Fulham’s tendency this season to always be a goal shy and a half short was again their undoing today as they faced fellow relegation scrappers Birmingham at St. Andrews. Despite securing a well-deserved first-half lead, they once more proved unable to sustain form throughout 90 minutes, and succumbed to the burden of their away record. Indeed, they ended up a player short, frantically battling to preserve a point.
Lewington's Final Task
This was Ray Lewingtons’s third game as caretaker manager despite the appointment of Ray Hodgson on Friday, who attended today’s game as an observer only. He will oversee his first training session on Sunday.
The returning Steven Davis sent Smertin to the bench, Healy doing the same to Kamara. Stefanovic replaced the injured Aaron Hughes as both player and captain, with Omozusi selected in place of the injured Chris Baird.
There was much to encourage the incoming manager in the first half, although the quality took a while to surface. After an 18 yard Healy shot within the first 30 seconds, neither team seemed able to impose any measure of care upon their play. On 5 minutes, McSheffrey broke through for a one-on-one with Niemi, but blazed over from 10 yards.
Slowly, Fulham began to piece together the passing game they have been encouraged to rediscover under Lewington. They gradually gained ascendancy, moving through the error-prone Birmingham players repeatedly.
In the 8th minute, Carlos Bocanegra met a Simon Davies corner at the near post for a deserved lead.
Increasing Confidence
With confidence, and ease on the ball, improving, the threat to the Maik Taylor’s goal increased. With 30 minutes gone, Birmingham were looking increasingly fragile, and further Fulham goals appeared a formality.
However, they didn’t materialise. Despite the completion of an impressive half, Fulham supporters know from experience that one goal is never enough, and that 45 minutes is a long time in football.
One can only hope that Mr. Hodgson spurned any half-time refreshment, and instead opted to avail himself of the dressing room debrief, for there are surely many clues to be gleaned from this mysterious gathering. Something truly inexplicable seems to occur during this period, for rarely does the team that emerges resemble the one that departed the field just a short spell previously.
Second-Half Slump
It was therefore with increasing frustration, and no little weariness, that Fulham’s all-too-predictable downturn revealed itself. In the space of 15 minutes they appeared to have lost the ability, or at least the confidence, to pass the ball as they were doing so nonchalantly in the first half.
Birmingham hadn’t suddenly morphed from a crude, lumpen assembly into a slick, gifted affair. All they appeared to be doing differently was closing down a little quicker; giving the Fulham players slightly less time to dwell. This however, seemed to be enough to spook them, to fracture their fragile confidence, and corrupt their recently re-employed skills.
From the start of the half up until Larsson’s deflected goal in the 55th minute, barely a single pass was completed between two white shirts. Balls were blindly hoofed or headed clear, even when time was available to settle and pick out a teammate. Poise was replaced with panic. Everything became frantic and hurried. Birmingham possessed but one tactic - a long central ball down the middle of the pitch – but Fulham were struggling to cope with it, and in the mêlée, their favoured approach had been sacrificed.
Such was the fare for the remainder of the game. Smertin replaced Murphy, presumably in an attempt to restore some calm and structure to a disappearing midfield. His influence was marginal. Dempsey, too, tried to control the ball and hold on to it on occasions, but these were moments of sobriety amid a riot of random and unthinking play.
With the game lumbering on, there was no fear of spoilers: the script is known to all by now. Fulham fingers are never very far from the self-destruct button, and in the 79th minute Bouazza duly picked up a second yellow and was dismissed. Birmingham sensed their chance, and pushed Fulham further and further back, relief only coming with the final whistle.
Typical Performance
Despite a win appearing so achievable, one wonders if the replaying of the typical, off-the-shelf, Fulham performance wasn’t perhaps the preferable outcome, considering the attendance of the new manager.
A freakish display, in which the opponents were dispatched with ease, before half-time, away from home, would have painted an illusory picture before Hodgson. He may have even felt minded to put out a weakened team against Chelsea on Tuesday...
Better, perhaps, that he witnesses at the outset the full breadth of the Fulham experience. From the sublime to the farcical; from dominating, and threatening to close out a game, to ten men blindly hoofing a ball around as they try desperately to preserve a precious point.
Mr. Hodgson, welcome to Fulham.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 5, Stefanovic 7, Bocanegra 7, Omozusi 7, Bouazza 6, Davis 6, Murphy 6 (Smertin 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Healy 6 (Kuqi 4).
Substitutions: Smertin for Murphy (70th minute); Kuqi for Healy (74th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Leijer, Kamara.
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Friday, 28 December 2007
New Manager Appointed
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Spurs 5 Fulham 1
With his tenure at still less than a week in length, this was Ray Lewington’s second game as caretaker manager of Fulham, and it showcased further evidence of his attempts to rehabilitate his team as a passing side. However, a combination of attacking impotence and a porous defence, allowed Spurs to nullify his efforts with ease.
