Jack and Loz Back at the Cottage - Blog 182

Date: 31st July 2021

Opposition: Charlton Athletic

Score: 1-0

Fulham goal scorer: Fabio Carvalho

Weather: a typical English summer’s day (ie. it rained)

Atmosphere: probably the best atmosphere at a pre season friendly ever!

MOTM: a 3 week way tie between Tim Ream, Fabio and Tyrese Francois (more on all of them later)

Pub (pre-match): the Blue Boat

Pub (post-match): the Distillers

The last time we both went to Craven Cottage was on 29th February 2020. Fulham beat Preston 2-0 and were poised and ready for the run in, but the news from abroad was ominous and football, like much of life, was about to be postponed.

What was odd about being back at the Cottage on Saturday was that so much has changed in the world - including so much at Fulham - and yet it felt like we’d never been away. The majestic new Riverside stand dominates the SW6 skyline but doesn’t dwarf the Cottage, the team has a new manager and some new additions but it’s still the team we passionately support. The Cottage is still the Cottage; Fulham is still Fulham. One is our second home, one is our family. After everything we have all been through, it was as affirmation, as well as a privilege, to be back where we belong.

Last February, the Riverside was a jagged mass of concrete and steel. Now it’s a sharp and striking sculpture waiting for its final polish. When it’s finished, forget about the footballers - no one will be able to take their eyes off the stand.

And last February, Fulham were managed by Scott Parker, a man who would would oversee ecstasy and cause heartbreak in the months to come. He let everyone down in the manner of his departure but we have all moved on - one side with indecent haste, one with customary dignity.

Which brings us to Marco Silva, looking to put a checkered episode in his career behind him and restore his reputation in English football. That suits us perfectly, as does his penchant for attacking football and his ability to attract and secure promising players. So far, Marco has come across as open, approachable and thoughtful. But the warm and gentle gaze and the polite, affable manner don’t conceal his ambition or his drive. Paulo Gazzaniga. Harry Wilson. Probably Rodrigo Muniz. What Marco wants, Marco seems to get.

And Marco didn’t arrive alone. His assistant needs no introduction and is the most exciting arrival at Fulham so far this year. Suffice to say, no name - not Mitro’s, not even Tony Fisher’s - was sung more at the Cottage on Saturday afternoon than that of Luis Boa Morte.

As for the football, this was a typical preseason friendly against a team in a lower league. Fulham looked good but, Frankly, not great. The players we know and love haven’t changed much: Fabio was full of skill and energy and took his goal like a master, Kenny Tete showed his pace and finesse while playing within himself, Tosin looked like he’s going to be head and shoulders above most Championship players in more ways than one. Anthony Knockaert still runs around a lot without producing anything worthwhile, Kebano was lively but not particularly effective, and Antonee Robinson didn’t really look like he’d come from a better league.

Frank had moments of effortless domination and long periods of anonymity and, for his cameo, Seri looked neat but uninspired. What it says about Marco’s intentions that they both played is anybody’s guess. Surely at least Seri will be off to some less competitive league in warmer climes in which case we’d much rather have seen Onomah.

Of our old favourites, this leaves Joe Bryan who spent a lot longer warming up that he did on the pitch, although he finished his stint with a sharp reminder to Marco about his shooting ability; Tim Ream and Mitro. Ream continues to surprise and impress us with his ability, class and commitment. Last season we described him as being in the autumn of his career but an Indian summer has arrived and we can only welcome it. During Tom Cairney’s endless convalescence, Tim has taken over as captain and we have no doubt he is as commanding in the dressing room as he is calm on the pitch. His lengthy applause to the Hammy End at the final whistle was much appreciated.

As for Mitro, he was not, despite the assertions of the crowd, on fire. Whilst he looks trimmer than usual, he didn’t look fast or sharp. There was some huffing and puffing and almost a yellow card. However good the rest of the squad is, and however well Marco can manage them, Mitro is the key to the season. He must play, he must start, he must score. On Saturday he was just a little off the pace and more than just a little inaccurate in the box. But we know Mitro of old - he’s the man for the big occasion, a man who knows his way round this league. And once he starts scoring he just can’t stop.

Of new faces, Paulo Gazzaniga is clearly a very good goalkeeper who didn’t have much to do but did all of it well and Harry Wilson already looks at home on the Cottage pitch and is going to be an important player this season. But the revelation was Tyrese Francois who has a wise footballing head on young, strong shoulders, and whose assist for Fabio’s goal was the best pass of the match.

So all we really learnt on Saturday is that we have a good squad who are going to give Marco some tough decisions. The starting line-up was - give or take Harry and Joe - probably the best available but we have Bobby and Hector to come back from their Caribbean cruise, Cav AWOL and Kongolo, Reed and Cairney still injured. We know how good Onomah is in the Championship and Rodak equally so - he could be the big loser this season, but his loss is our gain with Paulo gloved, top-knotted and assured in goal.

This wasn’t a match to raise the heart rate, but it was one to raise expectations. This is a very good team who pass the ball positively and at pace, have a clear plan of attack and know how to defend. On Saturday, they were in about third gear. We can’t wait to watch them when they don’t hold anything back, when it really matters, when they really catch fire.

Random musings:-

- the tribute to Tony Fisher was, in the Fulhamish spirit he so embodied, understated and stylish. We hope his family appreciated it as much as we did and that they heard his name echoing around the ground

- on a lighter note, we were pleased to see both goalkeepers had matching gloves and boots…

- …..and that Fabio’s boots matched his training top

- not a great start to the season to delay kick off by an hour (but we chatted to our neighbours, drank coffee and soaked up the atmosphere so it wasn’t all bad)

- due the flooded path outside the ground we had to do a kind of triathlon to get in.

- what is going on with the women’s toilets in the Hammy End? Hunt the toilet isn’t an Olympic sport and it isn’t much fun either! The Club better get it sorted by next week.

- did Mitro start in an unnumbered shirt or did the 9 fall off? If the former, was it because they have sold so many replica Mitro shirts that they’ve run out of 9s? (And 6s?????)

- we noted that Marco was in a tracksuit and our opinion is divided as to whether next week he’ll be tackling the league in something rather smarter.

So fans are back at the Cottage and Fulham are back in the Championship. It was great to enjoy a stress free match for a change. From next week, the pressure starts again. A different pressure from last season when we were trying not to be relegated. This time we’re going for gold - for the top spot. No more trips to Wembley, no settling for second.

We are Marco Silva’s Fulham. And we have a league to win.