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Saturday, December 21, 11:50:35am [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4 ]

The Independent Fulham Forum

Word of Caution Southampton Sunday -- Dell Boy, Saturday, December 21, 10:40:33am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
Being Compared unfairly in my opinion to the Derby team that were Relegated with a Record low points tally. In General they’ve been pretty Competitive in Loads of matches including leading Liverpool at Home. If I’m not mistaken weren’t Fulham one of only 2 teams didn’t take 3 points of that Derby team in their dreadful season. No Cakewalk tomorrow attitude must be spot on Don’t want another Wolverhampton Result. Would you settle for two draws vs Saints and that Mob on the outskirts. or a Southampton win and Defeat to the Refuge Collectors?

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- 4 points minimum next two games , we had our home ‘blip’ a few weeks ago and it won’t happen again , certainly not against a Managerless Team who haven’t been coached anywhere near enough ‘off the ball’. As for Boxing Day , their defence can certainly be got at and they never seem to raise their levels that much when playing us … (NT) -- Mickey, Saturday, December 21, 10:48:55am (82-132-231-185.dab.02.net/82.132.231.185)
  - Amazing how abysmal our record is against them them Mickster. (NT) -- HemelRog, Saturday, December 21, 11:05:40am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
    - Yes other than 2 seasons ago we never seem to give them a difficult enough game . (NT) -- Mickey, Saturday, December 21, 11:27:55am (82-132-231-185.dab.02.net/82.132.231.185)
Transfer news - Pereira... -- p, Friday, December 20, 11:06:13pm (NoHost/90.213.242.75)

Reports in Brazil that Palmeiras have agreed personal terms with Pereira and are now looking to agreed a deal with Fulham and may offer Vitor Reis or Richard Ríos in part-exchange...

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- Fabrizio Romano has reported that they have submitted a proposal. I get that he’s marmite but he’s a closer fit to what Silva wants in a 10 than ESR is (NT) -- ASPT, Saturday, December 21, 12:28:41am (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
  - Silly season starting again. This is a club whose record transfer before last week was about £9m, and that just broke it at about £11m, in a league with a transfer record signing of £16m. Whether its just cash or cash + player I cannot imagine them absolutely smashing Brazil's transfer fee record for Andreas, nor can I imagine Andreas wanting such a move given where he is in his career (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 21, 01:33:33am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
    - They couldn't afford his left boot. He could go to another Premier League club if the price is right and we have a replacement lined up. (NT) -- Rupert, Saturday, December 21, 08:45:50am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
      - Oh dear . Trusted transfer guru puts out 'another' player Fulham SET price on? The narative this january 'is' Fulham Brass again selling a Fulham starter to plug funding gap due to 'new stand' failures? We'll let Marco decide if its Robbo or Andrea he sells. And is Rios someone he wants. could be? (Push Berge further up?_ (NT) -- MovieFlix, Saturday, December 21, 09:38:49am (178.218.144.99.lowhosting.org/178.218.144.99)
    - Re: Silly season starting again. This is a club whose record transfer before last week was about £9m, and that just broke it at about £11m, in a league with a transfer record signing of £16m. Whether its just cash or cash + player I cannot imagine them absolutely smashing Brazil's transfer fee record for Andreas, nor can I imagine Andreas wanting such a move given where he is in his career (NT) -- +1, Saturday, December 21, 09:49:20am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Re: Transfer news - Pereira... (NT) -- Linked with Rios in the Summer Window., Saturday, December 21, 09:34:42am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Re: Transfer news - Pereira... (NT) -- Pereira been good for us and Fulham for him, Saturday, December 21, 09:47:05am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
System Change? -- Life During Wartime, Friday, December 20, 06:55:25pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
I Reckon there is mileage now Kenny is injured to revert to 3 at the Back Andersen in the middle Diop Right Jorge or Calvin left side Jedi and Tim are Duracell batteries no problems going up and down their Flanks. Definitely food for thought.

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- I just can't see it. Marco is far to consistent and we don't have the depth of centre backs to sustain that. If anything, I think losing Tete makes it less likely not more because there were times in-game (e.g. Man City) where Kenny was played more centrally with Iwobi as a right back. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 07:42:31pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - Centre back is THE position we have depth at. Silva played a back 3 for a while at Everton (NT) -- ASPT, Friday, December 20, 09:42:10pm (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
    - We have four centre backs. For three at the back, assuming a minimum of two per position, we'd need to be carrying six. (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 21, 01:06:29am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
      - So, for instance, last week we had both Andersen and Bassey out, so only had two left. If we were to genuinely switch full-time to a presumptive three at the back, we'd be massively exposed to injury and suspensions with just four CBs, as we'd have three starters with only one waiting in the wings (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 21, 01:17:40am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - although I totally agree that a back 3 works better with king Kenny on the left. He’d be a fine CB (NT) -- ASPT, Friday, December 20, 09:46:44pm (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
    - Right obvs (NT) -- ASPT, Saturday, December 21, 12:29:40am (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
- From what I see Jedi and Tim/Kenny have no problem going up and down their flanks in the current system. When in possession (especially at home) it’s not unusual to see both fullbacks pushed quite high with Berge staying deep with the 2CBs. So, there is currently a very flexible in-game fluidity. If the food for thought is to bring in an extra CB and drop either Berge or Lukic (consistently 2 of our best players) then I don’t see MS brain feeling especially nourished by it, but who knows. (NT) -- smartypants, Friday, December 20, 07:50:53pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
- We go to a 3 a lot when going forward, often tete tucks in next to 2 CBs and allows Robbo to play as a winger and provide width on left, then ESR moves to tbah side and we over load on our left, hence loads of our threat is there, been doing it for ages. When defending we go 4-4-2, again something done for ages, we won’t change from this until we start having more problems, tactics so much more fluid now too. (NT) -- Henry1879, Friday, December 20, 08:26:53pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
  - Spot on (NT) -- ASPT, Friday, December 20, 09:48:45pm (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
    - Re: Spot on (NT) -- Worry about Timo’s Defending Diop fill in space, Saturday, December 21, 10:51:50am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
Fans opinions -- Honest, Friday, December 20, 05:12:41pm (host5-81-118-152.range5-81.btcentralplus.com/5.81.118.152)
I cannot believe personaly that anyone thinks Diop is better than Andersen. I'm very happy to have good competition for the right centreback position but Andersen for me is a far better players. Especially footballing wise his passing is far superior.. Fair play to Diop who has done well when he has come back in and that's exactly what you want healthy competition. Cuenca also did well against Liverpool and that can only strengthen the squad. I expect Bassey to return Sunday and if fit Andersen to play alongside him. What do you guys think?

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- I'm happy with either but Andersen offers leadership which is something I think the team needs. No need to bring him back though until he's 100%. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Friday, December 20, 05:16:24pm (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
- I’m certainly one who thinks diop is better. He has been phenomenal this season. And stats don’t lie, we defend a lot better when he plays. I’m old school though, I don’t care if a defender can launch a ball 60 yards, I prefer them to keep the amount of goals conceded down. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 05:35:06pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
  - I cannot agree I really like Diop but he is an accident waiting to happen every game. He isn't comfortable in possession naturally and Andersen is so much better. Also for a big lad he rarely wins headers when we are taking corners or set pieces I do like him and don't want to critise him too much as he has done well since coming back. It's great that we have cover in these areas. (NT) -- Honest, Friday, December 20, 06:44:15pm (host5-81-118-152.range5-81.btcentralplus.com/5.81.118.152)
- Diop is better in the air, quicker and stronger, but prone to a defensive howler. Andersen is a better passer, calmer and offers greater leadership. Its not clear cut. (NT) -- SW, Friday, December 20, 06:05:33pm (cos2-04-b2-v4wan-171525-cust1783.vm10.cable.virginm.net/82.10.46.248)
  - Well put, they have different attributes. And both have done well. I think I'd be happier with Andersen though. (NT) -- Pablo, Friday, December 20, 06:49:37pm (host81-153-166-30.range81-153.btcentralplus.com/81.153.166.30)
  - Yes, depends how we want to play as well, you wouldn’t want to press high and leave loads of space behind Anderson, but you also waste Anderson’s passing to a degree if you’re happy for the oppo to have the ball like say BHA or Arsenal. No clear cut either way, arguments for both, nice option to have. I do think Cuenca may end up superseding Bassey and becoming a really really good signing. (NT) -- Henry1879, Friday, December 20, 07:21:34pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
    - Against saints, play Andersen, against top six play the better defender. Diop. (NT) -- Common sense, Friday, December 20, 09:13:27pm (customer.lndngbr1.pop.starlinkisp.net/145.224.90.184)
- Re: Fans opinions (NT) -- Diop is playing career best Football, Friday, December 20, 06:36:12pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Looking only at core defensive skills I'd say Diop is the best defender we have. But he is susceptible to the press and doesn't help much with progression. Andersen has leadership skills and passing ability that are clearly superior. I think we should think of Andersen / Diop as horses-for-courses, much like most of the squad. Right now, to my mind, only Leno, Robinson and Iwobi are guaranteed starters. If we play sides likely to sit deep and not press I prefer Diop to Andersen. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 07:16:29pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - Good analysis. You can’t chop and change CBs though IMO. As a CB myself, you do need to get your eye in on things like timing of the tackle, jumping for headers etc. (NT) -- ASPT, Friday, December 20, 09:53:16pm (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
    - I'd bet if you asked a CM, or CF, etc, they'd say the same! To me these two just offer such different skillsets we'd be crazy not to utilize then. If we're pushing high against a team that sits back and hits us on the counter Andersen's biggest strength (long passing) is underutilized, while his weakness (pace) is exposed. Same in reverse with Diop. Think they are great situational options and mature enough to be ready without extended runs to get their eye in (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 21, 01:15:17am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
    - Yeh I’m not sure anymore, arsenal have a pretty set and very solid pair; but Man City have chopped and changed loads during title wins, think football has moved on a little from the settled back 4 of 10/15 years ago like us under hodgson. Cuenca showed last game you can just slot in now, although building partnerships has it’d advantages, but so does horses for courses. (NT) -- Henry1879, Saturday, December 21, 11:02:48am (82-132-222-178.dab.02.net/82.132.222.178)
Nooooo. Tete is out injured for months according to Marco in todays press conference. -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 03:25:21pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
Just when we were starting to get a decent looking back 4 as well.

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- Wonder if it means Devan Tanton will be recalled from his Chesterfield loan... (NT) -- p, Friday, December 20, 03:33:40pm (NoHost/90.213.242.75)
  - Isn’t young luc a right back by trade (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 03:41:05pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
    - Luc De Fougerolles, started as attacking right back!!!!! (NT) -- Al, Friday, December 20, 04:25:41pm (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
      - Then it’s his time to shine. Always looked decent when ever I’ve seen him. Sess isn’t that great in his own position so would hate for him to cover both flanks (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:47:30pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
- I think you are all giving a disservice to Castagne he was excellent last season time for him to step up (NT) -- Button, Friday, December 20, 05:30:19pm (nmal-23-b2-v4wan-169190-cust1261.vm24.cable.virginm.net/80.5.116.238)
  - I don’t think anyone is arguing he is first choice now. It’s cover that’s the concern. (NT) -- Bugaloo’s dad, Friday, December 20, 07:36:18pm (NoHost/90.242.34.128)
    - Luc de F was injured in a Canada training camp and is not expected back until the new year (NT) -- Birdman, Friday, December 20, 08:19:58pm (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
Squad depth -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 02:37:49pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
Some funny comments below related to some of our new and a prospective signing. Andersen is a failure because Diop's currently doing so well. ESR is a failure because we have better options right now in the middle. We shouldn't buy Ferguson because we have Muniz. That kind of stuff.

I think rather than an indication of failure on the part of any player we have, these sentiments are actually coming out of a major success we have now, namely the ridiculous strength of our squad. If Andersen, for instance, can't make it back in because Diop is playing well, is it really a waste of 25m? Is there something wrong with having Muniz and Ferguson lined up for when Raul is gone? To have Castagne and Wilson/Adama there when Tete and Nelson are out for months?

To my mind, we should be aiming to replicate that across the team. More situations where we have 15-25m players fighting to get into the side (like Castagne, Berge before Lukic's injury, ESR now that Berge and Lukic look so good, potentially Andersen now) not less.

So much better to be a side where big money signings have to fight to make an impact, than where they can just walk into a place in the first 11. Proper healthy competition where everyone has to up their game. Marco seems to have an incredible ability to keep players motivated even when they aren't getting starts (see e.g. Wilson). He's allowing us to build in a way I don't think we've ever seen and, to refer to the discussion on best-ever teams, put together a side where it isn't just Haynes, Leggat, Mullery, Cohen, Bentley, Macedo and a bunch of also-rans, but a real team capable of competing across multiple fronts.

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- Re: Squad depth: Great post agree entirely, our new signings have been excellent and our squad is so much stronger. (NT) -- Honest, Friday, December 20, 03:23:08pm (host5-81-118-152.range5-81.btcentralplus.com/5.81.118.152)
- Is that a serious question? If Anderson who cost 25 million can’t get a game because he isn’t as good as what we already have, is that a waste of 25million? Yes of course it is. We didn’t spend that kind of money for a reserve. He was bought as a first choice player. Same for esr. You can’t spend 60 mil on two players who by your admission, make the team worse. Still time for them to improve though. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 03:29:30pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
  - Absolutely serious as it shows the absurdity of caring about player cost. In today's game there simply isn't anything like a "reserve". You need two players per position and to buy the best players possible for each in order to foster a competitive environment and minimize quality drop-off taking into account form, fitness and tactical need. It doesn't matter which one of those two players is performing best in any given moment, so long as both players can perform well when called upon. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 03:48:13pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
    - You don’t think we should care about cost? How can you assess if someone is good value without factoring in costs. Ok let’s do it your way. Forget the money and assess without it. Are they good signings, no they are worse than what we have. Anderson wouldn’t have been signed if tosin had of stayed. Doubt anyone wants to see him play ahead of diop either (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:09:02pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
      - That's correct. I don't think we can merely say "player x cost 25m" and decide. If player x cost 25m and player y is keeping him out despite player x performing at a decent level when called upon then cost really doesn't matter. Look at Castagne. Our most expensive full-back signing at 13.5m. Had a good season but lost his place to Tete. Is he a failure because he was more expensive than Tete but ended up not first choice? He's there when we need him. It's all that matters. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 04:21:42pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
        
        If being a reserve/back up/ just incase player isn’t deemed as failure, when you was bought in on big money, to be a starter, then what is. What do you class as a failure. Because it’s obviously not being good enough for the first team, so either you think every player in the world is a success, or you judge it on another metric. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:28:19pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
        
        Who is "a reserve/back up/ just incase player"!? Competition, causing every player to raise their game, is why we signed Castagne when we had Tete. It is why we signed Diop when we had Tosin. And on, and on. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 04:37:57pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - To theoretically model it: assume, inc. cup games, we play 45 times a year. Left winger (LW) 1 plays 2/3rds of the time, LW 2 plays 1/3rd. If LW 1 is amazing and averages 8/10, while LW 2 is only OK and averages 5/10, we get an average of 7/10 from the LW position. If LW 1 and LW 2 are both 7/10 players, we also average 7/10, but with added insurance (i.e. doesn't matter how many each plays) and potentially lower cost (in that an 8/10 player might be so good as to be prohibitively expensive) (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 04:02:48pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - Andersen *was* brought in to start, and until his injury he *was* the starter. Now he is returning to fitness and Diop is playing well, this is a good thing in squad building. How is that a waste of money? Andersen will probably become the starter again too. In any case, evaluating value for money for a player can't be done at a point in time, it needs to be looked at over an extended period. (NT) -- Jungle J, Friday, December 20, 04:07:20pm (cpc124440-croy27-2-0-cust52.19-2.cable.virginm.net/77.101.86.53)
    - So you agree he was not bought in for the reserves. Do you think he is better than diop? (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:10:59pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
      - When fit and in form, yes. (NT) -- Jungle J, Friday, December 20, 04:24:01pm (cpc124440-croy27-2-0-cust52.19-2.cable.virginm.net/77.101.86.53)
        
        And that’s your opinion and you are entitled to. I’m willing to guess that’s a minority opinion, and stats certainly favour diop, as we concede less goals when he plays over Anderson. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:30:38pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
        
        I’d be amazed if that was a minority opinion. Silva’s team sheet on Sunday will have Andersen on it - one of the few players who Silva will pick on class over form. He’s so important to how we want to play. The stats are meaningless over so few games vs different opposition. (NT) -- ASPT, Friday, December 20, 10:01:57pm (114-129-187-208.ip4.superloop.au/114.129.187.208)
      - I think it's impossible to argue if you still believe there is such a thing as a "reserves". There is no such thing. There is a squad with the expectation that any given player can play at any given moment when needed. It's important to refer to the discussion below on the best Fulham teams and the points raised why the Haynes-era team never made it to the level that the premium talents could have. Andersen at 25m was not brought into be a "reserve". But then again neither was Diop at 15m. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 04:33:12pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
        
        Are you one of those who believes transition is new method in football and not just a fancy name for counter attack? Non first teamers are reserves. You can call it something else but that’s what they are. You make out like reserves didn’t have exepectations to be ready at any given moment when needed. News shock they were. So call it what you want but it’s all the same. And no I don’t think any big money signing who is worse than the player he was intended to replace, is a success. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:43:34pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
        
        Is Harry Wilson a reserve player or 1st teamer? Berge/Lukic don't start every game, are they 1st or reserves? Muniz or Jimenez? Traore? 15 different players have started for FFC this season, Castagne will make 16. I would argue only Cuenca of those 15 is counted as a "bench" player right now - everybody else is up for consideration to start and MS picks based on fitness, form, and tactical fit. The idea that Andersen is a "reserve" because Diop is playing well is kind of strange. (NT) -- Jungle J, Friday, December 20, 05:13:46pm (cpc124440-croy27-2-0-cust52.19-2.cable.virginm.net/77.101.86.53)
        Argument doesn't work here. We used to have reserve teams and leagues because a 1st 11 was almost static with others as mere backups. Now we don't because the game has changed. Last season 493 players made starts in the league last year: just 20% started 75%+ of their team's matches. The average was 16 starts. Last season Tosin started 18 in the league, Diop 16; the year before 23 vs 21. Who was the "reserve" in that relationship? If Andersen replaces Tosin why should we expect that to change? (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 07:38:30pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - The model matters because it's pretty much how we are now approaching squad building. The Diop and Andersen position is a good example. We paid 15m for Diop two seasons ago. Factoring in inflation, that's about 19m this summer. Anderson was reported to be 25m. So we look like we're effectively signing two players who we don't expect to be THAT far apart for one position, much like we have Tete and Castagne (13.5m) at right back (and thank God we do given the news today!) (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 04:09:35pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
    - But you are forgetting who he replaced, diop and tosin were cheaper than Anderson combined, and both better players imo. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:13:26pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
      - I'd agree if Tosin was sold or left without us trying to sign him. But he didn't. He left. We signed Andersen to fill a blank spot left by him and that was the cost to do so and not have a drop-off in quality. From that moment onward it doesn't matter one bit that Andersen was more expensive than Diop if the only reason Andersen loses his place is because Diop fills in so well during an unforeseen injury that Andersen can't just walk back in. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 04:28:04pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
        
        There is a drop off in quality though. Stats don’t lie. And as to diop only getting in through Anderson lack of composure and injuries, think more than a few were disappointed when diop was dropped after Anderson came in as he was one of our better players. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 20, 04:35:08pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
        
        What are the stats you’re using? Keep reading diop is better statistically, but which stats? You also have to factor Anderson will help a lot in an offensive sense with his passing. As it stands in fine with either depending on who we play. People also need to stop saying someone is a failure or a bad signing after 4 months, players are signed for 4+ years for a reason, only after that period can you really say if anyone was a success or not. (NT) -- Henry1879, Friday, December 20, 05:34:48pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
press conf -- 70s football man (man), Friday, December 20, 02:03:39pm (cpc160099-nmal26-2-0-cust468.19-2.cable.virginm.net/82.18.161.213)
Tete out for 8 weeks

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- No surprise, shame though. At least we have a decent backup, do we have a decent backup to Chestnuts though? (NT) -- Al, Friday, December 20, 02:10:59pm (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
- Sounds ridiculously cold-blooded, but now's the time to talk to him about a contract extension. The timing could not be worse for him as he enters the window where he can sign a pre-contract. Very possible that Castagne makes the position his own and Kenny doesn't get to put himself in the shop window much before his contract expires. We should pounce on that uncertainty. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 02:40:28pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
Evan Ferguson to Fulham link resurfacing again (Independent and Mirror) -- p, Thursday, December 19, 05:04:31pm (82-132-232-174.dab.02.net/82.132.232.174)

From the Mirror:

"They [Fulham] believe an arrangement could sort all parties given Ferguson has fallen down the pecking order at Brighton after missing the start of the season following an injury lay-off."

