There’s no doubt that, looking back on yesterday, that was Fulham’s best performance of the season so far. Just a shame we didn’t have anything to show for it by the end. The way three or four of the players sunk to their knees after the final whistle suggested they knew it was one that got away. Afterwards, a number of Arsenal fans were fullsome in their praise – which was nice, but I’d have preferred a point.
The game hinged on one moment that highlighted the difference between the two sides. Konchesky was a little lax in possession and Robin van Persie was clinical in front of goal. Arsenal might have only mustered a couple of shots on target, but they showed a ruthlessness that – for all our heart and endeavour – Fulham lacked. However well young Vino Mannone played, Dempsey and Zamora were a little wasteful – and our inability to score is something of a concern.
Before we get a little glass-half-empty, there were plenty of positives to dwell on. John Pantsil might have been worried about facing Andrei Arshavin but if he was he didn’t show it. The Russian threatened to get the better of him with a couple of mazy early runs but Pantsil stuck to the task admirably and was probably our best defender. He might countless important blocks and a couple of impeccable last-ditch challenges.
Midfield was the pleasing area for me. Danny Murphy seemed restored to his former self, looking busy and playing smart passes. Dickson Etuhu put in the yards and broke up the play well and, if Dempsey was both quite and a little disappointing in front of goal, that was more than offset by a fun performance from Zoltan Gera. There were the usual moans and groans from a few in front of me when he replaced Damien Duff but he looked adventurous going forward, whipping over a few inviting crosses, strong in the tackle and full of running. If Duff and Simon Davies are out for a while, Gera might just coming into form at the right time.
Fulham are back in European action on Thursday when we welcome Basel to the Cottage. It will be interesting to see what sort of team Roy puts out, especially as Sunday’s trip to West Ham now takes on added significance. I’d be disappointed if we didn’t have a go at taking the game to Basel – as you get the sense that winning our games will be the only way we’ll make it through the group stage. To that end, it would be nice to see AJ and Zamora (who looked a real partnership yesterday) getting another run out.
Let’s hope we can turn in performances of that quality on a regular basis.
I don’t think there is anythoing to worry about yet. I know that we really should have gotten something out of Wolves and we were very unlucky not to get anyhing against Arsenal but as long as we keep putting performances in like yesterday.The goals will come- don’t worry!
We played well yesterday and deserved to get something from the game. We failed to score some guilt edge chances, chances that against the likes of Arsenal, if nit taken will get punished. Ultimtaley they did.
Lydia you are spot on. Play like that against anybody in the league and we will be fine and we also will be entertained.
We do need to take some of those chances. Dempsey looked tired, at one point I think (at 42, 18 stone and sat in row JJ in the JH stand) I could have finished one or two of Bobby Zamora’s chances and got back to my seat before he had tried. Don’t get me wrong BZ brings much to the team but ultimately we lost yesterday because we did not score from our well created chances. I think it woudl be good for the frnt two to be mixed up a bit. Dio deserved more thatn 10 minutes. Elm, Nevland when fit and EJ if in the sqaud could provide alterntives. After all despite the team ideal of defending from the front, it being a team game and all, it is the strikers job is to score.
Definitely glass half full. Lets take Roy at his word and gauge the league after 12 games.
Finally play like we did against Arsenal in the Europa League and we could go well beyond the group stage.
Think you are being a bit harsh on Bobby there Alan. For the most part, he got his shots on target and on another day would certainly have scored two headed goals. The trouble with Kamara is he often wanders off from a central position and probably isn’t disciplined enough to play the role Roy wants.
I was disappointed with Dempsey and quite surprised that Rich in the Observer gave him an 8/10. While he created a few things, his finishing was poor. He should have scored both in the first and second half and was unforgivably wasteful at one point with time running out – when he went for a shot from about 30 yards with both Murphy and Johnson square of him in better positions.
I don’t mean to be harsh against anyone wearing the shirt, I do feel BZ does bring something to the team and there will be games (can’t remember the one last year but he came off the bench and we went from nowhere to winning -Wigan?) but there comes a time when his job, scoreing goals, must be a priority.
Dempsey needs a rest. We know what he can do, he just isn’t doing it at the moment.
No, I just thought that Bobby did everything but score yesterday. It was also an excellent example of leading the line. The game you are thinking of from last season was the 3-0 win over Middlesbrough when he was outstanding as an early substitute. Not sure we have an alternative as a proven goalscorer in the Premier League.
As for Dempsey, I’d agree he probably needs a break.
Gera’s staked a hell of claim to start instead of Dempsey on Thursday now. Will be interesting to see what Roy does. Pantsil was immense – he’s probably been our best player this season.