We’ve known for a while – especially if you’re female – that social media can be a cesspit. None of the platforms that initially bought us closer to our friends and family and then introduced us to people we’ve never met are immune from amplifying abuse and arguments. Twitter’s takeover by one of the worst techbros in Elon Musk only seems to have increased the toxicity of that medium, although the network’s redeeming feature (at least in my eyes) is allowing someone like myself, who lives hundreds of miles from Craven Cottage, to tap into a fanatical Fulham community.
Living up in the north east, Sunday’s game against Newcastle is a home game – and I was perhaps the only Fulham fan gutted that the FA Cup tie against Sunderland was in SW6 rather than closer to my neck of the woods. Hull City was a simple enough journey for me to join the Fulham following (much less problematic on a train strike day for myself than the London-based contingent) and it was a great away day. The Whites won a Cup tie that would probably have lost under the likes of Jol, Meulensteen, Magath and Parker, with Marco Silva shrewdly shuffling his squad to see off the tenacious Tigers. Fulham were under pressure for much of the ninety minutes and were indebted to Marek Rodak for several smart saves and then Dan James for killing off the contest with a blistering breakaway in added time.
And that’s where the social media element of this post comes in. I was saddened by the reaction to James’ admittedly below-par performance as a substitute against Southampton, because I’m very much of the view that players pulling on the white shirt deserve our support. The Welsh winger, rather like his compatriot Harry Wilson before he moved to Craven Cottage, is a talent in need of a permanent home to flourish again – as he did strikingly at Swansea. Anyone who has seen how influential James has been at international level over the past few years would recognise his value – and his brief Fulham career has been stop-start, owing to injuries and the competition for places on the wings all of a sudden.
A contributor to a popular Fulham fans’ website rated James’ contribution at the MKM Stadium as worth a mark of 2.5/10. The site in question has clarified subsequently that such clickbait was cruel – which is correct, but I do think a broader assessment of James’ value to Marco Silva and the first team in general is required. His Fulham career has totalled only 431 minutes at present. That is such a small sample size upon which to make a judgement on whether he is worth a future at Fulham or not. Many comments, including some here, have suggested that the best move would be for the club to terminate his loan in order to free up a precious domestic loan spot. That would be ridiculous in my view when James has scored against Manchester United and Hull, possesses lightning pace, and – at the very least – represents a real asset as a substitute to trouble tiring full backs.
Fulham’s recent history is also full of footballers who got off to slow starts but grew into club legends. Chris Baird is an obvious example. Zoltan Gera’s first season was so underwhelming that some Fulham fans questioned whether Roy Hodgson was senile and had forgotten to substitute him. We know how wrong-headed those opinions sound in retrospect. Bobby Zamora didn’t look like he could hit a barn door in his first term by the River Thames, before turning into one of the sharpest strikers in Europe. Even Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland looked like fishes out of water until the Great Escape. Going further back, Chris Coleman had a shocking debut against Brentford and the Hammersmith End hammered Barry Hayles as a waste of money in his own early days.
I’m not suggesting that James will become a cult hero like the names listed above. It may even be that his Fulham career ends with a farewell in May as both parties move on. But, the personalisation of the criticism of his performances, is symptomatic of the social media era and a need for instant opinions. We only need to look at the way that Tim Ream has proved the doubters wrong for a pertinent example of how fickle football fans can be. Dan James was probably the only Fulham player who could have punished Matt Ingram for remaining in our penalty area at the end of Saturday’s game in the manner that he did. He settled a Cup tie that was very much in the balance – and keeps us dreaming of the kind of Cup run I’ve been craving for at least a few more weeks.
No player, least of all James, goes out wanting to misplace a pass or deliver a poor cross. In the pantheon of Fulham underperformers I’ve watched since the mid-1980s, James wouldn’t even be a footnote. He’s an extremely talented footballer and he deserves the full support of our entire fanbase. That would be the Fulham way to get behind a winger who’s still striving to make an impression.
Finally an adult in the room. Great comment and analysis. My reaction to the 2.5 rating was the same as yours, though I could go further. Dan James obviously needs to refind his mojo and if anyone can help him do this, Marco can. He obviously hasn’t given up on him otherwise he wouldn’t pick him. If Dan can regain the form he showed at Swansea and in early performances at United, he would undoubtedly be a great asset for us, and in spite of all the criticsm, he has shown he is beginning to settle into the way we play. It ultimately may not work out and I’m not saying he should be beyond criticsm, but continually putting him down doesn’t help and though this may conform to the norms of social media, is more deserving of the spirit of CFC rather than FFC.
