Written by kirsikka
Lightning start against Fulham at their place again, after last season’s second-half goal. I enjoyed that.
Defending set pieces is becoming a real concern. Not sure how many we’ve conceded from now, but it was a lot. Today, the ball in was good but the Fulham player didn’t need to do anything fancy. It was simply poor marking from Senesi, who let him get the wrong side of him. This has to be an area of focus in the weeks ahead on the training ground.
VAR can go away. Seriously. Fredericks taken out again and again nothing. All week Fulham have been bleating about how hard done by they are by VAR but we’ve been quiet despite now seven decisions in a row over the past six games going against us. We need to be shouting about it as they did, as it seems the only way to get one to go your way. It’s a complete joke now.
The setup was similar to last week, absorb the pressure and try and break in the spaces being left behind. A lot of the focus was trying to hit Tavernier as much as possible in the first 45 as they had a player playing out of position at RB who struggled to cope with him. It worked a dream in the first half but there was little to nothing going forward in the second after Fulham changed things
Still, a chapeau to O’Neil for targeting their RB so strongly. Having Billing drifting out as well there put him under all kinds of pressure and he simply couldn’t cope with it. By the same stretch, a criticism of O’Neil for not reacting to Fulham changing things (twice), which then pinned us back after the break. It was clear we no longer had the forward outlet and needed to alter things. Not the first time he’s been a touch passive with his subs.
Happy we eventually got to see Zemura and Anthony together, shame Billing wasn’t on then as well.
The penalty that was given against us was a penalty. Lerma being an idiot and falls for the bait. If we’re going to give away penalties this often maybe we should ditch Neto and get a keeper that specialises in stopping spot kicks? Only (half) joking, of course.
— Positive performances —
Solanke – Had them on toast in the first half. The ball was coming up to him, and it was sticking. Disappeared after the break.
Mepham – Solid as a solid thing on a particularly solid day, despite being under plenty of pressure. Given how he was the whipping boy for many in the past, we’ll have to start calling this season the Mepnaissance.
— Room for improvement —
Lerma – That penalty was totally bought against him, and he fell for it. All the good things he does fall away when he does stuff like that.
Overall, an away point is still handy. A bit disappointing the way we conceded the second half and didn’t try and go at them as there was a win available out there. Still, the points accumulation is stacking up.
O’Neil watch – Solid defensively, conservative in going forward. That seems to be his watchword. It might be what we need right now, and it got a draw, but I’m not sure how much I would enjoy watching this every week.
Man of the match against Fulham
Solanke
Billing
Tavernier
Lerma
Christie
Someone else
Your say…
Sandman2 wrote…
The first half performance was excellent, we looked keen to take the game to Fulham, dangerous whenever we attacked and deserved to lead at half time. The second half was a slog, I really don’t like it when we back off as it just invites continuous pressure. The penalty seemed to knock us back a bit, I need to see the replay but can’t help thinking the ref was desperately trying to find something there. That’s fine, but he needs to apply that mindset to every other corner and free kick and he clearly didn’t. Not sure if the lack of attacking intent was due to Fulham subs or instructions from Gary O’Neil, but we look better when we try to take the fight to our opponents and need to be positive for 90 mins. Fulham are a decent side with some skilful players, so 2-2 to keep the run going has to be positive.
Special mention to our support. I was high up in the away stand and the noise was incredible. Not sure how much the roof helped or if it was loud to other parts of the ground, but our away support has ramped up big time in the last few years and it is quite a lively atmosphere we can now produce. Never seen 20,000 home fans make so little noise like Fulham today, even when they were putting us under the cosh in the second half there was nothing. – Join the conversation, click here.
I disagree with the assertion that it’s a pen. They’re both doing the same thing, leaning into each other, then Mitrovic put his arm round Lerma stops leaning forward and leans backwards pulling Lerma (who’s already got his weight leaning forward off balance) down on top of him. It’s a foul on Lerma, it’s only been given that way because it’s a home decision, it’s Lerma and it’s Mitrovic. It’s simulation and the ref has been conned, VAR should have corrected that decision as I can believe the ref didn’t see Mitrovic’s arm around Lerma pulling him down but it was clear and obvious on replays. Mitrovic knew what he was doing right from the start of the encounter, I’m 100% with O’Neil in his assessment that it was a shocking decision.