Everton v Fulham: FA Cup 4th Round

Bummed I missed out on the chat but I was way too busy at work. :handgestures-thumbdown:

Watched the game when I got home tonight and was pretty disappointed. Liked the line-up initially but they just didnt seem to muster up much offensive pressure. Should have expected a flat performance after Newcastle as this Jekyll and Hyde season rolls along.

 

It seems like all the seasons since I have been a fan have been like this.

 

Oh hum just another boring season at FFC, Just like a lot of fellow sufferers I honestly thought we might do something tonight, but to be honest my hopes were a little dashed when I saw the line ups, I mean Baird in midfield, his going to create for you isn't he. It would be unfair of me to outguess the manager as I do not know all of the facts about whose fit and whose not, but I can tell you one thing, if you play AJ up front then pump long balls up to him in the air he ain't going to win many of them. The line up was a conservative one, it was a line up to try and not lose and not a line up that gave me anyhow any hope I would see the team who demolished Newcastle in the second half last week. For me Jol is a numbers man he plays the percentages, he and his team obviously does a lot of ground work and wants his team to play to specific instructions, but his after game comments are like the game becoming very boring, what did he say today with our quality we should do better than that, and when you are playing a team with quality players, enough already we know every team in the premier league as quality players, we don't care about Evertons quality players, why cant our players perform away from home, there is something radically wrong with the teams away form. The first half today was awful, yes we were winning but we had one attack, I am not counting the long shot for CD, we are obvious, slow and lack any kind of innovation, and it was only a matter of time before they scored, and that sequence of corners was Sunday morning park stuff by us, and lets face it Everton are not the Everton of old. Why did we not see the line up we had out there last weekend in the second half, show intent go for it instead of sitting back and waiting for the slow death we seem destined to see every week away from the cottage. The last two away games cannot be defended they have been very bad results, not just the fact we lost but in the manner we lost them, I feel sorry for the fans though, I have been a fan long enough to see them in a final, with this squad and attitude at the top, its going to be along time before we see them there again. A long time sufferer

 

Once again, I have to judge Jol's selection and tactics. I don't mind the slightly defensive setup with Baird in the middle, but if you're going to do that, you need to put Bobby up top.

Everton did a good job of plugging up the channels and preventing our passing game from really picking up any pace, and with a small lineup out there, we didn't have any solution. If Bobby's out there, we can play some long balls and the likes of Demps, Duff, and AJ can run in off of him.

Ruiz continues to frustrate me; I stil have no idea what role he's going to play in this squad.

 

Thanks for the write up Don. "Fulham watch passively" - had to chuckle despite how bummed I am. And now Liverpool has beaten Manure - what sucky weekend of FA Cup.

Long balls up to AJ have never worked I dont know why anyone would even try them :angry-banghead: , but in yesterdays match AJ was indeed extra useless up there. With his touch off like Don said I have to think he was feeling the pressure. Bobby should have been brought on much sooner. Also think Don is right about Aaron Hughes. Did not look particularly good yesterday and we could have used Senderos' ability to attack.

 

Ah, the memories of a great away win, Murphy header, staying up...these things I tried to channel. To no avail, and I take full responsibility for cursing Fulham with my new avatar. It will be gone this weekend.

Donovan - 2 assists. As the VFST stated, what will Everton do when he leaves?

Nice write up as always, HD. Thanks again, buddy.

COYW

 

It's difficult to channel Murphy when you're Eddie Johnson, hee hee. Maybe try this one next time. I tried to find a picture of McBride tackling Murphy, which would be the ultimate, but couldnt.

 

Nice photo, Mo. That little smurf had some hops on that play - doubt he's ever jumped as high before or since that free kick. Great photo - still remember jumping out of my chair and falling on the floor after that goal screaming - wife was still asleep but woke up and knew exactly what had transpired - ahhhh, (cue Barbara) memories...