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Posted by Phil Mison on 09/13/2011

One year ago our new manager had to hit the ground running. This year's appointee had all summer to prepare and Europa League ties to test out his squad. We've more pieces to the jigsaw, but Jol can't get them to fit.

The players looked confused. The fans certainly were. Somehow Sunday one of the poorest sides in the division held out to nick a point. Although the score at the interval was about right, with Blackburn seeing plenty of the ball, our overwhelming possession from the second period makes it all the more criminal that Robinson had but two real saves to make in the whole game.

Rarely have observations to this blog been so unanimous, whether from eye witnesses or those following us on TV, that Jol's folly of tinkering with one of the best centre-back pairings in the league is detrimental to the team. As Hoilett down the left was Rovers only real threat, a rare talent that lad, it was perhaps fortuitous Aaron only lasted 20 minutes. Kelly to be fair played well, but is he really now ahead of Baird? It's time the press started asked some straight questions of the boss as to tactics and his preferences. Once he comes out and tells us Chris Baird's not in his plans we can all stop fretting and move on.

There's plenty of questions I'd be putting to Jol right now if I had the chance. We all saw Fulham attempt to pass their way through the pack. Fair enough if Jol has told them to stick to the game plan and be patient. But surely good managers react to what's happening on the pitch. With Samba off at the break and Dunn departing soon after we should have stepped it up much sooner. I would have had the quicker impulses of Kasami on for Murphy and put Dempsey up alongside BZ, who too often was drifting out towards the corner flag. Starting Ruiz was a mistake, but I guess understandable when you want to show off your big new signing. Dembele needs to seriously re-invent himself. I've already questioned his value to the side going forward. With three home games this week let's lay off the gaffer for now. We assume the side are being asked to change the way they play, but always remember football is a simple game. We're way over complicating it at present. 4-2-3-1 or whatever it is. You have a ball. When you've got it and you see something called the 'goal,' have a whack at it!

With the game on TV and Twente, Man City and a little stroll up the Fulham Road to you know who all in the offing, Fulham did well to all but fill the ground with their various discounts. It was great to see so many youngsters attending, let's hope they come again with a better result. Meanwhile we have to live with being a bottom three side for now. If that has not changed after the QPR game Martin might find the natives giving him some stick.

My other thoughts on the game were that Mister Webb did not have his finest hour and that Salgado definitely barged into Bobby for a clear penalty in the first half. When you look at that incident compared to the pen Walters won at Stoke...no wonder Kenny was fuming. And I'll say it again, at present I still don't see what JAR brings to the party that Briggs doesn't.

Now my long-suffering friends. If you think you've got problems, I was treated to one disgrunted Rovers fan after another on Five Live driving away from the game. They clearly don't rate Kean, who was rumoured to be under threat had Blackburn taken a pasting. The fans have sent a petition to the owners demanding change, and guess who they want back at Ewood? Mr. Mark Hughes no less. I sympathise. Kean is punching way above his weight, has done little in the transfer market to inspire confidence, and spirited as their rearguard action was Sunday, I still tip them for the drop.

News ahead of the Twente tie coming up. Another game with tickets for a tenner. Will be interesting to see who gets a game Thursday before the daunting task of dealing with Citeh at the weekend.

Twitter@fulhamphil


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Comments

Posted by Vital_Teddy_KGB on 09/13/2011

We're in for a right good tonking from Citeh, I'm afraid. I also don't rate our chances of getting out of the group stage in Europa. Twente and Wisla are no pushovers, and the way we're playing, I can't see us progressing. Honestly, it might be the best thing that could happen. Our last European adventure was great, but we were managing well enough in the PL that season to just relax and enjoy it. This season is shaping up quite a bit differently and I'd rather not take any chances.

Posted by carlosbocanegra on 09/13/2011

very frustrating game. it should have been a comfortable 3 points, moving us up to midtable. what struck me the most was the lack of creative class in the final third. almost every free-kick and cross were very poor, rarely beating the first man. this, to me, was the biggest fault in the side sunday.

i have to disagree with you, phil, on dembele, i think he needs to be out there every game. he provides something this team desparately needs, the gull to drive at defenders and make them uncomfortable; he could be better in his decision making, but he provides a spark we need.

i am a little concerned, we have had a pretty easy schedule over 4 games and have only picked up 2 points. i am confident the team will gel, and agree we need all 3 against QPR.

Posted by John on 09/14/2011

I figured us for 51 points this year and 13 after 10 games. I won't start panicking until the end of October. Wasn't it Simon Davies who said in June that fans will really enjoy watching Fulham play this year? What happened? While I like having 2 matches per week, if we don't have a point per match average by early December, I will be okay if we get bounced from Europa. Keep up the great work Phil. Love reading your stuff.

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