Inspirational, and amusing, piece on Jimmy Bullard in today's Guardian, here.
And reports of a hitch with Marlon King's knee, here.
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Saturday, 12 January 2008
West Ham 2 Fulham 1
Despite Fulham taking an early lead through a Simon Davies free-kick, West Ham’s efficient and industrious team struck back twice to gain a deserved victory at the Boleyn Ground.
Jimmy Bullard's last game for Fulham was an away win against Newcastle. He was stretchered off with severe trauma to his knee ligaments that required the skill of a world-leading surgeon to repair. After 15 months of rehabilitation, he returned to the first team today. During that time, Fulham have failed to win another away match.
So, the scene was all set for the circle to be closed: Bullard returns, and Fulham win an away game once more.
No.
The team that Bullard returns to is considerably different from the one he was forced to leave in September 2006. In that time, they have changed managers twice, and acquired almost an entire new team, but have made little, if any, progress. Today, they were unable to offer a significant challenge to an organised but unspectacular West Ham side.
Fulham obtained an early lead. A Dempsey flick-on was gathered by Healy on the corner of the West Ham penalty area. He was bundled over for a free-kick, which Simon Davies swerved into the box. Carlos Bocanegra ran towards it and, although he appeared to make no contact, managed to distract Robert Green enough for it continue into the net.
After 13 minutes Bocanegra was replaced by Aaron Hughes, the American apparently injured.
Fulham looked nervous in defence, but were not helped by a referee awarding a stream of free-kicks against them for innocuous challenges. At this stage, Etherington was offering the greatest threat, with Volz and Baird struggling to syncopate sufficiently to nullify the speedy winger.
Slowly, Murphy and Davis attempted to crank their passing game into life, but with their West Ham counterparts giving them little time on the ball, their rushed efforts were yielding frequent errors. As they attempt to reclaim a style of play abandoned for so long they appear, at times, to be playing at the limits of their ability. Hence, only the slightest pressure compromises it’s success.
When play gets compressed they do at least now have the wherewithal, typically through Murphy, to spread the ball via a few lateral passes to the opposite flank to create the space to instigate an attack. This is something not seen since the last days of Tigana, but apart from this there was disappointingly little evidence of any further Hodgson influence today.
With 27 minutes gone, the prevailingly off-colour Konchesky committed himself into a challenge that he failed to win. With free space, Ljungberg floated in a cross that Ashton, his run to the near post too quick for his marker, headed in past the helpless Niemi.
5 minutes later, an Etherington pass traversed the entire Fulham area, watched with interest but no response, by the Fulham players, for Ashton to fire in from the edge. Only a fine save from Niemi onto the bar, prevented West Ham from taking the lead.
Ashton and his partner Carlton Cole were causing problems continually by now, and their performance (together with the presence of Brian McBride amongst the Fulham supporters) highlighted just how lacking are in this area Fulham are. Dempsey and Healy are certainly game but they pose almost no threat to an opposition defence. Dempsey, admittedly not a pure striker, is combative, but lacks the pace to beat players. Healy is unfortunately beginning to resemble the younger brother allowed, as a favour, to play with the older boys.
This gap was demonstrated further when another fierce Ashton shot was palmed over the bar, and a Carlton Cole charge into the box, a clear opportunity, was fired directly at the goal keeper, Hughes having been easily shrugged off. Green had little similar action to occupy him at the other end.
Where a revitalised, reformulated, response was required from Fulham, none was delivered. Indeed, it was the home team who strengthened, while their visitors began to pale. The high tempo of the first half resumed, and the first 10 minutes were end-to-end. It was West Ham producing the more dangerous efforts though, Fulham’s counter-attacks continually breaking down as a result of poor passing, poor control and a general lack of understanding between players. Simon Davies contributed an energetic and enterprising performance, but his willing runs at the opposition defence were rarely rewarded with outlets through which to exploit his efforts.
Volz set up Dempsey for a powerful shot that went just wide but, with 30 minutes of the half gone, a Cole header was cleared off the line by Konchesky, the striker being replaced by Boa Morte shortly after.
