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Match review Monday: An afternoon to forget
35 Plays28 days ago
Gavin recaps a tough day at the office as Fulham fell to a heavy home defeat at the hands of Wolves.
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Review Monday
00:00:09
Speaker
Hiya folks, how are we all doing today? You're listening to the Daily Fulham Podcast. My name is Gavin Ruffell and it's Match Review Monday.
Analyzing Fulham's Defeat Against Wolves
00:00:17
Speaker
I hope you've all recovered from Saturday's showing as that was certainly a shock to the system. I'm here to look back at all the key events from that defeat to walls, although I'm sure many of you will want to erase that from your memory bank and not want to relive it all over again.
Impact of International Break on Fulham
00:00:34
Speaker
So, Fulham did come into this game with some confidence, despite the fact that being an international break, and as we've discussed previously, the international break never seems to come at the ideal time, does it? When you're winning matches in quick succession, you just want to carry on that sort of momentum and keep that feel-good factor going. And ah a two week two-week break, it doesn't do anyone any good, really, does it? and Marco Silva hasn't had time necessarily to work with his players because they've been away to all parts of the world on international duty. But I still feel there was high level of expectations coming into this game. Good feeling that Fulmer going to get a positive result given the way they've started the season, given the way that Wolves have started the season.
Wolves' Victory and Managerial Pressure
00:01:18
Speaker
But it certainly wasn't the case, was it? And Wolves came out resounding
00:01:23
Speaker
4-1 winners on the day was the score line a bit flattering. I'd have to say so. Obviously we'll come on to the game itself and how it panned out. um I can't say they weren't worthy of the three points. They put in a really impressive display with the manager under pressure and if they that result had not gone to plan for them then Gary O'Neill despite that win against Southampton prior to the international break he would have been under pressure as as well and i I saw quite a few fans of Wolves saying oh this this could be the last day for Gary O'Neill so almost not wanting the to see the team lose but there were a lot of people in the camp of Gary O'Neill out but after that resounding win on the weekend they probably probably shut a few people up hasn't it?
00:02:07
Speaker
Yeah, so let's let's come on to the game itself.
Sasha Lukac's Return and Fulham's Lineup Changes
00:02:09
Speaker
And we spoke about this in the preview show, didn't we, it about Sasha Lukac, who who's been missing for a period of time. ah He got injured, not on the last international break, but on the one prior to that, been out with a shoulder injury. So we haven't seen him in a little while prior to that injury, he really established himself in the Fulham team and was winning a lot of plaudits and was a lot of full-on fans player of the season for what he had done so it was great to see him back in the team a little bit surprised and when the team sheet came out to be honest because I thought he would be involved but Marco Silva is reluctant to change a winning team we knew heading into the game that Harrison Reeve had sustained an injury that he was going to be out for five or six weeks but
00:02:51
Speaker
I think it was a surprise to see Sander Berger not involved in the match day squad. Not quite sure at the this moment in time what's happened there, but hopefully it's nothing too serious. He'll be back involved for the next game.
Wolves' Makeshift Defense Performance
00:03:03
Speaker
But yeah, so Sassa Lukic was back in the team for Fulham, other than that, it's what you would have expected. And we finally got to see Andre at Craven Cottage. It seems like it's been years in the making, isn't it? Andre coming to Craven Cottage, but no, unfortunately, he was he was wearing ah he's wearing a Wolves top. he He came back into the focus. ah He had missed the last few games, but a very makeshift defence for Wolves because they were missing Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson.
00:03:29
Speaker
Craig Dawson I felt was a big loss for them headed into this game when I saw that team because he saw a sort of experienced character. I feel he's quite underrated, underappreciated. He's been a solid Premier League defender for a number of years, doesn't probably get the applaud it necessarily deserves. He's probably one of those guys that just likes to stay out of the limelight. He's in his sort of mid 30s now, but he's a dependent, the dependable performer. So when I saw the lineup and saw that Mario Lemina was in that back three that they operated with, I thought,
00:03:59
Speaker
I thought I fancied Fulham's chances heading into this game, but I thought the fact that they're having to play Lamina in the back three, I thought that would give Fulham a boost even more. And coming on to the game.
