Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa Play Off Final Post Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

I don't think the handball was a pen in a million years, trying to remove Albert's shorts was though which they aren't mentioning.

He didn't fall down so ref probably felt there wasn't a decision to be made.

Rarely see penalties given to players who remain upright as harsh as it is.

[littleoldme]

Bye bye Mr Bruce,had my doubts all along,so wish i was wrong.

[mr underhill]

maybe he should have gone over? The outcome might have taken it to extra time

[gpbarr]

The better team won - I wish Fulham good luck.

Obviously feel down however, its really not the end of the world. In fact, it could turn out to be one of those days we look back on in a few years time and see as an important step in the eventually recovery and evolution of the club.

Consider - had we gone up its almost certain Bruce would remain manager and while the money would have helped bring some new players in, the general style of play and tactics would not have changed - they never really have under Bruce at whatever club he's been at. We likely would have to then change managers and we'd be in a relegation scrap - not a time to re-build and continue the improvement of the club.

Instead, we now have the chance to thank Bruce for what he's done in improving the club, but appoint a real football manager who can bring the better balance, style, and development that would hopefully both see us win promotion next year but with a manager who can take us up with confidence we could live in the PL.

Yes I appreciate the money equation however, I don't think Dr Tony allowed Bruce to run away with his money and have to believe he'll dig again to keep his project on track.

So a sad day yes, but lets not over-react. No one died today. Life goes on. And in August, we'll be ready and prepared with a fresh, young, and exciting manager, a squad good enough to gain promotion, the best ground and and as always, the very best fans in this division.  Keep the faith.

UTV 

[SoccerHQ]

maybe he should have gone over? The outcome might have taken it to extra time

It was first half I think unless there was another incident.

[SamTheMouse]

A microcosm of our season.

Didn't turn up until it was too late.

[AGRIPPA]

Shite, but where do we go now?
I believe we have a last parachute payment of £15m so with our gates and if we dont spend too much cash on new players whats the issue with FFP?

Excuse my ignorance but I try to keep to the football rather than the peripherals....

For what its worth I think we will go straight uo next year with this squad

[ez]

Tony Xia on twitter -
Gutted. 💔Sorry for all fans for this difficult moment. Have to stay stronger. UTV

[Dave]

On the bright side, at least we'll never again have to see Johnstone launching it at the head of whoever happens to be standing nearest to Snodgrass.

[itbrvilla]

On the bright side, at least we'll never again have to see Johnstone launching it at the head of whoever happens to be standing nearest to Snodgrass.

£80m and we fucking love to hoof it up field to the opposition or out of play. Goal keeper won't be our most difficult position to fill

[AsTallAsLions]

On the bright side, at least we'll never again have to see Johnstone launching it at the head of whoever happens to be standing nearest to Snodgrass.

The other faint scrap of silver lining is not giving Micah Richards the world's least-deserved salary raise. He must be raging

[SoccerHQ]

On the bright side, at least we'll never again have to see Johnstone launching it at the head of whoever happens to be standing nearest to Snodgrass.

Snodgrass actually won a few headers first half, our one tactic that actually worked in the first 50 minutes.

Lazy coaching though.

[wittonwarrior]

Safe to say the team with the better tactics won not necessarily the better team

[PaulWinch again]

On the bright side, at least we'll never again have to see Johnstone launching it at the head of whoever happens to be standing nearest to Snodgrass.

Indeed, ridiculous.

[SoccerHQ]

Safe to say the team with the better tactics won not necessarily the better team

They're a good team. You don't go 20 odd games unbeaten at any level without being pretty decent.

Think Fulham and Wolves will be comfortable next season. Cardiff with their style the ones in serious relegation danger.