Excellent ratings, Dan. It’s especially cathartic to see Andersen get the zero he deserved.
However, and this is a wider issue, I don’t understand the somewhat infantilising way in which Muniz is talked about. Yeah he’s a nice bloke - I’m sure Kostas Mitroglou loves his mum too. But I think we have to accept that he’s simply not good enough, and look for replacements in the summer. I feel like there’s a sentimental attachment to Muniz that we need to let go of.
Not a dig at your article btw, just something I’ve picked up on in Fulham fan discourse.
I think that’s a totally valid point with regards to babying Muniz. I think the leeway also comes from the purple patches, that suggest there is a Premier League striker there. I was far more critical and pessimistic when he first joined and all I was seeing were flailing limbs. I’m clinging onto the fact that a full confidence, full fitness Muniz does bag goals. But it’s undeniable that this season, 1 solitary league goal, has simply not been good enough.
Personally, I think I lean towards sell if you get offered serious money, but otherwise, keep working with him to try and get back to those levels. A striker would absolutely be a summer priority though, it’s blind faith if we pin our hopes on him being our first choice striker next year
Leno I believe is Germany's sixth rank goalkeeper. To allow that slow-goal roll under his arm is disheartening. We will bemoan that lost point after wins against Wolves & Newcastle (ever hopeful).
Tom Cairney was the best out there. Why he was sub'd was unfathomable.
Bringing Diop in for the dismissal was ok (although 10 v 10 could've survived 3 at that back). More at issue was sacrificing ESR who was the best up front. Obviously Muniz ought to have gone - especially after heading Castagne's sitter wide.
And our constant of having wingers wrong-footed (a leftie on the right wing & a rightie out left) means we are constantly going backwards. Bournemouth just plug up the middle to stop any cross traffic dribbling - with the one exception of Bobb's sad effort.
A fresher approach with new management is strongly suggested.
I totally understand the Leno point, I think he's had a poor season and he needs to be upgraded. Personally, I just thought he was done dirty by the deflection, however, I have seen plenty who agree that he should have saved it.
Agreed re TC
I see the argument for leaving ESR on, however, given Silva's preference for creating chances from wide positions, I don't think he would ever sacrifice a centre-forward in that scenario.
I agree with the inside wingers, although I don't think it's just because they're playing on their opposite foot, I think it's just that they're being made to replicate the same formulaic patterns which are proving ineffective. It's why I think Kevin is so crucial because he's such a wildcard. He'll take on a full-back and go outside or inside and just looks so much more threatening because it's more random.
Three things are certain in life: death; taxes; and Tom Cairney being comically overrated by Fulhamish (usually for some esoteric contribution such as “he settled us down when in possession”, or today’s assertion that he was “… the metronome that we needed….” I get that Fulham fans have a soft spot for TC for what he did eight years ago, but let’s be reasonable - he hasn’t been more than a role player in years. The fact that he sees the pitch, let alone starts, shows how little depth the club actually has.
These things are totally subjective! Some people have lauded TC's performance, some have critiqued it for being slow or too sideways. Personally, when I'm seeing a midfielder who is always desperate to get on the ball and make a difference, I think that's a big positive because we have too many players who seem happy not being in possession. I thought Tom was highly influential and showed his class, but I understand some people have a different perspective.
Whilst I agree that he hasn't been more than a role player for years, the role he has played has regularly been vital, whether it be controlling a game when we need to hold onto a lead or providing some creativity when we need a goal. I think the way he's remodelled himself in his later years is inspiring and impressive, particularly given his injuries, and he has so rarely let us down
Great piece Dan. Spot on, does seem like the end of an era. Ton of great football (with a healthy side-helping of bitter results).
Thanks Matt!
We desperately need a top class striker and midfielder and we need to get them early ready for next season .
Having Kevin, King & Bobb next season is a plus, need to get some dead wood out the door this close season
Pretty much 100% spot on Dan.
Thanks Stuart!
