Jack and Loz in Pre-Season - Blog 221

Date: 31st July 2022

Opposition: Villarreal

Score: 1-1

Fulham goal scorer: 🔥

Weather: stuffy

Atmosphere: relaxed

MOTM: Bobby Decordova-Reid was sleek, sharp and shiny

Pub: Chez Loz to watch the Lionesses bring football home

The last time we were at Craven Cottage, Fulham scored 7 goals and won the Championship. A pre-season match on a sultry Sunday afternoon was never going to compare but it carried certain expectations - a Champions League opponent, a city buzzing with football fever and the knowledge that this was the dress rehearsal; that the curtain will rise on another demanding, frustrating and nerve-fraying Premier League season in less than a week.

As a match, Fulham v Villareal was entertaining and encouraging. Going forward, Fulham looked incisive and creative; we saw a lot of the ball and did a lot with it. The neat, quick, passing triangles were intricate but mobile; the long cross field passes were accurate and dangerous, shots were plentiful even if good finishing wasn’t.

The problems came when we lost the ball and were scampering backwards, and a triangle of a different sort made an appearance. This was how Villareal scored, somewhat against the run of play. One mistake led to another until most of the defence was on the floor and the ball was in the back of the net.

For a lot of the match, Fulham looked better than Villareal although we don’t follow Spanish football so we don’t know which of their ever changing elevens was their best and we had the sense they could go up several gears if they wanted to. Nevertheless, this was a positive experience for a newly promoted team, and the satisfaction was sealed by Mitro literally carrying on where he finished off in April.

We picked Bobby as our MOTM because he looked not only the most consistently effective player in this match but also the most prepared for what lies ahead. Harrison Reed came a close second with his fast, efficient tackles and bustling energy. And, of course, Mitro was Mitro, already on fire, always in charge and reminding everyone who scores the goals around here.

As for the new guys, we liked what we saw. Palhinha is the real deal - tall, strong, great at tackling and even better at reading the game. Pereira’s set pieces are going to be a major part of the season and he’s not afraid to put in a shift in open play either. As for Mbabu - what a debut! He strolls onto the pitch looking too cool for school and with his third touch sets up a fantastic goal. A place in the starting line-up for Kevin next week, please.

Because we are Fulham and our motto is Making Life Hard for Ourselves Since 1879, there was some behind the scenes drama to accompany the dress rehearsal. Once again, we are about to go into a Premier League season unprepared and understaffed. As we’ve made clear above, the players who have arrived so far are excellent and exactly what we need. We have no doubt that Manor Solomon, now he can stop playing Where’s Wally in pre-season photos and start playing football, will prove to be in the same category. But where are the rest of the signings we desperately require?

Asked about the situation in his post-match presser, Marko Silva made his feelings clear - “don’t write that I’m angry,” he said, thus ensuring that every journalist and blogger will write “Marco is angry” (although we will probably say “exasperated” as we write for a discerning audience).

It is easy to say that the Powers That Be haven’t learnt from their mistakes. In fact, they have. We haven’t splurged £100 million on the wrong players and we haven’t drafted in a bunch of loanees with dubious loyalties. We’ve done decent deals for four good players.

What the Khans and Co haven’t learnt is timing. The season starts on Saturday. We were promoted in April. We knew we were likely to be promoted at Christmas. And we knew we needed a new goalie and some new centre backs, but where are they? Bernd Leno might be just about to stagger into Motspur Park for his medical but the centre backs could be anywhere. And they certainly won’t be on the pitch with the team on Saturday.

Marco Silva is exasperated about this and rightly so. He can see all the foundations laid last season, and all his hard work in recent months coming to nothing without more reinforcements. Specifically, new recruits in our weakest area. We do believe we will get the people we need but they should have arrived weeks ago and not in August. And in the meantime, Liverpool await.

Random musings:-

- we’ve all been there. You arrive in a new city and need a haircut. Thank God Pereira has teammates (one in particular) who could recommended a good hairdresser as the blond locks look fantastic and the tribute to our former favourite Mika Seri is much appreciated

- a shout out to that one particular teammate for his contribution to the goal. We may not see much of Tom this season but we’ll take quality over quantity every time

- our thoughts on the new home shirt: stylish except for the sponsor. The objection isn’t just that betting companies ruin lives it’s also that this is a company operating in Asian countries where betting is sometimes illegal

- also, the white material is quite thin so you can see the players’ black sports bras through their shirts. The obvious solution is to be like Chloe Kelly and wear a white sports bra

- it was great to see Jay Stansfield and Luke Harris come off the bench and both looked good

- it was also great to see the lower level of the Riverside stand packed and ready for action. Thanks to the people who shared videos of the inside. Lots of plywood on display but it is still a building site

- Mitro wasn’t going to be happy to return to the Cottage without getting a yellow card. Premier League refs (not to mention Premier League goalies) must be looking forward to him telling them how to do their jobs again.

So the curtain comes down on pre-season and it’s impossible not to feel excitement, as well as trepidation, about what comes next. What will the newbies bring to the team and, in some cases, to the league? At what point will the ignorant finally accept that Mitro isn’t just a record breaking Championship striker? And will it be third time lucky in our fight for survival?

All we know at the moment is that this season won’t be calm, controlled or predictable. It will rarely be enjoyable and it will never be relaxing. It’s time to put our game faces on and get ready for whatever is thrown our way. Fulham are back in the Premier League.