Jack and Loz Not at the Cottage - Blog 169

Date: 28th February 2021

Opposition: Crystal Palace

Score: 0-0

MOTM: he did it again: our tireless, fearless Duracell bunny, complete with copper top. It was yet another flawless performance from Harrison Reed both on and off the ball. Shout outs to Andersen (as usual!) who showed the attacking side of his game and Cav for impact and endeavour

Lunch: Loz - toasted cheese and tomato bagel; Jack - carrot and parsnip soup

Fulham’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace can be summed up by the words of Status Quo:

“Under orders, better shoot on sight.

Fingers on the trigger but it don’t seem right.....”

In an unfortunate coincidence, the goalless draw also preserved the status quo of the gap between 18th and 17th places in the Premier League table.

This was a match on many levels: old v new, eagles v Super Eagles, Former England Manager v Former England Captain, and the last man to lead Fulham to a Great Escape v (possibly) the next man to do so.

Of course, we know Roy Hodgson well and we know how he sets up his teams : not to lose. And we know someone else who sets up a team like that so this was never going to be a 6 goal thriller. Instead, the first half was a cagey, scrappy affair with lots of free kicks, lots of passing it around at the back, lots of organisation and not much creativity. The Fulham press was impressive, as was our work rate (particularly Reed and Lookman) and our defence.

Up front though, we started as we meant to go on - under orders to shoot on sight but too nice to direct our shots into the goal. The second half was livelier, more determined and more one-sided. Fulham dominated but couldn’t break through the Hodgson Back Line. Everyone tried - Andersen (who seemed to be playing as a midfielder for a lot of the match), Tosin with one of his close but not close enough headers, Ruben From-Range, Lookman wide and Cav wider. Maja had the best chance but Palace’s goal keeper - who had come dressed as a fondant fancy - pulled off a world class save.

We liked Scott’s attacking subs - having started the game with caution he became braver in the second half and the team became better. But not quite good enough. It was great to have Mitro back and even if he’s lost some condition, he’s lost none of his passion. Taking Frank off left a gap in midfield which Maja tried to fill less than effectively but we still looked by far the more dangerous team, the team which was still trying to win in additional time.

This is a valuable point but a disappointing one. Like West Ham, Palace were there for the taking and we weren’t clinical enough to take advantage. It’s the usual story - tremendous at the back, effective in the middle but erratic upfront. But, while disappointed, we are not disheartened - we are creating chances and some of them will turn into goals; this team is now ridiculously hard to beat; momentum continues to gather (8 points from 4 games) and, most of all, every game we see the team graft and fight and believe.

Random musings:-

- the white shorts looked smart....

- ....and now the world knows what Mitro wears under them

- the ref had a very good game (as the commentators constantly reminded us)

- Scott was almost literally the 12th man - practically taking a quick throw-in himself

- it was great to see Roy and Ray. Let’s hope Roy gave Scott a few survival tips in their little post match chat.

Back to Status Quo and whilst the gap to Newcastle stays the same we have both gained points on Brighton and Burnley. 3 points off with over a quarter of the season left, an almost fully fit team and form on our side feels precarious but manageable.

Now we’re going into a harder run of games but with confidence and positivity. Top 6? Bring them on! Scott Parker believes we can stay up, and so does Roy Hodgson.