Fulham Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[mkkid]

it got to be ten days.hope its not the 24th

 

[Wellspurs]

Even the BBC are saying 24th now incidently Fulham play City on the Sunday before the game we play on the Saturday.

 

[Krafty]

We looked the better team, but Fulham looked the more likely threat. Zamora, who incidentally missed ou 2-0 win over them, was found far too easily, and he brought the ball down far too easily. We could have done with getting a man infront as well as behind him.

Its a bit of a concern how easily the opposition's target man can get the ball played into their feet (or chest) whereas we can only knock it high, or knock it over the top. Its one area of Crouch's game that needs improvement - his off the ball movement around the halfway line isnt good enough.

That said, our defence were far too deep, like against Bolton in the first half at the Reebok. We didnt put their defence under enough pressure, the midfield had to cover too much ground, and it ultimately meant that our attacks lacked pace as they started too deep.

As has been said, benny needed to overlap Bale a lot more. Fulham did a job on Bale like a lot of teams do against Lennon. The right side lacked pace.

Pav looked a bit out of sorts, but as long as we keep smacking balls up to Crouch we will not get the best out of any of our offensive players - Crouch included.

But a draw, clean sheet, and much better performance than in the league. A few new partnerships that lacked the understanding to really gel, but not bad really.

 

[Wellspurs]

We looked the better team, tbut Fulham looked he more likely threat. Zamora, who incidentally missed ou 2-0 win over them, was found far too easily, and he brought the ball down far too easily. We could have done with getting a man infront as well as behind him.

Its a bit of a concern how easily the opposition's target man can get the ball played into their feet (or chest) whereas we can only knock it high, or knock it over the top. Its one area of Crouch's game that needs improvement - his off the ball movement around the halfway line isnt good enough.

That said, our defence were far too deep, like against Bolton in the first half at the Reebok. We didnt put their defence under enough pressure, the midfield had to cover too much ground, and it ultimately meant that our attacks lacked pace as they started too deep.

As has been said, benny needed to overlap Bale a lot more. Fulham did a job on Bale like a lot of teams do against Lennon. The right side lacked pace.

Pav looked a bit out of sorts, but as long as we keep smacking balls up to Crouch we will not get the best out of any of our offensive players - Crouch included.

But a draw, clean sheet, and much better performance than in the league. A few new partnerships that lacked the understanding to really gel, but not bad really.

Oh yes he did play taken off in the 78th minute.

 

[The Apprentice]

Wilson will get plenty of plaudits and he was his usual Boss self, but MoM for me was Bassong. Had a tricky customer in Zamora in his pocket all game. Top class performance.

Very poor game not helped by Fulham showing little to no ambition.

We'll thump em at our gaff as long as Defoe is fit.

Few things learned today:-

- Bale is nowhere near as effective at LM, much better exploiting space from deep.
- Modric struggles in a CM two.
- Lucky our most important midfielder is fit and well (Wilson).

 

[worcestersauce]

Just a few observations:
Fulham were a very solid unit and they all played their part and held their positions excellently, I thought Zamora was immense today, we all know he's not the most gifted striker but his job today was to lead the line, be the target man, hold up play and bring in the players following up all of which he did without fault, Bassong did well blocking his path to goal but didn't win one ball off of him when he was shielding it, thankfully Palacios was covering those runs, so credit where it is due.
Bale again had to contend with two men on him the whole time except when there were three and he still got in some terrific runs and superb crosses, it was his cross field run that led to Niko's chance in the first half and to be honest I saw no evidence that he would have any more influence from the left back position bearing in mind that teams are doubling up on him every game now even when he's at LB and we did, of course, need to be solid in defence today.
Not a match winning display from Modric today but again he had very little space and time do create very much and did well enough.
I think we were the best team overall but Fulham were prepared to keep it tight and solid hoping to get one on the break I don't think it was a boring game, far from it, I know the ITV people wanted an extravaganza and so didn't see it but I was pretty gripped by the game it was like a fast, tough, hard working game of chess.

