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Daily Fulham- Running out of steam
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Gavin looks back on Fulham's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Recap
00:00:01
Speaker
Every club. Every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network. Hello again and welcome back to the Daily Fulham Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network bringing you the latest news and views from across the Premier League and women's football.
00:00:19
Speaker
My name is Gavin Ruffell and on today's episode I am recapping Fulham's recent meeting in the league against Arsenal.
Fulham vs Arsenal: A Recent Rivalry
00:00:26
Speaker
as they look to overcome that disappointment from the FA Cup exit on the weekend.
00:00:31
Speaker
Unfortunately, they weren't able to do so, succumbing to their second London Derby defeat in the space of four days. It was a narrow victory for Arsenal, at least on the scoreline, maybe a bit more emphatic in terms of how the game panned out.
00:00:43
Speaker
And I'll be running you through all the key moments as we get into things. Fulham came into this one with a decent track record against Arsenal. As far as the last few meetings are concerned, if you can remember back to the one earlier in the season at Craven Cottage, Fulham were able to frustrate Arsenal for large portions of that game. It ended in a 1-1 draw, certainly a better result for Fulham than it was for Arsenal.
00:01:03
Speaker
Last season, Fulham had a say in the title race, didn't they? And the fact that they were able to stop Arsenal, taking four points, drawing 2-2 at the Emirates, as well as beating them back at Craven Cottage. And I know a lot of Arsenal fans are after...
Tactical Adjustments and Challenges
00:01:15
Speaker
last season look back at those couple of games and see that as a pivotal moment as to maybe why they weren't able to win the league few changes for fulham i was expecting marco silver to ring the changes probably not make as many changes as he did but certainly one or two personnel going out was hardly surprising straightforward swap in that raul himniz came in for Rodrigo Munez as has been the way as far as league games they tend to re rotate them so Munez starts the cup games Raul starts the league games other change that was expected was Willian dropping to the bench Willian at 36 years of age not going to see him start two games in such a short space of time so that was understandable
00:01:53
Speaker
Pereira out as well, so Emile Smith-Rowe came in, chance for him to impress on his return to the Emirates for the first time since departing Arsenal last summer. Other changes, maybe more surprising, but then when you think of it, maybe not so surprising.
00:02:07
Speaker
Calvin Bassi probably in need of the rest, so he dropped down to the bench, and Alex Welby, I know was certainly a lot of talk about um him after the Crystal Palace game about the fact that he has played a lot of games this season not just of course with Fulham but away on international duty with Nigeria he was rested as well so in came Traore, Diop and Cuenca and with the latter two players mentioned that meant that Fulham reverted to a back five something we've seen quite frequently in recent times and I've got my opinions on it I might get into that a little bit later on but that's the way they set up so in that set up and certainly for the way we saw the first ten fifteen minutes it was clear what Fulham's game plan was
00:02:43
Speaker
For the first 20 minutes, it was working well for Fulham.
00:02:48
Speaker
in offering support for raul him and as so the game plan was to hit arsenal and the counterattack soak cups and pressure and when you got the chance to give the ball to a downatorian and he can do what he does and that's that's run it plays cause a bit of havoc ah for the first twenty minutes it was working quite well for full um Arsenal were limited in terms of clear-cut chances. In fact, the most concerning moment for Arsenal comes early on when Gabriel goes down with an injury, pulls up trying to trap Jimenez as Traore is in possession.
First Half Struggles for Fulham
00:03:17
Speaker
Play carries on for a little while but eventually goes out and Gabriel, he's not fit enough to continue and that's a big blow for Arsenal. Kivior comes on to replace him. Gabriel's had another superb season. I think that's the best central defensive partnership In the league this season, hipsters might argue Murillo and Milenkovic, but I think in terms of sheer consistency and the fact that they've done it over a few seasons now, you'd have to say Gabriel and Saliba is the best partnership in the division and also what he offers in terms of ah set pieces.
