spell of Fulham pressure saw Kait hit the bar, while Yates was on hand a minute later to punch away substitute Ravi Shamsi's dangerous corner.

The result saw City record their second consecutive U18 Premier League win as they host Brighton and Hove Albion at Belvoir Drive on Saturday 22 August.

CITY: Yates, Pascanu, Kelly, Sherrif, Knight, Johnson (c), Barnes, Dewsbury-Hall (Templeton 63), Mitchell, Muskwe, Eppiah (Webber 63)

SUBS NOT USED: Thandi, Bramley, Hodby

GOALS: Muskwe pen 45, 65

FULHAM: Rodak, Fossey, Mundel-Smith, Adebayo, Davies (c), Nabay (Dolan 46 (Harris 83)), Patton (Shamsi 46), Adeniran, Walker, Kait, Humphrys

SUBS NOT USED: Soutter

REFEREE: Mr. R. Watkins


Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/u18s-report-leicester-city-2-fulham-0-2621105.aspx#FB0tscDH6rLqKRgy.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Post Match report for the Fulham game - Saturday, 15th August 2015

Fulham 1 : 2 Brighton

For Seagulls first trip on that long Championship road ahead, the short haul into southwest London certainly was not a step too far at this stage of the season. Early momentum could be built upon, especially if keeping a clean sheet, to improve last terms away record and ongoing goal difference.
Chris Hughton had added to the opening-day squad with million-pound-plus signings, defender Uwe Hunemeier (Paderborn, Germany) and winger Jamie Murphy (Sheffield United).
Speculation abounded as to imminent transfer of Lewis Dunk to Fulham... or elsewhere!

Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Hunemeier, Bong, March, Kayal, Stephens, LuaLua, Baldock, Hemed.


1min. Albion kick-off in illuminating style, with away colours showing prominently, as they move the ball at pace.
2. Kayal drives forward and with Seagulls front pairing making cross runs, unleashes a drive to test the keeper right now!
4. March is fed by Bruno and delivers a pinpoint cross that Hemed attacks but unfortunately drops onto roof of the net.
6. it is all Albion with threats in the final third, using each flank to probe and penetrate. LuaLua shoots from distance.
10. March goes on a run and is backed up by Stephens but the move peters out when initiative is lost against the defence.
13. second corner to visitors is taken short to Bruno but defenders up from the back are leaning on opposition at the cross.
16. play is at a high tempo - travellers are stroking the ball around and looking for a quick pass over the top up to forwards.
20. the home outfit begin to search for a toehold in this match but Albion possession is maintained from back to front.
21. March breaks through during continued pressure and is goal-bound but his pass is intercepted - with appeals for hands.
25. corner to visitors following a good run by LuaLua and awareness from Baldock. The set piece is eventually mopped up.
30. at the half hour, BALDOCK poaches the opener after Bruno tees-up following great defending by Hunemeier in defence
33. corner to Seagulls when LuaLua steps over and takes a dig. The area is packed but locals clear through serial pinball.
36. f-k to visitors is short but eventually looped into the danger zone. Brighton keep up pressure until Ref signals a goal kick
40. corner to Cottagers gains vocal support from frustrated home fans who then witness their heroes head high and wide.
43. Albion counterattack at pace & briefly have superiority in numbers but from the break Fulham strike and equalise late.
45+ final moments were disturbing for away fans having watched Albion virtually dominate the first half. Decision making at key moments has prevented turning attacks into goal-scoring opportunities which may have proved match winners.