Fulham’s defence, unsteady and uncoordindated all day, was slowly unravelling. Stefanovic is rarely elegant but can at times be an effectively direct defender. Today he was lumpen and hapless. Baird was floundering all game, and Konchesky has changed from an authoritative, unflappable presence to an error-prone figure, regularly left for dead.
Yet another cross was allowed to spin into the box unchallenged, for Ferdinand to score from 15 yards out. It was overdue. 2 minutes later, Ashton broke through and should have scored from close range.
With 15 minutes remaining, Dempsey had a fine header from a Davies corner cleared off the line, and Baird headed over from a Murphy free-kick. With the breakthrough appearing increasingly elusive, Smertin replaced the ineffective Healy, and Bullard made his long-awaited return for the eager but unrefined Volz. With Dempsey now on his own, an equaliser appeared even less likely.
Fulham continued to labour but simply lacked the quality to progress. Bullard caught the eye with his ground-covering, and attempts to orchestrate the team, but had little opportunity to make an impact. A deflected shot in injury time would have provided a sweet return from the wilderness, but it would have been more than his team deserved.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 5, Stefanovic 5, Bocanegra n/a (Hughes 5), Baird 4, Davies 7, Davis 6, Murphy 6, Volz 5 (Bullard 6), Dempsey 6, Healy 4 (Smertin 5).
Substitutions: Hughes for Bocanegra (13th minute); Smertin for Healy, Bullard for Volz (76th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Ki-Hyeon.
Jimmy Bullard's last game for Fulham was an away win against Newcastle. He was stretchered off with severe trauma to his knee ligaments that required the skill of a world-leading surgeon to repair. After 15 months of rehabilitation, he returned to the first team today. During that time, Fulham have failed to win another away match.
So, the scene was all set for the circle to be closed: Bullard returns, and Fulham win an away game once more.
No.
The team that Bullard returns to is considerably different from the one he was forced to leave in September 2006. In that time, they have changed managers twice, and acquired almost an entire new team, but have made little, if any, progress. Today, they were unable to offer a significant challenge to an organised but unspectacular West Ham side.
Fulham obtained an early lead. A Dempsey flick-on was gathered by Healy on the corner of the West Ham penalty area. He was bundled over for a free-kick, which Simon Davies swerved into the box. Carlos Bocanegra ran towards it and, although he appeared to make no contact, managed to distract Robert Green enough for it continue into the net.
After 13 minutes Bocanegra was replaced by Aaron Hughes, the American apparently injured.
Fulham looked nervous in defence, but were not helped by a referee awarding a stream of free-kicks against them for innocuous challenges. At this stage, Etherington was offering the greatest threat, with Volz and Baird struggling to syncopate sufficiently to nullify the speedy winger.
Slowly, Murphy and Davis attempted to crank their passing game into life, but with their West Ham counterparts giving them little time on the ball, their rushed efforts were yielding frequent errors. As they attempt to reclaim a style of play abandoned for so long they appear, at times, to be playing at the limits of their ability. Hence, only the slightest pressure compromises it’s success.
When play gets compressed they do at least now have the wherewithal, typically through Murphy, to spread the ball via a few lateral passes to the opposite flank to create the space to instigate an attack. This is something not seen since the last days of Tigana, but apart from this there was disappointingly little evidence of any further Hodgson influence today.
With 27 minutes gone, the prevailingly off-colour Konchesky committed himself into a challenge that he failed to win. With free space, Ljungberg floated in a cross that Ashton, his run to the near post too quick for his marker, headed in past the helpless Niemi.
5 minutes later, an Etherington pass traversed the entire Fulham area, watched with interest but no response, by the Fulham players, for Ashton to fire in from the edge. Only a fine save from Niemi onto the bar, prevented West Ham from taking the lead.
