Stefan Johansen

[Southcoastffc]

Unless I've missed it, I'm really surprised that the pass Stefan made to Sess in the lead up to the goal has not attracted attention.  It was superb. Danny Murphy at his peak could not have hit a better, incisive, laser-like pass to put Villa in disarray. Sess did wonderfully after a loose first touch and deserves the praise he's received but imo Stefan also deserves huge credit.

[the nutflush]

Totally agree.  Was a peach.

[bencher]

Thought the same.

On a similar note - the pass to Johansen was from Cairney, who then simply strolled his way up the pitch to receive the lovely pass from Sess and dispatch us into the Premier League.

[Mitch]

It was a mis-hit. He was looking at Matt Targett - fortune worked out for us though!

[Bassey the warrior]

It was a mis-hit. He was looking at Matt Targett - fortune worked out for us though!

You don't know that, best to give benefit of the doubt.

[Bassey the warrior]

Superb pass.

[Madman Maddle]

Amazing pass from him and I was shocked that it almost went unnoticed. Also I don't agree that he is often singled out as the player who needs to be upgraded in our central midfield. Basically we should look for every position to be upgraded to create competition. But StefJo to me is a PL player. PL suits his relentless style, energy and creativity. He is a scoring threat from midfield which you need in the PL, great a creating chances for others and amazing defensive contribution. Despite some groin issues throughout the season he made 49 appearances for us this season.

I love McDonald and his graceful yet robust style in front of our defense, hope he can establish himself in the PL. But between him and StefJo, I think StefJo is more suited for PL football. Would be quite cool if we bring in a couple of quality PL midfielders - which we need to create competition - but our current players beat them out for starting XI.

[filham]

Sess and Cairney were a long way from their normal positions when the goal was scored. One of the attractions of our attack is their flexibility.

[Horsfield_No9]

I felt he was looking for Targett as that would be a more familiar move.

[Southcoastffc]

But watch the video again and look at the way he angles his foot.  Anyway, it worked!   049:gif 082.gif :wine: :yay:

[General]

I  thought it was a fantastic pass and as key to seeing us score as either cairney's or sessegnon's roles.. it speed and directness and accuracy really caught villa off guard and all the fulham players reacted so quickly to it (a benefit of being the younger side)..

That incisiveness proved key.

Randomly I had always attributed it to Johansen but saw one journo say it was McDonald's pass, which it wasn't.

[Mitch]

It was a mis-hit. He was looking at Matt Targett - fortune worked out for us though!

You don't know that, best to give benefit of the doubt.

I mean, you can see him look at Targett and Targett make the run. It was pretty obvious! It's not a knock on him, just clearly obvious.

[Mitch]

Amazing pass from him and I was shocked that it almost went unnoticed. Also I don't agree that he is often singled out as the player who needs to be upgraded in our central midfield. Basically we should look for every position to be upgraded to create competition. But StefJo to me is a PL player. PL suits his relentless style, energy and creativity. He is a scoring threat from midfield which you need in the PL, great a creating chances for others and amazing defensive contribution. Despite some groin issues throughout the season he made 49 appearances for us this season.

I love McDonald and his graceful yet robust style in front of our defense, hope he can establish himself in the PL. But between him and StefJo, I think StefJo is more suited for PL football. Would be quite cool if we bring in a couple of quality PL midfielders - which we need to create competition - but our current players beat them out for starting XI.

Stef Jo is a character and adds that dark arts side of the game, but he's a Championship player. Will be a squad player in the Premier League. I would have upgraded him even if we hadn't improved.

[nose returns]

i like to think that SJ hit a stunning pass, because for me TC's goal was goal of the day by a mile. A perfect team goal with clever passing, great movement, no little skill, and zero luck.
Not saying bale wasn't brilliant too but overhead kicks are a matter of luck and usuaklly the result of a misplaced cross or poor play in the lead up, nobody plays for an overhead kick..... our goal was perfection and I do love a straight ball between defenders for a diagonal run!

[Marcel_Gecov]

Amazing pass from him and I was shocked that it almost went unnoticed. Also I don't agree that he is often singled out as the player who needs to be upgraded in our central midfield. Basically we should look for every position to be upgraded to create competition. But StefJo to me is a PL player. PL suits his relentless style, energy and creativity. He is a scoring threat from midfield which you need in the PL, great a creating chances for others and amazing defensive contribution. Despite some groin issues throughout the season he made 49 appearances for us this season.

I love McDonald and his graceful yet robust style in front of our defense, hope he can establish himself in the PL. But between him and StefJo, I think StefJo is more suited for PL football. Would be quite cool if we bring in a couple of quality PL midfielders - which we need to create competition - but our current players beat them out for starting XI.

Stef Jo is a character and adds that dark arts side of the game, but he's a Championship player. Will be a squad player in the Premier League. I would have upgraded him even if we hadn't improved.

I always think that on the ball StefJo most likely our most comfortable player.

[FulhamStu]

That first time straight fast ball into the forwards feet is a regular move we make.  It was totally intended for Sess, who's first touch was a little heavy but good enough for him to then gain control and deliver an exquisite pass that Cairney just need to guide into the back of the net.  A quality goal that totally summed up playing the Fulham way.

[bencher]

The thing about Johansen is he doesn't mind taking a risk with the ball. So many midfielders always look for the easy ball and you do need players who will try things. It won't always come off and it can be very frustrating, but it's part of what has made our midfield so effective the last 2 seasons.

[Steven Ageroad]

Unless I've missed it, I'm really surprised that the pass Stefan made to Sess in the lead up to the goal has not attracted attention.  It was superb. Danny Murphy at his peak could not have hit a better, incisive, laser-like pass to put Villa in disarray. Sess did wonderfully after a loose first touch and deserves the praise he's received but imo Stefan also deserves huge credit.

Totally agree.

[simplyfulham]

Sess and Cairney were a long way from their normal positions when the goal was scored. One of the attractions of our attack is their flexibility.

Yup.

Kamara makes a good little move inside and draws Hutton too narrow which allows Cairney in behind. And the sweetest bit is Terry playing about 2 yards deeper then the rest of the Villa backline, giving Cairney a bit of extra space to drift in behind.

Lovely stuff.

[JOND999]

i agree with the original post.  superb, direct, ambitious, intentionall ball from StefJo to Sess.  you need to ask questions, not just pass it back and sideways.  you never know what will happen. 

there is room on this squad for everyone that contributed to our promotion next year, as a starter or squad player, but we definitely need to bring in proven, quality PL players at every position to create competition and match day choices.

we need a big ugly to partner with Ream and need to sort out our striker options primarily.  Midfield was our strength and StefJo was a key part of that.