FoF MOTM Fulham 2 V 1 Spurs and post match thread

[Chi_FFC]

According to Silva, Diop was still chilling at home (and not the team hotel) when he got a late call-up to fill in for Andersen last night.

One more reason to give him MoM.

What do you mean the team hotel? You mean the starting XI stays at the stadium's hotel the night before?

No, the players in the matchday squad stay at the Chelsea Harbor Hotel the night before (most/all?) home matches.

[demeant0r]

According to Silva, Diop was still chilling at home (and not the team hotel) when he got a late call-up to fill in for Andersen last night.

One more reason to give him MoM.

What do you mean the team hotel? You mean the starting XI stays at the stadium's hotel the night before?

No, the players in the matchday squad stay at the Chelsea Harbor Hotel the night before (most/all?) home matches.

Interesting, that's the first time I've heard about this ritual. I suppose it makes sense as some players could live far away.

[Count Flapula]

Diop for me - what a rock. Up against 2 quick physical strikers in Solanke and Kolo Muani and came out on top. His pace makes us a lot more solid at the moment IMO. Has really earned a start in the next game even if Andersen is fit - CB position needs to be decided on merit like ever other spot under Silva.

Iwobi's best game in CM. 2 good games there in a row now, let's hope that continues.

Bobb - what a player we have in our hands. Great close control, good passing weight and range, rarely loses it.

One thing I've learned about ESR over time is he doesn't drive forward with the ball as much as I'd hoped, but he thrives off of quick 1-2s and/or beating players with his first touch. He's not a player who will run a game but will also up his level when he has good players to bounce off of / combine with for things like 1/2s. We now have a lot of better/clever and dynamic technical players around him so I think his game will improve too.

Spurs were woeful - they went to pieces any time we went long, hardly saw them contest a first or second ball, let alone win one. Wet Spam are improving so IMO their only hope is if Forest are slightly more woeful than them.

[SerbianLad]

His pace

I've always said, he's our fastest centreback. Obviously he's not as fast as the fastest cbs in the world like e.g. Micky van de Ven, but he's got decent pace. Especially over longer distances. There were numerous instances over the years since he joined us where he managed to come back when the opposition has a counter attack and then stop that attack. He's a very valuable asset to our club.

[Shredhead]

I went Diop but there were many excellent performances all over the pitch.
Agree that Sess has looked a bit unsure the last couple of games.
ESR was unlucky for both his chances - was slightly offside for the first, and second was a good save. Other than that I thought he continued to play really well - great link up play and pressing.

TC was great overall - just what we needed at the time. Muniz is aching for a goal, ent?

[Deeping_white]

Thought it was an interesting parallel of our hero JP up against Berge and Berge looked miles better on the day tbh. The system Spurs play makes poor Palhinha somewhat redundant, I often wonder what a midfield with a younger TC and prime Palhinha could've been capable of with them offsetting each others shortcomings.

Only slight concern for me is that we keep conceding via LB at the moment. Love Sess but unfortunately its the second week running where he's not covered himself in glory for the goal. Real shame because I thought our left side build up play between he, ESR & Bobb was superb at times.

Also think it's worth a convo of Diop v Andersen because for some reason I just feel safer with Diop at CB as he's more mobile. I know we lose the passing ability but from a pure "who would you prefer at CB to defend" question I think I'd have to go with Diop

Leno major fault for the goal, got lost like a Sunday league goalie leaving the goal wide open. Hr really is becoming sub par

What? He's covering the near post angle based on where the ball is in the box - if he was stood in the middle as I assume you're insinuating then he leaves the front post open for a snapshot he can't cover. Bassey & Sess should've been covering the back post better from marking the only 2 players there, and Sess is caught in no mans land in the end

[Litrecola_]

Diop was immense especially given the situation. Bobb was impressive and it makes the loss of Kevin less severe. Berge showed up in a big way. win the next 3 and we are in business.

[onecupsoon]

I liked the press in the first half, particularly ESR but they all contributed.  I liked that we mixed up the playing out and the long balls, it never looked like we couldn't play through Spurs as there were great runs being made with passing to find them.  The long balls were also paying some dividends.  Also good to see we were playing much quicker, better teams than Spurs would have struggled to handle that 1st half performance. Leno also looked better at corners, was that to Diop's credit?  Berge was class and Iwobi also had a great game but special mentions could go to many.  My MOTM was Diop, bossed the Spurs forward line in the air and on the ground and made good distribution decisions.

