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FA Cup Reaction: Whites win against Watford to secure comfortable progression
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Gavin looks back on the FA Cup Third Round tie between Fulham and Watford.
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Transcript
Introduction & Focus Shift
00:00:01
Speaker
Every club. Every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network. Hello and welcome back to the Daily Fulham Podcast. My name is Gavin Ruffle and this is still your home of all things Fulham. Today is Friday but it's Friday with a bit of a difference. Normally we'd be looking ahead, we'd be looking forward to the weekend's game, I'd be giving you a preview but instead we're actually looking back. Yes, Fulham have already been in action in the third round of the FA Cup on Thursday night as they hosted Watford and I'm here to look back at all the action and key events from that game.
00:00:38
Speaker
Yes, so a break from the league action in what's been a very hectic schedule of late, a lot of games in December.
Fulham's Cup Chances & Key Changes
00:00:45
Speaker
A little bit of a change here in cup action and this was an opportunity for Fulham. Would have been some disappointment earlier on in the season going out at an early stage in the Carabao Cup.
00:00:56
Speaker
to championship opposition but this was a good chance for them to make progress with them being placed in a comfortable position in the league having no concerns about relegation this represents a real opportunity this season in my personal opinion for them to target the FA Cup and and with a game against Watford, Watford who have been in some disappointing form recently having lost four of their last five but still in a position where they all feel they can reach the playoffs very competitive league as is the championship things change so quickly so nothing's lost yet for them and Marco Silva
00:01:34
Speaker
In the build up to this game he spoke glowingly about the FA Cup and wanting to respect the competition as well as the opposition and like myself he sees it as an opportunity but then again he did say the same thing about the Carabao Cup and proceeded to make 11 changes as Fulham travelled to Deepdale but weren't on the right end of a an elongated penalty shootout on that particular occasion. Interestingly enough he was coming up for the first time I think in his career against one of his former charges Tom Cleverley who he managed at Watford and Tom Cleverley has spoken positively about Marco Silva as well in the build up to this game in his pre-match press conference he said that he does everything with efficiency this is Cleverley on Silva and that as a player he gave him complete clarity so there's obviously a lot of respect between those managers knowing each other quite well Cleverley did also say
00:02:30
Speaker
He hinted that he would make changes of his own. This is something I spoke about on the Wild Card Wednesday edition, talking about the FA Cup. It's not just the teams higher up in the league ladder that make a lot of changes. There's ah some of the championship teams and even lower in the league pyramid. They they often make changes as well because their priorities lie elsewhere. And and as I did mention, Watford, despite being on a bit of a poor run, they are in contention, fighting to try and get in those in those playoffs.
00:02:56
Speaker
So he said himself that he was going to make changes and that was maybe an audition for some players, a chance for them to show what they can do so they can earn the right to get into his starting 11th games in the future. And Marco Silva did, he did hint, he did say that he would make changes as well.
00:03:12
Speaker
probably not 11 but it was an opportunity looking at maybe the fitness of certain players or some players have played a lot of games this season maybe the opportunity to give players as well that chance who maybe haven't had the football that they would have liked and there was some positive news on the injury front coming into this game We learned that Sander Berger, he's nearing full fitness and we should see him back very soon. He wasn't in the squad for this game, but one man who was in the squad who we haven't seen for a long time since the 9th of November is Harrison Reed. So that's very positive news on that front.
00:03:48
Speaker
So it wasn't 11 changes, but it was 7. Coming into the team you had the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Rodrigo Moniz, Cécignon Cuenca, race start for Steven Bender in goal as well, Anthony Robinson out of the squad all together having a well-earned rest.
Fan Reactions & Early Game Dynamics
00:04:05
Speaker
He's been an ever-present for Fulham, pretty much all the way through Marco Silva's time managing the club in the Premier League and he's he's just been named the US men's player of the year as well so absolutely well-earned rest for Anthony Robinson he'll be back up and running for the next game I'm sure of that. It was good to see Emil Smith row starting as well I did see some criticism levelled at his way
00:04:27
Speaker
after his cameo performance against Ipswich which I thought was quite harsh to be honest because he did play a role in the second goal to lead up to that penalty that Jimenez scored so it was good to see him back in for this game and I talked about Watford's priorities and cleverly what he said about using it as an audition and that was highlighted by the fact that they made nine changes which just you know signaled their intent possibly their top scorer buyer was also left out he was on the bench.
00:04:55
Speaker
Bit of a sparse crowd for this one. No surprise in some ways. Putting a game on Thursday night it spoke about some of the problems the f fa the FA Cup has had in recent times and the scheduling of games. I know Chelsea and Brentford are also at home this weekend so that would have had some impact but I think we've seen it with some of the other games that were played Thursday night. There weren't great attendances. It's difficult for away fans as well. There was a decent turnout from the Watford fans in this game. Not too far to travel for them but I just think scheduling games on the Thursday's. It comes with its difficulties for both sets of fans really and the Watford fans were certainly intent on being heard. They weren't shy in making their feelings known towards Marco Silva in the first 10 minutes of the game.