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- Re: Evan Ferguson to Fulham link resurfacing again (Independent and Mirror) YES cos it worked so well last time we loaned a CF in january!! HA HA HA (NT) -- does he remember how we treasted Broja?, Thursday, December 19, 05:06:27pm (NoHost/45.141.215.97)
  - Didn't we sign Mitro on loan at the end of a January window? (NT) -- p, Thursday, December 19, 05:08:46pm (82-132-232-174.dab.02.net/82.132.232.174)
- If Brighton can't find time on the pitch for him, would he be a "project" buy....no help this season but maybe one or two more? (NT) -- RR, Thursday, December 19, 06:43:30pm (NoHost/104.220.143.92)
  - Yep absolutely, could be gold with the right care (ie Marco). (NT) -- Travelex, Thursday, December 19, 11:11:34pm (cpc104102-brig22-2-0-cust617.3-3.cable.virginm.net/82.9.38.106)
    - So Muniz could not be gold ???? When he already has been gold . Or is he being prepped for a cheap sale and massive backhanders all round (NT) -- alanos, Friday, December 20, 07:16:25am (NoHost/31.94.64.103)
- No thanks don’t want another loan Striker he has five years left on his deal why would we improve an opposition teams player. There is some quality young strikers out there go and find one. (NT) -- Button, Thursday, December 19, 11:33:04pm (NoHost/148.252.144.97)
  - Or get the young striker playing like he did second half last season or is 9 goals on 9 games not good enough ? Pay rise , longer contract to show how important he is to us and stop trying to drive him. Into another club’s hands . (NT) -- alanos, Friday, December 20, 07:11:58am (NoHost/31.94.64.103)
    - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmezIIrFQmY (NT) -- Pablo, Friday, December 20, 09:32:53am (host81-153-166-30.range81-153.btcentralplus.com/81.153.166.30)
Jack Wilshere and Emile Smith-Rowe -- Gary Elkins Shin Pad, Thursday, December 19, 02:05:08pm (NoHost/94.2.191.100)
Both came through the famed Arsenal academy, both absolutely adored by the Arsenal supporters, both being touted at a very early age as being the next best thing for both club and Country,
Unfortunately the similarities don't end there, both are seemingly adverse to physical fitness, both always look out of shape and at times uninterested, and worryingly for Fulham Wilshere never did anything in the game after leaving Arsenal at a similar age to ESR,
The question now is, do we know more than Arsenal or do Arsenal know more than us ?
Did we know more than Spurs when they kindly offered £25 million for Sessegnon!

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- I think he is a certain type of player for a certain type of of fixture. Id fully expect him to play at Home VS Southampton but he isnt up for the fight going to tough away battles like Liverpool (NT) -- Waterboy, Thursday, December 19, 02:27:51pm (lanc-08-b2-v4wan-168332-cust3678.vm14.cable.virginm.net/80.5.238.95)
  - If that's true, he would be an utterly pointless signing. I don't agree by the way (NT) -- Fkev, Friday, December 20, 08:48:39am (NoHost/148.106.154.38)
- I don't know how we've gone from a couple poor performances to assuming he's a failure. Per fbref here are some select percentile ranks compared to attacking mids in the top-5 leagues: Pass Attempts 48.51 per 90, 87th %ile; Pass Completion, 90.5%, 99th %ile; Tackles, 1.62 per 90, 82nd %ile; Interceptions, 0.61 per 90, 80th %ile. His 5 goal contributions (3 goals, 2 assists) puts him 4th, behind Raul, Iwobi and Robinson, on the team. This from a player we can all agree isn't yet at his best! (NT) -- eganonoa, Thursday, December 19, 02:33:44pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - Forgot to add one percentile rank, progressive passes, 6.21 per 90, 91st percentile (NT) -- eganonoa, Thursday, December 19, 02:35:05pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - Well said. I remember Robinson (to cite just one example) getting regularly panned on here, now looking a world beater! (NT) -- p, Thursday, December 19, 03:20:21pm (82-132-232-174.dab.02.net/82.132.232.174)
    - Keep the faith. Berge and Lukic took time to shine. In Marco we trust. (NT) -- Bugaloo’s dad, Thursday, December 19, 03:24:17pm (NoHost/148.252.145.119)
  - Thanks for posting. I looked at those the other day. He is very good/elite in some respects. The big negative for me given his position was the low percentile for progressive passes received. I think this speaks to fitness and/or effort. He doesn't get forward quickly enough in transition and doesn't put the effort in to find space. He can see it eg the misconstrue v Arsenal but needs to put more in. (NT) -- WayneKerrins, Friday, December 20, 07:04:43am (NoHost/31.94.24.191)
    - Agree. Part, I think, is just his role. He drops deep for the ball and helps carry and pass the ball out. But fitness is definitely the other part and his big current negative. I also worry about confidence. For instance, his pass completion is so high because he almost never tries to pass it long (lowest in the team). In some ways that's good. We need control and anyway have Andreas trying long. But it deprives him a weapon and makes him a bit predictable. (NT) -- eganonoa, Friday, December 20, 08:43:10am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
- Lets not forgot the ESR hasn't really played week in week out before, just the odd run out for arsenal, I expect him to adapt and for him to become more consistent as time goes by. (NT) -- The RealStanTheMan, Thursday, December 19, 03:38:55pm (NoHost/195.59.114.72)
- Ridiculous bollocks. ESR has been playing well, although hasnt had much of a look-in the last few games against the big boys. That can happen to anybody. Unless you run around like a junior school team chasing after the ball. (NT) -- Pablo, Thursday, December 19, 04:47:32pm (host81-153-166-30.range81-153.btcentralplus.com/81.153.166.30)
  - Just so you know it's not down to anybody on here that he didn't play against the "Big Boys" that's down to Marco Silva , the manager that paid £35 million for him , I guess he based that after watching him every day in training. -- Gary Elkins Shin Pad, Thursday, December 19, 05:37:55pm (NoHost/94.2.191.100)
    - I believe £35m is inclusive of add one. Therefore, possible that fee may not reach that. (NT) -- Beano Reader, Thursday, December 19, 05:58:55pm (82-132-231-7.dab.02.net/82.132.231.7)
    - If we had paid £20M, or £10M would he be a better player in your eyes? I don't get the relevance of cost in determining how well he has done. And over the course of the season he has done OK. And I reckon he'll get better. (NT) -- Pablo, Thursday, December 19, 06:39:24pm (host81-153-166-30.range81-153.btcentralplus.com/81.153.166.30)
- Stats are quite decent (as noted above) but he's not looking a nailed-on starter on recent form, agreed, so would hope to see more from him. That said, the basis of the original post jumps the gun big time. (NT) -- b+w g., Thursday, December 19, 06:28:33pm (68.52.159.143.dyn.plus.net/143.159.52.68)
- Re: Jack Wilshere and Emile Smith-Rowe How many players are we going to write off without any substance! Robinson Bergh Lukic Tete and now Smith Rowe ridiculous to make assumptions so early. He has had some good games already and a few not so good but he is a talent just get behind him !! (NT) -- Honest, Thursday, December 19, 10:18:18pm (host5-81-118-152.range5-81.btcentralplus.com/5.81.118.152)
- A tad unfair on Wiltshire, but for having glass ankles I think he would have gone on to be as good as Gazza (NT) -- Ra's al Ghul, Friday, December 20, 08:58:39am (ip-185-104-136-49.ptr.icomera.net/185.104.136.49)
  - All stemmed from his first ankle break when I think he was only 21, said how he was never the same, did well to achieve what he did, nearly 40 England caps, but would have been a top top player otherwise and eddy for the type we don’t produce a lot of, class ball recyclers, but he could also dribble and stick his foot in as well. (NT) -- Henry1879, Friday, December 20, 01:59:31pm (customer.lndngbr1.pop.starlinkisp.net/145.224.67.119)
Most watchable Fulham team in the Premier League era? -- The Piano Man, Thursday, December 19, 03:08:22am (NoHost/63.70.5.32)
This is probably the best squad we've ever had. No real weaknesses and adequate cover in almost every position. We are certainly pleasing on the eye at the moment. But do we have any players who are ridiculously exciting with flare that is ridiculously astonishing to watch? I'd argue we don't.

Think back to Fulham teams/players of the past: Saha, Boa Morte, Steed, Berbatov, Mitrovic, Willian. Do we have anyone now who can excite like any of those players. I'd say no.

However, as a unit I think we have the most watchable team now than we've ever had

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- Always amazes me that the Tigana team didn’t do better in the premier.Full of exciting players.Maybe not tough enough.I like watching Iwobi for his sheer energy and commitment but not quite the same thing.Nando’s boy has the potential to excite if he can get his bonce together. (NT) -- HemelRog, Thursday, December 19, 05:19:51am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
  - Re: Always amazes me that the Tigana team didn’t do better in the premier.Full of exciting players.Maybe not tough enough.I like watching Iwobi for his sheer energy and commitment but not quite the same thing.Nando’s boy has the potential to excite if he can get his bonce together. -- kenny, Thursday, December 19, 09:51:14am (host86-150-49-196.range86-150.btcentralplus.com/86.150.49.196)
    - It might be rubbish but I have seen this title accredited to ESR.Gone from being the future of Arsenal to underperforming for us.Hope he comes good.He is in great hands with Marco. (NT) -- HemelRog, Thursday, December 19, 11:24:49am (NoHost/31.94.15.5)
      - Sorry but he was never the future of Arsenal , they were aware of his many limitations and sold him for very good money, similarly Palace knew they could replace Andersen for a fraction of the price we were prepared to pay , £65 million spent and not much to show especially with "Big Issa " looking so good. -- Gary Elkins Shin Pad, Thursday, December 19, 01:37:43pm (NoHost/94.2.191.100)
        
        That’s not what Arsenal fans have told me.Xhaka told him much the same. (NT) -- HemelRog, Thursday, December 19, 02:05:16pm (NoHost/31.94.15.4)
  - Re: Always amazes me that the Tigana team didn’t do better in the premier.Full of exciting players.Maybe not tough enough.I like watching Iwobi for his sheer energy and commitment but not quite the same thing.Nando’s boy has the potential to excite if he can get his bonce together. (NT) -- Tigana failed to compromise in the Premier League, Thursday, December 19, 03:43:21pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- The game is so fast these days - I can’t imagine aster getting game today for example. That speed has reduced flare. Hard to compare squads over time. (NT) -- ASPT, Thursday, December 19, 07:43:54am (NoHost/1.145.69.93)
- Not consistent, but some of the things Raul pulls off are unbelievable and at leaat on par with some you list. Not individual, but there are times when two or three of the Arsenal boys (I.e.ESR, Iwobi and Nelson) have linked up when the ball has just seemingly appeared in the box through a massive crowd that I've found astonishing. Not "flair", but Adama's pace and power combo is something to behold (see also Robinson). Andersen's long passing hasn't fully arrived, but that ball to Stansfield... (NT) -- eganonoa, Thursday, December 19, 07:52:01am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
- I would argue that Raul has given us some very exciting moments, as has Adama and TC. Emile certainly has the skill to provide something special and, of course, we have Harry Wilson, Rodrigo and Jedi, quite possibly, at this time, the best left back in Europe, if not the World. (NT) -- Ted White, Thursday, December 19, 08:04:56am (host86-179-202-248.range86-179.btcentralplus.com/86.179.202.248)
  - My daughter asked me end of last season, what my favourite goal was - we both said Raul's cheeky back heel against Forest. Quick thinking after rounding the keeper and seemingly going away from goal (NT) -- DelBoy, Thursday, December 19, 09:38:06am (NoHost/104.30.133.124)
- How can you not get excited by a Robbo 70 yard sprint after winning the ball, whipping in a cross, or raul’s assist v Man City, or a muniz over head kick from last season. Not sure why someone like ESR or iwobi is less exciting than steed? Game has been sanitised a little (fewer long shots and dribbles) as % and stats football has become the norm a bit (pep effect), but there’s an element of romanticism of older players, but current crop is as capable of excitement as any before. (NT) -- Henry1879, Thursday, December 19, 08:46:59am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
  - we have our second highest epl points total after this number of games and yet I would say that only Robinson would get into our best ever composite epl team. That is a real testament to Marco’s coaching. In comparing players across different teams there is tension between nostalgia and recency bias - and once you get over a certain age, nostalgia bias often wins and that may be the case in my case but as much as I am enjoying this team we have had better individual players if not teams (NT) -- f bloke, Thursday, December 19, 09:21:20am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
    - In terms of most exciting team I am again going to mention the mostly forgotten team of Diarra Dembele Dempsey Duff and Murphy- technically excellent and capable of blowing teams away when they were on it (NT) -- f bloke, Thursday, December 19, 09:27:45am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
    - We watched Saha/mitro/boa/steed etc for 5+ years so will have far more fond memories than say ESR. I’d argue iwobi should be in the conversation now and possibly Willian from 2 years ago, thought he was sensational. ESR/anderson/Leno (feel he’s started getting better again)/berge only a fair judgement after they’ve given us more evidence to go off. This team also bit for physicality which is less appealing as a fan than the technicians of Murphy/diarra/berba but no less effective. (NT) -- Henry1879, Thursday, December 19, 09:47:42am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
      - I agree with much of that - particularly length of playing time - it may be that if they played together for 2-3 more seasons Anderson and Bassey may get up there with Hangeland and Hughes. I would suggest only Finnan has been a better RB than a fully fit Tete. Iwobi will also be in the conversation if he continues to improve - but the thread is about the most exciting teams and I feel that the Diarra Dembele team is the most exciting team in my time. (NT) -- f bloke, Thursday, December 19, 09:56:05am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
        
        Sure and Raul id say can excite almost as much as any CF, he’s not as good as peak mitro but produces more jaw dropping moments, Anderson’s raking passes are more exciting than any CB we’ve had before can produce and nothing excites me more than a Robbo 60 yard run and cross, it’s all individual preference but as individual players I’d say the current XI can produce exciting moments as much as any previous team. (NT) -- Henry1879, Thursday, December 19, 10:03:09am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
- Berbatov was mainly infuriating with the occasional moment that would take the breath away. He level would also drop massively after about 60 minutes (almost every goal he scored for us was in the first half) but Jol would never sub him off. Steed and Boa I loved but honestly I think they were limited players compared to the likes of Iwobi. Saha - yes, magnificent. I'd also add Moussa Demble (the Belgian one) (NT) -- JamieR, Thursday, December 19, 09:16:38am (82-132-220-135.dab.02.net/82.132.220.135)
  - Couldn’t disagree more re Steed - his assists are up there amongst the best in epl history as well as being a joy to watch. LBM was also v exciting to watch but tended only to play well in halves. Saha, imo, was only excellent in his first and last half seasons - average to poor in between times (NT) -- f bloke, Thursday, December 19, 09:33:15am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
    - Agree with everything here. Steed was a wonderful player, and remains a massively underrated player. The fact that after 30+ years of premier league there are still less than 30 players with more assists than him (and the fact that he is above the likes of hazard in that list) is astonishing. (NT) -- Same Old Story, Thursday, December 19, 12:20:14pm (webdefence-pool-02.cluster-lonb.forcepoint.net/85.115.53.202)
      - I found it amazing that some people on here couldnt actually tell how fanastic he was, similar to Moussa. Steed tried much harder passes and since they didnt always come off, he apparently lost the ball too much. Ald (NT) -- Pablo, Thursday, December 19, 04:51:40pm (host81-153-166-30.range81-153.btcentralplus.com/81.153.166.30)
- 1) We're seeing Raul well past peak athleticism, but two of his goals and one of his assists this season have been of a kind I'd associate with a Real Madrid type player. 2) Robinson is now confirming why the great Paolo Maldini wanted him signed all those years ago. 3) While no clone of Steed, I find Iwobi his equal in appeal and calibre, at least. (NT) -- b+w g., Thursday, December 19, 11:07:56am (68.52.159.143.dyn.plus.net/143.159.52.68)
  - There is a growing belief among neutral observers, some who claim to be experts, that we have the best, or at least one of the best, left backs in the world. Also a growing acceptance we will probably have to sell. Just as well Jedi appears a thoroughly decent and likeable bloke, which ought to add to his value in the modern game. (NT) -- Rupert, Thursday, December 19, 11:14:18am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
- If we had any players who are ridiculously exciting with flare that is ridiculously astonishing to watch then we'd have to ridiculously sell them to a ridiculously bigger team for a ridiculously low price. Unfortunately, that's how it is for clubs like ours - annoyingly ridiculous! -- TopCat, Thursday, December 19, 11:18:30am (31-221-48-155.cust-31.exponential-e.net/31.221.48.155)
- There aren't many versions of us in the premier league who have underachieved, but the Tigana team absolutely did. Much of that was down to balance - for instance our defence was fine for the most part, but we had to rely on Andy Melville - a top pro, but not a centreback you wanted playing every game if you were going to get into the top 8. Same with midfileld , and crucially, we didn't have a forward to really take the pressure off Saha in those early PL days. (NT) -- Same Old Story, Thursday, December 19, 12:26:13pm (webdefence-pool-02.cluster-lonb.forcepoint.net/85.115.53.202)
  - John Collins was my greatest disappointment post-promotion. Hoped he'd continue to excel at that level, but he was quite nondescript. Plus of course the Marlet situation. (NT) -- b+w g., Thursday, December 19, 01:18:24pm (68.52.159.143.dyn.plus.net/143.159.52.68)
  - I can remember a damp Sunday afternoon in October 2001 at the ‘funerial’ Villa Park when Fulham, with all our favourites, did not muster a shot, until well into the second half. Villa were also poor but did manage a couple of goals after the break. At full time a few Fulham players came to applaud the Fulham fans and ‘Leggi’ actually made an apologetic gesture to us because he knew full well that so many of the team had underperformed and gave us nothing whatsoever to cheer about! (NT) -- Ted White, Thursday, December 19, 07:11:05pm (host86-179-202-248.range86-179.btcentralplus.com/86.179.202.248)
- True but never forget Haynes, Leggat, Mullery, Cohen, Bentley, Macedo on paper the strongest side in my time. Just didn’t achieve the great heights due to weaknesses in other positions. (NT) -- CB Not Prem but would have been, Thursday, December 19, 10:56:11pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
  - Half a team of top-six calibre players and the rest of relegation flirting standard. They'd all have been that much fitter/faster today, but the second group would mainly have careers ouside the Prem and no-one outstanding would be here all career. (Last part would apply to practically all clubs though). (NT) -- b+w g., Friday, December 20, 08:20:00am (68.52.159.143.dyn.plus.net/143.159.52.68)
    - Wasted half a potentially great team.With a little ambition we could have kicked on.Burnley(no disrespect)we’re contenders .So we sell Mullery instead. (NT) -- HemelRog, Friday, December 20, 09:05:00am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
If Marco is in charge at the start if next season, it'll be the first time in my lifetime that we've had a manager for 5 seasons in a row. When was the last time this happened? -- Wolfie Smith, Wednesday, December 18, 11:52:12pm (host-89-242-139-120.as13285.net/89.242.139.120)
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- How old are you? I’m 45 and I’d add to your fact with the statement that he may be the best manager I’ve seen at the club in my lifetime. The only other contenders are Roy and Tigana. I don’t think Roy has the same motivational attributes and I don’t think Tigana had the ability to communicate that Marcus has. I kinda love him… (NT) -- Just visiting, Thursday, December 19, 12:15:42am (host86-167-1-107.range86-167.btcentralplus.com/86.167.1.107)
  - Over 70 here, and its a little surreal what we are watching at the monet. Supermac's, Roy 's and Titans's teams were the best.....But this one....... (NT) -- GA, Thursday, December 19, 02:01:10am (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
  - Re: How old are you? I’m 45 ? either short memories or a pro khan person, anti fayed not surprising with all the alleged abuse talk. but think about it. Silva is the only manager under shad thats reached 52 points, yes! great. but fayed had 4 managers reach 52 or higher. and all would had done the 'first time promotion' then climb the league table just as Marco has? for us This season and next will define him... (NT) -- zero dark 30 fam, Thursday, December 19, 02:03:48am (aramis-tor73/199.195.253.156)
    - Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha (NT) -- 45, keep on trollin', Thursday, December 19, 10:05:00am (82-132-234-110.dab.02.net/82.132.234.110)
- Once he hits Jul 2025 he will have passed Coleman with four complete years. There are a bunch in-and-around this. But I believe the last manager who STARTED a 5th consecutive season (though didn't finish) was Alec Stock. The only post-war manager to have completed 5 consecutive seasons was Jezzard I believe (5.5). In fact, given the war sat in the middle of Jack Peart's time, there's an argument that in our entire history only Phil Kelso has completed more than five consecutive seasons in charge (NT) -- eganonoa, Thursday, December 19, 07:41:53am (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
  - Great answer, Thanks vey much! (NT) -- Wolfie Smith, Thursday, December 19, 09:09:06am (94-30-83-200.xdsl.murphx.net/94.30.83.200)
  - The role of manager as we know it didn't really predate the 1960s. Prior to that the Board ran the club delegating admin to a general manager/secretary with a trainer looking after the players fitness. No coaching , the team picked by the Board who decided who was to be bought or sold. Vic Buckingham was probably our first manager. Jezzard may have thought he was but the Mullery sale told him who ran the show and he effectively walked out. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Thursday, December 19, 09:29:02am (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
    - Frank Osborne was the general manager for decades. A former player but he wasn't taking training or making the big decisions. An administrator. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Thursday, December 19, 09:31:34am (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
- He is the full package, definitely the best we have had... hopefull he will give us at least one more season after this, we despertaely want to win something, both for him and us... it would take the club into the stratosphere, potentially, which has to be the aim... (NT) -- Rupert, Thursday, December 19, 11:20:11am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
- Ray Lew (NT) -- Fulham Russ, Thursday, December 19, 06:57:51pm (NoHost/31.94.64.50)
Conjecture definately, likelyhood maybe... -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 10:34:01am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
Could it be that the club's current recruitment system suits Silva, and that if he moved to bigger club, his current role in identifying and approaching suitable players would become redundant under a recruitment system headed up by a Director of Football? He worked under Marcel Brands at Everton and likely one at Watford too. Not saying that he doesn't have the ability to work under a DOF, but I do wonder if our system, where he appears to have some autonomy, suits him. This I hope might make him less suitable for a club like Spurs. But our recruitment system also raises questions about the type of Coach/Manager who would be equipped to replace him.

