Fulham vs. Coventry City

Fulham hosts Coventry at 10am EST on Sunday. The match will be on FFCTV.

Fulham has had a couple of head scratchers this year. Losing to Reading. Eeking out a draw against Barnsley. But the biggest one of all was the embarrassing 4-1 loss at Coventry back in October. It was the only time this season Fulham gave up more than two goals.

That performance led to a switch at goalkeeper with Gazzaniga only playing one league match since then. Under Rodak things have been far better defensively for Fulham. They went from giving up just over one goal per match to just 0.7 goals per match with Rodak. The rate of clean sheets almost doubled under Rodak to one every 0.4 matches. Fulham went from winning 50% of their games to 70% with the points per match moving up from 1.75 to 2.3. This can't all be credited on the change at keeper, but Rodak has certainly been the right choice for Fulham between the sticks.

If Birmingham were to beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Fulham could wrap up promotion with a win on Sunday, but a Birmingham win is unlikely. A positive result against Coventry will likely put Fulham on the doorstep of promotion with plenty of matches to spare.

 

Why was this match moved to a Sunday, but its not available on ESPN+? Is Sky not airing it in England?

 

I thought that was a good question since I was also surprised it wasn't on ESPN+. I did a little searching and found angry and confused Fulham fans; did some more searching and found angry and confused Coventry fans. What I did not find was an explanation - just a statement from Fulham that it was moved 24 hours. It will not be available on Sky.

 

I was also puzzled by the lack of availability on ESPN+. What’s the point of having Sunday matches, if not for TV coverage? Given the result, however, perhaps it was for the best. Although the Sky Blues are a very respectable 10th in the table at the moment, it’s one of sports’ greatest mysteries as to how such a side can not only do the double, but to the tune of 7-2 on aggregate, a runaway champion like our club. The only logical explanation is matchups. Head to head, player to player, they’re better than us. Or so it would seem.
I haven’t seen a frame of highlights, much less any lengthy replays, so I can’t intelligently about either of our encounters with Coventry City, but, day-umm…. I would have thought we learned a harsh lesson, figured some things out and would licking our chops for the rematch after the 4-1 drubbing we took at their place way back on October 2nd.
Newp.
If anybody watched it, please enlighten me. I’m guessing here. The only consolation is that it should have no impact whatsoever on our ambitions to win this league, other than to delay it slightly. On to Pride Park to face Rooney’s men.

 

When I read the scoreline, my reaction was WHAT! AGAIN!!!

 

I watched. Wish I hadn't. In the first half, it could have been the worst the team played all year. we looked better with Reid on for Chalobah (the latter was a disaster--it was like playing a man down). Having said that, all of the goals against us happened after uncharacteristic errors. We can fix those. Somehow, Coventry has our number.

 

My sentiments are the same @daddude7 , I waited to watch the replay and I wish I hadn't. If, despite our warnings, you still want the highlights, here they are:

Fulham was totally outplayed in this game. Coventry had a pretty simple game plan - press Fulham all the time and then after winning the ball send it long to Gyokeres because he'll be waiting on Tosin's shoulder to chase it down. It worked really well. Fulham were unlucky to have hit the woodwork a couple times and Mitrovic missed a couple headers he'd normally put away, but Coventry was simply better.

One thing that has concerned me recently is a return to a Parker-esque style of play. Less free-flowing and more set-up-and-think-about-what-to-do-next. When a team like Coventry is so good at pressing all the time that doesn't work so well. They need to get the ball and keep it moving. Have faith that someone is getting into space on the wing or will drive to the top of the box and put the ball there. Instead they did a lot passing at the back that ended up being more threatening for Fulham than Coventry because Fulham was more likely to lose possession than create a scoring opportunity. They need to get back to the quicker passing with balls down the channels and cut-backs into the box. Hardly saw any of that today.

 

According to The Athletic's Peter Rutzler, the only reporter I'm aware of that covers this team, he said:

It's a good question, it was moved due to stadium works here at the Cottage I'm told. Both clubs then agreed to move it."
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I have no idea what this means.