 

[double0]

Thought it was a solid performance against a very good Fulham side. My only concern was the lack of pace throughout the team, without Lennon or Defoe we still look pedestrian attacking wise, didn't really turn Fulham's back 4. That said we controlled the majority of the game with General Palacios smashing and intercepting Fulham adventures.

Hopefully we'll get the job done at the Lane.

 

[MattyP]

Hats off to those at the game in the temporary stand, sounded like an home game.
I wonder how many Fulham fans make it all the way across London?

:clap::clap::clap:All those faithful were a real credit to the CLUB ! Well done to all ! CoYS !!

I particularly liked the "yid army" whilst bouncing during the second half.

Better atmosphere than game today, bloody cold down by the Thames but still worth braving the hangover.

 

[StartingPrice]

StartingPoint most be royally pissed off with both BAE (LB)and BAle (LM) playing together in the same match!!

Do you mean me? :grin:

As I have continually said, if 'Arry decides in anindividual game that Bale on the left is the right tactic I don't have a problem with it. I know he CAN play as a winger, just that I think he is an exceptional full-back, but wouldn't be an exceptional winger.

What I get hacked off at is Spurs fans (anyone else can do one) insisting Bale IS a winger, or that he should be converted to a winger (arguments made elsewhere).

Sadly, today, we saw 3 players in midfield all playing out of position - it is truly fortunate that Palacios was man of the match toady.
In spite of 'Arry's claims that he can play across midfield, I do not think Krankjar ever plays well on the right;
Depsite the fact that Modric plays in the middle for Croatia, I don;t think he can thrive there unless it is as part of a 4-5-1;
Bale is not a winger. Today he tried really hard, and on occasion, usually when Modric came across, made enough space for himself to provide some end product. But it was clearly part of Fulham's gameplan to double up on him, and that was almost always how it panned out. But the fact remains that his offensive play has been really impressive recently when playing as a full-back, with Modirc cutting inside and dragging the opposition defence around enough to provide the space and the delivery for Bale to run onto the ball. It is ludicrous to blame BAE.

 

[Michey]

Pav looked a bit out of sorts, but as long as we keep smacking balls up to Crouch we will not get the best out of any of our offensive players - Crouch included.

especially when he plays against Hangeland....1.94cm

I'm amazed that a player like Gudjohnsen didn't come on so we could try some brains to get past the Fulham defence instead of long balls.

 

[nicdic]

I think today showed Bale is a left back.

 

[donny1013]

I think today showed Bale is a left back.

Yeah, it is a lot easier for a team to mark a winger out of game than an over-lapping FB. Player like Bale, Alves, Maicon, Sergio Ramos etc thrive on running from deep, doesn't make them wingers. Bale has improved his defensive ability because he see's himself as an FB. But i guess because of injuries needs must atm.

 

[ShelfSide18]

That was a tight game, and despite the replay and yet more strain on our already strained resources I'm pretty happy, because we are now massive favourites for a return to Wembley.

It was pretty drab, and we were a bit too reliant on trying to hit Crouch but Fulham worked hard and pressed us well. We defended well too, and worked just as hard as Fulham so a stalemate was fairly inevitable although I thought we had more control during the game and didn't let them get on top of us.

Palacios was monstrous, and was the reason we had more control of the game, and Bassong and Dawson did well against Zamora who looked a real handful with his strength on the ball. I thought Benny did well too, reminding us we have 2 top quality full backs at the club.

I think today went to show how Bale is so effective as a full back because Fulham immediately stuck 2 men on him and nullified his game, you can't do this to full backs and that is why I think he is so much better there, where he can run from deep, and overlap Modric/Kranjcar where we can expose him at the opposition full back.

Dull but competitive game, but we should be going back to Wembley, so I'm happy.

