Fulham v Aston Villa Post Match Thread

[Risso]

Really good win especially after giving away such a shit goal, and a penalty. Overall we were well worth the win though.

Carlos played very well, as did Digne in the defence. Tielemans was very good, and Onana did OK. Both Ramsey and Rogers had very good games. Watkins was quiet but took his goal extremely well. Bailey was an absolute disaster, he needs a spell out of the team, you can't can't go on rewarding performances like that with starts. I thought Buendia looked lively when he came on, one pass with the outside of his boot in particular was exquisite.

[supertom]

The thing with Torres, is you're gonna get moments like that when he's in a one-on-one tussle with a physical striker and we know he struggles. He's in a position where all he can do is be aggressive enough to play that fine line between knocking the player off fairly or fouling and if he does that in the position they were in he risks the red. Carlos as we know would have gone shoulder to shoulder but won naturally, Torres is gonna have to be more aggressive to win that kind of tussle.

The flip side is what he does on the ball, arguably better than any defender outside the top 3. He also dealt with Jimenez a lot better in the second half, with help from Carlos softening him up a bit. Our way of playing also means we're occasionally prone to balls over the top and more robust forwards will target Pau's side. But I do think he gives us way more strengths than weaknesses. It's also arguably why Konsa is the most suited partner as his recovery pace might have given Jimenez more to think about (good finish tbf).

[Risso]

The thing with Torres, is you're gonna get moments like that when he's in a one-on-one tussle with a physical striker and we know he struggles. He's in a position where all he can do is be aggressive enough to play that fine line between knocking the player off fairly or fouling and if he does that in the position they were in he risks the red. Carlos as we know would have gone shoulder to shoulder but won naturally, Torres is gonna have to be more aggressive to win that kind of tussle.

The flip side is what he does on the ball, arguably better than any defender outside the top 3. He also dealt with Jimenez a lot better in the second half, with help from Carlos softening him up a bit. Our way of playing also means we're occasionally prone to balls over the top and more robust forwards will target Pau's side. But I do think he gives us way more strengths than weaknesses. It's also arguably why Konsa is the most suited partner as his recovery pace might have given Jimenez more to think about (good finish tbf).

The trouble is, it's not occasionally. Our defence has been ropey for ages.

[Nelly]

Couldn't be happier with that, I thought we played some great stuff at one of the toughest places to go currently. We looked really controlled at times and it's just nuts to me that we can bring Buendia and McGinn on from the bench. What a time to be a Villa fan.

[john2710]

Gave them a head start & we're still comfortably the better team. Should have won by more.

Bailey got worse the longer he was on. Maybe needs a break from the team whilst he gets his confidence back.

Philogene second yellow wasn't even a foul. As others have said Tielemans was head & shoulders above everyone.

[Exeter 77]

Just looking at the BBC report they have Matty Cash as their player of the match.

[Risso]

Just looking at the BBC report they have Matty Cash as their player of the match.

Other than his usual give-away-a-penalty routine, he was very good.

[Border villan]

Harsh sending off for Jayden but he is one who we can manage without for a couple of games.

[Jon Crofts]

Harsh sending off for Jayden but he is one who we can manage without for a couple of games.

One game isn’t it for a second yellow?

[supertom]

The thing with Torres, is you're gonna get moments like that when he's in a one-on-one tussle with a physical striker and we know he struggles. He's in a position where all he can do is be aggressive enough to play that fine line between knocking the player off fairly or fouling and if he does that in the position they were in he risks the red. Carlos as we know would have gone shoulder to shoulder but won naturally, Torres is gonna have to be more aggressive to win that kind of tussle.

The flip side is what he does on the ball, arguably better than any defender outside the top 3. He also dealt with Jimenez a lot better in the second half, with help from Carlos softening him up a bit. Our way of playing also means we're occasionally prone to balls over the top and more robust forwards will target Pau's side. But I do think he gives us way more strengths than weaknesses. It's also arguably why Konsa is the most suited partner as his recovery pace might have given Jimenez more to think about (good finish tbf).

The trouble is, it's not occasionally. Our defence has been ropey for ages.

High line is a gamble but it's working for the most part. We do need to tweak things but there's only so much you can do without taking a little off the attacking side.
I don't think we were overly troubled through the game. Carlos was excellent again. Pau got better and we're off the back of a couple of clean sheets too. So hopefully that side will improve. That said I don't think we're the kind of team that will get a lot of clean sheets, regardless of who we might sign.
Just be glad we're not Spurs.

[olaftab]

Yes, misses Bournemouth game on Saturday.

[Tayls_7]

Some of the interchanges in the midfield when Tielemans, Barkley and Buendia were on the pitch was a joy.

[Brend'Watkins]

While returning home from holiday Earlier I listened to reports of us going behind to soon equalising to then get home for the start of the 2nd half and watch us go in front and then extend the lead further. Then, a phone call off the wife who was dropping our daughter to the station who informed me that her car had broken down!
I had to listen to the rest on the radio via updates on 5 live. I’m still roadside awaiting the AA. Don’t care, we get 3 points so all’s good.

Our best start to a Prem season since ‘98 according to 5 Live.

[SoccerHQ]

The thing with Torres, is you're gonna get moments like that when he's in a one-on-one tussle with a physical striker and we know he struggles. He's in a position where all he can do is be aggressive enough to play that fine line between knocking the player off fairly or fouling and if he does that in the position they were in he risks the red. Carlos as we know would have gone shoulder to shoulder but won naturally, Torres is gonna have to be more aggressive to win that kind of tussle.

The flip side is what he does on the ball, arguably better than any defender outside the top 3. He also dealt with Jimenez a lot better in the second half, with help from Carlos softening him up a bit. Our way of playing also means we're occasionally prone to balls over the top and more robust forwards will target Pau's side. But I do think he gives us way more strengths than weaknesses. It's also arguably why Konsa is the most suited partner as his recovery pace might have given Jimenez more to think about (good finish tbf).

Everton at home was the perfect example. DCL roughed him up early and he didn't fancy it after that. However you then see how brilliant he was v Bayern. Ultimately we signed him to help us get CL and he's achieved that in one season.

I think in a few months when Mings hopefully has a few sub cameos under his belt we'll rest Torres for games v likes of Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Ipswich where they do have physical CFs. Makes sense if there's an upcoming CL match.

It's a really good position to be in as we know Mings is proven for us alongside Kons so hopefully he still has enough in him to be a good player at this level even if it's just 15 starts a season.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Special mention to our midfield today, when we get it right we always win. Whilst Tielemans will rightly get all the praise, Ramsey had a great second half, as did Rogers but I was very impressed with Onona who kept it simple, tidy and very disciplined. His goalscoring games have hidden his not so great performances but today he was excellent, playing with maturity and intelligence. More of that please, Amadou.