Monday Fulham Stuff (12/12/16)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic: 'Very simple football caused us so many problems'
by DAN on DECEMBER 11, 2016

Slavisa Jokanovic was angered by both Fulham's inability to kill off Wolves and the slack defending that very nearly allowed Paul Lambert's side to complete the most astounding of comebacks in an incredible 4-4 at Molineux yesterday afternoon.

The visitors looked in complete control when a stunning strike from Tom Cairney gave them a 3-1 lead at half time, but a combination of a lack of composure in front of goal and naive defending almost saw Wolves snatch victory through Dave Edwards' fine 90th minute finish. Jokanovic's side did salvage a point thanks to an even later header from Floyd Ayite, but that did little to console the Fulham head coach.

We led 3-1 and then we were losing. We controlled many things and we can score some goals, but we can be more clinical. We didn't kill the game and we suffered for that. We didn't manage our situation very well especially in the last half an hour.

I am not thinking about going up or staying in the league. I am thinking how we are going to fix our problems. Wolves, with very simple football, created so many problems and in this situation we have to be more solid. We have to improve and not show our weaknesses like we showed today.

Before they scored the second goal we had a few chances, but we were not solid enough in the defensive line. This is not a new competition for me and is not the first time that something like this has happened. If you want to be more competitive you have to find a solution to the situation we found ourselves in today.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2016/12/jokanovic-very-simple-football-caused-us-so-many-problems/

[WhiteJC]

 
Ayité: We'll Keep Going

Floyd Ayité managed to get off the mark for the first time as a Fulham player on Saturday afternoon but could only help but feel disappointed after his side lost out on returning to London with three points.

"Scoring two goals today is good for me, but it's not enough. I'm looking forward to the next game on Tuesday.

"Today is a bad day, we lost two points but we'll keep going. There are many games left to go in the season. We may have lost two points today but on Tuesday we have a game and we have to do better".

With the game coming to a close Wolves managed to get themselves a goal and many thought that Fulham would be leaving Molineux with nothing despite being 3-1 up going in to half time, but Fulham kept persevering and a late Ayité header allowed the Whites to secure a point.

"The late equaliser shows we have good character, but in order to fight we have to be stronger and we're looking forward and aiming to win against Rotherham on Tuesday".

The last time Fulham played at Craven Cottage they played some scintillating football and managed to beat promotion rivals Reading 5-0.

"At home we have a feeling that we're stronger and more solid and if we win on Tuesday we have a chance to recover points which will help us to fight for a play off position".


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/december/11/ayite-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Wolves 4-4 Fulham: Junior reporter's verdict as Wanderers throw away two points
It was a chaotic afternoon at Molineux as Fulham pitched up on Saturday

An eight-goal thriller unfolded in the Black Country on Saturday - but Wolves will have rued not collecting all three points with Fulham, instead having to settle for just one.

The hosts entered the game following a first win under Paul Lambert away at QPR.

He fielded a similar side except for changes in the back line; Kortney Hause replaced Richard Stearman and 19-year-old Harry Burgoyne stepping in for the injured Carl Ikeme and Andy Lonergan to make his first team debut.

As for high-flying Fulham, they were in good shape following a 5-0 mauling of Reading the previous week.

It was the visitors who came the closest to an opener when Tom Cairney's shot was deflected inches wide of the post.

It was Wolves however, who struck first when Hause powered his header past Button in the Fulham goal after Helder Costa's corner in the 20th minute.

Ten minutes later, Wolves could have extended their lead through Nouha Dicko as he pounced on a spill from the Fulham goalkeeper. His effort trickled across the open goal. Fulham cleared and found themselves level seconds later.

Fredericks broke down the right and put the ball on a plate for the onrushing Johansen to fire in off the bar.

The hosts looked nervy, and were breached again minutes later as Ayite was alert to place his header into the bottom corner following another Fredericks' cross.

Doherty was struggling to handle the flying right-back, but there was nothing anyone could do about Fulham's third on the stroke of half time.

Johansen floated his free kick across to Cairney on the edge of the area who expertly dispatched his volley past the outstretched Burgoyne. This was the signal for many Wolves fans to head for the exits before half-time.

They will regret that, as what followed was astonishing.

Wolves came out of the blocks revitalised and knocked on the door of their opponents for the first 15 minutes but achieved nothing, until Matt Doherty found himself in the right place at the right time to fire the men in old gold back into the game with half an hour to play.

It was Doherty who threaded a ball into the path of Ivan Cavaleiro who fantastically steered his effort into the top corner. Out of nowhere, Wolves were level.

This set up a dramatic finale, and the hosts thought they had defied the odds to come back and win when Dave Edwards somehow managed to score from what seemed to be an impossible angle in the 90th minute.

Wolves were victorious, or so they thought, until Ayite denied them at the death to salvage a point five minutes into added time.

Fulham boss Jokanovic was left frustrated after they led 3-1 at half time, only to return to London with a paltry point.

Paul Lambert praised his side's determination and character, but is still to see his charges win at home. Wolves visit the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, but will need to tighten the defence if they are to have any chance of returning with the points.


http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/wolves-4-4-fulham-junior-12305982