Premier League - Fulham FC vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[mendipblue]

So close to a win but Morsy and Davis stupid challenges for pens.

Clarke so nearly won it but for me the subs were baffling, should never have taken Broadhead and Delap off, I feel we win that game had we not.

However had Leif Davis got the Red he deserved we probably lose that game.

The most important thing I take from it is going on what I've seen last Two games I'm changing my mind and saying as long as we continue with this formation we'll stay up.

I’m not sure why you think Davis should have been sent off Mike. If we had those decisions given against us every week you’d be going f**king nuts blaming poor refereeing, dodgy VAR and sh*t Premier League. That was a nailed on yellow card, nothing more.

Never a sending off. Had a defender on the cover, so yellow was correct.

[valleyroad]

That is on McKenna again for me, both positively and negatively. A point I would have taken at the start is gained due to him staying with the winning formula but then on 80 minutes when it was crying out for an extra defender or instructions to protect the lead and we hare up the pitch and give away a lazy penalty. Poor game management for me. When will he learn that we will not outscore teams in this league every week?

You wouldn't have been saying this if Clark effort had went in. Small margins. You need to stop the Mckenna bashing

By the way 'we' don't need to do anything of the sort. I would argue that 'you' need to wake up and smell the coffee cos we see this week after week and you dare not criticise what is clear to see. I think you are mistaken. I reserve every right to say what I think and it is not 'mcKenna bashing' - if you think that then you need to grow a pair or grow up.

No problem with you giving your opinion and wether you are more right than me on your opinion of McKenna is neither here nor there to me.
I just think today your criticism is not justified and is getting to be your default.
As it is for the most part I have tried on here to give my opinion on why Mckenna plays like he does.
Quite a lot of abuse has been thrown at him on here so tried to counter it a bit
I remember Town staying up in 92/93 sitting in so we will see

[Blue Wilf]

You wouldn't have been saying this if Clark effort had went in. Small margins. You need to stop the Mckenna bashing

By the way 'we' don't need to do anything of the sort. I would argue that 'you' need to wake up and smell the coffee cos we see this week after week and you dare not criticise what is clear to see. I think you are mistaken. I reserve every right to say what I think and it is not 'mcKenna bashing' - if you think that then you need to grow a pair or grow up.

No problem with you giving your opinion and wether you are more right than me on your opinion of McKenna is neither here nor there to me.
I just think today your criticism is not justified and is getting to be your default.
As it is for the most part I have tried on here to give my opinion on why Mckenna plays like he does.
Quite a lot of abuse has been thrown at him on here so tried to counter it a bit
I remember Town staying up in 92/93 sitting in so we will see

We may well stay up and I sincerely hope we do. I also don't need your blessing as to whether my criticism (I prefer to call it my point of view) is justified or not. Seriously - did you read my post as 'abuse' of McKenna?? Really? Wow - the world has changed more than even I ever imagined if that is the case!

[mendipblue]

McKenna was not at fault today at all. Poor decision making by two players was the issue. Morsey and Davies stupid challenges. FACT.

[MasseyFerguson]

A point is an excellent result even though it was gutting to concede that silly penalty at the end to cost us two more.

The Davis foul was a yellow all day long.

Onwards and upwards.

[Bluemike]

I may be being harsh but I'd be screaming Red if that Davis challenge went against us. Maybe I need to see it again.

[valleyroad]

By the way 'we' don't need to do anything of the sort. I would argue that 'you' need to wake up and smell the coffee cos we see this week after week and you dare not criticise what is clear to see. I think you are mistaken. I reserve every right to say what I think and it is not 'mcKenna bashing' - if you think that then you need to grow a pair or grow up.

No problem with you giving your opinion and wether you are more right than me on your opinion of McKenna is neither here nor there to me.
I just think today your criticism is not justified and is getting to be your default.
As it is for the most part I have tried on here to give my opinion on why Mckenna plays like he does.
Quite a lot of abuse has been thrown at him on here so tried to counter it a bit
I remember Town staying up in 92/93 sitting in so we will see

We may well stay up and I sincerely hope we do. I also don't need your blessing as to whether my criticism (I prefer to call it my point of view) is justified or not. Seriously - did you read my post as 'abuse' of McKenna?? Really? Wow - the world has changed more than even I ever imagined if that is the case!

