Bolton v Fulham

watched the game at a pub in brooklyn and all the supporters from the other matches got behind our little club. very proud was i.

 

It was a great night at the Cottage last night. A near sell out crowd on a weekday, our first match with the new 'improved Fulham and Fulham supporters in good voice.

Was very nervous when we went 1-0 down but still felt comfortable seeing as we were keeping possession and creating chances. Thought Healy worked hard once again and Brian was winning headers left, right and center. Bouazza was overly quiet for my liking and was disappointed with deuce when he came on...he's just simply not a left winger and certainly doesn't like to go back on defense!

Calamity Warner more than made up for his gaffe in the beginning with some stunning saves.

Lastly, already some new songs were coming from the Hammersmith End, a couple for Healy, Bouazza and I'm hoping we get one for Smertin soon. He deserves a song of his own.

With that said, here is a link to download match of the day from last night. Just click on the link, go to the bottom of the bottom of the page and click the 'free' option, put in the code on the following page and enjoy.

http://rapidshare.com/files/49249991/Fu ... lights.AVI

COME ON YOU WHITES!

 

Excellent win last night. After Warner's little bugaboo at the beginning I was a bit nervous, but between Healy and Smertin's two goals within four minutes, things went well and the first three points of the season were earned.

The defense looked good in all four positions. The midfield was strong as was the strike force. Despite even being down a goal, I thought Fulham was in control of the match and deserved to get the win.

The one thing that excites me about this team compared to previous seasons is one word....SPEED. In the past I can't remember very many speedy players. But this season, Bouazza, Konchesky, Dempsey and Davis are all fast. We have guys that are actually dangerous running at the opponents. That is a change from the past and that is something other teams will have to consider when playing Fulham.

Exciting stuff my fellow Fulham friends! Let's get another when Boro come to town on Saturday!

 

It was a great match to watch. We got to see just about every position tested.

The defense so far this season is doing far better than I could have predicted. Zat seems to be more calm and collected, and Boca is just plain a beast with his head.

Healy. Healy ... wow. LS certainly has earned my seal of approval with his signings. I know it is still early in the season, but if we stay safe from injuries then the sky is the limit. And we won't be one flippin' point from dropping.

 

Bolton

A win is a win, the conditions were atrocious, thought Boca had a really good game, seemed to be everywhere, not the most stylish of players but gets the job done.

Still not happy with the fact our midfield is not creating quality chances for our front men, they work hard and hassle a lot but we never really stamped our authority against a Bolton team that is probably on its way down the table, but I hope that will come.

I think LS as a real dilemma on his hands, the moment he subbed healy, kamara injected pace and ingenuity into the frontline, Healy is a finisher of that there is no doubt, but kamara makes things happen further out, and will trouble a lot of premier defences with his pace, and quick feet, but who do you play alongside McBride him or Healy, or do you drop Brian, who wins so many long balls and last night was instrumental in a lot of our attacks by dropping deep and starting them with little flicks and headers, or do you take a real chance in a game like Middesboro who are smarting already, and play a 4,3,1 ,2 by playing Kamamra and healy up top with Mcbride just behind them, and spread the midfield across the park, because Bouazza is obviously struggling right now with the pace of the premier.

Anyway a wins a win.

 

Re: Bolton

I do NOT agree with this. While Bouazza is not lighting the world on fire with his play, he has pace and he can run at people. He earned a few corners last night and his set pieces into the box were very good balls. I like having Bouazza on the field because he works hard and his pace is something we have not had or seen in a Fulham side in quite some time. I like what I have seen from this kid and it is my belief he will only get better.

 

RE: Re: Bolton

Couldn't agree more Tom, in terms of Bouazza. He just needs some matches under his belt, become more accustomed to LS's system and the confidence will eventually come.

The match was fantastic and even my friends, who could care less about football, sat down to watch the match. They all stood back and didn't say a word after Bolton went ahead... they know I have a bit of a temper when my side goes down.

Fair play to Baird. He had Anelka running at him the entire night and he was almost never caught out of position, made some quality tackles and his service forward was fantastic. Congrats on bouncing back.

Healy... what can I say. He is a poacher that knows how to be in the right place at the right time.

Can't wait for Saturday. Middlesbrough is ripe for the picking as well.

