Fulham would have travelled to Blackpool in good spirits following the international break after completing the first month of the season unbeaten, with Marco Silva winning the Championship manager of the month award and the Whites sitting at the top of the table. Predictions of a comfortable Cottagers victory were misplaced as the Whites’ air of invincibly evaporated at the seaside, with former Fulham youngster Josh Bowler scoring the only goal of the goal at the start of the second half to give the Tangerines a thoroughly deserved first win of the new campaign.
Fulham set up in the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation that Silva has deployed since taking over at Craven Cottage. Domingos Quina was handed a debut after joining from Watford on transfer deadline day, replacing the injured Fabio Carvalho, who proved to be a significant loss. Ivan Cavaleiro came in for Harry Wilson, who was still suffering from the concussion sustained with Wales on international duty. The visitors struggled to get going at all in the game, unable to permeate the Blackpool press, with the tigerish home side putting in 21 tackles in the game – more than they’ve made in any other match so far this season.
Blackpool began in a 4-4-2 and they put their high-flying opponents under the pump from the outset. Neil Critchley’s outfit were relentless in their pressuring, rushing around the white shirts and regularly forcing mistakes high up the pitch. Towards the end, with a deserved lead to hang onto, the hosts set up a lot more defensively with two deep banks of four – almost sitting deeper and challenging Fulham to break them down.
SERI CHANCE
Jean Michael-Seri had one of Fulham’s few half chances in the first half. As the ball was switched out to Decordova-Reid, we saw Antonee Robinson driving forward down the left flank, fixing Blackpool right-back Jordan-Lawrence Gabriel in position and allowing Decordova-Reid the opportunity to drive inside and take on the second Blackpool midfielder who tracked back to try and cover the threat from the former Bristol City forward.
Decordova-Reid beats his man to link up with Mitrovic as Fulham hit a point in the attack where they often find themselves in around the edge of the opponents box. Decordorva-Reid tries to drift in behind the Blackpool back four, but the pass from Mitrovic can’t get through. This is because Blackpool worked hard to stay compact and get numbers behind the ball making it extremely difficult to get any pass in behind them, forcing Fulham to shoot from range on multiple occasions.
When the rebound from Mitrovic through ball falls kindly for Seri on the edge of the box, the Blackpool defence are quick to close him down by throwing bodies in front of the ball. Seri is limited to either shooting from range first time or trying to make a fifty-fifty pass to Cavaleiro, who is well marked by Luke Garbutt. The option for the shot isn’t a bad one due to the pressure from the defence, and the Ivorian midfielder was unlucky as his effort flew fractionally wide.
BLACKPOOL 1-0 FULHAM (BOWLER 49)
Fulham successfully defended a Blackpool free-kick at the start of the second half looked set for a promising counter-attack led by Robinson, Seri and Quina. But the move petered out as sloppy passing surrendered possession to the home side inside the Fulham half. Blackpool could new exploit a vulnerable defence with four white shirts out of position.
There was a distinct lack of Fulham pressure down the Blackpool right. Bowler made good progress down that flank and an overlap from Gabriel dragged Robinson slightly wider to track the run of the full back, opening up a pocket of space between Seri and the American international for the winger to drive into.
A lapse in communication between Robinson and Seri means that by the time Seri realises that he has to stop Bowler’s run, the wide man was already past him and the Ivorian couldn’t make a challenge to cut him off. Tim Ream could have also realised the danger slightly earlier in the attack and come across to help deal with the threat that Bowler posed. The American veteran wasn’t marking anyone and could have stepped into the space putting more pressure onto Bowler making it much more difficult for Bowler to get the shot off.
There are also question marks about Paulo Gazzaniga’s goalkeeping here. It never looks good for a goalkeeper to be beaten at the near post – but this one looked particularly poor.
KEY TACTICAL TAKEAWAYS
The biggest obstacle Fulham failed to overcome was playing through the Blackpool press with the visitors’ midfield proving particularly culpable. Seri and Josh Onomah are extremely talented footballers, but they don’t have the pace and energy that Harrison Reed can inject from the base of midfield. As a combination, they might be too leisurely, which can result in a rather laboured tempo when faced with a high press. On reflection, this felt like a fixture that would have suited Reed, who could have made a real difference in curbing Blackpool’s breaks as well as moving the ball more quickly to stretch the home defence.
