Fulham v. Burton Albion The shortcut method

No time for a lengthy preview today so here is what others have to say.

The BBC

Sky Sports

The Independent

Per usual I will expect a large amount of squad rotation and will be interested to see if some younger players like Chris David are given spots on the team with a chance to feature.

 

I wonder if the Offal will be carrying GJ's radio call.

 

Chatroom and GJ anyone?

Lineup is - Stockdale, Reither, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise, that damned Greek, Parker, Dejagah, Ruiz, Taarabt & Bent. Subs - Sidwell, Kasami, Kacaniklic, Briggs, Rodallega, Boateng, Etheridge.

We'd better be able to break them down (assuming Burton will park the bus) b/c that lineup doesn't protect the back 4 at all and leaves us very vulnerable to the counter. Really hoped to see a Mesca, David, Grimmer or Trotta on the bench at the least. Way to give the youth a chance there Marty. He does know we have a good Academy, right?

 

It looks to me like he's still trying to find a good mix within the first team.

 

Ruiz was pretty lucky to score in the PKs.

 

yo, im sure u can see by my name, I was unable to receive stats on my phone given I work at a coal mine,lol. idk what happened, but looks like one stomach turning game...nerves would've been rattled. glad we got thru though. glad to see Rodallega and Ruiz getting some time as well. COYW

 

Regardless of the outcome, if this is the best we can muster against League 2 competition, fielding the kind of squad we did, we're in for a long season. Is it the squad? The tactics? A combination of the two?

I was all ready to come on here (when it looked like we would lose) and pose the question of whether or not Mr. Kahn would be ready/willing to make a management change so early in his tenure as owner. Even with the win, I think it's a valid question. In all his press upon taking over the team, he was very considered and promised to not come in and make wholesale changes. But could that work against us? Could he be too unwilling to make (what could become) necessary changes before it's too late?

I'm not saying anything needs to happen right away. We're all of two league games in...just something to ponder come November/December.

 

I know wut ya saying man. CThat was a side that we should have held scoreless and won easily. But it was a cup game. Not sure if I read it right or not but Liverpool barely escaped a win from Knotts County in added time. These lower teams gonna go hard in cup games especially against a Premier league side.

Also, I agree about the tactics of our manager. Questionable at times. But, I think itll be ok. Our defense scares me but it is early. All we can do is hope to see progression. Jol out by December, could be possible. But lets hope we can start clicking along in league play first and foremost. COYW

 

Anyone have any insight on the match?

 

You've seen this match before Barry. Countless times. Slow buildup, check. Tons of useless passing between midfield and defense, check. Lack of movement, check. And when Burton sprung the pressure and hit on the counter...we were in full on panic mode. They had this one wing named Chris Hussey who was killing us down their left, where he found acres upon acres of space, with some really nice crosses. Both of their goals came off of his crosses to our back post (in Mr Riise's neighborhood).

Our first goal was created out of nothing by Taarabt. Took on the fullback from a standstill around the upper left corner of their 18 yd box, turned him, and fired a well struck low shot into the far corner. I was a little surprised their keeper didn't get a touch on it due to the angle, but it was really well struck. They scored in the 85th minute to level and then scored in the first half of extra time. We leveled late in the second half of extra time on a screamer by Rodallega. We had thrown just about everyone forward and were throwing the kitchen sink at the box in the buildup. Penalties went 5-4 Fulham. Stockdale made a save. Ruiz hit the luckiest pk I can recall seeing. Riise scored the winning pk...shock!! However, since they don't count those as official goal stats, my prediction that JAR will never score for us stands...on a technicality.

Somewhere in between we had a really good chance that saw Riether hit the woodwork of a fairly open net but otherwise, we threatened with as much quality as they did, despite taking 25 shots to their 13. Ruiz was dire in the first half and not a whole lot better in the 2nd, but he still managed his usual 1-2 moments of class. They just didn't result in goals...as usual. Dejagah struggled with rust as well. Kaca looked threatening in relief of Taarabt, who left after (it looked like) he turned his ankle. Bent looked up for it when we could actually get him the ball. Parker and Karagounis conducted the pointless passing orchestra. I'm sure their passing stats look wonderful. Defense was a joke. Stockdale was fine. Don't really fault him for the goals. Anyway, the match was ours for the taking for the first hour, but we didn't show any imperative to do so...especially after we scored the first goal. How serious were we about this match? Brede tried to play a back heel in our own end.

Read elsewhere that BAFC were w/o 5 of their regular starters. As if anyone wasn't feeling warm and fuzzy enough from this effort.

The announcers at one point said something to the effect of "Fulham don't like this Cup" based on last night and the performances we've put out there in recent years. Hard to argue that. Someone wake me when the Jol Era is over.

 

Here is Taarabt's goal.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFuWHWnAIw[/youtube]

Here is Rodallega's goal.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnKb4Z9FGOE[/youtube]

And the PKs.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yxJJLdFano[/youtube]

 

I feel bad I am missing so many matches until I come on here and read the post match comments. Thanks?

 

We drew Everton for the next round.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23871366

 

At least it isn't at Goodison. Still not very optimistic we'll get past them, but at least it's not the guaranteed end to our Cup that it would have been on the road.