Line-Up and Formation Changes
The starting line-up revealed further divergence from his predecessor: Steven Davis found himself removed from the squad altogether, to be replaced by the popular Alexey Smertin, and Seol Ki-Hyeon returned once more, at the expense of Hameur Bouazza. Moritz Volz’s long absence through injury ended with a substitute berth.
Fulham began with a 4-5-1 formation, the midfield lining up left-to-right, as follows: Ki-Hyeon, Smertin, Murphy, Davies, Dempsey. Kamara was the lone striker.
For the first 10 minutes, Fulham were unable to secure any prolonged possession. Spurs passed the ball around slickly and speedily in tight spaces, with Malbranque pivotal.
Smertin Returns
Fulham gradually steadied, with Smertin soon demonstrating why his prolonged absence has been so mourned, tackling and harrying, ball-winning, and helping to construct the type of moves that have been absent for so long from Fulham’s play. His partner in midfield, Danny Murphy, was having his best game for the team so far, dominating the central area with his Russian colleague.
Despite a continuing improvement in passing and possession, Fulham were unable to create goal-scoring chances as they had done in the first 45 minutes of their previous game.
Offensively, they were unimaginative and impotent. Kamara had reverted to his skittish and frustrating persona, baffling and ineffectual. With Demspey pushed very wide by the 5-man formation, he was struggling to get involved. Ki-Hyeon managed a few half-hearted crosses, but still appears a strangely cold and detached figure.
Repeatedly, the final pass, or the final run, caused a carefully constructed move to break down, rendering Robinson as little more than a spectator.
Increasingly Exposed
Although Niemi was not required to make a save until a Berbatov header after 25 minutes, Spurs consistently found themselves with a free man on their left. This was predominantly Steed Malbranque. Consequently, Spurs started to create Fulham’s defence problems, and the former Fulham midfielder was the source of most of it. Repeatedly, attacking moves were formed down the Spurs left flank, with no remedial action taken, until the overwhelmed Baird was replaced at half-time by Volz. This proved too late, as a Malbranque shot rebounding off the post in the 27th minute was side-footed in by Keane. Huddlestone made it two with a fierce shot from the edge of the box just before the interval. Niemi was frozen as it passed him by.
Lewington’s half-time changes, as well as being timely, were at least encouraging in that they appeared designed to remedy overt shortcomings.
As well as the Baird-Volz exchange, Bouazza came on for the listless Ki-Hyeon. Demspey moved up to join Kamara for a reversion to 4-4-2.
Offensively, Fulham were still failing to click, with passes being made in anticipation of runs that were never made, and runs being made only for passes to be poorly placed.
However, on the hour Dempsey clattered in a Bouazza cross, after his initial shot was parried by Robinson.
A Brief Revival
The revival was painfully short-lived, with no time to build on the resurgence in confidence. Less than a minute later, Bocanegra looped a ball over Niemi’s head. From the corner, an unmarked Berbatov headed down to an unmarked Keane for a tap-in. The die was cast.
Shortly after, the injured Aaaron Hughes was replaced. David Healy joined Kamara in attack. Dempsey reverted to right midfield and Simon Davies shifted to right back, with Volz making his debut at centre back. With such a makeshift defence, the conceding of more goals seemed likely.
Fulham struggled on, but they were by now a simulacrum of a team, and were merely going through the motions. Kamara switched positions with Dempsey and now became virtually invisible. Healy was lightweight and increasingly appears out of his depth. On 70 minutes, Huddlestone, despite having already scored one goal from 20 yards, was allowed to repeat the feat.
The misery was finally complete when Volz, despite impressing in his comeback, received his second yellow card in the 87th minute. In stoppage time, Defoe exploited another twist of defensive confusion for an easy goal.
It can only be hoped that in the hours and days immediately following this game, that the search for a permanent manager has been shifted up another gear. Change is required, and soon. The principal concern is that whatever capabilities any incoming manager may wield, that the changes implemented by Lawrie Sanchez may be too entrenched to be undone in what remains of the season.
Niemi 6, Konchesky 6, Bocanegra 6, Hughes 6 (Healy 4), Baird 4 (Volz 6), Ki-Hyeon 4 (Bouazza 4), Smertin 7, Murphy 7, Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Kamara 3.
Substitutions: Volz for Baird, Bouazza for Ki-Hyeon (HT); Healy for Hughes (64th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Kuqi.
Line-Up and Formation Changes
The starting line-up revealed further divergence from his predecessor: Steven Davis found himself removed from the squad altogether, to be replaced by the popular Alexey Smertin, and Seol Ki-Hyeon returned once more, at the expense of Hameur Bouazza. Moritz Volz’s long absence through injury ended with a substitute berth.
Fulham began with a 4-5-1 formation, the midfield lining up left-to-right, as follows: Ki-Hyeon, Smertin, Murphy, Davies, Dempsey. Kamara was the lone striker.
For the first 10 minutes, Fulham were unable to secure any prolonged possession. Spurs passed the ball around slickly and speedily in tight spaces, with Malbranque pivotal.