00:05:40
Speaker
Yeah, I mentioned Ryan Cessignon, this was a rare opportunity for him to start in and Anthony Robinson's absence, starting at left back, but more likely to see him in this game, playing that more advanced position with Fulham, seeing a large amount of the ball, and it was good to see them going back to what's worked so well, going back to that back four, which I hope from a Fulham perspective, that back five now is something that's just been put to bed, and we don't see that again anytime soon.
00:06:08
Speaker
When you're coming into cup games, when you're when you're the team expected to win, you're you're at home, it's all about mentality and having the right attitude and application in order to avoid being on the wrong end of a cup upset. If you can get those things right, then it'll go a long way and your quality, the talent of players you have should be enough to get you that win.
Key Match Events & Fulham's Victory
00:06:29
Speaker
And it was no surprise, the early knock-ins of this game went as you expected, very much like The game on the weekend in some ways where Fulham was seeing a lot of the ball early on. You saw Fulham's two centre-offs. They were being allowed to play quite high up, getting into the Watford half themselves. And the first shot on target comes from Alex Owobi. It's good initial play from Emil Smith-Roe as he pressures the Watford fallback.
00:06:57
Speaker
Keeps the ball in play. It will be plays a 1-2 with Pereira. He gets a good right footage shot from about 20 yards. The Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond is able to tip it past the post. Not the first time in the past few days that Fulham have been thwarted by a Bond.
00:07:12
Speaker
It wasn't until the 22nd minute where Watford were finally able to string a few passes in the Fulham half it was such such a dominance. Not in terms of necessarily Fulham bombarding the Watford goal with shots but in terms of territory and action areas it was all Fulham up to that point and the goal came on the 26th minute And it does come from the first real dangerous Watford attack, where Tom Ince dispossesses Sassa Lukic, but Jokimandus is on hand, he recovers, he intercepts, closes down Tom Ince before he's able to get shot away. Ball arrives at the feet of Andreas Pereira, who's captaining Fulham for this game. He drives forward, plays it out wide to Adama Triore, who charges towards the penalty area,
00:08:02
Speaker
He fizzes a low ball into Rodrigo Muniz who hits a lovely crisp strike with his right foot and it beats the keeper before he has time to react. And it was almost 2-0 immediately after that. First there was an appeal for a penalty as a woe replays it onto Watford defenders hand. Nothing doing there, nothing given.
00:08:23
Speaker
Ball comes out to Kostanya and he strikes from distance as a deflection, the wrong foots the keeper but it's inches wide and Fulham at that point were looking swift an attack and very dangerous and when Watford did come forward they were looking particularly dangerous on that counter attack and corners were mounting up.
00:08:41
Speaker
Watford were forced into a change on the half hour. Duomo was replaced by Loser. He had actually gone down several minutes before this, tried to recover, shake off the knot, but wasn't able to. So that change was made on the half hour mark. And actually Watford equalised very shortly after in the 33rd minute. And this is a pitch of a goal. It's one where you just gotta hold your hand up and say that's a quality goal from the opposition.
00:09:07
Speaker
it's come out of nothing so vata who's the goal scorer he receives the ball 10 yards inside the full and half on the half turn he drives into space and from around 25 yards out he angles a right footed clean strike and it goes past the diving outstress steven bender yeah really good goal from wattford out of nothing and that give them a little bit of confidence. They were starting to knock ah knock the ball about decently. Maybe that give them the confidence that they can go on, push on and maybe look to secure that cup upset. So it was one, one at half time, but I did still fancy Fulham from this position and to emerge victorious in this game. Second half action to come, but before then, let's just hear a few words about our sponsors.
00:09:55
Speaker
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00:10:20
Speaker
And before the second half got underway, there was a change. 4 Fulham straight swap as we saw Raoul Jimenez come on for Rodrigo Moniz. I can only assume Moniz must have taken a knock or it must have been something that as a precaution because I thought he looked quite lively in that first half.
00:10:36
Speaker
scoring that goal well taken goal he had another chance as well but he was unable to finish but i felt he led the line quite well and and i was surprised to see that change when i saw that raul himenez was going to come on i thought oh he might be playing two up top here as we saw the last 25 minutes against ipson which will maybe just experiment in trying something different once i was surprised when it was meniza's number that was shown But as I said, I'm not sure if that was just a precaution maybe he's taking a knock and he didn't want to didn't want to risk him getting injured and Wasn't long before Raoul Jimenez was involved in the action and getting on the score sheet himself Much to Marco Silva's delight as Fulham were awarded a penalty This is one of those rare occasions where Fulham have actually started the second half of games Well, it's been a problem
00:11:21
Speaker
As in, throughout the course of the season, how they've seemed to concede a lot of goals in that period between the 46th and the 60th minute, they start second half slow, but they but they were the team that started the second half on the front foot, and the penalty is awarded. it's ah It's a mistake from Watford. They lose the ball quite high up.
