Tim Ream found Fulham’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Newcastle United ‘tough to take’ – but the centre back tried to take the positives from his return to action from a calf complaint.
The American veteran came through ninety minutes unscathed after six weeks on the sidelines and stressed the importance of competition for places, especially as Calvin Bassey helped set up a crucial second goal that sent Nigeria into the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations. Ream, who was handed the captain’s armband by Marco Silva, told FFCTV:
“It’s a frustrating one. We gave up two set-pieces. I’d argue that the second one shouldn’t even have been a corner; neither here nor there at that point. First half, we were all over them really. It was just a shame that, as the manager says, we got the details wrong on two set pieces and then concede. To have it be from a static situation where you are prepared, you are set up, you’re all in position and still to concede, it hurts a little more.”
Ream was also disappointed by the soft nature of the goals Fulham conceded, particularly Sean Longstaff’s opener that came against the run of play and immediately after a handball by Bruno Guimeraes
“That was touched upon in the dressing room. The argument from some was that the referee saw the handball in the first place so why didn’t he blow [for] it? Again, by the letter of the law the person who handballs it, doesn’t score – so they check it and the goal stands. Again, you concede just before half time, it’s a tough one to take.
It seems so obvious but goals change games. If one of those chances in the first half – Rodrigo’s that the keeper makes a fingertip, if that goes in, if there’s not an offside call and Willian’s stands, the game changes. Goals change games. They got the first one. We huffed and puffed and didn’t quite do enough to put the ball in the net.”
Ream’s return to first-team action was one of the few highlights of a frustrating evening for the Fulham faithful.
“I’m a little fatigued but it feels good to be back on there. It’s been a tough six to seven weeks, rehabbing and making sure that I get back fit and able to play and contribute. Unfortunately, it comes in a loss but I’m happy to be back and happy to part of the team and playing ninety minutes again. We need competition everywhere, that’s something that the manager has always preached. Being able to come back and play ninety minutes in the first game, puts that competition in place, gives different options for the way we went to play and keeps other teams on their toes as well. I’m happy to be back.”