00:04:11
Speaker
I think it was said in the crossover episode as well, how all seemed to struggle from set pieces, which is something Fulham also seemed
Fulham's Set-Piece Struggles
00:04:20
Speaker
to struggle from. But the other way, because Fulham haven't scored a free kick or a corner this season, the only team in the Premier League not to do so. And it was interesting to see what what would happen because they had a few set pieces early on, set pieces from free kicks, corners, but nothing nothing happened from them really. I think that's well over 100 corners now.
00:04:39
Speaker
ah without the goal and which is which is strange because last season they were actually quite productive in that department but complete turnaround and fortunes this time around maybe they need to get someone someone else to take the set pieces instead of Andreas Pereira because that's certainly not seen see me to work at the moment but a big chance came first big chance came for Fulham and it came from an ex-Wolves man, an ex-Wolves icon, loved and adored in the black country and that's Raul Jimenez, interplay between Rhys Nelson and Anthony Robertson, Robertson loadering cross and then Raul Jimenez from inside the six yard box, he seems, he hits the cross box, seems to be harder to miss than it is to score. It's only when you see the replay, I think it's Lamina, he gets a touch on it. So maybe just ah he puts him up when he's in his stride pattern, it just takes him a bit by surprise. the yeah
00:05:32
Speaker
the bounce of the ball so he hits the bar from close range but it wasn't that long after that that Fulham did get their noses in front and they've scored the opening goal more times than any other team apart from Nottingham Forest this season so they are very quick starters and it was a a beautifully taken goal from Alex Awobi who I've been singing his praises for weeks on the show talking about how impressive he has been for Fulmer, how important the player he is, a versatility that he adds to the team and it's a well-crafted goal.
Key Goals and First Half Analysis
00:06:05
Speaker
You've got to give praise to Sassanukic as well because he closes downite Nori, wolves are unable to clear the ball. It comes to Tete, he slips in, it will be, he shifts it from his right foot to his left foot and then curls a shot
00:06:19
Speaker
Pastor Jose Saar has got no real chance, full of 1-0 up as they've been so often ah this season, and you're thinking this is going to be a good afternoon. But that wasn't to be the case, was it? Because Wolves, they got their equaliser, really well taken goal, which was as kind of a theme for the day. ah Lamina, who's playing a bit deeper, obviously playing at the back, whereas you normally see him operating at the heart of midfield,
00:06:49
Speaker
Quarterback style pass from inside his own half over the top ball and Cunha he manages to get in between Tete and Anderson first touch is absolutely perfect perfect first touch a little bit of his lucky second touch and then he manages to lift the ball guided over Leno as he's rushing out a goal and You know, he's a striker that's full of confidence. He's he's a top player, isn't he?
00:07:15
Speaker
when he When he came to Wolves, there were probably doubts about him because he had a spell in Spain where he wasn't scoring so many goals. ah But he's backed up his performances and his displays from last season. He's carried it on in a team that's not been to performance so well. And whatever happens with Wolves this season, whether they manage to stay up or they do go down, I'm sure Matias Cunha is going to be a guiding demand if he keeps up the level of performances.
00:07:38
Speaker
and that he showed on the weekend. And to be fair to walls, they did look dangerous going forward. They weren't there just to sit back and defend, soak up pressure. They had good spells. I thought Rodrigo Gomez for them was looking particularly bright. And yeah, they were asking questions of Fulham. I do feel like Fulham shaded the first half. There was an interesting passage of play, a stoppage sort of towards the end of the half when Samada went down injured from a tackle from Joachim Anderson, which was a fair enough challenge, a bit of a follow through but ah nothing malicious so no question of it going to VAR for a red card. Full of them well within their rights to carry on led to a chance, well a clearance from a cross from a Wobi and you know i I was absolutely fine with them carrying on. I think there's too many stoppages in the game these days. I think the referees were first instructed only to stop the game if there was a head injury.
