Only a point from our trip to the seaside means three played, three drawn and three points to date - not quite the return we would have liked for some enterprising football so far. But in truth we were lucky here to sneak away with a draw and sour the Tangerines return to the top flight.
A thumping header from Bobby set us on our way and at half-time that long-awaited away win seemed within our grasp. But the 2nd half belonged to Blackpool and once Zamo limped off we were on the back foot. Thanks to rail chaos at Manchester with the last Virgin Trains express back to the capital hopelessly oversubscribed - Man U, WHU and Fulham fans all vying for space along with the regular holiday weekend traffic - it was a VERY long day, but thoroughly enjoyable nevertheless.
I had the pleasure of meeting our Fulham FC Sweden contingent and have no hesitation in recommending their excellent site report at www.hammyend.com. They give a comprehensive breakdown of our display that we can debate all week. Well done guys. They also report interest from QPR for Eddie Johnson (for our USA readers).
For the faithful, common themes heading back south were - are Murphy's days numbered? What's our best set-up to exploit the potential we have? Do we actually need to sign another 'keeper? Are we putting too much emphasis on Zamo as the lone striker?
My own opinion for what it's worth on Saturday's evidence is that Dembele - who was excellent and made both goals - should be accommodated wide in a 5-man midfield, enabling Gera to support Bobby again in the style of last season. I maintain he and Bobby are on the same wavelength, whereas Clint tends more to the maverick of looking to do his own thing. Deuce frankly disappointed in the strike role, while Davies and Duff (again) were worryingly blunted.
Neither were helped by Pantsil having a poor game and Kelly being asked to fill in at left back on his weaker foot. As he was still on the payroll Konchesky should have played. Or even give Briggs another run out.
All in all, a terrific atmosphere for Blackpool's big day, plenty of noise from the travelling support, and a valuable learning curve for the boss as he learns more about his new team. We can build from here with confidence, and, sorry Blackpool, we will finish above you in the league.
Comments
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Posted by seth on 08/29/2010
3 games 2 on goals===very worrysome.
Not in love with the benching of Dempsey. It is his rouge style that allows Fulham to be more creative and play inspired football. Without him, we are a boring team that ties lesser quality opponents.
So we signed a Mexican defender; being an American and seeing the Mexican national team play so often, I didn't know that Mexico had any defenders! At 30 years old, not sure this guy is a long term solution.
3 games 3 points, not bad, not great.
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Posted by Nick on 08/29/2010
Thought the team played really poorly...have to wonder how smart it was to play a mostly first team against Port Vale.
Criticism of Dempsey is a bit unfair in this match cause he came in and basically had to play a target role which is clearly not his strength. Plus Murphy, Duff, and Davies offered very little service.
Was a little surprised by your Dembele comment...yes he had a hand in both goals (which in the end is probably the only thing that matters haha) but I thought he was invisible for most of the match when Zamora clearly needed some relief. Purhaps ur tactical recommendations may play better to his strengths.
Finally...I think we give Stockdale a run and we need someone to in central mid for Murphy (Greening isn't the answer)
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Posted by Jonathan on 08/30/2010
So in which position does Clint Dempsey play his best football?
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Posted by Roshaan on 08/30/2010
being that it is Mark Hughes i will not be surprised to see alot of draws with teams that have less quality than Fulham
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Posted by adam on 08/30/2010
i didnt get to watch the game, but i know from watching dempsey that he is better out on the wing than being a target man thats for sure. and he really is the x-factor for fulham so i dont understand why he is being benched. and as for salcido, ive watched him for years and he is an excellent player. he is definitely fulhams signing of the season and without a doubt he will be an amazing addition and great help to the team. too me, he is much better than konchesky
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Posted by Footballer on 08/30/2010
Clint should have handed in a transfer request over the summer. He's going to get screwed yet again. The idea that all footballers from the Continent are better than Americans is absurd yet that is what continues to happen. Gera is a stiff. Sorry. He's a sub at best. Dempsey has been Fulham's leading goalscorer 2 out of the last 3 seasons and can only manage 15 min a game whenever a new coach arrives. It's ridiculous. CALLING ON LYLE YORKS (aka. Clint's agent)...get him out of there and get him a pay-day and a place where he's appreciated.
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Posted by jaylenfrench on 08/30/2010
i couldnt tell if the lads were tired or if hughes saw something in blackpool's play that dictated us dropping back more. fulham never won a 50/50 and allowed them too much time.
i really like pantsil, but he made three mistakes that cost us two goals. if fulham would have played anything like they played against man u, that would have been a comprehensive win and it still should have been.
COYW!
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Posted by philly on 08/30/2010
Yey to Dembele..this kid will take over from Bobby.just a matter of time before we idolize Moussa,watch this space
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Posted by usman umar on 08/31/2010
I believe the players didn't played badly. We are still a team in transition and we will get better with each match. And nobody mentioned the contribution of Etuhu. The guy always gives in his best
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Posted by Charlie on 08/31/2010
I agree with some of the post and disagree wtih others.
Dembele was great! He's looking like a great signing!
Murphy did look lifeless for long stretches.
Clint did well considering how he was used. I thought that the game actually opened up for us offensively when he came on, moreso then it had in the first 60min. He was creating a lot of space for other players and with a few more estute supporting touches we'd have come away with another goal or two.
That said, it seems like people are confusing talent for their preferred style of football. Clint runs at people ... it's his style. He's not a "formation" kind of guy as much as he is a bull in a china shop. Gera, when confident, plays incredibly well and is very good at moving off the ball.
Whereas Clint is most effective when he's in control of the situation, Gera is most effective at supporting it.
Can't fault Hughes for giving Gera a run out either, considering his recent form.
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Posted by Eric on 09/01/2010
Charlie is 100% on. Dembele looks like a player. Dempsey should always be starting. I hate to speak ill of him, but Murphy is BY FAR the most overrated player on the team. Maybe Dempsey should move into the middle? He's not great playing up top but I think in mid he'd be great. I like Gera too. Either Dembele or Gera should be starting with BZ; if Dembele isn't he should be wide over Davies. Dempsey should be starting over Murphy in the middle. It will never happen because he's an established English player but one can dream.
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Posted by not Larry on 09/01/2010
Dembele looked worth the money on the night although would be interesting against better opposition. I can't see past a Bobby-Moussa 1-2 if we're to make it count in the final third. Clint as a replacement or sometime starter would do his best work alongside the new boy as Zoltan swings best behind Bobby. Veritable riches in attack, considering AJ's also gagging for it soon. Who would've thought?
Am mortified that Wolfsburg's Misimovic - ex-Bayern and easily the Bundesliga's best playmaker for the past few seasons - has left for a paltry 6.5mill to be the new Gheorghe Hagi at Galatasaray. That, if any, was Danny's long-term replacement and I'm sure we could've forked out that kind of money for a player at the peak of his powers at 28. Its the one hole we have for the foreseeable for Gera to fill if required.
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