Fulham vs Reading IN THE BLOODY PLAYOFFS!

Good thing there ain't no away goal rule in this deal. Come on lads!

 

Still all to play for but hard not to view that as an opportunity squandered. Hope we've got a good road performance in us.

 

I guess we shouldn't be too surprised Reading tried to muck up the match, they can't play flowing footy and expect anything but a drubbing by us. Another 90 minutes or more on Tues. COYW!!!

 

They looked very good after scoring -- thought we were going to get another one. They CAN do it on Tuesday. COYW

 

Official highlights from Reading:


As I said in the chat, I was disgusted by the first goal because Fulham didn't do the fundamental job of playing until the whistle. The defense pulled up when they thought first there should have been a foul and then a hand-ball. There certainly was a hand-ball but you don't stop playing until you hear the whistle. The defense relaxed and that was all Reading needed - although it was a nice finish, Bettinelli just about had it covered.

However, if they hadn't scored that goal it felt like it would finish 0-0 (like Wednesday and Huddersfield). We seemed uninterested in moving forward consistently until that goal. Watching this felt like what I saw vs. Wolverhampton. A lot of sideways movement, holding the ball in our half, and very little to threaten.

Now we need to win at Reading. I wouldn't be surprised if Reading plays about the same as yesterday - content to let it go to a draw and looking for any lapse in the Fulham defense. I'll be happy if that's the last we see of Chris Martin. I'll be looking for the team that scored just fine without him.

 

This guy makes videos of the home matches (you may remember he had a great view of the goal that didn't count for us against Leeds), in yesterday's video he recorded Obita, Reading's goal scorer, heading home on crutches with his right foot in a boot. Apparently he twisted his ankle and might still play on Tuesday. If he's out along with McShane that could have an impact on Reading's defensive capabilities.

Here's the video. Obita is at 13:16. Plus there is an interview with Piazon's dad and sister (the Piazons seem to love Fulham) and a one question interview with Roy Hodgson right at the end.

 

Wow. I didn't know you could play a Dean Smith four corners in this game. That's exactly what Reading tried to do and largely succeeded. The also succeeded in fouling the s**t out of us, especially in the first half. They're trying to bully us, and this ref pretty much let them. It's the only way they can win, that, and stall, clearly playing for penalties. We've got to maintain our composure and attack their high pressure when they try to speed us up playing out of the back. I think we've seen the last of Chris Martin. The difference Kebano made when he came on was night and day. And I really believe their tactics play right into Piazon's strengths. Oh, and we didn't even use the wunderkid Sessegnon. Very frustrating, but this bunch has the fortitude to get it done Tuesday night. I hope we get a better ref who a) won't let them do all that time wasting and b) won't let them mug us like they did on Saturday.

 

After further review...just finished rewatching the highlights from our 5-nil thrashing of them at the Cottage in December. We were sharper on that occasion. Didn't think we were at our best Saturday. It's one of the oldest cliche's in sports, but in this instance, it's true...the first goal is crucial. But, at the end of the day, we've got to play better. I really don't think anybody played particularly well Saturday. Marcus in particular had probably his worst game, distribution wise, something I think Joka will address before tomorrow night. Martin was a non factor after having a brace and very good overall game against them in the December fixture. I don't know what the difference was, but he was just as poor Saturday as he was good against them in December. But all of our key guys were just a little bit off, nerves, maybe? I'm expecting a lot more from Johansen, Malone, McDonald, Fredericks and Bettinelli Tuesday night. If we get the first goal, that will help my blood pressure immensely. If they do, well, it'll be squeaky bum time all over again. But I'm still bullish on this side. And as the Right Honourable Gentleman from South Texas reminded us, our away form has been better, I'd say significantly better, than at home this season. And that's how you win elimination games.

 

Hate to say it, but I sore hope Obita's ankle isn't getting any better today. Without him and McShane, thats a big hill to climb for Reading.

Also, I think Martin must be used as a substitute. For me, its not that he didn't play well enough, its that he sucked our team into playing him long and thats just not our best football. We need Kebano or Piazon, plus Sess in a wide position.

We got this, 3-1 Fulham away.

COYW!

 

On Dec 3 (the 5-0 win), Martin was probably starting to envision a January return to Derby. On Dec 30, Martin made himself unavailable (for the first time) for the abandoned match at the Madejski. In the replay (https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1162212/Live/England-Championship-2016-2017-Reading-Fulham) on Jan 24, Martin played the full 90, was the lowest rated player on the pitch (from either side), and missed a 90th minute penalty. Saturday, Martin was the second lowest rated Fulham player and, as many have already mentioned, a non-factor.

Hopefully we do start someone else tomorrow.

 

I questioned his enthusiasm for the cause on Saturday since he won't be with Fulham next year. Promotion means nothing for him personally because he'll be playing in the Championship for Derby regardless of what happens to Fulham.

 

http://cottagersconfidential.sbnati...-the-tilehurst-end-2017-championship-playoffs

Interesting, his prediction is no Obita and still play with a back 3, sounds suspect to me...cmon Fulham

 

I'm just lighting a few candles. COYW!

 

Time to let it all hang out!

 

Shit....I'm really getting nervous, shouldn't have had all that coffee.

http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com...without-key-players-in-the-backline-jaap-stam I stand corrected with Obita playing a fullback role, Reading came out and played with 5 in the back? I thought they were just playing very deep and with Obita essentially playing a winger. I wish we had more and better Fulham coverage....also, I voted they should revert to 4 in the back...fuck um.

 

H]

 

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/art...-off-semi-final-madejski-stadium-3718093.aspx
Reading Starting 11 Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Blackett, Ilori, Moore, Van den Berg, Evans, Williams, Swift, Grabban, Kermorgant.
Subs: Jaakkola, Beerens, Mendes, McCleary, Popa, Gravenberch, Kelly.

Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/art...jski-stadium-3718093.aspx#qrcQ48xluwGcL0mU.99

 

That was an unfortunate finish to a great season. Kalas had a handball for the winning penalty, but only after Kermorgant punched it first. Not fair, but that's the way things go. Al-Habsi certainly earned a clean sheet with a number of great saves. Fulham gave everything they could looking for an equalizer, we just didn't have any magic left for this season.

On to next season and the goal of automatic promotion!