00:11:41
Speaker
Ball comes out to Adama Troyori, he sizes up the defender, but he's brought down by Tikvich, the Watford defender. And it was an obvious foul, but I was surprised when I looked up a few seconds later to see it was a penalty for Fulham. I assumed it was ah just a foul outside the box, but the replays confirmed that contact was made inside the box. So just as well that Marco Silva had made that substitution, because he's got his ah he's got his penalty taker on there, and we know how roul him and is how confident he is from the penalty spot and this was no different on this occasion that typical stuttering run up but he powers the ball into the net Fulham go back in front 2-1 and from this point you're wondering do Watford have it in them to come from behind a second time and on the flip side can Fulham get that two goal cushion and put the game to bed something they haven't necessarily been able to do a lot of this season just give them a bit of comfort when it gets the latter stages of the game
00:12:36
Speaker
was a chance for Fulham to extend that lead to 3-1, a chance for Smithrow, a Wobi plays a cute pass into the box, Jimenez does really well to keep it in, looks like it's just drifting out of place but he manages to keep it in, lays it into Smithrows path but he's closed down by Bond and all the pressure was coming from Fulham at this stage but you just don't want to switch off, don't want to allow the opposition back into the game.
00:12:58
Speaker
Watford, they were unable to get out of their half. Pressure was mounting. Corners were really adding up and the pressure finally did tell. And it's Joachim Anderson who gets on the score sheet to make it 3-1 to Fulham and on that stage you think that's game done and dusted. As long as there's no mental lapses, loss of concentration, you do the basics, you think that should be game over. It's an away swinging corner from Andreas Pereira. Anderson pulls away from the defender and gets first contact from around the penalty spot.
00:13:26
Speaker
It's partially blocked, but it comes straight back to Anderson, who sweetly volleys you into the net for 3-1. And as I said, that should all things be considered, that should be game over at that stage. And that was Joachim Anderson's last involvement in the game. He's immediately substituted, replaced by Isid Yop. And it's another run out for Josh King, an opportunity for him to impress. I know a lot of people probably feel he should have started this game, maybe wanting to see younger players in the team. But I think they're the decisions you have to make.
00:13:55
Speaker
Marco Silver there is talking about respecting the competition and respecting the opposition so you don't want to put too many young players out in the starting 11 because if you go out in the third round of the FA Cup when you're ninth in the league then then you're made to look silly aren't you so you don't want to take any liberties and in that respect so With the game at 3-1, you're looking comfortable, then it is a chance to get those younger players on. God knows another one, it will be coming off. It will be one of the players actually fought, along with Anthony Robinson. Definitely wouldn't play just because there's sheer volume of games he's played for Fulmer's season and how important a play he has been.
00:14:25
Speaker
I thought this might have been the time to rest him but no he played the 67 minutes and he was substituted as I said for Godot. Changes for Watford as well as we saw the experienced Tom Ince come off and the goal score of Vata also was replaced. And there was a chance for a fourth goal Diagonals played from Cuenca to Adama Troore. Ball comes in field to Andres Pereira who thumps a shot that clatters the crossbar.
00:14:50
Speaker
Some more substitutions and this one was warmly received as we saw the return of Harrison Reed coming on for Sassa Lukic for a run out for the last 15 minutes of the game. We've not seen him since the 9th of November, he's been a very important player for Fulham over the years, so good to see him back in the team.
00:15:11
Speaker
and 3-1 soon became 4-1 as Kostanya nodded in from close range. Build-up play on the right hand side as Traore and Godot combine. It's a chip cross into the near post. Kostanya rises, three header to get Fulham's fourth the first time they've scored four goals this season. The goalkeeper will probably be disappointed that he wasn't able to keep this out.
00:15:35
Speaker
Watford did have a late chance to get their second, Kayembe a strike from distance which hits the post, but scoreline remains at 4-1 and it's a comfortable passage for Fulham into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Post-Match Analysis & Future Prospects
00:15:47
Speaker
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00:15:57
Speaker
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00:16:14
Speaker
Yep so all in all a very good night for Fulham securing their passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup and there's no reason they can't go a long way in this competition provided they get a good draw. I think as a fan you always want to see your team drawn at home maybe Fulham haven't necessarily had the best results recently at home and maybe it's it's been easier for them to play play away from home because they've had um some setbacks at home not losing too many games but a couple of games where they may have been expected to win and hasn't quite worked out like that So it was good for them to get that win or be it against championship opposition just to show that they can unlock defenses when teams set up in a way to try and stop them. So yeah, they can be pleased with their night's work. It looks a lot better as a back four. I know in a game like this, the likes of Anderson and Cuenca, it's not going to be the toughest testers in terms of the defensive work.
