Fulham full back Cyrus Christie confirmed that Brentford’s trash talking in the build up to the play-off final served as extra motivation for the Whites at Wembley.
The Republic of Ireland international came off the bench as Scott Parker’s side beat their local rivals 2-1 earlier this month to clinch an instant return to the top flight and Christie contrasted Brentford’s confidence with his side’s more measured approach ahead of the game. Speaking to the On The Ball podcast earlier this week, the 27 year-old gave credit to his manager, both for setting the tone ahead of the big game and for devising a game plan that outwitted Thomas Frank after Brentford had won both league clashes during the regular season.
Christie revealed that his team-mates took inspiration from the Netflix documentary The Last Dance, which chronicled Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls, with a behind the scenes look at the basketball legend’s final season with the franchise.
Building up a lot of us were watching The Last Dance and playing clips, and for our manager that was something he could relate to in terms of the psychological aspect. We were quiet, we were humble, and I believe Brentford did a lot of talking in the press leading up to the game. I think that kind of gave us the extra edge as well, we used that as added motivation, not that we actually needed any.
The suggestion from Brentford midfielder Emiliano Marcondes that Fulham might ‘fear’ his side having lost the two local derbies that had taken place during the regular season was eagerly seized upon by the Fulham squad.
For us it was added motivation, we picked up on it straight away and other people were telling us about it. They obviously said that we would fear them because they had won the two previous games. We were confident and knew we had prepared properly and done the job right, and we knew the occasion was there for us. We’ve got big players that love big occasions, and we rose to that.
Christie also heaped praise on double goalscoring hero Joe Bryan:
Joe Bryan was the main man and the hero for that game which was fantastic for him, because he’s a wonderful player and he’s a fantastic guy. He’s properly come under a bit of criticism, a bit of stick, for probably no reason really at all. For him to take that moment, it was fantastic to see.
Anything can happen when it comes to the play-offs in a one-off game. They did a lot of talking, and it was added motivation for us. But at the end of the day we knew the biggest prize was on the line, and we knew we could go down in the history books at Fulham with another promotion.
The clock’s ticking by, and you’re thinking, when is this going to end? I believe we were the strongest team throughout in that game and I believe we played the best game, and I wouldn’t say they had many clear-cut chances really.
They did do a lot of talking, been a Fulham fan since 1960 never wanted to win a game so much. Christie saying Joe being a nice guy. Makes me want to say what a nice guy Cyrus is he also got unfair stick and has turned it round, and him and Odio do so much good outside football . We have a really nice bunch of players and manager success well deserved
Christie is good enough for prem his quick strong and his defending has improved, odie is a legand need him around the club such a good influence on the whole squad.
Fulham are getting relegated (palace fan)
Apparently there are four West London sides, the lot from down the road who play in Fulham, Quite Probably Relegated sorry QPR, however Brentford don’t have London postcode it’s TW which is Twickenham therefore must be classed as country boys.
When I first attended FFC on 12th December 1959 v Spurs we drew 1-1 and I think a certain Jimmy Hill scored. Back in those days the only other West London in the 1st division where the other team that plays in Fulham.
A question what do Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and Liverpool have in common they have all won the Premiership ONCE.
I think we could join that exclusive club next.
Well one has to dream.
Keep the faith COYW.
Really like Cyrus both as a player and a man
Loved shoving Brentfords words back down their throats.
In fairness any other year it would have been a disaster losing. But the fact is no fans will watch many games post 20/21. so as a bee nothing will be more gut wrenching than missing Liverpool away spurs home etc etc. With no fans it’s not the same, in truth to ffc it must be the norm away from home, as there away support is near enough a lockdown anyway.
With doubt the three best teams went up .Fulham’s position next season will depend largely on the start they make and confidence will build in an already buzzing squad with a solid start. Christie’s comments are so true to the mark. Brentford underestimated Fulham and almost took the win for granted without wanting to work hard enough for it and Fulham capitalized. Bring on the new season and more progress at the cottage
Only one comment from bees player before the game so parker did a good job convincing fulham players of too much talk .not sure bees underestimated fulham either .i just saw fulham nick a tight game in extra time .good luck fulham for next season
Dave Bell is one of those people obsessed with post codes! These are irrelevant geographically, All four clubs plus AFC Wimbledon come from a Thamesside region which forms a distinctive area of London, but they are hardly massive rivals ! Chelsea are too big. Wimbledon too small. And Brentford and QPR have no real history with Fulham(.until maybe this year!). Personally, I have never met a Brentford fan and only one from QPR, and I’ve lived in SW London all my life and socialised widely in Twickenham and Isleworth! Face it , this isnt Rangers / Celtic or Newcastle/ Sunderland !!!