00:08:32
Speaker
if a play is on the floor and it's so's a fair challenge, then you're well within your rights to play on and Fulham did that. So I was glad that the referee didn't stop the game because of that. but You know, it was a decent first half, quite an entertaining game. I thought it would be quite an open game because Wolves have shown this season, despite their frailties defensively, they have got ability going forward. They have got players that can make a difference, have an eye for goal. And they showed that, they showed that willingness to attack and to cause problems for
Expectations and Second Half Challenges
00:09:02
Speaker
Fulham. So at 1-0, I thought Fulham shaded the first half.
00:09:06
Speaker
ah But wos there was a cause for optimism to feel that they could go on to win the game themselves from that position. And we will come on to the second half action in just a moment. But before we do that, let's hear a word or two from our sponsors and they are Zencaster.
00:09:21
Speaker
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00:09:47
Speaker
So on to the second half and as I said I think both teams would have fancied their chances to go on to win the game, full of them in particular. Despite going in level I thought they played they played well enough in that first half and you you had the feeling um that if they continue those sort of levels maybe were a bit more ruthless finishing wise, that they would go on to secure the three points. But it was actually Wolves that got themselves into a lead, two and lead. And again, this was a really well-taken goal from them. It's a good piece of play from Belegard. Initially, he fizzes a ball into Cunha, who's just outside the D. And is this is a great pass, a great vision here, just to sort of reverse pass it, just guide it to Joe Gomez, and he slides it past Leno.
00:10:33
Speaker
And that was a bit of a bit of a ah a shock to the system, a bit of a a soul destroyer there, having taken the lead again in the game and fallen behind. But Fulham almost hit back straight away. Good build-up 1-2 between Robinson and Emil Smith Rowe. Again, it was another terrific low cross from Robinson. that He seems to have really improved that department of his game. And he's really staking a claim to be one of the best one of the best in that position in the league, certainly in the top three or four in the league, no no doubt about it. Because his crossing was One area that you would have said would have been a definite weakness in seasons gone by, but that's improved immensely and they almost got themselves back level straight away. He slides a ball across the six-yard box at night, nor he tries to clear it. he ah He almost puts it in his own net, which would have been an absolute disaster.
00:11:22
Speaker
but lucky escape there for Wolves. Fulham made some changes. We got to see a bit more of Harry Wilson. He's been restricted to substitute appearances all season despite fine form for his country. He's come on in the last two games, scored three goals. He has the best minutes per goal ratio in the Premier League, so we actually got more of an opportunity this time.
00:11:41
Speaker
he got more than half an hour ah to show what he can do to hopefully make an impact on the game. Tom Cairney also coming on and Neil Smith wrote one of the players hooked off before the hour and there was a big chance for 3-1 actually as well. It was a bit of a lazy pass from Tom Cairney. He sells, I think it's Anderson, he sells them a bit short, Kunya's running on to the ball, he seems like he's one-on-one with Leno but Barcy makes a great recovery to deny the shot a goal.
00:12:08
Speaker
And with 25, 30 minutes left in the game, it's it's kind of a bit like a basketball game. Fulham probably having more possession, but Wolves, any time they came forward, they were they were a real threat and they looked like they could get the goal. And obviously, if they got the next goal from 2-1 to make it 3-1, you feel like that's game over. So it was I feel like it was a bit more of a frantic game than Marco Silva would have liked because Fulham are normally well organized, well drilled, and the stat about XG, they don't normally ah give up so many chances. They tend to restrict the opposition, I think, just behind just buying Liverpool, aren't they? So it was was probably had more of an open field than than he would have liked, but obviously going behind, you know, just enhanced the need to get players forward. So Wolves were always going to be a threat on the break. Wilson almost notches fourth goal in three substitute appearances. Hits the bar, great build at play in tight spaces. Wilson spins.