Ashton and his partner Carlton Cole were causing problems continually by now, and their performance (together with the presence of Brian McBride amongst the Fulham supporters) highlighted just how lacking are in this area Fulham are. Dempsey and Healy are certainly game but they pose almost no threat to an opposition defence. Dempsey, admittedly not a pure striker, is combative, but lacks the pace to beat players. Healy is unfortunately beginning to resemble the younger brother allowed, as a favour, to play with the older boys.
This gap was demonstrated further when another fierce Ashton shot was palmed over the bar, and a Carlton Cole charge into the box, a clear opportunity, was fired directly at the goal keeper, Hughes having been easily shrugged off. Green had little similar action to occupy him at the other end.
Where a revitalised, reformulated, response was required from Fulham, none was delivered. Indeed, it was the home team who strengthened, while their visitors began to pale. The high tempo of the first half resumed, and the first 10 minutes were end-to-end. It was West Ham producing the more dangerous efforts though, Fulham’s counter-attacks continually breaking down as a result of poor passing, poor control and a general lack of understanding between players. Simon Davies contributed an energetic and enterprising performance, but his willing runs at the opposition defence were rarely rewarded with outlets through which to exploit his efforts.
Volz set up Dempsey for a powerful shot that went just wide but, with 30 minutes of the half gone, a Cole header was cleared off the line by Konchesky, the striker being replaced by Boa Morte shortly after.
Fulham’s defence, unsteady and uncoordindated all day, was slowly unravelling. Stefanovic is rarely elegant but can at times be an effectively direct defender. Today he was lumpen and hapless. Baird was floundering all game, and Konchesky has changed from an authoritative, unflappable presence to an error-prone figure, regularly left for dead.
Yet another cross was allowed to spin into the box unchallenged, for Ferdinand to score from 15 yards out. It was overdue. 2 minutes later, Ashton broke through and should have scored from close range.
With 15 minutes remaining, Dempsey had a fine header from a Davies corner cleared off the line, and Baird headed over from a Murphy free-kick. With the breakthrough appearing increasingly elusive, Smertin replaced the ineffective Healy, and Bullard made his long-awaited return for the eager but unrefined Volz. With Dempsey now on his own, an equaliser appeared even less likely.
Fulham continued to labour but simply lacked the quality to progress. Bullard caught the eye with his ground-covering, and attempts to orchestrate the team, but had little opportunity to make an impact. A deflected shot in injury time would have provided a sweet return from the wilderness, but it would have been more than his team deserved.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 5, Stefanovic 5, Bocanegra n/a (Hughes 5), Baird 4, Davies 7, Davis 6, Murphy 6, Volz 5 (Bullard 6), Dempsey 6, Healy 4 (Smertin 5).
Substitutions: Hughes for Bocanegra (13th minute); Smertin for Healy, Bullard for Volz (76th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Ki-Hyeon.
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Fulham 2 Bristol Rovers 2
Based on previous cup outings, Fulham made predictably hard work of obtaining a draw with League One side Bristol Rovers, after twice going behind.
Before they had even had time to start playing poorly they conceded, their opponents clearly more motivated and alert than they were. Within three minutes, a failed clearance was stabbed at from 6 yards by Coles and deflected past the stranded Niemi. Amongst the Fulham supporters, resigned through experience to witnessing such scenarios, shock is generally replaced with weary and knowing looks at such times.
Lack of urgency, poor concentration, and slack passing, all suggested that the Premier League team expected a victory to materialise by virtue of their status alone.
Bouazza had started poorly. He wasn’t the only one, but he looked cold, distracted, and failed to progress when in possession. Within 15 minutes he had been moved to a central position. On 23 minutes, he made his first attempt to take on his opponent, and pulled up despite little absence of a challenge, holding his shoulder. There were more knowing looks from the crowd, as what looks like the third dislocation of the season for the Algerian. His prevailing fragility looks like an ongoing problem, but one that was surely avoidable.
The positive aspect to this was, with Baird replacing the departing winger, Volz pushed forward into the right midfield position he so impressed in against Chelsea on New Year’s Day. Another fine performance, full of vigour and application was to follow until his substitution in 72nd minute.