00:03:44
Speaker
We know when Arsenal have corners, how Gabriel is attacking those. So I felt that was a a big blow for Arsenal to lose him at such early stage in the game. Fulham possession, it was quite measured. There were certain moments in that first half where there was an out ball to Castagna, but they were quite slow to get it out to him.
00:03:59
Speaker
But there were no real clear-cut chances in the opening 20 minutes for either side. However, there were warning signs for Fulham in the fact that Gabriel Martinelli, any time he got the ball over on the left-hand side, he looked like he was going to cause problems for Timothy Castagna. Timothy Castagna was really struggling to keep up with the pace of Martinelli.
00:04:15
Speaker
could go either way, and that looked like a battle from an Arsenal perspective that they could certainly get joy from. The first genuine opportunity actually comes because of Martinelli. He's got the beating of Castagna, as i said, and he stands across up to Warnieri, who volleys one on his left foot, but he hits it into the ground and straight at Bernd Leno.
00:04:32
Speaker
Timber's gone down with an injury as well, and after just losing Gabriel, the last thing Arsenal want to do is be forced into another substitution at the back, but he's able to continue. I think he went down after attempting to block a shot from Raul Jimenez. There was a couple of minutes he was receiving treatment, but he was fit enough to carry on.
00:04:49
Speaker
but And the shape from Fulham was pretty good. Arsenal would require a little bit more urgency in order to break them down. At least you thought anyway, but they do get their goal and there's a bit of luck involved in
Halftime Reflections and Second Half Outlook
00:04:59
Speaker
this. It's quite fortunate.
00:05:01
Speaker
It's patient possession from Arsenal, but you've got to question Anthony Robinson for this goal because he seems preoccupied with Wanyeri. He loses sight of where the ball is as Timber plays the ball in behind him.
00:05:12
Speaker
Wanyeri is able to collect it and he's in behind Robinson. Cuts it back. he finds mourinho even then it looks like it's not particularly threatening as mourinho has possession of the ball but there's fulham defenders in and around him but he attempts a shot and if you don't shoot you don't score if you don't buy a ticket you don't win a raffle so he shoots and it deflects off There's nothing Bert Leno can do.
00:05:34
Speaker
And Arsenal are in front. After not posing too many problems for Fulham, there's a bit of luck about it. But now it asks another question for Fulham. They've set up in that defensive approach, looking to hit Arsenal on a counter-attack.
00:05:48
Speaker
Does it now change things for Fulham? We saw in the first 10 or 15 minutes what the game plan was, which is to get the ball out to a Darmotriori. The problem was, as the half went on, he was seeing less and less of the ball. So the half ends, wasn't the most entertaining, wasn't most thrilling of halfs.
00:06:02
Speaker
I can't recall Fulham chance at all apart from that one from Jimenez that was blocked. It was comfortable from Arsenal. They didn't have to get out of first gear. As I said, slightly fortunate with the goal in the fact that it takes a deflection.
00:06:14
Speaker
But Fulham, they're going to have to do a bit more in order to get themselves back into the game. And I'll talk you through the second half action shortly. But before then, let me point you in the direction of our sponsors. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:06:30
Speaker
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00:06:41
Speaker
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr. So would we see a bit more aggression from Fulham in the second half? I feel for the first half, whilst they were comfortable for...
00:06:54
Speaker
The majority of it, everything was just a bit too slow and measured in pace. The tempo was pretty slow and it was comfortable for Arsenal. Arsenal have been one of the best teams defensively in the Premier for the last few seasons and Fulham didn't really lay a glove on them from an attacking standpoint in that first half. So would we see more? Well, we needed to if Fulham were to get some from
Key Moments in the Second Half
00:07:12
Speaker
the game. But actually, in fact, it's Arsenal who kind of stepped it up in the second half and there's an early chance for Udegaard. It's sloppy play from Adamo Troy. loses possession.
00:07:21
Speaker
Again, Martinelli's involved, he's terrorising Castagna again, cuts the ball back to Odegaard, but he fires over from close range, and that's probably the best chance of the game up until that moment, including the goal.