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- Wishful conjecture. Clutching at straws et al. Sure he’s earned input here and no doubt he will elsewhere. The more successful Fulham is the harder it is to retain quality. We are not financially equipped to hit the heady heights. (NT) -- CB, Wednesday, December 18, 11:02:32pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
  - To add, and I know this will fill many with horror but, I always thought that David Moyes would turn up here someday (NT) -- CB, Wednesday, December 18, 11:20:27pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
    - Why not exactly sexy football but worked wonders at Chav FC?Seems like a decent bloke as well.He might win us something as well.Berkhamsted League Cup perhaps. (NT) -- HemelRog, Thursday, December 19, 05:24:58am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
Let's be rash -- Kingston Ken, Wednesday, December 18, 05:34:06am (NoHost/63.70.5.32)
Let's get Rashford in and play him centre forward. Two or three years he was awsome and Marco knows how to rehabilitate players. Sure, he's primarily a winger (so could play there if necessary) but he's played centre forward and could be more prolific playing that role than Jimenez or Muinz.

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- £300.000 a week wages. I doubt it not sure if hed ne any good but just think Richarlson from spuds on loan (NT) -- Iow ted, Wednesday, December 18, 06:33:10am (22.115.200.146.dyn.plus.net/146.200.115.22)
- Good god no….. blokes not even interested in being a footballer just loves the life style that goes with it (NT) -- Ffc, Wednesday, December 18, 07:18:14am (host86-170-118-217.range86-170.btcentralplus.com/86.170.118.217)
  - From what I have read it doesn't appear to be all about lifestyle. He fronted up a charity to make sure UK children don't starve. What he might be is sidetracked or disillusioned? It's not his fault that Manchester United have been run in such a shabby. They are a disfunctional organisation owned by thieves. Have you ever worked for such a company? He's not the only player their who appears to have lost their way. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 10:02:53am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
    - Ha ha ha all these starving British children eh . How comes it the poorest kids in the UK have the highest rate of obesity ? How come the organisation you work for the NHS is such a disgrace , run entirely for the benefit of the workers ( including large numbers of die freaks ) who incidentally suffer from shameful levels of obesity . Yes Rashford ‘fronted ‘ an absurd organisation aimed at proving we are all blind and obese kids are in fact ‘starving’ (NT) -- alanos, Wednesday, December 18, 10:20:50am (82-132-212-239.dab.02.net/82.132.212.239)
      - I could answer that question, but a supposed educated man like yourself, should easily be able to educate themselves about the link between poverty and obesity, via this internet thingy. Actually even buying the health obsessed Daily Mail will inform you on this matter. As for your view on the NHS; I very much doubt yours would be a popular view on here, or many other social media forums. The NHS is not perfect, but many members of my family have had amazing treatment form the NHS. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 10:47:38am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        Tbf, it's a decent observation that NHS staff are overweight! My mother was in hospital last year and there wasn't one nurse (out of 10+) that wasn't morbidly obese. It was quite staggering tbh - and these people are the ones who are meant to be looking after our health. They can't even look after themselves (NT) -- Fkev, Wednesday, December 18, 11:26:40am (NoHost/148.106.154.38)
        
        Excuse me for asking, but wtf has your observational theory of obesity in NHS workers got to do with whether Marcus Rashford would be a good fit for Fulham FC? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 11:39:41am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        I mean he was clearly responding to your post which didn't mention Rashford, not the original post (which did), so not sure why so aggressive here? (NT) -- Same Old Story, Wednesday, December 18, 11:53:39am (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
        
        ? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 12:15:07pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        Honestly not sure of what you can be confused about - unless its that i read your post as aggressive. The use of 'wtf' generally suggests an aggressive tone, FWIW. (NT) -- Same Old Story, Wednesday, December 18, 12:43:50pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
        
        HaHa our medical expert returns.Morbidly obese nurses rarer than hens teeth.Perhaps you are thinking of the nurses in the fantastic American health system. (NT) -- HemelRog, Wednesday, December 18, 11:56:16am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
        
        HaHa got a great verification code. (NT) -- SLUG Rog, Wednesday, December 18, 11:59:16am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
        
        So are these kids ‘starving’ because they are poor or are they eating too much because they are poor . Which is it ? You clearly want them to be starving ( at least until two tier got in) (NT) -- alanos, Wednesday, December 18, 09:46:34pm (NoHost/31.94.72.121)
        
        You are asking the questions, so why don't you go find the answers. Or do you want me to think you are a dullard? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Thursday, December 19, 09:29:21am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
      - Plenty of hungry,malnourished ,poor and homeless kids in this country you absolute … We are supposed to be a first world country.Should we aim for the level of third world countries.Of course this might not even be Conspiracy Al.Or an attempt at getting a response.Congratulations you win the annual 30p Lee Award. (NT) -- HemelRog, Wednesday, December 18, 10:53:13am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
- One of life's good guys, but clearly some issues there around confidence, motivation, who knows. Played under five managers at United (excluding caretakers and Amorim) and none of them have got any consistency out of him. When you factor in wages, where does he end up? PSG? (NT) -- Free Elvis Hammond, Wednesday, December 18, 10:26:28am (bmly-10-b2-v4wan-169590-cust1512.vm4.cable.virginm.net/81.99.37.233)
  - Nobody will take him, PSG have moved on and are building teams with younger French players and wouldn’t touch someone like him with a barge pole at his age, he won’t leave unless he accepts a massive pay cut, which he won’t do, they’re stuck with him. (NT) -- Henry1879, Wednesday, December 18, 02:23:20pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
    - Ah bless how can he take a pay cut when he’s subsidising the millions of kiddies the Tories left starving . He is isn’t he ? Or did his agent get him to front the starving kids Charidee so he is ready to hop into Linekers lucrative match of the day gig run by the BBC charity ( millions for lefties ) (NT) -- alanos, Wednesday, December 18, 09:55:35pm (NoHost/31.94.72.120)
- I get the sense that Rashford is a local lad and a move to London wouldn't suit him. But if it did I would love him to come to Fulham, as long as his wages were affordable and he had a will to improve his play. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 12:19:55pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
  - I think you've go to understand what's gone wrong with him. Conjecture is ill informed but something seems to be up and potential buyers need to understand exactly what his problems are. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Wednesday, December 18, 12:50:29pm (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
    - Well yes any medical might include what emotions are currently affecting physical performance. I guess Fulham will not go anywhere near him for cost implications alone. And by the look of it we are still trying to build up ESR's confidence. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 01:14:21pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- Any good form he’s had (primarily 1 season) he played off the left, he’s never had success down the middle. Wages obscene so it’s a non starter to us and indeed nearly every other club, despite what he says he won’t take a pay cut to leave, like maguire didn’t. Too old for big clubs to pay what Utd want, I’d be shocked if he left. Questionable behaviour off the field, even worse on the field, guys a good player given world class wages after 1 good season, a no go on so many levels (NT) -- Henry1879, Wednesday, December 18, 01:02:42pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
  - What "questionable behaviour" on and off the field is that? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 01:26:20pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
    - Going out in Belfast until early hours after defeat, called sick for training next day, fined 2 weeks wages. Out partying after 3-0 city loss, apologised after. ‘Slept in’ for team meetings, dropped for next match. How about this interview he arranged with his mate Winter, how does what he say help anyone? He behaves like a youth player, not a senior pro leader. Appalling body language and work rate during matches, hence Amorim dropped him v city, I could probably think of more if needed (NT) -- Henry1879, Wednesday, December 18, 02:20:49pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
      - Nothing there that most of us havn't done within our own careers at some time. Could also be seen as symptomatic of the malais that has existed within that club in the last few years. Not ideal behaviour in such a short career time, especially if it becomes habitual, but hardly stuff that can't be ironed out with good organisational leadership. Getting rid of players and staff is what new Managers do. (NT) -- Juana Aorta (No Hattie Jacques clone), Wednesday, December 18, 02:54:06pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        As above, no club is paying the fee and wages for him given his age, you’re talking world class wages and fed for a 1 season with an at best questionable attitude. All his issues have been last few years, when he’s at an age should be setting an example, not behaving like a young startup, so excusing it by blaming the club, orher players aren’t doing it, well sancho did and he got booted out, if anything rashfords been given extra leeway for his behaviour. (NT) -- Henry1879, Wednesday, December 18, 03:36:07pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
        
        Yes I'm getting strong sense that Rashford is not following the direction of your moral compass. So he's not for Fulham in your opinion? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 04:52:15pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        Nothing to do with morals, it’s wanting good senior players at the club setting an example (you see stories about iwobi/rob/lukic etc?) About not wanting an ok football player on obscene, elite level wages and for someone who hasn’t shown any sort of consistency on the pitch for a while now, who’s work rate and body language is poor at best and which our current head coach wouldn't tolerate (Perriera got dropped for less than rashfords interview) (NT) -- Henry1879, Wednesday, December 18, 05:40:13pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
        
        Henry Winter says Manchester United want to sell Rashford. He mentioned nothing about behaviour, but did think the club might be motivated by money on this matter. As far as I'm aware Fulham FC have no desire to sell Pereira. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 06:49:30pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        Not sure you’re getting the point. Perriera was chastised and dropped for his translated press conference; Rashford had clearly planned this interview with his mate winter, to tell the world he wants to leave the club he so apparently loves, which absolutely screws Utd when it comes to negotiating, he’s an immature player with a patchy record at best with an over inflated contract, almost a microcosm of a lot of what’s wrong with modern football players. (NT) -- Henry1879, Wednesday, December 18, 08:22:40pm (82-132-234-230.dab.02.net/82.132.234.230)
        
        You obviously don't like him as a person or a footballer. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 09:11:46pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        I don’t know him to like or dislike, but given you multiple on and off the pitch reasons why we wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole and your only rebuttal is, well we’ve all done stuff. I know he’s a darling of the left, but he behaves like an immature youth player on and off the field, not a senior leader, which is where he should be at, it’s all a moot point, we wouldn’t go anywhere near him and nor will 99% of other clubs. (NT) -- Henry1879, Thursday, December 19, 08:40:30am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
        
        Are you presenting a full picture of this young man? In football he is not performing well. In his charity work, he is first class. So good that he was awarded an MBE. You have not acknowledged this. So I don't think it's accurate to say that he is immature. Is he focussed enough on football? I guess not. Could he be? - yes. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Thursday, December 19, 09:54:41am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        Rashford has his faults like all the rest of us.You call him immature and then say something incredibly immature.Darling of the left FFS.He was doing what all our poxy politicians of all hues should be doing.Showing a bit of intelligence and empathy. (NT) -- HemelRog, Thursday, December 19, 10:53:50am (NoHost/31.94.15.4)
        
        And compassion, a quality and strength not often enough shown in football, as exampled by Tim Ream against Sheffield United last season. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Thursday, December 19, 11:24:27am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        Yeh but I don’t care if he spends his time doing charity work frankly, if i want to sign a football player it’d to be a top football player and for that money they’d need to be a leader and set an example to younger players, whereas he’s shown to be inconsistent at best recently, poor work rate, poor body language and as above none of the attributes of what I want my young players to show, good for him re; charity, but I’m not signing a player because they do stuff for charity. (NT) -- Henry1879, Thursday, December 19, 12:00:54pm (82-132-233-58.dab.02.net/82.132.233.58)
        
        I get that part of your arguement. I don't get it that you think him immature and not a leader. Off the pitch, the evidence is clearly there that he's both leader and mature. On the pitch less so. The interesting thing for me is why he doesn't show it on the pitch, and what factors would have to be different in order for him to perform better on the pitch. currently he's compartmentalising his abilities and skills. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Thursday, December 19, 12:46:32pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        You and me see things differently, ‘sleeping in’ repeatedly missing team meetings, getting dropped doesn’t scream maturity/leadership, neither does going to Belfast until the early hours, calling in sick for training, neither is arranging an interview, saying he wants to leave whilst under contract, nor is going out in Manc after a 3-0 loss to city, repeated immature behaviour not what I’d expect from a leader, most Utd fans can’t stand him now, despite being ‘one of their own’ (NT) -- Henry1879, Thursday, December 19, 01:30:40pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
        
        I don’t want to sign him and I’d be incredibly surprised if we did.I’d say just about every politician in every party could take a leaf out of his non football book.Farage must be pissing himself.Scary times. (NT) -- HemelRog, Thursday, December 19, 01:36:54pm (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
      - ....especially when you can make more money on a former academy player and recoup some of the weekly wage cost. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 18, 03:30:29pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- If he did come ( and there’s more chance of me winning the Euro lottery) lots of people will come out of the woodwork and critics him just as they criticised Berbatov (NT) -- The Drobe, Wednesday, December 18, 02:23:08pm (host86-132-188-146.range86-132.btcentralplus.com/86.132.188.146)
  - Yes, probably but on teh other hand Berbatov was a whole order og magnitude a better player than Rashford (NT) -- GTS, Wednesday, December 18, 04:21:34pm (static-customer-assignment.goskope.com/24.206.97.75)
- A goal scorer from one of the two wide forward positions (with Iwobi occupying the other) is what we ultimately need. And with Nelson a loan and anyway out three months, there is a fit on the left. The wages issue is interesting. In US sports the selling club would subsidize his wages for the life of the contract to facilitate a trade. Doesn't happen in football. But the equivalent is loaning out a player for a fee but keeping paying his wages or part thereof. Could see that working for us. (NT) -- eganonoa, Wednesday, December 18, 05:15:27pm (pool-108-18-149-21.washdc.fios.verizon.net/108.18.149.21)
- Slight issue with your plan. Silva likes players who can press and pass the ball (NT) -- ASPT, Thursday, December 19, 07:48:38am (NoHost/1.145.69.93)
  - Do you think ESR is effective in pressing? He's great at passing but to me seems lightweight or reluctant to press with real fervour. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Thursday, December 19, 10:59:07am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
We don't get the praise we deserve. -- Honest, Tuesday, December 17, 10:44:05pm (host5-81-118-152.range5-81.btcentralplus.com/5.81.118.152)
All I have read is how unlucky Liverpool and Arsenal were to concede points to us. Whilst I appreciate they are exceptional teams just occasionally I would like us to get some credit. Some reporters are now saying we are a very good side and can cause teams problems going forward but the bias towards the top sides is ridiculous. If results had gone our way we would be sitting 4/5th in the table . I accept that as a long standing supporter of this great club I am biased but for goodness sake give us some praise. We have spent a modicum of what these teams have yet we are competing with them. We have a fantastic Manager and an excellent Chairman. I am luck to have met him and can honestly say I was impressed by his passion and humility. He has done an excellent job and I just hope eventually we get the credit we deserve.