00:13:07
Speaker
and he's
Wolves' Exploitation of Fulham's Disadvantage
00:13:08
Speaker
25 yards out from goal on his left foot you know what he's capable of unfortunately he just hits the crossbar further changes we see Rodrigo Muniz come on Adama Troiore who's looking to make an impact long spell at wolves just like Raoul Jimenez so it would have been perfect tonic for him to get and get himself on the score street or at least contribute to help Fulham get back in the game but unfortunately he had to play the last 15 minutes with 10 men as Marco Silva had gambled with those substitutions trying to make a difference. He made his changes ah so early on that they had to play with 10 men. The Okimanderson went down. It was a long stoppage. ah So he must he must have been the real bad one for him to go off because i in an ideal world you would have just liked him to stay out there even if he can't really run around just for an extra body. so
00:13:58
Speaker
ah Hopefully for Fulham's sake that's not a serious injury and he's not going to be forced to have a spell on the sidelines for for a lengthy period of time because he would be, even though he didn't have his best game on this particular occasion, he would be ah it would be a massive loss.
00:14:14
Speaker
And ultimately, Wolves were good enough to exploit, having that extra man advantage. Konya seals it. this is ah This is a fantastic goal. Konya and Gomez, they combine again. Konya out-muscles. Sassilukic, she plays it to Joe Gomez, who gives it back to him. He hits a first-time shot.
00:14:31
Speaker
from outside the box. and It goes past Leno, he's got no chance. And again, it was ah it was another really well taken goal. The quality of the goals in this game was absolutely superb. And it capped the sort of man of the match performance from Konya watching him in this game. I've been impressed with what I've seen from him.
00:14:48
Speaker
In the season and a half he's been at walls but seeing him here, what he delivered, very intelligent football, it doesn't necessarily play as the the main centre forward. he looks like He looks like a guy that could play potentially at a higher level with respect to walls, he looks like he could play for a team that's competing in Europe, that such sort of thing.
00:15:08
Speaker
It went from bad to worse, didn't it, as Wolves managed to get their fourth goal, the icing on the cake, a little bit flattering because it wasn't it wasn't really a 4-1 game but, you know, going down to 10 men for the last 15 minutes was unfortunate, of course. And as I said, Wolves were able to able to exploit it. They were good enough on a day. Guedes, who was a substitute, he got on the score sheet, was a 4v2, Kangra attack.
00:15:31
Speaker
Wolves players queuing up to score as Fulham committed so many bodies forward and he just neatly tucked the ball past Leno. Game over, well it was game over at 3-1 wasn't it? b You've got to give Wolves all the credit in the world, this was their first away win since February and it was deserved. It was deserved, I can't say it wasn't and with that kind of performance, you're kind of wondering wait where's that been?
00:15:58
Speaker
Where has that been? why Why is it taking that until now for that for that to come out? If they play like that every week, they'll they'll be absolutely fine. We'll talk a bit more about this and where it leaves Fulham in just a moment, but we are brought to you by GSPN, so let me tell you about them.
00:16:15
Speaker
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Wolves' Potential and Fulham's Complacency
00:16:36
Speaker
Yeah, so Wolves, they've had a tough start to the season, haven't they? And it's been well-documented, the fixtures they've had. It's been probably a tougher opening than any other the team. And Gary O'Neill came into this game still under pressure, despite that bit of respite with the win against Southampton, which was an important win. It's always important to beat sides in and around you, but they do have a a period of games now in between now and Christmas where they'll feel that like they can take points and start to move up the table because it must be a bit depressing for fans following your team and for the first nine, 10 weeks, three months into the season.
