IGSpur
Well-Known Member
- Jan 11, 2013
- 7,939
- 13,758
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- #4,001
Started writing this yesterday.
Great game in the end between two very good teams but overall we were the more dominant team. Once we got the 2nd goal Fulham had to get at us more and we made them pay.
We ended the game with 6 CBs on the pitch with one of them getting an assist. Pleased I got to see all of the subs come on as I was looking forward to seeing all of them play. Craig got himself an assist. The fact he came on in AM confused me as I was fairly sure he was the CB/DM which someone later confirmed I was right. So shows his versatility. Also forgot to see he is now playing for Scotland u17s when he got his MOTM forgetting that he and his brother were previously playing for Scotland u16s. Didn't notice the promotion at the time.
Oluwayemi - Another good solid game. Didn't have many shots to save, but did make a couple of important ones and showed bravery and good decision making when rushing off his line.
Statham (LB) - As @edson said a decent game in an unfamiliar position on the same side as Elliot who was their biggest threat and generally coped with him very well. He's not what we need going forward but he can definitely be pleased with that performance.
Binks - Within in the first 5 mins he stroked a lovely pass out to Poch on the right wing, and from then I had a feeling it was going to be his day. Also really need to point out a pick out he made. We were attacking them so our players were in around their box, someone passed the ball to Binks and first time, he's picked out our man on the corner of the box. Hard to describe, but the vision and execution adding a bit of curl straigth to his feet was very impressive. Defensively he was very good as usual. Seems to keep getting bigger and more athletic. His regular appearances for England have also been justified. Think he could have picked himself up a goal when the ball fell to him in the box but I think their defender blocked it. Great game from him
Walcott - Along with Binks very solid, to restrict Fulham to very few if any chances. Confident on the ball and him and Binks have an excellent understanding. Switched with BLF in the last 10mins of the game.
Okedina (RB) - had brilliant game to continue his fine season since his return. I liked him at u16s and I'm really pleased to see how well he is doing now even having to transition to RB. He doesn't look a natural RB but he is doing very well in the position, and will no doubt be able to step comfortably back into the centre of defence. His passing was a good and his dribbling was decent. He evens tarted to have fun near the end trying to dribble into their box and got dispossessed but was smiling.
Lyons-Foster (DM) - MOTM I think. His first half performance was good but second half he was imperious in such a calm and controlled manner. Everything looked easy for him. I lost count of the number of interceptions he made stepping up and pinching the balls. He also made a number of tackles, almost like a ghost. Like I said he wasn't throwing himself around but they'd try to counter or pick up the ball and all of a sudden BLF has knocked them off the ball and moving it on. I love him at CB, but with Binks and Walcott available I'd like to see more of BLF at DM and experiment at u23s. The whole defensive unit was quality and his reading and protection was probably so key to it.
Shashoua (CM) - Created problems constantly for Fulham. It was a standard Shashoua performance, in that he played very well. He looked very calm and composed for his penalty rolled it to the right of the LAH but it hit the post and bounced in off him. He reacted well to knock in his goal though and continues his strong season.
Cooper (LW) - Also played well. His shot led to the fumble which resulted in Shashoua's goal. I don't think eh was used enough but whenever he got on the ball he was generally positive with his play.
Markanday (AM) Another top performance from the kid. His goal was all him. Won the ball back himself on the right wing, carried the ball centrally and drilled it low and hard into the bottom corner.
Pochettino (RW) - Ignoring last Sunday's match, the last 2 games I've seen he's had decent games. And I'd say the game yesterday was the best I've seen him. He showed good awareness, to turn out of trouble and support the attack. I still don't think he is upto the appropriate standard but I can't dismiss what was a good performance for him
Clarke (S) - the fall guy at the moment for a lack of strikers but he played well. Did what he could and when he managed to face the defenders he would cause problems. Started to pull out his stepovers and he has really quick feet. Won the penalty in the first half, and when he moved to the wing in the 2nd half he was a constant thorn in Fulham's side.
Subs -
Thorpe - Pleased he picked up his first goal. Really brave to put his head on the ball with the keeper charging out. He is one of those players that have a bit of an attitude on the field which I really like. The way he is built now he is reminded me of a Roles but hopefully now he is fully recovered he can get a run of games next year.
Michael Craig - looked comfortable playing at this level. You could tell he was more defensively minded as he didn't have the intuition to join certain attacks or pick up attacking positions. His cross for Thorpe's goal was perfect.