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- Re: We don't get the praise we deserve. Poppycock mate. Have Fulham sat 2nd or 4th in the Table like Forrest have done? Fact is Fulham as ASPT and you said 'the nearly lads'. Why would honest impartial press hand out praise to a team yo-yoing from 6th - to 12th weekly? We also didn't beat these MASSIVE CLUBS did we.? So why give us the backpage headlines? (NT) -- Breadsix, Tuesday, December 17, 10:51:42pm (miami1.quetzalcoatl-relays.org/193.26.115.43)
  - What rubbish Forrest are punching well above their capabilities. After losing our so called best players Mitrovic Palhinha. We still rebuild and play exciting attacking football. You are clearly not a Fulham fan get off this site!! (NT) -- Honest, Tuesday, December 17, 11:15:18pm (host5-81-118-152.range5-81.btcentralplus.com/5.81.118.152)
- On Monday night the lamentable Sky and its scouser-in-chief Jamie 'spits-in-your-eye' Carragher were saying what a great performance it was - by Liverpool. All the analysis was about THEM. That sorry station gives us first Monday night in Novermber against Brentford, changes TWO Saturday games around Christmas and New Year to Sunday when its particularly difficult for fans because its 'only Ipswich and Southampton' - they joke privately about 'killing two birds with one stone'.. (NT) -- Rupert, Wednesday, December 18, 09:00:24am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
- It's always been the way, and isn't about to change anytime soon (NT) -- Fkev, Wednesday, December 18, 09:49:45am (NoHost/148.106.154.38)
- If I may, when Leicester C won the league, the focus was more upon the failing s of the usual suspects than what Leicester had achieved with such a small budget, shrewd purchases, and excellent coaching (NT) -- Andrew in Bath, Wednesday, December 18, 10:18:46am (NoHost/90.220.13.200)
  - Whilst you can't argue that their purchases were good (exceptional even)- they we so, so , so very lucky that season. Every possible stat just fell in their favour- lowest passing accuracy, lowest passes, most points won by decisive penalties, lowest injuries/starting 11 changes, most wins by 1 goal margin, 5th most shots in area allowed. Still love the fact it wasn't a usual suspect, but god did they get lucky. (NT) -- Jim© The Devon IP, Wednesday, December 18, 11:20:42am (62-64-192-58.virtual1.co.uk/62.64.192.58)
    - As lucky as Man City? Who got muggy owners to spend £1.6 billion (and counting) on them? (NT) -- Hmmm, Wednesday, December 18, 01:55:45pm (82-132-234-62.dab.02.net/82.132.234.62)
- I can’t remember a time when comments about FFC were generally so overwhelmingly positive. Just about every pundit seems to be full of praise for the team, individual players, the manager, the recruitment. Liverpool played exceptionally well for a team with 10 men but, for me, part of the implied achievement was that they managed to do it against a very good side. I don’t have sky but, on the stream I watched, scouser Warnock was full of compliments for Fulham. (NT) -- smartypants, Wednesday, December 18, 02:21:59pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
- We were the first to beat Forrest in their own ground and no one would have put money down on us to get a result vs Arsenal and Liverpool and we scored first goal. Marco has put together a brilliant squad and every player has played a role, with a different player scoring in every game which shows we can play different styles and to go up to Liverpool without Bassy and Andersen shows our ability in our defence -- Jt20, Wednesday, December 18, 08:23:45pm (a172-226-3-250.deploy.static.akamaitechnologies.com/172.226.3.250)
Riverside -- WW, Tuesday, December 17, 09:43:37pm (33F10Cca.skybroadband.com/51.241.12.202)
I’ve not sat in the Riverside before but am there for the Ipswich game. What’s the difference between platinum, gold, silver and bronze seating?

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- signify the best seats (best game+ hospitaity package) in the new stand. BUT as youve picked the lowest possible graded game to attend. The only difference will likely be £5per seat ? With so many empty seats. hope you picked the top tier central block ones . as its currently the same pricing (at least for ipsitch and until the stand is fully operational and selling out AS planned) for Gold, silve and majority of bronze. Can you imagine how much money they loosing as per what they invisaged? (NT) -- NM, Tuesday, December 17, 10:46:42pm (miami1.quetzalcoatl-relays.org/193.26.115.43)
- Good view......... Shit view. Simple really. (NT) -- bill (mittens), Tuesday, December 17, 10:47:33pm (host-92-13-166-48.as13285.net/92.13.166.48)
- Re: Riverside? I've been sitting in the Platinum all season long. Over priced for just a match ticket and basic food/drink outlets, But will eventually be seen as Bargain (165-85£) compared to when the Stand is fully opened and these seats will go for £600+ with Michelin starred food and drink packages. (NT) -- Posh Dave, Tuesday, December 17, 11:08:29pm (NoHost/185.195.71.244)
- Riverside is marvellous - higher up and more central the better because if your eyeline is above Stevenage/Haynes stand you get spectacular views across London. We really do have the best ground in the world. (NT) -- Rupert, Wednesday, December 18, 09:03:56am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
  - Apart from the toilets in the Hammersmith End..... (NT) -- Club Stooge, Wednesday, December 18, 02:28:53pm (host86-155-46-28.range86-155.btcentralplus.com/86.155.46.28)
Anyone still waiting on there Chelsea away tickets to come I am and trying to ring the ticket office is a nightmare keep getting cut off . -- Button, Tuesday, December 17, 03:59:15pm (nmal-23-b2-v4wan-169190-cust1261.vm24.cable.virginm.net/80.5.116.238)
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- Re: Anyone still waiting on there Chelsea away tickets to come I am and trying to ring the ticket office is a nightmare keep getting cut off . (NT) -- You’ve got 8 days to go, Tuesday, December 17, 10:17:11pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
Fulham women's team FA Cup match to be shown live on BBC! -- G, Tuesday, December 17, 02:11:09pm (NoHost/90.213.242.75)

<a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgkx3lvrgllo">https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgkx3lvrgllo</a>

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- Re: Fulham women's team FA Cup match to be shown live on BBC! (NT) -- Thanks for the tip off., Wednesday, December 18, 12:23:04am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Will be looking down on all of them and showering them with my well wishes...not for the first time...up the whites (NT) -- Sir Mo just another day in paradise, Wednesday, December 18, 02:25:55am (NoHost/109.169.76.25)
Facebook -- Club Stooge, Tuesday, December 17, 01:25:30pm (host86-155-46-28.range86-155.btcentralplus.com/86.155.46.28)
If you want an entertaining time, go on Facebook to see the thousands of Liverpool fans complaining about Fulham tackles and the lack of red cards, claiming a conspiracy against Liverpool.

One post said "Stupid PGMOL. It's run by f***ing JEWS". (The post contained these capitals). So I reported this to Facebook. I got Facebook's response today. The post about PGMOL and Jews doesn't breach any Facebook guideline. Am I being over sensitive?

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- I was at my local last night, and the honorary Liverpool fan (live 150 miles from Liverpool, never been to Anfield type thing) was moaning about the exact same thing. Apparently robertson shouldn't have been sent off as he was going to pass the ball, and Diop and Perreira were both obvious straight reds. They are the most tiresome of fanbases, they really are, although in slight mitigation, a lot of it is perpetuated by the kind of utter nonsense you saw in the media in relation to our match. (NT) -- Same Old Story, Tuesday, December 17, 02:26:44pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
  - Same in my local but Arsenal fans are worse. They have never played badly, always the ref’s fault, no ‘fair play’ with our point, just how lucky we were. Then you pose the ‘how many times you been question’ and they melt away… (NT) -- woodman, Tuesday, December 17, 03:07:48pm (NoHost/46.31.84.144)
- Can’t believe I am saying this but I actually find Chelsea fans less nauseating than the other big teams these days.Most of those I know are OK.Might change on Boxing Day. (NT) -- HemelRog, Tuesday, December 17, 04:08:17pm (NoHost/31.94.74.81)
- You'd think Zuckerberg would'nt tolerate that kind of shit. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 17, 04:10:23pm (NoHost/90.242.161.103)
  - You mean you think he has morals, principles, integrity. Sweet. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Tuesday, December 17, 05:10:14pm (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
    - Maybe not other forms of racism, but antisemitism yes. He's Jewish! (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 17, 08:31:16pm (NoHost/90.242.161.103)
- Seems a weird conspiracy, are they all gaza fans? Have of them wouldn't know where Israel is! (NT) -- Waterboy, Tuesday, December 17, 07:25:19pm (NoHost/90.242.35.75)
- The only ibvious mistake by the referee and VAR was when Kenny was hauled to the ground to enable their first goal - that has hardly been mentioned. (NT) -- Rupert, Wednesday, December 18, 09:33:02am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
I thought it was a draw? -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 17, 09:48:26am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
Some elements of the media are rewriting Saturday's result as almost a victory for Liverpool, but I don't recall them scoring a 3rd goal, or having one disallowed. Yes Liverpool played very positively with 10 men for 73 minutes and deserved a draw. I also think they are a great team, and have appointed a very good coach, but I don't think the media need to help them build that narrative for them. I guess the pundits are excited because City's domination is over. But beware Chelsea, a squad assembled via at best, questionable methods, and at worst with nefarious dealings. They just can't stop winning. I hope they do on Boxing Day.

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- Liverpool were desperately unlucky. Most pundits agree that a competent referee would have sent off three Fulham players and it's a complete mystery why Robertson was sent off. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Tuesday, December 17, 10:16:49am (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
  - Only 3? I was shocked that Tete didn't get sent off for being assaulted by Gomez (who was clearly watching Tete and aimed for him). The entitled Liverpool fans are irritating, hope someone else wins the league. (NT) -- Jim© The Devon IP, Tuesday, December 17, 10:41:58am (62-64-192-58.virtual1.co.uk/62.64.192.58)
    - I feel disgusting for thinking this but absolutely hate the arrogance of Arsenal and Liverpool fans so much at the moment that it actually be more palatable for the other side up there to win it this season. (NT) -- Me, Tuesday, December 17, 10:50:04am (NoHost/90.212.133.32)
      - Been saying this for a while, as boring as it is, I don’t mind city winning it as it means Liv & Ars don’t win it. Admire both teams, but both sets of fans so entitled, find arteta insufferable and saka seems to have created this illusion that it’s outrageous he ever gets fouled. Liv of course been like it forever, a rare air of superiority, been like it forever, horrible club. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 17, 11:02:38am (82-132-226-173.dab.02.net/82.132.226.173)
    - Not Che**ea surely? (NT) -- Fkev, Tuesday, December 17, 11:01:05am (NoHost/148.106.154.38)
- Robertson was sent off because Raul didn’t score. Simple as. Should have been 2-0 after just 17 minutes and game on. (NT) -- Bad Boy, Tuesday, December 17, 11:11:16am (NoHost/2.222.160.125)
  - Shame Raul didn't take the easy option and smash it in. Absolutely no need to chip! (NT) -- Al, Tuesday, December 17, 11:55:54am (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
- Don't know what they're bleating about?, ask them to go to last season's game & give their verdict on their winner which came from a criminally obvious shove in the back on BDR. Free kick at any other ground in the country (NT) -- TSW, Tuesday, December 17, 12:00:55pm (NoHost/31.94.34.202)
  - Because it’s Liverpool at anfield and we should worship their superiority as some kind of higher entity than what they are; a football club. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 17, 12:57:05pm (82-132-226-173.dab.02.net/82.132.226.173)
- Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal Fans. We and others are merely for their amusement and humiliation. The sad thing is that most youngsters claim to support them, albeit from afar. Not great kudos at school, as anything else. (NT) -- CB, Tuesday, December 17, 02:00:55pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
- Re: I thought it was a draw? (NT) -- Didn’t VAR change the Result to 3-2 after Match, Tuesday, December 17, 10:22:16pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
Ticket acceptance -- Observee, Monday, December 16, 07:20:14pm (NoHost/90.192.125.76)
Just asking for a friend. I've transferred my ticket to him as I can't go on Sunday, he has the email with the ticket but how does he deal with it, please? He is on my friends and family but it's not clear where we go from here. Sorry if it's been asked before. Cheers.

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- HE LOGS INTO HIS ACCOUNT AND EXCEPT THE TICKET AND THEN WILL GET AN EMAIL FOR HIS PHONE TO DOWNLOAD THE TICKET. (NT) -- D block, Monday, December 16, 08:25:16pm (NoHost/90.205.148.95)
  - No need to shout. (NT) -- Straw Clutchers Anonymous, Monday, December 16, 09:38:50pm (NoHost/90.196.12.62)
- Go to the "DIGITAL TECKETING HUB" on the club website for step-by-step instructions.https://www.fulhamfc.com/tickets-and-hospitality/digital-ticketing/ticket-forwarding-guide/receiving-forwarded-tickets/ (NT) -- FFC in Brighton., Monday, December 16, 10:03:55pm (NoHost/84.71.246.31)
Ipswich Town tickets -- Gary Elkins Shin Pad, Monday, December 16, 04:38:22pm (NoHost/94.2.191.100)
Any idea when they're likely to go on sale ?

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- A banana peel game if there was ever one!! (NT) -- Pessimistic Pete, Monday, December 16, 05:27:21pm (NoHost/207.194.238.74)
- On sale now for S/Ts to but extra tickets (NT) -- smartypants, Monday, December 16, 07:13:45pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
- Must be on general sale now as membership sale finished Monday morning, I believe... (NT) -- Rupert, Tuesday, December 17, 09:02:29am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
Tin Tack……. -- Dale Tempest, Monday, December 16, 12:15:15am (host86-129-89-52.range86-129.btcentralplus.com/86.129.89.52)
Russell Martin just sacked !!!

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- Stevie Cooper perhaps - we've a good record against him at least. They're preparing for the Championship from Sunday but will set up in an entirely different way. Awkward game and just our luck. (NT) -- Rupert, Monday, December 16, 07:57:59am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
  - No matter who we play even with an on paper odds in our favour most not all Fulham fans have that nagging doubt due to our history of’ish’ (NT) -- CB, Monday, December 16, 09:19:25am (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
- 2/5 is the lowest I can ever remember Fulham being priced up to win a premier League match. (NT) -- Greenpole, Monday, December 16, 09:30:16am (82-132-232-214.dab.02.net/82.132.232.214)
- Bad timing! we just have to concentrate on ourselves (NT) -- Waterboy, Monday, December 16, 01:50:42pm (NoHost/90.242.35.75)
- That whole team and squad is structured by the way Martin wanted to play just like us under Slavisa a week even a year in my opinion isn’t long enough to change it around . (NT) -- Button, Monday, December 16, 03:18:33pm (NoHost/148.252.132.47)
- Southampton available @13/2 ….. you know what’s going to happen….its Fulham we’re talking about (NT) -- Ffc, Monday, December 16, 04:13:42pm (host86-170-118-217.range86-170.btcentralplus.com/86.170.118.217)
- Haha! So far it's only uS miserable buggers that have responded. Where are you Honest? (NT) -- CB, Monday, December 16, 05:44:39pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
Liverpool FC -- Life During Wartime, Sunday, December 15, 10:28:34pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
Absolutely pushing the Barriers Saturday with their Behaviour on the pitch and in the Dug out can see their Wheels falling off at the Business end of the Season. Their Skipper trying to Ref the game and Alter the ruling of the Red Card hope they get their just desserts in May.

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- Chelsea will win the league sadly. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 11:05:34pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
  - Seasonal affective disorder? (NT) -- Wonderin, Monday, December 16, 11:06:00am (NoHost/80.233.36.147)
    - The way Chelsea run their affairs depresses me. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Monday, December 16, 05:08:33pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- Re: Liverpool FC (NT) -- Arsenal are bottling it Good chance it will happen, Sunday, December 15, 11:38:48pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Re: Liverpool FC (NT) -- They were terrified to send Robertson off., Sunday, December 15, 11:44:40pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Came out the ground and heard scouse guy on his phone. “Oh my god, that was SO scary” (NT) -- bs, Monday, December 16, 12:17:26am (NoHost/90.196.2.45)
Jedi -- Andrew in Bath, Sunday, December 15, 08:57:01pm (NoHost/90.220.13.200)
Is it worth offering Antonee a new and improved contract as was done with Moussa Dembele? If I remember correctly, a release clause was included in the full knowledge he would leave. Thus FFC didn’t stand in his way, and he did FFC a favour with us receiving a significantly enhanced fee. I hope I’ve got my facts right - open to correction. Jedi has served - and will continue to serve us superbly, and much as I’d love to keep him, such an arrangement benefits everyone.

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- Re: Jedi (NT) -- Fulham Man...No Need as he is on a long contract, Sunday, December 15, 09:06:52pm (host86-129-88-102.range86-129.btcentralplus.com/86.129.88.102)
- Re: Jedi (NT) -- F Man..And thus we are under no pressure to sell, Sunday, December 15, 09:10:57pm (host86-129-88-102.range86-129.btcentralplus.com/86.129.88.102)
  - 100% correct Andrew about Dembele. Signed a new contract with a release clause just before he left. (NT) -- Birdman, Sunday, December 15, 09:34:44pm (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
    - Pulleeze the release clause was a puny £12m !! For petty much the best central midfielder in the Prem . I’m sure someone got a nice Xmas present from Levy (NT) -- alanos, Monday, December 16, 02:46:15am (82-132-214-124.dab.02.net/82.132.214.124)
      - £15m actually which is more than we would have got had he not signed the deal so good business actually. (NT) -- Birdman, Monday, December 16, 07:32:18am (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
- The 40 being banded about is an insult to Jedi - let alone FFC. Interesting interview with Marco about his qualities - I get the feeling the small print is he may be available in the summer - but let's get real. Wigan get a hefty slice to - so bidding starts at 60 and then goes up. (NT) -- Rupert, Monday, December 16, 07:55:53am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
Saints are dreadful, 3 0 down already after 14 mins. -- Hg, Sunday, December 15, 07:16:06pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
They will seriously put derbys 11 points low record at risk of being broken. That said I’m fully expecting them to turn into prime Barcelona when they play us next week

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- They’ll have sacked the manager by next week. If they have someone lined up, watch for new manager bounce. (NT) -- Straw Clutchers Anonymous, Sunday, December 15, 07:41:04pm (NoHost/90.196.12.62)
  - They got Liverpool Wednesday in the cup, no new manager will want that followed by Fulham. Reckon they give him us as last game. Providing he doesn’t walk. And wolves are struggling to find a manager so doubt saints will have anyone decent lined up. (NT) -- Hg, Sunday, December 15, 07:54:09pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
    - Jinxed it. (NT) -- FFC in Brighton., Sunday, December 15, 10:23:01pm (NoHost/84.67.32.226)
- 5 down at H/T (NT) -- Ffc, Sunday, December 15, 07:52:13pm (host86-170-118-217.range86-170.btcentralplus.com/86.170.118.217)
- Do not get too comlplacement remember Wolves (NT) -- Depressed, Sunday, December 15, 07:56:28pm (host-92-18-247-207.as13285.net/92.18.247.207)
- As an aside, didn't we give Derby 2 points out of their 11 that season? -- Glide, Sunday, December 15, 11:08:37pm (NoHost/185.61.158.184)
  - We did, and Newcastle gave them 4. (NT) -- Hg, Monday, December 16, 06:42:32am (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
  - Yep remember that dreadful 0-0 draw when we were down to 10 men just before half time. Good old Sanchez (NT) -- PW, Monday, December 16, 04:48:17pm (NoHost/163.116.162.218)
- Don’t worry. It’s time to fill our boots. Need to up our goal difference. Can see us notching up best of season (NT) -- Hodds Sutton, Monday, December 16, 09:40:13am (82-132-230-151.dab.02.net/82.132.230.151)
The Btighton soft underbelly gets tickled again. -- GA, Sunday, December 15, 03:45:32pm (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
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- Things are so good at the mo that we move up the table even when we don't play! (NT) -- Wolfie Smith, Sunday, December 15, 04:03:16pm (82-132-227-164.dab.02.net/82.132.227.164)
- Dunk should join me in retirement (NT) -- Bexhill Beast, Sunday, December 15, 04:15:58pm (host86-138-37-15.range86-138.btcentralplus.com/86.138.37.15)
Well the first week of dressing up as a woman… -- Maninadress, Sunday, December 15, 01:18:58pm (82-69-34-252.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/82.69.34.252)
…seems to be bringing Fulham good results, guess I’ll have to keep it up for the rest of the season

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- Ha ha, that's bold. What will you have to do for us to win the league? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 01:41:37pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
  - Re: Ha ha, that's bold. What will you have to do for us to win the league? -- Maninadress, Sunday, December 15, 02:25:41pm (82-69-34-252.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/82.69.34.252)
- Everton playing Man City on television atm. Why don't we have a team in the Super League as most Premiership teams seem to have. (NT) -- Back in the day we had the best, Sunday, December 15, 01:56:28pm (NoHost/80.233.36.147)
  - Why? WSL is Mickey Mouse football. (NT) -- Observer, Sunday, December 15, 03:07:38pm (NoHost/90.192.125.76)
Proud of the team -- Honest, Sunday, December 15, 01:12:15pm (host86-139-63-63.range86-139.btcentralplus.com/86.139.63.63)
Really proud of our team missing our two first choice centrebacks and despite that being brave enough to have a real go away at Liverpool. As everyone has said Ribinson was outstanding and Diop and Cuenca did very well. The only criticism I would have with Cuenca was he allowed Jota to go around him a bit too easily but a great debut nonetheless I felt at times when we had great opportunities to get the second goal the final ball was rushed and with a little more composure we win this game. Having said all that it was an ex excellent performance. I'm sure we would all have taken a draw before the game. We have a real opportunity to push into that top 6 this season and what a great season that would be. I'm sure most of us would love another European tour!