I don't read your post as abuse at all.
I said that previously there was quite a bit of abuse towards McKenna on here which wasn't aimed at you specifically but if you want to see it like that so be it.
I'll stick to my point today though and say your criticism of McKenna is unjustified !!

[JamessB]

McKenna was not at fault today at all. Poor decision making by two players was the issue. Morsey and Davies stupid challenges. FACT.

Absolutely agree, can’t pin any blame on McKenna for two moments of madness. I think we should take the positives from the last two performances and move on. Maybe with a couple of additions to strengthen our options off the bench we will improve at seeing games out. I’m happy that we’re competing in the majority of games against established premier league teams.

[Blue Wilf]

No problem with you giving your opinion and wether you are more right than me on your opinion of McKenna is neither here nor there to me.
I just think today your criticism is not justified and is getting to be your default.
As it is for the most part I have tried on here to give my opinion on why Mckenna plays like he does.
Quite a lot of abuse has been thrown at him on here so tried to counter it a bit
I remember Town staying up in 92/93 sitting in so we will see

We may well stay up and I sincerely hope we do. I also don't need your blessing as to whether my criticism (I prefer to call it my point of view) is justified or not. Seriously - did you read my post as 'abuse' of McKenna?? Really? Wow - the world has changed more than even I ever imagined if that is the case!

I don't read your post as abuse at all.
I said that previously there was quite a bit of abuse towards McKenna on here which wasn't aimed at you specifically but if you want to see it like that so be it.
I'll stick to my point today though and say your criticism of McKenna is unjustified !!

Thats fine - we will agree to disagree. If you read what I said, I said it was on KM both positively AND negatively. He will never get everything right (who does) and has clearly found a formula that is bringing points at least, but sometimes you have to weigh up the odds and try not to repeat mistakes - that is all I am saying. The games where that mistake has been made have been well documented on here - I just fear that we will rue that attacking spirit (which we love when pushing or chasing a game) that we fail to curb when we are in winning positions.

[JohnnyB]

Enjoyed the game generally.

First half Fulham were all over us and nicking the opener was a great smash and grab. I too think Davies could have gone for the foul on Wilson - but we'll take the break, thank you!

Second half we concede two pens (yeah two week in week out legends were culpable) and get one ourselves. Course got to be disappointed not to have held on for the three points but all in all taking a point at the cottage is a good result and honestly three would have flattered us a bit.

At the end Jack Clarke could have won it but also nearly gave it away. That sort of game...

[hallamblue]

VR. I'd say the substitutions lste in second half are critical and ALL about game management when you are winning at that point.

McKenna brings on two lightweight forwards who are not only lightweight going forward but non existent in their defending duties when we're not in possession.

I suppose Mck can only use whats at his disposal. As I said in another thread our bench is weak compared to other PL teams. But personally at 1-2 with 10 mins to go I'd have been going for more experienced players coming on and preferring defenders to attackers to see the game out.

[hallamblue]

And on a final positive nite;


https://twitter.com/hashtag/FULIPS?ref_ ... htag_click

[valleyroad]

We may well stay up and I sincerely hope we do. I also don't need your blessing as to whether my criticism (I prefer to call it my point of view) is justified or not. Seriously - did you read my post as 'abuse' of McKenna?? Really? Wow - the world has changed more than even I ever imagined if that is the case!

I don't read your post as abuse at all.
I said that previously there was quite a bit of abuse towards McKenna on here which wasn't aimed at you specifically but if you want to see it like that so be it.
I'll stick to my point today though and say your criticism of McKenna is unjustified !!

Thats fine - we will agree to disagree. If you read what I said, I said it was on KM both positively AND negatively. He will never get everything right (who does) and has clearly found a formula that is bringing points at least, but sometimes you have to weigh up the odds and try not to repeat mistakes - that is all I am saying. The games where that mistake has been made have been well documented on here - I just fear that we will rue that attacking spirit (which we love when pushing or chasing a game) that we fail to curb when we are in winning positions.