00:17:09
Speaker
So he's only waiting for your team to win. Finally got the win against Southampton and they backed it up here with a really impressive form. It's despite being depleted, missing key players, key players in defence. Yeah, you wouldn't have known they were a team that's struggling towards the bottom end of the table. And yeah, any dissenting voices, any Gary or Neil detractors, they were certainly quiet and after that performance. So it's a chance for them to push on now and they got important games.
00:17:34
Speaker
against the the likes of Ips, which Everton, Leicester, all in and around them. And if they can get positive results in that, then they'll be eyeing up sort of mid-table before you know it, rather than be worried about lingering in a relegation battle throughout the season. I was very impressed with them. Surprised in some ways. But yeah, if they keep up that level of performance, then the they can go on to do good things. They were very very clinical. The quality of their finishing was absolutely outstanding.
00:18:00
Speaker
So all credit to them on the afternoon. For Fulham, my only concern coming into this game was a bit of complacency. Were they guilty of that? Possibly. It's is hard to say, isn't it? I didn't think it was a dreadful performance. I think Marco Silva said after the game, it was never a 4-1 game. it it was just It was a strange game in that respect and I would have to agree. Whilst I can't say Wolves were lucky to get the three points because I felt on the balance of play, the way they performed in the second half, yeah, they were probably worthy of you in the end.
00:18:30
Speaker
Was there a bit of complacency maybe? Yeah, and you've got players coming back late from international duty, but the opposition have got players away on international duty as well. It was the last game of a run of fixtures where you you fancied Fulham's chances quite strongly. I think we spoke previously that they had Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Wolves in a block of four fixtures before a slightly more difficult run of games, at least on paper.
00:18:56
Speaker
And they've collected seven points from those four games, which is which is okay. It's fine. You probably would have liked maybe and no another point out of it. We do have a tough run of games in the next few ah before Christmas. they They travel to Spurs next week. I mean, what couple of weeks have they had? They've lost at home to Ipswich to give them their first win in the Premier League since God knows when.
00:19:18
Speaker
and then they've absolutely battered Manchester City at the Etihad, so who knows what to expect from that game. But of course that's it's a tough it's a tough game on paper and then after that they've got the likes of Liverpool Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton who are absolutely flowing as well. so On paper, maybe be the first dozen games has been a bit of a softer running compared to someone like Wolves who played all the big hitters and now have a run of games where they'll fancy their chances of winning. So you just hope there's not a carry on into those games because it's ah it's going to be difficult it's going to be difficult. They're going to need to maintain the levels. But it was an off performance. I think you think you can say that. but
00:19:54
Speaker
Sometimes you're only as good as it the opposition allow you and Wolves were certainly a lot more cutthroat and had that incisiveness that Crystal Palace didn't have. They had more of an intent and willingness to attack than Brentford who would just intent on sitting back for the whole game when they play full themselves.
00:20:15
Speaker
Yeah, you don't want to dwell too much on it. what It is a reality check, and you hope hope now that on the injury front, the Anderson, not too much damage there. Bonus is having Sassalukic's back fit, and hopefully Berger come back in the fold as well, because if he's if he's not, then you look a little bit like they were Harrison Reed's injury.
Upcoming Challenges for Fulham
00:20:34
Speaker
Yeah, not a great day at the office.
00:20:36
Speaker
But hey, these things happen, don't they? Hopefully it's onwards and upwards. Difficult runner games coming up now, but you know, they're they're exciting games to go into as well. Playing against ah the ah the teams I've mentioned because it's it's a real test of where you're at and we'll learn a lot more about Fulham and what their prospects are ah for this season.
Podcast Wrap-Up and Future Fixtures
00:20:58
Speaker
when they're playing against Spurs when they're playing against Liverpool and when they're playing against Arsenal because we know they have to be at it because if they're not at it then then then they're going to lose those games and then they're going to lose those games quite convincingly so exciting to look look ahead to those games wasn't to be was it one of those things one of those days but Spurs that's another a day and we'll look ahead to that game in due course that'll do it for our match review Monday we hope to catch you all on the next one Every club. Every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network.