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- Maybe Cuenca gave Jota too much space, but Leno has more blame. He saw Jota shoot and dived left and the ball went to his right. From 18 yards out that's poor goalkeeping. (NT) -- MWKent, Sunday, December 15, 01:34:43pm (host-80-46-12-4.as13285.net/80.46.12.4)
Captain Robinson? -- MWKent, Sunday, December 15, 12:22:48pm (host-80-46-12-4.as13285.net/80.46.12.4)
Has the armband been a success for Robinson? I think he has accepted the responsibility that has come with this role. I don't know why Silva took it away from Leno, but it was definitely the correct thing to do. No way can a keeper influence what's going on up and down the pitch without a mega phone by his side.
Many of us have advocated someone like Andersen for this role, but Robinson is doing just fine.

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- Here’s to you Jedi Robinson, Fulham love you more than know (NT) -- COYW, Sunday, December 15, 12:40:46pm (82-132-228-69.dab.02.net/82.132.228.69)
- Very good (NT) -- youngsters probably never heard of S&G, Sunday, December 15, 02:00:15pm (NoHost/80.233.36.147)
- Re: Captain Robinson? (NT) -- Taken on the Responsibility to a new level, Sunday, December 15, 07:41:09pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
January window -- Henry1879, Sunday, December 15, 11:58:46am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
Assuming no big departures, unless someone comes in with obscene money for robinson, then what areas do we need to strengthen? I think we’ve built a solid, physical, well rounded and quite deep squad, but are we lacking a bit of wow factor. I’m happy across the back line, can’t think we’ve ever had better defensive options. I think we could look at a young box to box type midfielder, for all the protection and solidity Berge and lukic offer our back 4, I wonder if an area is a young cairney type, someone who’ll score and create goals as well as put in a defensive shift. Baleba at BHA or Wharton at palace spring to mind for the style of player, I notice CFC are willing to let chukweukema leave and dewsbury-hall also a really good player.

I’m not sure about our CF role being one that needs changing in Jan, maybe if a younger bargain comes up, similar to Cherki from Lyon, but would like them to cover all forward roles, rather than a specialised CF. I still have faith Muniz will come again, he’s shown plenty when he’s come or started last week, still only played 100 odd senior first team games, it took years for mitro, solanke to become really good consistent prem CFs

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- If European football becomes a distinct possibility then yes we need a quality striker as he’ll be the difference between qualifying or not! Nelson injury a blow as he has genuine pace but not sure we look at that position with the likes of Iwobi & possibly Sessegnon? The Chelsea lad they got from Villa is very decent but whose place would he take? (NT) -- Gary, Sunday, December 15, 12:12:31pm (host31-50-6-236.range31-50.btcentralplus.com/31.50.6.236)
- Selling Robinson in the window would scupper any chance of us finishing in the top 10 place, in my opinion.Therefore I think we will sell him at the end of the season, if he doesn't want to stay. Pereira on the other hand looks more likfe the player who might be allowed to leave, but i still think Marco will want to keep him for the rest of the season. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 12:38:56pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- I don't expect us to any business in January unless it's to bring in a young player or two for the future. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Sunday, December 15, 12:52:57pm (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
- Honestly, I struggle to understand how a Cairney type of any age is what we need to where we hope to progress, or for that matter, where we are now. One legged, not remotely quick and not keen on tracking back - albeit with the occasional sweet pass - does not fit the bill for me though; I accept that the original has some dedicated fans on here. (NT) -- Barry@ENF, Sunday, December 15, 11:11:27pm (cpc95104-newt39-2-0-cust313.19-3.cable.virginm.net/77.101.245.58)
  - What I meant by cairney, is someone who can make a difference in an attacking sense, as well as put in a defensive shift, not his physical attributes. Lukic nor Berge would never have scored that goal v spurs, probably as theyre told not to attack to much, but just think we can improve with more of a threat from central mid area, even if it’s 4 or 5 a season, KDH would graft for Leicester but also contribute with goals/assists. (NT) -- Henry1879, Monday, December 16, 03:30:18pm (webdefence-pool-01.cluster-lonb.forcepoint.net/85.115.53.201)
    - To be fair Lukic has scored a number of similar goals previously, but as you say, when he's been in a less defensive position on the pitch (NT) -- Same Old Story, Tuesday, December 17, 02:36:39pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
What were the key differences? -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 11:00:54am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
Fulham 2 - 1 behind to Wolves and down to 10 men after the injury of a key defender, versus Liverpool 1 - 0 down after the sending off of a key defender. Fulham, arguably the better team concede 2 more goals for a resounding defeat. Liverpool, arguably the better team take the game to Fulham and secure a deserved draw. I understand how the Anfield crowd helped, but from those who attended or saw the whole match, what was different about Liverpool that allowed them to compete, whilst we capitulated to Wolves?

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- They have a very good manager who was tactically brilliant yesterday, bringing on top players like Nunez and particularly jota and as silva said, factor in the emotion they were impressive. Ultimately can analyse every game, but a moment here or there, a bit of luck either way and games and momentum, players also not robots, they perform different every game. (NT) -- Henry1879, Sunday, December 15, 11:32:45am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
- Probably about £250,000,000 in squad value. It pains me to say it, but even I have to admit their squad is slightly better than ours. A bit of realism maybe sometimes? (NT) -- GTS, Sunday, December 15, 11:39:48am (331315a5.skybroadband.com/51.19.21.165)
  - Is the fact that Fulham have 15 more points than Wolves real enough for you? In comparrison Liverpool are 12 points ahead of Fulham. My post is an attempt to ellicit some thought about how Silva, Slot and respective players might approach game situations. That we didn't win with a player advantage puzzles me. we are no longer a 'Cinderella club' happy to accept a 4 -1 drubbing at Anfield. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 11:48:50am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
    - Firstly, why be so aggressive? But surely even those of us who live and breathe Fulham have to realise that playing the present Liverpool at Anfield is a slightly harder prospect than playing us at Craven Cottage. (NT) -- GTS, Sunday, December 15, 12:15:44pm (331315a5.skybroadband.com/51.19.21.165)
      - "A bit of realism maybe sometimes?", that's just condescending to me. And then you go on to be rather dismissive of my comparrison. So here's my question to you - Why is playing Liverpool at Anfield "slightly harder prospect than playing us at Craven Cottage"? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 12:33:21pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        If you do not know the difference between playing at Anfield with the size of support or the Cottage it shows what little you know. Also trying to come from one goal down with what turned to be another 80 minutes and doing the same with less than 20 minutes to play gives you far more time to adjust and you don’t have to chase the game as vigorously. (NT) -- K, Sunday, December 15, 01:07:20pm (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
        
        Yes the time factor I agree, would have played a part. But could that also not suit the team with more players? As for the rest of your post, well (sigh).......my OP was an attempt to ellicit some thoughtful analysis, but you and GTS seem to be more interested in criticising me for having the temerity to ask questions. Isn't asking questions of others a good thing? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 01:38:27pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        The first part of my answer was not to your opening post but the one above mine. I stick 100% to what I said whether you like it or not. (NT) -- K, Sunday, December 15, 02:21:41pm (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
        What the hell is wrong with you today??? I'm not criticising anybody....but I'm pointing out that playing Liverpool at Anfield is a lot harder than playing us at the Cottage, self evidenently I would have thought. (NT) -- GTS, Sunday, December 15, 02:46:26pm (331315a5.skybroadband.com/51.19.21.165)
- Apart from their squad quality and depth they are battle hardened to manic, high energy intense pressure situations and they are used to pushing other teams into this style of match. They are insanely fit, a leftover from Klopp, so made up for the 10 players by covering more ground. They didn't even make a change after the dismissal, Slot knowing they had the confidence to adapt. We played brilliantly considering the moment they are in, but if we could take all our chances we'd have won (NT) -- SW, Sunday, December 15, 02:17:51pm (cpc143862-cosh20-2-0-cust247.6-1.cable.virginm.net/86.31.32.248)
This season rapidly turning into season of ‘might have been’! -- Straw Clutchers Anonymous, Sunday, December 15, 09:11:51am (NoHost/90.196.12.62)
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Replies:
- Re: Definately , I'd mite had stayed at the Boutique Hotel 'IF' it wasnt always Fully booked. since it was completed according to jim@ 4+ years ago??? (NT) -- if so jedi wouldnt be sold to fill ffp?, Sunday, December 15, 09:35:30am (aramis-tor73/199.195.253.156)
- The Squad is in far better shape than this time last season , with almost every position more than adequately covered ( eg as we saw with CH s yesterday ). Most important thing now is astute future planning , factoring in who Silva feels are good for the long haul . What might’ve been in certain games , yes perhaps . But we should be confident this will be addressed . I very much doubt whether Jan will bring in the Impact-type signing Silva refers to when asked . (NT) -- Mickey, Sunday, December 15, 09:45:57am (82-132-230-196.dab.02.net/82.132.230.196)
- Its killing me. I have this horrible feeling that the band is going to break up before ever releasing the monster hit album they are fully capable of. Please Marco, Robinson et al, just one more year! (NT) -- eganonoa, Sunday, December 15, 09:50:03am (NoHost/116.84.110.122)
- Better might have been..... then never had a chance .The Woeisme Club really haven't featured. (NT) -- Chilly weather, Sunday, December 15, 10:23:08am (2e409fa8.skybroadband.com/46.64.159.168)
- Is this perspective fuelled by greater expectations of our squad? We are doing as well as we have ever done. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Sunday, December 15, 10:52:49am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- Yeah? try and think about being 91st in the league and wondering whether the team or Craven Cottage will exist the following year. Just enjoy the ride mate and feel fortunate. (NT) -- Long Termer, Sunday, December 15, 11:12:14am (host86-169-133-123.range86-169.btcentralplus.com/86.169.133.123)
  - I went to 44 of the 46 league fixtures the season we were 91st, and i still would like us to achieve the most we possibly can when we have a rare opportunity. In fact, the fact that i was there for those shit times is the very reason i have that view. We've seen how precarious it can be. (NT) -- Same Old Story, Tuesday, December 17, 02:44:49pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
Liverpool game -- Henry1879, Sunday, December 15, 08:20:16am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
Given the circumstances I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad point in the end. The game probably should have been put to bed in the first half when we kept squandering counter attacking situations with poor passes or poor decisions, go 2 goals up and that removes the emotion, the crowd influence and makes it incredibly hard for them. Saying all that, even though I dislike them more than any other club, they were outstanding, given they’d played away champs league midweek and we’d had extra time off the way they used the crowd and played on emotion was quite something, they were winning so many second balls and being tactically smart, was mighty impressed and so find them bit more likeable under slot than klopp.

Not sure what else needs to be said about robsinon, as below, one of the best performances I’ve seen from a FFC player, against a top player in top form he actually started a little shakily and too aggressive, but after the yellow was just out of this world in every sense. Cant get my head around this can’t cross line which keeps getting wheeled out, look at his assists, most other good situations came from his crosses. Plus anyone will know who’s played to run at that speed for that distance and put in an accurate cross is so hard, some will go wrong, but it’s infinitely more harder than standing there and crossing from a free kick.

Thought Cuenca also brilliant, can’t remember us ever having 4 really good prem CBs, I can see a case for any of them playing when all fit, but seems a steal at that price given his age. Iwobi and Wilson did ok without ever looking like taking the game over, I’d have kept Wilson on, he looked more like scoring, but iwobi is one of silva’s on field assistant types, bit like BDR used to be. Raul got frustrated as he could see us squandering opportunities, which then fed into him making poor decisions, not his best day. One criticism is again neither Berge/lukic looked liked getting into a scoring position, let alone scoring, clearly this is something they’re told, to sit and let AP have almost a free role to get into the box, just felt against 10 would have been good to see one of them arrive late and get onto a cross or clearance.

On to the next, 3 points v saints is so important or all that work gets undone quickly, then gives us a free hit v Chelsea. All hail king Robinson.

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Replies:
- How much do do think Liverpool will now pay for Jedi ? 40 mill plus ?agree Cuenca was outstanding too (NT) -- Mycock Sablota, Sunday, December 15, 08:26:42am (host109-153-119-3.range109-153.btcentralplus.com/109.153.119.3)
- Yes, Robinson’s final ball is much improved & all round he has become one of the best LBs in this league. Just wish - and perhaps it’s nit picking- that he would cut out his habit of giving the ball away carelessly in the build up to attacks which immediately puts us on the back foot. Doing it against Spurs led to a goal, he did it twice against Arsenal, and similar yesterday. Apart from those blemishes he is terrific and undoubtedly our best ever in this position. (NT) -- Bexhill Beast, Sunday, December 15, 08:33:29am (host86-138-37-15.range86-138.btcentralplus.com/86.138.37.15)
  - He still has a mental error in him, but I believe they’re much rarer than before and think there’s bit of a rough with the smooth, in that if you getting all these assists and creating so many chances then you have to take a lot of risk and not play the safe pass, which means inevitably it will go wrong at times and great turnover situations against us, but that’s where having 2 sitting midfielders should cover. (NT) -- Henry1879, Sunday, December 15, 08:58:00am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
- Nice to meet another Liverpool hater, worst club in the world (NT) -- Chris M, Sunday, December 15, 09:40:59am (NoHost/81.79.28.132)
- The league table disagrees with you Chris ! (NT) -- Ted, Sunday, December 15, 09:56:40am (NoHost/90.206.40.11)
- prior to kick off I would have taken a draw ... So no regrets (NT) -- View from the Riverside, Sunday, December 15, 11:10:15am (static-84-9-58-207.vodafonexdsl.co.uk/84.9.58.207)
- Yeah? try and think about being 91st in the league and wondering whether the team or Craven Cottage will exist the following year. Just enjoy the ride mate and feel fortunate you didn't witness 68/69 or 88/89 for example!. (NT) -- Long Termer, Sunday, December 15, 11:22:42am (host86-169-133-123.range86-169.btcentralplus.com/86.169.133.123)
Iwobi has balls! -- eganonoa, Sunday, December 15, 01:23:45am (NoHost/211.35.147.92)
The man moved yet one step further up in my estimation yesterday. Absolutely whacked in the donger, he somehow manages to hold on, hobble some steps and clear it before utterly collapsing. He's definitely getting ribbed about that after hours.

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Liverpool Support -- Eerwah, Sunday, December 15, 01:21:30am (NoHost/1.146.72.192)
Ten men and twice behind with amazing support produced a result which they deserved. Much to learn. Over a season, how many points is Craven Cottage worth. With a much improved Fulham squad displaying great performances, why not consider what it will take for our home support to reciprocate.

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Replies:
- Ok ..see you there (NT) -- ,, Sunday, December 15, 05:17:55am (host-78-148-54-217.as13285.net/78.148.54.217)
- HsHs they are top of the league and have a rather stuffed trophy cabinet FFS.Bad enough listening to the media fawning over them.Bunch of oiks. (NT) -- HemelRog, Sunday, December 15, 06:59:32am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
  - Would still like Fulham to make even half the noise at home that is heard at Anfield. Debatable whether the extra noise will get us extra points but would be an even more enjoyable experience for me (NT) -- JoeT, Sunday, December 15, 01:34:31pm (cpc96906-walt25-2-0-cust362.13-2.cable.virginm.net/82.13.233.107)
    - Not many teams make a great deal of noise at home.Sometimes the atmosphere at CC can be very good.Especially floodlight games.We are usually pretty good away.Not so much yesterday according to some.We are what we are.I would sooner be us than them.Probably not in a huge majority. (NT) -- HemelRog, Sunday, December 15, 03:11:01pm (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
Robinson and this so called fee. -- Go, Saturday, December 14, 07:47:02pm (host86-156-164-137.range86-156.btcentralplus.com/86.156.164.137)
All I keep reading is Liverpool or City might deign to buy Robinson for £40m in January.

Where do they get this figure from? Is this a stipulation of his contract?
Personally I would not sell in January certainly not for £40m as Wigan get 20% sell on.

If Cucurella cost our chav neighbours £65m then Robinson is worth more!

Hope he stays at least until summer then ask for a much bigger fee.

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Replies:
- Probably because the ludicrous transfer market value him at a derisory £25 m . Remember they valued Mitrović at the same price , and the football brains on here ( he , them or it ) said that was all he was worth . (NT) -- alanos, Saturday, December 14, 07:57:39pm (NoHost/31.94.32.167)
  - Aha! The nut-job is back on the loose! (NT) -- Call the guards!, Saturday, December 14, 10:04:41pm (NoHost/109.248.149.38)
  - Muniz looked really unhappy to score that goal didnt he? (NT) -- Anal Floss, Saturday, December 14, 10:29:32pm (NoHost/85.255.235.161)
- Robbo has co0me a long long way as a footballer with us. This not meant in a nasty way al all, but if he could be more reliable as a crosser of the ball (although he has improved in this) and improve his heading a bit he would probably be the best left back around in the world IMHO (NT) -- -, Saturday, December 14, 08:18:21pm (host31-48-23-179.range31-48.btcentralplus.com/31.48.23.179)
  - +1 it's his crossing that prevents him moving to a big side (NT) -- Waterboy, Saturday, December 14, 08:25:41pm (NoHost/90.242.35.75)
    - None of the big sides has a better left back.And I say that as a former sceptic.Brighton would want and get far more than forty million. (NT) -- HemelRog, Saturday, December 14, 08:58:51pm (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
      - Have. (NT) -- HemelRog, Saturday, December 14, 09:16:03pm (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
  - I’m beginning to think this not being able to cross thing is becoming a wind up now, how can anyone who has watched him recently keep peddling that line. Crossing is a % game, nobody picks someone out every time, but everything dangerous came from his crosses today, look at his assist tally, weird for someone who can’t cross, even today at least another 2 half chances came from his crosses, it’s improved hugely. (NT) -- Henry1879, Saturday, December 14, 09:26:03pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
    - I totally agree, his crossing is now very good. He invariably hits the danger zone - up to his team mates to get there. Wonder what his critic would make of George Cohens crossing (NT) -- f bloke, Sunday, December 15, 08:12:59am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
- Transfers are as much about age as ability, doesn’t work that X is better than Y so X is worth more. Age is more a determining factor of value than current ability, especially with 5+ year contracts and PSR, even if they thought he was the best LB in the league no team will pay more than 50/60m for Robinson because of age, if he was 22/23 that ceiling would be 100m or more. CFC paid huge for lavia, caicedo etc not as they were world leading players but because of their potential and age. (NT) -- Henry1879, Saturday, December 14, 09:33:59pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
  - Well yes and no.If as is reported most of the big clubs are interested we need to try and use t to our advantage.Sick of clubs like Liverpool taking the piss. (NT) -- HemelRog, Saturday, December 14, 09:40:19pm (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
    - Elliot/carvalho are completely different scenarios. Last 2 seasons with established senior players on long contracts we’ve extracted decent sums for mitro and palhina, given their age (I know I sound like a broken record). The way to start getting 80/100m fees a la caicedo/rice/grealish is to sign younger players, not our policy of mid-late established prem players. Our method is clearly workinf well, but it will always cap what fee’s we get and how much we can reinvest. (NT) -- Henry1879, Sunday, December 15, 08:27:02am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
      - If they want him they can pay a decent fee.Their sense of entitlement is nauseating.You may recall we took a punt in Robinson whe he was a virtual unknown at Wigan.I don’t care how old he is forty million is yet another extraction of the urine. (NT) -- HemelRog, Sunday, December 15, 03:18:12pm (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
- Just to say his crosses has improved immensely. It was always his weakness.Not anymore. He would waltz into an England side. (NT) -- CB, Saturday, December 14, 11:05:43pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
9th right now. But by 2200 Monday. WILL BE 7th when the other sides on 24 points lose😁🤪🎯 -- Kevin Williams, Saturday, December 14, 07:32:04pm (customer.lndngbr1.pop.starlinkisp.net/216.128.29.106)
And I'll propose to Fern Cotton too.