00:07:31
Speaker
Finally, finally, there is a chance for Fulham. It comes from a long punt forward. I think Saliba slightly misjudges the flight of the ball. Jimenez runs onto a loose ball, strikes it low and early, and Raya's forced into a bit of action for the first time.
00:07:44
Speaker
in the game another chance for Arsenal after that it's 1-2 between Timber and Odegaard Timber's almost stumbling as he gets a shot off he can't break his stride but Leno's able to close down the angle and gets his body in the way is an Erdogan free kick, about 25 yards out, left to central, whips it in, Saliba rises but heads over.
00:08:04
Speaker
Arsenal at this stage they're pushing for the second, if any team looks like they're going to get the next goal it certainly looks like it's going to be Arsenal. There's a Declan Rice corner to the back post, we know how successful Arsenal have been from corners this season even though maybe their goals have dried up a little bit, maybe other teams have slightly worked them out, got wise to it but martinelli gets on the end of the corner attempts ahead of but quenka's on the line to block it another nearly moment from a corner just following that an ever in swing of fulham don't clear moreno volleys it into the ground and over via a deflection
00:08:36
Speaker
Almost a half chance for Fulham but again it comes down to Adama Traore and his lack of end product. And again it comes from a long ball forward. Traore shows strength to out muscle Kivior.
00:08:48
Speaker
He's got Jimenez to his right in the penalty area. Surely the thing to do is to square it to him. It looks a simple easy ball but in the end Traore he does nothing. It's not a shot, it's not a cross, it's not a pass and the ball goes harmlessly out of play.
00:09:04
Speaker
Big moment in the game for the home faithful as Saka makes his long-awaited return. At the same time, Fulham make a triple substitution trying to get themselves back in the game. Pereira, Willian and Awobi come on for Emile Smith-Rowe, Adama Torre and Lukic.
00:09:18
Speaker
Lukic at this point have been booked again, so maybe a bit of protection there as well. Emile Smith-Rowe not able to make that impact on his return to the Emirates. And soon after those changes, it's the fairy tale return for Bakayo Saka.
00:09:30
Speaker
He makes it 2-0 to pretty much give Arsenal the three points. And it comes from Fulham's undoing. It's giveaway from Anderson. Martinelli strides forward. Runs it out wide to Mourinho.
00:09:42
Speaker
It's low driven cross from Mourinho. Martinelli follows his pass into the centre. He audaciously flicks it onto Saka at the back post who nods into an unguarded net and at 2-0 that's pretty much game set a match for Arsenal.
00:09:54
Speaker
More substitutions we see for Fulham. Muniz comes on and Cessignon comes on and Muniz is involved with fellow substitute Iwobi as Fulham break away. This is a glorious opportunity certainly the best chance Fulham have in the whole game.
00:10:07
Speaker
Uwobi does well, that he stands to cross up with his left foot from near the byline. Maneesi's got a glorious chance.
Match Conclusion and Player Performance
00:10:14
Speaker
He's got the goal at his mercy, needs to direct his header on target and with 10 minutes left to go, Fulham have a lifeline and can maybe sense a way back into the game.
00:10:23
Speaker
Inexplicably, he puts his header wide when it seemed easier to score. So with 10 minutes to go, as I said, if that goal goes in, there's a bit of nerves from the home fans, Fulham are back in it, they might be sensing blood, might be sensing that there's something for them on this occasion.
00:10:37
Speaker
It goes wide. And from then on, you feel like that is that's truly game done and dusted. Arsenal do have the ball in the back of the net again. It's from the impressive Martinelli as he slipped in by Martin Udegaard. But the flag goes up straight away for offside.
00:10:52
Speaker
So it looks like the game's just heading to a comfortable 2-0 Arsenal win. But there is late hope for Fulham. Very late hope. And Munez, this time, he does get his goal. Pereira plays one into the channel for Ryan Sesson. Ryan Sesson has come on. He's playing on the right wing as Fulham revert back to four at the back.