00:17:07
Speaker
that's asked of them but in terms of a system and how full them shape up they definitely look more comfortable as a back four and as I mentioned briefly earlier hopefully the back five experiment can be put to bed now and I feel like Anderson, Anderson had a really good out and as I said maybe defensively not tested so much in a game like this he did have one important interception in the first half which denied what for the chance on goal he took his goal really well he was able to get on the ball in the Watford half, he was able to spray his diagonals as you would expect, he just looked a lot more comfortable in this game and hopefully that's a positive sign going forward. Ryan Sessone again, rare outing for him, so for him to get 90 minutes in the tank, it's just a reminder there to Marco Silva, if anything does happen to Anthony Robinson, if he's out with injury or anything like that,
00:17:56
Speaker
then Ryan Stessignon maybe can come in and do a job. I do think that's maybe a position that Fulham needs to look at in in January. I don't think there's much business that needs to be done as far as this month is concerned, but that's one area I would look at just in case something does happen to happen to Anthony Robinson. Maybe ah a game like this, a home game against a team in Watford who who have made a lot of changes, who have found wins difficult to come by recently. Maybe this was a good game for Ryan Sestanion to come in and play at left back, obviously be she playing against higher calibre opposition of players. i mean You wouldn't want him playing at left back against Mo Salah, for instance, would you? but
00:18:31
Speaker
Yeah, good for him to get 90 minutes ah under his belt and he never stopped going, never stopped trying to get forward to try and make things happen for Fulham. Also a good night for Adama Traore. He was involved in three of the four Fulham goals. Good for him because he's had a bit of a mixed time with it recently after starting the season so well. Harry Wilson has come in and been impressive. that You'd think he's taken his place now and they do have Rhys Nelson to come back in but Adama Traore is always a good option to have.
00:18:59
Speaker
and you know what he is capable of. He was heavily involved in this game and he can be pleased with his night's effort and Harrison Reed as well, that's a big positive. We spoke to him here about Marco Silverick saying how Sander Berger is close to fitness and I'm pretty confident that we will see him involved in some capacity for the next game. Whether he deems him fit enough to start, I'm not too sure but I think it's pretty evident in the last couple of games that Sander Berger has definitely been a a loss for Fulham which just shows how far he's come in a short space of time, doesn't it?
00:19:30
Speaker
Yeah, great to see Harrison Reed back on the pitch there. and you know He's such a committed player, works really hard. and I've seen some rumours with the likes of Douglas Louise and players in that sort of midfield position, but I feel, again, we talk about areas that need strengthening. I don't feel sent the mid is an area that needs strengthening. then Once you get Sander Berger and Harrison Reed back,
00:19:55
Speaker
Maybe a different profile type of player, if you're looking at a centre mid, maybe more of a ball-playing midfielder that can come in. More competition for someone like Tom Kearney, but I think they're okay in that in that department, so yeah, very good for him to get 15 minutes there at the end. and and finally as well yeah the youngsters some probably would have felt aggrieved that josh king didn't start but look his time will come he's 17 years old there's no need to rush things is there at this moment in time and you'll get plenty of opportunities i'm sure of that going forward god though as well coming on and getting this this for timothy castagna and to get that final goal
00:20:33
Speaker
But look, that's 9 and beating in all competitions now. And yeah, we see what the draw brings. But yeah, for teams like Fulham in that sort of mid-table range in the Premier League, there's no reason they can't look to the FA Cup and fancy their chances of going a long way in the competition. Made some changes, was able to rotate but still put out a strong side. And I think that's the key, isn't it? You want to be putting out a strong side. You don't want to...
00:20:58
Speaker
disrespect the competition and disrespect the opposition which is what he touched upon there's no reason that Fulham can't go a long way in this competition providing they have a decent draw or even if they have a draw against one of the bigger sides they've shown this season that they can compete against them as well It's the games against the lower end. So maybe that's why you this Watford fixture might have been a banana skin, but as I said, if you can get the application and attitude correct, then you'll go a long way to winning the game and getting four goals in the process. Yeah, a good night and we'll see what the draw does indeed bring. Another London Derby on the horizon as they go to the London Stadium to take on Graham Potter's West Ham. Yes, Graham Potter's West Ham.
00:21:42
Speaker
We will have the build up for that very soon. But a good night for Fulham. That's all from the Daily Fulham Podcast. Hope to catch you all next time.
00:21:56
Speaker
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