 

[THOWIG]

The two best players on the pitch were Hangeland and Palacios which says it all.

Thought Kranjcar, Dawson, Bassong were impressive with Bale continuing his great form.
Modric and Pavlyuchenko were poor. Modric looked tired and his passing was off, but Pav's flaws were highlighted today. His lack of desire is scary.

 

[chrissivad]

I think today went to show how Bale is so effective as a full back because Fulham immediately stuck 2 men on him and nullified his game, you can't do this to full backs and that is why I think he is so much better there, where he can run from deep, and overlap Modric/Kranjcar where we can expose him at the opposition full back.

Team also did this to Lennon when he was in the team.

What would they do if Bale and Lennon were both in the team?
BAE didn't offer much support from LB, and might have done if he hadn't been out for so long.

Still think Bale can become a great LM/W but has been far more effective from LB this season than he was today.

But then Corluka wasn't effective at RB, Modric wasn't as influential in CM and Pav and Crouch up top didn't relay work.

Kranjcar didn't have a good game at all either i felt.

Gomes, Dawson, Bassong, Palacios and Bale i felt all had good games today

Wilson was fantastic :clap:

 

[THOWIG]

Kranjcar's final ball was hit and miss, but his work rate put some others to shame.

 

[nicdic]

Team also did this to Lennon when he was in the team.

What would they do if Bale and Lennon were both in the team?
BAE didn't offer much support from LB, and might have done if he hadn't been out for so long.

Still think Bale can become a great LM/W but has been far more effective from LB this season than he was today.

But then Corluka wasn't effective at RB, Modric wasn't as influential in CM and Pav and Crouch up top didn't relay work.

Kranjcar didn't have a good game at all either i felt.

Gomes, Dawson, Bassong, Palacios and Bale i felt all had good games today

Wilson was fantastic :clap:

The difference is that Lennon is a winger, and knows how to create space for himself there, and make the right runs etc. Bale can play well there, but he'll never be a top winger. He's so much better at coming from deep, today showed that clearly. Saying that though, he was still good, and his energy levels and desire are great.

Modric wasn't terrible, I thought he did alright, usually used the ball well, a couple of misplaced passes, but wasn't over run at all, and with a few more options infront of him (Defoe/Lennon/Kranjcar/Bale) and we'd be able to make a better judgement on him a central midfielder.

Pav and Crouch just didn't seem to link up at all. Not sure I get the claims that Pav looked uninterested though, I thought he always looked interested and did some good chasing back.

We'll win the replay.

 

[chrissivad]

The difference is that Lennon is a winger, and knows how to create space for himself there, and make the right runs etc. Bale can play well there, but he'll never be a top winger. He's so much better at coming from deep, today showed that clearly. Saying that though, he was still good, and his energy levels and desire are great.

Wasn't this a criticism of Harry of Lennon ether at the start of the season or last season?

he does look better from coming from LB though i do agree, but im still not ruling out that he could still become an excellent LW'er

Modric wasn't terrible, I thought he did alright, usually used the ball well, a couple of misplaced passes, but wasn't over run at all, and with a few more options infront of him (Defoe/Lennon/Kranjcar/Bale) and we'd be able to make a better judgement on him a central midfielder.

Modric played a very disciplined game today, something we dont normally see from him. He played the Hudd role well, collected the ball from the back and worked it forward. Gave an option to the players around him and keeped the ball moving.

agree with the rest you said

 

[spurs_viola]

Just hope Harry will not use this game to justify going back to Crouch + Defoe up front for the next several matches. Of course it is quite possible that Pav picks up a knock or has a "groin injury" flared up before the next game...

And we need Huddlestone back next to Palacios ASAP.

The team looked and played so much better with Modric + Pav + Defoe linking up in attack...

 

[tt265]

Yid army chant whilst bouncing was great - only way to keep warm. Craven Cottage is a terrible stadium compared to WHL....so cold.