[ffcthereligion]

One thing I've learned about ESR over time is he doesn't drive forward with the ball as much as I'd hoped, but he thrives off of quick 1-2s and/or beating players with his first touch. He's not a player who will run a game but will also up his level when he has good players to bounce off of / combine with for things like 1/2s. We now have a lot of better/clever and dynamic technical players around him so I think his game will improve too.

Think that's an astute analysis. I would add that last season he was also very good at the 'right place right time' skill. We've seen that less this year, probably as a result of Marco coaching.

If you give ESR time, unfortunately he's unlikely to do anything with it. He is instinctual and doesn't have the ability to finish like a sess does

[Matt10]

Thought it was an interesting parallel of our hero JP up against Berge and Berge looked miles better on the day tbh. The system Spurs play makes poor Palhinha somewhat redundant, I often wonder what a midfield with a younger TC and prime Palhinha could've been capable of with them offsetting each others shortcomings.

Only slight concern for me is that we keep conceding via LB at the moment. Love Sess but unfortunately its the second week running where he's not covered himself in glory for the goal. Real shame because I thought our left side build up play between he, ESR & Bobb was superb at times.

Also think it's worth a convo of Diop v Andersen because for some reason I just feel safer with Diop at CB as he's more mobile. I know we lose the passing ability but from a pure "who would you prefer at CB to defend" question I think I'd have to go with Diop

Leno major fault for the goal, got lost like a Sunday league goalie leaving the goal wide open. Hr really is becoming sub par

What? He's covering the near post angle based on where the ball is in the box - if he was stood in the middle as I assume you're insinuating then he leaves the front post open for a snapshot he can't cover. Bassey & Sess should've been covering the back post better from marking the only 2 players there, and Sess is caught in no mans land in the end

I am 100% in agreement with you about the logic of what Leno's predicament was. However, for me, it's time and time again in how he gives into the drama of the moment rather than fight that extra bit with a save attempt. Instead, he just slides on his knees completely helpless. Again, it's a tough, point-blank, position to be in - but thinking like a striker who has a wide open goal with a floated ball coming to him from the opposite side - surely keepers have been taught to know it's going to be a near post header...be ready to fully dive towards it. Instead, Leno gives into the drama of the moment - and displays to everyone how helpless of a position he's been put in.

I'm not saying Leno does this 100% of the time either, because he absolutely makes some brilliant desperate saves, etc. I'm just genuinely pointing out that some goals we have conceded have been questionable from Leno relative to extra effort vs dramatics. While he's no statue standing Fabri, there is definitely a pattern there that concerns me.

[JimmyConway]

Thought 2-1 flattered Spurs yesterday. Good team performance along with solid contributions from Diop Bassey Tete Berge and Iwobi. Good that we saw a game out as well.
On a slightly negative slant for me was Muniz contribution when he came on. I'll go with his still way off full fitness as being the reason.

[South Coast White]

I liked the press in the first half, particularly ESR but they all contributed.  I liked that we mixed up the playing out and the long balls, it never looked like we couldn't play through Spurs as there were great runs being made with passing to find them.  The long balls were also paying some dividends.  Also good to see we were playing much quicker, better teams than Spurs would have struggled to handle that 1st half performance. Leno also looked better at corners, was that to Diop's credit?  Berge was class and Iwobi also had a great game but special mentions could go to many.  My MOTM was Diop, bossed the Spurs forward line in the air and on the ground and made good distribution decisions.

Totally agree, the press was very effective and spurs were having trouble getting out. I can remember any game in recent history that we pressed so high for so long. It was good to see and clearly worked in this match

[jayffc]

Thought 2-1 flattered Spurs yesterday. Good team performance along with solid contributions from Diop Bassey Tete Berge and Iwobi. Good that we saw a game out as well.
On a slightly negative slant for me was Muniz contribution when he came on. I'll go with his still way off full fitness as being the reason.

Think he needs starts to be honest, did ok but not great when he came on. Definately needs minutes after being out for so long so hopefully he gets that against Southampton as when he's fully match sharp we know what he's capable of.

[SerbianLad]

https://x.com/FulhamFC/status/2028530780389986565

[SerbianLad]

I wouldn't mind giving three points to Spam if it helped sending Spurs down!

Jinxed us!