Fulham vs. West Ham

Fulham hosts West Ham on Saturday with kickoff at 10am EDT on Peacock.

Last season, Fulham destroyed West Ham 5-0 when they came to Craven Cottage. It was shocking when it happened and I'd be even more shocked if it happened again. West Ham has a strong team on paper, but like Fulham they have had an okay, but not great, start with only one win against Crystal Palace. They did look good at times when playing Manchester City, but were eventually worn down in a 1-3 loss. West Ham sits one point and one spot behind Fulham in the table and I expect a fairly even matchup between two teams looking to get a bounce coming out of the international break.

For Fulham there could be some changes. Although Diop has played well in three matches, we could see Andersen come in at right CB. Some fans are also hoping to see a change in the midfield with Pereira, but I think that is unlikely. Regardless of who starts, the midfield needs to start making improvements in the attacking third if Fulham is going to be successful against West Ham.

 

Traore a victim of his own fitness level? Is the ref thinking there is no way he should ever go down, he must be diving? Leery of that kind of performance and only being up 1 goal, lots of great stuff.

 

F&€K!!!!!!!!! Fulhamish in a nutshell. Seconds from telling @jumpkutz to cue it, to 2 pts lost. They were even cruel enough for Bassey to miss a free header on the last play.

After Leno’s great save, we had what? 3/4 chances to kill the game off? Don’t think it would’ve mattered on their goal, but 100% Soler should’ve gotten a 2nd yellow in 89th. Sick to my stomach atm

 

I was so pissed at Traore. He has so much talent, but his decision making skills are lacking. Fulham needed to kill the clock and not make a pass that was easily cut out by West Ham to build for a final push. It wasn't just that pass, but that was the one that hurt the most. (Note, Tom Cairney's earlier decision to turn back when no clear opportunities were available was what was needed)

I also thought for sure the line judge got the call wrong on the throw-in. Granted, he was MUCH closer than I was, but the Fulham squad seemed to share my opinion. Still, the guys have got to stay aware.

One last complaint to get it all out of me... Robinson was terrible on the ball today, he kept making bad passes and turning the ball over in Fulham's half. Good on defense and good on the attack, but he really made me nervous in his own half today.

On the plus side, there were a number of good things to see in this match. Anderson was terrific. As good as Diop has been, it was clear that Fulham had a step up in quality today, especially when building up from the back. The subs looked pretty good too. Nelson added an exciting spark and Berge helped take control of the game when West Ham looked in the ascendancy. They might have been good enough to earn a start - certainly against Preston, maybe against Newcastle.

(For some reason NBC is dragging their feet on the Fulham highlights specifically)

 

Disappointing not to get the W. Clearly the best team out there. So many positives so to not walk away with 3 was frustrating. I watched at the tavern this morning so at least I was surrounded by good company. Watching Liverpool lose brightened my mood.

 

The belated highlights:


It says something that there were about 2 minutes of highlights from the first half and about 5 minutes from the second, and most of it was Fulham.

@stlouisbrad it would have been even better if Chelsea hadn't gotten that late winner at Bournemouth.

 

I’ve seen this story before (and anticipate that I will again in the future …)
COYW!!

 

I was away on my annual canoe trip so I missed this one. Looks like another gut punch. Maybe I’ll watch the replay but turn it off at 90 minutes.