Excellent ratings, Dan. It’s especially cathartic to see Andersen get the zero he deserved.
However, and this is a wider issue, I don’t understand the somewhat infantilising way in which Muniz is talked about. Yeah he’s a nice bloke - I’m sure Kostas Mitroglou loves his mum too. But I think we have to accept that he’s simply not good enough, and look for replacements in the summer. I feel like there’s a sentimental attachment to Muniz that we need to let go of.
Not a dig at your article btw, just something I’ve picked up on in Fulham fan discourse.
Cheers Alan!
I think that’s a totally valid point with regards to babying Muniz. I think the leeway also comes from the purple patches, that suggest there is a Premier League striker there. I was far more critical and pessimistic when he first joined and all I was seeing were flailing limbs. I’m clinging onto the fact that a full confidence, full fitness Muniz does bag goals. But it’s undeniable that this season, 1 solitary league goal, has simply not been good enough.
Personally, I think I lean towards sell if you get offered serious money, but otherwise, keep working with him to try and get back to those levels. A striker would absolutely be a summer priority though, it’s blind faith if we pin our hopes on him being our first choice striker next year
Agreed!
Interesting observations.
Some counter points.
Leno I believe is Germany's sixth rank goalkeeper. To allow that slow-goal roll under his arm is disheartening. We will bemoan that lost point after wins against Wolves & Newcastle (ever hopeful).
Tom Cairney was the best out there. Why he was sub'd was unfathomable.
Bringing Diop in for the dismissal was ok (although 10 v 10 could've survived 3 at that back). More at issue was sacrificing ESR who was the best up front. Obviously Muniz ought to have gone - especially after heading Castagne's sitter wide.
And our constant of having wingers wrong-footed (a leftie on the right wing & a rightie out left) means we are constantly going backwards. Bournemouth just plug up the middle to stop any cross traffic dribbling - with the one exception of Bobb's sad effort.
A fresher approach with new management is strongly suggested.
I totally understand the Leno point, I think he's had a poor season and he needs to be upgraded. Personally, I just thought he was done dirty by the deflection, however, I have seen plenty who agree that he should have saved it.
Agreed re TC
I see the argument for leaving ESR on, however, given Silva's preference for creating chances from wide positions, I don't think he would ever sacrifice a centre-forward in that scenario.
I agree with the inside wingers, although I don't think it's just because they're playing on their opposite foot, I think it's just that they're being made to replicate the same formulaic patterns which are proving ineffective. It's why I think Kevin is so crucial because he's such a wildcard. He'll take on a full-back and go outside or inside and just looks so much more threatening because it's more random.
Your on it Dan - awesome insights. Please give us something to brighten the day. Hopefully the winds of change will insprire us all.
Ah appreciate that!! Josh King, Oscar Bobb, and Kevin are going to absolutely cook at some point next season, that's the biggest positive
Who's the MOTM?
Three things are certain in life: death; taxes; and Tom Cairney being comically overrated by Fulhamish (usually for some esoteric contribution such as “he settled us down when in possession”, or today’s assertion that he was “… the metronome that we needed….” I get that Fulham fans have a soft spot for TC for what he did eight years ago, but let’s be reasonable - he hasn’t been more than a role player in years. The fact that he sees the pitch, let alone starts, shows how little depth the club actually has.
These things are totally subjective! Some people have lauded TC's performance, some have critiqued it for being slow or too sideways. Personally, when I'm seeing a midfielder who is always desperate to get on the ball and make a difference, I think that's a big positive because we have too many players who seem happy not being in possession. I thought Tom was highly influential and showed his class, but I understand some people have a different perspective.
Whilst I agree that he hasn't been more than a role player for years, the role he has played has regularly been vital, whether it be controlling a game when we need to hold onto a lead or providing some creativity when we need a goal. I think the way he's remodelled himself in his later years is inspiring and impressive, particularly given his injuries, and he has so rarely let us down