I outline below the changes which should have been considered.
1. As Dan points out in his excellent succinct report of the match, (Makeshift defence stifles Sunderland – posted November 19,) Fulham’s back four for this game comprised three central defenders (Messrs Hangeland, Senderos, and Hughes,) plus a central defender / right back (Chris Baird) positioned at left back. Although this scratch unit operated reasonably well defensively, it quickly became evident that neither of the makeshift fullbacks had the ability and/or the inclination to get forward in an endeavour to provide the width which was conspicuously lacking in Fulham’s attacking play. A strategic change could have been made at half time by subbing off Senderos, moving Baird to central defence, and bringing on Mathew Briggs to play at left back with a remit to get forward and provide crosses. Fulham’s Under 21 international is genuinely quick and would have added an important attacking dimension.
2. It is questionable whether Damien Duff should have started this game at all, given that during the previous week he had been involved in two strenuous and vitally important international games for the Republic of Ireland. A bold and imaginative strategy would have been to field in his place that most exciting young prospect Kerim Frei. However Frei was left at home; Duff started and had a subdued game throughout. Given that his slight contribution to the game, surely the opportunity should have been taken to sub him for Pajtim Kasami at half time. Kasami is another exciting young prospect who’s all out commitment and energy could well have lifted the team’s performance.
3.Why was Bryan Ruiz not introduced until the 87th minute, – and indeed what positive purpose was there in bringing him on for Duff at this very late point? A creative move would have been to substitute Bryan, (a naturally left sided player with an eye for goal,) for Dempsey early in the second half. (As anyone who viewed the France v USA in the week will know, Dempsey had a very tough time playing up-front in that game, with the French players taking turns to thump into him.) If not then, why not put on Bryan when it was 20 minutes from time with the scores level and the chance of three points if he could poach a goal?
4.Why was A.J.’s substitution for Bobby Zamora delayed until the 68th minute, when it was clear by half time that Bobby was off the pace?
5.Why wasn’t Danny Murphy subbed for the last 20 minutes, by when it was becoming apparent that he was beginning to fade?
The spine to the Fulham squad remains a number of relatively old players who are approaching the final stages of their respective careers. At the same time Fulham have some truly outstanding young prospects both within,(Marcel Gecov, Kasami, Sa, and Ruiz,) and also on the fringes of the squad, (for example Kerim Frei and Dan Burn). It is vitally important if they are to achieve their potential, that these young players gain playing experience at the highest level.
In the Cup games earlier this season it was encouraging to see that Martin Jol was introducing a few new young players. However this practice has not yet been carried forward to any extent in Premiership games, and seems also to have ceased in the Europa cup if the last home game against Wisla Krakow is anything to go by. It is now a matter of real concern that Martin Jol has used fewer players (20 in total) than any other manager of a premier league side. It is not as if Fulham were a settled side which is doing particularly well at present.
Should the manager have been less cautious and made timely substitutions in this game? This is an issue which I pondered over long and hard during the tedious coach journey home from Sunderland. (The trip this time seemed so much longer than that back from Sunderland late last season following our splendid nil-three victory.) I do appreciate that whether or not to sub is often a difficult judgement call. However it does seem to me, on balance, that subs giving greater width and variation in attack might just have done it, and most importantly that a point against Sunderland is not really ‘a result’. If Fulham are to aspire to be a contender in the top half of the Premiership then, this is the sort of game we need to win.
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