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Marco's post match interview... what a man! Well worth watching if not seen it. Lucky to have him as manager, hope the club's ambition matches his. -- Wolfie Smith, Saturday, December 14, 06:09:19pm (host81-157-59-236.range81-157.btcentralplus.com/81.157.59.236)
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Replies:
- On Sky sports news. Can't find a link unfortunately. (NT) -- Wolfie Smith, Saturday, December 14, 06:17:57pm (host81-157-59-236.range81-157.btcentralplus.com/81.157.59.236)
- Just posted similar sentiments Wolfie….it’s gonna be tough to hold onto such a hot property.. (NT) -- Bad Boy, Saturday, December 14, 06:27:37pm (NoHost/2.222.160.125)
  - Might sound a strange thing to say, but the 'little old Fulham' attitude of many in the media and football world helps us keep him. If he had done the same with say West ham for example, as he has with us, bigger clubs would take more notice. (NT) -- Wolfie Smith, Saturday, December 14, 06:56:59pm (host81-157-59-236.range81-157.btcentralplus.com/81.157.59.236)
- The interviewer was understandably upset. Clearly Fulham should have been down to 9 before the absurdly unfair dismissal of Robertson. Why couldn't Silva have been honest enough to agree? (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Saturday, December 14, 06:48:16pm (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
  - Bizarre way to start an interview with that question. Marco was having none of it. Love it. (NT) -- Wolfie Smith, Saturday, December 14, 06:52:26pm (host81-157-59-236.range81-157.btcentralplus.com/81.157.59.236)
- Re: Marco's post match interview... what a man! Well worth watching if not seen it. Lucky to have him as manager, hope the club's ambition matches his. (NT) -- Can see Slot losing it on the run in!, Saturday, December 14, 07:30:24pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Re: Marco's post match interview... what a man! Well worth watching if not seen it. Lucky to have him as manager, hope the club's ambition matches his. (NT) -- W**k**s they don’t win all hell is to blame, Saturday, December 14, 08:18:09pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
2-2 - Well satisfactory! -- Fulsome, Saturday, December 14, 05:10:06pm (NoHost/90.194.211.57)
Yep OK, 10 men but a sterling performance by Fulham, with Antonee Robinson outstanding. But back four (2nd string?) immense.
Would have loved the 3-points but very satisfied with the 1!
Onwards & upwards ... well happy.

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Replies:
- Brilliant point against arguably the best side in Europe without our two first choice centre backs. Unbeaten v Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool and sticking three past high flying Brighton. Well done FFC. (NT) -- Going, Saturday, December 14, 05:14:34pm (host86-156-164-137.range86-156.btcentralplus.com/86.156.164.137)
- One of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a Fulham player when you factor he’s up against the best wide attacker in the league and got 2 assists. I’d say he’s arguably the best player we’ve ever had in the premier league, when have we ever said we probably have the best player in a specific position of any team. (NT) -- Henry1879, Saturday, December 14, 05:15:22pm (82-132-225-141.dab.02.net/82.132.225.141)
  - Steve Finnan was thought to be the best right back. (NT) -- Edwin maybe?, Saturday, December 14, 05:27:02pm (NoHost/80.233.36.147)
    - Both decent shouts, I’d say EVDS improved at Utd and when he was there he possibly was. Finnan, probably against Lauren, gallas, g Neville, so yeh fair shout as well. Gvardiol maybe but he’s not really a LB, none of the top teams have a brilliant LB at the moment, maybe I’m biased but he walks into the prem team of the year for me if it was selected now. (NT) -- Henry1879, Saturday, December 14, 06:02:23pm (82-132-225-141.dab.02.net/82.132.225.141)
- Performances like that at Anfield do not go unnoticed, his profile has been high all season. Will take some holding onto past January. Will depend on whether he's impatient. Le's hope not. (NT) -- CB, Saturday, December 14, 05:20:38pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
  - He was utterly outstanding. I'm not sure I've ever seen a performance so dominant from a full back. Two assists and constantly there on the break while simultaneously keeping one of the best players in the world as quiet as he'll ever be and having at least two last ditch blocks/interceptions of other players. At this stage we surely need to qualify for Europe to have any chance of keeping him. (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 14, 05:44:20pm (NoHost/211.35.147.92)
  - Actually think given his age he’d be fair in itching for a move and I wouldn’t begrudge him if he did. If he was 21/22 then we’d either get a ridiculous fee or another few years, but if a top champs league offered 50/60m then bit like palhina I’d say fair enough. No secret how long I’ve rated him, but he’s getting to that age where top teams start to get cautious about committing too much money to. (NT) -- Henry1879, Saturday, December 14, 05:54:50pm (82-132-225-141.dab.02.net/82.132.225.141)
- Re: 2-2 - Well satisfactory! Great performance considering players missing. Unlucky not to get all three but very happy Fulham fan tonight. Well done Marco and the team. (NT) -- Honest, Saturday, December 14, 05:22:57pm (host86-139-63-63.range86-139.btcentralplus.com/86.139.63.63)
- Blimey. For a moment in time at 2-1 up we were 5th….December’s “fixtures from hell” and no defeats so far. Another great result from Marco and his team (and a brave decision to drop his marquee signing from the starting lineup) (NT) -- Bad Boy, Saturday, December 14, 05:41:39pm (NoHost/2.222.160.125)
  - 6 points from four matches we'd probably all have been satisfied if we got three from. And honestly a little disappointing we didn't get more out of a couple of them. And achieved while we have a pretty big run of injuries and suspensions (Nelson, Andersen, Bassey, Lukic, Cairney). It's incredible. It actually feels like we're more than "just" a top-half team. (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 14, 05:49:46pm (NoHost/211.35.147.92)
    - “…..It actually feels like we're more than "just" a top-half team…” And Marco Silva is more than “just” a a top-half coach / manager. Every top club in Europe (and Saudi) must be watching his progress with increasing interest. It’s gonna take one helluva an offer from our owners to keep so many would be suitors at bay. (NT) -- Bad Boy, Saturday, December 14, 06:22:11pm (NoHost/2.222.160.125)
      - My worry is Spurs, because it sounds like,e their current manager is blaming his players for their results & that’s rarely conducive to longevity. (NT) -- Bexhill Beast, Saturday, December 14, 08:09:58pm (host86-138-37-15.range86-138.btcentralplus.com/86.138.37.15)
- A point there is always excellent! (NT) -- Waterboy, Saturday, December 14, 08:31:43pm (NoHost/90.242.35.75)
Cuenca look decent methinks, probably just put a curse on him!!! -- Al, Saturday, December 14, 03:55:06pm (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
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Replies:
- He's doing really well (NT) -- GA, Saturday, December 14, 03:56:28pm (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
- Re: Cuenca look decent methinks, probably just put a curse on him!!! (NT) -- Big worry the Ref will even it up., Saturday, December 14, 04:03:19pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
  - Definitely. You know it's going to happen (NT) -- GA, Saturday, December 14, 04:07:10pm (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
    - Re: Definitely. You know it's going to happen (NT) -- Yes and there you go, Saturday, December 14, 04:11:16pm (host217-43-154-29.range217-43.btcentralplus.com/217.43.154.29)
- Which team is down to 10? (NT) -- CB, Saturday, December 14, 04:15:43pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
- Any danger of Leno ever saving a shot from outside the box? (NT) -- Dk, Saturday, December 14, 05:11:21pm (82-132-235-133.dab.02.net/82.132.235.133)
- Got skinned for the goal but believe had an excellent overall game. Berge & Lukic very good again (NT) -- Al, Saturday, December 14, 05:14:58pm (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
Get in Andrea’s. Come on Fulham, I really want this one -- Hg, Saturday, December 14, 03:14:14pm (NoHost/31.94.34.121)
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Replies:
- Should have been sent off. (NT) -- K, Saturday, December 14, 03:20:35pm (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
- Re: Get in Andrea’s. Waterboys crying right now.⚽⚽ (NT) -- 👹👹, Saturday, December 14, 03:35:22pm (customer.lndngbr1.pop.starlinkisp.net/216.128.29.106)
- Come on lets get the lead back -- Jt20, Saturday, December 14, 04:32:56pm (NoHost/104.28.85.227)
CAPTCHA is like a f*cking eye trst -- Edward Winston Malone, Friday, December 13, 07:02:15pm (82-132-230-86.dab.02.net/82.132.230.86)
Not sure how many computers are trying to post on a Fulham messageboard but the level of protection is now a chore

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- It’s ridiculous (NT) -- See how many goes this takes to post, Friday, December 13, 08:28:40pm (host86-138-37-15.range86-138.btcentralplus.com/86.138.37.15)
  - One? (NT) -- Martin Jolly, Friday, December 13, 09:41:10pm (NoHost/85.255.233.5)
- Must be why there's so few posts in last few days (NT) -- MH, Friday, December 13, 11:20:12pm (180-150-112-232.NBN.mel.aussiebb.net/180.150.112.232)
- There are the two types that you get, of which one is perfectly easy to decipher (except the strange d character) and the other is just impossible. But nothing to do sadly, as whenever requiring registration has come up there are (I believe very reasonable objections) and whoever's locked in kid has it in for the board won't go away. Still, I'd say, by far the most enjoyable Fulham board and its been great of late (e.g. post-Spurs was excellent). So not doing any harm, however annoying (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 14, 12:58:34am (NoHost/172.58.27.199)
- If you find it difficult to get past this captcha think how silly bollocks feels when he posts post after post of complete drivel in his attempt to spoil this board for everyone. That it is infuriating to pass is a blessing in disguise... (NT) -- TT, Saturday, December 14, 03:55:41am (74-95-251-150-Houston.hfc.comcastbusiness.net/74.95.251.150)
  - But if he is the reason to have it in place it’s not stopping him so absolutely no point in keeping it (NT) -- Me, Saturday, December 14, 08:54:47am (host51-14-232-84.range51-14.btcentralplus.com/51.14.232.84)
    - Used to be a lot worse, no? Not just this one idiot but a whole host of things. Its noticeable how much less we see the old "this forum is awful I'm leaving" posts these days and some posters even returning. Something's working it seems. (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 14, 09:05:18am (NoHost/123.51.149.208)
      - I’ll be honest, it does feel like it’s turned a corner recently. (NT) -- Just visiting, Saturday, December 14, 09:11:06am (host86-167-1-107.range86-167.btcentralplus.com/86.167.1.107)
- If it's hard to decipher just press "send" without attempting it. Next one is usually easy. (NT) -- Tme saver, Saturday, December 14, 08:13:04am (NoHost/80.233.36.147)
  - Strange but true. The unique format and exploitable flaw of this board means it's worse at its worst than elsewhere and better at its best. Remains worth staying put for the latter. (NT) -- b+w g., Saturday, December 14, 09:20:30am (68.52.159.143.dyn.plus.net/143.159.52.68)
    - It's certainly better than the smug 1950s Tory Club ambience of Friends of Fulham. Personally I prefer it when they use the option to review posts before publication. It probably would save them work but it does of course slow things down. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Saturday, December 14, 10:46:45am (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
      - I take your point on the reviewing; but in reality it often took so long that it removed any concept of joining a conversation. The fact that the time before review varied so widely and unpredictably did not help either. This is not a criticism of the Mods for whom it was no doubt an additional unwelcome task. (NT) -- Barry@ENF, Saturday, December 14, 12:11:20pm (cpc95104-newt39-2-0-cust313.19-3.cable.virginm.net/77.101.245.58)
        
        It would save them having to review what IS on the Board. Plus, of course, conversation largely stops when the troll is active. (NT) -- The Man With No Name, Saturday, December 14, 12:52:51pm (55.5.125.91.dyn.plus.net/91.125.5.55)
        
        Choked off anyone not on GMT, especially Australia and US. They'd need mods in many countries for it to work (and to be online near permanently) (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 14, 03:02:20pm (NoHost/116.84.110.124)
    - Perfectly put. The open and ephemeral nature of conversations here make it so much more enjoyable and life-like, but the features that make it possible also make it possible for spoilers. Somehow I'd rather put up with the captchas and strange format of putting replies in titles, than the alternatives. Every now and then, e.g., I take a look at FoF and very VERY quickly close the browser tab & run away. The Mods of TIFF, whoever they are, do a remarkably good job with limited tools. (NT) -- eganonoa, Saturday, December 14, 11:01:01am (NoHost/123.51.229.13)
- Re: CAPTCHA is like a f*cking eye trst -- MWKent, Saturday, December 14, 05:20:25pm (host-80-46-12-4.as13285.net/80.46.12.4)
- It would be good if you could use the " Type your message here" box, rather than resorting to the "Message subject(required)" box to reply to messages posted. (NT) -- MWKent, Saturday, December 14, 05:24:49pm (host-80-46-12-4.as13285.net/80.46.12.4)
Has anyone received there Chelsea away tickets yet as usually away tickets come within two days of buying them and it has been a week now without receiving them -- Button, Friday, December 13, 04:13:19pm (nmal-23-b2-v4wan-169190-cust1261.vm24.cable.virginm.net/80.5.116.238)
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Replies:
- Yes, mine came this morning (NT) -- Same Old Story, Friday, December 13, 04:24:50pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
- Re: Has anyone received there Chelsea away tickets yet as usually away tickets come within two days of buying them and it has been a week now without receiving them (NT) -- Overheard Chelsea have a safe standing away area, Friday, December 13, 05:45:12pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Tickets arrived today. Safe standing = overcrowding in small areas (NT) -- Edward Winston Malone, Friday, December 13, 06:57:58pm (82-132-230-86.dab.02.net/82.132.230.86)
Fernando Ferreira appointed new Fulham goalkeeping coach -- dd, Friday, December 13, 11:02:20am (NoHost/90.213.242.75)
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- He was formerly Benfica goalkeeping coach... (NT) -- dd, Friday, December 13, 11:05:50am (NoHost/90.213.242.75)
After game visit from players -- Cookie, Thursday, December 12, 10:29:48am (NoHost/2.223.3.91)
Anyone see on Berge in the riverside (im guessing its that stand) after the game Sunday. Looked lively can you transfer from the hammersmith stand to the riverside after game. Looks good for a few beers.

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Replies:
- We did just that (Hammersmith to Riverside transfer post match). Much merriment was had. Berge was lovely (NT) -- Superfly, Friday, December 13, 10:46:41am (host86-137-190-80.range86-137.btcentralplus.com/86.137.190.80)
- To be honest, despite all the criticism of the riverside ticket prices, if you make a day of it, have some cheap beers/refreshments and meet a player or two and watch the evening kick-off afterwards, start getting the feeling that it may actually not be bad value for a day out. Sacrilege I know to praise the Khans/the offering in the Riverside. (NT) -- I'll get my tin hat..., Friday, December 13, 10:58:38am (NoHost/90.213.242.75)
  - Its the American way and I for one think it's good. Wish it had been like this in my youth (NT) -- Al, Friday, December 13, 11:32:55am (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
    - Its what they do at Harlequins - people make a real day of it - not been for a few years now but the bars stayed open fairly late and the place was often humming (NT) -- f bloke, Friday, December 13, 11:57:37am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
    - I have to agree, if thus had been in place when I lived locally and I had the money then I would have loved it (NT) -- -, Friday, December 13, 12:24:29pm (host31-48-23-179.range31-48.btcentralplus.com/31.48.23.179)
FIFA jokers - IS the Tournament now 5 / 6 weeks long? isnt that your ENTIRE ANNUAL LEAVE? -- thompsons, Wednesday, December 11, 03:59:06pm (this-is-a-tor-node---10.artikel5ev.de/185.170.114.25)
While we call FIFA jokers, we also recognize that there arent many bidders for these MEGA events right now.

Seen it with the Commonwealth games in recent times and also the Olympics. If we the fans want these Mega events to continue, we have to be realistic and accept the current times mean we might not be able to pick and choose who HOSTS them.

Still that said, it does make a mockery of the now EXPANDED World Cup. 48 teams now. But in 2026 .. Three hosts mean 3 automatic places gone already. Then in 2030, 6 hosts!!! so out of 48, only 42 open for qualifying!

Great?. But does it make the Group stages a mockery for the stronger Nations like . erm . England? If so does it mean you as a Fan won't begin attending until the Knockout stages?