46. a little to & fro at beginning of the second period sets the trend for some long balls played by both sides from k-o.
49. Hunemeier provides a cross-field ball to set March off down the flank. He cuts inside to go for goal from back to front.
53. possession is once again with visitors but are foulded. From the f-k by Stephens, Kayal sets up a high cross for Greer.
55. corner to Seagulls is wasted when LuaLua makes a mess of his intended strike. Both wingers are shooting on sight.
58. f-k to Fulham outside the area is pumped into the zone but sails harmlessly wide of danger. Albion regroup once more.
60. on the hour mark work-rate is maintained and more pressure results in another corner. Hunemeier heads the ball over.
61. first sub by locals entering the final third time-wise, they also have a defender booked. F-k to visitors is easily defended.
65. routine defending by Albion eases sporadic threats from Cottagers. Baldock stretches play to allow LuaLua a shot - high.
67. Stockdale tips over and from the corner a second chance is put wide. Albion have been inviting pressure to deep areas.
69. LuaLua is booked for dissent. The match is drifting toward an even-steven result and tactical changes are needed now.
70. March is booked as Albion momentum slows at this stage. Locals have come more into the match and are a threat.
73. visitors are back-pedalling as cross after cross is fired up field into danger areas, where there is an air of desperation.
77. Brighton seem spent as an attacking force, having lost midfield and fallen back on defence. Hughton must change it.
78. Ince comes on for Baldock. Seagulls reshape with three in central midfield which avails support to Hemed up front.
80. Stockdale takes in routine fashion allowing breathing space from constant rearguard action - the next goal wins it.
82. second Fulham sub, also Rosenior replaces March. The home eleven are banking on fresh legs to stay dangerous.
85. Stephens goes down and is swapped for Forster-Caskey. A mistake or a worldy would be needed to break stalemate.
90+ cut & thrust in final moments is to strange avail as Albion grab all points from the first trip away from home.
HEMED scores from the penalty spot after LuaLua is floored.
Seagulls came home to roost following missed chances in the first half and Hughton will be relieved, apart from fortunately pleased.


http://www.brightonfans.com/NewsNow/reports_page.php?id=3&post=yes

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham beaten by injury-time penalty

Fulham 1 Brighton 2

A disputed penalty deep into stoppage time cost Fulham a point in a dramatic finish at Craven Cottage.

Shaun Hutchinson brought down Kazenga LuaLua seconds before full-time but claimed the tackle was outside the box, with Tomer Hemed stroking home the spot-kick.

Fulham had deserved something out of the game after building up a head of steam late in the game, but will rue a string of missed chances.

They had looked flat in the first half, with Brighton taking the lead on the half hour mark when Bruno's fine delivery from the right was converted by Sam Baldock.

But they drew level thanks to a moment of inspiration from Tom Cairney who fizzed in a left-footed shot from the corner of the box beyond former Whites keeper David Stockdale.

And they could even have been ahead going into half-time but Matt Smith's header from a free-kick come back off the inside of the post.

LuaLua fired just over for Brighton but that preceded a spell of Fulham dominance in the final quarter of the game, with Smith's hooked shot palmed over by Stockdale.

The burly Whites striker also headed straight at the Seagulls keeper from an Ashley Richards cross when well placed.

And they were left to regret those opportunites when referee Neil Swarbrick awarded Brighton the penalty that won the game.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Voser; Cairney, Christensen, O'Hara, Pringle (Kacaniklic 62); McCormack, Smith (Dembele 83).
Subs: Lonergan, Kacaniklic, Mattila, Woodrow, Tunnicliffe, Dembele, Burn.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-wls-fulham-beaten-by-controversial-late-brighton-penalty

[WhiteJC]

 
Huddersfield Tickets

Fulham are back in action at Craven Cottage next Saturday 22nd August (3pm) when they take on Huddersfield Town.

Tickets for the clash are now on General Sale and available to purchase, priced from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors.

Be here to back the Whites - buy your tickets today online, by phone on 0843 208 1234 (option 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.
Huddersfield Tickets
Matchday Hospitality

Watch in style, with a number of Matchday Hospitality packages are available for supporters to purchase today.

Spend the matchday build-up and relax in comfort from our Executive Suites, Restaurant or Lounges, each coming with a range of food and drink options. Prices start from £55 per person (+VAT), with exclusive packages for Season Ticket Holders beginning from £20 pp*.

Find out more or book by calling our Hospitality team on (+44) 020 8336 7555, 9am to 5.30pm, Mon-Fri, or simply buy online anytime.

*Selected blocks only. Supporters must log in online to view the packages available to you.
Huddersfield Hospitality


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/august/15/huddersfield-tickets?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss blames Hutchinson for crucial penalty

Fulham manager Kit Symons blamed defender Shaun Hutchinson for the penalty which cost them a point against Brighton.

The Whites centre-back fouled Kazenga LuaLua at high speed as they entered the box, allowing Tomer Hemed to convert Brighton's winner right at the death.

