Fulham v Sheffield United

3rd match in 6 days, and shocker it’s a big one. It will be interesting to see what lineup SP puts out there, and how quick he’ll be ready to make a change if the energy level isn’t what it needs to be. SU have had the whole week to prepare so this won’t be a cakewalk. @daddude7 I’m going with your 2-1 scoreline.

 

I'm guessing we'll see Zambo for Lemina. Other than that all I can add is COYW's and hope for the best.

 

Yes! Madam Natasha says Fulham 2, Sheffield United 1. Madam never wrong.

She hopes that both Anguissa and Robinson start.

 

That was a lifeless first 45 minutes.

 

It wasn't pretty, but it's a WIN!!!

 

I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.
I will not bitch about a win.

 

3 points are 3 points however you get them.

 

Woohoo! Seven points from three matches in a six day span. Everything is coming up Milhouse!

 

3 points away from Newcastle! Man if this team had been in place at the start of the season, we would be home and dry right now. So glad we have kept the faith with Parker, I know he has the potential for big things as a manager. Lot of work still to do but I think we have what it takes to stay up

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

Fulham had far more possession but didn’t create many good chances. Luckily, all it takes is one and a couple of good saves. For all of Fulham’s possession my fingernails are much shorter tonight than they were this morning.

 

The highlights:


Fulham haven't had any ugly wins this season, until now. But that's part of the reason Fulham is in the situation they're in, so I'll take it.

Fulham dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the game, but they had a tough time creating opportunities - same ole' Fulham. Loftus-Cheek had a gilt-edge chance, but he shot it wide (at the time it looked like it was cleared off the line, but that ball was not going in). Anguissa for some reason took three shots but never got within 10 yards of the net. Cavaleiro was Cavaleiro.

On the plus side the defense was pretty good again and Areola was there when they weren't. Andersen's passing, especially his long balls, were spot on. One of those great passes is what created the chance for Lookman to score, although he had to do a fair bit of work to get there.

I'm still going to be a sour-puss about Fulham's chances, but it is nice to have gotten just as many wins in the past week as the whole first half of the season!

 

I thought we did well. It was always going to be a difficult game. Crystal Palace is a stronger team that Shef Utd, but I like our chances against them better because they won't bunker as much. I'm thinking we'll win 2:1.

I do like Cavaleiro. He is hard-working on offense and defense, skilled on the ball, gets in good spaces, and connects the lines well. But he's completely forgotten the basics of striking the ball. I'm sure he's aware of the problem, but every time he shoots he leans back and sends the ball over the bar. Every time. If he fixed this one single thing about his game, he would have an impact for us on par with Lookman or at least close to it.

Areola is beginning to worry me, specifically his decision making in the six-yard box, and especially on set pieces. He's still a fantastic shot stopper, and deserves to start in front of Rodak, but in the last 3-4 games he's struggled with the command of his area. I wonder what's going on there. A chat with a sport psychologist might be in order.

 

The first half was discouraging. Loads of meaningless possession with lots of passes going backward instead of forward. But we kept them off the board and, thus, gave ourselves a chance to win...which we did. We picked up the pace enough and got just bold enough to try some longer passes, such as the one Andersen hit Lookman with. Lookman certainly has the Blades’ number. He seems a bit selfish at times, but he’s as good a finisher as we have, so I can’t blame him too much.
Didn’t like how we tried to park the bus somewhat down the stretch, but we survived somehow. Maja’s disappeared after that stirring debut. We need to get him back into the thick of things.
These are the kind of matches we’ve needed to win to stay out of relegation trouble this season, but haven’t been able to...until now. Seven huge points in a week’s time, moving from 15 to 22, means safety may yet be obtainable. The way we were trending after losing to Leicester, Burnley, ManUre and scum, with draws against Spurs, Brighton and West Brom, made me very skeptical that we would survive. The first league win for us ever at Goodison, which opened in 1892, and where we first ventured in 1949 for a 1 all draw.
All of this to say there’s still hope that we can stay up. Winning (finally) certainly helps. Let’s hope we’ve learned how now and can get a little (or, hell, a BIG) streak going and start talking about moving well away from the relegation zone.

 

For any neutral that watched the full 90, I have questions...

Not a game for the ages but a massive cornerstone in our hopes of survival. It was slightly ironic that in the age of Parkerball, our only goal came via a long ball from our CB. But hey, that it what's required when the opposition clogs the midfield and has no intention on pushing the issue. (I do wish Mitro was available as Sheffield United could've been broken down much easier with another ST on the field, but alas.)

 

This ^^ @daddude7 nailed my sentiments exactly