FULHAM @t Tottenham [R]

15 minutes!!! No way I can wait for Setanta at 4:00 Central.

 

Fulham Line Up:
Niemi
Rosenior
Pearce
Knight
Queudrue
Volz
Brown
Bocanegra
Boa Morte
McBride
John

Fulham Substitutions:
Lastuvka
Helguson
Runstrom
Radzinski
Jensen

 

Runstrom made the bench!

 

Into stoppage time. COME ON FULHAM!!!

 

Alright great to get a point out of that!

COYWs!!!!!

 

Great result and a gutty performance from a mish-mash lineup. Any news on Boa's injury? The last thing we need is another midfielder out.

 

Boa update, from the BBC:

Fulham captain Luis Boa Morte ... has a suspected fractured cheekbone following a clash with team-mate Heidur Helguson as he cleared Pascal Chimbonda's header.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman said: "There is a dent in his cheek so it could be three weeks or it could be six. He may have to play with a mask."

 

Put on the mask Boa. The Portuguese Zorro!!!

I guess that would be Zorinho.

 

I agree--great game. Some of the teams the last few years have played below their expectations. This team is playing above expectations. As the BBC said, it was a well-earned point for Fulham.

 

Just got in from Tottenham although I can only comment on the second half because I was 45 minutes late. DON'T ASK!

First off, Chris Coleman surprised me today (I'm sure, Tom, you'll agree) because of the line up. Having faith in Mortiz to play him at Right midfield and enough faith in Boca to play center midfield. Starting the match with 6 defenders took some balls and in the end I was very proud to see the team grind out a point. You could argue he was forced to do it but he could've easily played claus and radz straight away and he didn't.

Secondly, our team was a TEAM. We were missing 2 very influential players in Bullard and Bouba and adding in the fact Routledge couldn't play, we easily could've been muscled out of the match but Fulham didn't let that happen. There were chances on both sides of the field and honestly I didn't know if the team could handle a strong Spurs side today but the did which included keeping a clean sheet.

Third, our defense. Not always pretty and not the best in the prem but how many of us would say they've been playing badly. I'd say none of us. Pearce is really showing that he should be in the starting XI.

Lastly, our fans. While the tension was at a high and its hard to sing at times, the last 30 minutes was brilliant. Singing song after song because we could see the team wanted a result. Listen out for the travelling fans when you get a chance to watch...its always my favorite part.

 

I agree Mike. I was extremely happy with the lineup Coleman put out there. Numerous players were out of position and still were able to get the job done. What I liked the most about the match today was that Coleman played eleven players who were committed to the team and gave it all they had.

While this is only a point, it was a great point in my eyes. I did not think we had much of a chance to get a point out of this fixture and we did.

Unfortunately, Boa will be out 3-6 weeks with the broken cheek bone which will make it even more difficult for the team to grind points out.

However, today showed me today that with the right team spirit and the right attitude that it sometimes is enough to get a point and hopefully sometimes three. With Chelsea on the horizon next week, another gritty and gutty performance from the lads will be needed.

Excellent day for Fulham supporters!

 

The road points are welcomed by all. I waited till the tape delay to see the game. When we were pushing we really looked great! Nice crisp passes, moving around the whole pitch (no "tunnel vision"), and solid corner kick challenges.

This is one happy Fulham Fan!

 

Don't forget American Mike's podcast each week, pre and post-match!

(There has to be a way we can pitch that to Fulham. Perhaps it can be brought to everyone by American Airlines. I'm sure a video recorder and microphone is a drop in the bucket to them. Plus, what great co-branding, FulhamUSA and American Airlines bring you American Mike from The Cottage! We were discussing it being in a Studio 90 format, like US Soccer did for the World Cup. Whadayathink??)

 

Sometimes you have to take one for the team Heather!

We'll need your skills for the Chelscum match. After that, I believe the next 3 matches are all on FSC, yippee!

 

I have been working on trying to get an interview with Gentleman Jim for the site. So far no luck, but I will continue in my efforts.

As for the team, Volzy did well enough in midfield considering the circumstance. Both Boca and Volzy were clearly out of position in the fact that neither of them passed all that well and created many opportunities for McBride and Collins John.

I honestly think Cookie threw this team together to get a point and frustrate Tottenham which they clearly did.

One small change I would make is to switch Volz and Rosenior. I think Liam would be a more effective midfielder than Volzy.