POST MATCH: Ipswich Town

[SerbianLad]

Nelson will play left wing in the next game

Not sure about that. Marco tends to bed in players very slowly, unless he abolutely has no other option.

[Fulham Mike]

Were definitely going to be improved with Andersen, berge and Nelson coming into the side.

I really hope king gets more opportunities on the bench as Harrison Reed is just dreadful.

[MisfitKid]

Once again, Andreas was poor. For all the chances he provides, they are rarely clear cut ones and rarely accurately reach an attacker. Please, please drop him.

And his overall free kicks have been poor too.

[hopper]

Pereira dropped a 0/10 the day after we turned down €35m for him, but I expect after the international break we'll make at least 2 changes and can see a situation where we have Cuenca and Andersen starting the next game with Berge replacing likely Lukic over AP although I know I'd drop AP, with Nelson likely out wide and Iwobi benched

Harsh on AP, he makes lots of really creative balls that get overlooked. Also a delicious ball in that was crying for a flick on late in second half.

Thing is, he's instructed to play ambitious balls I think and if he loses it it creates a transition. But think he get's undue criticism. He's not an 8 though, don't love him and Lukic together

[hopper]

Just on the train back

The better team first half, looked exhausted and slow in the second. Frustratingly poor decision making.

Another good game from Sasha
Periera very poor, his passing as all over the place
Robinson very poor

Diop has been the best of our CBs this year. Hard to drop him on this form Bassey has looked very shaky so far. Another game like that and Cuencas in. Andersen's passing range could be really helpful to unlocking runs in behind or out wide when we get stuck

Tetes been good but we do sometimes miss castagnes overlaps

Esr looks knackered, no where near fit yet and doesn't press like andreas does yet at CAM because of it

Adama was very good first half, a beast... our most potent threat... And For some reason we just, stopped using the right side second half. Ridiculous

Muniz doing plenty up top, goals will come, but we lost it in and around him today. Should have gone in up a goal at half time

Iwobi was average
Berge was decent in his minutes

Harrison reed was a bizarre choice of sub... Id drop him and put king on the bench for games like this

Leno did well enough

Raul did nothing

Look very lacking in fitness as a whole. Looking forward to these players getting fitness levels up + the addition of reiss nelson to add a spark too.

Ipswich looked decent and may well stay up, omari the chelsea kid was great. A disappointing result but a point away and now we integrate and get our fitness u for 2 weeks. Well need to be ready for west ham who will pose a bigger threat.

Enjoyed this summary and agree with most of it. I wasn't at the game, watched on tc so a slightly different viewpoint.

The only bits I disagree on are Muniz - think he gets given more grace than others. That header was really weak and should have done better, but feels starved of service.

Also think harsh on Raul who did well on the fast break to drive into the box and get a shot off. Can't ask for much more based on limited minutes.

As striker options, I don't love it. Muniz is still a bit of an unknown and reluctant to be overly effusive or critical on him, but I don't know how comfortable I feel depending on him as a no1 striker.

[FFC1987]

Just on the train back

The better team first half, looked exhausted and slow in the second. Frustratingly poor decision making.

Another good game from Sasha
Periera very poor, his passing as all over the place
Robinson very poor

Diop has been the best of our CBs this year. Hard to drop him on this form Bassey has looked very shaky so far. Another game like that and Cuencas in. Andersen's passing range could be really helpful to unlocking runs in behind or out wide when we get stuck

Tetes been good but we do sometimes miss castagnes overlaps

Esr looks knackered, no where near fit yet and doesn't press like andreas does yet at CAM because of it

Adama was very good first half, a beast... our most potent threat... And For some reason we just, stopped using the right side second half. Ridiculous

Muniz doing plenty up top, goals will come, but we lost it in and around him today. Should have gone in up a goal at half time

Iwobi was average
Berge was decent in his minutes

Harrison reed was a bizarre choice of sub... Id drop him and put king on the bench for games like this

Leno did well enough

Raul did nothing

Look very lacking in fitness as a whole. Looking forward to these players getting fitness levels up + the addition of reiss nelson to add a spark too.

Ipswich looked decent and may well stay up, omari the chelsea kid was great. A disappointing result but a point away and now we integrate and get our fitness u for 2 weeks. Well need to be ready for west ham who will pose a bigger threat.