Nws all good with me.

[marko69]

Posting in peace and for the banter ….. But i’d imagine this’d be like sitting next to a few folk on here at the game …… there are many at Easter Rd!

https://youtu.be/Ss7Ldx29GVQ?si=9PNiBKot191Is5tg

[Blue Wilf]

Posting in peace and for the banter ….. But i’d imagine this’d be like sitting next to a few folk on here at the game …… there are many at Easter Rd!

https://youtu.be/Ss7Ldx29GVQ?si=9PNiBKot191Is5tg

are you sure thats not Marco Silva as he certainly displayed all of those moves on the touchline in the first half today!

[marko69]

Looks to me like the only penalty that was a penalty was the Leif Davis penalty. ….. i mean jeezo, Leif??

But Jiminez and Delap, to quote Young Framkenstein, “collapsed like bunches of broccoli”. Its a disgrace.
Martin Boyle @ Hibs?
If i was Hibs boss…… i’d be giving it, “Dive even once, NO wages!”
(Probably be sacked after a week!!)

But, , even WITH VAR, it’s still in the game. Which means it’ll always be there. Need to continue on watching the AFL for 100% “cheating free” sport ——>> and there’s infinitely more contact.

[Ricco]

- Broadhead's cross that led to the opener was superb. Had that been Cole-Palmer, Chelsea fans would be crossing their legs and reaching for the tissues.

- Morsy penalty was stupidity of the highest order, I'd fine him if I were the club there was little danger... I thought he had more brains than that.

- Fulham player should have been at least carded after getting in the ref's face after Morsy's 'challenge'.

[Bluemike]

VR. I'd say the substitutions lste in second half are critical and ALL about game management when you are winning at that point.

McKenna brings on two lightweight forwards who are not only lightweight going forward but non existent in their defending duties when we're not in possession.

I suppose Mck can only use whats at his disposal. As I said in another thread our bench is weak compared to other PL teams. But personally at 1-2 with 10 mins to go I'd have been going for more experienced players coming on and preferring defenders to attackers to see the game out.

Yeah i made similar point regarding substitutions, I wouldn't have taken Delap and more so Broadhead off, the latter was picking up so much ball and putting them on the back foot, having made the subs Clarke and Ali were the last Two I'd have brought on.

[Charnwood]

VR. I'd say the substitutions lste in second half are critical and ALL about game management when you are winning at that point.

McKenna brings on two lightweight forwards who are not only lightweight going forward but non existent in their defending duties when we're not in possession.

I suppose Mck can only use whats at his disposal. As I said in another thread our bench is weak compared to other PL teams. But personally at 1-2 with 10 mins to go I'd have been going for more experienced players coming on and preferring defenders to attackers to see the game out.

The problem is Liz, Fulham are the Premier Leagues joint leading goal scorers in the final 10 minutes with 10 scored so far. McKenna will be well aware of that and probably thought it was too dangerous to sit back and invite the onslaught. The biggest problem we have is Al Hamadi being a totally useless replacement for Delap although this will change when Hurst is back. Our other problem is that we need a late defensive replacement for Davis and we don’t have one. For me all the other substitutions made perfect sense although personally I’d prefer to keep Cajuste on the pitch until the end. Just a shame Jack Clarke’s brilliant late effort crashed against the post otherwise it would have been 1-3 and game over with Town up to 16th place, so fine are the margins.

[Bluemike]

Morsy was stupid but where we were unlucky was the build up to it, a Fulham player down and rolling around on the half way line with a head injury, normally they can't wait to stop play for such an injury but not this time. Fine margins.

[Charnwood]

In my opinion if we manage to avoid relegation Morsy will need replacing next season. For all his drive and leadership qualities which are unquestioned he’s definitely off the pace at this level, prone to errors and gives away far too many free kicks in dangerous positions.

All this said would I have taken a point today before kick off, of course I would and four points over Christmas and New Year is an unexpected bonus for most of us and definitely raises our hopes for survival.

