Fulham skipper Tom Cairney pointed towards the positives after this afternoon’s draw with Bournemouth – despite admitting that the initial reaction in the home dressing room following the final whistle was one of disappointment.
The Whites went behind in the second minute and, despite Issa Diop’s first goal for the club hauling them level, were losing at the break after Jefferson Lerma fired the visitors ahead. Cairney, whose introduction at half time by Marco Silva, changed the complexion of a contest that looked to be drifting away from the Cottage, believes that the spirit in the side helped Fulham fightback to take a share of the spoils.
“The feeling in the dressing room is one of disappointment not because of the performance, because we knew it was a big opportunity missed for the points. It feels like a game we could have won. I think performance wise you’ve got to take the positives and coming from behind twice – it’s not easy. I think you’ve got to give them a bit of credit, defending the box really well and the keeper made a couple of good saves. It feels like there were so many crosses but we couldn’t get Mitro or Vini on the end of them.”
The Scottish international helped Fulham take a stranglehold a midfield battle where previously they had been far too passive – and pushed the Cherries back in their own half. He hopes to have given Silva a decision to make after solely being used as a substitute in the league so far this term:
“I’ve come on every game so far this season. Whatever situation we’ve been in, I’ve tried to use my experience to try help get us over the line or try and help us get back in games. Me and Willian came on today, tried to get us playing and tried to create chances: try and get us positive. Competition for places is healthy: we’re all fighting for the same goal. We need to stay in this league and I feel like we’re on the right track for that.”
Cairney is already looking forward to Thursday night’s home game with Aston Villa under the lights at the Cottage.
“It’s another big home game. We’re around about the same place as Villa – we’re going to need the fans again on Thursday night. We’ve got to rest up, it is quite a short turnaround. It should be another good atmosphere: I’m looking forward to it.”
Tom Cairney turned this game on its head. As in every other time this season that he has come on from the bench, he showed his ability to control the midfield in relation to retaining the ball and setting up attacks. We are a much better team with him.
Pereira’s set pieces are invaluable, and I believe they are the only reason that he gets the nod instead of Cairney, yet, despite his undoubted skill, he is too lightweight, loses possession too often and fades quickly from games. I always seem to be hoping that he will produce something from nothing and being disappointed. We could do worse than start with Cairney and see how we go.
TC is absolute class as has been shown in each performance from the bench this season….I’d love to see him on for more minutes but perhaps half a game is his optimum and he is more effective in a second half rather than starting when it is all a bit mad and hectic pace…Pereira has done really well with his energy and passing but he does fade into the second half so bringing on TC then is ideal all round…..to say Pereira doesn’t produce something from nothing after that goal against West Ham is a tad harsh!
I agree Cairney should start,why not play with 3 midfielder’s as we look a bit light with 2