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Replies:
- Personally - and i've done 7 tournaments now - i'll continue to predominantly do the group stages anyway. Tickets are cheaper and easier to get, and you know months and months in advance when/where you'll be playing. Russia (for instance) was a nightmare for that in the knockouts, as you could be anyway in about a 4000 mile radius depending on the way your group unfolded (albeit, i really enjoyed the world cup as an experience over there). (NT) -- Same Old Story, Wednesday, December 11, 04:09:44pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
- It's all greed, it will only produce a winner from the same handful of teams even if you had 100 teams in there. Look at the champions league, what a shambles (NT) -- Waterboy, Wednesday, December 11, 04:43:38pm (NoHost/90.243.168.195)
- Apparently, the vote was taken by "acclamation". That means clapping in front of their cameras via their video links. The loudest clap won. For such an important decision it beggars belief. (NT) -- Hammersmithender, Thursday, December 12, 03:10:01pm (NoHost/31.94.74.222)
  - Probably did their clapping with large wads of bank notes (NT) -- JoeT, Thursday, December 12, 04:21:54pm (NoHost/86.53.126.68)
  - Even my clapometer was just for fun friends, and I mean that most sincerely folks. Looks like opportunity has knocked for the Saudis (NT) -- Hughie Green, Friday, December 13, 11:48:48am (216-151-184-218.lon.as62651.net/216.151.184.218)
  - There was only one option for both of the tournaments. No vote necessary and it was purely a spectacle for the cameras. (NT) -- Just visiting, Saturday, December 14, 09:41:20am (host86-167-1-107.range86-167.btcentralplus.com/86.167.1.107)
    - Damn the BBC. (NT) -- Hammersmithender, Saturday, December 14, 10:32:58am (NoHost/31.94.14.124)
Some reports suggesting Anderson could be fit for Liverpool game on Saturday.... -- p, Wednesday, December 11, 11:02:19am (NoHost/90.213.242.75)
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Replies:
- Fit or not, diop deserves to start. (NT) -- Hg, Wednesday, December 11, 09:11:29pm (cpc141402-brnt4-2-0-cust971.4-2.cable.virginm.net/86.9.199.204)
  - Of course Drop starts.....It's Bassey who is out. Cuenca is in. (NT) -- GA, Thursday, December 12, 03:19:19pm (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
    - Are you sure about that. Marco does have his favourites. (NT) -- Hg, Friday, December 13, 10:08:45am (NoHost/31.94.34.121)
      - I have no idea hat you're talking about. We only have 2 available CB's for Liverpool. (NT) -- GA, Friday, December 13, 03:02:39pm (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
- Re: Some reports suggesting Anderson could be fit for Liverpool game on Saturday.... (NT) -- Shouldn’t play if any doubts exposed vs Wolves, Thursday, December 12, 03:04:03am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- I actually think this is the type of game where Diop shines; thinking of Newcastle away last season when we were under the cosh. (NT) -- Neil G, Thursday, December 12, 11:12:10am (NoHost/62.64.164.110)
Utd home -- woodman, Wednesday, December 11, 10:50:24am (82-132-218-58.dab.02.net/82.132.218.58)
Sun 7pm as Utd objected to 12 noon kick off…

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Replies:
- It was changed for Sky TV. (NT) -- K, Wednesday, December 11, 10:54:08am (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
  - Indeed, but SKY wanted it at noon.. (NT) -- woodman, Wednesday, December 11, 10:55:27am (82-132-218-58.dab.02.net/82.132.218.58)
    - Sorry meant to say it’s a TNT game and not SKY (NT) -- K, Wednesday, December 11, 01:00:45pm (NoHost/91.190.160.53)
- Utd are at home to Rangers in Europa League on the Thursday before they play us. Hopefully Rangers will kick the sh1t out of them for us. (NT) -- smartypants, Wednesday, December 11, 01:31:18pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
  - dont remember the league falling over themselves to help out with kick off times when we had to play away in donetsk on the thursday and then away to Sunderland at 1pm on the sunday (NT) -- Same Old Story, Wednesday, December 11, 02:01:52pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
    - Off the top of my head I can’t recall any other Prem game being played on a Sunday evening (post-europa or otherwise). It’s only ever been an FA Cup TV slot from memory. I guess Utd just got lucky! (NT) -- smartypants, Wednesday, December 11, 02:32:24pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
      - having said that, just spotted that there's a 7pm ko this coming sunday. Saints v Spurs after Spurs play Rangers on Thursday. So it must be only allowable for clubs that have just played Rangers. (NT) -- smartypants, Wednesday, December 11, 02:56:53pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
        
        Chelsea v Brentford too. It’s becoming regular… (NT) -- woodman, Wednesday, December 11, 02:59:51pm (NoHost/46.31.84.144)
- Surely the worst time, nothing open after 4pm, cold and dark. Think Wimbledon is shut as well to all SWT (NT) -- Waterboy, Wednesday, December 11, 04:45:23pm (NoHost/90.243.168.195)
  - Do you EVER stop F@@@@@@ moaning? What a bitchy CU (NT) -- Waterboy=WANKERBOY, Thursday, December 12, 11:22:43pm (no-mans-land.m247.com/185.245.84.41)
- No doubt will be getting Chris "I love Utd" Kavanagh to officiate. (NT) -- MWKent, Thursday, December 12, 12:57:06pm (host-80-46-12-4.as13285.net/80.46.12.4)
WHU Tickets -- Mickey, Wednesday, December 11, 10:17:54am (82-132-228-207.dab.02.net/82.132.228.207)
On sale as of this morning and guess what ? Yet again no loyalty points considered , just another free for all with the joy of having an extra day before /if opens to Members . Whilst this fixture or more accurately that Stadium has put a lot off returning , surely as a London Derby it should be treated as a high demand game .

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Replies:
- The set up of a current system has been a regular FST bugbear in recent seasons. I can see the argument that it excludes newer or younger fans from some aways, and potentially from ever accruing enough points to do the more popular aways. Article inside is an interesting read, and discusses some possible modifications to strike a balance. -- The Doctor, Wednesday, December 11, 10:36:50am (host86-150-237-70.range86-150.btcentralplus.com/86.150.237.70)
  - So can understand if FFc want to trial not having points in play, at cost of angering another subset of supporters. Classic catch-22. I'm almost certain points were supposed to expire after 3 years when the system was bought in but since the historic data hasn't been migrated that can't be introduced to rebalance the perceived fairness (NT) -- The Doctor, Wednesday, December 11, 10:40:56am (host86-150-237-70.range86-150.btcentralplus.com/86.150.237.70)
- I can understand this for some games including this one. I don't know if we'd sell out midweek there. A lot of people hate going there. It is bizarre how we do it though, no points for Palace then 14 different sale stages for Spurs was just weird & Chelsea was ridiculous. Liverpool another odd 3000 tickets with no points so we can sell to Liverpool fan tourists & day trippers (NT) -- TSW, Wednesday, December 11, 10:58:41am (NoHost/31.94.18.111)
  - Went two years on the trot.Never again(hopefully)absolute shitehole.Horrible ground,horrible fans,nowhere to drink and nightmare after the game.Factor in bent refs.Avoid car at all costs.Worst away game in division.Apart from that fantastic. (NT) -- HemelRog, Wednesday, December 11, 11:29:18am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
- Go to Leyton Station takes about 20 minutes from Shepherds Bush Central Line. From Wimbledon change at West Brompton to S/Bush. At Leyton its a 15 minute walk. Went there with a Hammers fan who lives in Chiswick it is far less hassle than Stratford (NT) -- Going, Wednesday, December 11, 01:58:44pm (host86-156-164-137.range86-156.btcentralplus.com/86.156.164.137)
- Then home games season ticket holders have no chance, all gone to members before we get a chance (NT) -- Waterboy, Wednesday, December 11, 04:46:53pm (NoHost/90.243.168.195)
  - MOAN, MOAN, MOAN YOU HAVE SERIOUS PERMANENT PMT! YOU ARE SUCH A BITCHY CU (NT) -- Waterboy=WANKERBOY, Thursday, December 12, 11:25:07pm (unn-109-61-85-38.datapacket.com/109.61.85.38)
- Club need to use their brains and be sensible about it. I wrote to them about Chelsea which was absurd and got a reply back citing the Spurs game (!) for which they did use points and 'sales were slow'. Well obviously a) it's a different fixture b) the amount of staggering over days and days for that one was ridiculous too. Surely there's a middle ground (NT) -- JamieR, Thursday, December 12, 02:55:57pm (NoHost/171.33.195.182)
  - To add - I do understand the point about newer/younger fans missing out. It would be better if points expired sooner, and it would be better if harder-to-get-to aways were allocated more points. But given they haven't done any of that, simply throwing the baby out with the bathwater and making Chelsea a free-for-all was not the solution! (NT) -- JamieR, Thursday, December 12, 03:03:10pm (NoHost/171.33.195.182)
    - Definitely one that FST and FAB could work collaboratively with FFC on to rebalance the equation. WHU is now the 3rd London away game in a couple of months with no Loyalty Points in the sale (after Palace and Chelsea). That's not a one-time cock-up, rather a deliberate decision by FFC. So what's their thinking? Need to get at that and go from there (NT) -- The Doctor, Thursday, December 12, 03:23:48pm (NoHost/31.94.73.8)
  - This is exactly the sort of thing that a Fans Advisory Board would be able to assist with, if the club had followed a proper recruitment/appointment process and actually appointed people with some knowledge of the fanbase. (NT) -- Same Old Story, Thursday, December 12, 03:11:05pm (NoHost/84.69.53.52)
If anyone is tempted…… -- ASPT, Wednesday, December 11, 05:32:57am (NoHost/94.10.203.111)

…..to start writing ESR off at this still very early point of his Fulham career, remember that a lot of Fulham fans wrote this fella off too:

Robinson’s overlapping prowess is a major asset. But his defensive strength is growing, too and, according to WhoScored, he has made more tackles and interceptions combined (73) than any other player in the Premier League this season.

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Replies:
- Remember Lukic was a slow starter too though he was kept on the bench mostly. (NT) -- Stephen Arthurworrey, Wednesday, December 11, 07:22:58am (NoHost/80.233.36.67)
  - Re: Remember Lukic was a slow starter too though he was kept on the bench mostly. (NT) -- People were writing Berge off early season, Wednesday, December 11, 09:02:38am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- He's also top dog in completed crossed into the penalty area per fbref. From the current squad I think its easier to find players who've been written off at some point then succeeded than otherwise. All part of the natural progression of a Fulham player (NT) -- eganonoa, Wednesday, December 11, 07:29:30am (220-138-45-89.dynamic-ip.hinet.net/220.138.45.89)
- Certainly not writing him off yet. Clearly a quality footballer. What has been alarming is that, Palace game apart, he has not featured prominently for about 8 games now. Getting more peripheral with each passing game, whereas he should be settling in and getting fitter and more influential by now. (NT) -- Kenny, Wednesday, December 11, 07:49:00am (97e42664.skybroadband.com/151.228.38.100)
  - Thing is, we're now in the midst of a run of much better teams- 3/9 of our last games were again top half teams. ESR is going to look good when we're on the front foot. Less so in the games we're on the back foot. (NT) -- HE, Wednesday, December 11, 04:10:49pm (lewi-28-b2-v4wan-166893-cust665.vm4.cable.virginm.net/86.16.2.154)
    - 3/9 against bottom half teams* (NT) -- HE, Wednesday, December 11, 04:27:27pm (lewi-28-b2-v4wan-166893-cust665.vm4.cable.virginm.net/86.16.2.154)
- Depending on what silva tatics are , look pass what you think he should be doing to what he actually is doing. (NT) -- Chilly weather, Wednesday, December 11, 09:04:37am (2e409fa8.skybroadband.com/46.64.159.168)
  - This, I think, is the critical comment. No, he's not imposing himself on matches and we might expect of someone with his talent. But, particularly in those matches where its him and Andreas, he balances out Andreas really nicely in that he drops deep to provide an option for the DM and CBs, and when he has the ball he holds onto it extremely well bringing it forward, works really nice, small interchanges with his left-sided partners, and very rarely puts a pass wrong. He's also scored 3. (NT) -- eganonoa, Wednesday, December 11, 11:17:47am (118-233-199-43.dynamic.kbronet.com.tw/118.233.199.43)
- Re: If anyone is tempted…… (NT) -- Arsenal game over now may kick on., Wednesday, December 11, 09:06:06am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Only a fool would write off any new recruit. He's clearly super-talented, but when a new signing comes in who's better than those around him - it's hard to lift others to your standard but far easier to lower your standards to theirs... (NT) -- Fkev, Wednesday, December 11, 09:22:38am (219.122.199.146.dyn.plus.net/146.199.122.219)
  - Bit of a strange theory. (NT) -- HemelRog, Wednesday, December 11, 09:56:16am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
- Not writing him off yet. There is real match winning quality in there. But he doesn't appear to have enough confidence and drive at the moment. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Wednesday, December 11, 09:41:40am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- Wouldn't dream of writing him off but he said "‘I’m shy but I turn into a monster on the pitch’" So far, the only monster he looks like is the Honey Monster. C'mon Emile, get into it. (NT) -- Mr No Name, Wednesday, December 11, 01:55:11pm (host86-135-248-246.range86-135.btcentralplus.com/86.135.248.246)
- Baird, Zamora, Paintsil, Robinson, Diop, Jimenez, Dempsey, Cairney, Ream, Lukic, Konchesky, Burn, etc. have been written off on this board (NT) -- RR, Wednesday, December 11, 07:37:39pm (NoHost/104.220.143.92)
The midfield conundrum -- Honest, Tuesday, December 10, 09:26:37pm (host31-48-224-73.range31-48.btcentralplus.com/31.48.224.73)
Massive difficult game against Liverpool coming up. Marco will have some choices to make. The back 5 will change due to Bassey 's absence. Clearly if Andersen is not fit it will be Cuenca that comes in with Leno, Tete, Robinson and Diop. The question will be do we stick to the central pivot of Berge and Lukic? Playing such a strong team I guess this will see them both starting. Then there is the Pereira Esr debate. Expect Jiminez to start up top and with Nelson injured I would have Iwobi and Wilson out wide. I also believe ESR will start. Let's see great game a very difficult one be interesting to see what Marco does. What do you guys think?

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Replies:
- Pereira definitely over ESR! Until the latter displays better fitness and off the ball work , his place will be far from guaranteed ; esp in a game like this . Agree otherwise with your starting line up (NT) -- Mickey, Tuesday, December 10, 10:00:29pm (host86-142-52-20.range86-142.btcentralplus.com/86.142.52.20)
- I would have Periera to sit on Gravenbach the whole game. Nullify him. (NT) -- ASPT, Wednesday, December 11, 05:12:54am (NoHost/94.10.203.111)
- Re: The midfield conundrum (NT) -- Like City Alex play wing back, Wednesday, December 11, 09:07:59am (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Nelson looked like a long term injury to me. Get our Welsh Wizard on. (NT) -- Al, Wednesday, December 11, 11:22:54am (NoHost/193.17.86.250)
- Other than Diop and Cuenca in for Anderson and Bassey I am expecting the starting 11 to be the same as at Man C. So, Berge and Lukic in the middle. Iwobi as a right wing-back effectively making it a back 5 when out of possession and with Traore on the left and AP instead of ESR. Defend deep and in numbers then try to hit them with the same lightening breaks that nearly embarrassed Man C. (NT) -- smartypants, Wednesday, December 11, 01:43:59pm (65.51.208.46.dyn.plus.net/46.208.51.65)
- ESR has magic in him still, but like many, I've not seen the work rate from him over the last 8 or so matches. I think he still gets the nod with Periera coming in as a sub if we need to press more effectively and lift up the energy of the team (NT) -- RR, Wednesday, December 11, 07:30:30pm (NoHost/104.220.143.92)
- Leno Tete Diop Cuenca Robinson Castagne Lukic Berge Sessegnon Iwobi Raul (NT) -- Swig, Wednesday, December 11, 08:13:20pm (05408c28.skybroadband.com/5.64.140.40)
Hugo Oliveira, one of Marco Silva's backroom team... -- p, Tuesday, December 10, 03:26:53pm (NoHost/90.213.242.75)

Reportedly leaving the club to become head coach at a Portuguese team...

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Replies:
- Re: Hugo Oliveira, one of Marco Silva's backroom team... (NT) -- Will be missed a good bloke, Tuesday, December 10, 04:50:25pm (host-217-8-22-33.as13285.net/217.8.22.33)
- Been rumbling for a few days - now gone - get Mark Schwarzer in - npt sure he'ds doing much apart from a bit of punditry - what he doesn't know about goalkeeping isn't worth knowing - (NT) -- Rupert, Wednesday, December 11, 08:42:18am (NoHost/90.193.226.124)
Whole of Riverside stand open for Southampton game? -- p, Tuesday, December 10, 01:58:57pm (NoHost/90.213.242.75)

Could be wrong, but looking at the seats available for the Southampton game on fulhamfc.com, looks like tickets are available for pretty much all of the sections in the Riverside stand?

Will be the first time the all of the sections of seats have gone on sale? Perhaps someone on here could confirm...

Thanks.

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Replies:
- they were probably open on Sunday but still didn’t sell out (NT) -- bs, Tuesday, December 10, 02:53:56pm (82-132-231-228.dab.02.net/82.132.231.228)
- Was still limited for the Arsenal game (NT) -- Swig, Tuesday, December 10, 03:32:32pm (05408c28.skybroadband.com/5.64.140.40)
- There are around 2000 seats not open. The website shows them opening in February 2025 and April 2025. (NT) -- red kev, Tuesday, December 10, 05:29:57pm (NoHost/206.245.206.124)
  - Hmm, this implies that there are only a couple of hundred at most not open: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/fulhamfc/EDP/Event/Index/77?position=4 (NT) -- p, Tuesday, December 10, 05:45:08pm (NoHost/90.213.242.75)
- Email from club today offering a ST for last 9 home games. Lots of seats available between 600 and 1300 quid for 9 games (NT) -- Or a five quid firestick, Tuesday, December 10, 08:52:24pm (maid-09-b2-v4wan-169800-cust2795.vm41.cable.virginm.net/92.239.74.236)
Explains some of his early struggles with fitness... -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 01:20:51pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
<a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/09/emile-smith-rowe-arsenal-england-call-up-interview">https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/09/emile-smith-rowe-arsenal-england-call-up-interview</a>

I wonder if he still has a personal chef coming to his house everyday?

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- I respect his love of Nandos. Greatest garlic bread ever. Incredible peas and mashed potatoes. And the spiciest version of the chicken is excellent. But again, the garlic bread.... My god! (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 01:26:08pm (175-183-84-143.adsl.dynamic.seed.net.tw/175.183.84.143)
- Thing is that was 3 years ago and he looks much heavier now so even though he says he I was ‘listening now’ clearly he wasn’t. (The injuries wouldn’t have helped) this is why I think we not gonna see the best of him till next season. It’s a shame LBM isn’t still at the club as he is a fitness fanatic even at his age. Plus had a similar (ish) story…I hope he sorts his head out because that’s the issue hear not Nando’s but I’ve got faith in Marco. (NT) -- FF, Tuesday, December 10, 06:26:15pm (82-132-213-133.dab.02.net/82.132.213.133)
  - He's more jowly than he was at 21. Agree about hoping he gets his head sorted out. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 08:51:12pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
    - Looks like a hamster or gerbil who has eaten too much and retains it in his cheeks.Just hope it is nothing serious. (NT) -- HemelRog, Wednesday, December 11, 10:00:35am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
The Risks of Heading the Ball. -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 12:24:38pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
<a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c708464p1zpo">https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c708464p1zpo</a>
An interesting article which says that heading the ball makes players 3 times more likely to develop neuro degenerative disorders in later life. The article focuses on Gary Pallister and Steve Howey. According to the article the FA have brought in a rule change which is seeing deliberate heading in matches being phased out by the FA, external at under-11 level over three seasons. So I am wondering how long before they phase heading out of professional football? Those under 11's might have a different attitude to heading as they move through to adulthood. Do you think it will effect the overall quality of the game if it is banned?