Slowly, Fulham began to loosen and flex, and under the orchestration of Danny Murphy began to fashion opportunities. Dempsey had a headed goal disallowed through a Stefanovic foul after 10 minutes. Healy fired a low shot just past the post following a Murphy free-kick.
However, the crowd became increasingly restless as, despite noticeable post-Sanchez improvements, basic failings persist. There were too many unforced errors, too many mis-hit passes, often compromising team-mates, and the back-four looked worryingly disorganised. Stefanovic was less dominant than in recent games and, after an impressive start to the season, Konchesky’s inconsistent displays continue. He did however contribute a fine free-kick on the half hour following one of several Dempsey runs direct at the Rovers’ defence that drew a free-kick.
Healy’s movements continue to mystify: he either drops back - to the half-way line at times - to pick up the ball, despite not being particularly adept at penetrating defences with the ball at his feet; or he appears way over on the right by-line, where he is similarly ineffective. This is how he played under Sanchez, and it’s unclear if this behaviour is a legacy of the former manager’s approach, or part of his natural play. It makes evaluating his genuine Premier League potential extremely difficult. When he appeared where one would expect him to appear - six yards out - he scored with a well-placed header, courtesy of a Volz cross. 40 minutes gone, and 1-1.
Fulham finished the half strongly and threatened to score again. A glancing Healy header from another Murphy free-kick forced a save, whilst a curling Smertin shot from the edge of the box went marginally wide.
They improved further in the second half and, apart from a few Rovers’ forays, achieved the majority of possession and goal-scoring chances. There are still some of Sanchez’s fingerprints on the team, principally in the guise of the occasional long, high ball hit towards, infuriatingly, the smallest player on the pitch, David Healy.
Murphy continued to be the main creator of Fulham’s moves, collecting and carrying throughout.
Despite the home team’s dominance, on 64 minutes Bristol Rovers took the lead once more, Fulham demonstrating that one of the many fundamental areas that they require improvement in is the defence of set pieces, as Hinton headed in a free-kick unchallenged.
Clint Dempsey is a crucial source of quality and inventiveness (and no little graft) for the Fulham team. He still needs to increase the speed of his decision-making as he is regularly caught in possession, and thwarted in his attempt to pass or shoot. However, along with Danny Murphy, he is not helped when each time he looks up when in possession, he finds himself surrounded by static players, with no available outlets for a pass.
Indeed, it is in attack that the fiercest revolution is required. Deprived of Brian McBride’s opportunism, intelligence, and sheer work-rate, Fulham do not possess any single player that carries enough of a threat to cause consternation in an opposition defence. Hence, all their chances have to be created by virtue of careful build-up play, and delivered on a plate to a player to finish. Healy is in this category: provide him with an opportunity in the box, and he can score; outside of the box, he is willing, but merely functional.
On 72 minutes, the tiring Volz and Smertin were replaced by Ki-Hyeon and Davis. Almost immediately, Davis played an incisive ball to Dempsey, holding off his marker with his back to goal. He laid it off to Murphy, who struck cleanly from 20 yards, the keeper only able to push it into the top corner.
With Ki-Hyeon achieving sporadic success down the right with his rather limited repertoire of step-overs, Fulham continued to threaten to create a winner, but were ultimately forced to accept what was probably the worst outcome for them, a draw.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 5, Stefanovic 5, Bocanegra 6, Volz 7 (Ki-Hyeon 6), Bouazza 4 (Baird 6), Murphy 8, Smertin 7 (Davis 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Healy 6.
Substitutions: Baird for Bouazza (23rd minute); Ki-Hyeon for Volz, Davis for Smertin (72nd minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Batista, Leijer.
Before they had even had time to start playing poorly they conceded, their opponents clearly more motivated and alert than they were. Within three minutes, a failed clearance was stabbed at from 6 yards by Coles and deflected past the stranded Niemi. Amongst the Fulham supporters, resigned through experience to witnessing such scenarios, shock is generally replaced with weary and knowing looks at such times.
