Fulham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[RussellC]

If you watched MOTD 2 last night, Alan Hansen perfectly analysed Bacuna's positional weakness (and therefore Villa achilles heel) at right-back. He was starting far too high up the field for a full-back playing in a back 4. Lowton is very good at getting forward from deep-positions, whereas Bacuna very much looks like a winger playing at right-back. Whilst it was the penalty decision was a dreadful one, Bacuna shouldn't have been caught wrong-side of his man in that position in the first place.

It's made even more frustrating by the fact that Wiemann is currently not bringing anything to the side in an attacking side.

For me, next week's team picks itself after yesterday;

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna; Tonev/El Ahmadi, Delph, Westwood, Bacuna; Benteke, Agbonlahor.

[Clampy]

Like someone else said earlier in the thread, Lambert made a total mess of that yesterday from start to finish. Throw in most of the players having a terrible game and we ended up with us lucky not to have been beaten by more.

I like Lambert and overall I can see what he's trying to do but every so often I do wonder tactically what the hell he's thinking.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Lambert should find a very good tactician coach to work with him.

[eastie]

Lambert should find a very good tactician coach to work with him.

He will probably say he already has a very good coaching staff - most of who have been with him at various clubs .

[Brend'Watkins]

Like someone else said earlier in the thread, Lambert made a total mess of that yesterday from start to finish. Throw in most of the players having a terrible game and we ended up with us lucky not to have been beaten by more.

I like Lambert and overall I can see what he's trying to do but every so often I do wonder tactically what the hell he's thinking.

I can't see what he's trying to do at all.  Passing it around at the back might get our possession stats looking healthier but for what purpose?  And how narrow are we defensively?  Fulham's wide men had the freedom of the park yesterday.

[pauliewalnuts]

Like someone else said earlier in the thread, Lambert made a total mess of that yesterday from start to finish. Throw in most of the players having a terrible game and we ended up with us lucky not to have been beaten by more.

I like Lambert and overall I can see what he's trying to do but every so often I do wonder tactically what the hell he's thinking.

I can't see what he's trying to do at all.  Passing it around at the back might get our possession stats looking healthier but for what purpose? 

We spent chunks of the match doing that, then someone would look up, see god knows what at the other end of the pitch, and launch it up-field in the general direction of where Benteke should be.

[Dante Lavelli]

Like someone else said earlier in the thread, Lambert made a total mess of that yesterday from start to finish. Throw in most of the players having a terrible game and we ended up with us lucky not to have been beaten by more.

I like Lambert and overall I can see what he's trying to do but every so often I do wonder tactically what the hell he's thinking.

Yesterday was terrible but I do think his hands were tied by the number of injuries we have.  Even with the benefit of hindsight I'd struggle to pick a balanced side from the players available.

[JUAN PABLO]

The funny thing was we were all crying out for Lowton in the last few games. He came on against Soton and looked poor (albeit CH) and then he came on yesterday and gave the ball away in a good position at one point, which thankfully Fulham didn't capitalize on.
While our side is really struggling at the moment, I'm not sure what difference Lowton will actually make. He's a player who's clearly short on confidence himself. There also appears to be something between him and the gaffer. He's not far off having been treated like one of the bomb squad. What's gone on is anyones guess.

The fact Herdy came in and got a game over him spoke volumes. In fairness to Herdy I thought he was the best (of a bad bunch) at the back yesterday. What I do like about Herd, and why I wouldn't mind slipping him into midfield, is his commitment and attitude. That said, they lad went off injured again. If he fell into a barrel of boobs he'd come out sucking his thumb.

Lowton Made a difference against Cardiff i felt - bacuna was shocking at right back yesterday , more effective in midfield .

yes this is a reason to give Lowton a run out , as Bacuna is more effective there than RB and we cant judge people on ten minutes here and there as sub , give Lowton a few games to see how hes going.

[olaftab]

Whilst we were poor the Ref has done us out of a point , possibly all 3.

I think Fulham would still have found a way through to be honest. The ref was bloody shocking but we didn't deserve anything out the game sadly. Had we played even anywhere approaching mediocre I'd be really pissed off about that reffing display, as it was we were that bad it's not really bothered me too much.

Agreed. They could have had more. We barely looked like scoring. Again.

Guzans save from Berbatov in the first half was world class. So we're damn lucky to have a top keeper as well.

Agree with silhillvilla and don't agree with Meanwood Villa and supertom twice! Nothing lucky about a GK making a save.  Fulham were very lucky that the ref was partially blind.

[eastie]

If you watched MOTD 2 last night, Alan Hansen perfectly analysed Bacuna's positional weakness (and therefore Villa achilles heel) at right-back. He was starting far too high up the field for a full-back playing in a back 4. Lowton is very good at getting forward from deep-positions, whereas Bacuna very much looks like a winger playing at right-back. Whilst it was the penalty decision was a dreadful one, Bacuna shouldn't have been caught wrong-side of his man in that position in the first place.

It's made even more frustrating by the fact that Wiemann is currently not bringing anything to the side in an attacking side.

For me, next week's team picks itself after yesterday;

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna; Tonev/El Ahmadi, Delph, Westwood, Bacuna; Benteke, Agbonlahor.

Delph is suspended and theres doubt Vlaar will be fit

[JUAN PABLO]

Whilst we were poor the Ref has done us out of a point , possibly all 3.

I think Fulham would still have found a way through to be honest. The ref was bloody shocking but we didn't deserve anything out the game sadly. Had we played even anywhere approaching mediocre I'd be really pissed off about that reffing display, as it was we were that bad it's not really bothered me too much.

Agreed. They could have had more. We barely looked like scoring. Again.

Guzans save from Berbatov in the first half was world class. So we're damn lucky to have a top keeper as well.

Agree with silhillvilla and don't agree with Meanwood Villa and supertom twice! Nothing lucky about a GK making a save.  Fulham were very lucky that the ref was partially blind.

wouldnt have made no difference , fulham hit the post , we cleared off the line, they were much better than us.  We were clueless most the match. 

[olaftab]

wouldnt have made no difference , fulham hit the post , we cleared off the line, they were much better than us.  We were clueless most the match. 

All of that doesn't stop a football team from winning a game if the right calls are made by the officials. Clearing off the line is the player's job. Post is there for a reason.

[Walmley_Villa]

Another poor shapeless performance, we look like a McLeish team again, lacking in any quality.

If Man Utd play Giggs on Sunday he will dominate the game.

[eastie]

wouldnt have made no difference , fulham hit the post , we cleared off the line, they were much better than us.  We were clueless most the match. 

All of that doesn't stop a football team from winning a game if the right calls are made by the officials. Clearing off the line is the player's job. Post is there for a reason.

 , I felt we were outclassed all over the pitch and 2-0 flattered us - the Fulham penalty was harsh and we should have had one but I have no real complaints about the result - the better team won and we got exactly what deserved.

[JUAN PABLO]

wouldnt have made no difference , fulham hit the post , we cleared off the line, they were much better than us.  We were clueless most the match. 

All of that doesn't stop a football team from winning a game if the right calls are made by the officials. Clearing off the line is the player's job. Post is there for a reason.

we need to sort the team out first, get them to pass the ball to each other more than 3 times  , refs will always make these mistakes . We were robbed at Chelsea , yet I was proud after the game with the way the lads played , yesterday I was just frustrated with the pile of poo I witnessed.   The ref got it wrong but Im more concerned with our team at the moment.