Pedder - glad he got on, and went up top. Not enough time to give any real comments but pleased he came on and finally seeing him again.
Great game in the end between two very good teams but overall we were the more dominant team. Once we got the 2nd goal Fulham had to get at us more and we made them pay.
We ended the game with 6 CBs on the pitch with one of them getting an assist. Pleased I got to see all of the subs come on as I was looking forward to seeing all of them play. Craig got himself an assist. The fact he came on in AM confused me as I was fairly sure he was the CB/DM which someone later confirmed I was right. So shows his versatility. Also forgot to see he is now playing for Scotland u17s when he got his MOTM forgetting that he and his brother were previously playing for Scotland u16s. Didn't notice the promotion at the time.
Oluwayemi - Another good solid game. Didn't have many shots to save, but did make a couple of important ones and showed bravery and good decision making when rushing off his line.
Statham (LB) - As @edson said a decent game in an unfamiliar position on the same side as Elliot who was their biggest threat and generally coped with him very well. He's not what we need going forward but he can definitely be pleased with that performance.
Binks - Within in the first 5 mins he stroked a lovely pass out to Poch on the right wing, and from then I had a feeling it was going to be his day. Also really need to point out a pick out he made. We were attacking them so our players were in around their box, someone passed the ball to Binks and first time, he's picked out our man on the corner of the box. Hard to describe, but the vision and execution adding a bit of curl straigth to his feet was very impressive. Defensively he was very good as usual. Seems to keep getting bigger and more athletic. His regular appearances for England have also been justified. Think he could have picked himself up a goal when the ball fell to him in the box but I think their defender blocked it. Great game from him
Walcott - Along with Binks very solid, to restrict Fulham to very few if any chances. Confident on the ball and him and Binks have an excellent understanding. Switched with BLF in the last 10mins of the game.
Okedina (RB) - had brilliant game to continue his fine season since his return. I liked him at u16s and I'm really pleased to see how well he is doing now even having to transition to RB. He doesn't look a natural RB but he is doing very well in the position, and will no doubt be able to step comfortably back into the centre of defence. His passing was a good and his dribbling was decent. He evens tarted to have fun near the end trying to dribble into their box and got dispossessed but was smiling.
Lyons-Foster (DM) - MOTM I think. His first half performance was good but second half he was imperious in such a calm and controlled manner. Everything looked easy for him. I lost count of the number of interceptions he made stepping up and pinching the balls. He also made a number of tackles, almost like a ghost. Like I said he wasn't throwing himself around but they'd try to counter or pick up the ball and all of a sudden BLF has knocked them off the ball and moving it on. I love him at CB, but with Binks and Walcott available I'd like to see more of BLF at DM and experiment at u23s. The whole defensive unit was quality and his reading and protection was probably so key to it.
Shashoua (CM) - Created problems constantly for Fulham. It was a standard Shashoua performance, in that he played very well. He looked very calm and composed for his penalty rolled it to the right of the LAH but it hit the post and bounced in off him. He reacted well to knock in his goal though and continues his strong season.
Cooper (LW) - Also played well. His shot led to the fumble which resulted in Shashoua's goal. I don't think eh was used enough but whenever he got on the ball he was generally positive with his play.
Markanday (AM) Another top performance from the kid. His goal was all him. Won the ball back himself on the right wing, carried the ball centrally and drilled it low and hard into the bottom corner.
Pochettino (RW) - Ignoring last Sunday's match, the last 2 games I've seen he's had decent games. And I'd say the game yesterday was the best I've seen him. He showed good awareness, to turn out of trouble and support the attack. I still don't think he is upto the appropriate standard but I can't dismiss what was a good performance for him
Clarke (S) - the fall guy at the moment for a lack of strikers but he played well. Did what he could and when he managed to face the defenders he would cause problems. Started to pull out his stepovers and he has really quick feet. Won the penalty in the first half, and when he moved to the wing in the 2nd half he was a constant thorn in Fulham's side.
Subs -
Thorpe - Pleased he picked up his first goal. Really brave to put his head on the ball with the keeper charging out. He is one of those players that have a bit of an attitude on the field which I really like. The way he is built now he is reminded me of a Roles but hopefully now he is fully recovered he can get a run of games next year.
Michael Craig - looked comfortable playing at this level. You could tell he was more defensively minded as he didn't have the intuition to join certain attacks or pick up attacking positions. His cross for Thorpe's goal was perfect.
Pedder - glad he got on, and went up top. Not enough time to give any real comments but pleased he came on and finally seeing him again.
