Abou - I was wrong

[MJG]

Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.

If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.

I just think he looks better technically, and more confident on the ball than he did. He was pretty unpredictable before and often looked aimless but managing to get into decent positions through pace/strength alone. I just think hes added to his game which is testament to him and teh staff really.

Personally i have never been one who questioned his touch or technique, Ive read a lot of rubbish about it for sure, but I never had an issue with it.

What has changed is he's less greedy and more a team man now, you can see that by the amount of times last night he was pulling the ball back. It didnt always work and thats what you have always got with him.

Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.

[b+w geezer]

Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.

You are correctly dating this to four months or so into his Fulham career, when he had a promising few matches until Mitro took his place.

That was amply justified, but it did result in AK only really re-surfacing late in the promotion season, again looking promising., but hardly enough to really tell.

Then last season was hopeless for almost everyone, AK certainly included, just with some additional factors in his case. Barely a look in this season until now -- and, lo and behold, two whole years of a short career have been and gone!

Suggestions that he is way out of depth seem to have ceased. As for his true degree of potential, no surprise if the jury is still out on that with so little evidence despite so much time having passed.

[fulhamben]

Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.

You are correctly dating this to four months or so into his Fulham career, when he had a promising few matches until Mitro took his place.

That was amply justified, but it did result in AK only really re-surfacing late in the promotion season, again looking promising., but hardly enough to really tell.

Then last season was hopeless for almost everyone, AK certainly included, just with some additional factors in his case. Barely a look in this season until now -- and, lo and behold, two whole years of a short career have been and gone!

Suggestions that he is way out of depth seem to have ceased. As for his true degree of potential, no surprise if the jury is still out on that with so little evidence despite so much time having passed.

im sorry but I'm not having that, hopeless for everyone? Well for me he was literally one of the only reasons to actual turn up to watch us in such a miserable season. And Mitrovic himself said last season that we are a better team when he plays, and he was right, the footage is still there for all to see. Everyone remembers the penalty miss against Huddersfield, but no one recalls just how piss poor we were against them until Abou came on and changed the game, and let's not forget he won the penalty himself in that game.

[Carborundum]

I reflect on the Gillingham stories that emerged soon after we signed him.  Allegedly they had taken a good look and decided he would never cut it at the Prestfield, followed by much amusement at the price we had paid.

Not sure anything written on this board can quite live down to this level of misjudgement.  In what parallel universe would he ever have been less than a success there?

[b+w geezer]

I'd agree with Fulhamben that AK played well against woeful Huddersfield , had shown glimpses in some other games, and would not have been first choice, by a long chalk, for the player you'd want to be removed from the ranks for the rest of the season -- for footballing reasons anyway. 

I was really just using a shorthand to imply that the whole environment was so hopeless last season that AK's career essentially stalled.  When combined with the stall following Mitro's arrival, plus the lack of opportunity this season until now, it's been a period with much less chance than might have been hoped for an enthuiastic player hoping to make his way. Much less chance also for us to see what he can really do give decent circumstances and a bit of run.

[bobbo]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

[FFC1987]

Don't really get the "finally the coaching is paying off..." comments.

If a Derby fan read this forum they'd be totally perplexed because when they last came to CC in May 2018, AK47 caused them nothing but grief, and last night he caused them nothing but grief, but for some reason, in the intervening year and a half, his own fans in SW6 seem to have decided that actually he's rubbish so now they're surprised to see him playing well.

I just think he looks better technically, and more confident on the ball than he did. He was pretty unpredictable before and often looked aimless but managing to get into decent positions through pace/strength alone. I just think hes added to his game which is testament to him and teh staff really.

Personally i have never been one who questioned his touch or technique, Ive read a lot of rubbish about it for sure, but I never had an issue with it.

What has changed is he's less greedy and more a team man now, you can see that by the amount of times last night he was pulling the ball back. It didnt always work and thats what you have always got with him.

Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.

I don't know man, he had a very poor touch, often covered up by his pace to get on the end of it. he reminded me of Thaore in some ways hence why i was so excited about him. I'd say his touch has improved even if thats just because his form has increased. I'm a big fan so in no way putting the lad down.

[Sting of the North]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him. 

But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.

But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.

[FFC1987]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him. 

But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.

But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.

I very much supported him throughout, but lets not pretend that what he did visibly on the pitch wasn't professional too. The penalty situation was fine worthy and showed insubordinate to both the captain, the manager and the assigned penalty taker so he was worthy of at least some criticism.

[toshes mate]

Personally i have never been one who questioned his touch or technique, Ive read a lot of rubbish about it for sure, but I never had an issue with it.

What has changed is he's less greedy and more a team man now, you can see that by the amount of times last night he was pulling the ball back. It didnt always work and thats what you have always got with him.

