Fulham Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Little bit shocked at all the Ade abuse, goes to show it never takes us Spurs fans long. A few weeks ago Ade was awesome, now he is off the boil and we all knew it obviously blah blah. Ade had a huge hand in two of our goals today, held the ball up pretty well and was good in distribution. Goals are not the be all and end all for a striker like Ade, that is why we are a better side with Ade than with any of our other strikers, he offers us so much more.

Look past the goal tally and recognise that he enables the others around him to play. The difference is if Defoe or Pav went a few games without scoring we may as well play with 10 men, but if Ade isn't scoring, he is still contributing to the team with other aspects of his game.

It's so easy to praise players when they are scoring goals and looking so hugely effective as Ade did in the first 2 or 3 games. Whilst he isn't scoring I'll agree he is certainly offering us a lot more than just goals. For sure even in that respect over the 90 minutes today wasn't his best performance. His first touch wan't so good, he won quite a lot of balls in the air, but they weren't going to any place in particular and Fulham were winning every second ball. It was a tough battle for him today because generally our whole team was really deep and so when we play the ball up to Ade a lot of the time there weren't many options. He's good but he can't work miracles. As you say he was still involved in key moments in the game.

I also think it is a little harsh on Defoe for similar reasons. He still offers us something when he comes on even if he isn't scoring goals, at least I think he does anyway. Our dynamic changes when he comes on because he'll play much higher than VDV for example. Whilst he doesn't have near the quality of VDV when he gets the ball, he does offer the threat of getting in behind and he did keep moving and trying to make runs. This at least stretches the defence a little, which can become very compact when we play with Ade (back to the goal and coming deep) and VDV (working in front of the defence trying to create some magic).

When he is scoring goals in particular defences have to keep an eye on him. It has worked in the past (take the Arsenal 3-2 game when he came on last year 2-0 down. The Arsenal defenders aren't the best but they looked comfortable before Defoe came on and started running all over the place) and it will work again. Sure he could be upgraded but he definitely provides an option which none of our other players provide. Coming off the bench he is scoring goals and that is a great option. His goals and assists ratio is good so far this season too.

 

[mattdefoe]

typical martin jol, His teams have no backbone, I remember when he was our manager and I would say " WE DIDNT DESERVE TO LOSE TODAY BLAH BLAH BLAH"

Finally some bottle by the players of THFC

 

[simyid]

don't know if it has been mentioned yet but king's block to prevent dempsey putting the ball into an empty net deserves more credit than it's been getting, haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, it was an incredible piece of defending

 

[BorisTM]

'Deserve' means nothing in football.

Fulham conceded 3 and couldn't put one of their chances away; they relied on a header from King (I think) going in off Kaboul's back for their goal. If you can't score and concede, you lose, regardless of what else you might do.

I agree. Scoring goals is an important part of winning a game. Most of their shots within the frame went straight at Friedel, others were blocked or simply flew wide. If a team can't score the chances they creates, they don't DESERVE to win in my books, even if they outplay their opponents for most of the game and show more creativity. Regardless though I don't want Fulham to get relegated, as their football is neat and a joy to watch, IMO they were the best side we have played so far this season.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I can see why they took a point of City, if they played like that it isn't really a surprise. But if they played that way every week surely they'd be much higher. It was probably the best they'll play all season.

 

[RickyVilla]

I love reading the match threads on a Monday morning. Absolute comedy gold from some posters. Keep up the good work fellas. :up:

 

[Spurger King]

don't know if it has been mentioned yet but king's block to prevent dempsey putting the ball into an empty net deserves more credit than it's been getting, haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, it was an incredible piece of defending

It certainly was. I actually thought King had a pretty poor game by his standards. Of his 'standards' include goal-saving blocks like the one you're referring to.

Absolute class, even on an 'off' day.

 

[RickyVilla]

It certainly was. I actually thought King had a pretty poor game by his standards. Of his 'standards' include goal-saving blocks like the one you're referring to.

Absolute class, even on an 'off' day.

I said to my mate after about 80 minutes that I thought King had not been up to his usual standard. He said " Yeah you're right. Only 9 out of 10 today!" Very very true and it shows what a player he is.