Fulham (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

St Helens Blue (Exiled) said:
51.
Again. I see it week in week out. He is one of the worst signings to ever pull on the blue shirt.
He even manages to tackle himself along the way. He offers nothing apart from making the team weaker whenever he comes on or starts. How long do you want to give him?
Abysmal footballer simply not cut out for the rigours of Premier league football and its physicality. The fact he flirted with Spurs sums him up.
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I nearly launched myself through the living room window last night when towards the end he charged out of defence with the ball and immediately gave it away.
 
We have midfield players at full back and midfielders attacking and pressing from the front with just one DM who constantly gets overrun. When Pep played both Kova and Rodri we were more solid defensively so play the 2 Nicos as DMS, both sharing the load so both being able to play a full 90 mins ?
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Watched it. Every one of their four goals had similar aspects. Cut-backs/corners with deep runners in literally acres of space without a City player within yards. We defended in a line quite deep and invited them on to the ball. Unfortunately for us each of their finishes were wonderful but that doesn’t change the fact that our midfield was either too deep or not engaged. We have to find a way to defend the space immediately in front of the penalty box.
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You are correct.
We now have a big keeper who is happy to take responsibility on crosses and corners and punch the ball.
Unfortunately by virtue of the fact all our players defend corners so deep the ball ends up at an opponent’s feet with none of ours anywhere near him which means he has loads of time to line up his shot and hit it.
This could be solved by leave few of our more vertically challenged players on the edge of the box on corners somewhere in the vicinity of our opponents.
It’s not rocket science!
 
Kinkys Left Foot said:
All the handwringing.
All the pundits slagging us off saying we cant possibly win the League.
Opposition fans constantly telling us were nowhere near as good as Arsenal
Arsenal fans being crowned champions in Sep, no Oct, no Nov, now Dec.
Arsenal being the best version of themselves for 22 years.
Us being the worst version of ourselves (last year apart) for years.

Yet here we are right up their arses, 2 points behind, right in their wing mirrors.

This City side will get better, there are signs there if you look. Foden being somewhere near back to his best is a huge plus. We are of course in transition with several players still bedding in. Therefore of course we can be a bit fragile occasionally. Frustrating? Yes! Thats twice in succession we have absolutely dominated a side in the first 45 minutes. Played some lovely stuff last night, as did Fulham later in the game. Annoyingly Haaland takes his two easiest chances last night and we would have been 7 - 1 up! A fitter more conditioned Rodri will come back in very soon I suspect. That will give us a quality option in the key position for us. Kova back in at the end of Feb to join the final hurrah, if were still in with a shout.

I suspect we will start purring in about Feb-March. How unusual for a Pep side! Not!

We just have to stick in there for now, thats the difficult bit and be within striking distance when it really matters towards the end. Then we'll see if this Arsenal side have big enough cojones for the job.
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Good post.

For even the biggest clubs, transition is a 2-3 year process, encompassing a fall to mid-table year 1, maybe push for Europe year 2, then go again.

We are about 15 months into transition. Our "fall" has been to 3rd spot and CL qualification, plus robbed of an FA Cup win. We are now 2nd, just 2 points behind the leaders and out performing all but one of our rivals.

When you consider that we are also transitioning with our most indispensable player out for the duration, it's amazing the levels we are reaching this early into the process.

We should be applauding Pep and this squad of players, not lambasting them for having the temerity to take all three points in a 9 goal thriller at the Cottage.

Maybe, just enjoy the ride and see where it takes us eh?
 
Burtonblue said:
You are correct.
We now have a big keeper who is happy to take responsibility on crosses and corners and punch the ball.
Unfortunately by virtue of the fact all our players defend corners so deep the ball ends up at an opponent’s feet with none of ours anywhere near him which means he has loads of time to line up his shot and hit it.
This could be solved by leave few of our more vertically challenged players on the edge of the box on corners somewhere in the vicinity of our opponents.
It’s not rocket science!
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No its not. I don't see why Phil and Doku couldn't be occupying that space and at least put pressure on deep runners.
 
I have to ask what has happened to Philips??? Im presuming he's fit, if so surely he can protect the back four better than whoever we brought on when Nico went off. It's truly baffling, especially as he's had enough time around the place to pick some tips on how we play. Perhaps that shoulder injury and operation means he's as good as finished.
 
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