Hutchinson gestured to the referee that any contact was outside the area but Symons insisted he had no qualms with the decision.

Symons said: "I've seen it back a few times and it's very difficult to call. The initial contact was possibly just outside the box but they were travelling at a pace.

"I've got no arguments with the award of the penalty, but I'm not happy with the defending to give it away.

"It was a rash challenge from Shaun – he knows that – and we didn't need it at that stage at the game.

"LuaLua has over-touched it and it's going out for a goal-kick, but it's hard, once you've committed, to stop yourself."

Sam Baldock opened the scoring in the first half before Tom Cairney equalised with a screamer for the Whites before half-time.

Symons said: "In the first half they were far and away the better side. We weathered the storm and were lucky to go in at 1-1.

"We bucked our ideas up in the second half and upped our tempo, and it was obvious to everyone we were the better side at that stage and looked the most like winning.

"But it was a classic sucker-punch and I'm disappointed. We've got to our jobs at both ends of the pitch."


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-boss-blames-hutchinson-for-crucial-penalty?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cardiff 1 – 1 Fulham (bit late, sorry)

Hi, sorry, where does all the time go?

I am a week late on this, but life gets in the way sometimes.   Today, in fragments, I watched Cardiff v Fulham, and took notes while so doing.  These notes have been mangled, deformed and struck through by my children's uncaring hands, but the truth, as I see it, shines through.  It is these notes, this truth, that I type below.  Better late than never.

First key observation I don't know if Voser has much experience at left-back but Cardiff found a way behind him twice early on.  Two different approaches but the result was the same.   As the game wore on he seemed to be on a slightly different planet to the rest of the back four, frequently further away than he should have been. In the second half he got a bit more help from Pringle, but not that much more.  I think full-back cover was a bit slapdash throughout.  This is odd, as Pringle seems like the type to give everything, so I'm thinking part of this is a coaching thing.  Yes, I know, pile on Symons, but the man's track record doesn't exactly fill us with confidence does it, so when you see something like this you have to assume it's in part down to instructions.

Likewise, why did Longergan not want Fulham to have the ball?  If he kicked it long to Cardiff defenders once he did it 40 times.   I have actually looked at the whoscored.com stats for this but I don't believe them.  I think he gets an 'accurate pass' if someone heads it, but that generally still seemed to end up with the ball at a Cardiff foot.  Are we really saying, in this day and age, that we'd rather Cardiff have the ball just inside their own half than Fulham have the ball a bit deeper?  Really?   It just seemed like a complete and utter waste of possession.  Again, is this Lonergan being dim or has Symons just told him to hoof it as far as he can in Matt Smith's general direction?

Good news! I like the, look of Tom Cairney.  He and Christensen both play with their heads up and both can use either foot.  They look like they have the makings of a fine combination.  Proper footballers.  Good signing!

Bad news!   What a fractured team we looked.  I know we were away at a decent side in the first game of the season but the machine's parts aren't yet in synch, are they?  The defence, I thought generally tried to play out okay, and the midfield all had their moments, but the front two (Smith and the deep-dropping Captain McCormack) seemed very cut off.  There were clear routes to goal down the flanks, with Voser and Richards both overlapping well, but Fulham couldn't get that going often enough, and instead found most attacks to ultimately be nothing of the sort.  It's lazy to just suggest that the presence of a big man at #9 makes his teammates play these aimless diagonals, but that did seem to be what was happening.  McCormack lacked the fizz we have come to expect of him, but I would expect that he and the midfield will come to enjoy one another's company, either as they get used to each other or when they get a coach who can better utilise their skillsets.

Alright news! I think we have all had it in our minds that Fulham need new defenders, and it's true, but I thought Richards, Burn and Hutchinson did pretty well.  Cardiff did have the odd moment but that's almost inevitable.  Hutchinson in particular showed some nice anticipation in making some good covering... erm... plays.  I'm not confident enough in my diagnosis of what Voser was up to but it seemed to upset the spacing of the other three, and in the second half Burn did seem to be dragged across quite a lot. But yeah, they did fine.

