Jack and Loz at the Cottage - Blog 284

Date: 24th August 2024

Opposition: Leicester City

Score: 2-1

Fulham goal scorers: Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi

Weather: sunshine after rain

Atmosphere: homecoming happiness

MOTM: it’s early in the season for this kind of inclusiveness but such was the high standard of play across the team that it’s impossible to pick one stand-out performer. Suffice to say, Saša Lukić excelled at ghosting around the pitch and manifesting wherever he was needed and Antonee Robinson goes from strength to strength (quickly)

Pre-match: Pret for sandwiches and cappuccino

Post-match: the Craft Beer Co for wine and pizza

In the words of the noted American soccer pundit JH Payne, “Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.”

Craven Cottage is humble in name (and toilet facilities) only these days but the first home match of this season felt extra special. As the indecisive weather drove everyone under cover in the countdown to kickoff, the Hammy End concourse was packed but buzzing.

But it wasn’t just excitement at the prospect of an entertaining match; Fulham fans have a sense of anticipation about this season after welcoming the most promising batch of signings in recent history. Our managerial Genius has finally been backed as he deserves and the squad looks (almost) ready to compete with the very best. It feels like Fulham’s time has come again.

But the most important thing, as we greeted old friends, made new acquaintances and saw more people drinking beer than we’ve ever seen before in our lives, was the sense of belonging. We don’t know every other Hammyender, never mind every other Fulham fan, but returning to the Cottage on Saturday was a reminder that we are a family. The overwhelming feeling was of coming home.

In terms of entertainment, the match delivered on its promise but the team, although much improved from the Man U game, is still a work in progress. The familiar accurate passes were back and we dominated the game, but we didn’t often make those passes or the dominance count. In short, while we were better than Leicester in all departments, we made hard work of beating them.

It’s hard to blame the defence for this. Diop was excellent again and Bassey our most improved player after he forgot how to play football last week. Tete was solid and Antonee just seems to get better and better every game (although this will become impossible soon). Saša Lukić is fast becoming the first name on the team sheet and everyone’s favourite player. He has stepped out of Palhinha’s shadow, elbowed Harrison Reed aside and not just made the CDM position his own but challenged Sander Berge to take it from him with a death stare and a Serbian snarl.

So the only thing the defence did wrong was allow Leicester an easy goal and, frankly, defending set pieces has to feature high on the list of every one of Marco’s training plans this week.

The attack started fast and full of intent. There was lots of play in and around Leicester’s box and plenty of shots. Several of these were from Adama who is such an exciting player to watch - fast, strong and dangerously unpredictable. But he’s like a better, more mature version of Abou Kamara - his feet are sometimes too quick for his brain and his teammates can’t read his mercurial movements. But that will improve with time just as Antonee and Iwobi are now beginning to forge a connection.

Muniz made up for a tame outing against Man U by throwing himself (literally at times) into the thick of the action. His pressing was relentless and his positioning as good as always. It was his wrestling for the ball which set up the first goal but he needs to hone his aim and fast. Of the three easy chances he missed, we have to say that a certain compatriot of Saša would have scored at least one.

Andreas also stepped up after a nervy start last week. His vision and creativity were back but his corner deliveries were ineffective and his free kick routines the footballing equivalent of Finnegans Wake. Something else for those training plans.

Imagine being Emile Smith Rowe. You’ve been at Arsenal, a big club by any measure, virtually all your life. Everyone there knows you, everyone loves you. Life is comfortable but frustrating. You want to play football, you want to score goals but you don’t get much chance to do either. You’re humble and shy and not the best at pushing yourself forward (other than on a football pitch….). Then suddenly, you’re at Fulham and you’re not a bit part player anymore. Immediately, you’re the main man. Things could go one of two ways - you could sink under the pressure or you could grab this opportunity and fly.

Mid-way through the first half, we were literally just saying, “Emile hasn’t done much” when he literally scored. Whilst this was a team goal it was all about the finish. Emile received the ball outside the box, drove forward and fired off an unstoppable shot.

His reaction was relief as much as much pleasure. It’s been a long, long time since he scored a Premier League goal and there must have been times as he sat, disconsolate, on the Arsenal bench when he doubted he’d ever score one again. After the match he said he was feeling the love at Fulham but just you wait, Emile. This time next year, Craven Cottage will feel like your home too.

It’s interesting that whilst there was a lot of our new favourite tactic, Faffing Around at the Front, both goals came by direct routes. Alex’s finish was as good as Emile’s and their two moments of individual excellence shone amongst a myriad wasted chances.

Because we are Fulham and were making hard work of an easy task, the last ten minutes were typically anxiety-inducing. It was all too easy to imagine Leicester getting lucky again and Fulham ruing their mistakes. The subs didn’t really help although Tom played well and Harry looked lively. Raúl didn’t press or do much at all but he did keep the ball in the corner and at least he’s sorted his hair out.

Overall, whilst far from the perfect game, this was the enjoyable contest we were anticipating and three points we fully deserved. More than anything, though, it was fantastic to be back at Craven Cottage; to be home.

Random musings:-

- On the subject of homecomings, the Hammy End and Ryan Sessengon greeted each other like the old, close friends we are

- Also on the subject of homecomings, Bobby Decodova-Reid got the reception he deserved by way of a serenade from the fans and an engulfing hug from Marco. It’s also notable than he was probably Leicester’s best player

- Meanwhile, it’s interesting that most fans feel Ryan has come home but Joachim Andersen, welcome though he is, has merely come back. A place by the fireside has to be earned

- The AEW troop got a very lukewarm welcome, bordering on indifference

- The new digital ticketing system had a few teething troubles but most people got into the ground ok. The one pound pints certainly helped with that

- We’re not sure the flamethrowers added anything to the pre-match build up

- Marco Silva: “ we must learn to control the emotions.”

- Also Marco Silva: gets a yellow card for losing it on the touchline.

So, with our first home game, our first goals and our first points, Fulham’s 2024-25 season is properly underway. Our new signings have arrived so early by recent standards that it’s easy to forget there’s still another week of the transfer window to go and time for more newcomers, especially another attacker, to arrive.

Those signings need to be integrated and, in Emile’s case at least, their fitness must improve. But, give or take our mystery winger, the squad looks as big and strong as Sander Berge. Marco has been given what he asked for, the fans have been given what we hoped for.

The future looks full of promise. Let the thrills begin.