[Bluemike]

In my opinion if we manage to avoid relegation Morsy will need replacing next season. For all his drive and leadership qualities which are unquestioned he’s definitely off the pace at this level, prone to errors and gives away far too many free kicks in dangerous positions.

All this said would I have taken a point today before kick off, of course I would and four points over Christmas and New Year is an unexpected bonus for most of us and definitely raises our hopes for survival.

Sadly that may be the case but we'll need to sign a damn good replacement cus there isn't one at the club atm.

[ashfordblue]

Here's my solution, Jack Clarke needs more game time that's a fact, Davis needs to be in midfield we need a new LB you can't expect him to go charging up the left for 90 minutes when you've got Jack Clarke who's a natural left-sided winger, and Broadhead should never have been subbed Al Mahadi just ain't got it and shouldn't be on the bench Burns should have been on a lot earlier, Walton should keep his place ahead of Muric.
I was proud of the boys today for the fight and determination, If I were KM to get Liam to conserve his energy just stay in the halfway area and wait for the breaks and long balls we don't want him defending.
Overall I can see why we brought in Godfrey from Atalanta on a loan let's get another couple of strikers and a midfielder to take Morsey's place Sam is proving to be a liability

[marko69]

Fulham are the Premier Leagues joint leading goal scorers in the final 10 minutes with 10 scored so far. McKenna will be well aware of that and probably thought it was too dangerous to sit back and invite the onslaught.

Love stuff like this. Micro stats amongst the bigger picture. No doubt things that decent managers will be aware of like you say here. Would never have given that stat a single thought. Adding to the more than several reasons as to why i plumb!

[Bluemike]

Ash come on, Morsy a liability lol, yes he made a mistake for sure but we'd be cut adrift by now without him.

There must be a few on here today who think KM is a right idiot after his statement earlier in the week that Morsy is such an important and influential captain, you guys clearly think he's wrong.

[Charnwood]

In my opinion if we manage to avoid relegation Morsy will need replacing next season. For all his drive and leadership qualities which are unquestioned he’s definitely off the pace at this level, prone to errors and gives away far too many free kicks in dangerous positions.

All this said would I have taken a point today before kick off, of course I would and four points over Christmas and New Year is an unexpected bonus for most of us and definitely raises our hopes for survival.

Sadly that may be the case but we'll need to sign a damn good replacement cus there isn't one at the club atm.

To replace him it would probably need to be our biggest signing Mike. I accept that 100% but age isn’t on his side.

[Ricco]

Here's my solution, Jack Clarke needs more game time that's a fact, Davis needs to be in midfield we need a new LB you can't expect him to go charging up the left for 90 minutes when you've got Jack Clarke who's a natural left-sided winger, and Broadhead should never have been subbed

I'm not sure that's a solution? It looks to me that you've just highlighted 3 players that need or deserve good game time and there's only a couple of positions to satisfy them with. Care to clarify?! Who would you play down the left, providing we continue with a left wing back, who surely has to be Davis. So there is the left hand forward spot where Broadhead, Clarke and also Szmodics have or can play?

[Charnwood]

Ash come on, Morsy a liability lol, yes he made a mistake for sure but we'd be cut adrift by now without him.

There must be a few on here today who think KM is a right idiot after his statement earlier in the week that Morsy is such an important and influential captain, you guys clearly think he's wrong.

I don’t think he’s wrong at all Mike, I just don’t see any longevity there especially at our current level. If we were in the Championship or League One I think we’d probably get at least another season out of him maybe more but he will be 34 this year as we won’t get 90 mins out him every week much longer in the EPL.

[Bluemike]

It would be so strange to see Sam Morsy slowly fading out of the picture, I love the guy

[hallamblue]

Yes, me too Mije. But he's the wrong side of 30 now and currently playing at the highest domestic level. His replacement will undoubtedly be on Ashtons to do list, as we continue to plan for the future. I remember him saying in one of his interviews that they were always planning for something like 2 seasons ahead.

Do you think Phillips / Cajuste could be the answer?