FULHAM v. The Black Craps

We had a LOT of 20-30 yard long range efforts, which contributed both to our shots and shots off target. The core issue there I see is lack of patience - not trying to get into the box for a closer range shot.

 

Classic Fulham except we won the game. I don't know why everyone gives up to play defense when we score. We need to keep the pressure on.

Dempsey seems to be getting better a free kicks though, which is good with Murphy's injury.

 

Look no further than Roy.

Several times this season we dominated the first half but never but away more than one of our chances.

Roy switches the tactics and we go into defense mode (note: not a shell). Lately, against Sofia and yesterday, we went into this bizarre 4-4-1-1 with Gera or Demps as the attacking mid/withdrawn striker.

 

X2

Couple of things that passed thru my mind:

Bent has fallen out of form - same problem he had with Spurs... Far to fragile and inconsistent.

Jones is a monster and so athletic - but he is not firing on all cylinders either. I am not sure what his deal is.

The big Aussie between the posts continues to be rock solid, and I would view him as one of the top 5 in the prem.

 

Definitely a tale of two halves. We were dominant through the 55th minute or so and then Sunderland took over. MoM was clearly Zamora although Schwarzer bailed us out on several occassions. Goat of the Match was PK. Those 3 mistakes were howlers (does that phrase apply when not a keeper?). Any word on Danny's health. I really thought we'd see his stabilizing presence as a sub in the 2nd half but no luck.

It was interesting watching us play this one. The offense (attacking) looks like it's morphed into a 4-2-2-2 with Dempsey and Duff alternately getting into more central attacking positions just outside the box. We're getting chances but putting them on net has been an issue. With 6 goals to date, Zamora is winning balls with confidence and really playing an effective role for us.

The flip side, unfortunately, is that when we go negative, the 4-4-1-1 that we're employing is useless offensively. In part though, that's the players fault b/c they're making little effort to retain possession. We're rushing to make the first available clearance or lobbing upfield to Zamora who's on an island with everyone pinched back. I wish we'd stick with what works, but Roy's old school in that regard, and it's kinda hard to argue with his results (although it can be agonizing to watch at times).

One other thing of note was Nosworthy's wicked head-cracker with Dempsey. The sound was loud and sick and that guy was pouring blood. It was a bad challenge on his part anyway, so just desserts. Glad our guy was fine.

All in all, not a bad result. I'll keep harping on wanting a new left back even though the Alien* (*TM HD, all rights reserved) does provide some good offense. Bob Zamora on the other hand has my apologies. It's amazing the difference netting some goals has done for his confidence and performance. Now if we can just get someone who can put those chances he creates away more often (either through transfer or return from injury) we'll be golden.

 

Timmy I think Roy is searching for an answer to Erik Nevland only being good for about 60 minutes. It seems obvious that Roy only has 2 healthy forwards on the roster that he trusts to play at the moment. He tried pushing Dempsey up top but with Murphy and Davies out of the midfield only Dempsey and Duff have shown the consistent ability to connect Zamora to the back line and play the ball out of the midfield on the ground. I don't know what the answer is but I will not be surprised to see Seol and EJ move on in January and for Roy to be shopping for more help up top. Both Kamara and AJ seem injury prone and if Seol and EJ haven't seen the pitch during this stretch it seems unlikely they will once Murphy regains his fitness and Roy can afford to push Dempsey up top as an emergency striker.

 

Bobby Z goal reaction

Only saw the highlights, but surprised that nobody has brought up the Bobby Z goal "celebration", in which he turned to the Hammersmith end and told the home crowd to "Shut your f*%#ing mouths". I can't blame the young man to want to stick it to the folks who have been giving him stick...but he's been a professional for way too long to do that to his supporters. The vast majority of fans know that he gives his all to the team, but getting caught up in the moment was not the way too handle it.

As far as the result... :banana: 8th place, not too shabby

 

RE: Bobby Z goal reaction

I'm with Roy, he can almost do whatever he wants as long as he sticks it in the back of the net.

 

To be sure, on Cottage Corner, there is a fair amount of sympathy -- and disappointment -- with BZ. I'm in the latter camp, though I think I'll get over it.

 

I disagree. The first couple of times, maybe. But six goals and counting? Enough "sticking it" already. Afterall, those folks do pay his salary.

The fans did support BZ in the first half and defended his hold up play, even though he couldn't put it in the ocean, . People didn't turn on him in droves until the 2nd half when his confidence sunk and he started stinking up the joint in all aspects.

 

I sit in the Hammy in and at times he can go 'f*ck himself'. At times I want to give him a big hug. If there was a love hate meter on Zamora...I sit slightly to the hate side (much closer to the middle of late and close to tipping). I give him my opinion both when he lays an egg and when he does well because I paid hard earned money for my season ticket (and hence part of his salary).

The Hammy end sings 'oh Bobby Zamora'....a lot. A lot more than I would have expected...indeed as much as any other player gets sung about not to mention standing O's while being subbed. I only hear grief given when its deserved, but I usually hear a 'For F*ck Sake Zamora' backed up with a big 'C'mon Bobby!'. I missed this game as I was flying solo with our daughter (for the first time, took her to a division 2 Rugby match) while mom frolicked in Amsterdam. Glad I was not at the Cottage to witness that.

Idiot move in my opinion. Grow up Bobby and concentrate on playing. Lost a bit of respect from me.

 

I agree with o'sully. BZ's goal celebration was hard to defend. I was very disappointed that a guy would do that to his own fans. When you're a pro athlete, getting heckled is part of the deal. Bobby takes more stick than he deserves, but he needs to put his big boy pants on.

Oh, and hi guys! How's it goin?

 

Nice to be back. I'm still around, still following every Fulham match, just haven't had much time for messageboarding. Cheers.