Fulham FC v Arsenal

I'll try to make the chatroom. I don't see any way to a win in this one, but maybe we can nick a draw. I suspect it'll go 2-1 to the Arsenal.

 

Much needed 3 points!

Way to go guys!

 

Wow. Second half was one of our performances of the season. Yes, we were up one man for the last 15 minutes of it- but still so many chances... we looked excellent in attack- and how many times have we been able to say that this year? The first half wasn't as good, but all's well that ends well. I'm just surprised Ruiz didn't get one of the goals. Probably his performance of the season, as well. Nice to see Bobby get back on the score sheet (his first goal since the QPR game).

~Steve

Edit: Also, glad I was able to watch it live and chat with everyone... it's always nice to watch the game with other fans, even in cyberspace.

 

What a performance! Didn't expect a win but it's exactly what was needed after missing out against Norwich.

Storybook stuff with Zamora getting the late winner. Hopefully that helps settle some of the drama and he sticks around for a while.

Gotta agree with Steve on the second half performance. Looked like a different team and had a ton of chances. Ruiz in particular is starting to look like the type of player we paid for.

Hopefully this game is a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.

 

even though MOM should probably be Ruiz, I'm giving it to Zamora. Welcome back Bobby.

Thank you Fulham :banana-wrench: Dont know what the wrench is for but what the heck

 

I agree with others that we looked much better in the second half than in the first half, but I also thought we looked decent in the first half minus the five minute period where they scored and nearly scored a second (but Stockdale had back-to-back huge saves).

I really like our attacking group of Dempsey/Zamora/Ruiz/Dembele when they are clicking.

Ruiz is starting to get more comfortable with the Premier League and his play has been improving.

Just nice to actually win a game in the last five minutes rather than giving up points.

COYW!

 

The end of the Norwich match...: :angry-banghead:

The first 25 minutes.... :confusion-helpsos:

The second half.... :dance:

Before the match Jol was like this to Bobby.... :naughty:

Afterwards they are now.... bscene-drinkingbuddies:

After wasting your time reading this post you think about... :sad-roulette:

But remember our beloved team just beat the Gooners, so everyone.... :banana-linedance:


Thanks to Heather for the added icons, and for some actual insight refer to the excellent match report from HD on the front page.

 

As excited as I was to see Sidwell score and at least get one point, I was screaming when Bobby scored, koowing that we would take all three. My wife had to remind me that our 2 year old was napping in the next room, but at that point any damage was done and lucky for me she didn't wake up.

Is anyone else impressed with Frei's play? Seems as the announcers keep mentioning him more the any other player in the last two matches when he's on the pitch.

 

YEAH! YEAH1 YEAH1 Was out working most of the morning til a late lunch hour began...RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME WE CAME BACK! Got some great stuff for Christmas, but this is the best New Year's present ever! I gotta believe we're turning the corner, with the new, younger guys starting to contribute more and more. Don't know what will become of Bobby and AJ this month, but it was great to see Z get that HUGE winner in extra time. Frei, Sa, Ruiz, Dembele and Stockdale are impressing more and more each time out. What's the biggest comeback from near relegation to top four? Anybody daring to dream about the FA Cup? Bring on Charlton and Blackburn!! COYW!

 

Have to love just about everything about this match. Stockdale with some huge saves; Sidwell back healthy and contributing in a big way; Dembele, Ruiz, and Dempsey all looking lively and threatening every time on the ball; Frei showing why everyone is so keen on him; and Bobby, regardless of what happens this month, wearing his heart on his sleave and coming up huge.

 

BOBBY ZAMORA!!! BOBBY ZAMORA!!!! BOBBY ZAMORA!!

if he's off, he's off, but God bless that fella!!! I hope he stays.

COYW

 

For some reason I thought we kicked off at 1pm CST today, so I missed the chatroom and had to wait until the evening to watch the match. And what a surprise that turned out to be!!! I got the score right in the picks, but got the wrong winner.

For me, MotM was Stockdale. 9 shots on target to 1 in the first half and he saved 8 of them. 2 of those saves were flat out brilliant. If Stocky doesn't come up big like that, there'd have been no comeback. I don't know if there's any interest in Schwarzer now, but if there still is I'd certainly listen to offers. The kid is ready imo.

The attack looked a lot more fluid today and it probably had a lot to do with how much more often our fullbacks got forward. We need that width to unlock the middle of defenses. Arsenal's makeshift crap back four didn't hurt either.

One note on Frei, and it's not a criticism per se (he's really young afterall), but he can't/won't go left. Teams continue to fall for it which is amazing to me b/c if they watched any tape on Fulham in the last 2 weeks, they'd know this. Maybe they don't watch game film in the Prem?

Bobby looked like the Zamora of old and it was beautiful. He provided the holdup play that Sa couldn't and layed the ball off nicely several times. And of course he banged in the game winner. :banana-dance:

It'll be very interesting to see what happens with Zamora now. I'm cool with it either way. Given his age, if we can get someone else of quality in and get a fee, so be it. If he stays and can continue to play like he did today, that's great too. Either way, I hope he and Jol put it to rest and move on.

Great win! I'm not touching Don's MotM selection. Call it the holiday spirit or something. Otherwise, well done sir. COYW!

 

Finally viewed the match today after being away for New Years. To be honest, knowing the final result made it much easier to watch, but regardless, it was one of the most entertaining Fulham matches I've seen. I was sometimes reminded of Kruyff's total futbal with our boys switching around...LOVED IT!!