Fulham @ Portsmouth [R]

Once again, Fulham showed that we are no pushovers and I am proud to see that we are fighting for every ball and keeping solid at the back.

We missed Brown in the midfield, his physical presence would have been useful, but Boca had another solid performance as did C. Jensen. Boa still isn't playing his best, Radz looked a bit off and Volz was quiet.

Brian had a solid performance but wasn't his best game. One thing I've witnessed that last few away matches is how defenders are taking advantage of Brian's honesty and integrity. Yesterday, I was disgusted at the blatant and dirty way Campbell and Primus were fouling Brian and Brian just kept going on and doing his job. McBride did complain once, but that was it. It makes me start to think that his honesty is actually doing him some harm because the ref didn't give him anything. I was getting frustrated for the guy.

A good point away from home and I was very, very happy (NJGlen, you'll enjoy this) to see all the Pompey fans bitch and moan about the match afterwards. They were relentless...but I had smile! Keep in mind this one thing, the wage bill at Pompey is atleast 3 times that of Fulham...COYW's

Finally some observations about Pompey from yesterday which I'd like to share:
1) Fratton Parks is the crappiest, saddest, disgraceful ground I've every seen. The away end doesn't even have a roof, nor did the concession stand...luckily for us it didn't rain! The fans of Portsmouth deserve to have it and can keep it!

2) Pompey fans have to be the ugliest fans I have ever seen. Words would not do justice to actually seeing them in person. Big gold chains (on the men and woman), little hoop ear rings (on the men and woman), 1 out of the 10 I met in the pub actually had more than 6 teeth...you get the point.

3) Our fans were up for it and you should be proud of them...it was cold, windy and the songs kept us warm! COYW's

 

Great summation GBFC. It's always fun and interesting to re-watch a match and test your original thoughts on how the match played out.

Mike, sounds like you were in one scary place. The match review pointed out the away support several times as very good. Fulham's fans coming into their own also, it sounds like. I'm proud to be a member of Fulham USA, co-founded by such a true fan. Now rally the troops for Man City!

 

I'll take the point. I'm a bit concerned about the defense, though. They had a lot of scoring chances and we were lucky not to get behind in the first half. If not for Niemi's great work and a little help from the posts, we would have been in trouble. Got to tighten it up back there. On to Man Sh*tty for another point or three...

 

The point was great. I watched the recording late yesterday. Niemi was incredible with some really super saves. The Pomey goal was hard to watch after holding them off so long.

Why did CC put in John so late? Was Brian tired or what? I just don't get that sub. Pearce is also really close to getting us in major trouble again in the box.

 

A late sub is normally to slow the game down and provide respite if you are under constant pressure, the only other reason for it is to allow a player to recieve an ovation from the fans if they have played especially well. In this case I would guess the first one.

 

Pompey

Watched the game on TV, thought we did not deserve to win the game but thought the goal was a classic example of referees being so different from one game to the next, the ref yesterday had no idea at what was going on, he was totally out of posistion to see, the AR offered no help, if that had been against Man U Chelsea or any of the big clubs it WOULD have been disallowed, but us Fulham fans know that we will not get those calls, and if you doubt what I say, yesterday Knight is booked for stopping James after James pushed him, today reading player does the same thing, guess what no card. Lets face it if Chris Coleman as anything to say about refs who In England cares in the media, but if Jose or Alex speaks they listen. I offered a line up earlier this week and CC almost played it, except for going more defensive, instead of Routledge form the start he played Rads as an extra midfielder, but results are what counts, if you had asked any Fulham fan before yesterday you would have taken a point, if you had asked any Fulham fan at the start of the season that after 12 games we would be in the top ten tied with Liverpool and just a few breaks away from being in the top 5, you would have taken it. If you work under the assumption that when we play bad a lose its CC's fault then by the same criteria it follows that when we get a result at a team like Portsmouth who is going well, and who in all honesty expected to win that game, then you must give credit to CC. I think CC is a very clever manager, he knows the game better than most managers because he played it at a much higher level tham most of them, he knows what he as got and what he as not got, right now he is just trying to survive, hence the defensive line ups every week, but Fulham are having a good season for a team with very little resources, the only teams we have lost to are Man U Chelsea and Wigan who lets face are on a tear right now, havent they won 4 straight. Keep going guys, sign Dempsey in Jan and we could have a real good season.

 

RE: Pompey

I just watched the match as I was gone watching Denver Uni. Pioneers beat UW Badgers 4-3 on Saturday (hockey).

Wow, what a match...Superhero Niemi was excellent! I could say more, but it's all the same that's already been said...

3 points would have been great, but I'm quite pleased with the 1.

 

Re: Pompey

Amen!!!!!!!!!

 

Re: RE: Pompey

You too, eh? I didn't watch until last night because I was out of town watching my Cornell Big Red come from behind to beat Harvard. **** Harvard.

Great game for Niemi - he (and we) might want the goal back, but he made more than enough superb stops to make up for it. Liam was all over the place - I think he and Volzy work well together on the right side. Quuu and Boa were MIA more often than I'd like, though maybe just because we were working the ball up the right more often than not. Boca looks good in the defensive midfield role.

 

I can't object to the result. It must be said we didn't deserve a win. Pompey were all over us 75% of the time. I'm happy with the point. We just keep rolling along getting solid results. Suits me fine.

If I had a complaint it would be that we weren't positive enough. The bunker mentality was clearly in place. But... beggars can't be choosers.

I agree that CC is the right man for Fulham right now. He's done a good job thus far this year and the results are falling our way. To me there's no better alternative at the moment. He passionate does his best and gives it all for the club. Really what more could you ask?

 

We are jammy bastards, but its about time we got our fair share of luck.

 

I was quite excited about the result as I wasn't sure what to expect. We continue to play hard in the second half but first halves make us sluggish for some reason. I agree with those above, Cookie is a good manager and I think he's doing the best for his situation. Sure, if he had the money and the depth of a Man U or Chelsea, he'd be world famous and everyone would adore him. But I think I rather prefer our Cookie, the one who has taken a small club from West London into the top 10 in the best football league in the world.