Fulham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[adrenachrome]

Sickening to concede 2 points so late in the game, but there was much to admire in that performance.

I love the way Bannan injects tempo into our forward play; Albrighton, Clark and Delf all did very well.

Villa fans in good voice.

[Salsa Party Animal]

It would be interesting to see what we will be like if we had Alan Shearer or Ruud Van Nisteelrooy in their prime upfront.

Shame about result, can't comment on game as I didn't see it. I wonder will we still play 4-5-1 formation if we had all 4 strikers fit and ready and on form.

[Ads]

Not long got back. Terrible traffic on the Fulham Palace Road.

One thing is certain, if Gabby was fit and playing, then we'd have won that game 4 or 5. The Fonz missed a hat-trick of sitters. NRC going off made no difference, as Clacker was excellent and wee Barry superb, along with Beaky on the wings.

Gabby not being fit has cost us so many points this season.

Disappointment aside, I’ve actually being nursing a semi the entire drive back thinking about how bloody good the three young midfielders were. All comfortable on the ball, Clacker times his tackles to perfection, Bannan is like a wasp with better vision than Superman and Albrighton is what we all know and expect.

The goal was brilliant. The pass and Marc’s first touch- sublime. If they were wearing red and white, then you wouldn’t be able to move for the wall to wall “Golden Generation” headlines and chit-chat.

[Small Rodent]

Always said that Gérard Houllier was the wrong man for Villa he should resign 30% win percentage just isn't good enough! Should of had Kevin Mac!

I love this comment!
That's the kind of logic that will make Sarah Palin president of America.

[levico]

Given that Houliier has today said that he will not be signing a striker in January (in fact he intimates that no transfer money is available) I think we can expect a long hard season.

I go further - not blaming anyone, but - can't see where our next win will come from and I'm pretty certain we will be in a bottom 3 place at Christmas. I think we will ultimately survive but I think we need to come to terms with this season being a write-off.

[Lambert and Payne]

Given that Houliier has today said that he will not be signing a striker in January (in fact he intimates that no transfer money is available) I think we can expect a long hard season.

I go further - not blaming anyone, but - can't see where our next win will come from and I'm pretty certain we will be in a bottom 3 place at Christmas. I think we will ultimately survive but I think we need to come to terms with this season being a write-off.

Drastic much? 3 points off a european place and its not been easy fixtures. Chin up eh?

[LeeB]

If Sidwell ever pulls on a shirt in front of a fit Bannan, it will be a disgrace.

I watch a performance like that from him, alongside Albrighton and Clark, and it makes me angry to think that of the plodders we've had playing that will never have their ability.

Fuck the result today and in recent weeks, we're getting a chance we'd never had if we'd still been desperately trying to cling on to the tails of the top four. We're having to play these kids through necessity, and it's quickly becoming clear they're more than good enough.

Onwards and upwards.

[AV82EC]

Just got back home.  Thought we were so unlucky not to walk with all 3 points today.  Thought our approach play at times was superb but it was allied to a good defensive shape and solidity in midfield.  If we can just get more clinical then we'll give someone a stuffing soon.  Oh and some new songs and even a chorus of the bells are ringing!!

Who needs Barry when you've got barry bannan
Who needs barry when you've got barry bannan
Who needs barry when you've got barry bannan
Whoa barry bannan

and whoever tried to get Depeche Mode "I just can't get enough" going, good effort, try again at blackburn please.

Great day out as ever at Fulham, last kick of the game equalisers aside.

Oh almost forgot, Ashley Young is woefully out of form at the moment, he can't make decent decision to save his life.

[BC54 VFC]

Back from the match after a 340 mile round trip and, yes, Ads the traffic was bad; I tried driving east before heading north but still took 80 mins to get to the 'Wembley' part of the A40. I've spent the past half-hour reading this thread and must say I'm appalled at the majority of (negative) comments.

Personally, I had a good day. Lunch with the wife sitting in the sun outside a cafe on Fulham Palace Road opposite Bishops Park. Then a stroll south to Putney Bridge, across the river on the east side, over the road and back on the west side then a stroll through the park including another bask in the sun by the Thames. Quick chat with DW outside the away entrance and then into the ground. Great to be able to mingle inside the ground with the Fulham fans with a good atmosphere and absolutely no hint of any trouble - a far cry from just six days prior; oh for every away game to be like this!

Onto the game. Having been to every game bar Vienna away this season I thought this was the best performance since the opening day, particularly taking account of the enforced changes, including Clark once NRC had to go off injured.