Lack of urgency, poor concentration, and slack passing, all suggested that the Premier League team expected a victory to materialise by virtue of their status alone.
Bouazza had started poorly. He wasn’t the only one, but he looked cold, distracted, and failed to progress when in possession. Within 15 minutes he had been moved to a central position. On 23 minutes, he made his first attempt to take on his opponent, and pulled up despite little absence of a challenge, holding his shoulder. There were more knowing looks from the crowd, as what looks like the third dislocation of the season for the Algerian. His prevailing fragility looks like an ongoing problem, but one that was surely avoidable.
The positive aspect to this was, with Baird replacing the departing winger, Volz pushed forward into the right midfield position he so impressed in against Chelsea on New Year’s Day. Another fine performance, full of vigour and application was to follow until his substitution in 72nd minute.
Slowly, Fulham began to loosen and flex, and under the orchestration of Danny Murphy began to fashion opportunities. Dempsey had a headed goal disallowed through a Stefanovic foul after 10 minutes. Healy fired a low shot just past the post following a Murphy free-kick.
However, the crowd became increasingly restless as, despite noticeable post-Sanchez improvements, basic failings persist. There were too many unforced errors, too many mis-hit passes, often compromising team-mates, and the back-four looked worryingly disorganised. Stefanovic was less dominant than in recent games and, after an impressive start to the season, Konchesky’s inconsistent displays continue. He did however contribute a fine free-kick on the half hour following one of several Dempsey runs direct at the Rovers’ defence that drew a free-kick.
Healy’s movements continue to mystify: he either drops back - to the half-way line at times - to pick up the ball, despite not being particularly adept at penetrating defences with the ball at his feet; or he appears way over on the right by-line, where he is similarly ineffective. This is how he played under Sanchez, and it’s unclear if this behaviour is a legacy of the former manager’s approach, or part of his natural play. It makes evaluating his genuine Premier League potential extremely difficult. When he appeared where one would expect him to appear - six yards out - he scored with a well-placed header, courtesy of a Volz cross. 40 minutes gone, and 1-1.
Fulham finished the half strongly and threatened to score again. A glancing Healy header from another Murphy free-kick forced a save, whilst a curling Smertin shot from the edge of the box went marginally wide.
They improved further in the second half and, apart from a few Rovers’ forays, achieved the majority of possession and goal-scoring chances. There are still some of Sanchez’s fingerprints on the team, principally in the guise of the occasional long, high ball hit towards, infuriatingly, the smallest player on the pitch, David Healy.
Murphy continued to be the main creator of Fulham’s moves, collecting and carrying throughout.
Despite the home team’s dominance, on 64 minutes Bristol Rovers took the lead once more, Fulham demonstrating that one of the many fundamental areas that they require improvement in is the defence of set pieces, as Hinton headed in a free-kick unchallenged.
Clint Dempsey is a crucial source of quality and inventiveness (and no little graft) for the Fulham team. He still needs to increase the speed of his decision-making as he is regularly caught in possession, and thwarted in his attempt to pass or shoot. However, along with Danny Murphy, he is not helped when each time he looks up when in possession, he finds himself surrounded by static players, with no available outlets for a pass.
Indeed, it is in attack that the fiercest revolution is required. Deprived of Brian McBride’s opportunism, intelligence, and sheer work-rate, Fulham do not possess any single player that carries enough of a threat to cause consternation in an opposition defence. Hence, all their chances have to be created by virtue of careful build-up play, and delivered on a plate to a player to finish. Healy is in this category: provide him with an opportunity in the box, and he can score; outside of the box, he is willing, but merely functional.
On 72 minutes, the tiring Volz and Smertin were replaced by Ki-Hyeon and Davis. Almost immediately, Davis played an incisive ball to Dempsey, holding off his marker with his back to goal. He laid it off to Murphy, who struck cleanly from 20 yards, the keeper only able to push it into the top corner.