Yesterday was a combination of playing poorly, having some really bad luck, and Coventry having our number. The same way we've matched up very well against Reading and Blackburn, Coventry match up very well against us: their 3-4-1-1 basically meant they overran our 2-3 person midfield, while having enough numbers up top and out wide to counter attack effectively.

It was tiresome to read folks clamoring Silva "got it all wrong" but I don't see what he would've done differently without totally changing everything. Something I don't see him doing for a match like this as last I checked we're leading the league. Better performances and better bounces, both attacking and defending, and we at least tie that.

 

We've been much better in recent seasons defending set pieces and corners, so the law of averages may have caught up with us their first. Rodak definitely should have stopped the second (and I think he'd tell you the same thing). Ream screwed the pooch on the third so, yeah, we bollocked this one up good. Plus, we hit the woodwork, what, like 3-4 times? Hard to tell from mere highlights, but it appeared that they locked up Mitro somehow. I'm quite willing to chalk this one up to a bad day at the office. If I were a Coventry supporter, I'd be asking some questions, most importantly, how the hell are we just 10th if we can decisively sweep the runaway league leaders this season? Just a slight bump in the road delaying the inevitable. Hoping we take it out on the Rams Friday afternoon.
Oh, and two questions: 1) Why is Chalobah even in the side, much less starting? From what I've seen, he brings zero to the table. 2) Why isn't Neeskens taking all of our direct free kicks within range of the opponents' goal? I don't know how many we've scored this season, but my recollection is very few. The season before our last promotion, I think he scored at least four or five, if not more, in the Championship. He's better than whomever we've had taking them this season (Wilson?). I don't know. It just doesn't seem as if we've scored very many this season.

 

@MicahMan mentioned that we were slower transitioning and in the final third than we'd been, especially earlier in the season. I agree, but I'm not sure that's due to any tactical decisions. We just looked tired. It's been a long season and hard on the bodies, especially those who've been starting every week. A rotation may be helpful to get someone like Mitro, Carvalho or Ream some rest. A fresh Mitro coming in with 30 minutes to go would be a menace. Probably not critical because we're likely going up even if we don't earn another point, but may be worth considering. Give one or two academy boys a run out.

I am going to say something controversial here: while Mitro has killed it in the Championship, I don't think he's the striker we would need in the Prem. Prem CBs are quicker, stronger, and more positioning-savvy than the ones he's been dealing with this year. Which brings me to another point: we have only one Prem-level CB, marginally. We have a Prem-level holding midfielder, but he's playing in Italy and is likely to stay there. Seri and Reed are serviceable, but will give the ball away. Wilson and Kebano could hack it, but we have no depth out wide. Carvalho is moving on, leaving a talent hole. Cairney will spend another year hurt. We have no depth at either fullback. Are either Rodak or Gazzaniga good enough for the step up?

At the same time, we have seen what wholesale changes can do to a team, and would definitely want to avoid that. Quite a conundrum, and I'm curious how the club resolves it. Glad it's not my job.

I would be grateful if someone here would disagree and make me feel better about the chances of staying up next season.

 

I don't disagree with that, however, the times that I've been most frustrated with Fulham recently have been when they set up some triangle passing just outside the box then Kebano, Wilson, or Carvalho make a run to the end line, but they aren't fed the ball by Robinson, Chalobah, Reed, or Williams. I'm frustrated because a run IS being made, but with no return for the effort.

After the last two promotions I doubt you are going to find much to lift your spirits from this crew, but maybe I'm wrong! Let me pile onto your concerns by pointing out that Seri and Kebano's contracts are up this summer (I'm not sure about extension clauses)

But that discussion is for a later date! Let's hope that with Coventry behind Fulham, we can enjoy finishing out an amazing season and winning the title! We'll have enough time to worry about the Premier League.

 

I really like these Manor Solomon rumors. He’s a generational talent, just like Carvalho, and is only 22.

 

It’s already done according to https://www.90min.com/posts/fulham-complete-deal-manor-solomon-first-many-summer-deals

 

Really good video from Fulhamish breaking down the problems Fulham had with the Coventry press - plus they look at possible formations for the Premier League next season.