Enjoyed this summary and agree with most of it. I wasn't at the game, watched on tc so a slightly different viewpoint.

The only bits I disagree on are Muniz - think he gets given more grace than others. That header was really weak and should have done better, but feels starved of service.

Also think harsh on Raul who did well on the fast break to drive into the box and get a shot off. Can't ask for much more based on limited minutes.

As striker options, I don't love it. Muniz is still a bit of an unknown and reluctant to be overly effusive or critical on him, but I don't know how comfortable I feel depending on him as a no1 striker.

Yeh, nice summary but I do have to also disagree on Muniz. Just not doing enough for me. If the instruction is, he doesn't need to do the press as much, I feel he needs to bring some better link up play, or more goals to his game. He's been let down by our midfield at times, I don;t disagree he's sometimes isolated or not supported enough, but some of his build up play seems to have fallen short compared to last years standards.

I'd probably give Raul a go at this stage. Its too many games without a goal from a striker at this level.

[jayffc]

Fair enough

Dunno how it came across on telly but his hold up play, workrate and general quality was all pretty evidently there for me despite being isolated a fair bit

Many around me saying as much, hes just not getting the right service for me yet... Hes best with his feet.

Header could have done better with but jist that touch behind him to make getting that extra power and direction right
...But again hes better with it as his feet

Not sure if intentional but his presence (dummy) and opening up his body seemed to contribute to pulling the defender and adama having the space to finish too

[hopper]

Definitely get a different insight at the game and everyone there is saying the same. I think there's a system issue, none of our players get close to him.

[General]

Ipswich's first winnable game, at their ground, point to prove and bit in-between their teeth.. First half we had 65%, and their goal was very good.

We hit back relatively quickly.

We still have three first teamers to come in to the team in andersen, Nelson and berge.. we will be and get better.

This early on in the season is rusty, but given the dynamics and how poor our away form was last season the potential was definitely there.

Look at villa vs Leicester today and they won 2-1 like we did, though they were at Leicester and we beat them at home.

I'm not going to get too worried this soon, I think there were enough positives to take and areas that we could improve on, which I think we will do when we integrate Andersen (passing through the lines and forward),  berge (to anchor midfield and also play passes through the lines( and Nelson (to play across the front line and add value in passes/crosses and score goals) that will make us better.

We're showing signs of a very good team with things not yet clicking for the full 90.

I expect as the season kicks on, the team gels more and gets full fitness, we'll see stronger performances, like the first half, but for the full 90.

Time will tell, but reasons for cautious optimism.

Now to get Muniz firing properly and giving him the service he deserves.

[Drewry66]

Firstly got to give Ipswich some credit. Their high press was just way better than ours and as always we just couldn't cope with it. Berge and Andersen should massively help that and although very harsh on Diop who has been one of the better players first 3 Andersen has to come in. Should also dramatically improve Bassey as won't be on him to pass out. Every time a team presses us high we look useless and either the new players coming in have to solve this or Marco needs to find a solution as been an issue since we came up.

One thing that really grinds my gears with this is when we change up and go long from Leno. No issue with doing that at all and I think it is sensible when we are struggling to pass out but the way we do it is madness. Every other team when not playing short the keeper gives the sign and the whole team moves up. When we do it Bassey and Diop are still stood next to Leno and no one moves up. Consequently it goes long, there is barely anyone near Muniz to pick up the second ball and when they then inevitably win it we have massive spaces between the defence, midfield and attack for them to exploit so completely on the back foot again. That is schoolboy stuff and I just don't get it as we do it constantly. If Leno is going long signal it and get the whole frigging team up the pitch. Moan over. Lol

To our structure some big issues with the current set up. ESR is class but the back room staff need to do massive work on his fitness during the international break. He looked absolutely stuffed second half but even first, if he's going to play 10, he has to be able to press like AP used to there. Their high press was twice as good as ours which was why they dominated the start of the second half and considering their keeper is a calamity with his feet we barely put any pressure on him at all. A lot of that is because ESR doesn't have the engine there yet from what I can see. Not blaming him as barely played but if he plays 10 in our system he needs to be fitter than he's ever been. He for me is also dropping too deep from there when we need him creating around the box. Finally he's also getting a bit swamped by bodies in there today and against United not giving him the space to use his magic. Loads of Arsenal fans think he is better off the left. I can imagine with more space out there for him to run with the ball and cut inside with Robinson overlapping it could be brilliant.