So very well put and something of a relief to see this written. Let’s get behind our players rather than slaughtering them with the “Fulham Roar” of criticism. Like Chloe I have noticed the fan base seemingly has one player a season singled out for the “Fulham Roar” those fans spend too much time and energy expressing dissatisfaction rather than singing their encouragement. Supporters play an important role backing players to be their very best and more besides. Trust in Marco and Luis, if they select a player to do a job in the Fulham shirt I am with them; if they don’t think a player is good enough he won’t get selected. So next time Dan takes to the field do your best to win it for Fulham.
Anyone who can run fast can score a goal when the keeper has gone AWOL. James can definitely run fast but everything else is so poor and has been for many years not just the 431 minutes at Fulham. We should send him back if that’s possible.
James deserves his chance at Leeds but play him in his rightful position
which is on the wing.
As a Fulham fan based in Ireland who like you only get to see the team a few times a year including this Thursday v Chelsea being our Xmas treat for our two lads I agree 200 % with your comments
One of the 2 lads ie my son plays Semi pro here in Irish league and I have seen at first hand what a role confidence by Managers and fans make to players and such belief can transform players overnight
No problem publishing this e mail.from a die hard fan who has been through the mill as a Fulham fan down through the years but has been present for those great days in Hamburg and Wembley
Your probably right he does need support but he lost the ball almost every time against Southampton and I for one got frustrated. I don’t think a player loses all their skills just like that and a run of games could help, but Fulham need everyone to be at their best every time they put that shirt on. Hopefully he will come good and those who doubt him will give him the support he needs
Count mistakes and you risk finding yourself with a long list! To the gent above saying DJ “list the ball” many times, why arnt u criticise BDR for causing the free kick that cost the 1-1. Or mitro who miss the pen? Or again BDR who almost cost another goal against Hull? Again, i m not looking for those mistakes as this is the game! You do good and sometime not so good. But the abuse level of DJ is way above it! Gone too far with no reason, the last one by fulhamish was a disgrace! All players need backing and support from fans! All of them!
Carr on supporting James it could pay off for us if he regains confidence.
Nicely put. Criticism is never going to be stopped on fansites (and neither should it be) but it should be measured and targeted to improve performance, not humiliate. There’s enough hate in the world without all us armchair managers adding to it and crushing the spirit of a young man who does his best. Nobody comes to work to do a bad job!
I agree Chloe.
He is a frustrating player to watch, he often loses control of the ball in tight situations and his crossing could be improved, But-his contribution was responsible for Fulham’s last two goals, the penalty and the knock in. Both goals eased the pressure of the game. Many strikers do very little and then score or make the vital assist.
Maybe we have to look at his skills slightly differently, not as an out and out winger. I think he’s been a great addition to the squad.
Listen to the fan base criticism I think we would be sunk – Ream , BDR, Kebano, Robinson , Tete, Cairney , all written off as non premier league .. Signings like Willian , and Andreas got the “ no way will cut it “ too old or too unpredictable .. Diop not worth the money … Then the degree of criticism any one gets for making mistakes .. “useless” , “disgrace” and these are the polite ones …. Let’s be constructive … and let’s remember talent needs to be nurtured – and Marco is clearly brilliant at that .. so the only person I am going to listen to carefully is him and Boa – COYW
… and forgot to say Chole spot on in saying
“Dan James was probably the only Fulham player who could have punished Matt Ingram for remaining in our penalty area at the end of Saturday’s game in the manner that he did. “
No one else in team would have the speed to do it . !
Chloe is of course absolutely right. This is the best top league start ever for us but the knives have to be out for someone and it’s not just Dan James – Vinicious too.
Maybe it’s better that this happens on line and not at a near empty stadium which used to be the case. I remember Gary Brazil snarling “f***ing back us you c***s” in my general direction perhaps for something I shouted – I wasn’t alone in not rating him.
The team need Marco’s confidence to drive them, not just one player it takes a team to win. We know how to survive, but it’s a group game not individuals who will keep us there.
Sorry to be contrary but please let’s separate twits on twitter from professional sportspeople’s performances.
I wonder if Dan James cares as much as you do about being vilified by a bunch of imbeciles…I hope and trust not.
Being a professional performer means you’re on a stage doing what you do while we all watch and applaud or jeer.
Dan James has underperformed for a few years, sure he was great with Swansea but subsequently found it difficult in the top league.
Willian has lit it up as has Kebano and the sight of Solomon jinking his way past Tigers was pretty exciting.
Dan James is quick but that’s about it, Solomon’s injury and then Kebano’s is the reason he’s in the side.
Please let’s not feel sorry for Daniel James who is well off and can do whatever he wants.
If you don’t like twitter don’t continue being a twit.
Boycott twitter.
“especially if you’re female”…”techbros”
Your irritating ‘battle of the sexes’ tripe spoils what is otherwise a sensible article.
I’d get over it, Leigh. Chloe’s absolutely entitled to write about things from a female perspective. She writes exceptionally well and you appear to be the only one who is irritated by what I feel is a very well made point.