Smertin Returns
Fulham gradually steadied, with Smertin soon demonstrating why his prolonged absence has been so mourned, tackling and harrying, ball-winning, and helping to construct the type of moves that have been absent for so long from Fulham’s play. His partner in midfield, Danny Murphy, was having his best game for the team so far, dominating the central area with his Russian colleague.
Despite a continuing improvement in passing and possession, Fulham were unable to create goal-scoring chances as they had done in the first 45 minutes of their previous game.
Offensively, they were unimaginative and impotent. Kamara had reverted to his skittish and frustrating persona, baffling and ineffectual. With Demspey pushed very wide by the 5-man formation, he was struggling to get involved. Ki-Hyeon managed a few half-hearted crosses, but still appears a strangely cold and detached figure.
Repeatedly, the final pass, or the final run, caused a carefully constructed move to break down, rendering Robinson as little more than a spectator.
Increasingly Exposed
Although Niemi was not required to make a save until a Berbatov header after 25 minutes, Spurs consistently found themselves with a free man on their left. This was predominantly Steed Malbranque. Consequently, Spurs started to create Fulham’s defence problems, and the former Fulham midfielder was the source of most of it. Repeatedly, attacking moves were formed down the Spurs left flank, with no remedial action taken, until the overwhelmed Baird was replaced at half-time by Volz. This proved too late, as a Malbranque shot rebounding off the post in the 27th minute was side-footed in by Keane. Huddlestone made it two with a fierce shot from the edge of the box just before the interval. Niemi was frozen as it passed him by.
Lewington’s half-time changes, as well as being timely, were at least encouraging in that they appeared designed to remedy overt shortcomings.
As well as the Baird-Volz exchange, Bouazza came on for the listless Ki-Hyeon. Demspey moved up to join Kamara for a reversion to 4-4-2.
Offensively, Fulham were still failing to click, with passes being made in anticipation of runs that were never made, and runs being made only for passes to be poorly placed.
However, on the hour Dempsey clattered in a Bouazza cross, after his initial shot was parried by Robinson.
A Brief Revival
The revival was painfully short-lived, with no time to build on the resurgence in confidence. Less than a minute later, Bocanegra looped a ball over Niemi’s head. From the corner, an unmarked Berbatov headed down to an unmarked Keane for a tap-in. The die was cast.
Shortly after, the injured Aaaron Hughes was replaced. David Healy joined Kamara in attack. Dempsey reverted to right midfield and Simon Davies shifted to right back, with Volz making his debut at centre back. With such a makeshift defence, the conceding of more goals seemed likely.
Fulham struggled on, but they were by now a simulacrum of a team, and were merely going through the motions. Kamara switched positions with Dempsey and now became virtually invisible. Healy was lightweight and increasingly appears out of his depth. On 70 minutes, Huddlestone, despite having already scored one goal from 20 yards, was allowed to repeat the feat.
The misery was finally complete when Volz, despite impressing in his comeback, received his second yellow card in the 87th minute. In stoppage time, Defoe exploited another twist of defensive confusion for an easy goal.
It can only be hoped that in the hours and days immediately following this game, that the search for a permanent manager has been shifted up another gear. Change is required, and soon. The principal concern is that whatever capabilities any incoming manager may wield, that the changes implemented by Lawrie Sanchez may be too entrenched to be undone in what remains of the season.
Niemi 6, Konchesky 6, Bocanegra 6, Hughes 6 (Healy 4), Baird 4 (Volz 6), Ki-Hyeon 4 (Bouazza 4), Smertin 7, Murphy 7, Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Kamara 3.
Substitutions: Volz for Baird, Bouazza for Ki-Hyeon (HT); Healy for Hughes (64th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Kuqi.
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Sanchez: A Cautious Inquest
There’s little to be gained from turning the earth on a grave once someone has been buried, but here are a few sources that provide some illumination upon life under Fulham's former manager.
The first is drawn from comments in today’s Observer newspaper – I’ll allow you to be the judge of their credibility - and the second is a transcript of Clint Dempsey’s post-match interview with the BBC.
The Observer
“Fulham have stepped up their search for a new manager following the sacking of Lawrie Sanchez. The former Northern Ireland manager was ready to offer his resignation in the aftermath of last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle United, but was persuaded not to by advisers. He then spent most of last week awaiting dismissal until being asked to step down on Thursday night.
Although Sanchez moved out many of predecessor Chris Coleman's playing staff, replacing several of them with members of the Northern Ireland squad, he was unpopular in the Craven Cottage dressing room. He frequently criticised the players' attitude and is understood to have launched into an expletive-laden assault on the team at half time of the Newcastle game, accusing them of wanting to get him the sack.”
BBC Post-Match Interview with Clint Dempsey
Is Ray Lewington someone you like working with?
Yeah, definitely. I like it with him and Billy. They’re good guys, positive, they like to get the ball and keep it on the ground and move it. Like a possession style of game – that suits me well. That’s what I love about football, that’s why I love playing it. I’m happy that they’re in charge and I’m just doing everything I can to help the team win.
