Today seemed like that things started to click into place, with a few tweaks bringing out the best in our player. I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that this was the most “Marco” formation to date this season, with the Charles and Berge double pivot looking an upgrade to Berge/Lukic.
King was magnetic, full of intelligence, running and vision. He combined well with Garcia, who kept busy and looked dangerous at times.
Affengruber looked the real deal, and the brief sighting of Larsson was encouraging, good first impressions for both.
I don’t think this is the end of our early season settling in period, but hopefully it’s proof enough that the Arbeloa era has potential enough for us to stick the course.
Thanks Owen. Good job. So many have gone too negative too early on AA. This was such a good point to take. Muniz has to do better. You cannot find yourself in that much space and have a touch like that in the PL. I think Jack Kelly was seriously misjudged with his early prognosis.
Unlike the result, this performance doesn't come as a surprise. On the whole there was enough to get excited about against both chelsea and palace. There will be more rocky days ahead and by no means out the woods, but hopefully this performance and result gives the players and fans confidence and belief that we all need to get behind this project.
Love the new spine of this team and i think Charles will be tough to keep - a real class act both with and without ball (yet to see a weakness in his game?).
Let’s get behind this lot! It could be a very exciting time to be a fulham fan. COYW
No surprise for me. It is indeed a question of getting the defence in shape and AA taking time to get to know the players.
Defending and transition: a 100% improvement. Iwobi in the correct position, Berge and Charles a great combination to control midfield, and Affengruber seems a shrewd signing! Has anyone heard his post-match interview? Very intelligent and composed, almost as though he has been at the club for ages. The substitutions good timing , the right players - new legs rather than change direction - and opportunity for them to play .
On existing players Andersen best to move on - he is not suited for AA style. ESR , Kevin and Muniz really need to move a gear up to meet new high demands . Bob works well coming in from wing but struggles when moving in central and seems to get knocked about easily - some work needed there .
The fact is that all the new signings—all AA’s—are great acquisitions, including in terms of price. That includes Palacios, who made way for rotation. No way should we write him off. And remember, we were never outclassed in any of the three losses; the margins were very fine in all of them.
Once Gonzales and King get fully established as a duo , the front will get more clinical . These two can be formidable .
Change requires time and patience. Fulham is in the midst of its biggest change of approach since 2000. This is building for the future, both in business terms and in playing style. No faulting the Khans . They have given a AA the space and they are doing shrewd business. COYW.
I've been savage about Arbeloa, but credit where it's due. He finally realised Palacios is too lightweight and not yet good enough to be starting PL games. Perhaps he'll take the lesson on board and start being a bit more humble, and more respectful to the whole squad, not just his Spanish babies. Also made some sound tactical adjustments, and Affengruber looked decent. Let's hope it's a sign of things to come and not a blip. Feels good to get off that big, fat zero.
Suddenly we can defend! And use substitutes to good effect. Hopefully AA has learned from the mistakes of the first three games. A really good away performance
Great read Owen, as always; and spot on. Arbeloa managed this fixture very well, seriously smarter than in all 3 previous games. Balanced and reassuring. Affengrueber-Bassey-Leno with more prudent Castagne-Robinson makes a world of difference. Charles-Berge in the pivot is working: so many second balls won and clever passes all along. Iwobi is where he should always have been, and while I was disappointed that Garcia/Bobb/King did not deliver a goal in the 1st half when there were big opportunities they were still very much putting in the shift. The subs were impactful and it was great to see ESR/Muniz/Kevin keeping the pressure forward. Tete is indeed a warrior, and the tackle he took was worth the risk of a nerve-testing close-range free kick in the final minutes. The final round of clapping near the away end with the team was also heartwarming and welcome after the social media drama of the week. I've never enjoyed a 0-0 this much. COYW!!
Baz: a point at Anfield! A flower blooming in the desert or a weed? From that performance I’m inclined to opt for the flower. I called for Arbeloa’s head and I admit I could have been horribly wrong. Three points against United and I’ll be contrite enough to mix my metaphors, I’ll eat my hat with my tail between my legs. COYW!
Great review as ever Owen, thank you.
Today seemed like that things started to click into place, with a few tweaks bringing out the best in our player. I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that this was the most “Marco” formation to date this season, with the Charles and Berge double pivot looking an upgrade to Berge/Lukic.
King was magnetic, full of intelligence, running and vision. He combined well with Garcia, who kept busy and looked dangerous at times.
