Last season, Fulham were fortunate with injuries. Roy was able to let the same side settle into a system that gradually became successful. With the amount of key players we’ve lost this year, it’s a wonder the Whites are still competitive on three fronts at this stage of the season.
Looking at a couple of the Tottenham blogs last night I was surprised to read descriptions Hodgson’s negative tactics and complaints about ten men behind the ball. That struck me as strange given that Fulham had more of the ball and tested Gomes more often than Tottenham troubled Schwarzer. The 4-4-1-1 has worked wonders since it was largely forced on the wily old coach because of an absence of strikers and Zamora especially has revelled in being the leader of the line. He was at it again yesterday, giving a masterclass in the art of playing with your back to goal, and when Zoltan Gera’s come alive in that advanced role you’d be foolish to tinker with it.
What Hodgson demands of his players above all else is discipline. Dickson Etuhu summed it up last month:
The Manager has made sure we all know what we have do to. I have never played in a team like this before – where everything is just so simple. It certainly works for us and is one of the main reasons we do well.
That work ethic and organisation is one of the main reasons only three teams have beaten us at home this season. Hodgson knew that, even without a lot of options in midfield, he had to clamp down on Tottenham’s creativity. Modric looked threatening but never really found the space to wreak havoc and Kranjcar drifted in and out of the game. Perhaps Spurs’ biggest threat was the brilliant Gareth Bale, who was buzzing up and down the left flank like a Duracell bunny, but the persistence of Chris Baird and Damien Duff’s tracking back meant he couldn’t have had the kind of impact on this game as he’s had on other games against Fulham.
Furthermore, Hodgson would have badly rued the absence of his own two injured midfielders. Danny Murphy’s failed fitness test was a particular blow. Not only would he have been keen to prove a point against Tottenham, but Murphy has the ability to both spot and execute the killer pass. In his absence, we were a little lost in central midfield. Etuhu’s a decent enough stopper but his distribution was woeful yesterday. Twice he surged forward with the ball into space having won it back: in the first half, he chose the wrong pass, and – after the break – he gave the ball to Jonathan Greening and stopped running bringing a promising move to a standstill. Greening kept things steady in the engine room but wasn’t inclined to try a few forward passes.
What Clint Dempsey might have done drifting infield dangerously is anyone’s guess. As the game progressed, Duff became more influential and came close to breaking the deadlock on two ocassions. Dempsey offers you that X-factor that a workmanlike Fulham side sometimes lacks: the ability to beat a few players or deliver a telling cross. Whisper it quietly, but he just might be back for the replay.
Dan,
I got a comment on my blog asking me how did I feel about 10 men playing behind the ball. I was a little puzzled by this comment as well. Without Murphy I think really hurt Fulham, but I thought we played well.
I had a different view of the game yesterday as we were in the Johnny Haynes and can understand the Spurs view that we were negative. I think that stems form the loss of Danny Murphy in the middle. Whilst Jonno Greening can be a tidy player I think I could count the number of forward passes he made yesterday on one hand and none of them had the direction or purpose that Murphy would have achieved. Our forward play therefore tended to be a bit repetitive and lacked any speed of thought.
Though additional games are not what we need I’m relieved we didn’t lose. It would have been hard to take a Putney end full of Spurs fans celebrating a win (let alone the Spurs fan in the home areas). I’m hoping we can put in a much better performance at the Lane.
Also I think I saw you crossing Putney Bridge on the way home – I was in a green mini (classic style not BMW) and let you cross.
Fulham Pats Fan: Whilst we were cautious (as we often are in the early stages of games under Hodgson), I don’t accept that Fulham were negative. We carved out several decent chances and carried the greater threat in the second half. Ten men behind the ball implies that we simply sought to get a replay, which is utter nonsense.
Chopper: I think Roy likes his central midfielders to sit deep with the more offensive one making the odd late run forward/ambitious pass. Greening seemed predominantly concerned with keeping the ball and it was actually Etuhu who got into the decent positions yesterday. Frustratingly, he couldn’t do anything with the ball. Palacios should be commended, though, as he had a storming game for Spurs.
It wasn’t me crossing Putney Bridge I’m afraid. I headed straight back towards Hammersmith afterwards, but would normally have been drinking/dining in Putney so perhaps I’ll clap eyes on that nice-sounding Mini soon!
Don’t take notice of some spurs fans. Most of us accept that Fulham are a credit to the premier league. Both teams yesterday had suffered from injuries that affected the pattern of their attacking play. It was a game neither wanted to lose. Hodgson went for it when he brought on Elm but kept Zamora on as well so hardly negative.
Dan – Etuhu did have a stormer but I’d not expect him to be able to be able to do the creative stuff. Maybe you’re right that Palacios and the general defensive work of Spurs kept us on the back foot. I do think we need to look at someone who can play understudy to Murphy though. We’re blunted without him.
Dan,
I agree with you. It is interesting to see the different perspectives on the match. I just don’t agree that Fulham played for a draw.
Steve,
It is good to know that most Spurs fans accept that Fulham are a credit to the Premier League. I have much respect for Tottenham. I would hope that Tottenham fans had the same respect for Fulham.
You also brought up a good point on bringing on Elm. If we were looking for a draw why was Zamora still in there? Elm I believe was brought in because Simon Davies seemed to be struggling near the end of the game. That move had Gera moving back.
Like you said both teams had injuries and that affected the attacking play.
Steve: Cheers for that. Looking forward (but not without too much expectation) to the replay at White Hart Lane.
Chopper: I actually thought Etuhu was poor yesterday. He won a few tussles but his limitations at this level are obvious when it comes to passing the ball. That’s not necessarily his fault but I fancy a few more passing drills at Motspur Park might improve his distribution.
Fulham Pats Fan: Davies was fading a little bit and Elm added something when he came on.
Still got a nagging feeling that our chance might have slipped away, though.
Dan,
Unfortunately I agree with you on the replay.
But, this team has surprised me already this season. I didn’t think they would get by Shakhtar.
As you commented maybe Dempsey will be back for the replay. If he is that could make a difference.
On twitter yesterday I pointed out how Spurs is one of the clubs I just can’t hate. There are very few clubs on that list. I’ve interacted with a few Spurs supporters since yesterday and to me it seemed like we agreed that it was a pretty evenly played game.
As for the replay, I’m not putting anything past this team. You can’t assume we will lose just because we’re on the road. Remember our “great escape” a couple years ago? Of course you do. Not many gave us much of a chance to get a result from those critical road games and we did. I was running TryGol.com at that point and when I proclaimed Fulham would stay up…I caught a lot of shit.
I’m just as confident heading to White Hart Lane as I would be playing Bolton at the Cottage.