If Ray was to get the job would that be a popular choice among the players?
I don’t know. I mean, it would suit me. I like those guys, like I said. I think it showed tonight that we played a better style of football under them because they give us a little bit more freedom and allow us as players to express ourselves – express ourselves a little bit more and when your able to do that you enjoy your football a lot more.
The first is drawn from comments in today’s Observer newspaper – I’ll allow you to be the judge of their credibility - and the second is a transcript of Clint Dempsey’s post-match interview with the BBC.
The Observer
“Fulham have stepped up their search for a new manager following the sacking of Lawrie Sanchez. The former Northern Ireland manager was ready to offer his resignation in the aftermath of last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle United, but was persuaded not to by advisers. He then spent most of last week awaiting dismissal until being asked to step down on Thursday night.
Although Sanchez moved out many of predecessor Chris Coleman's playing staff, replacing several of them with members of the Northern Ireland squad, he was unpopular in the Craven Cottage dressing room. He frequently criticised the players' attitude and is understood to have launched into an expletive-laden assault on the team at half time of the Newcastle game, accusing them of wanting to get him the sack.”
BBC Post-Match Interview with Clint Dempsey
Is Ray Lewington someone you like working with?
Yeah, definitely. I like it with him and Billy. They’re good guys, positive, they like to get the ball and keep it on the ground and move it. Like a possession style of game – that suits me well. That’s what I love about football, that’s why I love playing it. I’m happy that they’re in charge and I’m just doing everything I can to help the team win.
If Ray was to get the job would that be a popular choice among the players?
I don’t know. I mean, it would suit me. I like those guys, like I said. I think it showed tonight that we played a better style of football under them because they give us a little bit more freedom and allow us as players to express ourselves – express ourselves a little bit more and when your able to do that you enjoy your football a lot more.
Saturday, 22 December 2007
Fulham 1 Wigan 1
Fulham’s first game under caretaker manager Ray Lewington saw them fight back to earn a draw against Wigan after a dominant first half had failed to yield any rewards. Despite the creation of a slew of early chances, it was left to Clint Dempsey to equalise with his 5th goal of the season, after Marcus Bent had put the visitors in front.
A New Beginning
The departure on Friday of Lawrie Sanchez, and with it his grim litany of protests and excuses, ensured that the poisonous atmosphere of the last game at Craven Cottage was not replicated for today’s fixture.
Despite uncertainty surrounding the future of both the team, and the managerial role, a sense of relief and renewed optimism prevailed prior to kick-off.
Fulham started the game in 18th position, and development squad duo Ray Lewington and Billy McKinlay replaced the outgoing Sanchez, Beasant and Gibson, as caretaker managers.
No Major Changes
Despite Lewington choosing not to use his first 24 hours in charge to implement any significant changes in either starting personnel or formation, the play itself certainly provided a refreshing change. In a pre-match interview he had summarised his ethos by revealing that he had instructed the players to “get the ball down and play”, and this was certainly what they were endeavouring to do.
After months of unstructured, unthinking, slapdash football, they at last seemed to be playing with freedom. Using the full width of the pitch, they were stringing together passes and creating openings. A passer-by wouldn’t have mistaken them for Arsenal, but it represented an encouraging improvement. The shackles, it appeared, were off.
With the cohesion and the possession came goal-scoring chances: Bouazza hit low crosses that Kamara first, and subsequently Dempsey and Davies, missed by inches. A Davies shot from just inside the box forced a good save from Kirkland. Kamara ran on to a Davies free kick, intercepting it just before the keeper was about to gather, but put it just wide.
The increasing confidence was apparent. Picking up the ball just inside the Wigan half, Konchesky continued forward and, with the opposition failing to close him down, shot from 30 yards, only the bar denying him, with Kirkland beaten.
Wigan threatened little, and Niemi had no saves to make, but there were still some occasional moments of panic among the defence. Communication breakdowns between the goalkeeper and the back four not being helped by his seeming refusal to step off his line, except when it was clearly too late.
Dominance But No Breakthrough
It was certainly a dominating 45 minutes of football from Fulham, and they should have been comfortably in front at the break. The crowd appreciated the renaissance and cheered them off with enthusiasm.
Despite the early promise, the adage about teams needing to score when playing well was looming ominously over the team. In the first five minutes it became clear that the snap had gone. Passes weren’t being completed. Reactions seemed slower. Worse, possession was being given up far too easily.
Kamara demonstrated an improvement on his last outing and appears to have at last realised that he’s allowed to pass to other players. He still goes to ground with alarming ease and regularity, however. Dempsey continued to labour with little support, and looked increasingly like the only player with enough guile to create a breakthrough.
Omuzusi convinced once more that he can succeed at this level, but unfortunately an attacking foray ended in injury. Lewington replaced him with Chris Baird, and at the same time sent on Healy for tackling-shy Steven Davis. Davies moved to the centre, Dempsey drooped back to right midfield, and Healy joined Kamara up front.