Going forward, Fulham sorely missed the creativity of Fabio Carvalho and Harry Wilson. They created far fewer chances than in previous games and never seriously looked like scoring. The pair would have changed the angle of attack and asked more questions of the Blackpool defence. Fulham only had four shots on target, a significant reduction of the nine they managed against Stoke before the international break.
None of this is meant to detract from a brilliant Blackpool performance. Critchley’s side were extremely effective in stopping Fulham from playing and proved clinical in front of goal when Bowler got free down the right flank. This game reiterates the difficulty and competitiveness of the Championship, but as long as both Silva and Fulham can learn the lessons from a frustrating afternoon swiftly, they can be still of confident of a strong season.
One factor that’s been totally overlooked is ‘passion’, both on and off the pitch. Fulham never matched the motivation on the turf or in the stands. Some of the Fulham players, albeit of obvious technical ability, fell short when ‘push came to shove. Whereas the tangerines not only met them head on but relished the challenge. Then last but not least came the electrifying energy from the Seasiders 12th men. Their unique crescendo of noise fuelled the charge from start to finish.
Brilliant, balanced and very fair report and analysis as seen by a Pool season ticket holder
Terrific analysis, Herbie. I concur with most of the points made here, but the striking thing is how a top of league side couldn’t match Blackpool’s intensity. Fulham were at least a yard off the pace from the first whistle – and that isn’t something you can switch on and off like a light switch.
I also thought that this game was tailor made for Reed, who can provide protection for the back four and inject a bit of bite into midfield. I’m almost at the end of my tether with Cavaleiro but I shall end my rant here.
Fantastic analysis which really plugs the gap for us fans who wish to see something more/different than the usual subjective analysis, applauding some players and criticising others. Must have taken you ages to do but well worth the time spent.
I think you suffered from what many teams do at Bloomfield. It’s only Blackpool, the team give 100% every match win, loose or draw.
We will take some punishment this season from teams, but we will have fun doing so
Was a fantastic performance from the Blackpool team and they fully deserved the 3 points
Fulham squad must be worth 100 million pound but they looked a very average championship team and if they play like they did against little Blackpool there will be more points lost to other teams with more fight in them
Great analysis of the game.
There are a few other contributing factors to this game and that is Critchley’s recruitment during the transfer window and the international break. The return and purchase of Gabriel fro. Forrest after his loan spell last season fill’s the shortfall we have had at right back and the addition of Wintle number 8 on his debut in midfield made a huge difference and the recent return of Marvin Ikpetita at centre half (I think that is how it is spelt).
Every player gave there all for Blackpool but those players made the difference for me.
It was clear how much we missed Carvalho and Wilson and Robinson had one of his worst games in a Fulham shirt, Bowler gave him a real hard time. It’s not panic time as no team will go unbeaten all season and we’ll have far more ups than downs.
Very good analysis again. With a small number on international duty, Blackpool had 10 days to prepare for this and had their plan. Other teams will set up like this. We missed the movement of Wilson and Carvalho. Is it wise to play the Americans after the international break when we have cover?
Fair play for giving credit to Blackpool where it was due; as one of your fans said, you didn’t look up for it.
I don’t know if you expected to walk it: given that in your preparations you’d have seen the same quality of football that we have…but our injury returns and new signings changed our outlook completely.
If we can play like that every week, we’ll be up there with you come the end of the season!!
Yes I think Chri has a sound point in that why play those who have been on international duty. The games they play and the travelling cannot be good preparation. Fulham have cover in most positions and should have used this at Blackpool. Could have brought on our internationals as subs if required. That’s what a squad is for surely.
In reply to Michelle on tiny Blackpool that’s crap were as big a club similar size town to ,Burnley prescum ,Blackburn not tiny at all and much better support than yours ,and teams with more fight in them you won’t see more fight in any this season more than pool players did on sat ?
Reed should have definitely played, as should Bryan instead of Robinson – who was only just back off USA International duty. We’ve got decent squad/cover – why not use it.
Michael Harrison You repeat the media jackasses myth of FFC have poor support
. As a FFC fan since 1953 I can tell you that is total crap. Were that so. Wudda gone out of business in 1987 and 1997. Blackpool despite the stats won it fair and square. Be happy.
On a reread MH I think you were having a pop at Blackburn. However, I stick with the rest of my post.
GC agree. Joe Bryan would provide better crosses for Mitro.