Fulham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[mr woo]

In other words, without stating the obvious, I think taking someone like Gareth Barry would benefit us more than say, (for example) another Helenius.

I can understand why he bought Helenius if he sees him as one for the future (and he may be a brilliant prospect, I have no idea, we've hardly seen him). Same with Bowery, I guess.

I do think we need to start signing some players for now, though.

I agree Paulie, I think transfer opportunities present themselves rarely. Timing is all important, an elapsing contract, a financial need to sell, a managerial change, the player has reached the point he wants a move or whatever. 'You snooze - you lose', as they say. Its perfectly possible we'd never have the chance to purchase said player again. Lambert backs his judgement and does what he thinks is necessary.

As you say though, I just think sometimes these lads need a bit more help on the pitch. Before their confidence is shot.

If you were Nathan Baker (again only for example), would you rather muddle through with Ciaran Clark at your side, or would you rather be talked through the game by an international like Ron Vlaar.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Weimann's was an incredibly anonymous performance today, really, really poor.

On the flip side, I thought Chris Herd did quite well.

Yes thought Herd put in a good shift, especially the fact that he has not played in the first team for a while. Would put him in front of the defence in a breaking up play role, when Vlaar is back ......

[Clampy]

Just got back. What the hell was Lambert thinking of with that defensive line up? He could have kept it as simple as possible by playing Lowton, Clark, Baker in their normal spots and somebody at left back but decided to play three players of position. Throwing Herd in at centre half who hasn't played for ages was a silly idea and it showed, I thought he was awful but it wasn't his fault.

Oh and that ref was shockingly bad,

[Pat McMahon]

A truly awful performance for me. I don't think there was a redeeming performance from that game. Guzan made a few good saves, they hit the post twice and had a couple of clearances off the line. All I can recall is a Benteke shot straight at the keeper in the first half. Our passing and movement were shit - which forces the defence to hoof it long

The dost distressing fact was that a team which has had a manager in place for two games played better football than we did after 16 months together.

And a Fulham mate sent me a message telling  me we are the worst team he has seen this season - except for Fulham!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Gotta say Mr Lambert looks well and truly pissed off in the post match interview - although he says the lads gave plenty of effort he clearly recognises their shortcomings today and doesn't use injuries as an excuse - We weren't good enough.
I completely agree with him on the penalties and the new Fulham boss is gracious enough to admit they were lucky to get theirs and would have been disappointed if they hadn't got the one when Gabby was pulled down. He agrees with Lambert then.
Those two decisions were crucial and Dean fu**ed up.
As he did with quite a few others including Berbatov committing two consecutive fouls which Dean spoke to him about then did nothing when he committed a third.
He was shit.
So were we.
What we need next is a good win over a mid-table club like......
O bugger!

[Irish villain]

Dave Woodhall, if I could address this to you. I think everybody accepts what we are right now. We are like a business that has been inherited by a son from a spendthrift father and we are working to resolve a few 'legacy issues' (Ireland, Bent, N'Zogbia etc).

We can accept that we are having to make do with taking punts on players rather than signing people to come straight in and improve the team. We can also accept and buy into what the overall project is. It is a long-term project and a very admirable one. We accept that we will need a few years in mid-table before we can climb back up towards an assault on the top six.

What is frustrating though, and hard to accept, is the fact that we see so many frailties every week and no obvious sign that they are being worked on. Our defence has improved (well Vlaar and Clark at least have) but in so many areas we really ride our luck. We gift teams the ball because, despite being a premier league team,  our throw ins, our decision-making, our set-pieces and our tactics can be so painfully inept. If we're honest we have rode our luck. I was happy we got a point after we played Sunderland as they had some good chances and Southampton was a clear smash and grab (fair dues, Lambert got his tactics spot on that day).

But today, it was clear after ten mins that counter-attacking wasn't an option because Fulham had done their homework on us. And it is in those games where you need to rely on the basic skills of the game: passing, movement, intelligence, set-pieces in order to take something. And when that happens it is clear as day that we aren't good enough. Sure we will go along, soak up your pressure and hit you on the counter if you attack us but anything else is a struggle. Today, Westwood should not have been taking free kicks and corners. We all know this so why is he still taking them? We know Benteke is off form and winning very little in the air so shy do we punt it long to him? It is just frustrating to watch us be torn apart like that and to be so poor at so many basics. After what, 50+ league games with this project, you just wonder will it take another 50 games for us to learn how to get these basics right?