Declining Quality
As quality dissipated into the frosty air, the game disintegrated into a playground free-for-all; whilst both teams were clearly desperate to progress, neither were prepared to take the time to construct movements with any forethought or incision.
Wigan eventually broke through in the 70th minute. Michael Brown blindly looped a cleared ball over his head and back towards the Fulham area. A Wigan player flicked it back, apparently without challenge, to the waiting Marcus Bent, who lashed the ball past Niemi.
In many areas, Fulham had reverted to type, as Lewington’s pre-game instructions appeared to slip from collective memory. A few long balls were launched up towards Healy, the smallest player on the pitch, all unsurprisingly intercepted. Even the ones hit up to Kuqi he was unable to win – aerial dominance surely being his only justification for being on the pitch, as he lumbered about in vain.
Despite the deteriorating spectacle, the crowd continued to implore Fulham on, creating greater support than they had for many a game. In the 78th minute, a moment of penalty-box pinball lead to Kamara receiving the ball on the left of the Wigan area. His sliced shot spun across the goal to the closing Dempsey who did well to keep the ball down and on target, drilling it past Kirkland into the corner.
While the first half suggested potential for some kind of revival, the second demonstrated that there are still plenty of areas for an incoming manager to address as a matter of urgency. It was a frustrating outcome to a game that had started so positively, and demonstrated that whilst they the club had taken the first step towards survival by dismissing an underachieving manager, his legacy will take a little longer to reverse.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 6, Bocanegra 7, Hughes 7, Omozusi 7 (Baird 6), Bouazza 6 (Kuqi 5), Murphy 6, Davis 5 (Healy 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 8, Kamara 6.
Substitution: Baird for Omozusi, Healy for Davis (59th minute); Kuqi for Bouazza (72th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Ki-Hyeon.
A New Beginning
The departure on Friday of Lawrie Sanchez, and with it his grim litany of protests and excuses, ensured that the poisonous atmosphere of the last game at Craven Cottage was not replicated for today’s fixture.
Despite uncertainty surrounding the future of both the team, and the managerial role, a sense of relief and renewed optimism prevailed prior to kick-off.
Fulham started the game in 18th position, and development squad duo Ray Lewington and Billy McKinlay replaced the outgoing Sanchez, Beasant and Gibson, as caretaker managers.
No Major Changes
Despite Lewington choosing not to use his first 24 hours in charge to implement any significant changes in either starting personnel or formation, the play itself certainly provided a refreshing change. In a pre-match interview he had summarised his ethos by revealing that he had instructed the players to “get the ball down and play”, and this was certainly what they were endeavouring to do.
After months of unstructured, unthinking, slapdash football, they at last seemed to be playing with freedom. Using the full width of the pitch, they were stringing together passes and creating openings. A passer-by wouldn’t have mistaken them for Arsenal, but it represented an encouraging improvement. The shackles, it appeared, were off.
With the cohesion and the possession came goal-scoring chances: Bouazza hit low crosses that Kamara first, and subsequently Dempsey and Davies, missed by inches. A Davies shot from just inside the box forced a good save from Kirkland. Kamara ran on to a Davies free kick, intercepting it just before the keeper was about to gather, but put it just wide.
The increasing confidence was apparent. Picking up the ball just inside the Wigan half, Konchesky continued forward and, with the opposition failing to close him down, shot from 30 yards, only the bar denying him, with Kirkland beaten.
Wigan threatened little, and Niemi had no saves to make, but there were still some occasional moments of panic among the defence. Communication breakdowns between the goalkeeper and the back four not being helped by his seeming refusal to step off his line, except when it was clearly too late.
Dominance But No Breakthrough
It was certainly a dominating 45 minutes of football from Fulham, and they should have been comfortably in front at the break. The crowd appreciated the renaissance and cheered them off with enthusiasm.
Despite the early promise, the adage about teams needing to score when playing well was looming ominously over the team. In the first five minutes it became clear that the snap had gone. Passes weren’t being completed. Reactions seemed slower. Worse, possession was being given up far too easily.
Kamara demonstrated an improvement on his last outing and appears to have at last realised that he’s allowed to pass to other players. He still goes to ground with alarming ease and regularity, however. Dempsey continued to labour with little support, and looked increasingly like the only player with enough guile to create a breakthrough.
Omuzusi convinced once more that he can succeed at this level, but unfortunately an attacking foray ended in injury. Lewington replaced him with Chris Baird, and at the same time sent on Healy for tackling-shy Steven Davis. Davies moved to the centre, Dempsey drooped back to right midfield, and Healy joined Kamara up front.
Declining Quality
As quality dissipated into the frosty air, the game disintegrated into a playground free-for-all; whilst both teams were clearly desperate to progress, neither were prepared to take the time to construct movements with any forethought or incision.
Wigan eventually broke through in the 70th minute. Michael Brown blindly looped a cleared ball over his head and back towards the Fulham area. A Wigan player flicked it back, apparently without challenge, to the waiting Marcus Bent, who lashed the ball past Niemi.
