Two stinkers in a row - I don't know how you can muster the words to describe the badness. But, you know how to cut through the mud, to be polite, to produce a quality game report.
It's beyond disappointing to see a team with so much quality and potential fall so flat. All credit to Southampton who came ready to play. The game was played at 7:00 a.m. in the States and, for Fulham, it too often looked like it was 7 a.m. in SW6.
On TV here at the half, the commentator (I think it was Shaka Hislop) remarked that it doesn't appear the Fulham coach knows his best team. Today was another knock against Silva and the team's readiness for matches.
I've had enough of Silva. He is tactically weak and his style of football will never win a club of our size the trophy we all crave. I had a once work college who was a huge Fulham supporter pass away a couple of weeks ago. He was in his 80s. Another Fulham supporter lost before he saw us lift a significant trophy. We have a squad many of the FFC managers of the past could only dream of and Silva throws any chance of winning a trophy away with ridiculous player rotations, pedestrian football and an inability to get his team to defend when it matters most. Yes, Southampton played well, but they are a championship club who have had to sell their best players where we have the like of Smith-Rowe, Bobb and Anderson, among others running around out there earning fortune's. I'm in my late 50's and I get the feeling I will be gone before we ever get that elusive trophy. People call it Fulhamish. I think it is more sad, as we are a decent sized club now with huge historical significance to football in general yet we have never won the FA or league cup. What a meek and pathetic way to be dumped from the FA cup today.
Marco arguably the club’s strongest asset? An otherwise honest assessment of Fulham’s failings is let down by that comment. Some of us have argued for the last season and a half that Marco is holding the club back, not taking it forward, and today was the most extreme example of that.
Palace in the cup last season was bad enough but this was far worse. Safe in the league we had every opportunity to go full out for cup success, yet what does Marco do? Picks a second choice midfield, second choice full backs and a second rate, not fully fit striker. He then compounds his errors by his normal stubborness in refusing to acknowledge his mistakes. He should have made substitutions at halftime, or at the very least after an hour, but no. And to bring on Jimenez in the third minute of stoppage time was an insult to the player and to the fans.
The club should pay off the remainder of Marco’s contract and bring in a new manager now, with time to look at the squad before the summer transfer window. Otherwise we face stagnation and decline.
He certainly dropped the ball with his selection and substitutions yesterday, I agree. But I've always been someone that rates Marco, particularly when he's the last person since Martin Jol (!) to successfully keep us in the Premier League, let alone for four seasons in a row. Arguably we feel so deflated at the moment because the work he's done with the team has made us believe we could do much more, such as going from "yo-yo" relegations and early cup exits to impressive displays against the best sides in the division and regular progression in the cups, even making a semi-final in the League Cup.
My patience hasn't run out with him yet, and whilst it is always going to feel terrible the morning after a loss like that (particularly given the errors you highlight) I would rather reassess in the summer than try and grab a replacement now (not least because Silva might leave anyway!) The phrase "the grass isn't always greener" bounces around my mind a bit here - there's no guarantee we'll get the man we want in, or that a replacement will necessarily get more out of the team/resolve the problems related to departments higher up in the club!
I understand where you’re coming from, and I agree that Marco had a lot of credit in the bank: definitely our best manager since Sir Roy. But it seems to me (and I go back to 1965, so either I’m senile or have plenty of comparisons available!) that there is one key weakness in the squad at the moment, which ultimately has to be laid at Marco’s door. That is that they do not cope with adversity; they lack grit, leadership call it what you want. So, for example, on top against Chelsea, Josh King goal disallowed, fold; on top against Bournemouth, they equalise, fold, and there are many other examples.
Now part of that is of course down to the players on the pitch; the senior players have to step up and show that leadership. But it starts with Marco and his staff on the training ground and in the dressing room. They have to instill that mentality into the squad. It’s then Marco’s responsibility to set an example during the match. And that’s partly by taking action if things aren’t going well and making decisive substitutions rather than letting things drift, but it’s also by having a positive attitude on the touchline. Instead he either goes in to a sulk or a strop depending on whether he thinks it is the players or the officials who are to blame. If he was more positive he could get a response from the crowd as well as the players, giving both more belief that the game could be turned round.
Wembley 1975 and Hamburg were great but I’m 72, I need a trophy soon!