Like i said, a better player even a couple of years ago than people make out.

Concur with your points MJG even to the extent that it is managers/head coaches who can influence players and turn their heads the right way after damage has been done. The same manager/coach can make matters worse.  AK was fine until the penalty incident, which then got blown out of proportion in the comments made after the match by someone who should have known better.  It predictably went downhill fast for AK after that given the strong character he has.  It is that same character that is helping him transform himself back into the AK we were promised when he first arrived.  He is still a young player but I credit him for having the nous to stick out a rough patch of apparent injustices, and I look forward to his continued improvement on the pitch where it matters most in an FFC shirt. 

[Sting of the North]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him. 

But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.

But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.

I very much supported him throughout, but lets not pretend that what he did visibly on the pitch wasn't professional too. The penalty situation was fine worthy and showed insubordinate to both the captain, the manager and the assigned penalty taker so he was worthy of at least some criticism.

Ok. Haven't seen anyone pretending that though. I am also sure that Kamara was criticized, and rightfully so. But that is hardly the only situation that is referred to, and several other situations lack a lot of context for us on the outside. As far as I know. In any case, my point still stands regardless of if he has previously misbehaved a little or a lot.

[FFC1987]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

Seemingly those in charge at the club, those in charge of the team, and the teammates of AK have no problem with him. At least not to the extent that they got rid of him, refused to play him or didn't cheer for him. 

But still, as someone that presumably knows less about what actually happened in most of those situations, you would rather have him gone as soon as he does anything else that can be deemed not ok? That is strange to me. Personally I rather leave it up to those actually involved and potentially affected by any alleged misbehavior.

But I don't think you are alone. Plenty of posters were rather vocal about their dislike for AK and I am sure not all of them have changed their minds. I guess they have just stayed out of the conversation for the moment since the vibe surrounding him is generally very positive at the moment. I am sure they will return in case of any minor breaches of etiquette.

I very much supported him throughout, but lets not pretend that what he did visibly on the pitch wasn't professional too. The penalty situation was fine worthy and showed insubordinate to both the captain, the manager and the assigned penalty taker so he was worthy of at least some criticism.

Ok. Haven't seen anyone pretending that though. I am also sure that Kamara was criticized, and rightfully so. But that is hardly the only situation that is referred to, and several other situations lack a lot of context for us on the outside. As far as I know. In any case, my point still stands regardless of if he has previously misbehaved a little or a lot.

I don't blame the posters who criticised him at the tiem to be honest. I was gutted for him as a fan but thought, based on all info available, it was safe to say he behaved inappropriately.

I hope a lot of posters who still dont like him can at least see that, regardless of what went on, its  testament to AK for coming back, working hard, getting his head right and showing his talent for us. Takes real courage in the face of adversity to overcome it all and stand up and perform to the levels he has. Hopefully, people can also see he's changed and is a strength to this team and squad and the saga before is behind him and us.

[I Ronic]

I think when the team's form is up and down like ours has been. Coaching comes down to stopping the errors. When you hit a bit of form coaches can I assume, then switch their attention to individual players and how to best exploit their individual skills within the team framework. Mitro's ban came just at the  right time.
SP had a smile on his face during the after match press conference and had said before that managing AK was a challenge. He's now got a couple of goals. Bobby has broken his duck and TC has added to his tally. I hope the injuries arent serious and we continue to add points and goals.

[Statto]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

Well I want you gone. Any fan who turns on young player bc he got a bit wound up at the training ground and some pi!!ock called the police (who then took no further action) shouldn't be allowed in the ground IMO because he falls outside the definition of a "Fulham supporter". Whoever called the police should also be fined for wasting police time. But there you go. Luckily for all of us, neither your views nor mine determined how the situation was resolved.

[Colton F.C.]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

I was under the impression the old bill had a season ticket.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/01/sacked-fulham-data-specialist-called-police-training-ground/

[JEEVES]

I'm with the fact that
AK has shown a marked improvement . But I'm still finding it hard to like him after more than one misdemeanour at the club. I can't ever remember the police being called to our training facility before or since.. it looks like I'm probably on my own here but any minor breach of etiquette and I'd want him gone.

Well I want you gone. Any fan who turns on young player bc he got a bit wound up at the training ground and some pi!!ock called the police (who then took no further action) shouldn't be allowed in the ground IMO because he falls outside the definition of a "Fulham supporter". Whoever called the police should also be fined for wasting police time. But there you go. Luckily for all of us, neither your views nor mine determined how the situation was resolved.

#boyed.. also, true. I'm gutted he went of injured. He's really matured in personality and as a footballer and you CAN tell that from 1 and a half games imo.