In many areas, Fulham had reverted to type, as Lewington’s pre-game instructions appeared to slip from collective memory. A few long balls were launched up towards Healy, the smallest player on the pitch, all unsurprisingly intercepted. Even the ones hit up to Kuqi he was unable to win – aerial dominance surely being his only justification for being on the pitch, as he lumbered about in vain.
Despite the deteriorating spectacle, the crowd continued to implore Fulham on, creating greater support than they had for many a game. In the 78th minute, a moment of penalty-box pinball lead to Kamara receiving the ball on the left of the Wigan area. His sliced shot spun across the goal to the closing Dempsey who did well to keep the ball down and on target, drilling it past Kirkland into the corner.
While the first half suggested potential for some kind of revival, the second demonstrated that there are still plenty of areas for an incoming manager to address as a matter of urgency. It was a frustrating outcome to a game that had started so positively, and demonstrated that whilst they the club had taken the first step towards survival by dismissing an underachieving manager, his legacy will take a little longer to reverse.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 6, Bocanegra 7, Hughes 7, Omozusi 7 (Baird 6), Bouazza 6 (Kuqi 5), Murphy 6, Davis 5 (Healy 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 8, Kamara 6.
Substitution: Baird for Omozusi, Healy for Davis (59th minute); Kuqi for Bouazza (72th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Ki-Hyeon.
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
The Declining Value Of The Number 14
| 2001-2004 | Steed Malbranque |
| 2004-2007 | Papa Bouba Diop |
| 2007-? | Shefki Kuqi |
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Fulham 0 Newcastle 1
After an insipid first half of football, Fulham’s improved application after the break was undone by a 90th minute Newcastle penalty, and condemned them to the relegation zone.
A “winnable” game?
Before this match, Lawrie Sanchez had earmarked it, and the 3 games to follow (Wigan at home, Spurs and Birmingham away) as “winnable”. He hoped that the points acquired from the Christmas spell would see the club entering the New Year higher than the 17th place they occupied at the start of the day.
Having fallen at the first hurdle, his tenure looks increasingly fragile.
Fragile also describes Fulham’s first five minutes. As Newcastle attacked relentlessly, they were unable to escape from their penalty area, let alone their half. Last-ditch clearances were scrambled blindly up field, landing each time at Newcastle feet, only for another attack to be instigated. This happened over and over: it was like watching a tape loop of incompetence.
The storm weathered, Fulham attempted to mount attacks of their own. However, they lacked cohesion and they lacked understanding. Most damning of all, they lacked the ability the pass to each other. Unforgivably, they lacked commitment.
Newcastle pressed high up the pitch and subsequently saw more possession, and it’s always worrying when the opposition appear to have an extra player.
Midfield Shortcomings
As against Blackburn, Fulham’s midfield duo served up tissue-thin, blink-and-you’ll-miss-‘em performances. Murphy, presumably deployed as a “playmaker” of sorts, hit balls that apparently only he knew the purpose of, whilst Davis continues to perfect the art of looking busy whilst achieving nothing. Smertin’s re-appearance on the bench provides a vestige of hope, at least.
Bouazza made sporadic forays down the wing, the occasional completed cross sailing over Healy’s head. The Irishman was desperate to capitalise on a rare starting place, courtesy of the suspended Kamara. Dempsey laboured to inject a little creativity but was repeatedly stifled by opposition players swarming around him.
As the half wore on, Fulham stabilised defensively. Hughes was steady, and Bocanegra thankfully avoided reproducing the drop in performance that we’re used to seeing when he’s switched from centre to left back. Stefanovic was rudimentary but effective, repeatedly intercepting Newcastle balls with his head. Most encouraging of all was Elliot Omozusi, continuing to grow in stature, he played with intelligence, assurance and poise.
Supporter Discontent
As Sanchez left the pitch at half time, a vociferous section of the crowd suggested he leave the club altogether.
The manager may have passed the crowd’s dissatisfaction with him onto his players, for they resumed play with greater intent, and even began to suggest that they actually wanted to win the game. They closed Newcastle down with more eagerness, and pressed them higher up the pitch.
Bouazza in particular appeared re-energised and gained increasing success, one particular cross being marginally too swift for Dempsey’s boot to make contact with as he sprinted in at the near post.
Apart from a few more spells of defensive pressure, Fulham looked the most likely to score. With 15 minutes remaining, Kuqi replaced Davis, Demspey moving to right midfield, Davies into the middle. As well as setting off a few minor earthquakes in SW6, he began flicking on cleanly-won headers, the majority being squandered by his team-mates inability to anticipate them. Kuqi gives everything, but despite being admirably honest, seeing his toil and bluster being deployed in place of panache and guile does sap the spirit somewhat.
Healy In The Premiership
Another honest trier is David Healy, but question marks over his ability to succeed at this level remain. Around the box he carries little threat. He possesses neither the pace nor the skill to beat players, neither has he the physical strength to withstand challenges from imposing centre backs. It’s apparent from his international success that given service within the box he will score, but the same could be said of Collins John.
