Scott Parker acknowledged that Fulham failed to match the intensity of Sunday’s draw with Liverpool as they settled for a point against relegation rivals Brighton and Hove Albion this evening.
Fulham’s first goalless home draw in 196 matches saw the visitors create the clearer openings and Adam Lallana had a second half strike ruled out by the video assistant referee after a handball from Danny Welbeck. Parker praised his side for maintaining their composure during a sticky period after the break, telling his post-match press conference:
I felt tonight we lacked a little something, we look a little bit jaded. I recognise we need to play better with the ball. We came under some big pressure early in the second half and weathered a storm. We haven’t been so good at doing that, so I’m pleased with that.
We kept a clean sheet, and we had a couple of big chances. We wanted to win the game, but it was an even game. We’ll take it in small steps and grow further. It’s been well documented at times we haven’t withstood pressure. Before you know it, we’re one down, it gives you an uphill task. They pressured from set plays, but we were always in the game. We move on now.
Well, crashing back down to Earth in, what was, a reality check as to where we are in our development as a Premiership team.
Once again, Scott Parker tinkered with our midfield. What exactly he is up to is a mystery.
Having preferred Lemina over Reed against Liverpool-and having had his selection justified by a pleasing performance from the Southampton loanee-he changed the midfield line up yet again. In doing so, he, basically, left us with just two central midfielders to try and control the middle of the park, as Loftus Cheek was, yet again, a drifter and Decordova Reid was, presumably, supporting Aina once more. It just makes no sense to me and, second half, we almost paid the penalty as Brighton dominated with Anguissa and Reed overrun.
When Parker finally decided to make a change, I was astounded when, instead of bringing on Lemina to support the midfield, he took Reed off.
That Loftus Cheek stayed on as long as he did was also a costly decision on Parker’s part. I understand that Parker is attempting to bolster his confidence and, constantly being subbed cannot help in that regard, but the guy, for all his talent, was content to play at an ambling pace and that is something we just can’t afford. I would have preferred to have seen Tom Cairney come on to complement Reed and Anguissa as we so badly needed some creativity.
In fact, I would have liked to see those three start the game.
However, to keep things on a positive footing, we didn’t lose and kept a clean sheet. A point is a point.
Once again, our keeper looked more than adequate when needed and Andersen was a colossus.
These kind of sub par performances are bound to happen over the course of a season and, hopefully, we can bounce back against Newcastle.
I cant decide between RLC and Cairney. I also think it is ok to bring in fresh legs in midfield after Sunday. I think Parker has it about right. He has more information than us as to where everyone is at.
But…Cav for Mitro. That decision is a total mystery to me. Maybe there’s an argument against the better teams away from home to go with pace on the break. At home against Brighton…the game was made for a physical presence to hold the ball, bring other people into play and get in the box. Sorry Parker, I just dont get your obsession with Cav. I hope he’ll come good but 1 goal in 30 games (most in a top Championship side) is shocking.