Albrighton's goal will struggle to be bettered this season - brilliant crossfield pass from Bannan and MA's first touch was sublime; it gave him the time he needed to be ahead of the defender in order to score. I can't wait to see it again on MOTD.

Bannan was absolutely brilliant all game; what a performance - he has got to play in central midfield henceforth - he did everything, long passes (as for the goal) interceptions, short passes, plenty of energy and controlled aggression. He looked like he'd been playing there for years.

Who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan?
Who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan?
Who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan?
Ohhhhhhh, Barry Bannan.

Ciaran Clark had an excellent game. As one previous poster has commented, and as I and others commented at the game, he has the potential to make the transition from defence to midfield as GB did, and he's quicker! 

Marc Albrighton had another good game; plenty of energy like BB and did some great tackes, and winning back of the ball several times after being dispossessed. It is churlish to blame him for the equaliser. He is the future of this Club.

Whilst Nathan Delfouneso was not quite so commanding in his performance as these three, then 'give him time'. His positioning got better the longer the game went on - I felt he was drifting out to the wings in the first half - and he just needs more confidence in front of goal.

Other sundry comments: Downing did some great passes into the box. Warnock / Dunne are 'getting there' and were much improved on their respective first half performances at Sunderland. Yes, I am a bit worried as to whether Ashley Young is playing for himself or the team.

Finally, the away support was fantastic today. Constant and loud throughout the game - easily the best away this season and I felt sorry for the players that the last minute goal meant they did not get the applause at the end that they deserved.

Yes, we do need the points, and a clinical finisher would help in this, but I'd rather dwell this evening on the players who have come through the ranks and who have done the Club proud this afternoon.   

[maidstonevillain]

Can't agree with the doom mongers, we will be alright, and I think GH is doing a good job.

We played well today, best football I have seen from a Villa team for a bit. Just very disappointing to concede so late.

Plus points:
Bannan, Clark, and Albrighton played well.
Superb take by Albrighton for goal.
Fulham fans around me in Neutral were drooling over Bannans pass out to wing in the second half that led to to Delfounesu chance.
Defence more solid than in recent weeks.

Minus points.

A Young very mediocre for much of the game.
Do not think Delfouneso has what it takes. Somehow I just felt he was only half-hearted in getting to balls because he did not want the responsibility.
Silly goal to concede at end, but could see it coming.

Plus point I think.

Sent son to DW with £2 for an H&V. Came back with no change and 2 H&V's. Still trying to work out whether I got a good deal.

Once the disappointment subsided, still had a good day out at Craven Cottage as per usual.

[eamonn]

Interesting quirk: Brede Hangeland failed a medical at Villa in August 2007...if only he could have been scoring an important last-gasp goal for us today.

John Carew failed a medical at Fulham in January 2002...if only he played for them whenever he's not arsed/injured.

[swiss1968]

My first trip to Fulham and a superb day out until the 93rd minute then everything went tits up ,train had no driver back from paddington then fighting on the train at reading meaning got back over an hour late and a sore head to boot,UTV !!! cant comment on the game really to pissed lol...

[BannedUserIAT]

Late to the thread and i've not yet read it so sorry if I'm repeating what's already been said.

Fonz is no premiership striker in my opinion. His lack of finishing cost us dear today .
 Ashle Young is a complete waste of space now. He offers nothing but overhit crosses and poor shots. He's a petulant, arm-waving, shin-grabbing lazy little oik. Sell him and get someone with useable talent.

What really cost up today though was a lack of experienced leadership on the pitch. From the start, we simply tried to match Fulham's game. Why?
Why not just play our own game? Things changed for the better for a short while when Clark came on as if put his foot on the ball and thought about it but we soon went back to a game plan that just didn't suit us.

Still, we did more than enough to win and I can't help but feel that even Sidwell on instead of Ash and we'd have won at a canter.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Haven't see the game yet but met a Fulham fan on the tube on my way to the airport and he was delighted with the point. Said if we'd had a decent striker on the pitch, we'd have beaten them 4 or 5-1.

Whatever happens, we need a few new faces in January.

[The Situation]

Nathan is no Premier League striker? Based on what? He's 19, it was his first ever game starting for us in the league playing as a lone striker. He did well, just didn't convert his chances althoug not all his chances were sitters like some were making out.

"I can't help but feel that even Sidwell on instead of Ash and we'd have won at a canter." What?! Sidwell is awful.