With this in mind, it is an ongoing mystery why the team continue to launch long high balls up to someone who is comfortably the smallest player on the pitch. Even more perplexing is the sight of him repeatedly materialising out wide on the right wing. True, he often succeeds in providing crosses, but with his qualities in mind it is reasonable to expect that Healy should be the one in the box receiving the crosses, not providing them.
Undone At The Death
When discussing how to improve the team’s record, Sanchez spoke about elements within a game that he could control, and those he couldn’t. There’s little he could have done to avert the awarding of a penalty, in the 90th minute, with a draw just about concluded. A penalty for which none of the away side appealed, and for which no one except for the referee could identify a cause.
It was a messy, frustrating end to the game, and queered the story considerably. For not only did it turn a deserved point into a defeat, but it provided Sanchez with another hook on which to hang an explanation for a defeat; another sleight of hand with which to try to detract from another unsatisfactory performance.
The crowd, however, will not be fooled. He left the pitch to sustained abuse.
Niemi 7, Bocanegra 6, Hughes 6, Stefanovic 7, Omozusi 8, Bouazza 7, Murphy 5, Davis 5 (Kuqi 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Healy 6.
Substitution: Kuqi for Davis (75th).
A “winnable” game?
Before this match, Lawrie Sanchez had earmarked it, and the 3 games to follow (Wigan at home, Spurs and Birmingham away) as “winnable”. He hoped that the points acquired from the Christmas spell would see the club entering the New Year higher than the 17th place they occupied at the start of the day.
Having fallen at the first hurdle, his tenure looks increasingly fragile.
Fragile also describes Fulham’s first five minutes. As Newcastle attacked relentlessly, they were unable to escape from their penalty area, let alone their half. Last-ditch clearances were scrambled blindly up field, landing each time at Newcastle feet, only for another attack to be instigated. This happened over and over: it was like watching a tape loop of incompetence.
The storm weathered, Fulham attempted to mount attacks of their own. However, they lacked cohesion and they lacked understanding. Most damning of all, they lacked the ability the pass to each other. Unforgivably, they lacked commitment.
Newcastle pressed high up the pitch and subsequently saw more possession, and it’s always worrying when the opposition appear to have an extra player.
Midfield Shortcomings
As against Blackburn, Fulham’s midfield duo served up tissue-thin, blink-and-you’ll-miss-‘em performances. Murphy, presumably deployed as a “playmaker” of sorts, hit balls that apparently only he knew the purpose of, whilst Davis continues to perfect the art of looking busy whilst achieving nothing. Smertin’s re-appearance on the bench provides a vestige of hope, at least.
Bouazza made sporadic forays down the wing, the occasional completed cross sailing over Healy’s head. The Irishman was desperate to capitalise on a rare starting place, courtesy of the suspended Kamara. Dempsey laboured to inject a little creativity but was repeatedly stifled by opposition players swarming around him.
As the half wore on, Fulham stabilised defensively. Hughes was steady, and Bocanegra thankfully avoided reproducing the drop in performance that we’re used to seeing when he’s switched from centre to left back. Stefanovic was rudimentary but effective, repeatedly intercepting Newcastle balls with his head. Most encouraging of all was Elliot Omozusi, continuing to grow in stature, he played with intelligence, assurance and poise.
Supporter Discontent
As Sanchez left the pitch at half time, a vociferous section of the crowd suggested he leave the club altogether.
The manager may have passed the crowd’s dissatisfaction with him onto his players, for they resumed play with greater intent, and even began to suggest that they actually wanted to win the game. They closed Newcastle down with more eagerness, and pressed them higher up the pitch.
Bouazza in particular appeared re-energised and gained increasing success, one particular cross being marginally too swift for Dempsey’s boot to make contact with as he sprinted in at the near post.
Apart from a few more spells of defensive pressure, Fulham looked the most likely to score. With 15 minutes remaining, Kuqi replaced Davis, Demspey moving to right midfield, Davies into the middle. As well as setting off a few minor earthquakes in SW6, he began flicking on cleanly-won headers, the majority being squandered by his team-mates inability to anticipate them. Kuqi gives everything, but despite being admirably honest, seeing his toil and bluster being deployed in place of panache and guile does sap the spirit somewhat.
Healy In The Premiership
Another honest trier is David Healy, but question marks over his ability to succeed at this level remain. Around the box he carries little threat. He possesses neither the pace nor the skill to beat players, neither has he the physical strength to withstand challenges from imposing centre backs. It’s apparent from his international success that given service within the box he will score, but the same could be said of Collins John.
With this in mind, it is an ongoing mystery why the team continue to launch long high balls up to someone who is comfortably the smallest player on the pitch. Even more perplexing is the sight of him repeatedly materialising out wide on the right wing. True, he often succeeds in providing crosses, but with his qualities in mind it is reasonable to expect that Healy should be the one in the box receiving the crosses, not providing them.
