What a day. I’m just back to the house after a trip to Huddersfield were Fulham showed the Championship that they mean business under Marco Silva. My last game was our trip to the Etihad in the FA Cup at the start of 2020, so it was nearly emotional watching the boys march onto the pitch before kick-off.
Last season was just so awful. I think it was worse because we had to watch from home, gaping into our TV screens at empty, soulless stadiums, knowing that there was nothing we could do to try and give our team something to feed off. Players like Mitrovic are built for crowd interaction, and already we can see a big improvement in his play. I’m not saying that we went down last year because of no crowds, I’m just saying that it might not have been quite so embarrassing. Last season was poor for so many reasons but now, under a new manager, we seem to have been given the kiss of life.
Being on the concourse, taking in the sights and sounds of live football is fantastic. Making your way to your seat, being surrounded by the people you haven’t seen in over 18 months was heart-warming. Watching Fulham be utterly ruthless away from home was exhilarating.
After two games in the Championship no one has a 100% record. It’s a sign that no team will find it easy, but if we play like we did today every week, we can expect big things from this team. Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Huddersfield were hopeless. That first goal was an absolute comedy show and we aren’t going to get many gifts like that throughout the season. But it was our response to moments of a Huddersfield fightback that has impressed me most today. Firstly, when they scored their goal, it would have been very Fulhamish to allow them to get on top. Even though we were dominating before that, a goal can be all it takes to swing the momentum but instead we went straight up the other end and restored our two goal lead. Lovely build up play, and clinical finishing from Fabio Carvalho who has looked brilliant in the handful of games he has played since the end of last season. Then, when Harry Wilson was given his marching orders, again we could have seen a Huddersfield fightback. Last season we would have seen some sort of defensive change at that point. Hold what you have and all that, which so often resulted in us surrendering points, but Silva clearly doesn’t have the same coaching book that Scott Parker had been working from. Changes were made, but Cavaleiro was brought on to stretch the game, something he did within seconds, chipping over the Huddersfield keeper for our fourth of the day. And he bagged the fifth as well with another composed finish that we didn’t see enough of last season.
An incredibly satisfying day were Silva’s Fulham lay down a marker. It was wonderful to witness and it feels amazing that football and the fans have finally been reunited.
#COYW
Beautiful writing that got me a little emotional
No More Parker Ball Terrific.5 goals away from home fantastic. However I do not want to get to carried away as we are unlikely to play a team as poor as Huddersfield very often.
There were lots of really big positives. Ivan Caveleiro probably had his most productive 15 minutes in a Fulham shirt.He could be our Super Sub, Fabio Carvalho is one of the best young players in at Fulham for some seasons . We must do everything yo get him to sign a new contract. There was vast improvement from Mitro. With the absence of Harrison Reed including Seri and Anguissa in the squad and playing one of them is astute. They will want to impress other clubs so everyone gains At this level Bobby D-Reed looks the part. Harry Wilson is a brilliant player but must learn to control his petulance on the slight negative we still look very susceptible at defending crosses side. i would play Rodak in goal. Only other change I would consider is Bryan for Robinson
Parker Ball RIP ! Silva Ball Here to Stay ! The Manager is playing Players to their strength. Example is
Caveleiro – Many Fulham knocked him but Parker did not play him to his natural talents . I have a good Benfica friend who told be he is excellent. I think playing Anguissa and Siri great idea . Use them till we loose them . They are getting paid in any case and they should seek to shine if they want to sign elsewhere . I think starting line up s good but agree lets have JB and Rodak on . But the score line yesterday more about Town’s weakness than strengthens – lets not get to carroes away
I was one of those that ripped onto Cavaleiro. I fully understand he should never have been played out of position as our central striker last year. For that alone the human crab of Parker lost my confidence. But even as a central striker Cavaleiro still had moments where he was in promising positions and his touch and finishing was dire. Those 2 touches, the chest and finish, for his first goal were the best 2 touches of his Fulham career. If it’s confidence growing or luck or Silva making him comfortable we’ll find out over time….but long may it continue…..what a goal!