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- How does that work phasing out heading? What happens at corners? Can't get my head around it ... (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 12:58:06pm (175-183-84-143.adsl.dynamic.seed.net.tw/175.183.84.143)
  - Bad news for the once-invincible Arsenal (NT) -- Fkev, Tuesday, December 10, 01:00:43pm (219.122.199.146.dyn.plus.net/146.199.122.219)
  - Will have to dribble and pass it instead. Or just get rid of corner kicks. Apart from Arsenal the mostly promise much and deliver little. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 01:04:18pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- It will be terrible for the game. The only way to enforce this will be to make football like 5 aside and not allow it to go over waist height. As a defender will header it if it comes up high at him. Meanwhile I take it boxing has no new laws to protect their heads. (NT) -- Hg, Tuesday, December 10, 01:14:43pm (NoHost/31.94.34.15)
  - Not yet. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 01:17:30pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- Unfortunately the whole reason for it was summed up in this sentence "He is among a group of claimants taking legal action against football governing bodies over brain injuries allegedly suffered during their careers." The 3.5 times more likely doesn't take into account many things such as footballers lifestyle, weight of ball has definitely decreased, style of game is vastly different to 25+ years ago etc (NT) -- Jim© The Devon IP, Tuesday, December 10, 01:23:22pm (62-64-192-58.virtual1.co.uk/62.64.192.58)
  - From memory the Glasgow uni report didn't accept the lifestyle and ball weight argument. (NT) -- f bloke, Tuesday, December 10, 02:13:58pm (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
    - The weight of the ball could be argued but it's clearly not true. Re lifestyle most footballers now live like fitness fanatics with ice baths, massages, personalised fitness programmes, it's ludicrous that lifestyle isn't taken into account. The two players in the report, apparently loved a pint. (NT) -- Jim © (The Devon IP), Tuesday, December 10, 07:16:03pm (host86-156-235-143.range86-156.btcentralplus.com/86.156.235.143)
      - What has ice baths, life style and the fondness for a beer have to do with the impact on the brain of repeated heading of the ball? it is not my data nor my methodology but am not inclined to dismiss it on a hunch - a quick google search has shown a new report (yesterday) saying that lifestyle is not a factor in football dementia - I guess it is this report that has brought the topic back into the news (NT) -- f bloke, Tuesday, December 10, 08:04:02pm (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
        
        Well two main drivers of dementia are supposed to be poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption. I don't think that's a huge issue with today's pampered fitness lot. Simple point I was making. (NT) -- Jim © (The Devon IP), Wednesday, December 11, 12:44:15am (host86-156-235-143.range86-156.btcentralplus.com/86.156.235.143)
        
        Ok that’s fine - footballers of yesteryear are not as fit or as well nourished as the players of today - but were a lot fitter and better nourished than the rest of the population at that time and yet 3-5 times more likely to develop serious brain degenerative conditions. There is no increased likelihood for goalkeepers- and since they rarely head the ball must be indicative of something (NT) -- f bloke, Wednesday, December 11, 07:23:03am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
        
        That's a good point you make about keepers- has that been looked into in the report? One last thing I'd say against it, is that the style of football has changed in a major way now compared to even 25 years ago. Playing it out from the back for example, no long keeper kicks punted downfield to land on a CB's bonce. Must have a positive efffect? (NT) -- Jim© The Devon IP, Wednesday, December 11, 10:25:16am (62-64-192-58.virtual1.co.uk/62.64.192.58)
        
        Its a few years since I read the report but I do recall either the report or a newspaper article saying average player = 3 times. CBs 5x and GKs 0 x. Key factors are length of playing time and position played. Like rugby it is often the cumulative effect of impacts that causes the issue. So agree the less heading the better which is why they are cutting down on it in training and why I am suggesting heading only in the penalty box - I even think it may make the game better. (NT) -- f bloke, Wednesday, December 11, 10:38:24am (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
- Helmets. Solved (NT) -- CB, Tuesday, December 10, 01:25:28pm (213-18-164-61.customer.gigaclear.net/213.18.164.61)
- Surely you know the risks when you take up the game? Otherwise do something else? (NT) -- Waterboy, Tuesday, December 10, 01:28:01pm (lanc-08-b2-v4wan-168332-cust3678.vm14.cable.virginm.net/80.5.238.95)
  - There's a duty of care on the part of the employer beyond that the employee knew the risks and that's that. I'm not sure what that duty is in this particular case, but there has to be something. Phasing out at young ages makes sense. They can't consent. But for adults: I suspect Jim gets at some of it with the lighter football. Stronger monitoring and medical support, during and after careers. Those sorts of things make sense. Doubt they'll ever have to ban heading (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 01:32:56pm (175-183-84-143.adsl.dynamic.seed.net.tw/175.183.84.143)
- It is worth searching the Glasgow university research on this - the research is somewhat damning. They need more data but all the indications are that the weight of the ball makes no difference since the balls are now more aerodynamic and travel at far greater velocity than the old balls. If anything, the suspicion is that the new balls may cause more damage. What would be worth trialling is banning all headers outside of the penalty boxes. (NT) -- f bloke, Tuesday, December 10, 01:46:31pm (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
- Look at rugby union, far more advanced in this with regards who is liable and legal claims. RFU brought in loads of mitigation eg non contact younger ages, restrictions on how much they can train and yellow/red cards for head contact even if not deliberate. Get the old school moaning about changes at first but people come round, can’t see heading ever being outlawed, but some similar mitigations will come to football. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 10, 03:19:27pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
  - That’s totally different though, it didn’t change the fabric of the rugby game. The equivilant to rugby would be to ban kicking of the ball. Plus there can’t be any mitigations for heading in football, you either allow or you don’t. It’s either to dangerous to head or ball, or it’s not. There can’t be an in between. (NT) -- Hg, Tuesday, December 10, 03:31:36pm (NoHost/31.94.34.14)
    - You can definitely mitigate if the problem is something caused by repetition. If the problem is too many impacts over the course of a career, reducing the likely number is a mitigation. Starting with youth makes sense. Reducing or eliminating heading in practices. That sort of thing. (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 03:51:43pm (unn-149-22-94-97.datapacket.com/149.22.94.97)
    - As below, mitigations things like restrictions based on age, how often heading is allowed in training (hasn’t something like this been introduced?). Nothing as drastic as union needs implementing, as impacts are far smaller in terms of concussions caused, but the frequency outside senior live matches can be greatly reduced, id imagine frequency x severity = damage, so reduce frequency. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 10, 04:41:02pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
    - What they’ve done in union is not stop tackling, but stop (as far as they see possible) head contact, it isn’t the tackling that causes brain issues, it’s head contact and often concussions aren’t from tackling to the but clashes of head and accidents. Lots of work on technique too, body positions, duty of care brought in, all stuff football could take on if it wanted. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 10, 04:56:57pm (82-132-233-191.dab.02.net/82.132.233.191)
  - As said above - I would like to see trialled heading banned outside the penalty boxes with eg a booking and a free kick for any offence. Would considerably? reduce the number of impacts - and maybe, just maybe, might improve the game. (NT) -- f bloke, Tuesday, December 10, 03:33:22pm (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
    - And the answer to that will be, does it magically become safer to head a ball if you are inside some white painted lines. And the answer will be no, of course not. So like I say, you can only allow it, or disallow it. (NT) -- Hg, Tuesday, December 10, 03:37:47pm (NoHost/31.94.34.14)
      - I think there is a good chance that it will be outlawed in time but, in reality, doing it overnight will be difficult to achieve. There is a correlation between CTE and the length of a career and the position played. Eg CBS are 5 times (not 3.5) more likely to suffer since they head the ball much more. Restricting the areas where heading the ball is permitted will reduce the number of impacts and is therefore some attempt at mitigation (NT) -- f bloke, Tuesday, December 10, 03:51:25pm (host86-134-9-66.range86-134.btcentralplus.com/86.134.9.66)
Iwobi -- P, Monday, December 09, 11:38:59pm (054622cf.skybroadband.com/5.70.34.207)
Our unsung hero, what a buy from Silva, I didn't rate him, but he was very much involved in helping the defence against Arsenal. Mario is a coaching genius.

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- Agreed. Totally missed this bloke's ability/creativity when he was at Arse/Everton. Must be one of the 1st names on the teamsheet now. He's having a superb season! Agree also about Silva - we are lucky to have him (NT) -- Fkev, Tuesday, December 10, 09:19:31am (212.122.199.146.dyn.plus.net/146.199.122.212)
- Poor at Arsenal overall.Very good at Everton.Superb at Fulham. (NT) -- HemelRog, Tuesday, December 10, 10:46:58am (5ec0f8a7.skybroadband.com/94.192.248.167)
  - I don't remember much about his time at Arsenal, but I do remember him looking very skilful against us once at the Cottage... (NT) -- SBR, Wednesday, December 18, 10:22:49pm (southwark162a.plus.com/84.92.111.174)
- It's extremely tactically beneficial to have his versatility. (NT) -- HE, Tuesday, December 10, 11:29:36am (lewi-28-b2-v4wan-166893-cust665.vm4.cable.virginm.net/86.16.2.154)
- Less surprised than some as an Arsenal friend with good judgement always rated him (as Marco did, getting Everton to pay big bucks). He also greatly took the eye for them at CC. Skill, attitude, versatility and now end-product too. That is what he has most ramped up at Fulham. (NT) -- b+w g., Tuesday, December 10, 02:33:29pm (host86-163-252-20.range86-163.btcentralplus.com/86.163.252.20)
Sander Berge - the Silva effect -- Barry Shizzlepeas, Monday, December 09, 05:43:46pm (97e4ec53.skybroadband.com/151.228.236.83)
I have to say, I was most underwhelmed by the signing of Berge, in light of us losing Palhinha in particular. All my prior viewings of Sander at Sheff Utd and Burnley had given me the impression on someone with some clear quality, but games seemed to pass him by a bit if his team wasn't on top. I was far from convinced that he could come in and step up to anywhere near the all-action role that Palhinha had made his trademark. I thought we'd bought a cut price sub-thoroughbred who would go missing when things got tough.

Just shows what I know - hands up on this, he's been superb the last few games and is really making us miss the Portugese dymano less and less each week. Reading a lot of feedback and listening to those who've worked with Marco before, loads of credit to the manager as well as the player himself, as Sander's been a revelation in my eyes and fast becoming a bargain at what we paid for him. Marco places huge emphasis on workrate, but not just charging around aimlessly, it's very much targeted work at the moments that matter.

Deeper midfield is now a strength even after losing one of our top performers the last two seasons, especially as both Sander and Sasa are better distributors than Palhinha was. Great stuff and a pleasure to watch.

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- Wait until Berge gets more confident and is given licence to run at defences, which he isn't doing yet..He will be a star.... (NT) -- GA, Monday, December 09, 05:52:23pm (ool-18b90125.dyn.optonline.net/24.185.1.37)
  - This is what I think happens when he has Lukic with him. He started his days in Belgium as a defensive midfielder, getting in the Champions League "futures" team one year, then in England became more advanced. With someone like Lukic there, who is incredible at covering for his teammates (vs Arsenal he was like an advanced sweeper he was so often just there when needed) he can take some risks. Similarly, Lukic also can do the same. (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 12:55:25am (NoHost/172.58.139.245)
    - It’s Tete tucking into midfield that allows them both to advance when they have the opportunity - as big a factor of Berge settling in IMO. That’s why we knots the midfield battle first half v Brighton with Castange IMO (NT) -- ASPT, Tuesday, December 10, 03:50:46am (NoHost/45.248.78.29)
      - That's a really interesting point. I'm going to look out for that in the next match. One thing that has been striking to me re Tete is that this year he's having significantly fewer assists than the last time he was the No. 1. I figured it was just not having Mitro to cross to, but maybe he's playing a different role now? (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 04:01:52am (h200-210-66-13.lh.com.tw/210.66.13.200)
        
        I know how this sounds - and Palhinha was my favourite player for the last 2 seasons, but he was positionally ill-disciplined. By covering every blade of grass, you will leave spaces that your team mates have to cover. Losing him hurt my heart but in hindsight we are more drilled and regimented IMO - and a big part of that is how Tete tucks in so Robbo / Iwobi / Berge / Lukic can push on. (NT) -- ASPT, Tuesday, December 10, 04:17:03am (NoHost/45.248.78.29)
        
        We're definitely better. I'm not sure its him being positionally ill-disciplined, as I doubt Marco would allow that to exist for so long. I suspect he was given license to roam and destroy much like a defensive No. 10. But everyone has had to up their game defensively without him, and we are very clearly better on the ball with Berge/Lukic or both, meaning the opposition has the ball less. So its a net positive The Tete thing is really intriguing. I need to look out for that. (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 04:23:41am (h200-210-66-13.lh.com.tw/210.66.13.200)
        
        We conceded a lot of posession on Sunday against an Arsenal side that wasn't too different to the side we beat 2 - 1 last season, with far more attacking purpose. Last season, main players like: Rice, Saka, Saliba, Odegaard, Raya all played in the Arsenal side. Palhinha's contribution was significant that game if my memory serves me right. One could argue that it has taken 2 players this season, to do the job of Jao last season. Think we missed Cairney too on Sunday. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 08:11:29am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        For me the key difference was that our victory last season, however well-earned was against an Arsenal giving one of their worst performances of the season. Notwithstanding their lack of a cutting edge on Sunday their overall display was much better. (NT) -- Bexhill Beast, Tuesday, December 10, 09:45:37am (host86-171-237-150.range86-171.btcentralplus.com/86.171.237.150)
        
        If it was their worst performance (I'd argue that was at home to West Ham), then could that not be due to the way Fulham played? (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 11:53:39am (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        We had similar possession: 34% vs 39%. Pal was good but not spectacular, even a bit subdued with just 2 tackles! That match was significant because it was during the period we shifted to two inside forwards with Cairney left centre and Andreas (Iwobi vs Arsenal) right centre. And it was one of Cairneys best performances in that time, in contrast to ESR, his replacements, performance. We also had BDR doing his thing, with the additional killer instinct he brought vs what we have now. (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 11:05:26am (175-183-84-143.adsl.dynamic.seed.net.tw/175.183.84.143)
        
        I can't argue with the Cairney vs ESR point. The latter player flatters to decieve. All this stuff about making the right decision to leave Arsenal. I'm not sure he has made Fulham his home yet. As for stats of the 2 games. Acc to the BBC stats: 23/24 - 4 shots on target, total 15 shots, 5 corners, 6 blocked shots, 20 touches in box. 24- 25: 2 shots on target, 2 shots in total, 0 corners, 3 touches in box, 0 blocked shots. I came out of the game feeling relieved but a bit disappointed on Sunday. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 12:00:39pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
        
        Yes me too. I agree with you above that they probably played poorly because we made them. I think the Cairney/ESR thing and extra firepower with BDR were the key factors. ESR is doing well I think, but he's not imposing himself on games and I wonder whether he ever will. He doesn't seem to have that cocksure arrogance, which Cairney absolutely has. He seems fragile. He reminds me a bit of Gazza, both in how he plays and his mental fragility (though food, not booze the crutch) (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 12:12:20pm (175-183-84-143.adsl.dynamic.seed.net.tw/175.183.84.143)
        
        People underestimate playing couple of days earlier, with a busy period coming up. The play was always to sit deep, leave no space for saka behind and counter. We’d have run out of steam if we’d gone hard & pressed too much, players need to be preserved, so easy to pick up injuries and collapse late in games if we go full tilt every match, was smart management to hold back, there’s a lot of games to be played, tactical adjustments are needed for physical as well as oppo reasons. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 10, 12:37:47pm (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
        
        Can't discount that as a contributing factor. (NT) -- Juana Aorta, Tuesday, December 10, 01:55:41pm (217-155-46-35.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk/217.155.46.35)
- The "Silva effect" is interesting. As a man-manager he's capable of helping a player realize his potential. But there's also the team building: the stability, clearly defined plans, group captains, and ever better players. We've reached a moment where the chances of any given signing succeeding seem to have greatly increased. A bit like the fabled Liverpool "boot room". For Berge, he's no longer the best player on losing teams. It has to help. (NT) -- eganonoa, Tuesday, December 10, 03:56:39am (h200-210-66-13.lh.com.tw/210.66.13.200)
- The Earth is covered by 70% of water ….the remaining 30% is covered by Berge (NT) -- From FOF, Tuesday, December 10, 08:43:01am (2e409fa8.skybroadband.com/46.64.159.168)
- I agree, thought we’d signed the wrong type of CM and needed a sitting type a la Andre (who I still think would be a good player for us, just bad circumstances at wolves), thought Berge was a marauding break into box type who although a good player would drift out of games and not be defensively great. Turns out our manager and recruitment team know a bit about football and he’s another quality signing. (NT) -- Henry1879, Tuesday, December 10, 08:57:29am (croy-26-b2-v4wan-167127-cust1611.vm24.cable.virginm.net/82.38.22.76)
What a day out yesterday -- View from the Riverside, Monday, December 09, 04:03:51pm (static-84-9-58-207.vodafonexdsl.co.uk/84.9.58.207)
What a great day out yesterday. So many positives about the team. I looked at the programme line up sat up in the Riverside and thought that AFC had so much talent. But we stopped them playing, contained them and they offered very little other than the set piece nonsense. I think they have become a bit obsessed with the set pieces, a gimmick, which came as a detriment to their attacking play. With regards to us – three questions. 1. ESR – is he fit, does he unbalance the team, when will he be fit? Is he an opener and AP, with his energy the closer? 2. Traore – looks like a bouncer, plays like a bouncer. Surely he is an impact sub at best. No composure. He goes missing in defensive situations, unlike Iwobi who puts in a shift. 3. What to do with Wilson? Another impact player or a important starter? For me consistency is an issue and does he tackle back enough to cover marauding fullbacks? Those three are the last three bits of the puzzle.

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- So, based on your summary, what two positions would you choose to improve? Happy with Raul and Muniz? (NT) -- January Puzzle, Monday, December 09, 05:00:28pm (48.92.93.209.dyn.plus.net/209.93.92.48)
- I would still ( for now at least ) start AP over ESR (pressing/off the ball work v skills too infrequently seen. I Do agree that perhaps he lacks fitness but has he ever been this dynamic player we would all like to see ? For me in most games Berge and Lukic start , as we are so much better balanced that way . (NT) -- Mickey, Monday, December 09, 05:00:37pm (82-132-230-22.dab.02.net/82.132.230.22)
- I've never been a fan of Traore. To me he's all speed and very much nothing else. No doubt Tony brought him in for his WWE circus, a greased up muscle man. He lost his confidence with those missed chances against City and never has recovered. Would any team release a 27 year old on a free if they were any good? don't think so. With regard to ESR he reminds me of Brian Ruiz, a luxury player who turns up occasionally. (NT) -- MWKent, Monday, December 09, 05:10:16pm (host-80-46-12-4.as13285.net/80.46.12.4)
- Wilson put in a helluva shift when he came on. Very disciplined, chasing lost causes and tracking back….deserves a start at Liverpool. (NT) -- Bad Boy, Monday, December 09, 05:29:29pm (NoHost/2.222.160.125)
- Re: What a day out yesterday: let's not right ESR off he started really well but has had a couple of poor games. He is a young player with immense talent Marco will work with him and improve his game. Was surprised by Traore yesterday do not know why he didn't run with the ball as he did so well against Manchester City. Great defensively but we lost our composure on the ball. (NT) -- Honest, Monday, December 09, 05:40:19pm (host31-48-224-73.range31-48.btcentralplus.com/31.48.224.73)
- What a load of negative sh1t about Traore. Always gives us a little bit more when he is playing and had Nelson been a FFC player rather than loanee and played yesterday, we would have lost. (NT) -- AC, Monday, December 09, 11:13:14pm (2e40d84f.skybroadband.com/46.64.216.79)
  - Yes I’m with you on this. People remember the misses more than they do the fact that he gets teams on the back foot running towrds their own goal, and that only Robinson has more assists than him even though he barely plays. I’d start him over Nelson all day long. (NT) -- Hg, Tuesday, December 10, 08:40:43am (NoHost/31.94.34.149)
    - Feel like playing him on the left was a mistake as his distribution sorta proved, he also seemed to not track back enough which was disappointing for a player with that level of fitness. Imo not as bad as AP who although only played 30mins was jogging around seemingly not very interested. (NT) -- FF, Tuesday, December 10, 09:32:06am (82-132-236-91.dab.02.net/82.132.236.91)
      - Yes I thought it was a bit strange that he played left and iwobi right, as both have played better on the opposite flanks. Maybe silva wanted to give saka and whoever was right back something more to think about other than getting forwards. Hopefully they will switch back for Liverpool game .although Trent is their weakest defender so maybe he will get adama to go after him too (NT) -- Hg, Tuesday, December 10, 11:44:18am (NoHost/31.94.34.149)
        
        Silva wanted Iwobi (who is more positionally flexible than Adama) on the right, so that out of possession Tete could tuck into central defence, Iwobi would go to RB in a 5-4-1 - this is the way we often used Decordova-Reid. As noted Robinson needs to stay at LB to control Saka (NT) -- Jungle J, Tuesday, December 10, 02:29:57pm (cpc124440-croy27-2-0-cust52.19-2.cable.virginm.net/77.101.86.53)

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