I've quite liked AP in the 8 for much of the 3 games. His stats as always suggest he is doing well and the level of criticism is harsh. He does a load of good stuff but with some garbage mixed in which is what some folk always remember. Some of his corners were excellent but really concerning that we have lost Mitro/JP and Tosin who were all brilliant at attacking them and we scored loads from set pieces. Really hoping Berge and Andersen can step up here as no good having AP s delivery if no one can frigging win an attacking header. Know Andersen is certainly a threat. Was a bad pass that started the move for their goal and he then couldn't recover but fair play to Delap as pretty class. Although AP has done okay as an 8 for me, if Berge plays to his potential I think we are way more solid defensively and way better transitioning the ball with him and Lukic so praying Berge is good as that is the two for me that become settled starters. If a weaker team does not press us high I think there is still an option to play AP 8 but in the main I am hoping Berge and Lukic settle as a strong pair.

Which then questions what do we do with the 10? Considering ESR s current difficulties in pressing high and him being crowded out in the middle a bit I'd be really tempted to put AP back to 10 and try ESR left. Iwobi looked class in pre season and good against Leicester but was dreadful against United and so many bad final balls today as well. I'd give this a go then with Lukic, Berge behind AP, ESR left and Adama right. Think it could solve a lot of the issues seen today. Once ESR fully fit could move him back to 10 with Iwobi or Nelson LW if AP isn't contributing enough.

Re Muniz some of his hold up and link up play was excellent today. Won a fair bit in the air as well. He does play a big part in the goal as draws 2 defenders for the cross into the challenge leaving Adama free. The header wasn't a sitter. There wasn't much pace on the ball at all so he had to generate it all but his mistake was not going back across the keeper. There was one move first half were he protected the ball, turned, put Adama in right and the burst to get in the box and was free and despite another excellent game it was a shocking pass from Adama behind him. That is how it is going for him at the mo. Wasn't just that one...our crossing from open play was in the main woeful constantly hitting the front man so he is getting little service. He is getting in good positions but just not happening. So I think the comments saying he did nothing etc are harsh but don't get me wrong...he is a striker and has to find a way to start scoring soon. You do feel he is a massive confidence player so praying for one the next few games to get him going.

Having said all of these issues our XG was 1.33 and theirs was 0.56 and they scored with a 25 yarder. I think a draw was a fair result overall. Tete and Adama excellent again so a recurring theme down the right.  Thought Lukic was very solid in there so again a recurring theme. Robinson very good defensively and my god his crossing has improved but did also struggle under their press (another who is not great at it and Willian used to support him a lot here). We are a new team with so many changes in personnel/set up still finding its way. We have two, what should be top class players coming in with Berge and Andersen and perhaps Nelson find form with us too. We do desperately need Muniz to come good again. If he does it could be a great season. If he doesn't could well be very similar to last seasons low mid table finish I think.

[WolverineFFC]

Fair enough

Dunno how it came across on telly but his hold up play, workrate and general quality was all pretty evidently there for me despite being isolated a fair bit

Many around me saying as much, hes just not getting the right service for me yet... Hes best with his feet.

Header could have done better with but jist that touch behind him to make getting that extra power and direction right
...But again hes better with it as his feet

Not sure if intentional but his presence (dummy) and opening up his body seemed to contribute to pulling the defender and adama having the space to finish too

On TV it looks like the other front players are having trouble linking with him consistently and the CBs aren't getting good service into his head or feet. Not sure how much of that is down to him.

[Matt10]

Fair enough

Dunno how it came across on telly but his hold up play, workrate and general quality was all pretty evidently there for me despite being isolated a fair bit

Many around me saying as much, hes just not getting the right service for me yet... Hes best with his feet.

Header could have done better with but jist that touch behind him to make getting that extra power and direction right
...But again hes better with it as his feet

Not sure if intentional but his presence (dummy) and opening up his body seemed to contribute to pulling the defender and adama having the space to finish too

Agree with a lot of that. I'd just add that he has to be much more of a problem solver in the box. Can't just stand between the two tall central defenders and hope that it's going to miraculously dip at the perfect time to his head. It happened one time in a looping fashion, but how many other crosses before that he never got in front of a defender.