Undone At The Death
When discussing how to improve the team’s record, Sanchez spoke about elements within a game that he could control, and those he couldn’t. There’s little he could have done to avert the awarding of a penalty, in the 90th minute, with a draw just about concluded. A penalty for which none of the away side appealed, and for which no one except for the referee could identify a cause.
It was a messy, frustrating end to the game, and queered the story considerably. For not only did it turn a deserved point into a defeat, but it provided Sanchez with another hook on which to hang an explanation for a defeat; another sleight of hand with which to try to detract from another unsatisfactory performance.
The crowd, however, will not be fooled. He left the pitch to sustained abuse.
Niemi 7, Bocanegra 6, Hughes 6, Stefanovic 7, Omozusi 8, Bouazza 7, Murphy 5, Davis 5 (Kuqi 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Healy 6.
Substitution: Kuqi for Davis (75th).
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Fulham 1 Spurs 0 (Reserves)
This game was most notable for showcasing the continuing rehabilitation of Moritz Volz for Fulham, and Ledley King for Spurs.
King was instantly recognisable by virtue of his physique, being one of several imposing Spurs players on show, compared to the comparatively small stature of the Fulham team: only Leijer carrying any kind of physical presence.
The quality of play was dubious in the opening minutes with a slew of unforced errors from both teams.
Wayne Routledge, on his return to the Cottage, was soon demonstrating his deft control and quick wits down the right wing, with left back Anderson the unfortunate victim on a number of occasions. He was moved to a central position by Spurs in the second half with slightly less influence.
Both sides gradually improved throughout the game, with the second half seeing some sustained phases of passing and movement from the visitors: pressure that required, at times, some frantic defending from the Whites. Fulham did create some openings of their own: a defensive error provided Lewis Smith with a fine chance on the edge of the box that was squandered by his taking an extra touch. Alnwick saved the ground shot well with his right foot.
Volz looked comfortable throughout his 60 minute spell, and his fitness appeared adequate for the reduced demands of a reserve game. He produced one trademark overlapping run in the second half, released by a fine ball from the impressive Bradley Hudson-Odoi. The Fulham defender charged into the area and squared the ball to the Ishmael Ehui, eager and willing all game, who put his shot wide.
A stalemate looked an unavoidable, and fitting, outcome when, with a few minutes remaining, Ehui tricked his way past a defender into left side of the box and shot across the keeper for the winning goal.
Fulham’s most notable performer was Leijer who, as captain, looked composed throughout, and always comfortable on the ball, his centre back partner Ashley Thompson also impressing. Rob Milsom was suggestive of Alexei Smertin in his play: covering good ground, showing composure and vision, and with good distribution. Hudson-Odoi looked confident and skilful on the right wing.
So, no epiphanies, no players smashing down the door to the first team, but a few who aren’t that far off, and a few showing some promise.
Warner, Volz (Ashton 60), Thompson, Leijer (captain), Anderson, Hudson-Odoi (Goncalves 75), Saunders, Milsom, Brown, Smith, Ehui
King was instantly recognisable by virtue of his physique, being one of several imposing Spurs players on show, compared to the comparatively small stature of the Fulham team: only Leijer carrying any kind of physical presence.
The quality of play was dubious in the opening minutes with a slew of unforced errors from both teams.
Wayne Routledge, on his return to the Cottage, was soon demonstrating his deft control and quick wits down the right wing, with left back Anderson the unfortunate victim on a number of occasions. He was moved to a central position by Spurs in the second half with slightly less influence.
Both sides gradually improved throughout the game, with the second half seeing some sustained phases of passing and movement from the visitors: pressure that required, at times, some frantic defending from the Whites. Fulham did create some openings of their own: a defensive error provided Lewis Smith with a fine chance on the edge of the box that was squandered by his taking an extra touch. Alnwick saved the ground shot well with his right foot.
Volz looked comfortable throughout his 60 minute spell, and his fitness appeared adequate for the reduced demands of a reserve game. He produced one trademark overlapping run in the second half, released by a fine ball from the impressive Bradley Hudson-Odoi. The Fulham defender charged into the area and squared the ball to the Ishmael Ehui, eager and willing all game, who put his shot wide.
A stalemate looked an unavoidable, and fitting, outcome when, with a few minutes remaining, Ehui tricked his way past a defender into left side of the box and shot across the keeper for the winning goal.
Fulham’s most notable performer was Leijer who, as captain, looked composed throughout, and always comfortable on the ball, his centre back partner Ashley Thompson also impressing. Rob Milsom was suggestive of Alexei Smertin in his play: covering good ground, showing composure and vision, and with good distribution. Hudson-Odoi looked confident and skilful on the right wing.
So, no epiphanies, no players smashing down the door to the first team, but a few who aren’t that far off, and a few showing some promise.
Warner, Volz (Ashton 60), Thompson, Leijer (captain), Anderson, Hudson-Odoi (Goncalves 75), Saunders, Milsom, Brown, Smith, Ehui
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