00:11:09
Speaker
Plays one into the box for Rodrigo Munez. And Munez shoots first time. Not the clearest of efforts, but it comes off Saliba and it wrong foots David Raya. At this point, there's about one or two minutes left, so not much time left in the game Fulham to possibly rescue it. There is a late corner right at the very end for them to potentially nick something, but it amounts to nothing, and Arsenal see out the game 2-1. A deserved victory on the night.
00:11:32
Speaker
Very comfortable outing, I felt. The scoreline probably flatters Fulham, I would say, because it was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. In the final part, I will be giving my overall reflections on the game.
00:11:46
Speaker
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00:11:58
Speaker
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00:12:09
Speaker
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Strategic Reflections and Future Challenges
00:12:12
Speaker
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00:12:20
Speaker
Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for just anybody. Get what's right for you right now. Marco Silva would have been hoping for a reaction after the disappointment of the weekend going out in the FA Cup to Crystal Palace.
00:12:32
Speaker
Did he get that from his players? No, I don't think he did. Arsenal didn't have to get out of first gear in the first half and went into the interval a goal ahead and from that moment on, Arsenal, with the defensive solidity they have, you always think that's a good position for them. And then they ramped it up slightly in a second half, got their second goal, which they deserved.
00:12:49
Speaker
Late consolation for Fulham, but it just came too late, didn't it? If that had come 10 minutes before the chance from the Iwobi cross for Maniz, which was a much simpler chance, then maybe Fulham can get something later on, even though it would have been possibly undeserved. because For the first half, the way they set up in the game, it was purely to contain and putting men behind the ball.
00:13:08
Speaker
And we saw the five at the back, and I've spoken at length about five at the back, and how I just don't feel it suits the personnel at Fulham. I just don't feel they look as comfortable or playing that system as they do when they're in the four.
00:13:19
Speaker
That seems to be his method when he goes away to these grounds, where he probably feels like his team's not going to have so much of the ball. In actuality, the possession stats were pretty even at the end of the game. But... From an attacking standpoint, in the first half, Fulham offered very little. The game plan was clear. It was to try and get the ball to Adamo Traore and for him to just run and and and probably bring other players into the game. But Adamo Traore in this game was only good for running because his end product certainly wasn't there. And just wonder what's happened to him in the last couple of weeks. But because before his little injury, he suffered against Man United. He was actually playing pretty well.
00:13:50
Speaker
He only missed the Brighton game with that knock. He was a sub against Spurs and a sub against Palace. So he's started here for the first time since the game at Old Trafford and in those appearances he's looked awful to tell the truth.
00:14:02
Speaker
And the concern for Marco Silva will be that he has just too many players in the squad at the moment that aren't quite delivering, aren't quite reaching the standards you would like to see. They're not quite performing to their capabilities. though You just worry maybe slightly, are they running out of steam towards the end of the season?
00:14:17
Speaker
A lot of players have played a lot of games this season, which is why he opted to rest at Wolby and Bassey. You just worry maybe if the tank has been emptied for a lot of these players and they're not able to quite give...
00:14:28
Speaker
They're all because it's an important running now, isn't it? With eight games left of the season to go, you never want to lose games, but it's not a damaging blow losing to Arsenal. It's probably expected, but they do have some tough games coming up now and they're going to need players firing on all cylinders in order to get them positive results so they can cling on to the hope that they can get in those European places.
00:14:48
Speaker
I said early on in the piece I talk a little bit about the five at the back because I think a line just needs to be drawn under it now and it's not the first time I've said that this season. I don't think you get the most out Fulham's attackers with that formation.
00:14:59
Speaker
Certain personnel just don't look comfortable. One positive was that we saw Ryan Sesson make a bit of an impact when he came on. He looked like he was offering something. He was trying something. He got the assist... for Munez's goal. He also had a header, which was straight Arroyo, but he looked like he could make a difference. We've seen now in recent weeks, he scored a couple of goals. Sead had the assist in this game. I think now he deserves an opportunity start. I actually would have started him for this game because at least we're seeing some input from him. He felt like...