[Louzie0]

Bollux.

[Dave Clark Five]

There was a flicker of some endeavour when one of ours was fouled at the far end. The crowd got going and I thought that we were going to see a change. Unfortunately, it only lasted for about 5 seconds.
When we were sitting on that bus after the game, I began to think what a waste of money the whole game was. Meanwhile, back in a nearby football dressing room, I doubt if there was any concern being shown about the days work.

[Meanwood Villa]

Still haven't seen us play well this season although in contrast some results have been good. Most of the 'edge of the seat' action comes from wondering if we are going to clear a dangerous situation rather than because of exciting attacking play.
We don't get wide often enough to cross ourselves but let the opponents cross with impunity from wide open spaces. Set piece delivery is rarely accurate let alone threatening; we readily cede possession and seldom press opponents. Players try, but generally lack skill and awareness and last ditch tackles and clearances bear witness to the panic created by players constantly being caught out of position.

Nail on head. We were given the run around today by not a very good team.

[dave.woodhall]

Bollux.

What she said.

[john2710]

In other words, without stating the obvious, I think taking someone like Gareth Barry would benefit us more than say, (for example) another Helenius.

I can understand why he bought Helenius if he sees him as one for the future (and he may be a brilliant prospect, I have no idea, we've hardly seen him). Same with Bowery, I guess.

I do think we need to start signing some players for now, though.

We needed experience this time last year & he didn't buy them or wasn't allowed to buy them when we were seriously in the shit. I doubt very much he'll be buying anyone of note this time either.

A wounded Man Utd, albeit their worst side in a generation, will rip us apart next week.

I wouldn't put a penny on us beating anyone at the moment and at some point everyone's patience is going to run out.

[dave.woodhall]

In other words, without stating the obvious, I think taking someone like Gareth Barry would benefit us more than say, (for example) another Helenius.

I can understand why he bought Helenius if he sees him as one for the future (and he may be a brilliant prospect, I have no idea, we've hardly seen him). Same with Bowery, I guess.

I do think we need to start signing some players for now, though.

We needed experience this time last year & he didn't buy them or wasn't allowed to buy them when we were seriously in the shit. I doubt very much he'll be buying anyone of note this time either.

A wounded Man Utd, albeit their worst side in a generation, will rip us apart next week.

I wouldn't put a penny on us beating anyone at the moment and at some point everyone's patience is going to run out.

How long is it since we won, again?

[Irish villain]

Bollux.

What she said.

Ok.

[richard moore]

Bollux.

That's being kind, I thought we were worse than that. Still, there's 10 teams below us apparently or some such number, which actually means we're quite good. In fact, there must be about 80 league clubs below us which therefore puts us on a par with Barcelona. And we've scored more goals or let in fewer than this time last season, or maybe both, and got more points too so I think we should be very pleased with that. And we're closer to 8th than we are to 14th which is amazing when you think about it. Aston Villa, almost top half or maybe already top half, who'd have thought it. I only wish my grandfather was alive to share in our good fortune.

[Monty]

In other words, without stating the obvious, I think taking someone like Gareth Barry would benefit us more than say, (for example) another Helenius.

I can understand why he bought Helenius if he sees him as one for the future (and he may be a brilliant prospect, I have no idea, we've hardly seen him). Same with Bowery, I guess.

I do think we need to start signing some players for now, though.

We needed experience this time last year & he didn't buy them or wasn't allowed to buy them when we were seriously in the shit. I doubt very much he'll be buying anyone of note this time either.

A wounded Man Utd, albeit their worst side in a generation, will rip us apart next week.

I wouldn't put a penny on us beating anyone at the moment and at some point everyone's patience is going to run out.

How long is it since we won, again?

Four days. Sack the manager, lynch the chairman, burn the stadium to the ground and move to Mexico.