Jack and Loz Not at the Cottage (Although we Could Have Been) - Blog 181

Date: 23rd May 2021

Opposition: Newcastle

Score: 0-2

MOTM: the match going fans who paid £40 each to watch a dull, dismal, dire match

Snacks: Loz - tomato sauce crisps; Jack - choc chip shortbread

This was meant to be the zenith of the season - the final match, the relegation decider in front of the fans, two great and noble clubs fighting to the death. Except it wasn’t. Because Fulham were down and out already.

It might still have been an entertaining end to the season - a team playing for pride and the fans, players going all out for one last win, one last goal. Except that didn’t happen either.

What did happen is that Scott Parker picked a lottery of a line-up and it didn’t work out on any level. To be fair to Scott, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. It was good to see Rodak, Onomah and Bryan. It was great that Fabio got 90 minutes. Tete playing the full game too is hopefully a sign that he will be with us next season. But this odd mix of Championship stalwarts, young guns and loanees just weren’t up to the task.

Serbia’s all time top goal scorer was conspicuous by his absence again.

It wasn’t just Scott who repeated old mistakes. The players were lifeless, slow and hesitant. Attacks started well, but the attackers put the brakes on 25 yards out and passed back to Ream. Shooting was even worse than usual (particularly from Cav) and what was the point of trying to cross the ball into the box (something Joe did well) when there was no target man? He’s locked in a cupboard somewhere, remember?

The defence could have done a lot better for the first Newcastle goal although we were cheated by VAR yet again for the second - Tete didn’t touch the player and the check was over much too quickly. Not that it matters.

In terms of spirit, relegation has knocked the stuffing out of everyone except Fabio and the players must be as glad as we are the season is over. As for the fans, we’re all feeling as flat as a damp clapper.

A word on the subs: we would rather have seen Jasper than Maja and while it was good to see Francois we wouldn’t have taken Joe off. As for RLC, it was just another opportunity for him to prove he has no ability, skill, speed, awareness, pride, respect, drive or determination.

This match was a microcosm of our season. We weren’t strong enough at the back and while the build up play was good the overall attack was poor and we couldn’t break down a decent defence. It’s impossible to fault the work ethic of most players (Cav being a good example) but they are lacking in skill both collectively and individually at this level.

Ultimately, we lost this match and we have been relegated for one principal reason: we didn’t score enough goals.

Random Musings

- while it may have felt like an expensive friendly if you were there, it was great to have fans back at the Cottage.....

-......epitomised by that shout of “Reeeeeeaaaaammmmmm!!!!!!!”

- we felt again that fans would have made the difference in a lot of matches this season

- respect to the die-hards and truly devoted who were at the Cottage and it’s a shame the team couldn’t raise their game for you

- Frank and Bobby both had gloves on in May.

- what was going on with Scott’s ginger beard?

- it was a nice of Maja to give his shirt to the fan with the “it’s my birthday” sign

- Scott couldn't lift his head as he went round with the players to applaud the fans at the end. That says it all....

So that was a painful match to end a painful season. There were moments of hope. And hours of despair. And, lately, whole games of grim acceptance and just wanting it to be over.

And now it is over but it doesn’t feel any better. We are down, sinking fast and rudderless. The now traditional Fulham Summer Rebuild will have a desperate edge this time around. We cannot go on like this. This isn’t sustainability, it’s the road to ruin.

We all love Fulham and we’ve followed the Club faithfully through this sad and difficult year, but it’s been the fans who have kept each other going - Fulham itself has done little to lighten our dark days or divert us from the trials of the pandemic.

August will be here before we know it, and a return to the Cottage, and better football and matches we can win. But a lot needs to change between now and then. A lot will, but not necessarily for the better.