I give Silva perhaps too much credit (as you may be able to tell from my other comments on this thread) but 100% his biggest flaw is setting a poor tone in response to adversity. It may be affirming for us supporters to see him voice the same frustrations we all have with the officiating but it doesn’t really inspire much fight back from the players during the match.
Yes, spot on. His time has come and gone for us. I would now rather a manager who consistently makes us harder to beat. I think everyone in the stadium knew that Saints goal was coming and when it gets that easy to see from the stands it is time for change.
Mostly just playing devils advocate as I’m feeling pretty deflated after this loss but I can’t get too upset with Marco. Considering the injuries (Wilson, Kevin) the players still not fully back in form after long injury layoffs (Robinson, Muniz, Tete, Lukic) and those in desperate need of some rest (Jimenez, Iwobi, Berge) it feels like the staring XI pretty much picks itself with this being 3 matches in 8 days. And while I personally would have brought on some subs earlier it’s not like we weren’t generating plenty of good scoring chances. It’s hard to say a change was desperately needed when we had put the ball in the net more than once and were inches away on several other occasions. Had one or two questionable decisions by the officials gone the other way we likely escape with a narrow victory and chalk it up to simply taking care of business to move on to the next round without overexerting the squad.
I don't agree. The team selection for today and West Ham was mind boggling really. A decision made by a manager who has lost his way in my opinion. 'Players desperately in need of rest'. They can rest all they like now as the season is pretty much dead in the water.
You are joking we were crap and to make 9 changes it was stupidity I agree Silva has taken us as far as he can and we need new ideas and tactics we are so predictable.
Why rest Raul today- we have nothing left to play for in the league- Muinz I’m afraid is not a top PL striker - Rauls movement and interlinking of the play is so much superior. Although not prolific he has a goal threat in him
Nothing left to play for in the league? The West Ham defeat was a set back but 3 points against Forest sees us back in 8th with crucial matchs against Liverpool and Brentford still to come.
Two stinkers in a row - I don't know how you can muster the words to describe the badness. But, you know how to cut through the mud, to be polite, to produce a quality game report.
It's beyond disappointing to see a team with so much quality and potential fall so flat. All credit to Southampton who came ready to play. The game was played at 7:00 a.m. in the States and, for Fulham, it too often looked like it was 7 a.m. in SW6.
On TV here at the half, the commentator (I think it was Shaka Hislop) remarked that it doesn't appear the Fulham coach knows his best team. Today was another knock against Silva and the team's readiness for matches.
I've had enough of Silva. He is tactically weak and his style of football will never win a club of our size the trophy we all crave. I had a once work college who was a huge Fulham supporter pass away a couple of weeks ago. He was in his 80s. Another Fulham supporter lost before he saw us lift a significant trophy. We have a squad many of the FFC managers of the past could only dream of and Silva throws any chance of winning a trophy away with ridiculous player rotations, pedestrian football and an inability to get his team to defend when it matters most. Yes, Southampton played well, but they are a championship club who have had to sell their best players where we have the like of Smith-Rowe, Bobb and Anderson, among others running around out there earning fortune's. I'm in my late 50's and I get the feeling I will be gone before we ever get that elusive trophy. People call it Fulhamish. I think it is more sad, as we are a decent sized club now with huge historical significance to football in general yet we have never won the FA or league cup. What a meek and pathetic way to be dumped from the FA cup today.
Marco arguably the club’s strongest asset? An otherwise honest assessment of Fulham’s failings is let down by that comment. Some of us have argued for the last season and a half that Marco is holding the club back, not taking it forward, and today was the most extreme example of that.
Palace in the cup last season was bad enough but this was far worse. Safe in the league we had every opportunity to go full out for cup success, yet what does Marco do? Picks a second choice midfield, second choice full backs and a second rate, not fully fit striker. He then compounds his errors by his normal stubborness in refusing to acknowledge his mistakes. He should have made substitutions at halftime, or at the very least after an hour, but no. And to bring on Jimenez in the third minute of stoppage time was an insult to the player and to the fans.
The club should pay off the remainder of Marco’s contract and bring in a new manager now, with time to look at the squad before the summer transfer window. Otherwise we face stagnation and decline.
