Fulham v. Portsmouth

Well, what a wonder strike from a broken player. Pearcey saved us and I thought we almost had the win with that CJ header at the end of the game. I'll take a point for the performance that was put out.

 

Another draw BLAHHHHHHH!

This team is not living up to its potential, and I for one am done making excuses for them. The players aren't getting the job done and the managers not getting the job done. Its just not good enough.

At this point the best argument for Cookie's keeping his job is that there doesn't appear to be anyone around with a decent pedigree who'd take the job. Thats not a good sign.

 

CJ still sucks, but nice to see his speed.

Man of the Match, hands down, Alexi Smertin. That dude has some moves. Consider me converted.

 

I have a little theory on this. It is the end of the season and I would hardly believe Coleman would get sacked right now. IF the rumors of a take over from Al Fayed are true, then I would bet a new manager would be in the works as well. We are getting Championship funding for an EPL team. I have come to expect about what we are getting. It is a shame though because the talent we do have is not performing to par.

 

Today

I agree its time to stop making excuses, you cannot blame the players all the time, especially when they are just not good enough, how can you justify playing a team at home with a line up that you would expect to play away from home. The real fans who pay their money week in and week could in all honesty expect to see a more adventurous line up, we keep hearing about how bad the defence is, its not that its the midfield we are not creating anything, we have to many same type players in the middle of the park, when was the last time Brown scored, when was the last time routledge scored, Brown is the hatchet man every team as one, Davies is ordinary at best, Diop needs to find another home, his style of play does not cut it with this squad at this level. Smertin made some nice moves today but for long periods he seemed like a little lost puppy playing just in front of the back line, Radz tries, McBride works hard with little or no support, CJ still a waste of time in a Fulham shirt, Montella should have been on from word go, Liam played well made some good runs, Pearce and Boca were adequate, Quedrue is like a Yo Yo one minute he makes a great tackle the next he goes awol. Right now CC stirkes me as a manager who really does not know which way to turn so he puts out the most experienced players, today he went for a line up to contain, three minutes later one down and you have to chase the game. Its no good to keep saying we are to good to go down, nobody is, its results that count and right now Fulham are not getting them, and let me ask you this, if it was not Fulham playing today would you have watched that game, cause lets face it were Portsmouth any better, come on CC throw a little caution to the wind and play football the way its suppoised to be played going for a win, and not trying to sneak one.

 

RE: Today

Did you watch the game? While I agree with many of your points, I would hardly claim that Liam played a great game. He WOULD NEVER get back fast enough when he would make runs up the wing. There were 2-3 times where Pompey should have had a goal because Liam was up to far and left the back line with 2 players. I just couldn't watch. Volz should have been played in his place.

You do realize we played with TEN MEN for a good bit of the last half. We also kept the ball on their attacking 3rd the entire time. The fact that our most injured player scored the equalizer was icing on the cake. Everyone hates CJ but he came very close to getting us all three points at the end. I hate we are a stalemated team, but the negativity here just makes me want to throw up sometimes.

I'd love this team even if they were relegated to league 2. If you can't say the same you aren't a true Fulham fan.

 

Re: RE: Today

I don't think anyone is jumping ship here, I'll also be around if we reach the depths of leauge 2, though I hope it doesn't come to that point in my lifetime, but negativity is the only possible reaction I can muster after that preformance. We were very fortunate to get anything from the match, there were hardly crumbs much less a cake to ice by the time Pearcey scored.

I give the boys credit for trying to play. They looked like they wanted to score goals which can't be said of the last couple preformances. But it was as if they haden't done it in so long that they'd simply forgotten how. The result was a clumsy display which gave a brief moments of hope but genrally just dire disgust and dissapointment.

We've all seen what this team is capable of on multiple occasions and right now they aren't even approaching that level. Todays draw was a result of clumsy luck against a mediocre side at home, it was to me unacceptable. To be ok with such a display is selling our selves short.

 

RE: Re: RE: Today

Selling ourselves short? When you are backed into a corner there isn't much you can do. We are hardly the "Manchester United of the south" I'm not trying to cause any problems but this is what I expected from this game. If you looked at the stats Pompey had the advantage over us. (That first strike, there was nothing that could be done. I admit it was a class goal for Pompey)

I wouldn't say it was clumsy luck. We dominated most of the last half. A goal was inevitable. The fact it was scored by a man that has a sprained ankle just seals the deal of the commitment some of the players have for the team. I know that no one is jumping ship, but you have to find the positive notes in the game. We are a championship budgeted side playing in the EPL. It is hard to swallow, but it is true. The fact that we remain here is great. I would love for a top 10 push, but we will have to wait until next season.