Regardless, he needs to finish his chances, no matter how few. Start getting them on frame. Raul had one chance and nearly scored the winner after taking on 3 players. There's good competition between the two, and I won't be surprised if Marco changes things up to keep them on their toes.

[iansthailand]

Another thing, I'm still not a fan of Andreas as an 8. He has too many defensive lapses which leaves our back 4+Lukic exposed. I'd either swap Berge for him, or Berge for one of ESR/Iwobi/Traore and move Andreas to the 10 role.

Thought your boy had another excellent game SL.

[AshfordFFC]

Thought Bassey, Andreas, Robinson were quite poor. Adama, Tete and Leno were excellent, rest were okay with ESR slightly above the remaining players though. We did okay overall and the game could have gone either way. After two routine losses in the first two games, Ipswich was always going to play excellent. The positive thing for me is that even though we played average and the opponent played an excellent game, we still got a draw.

Leno should have saved their goal imo. He got a hand to it so it should be staying out.

to be fair, as an ex keeper, he got his finger tips to it and no way are you stopping a 25 yrd screamer out of the blue like that as his position was anticipating further development, so slightly off balance and aside from that, was MOM for me.  he clawed out that looping header for starters plus the one on one and just thank god that Arsenal released him to us as he is pure quality.

[SerbianLad]

Another thing, I'm still not a fan of Andreas as an 8. He has too many defensive lapses which leaves our back 4+Lukic exposed. I'd either swap Berge for him, or Berge for one of ESR/Iwobi/Traore and move Andreas to the 10 role.

Thought your boy had another excellent game SL.

I'm happy for him, as he's finally getting recogniton from Fulham's fans for his efforts. He's a really nice, humble, hard-working guy who always gives his all, and obviously he's a quality player too (you don't really get to captain a mid-table Serie A side if you're not).

I think he'd be even better alongside someone who has more defensive ability than Andreas. That's why I hope him and Berge become a partnership in the future. Berge is slightly less capable defensively than Lukic, but the two of them together could potentialy give us that stability in midfield. I don't think Lukic-Andreas or Berge-Andreas is good. Maybe against Leicester and Southampton...

[General]

Feel just with Berge's height and defensive minded approach that Ipswich's goal yesterday wouldn't have happened. He's 6ft 4? and his extra stride would've seen him tackle/disrupt Delap way before he scored. Pereira lost out on a foot race and gave up fighting for the ball which gave Delap the space he needed. It's the small details.

[Cobh Fulham Fan]

some very interesting comments there. There is still much to be hopeful about going forward. Ya, I felt myself that we are only three games in and have not really clicked or gelled yet. Or as someone else said, some legs are still rusty yet.

Thats an interesting point, because shouldnt that also mean that our opposition are rusty too - thats not what I saw yesterday?

This is how I see it. In the weeks leading up to yesterdays game, it was a fixture most on this site had pencilled in as win, myself included. By the time of our equaliser, that was still an ambitious probability but by early second half the doubts started creeping in, and before long it was no longer a matter of whether we could or would win it. in the end we had to settle for the next best option, to prevent them from winning it.

Yes of course there will always be days like this. But I'm still confident with our new additions, and fitness levels rise and players begin to gel together, we will kick on and deliver as we had hoped. but the last thing we need this season, like the last, is to rely on winning just our home games.

I know we are better than that!

[filham]

Looking forward it is hard to see an easier away game and hard to see a striker who is going to score goals for us.

We just havn't replaced Mitro.

[WindyCity]

I suspect MS will not be pleased with this outcome.  However, as a fan, I'm happy with the road point.  Could have left that game with nothing.  Ipswich are no mugs, they could very well be one of the promoted survivors this season.  They were definitely a much better team than the team we beat earlier for our first win.  Sure, it's a game that we should win if we're thinking top ten this season, but a road point is still a good result.  This is a tough league, every game is a challenge.

[WindyCity]

Leno should have saved their goal imo. He got a hand to it so it should be staying out.

Yes, maybe. But he was world-class apart from that.

Agreed he should have done better on the goal scored.  Also looked a bit dodgy on a simple header he punched out to the middle of the box inviting an easy rebound chance when he should have simply caught the ball.  So for me, a bit dodgy.  That said, he did make several nice saves to keep us in the game.