He certainly dropped the ball with his selection and substitutions yesterday, I agree. But I've always been someone that rates Marco, particularly when he's the last person since Martin Jol (!) to successfully keep us in the Premier League, let alone for four seasons in a row. Arguably we feel so deflated at the moment because the work he's done with the team has made us believe we could do much more, such as going from "yo-yo" relegations and early cup exits to impressive displays against the best sides in the division and regular progression in the cups, even making a semi-final in the League Cup.
My patience hasn't run out with him yet, and whilst it is always going to feel terrible the morning after a loss like that (particularly given the errors you highlight) I would rather reassess in the summer than try and grab a replacement now (not least because Silva might leave anyway!) The phrase "the grass isn't always greener" bounces around my mind a bit here - there's no guarantee we'll get the man we want in, or that a replacement will necessarily get more out of the team/resolve the problems related to departments higher up in the club!
Hi Owen
I understand where you’re coming from, and I agree that Marco had a lot of credit in the bank: definitely our best manager since Sir Roy. But it seems to me (and I go back to 1965, so either I’m senile or have plenty of comparisons available!) that there is one key weakness in the squad at the moment, which ultimately has to be laid at Marco’s door. That is that they do not cope with adversity; they lack grit, leadership call it what you want. So, for example, on top against Chelsea, Josh King goal disallowed, fold; on top against Bournemouth, they equalise, fold, and there are many other examples.
Now part of that is of course down to the players on the pitch; the senior players have to step up and show that leadership. But it starts with Marco and his staff on the training ground and in the dressing room. They have to instill that mentality into the squad. It’s then Marco’s responsibility to set an example during the match. And that’s partly by taking action if things aren’t going well and making decisive substitutions rather than letting things drift, but it’s also by having a positive attitude on the touchline. Instead he either goes in to a sulk or a strop depending on whether he thinks it is the players or the officials who are to blame. If he was more positive he could get a response from the crowd as well as the players, giving both more belief that the game could be turned round.
Wembley 1975 and Hamburg were great but I’m 72, I need a trophy soon!
I give Silva perhaps too much credit (as you may be able to tell from my other comments on this thread) but 100% his biggest flaw is setting a poor tone in response to adversity. It may be affirming for us supporters to see him voice the same frustrations we all have with the officiating but it doesn’t really inspire much fight back from the players during the match.
If Leeds gets relegated, can we get Farke?
Yes, spot on. His time has come and gone for us. I would now rather a manager who consistently makes us harder to beat. I think everyone in the stadium knew that Saints goal was coming and when it gets that easy to see from the stands it is time for change.
Mostly just playing devils advocate as I’m feeling pretty deflated after this loss but I can’t get too upset with Marco. Considering the injuries (Wilson, Kevin) the players still not fully back in form after long injury layoffs (Robinson, Muniz, Tete, Lukic) and those in desperate need of some rest (Jimenez, Iwobi, Berge) it feels like the staring XI pretty much picks itself with this being 3 matches in 8 days. And while I personally would have brought on some subs earlier it’s not like we weren’t generating plenty of good scoring chances. It’s hard to say a change was desperately needed when we had put the ball in the net more than once and were inches away on several other occasions. Had one or two questionable decisions by the officials gone the other way we likely escape with a narrow victory and chalk it up to simply taking care of business to move on to the next round without overexerting the squad.
I don't agree. The team selection for today and West Ham was mind boggling really. A decision made by a manager who has lost his way in my opinion. 'Players desperately in need of rest'. They can rest all they like now as the season is pretty much dead in the water.
You are joking we were crap and to make 9 changes it was stupidity I agree Silva has taken us as far as he can and we need new ideas and tactics we are so predictable.
Why rest Raul today- we have nothing left to play for in the league- Muinz I’m afraid is not a top PL striker - Rauls movement and interlinking of the play is so much superior. Although not prolific he has a goal threat in him
Nothing left to play for in the league? The West Ham defeat was a set back but 3 points against Forest sees us back in 8th with crucial matchs against Liverpool and Brentford still to come.
Still, the last two embarrassments certainly give cause for pessimism - especially with the last two campaigns in the rear mirror.
My opinion is simply this : get us into Europe Marco or bust
https://thebluearmchair.substack.com/p/when-realities-collide?r=5kmhkr