On that note I bid you guys a good night.

 

Re: RE: Fulham v. Portsmouth

Sure would be nice but it didn't happen I'm afraid, and in the end we were fortunate to get a point.
We started with the same team that started against Wigan that's with Radzinski up front with McBride and Diop on the left of midfield, and no Voltz or Jensen even on the bench.

Why he picks Radzinski to play up front baffles us brits, but no more than playing Diop wide left midfield.
We deserved the point but left it till the 92 minute thanks to a wicked deflection that gave Ian his first goal for Fulham, I believe.

Fans are getting really fed up with Chris and his negative tactics and let there feelings be known.
Wouldn't be surprised if CC was not there for next season.

PS Missed this game due to work.

 

after today fulham is 5 points from relegation, and 5 points from the top 10. both are possibilities. but i sense that the feeling amongst a lot of people here (myself included) are a combination of immense frustration over the direction this season has gone through, and the fear that we may get relegated. its not a good state to be in, and performances like today just add to the bad mood. one minute we hail cookie for doing marvels, the next we chastise him for not being too daring. one minute we're angry about the payroll, the next we're worried about the chairman leaving.

i think we should all forget about this match and focus on fulham having a prayer at everton and them avenging the early season loss to man city next week.

COYW!

 

Not sure where to start. Actually I do know where to start: IAN PEARCE. The man is my new hero, to continue playing after seeing him literally hobbling in pain and then to see his shot go in right in front of me, thats Karma. Ian, you will forever have my respect.

As for the match, I think their goal as nice as it was, was actually deflected and lucky. Outside of that, Niemi was solid and Pompey had few chances. The game was end to end with two teams battling it out. The second half was ours and a point was justified and 3 for us wouldn't of been out of the question. Coleman got a lot of stick and I was upset at the fans for booing at half time. Its frustrating for us not to be doing as well as we should be booing at HT will do nothing for them. We must come together as fans of Fulham and show the Prem that we deserve to be there.

I thought onces Routledge came on we were a different team. Also Radz had a good game as did Liam and the 3U's. Brian ran more than a man of his position should ever have to and his effort was the usual 100%.

With that said, I just wanted to say that I met about a half dozen other yanks in the Lion and a good bunch of people they were. First was the Texan named Wade who had is Texan flag in the hammy end. Top man and I have the Texan flag to take around with me.

Then you have the two guys from Washington. Good entertainment and they proved they were Fulham through and through. Then the other two guys whose names escape me but we had good conversations with Wade about all things FFC/USA.

All in all a beautiful day in SW6 but I won't be happy until we are mathmatically safe.

COYW's

 

This was my first time to see the whites on tv and from a newbie here is what i saw. Their goal was a beautiful shot however i was a bit concerned that Niemi never made a move. I have played goal keeper all my life and granted I am not playing the highest level football/soccer in the world but i do critque the goalies a little more. It makes me think that he didn't see the shot until it was almost on him or it was deflected. Diop seemed almost out of place at times...like he didn't know what to do with the ball when he got it. Boca made some very unlike Boca decisions with the ball....maybe he had jet lag. Ian Pierce is an absolute stud!!! To have the injury he did....gimp off the pitch and then come back and get the goal was unreal...he couldn't even celebrate the goal he was so hurt. Like A-Mike said....overall performance was good....not great but good. Would i have liked to see some things done better...of course...but lets remember...Portsmouth is no terd...they are a pretty good squad. Lets stay positive and stay behind the boys.

newbie-fulhamfaninms
COYW!!!!

 

nice post ffaninms....i thought those were some good comments...and welcome to the site. i'm curious as to what you thought about two of our newer players...Simon Davies, and Alexey Smertin. How would you judge their performances?

 

I think Simon was aggressive which i liked....he is gonna score some goals for us no doubt. Alexey looked like he was trying to find the perfect spot for himself out there...I did like Alexey and I believe Simon and Alexey will do well for us once they get nice and comfortable with the rest of the squad and how they play. I am sure most would agree....chemistry is must and getting a good feel of your teammates is key....especially for midfielders like Simon and Alexey.