00:15:28
Speaker
The first half of the season was a bit of a write-off because it's a player that's not played of football in recent times.
Fulham's European Aspirations and Season Reflection
00:15:33
Speaker
But now he seems up to speed with things. He's playing in a slightly unfamiliar position when he came on, it over on that right side. But he looked effective, didn't he? He looked like any time he received the ball, he could make something happen. So I think with Fulham's injuries, the fact that we're not going to see Nelson and the fact that Harry Wilson is still out, I feel like Ryan Session absolutely deserves to be starting games now.
00:15:54
Speaker
And I see no reason why he shouldn't start on the weekend against Liverpool. I think Kenny Tetty is soon to return. i'm not quite sure if the Liverpool game would come too soon for him, but you feel like he probably would have done a better job at trying to stop Martinelli.
00:16:09
Speaker
It was such a dynamic game for Martinelli, and Castagna really struggled to live with him. Martinelli was going on the inside, going on the outside, doing what he wanted, basically. Timothy Castagna would have been so dizzy at full-time that he probably wouldn't have even known his own name.
00:16:22
Speaker
As the weeks have gone on, Kenny Tetty's absence seems to have been felt more and more. But there's no point dwelling on the result and feeling sorry for yourselves. Fulham were outclassed on this occasion. Arsenal are the second best team in the league.
00:16:36
Speaker
Obviously, they don't want to be the second best team in the league because they want to be the best. But they've been a long way short of Liverpool, haven't they? Positive for them on the night is Bakayasaka coming back and returning in the best possible way with that goal shortly after coming on.
00:16:49
Speaker
And you can't help but ponder how close Arsenal might be to Liverpool if he had remained fit the line. for the whole season because he is a top quality player certainly one of the best players in the league on his day so he has been a big loss for them they'll be delighted to have him back for the running and in particular for that champions league two-legged tie against real madrid finally for fulham doesn't get any easier now does it they've got liverpool on the weekend that they've got a tough running from now until the end of the season a lot of fulham fans have seemed to have already written off the team's chances of qualifying for Europe and that may be based on some of the games they got left to play. They do have a lot of sides in the top half remaining. I think I saw somewhere the other day that they do have the toughest running, at least on paper, but football isn't played on paper and you also have to bear in mind, prior to the Arsenal game, Fulham have had some decent results against the better sides this season.
00:17:39
Speaker
If Fulham do miss out on Europe, it's not because of games against Arsenal and Liverpool, it's because of too many points dropped at home against teams in the bottom half. More specifically, Southampton, Ipswich, Wolves and West Ham.
00:17:51
Speaker
All teams in the bottom five that they failed to beat at Craven Cottage. And if you compare that to Nottingham Forest, it's vastly different. Forest have won the odd game against sides around them. But the reason they are where they are and why they're likely to get Champions League football is because of how ruthless they have been against those sides in the bottom half.
00:18:09
Speaker
It's not all lost, but I feel like certain players have got to pull their weight a bit more. think there's just too many players that coasting at the minute. not taking the game by the scruff of the neck and not making telling contributions i'm not one of those doom mongers that says the season's over every time you lose a game not everything's black and white sometimes there is a bit of grey it's still been a positive season but you just don't want to end things on a whimper now and and run out of steam as we come into the business stage of things So Liverpool on the weekend, obviously they'll they'll present their own challenges. We know what they're capable of and if Fulham aren't at their best, then they're going to get steamrolled. It's as simple as that,
Episode Wrap-up and Upcoming Fixtures
00:18:46
Speaker
isn't it? But um yeah, wellll we'll look ahead to that game in due course.
00:18:50
Speaker
But that'll wrap things up as far as today's recap goes. Looking back on the events at the Emirates. Fulham succumbing to that two one defeat. Second London Derby defeat in the space of a few days.
00:19:01
Speaker
Hopefully things will go a little bit better on the weekend. Until then, thank you all once again for tuning in and hope to catch you all on the next one.
00:19:15
Speaker
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