Paul Konchesky looked utterly shellshocked when he left the field after being shown a late red card – and it seems as though his anger hasn’t dissipated.
In the English Premier League those are not sending offs. It completely changed the game, theres no doubt about that.
It was a shame because we played a great first half and we deserved much more from this match. We dominated in the opening half and we showed we were better than Roma.
Konchesky knows this reverse has hit Fulham’s hopes of qualification but remains upbeat about their chances. The Whites will probably have to win both of their remaining games, at home to CSKA Sofia and at group leaders Basel, to progress to the last 32.
We still have two games left to correct that Roma slip. But its going to be difficult as we now depend on the result of others. Obviously the team will have to overcome suspensions and that is an added complication.
The left back things Fulham will be able to quickly get back into their stride after this defeat.
I think we can get over this defeat quite quickly. We have another game on Sunday. Hopefully we can start from there again.
For sure this defeat will not affect the team mentally. We just have to recover because playing an entire second half down to 10 men is physically tough.
Its going to be hard playing at Wigan but we can cope. Hopefully we can start well and get a good result there. We have two more days to prepare for the game at Wigan and hopefully we will be fine.
“But its going to be difficult as we now depend on the result of others. ”
I keep seeing this – Roy also mentioned it. But surely if Fulham win the next two game they are through with 11 points?
Yep. The way I work it out two wins puts us through. Straight after the game I guess, with emotions running high, it’s easy to forget that our two rivals – Roma and Basel – have to play each other next.
Two wins needed. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?
Either that or Hodgson is using it as the perfect excuse to exit Europe, with the blame very much on the referee, and concentrate on the league. But that is just the hard cynic in me. It’d be brilliant if we won them both as I’m going to the Basle game.
I think that is the cynic in you. Hodgson never wants to lose a game and we’ve still got this proud unbeaten at home record in Europe to defend. He’ll prioritise league points, but given his history in Switzerland, he’ll want to put on a good show over there too. We aren’t out of it yet.