With Ki-Hyeon achieving sporadic success down the right with his rather limited repertoire of step-overs, Fulham continued to threaten to create a winner, but were ultimately forced to accept what was probably the worst outcome for them, a draw.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 5, Stefanovic 5, Bocanegra 6, Volz 7 (Ki-Hyeon 6), Bouazza 4 (Baird 6), Murphy 8, Smertin 7 (Davis 6), Davies 6, Dempsey 7, Healy 6.
Substitutions: Baird for Bouazza (23rd minute); Ki-Hyeon for Volz, Davis for Smertin (72nd minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Batista, Leijer.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
With Fulham earning a deserved first-half lead from a Danny Murphy penalty, Ray Hodgson had the opportunity to become an instant cult hero as he began his tenure as Fulham manager with a game against local rivals Chelsea. However, it was not be, as Chelsea emerged from the break to overpower a tiring Fulham team, and proceeded to grind out an efficient victory with goals from Kalou and Ballack.
Worthy Opponents
Looking increasingly comfortable (and happier) in possession these last few games, Fulham today added a touch of tenacity to their play to render themselves far more worthy opponents for Chelsea than respective league positions might suggest.
Despite seeming subdued, and making a surprising number of unforced errors, Chelsea still looked dangerous on the counter-attack, launching high balls towards the eager Solomon Kalou. Joe Cole was another outlet for Chelsea offensive play, being given ample time and space to contrive openings by the Fulham defence.
Volz was making a good impression with a committed and swashbuckling display on the right wing. Within 10 minutes he embarked on one of his cavalier charges into the penalty area, turned a defender, and was brought down for a penalty. Murphy’s precise strike hit the net with Hilario diving in the opposite direction.
A Fragile Lead
As per the Birmingham game, the Fulham supporters were encouraged by an enterprising first-half display, whilst at the same time obliged to ponder the fragility that a 1-goal Fulham lead typically represents.
After the thrust of the first half, Fulham entered their, by now predictable, 45 minute refractory period. With a re-configured Chelsea midfield now including the commanding Mikel (replacing the ineffective Sidwell) alongside Ballack, they began to wilt under their opponents increasing pressure and aggression. Davis and Murphy, so effective previously, looked increasingly lightweight as they were harried, and frequently bustled off the ball.
Yesterday, David Lacey (in a positive piece in The Guardian, here) referred to Murphy, Davies, and Davis as “craftsmen operating the same lathe”, echoing Ray Lewington’s concern that it’s the mixture of the squad that requires modification, rather than the quality.
Today’s second-half display made this fear all too justified: Fulham have no-one comparable in stature to a Ballack or a Mikel; someone with enough authority to dominate the central area and gain possession, but still mobile enough to cover the ground required by a high-tempo game. With the sale of the underperforming Papa Bouba Diop, always expected to assume this role, the club now lack any players with even the potential to satisfy this lack. The transfer window beckons, Mr. Hodgson.
On 54 minutes, Chelsea’s dominance told, as Kalou headed home from a corner. 6 minutes later, Ballack buried a penalty, and the early promise evaporated.
Volz’s energetic start was undermined by his lack of matches and, as he began to tire, he was replaced by Seol Ki-Hyeon. Despite one committed run, riding 3 challenges to deliver a cross, the Korean unfortunately recalls Kamara in his tendency to overcomplicate his play, and he frequently surrenders possession. 2 minutes later Smertin was brought on for the slowly improving Davis, as Fulham battled to regain some measure of midfield influence.
Blunt Attack
They laboured on, but were enduringly blunt in attack. Although Murphy was culpable for some inaccurate passes, he is frequently being made to look worse when, in possession of the ball, he is offered so few outlets by his teammates. Similarly, Dempsey toils away in isolation and appears increasingly aggrieved at the lack of support he receives.
