The View From South Texas -- FFC v. Newcastle

Thanks Don! It's nice to get a View again.

 

Good View, Don. Nothing there to really disagree with. The only thing would probably be that I thought we were too tentative for most of the first half and didn't get enough guys in the box, except when we hit on the counter. That's probably just opening game jitters and coming together though b/c it wasn't an issue in the 2nd half at all.

I expected to see Smith in the middle with Aluko and Ayite on the wings but that didn't really happen. Ayite played much deeper than I'd expected, and often on the same side as Aluko, in the opening half. We were very fluid with moving players around up front and mixing up the Toon marking assignments, I thought. Aluko really impressed in the first half but I thought he faded in the 2nd. Ayite was the real eye opener for me though. He was high energy and full of pace throughout the match. In the first half he was disruptive of their attack in our end and suprisingly effective defensively. In the second, he attacked with pace, skill and creativity and wasn't afraid to take players on. Between the two A's, we've got some really nice weapons going forward.

Now if we can just get a striker. As you said, Smith had a goal and probably should have had an assist (or another goal). But absent those 2 headers, he'd have been on the side of a milk carton tomorrow. Maybe we're spoiled from McBride and Zamora, but Smith isn't a starting striker in my book. He's a useful option off the bench, but he's just too one dimensional and he doesn't even do that dimension particularly well. Hopefully some of that McCormack money can be put toward a more versatile and effective striker. Speaking of milk cartons, where you at Dwight Gayle? I've seen him play a number of times, on some really overmatched sides, and don't remember him being taken out of a game so effectively.

Completely agree on playing like a team and with a plan. I thought Kevin McDonald was very good. He was strong and composed on the ball, filled the gaps with the cb's well and was physical and seemed to command the back. He looks like the cdm we've been missing for a long time. There weren't all of the free runs through the center of our box that have been so common the last couple of years. Madl was really impressive as well. Kallas a little less so, but still a strong performance.

And then there's Odoi. I was actually a little familiar with him but he still impressed. He's going to be an adventure defensively b/c he's so aggressive in getting forward. Newcastle were able to get behind us and play in over the top several times. Fortunately their touch let them down and Button came up with a big save. Once they get a little more familiar, with McDonald reading the game so well and filling the middle, Kallas should do better getting over to cover for Odoi when he gets caught upfield. It's well worth the risk though b/c that dude is something. Pace, skill, fearless. My only concern is his ability to stay healthy if he's going to keep faking guys out so bad and getting clattered like that.

No arguments with Cairney as MOTM. He was very busy and effective. I'd have probably gone with McDonald just b/c while Cairney ran the show on the offensive end, McDonald ran it on the back end and Newcastle had more of the ball and we did keep a clean sheet. You could make a case for half of the starting XI though.

I think this is the most optimistic I've felt about Fulham in 3 years. Now let's see if we can string some good performances together. Based on the effort and teamwork I saw today, I think we can. We do need a little more firepower though and could probably use another upgrade in the midfield as well as depth on the wing.

 

Oh how I've missed TVFST! Well done my friend! And I'll respectfully disagree with the right honorable gentleman about Mr. Smith. Most Bristol supporters will as well. Yeah, he ain't gonna be confused with Messi or Vardy, but you can't teach a guy to be 6'6" and this capable.