After two matches:

Fulham 3 Points
Manchester United 2 points

 

RE: Re: Bolton

i DVR'd the game and watched it last night and man .... that Healy just never stops, does he? if there is a ball bouncing about in the box, that little guy is going to get a boot to it!!

i think the team played well as a whole. i wonder if Sanchez will try to get Healy, Kamara and Dempsey on the field at the same time? can you imagine the speed, quickness and all-out flying towards the ball that would happen with those three playing together. who knows -- Lord knows i'm no Premier League manager - LOL!

after reading the off-season talk about Knight - i was expecting him to play like Lurch from The Adams Family, but the kid can play. he set up Healy's goal last night and has played great in both matches - winning balls in the air and on the ground. he has done a great job of shutting people down when they attack through the middle and he and Boca seem to compliment each other pretty well (so far). either he has improved a LOT, or maybe he just didn't fit Coleman's defensive strategy (or both).


anyway --- great win with more to come, i'm sure.

 

RE: Re: Bolton

Also wanted to add that it was very nice to see Lily Allen chillin outside the Johnny Haynes stand before kick off.

 

right before healy scored did anyone see zat get drilled in the face with the ball? gotta admit.....it was pretty funny.

 

Re: RE: Re: Bolton

If you weren't taken this is where I would say:

"Dude, you should hit that."


Regarding Bouazza, I guess we should all keep in mind that he's only been with the team for a week.

 

RE: Re: RE: Re: Bolton

I'm really starting to like Healy a lot. He's a pest on the pitch.

 

RE: Re: RE: Re: Bolton

Kamara looked dangerous after he came on. Healy was great AGAIN, and I must say, Sanchez is looking good. Relegation? Fuck no!!!

It was great to see the fans chanting Healy's name when he came off. Best 1.5M you could spend.

 

RE: Re: RE: Re: Bolton

you are right WonsanUnited -- Healy is looking like quite a steal at 1.5M

if he keeps scoring at this clip, he'll definitely be the bargain of the year in the Premiership

 

Re: Bolton

I'll disagree but only partially... I disagree with the first poster who said he lacks pace... if anything, his pace is what's keeping him on the field. He looks like he has the ability to dribble but, for whatever reason, he can't beat any defenders right now...

He showed a really beautiful piece of skill in two touching the cross-field pass from Healy into control and throwing a cross into the box on his third touch. I think, like Kamara, he should be being brought off of the bench in the 2nd half as a spark at the moment until he gets his full game together.

I won't say that I LIKE what I see so far, but I've seen enough that it has intrigued me in a way that I want to see more.

As for Healy, he already looks like a proper successor to McBride... in terms of attitude and work rate (not so much the target man aspect).

 

RE: Re: Bolton

The commentators stated during the Bolton match that Kamara is a bit unhappy coming off the bench as a subsitute instead of having an opportunity to be in the starting XI. Odds are the commentator was just being a WUM, but figured it was worth noting. I would be more shocked if Kamara was content being a subsitute.

Hoping to see Cook feature in the Middlesbrough match this Saturday. Deuce looked lost on the left. Would rather see a naturally left footed player out there.

Still buzzing about the win...

 

The thing that really encourages me about this year's side is how they don't let up. I noticed this during the Arsenal match and it continued yesterday: when they had the lead, they weren't content to sit back and defend, but they continued to attack, putting pressure on the opposing team, keeping them on the back foot and forcing them to call men back to defend. Although they failed to get it both times, they never stopped looking for the goal to put them up 2. Sometimes that strategy can backfire, for instance against a side like Arsenal that can counterattack in a hummingbird's heartbeat, but more often than not, I think it translates into wins. They showed a killer instinct, and as the team gets more cohesive and confident, it will pay off in wins. Great to get the first one.

P.S. jmh, get out of my head! 95% of your post was an exact replica of my feelings on the match/players.

 

I was out of town yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to watch or keep and eye on the game in the chat room. I felt we would win this game and I knew, I was taping the game to watch, when I got back today....but the damn cable went out and it tripped the recorder. So all I got was a scrambled mess. Let's hope that FSC will show a replay tomorrow. Well, I guess it doesn't matter. We got the 3 points.

 

Did anyone else notice Douf telling Boca to f**k off several times in succession? It was after a play in the box and Boca had tugged his shirt a little. Despite being able to read his lips with ease, the camera stayed on him as he let Boca have it. I was glad to see Zat pound that little pissant Douf into the ground later in the match.

 

I have to admit it was funny watching Diouf bounce off Knight like little kid trying to take down his big brother.