Fulham Vs. Birmingham [R]

just back from the pub myself. what an exciting game. i couldn't believe it. especially watching reading/spurs as well. Thanks to Portsmouth losing, they will be playing for nothing next weekend. hopefully our drive to stay up will continue. I know I will be even more nervous this week though. COYW!!!

 

What a great match and day of results for Fulham fans! The Whites coming away with a 2-0 win over Birmingham coupled with Reading’s loss to Tottenham has placed our beloved Fulham’s relegation fate squarely in the players hands going into next week. I will admit that two weeks ago I could not logically see any way that Fulham would not be playing in the Championship league next season but Roy and the boys have displayed a level of heart and commitment over the last two weeks that seemed to missing during the Derby and Sunderland matches. I will now nervously hope during the coming week that we will see the same intensity next week against Portsmouth.

There can be no question what the attacking combination will be against Pompey unless Kamara is not available due to the knock he picked up in the second half today. Kamara may not have scored but he was a great presence on the field and McBride seemed to turn up everywhere at just the right time. Getting on the end of a perfectly placed free kick from Jimmy Bullard that had me screaming there it is, McBride did well to put Fulham ahead 1-0 with a well-taken header. The goal had me shouting with joy but it did not allow any of the butterflies residing in my stomach to escape. The great butterfly escape did not happen for me until Erik Nevland showed that Fulham will not be toothless in the scoring department next week if Kamara is not available. With great anticipation and calm demeanor Nevland put the game away late in the second half by slotting home his second of the season. I was highly impressed with the composure he showed once the ball reached his feet. Nothing was rushed and I doubt the thought of missing the goal ever entered his mind while he was setting up the goalie for the coup de grace.

The passing from the midfield today was for the most part tidy and our possession was good but there were still to many dangerous balls given away today. If we are to beat Pompey next weekend Murphy, Bullard and Dempsey all will need to tighten up the passing a bit. All three played relatively well but each gave away possessions that could have proved costly. Simon Davies on the other hand was once again the provider of many dangerous balls and rarely seemed to set a foot out of place during the match.

The back four and Keller produced a clean sheet and several heart stopping moments when the ball seemed to stay in our box a bit to long. Keller never seemed hard-pressed but did a good job coming off the line to stifle several Birmingham attacks. The back four while solid for the most part did manage to produce a few nervy moments. Somehow though every time Birmingham got close someone stepped in (Nuts! Bolton just scored to take a 1-0 lead on Sunderland) to clear the ball just before my heart failed. McBride, Bullard and Dempsey all seemed to provide timely help in clearing the defensive end. Hangeland was strong in the air today. Every time he was close to a ball in the air there was never any doubt in my mind that he was going to get to it.

Kudos to Roy! I have liked the hiring from the start and I hope no matter what happens next week he will be with us next year. It has taken a while but he has settled on his starting 11 and the stability of playing with the same players week in and week out is showing on the pitch. The style of football Roy has brought with him seems to be shining through as the season comes to a close. Lets hope that the performance on the pitch next week will bring joy to every Fulham fan.

 

Oh by the way Tom I am jealous of the wonderful time you must have had at the Cottage today!

 

Nevada Smith's had the game downstairs and it was filled with Fulham fans! It was AWESOME. I love how Birmingham City's idea of defense is kicking the ball out of bounds. There were sometimes where Fulham's passing shot themselves in the foot; but the defense were desperate dudes and were successful and when the opportunities came, Fulham did their best to make the most of them. While the first half, FFC got robbed; McBride's BEEEE-YOO-TEE-FUL diving header was pure greatness as was Nevland's cold finish late in the game. And for once, it was enough for Cottagers.

I had a fantastic time, and while next week won't be easy; I am hopeful. If you're in the central/north NJ area or in NYC, go to Nevada Smiths next Sunday should they be showing the game. I'll be there, so should you. To quote Anthrax's seminal single "In My World." I AM NOT AFRAID.

WE WILL STAY UP.

 

What a great game!!

Great play in the midfield, and the defensive line, with a hiccup or two, was SOLID. Hats off to the entire back four. I think I counted one play KK had to make, the defsive line absorbed all the pressure!

I was never entirely in the Danny Murphy-can't-play camp, but I had my doubts for a while. He was fantastic, and we largely had our way in the midfield. Woy put a great lineup on the field, and McB and Kamara both did the hard work up front.

I heard someone on Setanta say McHead's goal was offside, who cares, we've been owed one since the Boro game in September. And I did not see Nevland's goal coming at all.

Mo and her family and my family were at a great footy bar, and who should walk in but two Birmingham fans! Good guys, and probably the only two Birmingham fans in all of Ohio.

One caveat, if I can point out the obvious -- As I have written this, Bolton got it done against Sunderland, so it's on us to win at Fratton Park next week. I don't think counting on Derby to beat Reading is a wise idea. Brum at Blackburn, as someone said, if their idea of playing defense is putting the ball out of bounds, they deserve to go down.

I'm nervous already -- COYW

 

I am watching a re-run. I am so happy. I've felt sick all day, I thought we would go down for the last 4 months, and now I have hope. 90 minutes of magic required against Pompey. McBride is beyond god and will be placed on the same pedastool as Ivor and Morgan as heros' of the Cottage.

 

WhOO HOO!
LoVe IT LoVe IT!
Up FULHAM!

 

YES! I just got back from the wedding I was attending (bo-ring) and found the scoreline I had been waiting for and believed in... UP FFC! I've had such a good feeling about this team!

Anyone else wish that they would have put down some cash on Fulham when they were 1-50 odds of being dropped not too long ago?

 

Wow.

The goods: http://101greatgoals.magnify.net/item/77XGPFK608WMYQQR

 

Bradical, you missed a good time at the Bulldog this morning, not too many folks, but it was exciting 90 minutes. wish you could have joined us.

 

Barry, nice summary. I'm watching the repeat right now and you are spot on. Lyle, nice tipping.....you nailed it.

 

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Great win! I spent the final 10 minutes flipping back and forth to check on the Reading score. Between those two matches, my stomach was in knots for about an hour.

Can we actually get 3 road wins in a row??? I can see it happening.

COYW!!!

 

1) You took the words out of my mouth.
2) Thanks for the highlights.
3) I love Jimmy Bullard's free-kicking skills (is that even an adjective?).
4) COYW!

 

Pretty awesome stuff. Nice to get a much more traditional win this week! Once again who else comes through but the one and only Brian McBride. The guy will never get the credit he's truly due. I felt Simon Davies was quality as well.


One negative note; I just realized all the games next week are on Sunday. I orient my work schedule around having Saturdays off for Fulham all year than they change it on the most important weekend. Yikes I gotta figure something out!

 

Next week's game is on tape delay on Setanta. It will be hard to avoid spoilers until Noon when the game is televised, but I'll try.

 

I was just watching Nevland's goal again. Noty that I am complaining, but what piss-poor defending by Brum on that play. If that is the best you can do in a relegation 6 pointer, you deserve to go down. Good riddance (I hope).

 

I'm hung over.

 

That was a great win, McBride comes through again. I knew we wern't finished, and we will be in the prem next year.

 

What a day. What a superb fricken day! Plenty of pictures to share with you guys.

Chicago Tom and sfm (Stanley) had a great day and what a match to go to. Regardless of what happens next week, you can all be proud in the fact that being a Fulham fan is special.