Fulham at Brighton

Now that we can focus on Brighton on Saturday, I have a question. They didn't have any soccer teams for kids when I was growing up in Ohio, and so I'm totally self-taught on strategy and tactics.

After the Burnley game, I wouldn't be surprised if Mitrovic has 2 defenders covering him most of the time. So, how do we counter that (beyond "find the open man")? This site has people who understand this much better than I do, and if anyone has any comments I'd be interested in hearing them.

 

The first thing that came to mind was a time last season when Mitrovic had his back to the goal just outside the box and he was holding off two defenders (I tried to find video of this, but had no luck). He had pulled in the defense to him and then he tapped the ball out to another player charging into the box (Johansen?). I think that whoever got the ball missed the shot, but the point is that Mitrovic is able to recognize when he's created an opportunity for others by pulling in multiple defenders. That would be one option - if the other guys can convert their opportunities.

I'm also not entirely sure Brighton will play us that way since we certainly have other potential goal scorers up front. Brighton managed to limit Liverpool's dangerous attack by playing a well organized defense rather than marking Salah. Brighton got burned when they turned the ball over in their own half and had no time to get back defensively before Salah slotted the ball into the net.

If I was Brighton I might play Fulham similar to how they played Liverpool. Brighton have the ability to take advantage of quick counter attacks that seem to give Fulham trouble and they can hold their defense together for extended periods. Brighton's worst match was their opener vs. Watford who they attempted to play on equal footing. They won against Manchester United and kept it close with Liverpool while giving up 70% of possession.

 

I'm wondering if there's some kind of record for most assisted goals by a pair of players who can't speak the same language. I think Seri and Mitro could go for that.

 

As my colleagues have stated, the benefit of a good target forward: run off of him (and convert). The bonus is that Mitovic can score on his own (as opposed to being only a big lunk to target for punts) and that draws the Bobby Z comparisons.

The optimism on this board is not misplaced.

COYW

 

The team will be without Ayite, Cairney, Kebano, and Ream. According to Sky Sports, it'll be a "few weeks" for Cairney and a month for Kebano. I'm not sure what's lingering with Ream, but hopefully the international break will allow for him to regain his fitness and press for a starting spot afterwards.

Brighton will be a tough opponent. They're probably still riding high after their victory over Manchester United. I'd like to see the defense stiffen up a bit and not allow another 2 goals. As for whom will comprise that defense? You're guess is as good as mine. Mawson played 75 minutes Tuesday which could potentially limit him Saturday. Odoi, Chambers, and Le Marchand have been okay - it'd really be nice if one (or more) of them stepped up to become an obvious choice, but life is never that easy.

I'm not sure what to expect in the middle either. Do you slot Cisse into Cairney's spot? Drop Schurrle to the center? Throw in Anguissa or Johansen for a more defensive set up? There are so many options.

 

I did catch Brighton smack around ManUre, they were very impressive and Chris Hughton is a top notch manager. Until the back 4 gets healthy and settled it's going to be up to the dynamic attack to snare some points (I'd take a 2-2 result happily).

 

We’ve got so much depth now, injuries don’t really concern me. Just hope we play as well as we did against Burnley and this one will take care of itself.

 

I expect minimal changes, but a different lineup with Sessegnon starting in attack, with Vietto dropping to the bench. Zambo in for Cairney, with a more defensive posture. Kamara will get some time off the bench as a reward for the cup goals mid-week. I still prefer Christie to Mensah, but I don’t think Slav does.

Or Slav could blow things up. Who knows. Just hope Betts starts again.

 

Starting XI is similar to last Saturday with two changes - Anguissa in for Cairney and Mawson comes in with Sessegnon on the bench. Mawson is in central defense with Le Marchand out on left back.

Bettinelli
Fosu-Mensa, Mawson, Odoi, Le Marchand
Anguissa, Seri, McDonald
Vietto, Mitrovic, Schurrle

Subs: Fabri, Chambers, Christie, Bryan, Sessegnon, Johansen, Kamara

 

So, are we just trying out away kit colors, or did adidas run out of blue fabric? Red at Spurs, looks like all black (with white socks) today at Brighton. Anybody got the 411?

 

Only watched the match intermittently and only the second half. What I saw was Brighton controlling a bit more than us, but again, I was in and out. Clumsy ass penalty given up by Mitro. Not sure if we deserved 3 but that penalty certainly lost us 2 points. Purchased the NBC Gold Package. Worked pretty well. Froze up on me once. I think the feed is about 1 minute delayed as the match went live on TV after Chelski and Bou finished and my feed was roughly a minute behind.

 

Funny thing is I would happily take a point on the road most any day but today there is a small part of me that’s a little disappointed to not walk away with all three. Then I consider the fact that giving up two penalties on the road is a receipe for zero points almost every day and feel pretty lucky to walk away with any points.

 

I felt that Brighton was slightly better overall, but we still almost took 3 on the road, so I'm not too upset. I would give Seri MOTM solely on the basis of that flip to Schurrle for the first goal -- truly amazing. Very much looking forward to seeing what they can do against Citeh.

 

I have mixed emotions about today's result. Yes, we should be able to hold on to a two goal lead just past the hour mark. Yes, we gave two points away. But I'm looking at the positives. Betts almost won the game singlehandedly. Seri is a very gifted young player. That pass to Schurrle...wow. And Mitrovic, handball blunder aside, is just stupid good.
I've got it figured this way. We've got a lot of new players. It shows more defensively than offensively at the moment. But the Premiership is a different league than it was four years ago. And we're definitely a different club than three months ago. There's a BIG learning curve still in play. We've just got to hold our own until this version of Fulham gels. And when it does.....watch out.

 

In some other places I saw the word "Fulhamish" to describe today's result. I'd have to disagree with that assessment. It was certainly a disappointing finish, but coming away from the AmEx with a point (especially after giving up two penalties) is a good day. A draw was a fair result given the balance of play across the full 90 minutes.

 

Don't know why we wore red for one of the games and black for the other, but this will likely happen for all road games we play where the opponent's main jersey is blue and white stripes (or hoops or whatever gradient thing Tottenham has) like with Tottenham and Brighton since our main shirt is white and our secondary is blue.

There are rules on small crap like this.

 

Just finished watching the full replay. Two things stood out:
1) Once we get the defense sorted out, we’re gonna be in great shape. Believe the talent is there, just gotta find the right combo(s) with the right tactics. And keep Marcus where he rightfully belongs until proven otherwise.
2) The more I watch Aleksandr Mitrovic, the more impressed I am. He more than makes up for his lack of pace with exceptional skills in almost every other area. Great footwork, above average dribbling skills, just as comfortable shooting with his “off” foot, and is a beast at hold up play. Thank you Rafa Benitez for seeing no value whatsoever in this player. He’s found a home and looks set to have a huge season for our beloved little club. Onward!

 

Speaking of "off" foots, I don't think I saw Fosu-Mensah use his left to pass or shoot... ever.

I'll repeat other's feelings regarding the match. In the end it's nice to have gotten a point on the road.

I think Le Marchand needs to take a break. His poor giveaways have directly led to goals in multiple matches now. And while Bettinelli made an outstanding save on the first penalty, I'm not sure that it should have been awarded in the first place. Vietto clearly fouled Murray, but Murray was also clearly offside prior to the foul. True, he didn't play the ball but his run and positioning affected our defense and therefore gave Brighton and advantage. And if I remember correctly, the primary purpose of the offside rule is to eliminate giving the attacking team and advantage.

I'll also second Jump's first point. Fulham are going to be fine up front. The defense is still a work in progress and hopefully doesn't take too much more time to sort out.