Lacking any semblance of an attacking threat, Fulham’s forward line was refreshed in 77th minute with Healy replacing the increasingly inconsequential Kamara. Although they rallied in the last 10 minutes, they never looked like conjuring enough quality to fashion an equaliser.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 7, Stefanovic 7, Bocanegra 7, Omozusi 8, Davies 6, Davis 6 (Smertin 6), Murphy 7, Volz 7 (Ki-Hyeon 3), Dempsey 7, Kamara 3 (Healy 6).
Substitutions: Ki-Hyeon for Volz (68th minute); Smertin for Davis (70th minute); Healy for Kamara (77th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Kuqi.
Worthy Opponents
Looking increasingly comfortable (and happier) in possession these last few games, Fulham today added a touch of tenacity to their play to render themselves far more worthy opponents for Chelsea than respective league positions might suggest.
Despite seeming subdued, and making a surprising number of unforced errors, Chelsea still looked dangerous on the counter-attack, launching high balls towards the eager Solomon Kalou. Joe Cole was another outlet for Chelsea offensive play, being given ample time and space to contrive openings by the Fulham defence.
Volz was making a good impression with a committed and swashbuckling display on the right wing. Within 10 minutes he embarked on one of his cavalier charges into the penalty area, turned a defender, and was brought down for a penalty. Murphy’s precise strike hit the net with Hilario diving in the opposite direction.
A Fragile Lead
As per the Birmingham game, the Fulham supporters were encouraged by an enterprising first-half display, whilst at the same time obliged to ponder the fragility that a 1-goal Fulham lead typically represents.
After the thrust of the first half, Fulham entered their, by now predictable, 45 minute refractory period. With a re-configured Chelsea midfield now including the commanding Mikel (replacing the ineffective Sidwell) alongside Ballack, they began to wilt under their opponents increasing pressure and aggression. Davis and Murphy, so effective previously, looked increasingly lightweight as they were harried, and frequently bustled off the ball.
Yesterday, David Lacey (in a positive piece in The Guardian, here) referred to Murphy, Davies, and Davis as “craftsmen operating the same lathe”, echoing Ray Lewington’s concern that it’s the mixture of the squad that requires modification, rather than the quality.
Today’s second-half display made this fear all too justified: Fulham have no-one comparable in stature to a Ballack or a Mikel; someone with enough authority to dominate the central area and gain possession, but still mobile enough to cover the ground required by a high-tempo game. With the sale of the underperforming Papa Bouba Diop, always expected to assume this role, the club now lack any players with even the potential to satisfy this lack. The transfer window beckons, Mr. Hodgson.
On 54 minutes, Chelsea’s dominance told, as Kalou headed home from a corner. 6 minutes later, Ballack buried a penalty, and the early promise evaporated.
Volz’s energetic start was undermined by his lack of matches and, as he began to tire, he was replaced by Seol Ki-Hyeon. Despite one committed run, riding 3 challenges to deliver a cross, the Korean unfortunately recalls Kamara in his tendency to overcomplicate his play, and he frequently surrenders possession. 2 minutes later Smertin was brought on for the slowly improving Davis, as Fulham battled to regain some measure of midfield influence.
Blunt Attack
They laboured on, but were enduringly blunt in attack. Although Murphy was culpable for some inaccurate passes, he is frequently being made to look worse when, in possession of the ball, he is offered so few outlets by his teammates. Similarly, Dempsey toils away in isolation and appears increasingly aggrieved at the lack of support he receives.
Lacking any semblance of an attacking threat, Fulham’s forward line was refreshed in 77th minute with Healy replacing the increasingly inconsequential Kamara. Although they rallied in the last 10 minutes, they never looked like conjuring enough quality to fashion an equaliser.
Niemi 7, Konchesky 7, Stefanovic 7, Bocanegra 7, Omozusi 8, Davies 6, Davis 6 (Smertin 6), Murphy 7, Volz 7 (Ki-Hyeon 3), Dempsey 7, Kamara 3 (Healy 6).
Substitutions: Ki-Hyeon for Volz (68th minute); Smertin for Davis (70th minute); Healy for Kamara (77th minute).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Kuqi.
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