Fulham v Aston Villa

The boys are back after the long international break and host the Villians at the CC. Ruiz as usual went back to Costa Rica and got hurt so his status is uncertain. Hopefully Berba is a go. Feeling confident of grabbing the 3 points, but the lads will need to be ready to go.

 

Have a good time in NoCal HD (how about a View from Pier 23?) w/the fellas. Will be out of town, so echo your thoughts on a match report (sfm, Barry, Aggie Mateo?)

From the Offal. Match highlights from the March, 2008 Villa match, that was the first glimmer of hope in the Great Escape. Brian McBride's first appearance after that devasting injury. However it was Jimmy Bullard's world and he put the lads on his back that night. Gentleman Jim with the heart on his sleeve call.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/octob ... -flashback

 

3-1 good guys. If we can't beat this season's Villa side at home, then relegation will appear on the horizon.

 

I'm not as confident as the rest of you. If Lambert stops being stubborn and starts Bent, we could be in for some trouble. The guy now has something to prove. Meanwhile we dont have Ruiz - any news on Diarra or Berba?

 

Jol has just confirmed that Diarra is available selection with scinote Ruiz the only doubt with a groin issue. Berbatov will be available as well. :banana-dance:

 

With Diarra and Berba back at home against a struggling Villa side, I'm pretty confident we can get all 3 points. I'll go with 2-1. Hopefully, I'll be up in a little over 6 hours to see you all in the chatroom. After so many televised games in a row, it's back to just listening to GJ for me...

~ Steve

 

Berba > Bent so hopefully we'll be okay.

 

Thrilled to get 3 points considering the mediocre performance.

Norwich has just beaten the Gunners so 8th is all ours! :banana-dance:

 

Not pretty, but I'll take the 3 points.

 

Was able to listen to a bit of the match and only get inot the chat room right as the final whistle blew. A needed 3 points as from what I can every one around us, except the Gunners, kept pace today.

 

Dejagah, as Heather pointed out, has a hornet of a shot. I don't want to sound too delusional, but certainly seems to be a good replacement for Duff. Has good pace, and seemed to have a soft touch.

As a whole the game was filled with chances. Yes, we had Roga and Berbatov miss volleys that on any other day would have been at least driven on net, but the space was created and the goals will come.

Richardson, who I have never rated, did perk up an eye this weekend. He was running all over the place (in a good way) and almost had a goal early on. I think as he settles in, gets that drive back, he will be a great option for Jol on the left.

Baird seemed to be on the bench first half as I can't recall seeing him. 2nd half he was all over the place and adding a much needed push forward. The goal was, in my opinion a bit of a lucky redirect, but that is all you need some times. Credit him for charging forward and commanding the cross.

Sidwell I am tore on. He seems to distribute the ball fine, but not great. Not a light touch and constantly has rash tackles. His shot that hit the roof in the 2nd half summed up his afternoon. Just not enough focus when it matters.

Diarra was pure class when he came on. His calmness on the ball and quality passes were exactly what we needed. Turned the momentum/possession back well into our favor and made it difficult for Villa.

Berbatov at one point in time was walking around above the Villa back line. At first I wanted to scream at the laptop (Fox Soccer 2Go) but then he dropped back as we got the ball back and nearly created a goal. A few minutes later drops in a cross that could have been a goal as well. I had to remember Berbatov is an amazing and veteran player who know the game and will continue to produce chances for us and get goals. Very unlucky his volley in the second half was missed. Any other day, as mentioned above, that would be buried in the top corner.

Final score didn't show the production we had, but did show that our back line was able to contain Bent/Agbonlahor. Villa and Lambert are in trouble. They could have gone down last year and I do believe they will be in the battle again this year, but think they just barley stay up.

13 points out of 24 and sitting in 8th is a great start. Keep up the "Fortress Fulham" and get the road points we have shown we can and a top half finish will again be our reward.

 

Wasn't as pleased with this performance as some of you are. I think we need to destroy teams like Villa at home. They're shit with as inexperienced of a backline as you can get, at least at this level. We showed that we could pick them apart early on, but didn't get much going until late in the game after that. Better than the Southampton game, but not as good as we can be.

Don't see what Richardson brings to the table. Especially considering we have Kaca on the bench, who was far and away our best player against Southampton. He's an alright player, but gives the ball away at times and hasn't shown the form he had at United. Would rather have Kaca out there who can take on defenders and has more pace.

I liked Dejagah. His crossing looks superb, somebody really needed to be on the back post for his first cross, and his shot was as powerful as it gets. He also showed the ability to beat the defender and make something happen. Looks like a really good under the radar signing.

If you told me we would play pretty average over two games and we would still get three points against Villa and a point at Southampton, I would have said you're a liar. I was worried about our season after losing our best players, but Jol looks like he's done well in the market and it is looking like we'll be right back in the top 10 this season. If we can keep this going into reading then we can get another three points. Keep this going until January and we can get a Europa League place with some reinforcements.

 

Spent Friday night in Phoenix before heading down to Tucson on Saturday so left when it was 0-0, and happy to see the lads got the 3 points when I got there. Watched the highlights from the Offal and obviously lucky that Villa didn't tie it up right after Bairdinho's goal. Always a good sign when the team grabs all 3 with an average performance :banana-guitar:

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/octob ... highlights

 

Thought i'd chime in with a brief "View from Block FL"

A mediocre performance perhaps, but, for me, a glorious afternoon at the Cottage. My thoughts:

-Riise is a truly class player. Seeing him make his way up and down the pitch during the first half from up close makes me appreciate even more his pace, his skill and his awareness. Yes, he's on in years, but the guy is a tremendous footballer.

-I can say the same about Berba. Like with Riise, had a better opportunity to see him in the first half than the second, but he seemed engaged and spirited, dropping pretty far back to facilitate getting the ball out of the midfield. More importantly, he was vocal, trying to direct traffic out there. As others have said, even if he doesn't end up on the scoresheet, he's still contributing.

-I'm assuming the 4-3-3 had to do with Duffers not being able to play (I believe he showed up at the Cottage too ill to suit up), and it certainly appeared a makeshift formation. Rodallega seemed lost out there, and Riether wasn't terribly effective going forward so it was a bit narrow at times.

-Villa supporters were vocal and showed up in significant numbers. I'm glad they didn't have much to cheer about.

-Is there a sweeter sound than the Haynes stand erupting in "We've got Bairdinho"? Doubt it.

-This was my second pilgrimage to the Cottage, and my second 1-0 victory. Perhaps the club should be bringing me over for more matches?

 

Any pics Tim?? Was in your neck of the woods while you were across the pond. Dropped off our daughter and her friend at Hollywood Horror Nights at Universal then stopped by the Fox and Hounds, like what they have done to the place, I'll hit you up for a match soon.

 

Thanks for taking the time, love the first-hand details. I may have to change my avatar to Baird.

 

Will try to get some pics uploaded this weekend. And yes, let's definitely get crew out for a match. It's been far too long.