Affengruber looked the real deal, and the brief sighting of Larsson was encouraging, good first impressions for both.
I don’t think this is the end of our early season settling in period, but hopefully it’s proof enough that the Arbeloa era has potential enough for us to stick the course.
That was the best Jedi has looked in a full calendar year - hopefully it just took him that long to recover from the ankle surgery.
With the World Cup out of the way hopefully his focus is back with us again and we'll see him get back to his best!
For those supporters who wrote us off. Good team rotation with subs. All our summer signings look good. A few defensive tweaks and ......
Andersen looks the biggest loser today.
My worry is that some of our youngsters may attract attention.
On wards to hammers and united.
Energy Effort Entertainment what a match, honestly felt Fulham deserved a goal lead. Will have done wonders for moral. Same 11 for united
Thanks Owen. Good job. So many have gone too negative too early on AA. This was such a good point to take. Muniz has to do better. You cannot find yourself in that much space and have a touch like that in the PL. I think Jack Kelly was seriously misjudged with his early prognosis.
Unlike the result, this performance doesn't come as a surprise. On the whole there was enough to get excited about against both chelsea and palace. There will be more rocky days ahead and by no means out the woods, but hopefully this performance and result gives the players and fans confidence and belief that we all need to get behind this project.
Love the new spine of this team and i think Charles will be tough to keep - a real class act both with and without ball (yet to see a weakness in his game?).
Let’s get behind this lot! It could be a very exciting time to be a fulham fan. COYW
No surprise for me. It is indeed a question of getting the defence in shape and AA taking time to get to know the players.
Defending and transition: a 100% improvement. Iwobi in the correct position, Berge and Charles a great combination to control midfield, and Affengruber seems a shrewd signing! Has anyone heard his post-match interview? Very intelligent and composed, almost as though he has been at the club for ages. The substitutions good timing , the right players - new legs rather than change direction - and opportunity for them to play .
On existing players Andersen best to move on - he is not suited for AA style. ESR , Kevin and Muniz really need to move a gear up to meet new high demands . Bob works well coming in from wing but struggles when moving in central and seems to get knocked about easily - some work needed there .
The fact is that all the new signings—all AA’s—are great acquisitions, including in terms of price. That includes Palacios, who made way for rotation. No way should we write him off. And remember, we were never outclassed in any of the three losses; the margins were very fine in all of them.
Once Gonzales and King get fully established as a duo , the front will get more clinical . These two can be formidable .
Change requires time and patience. Fulham is in the midst of its biggest change of approach since 2000. This is building for the future, both in business terms and in playing style. No faulting the Khans . They have given a AA the space and they are doing shrewd business. COYW.
I've been savage about Arbeloa, but credit where it's due. He finally realised Palacios is too lightweight and not yet good enough to be starting PL games. Perhaps he'll take the lesson on board and start being a bit more humble, and more respectful to the whole squad, not just his Spanish babies. Also made some sound tactical adjustments, and Affengruber looked decent. Let's hope it's a sign of things to come and not a blip. Feels good to get off that big, fat zero.
Finally realised? We’re 4 games in!(and tbf, Palacios had a good game against palace). Agree that its good to get off that zero!
Suddenly we can defend! And use substitutes to good effect. Hopefully AA has learned from the mistakes of the first three games. A really good away performance
Great read Owen, as always; and spot on. Arbeloa managed this fixture very well, seriously smarter than in all 3 previous games. Balanced and reassuring. Affengrueber-Bassey-Leno with more prudent Castagne-Robinson makes a world of difference. Charles-Berge in the pivot is working: so many second balls won and clever passes all along. Iwobi is where he should always have been, and while I was disappointed that Garcia/Bobb/King did not deliver a goal in the 1st half when there were big opportunities they were still very much putting in the shift. The subs were impactful and it was great to see ESR/Muniz/Kevin keeping the pressure forward. Tete is indeed a warrior, and the tackle he took was worth the risk of a nerve-testing close-range free kick in the final minutes. The final round of clapping near the away end with the team was also heartwarming and welcome after the social media drama of the week. I've never enjoyed a 0-0 this much. COYW!!
Baz: a point at Anfield! A flower blooming in the desert or a weed? From that performance I’m inclined to opt for the flower. I called for Arbeloa’s head and I admit I could have been horribly wrong. Three points against United and I’ll be contrite enough to mix my metaphors, I’ll eat my hat with my tail between my legs. COYW!