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A game unlikely to feature on any Premier League DVD promoting English football, this 1-1 draw will be soon forgotten, just another stat in the record books. Although the footie lacked class, with the action attracting barely a shred of scrutiny from the pathetic MOTD 'pundits,' the result gives rise to many issues for those of us who witnessed the whole game.
First up, as predicted right here, Hughes went in with an unchanged XI. Congrats to all those journos who filed their previews as Steve Sidwell's 'debut' for Fulham. In a poor first half Joe sadly reverted to type, but particularly sub-par was Simon Davies - so glaring was this I was moved to tweet at HT that Dembele must come on at once in his place. That he did not, proved a major tactical error by Hughes, and cost us the win. On 59, having conceded a truly dreadful goal, it should then have been AJ appearing for Camara, with the added option of pitching Gera into the fray for Duff in the final 10 minutes if needed.
You only had to see how Wigan's back line were really struggling at the death with Dembele, AJ and Clint running at them, to realise with the right players on the park the 3 points were there for the taking. Had Duff converted his big chance in the first half it would have been very difficult for Wigan - they were booed off at HT and the locals were getting restless, sensing these London softies were a pretty ordinary bunch. Sadly, along with other luminaries of last season, Damien is a pale shadow of his former self. He never looked likely to beat al-Habsi.
Shame on MOTD for not showing the quick free that set Dempsey in on goal. Offside? I'm not sure about that. But for all our overall possession, and far superior bench, we never made it count, with deputy keeper al-Habsi alarmingly underworked. Posters on other forums have also been banging on about our predictable sterility from corners, we had 11 to their 3. This has been a constant theme on this blog for some time. I hoped it was being addressed after the two 2nd half headers v West Brom, but clearly not. There can be no clearer indication that the backroom staff are not being creative or addressing serious tactical issues at Motspur during the week. For those with technical appreciation of coaching and an ability to analyse game patterns (Bilet in Norway and others) the disparity between ours and Blackpool's game plan this season for example is cause for real concern.
Without the big fella up top our approach has been wrong for months. Yet Hughes 'Groundhog Day' mentality has left us floundering among the Division's dead men. With Dembele back the ball must be kept on the deck, as it was for the 2nd half at Wigan. Or, it's time to wave the cheque book and bring in that 'presence in the box' you identified at the start of Jan we so desperately need Mr Hughes. What are you waiting for? Not sure who the target is any longer after Roque plumped for a return to Ewood? As for not pursuing an interest in Bentley to bolster the side with a genuine winger, today's MoM in the Brum derby.
As the manager does not ring me up to seek my opinion on games, we only have his post-match comments to feed off. "I'm really pleased for Andy, after such a long injury this will see him now up and running." But he's been fit since October and required 11 games to get a goal for heaven's sake! Plus his effort needed TWO deflections before it made the net. With that kind of thinking don't expect too much from the returning Bobby Z...in Markspeak he'll be deadly by May...As for the comment that we can make a top ten finish - play Stoke off the park Saturday, win by three clear goals, go to Anfield and really ATTACK (as Holloway did) and I'll happily re-jig my opinion on that.
To finish on a bright note, I saw the U-18's beat Norwich 3-0 in the Cup tie at the Cottage last Friday. The kids all have good technical ability and play their football in the right way, no lumping it forward. Three big Africans at 4,5 and 6, a speedy RB who loves attacking (Spanish youth international) and Signor Trotta leading the line with good skill and hold-up play, a battering ram though he is not. As to how many could go on to play in the senior side...that's a call I'm not expert enough to make. I guess it's one of the great imponderables of coaching.
And finally, I held this post back to see how the Sunday fixtures fell with the teams around us. Draws everywhere, so it's as you were and damage limitation from those 2 points squandered at Wigan, who I think will take the drop. But every upcoming game for the Whites too remains massive for a good few weeks yet. Bobby's return thank heavens edges ever nearer.
Keep the faith Twitter@fulhamphil.
Bravo to the travellers who made a real noise yesterday.
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