The first thing to say is that we remain very much masters of our own destiny. That was a terrific point Sunday in Manchester, and who's to say we can't duplicate the feat across town on April 9th? I would back our defensive unit to go up against anybody in the league at present.
It was clear from 20 minutes in City came into the game looking lethargic and disinterested. Mancini obligingly had Tevez playing too deep. Instead of being the focal point of their attack he became peripheral to City's forward play and decided to do what Carlos does best for the afternoon - he sulked. Balotelli conjured a deadly strike out of nothing, but his attitude stinks. For the money some of these prima donnas pick up I would have them shovelling manure at the training ground all week with the apprentices. Only when Viera came on did I see signs of professionalism from the City ranks. Barry looked ordinary, Dzeko a waste of space...it was a very poor performance from so-called title aspirants. But credit Fulham for their organisation and tenacity in making Citeh appear as washed out as their blue kit.
We were well worth our point, Duff's equaliser a lightning break of real quality. I've been waiting all season to see that simple move unlock a defence. We all know Brede is entirely comfortable on the ball, reads and anticipates play superbly, and can also deliver a quality pass. When he forages over half way too often this season the ball has been chipped up to the 'D' and our forwards have invariably lost out in the aerial challenge. Here was the perfect early ball arced down the side of defenders for Andy to fasten on to. An instant cross with pace and Duff arriving to hammer home before Hart, Toure and co knew what hit them. Superb!
I hope we see more of this in the weeks to come. With both Dembele and Dempsey having the same inclination to weave inside we still play too narrow. Without Sidwell we immediately lose the option of shooting from range. Solid though Etuhu was at winning the ball and moving it along the midfield line, he lacks that extra dimension Steve now gives us in the final third. You saw at Eastlands clear instances where Dickson doesn't posses the quality to ask questions of an opponent coming forward nor has the vision to thread a killer ball.
Having said all that, we played as a cohesive unit, Mark was barely stretched, and it was a very professional performance - especially without BZ and SS - to come back and level. With a little more belief we might even have gone on to nick it. Still, another long trip up there where we've taken something from the game, and when you consider the outlay on players at Man City from the owners, no wonder Mancini couldn't look Hughes in the eye at the final whistle. It was the Whites who left the pitch with the last laugh as the away end mocked the big spenders.
Now let's make sure we build on that point with all three against Rovers at the weekend. The game's already sold out, Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen is suspended and this may be a good time to take on Steve Keen's mob on his first trip back to the Cottage in charge. We certainly cannot afford a flat performance ourselves - I think supporters all see this as one of the three must win games we still have at home that will guarantee survival. Who wants to be going into the final two fixtures at the Cottage (Liverpool and Arsenal) with pressure on us to win?
Of course, the team can still surprise us all, and remove any lingering pressure at a stroke, by picking up a win on the road. But do you really see it coming at Everton, Man U or Sunderland? All grounds where we habitually suffer. And trips to Wolves and Brum still to come...didn't they both have a weekend to remember?
It was 2008 when Hodgson conjured four wins from the last five to preserve our status. Someone from the basement is bound to do something similar. West Ham would be my guess. All the teams currently sitting below us in the league are still full of fight in this strange season.
You only have to examine our GD to see we are possibly in a false position, but Hughes now has to deliver on his promise that Fulham would finish stronger with all their star players fit. A few more big performances still required to dispel any doubts.
More news later in the week in the build up to Saturday, hopefully with Bobby back and fit.
COYW!
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