Fulham away to Blackpool

Yes it's a win and a clean sheet, but we gave up nearly 20 shots to a team that is almost dead last in shots for, and, thankfully for us, 23rd in shots on target for.

And Fulham set out a fairly defensive lineup.

Meanwhile we managed 6 shots, total, against a team with the worst defense in the history of the league.

 

I thought I had erased that video from my memory. That has to be on the Mt. Rushmore of bad 80's vids.

While Reading has 2 games in hand, Brighton and Rotherham are under us. Speaking of whom, exactly how long does it take the Football League to decide on this possible points deduction for Rotherham?? The leagues over there seem to leave teams twist in the wind for far too long. As soon as the charge came out, there should be a decision no longer than 48-72 hours. When it takes this long you can't help but think there is shenanigans going on behind the scenes.

 

This goes beyond the textbook "score early, soak up pressure, hit on the counter" we may see against a better opponent. Why? Because they are a historically terrible team that has zero business peppering our net like that; a first for them this season.

Blackpool haven't won a match Jan 31. All 4 of their wins were 1-0. In one game they were outshot 43-2. Less than 30% of their shots are at the net. Less than 25% shots at the goalie actually go in the goal.

And this result is symbolic of the fact we have a terrible defense, a petering offense, and a coach who, despite setting out a defensive lineup, is very, very fortunate to have won the game.

I'm happy we won and that we'll survive, thanks to 3 teams being worse than us. But a major player turnover isn't just needed; a total overhaul in strategy and schematics is too.

 

Man, it's been rough, and the win was a respite, but I agree that two seasons worth of the same performances from different managers, staff, etc. validates the point that a foundation needs to be built (and not a "new" foundation b/c I don't think there's been any foundation for some time now. COYW