London 24 article on Fulham

dcheather · Nov 7, 2013

http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fu ... _1_2963326

In this article I look at the issues which are shaping Fulham as relegation candidates. Fulham have been poor recently both on the whole against Southampton and a dreadful defensive display against Leicester. I look at each of the main factors that could bring the end to Fulham’s run in the premier league if they are not sorted out urgently.

1. Left Backs

Fulham have constantly been streched on the left hand side of defense all season and this is due to the insecurity and quality of our two available left backs, (Richardson and Riise). The pair have looked too attacking and weak defensively. Richardson has looked vulnerable all season and since replacing Riise at left back he has seemed almost more incapable. I am happy with Richardson going forward but for me he is more of a winger than defender. Riise started the season of well, however Jol just seems to prefer Richardson because of his attacking abilities. Briggs on the other hand is injured, but when he returns I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the left back role.

2. Defending crosses and heading

Since the start of the season, the common goals which Fulham concede is from crosses and set pieces. Fulham have conceded five headers in the past three games and only two have been from open play. The performance’s of Brede Hangeland this season are very much too blame as he looks a lot weaker and less reliable in the air than he used to be. Senderos too has also been poorly misjudging crosses and high balls which have really put the whites on the back foot of late. People wonder sometimes what Fulham practice in training during the week. We know what they need to practice, however looking at the stats Fulham are the highest scorers from corners this season in the premier league (4), so why can’t they keep them out of their own net from corners?

3. The speed of play

A big part of Fulham’s poor displays recently is the fact that the speed of which they play is often very slow and therefore very easy to defend. Looking at the Fulham squad you can say there are some slower players like Berbatov and some faster players like Kasami, however the speed in which they pass the ball is very slow and boring to watch. The intensity in the Premier League is known for being the best in the world, however Fulham don’t back that statement up. With some of the flair Fulham have you would expect them to be a constant threat on the attack through speed; Kacaniklic, Kasami, Bent, Taarabt, Ruiz, Dejagah, Duff and Riether.

4. The attitude

Constantly criticized, Fulham and Berbatov are seen as a team with a poor attitude. This statement was opitimised when against Southampton Berbatov was told by Parker to mark Lambert for the corner, however he did not follow this instruction and let Lambert walk to the back post easily and nod home Southampton’s first. He often is seen to shout at other team mates and constantly becomes frustrated with the match. Fulham need to want to win games and they need to stop building tension within the team.

5. The captain’s armband

I am only going to say a little bit on this as I don’t think it is a massive problem, however there is a issue that I have regarding the captain’s armband and that is I can’t see Hangeland talking and taking control of the team. If he is not playing the armband goes to Berbatov, whose attitude has been poor all season. Sometime who takes charge like Parker or Sidwell should have the armband as they are willing to lead the team the proper way.

6. Martin Jol and Shahid Khan

The question that everyone is asking is whether Martin Jol is the right man to lead Fulham forward. Fulham have won five out of their past 12 games this season in all competitions, and have drawn once. The consistency in Jol’s tactics have not seemed very good; trying to play it out the back against high pressing Southampton, conceding continuous late goals to drop points and having a very slow passing style. Jol has never been known for his tactics, but for grouping people together with a friendly atmosphere. Is he the right man to lead Fulham forward or should Fulham bring in someone like O’neil, Di Matteo or even Danny Murphy?

The other part of this section of the article is that of the new chairman Shahid Khan. Did he only buy Fulham to make money or to bring American football to the UK? Is he too scared to take a risk and end Jol’s spell at Fulham? I was originally happy with what he did but with all this supposed money I saw no sign of it in the transfer window. He needs to spend it in January. How missed is Al Fayed?
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London 24 article on Fulham

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London 24 article on Fulham

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