The goals! Ours was a fluke, really.  Credit Smith for having the nouse to follow the ball in and the ability to stick it away, but it's not like the breakthrough came from anything clever.   I'm not going to say we're getting back to coincidence football, but it sometimes looked like that.   The Cardiff goal was awful.  I heard that Noone had scored a worldie, but in truth he went almost half the length of the pitch without anyone deigning to interrupt him.  That's disappointing.   Pringle shuttled across to close him down in the end but slipped, so the shot was completely unimpeded.   Someone has to get there, right?   Disappointing.

The ratings!! Here we're trying to judge a players general way of doing things.  It's not about seeing the most glaring incident and letting that dictate our result but rather the shape of the performance, the things the player was doing, and how they might relate to scoring or conceding or not conceding.

Lonergan – 5.  Man of the Match at Viva El Fulham but I can't get past all those pointless turnovers.  I don't like to say turnovers, but really that's what they were.  Just giving the ball back in the name of stupidity.  I'm not laying it all at Lonergan's door but "I was just following orders" doesn't cut it either.  He made the odd good save but nothing out of the ordinary.   This feels harsh, but if an outfield player just booted the ball to the opposing centre-back 40 times a game questions would be asked.  By me, if nobody else.
Richards – 6. Fine.  Looked good to me.
Hutchinson – 6.  Good performance.  Not perfect but good.
Burn – 6.  As above.  Occasional hairy moment but we're judging at an overall level and he looked switched on and capable to me.  You have to stick with Burn I think.
Voser – 4.  I don't know if he hasn't played left back but this was a performance that would have had Brighton's advanced scouts feeling excited about having something tangible to tell their superiors.  He felt like a weak link, an area to be exploited.  That the equaliser came from the left flank didn't surprise me at all.
O'Hara – 5.  I'm not sure where the man of the match award on the official website came from.  I thought he did okay but not to the degree I know he can play.  I do concede that his role in particular is one that's often easier to appreciate in person, e.g. organising, knitting things together.  It's not his fault, but he is by default our most defensive midfield player and this scares me somewhat.  Clearly can use the ball but I guess the trick will be understanding how we can best use this in the future.  So a goodish start but I think he will be more influential in time, and to repeat, we need someone else to break up attacks as this isn't really what O'Hara's for.
Christensen – 7.  Felt a lot more threatening than his peers.  Lots of nice touches and seemed to be involved in most of our non-random good moments.
Cairney – 7. Loved what I saw.  Two good feet, poised, brought teammates into attacks, alive to options, not always the obvious ones, and seemed just to 'get it'.  I'll be watching him with interest in the weeks ahead.
Pringle – 4.5  Slow to find his feet. Got better in the second half and I can absolutely see why he will be a good player for Fulham, but there wasn't much there for me.  No real threat down the left, he seemed to be roaming infield at times, but of course that didn't help us defending the left flank.  And of course his slip led to the equaliser.  Harsh?  Sure, but if he keeps his feet the goal doesn't go in.  Anyway.  A lot of nothing in the end.  He'll do better I'm sure.
McCormack – 4.5.  As above.  I thought McCormack had a really ordinary game, neither fish nor fowl and not at the races.
Smith – 5.  Hard role to play and hard to assess his performance.  He got the goal, so credit there, but you can see why they might be looking at a Dwight Gayle type who offers an over the top threat away from home.  I don't want to say that we'd have won that easily with Gayle up front instead of Smith because clearly that would be a stupid thing to say, but equally you can see how Gayle's pace might have been a nice option for our little wizards to have.  It might just have opened up O'Hara's Charlie Adam/Steven Gerrard demonic long balls from hell, though.  Who knows?  Anyway, Smith did okay. 
Dembele – ?  Not long enough but I liked the way he went about things.  I confess that I've never really seen what all the fuss is about but he looked sharp and made some intelligent contributions, which is what he needs to do.

In conclusion we did quite well and while Cardiff had a lot more pressure in the end, Fulham did feel halfway comfortable with the lead.   It was a lot better than Ipswich last year and it's clear to see how this might evolve into a really good team.  Seriously: in some ways it's almost there.   I don't want to harp on, but a coach with a track record of building a team would probably help to ensure that potential is reached, but in the meantime it feels like the Fulham supporter's glass ought to be half-full.  And, without going all UKIP on you, even if it doesn't work out, seeing a young, largely British, Fulham side does help a bit, I think.   Thank you for your time.  I'll be back next week to talk about this week.


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