Fulham at Southampton

It is just 2 hours till match time and only just now the match thread is being posted - a clear sign this season is over. The game is meaningless for both teams. Hopefully Parker will use this opportunity to try out some new players or work in some of the guys who are likely to get more playing time next season. Time to start getting ready for the Championship. The match will be on NBCSN at 10am EDT.

 

Loss and rather uninspiring play...whatever. However, here was the PL debut, and goal, for Carvalho...which was a sublime finish. In fact, nobody on the #*&#^ squad to that point in the season had put away a goal like that - simple, lethal finish.

COYW

 

Yes Nev, quality strike by the youngsta.' WE SCORED A GOAL!!! It appeared Andersen was trying to get sent off in the first 15 minutes. We played better in the second half, but to little avail. The most disappointing thing about this season, besides the dearth of scoring, was the drastic improvement of the defense. Unfortunately we didn't sustain it very long after the win at Anfield. Not sure we can start preparing for next season with so many unanswered questions MM, not the least of which is whether or not Scott Parker is still the manager. There is at least one report (from The Athletic, I think) that says the front office was not happy with his comments before today's match that he hadn't spoken to anyone there about relegation and the future. Robbie Mustoe summed it up pretty well in the post match show by saying he's a young, inexperienced manager who's learned a lot this season and has brought them back up once already and can probably do it again. But, he also said Scott should go to his bosses and admit making too many mistakes this season, specifically, changing almost the entire team from the one that earned promotion. He mentioned others, but that's the biggest one. About the only thing we saw differently from the rest of the season today was the insertion of Carvalho who, lo and behold, scored. Everything else was the same, except mental effort of some of the players who've obviously figured that they won't be around next season. If we were seriously starting to prepare for next season in the second tier, we shouldn't have been playing anybody that's not going to be with the club then. The second you're relegated should become tryout time for next season. Anything else is a waste of time...like today, with the exception of Carvalho's minutes. Today does not bode well for our last two fixtures at Old Trafford and at the Cottage vs. Newcastle. Let's hope that having some fans at the last home match helps us play better and gives us a reasonable chance at winning.
However, in the interest of staying positive, WE SCORED A GOAL!!!

 

Agree with Jump and Don regarding the last two matches of the season being used for next season. Nothing much to say about today’s match other than well done to Carvalho on the goal and his play in general.

 

The highlights:


Well, I will take some delight from Carvalho's finish. Good for him. And frankly, a nice set-up from DeCordova-Reid too.

The rest was pretty forgettable. Aina seemed to play particularly poor in the first half. Not a great way to close out his time at Fulham.

I generally have positive feelings about Parker, but I won't be upset if he isn't back as manager. He's just too tentative and I don't know if that is going to change.

 

Unfortunately with how the roster is constructed, if Fulham dont play any of their loanees, or players out of contract this summer, or those presumably not here next season, I honestly don't know if they can put out a starting XI.

For me, today showed one thing: this team is spent. They haven't thrown in the towel (yet?) per se, but they are mentally and physically gassed. I'm not taking anything away from his great debut, but of course Carvalho looked the most promising: it was his first start! Remember how fresh and quick Lookman and Tete looked on their debuts?

It's beyond frustrating for the season to end with such a wimper. On one hand, it makes sense when you consider a majority only had ~3 bonafide weeks off since football returned 11 months ago, several players (including one of our most esteemed) contracted COVID, and playing without fans for 14+ months. On the other, I'm starting to seriously wonder about the (over)training regime that is going on at Motspur Park.

This final stretch is notable for its complete lack of catharsis like there was in 18/19. This looks like a team and manager that all need a long, long vacation.